JP2009267498A - Image processing apparatus and controller of management device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for prompting a user to confirm the address of a destination of data transmission more in detail. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus which has a communication function of transmitting data such as a composite machine sends mail reporting the transmission destination to a management device different from an in-use terminal of a person who requests a transmission job to make a request for transmission permission. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of acquiring image data from a document and transmitting the image data to an external apparatus.

  How to prevent transmission to an incorrect destination in a communication device has been a long-standing problem. Various techniques for preventing erroneous transmission have been proposed so far.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 includes an image memory that stores thumbnail images of images transmitted in the past, and an HDD (hard disk drive) that stores attribute information (image transmission destination, transmission infrastructure, and the like) of the images. An image forming apparatus is described. When the image forming apparatus creates a new transmission file, the image forming apparatus displays attribute information that matches the transmission destination of the new transmission file and a thumbnail image corresponding to the attribute information on the display unit, so that the user can The destination is confirmed.

Patent Document 2 describes a technique for preventing erroneous transmission of data due to an error in the update contents of the address book. Specifically, an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) described in Patent Document 2 updates the contents of the address book table in accordance with a user operation. The MFP then displays a warning indicating that the destination is updated when another user selects the updated destination from the address book.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-236689 (released September 2, 2005) JP 2006-229869 A (published August 31, 2006)

  In the conventional technique, even if the user does not sufficiently confirm the destination, transmission is executed if a simple operation such as pressing an OK key is received. For this reason, erroneous transmission cannot be effectively prevented.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can prevent erroneous transmission in view of the conventional technique.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image reading unit that acquires image data from a document, a communication unit that can communicate with an external device, and a request for transmission of the image data by the communication unit. And a transmission destination notification unit for controlling the communication unit to perform transmission destination notification for notifying a transmission destination in the transmission job to a management device other than a device used by the transmission requester. And a communication restriction unit that does not execute the transmission job until the communication unit receives permission from the management device.

  The image processing apparatus notifies the transmission destination to a device other than the client's device, thereby allowing the transmission destination to be confirmed by the non-requester. Confirmation tends to be neglected by the same person, but by allowing others to confirm in this way, a transmission execution permission based on a more accurate confirmation result can be obtained. Therefore, erroneous transmission is more effectively prevented.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein a requester authentication unit for identifying a requester of transmission of the image data, and an address of the management apparatus corresponding to each requester. A storage unit for storing the transmission destination, and the transmission destination notification unit is configured to perform the transmission destination notification to the management device corresponding to the requester based on the storage of the storage unit. Also good.

  According to this image processing apparatus, since it is possible to notify the transmission destination to the management apparatus set for each client, it is suitable for confirmation such as the work contents of each client and those who have knowledge about the transmission destination. It is possible to set the user's terminal as a management device for each client. Therefore, erroneous transmission can be prevented more effectively.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to the first or second aspect, the communication restriction unit receives a permission from the management device for a certain period of time after performing the transmission destination notification. Otherwise, the transmission job may be canceled.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the communication unit includes an email communication function, and the transmission destination notification unit includes the transmission destination information. The transmission destination notification may be performed by transmitting an e-mail with a mark to the management device.

  By using e-mail, there is an advantage that the user of the management apparatus can more easily check the transmission destination.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the communication unit further includes a facsimile communication function, and the transmission destination notification unit includes the electronic mail communication function and the facsimile communication function. Destination notification regarding data transmission by may be performed.

  In this way, erroneous transmission is more effectively prevented by checking the transmission destination for both the facsimile communication function and the electronic mail communication function.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the communication unit receives a permission from the management apparatus as a reply to the electronic mail. Also good.

  By using the electronic mail, permission to execute transmission can be obtained without imposing a burden on the user of the management apparatus.

  In addition, as described in claim 7, in the image processing device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, the communication unit receives a cancel instruction from the management device as a reply to the electronic mail. You may come to do.

  Thus, if not only permission but also a cancellation instruction can be received from the management apparatus, erroneous transmission can be prevented more effectively.

