JP2019165381A - Image processing device, relay device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent errors due to insufficient cloud storage capacity as compared with a case of not checking the cloud storage capacity, when transferring and storing data from an image processing device such as a multifunction machine to a cloud storage via a relay device.SOLUTION: Image data from an image processing device 12 is transferred by a relay device 14 and stored in a cloud storage. The image processing device 12 inquires the relay device 14 of free capacity of multiple cloud storages A16, B18 available to a user, receives information about the free capacity from the relay device 14, determines a cloud storage with enough free capacity capable of storing image data, and transmits the image data to the relay device 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing device, a relay device, and a program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228688 can accurately grasp the memory usage status even in a situation where operations of a plurality of functions are executed simultaneously, and know whether or not a memory shortage occurs before executing a new function. A multi-function machine is described. When the free memory size, usable memory size, expected memory size used, and insufficient memory size are calculated, the available memory size is compared with the expected memory size used by the newly created data, and the newly created data brings the memory full. It is determined whether or not. If it is determined that the memory is full, the process for storing the newly generated data in the usable memory is limited. Then, a process of determining whether a part of the shared area of the RAM used by which function currently in operation can be released is performed. Thereafter, the LCD displays that each memory size stored in the RAM, each calculated memory size, and prompting the user to select whether or not to release the releasable memory are displayed.

  In Patent Document 2, when storing data read by the image processing apparatus in the cloud, if the storage of the data in the cloud fails, the correspondence content based on the information for each user is transmitted to the user. The relay device is described. The storage unit of the relay apparatus stores authentication information of a user who uses the cloud service and correspondence information when data storage to the cloud service fails for each user. The receiving unit receives user authentication information, data to be stored in the cloud service, and a storage request to the cloud service. The transmission means transmits user authentication information and data to be stored in the cloud service to the cloud service in response to a storage request in the cloud service. When storage of data in the cloud service fails, the second transmission unit refers to the correspondence information and transmits the correspondence method to the user.

JP 2007-151004 A JP 2017-45099 A

  The storage provided by the cloud service (hereinafter referred to as “cloud storage”) has a generally available capacity, and cannot store data beyond that capacity. When transferring data from an image processing device such as a multifunction peripheral to the cloud storage via a relay device and storing the data, if the capacity of the cloud storage to be stored is exceeded, the data storage fails (error). .

  The object of the present invention is due to insufficient capacity of the cloud storage when transferring data from the image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral to the cloud storage via the relay apparatus and storing the data, compared with the case where the capacity of the cloud storage is not confirmed. It is to prevent the occurrence of errors.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a receiving unit that receives image data from the image processing device, and a control unit that transfers and stores the received image data to a cloud storage, and can be used by a user of the image processing device A relay apparatus comprising: a controller that inquires a plurality of cloud storages about a free space and transfers and stores the image data to a cloud storage having a free space capable of storing the image data.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the control unit inquires about a free space in the cloud storage designated by the user, and when there is no free space that can store the image data, another cloud that can be used by the user The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage device inquires about a free capacity.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit returns information on a plurality of cloud storages available to the user to the image processing apparatus in response to an inquiry from the image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user makes an inquiry about the available capacity to the cloud storage that can be used by the user in response to an inquiry about the available capacity confirmation.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the control unit transfers and stores the image data to a cloud storage different from the cloud storage specified by the user, the control unit stores information on the cloud storage that stores the image data. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay apparatus notifies the image processing apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the case where there are a plurality of cloud storages having a free capacity that can be used by the user and in which the image data can be stored, the control unit can store the image in any cloud storage according to a rule. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred and stored.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the rule is any one of a cloud storage detected first, a cloud storage with the smallest available capacity, a cloud storage with the largest available capacity, and a cloud storage selected by the user. Item 6. The relay device according to Item 5.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the control unit is a parameter that can reduce a data amount of the image data when there is no cloud storage that is available to the user and has a free capacity capable of storing the image data. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is notified of the change, and the reprocessed image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus is transferred to and stored in a cloud storage having a free capacity. is there.

  The invention according to claim 8 is a parameter in which the control unit can reduce the data amount of the image data when there is no cloud storage having a free capacity that can be used by the user and can store the image data. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the relay device is re-processed and transferred to a cloud storage having a free capacity capable of storing the re-processed image data.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the relay apparatus according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the parameter is at least one of resolution, format, and color of the image data.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission unit that inquires about a free capacity of a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by a user with respect to a relay device that transfers image data and stores it in a cloud storage, And a control unit that receives information on the capacity, determines a cloud storage having a free capacity capable of storing the image data, and transmits the image data to the relay apparatus.

  In the invention according to claim 11, the control unit determines one of the cloud storages according to a rule when there are a plurality of cloud storages that are available to the user and have a free capacity capable of storing the image data. An image processing apparatus according to claim 10.

  The invention according to claim 12 is a parameter in which the control unit can reduce the data amount of the image data when there is no cloud storage that is available to the user and has a free capacity capable of storing the image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image data is reprocessed and the reprocessed image data is transmitted to the relay apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 13 is the control unit, when the determined cloud storage is different from the cloud storage specified by the user, transmits the determined information of the cloud storage to the user terminal. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 10 to 12.

