JP4314757B2 - Data transmission apparatus, data communication system, data communication method, data transmission program, and computer-readable recording medium recording the data transmission program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a data transmission device, a data communication system, a data communication method, a data transmission program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the data transmission program is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-4239 discloses a LAN (Local Area Network) printer server system for the purpose of improving the efficiency of print processing.
[0003]
In this system, when the designated printer (receiving device) cannot be used due to the occurrence of an abnormality, the print server automatically transmits the print data (file) to the alternative printer to continue the process.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, if an abnormality occurs during the transmission of a file from the client (transmission device) to the print server, the print server cannot continue processing. That is, the print server cannot send print data to the printer.
[0005]
Furthermore, even if the occurrence of an abnormality is notified, it is difficult for the user to obtain information on a print server that can be replaced, and thus printing has been substantially abandoned.
[0006]
The present invention was made to solve such a conventional problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of continuing a file transmission process even when an abnormality occurs during file transmission. To do.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.
[0008]
(1) A transmitting device that transmits a file via a network, and a receiving device that receives the file , Multiple file servers for relaying file transmission / reception , In a data communication system having
The transmitter is
A receiving device specifying means for specifying a receiving device to transmit the file;
From the plurality of file servers One that can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device A selection means for selecting a file server;
chosen Said one A file transmission means for transmitting a file to a file server;
chosen Said one If an error occurs during file transmission to the file server, the file transmission is stopped and the multiple file servers Can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device Resending means for selecting another file server and transmitting the file to the file server;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
Address notification means for notifying the receiving device of the instructions,
The receiving device is:
And receiving means for receiving the file from a file server that has been successfully received based on the notified instruction.
A data communication system.
[0009]
(2) The transmitter further includes file of File server that can be used for relay of And the selection means is based on a file server list. Said one file server, said another The data communication system according to (1), wherein a file server is selected.
[0010]
(3) The data communication system further includes file of File server that can be used for relay of A directory server holding a list, wherein the transmitting device receives from the directory server did Based on list Said one file server, said another The data communication system according to (1), wherein a file server is selected.
[0011]
(4) The transmission apparatus according to (1), further including an image reading unit that reads an image of a document to generate image data, and a file forming unit that forms a file from the image data. Data communication system.
[0012]
(5) The data communication system according to (1), wherein the receiving device further includes a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet based on the received file.
[0013]
(6) A transmitting device that transmits a file via a network, and a receiving device that receives the file , A transmission device in a data communication system having a plurality of file servers for relaying file transmission and reception,
A receiving device specifying means for specifying a receiving device to transmit the file;
From the plurality of file servers One that can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device A selection means for selecting a file server;
chosen One A file transmission means for transmitting a file to a file server;
chosen One If an error occurs during file transmission to the file server, the file transmission is stopped and the multiple file servers Can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device Resending means for selecting another file server and transmitting the file to the file server;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
Address notifying means for notifying the receiving device of the instructions;
A transmission apparatus characterized by comprising:
[0014]
(7) Data in a data communication system having a transmission device for transmitting a file via a network, a reception device for receiving a file, and a plurality of file servers for relaying file transmission / reception between the transmission device and the reception device A communication method,
The transmitting device designating a receiving device to transmit the file;
The transmitting device is connected to the plurality of file servers. One that can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device Selecting a file server for
The transmitter is selected Said one Sending a file to a file server;
The transmitter is selected Said one If an error occurs during file transmission to the file server, the file transmission is stopped and the multiple file servers Can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device Selecting another file server and sending the file to the file server;
A step of receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including the address information of the file server, from the file server in which the transmission of the file has been normally completed;
The transmitting device notifying the instruction to the receiving device;
The receiving device receiving the file from the file server that has been successfully received based on the notified instruction;
A data communication system characterized by comprising:
[0015]
(8) Transmission in a data communication system having a transmission device for transmitting a file via a network, a reception device for receiving a file, and a plurality of file servers for relaying file transmission / reception between the transmission device and the reception device A data transmission program for controlling a device,
A procedure to specify the receiving device to send the file;
From the plurality of file servers One that can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device The procedure for selecting a file server,
chosen Said one Sending files to the file server,
chosen Said one If an error occurs during file transmission to the file server, the file transmission is stopped and the multiple file servers Can be used to relay file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device A procedure for selecting another file server and sending the file to the file server;
A procedure for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
A procedure for notifying the receiving device of the instructions;
A data transmission program for causing a transmission device to execute.
[0016]
(9) A computer-readable recording medium on which the data transmission program according to (8) is recorded.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 1, the data communication system according to the first embodiment includes an image reading device 10, a plurality of candidate servers 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D, and an image forming device 70.
[0019]
In the middle of transmitting a file to the transfer server selected from the candidate servers 40A to 40D, the image reading apparatus 10 determines another candidate when, for example, a storage area for storing the received file is insufficient and an abnormality occurs. By selecting a server as a transfer server, the transmission device can continue the file transmission process. The image forming apparatus 70 is a receiving apparatus that finally receives a file from the image reading apparatus 10.
[0020]
The network 92 to which the candidate servers 40A to 40D belong is connected to a network 91 to which the image reading apparatus 10 belongs and a network 93 to which the image forming apparatus 70 belongs via firewalls 90A and 90B. For example, the networks 91 and 93 and the network 92 are an intranet and the Internet, respectively, and use TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).
[0021]
The firewall 90A is transparently set with respect to the connection from the inside of the network 91 to the external network 92 and the e-mail protocol. The firewall 90B is transparently set with respect to the connection from the inside of the network 93 to the external network 92 and the e-mail protocol.
[0022]
Next, the configuration of the image reading apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0023]
The image reading apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, an image reading unit 15, a file forming unit 16, an e-mail unit 17, and a communication interface 18. Are connected to each other.
[0024]
The control unit 11 is a control circuit composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls the units 12 to 19 according to a control program. The control program includes a data transmission program, an instruction acquisition program, and an e-mail transmission / reception program.
[0025]
The data transmission program uses, for example, an FTP (file transfer protocol) put command. The instruction acquisition program uses, for example, HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) and CGI (Common Gateway Interface). The e-mail transmission / reception program uses, for example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP (Post Office Protocol) or IMAP (Internet Messaging Access Protocol).
[0026]
The storage unit 12 includes, for example, a read-only storage device such as a ROM, a high-speed random access storage device such as a nonvolatile RAM, and a large-capacity random access storage device such as a hard disk drive. The storage unit 12 stores a control program and various setting data, a temporary storage area for storing data such as an image file obtained by reading a document image, and a work area for executing the control program. Have The setting data includes a transmission condition, a server table, and an address table, which will be described later.
[0027]
The input unit 13 includes a plurality of keys and a touch panel disposed on the liquid crystal display panel, and is used to input various items to the image reading apparatus 10.
[0028]
The display unit 14 includes a liquid crystal display panel, and is used to display various messages.
[0029]
The image reading unit 15 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor for reading a document image and generating image data, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) for continuously reading the document image. .
[0030]
The file forming unit 16 forms, for example, a bitmap format or a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file from the data output from the image reading unit 15.
[0031]
The e-mail unit 17 creates an e-mail including an instruction sheet acquired from the transfer server. The electronic mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 70.
[0032]
The communication interface 18 includes a network interface card (NIC), sends a file to the transfer server, requests an instruction to the transfer server, receives an e-mail from the transfer server and the image forming apparatus 70, and electronic to the image forming apparatus 70. Used for sending mail.
[0033]
Next, the configuration of the candidate servers 40A to 40D will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
Candidate servers 40 </ b> A to 40 </ b> D include a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an instruction form creation unit 43, an e-mail unit 44, and a communication interface 45, which are connected to each other via a bus 46.
[0035]
The control unit 41 is a control circuit composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls the units 42 to 46 according to a control program. The control program includes an instruction form transmission program, an e-mail transmission / reception program, and a file transmission / reception program.
