JP4819418B2 - Image transmission apparatus, image transmission method, and image transmission program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image transmission apparatus which can change the data transmission destination folder structure or hierarchy via the network relates to an image transmission method and an image transmission program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image transmission apparatus including an address book in which an image format that can be transmitted in association with information about each destination is described, and a scanner that reads an image of a document (see Patent Document 1). In this image transmission apparatus, the resolution of an image that can be transmitted to a specified destination is determined based on the address book, and the document is read at the maximum resolution among the resolutions of the image that can be transmitted by the scanner. The read image is stored in the hard disk, and if it is necessary to convert the image format when the image is transmitted to the designated destination, the image is converted and transmitted to the destination.

There is also known a digital camera that can communicate with a personal computer (PC) using USB or Bluetooth (see Patent Document 2). This digital camera has a function for creating a new directory (folder) for storing image files of a PC and a function for changing a directory (folder) for storing image files.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136475 JP 2005-39465 A

  However, in the image transmission device of Patent Document 1, the folder configuration of the designated destination PC cannot be changed from the image transmission device, and a desired folder needs to be constructed in the designated destination PC. was there.

  The digital camera disclosed in Patent Document 2 can change the folder structure of the PC to which the image file is sent, but it must be connected to the PC through a specific interface. That is, the digital camera of Patent Document 2 has a problem that the folder configuration of the PC to which the image file is sent cannot be changed via a network in which a plurality of protocols are mixed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, to achieve a flexible transmission destination specified by the time of data transmission, image transmission apparatus capable of performing efficient data transmission, an image transmission method and an image transmission program There is to do.

In order to achieve the above object, the image transmission device according to claim 1 communicates with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing an image using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network. an image reading means capable, in the above image transmission device having a operation panel can display the folder structure of the external device, the object to be moved or renamed the existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel Folder configuration change instruction means for selecting a folder and instructing movement or renaming of the selected target folder, and a protocol usable for connecting to the external device via a network address of the external device a protocol determination means for determining from the input folder by the folder configuration change instructing means Based on an instruction of movement or name change, movement of the protocol and change command generation means for generating a movement or name change command of the folder according to the determined protocol by determining means, folders generated by the change command generating means Alternatively, a change command transmission unit that transmits a name change request to the external device, a response reception unit that receives a response to the folder move or name change request transmitted from the change command transmission unit, and the response reception Display update means for updating the display of the folder structure in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel based on the answer received by the means, and the answer received from the answer receiving means includes information on the presence or absence of the folder sharing violations against movement or name change request is included, the Sharing violation detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a sharing violation of a folder from the answer received by the answer receiving means, and sharing violation of the folder is detected by the sharing violation detection means, and the change of the folder configuration is continued on the display update means screen Then, when selected, a notification information transmission unit that transmits notification information of folder change to an external device that is accessing the folder in which the sharing violation occurs, and a folder detected by the sharing violation detection unit A sharing violation release detecting means for detecting the release of the sharing violation, and the folder configuration change instructing means before the sharing violation detecting means detects the sharing violation when the sharing violation is released by the sharing violation release detecting means. in accordance with the contents of the change request input folder structure, the modifier for transmitting movement or name change command folder again A command retransmitting unit; and an image transmitting unit that transmits an image read by the image reading unit to a folder in the storage device of the external device, wherein the display update unit is configured to share a folder by the sharing violation detecting unit. When a violation is detected, a screen indicating that a sharing violation of the folder has occurred and a screen for selecting whether to continue changing the folder configuration are displayed on the operation panel.