  The invention described in claim 14 includes a step of inputting image data to a computer and a free space of a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by a user for a relay device that transfers the image data and stores it in the cloud storage. Inquiring about free space information from the relay device, determining a cloud storage having a free space capable of storing the image data, and transmitting the image data to the relay device. It is a program to be executed.

  According to the invention described in claims 1 to 14, when data is transferred from the image processing device to the cloud storage via the relay device and stored, compared with the case where the capacity of the cloud storage is not confirmed, It is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors due to insufficient capacity.

  According to the inventions of claims 4 and 13, when image data is transferred and stored in a cloud storage different from the cloud storage designated by the user, the information of the cloud storage storing the image data is notified, User can know.

  According to the fifth, sixth, and eleventh aspects of the present invention, when there are a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by the user and have a free capacity for storing image data, images are stored in any one of the cloud storages according to the rules. Data can be stored.

  According to the seventh to ninth and twelfth aspects of the present invention, the image data is stored in any one of the cloud storages even when there is no cloud storage that can be used by the user and has a free capacity for storing the image data. Can be done.

It is a system configuration figure of an embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of an image processing device and a relay device of an embodiment. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the relay device of the embodiment. It is a processing flowchart (the 1) of an embodiment. It is a processing flowchart (the 2) of an embodiment. It is a rule table explanatory drawing of an embodiment. It is a processing flowchart of other embodiments. It is parameter table explanatory drawing of other embodiment. It is a process flowchart of the modification 1. It is a processing flowchart of modification 2.

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

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram in the present embodiment. The system includes a user terminal 10, an image processing device 12, a relay device 14, a cloud storage A16, and a cloud storage B18, which are connected to a communication network (cloud) 20 so that data can be transmitted and received.

  In addition, although the cloud storage A16 and the cloud storage B18 are illustrated as a some cloud storage in the figure, the number is arbitrary and three or more may be sufficient as it.

  The user terminal 10 is a terminal operated by a user who desires to store image data in the cloud storage, and is a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a PC, or the like. The user terminal 10 can transmit image data to be imaged to the image processing apparatus 12 as a print job. Further, the user terminal 10 can directly access the cloud storage A16 and the cloud storage B18 as necessary.

  The image processing apparatus 12 is, for example, a so-called multi-function machine having a scan function, a print function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. The image processing apparatus 12 receives the image data transmitted from the user terminal 10 and executes, for example, print processing. The image processing apparatus 12 receives a storage request for reading a document or the like from an ADF (auto document feeder) or the like by a user operation and storing the image data in the cloud storage. The storage request includes information for identifying the user (user ID), cloud storage designation information, and image data. For example, the user operates the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the image processing apparatus 12 to specify the image data, input the name or address information of the cloud storage, and operate the “store” button. The image processing apparatus 12 transmits a storage request including the user ID, cloud storage designation information, and image data to the relay apparatus 14.

  When the image processing device 12 is used, a process (login process) for confirming that the user is a registered regular user is performed. For example, the keyboard may be operated by the user, the user ID and password may be received and collated with those registered in advance, or the IC card held by the user may be read using an IC card reader or the like, You may collate the information memorize | stored in the inside. In addition, biometric authentication such as a fingerprint may be used. The user ID included in the storage request may be the same as or different from the user ID at the time of login.

  The relay device 14 is configured by a server computer, receives the storage request transmitted from the image processing device 12, and stores the image data in the cloud storage designated by the user. For example, when the user designates the cloud storage A16 as the image data storage destination, the relay device 14 accesses the cloud storage A16 using the authentication information for the user's cloud storage A16 and transfers the image data to the cloud storage A16. To instruct storage of image data. The authentication information for the user's cloud storage can be stored in advance in the relay device 14 for each cloud storage.

  The cloud storage A16 or the cloud storage B18 stores the image data transferred from the relay device 14. The cloud storage A <b> 16 or the cloud storage B <b> 18 can transmit image data stored in response to access from the user terminal 10 to the user terminal 10. When the cloud storage A16 or the cloud storage B18 transmits (downloads) image data to the user terminal 10, it confirms that the user who read the image processing apparatus 12 and the user of the user terminal 10 are the same. Then send.

  The communication network 20 is a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like, and may be a wired network or a wireless network. The communication network 20 may be a dedicated line or a public line such as the Internet. The communication network 20 may be composed of a plurality of networks.

  As described above, the relay device 14 transfers the image data from the image processing device 12 to the cloud storage designated by the user and stores it, but the capacity of the destination cloud storage, that is, the capacity allocated to the user is sufficient. In addition, there may be a case where image data cannot be stored, resulting in an error (cannot be stored).

  In such a case, the user needs to repeat the operation of operating the image processing device 12 to read the image again, respecifying the storage destination cloud storage, and instructing the storage. When an error occurs, the relay device 14 notifies the user terminal 10 of the error, and the user operates the user terminal 10 to download the image data from the relay device 14 to the user terminal 10 and then manually separate it. Although it is conceivable to store it in other cloud storages, the user's operation burden increases as well.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image processing device 12 has a plurality of cloud storages via the relay device 14, specifically, the free capacity allocated to the user for the cloud storage A16 and the cloud storage B18 in FIG. Make an inquiry. Then, the information on the free space from the relay device 14 is received, the cloud storage having the free space necessary for storing the image data is determined, and the image data is transmitted and stored via the relay device 14.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image processing device 12 and the relay device 14.

