JP2006115020A - Multi-functioned machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-functioned machine whereby a user acquires information from another server on a network at less expense in time and effort. <P>SOLUTION: The multi-functioned machine 100 includes: an image data acquisition section 104; a two-dimensional code information decode section 108 for decoding two-dimensional code information when image data includes the two-dimensional code information of a prescribed form and for converting the decoded two-dimensional code information into character information; a processing discrimination section 110 for analyzing whether the character information includes access information to a web server; a contents acquisition section 116 for accessing the web server and acquiring the prescribed contents data on the basis of the access information when the character information includes the access information; and a print processing section 122 for printing the contents data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device having a network connection function, a document reading function, and a printing function, and more particularly to a multifunction device that handles two-dimensional code information.

  In recent years, two-dimensional code information having information in the two-dimensional direction of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction has become widespread. Since the two-dimensional code can handle a larger amount of information than the one-dimensional code, the code itself can have various information.

Patent Document 1 includes information for identifying print data and information for identifying the print state at the upper end and the lower end of the paper when the printer device prints print data requested from the terminal device, respectively. A system is disclosed that prints a printed barcode together with print data, identifies the printing state by reading the barcode at a paper discharge port, and manages it as a printing history. Here, a barcode reader is provided at the paper discharge port, and by reading the barcode at the paper discharge port, it is possible to identify the printing state and notify the user that the paper discharge is completed. ing.
JP 2004-90235 A

  Incidentally, in a multi-function peripheral having a document reading function, a printing function, etc., it is possible to read two-dimensional code information printed on a paper medium or the like using the document reading function. Therefore, in such a multi-function machine, it is easy to handle two-dimensional code information without adding a special device. In recent years, network multifunction peripherals connected to a network such as the Internet have become widespread.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the effort of the user when acquiring information from other servers on the network in a multifunction peripheral having a network connection function, a document reading function, and a printing function. The provision of technology to mitigate.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a multifunction peripheral having a network connection function, a document reading function, and a printing function, and image data acquisition means for acquiring image data, and image data acquired by the image data acquisition means in a predetermined format. Detecting means for detecting whether or not two-dimensional code information is included; and when the detecting means detects that the two-dimensional code information is included in the image data, the two-dimensional code information is decoded. Decoding means for converting into character information, analysis means for analyzing whether the character information converted by the decoding means includes access information to the web server, and access information to the web server in the character information Content acquisition means for accessing the web server and acquiring predetermined content data based on the access information First determination means for determining whether or not the content data can be printed, and printing means for printing the content data when the first determination means determines that the content data can be printed. Is provided.

  The two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format can be a QR code, for example.

  Here, the multifunction peripheral of the present invention can further include a document reading unit that reads a document and generates image data, and the image data acquisition unit can acquire the image data generated by the document reading unit. it can. The image data acquisition means can also acquire image data transmitted from another terminal connected via a network.

  According to the MFP of the present invention, when two-dimensional code information is included in image data and the two-dimensional code information includes access information to the web server, content data is acquired from the web server based on the access information. Since it is printed, the user can easily obtain a printed matter of desired information.

  The multifunction peripheral of the present invention may further include a second determination unit that determines whether to access the web server when the character information includes access information, and the content acquisition unit includes: The predetermined content data can be acquired based on the determination result of the second determination means.

  The MFP of the present invention may further include a first storage unit that stores a criterion for determining whether to access the web server when the access information is included in the character information converted by the decoding unit. The second determination unit can determine whether to access the web server with reference to the first storage unit.

  Here, for example, the first storage means can store address information to be automatically accessed to the web server. In this way, when the access information is included in the character information converted by the decoding means, it is possible to automatically access the web server and acquire the content data according to the contents stored in the first storage means. it can. As a result, the user can read the document on which the two-dimensional code information is printed, or the image data including the two-dimensional code information can be transmitted to the multifunction device, thereby allowing the multifunction device to automatically acquire the content data. .

  The multifunction peripheral of the present invention may further include a second storage unit that stores a determination criterion for determining whether or not to print the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit, wherein the first determination unit includes the first determination unit Whether the content data can be printed can be determined by referring to the second storage means.

  Here, for example, the first storage means can store the address information for automatically printing the content data and the type of the content data. In this way, when the content acquisition unit acquires content data, the content data can be automatically printed according to the content stored in the second storage unit. As a result, the user can read the document on which the two-dimensional code information is printed, or transmit the image data including the two-dimensional code information to the multi-function peripheral, whereby a printed matter of the content data can be obtained with a simple procedure.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, in a multi-function peripheral having a network connection function, a document reading function, and a printing function, it is possible to reduce a user's trouble when acquiring information from another server on the network.

  The multi-function device in the present embodiment has a function of decoding two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format into character information. Here, as the two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format, various information generally known as two-dimensional code information can be used. For example, a QR code can be used.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.
The MFP 100 includes a document reading unit 102, an image data acquisition unit 104, a detection unit 106, a two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108, a process determination unit 110, an instruction reception unit 112, a display unit 114, a content acquisition unit 116, and a communication control unit. 118, a setting information storage unit 120, and a print processing unit 122.

