JP2007173902A - Document managing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output image data to a device desired by a user. <P>SOLUTION: A RAM 112 of network facsimile equipment 1 has an image storage 112b for storing the image data received by an Internet facsimile function functionally corresponding to user identification information that is the destination of the image data. A CPU 111 comprises an address reception 111a for receiving the address information and user identification information of a printer 42 of 1 from a client terminal unit 41, an image reader 111b for reading the image data corresponding to the received user identification information from the image storage 112b, and an image transmitter 111d for transmitting the read image data to the printer 42 having an address received by the address reception 111a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a print function and a document management apparatus connected to a plurality of terminal apparatuses so as to communicate with each other.

  Conventionally, in a document management apparatus (in this case, a facsimile apparatus) having a facsimile function, all received image data has been printed out immediately after reception. However, since some received image data does not need to be printed out, there is a problem in that recording paper and toner are consumed wastefully. The “facsimile function” is a generic name (superordinate concept) of “Internet facsimile function” and “G3 facsimile function”. For example, “having a facsimile function” means “having at least one of an Internet facsimile function and a G3 facsimile function”.

In order to solve the above problem, a facsimile apparatus having a memory for holding facsimile data such as received image data at the time of facsimile reception has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). In this facsimile apparatus, even if a facsimile is received, the user is instructed to print out and the received image data is printed out, so that consumption of recording paper and toner is suppressed.
JP 2004-135059 A

  However, for example, when a user instructs a printout from a home where an image forming apparatus such as a printer is installed to a facsimile machine in which facsimile data is stored via the Internet using a personal computer, Therefore, it cannot be said that the convenience of the output device is sufficient.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a document management apparatus capable of outputting image data to an apparatus desired by a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, a document management device according to claim 1 is a document management device communicably connected to a plurality of image forming devices having a print function and a plurality of terminal devices. Image storage means that is a destination of the image data and stores the image data in association with user identification information that is information for identifying the user, one user identification information from the terminal device, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses Address receiving means for receiving address information of one image forming apparatus, image reading means for reading out image data corresponding to user identification information received by the address receiving means from the image storage means, and the address receiving means Image transmission for transmitting the image data read out by the image reading means to the address received by It is characterized in that it comprises a stage.

  According to the above configuration, the image data is stored in the image storage unit in association with the user identification information that is the destination of the image data and is information for identifying the user. Then, one piece of user identification information is received from the terminal device by the address receiving unit, and image data corresponding to the received user identification information is read from the image storage unit by the image reading unit. Further, address information of one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses is received from the terminal device by the address receiving unit, and the address is read by the image reading unit by the image transfer unit. The transmitted image data is transmitted for printing.

  Accordingly, since the image data read by the image reading means is transmitted to be printed with respect to the address received from the terminal device, the address of the image forming apparatus that the user desires to print out the image data is set to the terminal device. The image data is printed out to an image forming apparatus that the user desires to print the image data.

  The document management apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that the address receiving means receives user identification information and address information via electronic mail.

  According to the above configuration, the user identification information and the address information are received via the e-mail by the address receiving unit, so that the user can place the e-mail at a predetermined position (for example, “subject” column) via the terminal device. The user identification information and the address information are input and transmitted to the image forming apparatus, so that the user identification information and the address information can be easily and reliably received.

  Accordingly, since the user identification information and the address information are received via the e-mail, the user identification information and the address information can be easily and reliably received.

  The document management apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an address storage unit that stores the address information received by the address receiving unit in association with the user identification information received by the address receiving unit. Each time address information and user identification information are received, they are stored in the address storage means.

  According to the above configuration, every time address information and user identification information are received by the address receiving unit, the address information is stored in the address storage unit in association with the user identification information. However, the latest address information is stored in association with the user identification information, so that the latest address information can be easily used.

  The document management apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising selection means for receiving selection information for selecting at least one image data to be printed from the image data read by the image reading means from the terminal device, The image transfer means transmits the image data selected by the selection means.

  According to the above configuration, selection information for selecting at least one image data to be printed from the image data read by the image reading means is received from the terminal device by the selection means, and the image transfer means The image data selected by the selection means is transmitted.

