JP4908179B2 - Transmission terminal and search system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving terminal, a visible information copying terminal, a transmitting terminal, and a search system for searching for the location of a recording medium on which document information or the like is visually output.

  In recent years, information communication networks have been widely used in order to efficiently exchange information between a plurality of different devices. For example, a plurality of image forming apparatuses called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function peripheral) in which the functions of each apparatus such as a printer, a copy, a facsimile, and a scanner are housed in a single casing. Are connected to each other via a simple information communication network, and various processes are performed by transmitting and receiving data between the multifunction peripherals.

  An example of such processing is an IP-FAX function for performing facsimile transmission via an IP network. According to the IP-FAX function, image data for which FAX transmission is instructed by a certain multi-function peripheral is transmitted to another multi-function peripheral via the IP network, and print output is performed by the multi-function peripheral that has received the image data. It becomes possible.

  Conventionally, in such an IP-FAX function, a sender who has transmitted a FAX uses a telephone or the like as means for confirming whether or not the recording paper on which the transmission image is printed has been correctly received by the FAX recipient. A method of directly confirming with the payee was adopted. In such a method, when the recipient cannot be contacted or when the recipient does not contact, the sender cannot know where the recording sheet of the transmission image currently exists.

  Also, in the environment where printing is output to a printer shared by multiple users, if the recording paper is lost because someone else accidentally took the printed recording paper, the location of the recording paper is the same as above. There is a problem that cannot be confirmed.

  As a method for managing a paper document, a technique for controlling permission / denial of processing on the paper document using a security tag attached to the paper document has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the method of Patent Document 1, first, a security tag is attached to a paper document, and the tag data is transmitted to the management server. The management server collates the received tag data with tag data stored in advance, transmits the collation result to the office device, and performs tracking management of the document processed by the office device. The office device permits / denies processing of the document based on the collation result.

  In addition, a system for searching for a paper document with an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag housed in a specific cabinet or a system for recognizing a paper document with an RFID tag present on a specific tray has been put into practical use. Yes.

JP 2003-122616 A

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 has a problem that it can be known in which office device the paper document is processed, but cannot know where the paper document currently exists. Further, in the system for searching for documents with RFID tags as described above, since the area to be searched is limited to a specific cabinet or the like, it is not possible to confirm the existence of a paper document that can exist in an unspecified location. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and includes a receiving terminal, a visible information copying terminal, a transmitting terminal, and a search system that can easily search for the presence of a recording medium such as a recording paper in which data is visually output. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object , the invention according to claim 1 is an information transmission for transmitting the information to a receiving terminal connected via a network and receiving the information and visualizing it on a recording medium. A command sending means for sending a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information to at least one of the receiving terminal and an external terminal connected via a network; and a response to the search command. Response receiving means for receiving from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal, ID receiving means for receiving from the receiving terminal a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualizes the information, and the information, from said recording medium is of acquisition source information, the information acquisition means for acquiring a second medium ID identifying the recording medium, the first And a storable memory means in association with the second medium ID and the medium ID, the information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal, the ID receiving means has received the The first medium ID and the acquired second medium ID are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit, and the command transmission unit is acquired when the second medium ID is acquired by the information acquisition unit. Acquiring the first medium ID corresponding to the second medium ID from the storage means, and transmitting the search command including the acquired first medium ID to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal. It is characterized by.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information transmitting unit that transmits information to a receiving terminal that is connected via a network and receives the information and visualizes the information, and the recording medium that visualizes the information. Command transmitting means for transmitting a search command for requesting search to at least one of the receiving terminal and an external terminal connected via a network, and receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal Response receiving means, ID receiving means for receiving from the receiving terminal a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualized the information, and an information ID for identifying the information as the information acquisition source. recording means for recording on a recording medium, together with the information, from the recording medium is of acquisition source the information, recorded on the recording medium Comprising an information acquisition means for acquiring the information ID has been, and a storable memory means in association with said information ID and the first medium ID, the information transmitting means, said receiving the acquired information And the ID receiving means stores the received first medium ID and the information ID in association with each other in the storage means, and the command sending means stores the information ID by the information acquisition means. When acquired, the first medium ID corresponding to the acquired information ID is acquired from the storage means, and the search command including the acquired first medium ID is transmitted to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal It is characterized by transmitting to.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the address information of the receiving terminal, the time when the information is transmitted, and the result indicating whether or not the transmission of the information is successful. A history storage means capable of storing a transmission history including the first medium ID received from the receiving terminal; and a visual output control means for visually outputting the transmission history stored in the history storage means. The transmission history is stored in the history storage means when the information transmission means transmits the information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, a search history including a response result to the search command, a time when the response is received, and the first medium ID can be stored. A history storage means; and a visual output control means for visually outputting the search history stored in the history storage means, wherein the response receiving means stores the search history when the response is received. It memorize | stores in a means.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4 , wherein the command transmission means transmits the search command to the external terminal, which is a discard management device that manages the discarded recording medium, When receiving the response from the discard management device, the response receiving unit stores the search history including discard information indicating that the recording medium has been discarded in the history storage unit.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 4 , wherein the command transmitting means transmits the search command to the external terminal which is a pulverizing apparatus for pulverizing the recording medium, and the response receiving means is When the response is received from the pulverizing apparatus, the search history including pulverization information indicating that the recording medium is pulverized is stored in the history storage means.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the information acquisition means is connected via a network and acquires the information from a request terminal that requests transmission of the information. The information transmitting means transmits the information acquired by the information acquiring means to the receiving terminal.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting terminal that transmits information, a receiving terminal that is connected to the transmitting terminal via a network and receives the information and visualizes the information on a recording medium, and a network connected to the transmitting terminal. And an external terminal for searching for the recording medium, wherein the transmitting terminal visualizes the information, information transmitting means for transmitting the information to the receiving terminal First command transmission means for transmitting a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal, and receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal a first response receiving means, ID receiving for receiving a first medium ID identifying the recording medium a visualized the information from the receiving terminal First information acquisition means for acquiring a second medium ID for identifying the recording medium from the recording medium from which the information is acquired together with the information; the first medium ID and the second medium ID Storage means capable of storing the information in association with each other, wherein the information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal, and the ID receiving means acquires the received first medium ID and The second medium ID is stored in association with the second medium ID, and the first command transmission unit acquires the second medium ID acquired when the second medium ID is acquired by the first information acquisition unit. The first medium ID corresponding to the medium ID is acquired from the storage unit, the search command including the acquired first medium ID is transmitted to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal, and the receiving terminal , A second information acquiring means for acquiring the serial data from the transmitting terminal, on the recording medium which medium ID is assigned for identifying said recording medium, and a visualizing means for visualizing the acquired information, the information to visualize the Receiving means for receiving a search command for requesting a search for a recording medium; second command transmitting means for transmitting the received search command to the external terminal for searching for the recording medium having the medium ID; and the search command The second response receiving means for receiving a response representing the search result of the recording medium from the external terminal, and the output means for outputting the received response to the transmitting terminal.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to easily search for the presence of a recording medium such as recording paper on which data is visually output.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily search for the presence of the recording medium using the medium ID of the recording medium returned from the visible output destination of the data.

