JP2006197634A - Network system and multifunction terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accomplish an apparatus for easily creating a home page or transmitting data. <P>SOLUTION: This multifunction terminal 100 is connected to a network 200. A key information registration means 2 correspondingly registers access information for uploading to a predetermined destination on the network in an arbitrary key 1a of an operation panel 1. If the arbitrary key 1a is pressed, a file creation means 4 instructs a document reading means 3 to read a document and based on data of a result of reading, a file of an image compression format that can be read by a browser, is created. A file transfer means 5 uploads the file created by the file creation means 4 to an address registered in accordance with the pressed arbitrary key 1a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a network system that performs uploading and downloading to a network using a multi-function terminal that reads images and prints images.

  In general, as a means for creating a homepage on a server computer on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as a server) and uploading (transferring from the client to the server), an editor on the personal computer is used in accordance with the HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) grammar. There was a method of creating a home page and uploading it with application software for FTP transfer.

  However, when application software for creating a homepage is not used in the above conventional form, it is necessary to input a sentence according to the HTML grammar using a text editor (application software for creating or editing a text sentence). . Even when application software for creating a homepage is used, the structure, color, etc. are automatically converted to HTML tags (grammar used when various layouts are specified in HTML documents). Must be entered manually as in a text editor. And the troublesomeness of inputting this text has been a major cause of not updating the homepage. Also, starting the FTP application software when uploading the home page to the server and connecting to the server and specifying the transfer destination and transfer source of the transfer file are also troublesome tasks, so this also does not update the home page It was the cause.

  However, when uploading is conventionally performed, a multi-function terminal is operated by a personal computer activation type and transmitted to a destination using the Internet mail function of the personal computer. However, such a form first starts a multi-function terminal from a personal computer, reads a manuscript with the multi-function terminal, then starts a mailer application (general name of software for reading and writing e-mail) of the personal computer, A number of steps are required, such as passing the read data as an attached file to the mailer application, filling in the E-mail address, title, etc. from the address book or the like, and transmitting the data.

  Further, conventionally, in order to print a homepage, a browser (software for searching and browsing the homepage) is started on a personal computer, and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) uniquely represents the position of information on the Internet. For example), and the obtained homepage is visually observed, and the printer is instructed to print from the browser menu.

  Such a method requires a series of operations such as starting a browser on a personal computer, inputting a URL, viewing a homepage, and printing from a browser menu. However, such an operation is indispensable when printing while searching a home page, but it is a very troublesome work when the home page to be printed is known from the beginning.

The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above-described problems.
<Configuration 1>
In a network system in which a multi-function terminal is connected to a network, the multi-function terminal includes a key information registration unit that registers an arbitrary key in association with access information for uploading to a predetermined destination on the network, and a document. Document reading means for reading and outputting as image data and information on the network for reading the document with the document reading means when an arbitrary key is pressed and uploading it to a destination corresponding to the arbitrary key A network system comprising: a file creation means for creating a file in an image compression format that can be referred to by a browser for browsing.

<Configuration 2>
In a network system in which a multi-function terminal is connected to a network and a personal computer is connected to the multi-function terminal, the multi-function terminal supports access information for uploading to a predetermined destination on the network to an arbitrary key. The key information registration means for registering the original, the original reading means for reading the original and outputting it as image data, and when the arbitrary key is pressed, the original is read by the original reading means, and the image data of the original is stored in the personal computer. The personal computer includes an image file received from the multi-function terminal, and a notification unit for notifying and a file creation unit for creating a file for uploading to a destination on the network based on a response from the personal computer to the notified content. Text extraction from Network system is characterized in that a text file creating means to respond to the multi-function terminal the extracted text data.

<Configuration 3>
3. The network system according to Configuration 1 or 2, wherein the file creation means is configured to create a file in a format using a page description language referenced by a browser.

<Configuration 4>
The network system according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, further comprising a file transfer unit that transfers a file created by the file creation unit to a server on the network using FTP.

<Configuration 5>
In a network system in which a multifunction terminal having an image reading unit and a personal computer are connected and the personal computer is connected to a network, the multifunction terminal accesses a specific destination on the network by using an arbitrary key. Key information registration means for registering destination information for addressing, address information output means for outputting destination information registered in the key to a personal computer when an arbitrary key is pressed, and the personal computer receives the destination information. A network system comprising image reading instruction means for instructing the multifunction terminal to read an image.

<Configuration 6>
In the network system according to Configuration 5, the multi-function terminal includes image reading means for outputting the image reading result to a personal computer, and the personal computer is based on the destination information and the image reading result sent from the multi-function terminal. A network system comprising a mail transmission means for transmitting a mail including an image to a destination corresponding to the destination information.

<Configuration 7>
In a network system in which a multifunction terminal having a printing unit and a personal computer are connected and the personal computer is connected to a network, the multifunction terminal indicates a position of specific information on the network by an arbitrary key. Key information registration means for registering address information and address information output means for outputting address information registered in the key to a personal computer when an arbitrary key is pressed, the personal computer from a multifunction terminal An information acquisition unit is provided that is activated when address information is received, accesses the address based on the received address information, acquires corresponding image data, and transmits the image data as print data to the multi-function terminal. A featured network system.

<Configuration 8>
Upon receiving the activation notification, a function for transmitting / receiving E-mail can be operated and connected to a personal computer, and in a multi-function terminal having an image reading means, a key assigned with a specific function and a key are pressed In this case, an E-mail start notification output means for outputting a start notification of transmission / reception of E-mail to the personal computer, and after reading the E-mail start notification, it is read by the image reading means based on an instruction from the personal computer. A multi-function terminal comprising image data transfer means for transferring the image data to a personal computer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using specific examples.

<< Specific Example 1 >>
<Constitution>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a specific example 1 of the network system of the present invention.
In the figure, a multifunction terminal (MFP) 100 includes an operation panel 1, a key information registration unit 2, a document reading unit 3, a file creation unit 4, and a file transfer unit 5, and the multifunction terminal 100 includes a network 200. It is connected to the.

  The operation panel 1 includes a key 1a to which a specific function can be assigned, and is a user interface in the multi-function terminal 100. The key information registration unit 2 has a function of registering a server address as a predetermined destination on the Internet with the key 1a of the operation panel 1. The document reading unit 3 has a function of reading a document and outputting it as image data. When the key 1 a on the operation panel 1 is pressed, the file creation unit 4 instructs the document reading unit 3 to read the document, and the document read by the document reading unit 3 is registered by the key information registration unit 2. A function for creating a file in an image compression format that can be referred to by a browser for referring to a home page with a given name, and further creating a file in a format using a home page description language. The file transfer unit 5 is a functional unit that transfers the file created by the file creation unit 4 to the server by FTP.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the network system of the first specific example, and shows each block that realizes the functions of FIG.
In the figure, the multi-function terminal 100 includes an operation panel 1, a network board 6, a modem unit 7, a scanner unit 8, a printer unit 9, a CPU 10, a RAM 11, a ROM 12, and a parallel interface unit 13. The multi-function terminal 100 is connected to the network 200 and is connected to a personal computer (PC) 300 via a parallel interface cable 400.