  Accordingly, since the image data selected by the selection information from the terminal device is transmitted to the address received from the terminal device, the image data desired to be printed by the user is printed on the image forming device desired by the user. It becomes possible to output, and the convenience is further improved.

  The document management apparatus according to claim 5 has a facsimile function, and the image storage means stores image data received by the facsimile function.

  According to the above configuration, the image data received by the facsimile function is stored in the image storage means.

  Accordingly, the image data received by the facsimile function and read by the image reading means is transmitted to the address received from the terminal device for printing, so that the user can form an image for printing out the image data. By instructing the device address via the terminal device, the image data is printed out to an image forming apparatus that the user desires to print the image data.

  According to the document management apparatus of the first aspect, since the image data read by the image reading unit is transmitted to the address received from the terminal device for printing, the user can print out the image data. By instructing the address of the image forming apparatus that desires the image data via the terminal device, the user can print out the image data to the image forming apparatus that desires to print the image data.

  According to the document management apparatus of the second aspect, since the user identification information and the address information are received via the electronic mail, the user identification information and the address information can be easily and reliably received.

  According to the document management apparatus of claim 3, each time the address information and the user identification information are received by the address receiving unit, the address information is stored in the address storage unit in association with the user identification information. Even when the information is updated, the latest address information is stored in association with the user identification information, and the latest address information can be easily used.

  According to the document management apparatus according to claim 4, since the image data selected by the selection information from the terminal device is transmitted to the address received from the terminal device, the image that the user wants to print Data can be printed out on an image forming apparatus desired by the user, and convenience can be further improved.

  According to the document management apparatus of the fifth aspect, the image data received by the facsimile function and read by the image reading means is transmitted to the address received from the terminal device for printing. By instructing the address of the image forming apparatus that desires to print out the image data via the terminal device, the user can print out the image data to the image forming apparatus that desires to print the image data.

  Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention (an example of an embodiment of a document management apparatus according to the present invention) will be described with reference to the drawings. The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention receives image data of a document by the Internet facsimile function or the G3 facsimile function.

  Here, the case where the document management apparatus is the facsimile apparatus 1 having a facsimile function will be described. However, the document management apparatus may be a multifunction machine having a facsimile function. Further, the document management apparatus may have an Internet facsimile function or a G3 facsimile function.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile system including a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. That is, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 (corresponding to a part of a document management apparatus), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 (corresponding to a part of a document management apparatus), and a ROM. (Read Only Memory) 113, image memory 114, modem 115, NCU (Network Control Unit) 116, codec (CODEC: Coder and Decoder) 117, reading unit 118, recording unit 119, operation unit 120, display unit 121, and LAN An interface 122 is provided, and the units 111 to 122 are communicably connected via a bus 123.

  The CPU 111 functions as a control unit that controls the units 112 to 120 constituting the facsimile apparatus 1 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM 113. The RAM 112 functions as a work area for the CPU 111. The ROM 113 stores the control program. The image memory 114 stores transmitted / received image data, image data read by the reading unit 118, and the like.

  The modem 115 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) recommendation V.3. Modulate and demodulate transmitted / received data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 116 is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a call, and is connected to a G3 facsimile 52 via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 51.

  The codec 117 performs encoding and decoding of image data. That is, the image data of the document read by the reading unit 118 is encoded by the MH, MR method or the like for transmission, and the image data received from the outside is decoded. The reading unit 118 reads image data of a document, and includes, for example, a CCD color line sensor, an A / D converter, an image processing circuit, and the like. The recording unit 119 performs image formation processing (printing processing) on the recording paper such as received image data. For example, an electrophotographic system is applied.

  The operation unit 120 includes input keys for inputting information by the user, a touch panel, and the like, and various input operations by the user are performed via the operation unit 120. The display unit 121 includes, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) arranged in parallel with the operation unit 120, and functions as a display unit that displays various screen information. The LAN interface 122 connects the facsimile apparatus 1 and a LAN (Local Area Network) 21 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The LAN 21 includes, for example, the Internet facsimile apparatus 3 via the router 22 and the Internet 23, and a plurality of client terminal apparatuses 41 (corresponding to a plurality of terminal apparatuses that accept operation inputs from the user: only two are shown here) However, the description of a plurality of units is simplified to two for convenience) and a plurality of printers 42 (hereinafter simply referred to as printers) that print transmitted / received image data and the like, corresponding to a plurality of image forming apparatuses. Yes: Only two units are shown here, but the description of a plurality of units is simplified to two units for convenience). The client terminal device 41a and the printer 42a are disposed close to each other (for example, disposed at the home of the user A), and the client terminal device 41b and the printer 42b are disposed close to each other (for example, the user B). At home).

