JP3675624B2 - Network scanner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network scanner, and more particularly to a network scanner that transfers information directly from a scanner to a workstation or printer connected to the network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Networking of the latest personal computers and workstations is rapidly spreading, and construction of LANs in offices is progressing. Network-connected digital copiers have also been used as shared remote printers on personal computers and workstation networks. On the other hand, a digital copying machine has a scanner function and is already directly connected to a personal computer. However, in the case of a remote scanner connected to a network, the number of troublesome cases inevitably increases.
For example, when used as a remote scanner, a manuscript is set on a digital copying machine, a scanner application is started on a distant personal computer or the like, and a manuscript reading instruction is issued. Next, it is necessary to return to the digital copying machine and go to get the set document.
[0003]
In order to improve such a situation, for example, there is an automatic image transfer method of a scanner system disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-271535.
However, in this method, the transfer destination is set to the scanner device in advance from a personal computer or the like, and then the remote scanner device is reached. This requires a lot of time and effort for the previous setting, and it is necessary to be aware of the personal computer and the scanner device to be used.
[0004]
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-133094, data input by a scanner by a digital copying machine is stored in an auxiliary storage device, storage information is stored in an IC card, and target data is stored from another terminal by information on the IC card. A method of taking over is disclosed. However, this method requires an IC card.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the scanner directly connected to the network is far away from the personal computer as compared with the case where it is directly connected to the personal computer, it is difficult to operate the scanner while operating on the personal computer. Therefore, measures such as selecting and storing areas registered on the server in advance have been taken, but according to this measure, a storage device or server function must be provided in the scanner or a server must be prepared on the network. There was a problem of having to.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can easily transmit image information to a personal computer or printer without a special server function, and needs to be aware of the personal computer or scanner device to be used. It provides a network scanner without the above.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The invention of claim 1 is a network scanner connected to a network via a communication protocol processing means , wherein the image information can be transmitted to an image input means for reading image information and a terminal connected to the network. Terminal search means for transmitting a list of various data formats as an inquiry packet and receiving, as a response packet, a data format that can be processed by the terminal and a logical device name of the terminal from the terminal that has received the inquiry packet; A destination terminal selecting means for displaying a list of devices that can be transmitted and comprising a logical device name of a terminal that has responded in the search means and a data format that can be processed, and for selecting a destination terminal from the list; Session control means for establishing a session with the destination terminal and selecting the destination again if the session cannot be established, and If the session is swollen with cushion control means, characterized by having an image transfer means for transferring the read image information at the start instruction to the destination terminal, with, without any special server function, PC Ya Image information can be sent to a printer.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network scanner according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image reading device (scanner), 2 is various correction processing of image data read by the image reading device (scanner), encoding, and data compression. 3 is a display operation unit for performing various settings of the scanner 1 and a list display and selection of destinations, 4 is a system control unit for controlling the entire system, and 5 is a transmittable device search processing unit to be described later. A session control unit that obtains a list of devices that can be transmitted from 7 and requests communication with the selected transmission destination or responds to an information acquisition request from the network, and 6 connects the transmission partner and the session control unit to obtain image information. An image information transfer processing unit 7 to transfer, an inquiry including the type of image information to be transmitted (image file format, compression format, resolution, size) A transmission-enabled device search processing unit for searching for a transmission-capable device in response to a device that has been determined to be receivable responding with its own address and the logical name of the device. 9 is a network interface device for connecting to a network and transmitting / receiving data.
[0010]
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network scanner, which includes a display unit (LED) 11, an operation unit 12, an image reading device 14 having an ADF 13, a system control device 16, and a network interface device 17. The same applies to an MFP having a network adapter (digital copier capable of using functions such as copying, facsimile, printer, scanner, etc.).
[0011]
