JP2017059960A - Information processor, program, information processing method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a system capable of uploading image data generated using a MFP which is unregistered with a server, to the server which requires user authentication, in the system in which the MFP and the server are connected through a network.SOLUTION: The server performs user authentication to a Web storage service using user information of the Web storage service which is associated with user information of a client. The server then acquires, from the Web storage service, access information for the MFP to upload image data to the Web storage service, and transmits the access information, together with read setting, to the MFP through the client. The MFP transmits image data read according to the received read setting to the Web storage service, using the access information which is also received.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, an information processing method, and an information processing system that cause an image reading apparatus to read an image of a document.

  In recent years, a system in which a recording device and a scanner device are connected to an information processing device using various interfaces such as USB, Ethernet (registered trademark), and wireless LAN has been effectively used in various situations such as home and office. Yes. Examples of devices constituting the system include a PC, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a television, a printer, a copier, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a complex machine of these.

  Currently, various services are provided using the Internet. The service includes a Web service in which a recording device and a scanner device are controlled by a server connected via a network, and the functions and services of the scanner device and the recording device are provided to the user via the network (see Patent Document 1). . This frees users from the major limitation that they could not use these devices without installing dedicated drivers on their client devices. The service side also has various merits such that it is easy to add a server or change a design specification according to the load.

  In such a Web service, it is necessary to register a device to be used in the Web service in order for the server to access the recording device and the scanner device via the network. In addition, in order to restrict access so that only a specific user can use a device, a Web service user needs to register a user to the Web service and a device to be used by himself / herself from a device registered in the Web service. There is.

  On the other hand, as a service using the Internet, there is a Web storage service using a storage server having a large storage capacity (see Patent Document 2). Even in such a web storage service, user registration is often required to use the web storage service for the purpose of providing user management and access restrictions. A user of the Web storage service generally accesses the Web storage service from a dedicated Web site or application, uploads data, refers to the downloaded data, downloads, and the like.

  Other than this, there are those that publish dedicated Web APIs (application interfaces) for accessing the Web storage service. There is a Web scan service that uploads image data generated by an apparatus such as a scanner apparatus or an image generation apparatus to a Web storage service by using such Web API. In such a Web scan service, a server controls these devices via the Internet to read an image, and uploads the read image data to the Web storage service via the server. At that time, in order for the server to access the Web storage service using the user information, it is necessary to register the user authentication information of the Web storage service in the server in association with the user information of the Web scan service.

JP 2005-190486 A JP 2002-207629 A

  As described above, in order that only a specific user can use the recording apparatus and the scanner apparatus via the server, it is necessary to register these apparatuses in advance in the Web scan service. However, for example, when it is desired to temporarily use a device that is not registered in the Web scan service on the spot when away from home, the device cannot be used unless the target device is set as the Web scan service. There is. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to realize a system capable of transmitting image data generated using an unregistered apparatus to a server system to the server system.

  In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus of the present invention includes the following arrangement.

