JP2003274102A - Image reader, control method therefor, image processing system, and medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set a destination required to transmit image data read by an image reader to a device on a network. <P>SOLUTION: Destination information (such as a host name and a directory name)required to image data read by a multi-function machine to a PC on a LAN is searched, and a list of the search result is displayed on a liquid crystal tough panel, and selection is made to set a destination. In this case, the search is advanced through UI pictures. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a destination setting technique for transmitting image data read by an image reading device to an arbitrary destination on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a local network (LAN) in which computers are connected to each other has become widespread, and such a LAN can be constructed on a floor of a building, the entire building, a region, or a large area. Such a LAN can connect a plurality of LANs to each other.
It can also be connected to worldwide networks.
Each such interconnected LAN may have a variety of hardware interconnect technologies and numerous network protocols.

In recent years, in such a LAN environment, a multifunction machine,
Scanners, printers, etc. have been deployed and are becoming commonly used in LANs. In a multi-function peripheral, the scanner of the multi-function peripheral is shared by each information processing device (host computer) on the network, and the image data read from the scanner is stored in an arbitrary host computer in the network. It is used.

As a method for the host computer to acquire the image data read from the scanner, a method of controlling the scanner on the multifunction machine from the host computer on the network to take in the image data read to the host computer, and a method of combining There is a method in which the destination host computer is specified from the panel of the machine and the read image data is directly transmitted to the host computer.

In the latter method, when the image data read by the scanner is designated and transmitted by the scanner side, only the ID (host name) of the destination (destination) host computer is sent. Instead, you need to set the destination directory, the user name and password to log in to the computer correctly.

[0006]

Therefore, the user is
It was necessary to pay close attention to input exactly one character related to each setting item. Moreover, for example, even if the address is entered correctly, if the password is entered incorrectly, it is not possible to confirm whether or not the password is correct until the read image data is actually sent. A great deal of effort was required to set the destination.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its object is to specify an address required when transmitting image data read by an image reading device to a device on a network. It is to be able to set easily.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a reading means for reading an image recorded on a recording medium by using a photoelectric conversion element, and an image read by the photoelectric conversion element. What is claimed is: 1. An image reading apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that transmits data via a network; and a setting unit that sets a destination when the transmission unit transmits the data, wherein the setting unit sets the destination of the image data on the network. It has a search means for searching.

The present invention also includes a reading step of reading an image recorded on a recording medium using a photoelectric conversion element, and a transmission step of transmitting image data read using the photoelectric conversion element via a network. And a setting step of setting a destination when transmitting by the transmitting step, wherein the setting step includes a searching step of searching a destination of the image data on the network. ing.

The present invention is also an image processing system for performing image processing by transmitting image data read by an image reading device to a device on a network, wherein the image reading device processes the image data by the network. It has a search means for searching for a destination necessary for transmission via the.

Further, the present invention is a control program executed by an image reading device, wherein the image data read by the image reading device is transmitted to a device on a network for performing the image processing. It has the contents to search for the destination required for.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of an example of a communication system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 1, 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes a multi-function peripheral connectable to a LAN, which is connected to a local area network (LAN) 100 via an interface such as 100Base-T having RF-45.

Personal computers (PC) 102, 103, 104, 105 are also connected to the LAN 100, and the PCs 102, 103, 104, 105 are LAs.
It is possible to communicate with the multifunction peripheral 101 via the N100. LAN100 is usually one in one building
It serves a local group, such as a group of users on one floor, or on multiple floors in a row.

When users are in other buildings, a wide area network (WAN) may be used according to the distance between the users. A WAN is basically an aggregate formed by connecting a plurality of LANs by a high speed digital line such as a high speed integrated service digital network (ISDN) telephone.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 101. The multi-function peripheral 101 stores a CPU 201 that controls the multi-function peripheral 101, and an RO that stores a control program for performing various processes described below.
It has a RAM 203 used as a work area or the like by the M202 and the CPU 201.

