JP2009177367A - Image forming apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing method and a program, capable of appropriately diversifying a connection form with a computer at a transfer destination of scan data. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a reading means and an operation means, and the above problem is solved by providing the image forming apparatus with: a network communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via a network; a USB communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via a USB; a reading control means for waiting input to the operation means according to an acquisition request of the scan data received by the network communication means or the USB communication means, and making the reading means perform reading according to the input to the operation means; and a data transfer control means for making the network communication means or the USB communication means which receives the acquisition request perform transfer of the read scan data to the computer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of transferring scan data to a computer connected via a network or USB.

  Conventionally, a scanner and a PC (Personal Computer) are connected, the scanner executes a scan in accordance with a reading condition set on the PC side, and the scanner transfers the scan data (image data) to the PC in response to a request from the PC. Exists. In such a technique, based on a method of starting reading (hereinafter referred to as “normal mode”) based on an operation on the PC side (input to the screen or the like) and an operation on the scanner side (input or the like via the operation panel). There is a method of starting reading (hereinafter referred to as “scan wait mode”).

  In the normal mode, the user sets an original on the scanner side, returns to the PC, and sets reading conditions and the like on the PC. After setting the reading conditions, the user inputs an instruction to start reading on the PC. The start instruction is notified to the scanner, and the original is read by the scanner. After that, the user had to go to the scanner installation location again to collect the original.

  On the other hand, in the scan wait mode, the user sets reading conditions and the like on the PC side, and inputs a reading start instruction. In response to the start instruction, the scanner waits for an input of a scan start instruction via the operation panel or the like. The user goes to the installation location of the scanner, sets a document, and inputs a reading start instruction (for example, pressing a start key) to the scanner. The document is read by the scanner in response to the input of the start instruction.

  As apparent from the above procedure, the scan wait mode has an advantage that the number of times of travel between the PC and the scanner can be reduced. In addition, since the user does not leave the document, secure reading can be realized.

  On the other hand, the connection between the PC and the scanner may be via a network or via USB. Conventionally, the communication procedure between the PC and the scanner in the scan wait mode differs between the network connection and the USB connection.

  FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure in the scan wait mode in the case of network connection. This figure shows a processing procedure when transferring scan data between a PC 520a and a scanner 510a connected by a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

  In the figure, the PC 520a has a driver 521a. The driver 521a is a driver program that controls acquisition of scan data from the scanner 510a connected to the network.

  The scanner 510a includes an RSHD 511a, a protocol stack control unit 512a, an upper layer 513a, and the like. The RSHD 511a is a program that controls execution of the remote shell, and here controls network communication with the driver 521a. The protocol stack control unit 512a is a program that controls the transfer of scan data to the network-connected PC 520a. The upper layer 513a is a program that causes the scanner 510a to read image data.

  In the PC 520a, when a reading condition setting and a reading start instruction are input by the user, the driver 521a establishes a TCP session with the RSHD 511a (establishes a connection at the TCP level) (S11). Subsequently, the driver 521a makes a scan data acquisition request to the RSHD 511a (S12). The RSHD 511a notifies the acquisition request to the protocol stack control unit 512a (S13). In response to the acquisition request, the protocol stack control unit 512a requests the upper layer 513a to execute reading (S14). The upper layer 513a performs reading when the start key is pressed (S15). The transfer of scan data is requested to the protocol stack control unit 512a (S16). The protocol stack control unit 512a requests the RSHD 511a to transmit scan data to the scan data acquisition request source (S17). The RSHD 511a transmits the scan data to the driver 521a of the requesting PC 520a (S18). When the reception of the scan data is completed, the driver 521a disconnects the session (S19).

  FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the scan wait mode in the case of network connection. 2, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  It is assumed that processing similar to steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 1 is executed, and the cancel instruction is issued by the user in the PC 520a while the upper layer 513a is waiting for the start key to be pressed. Here, since the driver 521a is waiting for a response to the scan data acquisition request, the driver 521a cannot transmit a scan stop request to the RSHD 511a again. Therefore, the driver 521a disconnects the TCP session with the RSHD 511a (S21). The disconnection of the session is detected by the RSHD 511a. In response to detection of session disconnection, the RSHD 511a notifies the protocol stack control unit 512a of session disconnection (S22). The protocol stack control unit 512a notifies the upper layer 513a of session disconnection (S23). The upper layer 513a releases the scanner 510a from the standby state by executing a reading end process in response to the session disconnection notification (S24).

  On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure in the scan wait mode in the case of USB connection. This figure shows the processing procedure when transferring scan data between the PC 520b and the scanner 510b connected via USB.

  In the figure, the PC 520b has a driver 521b. The driver 521b is a driver program that controls acquisition of scan data from the scanner 510b connected via USB.

  The scanner 510b includes a USBD 511b, a protocol stack control unit 512b, an upper layer 513b, and the like. The USBD 511b is a program that controls USB communication with the PC 520b in USB connection. The protocol stack control unit 512b is a program that controls transfer of scan data to the PC 520b connected via USB. The upper layer 513b is a program that causes the scanner 510b to read image data.

  In the PC 520b, when a reading condition setting and a reading start instruction are input by the user, the driver 521b transmits a start key state acquisition request of the scanner 520b to the USBD 511b (S31). The start key status acquisition request is notified to the upper layer 513b via the TWAN protocol stack controller 512b (S32, S33). The upper layer 513b confirms the state of the start key (whether or not it has been pressed), and notifies the protocol stack control unit 512b of information indicating the state (key state information) (S34). The key status information is returned to the driver 521b via the USBD 511b (S35, S36). Such a procedure (steps S31 to S36) is repeatedly executed after the start instruction is input.

  If the key status information returned from the USBD 511b indicates that the start key has been pressed, the driver 521b transmits a scan data acquisition request to the USBD 511b (S37). The USBD 511b notifies the acquisition request to the protocol stack control unit 512b (S38). In response to the acquisition request, the protocol stack control unit 512b requests the upper layer 513b to acquire data (S39). Thereafter, the scan data is returned to the PC 520a in the same procedure as steps S16 to S18 in FIG. 1 (S40 to S42). In the case of USB connection, since there is no concept of session, the session is not disconnected.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the scan wait mode in the case of USB connection. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  It is assumed that canceling is instructed by the user in the PC 520b while the driver 521b confirms the state of the start key by repeatedly executing the processes in steps S31 to S36. In this case, the driver 521b ends the transmission of the key state acquisition request. As a result, the loop process of steps S31 to S36 ends.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the processing procedure differs between the normal connection (FIGS. 1 and 3) and the suspension (FIGS. 2 and 4) between the network connection and the USB connection. .

Conventionally, only one of the scanners supports the connection method.
JP 2005-175551 A

  However, there are a variety of usage forms by the user, and it is not convenient that the connection method is limited to either one. However, when a combination of functional modules based on both connection methods is mounted on the scanner, the protocol stack control unit 512, the upper layer 513, etc. are required to behave in accordance with both connection methods, and the implementation contents become complicated. There is a problem that the development man-hour increases.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of appropriately diversifying a connection form with a computer to which scan data is transferred. And

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus including a reading unit and an operation unit, a network communication unit that controls communication with a computer connected via a network, and a USB. In response to a scan data acquisition request received by the network communication unit or the USB communication unit, the USB communication unit that controls communication with the computer connected to the computer is waited for input to the operation unit, Read control means for causing the reading means to perform reading in response to an input, and data transfer control for causing the network communication means or the USB communication means that has received the acquisition request to transfer the read scan data to the computer Means.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately diversify the connection form with the computer to which the scan data is transferred.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing method, and a program capable of appropriately diversifying the connection form with a computer to which scan data is transferred.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a device 10 is an image forming apparatus that functions as at least a scanner. The device 10 is connected to one or more PCs (Personal Computers) 20 via a network 40 (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The device 10 is connected to the PC 30 via USB.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a device 10 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an auxiliary storage device 104, a LAN controller 105, a USB port 106, an image reading device 107, an operation panel 108, and the like that are mutually connected by a bus B. Is done.