  That is, an information processing apparatus of the present invention is an information processing apparatus that causes an image reading apparatus to read an image of a document, and a receiving unit that receives specific information for specifying a transmission destination of image data from a server system. Transmission means for transmitting the specific information received by the receiving means to the image processing apparatus without going through the server system, the image processing apparatus obtaining image data obtained by reading an image of a document Is transmitted to the transmission destination specified by the specific information via a network.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when the information processing apparatus transmits the specific information received from the server system to the image processing apparatus without going through the server system, the image processing apparatus transmits the image data specified by the specific information. Send first. As a result, even if the image reading apparatus is a transmission destination, for example, it is unregistered with the server, it is possible to transmit image data based on the received specific information.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network system that is connected to each other via a network according to an embodiment of the present invention and includes a multifunction printer (MFP) and a personal computer (PC). FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of PC shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which a client PC communicates with a server PC via the Internet to make a document reading request. It is a figure which shows the example of UI display. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence in which a server PC receives a document reading request from a client PC, notifies a MFP of a document reading job, and uploads image data received from the MFP to a Web storage service. It is a figure which shows the structure of the scan ticket produced by S601. It is a figure which shows the example of a setting of UI displayed by S404. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which a server PC receives a document reading request from a client PC, notifies a document reading job from the client PC to the MFP via a LAN, and directly uploads image data read by the MFP to a Web storage service. It is a figure which shows the structure of the scan ticket created by S904. It is a figure which shows the example which a web storage service issues authentication information as a part of URI. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence for transmitting a scan ticket to an MFP registered in a server PC and uploading read image data directly from the MFP to a Web storage service. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which a server PC receives a document reading request from a client PC, notifies a document reading job from the client PC to the MFP via a LAN, and uploads image data read by the MFP to a Web storage service. It is a figure which shows the structure of the scan ticket produced | generated by S1305.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described more specifically and in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the relative arrangement and the like of the constituent elements described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified.

  In this specification, “recording” (sometimes referred to as “printing”) is not limited to the case of forming significant information such as characters and graphics, but may be significant. Furthermore, it also represents a case where an image, a pattern, a pattern, or the like is widely formed on a recording medium or a medium is processed regardless of whether or not it is manifested so that a human can perceive it visually.

  “Recording medium” refers not only to paper used in general recording apparatuses but also widely to cloth, plastic film, metal plate, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, and the like that can accept ink. Shall.

<Configuration of network system (FIGS. 1 to 3)>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a client server type network system (hereinafter referred to as a system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this system includes a plurality of multifunction printers (hereinafter referred to as MFPs) 100 and 150 and a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 200, 250 and 300 to 400 via the Internet 350. It is configured to be interconnected.

  Note that the form of connecting the MFP and the PC is not limited to the Internet, and may be a network based on an intranet or a specific protocol. The physical interface for connecting the MFP and the PC may be in the form of a wireless LAN / WAN, in the form of a wired LAN / WAN, or in a form in which wireless and wired are mixed.

  A plurality of PCs (information processing apparatuses) have the same configuration, but some (PCs 200 and 250) of the plurality of PCs described above operate as clients and some (PCs 300 to 400) operate as servers. To do. The client PC operates with a client operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) installed, while the server PC operates with a server OS installed. Here, to simplify the explanation, the above-mentioned PCs have the same configuration, but as long as they can be interconnected with other PCs and MFPs via a network, the hardware configuration and software configuration are the same. In that respect, each PC may have a different configuration. For example, the client PC and the server PC have different configurations, and the client PC includes a laptop PC, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and a PDA (information portable terminal). On the other hand, the server PC includes a desktop PC having a large memory and disk capacity and high processing capability. In such a case, the client PC may simply be called a user terminal. These servers are also called server systems. Further, an information processing system is formed by these servers and information processing apparatuses.

  In order to further simplify the description, the plurality of MFPs 100 and 150 are described as having similar functions. However, as long as they can be interconnected with a PC or another MFP via a network, the hardware configuration and software configuration are the same. Each MFP may have a different configuration.

  Furthermore, the number of client PCs, server PCs, and MFPs connected to the Internet 350 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and may be less than two or more than two. .

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, a local area network (LAN) 360 is configured by the MFP 150 and the PC 250, and the MFP 150 and the PC 250 can communicate with each other within the LAN 360 without going through the Internet 350. Similarly to the Internet 350, the number of PCs and MFPs that can be connected to the LAN 360 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of MFP 100 shown in FIG.

  The MFP 100 has a printer function, a scanner function, and a storage function, and can provide each function service via a network. In the MFP 100, the printer function is realized by the printer unit 101, the scanner function is realized by the scanner unit 102, and the storage function is realized by the memory card mounting unit 103 and the memory card 104.

