JP2019092114A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image reader which can efficiently execute scan jobs when the scan jobs are stored in a storage unit.SOLUTION: On receipt of a new scan job from an external terminal during executing at least a scan job, a CPU 24 of an ASIC 21 stores specification information of the received scan job and user information of a user having transmitted the scan job, in association with each other, in a job management table on a RAM 23, for management. When the CPU 24 is ready for executing the new scan job, the CPU notifies the user that scan jobs of the same user as a user of the earliest scan job which is specified by the specification information stored earliest in the job management table, are to be executed in a lump, as collected scan jobs. The CPU 24 executes the collected scan jobs in the order of storage in the job management table.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus for reading an image.

  In recent years, network-compatible image reading apparatuses have become widespread. An image reading apparatus compatible with a network can, of course, be instructed to execute a scan job by operating the operation panel provided in the apparatus itself, or an external terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) if connected to a LAN (Local Area Network). Can receive a scan job execution instruction via the LAN.

  When the scan job execution instruction is received by the image reading apparatus when the scan job is not executed, the scan job is executed and reading of the document set in the image reading apparatus is started. On the other hand, when a new scan job execution instruction is transmitted from the external terminal during execution of the scan job, the new scan job is stored in the memory, and execution of the new scan job is reserved. Then, after the previous scan job ends, a new scan job reserved is executed.

JP, 2014-11619, A JP 2001-265171 A

  When a plurality of scan jobs are stored in the memory during execution of the scan job, the plurality of scan jobs stored in the memory are executed in the storage order (reserved order) after the end of the previous scan jab. However, it may be more efficient to execute a plurality of scan jobs in an order other than the storage order.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of efficiently executing a plurality of scan jobs when the plurality of scan jobs are stored in the storage unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a network connection unit connected to a network capable of communicating with an external terminal, a reading unit for reading an original, a storage unit, and a control unit. The control unit receives the scan job request from the external terminal via the network connection unit, and the notification for starting execution of the scan job that has received the request after receiving the request, the external terminal Job execution processing for executing a scan job for reading a document by the reading unit by controlling the reading unit and execution notification processing for transmitting via a network connection unit, and specific information for specifying a scan job that has received a request Storage processing for storing the storage job in association with the classification information for classifying the scan job; When a new scan job is received from an external terminal while a job is being executed, specific information and classification information are associated and stored in the storage unit, and the execution notification process is ready to newly start the job execution process. In accordance with that, the plurality of scan jobs including the first scan job specified by the specific information stored first in the storage unit, the same first classification information as the first scan job associated with the first scan job (1) The external terminal specified from the first classification information is notified via the network connection unit that the scan job corresponding to the classification information is grouped and executed as the scanning job to be grouped. In the job execution process that is newly started after the execution notification process, the scan job to be summarized is stored in the storage unit, and classification information other than the first classification information is registered in the storage unit. Scan job that is associated to run earlier than.

  According to this configuration, when a new scan job is received from an external terminal at least while the scan job is being executed, the control unit is configured to classify the scan job and the specific information identifying the received scan job. It stores it in the storage unit and manages it in association with classification information. When the scan job can be newly executed, the control unit causes the first classification information identical to the classification information associated with the first scan job specified by the specific information stored first in the storage unit. The scan jobs associated with each other (including the scan job at the earliest position) are summarized as scan jobs to be notified to an external terminal specified from the first classification information that the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed. Thereafter, the control unit executes the scan jobs to be summarized in the order stored in the storage unit.

  Since the external terminal is notified that the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed, the user who has confirmed the notification can bring together the documents read by the scan jobs to be summarized to the image reading apparatus. Then, the user can stand by in front of the image reading apparatus, and can set the document to be read by the next scan job in the image reading apparatus each time the scan job ends. In addition, scan jobs can be executed collectively before scan jobs requested by other users. Therefore, the scan job to be summarized can be efficiently executed. As a result, it is possible to efficiently execute a plurality of scan jobs stored in the storage unit, and to reduce the time required to digest the plurality of scan jobs.