  Various programs and data used by the programs are recorded in the ROM 102 and the auxiliary storage device 104. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 101 realizes functions to be described later by processing a program loaded in the RAM 103.

  The LAN controller 105 realizes communication via the network 40. The USB port 106 is a connection port into which a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable is inserted. The image reading device 107 reads image data (scan data) from a paper document. The operation panel 108 is hardware provided with operation means such as buttons or keys for receiving input from the user and notifying information to the user, and display means such as a liquid crystal panel.

  Note that the device 10 may be configured as a multifunction machine further including a printing apparatus, a FAX apparatus, and the like.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the PC and the device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the PC 20 has a driver 21. The driver 21 is a driver program that controls the acquisition of scan data from the devices 10 connected to the network.

  The PC 30 has a driver 31. The driver 31 is a driver program that controls the acquisition of scan data from the scanner 510b connected via USB.

  The device 10 includes an RSHD 11, a USBD 12, a protocol stack control unit 13, a reading control unit 14, and the like. The RSHD 11 is a program that controls execution of the remote shell, and controls network communication with the driver 21 in the present embodiment.

  The USBD 12 is a program that controls USB communication with the PC 30 (driver 31) in USB connection.

  The protocol stack control unit 13 is a program that controls the transfer of scan data between the PC 20 or the PC 30 connected to the network or the USB using the RSHD 11 or the USBD 12.

  The reading control unit 14 controls the image reading device 107 to read an image from a document.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure performed by the PC 20 or the PC 30 and the device 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, reading of image data in the scan wait mode will be described. The scan wait mode is a method in which reading is started by an operation on the operation panel 108 of the device 10 in a mode in which image data read by the device 10 is transferred to the PC 20 or 30. In the present embodiment, the pressing of the operation panel 108 with the start key will be described as a specific example of the operation on the operation panel 108.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure in the case of network connection according to the present embodiment. In the figure, a processing procedure at the time of transferring scan data between the PC 20 and the device 10 connected by the network 40 is shown.

  In the PC 20, for example, when the user inputs a reading condition setting and a reading start instruction via a screen displayed by the driver 21, the driver 21 opens a TCP session with the RSHD 11 (TCP Level connection) (S101). Subsequently, the driver 21 transmits a scan data acquisition request to the RSHD 11 (S102). The RSHD 11 notifies the acquisition request to the protocol stack control unit 13 (S103). In response to the acquisition request, the protocol stack control unit 13 requests the reading control unit 14 to execute reading (S104). The reading control unit 14 controls the operation panel 108 to wait for the start key to be pressed. When the start key is pressed, the reading control unit 14 controls the reading device 107 to execute reading of a document (S105). When the reading of the document is completed, the reading control unit 14 requests the protocol stack control unit 13 to transfer scan data (S106). The protocol stack control unit 13 requests the RSHD 11 to transmit scan data to the scan data acquisition request source (S107). The RSHD 11 transmits the scan data to the driver 21 of the requesting PC 20 (S108). When the reception of the scan data is completed, the driver 21 disconnects the session (S109).

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the case of the network connection according to the present embodiment. 9, parts that are the same as the parts shown in FIG. 8 are given the same reference numerals, and explanation thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  The same processing as steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 8 is executed, and the reading control unit 14 is canceled by the user through the screen displayed by the driver 21 on the PC 20, for example, while waiting for the start key to be pressed. Assume that an instruction is input. Here, since the driver 21 is waiting for a response to the scan data acquisition request, it cannot transmit a scan stop request to the RSHD 11 again. Therefore, the driver 21 disconnects the TCP session with the RSHD 11 (S201). The disconnection of the session is detected by the RSHD 11. In response to detection of session disconnection, the RSHD 11 notifies the protocol stack control unit 13 of session disconnection (S202). The protocol stack control unit 13 notifies the reading control unit 14 of session disconnection (S203). In response to the session disconnection notification, the reading control unit 14 executes the reading end process to release the device 10 from the standby state (S204).