  As described in claim 8, the image processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, the requester's use apparatus, a communication unit capable of e-mail communication, and an input receiving apparatus that receives input from the user. As a control device provided in the management device, when sending a reply mail to the email received from the image processing apparatus at the time of notification of the transmission destination, an email having the same content as the reply mail is also sent to the requester A control device adapted to do so is preferably used.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention obtains transmission execution permission based on a more accurate confirmation result by notifying the transmission destination to a device other than the device used by the requester, and confirming the transmission destination other than the requester. be able to. Therefore, erroneous transmission is more effectively prevented.

  Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, a multi function peripheral (MFP) having functions as a printer, a copier, and a facsimile machine will be described.

(1) Overview of MFP 1 With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an outline of the configuration of the MFP 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system including the multifunction device 1, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the multifunction device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 is incorporated in an in-house system 100. The in-house system 100 is a communication system provided in a certain company. In the in-house system 100, in addition to the multifunction device 1, a plurality of client PCs (Personal Computers) 201, an in-house mail server 203, and a web mail server 204, which are terminal devices used by each employee, include an in-house LAN (Local Area Network). ) 200 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The client PC 201 includes a main body including a communication unit 201b capable of data communication such as e-mail communication and a control device 201a such as a CPU, an output device such as a display unit 201c, and an input device 201d such as a keyboard and a mouse. Is provided.

  The in-house system 100 is connected via a web mail server 204 to an outside network 300 to which an outside device such as a PC 301 is connected. The multifunction machine 1 is connected to the line 302 so that facsimile transmission / reception with the facsimile machine 302 outside the company is possible.

  As the external network 200, a communication line such as a telephone line, an ISDN line, a wireless communication line, a dedicated line, or a CATV line, or a communication network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet is used. As the line 302, a telephone line, an ISDN line, a wireless communication line, or the like is used.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 1 includes a scanner 2, an image memory 3, an image processing unit 4, a storage device 5, an operation panel 6, a control device 7, a printing unit 8, a communication unit 9, and the like. The functional units are connected by a data bus 10.

  The multifunction device 1 further includes a contact glass and a document conveying device (not shown). The scanner 2 is a device that reads a document placed on a contact glass or a document transported by a document transport device. Specifically, the scanner 2 includes an image sensor such as a CCD and an AD converter that digitizes an analog signal output from the image sensor, and reads an image on a document to acquire image data.

  The image memory 3 is a storage medium, and can store an image acquired by the scanner 2, an image acquired from an external device, and the like. The image memory 3 includes a volatile memory such as a RAM (Read Only Memory) for temporary storage, and a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD for long-term storage.

  The image processing unit 4 converts the image data received from the image memory 3 into transmission image data.

  The storage device 5 stores various data other than images. Like the image memory 3, the storage device 5 uses a volatile memory such as a RAM (Read Only Memory) for temporary storage. A non-volatile memory such as an HDD is provided.

  The operation panel 6 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The control device 7 can control the operation of each unit in the multifunction machine 1 and perform various data processing. The control device 7 can be configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM. The CPU can realize various functions of the control device 7 by reading and executing the program in the ROM. The RAM can function as a work area for the CPU.

  The printing unit 8 can print out the image data on paper. As the printing unit 32, an ink jet recording apparatus, an electrophotographic recording apparatus, or the like is preferably used.

  The communication unit 9 can transmit and receive data to and from devices inside and outside the company. Specifically, the communication unit 9 includes a network communication unit 91 and a facsimile communication unit 92.

  The network communication unit 91 is an interface for exchanging electronic data with an external device. Specifically, the network communication unit 91 shares and transfers an electronic file with an in-house device via the in-house LAN 200 by using a file system protocol such as a client-server system or the like. Through this, it is possible to send and receive e-mails with devices inside and outside the company. That is, the network communication unit 91 functions as an e-mail transmission unit and a data transmission unit to a folder of an external device.

  The facsimile communication unit 92 includes a modem (MODEM / DEModulator) and the like, and can perform facsimile transmission / reception in accordance with the G3 (Group 3) standard, the G4 (Group 4) standard, or the like.

