JP2022075112A - Image reading device, control method of image reading device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To prevent a conflict among a plurality of user operations and eliminate the necessity of registering user information in advance to simplify operation.SOLUTION: A main control unit 300 of an image processing device 100 generates a password (S803) in response to reception of a scan request from a PC 1000 (S801); transmits the generated password to an information processing device (S804); waits for setting of a document (S805); receives an input of a password by a user from an operation unit (S806); and when authentication is successful as a result of comparison between the generated password and the input password (Yes in 807), permits reading of the document that is set on a document platen (S808).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to the control of an image reader that prevents conflicts in user operations.

A scanner (image reading device) connected to a terminal device (information processing device) such as a PC via a network may be shared and used by a plurality of users. If another user requests scanning after the user sets the document in the scanner and before the user requests scanning from the terminal device to the scanner, an unintended document image is read, or by another user. Operational conflicts such as the document being scanned can occur. As a solution to this problem, there is a method of authenticating the user and permitting the user who succeeds in the authentication to use the device. Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of issuing a temporary ID when a user is successfully authenticated, and then performing authentication by the ID, and permitting a user who has succeeded in the authentication to use the device.

Japanese Patent No. 3928640

However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to register user information in advance for user authentication, which is troublesome to operate.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to prevent unintended manuscript images from being read by unintended users due to conflicting operations by a plurality of users, to prevent the manuscript from being read by unintended users, and to eliminate the need for prior user information registration. It is to provide a mechanism that can simplify the operation.

The present invention is an image reading device capable of receiving a scan request from an information processing device, and is a generating means for generating a password in response to receiving a scanning request from the information processing device, and a password generated by the generating means. Authentication is performed by comparing the transmission means for transmitting the information to the information processing apparatus, the input means for accepting the input of the password from the user, the password generated by the generation means, and the password for which the input is accepted by the input means. It is characterized by having an authentication means and a control means for permitting the execution of reading of the document set on the platen when the authentication by the authentication means is successful.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an unintended manuscript image from being read by an unintended user due to conflicting operations by a plurality of users, and to prevent the manuscript from being read by an unintended user, and it is not necessary to register user information in advance. , Operation can be simplified.

The figure explaining an example of the schematic structure of the image reading system including the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus of this embodiment. The cross-sectional view which shows an example of the schematic mechanical structure of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the control composition of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the software which controls the image processing apparatus of this embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the information processing apparatus (PC) of this embodiment. The flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process from the scan request reception to the scan execution in the image processing apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the application which operates on the PC in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the application which operates on the PC in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the application which operates on the PC in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touch panel of the image processing apparatus in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process from the scan request reception to the scan execution in the image processing apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touch panel of the image processing apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen of the application which operates on the PC in 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that each of the following embodiments is an example, and the present invention is not limited to the contents of each embodiment. Further, in each of the following figures, components not necessary for the description of the embodiment will be omitted from the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
(Overall system configuration)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image reading system including an image processing device and an information processing device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

The image processing device 100 and the PC1000 and PC1001 are communicably connected to each other via a network 500 such as a LAN.

The PC 1000 and PC 1001 are information processing devices capable of transmitting a scan request to the image processing device 100 and acquiring a scanned image generated by the image processing device 100. The information processing device is not limited to a personal computer such as PC1000 and PC1001, but may be another information processing device such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone. Hereinafter, a PC will be used as a representative of these information processing devices.

The image processing device 100 can receive a scan request from the PC 1000, PC 1001, etc. via the network 500. The image processing device 100 reads the original and generates a scanned image in response to a scan request from the PC 1000, PC 1001, etc., and transmits the scanned image to the PC 1000, PC 1001, etc. Further, the image processing device 100 reads the original and generates a scanned image in response to a scanning instruction from the operation unit, and transmits the scanned image to a designated information processing device or the like. As described above, the image processing device 100 has a function as an image reading device, but may also have other functions.

(Mechanical configuration of image processing device 100)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a schematic mechanical configuration of the image processing apparatus 100.
The document table 101 loads and stores the document 10 to be read. The document table original detection sensor 108 detects the document 10 on the document table 101.

The paper feed roller 104 separates the documents 10 loaded on the platen 101 one by one and sends them out to the transport path 106. The transport roller 105 transports the document 10 sent to the paper feed roller 104 along the transport path 106, and discharges the paper to the discharge unit 102. The ejection unit 102 loads and stores the document 10 that has been image-read. The ejection unit document detection sensor 109 detects the ejected document 10.

The resist sensor 107 detects the document 10 transported along the transport path 106. When the resist sensor 107 detects the document 10, the image reading unit 103 starts scanning the image of the document 10.