  Next, a processing procedure in the case of USB connection will be described. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure in the case of USB connection according to the present embodiment. The figure shows a processing procedure when scan data is transferred between the PC 30 and the device 10 connected via USB.

  In the PC 30, for example, when a user inputs a reading condition setting and a reading start instruction via a screen displayed by the driver 31, the driver 31 performs a pseudo session at the USB level with the USBD 12. (Hereinafter referred to as “pseudo session”) is established (S301). Here, the pseudo session may be any session that can be detected on the server side (USBD 12) in the USB level notification.

  Subsequently, the driver 31 sends a scan data acquisition request to the USBD 12 (S302). The USBD 12 notifies the acquisition request to the protocol stack control unit 13 (S303). In response to the acquisition request, the protocol stack control unit 13 requests the reading control unit 14 to execute reading (S304). The reading control unit 14 controls the operation panel 108 to wait for the start key to be pressed. When the start key is pressed, the reading control unit 14 controls the reading device 107 to execute reading of a document (S305). When the reading of the document is completed, the reading control unit 14 requests the protocol stack control unit 13 to transfer scan data (S306). The protocol stack control unit 13 requests the USBD 12 to transmit scan data to the scan data acquisition request source (S307). The USBD 12 transmits the scan data to the driver 31 of the requesting PC 30 (S308). When the reception of the scan data is completed, the driver 31 disconnects the pseudo session (S309).

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the case of the USB connection according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those of FIG.

  Processing similar to steps S301 to S304 in FIG. 10 is executed, and the reading control unit 14 is canceled by the user via the screen displayed by the driver 31 on the PC 30, for example, while waiting for the start key to be pressed. Assume that an instruction is input. Here, since the driver 31 is waiting for a response to the scan data acquisition request, it cannot transmit a scan stop request to the USBD 12 again. Therefore, the driver 31 disconnects the pseudo session with the USBD 12 (S401). The disconnection of the pseudo session is detected by the USBD 12. In response to detecting the disconnection of the pseudo session, the USBD 12 notifies the protocol stack control unit 13 of the disconnection of the pseudo session (S402). The protocol stack control unit 13 notifies the reading control unit 14 of the disconnection of the pseudo session (S403). The reading control unit 14 releases the device 10 from the standby state by executing a reading end process in response to the notification of disconnection of the pseudo session (S404).

  As described above, the device 10 according to the present embodiment can execute the processing procedure in the scan wait mode in both the network connection and the USB connection. Further, as is clear from a comparison between FIGS. 8 and 9 and FIGS. 10 and 11, in the present embodiment, the processing sequence in the case of USB connection is the same as the processing sequence in the case of network connection. ing. That is, in the case of USB connection, polling for confirming the state of the start key is not executed. This is because, by providing a pseudo session between the USBD 12 and the driver 31, differences in processing procedures due to differences in connection form are absorbed in the RSHD11 and USBD12 layers. As a result, the protocol stack control unit 13 and the read control unit 14 can implement scanning in the scan wait mode by the same operation regardless of the connection form. Therefore, the implementation of the protocol stack control unit 13 and the read control unit 14 can be made common to the connection form. Further, the interface between the protocol stack control unit 13 and the RSHD 11 and USBD 12 may be unified. By doing so, the protocol stack control unit 13 can reduce the necessity of performing the implementation considering the distinction between the RSHD 11 and the USBD 12.

  Note that the processing procedure in the network connection may be matched with the conventional processing procedure in the case of the USB connection (see FIGS. 3 and 4). However, in this case, polling for confirming the connection of the start key is executed via the network 40, which causes a problem of increasing network traffic. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, it is preferable to integrate the processing procedure for network connection from the viewpoint of the influence on the network load.