  The image processing apparatus 12 includes a communication unit 120, an input / output unit 121, a job control unit 122, an image processing unit 123, a cloud selection control unit 124, and a rule storage unit 125 as functional blocks.

  The communication unit 120 is connected to the input / output unit 121 and is communicably connected to the user terminal 10, the relay device 14, the cloud storage A 16, and the cloud storage B 18 via the communication network 20. The communication unit 120 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the user terminal 10 via the communication network 20, and for example, Ethernet (Ethernet (registered trademark)), USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like can be used. .

  The input / output unit 121 is connected to the communication unit 120, the job control unit 122, and the cloud selection control unit 124. The user ID and the cloud storage of the cloud storage are connected to the relay device 14 via the communication unit 120 according to an operation from the user. A storage request including designation information and image data is transmitted.

  The job control unit 122 controls the processing order of jobs processed by the image processing apparatus 12. For example, when desired image processing is performed on image data and the image data is transmitted to the cloud storage, the image processing unit 123 is requested to perform processing, and then the cloud selection control unit 124 is requested to perform processing.

  The image processing unit 123 is connected to the job control unit 122 and executes various types of image processing using a program that performs image processing. Examples of image processing include noise removal, compression processing, format conversion, color conversion, and character recognition processing.

  When the input / output unit 121 transmits a storage request, the cloud selection control unit 124 inquires of the free space of the cloud storage to the relay device 14 prior to this. When the cloud storage free capacity information is received from the relay device 14, the cloud storage in which the image data is to be stored is determined using the information, and the image data is transmitted via the relay device 14. Specifically, the cloud selection control unit 124 compares the data amount of the image data with the free space, and determines a cloud storage that satisfies (data amount) <(free space).

  When the cloud storage A16 is designated by the user, the cloud selection control unit 124 can make a capacity inquiry to the other cloud storage B18 in addition to the cloud storage A16. If the capacity of the cloud storage A16 is insufficient but the free capacity of the cloud storage B18 can store the image data, the cloud storage B18 different from the cloud storage A16 designated by the user is determined as the storage destination. Send image data. The cloud selection control unit 124 selects and determines one of the cloud storages according to the rules stored in the rule storage unit 125 when there are a plurality of cloud storages that can store image data.

  When the cloud selection control unit 124 selects a cloud storage other than the cloud storage designated by the user and stores the image data, the cloud selection control unit 124 transmits a notification to that effect to the user terminal 10. This is because the user may not know in which cloud storage the user is stored. When the image data is stored in the cloud storage designated by the user, it is not necessary to send a notification to that effect to the user terminal 10, but it may be notified as necessary.

  The rule storage unit 125 stores a rule table that defines rules for selecting a cloud storage by the cloud selection control unit 124.

  On the other hand, the relay device 14 includes a communication unit 140, a control unit 141, and a user information storage unit 142 as functional blocks.

  The communication unit 140 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as the image processing apparatus 12 and the cloud storage A 16 via the communication network 20.

  The control unit 141 has a cloud access API (Application Programming Interface), and exchanges information with the cloud storage. When the cloud access API receives an inquiry from the image processing apparatus 12, the cloud access API inquires of the cloud storage available to the user about the free capacity of the user, and transfers a reply from the cloud storage to the image processing apparatus 12. Further, when the cloud access API receives a storage request from the image processing apparatus 12, the cloud access API uploads an image data file to the cloud storage. The cloud access API is connected to the user information storage unit 142, and reads the user authentication information stored in the user information storage unit 142 in response to a capacity inquiry and a storage request to the cloud storage, and accesses the cloud storage. . The control unit 141 refers to the authentication table that stores the recognition information in association with the user ID, reads the inquiry information received from the image processing apparatus 12 and the recognition information corresponding to the user ID included in the storage request, and stores it in the cloud storage. to access.

The user information storage unit 142 stores cloud storage information usable by the user and an authentication table for accessing the available cloud storage. The authentication table includes a user name, a password, or an access token. For example, in association with a certain user ID,
Available cloud storage: Storage A
Login user name: aaa
password:***
Access token: abcdef
Available cloud storage: Storage B
Login user name: aaa
password:***
Access token: uvwxy
...
Etc.

  FIG. 3 shows a configuration block diagram of the relay device 14. The relay device 14 has a configuration as a server computer, and includes one or a plurality of central processing units (CPUs) 14a, a read only memory (ROM) 14b, a random access memory (RAM) 14c, a communication interface (I / F) 14d, An input / output I / F 14e and a storage device 14f are provided. These constituent blocks are connected to a bus and transmit and receive data via the bus.