  According to the present invention, when a plurality of scan jobs are stored in the storage unit, the plurality of scan jobs can be efficiently executed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the MFP. It is a figure which shows an example of a job management table. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of main processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of inquiry processing. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of reply processing. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of job execution processing. FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a screen prompting the user to set a document of the next scan job. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flow chart which shows a flow of job execution processing of a 2nd embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

1. First embodiment <system configuration>
An MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a scan function and a print function. The scan function is a function of generating image data by reading (scanning) an image. The print function is a function of printing image data on a sheet.

  The MFP 1 (an example of an image reading apparatus) is a network compatible device. The MFP 1 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 2 to issue an instruction to execute various jobs such as a scan job, a print job and a copy job from an external terminal 3 such as a PC (Personal Computer) via the LAN 2. Can receive. The scan job is a job for reading an image by a scan function and transmitting a data file storing the read image data (hereinafter, this image data is referred to as “scan data”) to a transmission destination designated by the user. The print job is a job for transmitting image data to the MFP 1 and printing the image data on a sheet by the print function. The copy job is a job that reads an image and prints the read image data on a sheet by a combination of a scan function and a print function.

  The LAN 2 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, or may be configured by combining a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. A plurality of (two in this embodiment) external terminals 3 are connected to the LAN 2.

<Electric Configuration of MFP>
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1 includes an image reading unit 11 (an example of a reading unit) for the scan function, and an image forming unit 12 for the print function.

  The image reading method by the image reading unit 11 may be an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) method of reading an image of a sheet while conveying the sheet, or an FB of reading an image of the sheet placed on a contact glass. (Flat Bed) may be used.

  The system of image formation by the image forming unit 12 may be an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system. Further, the image formed on the sheet may be a color image or a monochrome image.

  The MFP 1 also includes an operation panel 13. The operation panel 14 is provided with an operation unit 14 and a display unit 15.

  The operation unit 14 includes operation keys (for example, a start key, a back key). When the operation key is operated, the operation is accepted by the operation unit 14, and a signal (data) corresponding to the content of the operation is output from the operation panel 13.

  The display unit 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display.

  The operation unit 14 and the display unit 15 may constitute a touch panel. Various information and images such as operation buttons are displayed on the display unit 15 that constitutes the touch panel. When the user presses an operation button displayed on the display unit 15 (touch operation), the operation is accepted by the operation unit 14 and a signal (data) corresponding to the content of the operation is output from the operation panel 13 Be done. Below, the case where the operation part 14 and the display part 15 comprise a touch panel is taken up.

  The MFP 1 further includes a LAN interface (I / F) 16, a FAX interface (I / F) 17, and a control unit 18.

  The LAN interface 16 (an example of a communication unit and a network communication unit) is an interface for connection to the LAN 2.

  The FAX interface 17 is an interface for connection to a public telephone line used for facsimile communication, and includes a modem or the like incorporating an NCU (Network Control Unit).

  The control unit 18 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 21, a read only memory (ROM) 22, and a random access memory (RAM) 23.

  In addition to the ROM 22 and the RAM 23, an image reading unit 11, an image forming unit 12, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, a LAN interface 16 and a FAX interface 17 are connected to the ASIC 21.

  The ASIC 21 incorporates a CPU 24 (an example of a control unit). Signals and the like output from the operation panel 13 are input to the ASIC 21. The CPU 24 executes a program stored in the ROM 22 based on a signal input to the ASIC 21 and the like, thereby the image reading unit 11, the image forming unit 12, the operation unit 14, the display unit 15, the LAN interface 16 and the FAX. The respective units including the interface 17 are controlled.

  The ROM 22 is composed of a rewritable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. The ROM 22 stores programs executed by the CPU 24 and various data.

  The RAM 23 (an example of a storage unit) is a volatile memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and is used as a work area when the CPU 24 executes a program.

<Job management table>
The RAM 23 is provided with a job management table, an example of which is shown in FIG. When a scan request is transmitted from the external terminal 3 and a scan request is received by the LAN interface 16, the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 registers the scan request as a scan job in the job management table. Among the scan jobs registered in the job management table, the MFP 1 executes an execution process of the scan job registered first (the scan job registered at the top of FIG. 3). When a new scan job is received by the LAN interface 16 during execution of the scan job, etc., the CPU 24 can sequentially execute the specific information of the new scan job in the job management table when the scan job can not be executed immediately. sign up.