(2) Operation panel 6
An outline of the operation panel 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the operation panel 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 6 includes a touch panel 61 and a hard key group 62 such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a stop key, a cancel key, and a function selection key. The function selection key is a key for selecting any one of the functions of the multifunction peripheral, ie, copy, scanner, and transmission (including data transfer, mail transmission, and facsimile transmission). The touch panel 61 includes a display unit 611 (FIG. 4) that is a liquid crystal display panel and a touch sensor. The hard key group 62 and the touch sensor function as an input receiving unit 63 that receives an input from the user (FIG. 4).

(3) Destination Confirmation (i) Configuration of Control System Regarding the destination confirmation of data transmission in the multifunction device 1, the processing when receiving a data transmission job request from the user via the operation panel 6 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of signals (including data) in the multifunction device 1, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of destination confirmation processing, and FIGS. 6 to 7 are displayed in the processing shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image displayed in a section 611.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the storage device 5 includes an ID storage unit 51 in its nonvolatile area. The ID storage unit 51 stores the user name of each user, the password corresponding to the user name, and the e-mail address of the administrator PC (management apparatus) 205 in association with each other. Further, the ID storage unit 51 can also store each user's e-mail address in association with the user name.

  Note that the stored contents of the ID storage unit 51 can be changed only when an instruction is given from a user who has been given specific authority. Whether or not each user has a specific authority is stored in the ID storage unit 51 in association with the user name. The control device 7 can determine whether to permit the change of information in the ID storage unit 51 by specifying the user via a login screen W1 described later.

  The administrator PC 205 may be any terminal other than the terminal used by each user. In particular, the administrator PC 205 has an authority to give permission for a transmission job requested by each user, such as a boss of each user of the client PC 201 The user's terminal is set.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device 7 functions as a requester authentication unit 71, a transmission authentication unit 72, a communication control unit 73, a display control unit 74, and a scanner control unit 75. The communication control unit 73 also functions as a mail control unit 73a that controls the mail function of the communication unit 9, a data transfer control unit 75b that controls the data transfer function, and a facsimile transmission control unit 75c that controls facsimile transmission. Details of the function of each unit will be described with reference to FIG.

(Ii) User authentication (steps S101 to S102)
When a key for selecting a transmission function among the function selection keys of the hard key group 62 is pressed, the display unit 611 displays a login screen W1 under the control of the display control unit 74 (step S101 in FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the login screen W1 includes a message prompting for input of a user name and password, user name and password input fields C1 and C2, a cancel key K11, and a login key K12. The login screen W1 may include a soft keyboard (not shown). The soft keyboard can accept input of characters such as alphabets. Note that the input of numbers can be accepted with the numeric keys of the hard key group 62.

  When the user name and password are input in the fields C1 and C2 and the login key K12 is pressed, the requester authentication unit 71 uses the input user name and password as the input contents and information in the ID storage unit 51. Determine if they match. If they match, the display control unit 74 displays the destination input screen W2 on the display unit 611 (Yes in step S102 → S103). If the input content does not match the stored information or the cancel key K11 is pressed, the display unit 611 continues to display the login screen W1 under the control of the display control unit 74 (in step S102). No → S101).

(Ii) Address reception (steps S103 to S104)
As shown in FIG. 7, the destination input screen W2 includes a destination display field C21, an address book key K21, a history key K22, a direct input key K23, a correction key K24, a delete key K25, a shortened key group K26, and the like. The destination input screen W2 also displays a message prompting the user to press the start key after inputting the destination and completing the input.

  The destination display column C21 is initially blank, but when the address is specified as the destination from the user (requester of the transmission job) by pressing each key, the specified address is displayed. If the address is called from the address book, the name corresponding to the address is also displayed.

  The “address” is information for specifying a destination, and includes, for example, an e-mail address, a facsimile number, and an address indicating the location of a folder as a data transfer destination. The address indicating the location of the folder includes a file path, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier), and the like.

  When the user presses the address book key K21, the display unit 611 switches the display from the destination input screen W2 to the address book screen (not shown) under the control of the display control unit 74. An address and its name are displayed on the address book screen. The user can select a destination address from the address book screen. Addresses and names displayed on the address book screen are stored in a nonvolatile area of the storage device 5.