  In addition, according to the present invention, a search can be requested using the document ID given by the requester of the visual output of data, so that the convenience of the user when searching for a recording medium is improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it can be confirmed whether or not the recording medium has been discarded or crushed, so that the convenience of the user when searching for the recording medium is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the history of processes that can be referred to by the user is visually output, the convenience of the user when searching for the recording medium is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, even when document data is transferred, a search request is issued to an unspecified number of terminals using the medium ID, so that it is easy to specify the location of the target document recording medium, and the user This has the effect of improving convenience.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the user can request a search for the recording medium by reading the document original again with the scanner, so that the convenience of the user when searching for the recording medium is improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since it is possible to search for a recording medium from an external terminal such as a PC, the convenience of the user when searching for the recording medium is improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, an example in which a multifunction peripheral is used as a transmission terminal that transmits information and a reception terminal that receives and visualizes information will be described. However, the transmission terminal and the reception terminal are not limited to the multifunction peripheral.

(First embodiment)
In the search system according to the first embodiment, when image data is printed out on a recording medium by IP-FAX, the printed multifunction device (receiving terminal) changes to the multifunction device (transmitting terminal) that is the image data transmission source. A medium ID for identifying the recording medium is transmitted, and the transmitting terminal can search for the recording medium using the medium ID. In addition, a search request (search command) is transmitted to a large number of PCs having a function of reading a medium ID from an RFID attached to a recording medium, and a search result is received from the PC to search for an existing location of the recording medium. To do.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system according to the first embodiment has a configuration in which a network A1 and a network B1 are connected via an IP network (IP network) 20.

  The network A1 is connected to a multifunction device 1, a gateway 2, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) proxy server 3, a personal computer (PC) (not shown), and the like. A multifunction machine 10, a gateway 11, personal computers (PC) 12 to 19 and the like are connected to the network B1. Note that illustration of SIP proxy servers other than the network A1 is omitted.

  The MFP 1 and the MFP 10 have a copy function, a printer function, and an IP facsimile (hereinafter referred to as IP-FAX) function conforming to ITU-T recommendation T.38 for performing facsimile communication using an IP network. Device. The multi-function device 10 further includes an RFID reader that reads data from an RFID tag attached to the image print sheet using UHF band radio waves.

  The gateway 2 and the gateway 11 are routers that transfer packets between different networks (subnets) and enable communication between a device connected to the network A1 and a device connected to the network B1.

  The SIP proxy server 3 registers a correspondence table between the telephone number or FAX number of the terminal and the IP address. When a connection request with the telephone number or FAX number as the destination is received from the terminal, the IP corresponding to the destination number A call connection is made to the address and the terminals are connected.

  The PCs 12 to 19 are connected to an RFID reader that reads data from an RFID tag using UHF band radio waves. The IP network 20 is a corporate IP network, the Internet, wide area Ethernet (registered trademark), or the like.

  In the figure, only one multifunction device 1 and one multifunction device 10 are shown. However, the number of devices is not limited to one, and the search system includes a plurality of multifunction devices 1 or 10. You may comprise. Further, the MFP 1 and the MFP 10 may be combined to function as both an IP-FAX transmission source and a transmission destination.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 10 will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 10 including the RFID reader. The multifunction machine 10 includes a CPU 30, a main memory 31, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 32, a clock 33, a bus controller 34, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bridge 35, a cache memory 36, a scanner controller 37, a scanner 38, a print controller 39, Print engine 40, hard disk 41, HD (Hard Disk) controller 42, LCD display controller 43, LCD 44, LAN controller 45, LAN I / F (Interface) 46, RFID reader 47, antenna 48, key input controller 49, hard key 50 A touch panel controller 51, a touch panel 52, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 53, a CPU bus 54, a PCI bus 55, and an X bus (internal bus) 56.

  The CPU 30 executes and processes a control processing program and OS (Operating System) stored in the ROM 32. The main memory 31 is constituted by a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and is used in a work area of the CPU 30 or the like. The ROM 32 is pre-stored with various programs for starting up the system when the power is turned on and realizing the functions of the multifunction machine 10. The clock 33 is composed of a crystal oscillator and a frequency dividing circuit, and generates a clock for controlling the operation timing of the CPU 30 and the bus controller 34. The bus controller 34 controls data transfer on the CPU bus 54 and the X bus 56. The PCI bridge 35 uses the cache memory 36 to transfer data between the PCI bus 55 and the CPU 30. The cache memory 36 is constituted by a DRAM and is used by the PCI bridge 35.

  The scanner controller 37 controls the document reading operation of the scanner 38. The scanner 38 reads a paper surface image by a CCD line sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD). The print controller 39 controls the operation of the print engine 40. The print engine 40 uses a toner to print a color image or a monochrome image on a paper surface.

  The hard disk 41 stores image information input from the scanner 38, image information received by communication, identification information of paper on which a color image or a monochrome image is printed, and the like. The HD controller 42 has, for example, an IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) interface as an interface with the hard disk 41, and performs high-speed data transfer with the hard disk 41. The LCD display controller 43 performs D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion of character data, graphic data, and the like, and performs control for displaying these data on the LCD 44. The LAN controller 45 executes a communication protocol compliant with, for example, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 standard, and communicates with other devices connected to the Ethernet (registered trademark) via the LAN I / F 46. To control. The RFID reader 47 operates in accordance with the communication specifications defined in ISO / IEC 18000-6, and generates radio waves in the frequency band (UHF band) of 860 to 960 MHz from the antenna 48 (950 to 956 MHz in Japan, 902 in the United States). ˜928 MHz), the radio wave of the same frequency band transmitted from the RFID tag 57 is received by the antenna 48 and the identification data (ID) stored in the RFID tag 57 is obtained. The RFID reader 47 is attached in the vicinity of the paper discharge unit of the multifunction machine 10, and generates a UHF band radio wave and is attached to the print paper when the printed paper is discharged by the print engine 40. The ID is read from the RFID tag 57. Hereinafter, an ID read from the RFID tag 57 attached to a recording medium such as print paper is referred to as a medium ID.

  The key input controller 49 performs conversion from serial data input from the hard key 50 to parallel data. The touch panel controller 51 detects a portion where an object such as a finger contacts on the touch panel 52, and takes in the position information. The touch panel 52 is in close contact with the LCD 44. The RTC 53 is a date clock and is backed up by a battery (not shown).

  The RFID tag 57 is an inlet composed of an antenna and an IC circuit. The RFID tag 57 operates in accordance with the communication specifications defined in ISO / IEC 18000-6, and receives radio waves generated from the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48. A built-in IC circuit is operated using the generated electromotive force, and a previously stored medium ID is transmitted. This RFID tag 57 (inlet) is embedded in a label, and this label is affixed to a print sheet in advance. Note that the user of the multifunction device 10 sets the surface of the print paper with the label on the multifunction device 10 so that it is behind the surface on which the image is printed.

  The MFP 1 existing in the network A1 has a hardware configuration in which the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48 are omitted from the hardware configuration in FIG.

  Next, functions of the multifunction machine 1 and the multifunction machine 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating the configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 1 includes a history storage unit 321, an image acquisition unit 301, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 304, a command transmission unit 305, a response A receiving unit 306, a display control unit 307, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  The history storage unit 321 converts the medium ID received by the ID receiving unit 303 from the multifunction machine 10, information (destination address) specifying the acquisition source of the medium ID, transmission time, the number of transmission pages, and thumbnails of the transmitted images (low (Resolution) image information and transmission history such as transmission results are stored in association with each other. Further, the history storage unit 321 stores the search history of the visually output recording medium including the searched medium ID, the search result, and the reception time of the search result. In addition, as a search result, when the search is successful, data indicating that the search is successful and a terminal name (host name) included in the search success response are included. When the search fails, the search result includes data indicating that the search has failed. The history storage unit 321 corresponds to the hard disk 41 in FIG.