  In the job management table, the user who uses the external terminal 3 of the scan job transmission source (logged in to the external terminal 3 as classification information for classifying the scan job in association with specific information of each scan job User information such as the user name or user ID of the user is registered.

  Further, in the job management table, setting information associated with the scan job, for example, summary setting information, continuous scan setting information, and other job priority setting information are registered in association with specific information of each scan job.

  That is, when transmitting a scan job from the external terminal 3 to the MFP 1, the user performs setting of the following setting items 1 to 3 on the external terminal 3.

1. Summary setting: When multiple scan jobs are registered, scan jobs of the same user are collectively executed and set as the target (collective target) of “execute collectively” or the order registered in the job management table Set the target of “order execution” to be executed in 2. Continuous scan setting: Setting of “continuous scan” when reading a plurality of originals as one job continuously. Other job priority setting: Set whether to "permit" priority execution of other scan jobs or "deny" priority execution of other scan jobs

  The respective information of the summary setting, continuous scan setting and other job priority setting set in the external terminal 3 is included in the scan job and transmitted, and is registered in the job management table in association with the specific information of the scan job.

  When execution of the scan job specified by the specific information registered in the job management table is completed, the CPU 24 deletes a set of information on the scan job.

  The contents of the job management table shown in FIG. 3 are specified by the scan job specified by the specific information “A” transmitted from the external terminal 3 and the specific information “B” during execution of the scan job by the MFP 1 Example when the scan job, the scan job specified by the specific information "C", and the scan job specified by the specific information "D" are received by the LAN interface 16 in this order, and the scan job in progress is completed It is. In the job management table shown in FIG. 3, each information of user information “1”, summary setting “execute collectively” and other job priority setting “permit” is registered in association with specific information “A”, “continuous” The setting information of "Scan" is not registered. User information “2”, summary setting “execute collectively” and other job priority setting “permit” are registered in association with specific information “B”, and setting information of “continuous scan” is registered. ing. Each information of user information “1”, summary setting “execute collectively” and other job priority setting “reject” is registered in association with specific information “C”, and setting information of “continuous scan” is not registered . User information “2”, summary setting “order execution” and other job priority setting “permit” are registered in association with specific information “D”, and setting information for “continuous scan” is not registered.

<Main processing>
When the information regarding the scan job is registered in the job management table, the scan process is executed by the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21. If there is one scan job registered in the job management table, scan processing is executed according to the information on the registered scan job. When there are a plurality of scan jobs registered in the job management table, the main processing shown in FIG. 4 is executed.

  In the main process, the CPU 24 executes an inquiry process to inquire whether to permit the external terminal 3 used by the user to collectively execute the scan job (S1). Details of the inquiry processing will be described later.

  When the CPU 24 inquires of the external terminal 3 for permission of execution collectively by the inquiry process (S2: YES), the CPU 24 executes an answer process for giving a notification according to the answer to the inquiry (S3). Details of the answering process will be described later.

  After executing the answer process, the CPU 24 executes a job execution process of the scan job (S4), and ends the main process. Details of the job execution process will be described later.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 24 has not inquired the external terminal 3 of permission for execution collectively in the inquiry process (S2: NO), the CPU 24 executes the job execution process without executing the answer process (S4), and performs the main process. finish.

<Inquiry processing>
The flow of the inquiry process executed in step S1 of the main process is shown in FIG.

  In the inquiry process, the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 selects a user of a scan job (hereinafter referred to as “first scan job”) specified by the first registered specific information among the specific information registered in the job management table. In other words, the user specified by the user information associated with the identification information registered first is set as the target user (S101). When the content of the job management table is the content shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 24 allows the user specified by the user information “1” associated with the specific information “A” registered first in the job management table. Set as the target user.

  Thereafter, the CPU 24 selects the specific information associated with the user information of the target user from among the specific information registered in the job management table. Then, the CPU 24 confirms whether or not the setting “collectively execute” is associated with all of the selected specific information (S102). That is, from the contents of the job management table, the CPU 24 confirms whether all the scan jobs of the target user are summarized and set as “collectively execute” as all of the scan jobs to be summarized. If the contents of the job management table are the contents shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 24 combines the scan job of the specific information “A” and the scan job of the specific information “C” into a target scan job, and those scan jobs It is checked whether "Execute collectively" is set for all of.

