JP4093269B2 - Image reading apparatus connected to communication network - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus in which when there is a reading request from an arbitrary external information processing apparatus connected via a network, no other reading request is accepted for a predetermined time.

  In recent years, image reading apparatuses connected to a plurality of personal computers via a communication network such as a LAN, which can read a set original and send the read image information to the personal computer based on a reading request from the personal computer, have become widespread. is doing.

  The personal computer user makes the personal computer ready to receive image data, then goes to the image reading device, sets the original on the image reading device, and starts the original reading operation.

  However, when an external information processing apparatus such as a plurality of personal computers is connected to the LAN, another user may wait until an arbitrary personal computer sends a reading request to the image reading apparatus (scanner) and sets a document. May end up using a scanner.

  In general, only one scanner is often assigned to a plurality of users, which may cause a scanner neck. In such a case, troubles due to interruptions as described above often occur.

  Conventionally, a personal computer user's document reading operation has three stages: (1) a document reading request on the information processing device side, (2) a document setting on the image reading device side, and (3) a reading start operation on the information processing device side again. Although the operation was performed, if another user interrupted and set the document during the three-step operation, the document was taken into his / her personal computer, which caused a great deal of confusion.

  In addition, a personal computer user first sets a document in the reading unit of the image reading apparatus without issuing a reading request, and then specifies a reading condition such as resolution from the personal computer and sends a reading start instruction. There is also a simple reading procedure for starting original reading.

  In this way, if the document is set and left without giving a reading start instruction, it will not be interrupted by other users, but if left unattended for a long time, the other users will not be able to use it. .

  Conversely, if you set the original after issuing the original reading instruction, you will be notified of an error that there is no original, so go to the image reading device, set the original, and then issue the reading instruction from the computer again. It was necessary to put out.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is that when the external information processing apparatus sends a reading request to the image reading apparatus, even before the document is set. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that can be prohibited from being used by a user.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes an image reading apparatus having the following configuration.

In other words, the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 is an image reading apparatus that can be connected to a plurality of external information processing apparatuses via a communication network, and receives a document reading request from any external information processing apparatus. Until a document is set and a scanning start operation is performed, a reservation is made for a predetermined time limit, and a response indicating that the document is being used is received in response to a document scanning request from another external information processing apparatus during that period. While replying and rejecting the request, when the predetermined time has elapsed without the reading start operation being performed, the reservation state of the reading request is canceled, and the reservation state is set for the external information processing apparatus that has received the reading request. reply that it has released further until finished reading from the reading start operation is performed, when requested read from another external information processing device, returns a response indicating that during a read execution As well as accepts the read request, and wherein the reserving read document.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the password is received simultaneously with the reading request. If a unique password is assigned to each external information processing apparatus and registered in the image reading apparatus, the input password can be checked on the image reading apparatus side.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the password received together with the reading request is stored in the image reading apparatus, and when the password input is accepted by the image reading apparatus after receiving the reading request, the stored password is compared with the input password. The document reading is started only when they match.

  As a result, the user of the external information processing apparatus that has issued the request can reliably use the image reading apparatus.

  As can be understood from the above description, the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a predetermined process from when the document reading request is received from the external information processing apparatus until the document is set and the reading start operation is performed. For the time limit, other document reading requests are not accepted. In other words, the user who has transmitted the reading request can declare the use reservation of the image reading apparatus simply by transmitting the reading request from the external information processing apparatus.

  As a result, even if the user does not set a document, the user can safely read the document without being overtaken by other users.

Further, if the document reading is not started even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the use reservation of the image reading apparatus is automatically canceled, so there is no concern that one user will continue to monopolize the image reading apparatus. Further, by adjusting the predetermined time, the use efficiency of the image reading apparatus can be optimized.
Furthermore, if there is a reading request from another external information processing apparatus between the start of reading operation and the end of reading, it responds that reading is in progress, but accepts the reading request itself. Since the document reading can be reserved, the image reading apparatus can be used effectively for other users.

  According to the second aspect, since the password is received in response to the document reading request from the external information processing apparatus, a unique password is determined for each connected external information processing apparatus, and these passwords are set. If registered in the image reading apparatus in advance, the image reading apparatus can check whether it is a connected external information processing apparatus.

  According to the third aspect, when starting the document reading, the user is prompted to input the password, and the document is read only when the password stored in the reading request matches the input password. Even if the user interrupts and sets the original, the original reading is not started. Therefore, the user who issued the request can use it reliably.

  Further, since all document reading operations are completed on the image reading device side, (1) a request is made on the external information processing device side, (2) a document is set on the image reading device side, and (3) reading is started again on the information processing device side. A three-stage operation such as an operation becomes unnecessary.

  Also, the document reading procedure of (1) sending a reading request from the external information processing apparatus and (2) setting the document on the image reading apparatus side and starting the reading operation of the present invention is a conventional simple operation method. Compared with the procedure of (1) setting a document on the image reading device side and (2) starting the reading operation on the external information processing device side, it is not time-consuming. Not only that, the trouble to other users due to leaving the document is greatly reduced.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the image reading apparatus. Here, the case where the image reading apparatus is applied to the facsimile apparatus A connected to the LAN is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only a copying machine, a copier / facsimile multifunction machine, or a reading function is provided. The present invention can also be applied to an image reading apparatus (scanner) having the same.

