JP4533455B2 - Scanner and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanner and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a network scanner system including input devices connected to a network and a file for storing images.

  Conventionally, in a network scanner system in which images from input devices such as scanners and digital cameras are stored in a file via a network in a multi-function system, and the images are processed and edited by a client, the network scanner system And a client host that instructs to read data from the input device and send data to the file (this may also serve as the file server). In such a system, when a network scan is performed by an operation from a scanner, a file server network address, a file format such as image resolution / color space / compression, a file name, and the like are input / set from the scanner operation unit. After that, an instruction to start scanning the original of the scanner is given. When starting a network scan by operation from the client host, input / set the scanner network address, image resolution / color space / compression file format, file name, etc. from the client host operation unit. Then, after setting the network address of the transfer destination file server and securing the standby state for file capture, the scanner operation unit issues an instruction to start manuscript operation.

  However, in the former conventional example, in order to specify a file server, set a file format, etc. with a scanner, the scanner operation unit requires a number of key input means and a display unit for viewing a wealth of information. The cost of the scanner was high. In the latter conventional example, in the case of a network having a plurality of scanners and a plurality of file servers, the designation of the file server and the designation of the scanner on the client host becomes complicated and the usability is very poor.

  The present invention eliminates the above-described conventional drawbacks, and provides a scanner that does not require an operation panel that allows the scanner to perform complicated operation designation, and does not require a client host to perform complex operation designation, and a control method therefor. To do.

In order to overcome the above problems, a scanner according to the present invention is a scanner capable of communicating via a network with an external device that holds scan information in which settings relating to reading of a document and settings relating to transmission of scan data are described. and notifying means for notifying the external device the device information performance of the scanner is described via the network, the scan information generated in the external device based on the device information notified by said notification means An acquisition unit for acquiring, a display unit for displaying the scan information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a selection unit for selecting any one of the scan information displayed by the display unit according to a user instruction And according to the settings described in the scan information selected by the selection means A reading unit that reads a document; and a transmission unit that transmits scan data generated from the document read by the reading unit to the outside according to a setting described in the scan information selected by the selection unit. Features.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a scanner and a control method therefor that do not require an operation panel for causing the scanner to perform complicated operation designation and do not require the client host to perform complicated operation designation.

  That is, data is transferred from the network scanner to the client host, the management server has complicated configuration information for realizing network scanning as a transfer path profile, and the network scanner selects which transfer path profile to use. Only the network scan function can be performed, and it is possible to reduce the cost because it does not require an operation panel that gives convenience to the user and makes the scanner perform complicated operation designation. In addition, data is transferred from the network scanner to the client host, the management server has complicated configuration information for realizing network scan as a transfer path profile, and the client host selects which transfer path profile to use. The network scan function can be performed only with this, providing convenience to the user and making it unnecessary for the client host to specify complicated operations.

It is a conceptual schematic diagram which shows the structural example of the multifunction system of this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a network scanner. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a client host. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a management server. It is a figure which shows an example of the device profile in a network scanner. It is a figure which shows an example of the device profile in a client host. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the device profile acquisition part of a management server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a device profile acquisition command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a device profile transfer command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a transfer path profile. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the transfer path profile supply part in a management server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the transfer path profile request | requirement command. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a transfer path profile transfer command. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the transfer path profile acquisition part in an input device and an output device. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the operation panel in a network scanner. It is a figure which shows the display content of a liquid crystal panel at the time of pressing the right key of a cursor key once. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the operation panel in a client host. It is a figure which shows the property display in a client host. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a device profile transfer command.

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

  <Configuration Example of Multifunction System According to this Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a conceptual schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network scanner system that is a multifunction system according to this embodiment. Reference numeral 101 denotes a network that uses a known technique for connecting devices. In this embodiment, it is assumed that Ethernet (registered trademark) using the TCP / IP protocol is used. Reference numeral 102 denotes a network scanner that optically reads a document printed on paper or the like, and includes a network interface and is connected to each device via the network 101. A management server 103 is configuration information (hereinafter referred to as a transfer path profile) for configuring a virtual MFP (in this embodiment, a scanner & network & file device) by a combination of the network scanner 102 and the client host 104. Store and provide a transfer path profile at the request of the input device and file device. The management server 103 is usually realized by installing server software on a personal computer or workstation. The management server 103 has a network interface and is connected to each device via the network 101. A client host 104 has a network interface, and functions as a file server that receives and files image data sent via the network interface. In this embodiment, a network scanner system is described. However, the input device is not limited to a scanner, and may be a digital camera or the like. An output device such as a printer or a facsimile is also connected to the system.