  In the above description, the example in which the multiplicity of the connection between the device 10 and the PC 20 or 30 at the same time is 1: 1, but it may be one-to-many. Hereinafter, such an example will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when scan requests due to a plurality of network connections are generated at the same time. In the figure, PC 20a and PC 20b correspond to one PC 20 in FIG. The driver 21a is the driver 21 of the PC 20a, and the driver 21b is the driver 21 of the PC 20b.

  In the PC 20a, for example, when a user inputs a reading condition setting and a reading start instruction via a screen displayed by the driver 21a, the driver 21a opens a TCP session with the RSHD 11 (S501a). ). Subsequently, the driver 21a transmits a registration request for information (destination information) for identifying the destination of the scan data to the RSHD 11 (S502a). The destination information includes, for example, information for uniquely identifying the PC 20 in the network 40 (host name or IP address, etc.), information for identifying a user in the PC 20a (user name, etc.), and the like. The user name may be acquired from authentication information input in an OS (Operating System) authentication function, or may be acquired from the authentication information by causing the driver 21 or an upper application of the driver 21 to input authentication information. May be.

  The destination information is notified to the reading control unit 14 via the protocol stack control unit 13 (S503a, S504a). The reading control unit 14 holds (registers) the destination information in the RAM 103, displays the destination list screen on the liquid crystal panel of the operation panel 107, and displays the destination information on the destination list screen (S505a). If the registration of the destination information is normally performed, a message to that effect is returned to the driver 21a (S506a to S508a).

  Subsequently, in steps S509a to S511a, a scan data acquisition request from the driver 21a is notified to the reading control unit 14 by the same procedure as in steps S102 to S104 in FIG. Accordingly, at this stage, the device 10 enters a reading standby state.

  In this standby state, it is assumed that setting of reading conditions and a reading start instruction are input by the user in another PC 20 (PC 20b). In this case, the process similar to step S501a-S511a is performed regarding the driver 21b (S501b-S511b). In steps S502b to S504b, information including the identification information of the PC 20b and the identification information of the user of the PC 20b is notified to the reading control unit 14 as destination information. As a result, in step S505b, the destination list screen is displayed as follows, for example.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a destination list screen. A list of two pieces of destination information is displayed on the destination list screen 170 shown in FIG. One is notified to the reading control unit 14 in step S504a, and the other is notified to the reading control unit 14 in step S504b. Accordingly, only one destination information is displayed on the destination list screen 170 in the step S504a.

  Here, the device 10 (reading control unit 14) is in a standby state. Therefore, when the user selects a scan data destination (transfer destination) on the destination list screen 170 and presses the start button (S512), the selected destination is set as the scan data transfer destination in steps S105 to S105 in FIG. Processing similar to S108 is executed, and then the session with the driver 21 for the destination is disconnected. Subsequently, when a destination is selected and the start button is pressed (S512), the same processing as S105 to S108 is executed with the newly selected destination as the transfer destination.

  A plurality of destinations may be selected at the same time. In this case, the same scan data is transmitted to a plurality of destinations.

  Next, FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when a scan request for network connection and USB connection is generated at the same time. In FIG. 14, the same steps as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same step numbers.

  Steps S501a to S511a are as described in FIG.

  In the standby state of the device 10, in the PC 30 connected to the device 10 via USB, for example, when the user inputs a setting of reading conditions and a reading start instruction via a screen displayed by the driver 31, the driver 31 establishes a pseudo session with the USBD 12 (S601). Subsequently, the driver 31 transmits a request for registration of destination information of scan data to the USBD 12 (S602). Thereafter, in steps S603 to S605, the destination information is notified to the reading control unit 14 and displayed on the destination list screen 170 in the same manner as in steps S503a to S505a.

  When it is notified that the registration of the destination information has been performed normally (S606 to S608), in steps S609 to S611, a scan data acquisition request by the driver 31 is issued in the same procedure as in steps S302 to S304 of FIG. The reading control unit 14 is notified.

  The subsequent processing procedure is as described in FIG.