  The image acquisition unit 301 acquires image information read by the scanner 38. The image transmission unit 302 transmits the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 301 to the multifunction device 10.

  The ID receiving unit 303 receives the medium ID of the print paper that visualizes the image information transmitted by the IP-FAX function from the multifunction machine 10. Details of the message for transmitting the medium ID will be described later.

  The search ID receiving unit 304 receives the medium ID of the print paper to be searched, which is designated by the user in order to search for the print paper that visualizes the image information.

  The command transmission unit 305 transmits a search command, which is a command for requesting a search for a print sheet corresponding to the medium ID received by the search ID reception unit 304, to the multifunction device 10. Details of the search command will be described later. The response receiving unit 306 receives a response to the transmitted search command from the multifunction device 10.

  The display control unit 307 controls display processing such as various screens on the LCD 44. Specifically, the display control unit 307 displays a menu screen for designating various processes, a screen for selecting a medium ID, a screen for selecting a transmission destination (transmission destination selection screen), and a search. Control display of results, search history, etc. The print output unit 308 prints out the search history as a report.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 10 includes a history storage unit 421, an image reception unit 401, a print output unit 402, an ID acquisition unit 403, an ID transmission unit 404, a command reception unit 405, and a command transmission. Unit 406, response receiver 407, response transmitter 408, and display controller 409.

  The history storage unit 421 is a visualization processing history (print history) including the IP address of the MFP 1 that is the transmission source of the image information, the time of print output, the number of pages output, the reception result, and the medium ID of the output medium. Is memorized. The history storage unit 421 corresponds to the hard disk 41 in FIG.

  The image receiving unit 401 receives image information transmitted from the multifunction device 1. The print output unit 402 prints out (visualizes) the image information acquired by the image receiving unit 401 on a print sheet with an RFID attached, or prints out the print history as a report.

  The ID acquisition unit 403 uses the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48 to acquire the medium ID from the print paper on which the image information is visualized. The ID transmission unit 404 transmits the medium ID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 403 to the multifunction device 1.

  The command receiving unit 405 receives a search command transmitted from the multifunction device 1. The command transmission unit 406 transmits the search command received by the command reception unit 405 to the PCs 12 to 19.

  The response receiving unit 407 receives a search result (response) returned from the PCs 12 to 19 in response to the search command. The response transmission unit 408 transmits the response received by the response reception unit 407 to the multifunction device 1. When the display of the print history is designated by the user, the display control unit 409 acquires the print history from the history storage unit 421 and displays it as a report on the LCD 44.

  Next, an outline of functions of the PCs 12 to 19 will be described. The PCs 12 to 19 are connected to an RFID reader that reads data from an RFID tag as described above, and are configured to be able to read identification data from an RFID tag that exists within a predetermined range. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a range in which the RFID reader connected to each of the PCs 12 to 19 can read data from the RFID tag using radio waves in the UHF band. As shown in the figure, for example, the PC 12 can read the data of the RFID tag existing inside the circular area 501.

  Next, messages transmitted and received between the multifunction device 1 and the multifunction device 10 will be described. In the first embodiment, a message (hereinafter referred to as a medium ID notification message) for notifying a visualized medium ID of a print sheet and a search command are transmitted and received by an SIP instant message.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the medium ID notification message. This figure shows an example of a medium ID notification message expressed in the SIP MESSAGE method format.

  The first line of the medium ID notification message is a request line (in the case of a request) or a status line (in the case of a response), and includes a method name or a status code. From the second line to just before the blank line, the message header is “Via” representing the transit device (SIP proxy server), “Max-Forwards” that limits the number of hops that the request can pass in the process of going to the destination, “SIP URI (Uniform Resource Identifier)” of the sender and “From” including “tag” which is a random number for identifying the sender, “To” including “SIP URI” of the destination, and SIP session are uniquely identified. "Call-ID", request sequence number "CSeq", "Content-Type" indicating that the message body is text, and "Content-Length" indicating the number of characters in the message body Contains parameters. The next line after the blank line is a message body, and a message “Paper: ID = (medium ID)” indicating notification of the medium ID is described in a text format (ASCII characters).

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the data structure of the search command. This figure shows an example of a search command expressed in the form of a SIP MESSAGE method.

  Since the structure of data described from the first line of the search command to immediately before the blank line is the same as that of FIG. 6 showing the data structure of the medium ID notification message, description thereof is omitted. A message “Search: ID = (medium ID)” indicating a search for the medium ID is described in text (ASCII characters) in the message body that is the next line after the blank line.

  Note that a response (search success response or search failure response) indicating the search result is also transmitted and received in the same SIP MESSAGE method format as described above. In this case, the message body of the search success response includes a text indicating success (OK), a medium ID, and a host for specifying the PC that has been successfully searched, such as “OK: ID = 613942: host = pc15”. Name (pc15). The search success response may include the name of the logged-in user instead of the host name. The message body of the search failure response includes a text (NG) indicating failure and a medium ID, such as “NG: ID = 613942”.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. In the following, medium search processing includes image transmission processing for transmitting image information by the IP-FAX function, search command transmission processing for transmitting a command for searching for a recording medium whose information has been visualized by the IP-FAX function, and recording to the recording medium. The recording and search processing for searching for recording and recording media will be described separately. Note that the image transmission process and the search command transmission process are processes executed by the transmission terminal. The recording / searching process is a process executed by the receiving terminal.

  First, image transmission processing executed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of the image transmission process in the first embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not an operation for transmitting image information by the IP-FAX function has been input (step S801). If no operation is input (step S801: NO), the process of step S801 is repeated until an operation is input. If an operation has been input (step S801: YES), the image acquisition unit 301 reads the designated document and acquires image information (step S802).

  Next, the image transmission unit 302 transmits the read image information to the multifunction machine 10 (step S803). The image transmission unit 302 stores the transmission history in the history storage unit 321. Subsequently, the ID receiving unit 303 receives the medium ID of the recording medium returned from the multifunction machine 10 (step S804), and ends the image transmission process. The received medium ID is stored in the history storage unit 321.

  Next, search command transmission processing executed by the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of search command transmission processing in the first embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not the search mode has been selected (step S901), and if not selected (step S901: NO), the process is repeated until it is selected. The search mode is one of the processes that can be specified on the menu screen or the like for operating the multifunction device 1, and specifies the process for searching for the location of the print paper on which the image is output by the IP-FAX function. Represents the mode to perform.

  When the search mode is selected (step S901: YES), the display control unit 307 acquires the medium IDs of print sheets that can be searched from the history storage unit 321 and displays the list (step S902).

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a list display screen displaying medium IDs. As shown in the figure, the list display screen outputs information (destination) identifying the MFP 10 that has transmitted the image information, a transmission time, the number of transmission pages, a transmission result, and image data of each page. Medium ID of the printed paper. Note that the display order of the medium IDs corresponds to the order of the transmitted pages. Although the thumbnail image of the transmission image is stored in the history storage unit 321 as the transmission history, the thumbnail image is not displayed on the list display screen but is added to the transmission result report printed on paper.