[0036]
The instruction form transmission program uses, for example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and CGI. The file transmission / reception program uses, for example, FTP.
[0037]
The storage unit 42 has the same configuration as the storage unit 12, stores a control program, and executes a temporary storage area for storing a file transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10 and a control program. Has a work area.
[0038]
The instruction book creation unit 43 creates an instruction book, and the electronic mail unit 44 creates an electronic mail.
[0039]
The communication interface 45 is made of a NIC and is used for sending instructions and e-mails to the image reading apparatus 10, receiving files sent from the image reading apparatus 10, and sending files to the image forming apparatus 70.
[0040]
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 70 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0041]
The image forming apparatus 70 includes a control unit 71, a storage unit 72, a printing unit 73, an e-mail unit 74, an e-mail analysis unit 75, and a communication interface 76, which are connected to each other via a bus 77. Yes.
[0042]
The control unit 71 is a control circuit composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls the units 72 to 77 according to a control program.
[0043]
The control program includes an electronic mail transmission / reception program and a file reception program for receiving a file stored in the transfer server. The file reception program uses, for example, an FTP get command.
[0044]
The storage unit 72 has the same configuration as the storage unit 12, stores a control program, and has a temporary storage area for storing a file acquired from the transfer server and a work area for executing the program. Have.
[0045]
The printing unit 73 has, for example, an electrophotographic image forming mechanism, and is used to print a file acquired from the transfer server on paper.
[0046]
The e-mail unit 74 creates an e-mail.
[0047]
The e-mail analysis unit 75 analyzes the e-mail transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10 and extracts instructions.
[0048]
The communication interface 76 is made of a NIC and is used for receiving an e-mail from the image reading apparatus 10, receiving a file transmitted from the transfer server, and transmitting an e-mail to the image reading apparatus 10.
[0049]
Next, operations controlled by the control unit 11 of the image reading apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, description of communication procedures such as user authentication and encryption method negotiation related to the start of communication is omitted.
[0050]
First, the control unit 11 acquires transmission conditions and reading conditions input by the user via the input unit 13 (step S1). As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission conditions include usage conditions such as a user name and password related to user authority, a transmission destination address, and the like. FIG. 7 shows an example of transmission conditions (user name: AAAAA, password: aaaaa, transmission destination address: printer.dokokano.co.jp).
[0051]
Then, the image reading unit 15 performs image reading of the document placed on the ADF (step S2). The file forming unit 16 forms a file in a predetermined format from the data output from the image reading unit 15 (step S3).
[0052]
Subsequently, the control unit 11 searches the server table based on the transmission condition, and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file (step S4). As shown in FIG. 8, the server table includes, for example, priorities set in consideration of past operation results, server names (candidate server names), user names, passwords, and destination addresses. The correspondence is shown. The destination address is described using a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and the names of the candidate servers 40A to 40D are S1 to S4, respectively.
[0053]
For example, when a server with priority 1, that is, a candidate server 40 </ b> A whose name is S <b> 1 is selected as a transfer server, the control unit 11 searches the address table and acquires an address corresponding to the name of the candidate server 40 </ b> A (step S5). As shown in FIG. 9, the address table shows the correspondence between server names and domain names (addresses). It is also possible to directly use an IP address instead of the domain name.
[0054]
When the address “S1.tekitou.co.jp” is acquired, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S6). If it is determined that the transfer server is not normally selected, that is, the server table does not include a candidate server that can store the file to be transmitted, error processing is executed (step S12). For example, the error process is a process of displaying a message indicating that file transmission is impossible on the liquid crystal display panel of the display unit 14.
[0055]
When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 11 establishes a connection with the transfer server and starts file transmission (step S7). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the file transmission has been normally completed (step S8).
[0056]
When it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 11 searches the server table and selects the next server (another server) as the transfer server (step S9). Then, the process returns to step S5. The determination of abnormal termination is executed based on an electronic mail that is transmitted from the transfer server and includes a message indicating the occurrence of an abnormality.
[0057]
When it is determined that the file transmission has been normally completed, the control unit 11 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S10). The instruction includes data necessary for acquiring a file stored in the transfer server, for example, a user name, a password, a server address, and an encryption method as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 shows an example of the instruction sheet.
[0058]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 17 creates an e-mail including an instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 70 (step S11). For example, when the address of the image forming apparatus 70 is “printer.dokokano.co.jp”, the e-mail destination is represented by “pull@printer.dokokano.co.jp”.
[0059]
Next, the server table will be supplementarily described.
[0060]
The username and password can be used, for example, to set access restrictions for a particular user. In addition, at least the password is preferably encrypted, and the user name may be encrypted. The encryption of the user name and password improves the security of the transfer server.
[0061]
The server table shown in FIG. 8 shows a case where the same user name and password are applied to all users. Note that the password is described in plain text consisting of unencrypted text in order to simplify the description. A blank in the user name and password indicates that all users can use it.
[0062]
In addition, since the server table includes information on both candidate server names and transmission destination addresses, it is possible to flexibly cope with various situations. For example, it is possible to deal with a situation in which the transmission destination that can be used by the user of the image reading apparatus 10 is limited, or the candidate servers that can be used by the transmission destination are limited.
[0063]
For example, access to a specific domain (server and / or destination) may go through a very large number of providers or a route with a small line capacity depending on the characteristics of the Internet. In such a situation, when the route to the final destination (transmission destination) is thick and there is an intermediate point (server) with a short route, it can be incorporated into the server table.
[0064]
Further, a protocol for transmitting data from the image reading apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 70 via a transfer server selected from the candidate servers 40A to 40D is denoted by “xxxxx”. For example, when data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 70 whose address is “printer1.dokokano.co.jp”, “xxxxx: printer1.dokokano.co.jp” is represented as the destination address of the server table. Is done.
[0065]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 41 of the transfer server selected from the candidate servers 40A to 40D will be described with reference to FIG.
[0066]
First, when a file (see step S7 in FIG. 5) is received from the image reading apparatus 10 (step S21), the control unit 41 thereafter determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred (step S22).
[0067]
If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, error processing is executed (step S27). The error process is a process for notifying the image reading apparatus 10 of the occurrence of an abnormality, for example, a process for transmitting an e-mail including a message indicating the occurrence of an abnormality to the image reading apparatus 10 (step S8 in FIG. 5). reference).
[0068]
If it is determined that the file has been normally terminated, the control unit 41 further determines whether or not the file reception is completed (step S23). If it is determined that the file reception is incomplete, the process returns to step S21.
[0069]
When it is determined that the file reception has been completed, the instruction creation unit 43 creates an instruction (see FIG. 11), and the instruction is based on a connection established by a request from the image reading device 10. It is transmitted to the image reading apparatus 10 (step S24). Note that the image reading apparatus 10 transmits an e-mail including an instruction sheet to the image forming apparatus 70 (see step S11 in FIG. 5).
[0070]
Thereafter, when a storage data request from the image forming apparatus 70 based on the e-mail is received (step S25), the control unit 41 images a file based on the connection established by the request from the image forming apparatus 70. It transmits to the forming apparatus 70 (step S26).
[0071]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 71 of the image forming apparatus 70 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
First, when an e-mail transmitted from the image reading device 10 is received in step S11 of FIG. 5 (step S31), the e-mail analysis unit 75 analyzes the e-mail and extracts an instruction (step S32). ).
[0073]
Subsequently, the control unit 71 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the e-mail analysis (step S33). If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, error processing is executed (step S37). The error process is a process for notifying the image reading apparatus 10 of the occurrence of an abnormality, for example, a process for transmitting an e-mail including a message indicating the occurrence of an abnormality to the image reading apparatus 10.
[0074]
When it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, the control unit 71 transmits the stored data request to the selected server using the user name, password, server address, and encryption method included in the instruction (Step S71). S34) (see step S26 in FIG. 12).
[0075]
Thereafter, when a file is received from the transfer server (step S35) (see step S27 in FIG. 12), the printing unit 73 prints the file on paper (step S36).