The image transmission method according to claim 4 is an image reading unit capable of communicating with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing an image using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network; in the above image transmission method using an image transmission apparatus and a operation panel can display the folder structure of the external device, the target folder to be moved or renamed the existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel A folder configuration change instruction step for instructing movement or name change of the selected target folder, and a protocol that can be used for connecting to the external device via a network from the address of the external device. a protocol determination process of determining, moving also the folder entered in the folder configuration change instruction step Based on the instruction of the name change, the protocol and change command generation step of generating a movement or name change command of the folder according to the determined protocol determining step, movement or name of the folder generated in the change command generating step A change command transmission step of transmitting a change request to the external device, a response reception step of receiving a response to the folder movement or name change request transmitted by the change command transmission step from the external device, and the response reception step Based on the received answer, the display update process for updating the display of the folder configuration in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel, and the answer received in the answer receiving process includes the movement of the folder or Contains information on whether or not there is a folder sharing violation in response to a name change request, received in the response receiving step If the sharing violation detection step for detecting whether there is a folder sharing violation from the answer, and the sharing violation detection step is detected in the sharing violation detection step, and it is selected to continue to change the folder configuration on the display update step screen, A notification information sending step for sending notification of folder change to an external device accessing the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred, and release of the sharing violation of the folder detected in the sharing violation detecting step. The folder configuration input in the folder configuration change instruction step before the sharing violation is detected by the sharing violation detection step when the sharing violation is canceled in the sharing violation cancellation detection step to be detected A change command retransmitting step for retransmitting a folder move or name change command according to the content of the change request, and storage of the external device An image transmission step of transmitting the image read in the image reading step to a folder in the apparatus , wherein the display update step is performed when the sharing violation of the folder is detected in the sharing violation detection step. Are a screen indicating that a sharing violation of the folder has occurred and a screen for selecting whether or not to continue changing the folder structure .

An image transmission program according to claim 5 is an image reading unit capable of communicating with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing an image using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network; the image transmission method using an image transmission apparatus and a operation panel can display the folder structure of the external device in advance image transmission program causing a computer to execute an existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel select the target folder to be moved or renamed in the folder configuration change instruction module that instructs a moving or renaming of a folder for the selected target folder, available to connect through the external device and the network Protocol determination module for determining an appropriate protocol from the address of the external device , Based on the movement or name change instructions folder entered in the folder configuration change instruction module, a change command generation module that generates a movement or name change command of the folder according to the protocol determined by the protocol determination module A change command transmission module for transmitting a folder movement or name change request generated by the change command generation module to the external device, and a response to the folder movement or name change request transmitted by the change command transmission module. An answer receiving module received from an external device, and a display update module for updating a display of a folder configuration in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel based on the answer received by the answer receiving module; Received by the answer reception module The answer includes information on whether or not there is a sharing violation of the folder in response to the request to move or rename the folder, and a sharing violation detection module that detects the presence or absence of a sharing violation of the folder from the answer received by the answer reception module; If a sharing violation of a folder is detected by the sharing violation detection module and it is selected to continue changing the folder structure on the screen of the display update module, an external device accessing the folder where the sharing violation has occurred is selected. On the other hand, shared by the notification information transmission module that transmits the notification information of the folder change, the sharing violation cancellation detection module that detects the cancellation of the sharing violation of the folder detected by the sharing violation detection module, and the sharing violation cancellation detection module When the violation is released, the sharing violation detection module detects the sharing violation. A change command re-transmission module that re-sends a move or rename command for a folder according to the contents of a folder configuration change request previously input by the folder configuration change instruction module, and a folder in the storage device of the external device An image transmission module for transmitting an image read by the image reading module, and when the sharing violation detection module detects a sharing violation of the folder, the display update module A screen indicating that a sharing violation has occurred and a screen for selecting whether or not to continue changing the folder structure are displayed .

  According to the present invention, a protocol that can be used for connecting to an external device via a network is determined from a plurality of protocols, and a folder configuration change request is generated according to the determined protocol. Since the received folder configuration change request is transmitted to the external device, the folder configuration and hierarchy of the data transmission destination can be freely changed without being aware of the protocol on the network. As a result, more flexible transmission destination designation can be realized at the time of data transmission, and efficient data transmission can be executed.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system including a data transmission apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, the network system includes SMB clients 101 to 103 mounted with SMB (server message block), FTP servers 104 and 106 capable of exchanging files by FTP (file transfer protocol), and a multifunction device as a data transmission device. 105 and 107 and a LAN 108 for connecting them to each other.