  Next, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not a medium ID has been selected via the touch panel 52 (step S903). If not selected (step S903: NO), the process is repeated until it is selected. . When the medium ID is selected (step S903: YES), the search ID receiving unit 304 accepts the selected medium ID as a medium ID to be searched (step S904). In addition, the search ID receiving unit 304 receives information (destination information) for specifying a receiving terminal corresponding to the selected medium ID. The destination information can be acquired from the history storage unit 321.

  Next, the command transmission unit 305 transmits a search command including the selected medium ID in the message body to the multifunction machine 10 (receiving terminal) that is the destination corresponding to the selected medium ID (step S905). . In addition, the IP-FAX transmission uses the SIP proxy server 3 to perform call connection. A correspondence table (not shown) between the destination number shown in FIG. 10 and the IP address of the destination is registered in advance in the SIP proxy server 3, and the SIP proxy server 3 receives the destination number received from the MFP 1. The IP address corresponding to is acquired from the correspondence table, and the call is connected to the IP address.

  Next, the response receiving unit 306 determines whether or not a response has been received from the multifunction device 10 after transmitting the search command (step S906). If a response has not been received (step S906: NO), the process is repeated until it is received. If a response is received (step S906: YES), the display control unit 307 follows the content of the received response (search success response or search failure response), and if the search is successful, the host name included in the search success response Is displayed on the LCD 44 together with a message indicating that the search has been successful. If the search has failed, a message indicating that the specified medium ID has not been found is displayed on the LCD 44 (step S907), and the search command transmission process is terminated. To do. When a response is received, the response receiving unit 306 stores the search history in the history storage unit 321.

  Next, a recording / search process executed by the multifunction machine 10 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of the recording / searching process of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment.

  First, the image receiving unit 401 determines whether image information has been received from the multifunction device 1 (step S1101). If image information has been received (step S1101: YES), the print output unit 402 prints the received image information on a print sheet to which the RFID tag 57 has been added (step S1102). The print output unit 402 stores the print history in the history storage unit 421 after printing.

  Next, the ID acquisition unit 403 acquires a medium ID from the RFID tag 57 added to the printed print paper (step S1103). The ID acquisition unit 403 operates the RFID reader 47 to generate a UHF band radio wave from the antenna 48 when discharging the print paper from the inside of the machine, and identifies the RFID tag 57 attached to the print paper. Read data (medium ID). Note that the RFID reader 47 suppresses the output of radio waves to such an extent that the medium ID is read from only one print sheet. That is, the medium ID is not read from the printing paper that is not being printed.

  Subsequently, the ID transmission unit 404 transmits the acquired medium ID to the MFP 1 that is the transmission source (step S1104), returns to the information reception determination process, and repeats the process (step S1101).

  If the RFID tag 57 is not added to the sheet on which the MFP 10 has received the image information received by IP-FAX, the information without the medium ID is transmitted to the MFP 1. That is, when the RFID reader 47 of the multifunction machine 10 is operated to generate UHF band radio waves from the antenna 48 and the identification data (medium ID) cannot be read, the medium ID is set to zero and the IP-FAX is transmitted. It is transmitted to the multifunction device 1 which is the original terminal.

  If it is determined in step S1101 that image information has not been received (step S1101: NO), the command receiving unit 405 determines whether a search command has been received from the multifunction device 1 (step S1105).

  When the search command is received (step S1105: YES), the command transmission unit 406 transmits the received search command to the PCs 12 to 19 using the SIP instant message (step S1106).

  When receiving the search command, the PCs 12 to 19 operate the RFID reader connected to the own device to generate UHF band radio waves. As a result, the PC from which the response of the identification data (ID) is obtained checks whether or not this ID matches the medium ID included in the search command received from the multifunction machine 10. If they match, a search success response including the host name of the own apparatus is transmitted to the multi-function device 10 using an SIP instant message.

  Next, the response receiving unit 407 determines whether a search result (response) has been received from the PCs 12 to 19 within a predetermined time after transmitting the search command (step S1107).

  When a response is received within the predetermined time (step S1107: YES), the response transmission unit 408 transmits a search success response to the MFP 1 that is the transmission source of the search command (step S1108). If no response is received within the predetermined time (step S1107: NO), the response transmission unit 408 transmits a search failure response to the MFP 1 that is the transmission source of the search command (step S1109).

  After the response transmission unit 408 transmits a response (steps S1108 and S1109) or when it is determined that the search command is not received in step S1105 (step S1105: NO), the process returns to the information reception determination process and the process is performed. Repeat (step S1101).

  Note that a history (print history) relating to printing of image information received by the MFP 10 using the IP-FAX function is stored in the history storage unit 421 of the MFP 10. When the display of the print history is designated by the user, the display control unit 409 acquires the print history from the history storage unit 421 and displays it as a report on the LCD 44.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a print history display screen that displays a print history. As shown in the figure, the print history acquired from the history storage unit 421 is displayed in a list format on the print history display screen.

  In addition, when printing of a print history is designated by the user, the print output unit 402 performs processing for acquiring the print history from the history storage unit 421 and printing out the report as a report.

  Similarly, when search command transmission processing is executed in the multifunction device 1, the search history is stored in the history storage unit 321 of the multifunction device 1. When the display of the search history is designated by the user, the display control unit 307 acquires the search history from the history storage unit 321 and displays it as a report on the LCD 44.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a search history display screen that displays a search history. As shown in the figure, the search history acquired from the history storage unit 321 is displayed in a list format on the search history display screen.

  The print output unit 308 performs a process of acquiring the search history from the history storage unit 321 and printing it out as a report when printing of the search history is designated by the user.

  In the above description, the PCs 12 to 19 perform the process of searching for the medium ID from the surrounding RFID tag 57 when receiving the search command. On the other hand, the PCs 12 to 19 periodically acquire and hold the medium ID from the RFID tag 57, and search for the medium ID by collating the held medium ID with the medium ID in the search command when receiving the search command. It may be configured to do.

  That is, the PCs 12 to 19 periodically operate the connected RFID reader to generate UHF band radio waves, collect the identification data (ID) read from the RFID tag 57, and store the storage unit ( (Not shown). When the search command for the medium ID is transmitted from the multifunction device 10, each PC that has received the search command collates the medium ID included in the search command with the currently held ID to determine whether or not they match. To check. If there is a matching ID, a search success response including the host name of the own device (PC) is transmitted to the multifunction device 10. With such a configuration, the recording medium can be detected asynchronously with the search, and the search time for the recording medium can be shortened.

  As described above, in the search system according to the first embodiment, the transmission terminal uses the medium ID acquired from the reception terminal, and the transmission terminal serves as the reception terminal for many PCs having a function of reading the medium ID from the RFID tag. The search command is transmitted via the transmission terminal, and the transmission terminal receives the search result from the PC via the reception terminal, whereby the location of the recording medium can be searched. For this reason, the presence of the recording medium can be easily searched from a wide range.

(Second Embodiment)
The search system according to the second embodiment does not transmit a search command from a transmission terminal to a PC via a reception terminal, but directly transmits a search command from the transmission terminal to the PC.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a network C1 is connected via an IP network (IP network) 20 in addition to a network A2 and a network B1.

  A gateway 60 and personal computers (PCs) 61 to 63 are connected to the network C1. The gateway 60 is a router that enables communication between networks via the IP network 20 in the same manner as the gateway 2 and the gateway 11. Similarly to the PCs 12 to 19, the PCs 61 to 63 include an RFID reader that reads data from an RFID tag using UHF band radio waves.