  (Configuration Example of Network Scanner) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the network scanner 102. The scanner engine 201 is a scanner engine using a known optical reading technique. The CPU 202 is an arithmetic / control processor that controls the overall operation. A RAM 203 is a random access memory that temporarily stores image data read by the scanner engine 201, stores work storage information, or stores a program loaded from an external storage device or host (not shown). . The ROM 204 is a read only memory in which a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 202 is stored. A network I / F 205 is an interface for connecting to the network 101. The device profile supply unit 206 supplies a device profile that is device information of the network scanner 102 transmitted to the management server 103. The transfer path profile acquisition unit 207 acquires a transfer path profile from the management server 103 and stores the information in the RAM 203. The operation panel 208 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an LED and a plurality of operation buttons in order to provide a user interface.

  (Configuration Example of Client Host) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the client host 104. The CPU 301 is an arithmetic / control processor that controls the overall operation. A RAM 302 is a random access memory that stores work storage information and a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 301. The HD 303 is a hard disk drive device that files image data sent via a network interface and a program downloaded from the network. A network I / F 305 is an interface for connecting to the network 101. The device profile supply unit 306 transmits the device information of the client host 104 to the management server 103. The transfer path profile acquisition unit 307 acquires a transfer path profile from the management server 103 and stores information in the RAM 302. The operation panel 308 is an operation panel for providing a user interface. The operation panel 308 can be replaced by a combination of a CRT display device, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like.

  (Configuration Example of Management Server) FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the management server 103. The CPU 401 is an arithmetic / control processor that controls the overall operation. The RAM 402 is a random access memory that stores work storage information and a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 401. The device profile database 404 is a database that stores device profiles of devices connected to the network. The transfer path profile database 405 is a database that stores a transfer path profile generated from a device profile. A network I / F 406 is an interface for connecting to the network 101. The device profile acquisition unit 407 acquires a device profile from a device connected to the network and stores it in the device profile database 404. The transfer path profile supply unit 408 reads the transfer path profile from the transfer path profile database 405 according to the request of the device, and supplies it to the device via the network. The transfer path profile generation unit 409 generates a transfer path profile from the device information written in the device profile database 402 and writes it in the transfer path profile database 405.

  (Example of Device Profile) Next, a device profile will be described. The device profile is data indicating performance and characteristics related to each device necessary for configuring the virtual MFP (in this embodiment, scanner & network & file device), and is composed of text data as shown in FIG. The

  FIG. 5 is an example of a device profile in the network scanner 102. Device-type: indicates the type of device, and FIG. 5 indicates that the input device is a scanner. Device-Id: indicates the ID of the device, and in FIG. 5, ScannerXXX indicates the ID of the device. Device-address: indicates the network address of the device. In FIG. 5, 172.16.10.2 indicates the network address of the device. Resolution: is a resolution supported by the device, and FIG. 5 indicates that resolutions of 400 dpi, 600 dpi, and 1200 dpi are supported. Media-size: indicates a paper size supported by the device, and FIG. 5 indicates that the device supports A4, A5, and B4 paper sizes. Input-feet: indicates a charging unit when a device is used, and FIG. 5 indicates that a charge of 8 yen is charged when a 16-bit image is captured in A4 size. Document-format: indicates an image format supported by the device, and FIG. 5 indicates that the device supports output of JPEG and GIF type images and output by LIPS type PDL. Input-command: indicates a command for causing the scanner to execute reading from another device. “A4 • REQ A4-SCAN” in FIG. 5 is a command “REQ A4-SCAN” for reading in A4 size. Is transmitted to the network scanner.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a device profile in the client host 104. Device-Type: indicates the type of device. In FIG. 6, since the client host of this example performs the function of a file server, it indicates that the output device is HD. Device-Id: indicates the ID of the device, and in FIG. 6, PC-XXX indicates the ID of the device. Device-address: indicates the network address of the device. In FIG. 6, 172.16.10.3 indicates the network address of the device. Support Mode: indicates a mode in which the file supports Read Only, Write Only, or Read / Write, and FIG. 6 indicates that the mode supports Read / Write. “Access-speed:” indicates the data transfer rate of the file, and in FIG. 6, 8 MB / s. Amount File: indicates the total capacity of the file, and in FIG. 6 indicates 5 GB (gigabytes). “Remain File:” indicates the remaining capacity of the file, and FIG. 6 indicates 3.5 GB.