  The CPU 14a executes various programs such as an OS (Operating System) and applications. The ROM 14b stores a control program executed by the CPU 14a. The RAM 14c is used as a working memory for the CPU 14a. The CPU 14a reads the control program stored in the ROM 14b, and executes the control program using the RAM 14c as a work area. When the control program is executed by the CPU 14a, the image processing apparatus receives various functions in the relay apparatus 14, in particular, an inquiry process of free space to the cloud storage in response to an inquiry from the image processing apparatus 12, and a reply from the cloud storage. 12 and image data transfer processing in response to a storage request from the image processing apparatus 12 is realized.

  The input / output I / F 14e is connected to an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device (display device) such as a display.

  The communication I / F 14d transmits / receives data to / from the user terminal 10, the image processing device 12, the cloud storage A16, and the cloud storage B18 via the communication network 20. The communication I / F 14d receives a storage request including image data from the image processing apparatus 12, and transfers the image data to the cloud storage selected by the CPU 14a.

  The storage device 14f includes a storage area such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), temporarily stores image data, and provides cloud storage that can be used by the user and authentication of these cloud storages. A user information table including information is stored.

  Note that the image processing apparatus 12 has the same configuration, specifically, one or more CPUs, ROM, RAM, communication I / F, input / output I / F, operation unit, display unit, and storage. Equipment. The CPU reads the control program stored in the ROM and executes the control program using the RAM as a work area. When the control program is executed by the CPU, various functions in the image processing device 12, in particular, processing for inquiring about free capacity to the cloud storage with respect to the relay device 14, and processing for determining the cloud storage upon receiving a reply from the relay device 14. Realized.

  FIG. 4 shows a processing flowchart of the embodiment. The flow of data among the user terminal 10, the image processing device 12, the relay device 14, the cloud storage A16, and the cloud storage B18 is shown.

  First, the user operates the image processing device 12 to read an image such as a document with a scanner, converts the image into digital image data, specifies one of the cloud storages, for example, cloud storage A16, and requests storage of the image data. And

  The image processing apparatus 12 confirms the data amount of the converted image data, and when receiving a storage request from the user, the image processing apparatus 12 inquires of the relay apparatus 14 about the cloud storage available to the user. This inquiry includes the user ID requested to be stored.

  When receiving the inquiry, the relay device 14 refers to the user information table stored in the storage device 14f, extracts cloud storages that can be used by the user identified by the user ID, and uses the image processing device 12 as a cloud storage list. Reply to Here, it is assumed that the cloud storages available to the user are cloud storage A16 and cloud storage B18. The cloud storage that can be used by the user is cloud storage that is managed by the user information table and that can be accessed by the authentication information of the user.

  When the image processing apparatus 12 receives cloud storage information available to the user, the image processing apparatus 12 first inquires the relay apparatus 14 about the free capacity of the cloud storage designated by the user. In response to this inquiry, the relay device 14 inquires about the free capacity from the cloud storage A16 designated by the user, and receives a reply about the free capacity from the cloud storage A16. The inquiry to the cloud storage A16 includes transmission of user ID authentication information. It is assumed that the free capacity of the cloud storage A16 is, for example, 50 MB. The relay device 14 transfers the reply from the cloud storage A 16 to the image processing device 12.

  The image processing apparatus 12 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of the cloud storage A16, and determines whether the image data can be stored. If the image data to be stored is 100 MB, it is determined that storage is not possible because (the amount of image data is 100 MB)> (the free capacity of the cloud storage A 16 is 50 MB). Inquires about the free capacity of the cloud storage B18, which is another cloud storage available to the user. In response to this inquiry, the relay device 14 inquires about the free capacity of the cloud storage B18 and receives a reply from the cloud storage B18. The inquiry to the cloud storage B18 includes transmission of user ID authentication information. It is assumed that the free capacity of the cloud storage B18 is, for example, 150 MB. The relay device 14 transfers the reply from the cloud storage B 18 to the image processing device 12.

  The image processing apparatus 12 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of the cloud storage B18 and determines whether the image data can be stored. If the image data to be stored is 150 MB, it is determined that it can be stored because (the amount of image data is 100 MB) <(the free capacity of the cloud storage B18 is 150 MB), and the cloud storage B18 is designated as the storage destination cloud storage. Then, the storage request including the image data is transmitted to the relay device 14. The relay device 14 transfers and stores the image data in the designated cloud storage B18. Further, when receiving the storage OK notification indicating the completion of storage from the cloud storage B 18, the relay device 14 transfers the storage OK notification to the image processing device 12. At this time, since the storage destination is different from the cloud storage A16 that is the storage location specified by the user, the relay device 14 notifies the image processing device 12 of the information of the cloud storage B18 that is the final storage location.

  When the image processing apparatus 12 receives the storage OK notification from the relay apparatus 14, it records information such as the URL of the cloud storage B18 that is the final storage destination in the job log. Specifically, the job control unit 122 that manages the job order confirms that the storage OK notification has been received, updates the job log, and uses the cloud storage B18 address information (URL, etc.) included in the storage OK notification. Record in the job log in association with the user ID and image data. The job control unit 122 not only provides the address information of the cloud storage B18 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data, but also the address information of the initial cloud storage A16 specified by the user and the cloud storage B18 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data. Both address information may be recorded in the job log. For example, (user ID, image data ID, initial storage destination address information, final storage destination address information) are recorded in a job log as a set. When the initial storage destination and the final storage destination are the same, the address information of the final storage destination may be null data.