  The printer unit 101 records an image on a recording medium such as a recording sheet according to an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, or the like based on print data received from the outside or image data stored in the memory card 104.

  The scanner unit 102 optically reads a document placed on the platen and converts it into image data, and further converts it into a specified file format and transmits it to an external device via a network, or sends image data to the printer unit 101. Copy the image transferred and read to (Copy Service). Further, the scanner unit 102 can also save the data converted into the image data and converted into the designated file format in a storage area (not shown) of the storage inside the MFP.

  Further, according to a request from an external device (for example, a PC) connected via the network, the memory card mounting unit 103 reads and transfers the file stored in the memory card 104, and the edited file is transferred from the external device. It can be stored in a memory card.

  The MFP 100 further includes a CPU 105 for controlling each part of the MFP, and a program memory 106 such as a ROM for storing program codes read by the CPU 105. Furthermore, a work memory 107 such as a RAM for temporarily storing or buffering image data or the like when executing each service, a display unit 108 such as an LCD, and an operation unit 109 including switches described later are provided.

  Note that processing executed by MFP 100 in the sequence described below is realized by CPU 105 executing a program stored in program memory 106 in work memory 107.

  Furthermore, the MFP 100 includes a network communication unit 110 for connecting the MFP 100 to a network to perform various communications, and a network connection unit 111 for connecting the network communication unit 110 to a network medium. The network communication unit 110 corresponds to at least one of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. In the case of wired LAN support, the network connection unit 111 is a connector for connecting a LAN cable to the MFP 100, and in the case of wireless LAN support, the network connection unit 111 is an antenna.

  The MFP 100 further includes a non-volatile flash memory 112 for storing data received by the network communication unit 110.

  Each component of the MFP 100 described above is connected to each other via a signal bus 113.

  The program memory 106 of the MFP 100 includes a client application 114 that operates as a client in order to communicate with the server PCs 300 to 302 described above. The CPU 105 can communicate with the server PCs 300 to 302 by executing the client application 114.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the PC 200 shown in FIG. As described above, the PC can be operated as a client PC or a server PC in this system.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 201 reads out and executes an OS, an application program, and the like installed in the disk device 202 and controls each unit of the PC 200. The disk device 202 stores various files. The external disk reader 203 is used for reading the contents of an external storage medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD, and the memory 204 is used for the CPU 201 to temporarily store data, buffer data, or the like as necessary. Furthermore, the PC 200 includes a display unit 205 including an LCD and an LED, and an operation unit 206 including a keyboard and a pointing device.

  The PC 200 further includes a network communication unit for connecting to the network and performing various communications and a network connection unit 208 for connecting the network communication unit 207 to the network medium for communication via the network. Similar to MFP 100, network communication unit 207 and network connection unit 208 correspond to at least one of a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. A specific form takes a necessary function and form according to the corresponding LAN, like the network communication unit 110 and the network connection unit 111 built in the MFP 100.

  Furthermore, the PC 200 includes a USB communication unit 210 and a USB connection unit 211 such as a USB connector in order to communicate with other devices via a USB interface.

  The above components are connected to each other via a signal line bus.

  Note that the processing executed by the PC 200 in the sequence described below is realized by the CPU 201 executing the program stored in the disk device 202 on the memory 204.

  Next, several embodiments for executing a Web storage service and the like realized in the network system having the above configuration will be described. In the following embodiments, this network system is described as a system that reads and processes an image of a document, and can also be referred to as an image processing system.

  First, a process for instructing the MFP 100 registered in the PC 300 to read a document from the PC 200 via the Internet 350 and uploading the scanned image to the PC 400 providing the Web storage service via the PC 300 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a sequence in which the client PC 200 communicates with the server PC 300 via the Internet 350 and makes a document reading request.