  The device profile of each device is acquired by the device profile acquisition unit of the management server 103.

<Example of operation of multi-function system of this embodiment>
(Collection of Device Profile) FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device profile acquisition unit 407 of the management server 103. The device profile acquisition unit 407 is activated when the management server 102 is activated, and operates until the system is terminated. In step S701, a device profile acquisition command is issued to all devices connected to the network only once at startup. FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of a device profile acquisition command. “REQ” indicates a transfer request, and “DEVICE-PROFILE” indicates a device profile, which indicates a device profile request. This device profile acquisition command is broadcast to the network in the form of a UDP packet in TCP / IP. In step S702, it is determined whether a device profile transfer instruction has arrived. If not, the process returns to step S702 to enter a device profile transfer instruction standby state. FIG. 19 shows a structure example of a device profile transfer command. “SEND” on the first line indicates transfer, and “DEVICE-PROFILE” indicates a device profile, which indicates transfer of the device profile. The following lines show the contents of the device profile, similar to FIG. 5, and are terminated by the line “END_OF_PROFILE”. Upon receiving the device profile transfer, the device profile acquisition unit 407 records the device profile in the device profile database 404 in step S703, returns to step S702, and waits for the arrival of the next device profile transfer command.

  Next, a mechanism for transferring a device profile from each device side will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device profile supply unit on the device side. In the case of the network scanner 102, the device profile supply unit is 206 in FIG. 2, and in the case of the client host 104, it is 306 in FIG. The device profile supply unit is called when each device is activated, and continues the processing until the power of each device is turned off. In step S901 in FIG. 9, the device executes device profile transfer to the management server 103 only once at the time of activation. If the management server 103 has been activated, the device profile transfer command in step S702 of FIG. 7 has been received, so this device profile transfer command is reflected in the device profile database 404, but the management server 103 has been activated. If not, the device profile transfer command is not reflected in the device profile database 404 of the management server 103. In step S902, it is checked whether a device profile transfer request command has arrived. If not, the process returns to step S902 to enter a device profile transfer request command standby state. When the device profile transfer request command is sent from the management server 103, in step S903, the device profile transfer command is sent to the management server 103 as in step S901. This process is a process for reflecting the device information in the device profile database 404 when the management server 103 is started up after each device is started. The device profile acquisition unit 407 of the management server 103 performs the processing shown in FIG. 7, it is ensured that the management server 103 always obtains device profiles of all devices connected to the network by issuing a device profile transfer request command at startup in step S701.

  (Generation of Transfer Path Profile) In the management server 103, the transfer path profile generation unit 409 generates a transfer path profile based on the device information written in the device profile database 404 and stores it in the transfer path profile database 405. The transfer path profile is generated by automatically combining input devices and output devices whose data formats can be matched based on device information in the device profile database 404, or by instructions, additions, and changes by an operator. Created by.

  FIG. 10 is a structural example of a transfer path profile. Description: indicates a character string displayed on the panel of the device when a transfer path is selected. In FIG. 10, “FILE scannerXXX to PC-XXX” is indicated. input-device: indicates the type of the input device, and output-device: indicates the type of the output device. input-address: indicates the network address of the input device, and output-address: indicates the network address of the output device. Document-format: indicates the format of the document used in this transfer path. Resolution: indicates the resolution used in this transfer path. Input-command: is information written in the device profile of the input device, and indicates a command for causing the input device to read.

  (Supply of Transfer Path Profile) The management server 103 usually has one or more transfer path profiles, and supplies the transfer path profile to each device according to the request of the input device and the output device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transfer path profile supply unit 408 in the management server 103. The transfer path profile supply unit 408 starts operating when the management server 103 is activated. In step S1101, all transfer path profiles stored in the transfer path profile database 405 at startup are notified to all devices connected to the network by a transfer path profile transfer command. Notification is performed by broadcast notification. In step S1102, it is checked whether there is a change in the transfer path profile database 405. If there is a change, in step S1103, the changed transfer path profile is notified to all devices connected to the network. Notification is performed by broadcast notification. In step S1104, it is checked whether a transfer path profile transfer request command has arrived from each device. If it has arrived, in step S1105, all transfer path profiles stored in the transfer path profile database 405 are notified to the requested device by the transfer path profile transfer command.