Further, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the job log to determine whether or not the final storage destination of the image data is different from the initial storage destination designated by the user, and if so, information on the cloud storage B18 of the final storage destination Specifically, the cloud storage name and its address information are transmitted to the user terminal 10. For example,
“The storage destination is cloud storage B (address: *****).”
Etc. are sent by e-mail.

  In this way, the image processing apparatus 12 can provide free space for the cloud storage that can be used by the user without receiving an instruction from the user when the free space of the cloud storage specified by the user is insufficient. Inquiries and cloud data with sufficient free space required to store image data are detected and image data is stored, so that errors due to insufficient capacity can be prevented. In addition, the image processing apparatus 12 inquires and acquires information about cloud storage that can be used by the user from the relay apparatus 14, and uses this information to check the free space. The trouble of inputting separately from the apparatus 12 is saved.

  In the processing flowchart of FIG. 4, since only the cloud storage B18 has a free space necessary for storing image data among the cloud storage A16 and the cloud storage B18, the rules stored in the rule storage unit 125 are displayed. Although it is not necessary to apply, when a plurality of cloud storages have a free capacity necessary for storing image data, the image processing apparatus 12 selects and determines one of the cloud storages according to the rule. Next, processing in such a case will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows another processing flowchart in the present embodiment.

  First, the user operates the image processing device 12 to read an image such as a document with a scanner, converts it into digital image data, and designates one of the cloud storages, for example, the cloud storage B18 to request storage of the image data. And

  When the image processing device 12 confirms the data amount of the converted image data and accepts a storage request from the user, the image processing device 12 can store image data in the cloud storage available to the user with respect to the relay device 14. Queries cloud storage with capacity. This inquiry includes the user ID requested to be stored and the data amount of the image data.

  When receiving the inquiry from the image processing device 12, the relay device 14 refers to the user information table stored in the storage device 14f, extracts the cloud storage that can be used by the user specified by the user ID, and extracts the cloud storage Queries the free space for cloud storage. Assuming that the cloud storages that can be used are cloud storage A16 and cloud storage B18, the relay device 14 inquires of these cloud storages about the free capacities, and receives, for example, a reply of 150 MB and 200 MB as the respective free capacities. The relay device 14 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of these cloud storages, and determines whether the image data can be stored. Assuming that the image data to be stored is 100 MB, since (image data amount) <(cloud storage A16) and (image data amount) <(free capacity of cloud storage B18), both can be stored. And the free space of the cloud storage determined to be storable is returned to the image processing apparatus 12.

When the image processing apparatus 12 receives the free space of the cloud storage that can be used and can store the image data returned from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the rule table stored in the rule storage unit 125, and Select cloud storage and determine the storage location. The rule in the rule table is arbitrary. For example, it is assumed that the rule is “select a cloud storage with an emphasis on efficiency and a minimum free space”. The image processing apparatus 12 follows this rule.
Cloud storage A16: 150MB
Cloud storage B18: 200MB
Therefore, the cloud storage A16 is selected and determined as the storage destination, the cloud storage A16 is designated as the storage destination cloud storage, and a storage request including the image data is transmitted to the relay device 14. The relay device 14 transfers and stores the image data in the designated cloud storage A16. Further, when receiving the storage OK notification indicating the completion of storage from the cloud storage A 16, the relay device 14 transfers the storage OK notification to the image processing device 12.

  Upon receiving the storage OK notification from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 records storage destination information such as the URL of the cloud storage A16 that is the final storage destination in the job log. The job control unit 122 may record both the address information of the initial cloud storage B18 designated by the user and the address information of the cloud storage A16 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data in the job log.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the job log to determine whether or not the final storage destination of the image data is different from the initial storage destination designated by the user, and if so, information on the cloud storage A16 of the final storage destination Specifically, the cloud storage name and its address information are transmitted to the user terminal 10.

In the processing flowchart of FIG. 5, in response to an inquiry from the image processing device 12, the relay device 14 uses the information of the cloud storage that is available to the user and has a free capacity for storing image data. Replies to 12, but for example,
-When a communication failure occurs between the relay device 14 and the cloud storage-When the image data is in a file format that is not supported on the cloud storage side-When the cloud storage is out of service, etc. Can not be stored, the relay device 14 does not need to return the cloud storage to the image processing device 12 (excluded from the list of available cloud storages).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a rule table stored in the rule storage unit 125. As a rule, for example,
・ The cloud storage that was detected first ・ Employment of free space ・ Efficiency ・ Easy user selection The cloud storage detected first means the cloud storage detected first among the cloud storages which can be used and can store image data. The emphasis on free space means the cloud storage with the largest free space among the cloud storages that can be used and store image data. In this case, there is an effect of equalizing the capacity of each cloud storage. Emphasis on efficiency means the cloud storage with the smallest free space among the cloud storages that can be used and store image data. The user selection means a cloud storage selected by a user among cloud storages that can be used and store image data. In this case, the image processing apparatus 12 displays a list of cloud storages that can be used and can store image data on the display unit so that the user can select them. When the user selects the cloud storage, the image processing apparatus 12 may not transmit the final storage destination to the user terminal 10 even if it is different from the initial designated storage destination.