Further, the multifunction peripheral 101 has a scanner I / F which controls a scanner engine 210 which performs an image reading operation.
Control unit 204, NV for storing various setting parameters
RAM 205, panel control unit 206 that controls the operation panel 209, network I / that communicates with the network
The F control unit 207 includes a bus 208 that connects these devices to each other.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of a control program relating to transmission / reception of image data and the operation panel 209.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a panel input / output module, which is a liquid crystal touch panel 40 of the operation panel 209.
5 (see FIG. 4) is a module for displaying messages and buttons, and controlling input from the user. Reference numeral 302 denotes a network reference module, which searches for a PC on the network (LAN 100) and P
This is a module for logging in to C and the like.

Reference numeral 303 denotes a network protocol communication module, which is a module for controlling communication of the network. As this module, in this embodiment,
It uses a TCP / IP communication module. A network driver module 304 controls the network I / F control unit 207 and actually sends / receives a packet on the network.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a schematic configuration example of the operation panel 209. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 2
The numeral 09 includes a numeral key 401, a start key 402 for starting copying, a stop key 403, a transmission button 404, a liquid crystal touch panel 405, and the like.

A send button 404 is used to send the image data read by the scanner engine 210 of the multifunction peripheral 101 to the LAN.
It is used to give a transmission instruction when transmitting to PCs 102 to 105 via 100.

When instructing this transmission, not only the ID (host name) of the destination PC 102 to 105 (the destination), but also the location information (directory name) for storing the transmitted image data and the destination PCs 102 to 105. A user name and a password for accessing (login) must be set, but in the present embodiment, the setting operation is performed by a UI (User Interface) on the liquid crystal touch panel 405.
ace) screen.

FIG. 5 shows an initial destination setting screen (UI screen).
This is a schematic configuration diagram of the destination setting screen, which is first displayed when the send button 404 is pressed.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 is a selection area (box) for selecting a protocol for transmitting image data to the destination, and 502 is the destination PCs 102 to 105.
(Host device name) is displayed, 503 is an area where the directory of the destination host device is input, 504
Is an area for inputting a user name for logging in to the destination host device, and 505 is an area for inputting the password of the user.

A reference button 506 refers to a host device on the network to search for a destination. Reference numeral 508 is a cancel button, and 507 is an OK button.

For example, conventionally, the PC 10 on the network
If the user sends to the destination such as the network shared folder “share_network” with the host name “Tokyo” of 4 and the directory “data \ first sales department \ exhibition materials” with the authentication such as the password “1234 kato%”, the host Name "\\ Tokyo
The user can make a manual mistake in all the character groups such as \ share_network ", path to folder" \ data \ first sales department \ exhibition materials ", user name" kato ", password" 1234kato% ". Had to type in.

In the present embodiment, by searching these destinations (destination information) on the network, the troublesomeness of manual input by the user is reduced.

In the present embodiment, when searching for a destination, as will be described later, it is not necessary to press the reference button 506 after touching the areas 502 and 503, but simply press the reference button 506. Good.

In this embodiment, the protocol is SMB (Server Message Block).
Since it is assumed that k) is used, the protocol selection area 501 displays "Windows (registered trademark)".
(SMB) ”is displayed as a default.

FIG. 6 shows a reference screen (UI screen) first displayed on the touch panel 405 when the reference button 506 is pressed to refer to the path to the folder of the host device after designating the host device name. It is the figure which showed the example.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 606 denotes a list display area in which a list of search results is displayed. If the list display area 606 cannot display all the lists,
By pressing the up button 601 and the down button 604 to scroll, another list can be displayed.

Reference numerals 602 and 603 denote directory hierarchy move buttons. When the down move button 603 is pressed, the directory is moved to a deeper level, and when the up move button 602 is pressed, the directory is moved to a shallower level. It is possible to move. By pressing the cancel button 508 on the UI screen of FIG. 6, it is possible to return to the UI screen of FIG.

The work group name is displayed in the list display area 606. By touching the displayed work group name and pressing the down move button 603, a list of hosts belonging to this work group is obtained. be able to.

In the state of FIG. 6, three work groups “CABF”, “DEV1G”, and “QA” are displayed,
Among these, “CEVIG” is highlighted and indicates that this work group is selected.