  The operation panel 1 includes a one-touch key 1-1, a numeric keypad 1-2, and a display liquid crystal display (LCD) 1-3. The one-touch key 1-1 is a key to which a specific function can be assigned. 1, no. 2 ... No. It consists of n keys (n is the required number). The numeric keypad 1-2 is a key for inputting numbers and alphabets. The display liquid crystal display 1-3 is a display for displaying input key information and various types of information.

  The network board 6 is an interface for connecting to a server (not shown) on the network 200 via a network such as a LAN. The modem unit 7 is a modem that plays a role of FAX communication. The scanner unit 8 is a unit for reading a document. The printer unit 9 is a printing unit for printing out.

  The CPU 10 is a processor for controlling each functional unit. The RAM 11 is a memory for storing management data and using it as a temporary buffer during operation. The ROM 12 is a non-volatile memory for storing various control software. The parallel interface unit 13 is an interface on the multifunction terminal 100 side for connecting to the personal computer 300 with the parallel interface cable 400. The parallel interface cable 400 is a cable for connecting a printer and a personal computer such as a Centronics cable.

  These units and the operation panel 1 are controlled by the CPU 10 executing software stored in the ROM 12. Next, the module configuration of the control software will be described.

FIG. 3 is a module configuration diagram of the control software.
The illustrated module includes an OPE task 12a, an SCN task 12b, a PRT task 12c, an MDM task 12d, an MSS task 12e, a MAN task 12f, a BIC task 12g, an MFP task 12h, an EDT task 12i, and a NET task 12j.

  The OPE task 12a is a module that controls a man-machine interface such as key operations such as registration / setting of the multi-function terminal 100 and display of a display liquid crystal display. The SCN task 12b is scanning control by the scanner unit 8, the PRT task 12c is printing control by the printer unit 9, the MDM task 12d is communication control by the modem unit 7, and the MSS task 12e is multifunctional with the personal computer 300. This is a task for transmitting / receiving files such as registration settings to / from the terminal 100.

  The BIC task 12g is a module for controlling data transfer in the connection cable between the personal computer 300 and the multi-function terminal 100, the MFP task 12h is a module for realizing a multi-function, and the EDT task 12i is an SCN task. The NET task 12j, which converts the image data read in 12b into the JPEG format and further converts it into the HTML format so that it can be referred to in various browsers, controls the network board 6 and FTP on the network 200. It plays a role of transferring a file created by the EDT task 12i in the protocol.

  Further, the MAN task 12f manages the operating state of these modules, and provides various functions by allocating effective resources such as scanners, printing, modems, etc. to users physically and software.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an area in the RAM 11 in the multi-function terminal 100.
The area includes various device management area 11a, one-touch key information registration area 11b, EDT data management area 11c, E-mail information creation area 11d, and server access information area 11e.

  The various device management area 11 a is an area for storing management information of the multifunction terminal 100 such as ID information of the multifunction terminal 100. The one-touch key information registration area 11b includes a one-touch key number area 11b-1, a destination information area 11b-2, and a type area 11b-3. Here, the one-touch key number area 11b-1 is number information of the one-touch key 1-1, and the destination information area 11b-2 is registered destination information. The type area 11b-3 is an area for storing information for determining whether the information of the one-touch key is a telephone number, an E-mail address, or a server address.

  The EDT data management area 11c includes an HTML file creation area 11c-1 and a JPEG file creation area 11c-2. Here, the HTML file creation area 11c-1 is an area for creating an HTML format file, and the JPEG file creation area 11c-2 is an area for creating a JPEG format file.

  The E-mail information creation area 11d includes a subject area, a sender area, a destination information area, and an attached file information area, and is an area for holding information necessary as an E-mail.

  The server access information area 11e includes an account 11e-1, a password 11e-2, an HTML file name 11e-3, a JPEG file name 11e-4, a transfer destination directory 11e-5, and an HTML title & content area 11e-6. Each of these areas is prepared for the number of one-touch keys 1-1 in which server addresses are registered.

  The account 11e-1 is account information for accessing the server, the password 11e-2 is password information for accessing the server, the HTML file name 11e-3 is the HTML file name to be created, and the JPEG file name 11e-4 is The name of the JPEG file to be created, the transfer destination directory 11e-5 is the directory name of the transfer destination of the file, and the HTML title & content area 11e-6 is a text for explaining what information the title and the read data are. This is an area for storing text.

  Data stored in the server access information area 11e can be registered on the operation panel 1 of the multi-function terminal 100 while confirming alphabetic and numeric input using the numeric keypad 1-2 on the display liquid crystal display 1-3. .

  The configurations in FIGS. 2 to 3 described above correspond to the functional blocks shown in FIG. 1 as follows. That is, the key 1a in FIG. 1 is the one-touch key 1-1, the key information registration means 2 is the OPE task 12a, the document reading means 3 is the SCN task 12b, the file creation means 4 is the EDT task 12i, and the file transfer means 5 is. Corresponds to the NET task 12j, and each task is managed by the MAN task 12f.

<Operation>
Prior to the description of the operation, an example of contents registered in the device information management area shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

  First, as the information of the one-touch key information registration area 11b, the one-touch key number is in the one-touch key number area 11b-1, and the destination information such as the telephone number, E-mail address, and server address is in the destination information area 11b-2. Information is registered in the type area 11b-3.

  For example, the one touch key No. 1 is addressed to a @ bcd. co. jp, the type is E-mail, and the one-touch key No. 2 indicates that the destination is 027-328-XXXX, the type is TEL (telephone number), and the one-touch key No. 3, the destination is mfpserver. co. Let jp be the server address.

  If the type is a server address, information such as an account 11e-1, a password 11e-2, an HTML file name 11e-3, a JPEG file name 11e-4, and a transfer destination directory 11e-5 for accessing the server Is registered in the server access information area 11e. For example, the account name is abcmfpteam, the password is 1234, and the HTML file name is mfpnews. html, JPEG file name is mfnews. jpg.

Next, an operation when the one touch key is pressed will be described.
FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of the first specific example.
First, when any registered one-touch key is pressed (step S11), the OPE task 12a looks at the type area 11b-3 in the one-touch key information registration area 11b and determines whether it is for E-mail or FAX. It is determined whether it is an address (step S12). That is, in step S11, when a key on which a server address for setting a document and uploading a homepage is registered is pressed, in step S12, the type of the one-touch key information registration area 11b is determined.

  In step S12, when the type is TEL or E-mail (in this specific example, when one-touch key No. 1 or No. 2 is pressed), normal FAX transmission or Internet FAX transmission is performed (step S13).