  The client terminal device 41 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, receives operation input from a user via a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and transmits operation input to the facsimile apparatus 1 via the Internet 23, the router 22 and the LAN 21. At the same time, various information is received from the facsimile apparatus 1 via the LAN 21 and displayed on the monitor. The printer 42 receives image data or the like from the facsimile apparatus 1 via the LAN 21, the router 22, and the Internet 23, and prints the image data or the like on recording paper.

  Here, the facsimile machine 1 has a facsimile function. With this facsimile function, image data is transmitted to and received from the Internet facsimile machine 3 via the LAN 21, the router 22, and the Internet 23, and the G3 facsimile is sent via the PSTN 51. Image data is transmitted to and received from the device 52.

  FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram showing an example of a main part of the facsimile apparatus 1 (document management apparatus of the present invention). The CPU 111 of the facsimile apparatus 1 functionally receives an address receiving unit 111a (corresponding to an address receiving unit) that receives address information of one printer 42 and user identification information that is information for identifying a user from the client terminal device 41. ), An image reading unit 111b (corresponding to an image reading unit) that reads image data corresponding to the received user identification information from an image storage unit 112b to be described later, and at least one piece of image data from the read image data. A selection unit 111c (corresponding to a selection unit) that receives a selection, and an image transfer unit 111d (corresponding to an image transfer unit) that transmits the selected image data to the printer 42 at the address received by the address reception unit 111a. I have.

  The RAM 112 of the facsimile apparatus 1 functionally stores an address storage unit 112a (corresponding to an address storage unit) that stores address information of the printer 42 in association with user identification information, and image data received by the facsimile function. An image storage unit 112b (corresponding to an image storage unit) that stores the image data in association with user identification information that is a destination is provided.

  Here, the CPU 111 functions as a functional unit including the address receiving unit 111a, the image reading unit 111b, the selection unit 111c, and the image transfer unit 111d by reading and executing a control program stored in advance in the ROM 113 or the like. At the same time, the RAM 112 is caused to function as a functional unit including the address storage unit 112a and the image storage unit 112b.

  Next, each functional unit of the facsimile machine 1 will be described. The address receiving unit 111 a receives the address information and user identification information of one printer 42 from the client terminal device 41. Specifically, the address receiving unit 111a receives an e-mail from the client terminal device 41, and the address information (in this case, the address of the printer 42 described in a predetermined area of the e-mail (for example, “subject” column). IP address) and user identification information are read to receive address information and user identification information.

  The image reading unit 111b reads image data corresponding to the user identification information received by the address receiving unit 111a from the image storage unit 112b, and the read image data is received by the address receiving unit 111a. The data is transmitted to the client terminal device 41 (hereinafter simply referred to as the client terminal device 41) and displayed on the monitor of the client terminal device 41.

  The selection unit 111c receives an operation input from the client terminal device 41 and receives selection of one (or a plurality of) image data from the image data read by the image reading unit 111b. Specifically, image data corresponding to the user identification information received by the address receiving unit 111a is displayed on the monitor of the client terminal device 41 in accordance with an instruction from the image reading unit 111b, and the displayed image data is displayed. A selection is accepted by an operation input such as clicking one (or a plurality) of image data desired to be printed by the user with a mouse.

  The image transfer unit 111d reads the address information corresponding to the user identification information received by the address receiving unit 111a from the address storage unit 112a, and selects the image selected by the selection unit 111c for the printer 42 having the address information. Data is transmitted from the image storage unit 112b and transmitted using IPP for printing. When the destination printer 42 is a page description language printer, the image transfer unit 111d adds PJL (Print Job Language) data and prints PDL that is image data that can be printed by the page description language printer. (Page Description Language) data is generated, and if it is not a page description language printer (here, it is assumed that it is GDI (Graphics Device Interface)), the image data is MMR encoded, converted into image data, and converted into a printer. 42.