  As described above, the device 10 according to the present embodiment can respond to scan data acquisition requests from a plurality of computers connected by a network or USB in the scan wait mode. At that time, the user can appropriately select the transfer destination of the scan data for a plurality of acquisition requests.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence by the scan wait mode in the case of network connection. It is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the scan wait mode in the case of network connection. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence by the scan wait mode in the case of USB connection. It is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure when reading is stopped in the scan wait mode in the case of USB connection. It is a figure which shows the system configuration example in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the software structural example of PC and apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence in the case of the network connection of this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence at the time of reading being canceled in the case of the network connection of this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence in the case of USB connection of this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence when reading is stopped in the case of USB connection of this Embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when scan requests are generated at the same time due to a plurality of network connections. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a destination list screen. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when a scan request for a network connection and a USB connection is generated at the same time.

Explanation of symbols

10 Equipment 11 RSHD
12 USBD
13 Protocol stack control unit 14 Reading control unit 20, 30 PC
21, 31 Driver 40 Network 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Auxiliary storage device 105 LAN controller 106 USB port 107 Image reading device 108 Operation panel B bus

Claims (9)

An image forming apparatus including a reading unit and an operation unit,
Network communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via a network;
USB communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via USB;
A reading control unit that waits for an input to the operation unit in response to a scan data acquisition request received by the network communication unit or the USB communication unit, and causes the reading unit to execute a reading in response to the input to the operation unit; ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: a data transfer control unit that causes the network communication unit or the USB communication unit that has received the acquisition request to transfer the read scan data to a computer. The network communication means receives the identification information of the computer for each acquisition request from a computer connected via a network,
The reading control means causes a display means to display a list of a plurality of identification information received until input to the operation means is performed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer control unit transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list. The network communication means receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via a network,
The USB communication means receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via USB,
The reading control unit causes the display unit to display a list of the identification information received by the network communication unit and the USB communication unit until an input to the operation unit is performed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data transfer control unit transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus including a reading unit and an operation unit,
A network communication procedure for controlling communication with a computer connected via a network;
A USB communication procedure for controlling communication with a computer connected via USB;
A reading control procedure that waits for an input to the operation means in response to a scan data acquisition request received by the network communication procedure or the USB communication procedure, and causes the reading means to execute reading in response to the input to the operation means; ,
An information processing method comprising: a data transfer control procedure for causing the network communication procedure or the USB communication procedure that has received the acquisition request to transfer the read scan data to a computer. The network communication procedure receives identification information of the computer for each acquisition request from a computer connected via a network,
The reading control procedure causes a display unit to display a list of a plurality of identification information received until input to the operation unit is performed,
5. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the data transfer control procedure transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list. The network communication procedure receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via a network,
The USB communication procedure receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via USB,
The reading control procedure causes the display unit to display a list of the identification information received by the network communication procedure and the USB communication procedure until an input to the operation unit is performed,
6. The information processing method according to claim 4, wherein the data transfer control procedure transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list. An image forming apparatus including a reading unit and an operation unit is provided.
Network communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via a network;
USB communication means for controlling communication with a computer connected via USB;
A reading control unit that waits for an input to the operation unit in response to a scan data acquisition request received by the network communication unit or the USB communication unit, and causes the reading unit to execute a reading in response to the input to the operation unit; ,
A program for functioning as data transfer control means for causing the network communication means or the USB communication means that has received the acquisition request to transfer the read scan data to a computer. The network communication means receives the identification information of the computer for each acquisition request from a computer connected via a network,
The reading control means causes a display means to display a list of a plurality of identification information received until input to the operation means is performed,
8. The program according to claim 7, wherein the data transfer control unit transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list. The network communication means receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via a network,
The USB communication means receives identification information of a computer that transmits the acquisition request via USB,
The reading control unit causes the display unit to display a list of the identification information received by the network communication unit and the USB communication unit until an input to the operation unit is performed,
The program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the data transfer control means transfers the scan data to a computer related to the identification information selected in the list.

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