JP2010206480A - Image processing apparatus, gui screen control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus including a function for transmitting an image file to an external device using various communication means with different protocols, the image processing apparatus allowing a user to easily instruct a destination and the communication means with reduced burden on the user performing the instruction. <P>SOLUTION: On a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen for displaying a listing of destinations, based on data registered in an address book, a user number 0001 and a user name A are displayed in a destination display area 252 and all available protocols are collectively displayed in a protocol display area 253 with icons of mail, folder and FAX. By repeating an operation to a key instructing a destination on this screen, a selectable protocol is changed, and a protocol indicated with a change in display state is selected as an execution protocol. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as an MFP (Multi-Function Peripherals) having a function of transmitting image (document) data to an external device by various communication means using different protocols. Image processing apparatus having a function of easily performing an instruction operation for selecting at least one of the different protocols as an execution protocol, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen control method for easily performing the instruction operation, and the The present invention relates to a program for executing a control method.

In recent years, in addition to performing copy output, facsimile transmission, and scanner distribution based on the original image read by the scanner, it also has a function to transfer and output images input from external devices and devices such as a host PC (Personal computer). MFPs are widely used.
In such an MFP, data can be transmitted by a plurality of different communication means, and transmission by various protocols is possible even if electronic data is transmitted to the same transmission partner. In such an apparatus, it is necessary to perform an operation for instructing a transmission destination and a transmission method when performing transmission.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be exemplified as those conventionally proposed as means for performing this instruction operation. In Patent Document 1, when a transmission destination is instructed via a GUI screen when performing transmission, each means can recognize a plurality of different communication means that can be used for the instructed transmission destination on a screen displayed according to the instruction. An icon is displayed so that transmission can be performed by means selected from among them by a user operation.
Also, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of different transmission methods that can be used for the destination specified on the GUI screen are displayed, and an operation to be selected by the user is performed. It is shown that it has a function for facilitating a selection operation such as taking an easy display position.

However, in the conventional techniques shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when performing transmission, it is necessary to instruct a communication unit to be executed from among a plurality of different communication units on a screen that is changed by an operation for instructing a transmission destination. Yes, there are many operation procedures, and when the transmission partner has multiple communication means, if detailed information is displayed at the same time, if the display area is small, it takes time and effort to find the corresponding destination. As a result, there arises a problem that the operation load increases.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art in an image processing apparatus having a function of transmitting a processed image (document) to an external device by various communication means having different protocols. The problem is to make it possible to easily perform an instruction operation while reducing the burden on the user.

According to the present invention, a plurality of communication units each transmitting data according to a different protocol, a transmission destination is selected via a GUI screen when a processed image is transmitted by the communication unit, and at least one of the different protocols is selected. An image processing apparatus having an operation unit that accepts an instruction operation to be selected as an execution protocol, and a transmission destination data management unit that manages a transmission destination registered in advance, a protocol that can be used for each transmission destination, and an address used to execute the protocol On the GUI screen that accepts the instruction operation of the operation means, the destination managed by the destination data management means and all the different protocols that can be used for each destination are displayed in a collective and identifiable screen component. At the same time, the screen component selected by the instruction operation is displayed in a state that can be distinguished from the others. Characterized by comprising a control means for performing.
The present invention provides a plurality of communication means for transmitting data according to different protocols, selecting a transmission destination via a GUI screen and executing at least one of the different protocols when the processed image is transmitted by the communication means. A GUI screen in an image processing apparatus having an operation unit that accepts an instruction operation to be selected as a protocol, a destination registered in advance, a protocol that can be used for each destination, and a destination data management unit that manages an address used for executing the protocol A screen configuration that is a control method and can collectively identify all the different protocols that can be used for each transmission destination and the transmission destination managed by the transmission destination data management means on the GUI screen that receives the instruction operation of the operation means The screen components selected by the instruction operation are displayed as other elements. And having a control step of displaying a different possible state.