  The network A2 is different from the network A1 according to the first embodiment in that the network A2 includes a multi-function device 1500 that can search for the PCs 61 to 63 in the network C1.

  Next, functions of the MFP 1500 will be described. FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function device 1500 according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 1500 includes a history storage unit 321, an image acquisition unit 301, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 304, a command transmission unit 1505, a response A receiving unit 1506, a display control unit 1507, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the second embodiment, the functions of the command transmission unit 1505, the response reception unit 1506, and the display control unit 1507 are different from those in the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The command transmission unit 1505 is different from the command transmission unit 305 of the first embodiment in that the command transmission unit 1505 directly transmits a search command to the PCs 12 to 19 or the PCs 61 to 63. The response receiving unit 1506 is different from the response receiving unit 306 of the first embodiment in that it receives a response from each PC that has transmitted the search command.

  The display control unit 1507 is different from the display control unit 307 in the first embodiment in that it displays a transmission destination selection screen for selecting a device as a search command transmission destination in the search command transmission process.

  Next, search command transmission processing in the second embodiment will be described. The overall flow of the image transmission process and the recording / searching process in the MFP 1500 and the MFP 10 is a flowchart showing the image transmission process and the recording / searching process in the first embodiment, respectively. Since this is the same, the description thereof is omitted. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of search command transmission processing according to the second embodiment.

  The medium ID reception process from step S1601 to step S1603 is the same as the process from step S901 to step S903 in the search system according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  When the medium ID to be searched is received (step S1604), the display control unit 1507 displays a transmission destination selection screen (step S1605). On the transmission destination selection screen, a terminal number (destination number when making a call connection using the SIP proxy server 3) and a terminal name (host name of the terminal) are displayed so as to be selectable in a list format. Note that the destination information (terminal number or terminal name) of the terminal may be grouped and registered for each network (subnet) unit, and the display control unit 1507 may be configured to selectably display this group. Further, the display control unit 1507 may be configured to display a screen for inputting characters one by one from a numeric keypad or a character list on which a destination terminal number or the like is displayed.

  Next, the display control unit 1507 determines whether or not a destination has been selected (step S1606), and if not selected (step S1606: NO), repeats the processing until it is selected. If selected (step S1606: YES), the command transmission unit 1505 transmits a search command to the selected destination (step S1607).

  Specifically, the command transmission unit 1505 sequentially transmits a search command including the medium ID to one or more selected destinations using SIP instant messages. The structure of the MESSAGE method representing the search command is the same as that shown in FIG.

  Next, the response receiving unit 1506 determines whether or not a response has been received from the destination PC within a predetermined time after transmitting the search command (step S1608). When the response is received within the predetermined time (step S1608: YES), the display control unit 1507 displays the host name included in the response on the LCD 44 (step S1609).

  If no response is received within the predetermined time (step S1608: NO), the display control unit 1507 displays a message indicating that the designated medium ID was not found on the LCD 44 (step S1610).

  The search for the PC as a search target can also be applied to the case where the PCs 12 to 19 in the network B1 search for print paper output to the multifunction machine 10 by using the other PCs 12 to 19 as a destination. The operation in such a case will be described below.

  For example, when the user of the PC 12 operates to print a document to the multifunction device 10, the printer driver installed in the PC 12 transfers the document data to the multifunction device 10. The multi-function device 10 prints the received document data on a print sheet to which the RFID tag 57 is added. When the multifunction machine 10 ejects the printed paper from the inside of the machine to the outside, it operates the RFID reader 47 to generate UHF band radio waves from the antenna 48, and from the RFID tag 57 attached to the print paper. The identification data (medium ID) is read. Then, this medium ID is transmitted by SIP instant message to the PC 12 which is the document data transfer source terminal. The PC 12 associates the received medium ID with the print history information (printer name, print time, document name, number of copies, print result, etc.) previously printed out to the multifunction machine 10 and is stored in the hard disk built in the apparatus. To remember.

  Thereafter, the user who performed the print output on the PC 12 went to the multi-function device 10 to obtain print paper, but the output tray of the multi-function device 10 as if someone accidentally took the print paper. The user performs an operation for searching for a print sheet. That is, the user activates a print paper search application installed in the PC 12 in advance. Then, the medium IDs stored in the hard disk of the PC 12 are displayed in a list on the display connected to the PC 12 in association with the print history information. When a medium ID to be searched is selected by the user from the list display, a search command including the medium ID is sequentially transmitted to the PCs 13 to 19 using SIP instant messages. The structure of the MESSAGE method representing this search command is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When the PCs 13 to 19 receive this search command, they search using the same process as described above, and send a response to the PC 12. The PC 12 displays the host name included in the received successful search response together with a message display indicating successful search on the display. If the PC 12 does not receive a search success response after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting a search command to the PCs 13 to 19, the PC 12 displays a message indicating that the designated medium ID was not found on the display.

  As described above, in the search system according to the second embodiment, the search command can be transmitted directly from the transmission terminal to the PC, so that the search for the recording medium can be performed more efficiently.

(Third embodiment)
The search system according to the third embodiment makes it possible to search for a recording medium that outputs document data using the document ID of the document data managed on the transmission terminal side.

  Since the network configuration of the search system according to the third embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 showing the network configuration of the search system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, the functions of the MFP 1700 in the network A1 and the MFP 2010 in the network B1 are different from those in the first embodiment.

  Next, functions of the multifunction peripheral 1700 in the network A1, which is a transmission terminal, will be described. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral 1700 according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 1700 includes a history storage unit 1721, an image acquisition unit 1701, an image transmission unit 1702, a search ID reception unit 1704, a command transmission unit 1705, a response reception unit 306, a display A control unit 307 and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the third embodiment, the deletion of the ID reception unit 303 and the functions of the image acquisition unit 1701, the image transmission unit 1702, the search ID reception unit 1704, and the command transmission unit 1705 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Is different. Further, the configuration of the history storage unit 1721 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The history storage unit 1721 is different from the history storage unit 321 of the first embodiment in that a document ID, which is identification information of transmitted image information, is stored in association with a transmission history instead of a medium ID.

  The image acquisition unit 1701 acquires image information read by the scanner 38 and assigns a document ID to the acquired image information.

  The image transmission unit 1702 transmits not only the image information but also the document ID assigned to the image information to the multifunction device 2010 that is a receiving terminal. In the third embodiment, the document ID is included in the NSS (Non-Standard Facilities Set-up) of ITU-T recommendation T.30.

  The ITU-T recommendation T.38 puts an HDLC (High-level Data Link Control procedure) frame such as NSS specified in the ITU-T recommendation T.30 into an IFP (Internet Facsimile Protocol) packet, and the IFP packet Furthermore, it is a specification to be transmitted in a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) packet or a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) packet. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a message in the case of a TCP packet. The document ID is included in the NSS data of FIG. FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an NSS format including a document ID. The document ID is represented by a 32-bit unsigned integer.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the search ID receiving unit 1704 receives the designation of the document ID of the image information to be searched instead of the medium ID of the print paper to be searched.

  The command transmission unit 1705 transmits a search command including the document ID received by the search ID reception unit 1704 to the multifunction device 2010. That is, the document ID is set in the message body of the search command instead of the medium ID.