  When "execute collectively" is set to the scan job to be summarized (S102: YES), the CPU 24 sets the "continuous scan" setting information in the specific information associated with the user information of the target user. Whether or not the specific information associated is included is confirmed (S103). That is, the CPU 24 confirms from the contents of the job management table whether or not the “continuous scan” setting is made for the scan job to be summarized. When the content of the job management table is the content shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 24 confirms whether the setting of “continuous scan” is made in the scan job of the specific information “A” and the scan job of the specific information “C”. Ru.

  If the scan job to be summarized does not include a scan job for which “continuous scan” is set (S103: NO), the CPU 24 identifies the specific information associated with the user information of other users other than the target user. It is selected and it is confirmed whether or not the other job priority setting "permit" is associated with all of the selected specific information (S104). That is, the CPU 24 confirms from the contents of the job management table whether or not all scan jobs of users other than the target user are set to “permit other job priority execution”. If the content of the job management table is the content shown in FIG. 3, whether the scan job of the specific information “B” and the scan job of the specific information “D” are set to “permit” priority execution of other jobs by the CPU 24 Is confirmed.

  If all the scan jobs of other users are set to “permit” priority execution of other jobs (S104: YES), the CPU 24 collectively sets all scan jobs of the target user as an execution schedule (S105).

  Then, the CPU 24 transmits, from the LAN interface 16 to the external terminal 3 used by another user, an inquiry as to whether to permit execution of the scan job to be summarized, that is, the scan job of the target user collectively. S106), end the inquiry processing.

  On the other hand, when at least one scan job of the other user is not set to “permit other job preferential execution” (S104: NO), the CPU 24 is the most out of the user information of the other users registered in the job management table. A large amount of user information is selected, and the number obtained by multiplying the number of the selected user information by 5 is compared with the number of user information of the target user (S107). That is, the CPU 24 compares the number of scan jobs of other users multiplied by 5 with the number of scan jobs of the target user from the contents of the job management table.

  Then, when the number of scan jobs of the target user is not more than the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by 5 (S107: NO), the CPU 24 summarizes the scan jobs of the target of the target It is scheduled to be executed (S105).

  Then, the CPU 24 transmits, from the LAN interface 16 to the external terminal 3 used by another user, an inquiry as to whether or not to execute the target user's scan job collectively (S106), and ends the inquiry processing. Do.

  If the number of scan jobs of the target user is equal to or less than the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by five (S107: YES), the CPU 24 newly summarizes all the scan jobs of other users having the largest number of scan jobs. As the target scan jobs, the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively scheduled to be executed (S108).

  Then, the CPU 24 permits the external terminal 3 used by the target user from the LAN interface 16 to collectively execute a new summary target scan job, that is, all the scan jobs of other users having the largest number of scan jobs. An inquiry as to whether or not it is sent (S109), and the inquiry processing is ended.

  In addition, if "execute in a batch" is not set for all scan jobs of the target user (S102: NO), or a scan job for which "continuous scan" is set for all scan jobs of the target user Is included (S103: YES), the CPU 24 determines to execute the scan job in the order registered in the job management table (S110), and ends the inquiry processing.

<Answer process>
The flow of the answering process performed in step S3 of the main process is shown in FIG.

  In the answer process, the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 refuses to collectively execute all scan jobs of target user or other users (summarization target scan jobs) as a reply to the transmission of the inquiry to the external terminal 3 in the inquiry process. It is determined whether an answer to be received has been received (S31).

  If the CPU 24 does not receive a rejection response (S31: NO), that is, if it receives a response allowing execution of all scan jobs of the target user or other users collectively, or a response from the terminal device 3 for a predetermined time Is not received, it is decided to execute all scan jobs of the target user or other users collectively (S32).

  Then, the CPU 24 notifies the external terminal 3 used by the user (target user or another user) who has registered the scan job to be summarized from the LAN interface 16 to execute the scan job collectively (S33), End the process. On the display of the external terminal 3 that has received this notification, for example, a message prompting the user to bring the original of the scan job to be summarized to the MFP 1 is displayed.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 24 receives an answer from the external terminal 3 that refuses to execute all scan jobs of the target user or other users collectively (S31: YES), the scan job is registered in the job management table in the order It decides to execute in (S34).