  The multi-function peripherals 105 and 107 are each composed of a scanner and a printer, and not only output the image data read from the scanner by the printer, but also output the image data via the LAN (local area network) 108 to the SMB clients 101 to 103 and the FTP. Data is transmitted to and received from the servers 104 and 106. Image data is also transmitted and received between the MFP 105 and the MFP 107.

  In FIG. 1, the SMB clients 101 to 103, the FTP servers 104 and 106, and the MFPs 105 and 107 are connected to each other via a LAN 108. However, the network is not limited to a LAN, and a WAN (wide area network), It may be the Internet.

  In addition, although SMB and FTP are used as protocols, the present invention is not limited to these protocols, and various network protocols can be used.

  Next, the configuration and operation of the multifunction machine 105 will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the multifunction machine 107 are the same as this, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 105.

  The multifunction machine 105 includes an operation unit 201 that inputs an operation instruction and has a display function, a controller unit 200, a printer 209, and a scanner 210.

  The controller unit 200 is connected to a printer 209 that functions as an image output device and a scanner 210 that functions as an image input device, and controls the functions of these devices.

  The controller unit 200 is a CPU 202 that controls the entire controller unit 200, a work memory of the CPU 202, a RAM 203 that is also used for temporary storage of image data, and an operation unit interface (I / O) for connection to the operation unit 201. F) 204, a ROM 205 for storing a control program of the multi-function peripheral 105 and a network protocol such as SMB, FTP, an image processing unit 206 for executing image processing of image data, and a device for connecting to the printer 209 and the scanner 210 An interface (I / F) 207, a network interface (I / F) 208 for connecting to the LAN 108, and system buses 211, 212, and 213 are provided.

  The CPU 202, RAM 203, operation unit I / F 204, ROM 205 and image processing unit 206 are connected to the system bus 211, and the ROM 205, image processing unit 206, device I / F 207 and network I / F 208 are connected to the system bus 212. The device I / F 207, the printer 209, and the scanner 210 are connected to the system bus 213.

  An operation unit I / F 204 controls the operation unit 201 and provides a user interface. Furthermore, it also has a role of transmitting information from the operation unit 201 to the CPU 202. The ROM 205 is an EEPROM whose contents can be rewritten by applying a voltage.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control processing procedure executed by the multifunction machine 105.

  The processing shown in this flowchart is executed by the controller unit 200. More specifically, the CPU 202 loads the control program stored in the ROM 205 to the RAM 203 and executes it.

  The controller unit 200 acquires a folder configuration change request from the operation unit 201 (step S101). This folder structure is a folder structure of the transmission destination of image data. The folder configuration change request is input from a user interface as shown in FIGS. For example, a request to move folder A to folder B or the like.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the change request received in step S101 is appropriate (step S102), and if it is determined that the change request is appropriate, an inquiry is made as to whether or not there is an access right to the folder for which the change request has been made. Is executed on the transmission destination device (step S103). Here, an inquiry about whether or not there is an access authority is executed to the transmission destination apparatus using a plurality of protocols provided in the multifunction machine 105. As a result, when an answer to the inquiry about whether or not there is an access authority is received, a protocol that can be used for communication with the transmission destination apparatus can be determined. The transmission destination device is a transmission destination of image data, and may be any of the SMB clients 101 to 103 and the FTP servers 104 and 106 in FIG. 1, and is not limited to these devices. .

  Thereafter, an answer indicating whether or not the access authority is present is received from the transmission destination apparatus (step S104). If the reply indicating that the access authority is present is received, the transmission destination apparatus is identified from the folder configuration change request acquired in step S101. A folder configuration change request is generated according to the protocol (for example, SMB or FTP) used in the communication (step S105).

  Next, according to the above protocol, the folder configuration change request generated in step S105 is transmitted to the transmission destination device (step S106), and a response to the folder configuration change request is received from the transmission destination device (step S107).