  In the figure, 1 is a CPU that controls each of the following units, 2 is an NCU that is connected to a telephone line and sends a dial signal, or controls connection to the telephone line, and 3 is a signal that is modulated and demodulated for facsimile communication. A modem to be used, 4 is an image memory for temporarily storing image data, 5 is a RAM for storing variable information such as data received from the personal computer B1 and the like and print output information, and 6 is a ROM for storing a control program and the like.

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a liquid crystal screen and the like, a display unit for displaying the operation state and operation method of the facsimile apparatus A, 8 an operation unit including numeric keys and various operation keys, 9 a reading unit for reading a document, and 10 A LAN interface 11 for transmitting / receiving data to / from a personal computer B1 connected via a LAN, and 11 is a print output unit for recording image data.

  The reading unit 9 includes a flat bed scanner, an automatic document feeding mechanism, and the like.

  In the facsimile apparatus A, the image data read by the reading unit 9 is sequentially encoded, and then temporarily stored in the image memory 4 and transmitted to the personal computer B via the LAN interface 10, while receiving the image data, The obtained image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 4, sequentially read and decoded, and recorded by the print output unit 11.

  In addition to the personal computer B1, the facsimile machine A is connected to another user's personal computer B2 through a LAN.

  After the facsimile apparatus A accepts the document reading request from the personal computer B1, even if the original is not set in the reading unit 9, the user of the other personal computer B2 etc. The greatest feature of the present invention is that it cannot be used.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the facsimile apparatus A when reading a document.

  When the facsimile apparatus A receives a document reading request from the personal computer B1, the password received at the same time is stored in the RAM 5, a timer is started, and the display unit 7 displays that the reading request has been received from the personal computer B1, Scanning conditions such as resolution, color / monochrome type, and scanning range are received (above 101 to 105).

  Next, a document setting and starting operation guide is displayed on the display unit 7 and sent to the personal computer B1. After that, the user sets the document in the reading unit 9 and presses the start switch. A state of waiting for input is set (above, 105 to 107).

  If the password is input from the operation unit 8 and the input password matches the password received and stored at the time of the reading request, all the set originals are read in accordance with the reading conditions, and the read image data is sent to the personal computer B1 (107) ~ 111).

  If the input password does not match the received password, the password is further input. If the input error reaches the predetermined number of times, the process is terminated without executing the original reading (107, 108, 112).

  If the start switch is not pressed, the system waits for the start switch to be pressed until the time is up, and if there is a reading request from another user during that time, a response indicating that it is in use is sent. If the time is up, the fact that the reading request has been canceled is sent to the personal computer B1 (106, 113 to 116).

  As described above, the facsimile apparatus A does not accept other users' read requests for a predetermined period of time from the time when the read request of the user of the personal computer B1 is received until the reading start operation is performed. Thus, the user of the personal computer B1 that has received the read request can perform the read operation with peace of mind without being overtaken by other users.

  Further, by limiting the predetermined time, the facsimile apparatus A can be prevented from being monopolized by one user.

  Further, in the present invention, if there is a reading request from another external information processing apparatus between the time when the reading start operation is performed and the time when the reading is finished, a response that the reading is being executed is returned, but the reading request itself Is accepted, and a document reading can be reserved after the reading in progress is completed.

  Also, by checking the password, it is possible to prohibit the user's reading operation to interrupt and use the facsimile apparatus A after receiving the reading request, and the user who issued the request can use it reliably.

  Further, the usage efficiency of the facsimile machine A can be optimized by appropriately adjusting the predetermined time. For example, if the number of personal computers to be connected increases or the frequency of use increases and the machine neck of the facsimile apparatus A is generated, the predetermined time may be shortened and adjusted.

  A password may be uniquely assigned to each personal computer and registered in the personal computer, but a different password may be used for each reading.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a basic operation of the image reading apparatus of the present invention when reading a document.

Explanation of symbols

A Facsimile machine 9 Reading section (scanner)
B1, B2 PC (external information processing device)

Claims (3)

An image reading device connectable to a plurality of external information processing devices via a communication network,
After receiving a document reading request from any external information processing device, the document is set in a reserved state for a predetermined time until a document is set and a scanning start operation is performed. In response to the request, a response indicating that the request is in use is returned and the request is rejected.On the other hand, when the predetermined time has passed without the reading start operation being performed, the reserved state of the reading request is canceled and the reading request is issued. Reply to the received external information processing device that the reservation status has been canceled,
Furthermore, if there is a reading request from another external information processing apparatus between the start of reading and the end of reading, a response indicating that reading is in progress is returned, and the reading request is An image reading apparatus connected to a communication network, which accepts and reserves reading of a document. In claim 1,
An image reading apparatus connected to a communication network, which receives a password at the same time as a document reading request. In claim 2,
The password is stored in the image reading device,
An image reading apparatus connected to a communication network, wherein when an input of a password is received after receiving a request for reading a document, the stored password is compared with the input password, and the document reading is started only when they match. .

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