  The rule table may be created in advance by the system administrator and stored in the rule storage unit 125, and rules may be added, deleted, or changed as appropriate. Priorities may be set for a plurality of rules defined in the rule table, and the cloud storage may be selected according to the priorities. The priority order may be adaptively changed according to the user or according to the attribute of the image data to be stored. For some types of image data, priority is given to efficiency, and for other types of image data, user selection is given top priority.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the processing is based on the premise that there is a cloud storage that can be used and can store image data. However, there may be a case where the available capacity of all the cloud storages is insufficient. In the present embodiment, processing in such a case will be described.

  FIG. 7 shows a processing flowchart in the present embodiment.

  First, the user operates the image processing device 12 to read an image such as a document with a scanner, converts it into digital image data, and designates one of the cloud storages, for example, the cloud storage B18 to request storage of the image data. And

  When the image processing device 12 confirms the data amount of the converted image data and receives a storage request from the user, the image processing device 12 stores the data amount of the image data in the cloud storage available to the user to the relay device 14. Queries cloud storage with available free space. This inquiry includes the user ID requested to be stored and the data amount of the image data.

  When receiving the inquiry from the image processing device 12, the relay device 14 refers to the user information table stored in the storage device 14f, extracts the cloud storage that can be used by the user specified by the user ID, and extracts the cloud storage Queries the free space for cloud storage. If the available cloud storages are cloud storage A16 and cloud storage B18, the relay device 14 inquires of these cloud storages about the free capacity, and receives a reply of, for example, 80 MB and 20 MB as the free capacity. The relay device 14 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of these cloud storages, and determines whether the image data can be stored. If the image data to be stored is 100 MB, since (image data amount)> (free space of cloud storage A16) and (data amount of image data)> (free space of cloud storage B18) Is also determined to be unstorable. In this case, the relay device 14 does not return the free space of the cloud storage determined to be storable to the image processing device 12, but notifies the image processing device that the parameter for processing the image data should be changed. Reply to 12. In addition to the parameter change notification, a cloud storage having a free capacity that can be used and can store image data cannot be detected, and the free capacity of the cloud storage may be returned together.

  When the image processing apparatus 12 receives a notification that the parameter should be changed from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 changes the parameter when processing the image data in accordance with this notification and reprocesses the parameter. Specifically, in accordance with the notification that the parameter should be changed, the image processing unit 123 changes the parameter, reprocesses the image data, and reduces the data amount of the image data. The image processing parameter is a parameter that can reduce the amount of data, and is, for example, a resolution, and is reprocessed so as to have a resolution smaller than the initial resolution. When the free space of the cloud storage is returned from the relay device 14, the image processing unit 123 can adjust the resolution according to the free space. That is, the resolution is adjusted so that the amount of data can be stored even with the free capacity of the cloud storage. For example, since the initial data amount is 100 MB and the free capacity of the cloud storage A16 is 80 MB, the image processing unit 123 adjusts the resolution so that the data amount of the image data is 80 MB or less, and performs reprocessing.

  After changing the parameters and reprocessing the image data, the image processing apparatus 12 determines the cloud storage A16 as the storage destination, designates the cloud storage A16 as the storage destination cloud storage, and includes the reprocessed image data The stored request is transmitted to the relay device 14. The relay device 14 transfers and stores the reprocessed image data in the designated cloud storage A16. Further, when receiving the storage OK notification indicating the completion of storage from the cloud storage A 16, the relay device 14 transfers the storage OK notification to the image processing device 12.

  Upon receiving the storage OK notification from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 records storage destination information such as the URL of the cloud storage A16 that is the final storage destination in the job log. The job control unit 122 may record both the address information of the initial cloud storage B18 designated by the user and the address information of the cloud storage A16 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data in the job log.

Further, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the job log to determine whether or not the final storage destination of the image data is different from the initial storage destination designated by the user, and if so, information on the cloud storage A16 of the final storage destination Specifically, the cloud storage name and its address information are transmitted to the user terminal 10. Further, what parameters are changed may be transmitted. For example,
“The storage location is Cloud Storage A (Address: *****)
The resolution is changed from XXXdpi to YYYdpi and stored. "
Etc. are sent by e-mail.

  In this way, when there is no cloud storage that can be used by the user and that can store image data, the image processing apparatus 12 receives the notification from the relay apparatus 14 and reprocesses the image data to reduce the amount of data. Then, the data is transmitted to the relay device 14 and the relay device 14 transfers the reprocessed image data to the cloud storage for storage, so that an error due to insufficient capacity is prevented in advance.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a parameter table for image processing executed by the image processing unit 123. As the parameters, for example, resolution, format, color / gray / black and white, and the like are defined. The set value is a value that can be appropriately set by the user, and ON means that it is valid and OFF means that it is invalid. For example, in FIG.
Resolution: ON
Format: OFF
Color / Gray / B & W: OFF
Other: OFF
This means that resolution adjustment is allowed, but format, color / gray / black and white, and other adjustments are not allowed. The image processing unit 123 refers to the parameter table, determines which parameter is to be changed, and reprocesses the image data. The data amount is reduced by changing to a format with a high compression rate, and the data amount is reduced by changing from color to gray or even black and white.