  If the type is a server address (when the one-touch key No. 3 is pressed in this specific example), it is determined whether the scanner can be used (step S14). If the scanner is available, the SCN task 12b Under the control, the scanner unit 8 starts reading a document and stores the read data in the JPEG file creation area 11c-2 (step S15).

  If the reading is completed normally, the EDT task 12i converts the read data stored in the JPEG file creation area 11c-2 into the JPEG format (step S16). After the conversion to the JPEG format is completed, it is registered in the HTML file creation area 11c-1 and in the HTML title & contents area 11e-6 of the server access information area 11e in a predetermined format (format shown in FIG. 6 described later). An HTML file is created based on the contents (step S17).

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the source code of the HTML file.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a display example in the browser.

  In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, the title of the HTML title & content area 11e-6 is “ABC's today's special price product” and the content is “This homepage is abc's special price information.” It is an example when it is registered. The title information is reflected in the source code as "1" and "2" in FIG. The contents are reflected in the source code as “3” in FIG.

  At this time, the HTML file name and the JPEG file name are created as file names registered in the server access information area 11e. The example of FIG. 6 is an example in which “mfpnews.jpg” is registered in the JPEG file name 11e-4 of the server access information area 11e and “mfpnews.html” is registered in the HTML file name 11e-3. These names are reflected in the source code as indicated by “4” in FIG.

FIG. 7 shows the case where the source code shown in FIG. 6 is actually viewed on a browser.
In the figure, part A is the display part of the JPEG file “mfpnews.jpg” created in step S16.

  When the file creation is completed, the NET task 12j that controls the network board 6 uses the account 11e-1 and the password 11e-2 in the server access information area 11e in accordance with the FTP protocol incorporated in the network board 6. The network board 6 is controlled to access the server, and the HTML file name 11e-3 and JPEG file name 11e-4 registered in the server access information area 11e are transferred to the directory of the transfer destination directory 11e-5. The home page on the server is updated by FTP transfer to the server (step S18 in FIG. 5).

  In step S14, if the scanner unit 8 cannot be used, a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1, and the process returns to the standby state (step S19).

<effect>
As described above, according to the first specific example, in the multi-function terminal 100, a server address and information for access are registered in the one-touch key 1-1, and when the one-touch key 1-1 is pressed, Has been converted to a file format that can be referenced by a browser as a home page and uploaded to a server on the Internet, which has the following effects.

  That is, since it is possible to send read data to the Internet simply by setting a document on the multi-function terminal 100 and pressing the corresponding one-touch key 1-1, conventional operations such as creating a home page on a personal computer, As described above, it is not necessary to perform the setting for connecting to the Internet every time the home page data is transmitted to the home page server, so that the usability is improved and the home page can be easily updated.

  In the first specific example, the mode in which the image data is converted into the JPEG format has been described. However, if the format at this time is a file format that can be referred to by a browser as a home page, for example, other than the JPEG format such as the GIF format or the TIFF format. There may be.

<< Specific Example 2 >>
In the second specific example, in addition to the configuration of the first specific example, the personal computer connected to the multifunction terminal is instructed to extract text from the image data.

<Constitution>
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the second specific example.
In the figure, a multifunction terminal (MFP) 100A comprises an operation panel 1, key information registration means 2, document reading means 3, file creation means 4a, file transfer means 5, and notification means 14, and this multifunction terminal 100A is a network. 200 and a personal computer (PC) 300A. Here, since the configuration other than the file creation unit 4a, the notification unit 14, and the personal computer 300A is the same as that of the first specific example, only different components will be described.

  The notification unit 14 has a function of instructing the document reading unit 3 to read when the key 1a of the operation panel 1 is pressed, and notifying the personal computer 300A of the image data read by the document reading unit 3. . In addition to the function of the notification unit 14 in the first specific example, the file creation unit 4a creates a file in a format using a homepage description language based on a response from the personal computer 300A to the content notified by the notification unit 14 Part.

  The personal computer 300A includes text file creation means 301. The text file creation unit 301 is a functional unit that extracts text from the image file sent from the notification unit 14 of the multi-function terminal 100A.

  Further, the configuration on the drawing for realizing the function of FIG. 8 is similar to that shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the module configuration of the control software stored in the ROM 12.
The difference from the configuration of the first specific example is that, in order to convert the read image data into a text format using the application software of the personal computer 300A, creation of a packet for transmitting the read data to the personal computer 300A, and the personal computer The memory subsystem 1 (MSS1) 12k that handles packetized text data received from 300A is provided.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the area in the RAM 11.
The difference from Example 1 is that a text file creation area 11c-3 is provided in the EDT data management area 11c, and a text format designation area 11e-7 is provided in the server access information area 11e. And the MSS1 packet management area 11f. The MSS1 packet management area 11f includes a transmission area 11f-1 and a reception area 11f-2.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of software and memory on the personal computer 300A.
On the operating system 300a, a parallel interface module 300d for transmitting and receiving data using the parallel interface cable 400, an MFPI module 300c for realizing multi-function, and a function for performing file transfer with the multi-function terminal 100A The MSS1 module 300b for realizing the above is incorporated and operates using the packet management area 300f.

  In addition, an OCR & correction application 300e for controlling OCR (an abbreviation for Optical Character Recognition, a tool for reading characters printed on an image file or paper as document data) and correcting data after OCR is incorporated. These application softwares operate under the management of the operating system 300a.

  The packet management area 300f includes a transmission area 300f-1 and a reception area 300f-2.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a packet structure.
As shown in the figure, the packet 500 includes a packet type 500a, a unit ID 500b, and an area 500c for storing contents determined for each subsystem. As the contents of the MSS1 packet, a file to be transferred and a command such as an OCR activation notification are stored.

  2 and 9 described above correspond to the functional blocks shown in FIG. 8 as follows. That is, the key 1a in FIG. 8 is the one-touch key 1-1 in FIG. 2, the key information registration means 2 is in the OPE task 12a, the document reading means 3 is in the SCN task 12b, and the file creation means 4a is in the MSS1 task 12k and the EDT task. 12i, the file transfer means 5 corresponds to the NET task 12j, the notification means 14 corresponds to the MSS1 task 12k, and each task is managed by the MAN task 12f. The text file creation means 301 in FIG. 8 corresponds to the MSS1 module 300b and the OCR & correction application 300e in FIG. 11, and these are managed by the operating system 300a.

<Operation>
FIG. 13 is a sequence chart of data exchange between the multifunction terminal 100A and the personal computer 300A.
FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart on the multifunction terminal 100A side.

  First, destination types such as one-touch key number, destination information and telephone number / E-mail address / server address are the one-touch key number area 11b-1, destination information area 11b-2, type of one-touch key information registration area 11b, respectively. It is registered in area 11b-3. For example, the one touch key No. 1 is a destination a @ bcd. co. jp, the type is E-mail, and the one-touch key No. 2 indicates that the destination is 027-328-XXXX, the type is TEL (telephone number), and the one-touch key No. 3, the destination is mfpserver. co. Let jp be the server address.