  First, the client PC 200 transmits a document reading setting inquiry to the server PC 300 (S401). When the server PC 300 receives the document reading setting inquiry from the client PC 200, the server PC 300 performs user authentication for the client PC 200. Thereafter, when the server PC 300 can confirm that the client PC 200 is a registered user, the server PC 300 refers to a database (DB) in which a list of document reading settings is stored in advance (S402), and sets the document reading settings to the client PC 200. A response is made (S403).

  After receiving the document reading setting from the server PC 300, the client PC 200 displays it on the UI (user interface) according to the setting (S404).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of UI display. The user performs desired settings by operating various setting display units 502 for reading a document displayed on the UI screen 501 shown in FIG.

  Here, in the reading device selection list 502A, options for the user to designate an MFP registered in advance in the server PC 300 are displayed. The transfer destination Web storage service selection list 502B displays options for designating the Web storage service as an upload destination (transmission destination) for uploading image data of a document read by the MFP 100. Similar to the reader selection list 502A, the user information of the Web storage service that the user wants to add to the options needs to be registered in the server PC 300 in advance.

  Thereafter, when the user presses the reading start button 503, the set original reading request is transmitted to the server PC 300 (S405). It should be noted that the document reading request transmitted in S405 includes a reading device (image) that reads the document specified in the reading device selection list 502A and the reading settings such as the type and size of the document specified by the user on the various setting display unit 502. Information indicating the processing device).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing sequence in which the server PC 300 receives a document reading request from the client PC 200, notifies the MFP 100 of a document reading job, and uploads the image data received from the MFP 100 to the Web storage service PC 400. Before the processing of FIG. 6 is started, authentication information such as an account and a password input by the user in the client PC is transmitted to the server PC 300. In the server PC 300, user authentication is performed based on the authentication information. In the server PC 300, for example, an account and the MFP 100 are registered in association with each other. Then, the server PC identifies the MFP 100 registered corresponding to the authentication information received from the client PC as an apparatus that transmits a document reading job.

  When the server PC 300 receives a document reading request from the client PC 200 (S405), a scan ticket is created according to the received document reading setting (S601).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of the scan ticket created in S601. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the scan ticket 701 includes a reading setting portion 702 in which values specified by the user on the UI screen 501 are set, a model information portion 703, and an image processing setting portion 704. In the model information portion 703, model information necessary for document reading held in the database (DB) of the server PC 300 is set based on the reading device designated by the user in the reading device selection list 502A. The image processing setting portion 704 is set with a value designated by the user on the UI screen 501.

  An image processing setting portion 704 shown in FIG. 7 is information for designating image processing set by the user as image processing to be executed. Here, PDF conversion (Format: PDF), 90-degree rotation processing (Rotation: 90), contour enhancement processing (UnsharpMask), and show-through reduction processing (RemoveBaseColor) are set to valid (On). Further, a value indicating that each image processing is unprocessed (UNPROCESSED) is also set. That is, these image processes are designated as image processes to be executed.

  When the server PC 300 has successfully created the scan ticket, the server PC 300 transmits a document reading request response to the client PC 200 (S602). Further, the server PC 300 notifies the MFP 100, which is the MFP designated by the user, of the scan ticket created in S601 as a document reading job (S603). In S603, the MFP 100 associated with the user account is notified of the document reading job as described above.

  When the MFP 100 receives the document reading job notification from the server PC 300, the MFP 100 reads the document with the settings instructed by the received scan ticket 701 (S604). The MFP 100 transmits the read image data to the server PC 300 (S605).

  When the server PC 300 receives the image data transmitted from the MFP 100, the server PC 300 makes an image data upload request to the PC (Web storage service PC) 400 that performs the Web storage service (S606). At this time, the server PC 300 performs access using the user authentication information of the Web storage service PC 400 registered in association with the user information of the client PC 200. When receiving the image data upload request from the server PC 300, the Web storage service PC 400 performs user authentication using the received user authentication information (S607).