  Further, when the history key K22 is pressed, the display unit 611 switches the display to a history screen (not shown). The history screen displays the address stored in the history area of the address storage unit 52, and the user can select an address included in the history as a destination.

  When the direct input key is pressed, the display unit 611 displays a soft keyboard screen (not shown). With this soft keyboard screen, the display unit 611 allows the user to manually input an address. The user can also input an address via a numeric keypad included in the hard key group 62.

  The abbreviated key group K26 includes a plurality of abbreviated keys, and each abbreviated key corresponds to an individual address included in the address book. The address associated with the abbreviated key is a part of the address included in the address book. When any one of the shortcut keys is pressed, the address corresponding to the shortcut key is selected as the destination in the same manner as the address is selected on the address book screen.

  Thus, when an address is designated by selection or direct input, the designated address and its name are displayed in the destination display column C21 (FIG. 6). Therefore, the user can confirm the input content on the destination input screen W2. The destination display column C21 can display a plurality of addresses. The destination input screen W2 can also accept different types of addresses. That is, for one data, different data transmissions such as e-mail address transmission, facsimile transmission, and data transfer to a folder can be accepted on one screen.

  When the correction key K24 is pressed, the display control unit 74 causes the display unit 61 to display a correction reception screen (not shown). The correction acceptance screen displays the address displayed in the destination display field C21 and the soft keyboard for alphabet input. This correction acceptance screen has a configuration substantially similar to that of the character input screen W3 described later except that the entire target address character string is displayed. Deletion, addition and change of character strings such as alphabets and numbers can be accepted.

  When the delete key K25 is pressed, the display control unit 74 deletes the address once input from the destination display field C21.

  When the address is displayed in the destination display column C21 and the start key is pressed in a state where the original is set on the contact glass or the original conveying apparatus (Yes in step S104 in FIG. 5), the reception of the destination is completed. .

(Iii) Image reading and transmission destination notification (steps S105 to S106)
When the start key is pressed in step S104, the scanner 2 reads an image and acquires image data under the control of the scanner control unit 75 (step S105).

  The transmission authentication unit 72 creates a transmission permission request mail including the address received on the destination input screen W2 in the text. At this time, the text may include the user name of the requester of the transmission job, the e-mail address of the requester of the job, and the like.

  Further, the transmission authentication unit 72 can add specific sign information to the transmission permission request mail in order to distinguish it from other mails. Examples of the label information include information such as a specific character string or a flag included in the title or text.

  The mail control unit 73a can send the transmission permission request mail to the administrator PC 205 by attaching the image data acquired in step S105 to the mail document created by the transmission authentication unit 72 (step S106 in FIG. 5). “Transmission permission request” in FIG.

  The administrator PC 205 that has received the e-mail transmission displays the mail text and attached image on the display unit 201 c under the control of the control device 201. The manager of the administrator PC 205 such as the supervisor of the requester of the transmission job can reply to this mail by operating the input device 201d after confirming the display.

  When the control apparatus 201 replies to the transmission permission mail sent from the multifunction machine 1 (“transmission permission / cancellation” in FIG. 4), the control apparatus 201 adds the PC 206 of the requester of this transmission job as the CC destination. ("Transmission permission / cancellation (CC)" in FIG. 4). A transmission-permitted mail and other normal mails are distinguished by the presence or absence of the above-described sign information.

(Iv) Transmission execution / cancellation (steps S107 to S111)
When a reply mail to the transmission permission request mail (which can be distinguished by the above-described sign information) is transmitted from the administrator PC 205 (Yes in step S107 in FIG. 5), the transmission authentication unit 72, based on the reply content, It is determined whether to execute or cancel the transmission job (step S108). The transmission authentication unit 72 can make this determination based on a character string such as a body text or a title of the reply mail, or data such as a flag added to the reply mail by the administrator PC 205 in addition to characters.