The touch panel 110 is a UI (operation panel) operated by the user, displays an image, and detects a touch operation. In the present embodiment, two image reading units 103 are provided on both sides of the transport path 106, one of which reads the front surface of the document 10 and the other of which reads the back surface of the document 10. It should be noted that the configuration may include only one image reading unit 103.

(Control configuration of image processing device 100)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a control configuration of the image processing device 100.
The control unit 200 of the image processing device 100 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an input / output IF 204, and a communication IF 205.

The CPU 201 executes a program stored in the ROM 202 and controls the entire image processing device 100. The ROM 202 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 and fixed data. The RAM 203 stores variable data such as image data read by the image reading unit 103 and calculation results of the CPU 201. However, the ROM 202 and the RAM 203 may be other storage devices.

The input / output IF 204 connects the control unit 200, the touch panel 110, and each unit of the image reading unit 103. The CPU 201 sends control signals and data to each unit via the input / output IF 204, and acquires data from each unit.

The communication IF 205 is an interface for connecting to an information processing device (PC1000, 1001, etc.) such as an external personal computer. For example, the image processing device 100 receives a scan request from the PC 1000 via the communication IF 205, reads an image, and then provides the image data read by the PC 1000 via the communication IF 205. The target of communication may be either PC1000 or PC1001, or may be configured to communicate with more PCs and other information processing devices (for example, tablet terminals, smartphones, etc.).

(Software configuration of image processing device 100)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of software that controls the image processing device 100. Each part shown in FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU 201 of the image processing device 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the like.

The main control unit 300 controls the entire image processing device 100 by performing start processing, end processing, commands to each unit, and data exchange of the image processing device 100.
The password management unit 301 generates and stores a temporary password used for authentication. The content of the password is, for example, a random 4-digit number string, and the content is different each time it is generated.

The authentication unit 302 acquires the password entered by the user via the touch panel 110 or the communication IF 205, and compares the content with the password stored in the password management unit 301 to determine the correctness of the input content of the user. .. This embodiment is an example, and the password may be another method as long as the content is random and can be displayed, input, and compared.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of PC1000 and 1001. Hereinafter, it will be described as PC1000, but PC1001 also has the same configuration.

The PC 1000 includes a communication interface (communication IF) 402 for transmitting a scan instruction or the like to the image processing device 100 and receiving image data from the image processing device 100. The communication IF 402 communicates with the image processing device 100 via the network 500 or the like.

Further, the PC 1000 includes a hard disk drive (HDD) 405 for storing a program used in the PC 1000 and a read image. It should be noted that other storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) may be provided in place of or in combination with the HDD.

Further, the PC 1000 includes a CPU 403. The CPU 403 controls the entire device by reading a program stored in the HDD 405 (for example, an image reading application, a driver of the image processing device 100, etc.) into the RAM 404 as necessary and executing the program. The RAM 404 temporarily stores the image data received by the communication IF 402 and the data when the CPU 403 operates.

Further, the PC 1000 includes a display unit 406 for displaying a user interface such as a driver setting screen to the user, and an operation unit 407 for operating the user interface displayed on the display unit 406. In the present embodiment, a mouse or keyboard connected to the PC 1000 is used as the operation unit 407, but the operation unit 407 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a touch panel or the like.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. Hereinafter, the PC 1000 will be described as an example of the information processing device that communicates with the image processing device 100, but the same applies to the PC 1001 and other information processing devices.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing from receiving a scan request to executing a scan in the image processing apparatus 100 of the first embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the image processing apparatus 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the like.

7 to 9 are diagrams showing an example of the screen of the application operating on the PC 1000 in the first embodiment, and are displayed on the display unit 406 of the PC 1000.
FIG. 7 corresponds to a screen when requesting a scan from a scanner such as an image processing device 100. This screen is displayed, for example, when the application of PC1000 is started.

In FIG. 7, the button a is a button for requesting a scan from the scanner. The text box b is an input field for inputting the IP address of the scanner that is the target of the scan request. When the user presses the button a, the CPU 403 of the PC 1000 sends a scan request (scan instruction) to the scanner (here, the image processing device 100) corresponding to the IP address input in the text box b. Although the configuration in which the IP address of the scanner to be the scan request is input from the operation unit 407 is shown in the text box b, the input of the IP address of the scanner to be the scan request is not limited to this. not. For example, the IP address or two-dimensional code displayed on the display of the scanner is photographed and read by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) or two-dimensional code analysis, and the IP address of the scanner to be scanned is input. It may be configured.

Hereinafter, each step in FIG. 6 will be described.
When the main control unit 300 of the image processing device 100 receives a scan request (scan instruction) from the external PC 1000 described above (S801), the main control unit 300 proceeds to process with S802.