  According to the present invention, when a transmission is instructed, a GUI screen for selecting a transmission destination shows all the different protocols that can be used for the transmission destination, and the execution protocol can be selected and instructed on the screen, so that the user can easily operate. This can be done and the operation burden can be reduced.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of hardware of an MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a class diagram showing an example of a configuration of an address book management unit that is an element of the user repository service shown in FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the control sequence of the GUI operation screen at the time of a data transmission request | requirement. It is a figure which shows an example of the list display screen which displays a destination and all the protocols which can be used for this destination collectively. It is a figure which shows the transition of the screen display by the selection operation of the protocol in the list display screen of FIG.

In the following, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described using an MFP as an example.
The MFP of this embodiment has a copy function, a printer, a facsimile machine (hereinafter also referred to as “FAX”), a scanner, and the like as a composite function. When processing an image using these functions, if the processing target is a document, the scanner reads the image on the document surface and inputs the image data, and the processing target is transmitted to the external device via the communication means. Is input in the form of digitized image (print) data. In either case, the input image data is processed into general-purpose image data applicable to output. This general-purpose image data is used internally for printing (plotter) output or for data transmission to an external machine (PC, facsimile machine, etc.). Note that many MFPs have an input image storage function, and the above-described print output and data transmission are performed on the stored image in the form of re-output.

Data transmission to an external device (PC, facsimile, etc.) in the MFP of this embodiment is performed via a LAN (Local Area Network), a network using a public line, or the like. In data transmission performed using such a network, a plurality of communication means using different protocols are prepared.
Therefore, if the transmission partner has a means that can be used, data transmission can be performed to the same transmission partner by a plurality of communication units that transmit data using different protocols. In such a case, if the user can instruct which communication means that the transmission partner can handle to select and execute transmission, convenience is improved and data communication can be performed with high performance. it can.
In this embodiment, the user performs a selection instruction operation on the transmission destination and the communication means via a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The control function of the GUI operation screen, the details of which will be described later, relates to a function for facilitating the user's operation burden when performing this instruction operation.

"Overview of MFP hardware configuration"
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a basic configuration of hardware of the MFP according to the present embodiment.
In the hardware configuration of FIG. 1, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 is an arithmetic unit for operating software (program), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 is a memory device for storing the program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13. Is a memory device that is used when a program is operated or used to temporarily store data, and these constitute a system control unit.
In the program stored in the ROM 12, a GUI operation screen control function (software configuration in FIGS. 2 and 3 and control sequence in FIG. 4) for selecting and instructing a destination and communication means in data transmission, which will be described in detail later. , See) is recorded (stored), so that the CPU 11 reads the control / processing program, control data, and the like recorded in the recording medium into the RAM 13 and executes this program when executing the control of the GUI operation screen. By driving this, the CPU 11 (computer) can function as this control means. The medium for recording the program is not limited to the ROM 12, and various storage media including disk types such as an HDD (hard disk), a CD-ROM, and an MO (Magnet Optical Disk) can be used.

The image storage device 14 stores the image data input via the scanner 18 that inputs image data and the LAN controller 16 or the FAX controller 21 using a relatively large capacity recording medium (for example, HDD). Device. In this embodiment, a specified document file is stored when image data input as a processing target is stored and managed in the image storage device 14 as a document file in units of processing requests, and reused for print output and data transmission. Is read from here.
The nonvolatile memory 15 is a nonvolatile storage device used for storing various setting information such as initial setting values even when the power is turned off.
The LAN controller 16 is a controller for connecting to a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN.
The FAX controller 21 is a controller for transmitting / receiving FAX data to / from a public line.

The DCR 17 is a conversion device for converting image data (bitmap) input by using functions such as a printer, a FAX, and a scanner into an electronic document.
The scanner 18 is a reading device for converting a document of a paper document into image data (bitmap).
The plotter 19 is a device that prints (prints out) image data on paper.
The card I / F (interface) 22 is an interface for connecting to a removable card-like recording medium such as an SD (Secure Digital) card and exchanging data with the medium. The recording medium connected here can be used in the same manner as the image storage device 14 and is used as one of the document storage locations when connected.
The operation display panel 20 functions as a user interface (hereinafter referred to as “UI”) under the control of the system control unit, and receives job processing requests and execution instructions by operations performed by the user through an operation screen of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) touch panel. It is a device having a so-called GUI function for accepting and informing the user of the job execution status. The instruction operation relating to the selection of the destination and communication means in the data transmission described above is performed on the operation screen of the operation display panel 20.
The internal bus 10 is a bus mainly used for exchanging data between the devices.