  Among these parameters, a plurality of parameters may be changed according to the amount of data to be reduced. For example, both the resolution and the format are changed to store in the cloud storage with the largest free space.

  The parameter table may be set in advance by a system administrator or a user and stored in the memory of the image processing unit 123. The parameter table is displayed on the display unit when a notification that the parameter should be changed is received from the relay device 14. The user may be able to set.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.

<Modification 1>
In the embodiment, a rule table is stored in the rule storage unit 125 of the image processing device 12, and the image processing device 12 refers to the rule table, so that any one of cloud storages that can be used and can store image data is selected. Cloud storage is selected and determined as a storage destination, but a cloud that can be used and stores image data by storing the rule table in the storage unit of the relay device 14 and referring to the rule table by the relay device 14 Any cloud storage may be selected from the storages and determined as the storage destination.

  FIG. 9 shows a processing flowchart in this case.

  First, the user operates the image processing device 12 to read an image such as a document with a scanner, converts it into digital image data, and designates one of the cloud storages, for example, the cloud storage B18 to request storage of the image data. And

  When the image processing device 12 confirms the data amount of the converted image data and receives a storage request from the user, the image processing device 12 stores the data amount of the image data in the cloud storage available to the user to the relay device 14. Queries cloud storage with available free space. This inquiry includes the user ID requested to be stored, the image data, and the data amount of the image data.

When receiving the inquiry from the image processing device 12, the relay device 14 refers to the user information table stored in the storage device 14f, extracts the cloud storage that can be used by the user specified by the user ID, and extracts the cloud storage Queries the free space for cloud storage. Assuming that the cloud storages that can be used are cloud storage A16 and cloud storage B18, the relay device 14 inquires of these cloud storages about the free capacities, and receives, for example, a reply of 150 MB and 200 MB as the respective free capacities. The relay device 14 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of these cloud storages, and determines whether the image data can be stored. Assuming that the image data to be stored is 100 MB, since (image data amount) <(cloud storage A16) and (image data amount) <(free capacity of cloud storage B18), both can be stored. Is determined. Next, the relay device 14 refers to the rule table stored in the storage unit, selects one of the cloud storages, and determines the storage destination. The rule in the rule table is arbitrary. For example, it is assumed that the rule is “select a cloud storage with an emphasis on efficiency and a minimum free space”. The relay device 14 follows this rule,
Cloud storage A16: 150MB
Cloud storage B18: 200MB
Therefore, the cloud storage A16 is selected and determined as a storage destination, and the image data is transferred and stored in the cloud storage A16. Further, when receiving the storage OK notification indicating the completion of storage from the cloud storage A 16, the relay device 14 transfers the storage OK notification to the image processing device 12.

  Upon receiving the storage OK notification from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 records storage destination information such as the URL of the cloud storage A16 that is the final storage destination in the job log. The job control unit 122 may record both the address information of the initial cloud storage B18 designated by the user and the address information of the cloud storage A16 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data in the job log.

  Further, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the job log to determine whether or not the final storage destination of the image data is different from the initial storage destination designated by the user, and if so, information on the cloud storage A16 of the final storage destination Specifically, the cloud storage name and its address information are transmitted to the user terminal 10.

<Modification 2>
In the second embodiment, the image processing device 12 changes the image processing parameters and reprocesses the image data in response to the notification from the relay device 14 to reduce the data amount. 123, the relay device 14 may change the parameters, reprocess the image data to reduce the data amount, and store the data in the cloud storage.

  FIG. 10 shows a processing flowchart in this case.

  First, the user operates the image processing device 12 to read an image such as a document with a scanner, converts it into digital image data, and designates one of the cloud storages, for example, the cloud storage B18 to request storage of the image data. And

  When the image processing device 12 confirms the data amount of the converted image data and receives a storage request from the user, the image processing device 12 stores the data amount of the image data in the cloud storage available to the user to the relay device 14. Queries cloud storage with available free space. This inquiry includes the user ID requested to be stored, the image data, and the data amount of the image data.

  When receiving the inquiry from the image processing device 12, the relay device 14 refers to the user information table stored in the storage device 14f, extracts the cloud storage that can be used by the user specified by the user ID, and extracts the cloud storage Queries the free space for cloud storage. If the available cloud storages are cloud storage A16 and cloud storage B18, the relay device 14 inquires of these cloud storages about the free capacity, and receives a reply of, for example, 80 MB and 20 MB as the free capacity. The relay device 14 compares the data amount of the image data to be stored with the free capacity of these cloud storages, and determines whether the image data can be stored. If the image data to be stored is 100 MB, since (image data amount)> (free space of cloud storage A16) and (data amount of image data)> (free space of cloud storage B18) Is also determined to be unstorable.