  The address storage unit 112a stores the address information of the printer 42 in association with the user identification information. Note that the address information of the printer 42 stored in the address storage unit 112a is set and updated by the address reception unit 111a based on an electronic mail from the client terminal device 41.

  The image storage unit 112b stores the image data received by the facsimile function in association with the user identification information that is the destination of the image data. Specifically, a memory area (for example, a file folder) of user identification information that is a destination of image data is set in advance, and the received image data is stored in the memory area.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1. First, it is determined whether or not facsimile data including image data is received by POP from the Internet facsimile apparatus 3 via the Internet 23 or the like (S1). If it is determined that facsimile data has not been received (NO in S1), the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that the facsimile data has been received (YES in S1), an image data storage process for storing the facsimile data including the image data in a predetermined area (here, a folder) of the image storage unit 112b is executed. (S3).

  If NO in step S1 or if the process in step S3 is completed, the address receiving unit 111a determines whether user identification information is received from the client terminal device 41 via email. Performed (S5). If it is determined that the user identification information has not been received (NO in S5), the process returns to step S1, and the processes after step S1 are repeatedly executed. If it is determined that the user identification information has been received (YES in S5), an output destination setting process for setting the printer 42 as the output destination is performed (S7), and the image data desired by the user is stored in the printer 42. A print execution process to output (print) is performed (S9), the process returns to step S1, and the processes after step S1 are repeatedly executed.

  FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the image data storage process in step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. First, user identification information that is the destination of the received image data is acquired from the Internet facsimile machine 3 (S301). Then, the received facsimile data such as image data is stored in the folder corresponding to the user identification information acquired in step S301 (S303), and the process is returned.

  FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the output destination setting process in step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the address receiving unit 111a determines whether or not the address information of the printer 42 is described in the electronic mail for which the user identification information has been received in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 (S701). If the address information of the printer 42 is not described (NO in S701), the process is returned. If the address information of the printer 42 is described (YES in S701), the type information of the printer 42 (in the page description language printer) is obtained from the electronic mail in which the user identification information is accepted in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Information on whether or not there is) is read and accepted (S703). The address receiving unit 111a stores the address information received in step S701 and the type information of the printer 42 received in step S703 in association with the user identification information received in step S5 in the address storage unit 112a. (S705), and the process is returned.

  FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart showing an example of the print execution process in step S9 of the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, for the sake of convenience, a case will be described in which image data corresponding to the user identification information received in step S5 shown in FIG. 3 is collectively output, but an operation input from the client terminal device 41 is received, and the image reading unit 111b. Alternatively, the selection of one (or a plurality of) image data may be selected from the image data read out by. First, the image reading unit 111b determines whether image data (image data waiting for printing) corresponding to the user identification information received in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the image storage unit 112b. Performed (S901). If it is determined that the image data is not stored (NO in S901), the process is returned. If it is determined that the image data is stored (YES in S901), the image reading unit 111b stores the image data corresponding to the user identification information received in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is read from 112b (S903).

  Then, the address information of the printer 42 corresponding to the user identification information received in step S5 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is read from the address storage unit 112a by the image transfer unit 111d. Next, the image transfer unit 111d determines whether or not the destination printer 23 is a page description language printer (S907). If it is determined that the printer is a page description language printer (YES in S907), the image transfer unit 111d adds the PJL data to the image data read in step S903, and generates PDL data (S909). ). On the other hand, if it is determined that the printer is not a page description language printer (NO in S907), the image transfer unit 111d performs MMR encoding on the image data read in S903 and converts it into image data (S911). . When the process of step S909 or step S911 is completed, the data generated in step S909 or step S911 is printed by the image transfer unit 111d on the printer 42 having the address information read in step S905. Is transmitted accordingly (S913), and the process is returned.

  In this way, the image data read by the image reading unit 111b is transmitted to the printer 42 at the address received from the client terminal device 41 for printing, so that the user desires to print out the image data. By instructing the address of the printer 42 to be transmitted via the client terminal device 41, the image data is printed out to the printer 42 that the user desires to print the image data.