"Overview of MFP software configuration"
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the MFP according to this embodiment.
FIG. 2A shows the software configuration of the entire MFP, which includes an application mechanism layer 100, a service mechanism layer 200, a device mechanism layer 300, an operation layer 400, and the like. It should be noted that the relationship between the layers shown in FIG. 6A basically has an upper and lower hierarchical relationship in which the upper layer calls the lower layer, and this relationship is shown between the layers in FIG. Indicated by the arrow.

The application mechanism layer 100 receives an execution request for application functions such as copy, fax, scanner, and printer that the MFP has as complex functions through the operation display panel 20, the LAN controller 16, the fax controller 21, and the like, and realizes the requested function. It is a part that implements the function to control the processing for
That is, the service mechanism layer 200 in the lower hierarchy that provides the user with a single unit of service until the final output is obtained from the input of the requested function, that is, the processing request performed through the UI of the operation display panel 20 or the like. It is software for using.

Therefore, the application mechanism layer 100 includes, as components of the activity UI, a multi-document activity 101, a copy activity 102, a transmission activity 103, a reception activity 104, a PCFAX activity 105, a printer activity 106, a document storage activity 107, a manual activity 108, and a marking activity. 109, a macro read activity 110, and a report activity 111. Also, as application logic components, read 121, receive 122, report 123, edit 124, print 125, send 126, preview 127, archive document 128, Marking 129, user information 130, display definition 131, request Each component includes an est definition 132 and history information 133.
The transmission activity 103 relates to the control function of the GUI operation screen for selecting and instructing the destination and communication means when requesting data transmission. The internal configuration of the transmission activity 103 will be described later with reference to FIG. explain.

The service mechanism layer 200 is a part that implements lower functions used by the application mechanism layer 100.
Therefore, the service mechanism layer 200 includes a scan service 201, an image handling 202, a plot service 203, a stored document sharing service 204, a marking service 205, a memory service 206, a user repository service 207, a display definition repository service 208, a data management 209, and a history. Each component includes a repository service 210, a report definition 211, a web service 212, a communication 213, a UI (user interface) 214, a session management 215, and a request management 216.
Note that the user repository service 207 relates to the control function of the GUI operation screen for selecting and instructing the destination and communication means when requesting data transmission. The internal configuration will be described later with reference to FIG. Will be explained.

The device mechanism layer 300 is a part for implementing lower functions used by the service mechanism layer 200.
Therefore, the device mechanism layer 300 includes components of the engine 301, the memory 302, the TEL 303, the network 304, and the operation unit device 305 as components for operating the device.
The operation layer 400 is a part on which components for realizing management functions of the application mechanism layer 100, the service mechanism layer 200, and the device mechanism layer 300 are implemented.
Therefore, the operation layer 400 includes components of a device management activity 401, an in-flight setting activity 402, an in-flight setting service 403, a plug-in management 404, an in-flight monitoring 405, an access control 406, and a history 407.

“Control function of GUI operation screen (data transmission request)”
The software related to the GUI operation screen control function when making a data transmission request, which is a characteristic part of the present embodiment, is each component of the transmission activity UI 103 of the application mechanism layer 100 and the user repository service 207 of the service mechanism layer 200. 2 (B) shows an outline of the internal configuration.
The transmission activity UI 103 includes a destination display unit 1031 and a protocol selection unit 1032 as components of this function.
The destination display unit 1031 is responsible for the process in which the transmission activity UI 103 that receives an instruction by a user operation displays the destination (transmission destination) on the GUI operation screen.
The protocol selection unit 103 is responsible for processing to confirm a destination to be selected and a communication unit (protocol) to be executed according to a user instruction operation on the operation screen displayed by the destination display unit 1031. In order to perform this processing, the protocol selection unit 1032 has a storage unit for each data of the priority protocol 1035 and the protocol priority 1036 inside. The GUI screen display control operation for selecting a destination and a protocol to be executed using these data will be described in detail with reference to a control sequence of FIG. 4 to be described later.