  Thereafter, the response to the folder configuration change request received in step S107 is analyzed (step S108), and an update instruction of the operation unit 201 according to the analysis result is transmitted to the operation unit 201 (step S109). The operation unit 201 receives the update instruction and updates the display. As a result, the changed folder structure is displayed on the operation unit 201.

  By executing the above processing, the folder configuration of the image data transmission destination can be changed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of step S105 of FIG.

  The processing shown in this flowchart is also executed by the controller unit 200. More specifically, the CPU 202 loads the control program stored in the ROM 205 to the RAM 203 and executes it.

  First, it is determined whether or not the folder configuration change request received in step S101 of FIG. 3 is a new folder creation request (step S201). It is determined whether the protocol used in the communication is FTP or SMB (step S203). This determination is performed based on the address of the transmission destination device. When the head of the address starts with “\\”, the protocol is determined to be SMB, and when the head of the address starts with “ftp: //”, the protocol is determined to be FTP.

  If the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus in step S203 is SMB, a new folder creation command for SMB is generated (step S204), and the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus is FTP. If there is, an FTP folder new creation command is generated (step S205), and this process ends.

  If it is determined in step S201 that the folder configuration change request received in step S101 in FIG. 3 is not a new folder creation request, it is determined whether or not the folder configuration change request is a folder deletion request. It discriminate | determines (step S202).

  If the folder configuration change request is a folder deletion request, it is determined whether the protocol used for communication with the transmission destination apparatus is FTP or SMB (step S206). This determination method is the same as the determination method in step S203 described above.

  If the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus in step S206 is SMB, an SMB folder deletion command is generated (step S207), and the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus is FTP. In this case, an FTP folder deletion command is generated (step S208), and this process is terminated.

  If the result of determination in step S202 is that the folder configuration change request is not a folder deletion request, it is determined that the request is a folder name change request, and the protocol used for communication with the transmission destination apparatus is FTP. It is discriminated whether it is SMB or SMB (step S209). This determination method is the same as the determination method in step S203 described above.

  If the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus in step S209 is SMB, an SMB folder change command is generated (step S210), and the protocol used for communication with the destination apparatus is FTP. In this case, an FTP folder change command is generated (step S211), and this process ends.

  By executing the above processing, a folder configuration change instruction command (general name of commands generated in steps S204, S205, S207, S208, S210, and S211) corresponding to the protocol with the image transmission destination is automatically generated. be able to.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between the folder configuration change instruction command generated by the processing of FIG. 4 and the steps of FIG. For the folder structure change instruction command, it is assumed that the transmission destination device is named “SERVER01”.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing detailed processing of step S108 of FIG. FIG. 6 particularly shows processing when a sharing violation occurs during the change of the folder structure. The processing shown in this flowchart is also executed by the controller unit 200. More specifically, the CPU 202 loads the control program stored in the ROM 205 to the RAM 203 and executes it.

  First, the response to the folder configuration change request received from the transmission destination apparatus is analyzed to detect the presence or absence of sharing violation (step S301). If a sharing violation cannot be detected, the display on the operation unit 201 is updated, and this process ends (step S315).

  If a sharing violation is detected in step S301, the operation unit 201 displays that a sharing violation has occurred (step S302). FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification screen displayed on the operation unit 201 when a sharing violation occurs in a folder. On this notification screen, a content 1201 indicating that a sharing violation has occurred in the folder, a cancel button 1202, and an OK button 1203 are displayed. The user can recognize that a sharing violation has occurred in the folder based on the content 1201 and can select whether or not to continue the folder change operation with the cancel button 1202 or the OK button 1203.

  Next, by detecting which one of the cancel button 1202 and the OK button 1203 is pressed, it is determined whether or not to continue the subsequent operation (step S303).

  If it is determined in step S303 that the subsequent operation is to be terminated, the present process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the subsequent operation is continued, the type of the folder configuration change request transmitted to the transmission destination apparatus is determined (step S304).