  Each component of the MFP 100 is centered on a CPU, a memory, a program that realizes the components of this figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the program, and a network connection interface. Realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described in the embodiment shows a block of functional units, not a configuration of hardware units. In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted.

  The multi-function device 100 can be a network multi-function device that integrates facsimile, printer, copy, and scanner functions. Here, the network multifunction peripheral is, for example, a network facsimile apparatus or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral).

  The instruction receiving unit 112 receives an instruction from the user. The display unit 114 displays various information.

  The communication control unit 118 transmits / receives data to / from a web server, another network multifunction peripheral, another terminal, etc. via the network 150. The network 150 is, for example, a public network such as the Internet or a private network such as a LAN. Here, these are collectively shown as a network 150.

  The document reading unit 102 reads a document and generates image data. The document reading unit 102 has a scanner function. The image data acquisition unit 104 acquires image data generated by the document reading unit 102 and image data transmitted from another terminal via the communication control unit 118. The detection unit 106 detects whether or not the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 104 includes two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format. If the image data includes two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format, The two-dimensional code information is extracted.

  The two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 decodes the two-dimensional code information extracted by the detection unit 106 and converts it into character information.

  The process determining unit 110 determines whether the character information converted by the two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 includes access information to the web server. Here, the access information to the web server is an address such as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). When the character information converted by the two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 includes access information to the web server, the process determining unit 110 determines whether to access the web server. The process determination unit 110 can also determine whether to access the web server based on a user instruction from another terminal connected via the instruction reception unit 112 or the communication control unit 118, for example. As described above, it is also possible to determine whether to access the web server with reference to the setting information storage unit 120. For example, when the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 104 includes a URL represented by two-dimensional code information, the process determination unit 110 displays “This URL along with the URL on the display unit 114 or a monitor of another terminal. Such as “Do you want to access?” Is displayed and the user can input an instruction.

  When the processing determination unit 110 determines to access the web server, the content acquisition unit 116 accesses the web server via the communication control unit 118 based on the access information, and acquires content data from the web server. The content acquisition unit 116 can be realized by a browser program.

  Further, the process determination unit 110 determines whether or not to print the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit 116. In this case, the process determination unit 110 can also determine whether to print content data based on user instructions from other terminals connected via the instruction reception unit 112 or the communication control unit 118, for example. As will be described later, it is also possible to determine whether or not to print content data with reference to the setting information storage unit 120. For example, the processing determination unit 110 causes the content acquisition unit 116 to display a message such as “Do you want to print this content data?” Together with the content data on the display unit 114 or a monitor of another terminal, and instruct the user. Can be entered.

  The print processing unit 122 prints the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit 116 based on an instruction from the processing determination unit 110. When the print processing unit 122 prints content data, the process determination unit 110 determines whether there is a print option setting. If there is a print option setting, the process determination unit 110 performs printing according to the setting. An instruction is given to the print processing unit 122. Here, the print option is, for example, a process of printing content data in a pamphlet format, a process of printing by double-sided copying, or the like. The print option can be set based on a user instruction from another terminal connected via the instruction receiving unit 112 or the communication control unit 118. Further, as will be described later, the process determining unit 110 can determine whether or not a print option is set with reference to the setting information storage unit 120. If no print option is set, the print processing unit 122 performs normal print processing.

  The setting information storage unit 120 stores various setting information that the process determination unit 110 should refer to. For example, the setting information storage unit 120 should automatically access the web server and download content data when the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 104 includes access information represented by two-dimensional code information. Access information can be stored. The process determination unit 110 can also determine whether to access the web server with reference to the setting information storage unit 120.

  The setting information storage unit 120 can also store access information to be automatically printed when content data is acquired and the type of content data. The process determination unit 110 can also refer to the setting information storage unit 120 to determine whether to print content data.

  The setting information storage unit 120 can also store information regarding whether or not to set the print option when the print processing unit 122 prints content data. For example, the setting information storage unit 120 can store the type of content data for which print options are to be set. The process determination unit 110 can determine whether or not a print option is set with reference to the setting information storage unit 120.

  As described above, by storing the setting in advance in the setting information storage unit 120, the content acquisition unit 116 automatically acquires the content data or the print processing unit 122 automatically without the user giving an instruction. Since the content data is printed, the user's trouble can be reduced. Also, content data can be acquired quickly. In particular, by storing both the access information for automatically downloading the content data and the access information for printing the content data and the type of the content data in the setting information storage unit 120, all processing is performed. Can be performed automatically, and the user's labor can be greatly reduced.

  Further, the process determining unit 110 displays, for example, character information converted by the two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 based on a user instruction or based on setting information in the setting information storage unit 120, on the display unit 114 or other terminals. Etc. can also be displayed.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  When the image data acquisition unit 104 acquires image data (YES in S100), the detection unit 106 determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 104 includes two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format. (S102). When two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format is included (YES in S102), the detection unit 106 extracts the two-dimensional code information. The two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 decodes the two-dimensional code information extracted by the detection unit 106 and converts it into character information. The process determining unit 110 determines whether the character information includes access information to the web server (S104). When the access information is included (YES in S104), the process determining unit 110 determines whether to access the web server based on the access information (S106). Whether or not to access the web server can be determined based on a user instruction. The process determination unit 110 can also refer to the setting information storage unit 120 to determine whether to access the web server.