The user repository service 207 is used by the transmission activity UI 103 as a lower hierarchy of the transmission activity UI 103.
As described above, the transmission activity UI 103 shows the user a GUI screen for selecting and instructing a destination and a protocol to be executed. Therefore, the user repository service 207 manages the data used for this screen, and transmits the transmission activity. Data is provided in response to an acquisition request from the UI 103.
In the present embodiment, the user repository service 207 includes an address book management unit 2071 as a component that realizes the above function.

FIG. 3 is a class diagram showing an example of the configuration of the address book management means 2071. This class diagram shows a configuration of a database (so-called “address book”) regarding a transmission destination (destination) of a user (user).
Here, on the premise that data can be transmitted to one destination of a user by a plurality of communication means (protocols) each transmitting data by different protocols, a plurality of communication means capable of data transmission can be used for each user. A database is configured to enable communication means to be selected according to a selection policy that can be defined.

As shown in FIG. 3, the address book class 71 constitutes a user class 711 that manages user information immediately below. The user class 711 manages data related to a destination and a protocol as a communication means for each user.
Therefore, immediately below the user class 711, a protocol information class 712 that manages protocol information that is one of user information is configured, and a mail class 713, a folder class 714, and a fax class 715 are subclasses of the class. Each subclass of is configured. The mail class 713 stores data such as a mail address as a destination corresponding to the user name, the folder class 714 stores data such as a file storage folder as a destination corresponding to the user name, and the fax class 715 Stores destination data such as a telephone number as a destination corresponding to the user name.

Further, the user class 711 shares data of the transmission destination selection policy class 717 that manages transmission destination selection policy information for each user.
The transmission destination selection policy class 717 constitutes subclasses of a priority protocol class 718 and a protocol priority class 719 as subclasses. The priority protocol class 718 stores protocol data to be prioritized for each user, and the protocol priority class 719 stores priority order data for determining the protocol order to be prioritized for each user.
Therefore, as a specific example of the data structure of the address book, the case of five users is defined as follows.
[User 0001
Name: A
Transmission protocol: Mail (Priority / Priority 1), Folder (Priority 2), Fax (Priority 3)]
[User 0002
Name: B
Transmission protocol: Folder (Priority / Priority 1)]
[User 0003
Name: C
Transmission protocol: Mail (Priority / Priority 1), Fax (Priority 2)]
[User 0004
Name: D
Transmission protocol: Mail (priority / priority order 1), folder (priority order 2)]
[User 0005
Name: E
Transmission protocol: Folder (Priority / Priority 1)]
The address book data is used for a GUI screen display control operation (to be described later in detail with reference to the control sequence of FIG. 4) for selecting a destination and a protocol to be executed when a data transmission request is made. However, the data structure of the address book used for the control operation can also be implemented by an address book that does not have the destination selection policy class 717 as a component.

"Control operation of the operation screen when data transmission is requested"
Next, the control operation of the GUI operation screen performed when the transmission activity UI 103 and the user repository service 207 described above with reference to FIG. 2B perform the data transmission request will be described.
This control controls the display of the operation screen displayed on the LCD touch panel provided on the operation display panel 20 in order to select the destination and the protocol to be executed through the user's instruction operation at the time of data transmission request. In other words, the display control of the operation screen allows the selection to be completed by changing the display of the destination to be selected and the protocol to be executed on the screen and performing an operation to instruct execution in a desired display state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control sequence of the GUI operation screen at the time of a data transmission request.
For example, the user designates a transmission destination (destination) as an image file generated by reading a paper document with the scanner 18 or an image file stored in the image storage device 14, and specifies the destination of the file. Instructs data transmission. At this time, it is necessary to instruct a destination from the operation display panel 20, and the instruction is performed by displaying a list of destinations registered in the address book in advance on the operation screen of the LCD touch panel, and selecting the destination from the list. The destination is designated by touch operation.