  In addition, since the user identification information and the address information are received via the e-mail, the user identification information and the address information can be easily and reliably received.

  Furthermore, each time address information and user identification information are received by the address receiving unit 111a, the address information is stored in the address storage unit 112a in association with the user identification information. Therefore, even when the address information is updated, The latest address information is stored in association with the user identification information, and the latest address information can be easily used.

  In addition, the image data selected by the selection information from the client terminal device 41 is transmitted to the printer 42 at the address received from the client terminal device 41 so as to print. It is possible to print out to the desired printer 42, further improving convenience.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The following forms may be sufficient.
(A) In the present embodiment, the case where the terminal device is the client terminal device 41 has been described, but a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a mobile phone may be used.

  (B) In the present embodiment, the case where the image forming apparatus that prints image data is the network printer 42 has been described. However, an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral or the like) having other print functions may be used. .

  (C) In the present embodiment, the case where the address receiving unit 111a receives the address information and user identification information of the printer 42 from the client terminal device 41 via e-mail has been described. However, the client terminal device 41 can be obtained by other methods. The address information of the printer 42 and the user identification information may be received from the printer. For example, the address receiving unit 111a may display a screen for inputting the address information and user identification information of the printer 42 on the client terminal device 41 using HTTP, and may receive information input via a keyboard or the like.

  (D) In the present embodiment, the case where the address receiving unit 111a receives the address information and user identification information of the printer 42 from the client terminal device 41 via e-mail has been described. However, the client terminal device 41 can be obtained by other methods. The address information of the printer 42 and the user identification information may be received separately.

  For example, the address receiving unit 111a first displays a screen (for example, a logon screen) for inputting user identification information on the client terminal device 41, receives user identification information input via a keyboard or the like, Alternatively, a screen for inputting address information of the printer 42 may be displayed, and the address information input via a keyboard or the like may be received.

  (E) In the present embodiment, the case where the selection unit 111c accepts selection of one (or a plurality of) image data from the image data read by the image reading unit 111b has been described. A form in which all of the image data that is output may be selected. In this case, in order to receive selection information, it is not necessary to receive an operation input from the client terminal device 41, and the processing is simplified.

  (F) Although the case where the image data stored in the image storage unit 112b is image data received by the Internet facsimile function has been described in the present embodiment, the form is image data received by the G3 facsimile function. Alternatively, other image data (for example, image data read by the reading unit 118 of the facsimile apparatus 1 or image data transmitted from the client terminal device 41) may be used.

1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network facsimile system including a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of the principal part of a facsimile apparatus. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation of the facsimile apparatus. It is a detailed flowchart which shows an example of the image data storage process of step S3 of the flowchart shown in FIG. It is a detailed flowchart which shows an example of the output destination setting process of step S7 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart illustrating an example of a print execution process in step S9 of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facsimile device (document management device)
111 CPU
111a Address receiving unit (address receiving means)
111b Image reading unit (image reading means)
111c selection unit (selection means)
111d Image transfer unit (image transfer means)
112 RAM
112a Address storage unit (address storage means)
112b Image storage unit (image storage means)

Claims (5)

A document management apparatus communicably connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses having a print function and a plurality of terminal apparatuses,
Image storage means for storing image data in association with user identification information which is a destination of the image data and which identifies the user;
Address receiving means for receiving from the terminal device one user identification information and address information of one image forming device among the plurality of image forming devices;
Image reading means for reading out image data corresponding to the user identification information received by the address receiving means from the image storage means;
A document management apparatus comprising: an image transfer unit that transmits image data read out by the image reading unit to an address received by the address receiving unit.   The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address receiving unit receives user identification information and address information via electronic mail. Address storage means for storing the address information received by the address receiving means in association with the user identification information received by the address receiving means,
3. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address receiving unit stores address information and user identification information in the address storage unit each time it receives the address information and user identification information. Selecting means for receiving selection information for selecting at least one image data to be printed from the image data read by the image reading means from the terminal device;
The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image transfer unit transmits the image data selected by the selection unit. Has a facsimile function,
The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image storage unit stores image data received by a facsimile function.

Images