  If the result of determination in step S304 is that the type of folder configuration change request is a folder move / name change request, a folder copy request is issued to the destination apparatus (step S305). If the destination device receives the copy request and the folder configuration change request is a move, the destination device copies the upper folder hierarchy including the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred, and the copied upper folder Move the desired folder (folder in which sharing violation has occurred) in the hierarchy. On the other hand, if the folder configuration change request is a folder name change request, the folder name of the copied folder is changed after the folder copy is completed.

  Next, notification of folder change is transmitted to the terminal that has accessed the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred (step S306). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the terminal that has received the notification of folder change. On this screen, a content 1301 in which some change request is generated for the folder being accessed and an OK button 1302 are displayed. A user who is accessing a folder in which a sharing violation has occurred can recognize that a change operation is performed after the access to the folder is completed on this screen. When the user who has seen this screen stops access to the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred, the sharing violation is canceled.

  Next, the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred is monitored, waits for the sharing violation to be canceled (step S307), and the presence or absence of the sharing violation in the folder is detected (step S308). Steps S307 and S308 are loop processing for waiting for cancellation of sharing violation.

  After detecting that the sharing violation has been canceled in step S308, the type of the folder configuration change request transmitted to the transmission destination apparatus is again determined (step S309), and the folder configuration change request is the folder move / name change request. If it is a change request, merge processing is executed (step S310). Specifically, the merge process is executed as follows. If the folder configuration change request is a move, the destination device moves the desired folder (the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred) within the copied upper folder hierarchy as described above. Therefore, the upper folder hierarchy in which the movement of the desired folder has been executed is overwritten on the upper folder hierarchy including the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred. On the other hand, if the folder configuration change request is a folder name change request, the folder name of the copied folder has been changed as described above in the transmission destination device. Overwrite the folder with the original sharing violation folder.

  Thereafter, the upper folder hierarchy or folder of the copy source is deleted (step S311). That is, the upper folder hierarchy and folders that are no longer necessary after overwriting are deleted.

  On the other hand, if the folder configuration change request is a folder deletion change request in step S309, a desired folder deletion request is issued to the transmission destination apparatus (step S312). As a result, the desired folder is deleted in the transmission destination apparatus.

  After step S311 or step S312, information on completion of folder change is transmitted to the terminal that has accessed the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred (step S313). As a result, the terminal that has accessed the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred indicates that the folder change has been completed.

  Finally, the display on the operation unit 201 is updated to the contents of the changed folder structure (step S314), and this process ends.

  By executing the above processing, the folder configuration change according to the folder configuration change request can be executed even for the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen for image transmission displayed on the operation unit 201.

  In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a transmission destination list that can be selected as a transmission destination of image data, and is registered in the RAM 203 or the ROM 205. Each destination in the destination list 701 is selected by pressing an icon 702. When a plurality of transmission destinations are included in the transmission destination list and cannot be displayed at a time, the transmission destination can be slid up and down by pressing the upper button 713 and the lower button 707.

  Reference numeral 703 denotes a new creation button for creating a transmission destination to be registered in the transmission destination list 701, and reference numeral 705 denotes a transmission destination edit button. When the icon 702 is pressed and the edit button 705 is pressed while a desired transmission destination is selected, the main screen changes to a screen for changing the selected transmission destination. Reference numeral 706 denotes a transmission destination deletion button, which deletes a transmission destination in a selected state.

  Reference numerals 709 to 712 denote data input fields that can be added to the transmitted image data. In the input fields 709 to 712, a sender name, a text, a subject, and a document name are input. Reference numeral 708 denotes a transmission button for performing a transmission operation. By pressing the transmission button 708, the multi-function peripheral 105 starts image transmission processing. Reference numeral 704 denotes a button for erasing all information settings performed on the main screen and returning to the previous screen.

  FIG. 8 is a setting screen for registering a new transmission destination in the transmission destination list 701.