  Then, the CPU 24 notifies the user who has registered the first scan job from the LAN interface 16, that is, the external terminal 3 used by the target user, that the first scan job is to be executed (S35), and ends the answer processing. . On the display of the external terminal 3 that has received this notification, for example, a message for prompting the user to set the target document of the first scan job in the MFP 1 is displayed.

<Job execution process>
The flow of the job execution process executed in step S4 of the main process is shown in FIG.

  In the job execution process, the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 prohibits acceptance of operations other than the execution of the scan job to be executed by the operation unit 14 when the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed (S41: YES) (S42).

  After that, the CPU 24 controls the image reading unit 11 to sequentially execute the scan jobs to be summarized from the scan jobs whose identification information is registered first in the job management table (S43).

  Every time one scan job is completed (S44: YES), the CPU 24 checks whether all scan jobs to be summarized have been completed (S45).

  If all scan jobs to be summarized have not been completed (S45: NO), the CPU 24 proceeds to the next scan job (the job management table following the specific information of the scan job completed immediately before the scan jobs to be summarized). The display unit 15 of the operation panel 13 displays a message for starting a scan job specified by the specific information registered in (S46). This message is, for example, a message "Please set original for next scan job", as shown in FIG. Also, along with the message, information that allows the user to specify the next scan job may be displayed, for example, specific information on the scan job.

  An OK button 31 is displayed on the display screen of the message for starting the next scan job. The OK button 31 is a button to be pressed after the user sets the document of the next scan job in the MFP 1. When the OK button 31 is pressed, the CPU 24 determines that the start of the next scan job is instructed (S47), and executes the next scan job (S43).

  Thus, when the scan jobs to be summarized are sequentially executed and the execution of all the scan jobs to be summarized is completed (S45: YES), the CPU 24 cancels the acceptance inhibition of the other operation, and the CPU 24 executes the job execution process. finish.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 24 executes scan jobs in the order registered in the job management table (S41: NO), the CPU 24 executes the earliest scan job (S48). Then, when the execution of the first scan job is completed, the CPU 24 ends the job execution process.

<Function effect>
As described above, when the CPU 24 of the ASIC 21 receives a new scan job from the external terminal 3 at least during execution of the scan job, the user of the user who transmitted the scan job and the specific information for identifying the received scan job It stores it in the job management table and manages it in association with the information. When the scan job can be newly executed, the CPU 24 associates the same user information as the user information associated with the first scan job specified by the specific information stored first in the job management table. The specified scan job (including the first scan job) is summarized and notified to the external terminal 3 used by the user specified from the user information as a target scan job to collectively execute the target scan job. . Thereafter, the CPU 24 executes the scan jobs to be summarized in the order stored in the job management table.

  Since the external terminal 3 is notified that the scan jobs to be summarized are to be executed collectively, the user who has confirmed the notification can bring together the documents to be read by the scan job to be summarized to the MFP 1. Then, the user can stand by in front of the MFP 1 and set in the MFP 1 a document to be read by the next scan job each time the scan job is completed. Also, scan jobs can be executed collectively before scan jobs requested by other users. Therefore, the scan job to be summarized can be efficiently executed. As a result, a plurality of scan jobs managed by the job management table can be efficiently executed, and the time required for digesting the plurality of scan jobs can be shortened.

  The setting information attached to the scan job includes summary setting information for setting whether or not the scan job is to be summarized. When all the scan jobs to be summarized are accompanied by the information of the setting “collectively execute”, the CPU 24 collectively executes all the scan jobs to be summarized. In other words, when at least one of the grouping target scan jobs is accompanied by information on the grouping setting “order execution”, the grouping target scan jobs are not collectively executed, but the first scan job is executed. . As a result, it is possible to suppress that a scan job that the user wants to independently execute is executed together with another scan job.