[0076]
Next, a data communication system according to the second embodiment will be described.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 14, the data communication system according to the second embodiment is implemented in that a directory server 130 that creates and transmits a server table is connected to a network 191 to which the image reading apparatus 110 belongs. This is generally different from the data communication system according to the first embodiment. Since the configurations of candidate servers 140A to 140D and image forming apparatus 170 and the settings of firewalls 190A and 190B are the same as in the first embodiment, some of the overlapping contents are omitted.
[0078]
As shown in FIG. 15, the image reading apparatus 110 is different from the image reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes an inquiry condition creating unit 120.
[0079]
The inquiry condition creating unit 120 generates an inquiry condition based on the transmission condition. As shown in FIG. 17, the inquiry condition includes usage conditions such as a user name, a password, and a transmission destination address, and is used by the directory server 130 to create a server table.
[0080]
Further, the storage unit 112 stores a server table created in the directory server 130 each time an inquiry is made, instead of a server table created in advance.
[0081]
The control program related to the control unit 111 includes an inquiry transmission program and a server table reception program, which use, for example, HTTP and CGI.
[0082]
Next, the configuration of the directory server 130 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0083]
The directory server 130 includes a control unit 131, a storage unit 132, a server table creation unit 133, and a communication interface 134, which are connected to each other via a bus 135.
[0084]
The control unit 131 is a control circuit composed of a microprocessor or the like, and controls the units 132 to 135 according to a control program. The control program includes an inquiry condition reception program and a server table transmission program, which use, for example, HTTP and CGI.
[0085]
The storage unit 132 has the same configuration as that of the storage unit 12 and stores a control program, a temporary storage area in which a server candidate table is stored, and a work area for executing the control program. The server candidate table is used to create a server table, and the configuration is the same as that of the server table.
[0086]
The server table creation unit 133 extracts candidate servers that satisfy the query condition transmitted from the image reading device 110 from the server candidate table, and creates a server table.
[0087]
The communication interface 134 is composed of a NIC, and is used for receiving inquiry conditions transmitted from the image reading apparatus 110 and transmitting a server table to the image reading apparatus 110.
[0088]
Next, operations controlled by the control unit 111 of the image reading apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0089]
First, the control unit 111 acquires transmission conditions and reading conditions input by the user via the input unit 113 (step S41). The image reading unit 115 performs image reading of the document placed on the ADF (step S42).
[0090]
Subsequently, the file forming unit 116 forms a file in a predetermined format from the data output from the image reading unit 115 (step S43). The inquiry condition creating unit 120 creates, for example, the inquiry condition shown in FIG. 17 based on the transmission condition (step S44). And the control part 111 establishes a connection with respect to the directory server 130, and transmits an inquiry (step S45).
[0091]
Thereafter, the control unit 111 receives a server table transmitted from the directory server 130 (step S46). For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the server table includes a server address (candidate server address) instead of the server name, and unlike the first embodiment, it is not necessary to determine the server address.
[0092]
Subsequently, the control unit 111 searches the server table and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file (step S47). Then, the control unit 111 determines whether the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S48). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is abnormal, an error process is executed (step S54).
[0093]
When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 111 controls the communication interface 118 to start file transmission to the transfer server (step S49). Then, the control unit 111 determines whether or not the file transmission has ended normally (step S50).
[0094]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 111 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S51). Then, the process returns to step S48.
[0095]
When it is determined that the file transmission is normally completed, the control unit 111 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S52).
[0096]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 117 creates an e-mail including the instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 170 (step S53).
[0097]
Next, the operation controlled by the control unit 131 of the directory server 130 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0098]
The control unit 131 receives the inquiry (see step S45 in FIG. 18) transmitted from the image reading apparatus 110 through the connection established by the request from the image reading apparatus 110 (step S61), and extracts the inquiry condition (step S61). Step S62). The server table creation unit 133 executes server table creation processing (step S63). Thereafter, the control unit 131 transmits the server table to the image reading apparatus 110 using the connection established by the request from the image reading apparatus 110 (step S64).
[0099]
Next, the server table creation processing in step S63 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0100]
First, the server table creation unit 133 extracts the first element (record) of the server candidate table (step S71).
[0101]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user name and password of the extracted element are blank (step S72). If it is determined that the user name and password are blank, the process proceeds to step S75. If it is determined that the user name and password are not blank, it is determined whether or not the user name is the same as the user name in the query condition (step S73).
[0102]
If it is determined that the user names do not match, the process proceeds to step S77. If it is determined that the user names are the same, it is further determined whether or not the password is the same as the password of the inquiry condition (step S74).
[0103]
If it is determined that the passwords do not match, the process proceeds to step S77. If it is determined that the passwords are the same, it is further determined whether or not the destination pattern is the same as the destination pattern of the inquiry condition (step S75). For pattern matching, for example, fuzzy matching is applied, and a matching method is used in which the character “*” is treated as “any character string including a space”.
[0104]
If it is determined that the destination patterns do not match, the process proceeds to step S77. If it is determined that the destination patterns are the same, the extracted element is added to the server table (step S76). For example, if the destination of the extracted element is “xxxxx: //*.dokokano.co.jp” and the destination of the query condition is “xxxxx: //printer.dokokano.co.jp”, the pattern Are determined to be the same.
[0105]
In step S77, the presence / absence of the next element in the server candidate table is determined (step S77). If it is determined that the next element of the server candidate table exists, the element is extracted (step S78), and the process returns to step S72.
[0106]
If it is determined that the next element of the server candidate table does not exist, the contents of the server table are sorted in the order of high priority, and the creation of the server table is completed (step S79). Note that if the contents of the server candidate table are already sorted in order of priority, step S79 can be omitted.
[0107]
Next, a third embodiment will be described.
[0108]
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that transmission conditions, server tables, and instructions are expanded from the viewpoints of security and convenience. Note that a part of the description overlapping with the description of Embodiment 1 is omitted.
[0109]
As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the transmission conditions according to the third embodiment are configured from transmission destination conditions including usage conditions of candidate servers, reading conditions of the image reading apparatus, and specification information of the image forming apparatus.
[0110]
The use condition items include user name 1, password 1, transmission destination 1, transmission destination 2, notification destination, encryption method, user name 2, password 2, storage capacity, load, and bandwidth.
[0111]
User name 1, password 1, and destination 1 correspond to the transmission conditions according to the first embodiment.
[0112]
The transmission destination 2 is a transmission destination that can be arbitrarily selected as an alternative to the transmission destination 1, and is, for example, a special transmission destination that provides benefits such as a reduction in printing costs. The notification destination is an address for notifying completion of printing by e-mail. User name 2 and password 2 are for access to the candidate server.
[0113]
The storage capacity indicates a value that can be allocated for file storage in the candidate server. The load indicates the number of sessions that can be accepted by the candidate server. The bandwidth indicates a value that can be assigned to the file transmission in the candidate server.
[0114]
The items of reading conditions include resolution, number of bits per pixel, reading mode, document size, and presence / absence of double-sided reading. The reading mode is a color or monochrome mode.
[0115]
The items of the transmission destination condition are items of the printing function of the image forming apparatus, and include paper size, presence / absence of double-sided printing, color mode, and post-processing. Post-processing is, for example, finishing or stapling.
[0116]
As shown in FIG. 24, the server table according to the third embodiment is expanded by further incorporating a color mode of a transmission destination condition. In this case, for example, it is possible to provide a candidate server dedicated to a color document having a large amount of data and to limit users who can use it.
[0117]
Next, the extended server table creation process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0118]
First, the server table creation unit extracts the first element of the server candidate table (step S81).
[0119]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the user name and password of the extracted element are blank (step S82). If it is determined that the user name and password are blank, the process proceeds to step S85. If it is determined that the user name and password are not blank, it is determined whether or not the user name is the same as the user name in the inquiry condition (step S83).