In S802, the main control unit 300 determines whether or not there is a document on the document table 101 by the document table document detection sensor 108. When it is determined that there is a manuscript (Yes in S802), the main control unit 300 advances the process to S809.
In S809, the main control unit 300 notifies the PC 1000 that the device is in use, and ends the process. Upon receiving the notification of in use from the scanner, the PC 1000 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 8 to inform the user that it is in use.

FIG. 8 corresponds to a screen indicating that the scanner is in use.
When the application of the PC 1000 receives a notification in use from the scanner, the application displays a screen including the notification such as the display g on the display unit 406 to notify the user.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S802 that there is no original document (No in S802), the main control unit 300 advances the process to S803.

In S803, the main control unit 300 instructs the password management unit 301 to generate and store a temporary password.
Next, in S804, the main control unit 300 transmits the password generated in S803 to the PC1000 requested to scan in S801. The PC1000 application that has received the password displays a screen as shown in FIG. 9 and informs the user of the password.

FIG. 9 corresponds to a display screen when a password is received from the scanner.
As shown in FIG. 9, the content of the password received from the scanner is displayed on the display c.
When the CPU 403 of the PC 1000 receives the password transmitted from the image processing device 100, the CPU 403 displays the received password and notifies the user as shown in the screen of the display c in FIG.

Next, in S805, the main control unit 300 waits for the document to be placed on the document table 101. When the main control unit 300 detects that the document has been placed by the document table document detection sensor 108, the main control unit 300 proceeds to process with S806.

In S806, the main control unit 300 waits for the password to be input from the touch panel 110.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (display requesting password input) displayed on the touch panel 110 of the image processing device 100 in the first embodiment.

When the password is input to the input unit e on the screen of FIG. 10, the main control unit 300 advances the process to S807.

In S807, the main control unit 300 compares the password entered in S806 with the contents of the password stored in S803, and determines match / mismatch. If there is a discrepancy (No in S807), that is, if authentication fails, the main control unit 300 ends the process of this flowchart.

On the other hand, if the entered password and the stored password match (Yes in S807), that is, if the authentication is successful, the main control unit 300 proceeds to S808.
In S808, the main control unit 300 starts scanning (permits reading of the original) and ends the processing of this flowchart.

By processing this flowchart, it is possible to prevent only the user who requested the scan from knowing the password. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an operation conflict such that another user requests a scan after the user places the document on the scanner and before the user requests the scanner to scan from the PC or the like.

The present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, if the password comparison results do not match in S807, the process is terminated, but the process may be returned to S806 and the flow of waiting for the password to be re-entered may be repeated a certain number of times.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of processing from reception of a scan request to execution of a scan in the image processing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment. The processing of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the image processing apparatus 100 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the like.

Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 11 is different from the flowchart of FIG. 6 shown in the first embodiment, and corresponds to the processing in which the document is set on the platen 101 before the scan request from the PC 1000. In this case, it is necessary to prevent the operation conflict by making it impossible for only the user who placed the manuscript to know the password. Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed by the image processing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

In S901, the main control unit 300 waits for the original to be placed on the platen. The placement of the original on the platen 101 is confirmed by the platen original detection sensor 108. After the manuscript is placed, the main control unit 300 advances the process to S902.
In S902, the main control unit 300 instructs the password management unit 301 to generate and store a temporary password.

Next, in S903, the main control unit 300 displays the password generated in S902 on the touch panel 110 as shown in the display f of FIG. 12, and informs the user of the password.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for displaying a password on the touch panel 110 of the image processing device 100 in the second embodiment.

Next, in S904, the main control unit 300 waits for reception of a scan request (scan instruction) from the external PC 1000. Then, when the scan request is received, the main control unit 300 advances the process to S905.

In S905, the main control unit 300 waits for the reception of the password from the external PC 1000.
The application of the PC 1000 that has sent the scan request to the image processing device 100 displays a screen as shown in FIG. 13 on the display unit 406 and waits for the password input.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (display requesting password input) of an application operating on a PC in the second embodiment.
When the password is input to the input unit d, the application of the PC 1000 transmits the content (password) input to the image processing device 100.
When the main control unit 300 of the image processing device 100 receives the password from the PC 1000, the process proceeds to S906.

In S906, the main control unit 300 compares the contents of the password received in S905 with the password stored in S902, and determines match / mismatch. If there is a discrepancy (No in S906), that is, if it fails, the main control unit 300 ends the process of this flowchart.