  When the scan job to be summarized includes a scan job accompanied by setting information of “continuous scan”, the scan job to be summarized is not collectively executed, but the scan job of the earliest is executed. In a scan job accompanied by setting information of “continuous scan”, a plurality of originals are continuously read, so it takes longer time to execute than a scan job for reading one original. Therefore, when scan jobs to be summarized including scan jobs accompanied by setting information of “continuous scan” are collectively executed, it takes a long time to complete execution of all scan jobs to be summarized, The user other than the user of the target scan job will be kept waiting. When the scan job to be summarized includes scan jobs accompanied by setting information of “continuous scan”, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of such a disadvantage because the scan jobs to be summarized are not collectively executed.

  In addition, when information on another job priority setting “permitted” is attached to all scan jobs of users other than the user of the scan job as the summary target, the scan jobs as the summary target are collectively executed. Conversely, when information on another job priority setting "reject" is attached to at least one scan job of users other than users of scan jobs to be summarized, the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed. The first scan job is executed. Thus, when a user other than the user of the scan job to be summarized is in a hurry to execute the scan job, it can be suppressed that the user other than the user of the scan job to be summarized is kept waiting for a long time.

  Furthermore, if the CPU 24 is scheduled to collectively execute the scan jobs to be summarized, may the external terminals 3 used by users other than the user of the scan job to be summarized be permitted to collectively execute the scan jobs? Send an inquiry as to whether it is not. Then, if the response to the inquiry is “reject”, the scan jobs to be summarized are not executed collectively, but the scan job of the earliest position is executed. Also in this case, when a user other than the user of the scan job as the summary target hurries to execute the scan job, it can be suppressed that the user other than the user of the scan job as the summary target is kept waiting for a long time. If there is no response for a predetermined time, the scan job is collectively executed. When there is no reply for a predetermined time, it is assumed that there is no user near the external terminal 3. In such a case, there is a possibility that the user can not immediately set the document to be scanned in the MFP 1 as a target of the scan job, and by executing the scan job collectively in advance, a plurality of jobs are efficiently executed.

  In addition, when at least one scan job of another user other than the user of the scan job to be summarized is not set to “permit other job preferential execution”, the CPU 24 uses the contents of the job management table to The number is multiplied by 5 and the number of scan jobs of the target user who is the user of the target scan job is compared. Then, if the number of scan jobs of the target user is not more than the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by five, the scan jobs of the summary target, that is, the scan jobs of the target user are collectively executed. On the other hand, when the number of scan jobs of the target user is equal to or less than the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by five, all scan jobs of other users are newly classified as scan jobs to be targets. Target scan jobs are executed collectively. As a result, it is possible to suppress waiting for execution of a scan job of another user for a long time, and it is possible to more efficiently execute a plurality of scan jobs managed by the job management table.

  While the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed, acceptance of the operation by the operation unit 14 is prohibited. This makes it possible to prevent other jobs from being interrupted and executed while the scan job to be summarized is being executed.

  Moreover, when the scan jobs to be summarized are collectively executed, when execution of one scan job is completed, the next scan job is not notified to the external terminal 3 that the start of execution of the next scan job is notified. A message for execution is displayed on the display unit 15 of the operation panel 13. Therefore, the user of the scan job to be summarized sets the document of the next scan job in the MFP 1 each time the execution of one scan job is completed without leaving the MFP 1. As a result, the scan job to be summarized can be executed efficiently, and the time required for digesting the scan job to be summarized can be shortened.

2. Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not to execute the scan request collectively at the timing when the scan request is received. The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, when receiving a scan job request from the external terminal 3, the CPU 24 registers the summary setting and continuous scan setting set in the external terminal 3 in the job management table in association with the scan job specific information. Do.

  When the CPU 24 receives a scan request from the external terminal 3 via the LAN I / F 16, the CPU 24 confirms whether "collectively execute" is set as the summary setting included in the scan request. If “execute in a group” is set, the process shown in FIG. 9 is performed.

  In the process shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 24 specifies a scan job to be determined (S210). Specifically, among scan jobs already registered in the job management table, a scan job of the same user as the user who is the sender of the received scan request is specified. When the summary setting of the scan job registered most recently among the specified scan jobs is "execute collectively", the summary settings of the scan job of the same user registered at a time near the present next is "collectively Check if it is "execute". The confirmation process is repeatedly performed until the scan jobs of all the same users registered in the job management table are confirmed or the scan jobs of the same user for which “order execution” is set are confirmed. As a result of the check, scan jobs registered in the job management table after the scan jobs of the same user for which "order execution" is set (if there is no scan job for the same user for which "order execution" is set, job management Identify all scan jobs registered in the table as scan jobs to be judged.