  Next, functions of the multifunction machine 2010 in the network B1, which is a receiving terminal, will be described. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of the multifunction machine 2010 according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 2010 includes a history storage unit 421, an ID storage unit 2022, an image reception unit 2001, a print output unit 402, an ID acquisition unit 2003, a command reception unit 405, and a command transmission. Unit 2006, response receiver 407, response transmitter 408, and display controller 409.

  In the third embodiment, the deletion of the ID transmission unit 404, the addition of the ID storage unit 2022, and the functions of the image reception unit 2001, the ID acquisition unit 2003, and the command transmission unit 2006 are the first. This is different from the embodiment. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 4 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The ID storage unit 2022 stores the document ID transmitted from the MFP 1700 and the medium ID of the print paper in association with each other. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of information stored in the ID storage unit 2022.

  As shown in the figure, the ID storage unit 2022 stores a document ID and a medium ID of a print sheet that outputs image information identified by the document ID in association with each other. When image information is output on a plurality of pages, a plurality of medium IDs are associated with one document ID.

  The image receiving unit 2001 receives image information from the multifunction device 1700 and receives a document ID of the image information.

  The ID acquisition unit 2003 acquires a medium ID from a print sheet in which image information is visualized, and stores the acquired medium ID in the ID storage unit 2022.

  The command transmission unit 2006 acquires a medium ID corresponding to the document ID included in the received search command from the ID storage unit 2022, generates a search command including the acquired medium ID, and transmits it to the PCs 12 to 19. . That is, in the third embodiment, the search command including the document ID is transmitted from the transmission terminal, but the search command generated by converting the document ID into the corresponding medium ID is generated at the reception terminal, and the generated search command is generated. To search for print paper.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the third embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the image transmission process will be described. FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of image transmission processing of the multifunction peripheral 1700 according to the third embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not an operation for transmitting image information by the IP-FAX function has been input (step S2201). If no operation is input (step S2201: NO), the process of step S2201 is repeated until an operation is input. If an operation has been input (step S2201: YES), the image acquisition unit 1701 reads the designated document, acquires image information, and assigns a document ID (step S2202).

  Next, the image transmission unit 1702 transmits the read image information and document ID to the multifunction machine 2010 (step S2203). As described above, the document ID is transmitted by being included in the NSS (Non-Standard Facilities Set-up) of ITU-T recommendation T.30.

  Next, the image transmission unit 1702 transmits the transmitted document ID, information specifying the transmission destination (destination address), transmission time, number of transmission pages, image information obtained by converting the transmitted image into thumbnails (lower resolution), and transmission result. Are stored in the history storage unit 1721 in association with the transmission history (step S2204), and the image transmission process is terminated.

  Next, the recording / searching process will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of recording / search processing of the multifunction machine 2010 according to the third embodiment.

  Since the image reception process, the visualization process, and the ID acquisition process from step S2301 to step S2303 are the same as the process from step S1101 to step S1103 in the multi-function device 10 according to the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the ID acquisition unit 2003 stores the received document ID in the ID storage unit 2022 in association with the medium ID of the print paper on which the image information is printed. As described above, the third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the acquired medium ID is not sent back to the transmitting terminal and stored in the receiving terminal.

  If it is determined in step S2301 that image information has not been received (step S2301: NO), the command receiving unit 405 determines whether a search command has been received from the multifunction device 1700 (step S2305).

  When the search command is received (step S2305: YES), the command transmission unit 2006 identifies a medium ID corresponding to the document ID in the search command (step S2306). Specifically, the command transmission unit 2006 acquires the medium ID associated with the document ID from the ID storage unit 2022 to identify the corresponding medium ID.

  Next, the command transmission unit 2006 transmits a search command including the specified medium ID to the PCs 12 to 19 using the SIP instant message (step S2307).

  Since the response reception process and the search result transmission process from step S2308 to step S2310 are the same as the process from step S1107 to step S1109 in the MFP 10 according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The overall flow of the search command transmission process is the same as that of FIG. 9, which is a flowchart showing the search command transmission process in the first embodiment, except that the medium ID is replaced with the document ID. For example, in step S902, the display control unit 307 acquires document IDs that can be searched from the history storage unit 1721 and displays them as a list.

  FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a list display screen on which document IDs are displayed on the multifunction peripheral 1700. As shown in the figure, the list display screen includes information (destination address) for identifying the MFP 2010 that transmitted the image information, a transmission time, the number of transmission pages, a transmission result, and a document of the transmitted image information. ID is included.

  As described above, in the search system according to the third embodiment, the recording medium that outputs the document data can be searched using the document ID of the document data managed on the transmission terminal side. For this reason, the convenience of the user at the time of a storage medium search can be improved more.

(Fourth embodiment)
The search system according to the fourth embodiment executes a search for a recording medium on which data output based on a document is recorded by rescanning the document.

  Since the network configuration of the search system according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 showing the network configuration of the search system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the fourth embodiment, the hardware configuration and functions of the MFP 2500 in the network A1 are different from those in the first embodiment.

  A multifunction machine 2500 according to the fourth embodiment includes an RFID reader and an antenna for reading a medium ID of a document. For this reason, it has the same hardware configuration as that of the multifunction machine 10 shown in FIG.

  The MFP 2500 includes an RFID reader 47 and an antenna 48, as in FIG. 2. The RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48 are attached in the vicinity of the scanner 38, and the scanner 38 scans the transmission original. Then, after inputting the image information from the CCD, a radio wave in the UHF band is generated and the medium ID is read from the RFID tag 57 attached to the document. Note that the RFID reader 47 suppresses the output of radio waves to such an extent that the medium ID is read from only one original. That is, the medium ID is not read from a document that is not being read by the scanner.

  Next, functions of the MFP 2500 in the network A1 that is a transmission terminal will be described. FIG. 25 is a functional block diagram of the configuration of the MFP 2500 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 2500 includes a history storage unit 2521, an image acquisition unit 2501, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 2503, a search ID reception unit 2504, a command transmission unit 305, a response A receiving unit 306, a display control unit 307, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the fourth embodiment, the data structure of the history storage unit 2521 and the functions of the image acquisition unit 2501, the ID reception unit 2503, and the search ID reception unit 2504 are different from those of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The history storage unit 2521 is different from the history storage unit 321 according to the first embodiment in that it stores the received medium ID and the medium ID of the document that is the source of the transmitted image information in association with the transmission history. Yes. Further, as the information for specifying the acquisition source of the medium ID in the transmission history, the IP address of the acquisition source (transmission source) of the medium ID is stored.

  The image acquisition unit 2501 acquires image information read by the scanner 38 and acquires a medium ID from the RFID tag 57 attached to the read document using the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48.

  When receiving the medium ID, the ID receiving unit 2503 associates the IP address of the transmission source of the medium ID, the medium ID, and the medium ID of the original document from which the transmitted image information is associated with the history storage unit 2521. To save.

  The search ID reception unit 2504 acquires a medium ID corresponding to the document ID acquired by the image acquisition unit 2501 when the document is scanned again from the history storage unit 2521, and receives the acquired medium ID as a search medium ID. Is.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the fourth embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the image transmission process will be described. FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of image transmission processing according to the fourth embodiment.

  The image acquisition processing and ID reception processing from step S2601 to step S2604 are the same as the processing from step S801 to step S804 in the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. To do.

  After receiving the medium ID (step S2604), the ID receiving unit 2503 stores the transmission source IP address, the received medium ID, and the medium ID of the corresponding document in the history storage unit 2521 (step S2605), and image transmission. The process ends.