  If the type is a server address, information such as an account 11e-1, a password 11e-2, an HTML file name 11e-3, a JPEG file name 11e-4, and a transfer destination directory 11e-5 for accessing the server Is registered in the server access information area 11e. For example, the account name is abcmfpteam, the password is 1234, and the HTML file name is mfpnews. html, JPEG file name is mfnews. jpg. The process up to this point is the same as in the first specific example.

  The point newly added as specific example 2 is that a means for designating the text format is provided in the text format designation area 11e-7 of the server access information area 11e shown in FIG.

  In the sequence chart of FIG. 13, (1) the operation after pressing the one-touch key will be described along the flow of FIG. First, when a registered one-touch key is pressed (step S21), the OPE task 12a looks at the type area 11b-3 in the one-touch key information registration area 11b and determines whether it is for E-mail, FAX, or server address. A determination is made (step S22). When the type is TEL (when one-touch key No. 2 is pressed in this specific example), normal fax transmission processing is performed, and when the type is E-mail (when one-touch key No. 1 is pressed in this specific example). Performs normal Internet FAX transmission (step S23).

  When the type is a server address (when one-touch key No. 3 is pressed in this specific example), look at the text format designation area 11e-7 of the server access information area 11e and change the homepage to text format or JPEG format. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S24). Here, if the text format is not designated, the same processing as in the first specific example is performed (step S25).

  If the text format has been specified in step S24, it is determined in the MAN task 12f whether the scanner can be used (step S26). If there is no document or the scanner cannot be used, a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the process returns to the standby state (step S27). If the scanner can be used, the scanner unit 8 starts reading the document under the control of the SCN task 12b, and stores the read data in the JPEG file creation area 11c-2 (step S28).

  After storing in step S28, the MFP task 12h creates and transmits an OCR activation notification packet in the transmission area 11f-1 of the MSS1 packet management area 11f ((2) in FIG. 13 and step S29 in FIG. 14). The packet is a packet having a configuration as shown in FIG. Here, the packet type 500a and the unit ID 500b, which is a packet identifier for MSS1, are determined by the personal computer 300A and the multifunction terminal 100A for each system.

  The created packet is transmitted from the parallel interface cable 400 to the personal computer 300A as the host by the BIC task 12g. Then, the MAN task 12f activates a response timer when the personal computer 300A does not respond (step S30), and waits for a response from the personal computer 300A to the OCR activation notification packet and proceeds to the next processing (step S31). ).

  When there is an OCR activation acceptance response ((7) in FIG. 13) from the personal computer 300A, the BIC task 12g sends an OCR activation notification response packet from the parallel interface cable 400 to the reception area 11f-2 of the MSS1 packet management area 11f. Therefore, the MFP task 12h removes the packet, and the MSS1 task 12k analyzes the response content (step S32).

  On the other hand, if there is no response even after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed since the PC response timer was started in step S30 (step S33), the MAN task 12f displays the display liquid crystal display 1 on the operation panel 1. -3 is displayed and the process returns to the standby state (step S34).

  Similarly, when the response from the personal computer 300A is negative in step S32, a display to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the process returns to the standby state (step S35). On the other hand, when the response from the personal computer 300A is an affirmative response, the MAN task 12f transmits the read file ((6) and (7) in FIG. 13), and the display liquid crystal display 1- 3 waits for a text file to be received and waits for a text file sent from the personal computer 300A (step S36, (8) in FIG. 13). Then, a guard timer when the file from the personal computer 300A is not transferred is started (step S37).

  Whether or not a text file has been sent is determined by receiving / not receiving an MFPI command for file transfer (step S38). Also, other operations are not accepted while waiting for the text file reception. If a text file is not sent even after a certain time (for example, 5 minutes), a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 (steps S39 and S40).

  When a text file is transferred from the personal computer 300A ((13) in FIG. 13), the EDT task 12i creates an HTML file, and the NET task 12j transfers the FTP to the server. This operation is the same as in the first specific example.

Next, an operation after the personal computer 300A receives the OCR activation notification will be described.
FIG. 15 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer 300A side.
The personal computer 300A is in a waiting state for an OCR activation notification ((2) in FIG. 13) from the multifunction terminal 100A in a state where the MSS1 task 12k of the multifunction terminal 100A is always activated, and in this state, an OCR activation notification is issued. Receive (step S51, (3) in FIG. 13). The parallel interface module 300d receives the OCR activation notification packet from the parallel interface cable 400, removes the packet at the MFPI module 300c, and stores it in the reception area 300f-2 of the packet management area 300f.

  The MSS1 module 300b analyzes the stored packet and activates the OCR application software if it is determined as an OCR activation notification (step S52). When the OCR application software is activated (step S53), an OCR activation acceptance OK response is created in the transmission area 300f-1 of the packet management area 300f, packetized by the MFPI module 300c, and parallel interface by the parallel interface module 300d. Transmission is performed from the cable 400 to the multi-function terminal 100A (step S54, (4) and (5) in FIG. 13).

  Thereafter, the read file ((7) in FIG. 13) is received in the same procedure as that when the OCR activation notification packet described above is received ((9) in FIG. 13), and converted into text by the OCR application software (step) S55). Then, under the control of the OCR application software, the converted image is visually confirmed on the screen of the personal computer 300A and corrected (step S56, (10) in FIG. 13).

  When the modification by the user is completed (for example, the modification completion button is pressed in the OCR application software) ((11) in FIG. 13), the OCR application software is terminated, and the above-described OCR activation acceptance OK response packet. The text file is transmitted to the multi-function terminal 100A in the same procedure as transmitting (step S57, (12) in FIG. 13).

  If the OCR application software could not be activated in step S53, the MSS1 module 300b transmits a response of the OCR application software activation NG to the multi-function terminal 100A (step S58).

<effect>
As described above, according to the second specific example, in addition to the configuration of the first specific example, the OCR application incorporated in the personal computer 300A is started from the multi-function terminal 100A, and the image of the document read by the multi-function terminal 100A is started. Since the data is converted to text data on the personal computer 300A side and the HTML file is created using this text data, it can be uploaded to the server for the homepage in text format. The size is also reduced, saving the memory of the home page server and the upload time. Moreover, since it is a text file, it has the effect that it is easy to read when referring to it as a homepage with a browser.

<< Specific Example 3 >>
In specific example 3, the multi-function terminal transmits destination information for sending mail to the personal computer, and the personal computer starts processing for sending mail based on the reception of the destination information. It is.

<Constitution>
FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the third specific example.
In the figure, a multi-function terminal (MFP) 100B includes an operation panel 1, key information registration means 2, image reading means 15, and address information output means 16, and this multi-function terminal 100B is connected to a personal computer (PC) 300B. ing. The personal computer 300 </ b> B includes an image reading instruction unit 302 and a mail transmission unit 303.