[0120]
If it is determined that the user names do not match, the process proceeds to step S88. If it is determined that the user names are the same, it is further determined whether or not the password is the same as the password of the inquiry condition (step S84).
[0121]
If it is determined that the passwords do not match, the process proceeds to step S88. If it is determined that the passwords are the same, it is further determined whether or not the destination pattern is the same as the destination pattern of the inquiry condition (step S85).
[0122]
If it is determined that the destination patterns do not match, the process proceeds to step S88. If it is determined that the transmission destination pattern is the same, it is further determined whether or not the transmission destination pattern is the same as the transmission destination condition pattern in the inquiry condition (step S86).
[0123]
If it is determined that the destination condition patterns do not match, the process proceeds to step S88. If it is determined that the destination condition patterns are the same, the extracted element is added to the server table (step S87).
[0124]
In step S88, the presence / absence of the next element in the server candidate table is determined. If it is determined that the next element exists, the element is extracted (step S89), and the process returns to step S82. If it is determined that the next element of the server candidate table does not exist, the contents of the server table are sorted in the order of high priority, and the creation of the server table is completed (step S90).
[0125]
As shown in FIG. 26, the instruction according to the third embodiment is expanded by further incorporating a paper size, the number of copies, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, post-processing, and a notification destination.
[0126]
FIG. 27 is an example of an extended instruction sheet. The URL item (document-url) of the file stored on the transfer server is “ftp://ftp.some.where.domain.co.jp/someone/private/documemt.tiff” The access key item (document-access-key) is "ftp-username = someone; ftp-password = junkpassword", and the notification destination item (notification-url) is "mailto: someone@somewhere.co.jp" Yes, in the case of paper size “A4”, number of copies “2”, duplex printing, post-processing “sort and staple”.
[0127]
The access key includes the user name “someone” and the password “junkpassword”, and is generated in the transfer server, but can also be generated in the image reading apparatus 10. As an access key, it is possible to use a randomly generated job number or use a certificate issued by a public institution. Furthermore, the validity of the access key is determined by the transfer server, but an authentication server can also be used.
[0128]
Next, the operation controlled by the control unit of the image forming apparatus based on the extended instruction will be described with reference to FIG.
[0129]
First, the control unit receives an e-mail from the image reading apparatus (step S101), and the e-mail analysis unit analyzes the e-mail and extracts an instruction (step S102).
[0130]
Subsequently, the control unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the e-mail analysis (step S103). If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, error processing is executed (step S109). When it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, the control unit sets the printing conditions of the printing unit in accordance with the paper size, the number of copies, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, and the contents of post-processing included in the instruction (step S104). ).
[0131]
Thereafter, the control unit transmits the stored data request to the transfer server specified by the server address using the user name, password, server address, and encryption method included in the instruction (step S105). .
[0132]
Thereafter, when a file is received from the transfer server (step S106), the printing unit prints the file on paper (step S107). The e-mail unit creates an e-mail notifying the completion of printing, and the e-mail is transmitted to the notification destination included in the instruction sheet.
[0133]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
[0134]
The fourth embodiment is generally different from the first embodiment in that an e-mail transmitted from the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus is created based on a plurality of instructions. Note that a part of the description overlapping with the description of Embodiment 1 is omitted.
[0135]
FIG. 29 to FIG. 31 respectively show configuration examples of e-mails when a file is formed for each page and instructions are obtained.
[0136]
Specifically, FIG. 29 shows a configuration in which instructions are transmitted as an attachment file of an e-mail in page order using MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions). In this case, for example, the paper size, the paper orientation, or the paper type can be changed for each page.
[0137]
In FIG. 30, a common instruction part, which is a common part of instructions such as overall printing conditions, is attached first, and instructions consisting of parts specific to each page such as special paper designation for each page are attached in page order. It is a configuration. In this case, the e-mail capacity can be reduced as compared with the configuration shown in FIG. Note that the common instruction section can be described in the body of the email instead of the attached file.
[0138]
FIG. 31 shows a configuration in which a plurality of URLs (ftp.server / page1.tiff, ftp.server / page2.tiff, ftp.server / page3.tiff) are described in the URL item in the instruction sheet. In this case, the processing in the e-mail analysis unit of the image forming apparatus can be simplified.
[0139]
In the URL item, it is also possible to describe the URL of a link file consisting of a storage table in which the actual location of the file is listed in page order. In this case, by adding a special extension, for example, “inf” to the link file, it can be determined whether or not the description of the URL item indicates the link file.
[0140]
On the other hand, it is possible to create a special file name naming rule and present only the URL of one file. For example, a naming rule in which a part indicating a file number is provided immediately before the extension of the file name can be adopted.
[0141]
Specifically, when five files are received, the transfer server assigns names of file.1.tiff to file.5.tiff and stores them. Then, the transfer server transmits an instruction including “ftp://ftp.dokokano.co.jp/file.5.tiff” indicating the last file name as the URL item to the image reading apparatus. The image forming apparatus sequentially acquires and prints the files file.1.tiff to file.5.tiff from the transfer server based on the URL item included in the instruction sheet from the image reading apparatus.
[0142]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit of the image forming apparatus when a link file is used will be described with reference to FIG.
[0143]
First, the control unit receives an e-mail from the image reading apparatus (step S111), and the e-mail analysis unit analyzes the e-mail and extracts instructions (step S112).
[0144]
Subsequently, the control unit sets printing conditions for the printing unit in accordance with the paper size, the number of copies, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, and the content of post-processing included in the instruction sheet (step S113). Then, the control unit determines whether or not a predetermined character string exists in the URL item of the instruction sheet (step S114). As the predetermined character string, for example, a character string constituting an extension indicating a link file is used.
[0145]
If it is determined that the predetermined character string does not exist, the control unit transmits a storage data request using the user name, password, server address, and encryption method included in the instruction (step S115). Thereafter, the file from the transfer server specified by the server address is received (step S116), and the process proceeds to step S120.
[0146]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined character string exists, the control unit acquires the link file, extracts the storage table (step S121), and sequentially transmits the storage data request according to the storage table (step S118). ). Thereafter, the files are received in page order (step S119) and the process proceeds to step S120.
[0147]
In step S120, the printing unit prints the received file on paper.
[0148]
In the above operation, after all the files are received, printing is executed in a batch. However, it is also possible to execute printing each time a file is received. In this case, since the load on the storage unit can be reduced, it can be easily applied to an image forming apparatus having a small storage unit capacity.
[0149]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit of the image forming apparatus when printing is executed every time a file is received will be described with reference to FIG.
[0150]
First, the control unit receives an e-mail from the image reading apparatus (step S131), and the e-mail analysis unit analyzes the e-mail and extracts an instruction (step S132).
[0151]
Subsequently, the control unit sets the printing conditions of the printing unit corresponding to the paper size, the number of copies, the presence / absence of double-sided printing, and the content of post-processing included in the instruction (step S133), and sets the URL item of the instruction Then, it is determined whether or not a predetermined character string exists (step S134).
[0152]
When it is determined that the predetermined character string does not exist, the control unit uses the user name, password, server address, and encryption method included in the instruction to transfer the stored data request to the transfer server specified by the server address. (Step S135). Thereafter, when a file is received from the transfer server (step S136), the printing unit prints the file on paper (step S137).
[0153]
On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined character string exists, the control unit acquires the link file, extracts the storage table (step S138), and transmits a storage data request according to the storage table (step S139). . Thereafter, when the file is received (step S140), the printing unit prints the file on paper (step S141).
[0154]
Subsequently, the control unit determines whether or not the printed file is the last element in the storage table (step S142). If the printed file is not the last element, the process returns to step S139 and a stored data request is sent based on the next element in the storage table. This is repeated for the number of files included in the storage table.
[0155]
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described.
[0156]
The fifth embodiment is generally different from the second embodiment in that the file transmitted from the image reading apparatus is composed of a page description language. In addition, the content which overlaps with the description according to Embodiment 2 is partially omitted.