  Next, search command transmission processing will be described. FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of search command transmission processing according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not the search mode has been selected (step S2701). If not selected (step S2701: NO), the process is repeated until it is selected. If it is selected (step S2701: YES), the image acquisition unit 2501 scans the original again and reads the medium ID of the original (step S2702). Note that when the search mode is designated, the image acquisition unit 2501 does not acquire the image information by the CCD, but only acquires the medium ID of the document.

  Next, the search ID receiving unit 2504 acquires the IP address corresponding to the medium ID of the read document and the medium ID of the print paper from the history storage unit 2521 (step S2703). Next, the command transmission unit 305 transmits a search command including the acquired print sheet medium ID to the MFP 10 having the acquired IP address (step S2704).

  The response reception / display processing from step S2705 to step S2706 is the same as the processing from step S906 to step S907 in the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  Since the recording / searching process of the multifunction machine 10 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 11 representing the recording search process of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Instead of transmitting the search command to the multifunction device 10, it may be configured to directly transmit to the PCs 12 to 19 and the like, as in the second embodiment. In this case, after the search mode is selected, processing for displaying a transmission destination selection screen and selecting a device as a destination to which the search command is transmitted is added.

  As described above, in the search system according to the fourth embodiment, the search for the recording medium can be executed by rescanning the original document that is the source of the data visually output to the recording medium. The user's operation burden can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

(Fifth embodiment)
The search system according to the fifth embodiment makes it possible to search for a recording medium on which the document data is printed out by rescanning the document and using the document ID of the document data managed on the transmission terminal side. Is.

  Since the network configuration of the search system according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1 showing the network configuration of the search system according to the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the hardware configuration and functions of the multifunction peripheral 2900 in the network A1 are different from those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 2900 according to the fifth embodiment. The fifth embodiment is different from the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 2 in that an RFID reader / writer 90 is added instead of the RFID reader 47.

  Like the RFID reader 47 in FIG. 2, the RFID reader / writer 90 operates in accordance with the communication specifications defined by ISO / IEC 18000-6, and the radio wave in the frequency band (UHF band) of 860 to 960 MHz from the antenna 48. And the function of reading data from the RFID tag 57 and the function of writing data to the RFID tag 57 are provided.

  The RFID reader / writer 90 and the antenna 48 are attached in the vicinity of the scanner 38. After the scanner 38 scans a transmission original and inputs image information from the CCD, the UHF band radio wave is generated to generate the original. The document ID is written in the RFID tag 57 added to the. Note that the RFID reader / writer 90 suppresses the output of radio waves to such an extent that the document ID is written on only one original. That is, the document ID is not written on a document that is not being read by the scanner.

  Next, functions of the multifunction machine 2900 will be described. FIG. 29 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 2900 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 2900 includes a history storage unit 2921, an image acquisition unit 2901, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 2904, a command transmission unit 305, a response A receiving unit 306, a display control unit 307, a print output unit 308, and a recording unit 2908 are provided.

  In the fifth embodiment, the addition of the ID recording unit 2908, the data structure of the history storage unit 2921, and the functions of the image acquisition unit 2901 and the search ID reception unit 2904 are different from those of the first embodiment. ing. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The history storage unit 2921 further stores ID correspondence information that associates the medium ID of the print paper, the document ID added to the original, and the IP address of the multifunction machine 10 that is the transmission source terminal of the medium ID. This is different from the history storage unit 321 of the first embodiment. If a document transmitted by IP-FAX has a plurality of pages, the print medium ID and document ID are associated with each other for the number of pages and stored in the history storage unit 2921.

  The image acquisition unit 2901 acquires image information read by the scanner 38 and assigns a document ID to the acquired image information. The image acquisition unit 2901 acquires the document ID recorded on the RFID tag 57 of the document using the RFID reader / writer 90 and the antenna 48.

  The ID recording unit 2908 uses the RFID reader / writer 90 to write the document ID given by the image acquisition unit 2901 into the RFID tag 57 of the document.

  The search ID reception unit 2904 acquires a print medium ID corresponding to the document ID acquired by the image acquisition unit 2901 when the document is scanned again from the history storage unit 2921, and searches the acquired print medium ID for the medium ID. It will be accepted as. Note that the print medium ID is a medium ID read from the RFID tag 57 attached to the print paper on which image information is visually output.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the fifth embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the image transmission process will be described. FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of image transmission processing according to the fifth embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not an operation for transmitting image information by the IP-FAX function has been input (step S3001). If no operation is input (step S3001: NO), the process of step S3001 is repeated until an operation is input. When an operation is input (step S3001: YES), the image acquisition unit 2901 reads the designated original, acquires image information, and assigns a document ID (step S3002).

  Next, the ID recording unit 2908 records the document ID assigned by the image acquisition unit 2901 on the RFID tag 57 of the corresponding document (step S3003).

  The image transmission / ID reception process from step S3004 to step S3005 is the same as the process from step S2603 to step S2604 in the MFP 2500 according to the fourth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  After receiving the print medium ID (step S3005), the ID receiving unit 303 stores the transmission source IP address, the received print medium ID, and the document ID recorded on the corresponding document in the history storage unit 2921 (step S3006). ), The image transmission process is terminated.

  Next, search command transmission processing will be described. The overall flow of the search command transmission process in the fifth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 27, which is a flowchart showing the search command transmission process in the fourth embodiment, except that the document medium ID is replaced with the document ID. . For example, in step S2702, the image acquisition unit 2901 reads the document ID instead of the image acquisition unit 2501 reading the medium ID of the document. In step S2703, the IP address and print medium ID corresponding to the read document ID are acquired from the history storage unit 2921.

  Note that the recording / searching process of the multifunction machine 10 in the fifth embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 11 representing the recording search process in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, instead of transmitting the search command to the multi-function device 10, it may be configured to transmit directly to the PCs 12 to 19 as in the second embodiment. In this case, after the search mode is selected, processing for displaying a transmission destination selection screen and selecting a device as a destination to which the search command is transmitted is added.

  In the above description, the medium ID corresponding to the document ID read from the RFID tag 57 of the document is acquired from the history storage unit 2921, and the acquired medium ID is searched. On the other hand, as in the third embodiment, the search may be performed by a search command including the read document ID.

  As described above, in the search system according to the fifth embodiment, the document ID written on the original can be acquired by rescanning, and the recording medium can be searched using the medium ID corresponding to the acquired document ID. Therefore, the user's operational burden for searching can be reduced and the convenience of the user can be further improved.

(Sixth embodiment)
In the search system according to the sixth embodiment, a discard management device for managing the disposal of a recording medium or a pulverizing device for pulverizing a recording medium is added as a search target. This makes it possible to grasp pulverization.

  FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system of the sixth embodiment has a configuration in which a network A3 and a network B2 are connected via an IP network (IP network) 20.

  A multifunction machine 3200, a gateway 2, a SIP proxy server 3, a personal computer (PC) not shown, and the like are connected to the network A3. The network B2 is different from the network B1 of the first embodiment in that a document discard monitoring device 100 and a shredder 101 are added in addition to the multifunction machine 10, the gateway 11, and personal computers (PC) 12 to 19. Yes.

  The document disposal monitoring device 100 is a device that is installed in a document disposal space and can search for a print sheet with an RFID tag placed in the space. The shredder 101 is a device for crushing print paper.