  The operation panel 1 is provided with a key 1a to which a specific function can be assigned, as in the first and second examples, and is a user interface in the multi-function terminal 100B. The key information registration means 2 has a function of registering specific information on the network in the key 1a of the operation panel 1 as in the first and second examples. In this specific example, the specific destination information of the network is registered. It has a function of registering an Internet mail address.

  The image reading means 15 has a function of reading an image based on an image reading instruction from the personal computer 300B. The address information output means 16 has a function of outputting destination information corresponding to the key 1a to the personal computer 300B when any key 1a of the operation panel 1 is pressed.

  The image reading instruction unit 302 of the personal computer 300B has a function of outputting an image reading instruction to the multi-function terminal 100B when receiving destination information from the multi-function terminal 100B. The mail transmission unit 303 has a function of performing mail transmission including an image to the destination based on the destination information and the image sent from the multi-function terminal 100B.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of the network system of the specific example 3, and shows each block that realizes the function of FIG.
In the figure, the multi-function terminal 100B includes an operation panel 1, a modem unit 7, a scanner unit 8, a printer unit 9, a CPU 10, a RAM 11, a ROM 12, and a parallel interface unit 13. The multi-function terminal 100B and the personal computer 300B are connected by a parallel interface cable 400, and the personal computer 300B is connected to a network (Internet) 200.

  Here, since the function of each component in the drawing is the same as that of the first and second specific examples, the description thereof is omitted here.

FIG. 18 is a module configuration diagram of control software of the multifunction terminal 100B.
The illustrated module includes an OPE task 12a, an SCN task 12b, a PRT task 12c, an MDM task 12d, an MSS task 12e, a MAN task 12f, a BIC task 12g, and an MFP task 12h. Therefore, the description here is omitted.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of an area in the RAM 11 in the multifunction terminal 100B.
The area includes various device management area 11a, one-touch key information registration area 11b, E-mail information creation area 11d, and MSS data packet management area 11g. Here, regarding the various device management area 11a, the one-touch key information registration area 11b, and the E-mail information creation area 11d, the telephone number and E are added to the type area 11b-3 in the one-touch key information registration area 11b. The only difference is that only the -mail address is stored, and the rest of the configuration is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  The MSS data packet management area 11g includes a transmission packet creation area 11g-1 for creating a transmission packet from the multi-function terminal 100B to the personal computer 300B and a reception for storing and analyzing the reception packet from the personal computer 300B. A packet analysis area 11g-2 is provided.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of software and memory on the personal computer 300B.
On the operating system 300a, a parallel interface module 300d for transmitting and receiving data using the parallel interface cable 400, an MFPI module 300c for realizing a multi-function, and an Internet FAX for realizing an Internet FAX function The memory subsystem module 300g is incorporated and operates using the E-mail information management area 300h and the packet management area 300f. The packet management area 300f includes a transmission area 300f-1 and a reception area 300f-2. Furthermore, the operating system 300 a includes a mail service module 300 a-1, and this mail service module 300 a-1 has a function of sending and receiving mail via the network 200.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a packet structure.
As shown in the figure, the packet 501 includes a packet type 501a, a unit ID 501b, and an area 501c for storing contents determined for each subsystem. Since only the same type of packet is used here as the packet type 501a, a standard packet is used. The unit ID 501b indicates a unit ID for identifying which subsystem the packet belongs to. Here, a unit ID for Internet FAX is defined. The area 501c for storing the contents determined for each subsystem is E-mail information for actually transferring data between the personal computer 300B and the multi-function terminal 100B. The subject, sender information, and destination information of the E-mail. , Consists of attachment file information.

  The configurations of FIGS. 17 to 18 as described above correspond to the functional blocks shown in FIG. 16 as follows. 16 corresponds to the one-touch key 1-1, the key information registration means 2 corresponds to the OPE task 12a, the image reading means 15 corresponds to the SCN task 12b, the address information output means 16 corresponds to the MSS task 12e, and Each task is managed by the MAN task 12f. The image reading instructing means 302 in the personal computer 300B is mainly composed of an MFPI module 300c, a parallel interface module 300d, an Internet FAX memory subsystem module 300g, an E-mail information management area 300h, and a packet management area 300f. The mail transmission means 303 is mainly composed of an Internet FAX memory subsystem module 300g, an E-mail service module 300a-1, and the like.

<Operation>
FIG. 22 is a sequence chart of data transfer between the multifunction terminal 100B and the personal computer 300B.
FIG. 23 is an operation flowchart on the multifunction terminal 100B side.

  First, destination information such as a one-touch key number, a URL, and a destination type such as a telephone number / E-mail address are the one-touch key number area 11b-1, the destination information area 11b-2 in the one-touch key information registration area 11b, respectively. It is registered in the type area 11b-3. For example, the one touch key No. 1 is a destination a @ bcd. co. jp, the type is E-mail, and the one-touch key No. 2, the destination is 027-328-XXXX and the type is TEL (telephone number).

  In the sequence chart of FIG. 22, (1) the operation after pressing the one-touch key will be described along the flow of FIG. First, when the registered one-touch key is pressed (step S61), the OPE task 12a looks at the type area 11b-3 of the one-touch key information registration area 11b and determines whether it is for E-mail or FAX. (Step S62). When the type is TEL (when one-touch key No. 2 is pressed in this specific example), normal FAX transmission processing is performed (step S63), and when the type is E-mail (one touch key No. 1 is selected in this specific example). If it has been pressed, the MAN task 12f determines whether the scanner can be used (step S64). If there is no document or the scanner cannot be used, a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the process returns to the standby state (step S65).

  If the scanner is available, the following processing is performed in step S66. First, in the MSS task 12e, necessary information for E-mail transmission is created in the E-mail information creation area 11d based on information in the various device management areas 11a and the one-touch key information registration area 11b. The MFP task 12h creates an E-mail activation notification packet ((2) in FIG. 22) in the MSS data packet management area 11g. This is a packet configured as shown in FIG.

  The packet type 501a of the packet 501 and the unit ID 501b, which is a packet identifier for the Internet FAX memory subsystem, are determined by the personal computer 300B and the multifunction terminal 100B for each system. The subject of the E-mail in the area 501c for storing the contents determined for each subsystem may be fixed as, for example, [E-mail From XXX (specific device name)] Only the portion may be settable. For the E-mail sender information, the ID information of the multi-function terminal 100B in the various device management areas 11a is used. As the E-mail destination information, the destination information in the one-touch key information registration area 11b is used. The attached file information of E-mail may be fixed as, for example, [attached XXX (specific device name)], or only the XXX portion may be settable by the device. The packet 501 created in this way is transmitted to the personal computer 300B which is the host via the parallel interface cable 400 by the BIC task 12g.

  Then, after transmitting the E-mail activation notification packet to the personal computer 300B, the guard timer when the personal computer 300B does not respond is activated (step S67), and the next processing is waited for a response to the E-mail activation notification packet. (Step S68).