  FIG. 12 is a structural example of a transfer path profile request command. “REQ” indicates a transfer request, and “TRANSMISSION-PATH-PROFILE” indicates a transfer path profile, which indicates a transfer path profile transfer request. FIG. 13 is a structural example of a transfer path profile transfer command. “SEND” on the first line indicates transfer, and “TRANSMISSION-PATH-PROFILE” indicates a transfer path profile, which indicates transfer of the transfer path profile. The following lines indicate the contents of the transfer path profile, as in FIG. 10, and are terminated by the line “END_OF_PROFILE”.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transfer path profile acquisition unit in the input device and the output device. The transfer path profile acquisition unit is 207 in FIG. 2 for the network scanner 102 and 307 in FIG. 3 for the client host 104. In step S1401, the network scanner 102 and the client host 104 issue a transfer path profile request command to the management server 103 in order to acquire a transfer path profile. By this command, Yes is determined in step S1104 of the flowchart (FIG. 11) of the transfer path profile supply unit 408 in the management server 103, and the transfer path profile is transferred in step S1105. If the transfer path profile is transferred by the transfer path profile transfer command in step S1402, it is stored in the RAM (203 for the network scanner 102, 303 for the client host 104) in step S1403.

  As described above, each device (the network scanner 102 and the client host 104) acquires the transfer path profile from the management server 103 and stores it in the RAMs 203 and 303.

  (Example of Data Transmission by Scanner) Next, an example of a process for actually performing a network scan will be described. In this embodiment, a transfer path profile is selected by an operation from the network scanner 102, and the scan data is transferred to the client host 104 and filed. First, the user stands in front of the network scanner 102, sets an original, and then operates the panel to scan.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the operation panel 208 in the network scanner 102. 1501 is a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying 12-digit characters, 1502 is a cursor key for selecting each function, and 1503 is an execution button for executing a scan. The user selects a transfer path profile registered in advance by pressing the right key of the cursor key 1502. FIG. 16 shows the display content of the liquid crystal panel 1501 when the right key of the cursor key 1502 is pressed once. The character string of the liquid crystal panel displays the character string indicated by “Description:” in FIG. 10, and indicates that the transfer path profile shown in FIG. 10 is selected. If the network scanner 102 is registered in a plurality of transfer path profiles, another transfer path profile can be selected by further pressing the right key of the cursor key 1502. Here, a network scan using the selected transfer path profile (displayed on the liquid crystal panel) is executed by pressing a scan execution button 1503. According to the transfer path profile of FIG. 13, the network scanner 102 selects 172.16.10.3 (client host 104) written in output-address: as an output device, and has a resolution of 600 dpi written in Resolution: The original is read in, and scan data is transmitted in the LIPS4 format written in Document-format :. The scan data is transferred to the client host 104 via the network 101. At this time, the client host 104 only performs file processing of the transferred scan data regardless of the transfer path profile.

  (Example of Data Transmission by Client Host) Next, an example in which a transfer path profile is selected from the operation panel of the client host 104 and the network scanner 102 is requested to transmit scan data will be described. First, the client host 104 acquires a transfer path profile in the same procedure as the network scanner 102 acquires a transfer path profile from the management server 103. Next, a process for actually performing a network scan will be described. The user sets a document on the network scanner 102 and then stands in front of the client host 104 and operates the operation panel 308 to perform a network scan.

  FIG. 17 is a display of the operation panel 308 in the client host 104, which shows standard settings. Reference numeral 1701 denotes a selection button for selecting a transfer path profile registered in advance. The transfer path profile selected by the selection button 1701 is displayed on the path selection display 1702. In this example, the character string shown in Description: of the transfer path profile in FIG. 13 is displayed. In addition, the display of 1704 also displays the transfer path profile selected by the selection button 1701, and the input-device :, output-device :, input-address :, output-address :, resolution of the transfer path profile of FIG. :, Document format: and the status of the device are displayed. A cancel button 1705, an OK button 1706, and a network scan function using this transfer path profile are executed by pressing the OK button 1706. According to the transfer path profile of FIG. 13, the client host 104 selects 172.16.10.2 (network scanner 102) written in the input-address: as an input device, and reads the input written in the input-command: A read request is made by sending a command to the input device. When the network scanner 102 receives the read command, scanning is started, and the scan image is transferred to the client host 104 at the resolution and image format specified by the transfer path profile, and is filed by the client host 104. When the operator wants to set the details of the scanner, he presses the property button 1703 and sets it.