[0157]
As shown in FIG. 34, the image reading apparatus according to the fifth embodiment includes a format conversion unit 221. The format conversion unit 221 converts the file generated in the file forming unit 216 into a page description language supported by the image forming apparatus.
[0158]
Further, the page description language supported by the image forming apparatus can be incorporated by extending the transmission destination condition of the server table. For example, when the image forming apparatus supports Internet FAX-compliant TIFF and PostScript (R) 3, it can be expressed as shown in FIG. 35, for example.
[0159]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 211 of the image reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0160]
First, the control unit 211 acquires transmission conditions and reading conditions input by the user via the input unit 213 (step S151). The image reading unit 215 reads an image of a document placed on the ADF, and the file forming unit 216 generates a file in a predetermined format from the data output from the image reading unit 215 (step S152).
[0161]
Subsequently, the query condition creation unit 220 creates a query condition based on the transmission condition, and the control unit 211 establishes a connection to the directory server and transmits the query (step S153).
[0162]
Thereafter, the control unit 211 receives the server table transmitted from the directory server, searches the server table, and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file (step S154).
[0163]
Subsequently, the control unit 211 refers to the transmission destination condition of the server table to determine the page description language format, and the format conversion unit 221 determines the file generated by the file forming unit 216 as the determined page description language. (Step S155).
[0164]
Then, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S156). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is abnormal, error processing is executed (step S162).
[0165]
When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 211 controls the communication interface 218 to start file transmission to the transfer server (step S157). Then, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the file transmission has ended normally (step S158).
[0166]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 211 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S159). Then, the process returns to step S156.
[0167]
When it is determined that the file transmission has been normally completed, the control unit 211 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S160).
[0168]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 217 creates an e-mail including the instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step S161).
[0169]
In the above operation, the files generated in the file forming unit 216 are collectively converted in format. However, it is also possible to convert the format of the file in units of pages and send it in correspondence with the image reading of the document. In this case, since the load on the storage unit 212 can be reduced, it can be easily applied to an image forming apparatus having a small storage unit capacity. A plurality of instructions are obtained in page order.
[0170]
Now, with reference to FIG. 36, an operation controlled by the control unit of the image reading apparatus in the case where a file is subjected to format conversion and transmitted will be described.
[0171]
First, the control unit 211 obtains transmission conditions and reading conditions input by the user via the input unit 213 (step S171). Subsequently, the query condition creating unit 220 creates a query condition based on the transmission condition, and the control unit 211 establishes a connection to the directory server and transmits the query (step S172).
[0172]
Thereafter, the control unit 211 receives a server table transmitted from the directory server, searches the server table, and selects a transfer server for transmitting a file (step S173).
[0173]
Then, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S174). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is abnormal, error processing is executed (step S185). When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 211 refers to the transmission destination condition in the server table and determines the format of the page description language (step S175).
[0174]
Thereafter, the image reading unit 215 reads an image of the document placed on the ADF in units of pages, and the file forming unit 216 generates a file in a predetermined format from the data output from the image reading unit 215. Then, the format conversion unit 221 converts the file into the determined page description language (step S176).
[0175]
Subsequently, the control unit 211 controls the communication interface 218 to start file transmission to the transfer server (step S177). Then, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the file transmission has ended normally (step S178).
[0176]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 211 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S183). The control unit 211 further determines whether or not the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S184). If it is determined that the transfer server selection is abnormal, error processing is performed (step S185), and if it is determined that the transfer server selection is normal, the process returns to step S177.
[0177]
If it is determined that the file transmission has been normally completed, the control unit 211 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S179).
[0178]
Subsequently, the control unit 211 determines whether or not the transmitted file is the last page (step S180). If it is determined that the transmitted file is not the last page, the process returns to step S176, and image reading of the document on the next page is started.
[0179]
When it is determined that the transmitted file is the last page, the control unit 211 creates an instruction for sending by e-mail by editing the instruction acquired so far (step S181). ).
[0180]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 217 creates an e-mail including an instruction sheet (see FIGS. 29 to 31 according to the third embodiment), and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step S182). ).
[0181]
Next, a sixth embodiment will be described.
[0182]
The data communication system according to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 38 is the data according to the first embodiment in that the candidate servers 340A to 340E are unspecified and a server table is newly created when a file is transmitted. Generally different from communication systems. Note that a part of the description overlapping with the description of Embodiment 1 is omitted.
[0183]
As illustrated in FIG. 39, the image reading apparatus 310 includes an inquiry condition creation unit 320 and a server table creation unit 321.
[0184]
The query condition creation unit 320 generates a query condition based on the transmission condition. The inquiry conditions include usage conditions such as a user name, a password, and a transmission destination address, and are used by the candidate servers 340A to 340E to determine whether or not to respond to the inquiry.
[0185]
The server table creation unit 321 creates a server table based on the responses of the candidate servers 340A to 340E to the inquiry. Therefore, unlike the storage unit 12 of the first embodiment, the storage unit 312 does not store a server table created in advance.
[0186]
The control program related to the control unit 311 includes an inquiry transmission program for transmitting an inquiry to unspecified candidate servers 340A to 340E and a response reception program for receiving the response. These use, for example, multicast based on TCP / IP-based protocols such as SLP (Service Location Protocol) and SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol).
[0187]
On the other hand, the candidate servers 340A to 340E include a query analysis unit 347 and a response creation unit 348 as shown in FIG. In the temporary storage area of the storage unit 342, a server candidate table consisting only of contents related to itself is stored. For example, the server candidate tables shown in FIGS. 44 to 46 are stored in the temporary storage areas of the candidate servers 340A to 340C, respectively.
[0188]
The query analysis unit 347 analyzes a query transmitted from the image reading device 310 using a multicast packet, and determines whether an element that matches the query condition is included in the server candidate table.
[0189]
The response creation unit 348 extracts an element that matches the query condition from the server candidate table, and creates a response including the content.
[0190]
Note that the control program related to the control unit 341 includes an inquiry reception program for receiving an inquiry including a multicast packet transmitted from the image reading device 310 and a response transmission program for transmitting an inquiry response.
[0191]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 311 of the image reading apparatus 310 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0192]
First, the control unit 311 obtains a transmission condition (see FIG. 23) and a reading condition input by the user via the input unit 313 (step S191). The image reading unit 315 reads an image of the document placed on the ADF, and the file forming unit 316 generates a file to be transmitted to the transfer server from the data output from the image reading unit 315 ( Step S192).
[0193]
The inquiry condition creation unit 320 creates an inquiry condition (see FIG. 17) based on the transmission condition, and the control unit 311 transmits the inquiry by multicast (step S193).
[0194]
Thereafter, the control unit 311 executes server table creation processing based on the response from the candidate server (step S194), searches the created server table, and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file ( Step S195). Then, the control unit 311 determines whether or not the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S196). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is abnormal, error processing is executed (step S202).
[0195]
When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 311 controls the communication interface 318 and starts file transmission (step S197). Then, the control unit 311 determines whether or not the file transmission has ended normally (step S198).
[0196]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 311 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S199). Then, the process returns to step S196.
[0197]
If it is determined that the file transmission has been completed normally, the control unit 311 establishes a connection with the transfer server, and receives, for example, an instruction shown in FIG. 47 (step S200).
[0198]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 317 creates an e-mail including the instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 370 (step S201).
[0199]
Next, the server table creation processing in step S194 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0200]
First, the elapsed time of the timer is initialized (step S211).
[0201]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a response to the inquiry transmitted using the multicast packet (step S212). If it is determined that a response has been received, the contents are added to the server table (step S213). If it is determined that there is no response, step S213 is skipped.
[0202]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time of the timer has exceeded a predetermined time (step S214). If it is determined that the elapsed time of the timer does not exceed the predetermined time, the process returns to step S212. If it is determined that all responses have been received because the elapsed time of the timer exceeds the predetermined time, the contents of the server table are sorted and the creation of the server table is completed (step S215).