  Therefore, at the beginning of the control sequence of FIG. 4, an instruction to display a list of destinations registered in the address book is issued to the transmission activity UI 103 by a user operation (step S101). This user operation is, for example, an operation to a list display instruction key provided on an operation screen for requesting a user input when using a scanner function or a document box function (a function for reusing a stored image). Instructions are issued in accordance with user operations on the keys. However, when an application started by a user operation unconditionally displays a list of destinations in a step for obtaining an instruction for destinations, the control system issues this instruction at a timing at which the process proceeds to a step for obtaining destination instructions.

Next, the transmission activity UI 103 that has received an instruction to display a destination list instructs the destination display unit 1031 configured in the transmission activity UI to display a list of destinations (step S102).
The destination display unit 1031 that receives an instruction to display a list of destinations acquires the address book data (see FIG. 3) from the address book management unit 2071 configured as a database relating to user destinations in the user repository service 207, and acquires the address book data. Create a destination list display screen based on the data.

Here, an embodiment of a destination list display screen created by the destination display means 1031 is shown.
This list display screen is a display screen for selecting the destination of the image file to be transmitted from the destinations registered in the address book, so that each destination can be selected in a format in which the user can select the target destination. It is necessary to arrange them so that they can be distinguished on the display screen.
In addition, in this embodiment, since the protocol (communication means) to be used for the selected destination can be designated, the destination and all the protocols that can be used for this destination are collectively displayed so that the protocol that can be used for each destination is known. Can be displayed. In addition, since the protocol is a selection target, the available protocol is displayed by a screen component that can identify each difference.
In addition, it is necessary to display the selection result on the screen, which may be either a user instruction operation or a default, but in any case, the selected destination and protocol (communication means) Display in a state that can be distinguished from others.

FIG. 5 shows a list display screen of the present embodiment configured according to the conditions required for the above-described list display screen. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is based on the data in the address book (see FIG. 3). Further, as a specific example of the data structure of the address book, the definition of the data structure shown above (example of five users) is followed.
In the list display screen shown in FIG. 5, the display area 251 corresponding to each destination has a destination display area 252 and a protocol display area 253 that can collectively display all protocols that can be used for this destination.
In the destination display area 252, the user number and the user name are displayed, and in the protocol display area 253, a protocol that can be used for this destination is displayed with an icon that can identify each difference.

In the list display screen shown in FIG. 5, the destination display area 252 displays the user number 0001 and the user name: A, and the protocol display area 253 displays the protocols that can be used for the mail, folder, and fax icons. it's shown.
Note that the expression of the protocol is not limited to the icon, and may be another expression such as text. In addition, if the protocol does not fit in the protocol display area 253, an operation key for opening another screen is provided in a part of this area, and the protocol is collectively displayed on the screen that is opened by input to this operation key. It is recommended that the selection operation can be performed on the screen.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the user selects a destination by selecting a destination from a display area corresponding to each destination on the initial screen of the list display and pressing the area. The control system recognizes that the selection has been made by detecting this input operation, and changes the display state of the detected destination.
By this display operation, the user can confirm the selected destination. In the screen illustrated in FIG. 5, as shown in the display area of the user name: C in the figure, the selection result is shown by displaying a surrounding line 251 to the selected destination.
A screen feed key 255 shown in the screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is operated by operating this key when a large display cannot be used like an LCD touch panel employed in an MFP or the like. Multiply the five destinations shown to enable support for more than five destinations.

As described above, the protocols that can be used for each destination displayed in a batch on the list display screen are all, and it is considered that only a part can be actually used. Select the protocol to be executed from the displayed ones. It can be so.
As an embodiment of the means for selecting a protocol, as shown in the list display screen of FIG. 5, since all available protocols are displayed on the screen, the protocol selection variation is displayed on this screen. The method indicated by the change is easy for the user to understand and the operation is simplified.
As a protocol selection variation indicated by a change in display state, it is possible to adopt a method in which a protocol that can be used is selected one after another from no selection.