  When accessing the web server (YES in S106), the content acquisition unit 116 accesses the web server based on the access information detected in step S104 via the communication control unit 118, and acquires content data (S108). ).

  Thereafter, the process determination unit 110 determines whether or not to display the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit 116 (S109). When displaying the content data (YES in S109), the processing determination unit 110 is connected via the display unit 114 or the network 150. The content data is displayed on a monitor of another terminal (S110). When not displaying (NO of S109), the display process of step S110 is abbreviate | omitted and it progresses to the next step.

  The process determination unit 110 determines whether to print the content data acquired by the content acquisition unit 116 (S112). Whether or not to print the content data can be determined based on a user instruction. The process determination unit 110 can also refer to the setting information storage unit 120 to determine whether to print content data.

  When it is determined that the content data is to be printed (YES in 112), the process determining unit 110 determines whether the content data can be printed (S114). When the content data can be printed (YES in S114), the process determining unit 110 determines whether or not a print option is specified (S116). When the print option is not specified (NO in S116), the print processing unit 122 performs a normal print process based on an instruction from the process determining unit 110 (S118). On the other hand, if a print option is specified in step S116 (YES in S116), the print processing unit 122 performs a print process based on the specification (S120).

  In step S114, when the content data cannot be printed (NO in S114), the process determining unit 110 displays a message indicating that printing is not possible on the display unit 114 (S122).

  If access information is not included in step S104 (NO in S104), the process determining unit 110 determines whether to display the character information converted by the two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 (S124). In the case of displaying (YES in S124), the character information is displayed on the monitor or the like of another terminal connected via the display unit 114 or the network 150 (S126). If not displayed (NO in S124), the display process in step S126 is omitted, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  Subsequently, the process determining unit 110 determines whether to print the character information converted by the two-dimensional code information decoding unit 108 (S128). When printing (YES in S128), the print processing unit 122 prints character information (S130). When not printing (NO in S128), the printing process in step S130 is omitted, and the process proceeds to the next step.

  If the two-dimensional code information is not included in the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit 104 in step S102 (NO in S102), if the content data is not printed in step S112 (NO in S112), after step S122, When character information is not printed in step S128 (NO in S128), and after step S130, other processing is performed. The other processes include, for example, a normal document copying process, an image data printing process, a document reading process, and a facsimile transmission process.

  Next, a specific example in which content data is acquired by the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  For example, when a two-dimensional code information is included in an advertisement flyer of a product and a comment such as “You can download a catalog from here” is written, the user causes the document reading unit 102 to read the advertisement flyer. The multi-function device 100 accesses the web server and acquires content data based on the access information included in the two-dimensional code information according to the procedure shown in FIG. Thereafter, the multi-function device 100 prints the acquired content data.

  As a result, the user can obtain a printed matter such as a catalog or an order form of the product simply by causing the document reading unit 102 of the multifunction peripheral 100 to read the advertisement flyer of the product of interest.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  The MFP of the present invention may have a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) connection function, and may transmit and receive facsimile data using the PSTN.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the multifunction machine according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 MFP 102 Original reading part 104 Image data acquisition part 106 Detection part 108 Two-dimensional code information decoding part 110 Processing judgment part 112 Instruction reception part 114 Display part 116 Content acquisition part 118 Communication control part 120 Setting information storage part 122 Print processing part 150 network

Claims (5)

A multifunction device having a network connection function, a document reading function, and a printing function;
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the image data acquired by the image data acquiring means includes two-dimensional code information in a predetermined format;
A decoding unit that decodes the two-dimensional code information and converts it into character information when the detection unit detects that the two-dimensional code information is included in the image data;
Analyzing means for analyzing whether or not access information to a web server is included in the character information converted by the decoding means;
When the character information includes access information to a web server, based on the access information, content acquisition means for accessing the web server and acquiring predetermined content data;
First determination means for determining whether the content data can be printed;
Printing means for printing the content data when the first determination means determines that the content data can be printed;
A multi-function machine characterized by including The multifunction device according to claim 1,
A second determining means for determining whether to access the web server when the character information includes access information;
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the content acquisition unit acquires the predetermined content data based on a determination result of the second determination unit. In the multifunction device according to claim 1 or 2,
In the case where access information is included in the character information converted by the decoding means, it further includes first storage means for storing a criterion for determining whether to access the web server,
The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein the second determination unit determines whether or not to access the web server with reference to the first storage unit. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A second storage means for storing a criterion for determining whether or not to print the content data acquired by the content acquisition means;
The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the first determination unit determines whether or not the content data can be printed with reference to the second storage unit. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
It further includes document reading means for reading a document and generating image data,
The multifunction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data acquisition unit acquires the image data generated by the document reading unit.

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