[0203]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 341 of the transfer server selected from the candidate servers 340A to 340E will be described with reference to FIG.
[0204]
First, when the control unit 341 receives a query from the image reading device 310 (step S221), the query analysis unit 347 analyzes the query and extracts query conditions (step S222).
[0205]
Subsequently, the query analysis unit 347 determines whether or not an element that matches the query condition is included in the server candidate table (step S223). If it is determined that an element that matches the query condition is not included in the server candidate table, the process ends.
[0206]
If it is determined that an element that matches the query condition is included in the server candidate table, the response creation unit 348 creates a response, and the response is transmitted to the image reading device 310 (step S224).
[0207]
Thereafter, the control unit 341 receives a file from the image reading device 310 (step S225), and determines whether or not normal termination has occurred (step S226).
[0208]
If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, error processing is executed (step S230). When it is determined that the processing has been normally completed, the instruction book creation unit 343 creates an instruction book, and the instruction book is transmitted to the image reading device 310 (step S227). Note that the image reading apparatus 310 transmits an e-mail including an instruction sheet to the image forming apparatus 370.
[0209]
Thereafter, when a storage data request from the image forming apparatus 370 based on the e-mail is received (step S228), the control unit 341 reads a file stored in the temporary storage area of the storage unit 342, and forms an image. It transmits to the apparatus 370 (step S229).
[0210]
Next, a seventh embodiment will be described.
[0211]
The data communication system according to the seventh embodiment is generally different from the data communication system according to the sixth embodiment in that the load on the candidate server is reduced. Note that a part of the description overlapping with the description of the sixth embodiment is omitted.
[0212]
Specifically, the image reading apparatus does not have an inquiry condition creating unit as shown in FIG. Therefore, the query transmitted using the multicast packet does not include the query condition generated based on the transmission condition, and is configured from the content requesting a response for transmitting the content of the server candidate table as it is from the candidate server. ing. Note that the server table creation unit 420 of the image reading apparatus determines whether an element that matches the transmission condition is included in the server candidate table.
[0213]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 49, the candidate server does not have a query analysis unit, and when receiving a query from the image reading device, a response including the contents of the server candidate table as it is is sent to the image reading device. Send.
[0214]
Next, an operation controlled by the control unit 411 of the image reading apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0215]
First, the control unit 411 acquires a transmission condition and a reading condition input by the user via the input unit 413 (step S241). The image reading unit 415 reads an image of the document placed on the ADF, and the file forming unit 416 generates a file to be transmitted to the transfer server from the data output from the image reading unit 415 ( Step S242). Then, the control unit 411 transmits the inquiry by multicast (step S243).
[0216]
Thereafter, the control unit 411 executes server table creation processing based on the response from the candidate server (step S244), searches the created server table, and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file ( Step S245). Then, the control unit 411 determines whether the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S246). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is abnormal, an error process is executed (step S252).
[0217]
When it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the control unit 411 controls the communication interface 418 and starts file transmission (step S247). Then, the control unit 411 determines whether the file transmission has been normally completed (step S248).
[0218]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 411 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S249). Then, the process returns to step S246. When it is determined that the file transmission has been normally completed, the control unit 411 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S250).
[0219]
Subsequently, the e-mail unit 417 creates an e-mail including an instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step S251).
[0220]
Next, the server table creation processing in step S244 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0221]
First, the elapsed time of the timer is initialized (step S261).
[0222]
Then, it is determined whether or not there is a response to the inquiry transmitted using the multicast packet (step S262).
[0223]
If it is determined that a response has been received, the contents are added to the server table (step S213). If it is determined that there is no response, the process proceeds to step S266. If it is determined that a response has been received, a server candidate table is extracted from the response (step S263).
[0224]
Subsequently, it is determined whether or not an element that matches the transmission condition is included in the server candidate table (S264). If it is determined that an element that matches the transmission condition is not included in the server candidate table, step S265 is skipped. When it is determined that an element that matches the transmission condition is included in the server candidate table, the element is added to the server table (step S265). The condition matching is executed using, for example, a user name, a password, and a transmission destination pattern (see steps S71 to S78 in FIG. 21).
[0225]
Then, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time of the timer has exceeded a predetermined time (step S266). If it is determined that the elapsed time of the timer does not exceed the predetermined time, the process returns to step S262. If it is determined that all responses have been received because the elapsed time of the timer exceeds the predetermined time, the contents of the server table are sorted and the creation of the server table is completed (step S267).
[0226]
In the above operation, the data output from the image reading unit 415 collectively constitutes a single file. However, it is also possible to form and send a file in units of pages in correspondence with image reading of a document. In this case, since the load on the storage unit 412 can be reduced, it can be easily applied to an image forming apparatus having a small storage unit capacity. A plurality of instructions are obtained in page order.
[0227]
Now, with reference to FIG. 52, an operation controlled by the control unit of the image reading apparatus when a file composed of pages is transmitted will be described.
[0228]
First, the control unit 411 acquires transmission conditions and reading conditions input by the user via the input unit 413 (step S271), and transmits an inquiry by multicast (step S272).
[0229]
Thereafter, the control unit 411 executes server table creation processing based on the response from the candidate server (step S273), searches the created server table, and selects a transfer server for transmitting the file ( Step S274). Then, the control unit 411 determines whether or not the transfer server is normally selected (step S275).
[0230]
If it is determined that the transfer server is selected abnormally, error processing is executed (step S285). If it is determined that the selection of the transfer server is normal, the image reading unit 415 performs one page of image reading of the document placed on the ADF, and the file forming unit 416 determines whether the data is equivalent to one page. A file to be transmitted to the transfer server is generated (step S276).
[0231]
Subsequently, the control unit 411 controls the communication interface 418 and starts file transmission (step S277). Then, the control unit 411 determines whether the file transmission has been normally completed (step S278).
[0232]
If it is determined that the file transmission has ended abnormally, the control unit 411 searches the server table and selects the next server as the transfer server (step S283). Then, the control unit 411 determines whether the selection of the transfer server is normal (step S284). If it is determined that the transfer server selection is abnormal, error processing is executed (step S285), whereas if it is determined that the transfer server selection is normal, the process returns to step S277.
[0233]
When it is determined that the file transmission has been normally completed, the control unit 411 establishes a connection with the transfer server and receives an instruction (step S279).
[0234]
Subsequently, the control unit 411 determines whether or not the transmitted file is the last page (step S280). If it is determined that the transmitted file is not the last page, the process returns to step S276, and image reading of the document on the next page is started.
[0235]
When it is determined that the transmitted file is the last page, the control unit 411 creates an instruction for sending by e-mail by editing the instruction acquired so far (step S281). ).
[0236]
Then, the e-mail unit 417 creates an e-mail including the instruction sheet, and the e-mail is transmitted to the image forming apparatus (step S282).
[0237]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[0238]
For example, the image reading apparatus has been described as the data transmission apparatus, but the present invention can also be applied to, for example, a digital copying machine or a facsimile having a network function. Further, the present invention can be applied to a system including a computer having a network function and an image scanner connected by an interface such as SCSI (small computer system interface) or USB (universal serial bus).
[0239]
The data transmission program can be provided as application software that causes a computer to function as a data transmission device, or can be provided as a function of a facsimile or a digital copying machine.
[0240]
The application software is provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium, for example, a flexible disk or a CD-ROM. It is also possible to store application software in a server, download the application software via a computer network or a telephone line network, and install it on a computer.
[0241]
It is also possible to start application software stored in the server from the client side via a computer network and execute it directly.
[0242]
The data included in the transmitted file can be composed of image data generated by using graphics software instead of the original read image data. The image data may be data input from an external device via a network, for example.
[0243]
In addition, transmission of instructions from the data transmission apparatus (image reading apparatus) to the data reception apparatus (image forming apparatus) uses electronic mail, but is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to notify the contents of the instruction using a fixed telephone network or a mobile communication network.