  If the reply content from the administrator PC 205 permits transmission, the transmission authentication unit 72 permits the communication control unit 73 to transmit. Then, under the control of the communication control unit 73, the communication unit 9 transmits the image data to the address received via the destination input screen W2 (step S109 in FIG. 5, “transmission execution” in FIG. 4).

  On the other hand, if the reply content from the administrator PC 205 instructs to cancel the transmission, the transmission authentication unit 72 deletes this transmission job (step S111). Further, even when a certain time has elapsed since the transmission permission request mail was transmitted, the transmission authentication unit 72 can delete the transmission job (step S110 → step S111). In order to make the determination in step S110, the multi function device 1 includes a timer (not shown) that measures an elapsed time since the transmission permission request mail is transmitted.

As described above, in the MFP 1, the input reception unit 63 functions as a request reception unit that receives a request for a transmission job from a user, and the transmission authentication unit 72, the communication control unit 73, and the communication unit 9 are management devices. The transmission authentication unit 72 functions as a communication restriction unit that restricts execution of a transmission job by the communication unit 9. With this configuration, the multi-function device 1 can check the suitability of transmission execution except for the requester of the transmission job, so that erroneous transmission can be effectively prevented.

  Note that the determination in step S108 can be omitted. That is, the transmission authentication unit 72 may regard the reply itself from the administrator PC 205 as transmission permission. In this case, when a reply from the administrator PC 205 to the transmission permission request mail is received, the transmission authentication unit 72 may permit the communication control unit 73 to transmit regardless of the content. In this case, the transmission job is deleted if there is no reply for a certain time.

  In addition, when the transmission is canceled, the transmission authentication unit 72 is configured so that the MFP 1 that has received the cancel instruction, not the administrator PC 205, transmits an email notifying that the transmission job has been canceled to the requester PC 206. May be set.

  In the above embodiment, the administrator PC is used as the management device, and the e-mail is used as a means for leaving the transmission destination in the transmission job in the management device. If it can be made, the structure of those other than this can be employ | adopted. In other words, the management device may be a device other than a PC, and a communication method other than electronic mail may be used as a notification unit.

1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system including a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The top view showing the operation panel 6. FIG. The figure which shows the flow of the signal in the destination confirmation at the time of transmission job execution. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of destination confirmation processing when a transmission job is executed. Drawing which shows login screen W1. The figure which shows the destination input screen W2.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction machine 2 Scanner 5 Memory | storage device 6 Operation panel 7 Control apparatus 8 Printing part 9 Communication part

Claims (8)

An image reading unit for acquiring image data from a document;
A communication unit capable of communicating with an external device;
A request receiving unit that receives a request for a transmission job of the image data by the communication unit;
A transmission destination notification unit that controls the communication unit to perform transmission destination notification for notifying the transmission destination in the transmission job to a management device that is a device other than the device used by the transmission requester;
Until the communication unit receives permission from the management device, a communication restriction unit that does not execute the transmission job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A requester authentication unit for identifying a requester of the transmission of the image data;
A storage unit for storing the address of the management device corresponding to each requester,
The transmission destination notification unit is configured to perform the transmission destination notification to the management device corresponding to the requester based on the storage of the storage unit.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The communication restriction unit is configured to cancel the transmission job when permission from the management device is not received for a certain period of time after performing the transmission destination notification.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The communication unit has an email communication function,
The transmission destination notification unit is configured to perform the transmission destination notification by transmitting an email with the transmission destination information to the management device.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The communication unit further includes a facsimile communication function,
The transmission destination notification unit is configured to perform transmission destination notification for data transmission by the electronic mail communication function and the facsimile communication function.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. The communication unit is adapted to receive permission from the management device as a reply to the email.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5. The communication unit receives a cancel instruction from the management device as a reply to the electronic mail.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. A control device provided in a management device comprising: the image processing device according to claim 6 or 7; and a communication unit capable of electronic mail communication with the use device of the requester; and an input reception device that receives input from a user. And
A control apparatus configured to transmit an e-mail having the same content as the reply mail to the requester when transmitting a reply mail to the electronic mail received from the image processing apparatus when the transmission destination is notified.

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