  This screen is displayed on the operation unit 201 when the new creation button 703 in FIG. 7 is pressed. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a window for inputting information on a new transmission destination. Window 801 includes input fields 802-805. The input field 802 is the destination host name, the input field 803 is the destination path (folder / directory location), and the input field 804 is the server that will be accessed during transmission (for example, mail for mail) Server) and a password corresponding to the user name entered in the input field 804 are entered in the input field 805, respectively. Reference numeral 806 denotes a reference button for transitioning to a screen for designating a destination path.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for designating a transmission destination path of image data.

  This screen is displayed on the operation unit 201 when the reference button in FIG. 8 is pressed, and a transmission destination folder (directory) can be selected. This screen has an editing function for the destination folder structure as well as a destination designation function.

  In the figure, reference numeral 901 denotes an icon that can be selected by a pressing operation. Reference numeral 902 denotes a field for visualizing and displaying the folder structure. When the entire folder structure cannot be displayed, the display of the field 902 can be slid up and down by the up button 906 or the down button 907.

  Reference numeral 903 denotes a new folder creation button. When the icon 901 is pressed to select the “User” folder, for example, and a new folder creation button 903 is pressed, a new folder is created as a subfolder of the “User” folder. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a new folder is created. In FIG. 10, the icon 901 is pressed to select the “Image” folder, and the new folder creation button 903 is pressed. As a result, a new folder “New Folder1” 1001 is created in the hierarchy immediately below the “Image” folder.

  Reference numeral 904 denotes a folder move button. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen when a folder is moved. When the “19810205” folder icon 901 in the hierarchy immediately below the “Document” folder is pressed, the folder is selected, and the move button 904 is pressed, a display for designating the destination folder is displayed. Here, when the “Image” folder is selected by using the upper button 906 or the lower button 907 and the confirmation button 1102 is pressed, the “19810205” folder is moved to a level below the “Image” folder.

  Reference numeral 905 denotes a folder deletion button. When the icon 901 is pressed to select a predetermined folder and the delete button 905 is pressed, the selected folder is deleted.

  Reference numeral 909 denotes a cancel button for discarding all changes made through this screen and returning to the previous screen.

  Reference numeral 908 denotes an OK button for registering changes made through this screen.

  As described above in detail, according to the present embodiment, the operation unit 201 inputs a folder configuration change request to the transmission destination apparatus (step S101), and the controller unit 200 transmits the transmission destination apparatus from a plurality of protocols. And a protocol that can be used for connection via the network (steps S103 and S104), and based on the folder configuration change request input by the operation unit 201, the folder configuration corresponding to the determined protocol is determined. A change request is generated (step S105), and the generated folder configuration change request is transmitted to the transmission destination device (step S106). Therefore, the folder configuration and the hierarchy of the data transmission destination are unaware of the protocol on the network. Can be changed freely. As a result, more flexible transmission destination designation can be realized at the time of data transmission, and efficient data transmission can be executed.

  Further, since the contents of the folder configuration displayed on the operation unit 201 are updated based on the response to the folder configuration change request received from the transmission destination device, the user always recognizes the latest folder configuration of the transmission destination device. be able to.

  In addition, when a sharing violation of a folder is detected (step S301), notification of folder change (a change request has been issued) to a user accessing the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred. ) Is transmitted (step S306), and after the cancellation of the sharing violation of the folder is detected (step S308), the folder configuration is changed according to the content of the folder configuration change request (step S309 to step S312). Therefore, the folder configuration can be changed according to the change request even for the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred.

  In the above embodiment, the image data is transmitted to the folder of the transmission destination device, but the transmitted data is not limited to the image data, and any data such as document data, moving image data, musical sound data, etc. It can be a kind of data.

  In addition, the data transmission apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the multifunction machine 105, and may be a computer, a digital camera, a printer, a scanner, an MP3 terminal, or the like.