For example, taking the above-described user 0001 (name: A) as an example, the protocol to be selected every time the user presses the operation key is:
(i) Email
(ii) Folder
(iii) Fax
(iv) No selection
(v) Change to the order of returning to (i), and use a method of reflecting the change in the display state.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the transition of the display state on the list display screen in the protocol display area 253 of the user 0001 as the destination. In this example, the destination selection key of the user 0001 (name: A) is also used as this operation key, and the protocol to be selected changes every time this is operated, and this change is displayed by a circle 259. That is, the currently selected protocol is indicated by a circle 259.

Also, instead of using a variation in which the protocols are selected one by one as described above, it is conceivable that a plurality of protocols are simultaneously transmitted to the same user, and a method with such variations can be adopted. . For this purpose, for example, taking the above-described user 0001 (name: A) as an example, the protocol to be selected every time the user presses the operation key is:
(i) Email
(ii) Folder
(iii) Fax
(iv) Mail + folder
(v) Mail + fax
(vi) Folder + fax
(vii) Mail + folder + fax
(viii) No selection
(ix) Return to (i) in order, and use the method of reflecting the change in the display state.
In addition, the selection variation of a protocol can employ | adopt the protocol which can be used individually or in arbitrary numbers.

Returning to the control sequence of FIG. 4, the destination display unit 1031 that receives a list display instruction in step S <b> 102 receives the user repository service as data necessary for creating the above list display screen (see FIGS. 5 and 6). A list of users is acquired from the address book management means 2071 configured as a database relating to user destinations in 207 (step S103).
Note that the user list data is user data serving as a destination stored in the address book class 71 (see FIG. 3), which is a database formed by the address book management unit 2071. The user list data will be described with reference to FIGS. According to the example of the list display screen, the user number and the user name.
The destination display unit 1031 also displays, for each user, protocol information from each of the mail class 713, the folder class 714, and the fax class 715, which are subclasses of the address book class 71 formed by the address book management unit 2071, along with the user list data. Data of usable protocols is acquired (step S104).

When the list display screen described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is created, it is only necessary to have the protocol information in the address book data acquired from the address book management means 2071. Therefore, the destination display means 1031 is displayed. Creates the destination list display screen with the configuration described above based on the address book data acquired in steps S103 and S104 (step S107).
Therefore, in this embodiment, the destination selection policy class 717 of the address book class 71 described with reference to FIG. 3 and the step S105 of acquiring data from the lower class and the data of the acquired transmission destination selection policy are listed in the destination list. Step S106 to be reflected in the creation of the display screen is not necessary.

After the destination list display screen is created, the destination activity and protocol to be selected are instructed to the transmission activity UI 103 by the user's operation on the list display screen displayed on the LCD touch panel provided on the operation display panel 20 (step S108). . In the selection operation by the user in the embodiment of FIG. 6, as described above, the first press of the destination selection key indicates the destination (user), and the second and subsequent presses indicate the protocol to be selected.
The transmission activity UI 103 receives an instruction of the destination and protocol to be selected from the user, and instructs the protocol selection unit 1032 configured in the transmission activity UI to select the destination and protocol (step S109).
The protocol selection means 1032 sends the user information of the destination instructed to select and the data indicating the protocol information to the storage location of transmission control data used for executing transmission of the target image file, and ends this control sequence.

Select Preferred Protocol
In the method described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 described above, the communication means (protocol) for the destination list display screen is selected depending on the operation performed according to the user's intention. In addition, there is a possibility that the operation for selecting the communication means takes time and the performance is lowered.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the data provided by the address book destination selection policy class 717 described with reference to FIG. 3 is used to reduce the operation burden on the user, and an appropriate communication means (protocol) is provided. An example of implementation in the form of adding a selectable function will be described below.
Note that the steps before the list display screen creation step in the control sequence of FIG. 4 are the same as in the above embodiment, so here, as the control operation when using the data provided by the destination selection policy class 717, Operations after the list display screen creation step will be described in accordance with the control sequence of FIG.