  After specifying the scan job to be determined, the CPU 24 determines whether there is a scan job including the “continuous scan” setting in the scan job of the same user among the scan jobs to be determined (S220).

  When there is a scan job including the “continuous scan” setting (S220: YES), the CPU 24 registers the scan job of the received scan request in the job management table, and ends this processing.

  When there is no scan job including the “continuous scan” setting (S220: NO), the CPU 24 registers a scan job associated with another user different from the user of the scan request received among the scan jobs to be determined If yes, the other users are collectively asked for permission to execute (S230). The process of step S230 is the same as the process of step S106 shown in FIG. In addition, when the scan job associated with the user different from the user of the received scan request among the scan jobs to be determined is not registered, the process of steps S230 and S240 is not performed, and the process of S250 is performed. Transfer to processing.

  Step S240 is processing similar to step S31 shown in FIG. When the CPU 24 does not receive an answer refusing to execute the scan job collectively as a response from the external terminal 3 operated by another user (S240: NO), the scan job of the received scan request is stored in the job management table. After registration, the process shown in FIG. 9 is ended.

  On the other hand, when an answer refusing to execute the scan job collectively is received (S240: YES), the CPU 24 sets the same user as the user of the received scan request as the target user among the scan jobs to be determined. The scan job to be the determination target associated with the target user is registered in the RAM 23 as the scan job to be summarized (S250), and the processing illustrated in FIG. 9 is ended.

  When information including the same scan job of the same user is already registered in the RAM 23 as a scan job to be summarized, the information is overwritten and registered. Also, the scan job of the received scan request is registered in the job management table, and the process shown in FIG. 9 is ended.

  Next, job execution processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The job execution process shown in FIG. 10 is started upon execution of the scan process of the earliest scan job registered in the job management table. First, the CPU 24 checks whether the scan job to be scanned first is registered in the RAM 23 as a scan job to be summarized (S410).

  If it is registered as a scan job to be summarized (S410: YES), the process proceeds to step S412 where the same process as the process of step S33 shown in FIG. 6 is performed. That is, in step S412, the CPU 24 notifies the external terminal 3 used by the user who has registered the scan job to be summarized from the LAN interface 16 to execute the scan job collectively.

  If it is not registered as a scan job to be summarized (S410: NO), the process proceeds to step S415 where processing similar to the processing of step S35 shown in FIG. 6 is executed. That is, in step S415, the CPU 24 notifies the user who has registered the earliest scan job from the LAN interface 16, that is, the external terminal 3 used by the target user, that the first scan job is to be executed.

  When the process of step S412 ends, the process proceeds to step S430. When the process of step S415 ends, the process proceeds to step S480. The processes of steps S430 to S480 are the same as the processes of steps S43 to S48 shown in FIG. 7, respectively.

  With such a configuration as well, when a plurality of scan jobs are stored in the storage unit, the effect of efficiently executing the plurality of scan jobs can be obtained.

<Modification>
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can also be implemented with another form.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example of classification information for classifying a scan job, user information of a user (a user who has logged in to the external terminal 3) using the external terminal 3 of the scan job transmission source is taken up. The classification information may be information that can identify the external terminal 3, for example, the IP address or terminal number of the external terminal 3.

  In step S107 of the above-mentioned inquiry processing, it is determined whether the number of scan jobs of the target user is more than the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by five, and the processing content is determined according to the determination result. Although it is divided, the comparison target of the number of scan jobs of the target user is not limited to the number obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by five, but is a value obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by the number less than 5. It may be a value obtained by multiplying the number of scan jobs of other users by a number greater than 5 or may be a threshold value unrelated to the number of scan jobs of other users.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where CPU24 performs each process was demonstrated. However, the ASIC 21 may include a plurality of CPUs, and the plurality of CPUs may cooperate to execute each process.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 having the image forming function and the image reading function is taken as an example of the image reading apparatus, but the image reading apparatus may be a single function scanner having the image reading function .