  In addition, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus as a storage medium. This can also be achieved by reading and executing the stored program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. -RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  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) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in 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. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the network system containing the data transmitter which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 105. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control processing procedure executed by the multifunction machine 105. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process of step S105 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a correspondence table between a folder configuration change instruction command generated by the processing of FIG. 4 and the steps of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the detailed process of step S108 of FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a main screen for image transmission displayed on an operation unit 201. FIG. 10 is a setting screen for registering a new transmission destination in the transmission destination list 701. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which designates the transmission destination path | pass of image data. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen when a new folder is created. It is a figure which shows an example of a screen when a folder is moved. It is a figure which shows an example of the notification screen at the time of the sharing violation to a folder. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen displayed with the terminal which received notification information of a folder change.

Explanation of symbols

101-103 SMB client 104, 106 FTP server 105, 107 MFP 108 LAN
200 Controller unit 201 Operation unit 202 CPU
203 RAM
204 Operation unit I / F
205 ROM
206 Image processing unit 207 Device I / F
208 Network I / F
209 Printer 210 Scanner 211-213 System bus

Claims (5)

Image reading means that can communicate with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing images using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network, and the folder configuration of the external device can be displayed. an image transmitting apparatus and a Do operation panel,
Select the target folder to be moved or renamed the existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel, and folder configuration change instruction means for instructing a movement or name change of a folder for the selected target folder ,
Protocol determining means for determining a protocol that can be used to connect to the external device via a network from the address of the external device;
Based on an instruction of movement or name change of the input folder by the folder configuration change instructing means, a change command generation means for generating a movement or name change command of the folder according to the determined protocol by the protocol determination means,
Change command transmission means for transmitting a folder movement or name change request generated by the change command generation means to the external device;
An answer receiving means for receiving an answer to the folder movement or name change request sent by the change command sending means from the external device;
Display update means for updating the display of the folder structure in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel based on the answer received by the answer receiving means;
The answer received from the answer receiving means includes information on whether there is a folder sharing violation in response to the folder move or rename request, and detects whether there is a folder sharing violation from the answer received by the answer receiving means. Sharing violation detection means,
When a sharing violation of a folder is detected by the sharing violation detecting means and it is selected to continue changing the folder structure on the screen of the display updating means, an external device accessing the folder where the sharing violation has occurred is selected. On the other hand, a notification information transmission means for transmitting notification information of folder change,
A sharing violation release detecting means for detecting the release of the sharing violation of the folder detected by the sharing violation detecting means;
When a sharing violation is released by the sharing violation release detection unit, according to the content of the folder configuration change request input by the folder configuration change instruction unit before detecting a sharing violation by the sharing violation detection unit , A change command retransmitting means for retransmitting the move or rename command of the folder ;
Image transmission means for transmitting the image read by the image reading means to a folder in the storage device of the external device,
When the sharing violation detection unit detects a sharing violation of the folder, the display update unit displays a screen indicating that the sharing violation of the folder has occurred on the operation panel and whether or not to continue changing the folder configuration. And a screen for selecting the image. When the folder configuration change request input by the folder configuration change instruction unit is a folder movement request, the change command transmission unit moves from an existing folder for storing images read by the image reading unit. Alternatively, in order to generate a folder whose name configuration has been changed, a command for copying the upper folder hierarchy including the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred to the storage device of the external device is transmitted, and When a folder move corresponding to the folder move request is executed in the folder hierarchy and the sharing violation is released by the sharing violation release detecting means, the upper folder hierarchy of the copy destination is changed to the upper folder of the copy source. overwriting the hierarchy, image transmission instrumentation of claim 1, wherein the deleting the folder hierarchy of the copy source of the upper . When the folder configuration change request input by the folder configuration change instruction unit is a folder name change request, the folder is moved from the existing folder for storing the image read by the image reading unit or the name configuration is changed. In order to create a new folder, the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred is copied into the storage device of the external device, and the name of the destination folder is changed so as to respond to a request to change the name of the folder 3. The image transmission apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copy source folder name is overwritten on the copy source folder, and the copy source folder is deleted. Image reading means that can communicate with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing images using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network, and the folder configuration of the external device can be displayed. an image transmission method using an image transmission apparatus and a Do operation panel,