[0244]
Transmission of the file to the transfer server is not limited to FTP, and for example, an HTTP PUT method or a POST method can be used.
[0245]
The embodiments of the present invention described above include the inventions as shown in the following supplementary notes 1 to 29 in addition to the inventions described in claims 1 to 9 of the claims.
[0246]
[Supplementary Note 1] A data communication system having a transmission device for transmitting a file, a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing a file transmitted as a transfer server, and a reception device for receiving a file from the transfer server,
The transmitter is
A selection means for selecting a transfer server to be used from the candidate servers;
A transmission means for transmitting the file to the selected transfer server;
When an abnormality occurs in the middle of the file transmission, the file transmission is stopped, another server is selected as a transfer server from the candidate servers, and a retransmission unit is provided for transmitting the file to the transfer server.
A data communication system comprising:
[0247]
[Supplementary Note 2] The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the selection unit of the transmission device selects a transfer server based on a server table including use conditions of candidate servers.
[0248]
[Supplementary Note 3] The usage condition is any one of address information, protocol, user authority, storage capacity that can be allocated for storing a file, the number of sessions that can be accepted, and a bandwidth that can be allocated for transmission of a file. The data communication system according to supplementary note 2, including a combination of two or more.
[0249]
[Supplementary Note 4] Storage means for storing a server candidate table, creation means for creating a server table from a server candidate table based on query conditions including usage conditions for candidate servers, and a server table for the transmission device Further comprising a directory server comprising transmission means for transmitting to
The transmission apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits inquiry conditions to the directory server, and a reception unit that receives a server table.
The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein
[0250]
[Supplementary Note 5] The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising notification means for notifying the receiving device of an instruction including the usage conditions of the transfer server.
[0251]
[Supplementary Note 6] The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the notifying unit notifies the receiving device of an instruction by electronic mail.
[0252]
[Supplementary Note 7] A first firewall disposed between a network to which the transmission device belongs and a network to which the candidate server belongs, and a network between the network to which the reception device belongs and the network to which the candidate server belongs. Have a second firewall,
The first firewall is transparent with respect to an email protocol and access by the sending device to the forwarding server;
The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the second firewall has transparency with respect to an electronic mail protocol and access to the transfer server by the receiving device.
[0253]
[Supplementary Note 8] The data communication system according to supplementary note 1, wherein the candidate server includes a notification unit that notifies the transmission device of an abnormality by an electronic mail.
[0254]
[Supplementary Note 9] The candidate server includes, from the server candidate table, an element that matches a storage unit that stores a server candidate table and an inquiry condition that includes a usage condition of the candidate server. Means for creating a response; and transmission means for transmitting the response to the transmission device;
The transmission apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits inquiry conditions to the candidate server, a reception unit that receives a response, and a generation unit that generates a server table based on the response. The data communication system described.
[0255]
[Supplementary Note 10] The candidate server transmits a server candidate table to the transmitting device in response to a storage unit storing the server candidate table and a query requesting a response for transmitting the contents of the server candidate table. And
The transmission device includes: transmission means for transmitting the inquiry to the candidate server; reception means for receiving a server candidate table from the candidate server; and creation means for creating a server table based on the received server candidate table. The data communication system according to appendix 2, further comprising:
[0256]
[Supplementary Note 11] The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the transmission device transmits a file to the transfer server using FTP or HTTP.
[0257]
[Supplementary Note 12] The transmission device further includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document to generate image data, and a file forming unit that forms a file transmitted from the image data.
The data communication system according to appendix 2, wherein the server table includes image reading conditions of the transmission device.
[0258]
[Supplementary Note 13] The data communication system according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the reception device receives a file stored in the transfer server using FTP or HTTP.
[0259]
[Supplementary Note 14] The data communication according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the reception device includes a printing unit for printing the received file, and the server table includes a print function of the reception device. system.
[0260]
[Supplementary Note 15] A step of selecting a transfer server from a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing a file to be transmitted;
Sending the file to the selected transfer server;
When an abnormality occurs in the middle of the file transmission, the file transmission is stopped, another server is selected as a transfer server from the candidate servers, and a retransmission step for transmitting the file to the transfer server, and
Receiving the file from the transfer server storing the file transmitted from the transmitting device;
A data communication method characterized by comprising:
[0261]
[Supplementary Note 16] A transmission apparatus in a data communication system having a transmission apparatus for transmitting a file, a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing a file transmitted as a transfer server, and a reception apparatus for receiving a file from the transfer server. ,
A selection means for selecting a forwarding server from the candidate servers;
A transmission means for transmitting the file to the selected transfer server;
When an abnormality occurs in the middle of the file transmission, the file transmission is stopped, another server is selected as a transfer server from the candidate servers, and a retransmission unit is provided for transmitting the file to the transfer server.
A transmission device comprising:
[0262]
[Supplementary Note 17] The transmission apparatus according to Supplementary Note 16, wherein the selection unit selects a transfer server based on a server table including use conditions of candidate servers.
[0263]
[Supplementary Note 18] The usage condition is one of address information, protocol, user authority, storage capacity that can be allocated for storing files, the number of sessions that can be accepted, and a bandwidth that can be allocated for transmission of files, or The transmitting apparatus according to appendix 17, wherein two or more combinations are included.
[0264]
[Supplementary note 19] The transmission device according to supplementary note 17, further comprising storage means for storing a server table.
[0265]
[Supplementary Note 20] The system includes a storage unit in which a server candidate table is stored, a creation unit that creates a server table from the server candidate table based on a query condition including a usage condition of the candidate server, a server table Further comprising a directory server provided with a transmission means for transmitting to the transmission device,
The transmission apparatus further includes a transmission unit that transmits inquiry conditions to the directory server, and a reception unit that receives a server table.
Item 18. The transmission device according to appendix 17, wherein
[0266]
[Supplementary note 21] The transmission device according to supplementary note 16, further comprising notification means for notifying the reception device of an instruction including the usage conditions of the transfer server.
[0267]
[Supplementary Note 22] The transmission device according to Supplementary Note 21, wherein the notification unit notifies the reception device of an instruction by electronic mail.
[0268]
[Supplementary Note 23] Transmission means for transmitting an inquiry condition including a use condition of a candidate server to the candidate server;
Receiving means for receiving a response that is transmitted from the candidate server and that is extracted from the server candidate table and includes an element that matches the query condition;
The transmitting apparatus according to appendix 17, further comprising: a creating unit that creates a server table based on the response.
[0269]
[Supplementary Note 24] Transmission means for transmitting a query requesting a response for transmitting the contents of the server candidate table to the candidate server; means for receiving a server candidate table transmitted from the candidate server in response to the query; The transmitting apparatus according to appendix 17, further comprising a creating unit that creates a server table based on the server candidate table.
[0270]
[Supplementary Note 25] The transmission apparatus according to Supplementary Note 16, wherein the transmission unit transmits a file to the transfer server using FTP or HTTP.
[0271]
[Supplementary Note 26] It further includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document to generate image data, and a file forming unit that forms a file transmitted from the image data.
The transmitting apparatus according to appendix 17, wherein the server table includes image reading conditions for the transmitting apparatus.
[0272]
[Supplementary Note 27] The present invention is applied to a transmission device in a data communication system having a transmission device that transmits a file, a plurality of candidate servers that can store files transmitted as transfer servers, and a reception device that receives files from the transfer server. A data communication method,
Selecting a transfer server from a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing files to be transmitted;
Sending the file to the selected transfer server; and
When an abnormality occurs in the middle of file transmission, the file transmission is stopped, another server is selected as a transfer server from the candidate servers, and a retransmission step for transmitting the file to the transfer server is included.
A data communication method characterized by comprising:
[0273]
[Supplementary Note 28] Controlling a transmission apparatus in a data communication system having a transmission apparatus for transmitting a file, a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing a file transmitted as a transfer server, and a reception apparatus for receiving a file from the transfer server A data transmission program for
A procedure for selecting a transfer server from a plurality of candidate servers capable of storing files to be transmitted;
Procedures for sending files to the selected transfer server, and
If an error occurs during file transmission, stop the file transmission, select another server as the transfer server from the candidate servers, and send the file to the transfer server.