FIG. 7 shows the work group "D" as shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when “EV1G” is selected and a down movement button 603 is pressed. In FIG. 7, in the list display area 606, the work group “D
As a list of host devices belonging to “EV1G”, “PC
"1" and "PC2" are displayed, and as a result of selecting "PC2" among them, they are highlighted.

FIG. 8 shows a U displayed when "PC2" is selected and the down move button 603 is pushed down as shown in FIG.
It is the figure which showed the I screen example. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 is an area for inputting a user name, and 802 is an area for inputting a password. The user inputs a user name for accessing the PC 1 in the area 801, inputs the password of the user in the area 802, and presses the OK button 507 to log in.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 2
The numeral 09 is provided with only the numeral keys 401 as the character keys, and the liquid crystal touch panel 405 is made as wide as possible to effectively use the narrow area on the upper surface of the multi-function peripheral 101. Therefore, the user name and password are numerical values. It is preferable to express by. However, for example, one English character conversion key is provided, and after pressing the English character conversion key, the numeric key 401
By pressing, you can enter other characters such as letters and symbols assigned to the numerical value (two digits), or provide a group of keys to directly enter letters and symbols. You may.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an error message displayed when login fails.

When the login is unsuccessful, the user name and password are correctly input again and the login is attempted.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the UI screen in which the login is successful and the shared folder in the PC 1 is displayed. In FIG. 10, the list display area 606 displays “Sh
The shared folders "are" and "work" are displayed, and the shared folder "work" is selected and highlighted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when the down move button 603 is pressed in the state of FIG. In FIG. 11, the directories “directory1” and “dire” in the shared folder “work” are shown.
"directory2" and "directory3" are displayed, and "directory2" is selected and highlighted.

FIG. 12 shows the OK button 50 in the state of FIG.
7 is an example of a UI screen displayed when 7 is pressed. In FIG. 12, a list of destination search results by the above-described search operation is displayed. By pressing the OK button 507 to confirm in this state and pressing the send button 404, the image data and the like read by the scanner 210 is transmitted with each parameter related to the destination displayed in FIG. Become.

Next, the destination searching process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in order to set the destination, the user opens the setting screen shown in FIG. 5, selects the protocol 501 (SMB in this embodiment), and presses the reference button 506. 301 searches for a work group on the network via the network reference module 302, displays a reference screen as shown in FIG. 6, and displays a list of the searched work groups in a list display area 606. (Step S1301).

Next, when one is selected from the displayed work groups and the down move button 603 is pressed,
The panel input / output module 301 searches for a host device belonging to the workgroup related to the selection via the network reference module 302, and displays a list of the searched host devices on the list screen 606 as shown in FIG. 7, for example. (Step S1302).

Next, when one of the displayed hosts is selected and the down move button 603 is pressed, the panel input / output module 301 accesses the selected host device via the network reference module 302. Yes (step S1303). At this time, the panel input / output module 301 determines whether or not login is required based on the access result (step S1304).

As a result, if login is required, the process shown in FIG.
The login screen as shown in (1) is displayed and the user waits for login (step S1305). The panel input / output module 301 logs in to the selected host device based on the input user name and password (step S1306).

If the login fails, an error display as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed and the login input is awaited again (step S1307). If the login is successful, the shared folder of the host is searched for via the network module 302, and as shown in FIG. 10, for example, a reference drawing is displayed and a list of the searched shared folders is displayed in the list display area 606. Display (step S13)
02).

When one of the displayed shared folders is selected and the down move button 603 is pressed, the panel input / output module 301 selects the directory belonging to the selected shared folder via the network reference module 302. A list of searched and searched directories is displayed in the list display area 606 (step S130).
9).

When the directory hierarchy is deeper, one directory can be selected from the displayed directories and the down move button 603 can be pressed to select a directory at a lower hierarchy. Is.

When one directory is selected from the displayed directories and the OK button 605 is pressed, the panel input / output module 301 displays the host device name,
The path to the folder, the user name, and the password are set, and an example of the setting contents is displayed as shown in FIG.