  When the user authentication is successful, the Web storage service PC 400 returns a response to permit the image data upload request (S608). Receiving the image data upload request response, the server PC 300 transmits image data to the Web storage service PC 400 (S609). The image data transmission method may be any method as in S605. The Web storage service PC 400 stores the image data transmitted from the server PC 300 in its own disk device (S610), and notifies the server PC 300 of the completion of image data reception (S611).

  However, in the process of FIG. 6, the job is transmitted to the MFP registered in association with the user account. Therefore, for example, a user cannot notify a job to an unregistered MFP via the server 300.

  Therefore, a process for notifying an unregistered MFP of a job will be described.

  Specifically, a process will be described in which the PC 200 receives a scan ticket from the PC 300 via the Internet 350, issues an original reading instruction to the MFP 150 that is not registered in the PC 300 via the LAN 360, and uploads the read image to the PC 400. Note that the sequence in which the PC 200 communicates with the PC 300 via the Internet 350 and makes a document reading request is the same as that described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a setting example of the UI screen 501 displayed in S404. In this embodiment, since the original is read and uploaded to the Web storage service using the MFP 150 that is not registered in the server PC 300, an option for specifying an unregistered device is set in the reading device selection list 502A of the UI screen 501. . Therefore, in this case, “other device” indicating an unregistered device is designated in the reading device selection list 502A. The other setting contents are the same as those in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which the PC 300 receives a document reading request from the PC 200, notifies the MFP 150 of a document reading job via the LAN 360, and directly uploads image data read by the unregistered MFP 150 to the PC 400. The sequence of FIG. 9 is started in response to the reading start button 503 in FIG. 8 being pressed.

  The server PC 300 receives a document reading request from the client PC 200 (S405). Note that the document reading request received in step S405 includes information indicating an unregistered image processing apparatus as the image processing apparatus designated by the user. Then, the server PC 300 requests the Web storage service PC 400 for an upload destination URI, which is specification information for specifying the upload destination of the image data of the document read by the MFP 150 (S901). At this time, the server PC 300 performs access using the user authentication information of the Web storage service PC 400 registered in association with the user information of the client PC 200. When receiving the upload destination URI request from the server PC 300, the Web storage service PC 400 performs user authentication (S902).

  If the authentication is successful, the Web storage service PC 400 returns a response to the image data upload URI request for the server PC 300 to upload the image data to the Web storage service PC 400 (S903). The image data upload URI request includes an upload destination URI and authentication information for accessing the Web storage service PC 400. Upon receiving the image data upload URI request response, the server PC 300 creates a scan ticket from the document reading setting from the client PC 200, the image data upload URI from the Web storage service PC 400, and authentication information (S904).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the scan ticket 1001 created in S904.

  The scan ticket 1001 includes a reading setting portion 1002, a model information portion 1003, an image processing setting portion 1004, and information 1005 for transmitting image data of the read original to the Web storage service PC 400. In the reading setting portion 1002 and the image processing setting portion 1004, values specified by the user on the UI screen 501 are set. The model information portion 1003 is unknown information because the user designates an unregistered reading device (other device) in the reading device selection list 502A on the UI screen 501. Further, in the information 1005, the URI of the upload destination of the image data received by the server PC 300 in S903, authentication information for accessing the URI, and the like are set.

  When the scan ticket is created, the server PC 300 transmits the scan ticket to the client PC 200 (S905). The client PC 200 that has received the scan ticket 1001 transmits a document read preparation completion notification together with the scan ticket 1001 to the MFP 150 (S906).

  Receiving the document reading preparation completion notification, the MFP 150 reads the document according to the received scan ticket 1001 (S907). The MFP 150 transmits a read original image data upload request using the image upload destination URI and authentication information set in the scan ticket 1001 (S908). When receiving the image data upload request from the MFP 150, the Web storage service PC 400 confirms the received authentication information (S909). If it is confirmed that the authentication information is correct, the Web storage service PC 400 saves the image data (S910). When the storage of the image data is completed, the Web storage service PC 400 sends an image data reception completion notification to the MFP 150 (S911).