In the control sequence of FIG. 4, the destination display unit 1031 that receives a list display instruction in step S <b> 102 is configured as a database related to the user destination in the user repository service 207 as data necessary for creating a destination list display screen. A list of users is acquired from the address book management means 2071 (step S103).
Note that the user list data is user data that is a destination stored in the address book class 71 (see FIG. 3), which is a database configured by the address book management means 2071, and the specific data structure of the address book described above. For example, the user number and the user name.

The destination display unit 1031 also displays, for each user, protocol information from each of the mail class 713, the folder class 714, and the fax class 715, which are subclasses of the address book class 71 formed by the address book management unit 2071, along with user list data. Data on usable protocols is acquired (step S104), and further, selection policy data predetermined for each user (destination) is acquired from the transmission destination selection policy class 717 formed by the address book management unit 2071 (step S105). ).
The selection policy data is data that predetermines an execution protocol to be prioritized from a plurality of types of available protocols. Here, it is proposed that two types of selection methods are supported, and the selection policy is determined.

In the first mode, priority is given to one protocol adapted to each destination, and when the destination is designated, the priority protocol determined for the destination is used as the execution protocol.
In order to implement in the first mode, a database in which protocols to be prioritized for each user (destination) is registered in advance is required, and this is configured as a priority protocol class 718 in a subclass of the transmission destination selection policy class 717.
In the second mode, priorities are assigned to the protocols to be applied to the respective destinations, and when the destinations are instructed, the execution protocol can be selected in accordance with the priorities determined for the destinations.
In order to implement in the second mode, a database in which priorities assigned to protocols that can be used for each user (destination) are registered in advance is required, and this is assigned to a subclass of the destination selection policy class 717 as protocol priorities. Configure as class 719.

By acquiring selection policy data for each user in step S105, a list display screen of destinations is created by combining the list of users acquired in step S103 and the protocol data available for each user acquired in step S104. Data to do.
When the data of the selection policy is obtained, the destination display unit 1031 performs a process of reflecting the selection policy on the display before creating the destination list display screen (step S106).
In the first mode of the priority protocol selection method, since a predetermined priority protocol has already been selected, for example, the destination list display screen is displayed in a state where only the destination or only the protocol selected as the destination is displayed. The processing shown in FIG.
On the other hand, in the second form according to the preferred protocol selection method, it is considered that the protocol to be given the highest priority has already been selected, and for example, is a form in which the destination list display screen is displayed to the user while only the destination is displayed? Alternatively, in a state in which a protocol having the highest priority order can be selected, for example, only the destination and the protocol having the highest priority order are displayed, and the state in which the selection of the next order protocol is predicted is displayed. Processing is performed to show the destination list display screen to the user.

The destination display unit 1031 performs the process of step S106 to reflect the selection policy on the display before the process of creating the list display screen described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, and uses the obtained screen configuration data to The list display screen is displayed (step S107).
After the destination list display screen is created, a destination to be selected is instructed to the transmission activity UI 103 by a user operation on the list display screen displayed on the LCD touch panel provided on the operation display panel 20 (step S108).
The transmission activity UI 103 receives an instruction of the destination to be selected from the user, and instructs the protocol selection unit 1032 configured in the transmission activity UI to select the destination (step S109).

At this time, as described above, there are cases where only the destinations are displayed on the list display screen of destinations displayed to the user and the priority protocol information is not indicated. When such a method is adopted, it is not necessary to acquire all selection policy data in step S105. That is, in step S105, it is possible to cope with a method that does not acquire data from the priority protocol class 718 and the protocol priority class 719 only by knowing whether there is data of the selection policy.
In the case of adopting such a method, since the selection policy data of the selected destination is not possessed, it is necessary to obtain it at this stage. Therefore, the protocol selection unit 1032 of the transmission activity UI 103 acquires the selection policy data of the user (destination) from the transmission destination selection policy class 717 configured by the address book management unit 2071 (step S110).

Further, the protocol selection unit 1032 selects an execution protocol from the acquired selection policy data. In the first embodiment, the priority protocol is selected as the execution protocol (step S111). On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a protocol corresponding to the priority order is selected as an execution protocol (step S112). Note that the selection operation performed by the user at this time is that the first press of the destination selection key indicates the destination (user), that is, the embodiment that does not use the selection policy described with reference to FIG. However, the priority protocol can be selected by the first pressing. Further, the operation of selecting according to the priority order may be an operation instructing selection of the protocol of the next order by pressing the second time or later.
The protocol selection means 1032 sends the user information of the destination instructed to select and the data indicating the protocol information to the storage location of transmission control data used for executing transmission of the target image file, and ends this control sequence.