  If there is any response from the personal computer 300B, the BIC task 12g sends an E-mail information storage result response packet ((5) in FIG. 22) from the parallel interface cable 400 to the received packet analysis in the MSS data packet management area 11g. Since it is stored in the area 11g-2, the MFP task 12h removes the packet, and the MSS task 12e analyzes the response content (step S69).

  On the other hand, if there is no response after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) has elapsed (step S70), the MAN task 12f displays a message to that effect on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and waits. The state is returned (step S71). Similarly, if the response from the personal computer 300B is negative in step S69, a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the process returns to the standby state (step S72).

  If the response from the personal computer 300B is affirmative in step S69, the display waiting display for Internet FAX is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1, and an instruction from the personal computer 300B is awaited (step S69). S73). In this state, other operations are not accepted.

  The MAN task 12f activates a guard timer when the scanner from the personal computer 300B is not activated (step S74, (6) in FIG. 22), and the scanner does not stop even after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) elapses. Is not activated, a display to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1, and the process returns to the standby state (steps S75, S76, S77).

  On the other hand, the processing when the scanner is activated is the same as the known PC activation type reading processing (step S78). That is, the operations from (7) Start of scanner processing to (11) End of scanner in FIG. 22 are the same as the conventional operation, and the multi-function terminal 100B performs the scanner processing in accordance with the scanner start / end instruction from the personal computer 300B.

  Next, the operation after the personal computer 300B receives the E-mail activation notification will be described.

FIG. 24 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer 300B side.
The personal computer 300B waits for an E-mail start notification ((2) in FIG. 22) from the multi-function terminal 100B while the MSS task 12e for Internet FAX of the multi-function terminal 100B is always started. E-mail activation notification is received in the state (step S81, (3) in FIG. 22). The parallel interface module 300d receives the E-mail activation notification packet from the parallel interface cable 400, removes the packet in the MFPI module 300c, and stores it in the reception area 300f-2 of the packet management area 300f.

  The memory system module 300g for Internet FAX extracts the E-mail information from the stored E-mail activation notification, stores it in the E-mail information management area 300h (step S82), and checks whether the information is incomplete. (Step S83).

  The Internet FAX memory subsystem module 300g creates an E-mail information storage success or failure response in the transmission area 300f-1 of the packet management area 300f based on the confirmation result, packetizes it by the MFPI module 300c, and executes the parallel interface. The module 300d transmits the data from the parallel interface cable 400 to the multi-function terminal 100B (steps S84 and S85, (4) and (5) in FIG. 22).

  Thereafter, the image data is taken into the personal computer 300B ((10) in FIG. 22) by the same method (FIG. 22 (8)) as in the conventional method of starting the scanner from the personal computer and performing reading. (Step S86), and the scanner unit 8 of the multi-function terminal 100B is released.

  The memory system module 300g for Internet FAX of the personal computer 300B uses the operating system 300a based on the E-mail information stored in the E-mail information management area 300h and the read data filed for the attached file. E-mail is sent to the network 200 by calling up the API for interface of the mail service module 300a-1 with appropriate arguments (step S87, (12) and (13) in FIG. 22).

<effect>
As described above, according to the third specific example, the multi-function terminal 100B can register an E-mail address in the one-touch key 1-1, create E-mail information in the memory subsystem for Internet FAX, and Since the personal computer 300B is provided with a memory subsystem module for Internet FAX on the personal computer 300B side, the mail is programmablely transmitted using information from the multi-function terminal 100B. There is an effect like this.

  That is, reading data can be sent to the Internet simply by setting a document on the multi-function terminal 100B and pressing a one-touch key, so that troublesome operations such as inputting a destination on the personal computer side and setting an attached file are not required. , Usability will be greatly improved. In addition, after the E-mail information is sent from the multi-function terminal 100B to the personal computer 300B, a mechanism for activating the conventional reading function in a programmable manner is provided to use the Internet function of the personal computer 300B from the multi-function terminal 100B. Since the Internet FAX function is realized in such a form, hardware and mechanism manufacturing costs are not required.

  Furthermore, since the Internet FAX function in this embodiment uses the Internet function on the personal computer 300B side, the setting for connecting to the Internet is unnecessary on the multi-function terminal 100B side, and the user can easily install it. In other words, in order to provide the Internet function on the multi-function terminal side, it is necessary to install a network board and network protocol software, which increases manufacturing costs, and when supporting a network protocol such as TCP / IP, an IP address, etc. However, in this specific example, since this is not necessary, the user can easily install the network.

<< Specific Example 4 >>
Specific example 4 enables the Internet URL to be registered in the one-touch key on the multi-function terminal side, and when the one-touch key is pressed, the URL and the activation notification are transmitted to the personal computer. The connection to the URL and the printing of the acquired page are instructed.

<Constitution>
FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram of the fourth specific example.
In the figure, a multifunction terminal (MFP) 100C includes an operation panel 1, key information registration means 2, address information output means 16, and printing means 17, and this multifunction terminal 100C is connected to a personal computer (PC) 300B. Yes. The personal computer 300C includes information acquisition means 304.

  The operation panel 1 includes a key 1a to which a specific function can be assigned, as in the first to third examples, and is a user interface in the multi-function terminal 100C. The key information registration unit 2 has a function of registering specific information on the network to the key 1a of the operation panel 1 as in the specific examples 1 to 3, and in this specific example, the specific information on the network is registered. It has a function of registering the URL of the Internet as the location.

  The address information output means 16 has a function of outputting a URL corresponding to the key 1a to the personal computer 300C when any key 1a of the operation panel 1 is pressed. The printing unit 17 has a function of printing information on the network 200 based on a printing instruction from the personal computer 300C.

  The information acquisition unit 304 of the personal computer 300C is activated when a URL is received from the multi-function terminal 100C, accesses the URL to acquire corresponding image data, and transmits this as print data to the multi-function terminal 100C. It has a function.

  Further, the configuration diagram of the network system of the specific example 4 is the same as that of the specific example 3 shown in FIG. 17, and hence will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

FIG. 26 is a module configuration diagram of control software of the multifunction terminal 100C.
The illustrated module includes an OPE task 12a, an SCN task 12b, a PRT task 12c, an MDM task 12d, an MSS1 task 12k, a MAN task 12f, a BIC task 12g, and an MFP task 12h. Here, the difference from Specific Example 3 is that a packet for transmitting URL information and the like to be transmitted to the personal computer 300C and processing of the packet received from the personal computer 300C are performed for homepage printing, and the URL printing function is An MSS1 (memory subsystem 1) task 12k having a role is provided.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of an area in the RAM 11 in the multifunction terminal 100C.
The area includes various device management area 11a, one-touch key information registration area 11b, URL information creation area 11h, and MSS1 data packet management area 11i. Here, the various device management area 11a and the one-touch key information registration area 11b differ from the specific example 3 in the type area 11b-3 in the one-touch key information registration area 11b, in addition to the telephone number and the E-mail address. The URL information is stored.