  Therefore, according to the processing shown in FIG. 9 described above, the server authenticates the user to the Web storage service, acquires information necessary for uploading the image data, and reads the document locally on the MFP via the client. Have the image data uploaded. As a result, image data can be uploaded to the Web storage service using an MFP that is not registered in either the server or the Web storage service.

  In the embodiment described above, the server acquires authentication information for accessing the upload destination URI from the Web storage service and sets it in the scan ticket, and the MFP adds the authentication information when accessing the upload destination URI. I was accessing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a configuration in which the web storage service issues authentication information as part of a URI may be used.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the Web storage service issues authentication information as part of a URI. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same information as already described with reference to FIG. 10, and the description thereof is omitted. According to FIG. 11, a URI to which authentication information is added is set in the information 1005 '.

  When the MFP 150 accesses with the URI set in the scan ticket using the URI as shown in FIG. 11, the Web storage service PC 400 refers to the authentication information part added to the URI and uses the URI issued by itself and the correct authentication information. Can be determined. With this configuration, there is an advantage that the MFP 150 only needs to access with the URI described in the scan ticket, and there is no need to add authentication information.

  In the embodiment described above, the client transmits the scan ticket to the MFP by detecting the MFP in the LAN and communicating, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as long as the client and the MFP can communicate with each other by USB or near field communication (NFC), the client and the MFP may be directly connected to communicate with each other by each communication method.

  Furthermore, even if the Web storage service is configured with a plurality of servers in which the server that is accessed when the server acquires the upload destination URI and the access destination server indicated by the acquired upload destination URI are different, for example, An effect is obtained.

  Further, in the embodiment described above, the conventional method is used when uploading the read image data by the MFP registered in the server to the Web storage service, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the MFP registered in the server may be configured to transmit the scan ticket to the MFP using the above-described method and upload the read image data directly from the MFP to the Web storage service.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a sequence in which the scan ticket 1001 is transmitted to the MFP 100 registered in the server PC 300 and the read image data is uploaded directly from the MFP 100 to the Web storage service PC 400. In FIG. 12, the same steps as those already described with reference to FIG. 9 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the description thereof is omitted.

  According to FIG. 12, the processing of S901 to S904 is executed, and then, in S1205, the scan ticket 1001 is transmitted together with the document reading job notification from the server PC 300 to the MFP 100 directly. Then, the process of S907-S911 is performed. In step S <b> 1211, an image data reception completion notification is transmitted from the MFP 100 to the server PC 300. By doing so, it is possible to save the trouble of transmitting the scan ticket to the MFP via the client.

  In the first embodiment, since image data is uploaded directly from the MFP to the Web storage service, it is not possible to apply image processing not supported by the MFP or upload image data to the Web storage service PC 400 in an unsupported format. For example, when the image data generated by reading an original document by the MFP can be converted only into the JPEG file format, it cannot be handled when the user wants to upload to the Web storage service PC 400 in the PDF file format.

  In this embodiment, a configuration that enables image processing and format conversion that cannot be handled by an MFP that reads a document will be described. In this embodiment, image data is uploaded from the MFP to the server, the server applies image processing not supported by the MFP to the image data, and then the image data after image processing is uploaded from the server to the Web storage service.

  FIG. 13 shows a sequence in which the server PC 300 receives a document reading request from the client PC 200, notifies the MFP 150 of a document reading job via the LAN 360, and the PC 400 uploads image data read by the MFP 150.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the server PC 300 receives a document reading request from the client PC 200 (S405), the MFP 150 generates an image data upload URI for uploading image data to the server PC 300 (S1301). Further, the server PC 300 requests the Web storage service PC 400 for an image data upload URI 2 for uploading image data after application of image processing to the Web storage service PC 400 (S1302). When receiving the request for the image data upload URI2, the Web storage service PC 400 performs user authentication (S1303). When the user authentication is correctly performed, the Web storage service PC 400 transmits an image data upload URI2 for uploading image data to the Web storage service PC 400 as a response to the server PC 300 (S1304).