A data transmission program for causing a transmission device to execute.
[0274]
[Supplementary Note 29] A computer-readable recording medium on which the data transmission program according to Supplementary Note 28 is recorded.
[0275]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention described above, even if an abnormality occurs during file transmission, another server can be selected as a transfer server from the candidate servers, and the file can be transmitted to the transfer server. It is possible to continue the transmission process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a data communication system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a data communication system.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a candidate server according to the data communication system.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a data communication system.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining transmission conditions stored in a storage unit of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of a transmission condition.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a server table stored in a storage unit of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an address table stored in a storage unit of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an instruction sheet transmitted from a transfer server selected from candidate servers.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of an instruction sheet;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the operation of the transfer server.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus.
14 is a configuration diagram of a data communication system according to a second embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a data communication system.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a directory server according to the data communication system.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of an inquiry condition created in the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of a server table created in the directory server.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the operation of the directory server.
FIG. 21 is a flowchart of server table creation processing shown in FIG. 20;
FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining transmission conditions according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining an example of a transmission condition.
FIG. 24 is a diagram for explaining an example of a server table according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a flowchart of server table creation processing;
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining an instruction sheet according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a notation example of an instruction sheet;
FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram for explaining an instruction sheet according to Embodiment 4;
FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a modified example of the instruction sheet;
FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining another modified example of the instruction sheet;
FIG. 32 is a flowchart of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 33 is a flowchart of a modified example of the operation of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 34 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a fifth embodiment.
FIG. 35 is a diagram for describing a notation example of a transmission destination condition according to the fifth embodiment.
FIG. 36 is a flowchart of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a modified example of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
38 is a configuration diagram of a data communication system according to a sixth embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 39 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a data communication system.
FIG. 40 is a block diagram of a candidate server according to the data communication system.
FIG. 41 is a flowchart of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
42 is a flowchart of server table creation processing shown in FIG. 41. FIG.
FIG. 43 is a flowchart of the operation of a transfer server selected from candidate servers.
FIG. 44 is a diagram for explaining an example of a server candidate table transmitted from a candidate server.
FIG. 45 is a diagram for explaining an example of a server candidate table transmitted from another candidate server.
FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining an example of a server candidate table transmitted from another candidate server;
47 is a diagram for describing a notation example of an instruction sheet according to Embodiment 6. FIG.
FIG. 48 is a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to a seventh embodiment.
49 is a block diagram of a candidate server according to Embodiment 7. FIG.
FIG. 50 is a flowchart of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
51 is a flowchart of a server table creation process shown in FIG. 50. FIG.
FIG. 52 is a flowchart of a modified example of the operation of the image reading apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 110, 310... Image reading device,
11, 111, 211, 311, 411 ... control unit,
12, 112, 212, 312, 412 ... storage unit,
13, 113, 213, 313, 413 ... input section,
14, 114, 214, 314, 414 ... display part,
15, 115, 215, 315, 415 ... image reading unit,
16, 116, 216, 316, 416 ... file forming unit,
17, 117, 217, 317, 417 ... e-mail part,
18, 118, 218, 318, 418 ... communication interface,
19, 119, 219, 319, 419 ... bus,
120, 220, 320 ... query condition creation unit,
221 ... format conversion unit,
321,420 ... Server table creation unit,
40A-40D, 140A-140D, 340A-340E ... candidate server,
41, 341, 441 ... control unit,
42, 342, 442 ... storage unit,
43, 343, 443 ... Instruction book creation section,
44, 344, 444 ... Email section,
45, 345, 445 ... communication interface,
46,346,446 ... bus,
347: Query analysis unit,
348, 448 ... response creation unit,
70, 170, 370 ... image forming apparatus,
71 ... control unit,
72. Storage unit,
73 ... printing section,
74 ... Email section,
75 ... Email analysis part,
76: Communication interface,
77 ... Bus,
90A, 90B, 190A, 190B, 390A, 390B ... Firewall,
91-93, 191-193, 391-393 ... network,
130 ... directory server,
131 ... control unit,
132 ... storage unit,
133 ... server table creation unit,
134 ... communication interface,
135 ... Bus.

Claims (9)

A transmitter for transmitting the file over the network, and a receiver for receiving a file, and a plurality of file servers for relaying sending and receiving files, in a data communication system having,
The transmitter is
A receiving device specifying means for specifying a receiving device to transmit the file;
Selecting means for selecting one file server that can be used for relaying file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device from the plurality of file servers;
File transmission means for transmitting a file to the selected one file server;
Can be used to relay file transmission from the plurality of file servers to the receiving device from the plurality of file servers when an abnormality occurs during the transmission of the file to the selected one file server and retransmitting means which separate select the file server, and transmits the files for the file server, such,
Receiving means for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
Address notification means for notifying the receiving device of the instructions,
The receiving device is:
A data communication system comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive the file from a file server that has received the file normally based on the notified instruction. The transmission device further includes a list of file servers that can be used for relaying files, and the selection unit selects the one file server and the other file server based on a file server list. The data communication system according to claim 1. The data communication system further comprises a directory server that maintains a list of file servers available to the relay file, the transmitting device, based on the list received from the directory server of the one file server of the further The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein a file server is selected.   The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission device further includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document to generate image data, and a file forming unit that forms a file from the image data.   The data communication system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device further includes a printing unit that performs printing on a sheet based on the received file. A transmitter for transmitting the file over the network, and a receiver for receiving a file, a transmitting apparatus in a data communication system having a plurality of file servers for relaying the file transmission and reception,
A receiving device specifying means for specifying a receiving device to transmit the file;
Selecting means for selecting one file server that can be used for relaying file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device from the plurality of file servers;
A file transmission means for transmitting a file to the selected one file server;
Can be used to relay file transmission from the plurality of file servers to the receiving device from the plurality of file servers when an abnormality occurs during the transmission of the file to the selected one file server. Resending means for selecting another file server and transmitting the file to the file server;
Receiving means for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
An address notification means for notifying the receiving device of the instruction sheet. A data communication method in a data communication system having a transmission device for transmitting a file via a network, a reception device for receiving a file, and a plurality of file servers for relaying file transmission / reception between the transmission device and the reception device There,
The transmitting device designating a receiving device to transmit the file;
The transmitting device selecting , from the plurality of file servers , one file server that can be used for relaying file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device ;
The transmitting device transmitting a file to the selected one file server;
When an abnormality occurs during transmission of the file to the selected one file server, the transmission device stops file transmission, and the plurality of file servers transmit the file from the transmission device to the reception device. Selecting another file server that can be used for relaying and sending the file to the file server;
A step of receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including the address information of the file server, from the file server in which the transmission of the file has been normally completed;
The transmitting device notifying the instruction to the receiving device;
A data communication system, comprising: a step of receiving the file from the file server that has been successfully received based on the notified instruction. Controlling a transmission apparatus in a data communication system having a transmission apparatus for transmitting a file via a network, a reception apparatus for receiving a file, and a plurality of file servers for relaying file transmission / reception between the transmission apparatus and the reception apparatus A data transmission program for performing
A procedure to specify the receiving device to send the file;
A procedure for selecting one file server that can be used for relaying file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device from the plurality of file servers;
Sending a file to the selected one file server;
When an error occurs during the transmission of the file to the selected one file server, the file transmission is stopped and the plurality of file servers can be used for relaying the file transmission from the transmitting device to the receiving device. A procedure for selecting another file server and sending the file to the file server;
A procedure for receiving an instruction including data necessary for obtaining the file, including address information of the file server, from a file server that has successfully received the file;
A procedure for notifying the receiving device of the instructions;
A data transmission program for causing a transmission device to execute.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the data transmission program according to claim 8 is recorded.

Images