  Next, the relay device 14 changes the parameters and reprocesses the image data that has already been received and temporarily stored from the image processing device 12 to reduce the data amount of the image data. The parameter of the image processing is, for example, resolution, and reprocessing is performed so that the resolution becomes smaller than the initial resolution. That is, the resolution is adjusted so that the amount of data can be stored even with the free capacity of the cloud storage. For example, since the initial data amount is 100 MB and the free capacity of the cloud storage A 16 is 80 MB, the resolution is adjusted so that the data amount of the image data is 80 MB or less, and reprocessing is performed.

  Prior to reprocessing the image data, the relay device 14 inquires of the image processing device 12 to acquire the parameter table stored in the image processing device 12, and reprocesses the image data using the acquired parameter table. May be.

  The relay device 14 changes the parameters and reprocesses the image data, determines the cloud storage A16 as the storage destination, determines the cloud storage A16 as the storage destination cloud storage, and reprocesses the image to the cloud storage A16. Transfer and store data. Further, when receiving the storage OK notification indicating the completion of storage from the cloud storage A 16, the relay device 14 transfers the storage OK notification to the image processing device 12. Further, the relay device 14 notifies the image processing device 12 that the parameter has been changed and stored.

  When the image processing apparatus 12 receives the storage OK notification and the parameter change notification from the relay apparatus 14, the image processing apparatus 12 records storage destination information such as the URL of the cloud storage A16 that is the final storage destination in the job log. The job control unit 122 may record both the address information of the initial cloud storage B18 designated by the user and the address information of the cloud storage A16 that is the final confirmation destination of the image data in the job log.

Further, the image processing apparatus 12 refers to the job log to determine whether or not the final storage destination of the image data is different from the initial storage destination designated by the user, and if so, information on the cloud storage A16 of the final storage destination Specifically, the cloud storage name and its address information are transmitted to the user terminal 10. Further, what parameters are changed may be transmitted. For example,
“The storage location is Cloud Storage A (Address: *****)
The resolution is changed from XXXdpi to YYYdpi and stored. "
Etc. are sent by e-mail.

10 user terminal, 12 image processing device, 14 relay device, 16 cloud storage A, 18 cloud storage B, 20 communication network.

Claims (14)

A receiving unit for receiving image data from the image processing apparatus;
It is a control unit that transfers received image data to a cloud storage and stores it, inquires about a free capacity from a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by a user of the image processing apparatus, and determines a free capacity that can store the image data. A control unit for transferring and storing the image data in a cloud storage,
A relay device comprising: The control unit inquires about a free capacity in a cloud storage designated by the user, and inquires about a free capacity in another cloud storage that can be used by the user when there is no free capacity capable of storing the image data. The relay device described in 1. The control unit returns information on a plurality of cloud storages available to the user to the image processing apparatus in response to an inquiry from the image processing apparatus, and responds to an inquiry about free space confirmation from the image processing apparatus. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the user makes an inquiry about available capacity to a cloud storage that can be used by the user. The control unit notifies the image processing apparatus of information on the cloud storage storing the image data when the image data is transferred and stored in a cloud storage different from the cloud storage specified by the user. The relay device described in 1. The control unit transfers and stores the image data to any one of the cloud storages according to a rule when there are a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by the user and have a free capacity capable of storing the image data. The relay device according to 1. The relay device according to claim 5, wherein the rule is one of a cloud storage detected first, a cloud storage with the smallest available capacity, a cloud storage with the largest available capacity, and a cloud storage selected by the user. The control unit notifies the image processing apparatus of a parameter change that can reduce the data amount of the image data when there is no cloud storage that can be used by the user and has a free capacity for storing the image data. The relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reprocessed image data transmitted from the image processing apparatus is transferred to and stored in a cloud storage having an available capacity. When there is no cloud storage having a free capacity that can be used by the user and capable of storing the image data, the control unit changes a parameter that can reduce the data amount of the image data, performs reprocessing, and performs reprocessing. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the image data after processing is transferred to and stored in a cloud storage having a free capacity capable of storing the image data. The relay device according to claim 7, wherein the parameter is at least one of resolution, format, and color of the image data. A transmission unit that inquires about the free capacity of a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by a user with respect to a relay device that transfers image data and stores it in the cloud storage,
A control unit that receives information on the free space from the relay device, determines a cloud storage having a free space capable of storing the image data, and transmits the image data to the relay device;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit determines one of the cloud storages according to a rule when there are a plurality of cloud storages that are available to the user and have a free capacity in which the image data can be stored. . When there is no cloud storage having a free capacity that can be used by the user and capable of storing the image data, the control unit changes a parameter that can reduce the data amount of the image data, performs reprocessing, and performs reprocessing. The image processing device according to claim 10, wherein the processed image data is transmitted to the relay device. The said control part transmits the information of the said cloud storage determined with respect to the user terminal, when the determined cloud storage is different from the cloud storage designated by the user. Image processing device. On the computer,
Inputting image data;
Inquiring about the free capacity of a plurality of cloud storages that can be used by a user to a relay device that transfers the image data and stores it in the cloud storage;
Receiving free space information from the relay device;
Determining a cloud storage having a free capacity capable of storing the image data and transmitting the image data to the relay device;
A program that executes

Images