Select the target folder to be moved or renamed the existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel, and folder configuration change instruction step of instructing movement or name change of a folder for the selected target folder ,
A protocol determining step for determining a protocol that can be used to connect to the external device via a network from the address of the external device;
Based on an instruction of movement or name change of the input folder by the folder configuration change instruction step, a change command generation step of generating a movement or name change command of folders corresponding to the determined protocol determining step protocol,
A change command transmission step of transmitting a move or name change request of the folder generated in the change command generation step to the external device;
A response reception step of receiving a response to the folder movement or name change request transmitted by the change command transmission step from the external device;
Based on the answer received in the answer receiving step, a display update step for updating the display of the folder configuration in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel;
The answer received in the answer receiving step includes information on whether there is a folder sharing violation in response to the folder move or rename request, and detects whether there is a folder sharing violation from the answer received in the answer receiving step. Sharing violation detection process;
When a sharing violation of a folder is detected in the sharing violation detection step and it is selected to continue changing the folder structure on the screen of the display update step, an external device accessing the folder in which the sharing violation has occurred On the other hand, a notification information transmission step of transmitting notification information of folder change,
A sharing violation release detecting step for detecting the release of the sharing violation of the folder detected in the sharing violation detecting step;
When a sharing violation is canceled in the sharing violation cancellation detection step, according to the content of the folder configuration change request input in the folder configuration change instruction step before detecting a sharing violation by the sharing violation detection step, A change command re-sending step for re-sending a folder move or rename command;
An image transmission step of transmitting the image read in the image reading step to a folder in the storage device of the external device ,
In the display update step, when a folder sharing violation is detected in the sharing violation detection step, whether or not to continue the screen indicating that the folder sharing violation has occurred on the operation panel and changing the folder configuration. An image transmission method characterized by showing a screen on which to select . Image reading means that can communicate with each of a plurality of external devices having a storage device for storing images using any one of a plurality of protocols via a network, and the folder configuration of the external device can be displayed. keep image transmission program for executing the image transmission method using an image transmission apparatus and a Do operation panel to the computer,
Select the target folder to be moved or renamed the existing folder in the storage device of the external device by the operation panel, and folder configuration change instruction module that instructs a moving or renaming of a folder for the selected target folder ,
A protocol determination module that determines from the address of the external device a protocol that can be used to connect to the external device via a network;
Based on an instruction of movement or name change of the input folder by the folder configuration change instruction module, a change command generation module that generates a movement or name change command of the folder according to the protocol determined by the protocol determination module,
A change command transmission module for transmitting a move or name change request of a folder generated by the change command generation module to the external device;
An answer reception module for receiving an answer to the request for moving or renaming the folder sent by the change command sending module from the external device;
A display update module for updating the display of the folder configuration in the storage device of the external device displayed on the operation panel based on the response received by the response reception module;
The answer received by the answer receiving module includes information on whether there is a folder sharing violation in response to the folder move or rename request, and detects whether there is a folder sharing violation from the answer received by the answer receiving module. A sharing violation detection module;
If a sharing violation of a folder is detected by the sharing violation detection module and it is selected to continue changing the folder structure on the screen of the display update module, an external device accessing the folder where the sharing violation has occurred is selected. In contrast, a notification information transmission module that transmits folder change notification information;
A sharing violation release detection module that detects the release of a sharing violation of a folder detected by the sharing violation detection module;
When a sharing violation is canceled by the sharing violation detection module, according to the content of the folder configuration change request input by the folder configuration change instruction module before detecting a sharing violation by the sharing violation detection module, A change command resend module that re-sends a move or rename command for a folder;
An image transmission module that transmits an image read by the image reading module to a folder in a storage device of the external device ;
When the sharing violation detection module detects a folder sharing violation, the display update module displays a screen indicating that the folder sharing violation has occurred on the operation panel and whether to continue changing the folder configuration. An image transmission program characterized by displaying a screen for selecting .

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