  In addition, various design changes can be made to the above-described configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1: MFP
3: External terminal 11: Image reading unit 14: Operation unit 15: Display unit 24: CPU

Claims (8)

A network connection unit connected to a network capable of communicating with an external terminal;
A reading unit that reads an original;
A storage unit,
And a control unit,
The control unit
Reception processing for receiving a scan job request from the external terminal via the network connection unit;
Execution notification processing for transmitting a notification for starting execution of a scan job that has received the request to the external terminal via the network connection unit after receiving the request;
Job execution processing for controlling the reading unit to execute a scan job for reading a document by the reading unit;
Executing a storage process of storing specific information for specifying a scan job that has received the request in association with classification information for classifying the scan job in the storage unit;
The storage process stores the specific information and the classification information in association with each other when a new scan job is received from the external terminal via the network connection unit during execution of a scan job by the job execution process. Store in department
The execution notification process includes a plurality of scan scan jobs specified by the specific information stored first in the storage unit in response to the preparation for newly starting the job execution process. A scan job, which is a scan job, includes a plurality of scan jobs associated with the first classification information that is the same as the classification information associated with the first scan job as a scan job to be grouped. Notifying the external terminal specified from the first classification information to execute collectively via the network connection unit;
In the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, the scan job to be summarized is preceded by a scan job in which classification information other than the first classification information is associated with the storage unit. Run,
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The setting information attached to the scan job includes summary setting information for setting whether or not the scan job is to be summarized.
In the execution notification process, the control unit
A scan job that is associated with the first classification information and includes setting information for making the grouping target as the grouping setting information attached to the scan job associated with the first classification information; Notify as a scan job to be executed together with the first scan job,
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The setting information associated with the scan job may include continuous scan setting information on a continuous scan that continuously reads a plurality of documents.
In the execution notification process, the control unit
When the continuous scan setting information is included in the setting information attached to the scan job, the scan job is not regarded as a target scan job.
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The setting information attached to the scan job includes priority permission / disapproval setting information for setting whether or not priority execution of another scan job is permitted over the scan job,
In the execution notification process, the control unit
A scan job associated with second classification information different from the first classification information is stored in the storage unit, and at least the storage unit is stored in the scan job associated with the second classification information. The scan job associated with the first classification information is subjected to the scan of the grouping target when the priority permit / denial setting information attached to the first stored scan job indicates that the priority execution of another scan job is permitted. As a job,
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
In the execution notification process, the control unit
When a scan job associated with the second classification information is stored in the storage unit, the number of scan jobs stored in the storage unit in association with the first classification information and the storage unit may be stored. Comparing the difference between the stored second classification information and the number of scan jobs associated with each other;
The number of scan jobs stored in the storage unit in association with the first classification information is larger than the number of scan jobs stored in the storage unit in association with the second classification information by a predetermined threshold. If not, let the scan job associated with the first classification information be the scan job to be summarized.
The number of scan jobs stored in the storage unit in association with the first classification information is greater than the number of scan jobs stored in the storage unit in association with the second classification information. If it is larger, the scan job associated with the second classification information is set as the scan job to be summarized.
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
The control unit
When a scan job associated with second classification information different from the first classification information is stored in the storage unit, before the start of the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, The network connection unit is connected to the external terminal specified from the second classification information as to whether or not execution of the scan job to be summarized is permitted in the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process. Sent through
In the case of not receiving an answer refusing the execution of the scan job to be summarized from the external terminal in response to the transmission of the inquiry, in the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, the scan job to be summarized Are executed in the order stored in the storage unit,
In the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, only the foremost scan job is received when the reply for refusing the execution of the scan job to be summarized is received from the external terminal in response to the transmission of the inquiry. To perform
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein
It further comprises an operation unit for receiving an operation,
The control unit
In the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, the acceptance of the operation by the operation unit is prohibited until the execution of all the scan jobs to be summarized is completed.
Image reader. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein
Further comprising a display unit,
The control unit
In the job execution process newly started after the execution notification process, when the execution of the first scan job to be summarized is completed, the external terminal is notified without being notified to execute the next scan job. Display a message on the display unit to start the execution of the next scan job,
Image reader.

Images