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the network scanner. The network scanner operation of FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described in accordance with the flow of FIG. 3. After the image information is read, a transmission destination is selected (S 1), and a searchable device is searched (S 2). A list of devices capable of transmission and selection are performed (S3), and the process proceeds to step (S4) as to whether or not the process is interrupted. If the process is interrupted (YES in S4), the transmission is terminated. If the process is not interrupted (NO in S4), a session is established with the destination terminal (S5). If the session is not established (NO in S6), the process returns to the display and selection of transmission possible device list (S3). If the session is established (YES in S6), the image information is transferred in response to the start instruction (S7).
[0012]
Note that in the transmission possible device search, an inquiry packet is transmitted by broadcast or multicast, and the corresponding terminal returns a response. The packet format is as follows.
1) Inquiry packet image file format: TIFF, BMP, JPEG
Compression format: Uncompressed, RICOH S system Resolution: 300 DPI, 400 DPI, 600 DPI
Size: A4
2) Response packet address: 192.10.10.10
Logical device: NX500 printer 01
Image file format: TIFF, BMP
Compression format: Uncompressed, RICOH S system Resolution: 400 DPI
Size: A4
The inquiry packet includes a list of data formats that can be transmitted. The response packet is included in the inquiry packet and returns a receivable data format. Further, the logical device name displayed in the transmittable device list is included on the display unit of the scanner.
[0013]
Images reader (scanner), the filing apparatus, a facsimile, but also serves as an input device for an electronic mail such various devices, it is difficult to keep incorporating previously all either pass image information together with any information In addition to this, the usage of the apparatus may be limited. Therefore, the additional information required by the apparatus using the image information can be obtained from the panel of the image reading apparatus (scanner).
[0014]
FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of a network scanner that can obtain additional information from the panel of the scanner. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 7 ′ denotes a transmission capable device having means for receiving input control information for controlling the display operation unit 4. A search processing unit 10 is an input control information processing unit that controls the display operation unit 3. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
By configuring in this way, when using as an input means such as a FAX gateway device or a filing device, the information required by each device can be obtained from the display operation unit as needed without knowing in advance. It can be used as input means for various devices.
[0015]
In the configuration of FIG. 4, in addition to the configuration of FIG. 1 described above, additional necessary information is received from a device that uses image information, and input control information for controlling the display operation unit 3 is received. It is obtained by controlling the display operation unit according to the contents. Examples of input control information and responses are shown below.
Input control information:
Contents to be displayed in DISP # guidance area SEL # name # list of parameter selection contents specified by name INPn # name # Enter up to n characters specified by name END # End Response:
name # no Name of parameter selection list specified by name
N # name # abcd Number of characters entered and their contents
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, or shared by many users even without special registration process, you may send image information reading various devices made possible by a simple operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network scanner of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network scanner of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the network scanner of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the network scanner of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading apparatus (scanner), 2 ... Image processing part, 3 ... Display operation part, 4 ... System control part, 5 ... Session control part, 6 ... Image information transfer processing part, 7 ... Transmittable apparatus search processing part, 7 ': Transmittable device search processing unit having receiving means for input control information, 8 ... Communication protocol unit, 9 ... Network interface unit, 10 ... Input control information processing unit, 11 ... Display unit, 12 ... Operation unit, 13 ADF, 14 Image reading device, 15 Image processing device, 16 System control device, 17 Network interface device, S Step.

Claims (1)

A network scanner connected to the network via the communication protocol processing means, which inquires the image input means for reading the image information and a list of data formats that can be sent to the image information to the terminal connected to the network. A terminal search unit that receives a data format that can be processed by the terminal and a logical device name of the terminal as a response packet from the terminal that transmitted the packet and received the inquiry packet, and the terminal search unit responded A transmission destination device list including a logical device name of the terminal and a processable data format, and a transmission destination terminal selection means for selecting a transmission destination terminal from the list; a session with the selected transmission destination terminal; Session control means for selecting a transmission destination again if the session is not established, and the session control means If the session is swollen, the network scanner and having an image transfer means for transferring the read image information at the start instruction to the destination terminal.

Images