  The URL information creation area 11h is an area for creating URL information sent from the multi-function terminal 100C to the personal computer 300C. The MSS1 data packet management area 11i includes a transmission packet creation area 11g-1 for creating a transmission packet from the multi-function terminal 100B to the personal computer 300C, and a reception for storing and analyzing the reception packet from the personal computer 300C. A packet analysis area 11g-2 is provided.

FIG. 28 is a configuration diagram of software and memory on the personal computer 300C.
The difference between this specific example and specific example 3 is that a browser is started based on URL information and a homepage printing module 300i for printing a homepage and a print for using the printing function of the multi-function terminal 100C. The other modules are the same as in the third specific example.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of a packet structure.
As shown in the figure, the packet 502 includes a packet type 502a, a unit ID 502b, and an area 502c for storing contents determined for each subsystem. Here, the difference from the specific example 3 is that the information of the area 502c for storing the content determined for each subsystem is URL information.

  The configurations of FIGS. 17 and 26 described above correspond to the functional blocks shown in FIG. 25 as follows. 25 corresponds to the one-touch key 1-1, the key information registration means 2 corresponds to the OPE task 12a, the address information output means 16 corresponds to the MSS1 task 12k, and each task is managed by the MAN task 12f. is doing. Further, the function of the information acquisition means 304 in the personal computer 300C is configured by each module of FIG.

<Operation>
FIG. 30 is a sequence chart of data transfer between the multi-function terminal 100C and the personal computer 300C.
FIG. 31 is an operation flowchart on the multifunction terminal 100C side.

  First, destination information such as a one-touch key number, URL, and destination type such as a telephone number / E-mail address / URL are set in the one-touch key information area 11b, the one-touch key number area 11b-1, and the destination information area 11b-, respectively. 2. It is registered in the type area 11b-3. For example, the one touch key No. 1 is a destination a @ bcd. co. jp, the type is E-mail, and the one-touch key No. 2 indicates that the destination is 027-328-XXXX, the type is TEL (telephone number), and the one-touch key No. 3 is addressed to http: // www. abcd. co. jp is the URL type.

  In the sequence chart of FIG. 30, (1) the operation after pressing the one-touch key will be described along the flow of FIG. First, when a registered one-touch key is pressed (step S91), the OPE task 12a looks at the type area 11b-3 of the one-touch key information registration area 11b and determines whether it is for E-mail or TEL. (Step S92). When the type is TEL (when the one-touch key No. 2 is pressed in this specific example), normal fax transmission processing is performed (step S94). When the type is E-mail (one-touch key No. 1 is selected in this specific example). If the button is pressed, the Internet FAX processing described in the specific example 3 is performed (step S95).

  In step S93, when the type is URL (in this specific example, when the one-touch key No. 3 is pressed), the MAN task 12f determines whether the printer can be used (step S96). If there is no recording paper or the printer cannot be used, a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the process returns to the standby state (step S97).

  If the printer is available, the following processing is performed in step S98. First, in the MSS1 task 12k, necessary information for homepage printing is created in the URL information creation area 11h based on the information in the various device management areas 11a and the one-touch key information registration area 11b. The MFP task 12h creates a homepage print notification packet in the transmission packet creation area 11i-1 of the data packet management area 11i for MSS1. This is a packet configured as shown in FIG.

  The packet type 502a of the packet 502 and the unit ID 502b, which is a packet identifier for the home page printing memory subsystem, are determined by the personal computer 300C and the multifunction terminal 100C for each system. URL information is stored in an area 502c for storing contents determined for each subsystem. The created packet 502 is transmitted by the BIC task 12g to the personal computer 300C as the host via the parallel interface cable 400 ((2) in FIG. 30).

  After transmitting the homepage print notification packet to the personal computer 300C, a guard timer is activated when the personal computer 300C does not respond (step S99), and a response to the homepage print notification packet is awaited before proceeding to the next processing (step S100). ).

  If there is any response from the personal computer 300C, the homepage print acceptance response packet ((5) in FIG. 30) is sent from the parallel interface cable 400 by the BIC task 12g to the received packet analysis area 11i− in the MSS1 data packet management area 11i−. 2, the MFP task 12h removes the packet, and the response content is analyzed by the MSS1 task 12k (step S101).

  On the other hand, if there is no response after a certain time (for example, 10 seconds) (step S102), a message to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1 and the standby state is returned ( Step S103). Similarly, when the response from the personal computer 300C is negative in step S101, a display to that effect is displayed on the display liquid crystal display 1-3 of the operation panel 1, and the process returns to the standby state (step S104).

  If the response from the personal computer 300C is affirmative in step S101, the display liquid crystal display 1-3 on the operation panel 1 is displayed waiting for homepage printing and waits for an instruction from the personal computer 300C (step S105, FIG. 30 (6)). In this state, other operations are not accepted.

  Further, a guard timer when the printer from the personal computer 300C is not activated is activated (step S106), and if the printing does not activate even after a certain period of time (for example, 10 seconds), the operation panel 1 is displayed. A message to that effect is displayed on the liquid crystal display 1-3, and the apparatus returns to the standby state (steps S107, S108, S109).

  On the other hand, the processing when printing is activated is the same as the known PC activation type printing processing (step S110). That is, the operations from (7) print processing start to (11) print end in FIG. 30 are the same as the conventional operation, and the multi-function terminal 100C performs the print processing in accordance with the print processing start / end instruction from the personal computer 300C.

  Next, the operation after personal computer 300C receives the homepage print notification will be described.

FIG. 32 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer 300C side.
The personal computer 300C is in a waiting state for a homepage print notification ((2) in FIG. 30) from the multi-function terminal 100C while the MSS1 task 12k for homepage printing of the multi-function terminal 100C is always activated. A homepage print notification is received (step S111, (3) in FIG. 30). The parallel interface module 300d receives the homepage print notification packet from the parallel interface cable 400, removes the packet with the MFPI module 300c, and stores it in the reception area 300f-2 of the packet management area 300f.

  The homepage printing module 300i extracts URL information from the stored homepage printing notification, confirms whether the information is complete, and activates the browser based on the information (step S112).

  The homepage printing module 300i requested a file at the HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol: a protocol used when a client and a server communicate with each other) to determine whether it was displayed on a browser. Judgment is made based on whether an HTML file is sent or not (step S113).

  Then, a success or failure response to acceptance of homepage printing is created in the transmission area 300f-1 of the packet management area 300f, packetized by the MFPI module 300c, and sent from the parallel interface cable 400 by the parallel interface module 300d. It transmits to the functional terminal 100C (steps S114 and S115, (4) and (5) in FIG. 30).

  Thereafter, the printer setting and print data are transmitted to the multi-function terminal 100C in the same manner as in the conventional method of starting the printer from a personal computer and performing printing ((7) to (11) in FIG. 30). The printer unit 9 of the multi-function terminal 100C is released (step S116).