  Upon receiving the image data upload URI2 request response from the Web storage service PC 400, the server PC 300 generates a scan ticket (S1305). The scan ticket is generated based on the document reading setting received from the client PC 200, the image data upload URI generated by itself, and the image data upload URI 2 received from the Web storage service PC 400.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the scan ticket generated in S1305. In FIG. 14, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same information as already described with reference to FIG. 10, and the description thereof is omitted. 14, information 1005 ″ describes the upload destination URI and authentication information when the MFP 150 uploads image data to the server PC 300. Also, the information 1006 includes image data from the server PC 300 to the Web storage service PC 400. The upload destination URI 2 and the access information when uploading are described.

  Returning to FIG. 13 and continuing the description, in S1306 to S1308, the same processing as S905 to S907 described with reference to FIG. 9 is executed. The MFP 150 that has finished reading the document in S1308 transmits an image data upload request for the read document using the image data upload destination URI and authentication information described in the information 1005 "of the scan ticket 1401 (S1309). A scan ticket 1401 is also transmitted together with the data.

  Upon receiving the image data upload request from the MFP 150, the server PC 300 confirms the received authentication information (S1310). If it is confirmed that the authentication information is correct, the server PC 300 applies the image processing described in the scan ticket 1401 to the image data, and converts the image data into the data format described in the scan ticket 1401 (S1311). After completing the image processing to the image data and the data format conversion processing, the server PC 300 uploads the image processed image data to the Web storage service PC 400 using the image data upload URI 2 described in the scan ticket 1401 and the authentication information. Note that the processing S1312 to S1317 related to uploading is the same as S606 to S611 described with reference to FIG.

  In the process shown in FIG. 9 in the above embodiment, the server PC 300 transmits the specific information for specifying the transmission destination of the image data to the client PC 200. On the other hand, in FIG. 12, the server PC 300 transmits the specific information to the MFP 100.

  For this process, for example, when the user designates an unregistered image processing apparatus in the reading apparatus selection list 502A, the client PC 200 requests to transmit specific information to the information processing apparatus 200 in S405. On the other hand, when the user designates a registered image processing apparatus in the reading apparatus selection list 502A, the client PC 200 requests to transmit specific information to the registered image processing apparatus in S405.

  Alternatively, the server PC 300 acquires information indicating the image processing apparatus designated by the user from the client PC in S405, and the image processing apparatus indicated by the acquired information is registered or unregistered. Thus, the transmission destination of the specific information may be switched.

  According to the embodiment described above, the server generates a URI and authentication information for permitting uploading of image data from an unregistered MFP to its own server, and transmits it to the MFP together with the scan setting. As a result, it is possible to upload image data subjected to image processing and format conversion not supported by the MFP to the Web storage service. At this time, the server may acquire the image data upload URI to the Web storage service in advance and include it in the scan ticket. By doing so, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to perform user authentication for the Web storage service when the server uploads image processed image data to the Web storage service.

  In the embodiment described above, the image processing and the data format conversion processing described in the scan ticket are all executed by the server. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, among the image processing and data format conversion processing described in the scan ticket, those that can be executed by the MFP are executed by the MFP, and only image processing and data format conversion processing that cannot be executed by the MFP are executed by the server. Also good. Further, if all image processing and data format conversion processing can be executed by the MFP, the MFP may execute these processing. Then, the processed image data may be uploaded to the Web storage service using the image data upload URI 2 described in the scan ticket and the authentication information.