On the other hand, if the received password and the stored password match (Yes in S906), that is, if the authentication is successful, the main control unit 300 proceeds to S907.
In S907, the main control unit 300 starts scanning (permits reading of the original) and ends the processing of this flowchart.

By processing this flowchart, it is possible to prevent only the user who requested the scan from knowing the password. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an operation conflict such that another user requests a scan after the user places the document on the scanner and before the user requests the scanner to scan from the PC or the like.

The present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, if the password comparison results do not match, the process is terminated, but the flow may be a flow of returning to S905 and waiting for the password to be re-entered a certain number of times.

Further, a button capable of hiding the password displayed in S903 may be provided on the screen of FIG. In that case, the password generated by S902 may be retained only while the document table document detection sensor 108 detects that the document is placed on the document table 101. It is preferable that the hidden password cannot be displayed again. If you forget the password after confirming it with S903 and hiding it, you can reset the original to the platen 101 and the password will be generated again with S902, so the usability will not be impaired. ..

The operation of the first embodiment (first operation mode) and the operation of the second embodiment (second operation mode) may be configured to be switchable from the touch panel 110 or via a network.

Further, when the scan instruction is received in the state where the document is not set on the platen 101, the main control unit 300 executes the processes of S803 to S808 of FIG. 6 and before receiving the scan instruction. When the original is set on the platen 101, the main control unit 300 may execute the processes of S902 to S907 of FIG. That is, the device may be configured so that the operation of the first embodiment (first operation mode) and the operation of the second embodiment (second operation mode) are executed at the same time.

As described above, according to each embodiment, it is possible to prevent the operations of a plurality of users from competing with each other to read an unintended manuscript image, to prevent the manuscript from being read by an unintended user, and it is not necessary to register user information in advance. And the operation can be simplified.

It should be noted that the structure and contents of the various data described above are not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the structure and contents are various depending on the intended use and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can be implemented as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, or the like. Specifically, it may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to a device composed of one device.
Further, all the configurations combining the above embodiments are also included in the present invention.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.
Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or a device composed of one device.
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not. That is, all the configurations in which each of the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof are combined are also included in the present invention.

100 Image processing device 300 Main control unit 301 Password management unit 302 Authentication unit 500 Network 1000, 1001 PC

Claims (8)

An image reader that can receive scan requests from an information processing device.
A generation means for generating a password in response to a scan request received from the information processing device, and
A transmission means for transmitting the password generated by the generation means to the information processing apparatus, and a transmission means.
An input method that accepts password input from the user,
An authentication means that performs authentication by comparing a password generated by the generation means with a password that has been input by the input means.
If the authentication by the authentication means is successful, the control means for permitting the reading of the document set on the platen and the control means.
An image reader characterized by having. It has a detection means to detect the document set on the platen.
The image according to claim 1, wherein when the detection means detects that the original is set on the platen after the password is transmitted, the input means accepts the input of the password. Reader. When the detection means detects that the original is set on the platen when the scan request from the information processing apparatus is received, the transmission means does not transmit the password. The image reading device according to claim 2. When the detection means detects that the document is set on the platen when the scan request from the information processing device is received, the transmission means has the image reading device for the information processing device. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the image reader is notified that the image is in use. An image reader that can receive scan requests from an information processing device.
A detection means that detects the document set on the platen, and
A generation means for generating a password in response to the detection by the detection means that a document is set on the platen, and a generation means.
A display means for displaying the password generated by the generation means, and a display means for displaying the password.
An authentication means that authenticates by comparing a password generated by the generation means with the received password in response to receiving a password from the information processing device.
If the authentication by the authentication means is successful, the control means for permitting the reading of the document set on the platen and the control means.
An image reader characterized by having. A control method for an image reader that can receive scan requests from an information processing device.
A generation step of generating a password in response to a scan request received from the information processing device, and
A transmission step of transmitting the password generated in the generation step to the information processing apparatus, and
An input process for accepting a password input by a user to the operation unit of the image reader, and
An authentication process in which authentication is performed by comparing the password generated in the generation process with the password input in the input process, and
If the authentication is successful in the authentication process, the permission process that permits the execution of reading of the document set on the platen and the permission process.
A method for controlling an image reader, which comprises the above. A control method for an image reader that can receive scan requests from an information processing device.
A detection process that detects the document set on the platen, and
A generation process for generating a password according to the detection that the original is set on the platen, and a generation process.
A display process for displaying the password generated in the generation process, and a display process for displaying the password.
An authentication step of performing authentication by comparing a password generated in the generation step with the received password in response to receiving a password from the information processing device.
If the authentication is successful in the authentication process, the permission process that permits the execution of reading of the document set on the platen and the permission process.
A method for controlling an image reader, which comprises the above. A program for operating a computer as each means according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images