<effect>
As described above, according to the fourth specific example, the multi-function terminal 100C can register a URL in the one-touch key, create URL information in the MSS 1 for homepage printing, and notify the host personal computer 300C. Since the homepage printing module is provided on the personal computer 300C side, the browser software is activated programmatically using the information from the multi-function terminal 100C, and the printer is activated.

  That is, the contents of the homepage on the Internet can be printed simply by pressing the one-touch key in which the URL is registered in the multi-function terminal 100C, so that the browser is started on the conventional personal computer side and the URL is input. Operation such as executing printing becomes unnecessary, and usability is greatly improved.

  In addition, after the URL information is sent from the multi-function terminal 100C to the personal computer 300C, a mechanism for activating the conventional print function in a programmable manner is provided to use the Internet function of the personal computer 300C from the multi-function terminal 100C. Since the homepage printing function is realized, hardware and mechanism manufacturing costs are not required. Furthermore, since the homepage printing function in this embodiment uses the Internet function on the personal computer 300C side, the setting for connecting to the Internet is not required on the multi-function terminal 100C side, and the user can easily install it.

<< Usage form >>
In each of the above specific examples, the HTML format is described as the homepage format. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the homepage description language may be other than the HTML format.

  Moreover, although the case where the Internet is used as the network 200 has been described, any network can be similarly applied.

  Further, in each specific example, the example in which the multi-function terminals 100, 100A, 100B, and 100C are connected to the personal computers 300, 300A, 300B, and 300C using the parallel interface cable 400 has been described. For example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connections other than the parallel interface may be used.

  Further, in each specific example, the case of the one-touch key 1-1 as the key of the operation panel 1 for assigning the server address, the E-mail address, etc. has been described, but it may be configured to be assigned to other keys.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the specific example 1 of the network system of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of a network system of Example 1. FIG. It is a module block diagram of the control software of the specific example 1. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an area in a RAM in the multi-function terminal of Example 1. FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a specific example 1; It is explanatory drawing of the source code of an HTML file. It is explanatory drawing of the example of a display with a browser. 10 is a functional block diagram of a specific example 2. FIG. It is a module block diagram of the control software of the specific example 2. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an area in a RAM in the multi-function terminal of the specific example 2; FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of software and a memory on a personal computer of a specific example 2; FIG. 11 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a packet of specific example 2. 10 is a sequence chart of data transfer between a multi-function terminal and a personal computer of Example 2. 10 is an operation flowchart on the multi-function terminal side of specific example 2; 10 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer side of specific example 2; 12 is a functional block diagram of a specific example 3. FIG. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a network system of a specific example 3; FIG. 10 is a module configuration diagram of control software of a specific example 3; 10 is an explanatory diagram of an area in a RAM in a multi-function terminal of a specific example 3. FIG. FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of software and a memory on a personal computer of a specific example 3; FIG. 10 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a packet of specific example 3. 10 is a sequence chart of data transfer between the multi-function terminal and the personal computer of Example 3. 12 is an operation flowchart on the multi-function terminal side of specific example 3. 14 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer side in specific example 3; FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a specific example 4; FIG. 10 is a module configuration diagram of control software of a specific example 4; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an area in a RAM in the multi-function terminal of a specific example 4; FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of software and a memory on a personal computer of a specific example 4; FIG. 11 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a packet of specific example 4. 10 is a sequence chart of data transfer between the multi-function terminal and a personal computer of Example 4. 10 is an operation flowchart on the multi-function terminal side of specific example 4; 10 is an operation flowchart on the personal computer side of a specific example 4;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1a Key 2 Key information registration means 3 Document reading means 4, 4a File creation means 5 File transfer means 15 Image reading means 16 Address information output means 17 Printing means 100, 100A, 100B, 100C Multi-function terminal 200 Network 300, 300A, 300B , 300C Personal computer 301 Text file creation means 302 Image reading instruction means 303 Mail transmission means 304 Information acquisition means

Claims (8)

In a network system in which multifunction terminals are connected to the network,
The multifunction terminal is
Key information registration means for registering an arbitrary key in association with access information for uploading to a predetermined destination on the network;
An original reading means for reading an original and outputting it as image data;
When the arbitrary key is pressed, the original can be referred to by a browser for reading the original with the original reading means and uploading the original to a destination corresponding to the arbitrary key and browsing the information on the network And a file creation means for creating a file in a suitable image compression format. In a network system in which a multifunction terminal is connected to a network and a personal computer is connected to the multifunction terminal,
The multifunction terminal is
Key information registration means for registering an arbitrary key in association with access information for uploading to a predetermined destination on the network;
An original reading means for reading an original and outputting it as image data;
A notification means for reading a document by the document reading means and notifying the personal computer of image data of the document when the arbitrary key is pressed;
Based on a response from the personal computer to the notified content, comprising a file creation means for creating a file for uploading to a destination on the network;
The personal computer is
A network system comprising: text file creation means for extracting text from an image file received from the multi-function terminal and using the extracted text data as a response to the multi-function terminal. The network system according to claim 1 or 2,
The network system, wherein the file creation means is configured to create a file in a format using a description language of a page referred to by a browser. In the network system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A network system comprising file transfer means for transferring a file created by the file creation means to a server on the network using FTP. In a network system in which a multifunction terminal having an image reading means and a personal computer are connected, and the personal computer is connected to a network,
The multifunction terminal is
Key information registration means for registering destination information for accessing a specific destination on the network in an arbitrary key;
Address information output means for outputting destination information registered in the key to the personal computer when the arbitrary key is pressed;
The personal computer is
An image reading instructing means for instructing the multifunction terminal to read an image when receiving the destination information. The network system according to claim 5, wherein
Multi-function devices
Image reading means for outputting the image reading result to a personal computer,
The personal computer is
A network system comprising: mail transmitting means for transmitting mail including the image to a destination corresponding to the destination information based on the destination information and the image reading result sent from the multi-function terminal. In a network system in which a multifunction terminal having a printing unit and a personal computer are connected and the personal computer is connected to a network,
The multifunction terminal is
Key information registration means for registering address information indicating the position of specific information on the network in an arbitrary key;
An address information output means for outputting address information registered in the key to the personal computer when the arbitrary key is pressed;
The personal computer is
Information that is activated when address information is received from the multi-function terminal, accesses the address based on the received address information, acquires corresponding image data, and transmits this to the multi-function terminal as print data A network system comprising an acquisition unit. In a multi-function terminal that can be connected to a personal computer by operating a function for transmitting and receiving an E-mail upon receiving a startup notification, and having an image reading means,
A key assigned a specific function,
E-mail start notification output means for outputting a start notification of transmission / reception of the E-mail to the personal computer when the key is pressed;
An image data transfer means for transferring image data read by the image reading means to the personal computer based on an instruction from the personal computer after outputting an E-mail activation notification. Terminal.

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