  In the embodiment described above, in order to execute image processing not supported by the MFP, image data is transmitted from the MFP to the server, and after the image processing is applied by the server, the image data is transmitted to the Web storage service. The present invention is not limited thereby. For example, the image data of the read original may be transmitted to another relay server different from the server, and after applying the image processing necessary for the relay server, the image data may be transmitted to the Web storage service. Further, if the necessary image processing is possible on the client PC, the image data is transmitted from the MFP to the client PC, and the client PC performs the necessary image processing and the transmission of the image processed image data to the Web storage service. Anyway.

  In the embodiment described above, an example in which an image of a document is read by the MFP has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a single-function flatbed scanner device (image reading device) that can be connected to a network may be used.

  Further, the present invention supplies software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and the system or apparatus computer reads out and executes the program. But it is realized. In this case, the program and the storage medium storing the program constitute the present invention.

100, 150 MFP (multifunction printer), 101 printer unit,
102 scanner unit, 103 memory card mounting unit, 104 memory card,
105 CPU, 110 Network communication unit, 111 Network connection unit 200 Client PC, 201 CPU, 207 Network communication unit 208 Network connection unit, 300, 400, Server PC,
350 Internet (network), 360 LAN

Claims (12)

An information processing apparatus that causes an image reading apparatus to read an image of a document,
Receiving means for receiving identification information for identifying the transmission destination of the image data from the server system;
Transmission means for transmitting the specific information received by the reception means to the image processing apparatus without going through the server system;
The image processing apparatus transmits image data obtained by reading an image of a document to a transmission destination specified by the specific information via a network.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information includes a URI of the transmission destination and authentication information for accessing the URI.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the authentication information is described in a part of the URI of the transmission destination.   4. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the server system includes a server that transmits the first specific information and a server that is a transmission destination of the image data and is different from the server. The information processing apparatus described in 1. Request means for requesting the server system to transmit the specific information;
The request means requests the server system to transmit the specific information to the information processing apparatus when an image processing apparatus that is not registered in the server system is instructed by a user. 5. When the registered image processing apparatus is instructed by a user, the server system makes a request for transmitting the specific information to the registered image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims.   A program for causing a computer to execute each unit of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An information processing method for causing an image reading apparatus to read an image of a document,
A receiving step of receiving specific information for specifying a destination of image data from the server system;
A transmission step of transmitting the specific information received in the reception step to the image processing device without going through the server system;
The image processing apparatus transmits image data obtained by reading an image of a document to a transmission destination specified by the specific information via a network. An information processing system including an information processing device and a server system, and causing an image reading device to read an image of a document,
The server system is
When the image reading device designated by the user in the information processing device is unregistered in the server system, specific information for specifying the transmission destination of the image data is transmitted to the information processing device and designated by the user. A first transmission unit configured to transmit the specific information to the registered image reading device when the image reading device is registered in the server system;
The information processing apparatus includes:
When the specific information transmitted by the first transmission unit is received, the second transmission unit transmits the received specific information to the unregistered image processing apparatus without going through the server system. ,
The image processing apparatus transmits image data obtained by reading an image of a document to a transmission destination specified by the specific information transmitted by the first transmission unit or the second transmission unit via a network. An information processing system characterized by transmitting. The server system is
Obtaining information about the image processing device designated by the user from the information processing device, and determining means for determining whether the image processing device has been registered in the server system;
The first transmission unit transmits the specific information to the information processing apparatus when the determination unit determines that the image processing apparatus designated by the user is unregistered in the server system. 9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein when the determination unit determines that the designated image processing apparatus is registered in the server system, the specific information is transmitted to the registered image reading apparatus. The server system further includes a server having the first transmission unit, and a server different from the server that receives the image data transmitted from the image reading device,
The first transmission unit requests information regarding a transmission destination of image data from the other server, and transmits specific information based on information obtained from the other server in response to the request. The information processing system according to claim 9. The server system further includes:
The information processing system according to claim 10, further comprising an image processing unit that performs image processing that cannot be performed by the image reading apparatus on image data obtained by reading by the reading unit.   The information processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a personal computer, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal.

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