  FIG. 18 shows an operation panel that appears when the property button 1703 is pressed. Reference numeral 1801 denotes a document scan range setting button, which is a full scan by default. When the scan range setting button 1801 is pressed, a scan range is set by a range range specification 1802. 1803 to 1808 are scanning image quality settings, 1804 to 1806 are scanner brightness settings, 1805 is an AE automatic brightness setting, 1804 is a darkening button, and 1806 is a brightening button. The brightness is displayed on the brightness display 1803. Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image type display such as a photograph, a document, or a letter read from the scanner, which is selected by an image type selection button 1808. In this example, a photo is selected. Reference numerals 1809 to 1811 designate pages of a document to be scanned, and 1809 is a button for scanning all pages, and is turned on by default. Reference numeral 1810 denotes a button for designating a page to be scanned, and a page to be scanned is input to a page designation field 1811. Reference numeral 1813 denotes a setting cancel button, and reference numeral 1814 denotes a setting OK button.

  According to the above embodiment, it is assumed that all transfer path profiles are stored in the management server. However, in order to enable scanner processing even when the management server is not activated, The transfer path profile may be registered in the non-volatile memory. Furthermore, each device may have a function equivalent to that of the management server. In addition, according to the above embodiment, the client host and the management server are separately arranged on the network. However, even if the client host also serves as the management server or the network scanner also serves as the management server, it is equivalent. Needless to say, this function is realized. Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the scanner is a B & W scanner. However, the scanner may be a color scanner and the document format may be a compressed image such as JPEG. In addition, other settings such as color balance and γ can be set by setting properties on the client host, and these are also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, interface device, reader, printer, etc.), a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile device, etc.) composed of a single device. You may apply to the component of.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

Claims (8)

A scanner capable of communicating via a network with an external device holding scan information in which settings relating to reading of a document and settings relating to transmission of scan data are described,
And notifying means for notifying the external device the device information performance of the scanner is described through the network,
Obtaining means for obtaining the scan information generated in the external device based on the device information notified by the notification means;
Display means for displaying scan information acquired by the acquisition means;
A selection unit that selects any one of the scan information displayed by the display unit according to a user instruction;
Reading means for reading a document according to the setting described in the scan information selected by the selection means;
Transmitting means for transmitting scan data generated from the document read by the reading means to the outside in accordance with the settings described in the scan information selected by the selecting means;
A scanner comprising:   The setting relating to transmission of scan data described in the scan information includes destination information indicating a transmission destination of the generated scan data, and the transmission unit transmits the scan data according to the destination information. Item 14. A scanner according to item 1.   The scanner according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting relating to reading of the document described in the scan information includes information indicating a reading resolution of the document, and the reading unit reads the document according to the resolution.   The setting related to the transmission of scan data described in the scan information includes information indicating a data format when transmitting the generated scan data, and the transmission means transmits the scan data according to the data format. The scanner according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit switches scan information to be displayed by the display unit and selects one of the plurality of scan information. 6. .   The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit notifies the device information in response to a request from the external apparatus. A scanner control method capable of communicating via a network with an external device that holds scan information in which settings relating to document reading and settings relating to scan data transmission are described,
Notification means, a notification step of notifying the device information performance is described in the scanner to the external device via the network,
An acquisition step for acquiring the scan information generated in the external device based on the device information notified in the notification step ;
A display step for displaying the scan information acquired in the acquisition step;
A selection unit that selects any scan information in accordance with a user's instruction from the scan information displayed on the display unit in the display step; and
A reading step for reading a document in accordance with the setting described in the scan information selected in the selection step;
A transmission step of transmitting the scan data generated from the document read in the reading step to the outside according to the setting described in the scan information selected in the selection step;
A method for controlling a scanner, comprising: A computer that stores a program for causing a computer to execute a scanner control method that can communicate with an external device that holds scan information in which settings relating to document reading and scan data transmission are described is readable by a computer Storage medium,
A notifying step of notifying the external device the device information performance of the scanner is described through the network,
An acquisition step of acquiring the scan information generated in the external device based on the device information notified in the notification step ;
A display step of displaying the scan information acquired in the acquisition step;
Of the scan information displayed in the display step, a selection step of selecting any scan information according to a user instruction,
A reading step of reading a document according to the setting described in the scan information selected in the selection step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a transmission step of transmitting scan data generated from a document read in the reading step to the outside according to a setting described in scan information selected in the selection step is stored. A computer-readable storage medium.

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