The setting contents example of FIG. 12 is shown in FIG. 6 → FIG. 7 →
It corresponds to the search result when operated in the sequence of FIG. 8 → FIG. 9 → FIG. 10 → FIG. 11, and the search result, that is, the setting content of the destination, is the host device name
k ”, the path to the folder“ \ directory2 ”,
The user name is "ochi" and the password is "***". However, the user name “ochi” and the password “***” are manually input by the user.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 10
The image data read by the scanner engine 210 of 1 is L
Since the destinations (destination information: host name or directory name) necessary for transmission to the PCs 102 to 105 on the AN 100 are searched, and the list of the search results is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 405 for selection, the setting is made. The destination information can be easily set.

Furthermore, since the search progress operation is performed via the UI screen, the destination information can be set more easily.

In addition, a host device (PC
102-105), when displaying the host name or directory, the user is prompted to enter the user name and password to log in. As a result of attempting to log in based on the entered user name and password, the user can log in. If not, a message to that effect is displayed.

That is, it is convenient for the user to determine whether or not the password is correct before actually transmitting the image data, and it is convenient for the system to wastefully transmit the image data that should not be accepted. It is possible to reduce traffic because it will not happen.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be applied not only to a multi-function peripheral, but also to a single scanner for image reading only. Also,
The network can be applied not only to a LAN but also to a large-scale network such as WAN and the Internet.

Further, the device to which the image data is transmitted (destination) is not limited to the host computer, but may be a device such as a printer, a copying machine, a multifunction device, or the like related to image processing.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The destination required when transmitting the image data read by the image reading device to the device on the network can be set by a simple operation, and the convenience is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an outline of an example of a communication system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an outline of a control program related to a network and a panel of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of an operation panel of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a destination setting screen (UI screen) displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of the operation panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reference screen (UI screen) that is first displayed when a reference button is pressed on the destination setting screen.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when the work group “DEV1G” is selected and the down move button 603 is pressed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when “PC2” is selected and a down button 603 is pressed as in FIG. 7.

9 is a diagram showing an error message displayed when login fails on the UI screen of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen in which a shared folder in the PC 1 is displayed after successful login.

11 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when the down move button 603 is pressed in the state of FIG.

12 is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed when the OK button is pressed in the state of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a destination (destination information) search process.

[Explanation of symbols]

100: LAN 102-105: PC 101: MFP 201: CPU 202: ROM 205: NVRAM 206: Panel control unit 209: Operation panel 210: Scanner engine 301: Panel input / output module 302: Network reference module 303: Network protocol communication module 304: Network driver module 404: Send button 405: Liquid crystal touch panel 506: Browse button 601: Up button 602: Down button 603: Up move button 604: Down move button 606: List display area