  11. CPU (Central Processing Unit), 12. ROM (Read Only Memory), 13. RAM (Random Access Memory), 14. Image storage device, 16. LAN controller, 18. Scanner, 19.・ Plotter, 20 ・ ・ Operation display panel, 21 ・ ・ FAX controller, 100 ・ ・ Application mechanism layer, 103 ・ ・ Send activity, 1031 ・ ・ Destination display means, 1032 ・ ・ Protocol selection means, 200 ・ ・ Service mechanism layer, 207-User repository service, 2071-Address book management means.

JP-A-11-134163 JP 2005-12414 A

Claims (8)

A plurality of communication means each for transmitting data using different protocols, and a transmission destination is selected via a GUI screen when processing images are transmitted by the communication means, and at least one of the different protocols is selected as an execution protocol An image processing apparatus having operation means for receiving an instruction operation to perform,
Destination data management means for managing a destination registered in advance, a protocol that can be used for each destination, and an address used for executing the protocol;
On the GUI screen that accepts the instruction operation of the operation means, the transmission destination managed by the transmission destination data management means and all the different protocols that can be used for each transmission destination are displayed in a collective and identifiable screen component, An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that performs control to display the screen component selected by an instruction operation in a state where the screen component can be distinguished from others. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Further, the destination data management means further registers and manages data defining a protocol to be prioritized among the different protocols registered for each destination,
When the control means displays the screen component on the GUI screen that accepts the selection instruction operation, the control means can distinguish the applicable protocol from others according to the data defining the protocol to be prioritized managed by the transmission destination data management means An image processing apparatus that performs display control in the above. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
Further, the destination data management means further registers and manages data in which priority is given to the protocol to be prioritized among the different protocols registered for each destination.
The control means distinguishes the corresponding protocol from the others according to the data order that defines the protocol to be prioritized managed by the transmission destination data management means when displaying the screen component on the GUI screen that accepts the selection instruction operation. An image processing apparatus that performs control for sequentially displaying images in a ready state according to a display change instruction. A plurality of communication units each transmitting data according to a different protocol, and when transmitting a processed image by the communication unit, a transmission destination is selected via a GUI screen and at least one of the different protocols is selected as an execution protocol This is a GUI screen control method in an image processing apparatus having an operation means that accepts an instruction operation, a transmission destination registered in advance, a protocol that can be used for each transmission destination, and a transmission destination data management means that manages an address used to execute the protocol. And
On the GUI screen that accepts the instruction operation of the operation means, the transmission destination managed by the transmission destination data management means and all the different protocols that can be used for each transmission destination are displayed in a collective and identifiable screen component, A control method for a GUI screen, comprising: a control step of displaying the screen component selected by an instruction operation in a state where the screen component can be distinguished from others. The GUI screen control method according to claim 4, wherein:
Further, the destination data management means further registers and manages data defining a protocol to be prioritized among the different protocols registered for each destination,
The control process is capable of distinguishing a corresponding protocol from others according to data defining a protocol to be prioritized managed by the transmission destination data management means when displaying the screen component on a GUI screen that accepts a selection instruction operation. A control method of a GUI screen, characterized by performing control to display in the screen. The GUI screen control method according to claim 4, wherein:
Further, the destination data management means further registers and manages data in which priority is given to the protocol to be prioritized among the different protocols registered for each destination.
In the control step, when displaying the screen component on the GUI screen that accepts the selection instruction operation, the control protocol distinguishes the corresponding protocol from the others according to the data order that defines the protocol to be prioritized managed by the transmission destination data management means. A method for controlling a GUI screen, wherein control for sequentially displaying images in a ready state is performed in accordance with a display change instruction.   The program for making a computer perform the said control process of the control method of the GUI screen described in any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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