Claims (38)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading an image recorded on a recording medium using a photoelectric conversion element, a transmitting means for transmitting image data read by the photoelectric conversion element via a network, and the transmitting means. An image reading apparatus having setting means for setting a destination when transmitting by means of the above, wherein the setting means has a searching means for searching a destination of the image data on the network. . 2. The searching means searches the destination based on a touch panel operation.
The image reading apparatus described in 1. 3. The search means includes display control means for displaying a UI (User Interface) screen on the touch panel, and the display control means guides designation of destination items via the UI. Claim 1 characterized by
Or the image reading device described in 2. 4. The display control means displays, on the UI screen, a button for designating a layer that is deeper or shallower than the current layer for hierarchical destination information. The image reading device described. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display control unit displays a list of destinations searched by the searching unit in a predetermined area of the UI screen. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the searching unit searches for at least a name of a destination apparatus and a name of a directory as the destination. 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the searching unit searches the destination apparatus for the name of the directory. 8. The searching means has a judging means for judging whether or not authentication is required to access the device when the searched device is selected by the user. The image reading device according to claim 1. 9. The display control means forms an area for inputting a user name and a password on the UI screen when the determination means determines that authentication is required. The image reading device described in any one of 1. 10. When the login fails as a result of an attempt to log in to the corresponding device by the search means based on the user name and password input in the area, the display control means displays on the UI screen. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9, which displays an error message. 11. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is composed of a compound device having a plurality of functions such as an image reading function, a copying function, and a printing function. apparatus. 12. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reading device is configured by an image reading dedicated device that is exclusively equipped with an image reading function. 13. A reading step of reading an image recorded on a recording medium using a photoelectric conversion element, a transmission step of transmitting image data read using the photoelectric conversion element via a network, and the transmission step. And a setting step of setting a destination when transmitting by the method, wherein the setting step includes a searching step of searching a destination of the image data on the network. Image reading apparatus control method. 14. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the searching step searches for the destination based on an operation of a touch panel. 15. The search step includes a display control step of displaying a UI (User Interface) screen on the touch panel, and the display control step guides designation of a destination item via the UI. Claim 1
15. The method for controlling the image reading device according to 3 or 14. 16. The display control step displays, on the UI screen, a button for designating a layer that is deeper or shallower than the current layer for layered destination information. A method for controlling the image reading apparatus described. 17. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the display control step displays a list of destinations searched by the search step in a predetermined area of the UI screen. . 18. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein in the searching step, at least a name of a destination apparatus and a name of a directory are searched as the destination. 19. The method of controlling an image reading apparatus according to claim 13, wherein in the searching step, the name of the directory is searched from the device of the transmission destination. 20. When the searched device is selected by the user, the searching process includes a judging process of attempting to access the device and judging whether or not authentication is required to access the device. The method for controlling an image reading device according to claim 13, 21. The display control step forms an area for inputting a user name and a password on the UI screen when the determination step determines that authentication is required. 5. A method for controlling an image reading device according to any one of 1. 22. When the login fails as a result of an attempt to log in to the corresponding device by the search step based on the user name and password input in the area, the display control step displays on the UI screen. An image reading apparatus control method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein an error message is displayed. 23. The image reading device according to claim 15, wherein the image reading device is composed of a compound device having a plurality of functions such as an image reading function, a copying function, and a printing function. Device control method. 24. The method of controlling an image reading device according to claim 15, wherein the image reading device is configured by an image reading only device that is exclusively equipped with an image reading function. 25. An image processing system for transmitting image data read by an image reading device to a device on a network to perform image processing, wherein the image reading device transmits the image data via the network. An image reading apparatus system having a search means for searching for a destination necessary for the image reading. 26. The image reading system according to claim 25, wherein the searching unit searches for the destination based on an operation of a touch panel. 27. The search means has a display control means for displaying a UI (User Interface) screen on the touch panel, and the display control means guides designation of a destination item via the UI. Claim 2
The image reading system according to 5 or 26. 28. The display control means displays, on the UI screen, a button for designating a layer deeper or shallower than the current layer for hierarchical destination information. The image reading system described. 29. The image reading system according to claim 27, wherein the display control unit displays a list of destinations searched by the searching unit in a predetermined area of the UI screen. 30. The image reading system according to claim 25, wherein the searching unit searches for at least a name of a destination device and a name of a directory as the destination. 31. The image reading system according to claim 25, wherein the search unit searches the destination device for the name of the directory. 32. The searching means has a judging means for judging whether or not authentication is required to access the device when the searched device is selected by the user. The image reading system according to claim 25. 33. The display control means forms an area for inputting a user name and a password on the UI screen when the determination means determines that authentication is required. The image reading system according to any one of 1. 34. When the login fails as a result of an attempt to log in to the corresponding device by the search means based on the user name and password input in the area, the display control means displays on the UI screen. 34. The image reading system according to claim 27, which displays an error message. 35. The image reading device according to claim 27, wherein the image reading device is composed of a compound device having a plurality of functions such as an image reading function, a copying function, and a printing function. system. 36. The image reading system according to claim 27, wherein the image reading device is constituted by an image reading dedicated device having an image reading function. 37. A control program executed by an image reading device, which is necessary for transmitting the image data read by the image reading device to a device on a network for image processing. A control program having contents for searching a destination. 38. A medium carrying the control program according to claim 37 in a computer-readable manner.