  The document disposal monitoring apparatus 100 and the shredder 101 incorporate an RFID reader and an antenna that generate UHF band radio waves and read a medium ID from an RFID tag attached to paper. Further, the document disposal monitoring apparatus 100 and the shredder 101 can execute communication using SIP instant messages.

  The shredder 101 operates the RFID reader immediately before crushing the paper to generate UHF band radio waves from the antenna, and reads the medium ID from the RFID tag attached to the paper. The medium ID is stored in a flash ROM (ROM that can be electrically erased (rewritten) without data being erased even when the power is turned off) built in the shredder 101.

  Next, functions of the MFP 3200 of the network A3 will be described. Note that the function of the multifunction machine 10 in the network B2 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 3200 according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 3200 includes a history storage unit 321, an image acquisition unit 301, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 304, a command transmission unit 305, a response A receiving unit 3206, a display control unit 307, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the sixth embodiment, the function of the response receiving unit 3206 is different from that of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The response receiving unit 3206 stores information representing document discard or document crushing in the history storage unit 321 when the search result transmission source is the document discard monitoring device 100 or the shredder 101 in the first embodiment. This is different from the response receiving unit 306 in the form.

  When the user performs a paper ID search operation with the document discard monitoring device 100 as the destination in the multifunction device 3200, the multifunction device 3200 transmits a paper ID search command to the document discard monitoring device 100. When receiving the search command, the document disposal monitoring apparatus 100 operates the built-in RFID reader to generate UHF band radio waves. As a result, when a response of identification data (ID) is obtained, it is checked whether or not this ID matches the paper ID included in the search command received from the multifunction device 3200. If they match, a search success response including the host name of the own terminal (document disposal monitoring apparatus 100) is transmitted to the multifunction device 3200.

  Further, when the user performs a paper ID search operation with the shredder 101 as the destination in the multifunction device 3200, the multifunction device 3200 transmits a paper ID search command to the shredder 101. When receiving the search command, the shredder 101 checks whether the paper ID included in the search command is stored in the flash ROM. If stored, a search success response including the host name of the terminal (shredder 101) is transmitted to the multifunction device 3200.

  When the response receiving unit 3206 of the MFP 3200 determines that the search result transmission source is the document discard monitoring apparatus 100 from the terminal name (host name) included in the search success response, the response history data 3206 displays data indicating document discard in the search history. It is added and saved in the history storage unit 321. When the response reception unit 3206 determines that the search result transmission source is the shredder 101 from the terminal name (host name) included in the search success response, the response reception unit 3206 adds data representing document crushing to the search history and stores the history. Stored in the unit 321.

  In the sixth embodiment, as described above, since data representing document discard and document pulverization can be stored as a search history, the user can grasp not only the presence of print paper but also discard or pulverize. There is an advantage.

  For example, when the display operation of the search history of the medium ID is performed by the user in the multifunction device 3200, the display control unit 307 acquires the search history stored in the history storage unit 321 and displays it on the LCD 44 as a report. Further, when printing of the search history of the medium ID is designated by the user in the multifunction device 3200, the print output unit 308 performs processing for acquiring the search history stored in the history storage unit 321 and printing out the report as a report. At this time, when data indicating document discard is added to the search history, characters “discard” are printed in the print field of the medium ID, and data indicating document shredding is added to the search history. In this case, the characters “pulverize” are printed in the print field of the medium ID.

  As described above, in the search system according to the sixth embodiment, the search can be performed on the disposal management device that manages the disposal of the recording medium or the pulverization device that pulverizes the recording medium. In addition, it is possible to grasp the disposal and pulverization of the recording medium.

(Seventh embodiment)
The search system according to the seventh embodiment transmits a search command to a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone having a function of reading a medium ID from an RFID, and receives a search result from the mobile terminal so that a recording medium exists. Search for a location.

  FIG. 33 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the seventh embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system according to the seventh embodiment has a configuration in which a cellular phone network 120 is connected to an IP network 20 via a network gateway (GW) 121 in addition to a network A2 and a network B1. It has become.

  The inter-network GW 121 is a gateway device that converts a protocol used in the mobile phone network 120 and a protocol used in the IP network 20, and transport layer TCP is used in the mobile phone network 120. W-TCP (TCP profile over W-CDMA) and TCP used in the IP network 20 are mutually converted.

  The mobile phone network 120 includes a mobile phone 110 having a SIP function, a mobile phone 111, a mobile phone 112, a mobile phone 113, and a SIP proxy server (not shown). This SIP proxy server transmits an SIP instant message to each mobile phone.

  The mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 112, and the mobile phone 113 send and receive SIP instant messages using the mobile phone network 120, and, as with the RFID reader 47 in FIG. 2, are ISO / IEC 18000-6. It incorporates an RFID reader that operates in accordance with defined communication specifications. Thereby, each mobile phone can read out data from the RFID tag 57 by generating radio waves in the frequency band (UHF band) of 860 to 960 MHz from the antenna.

  As in the second embodiment, the network A2 includes a multi-function device 1500 that can directly specify a PC or the like as a search target. The functions of the multi-function device 1500 are the same as those in FIG. 15, which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1500 according to the second embodiment.

  In addition, the search command transmission process in the seventh embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 16 representing the search command transmission process in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the seventh embodiment, mobile phones 110 to 113 can be specified as search command transmission destinations.

  For example, when an arbitrary medium ID is selected by the user of the MFP 1500 and the telephone numbers of the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 112, and the mobile phone 113 are selected as destinations, the destinations of the mobile phones 110 to 113 are selected. Each time, a search command for a medium ID including the telephone number of each mobile phone as a destination is transmitted to the SIP proxy server 3 using an SIP instant message.

  When determining that the destination is a mobile phone, the SIP proxy server 3 transfers these search commands (SIP instant messages) to the SIP proxy server existing in the mobile phone network 120. The SIP proxy server existing in the mobile phone network 120 transmits the received search command (SIP instant message) addressed to the mobile phone 110 to the mobile phone 110. Similarly, the SIP proxy server existing in the mobile phone network 120 sends search commands (SIP instant messages) addressed to the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 112, or the mobile phone 113 to the mobile phone 111, the mobile phone 112, and the mobile phone 113, respectively. Send to.

  When receiving the search command, the cellular phones 110 to 113 operate the built-in RFID reader to generate UHF band radio waves from the antenna. As a result, when the medium ID is obtained, it is checked whether or not the medium ID matches the medium ID included in the search command received from the multi-function device 1500. If they match, a successful search response including the mobile phone number of the terminal (mobile phone) is transmitted to the MFP 1500 using an SIP instant message. The MFP 1500 displays the mobile phone number included in the received search success response on the LCD 44 together with a message display indicating that the search has been successful. Instead of using the mobile phone number as the terminal identification information of the mobile phone, an e-mail address may be used.

  As described above, since the search system according to the seventh embodiment can search for a recording medium for a portable terminal whose location is not specified, a user carrying a print sheet with a medium ID added, A recording medium can be easily searched for a specific area.

(Eighth embodiment)
The search system according to the eighth embodiment transmits a transmission request by IP-FAX and a search command for a recording medium from a PC connected to a transmission terminal.

  FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the eighth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system according to the eighth embodiment has a configuration in which a network A4, a network B1, and a network C1 are connected by an IP network 20.

  The MFP 3500, the gateway 2, the SIP proxy server 3, and the PC 130 are connected to the network A4. The PC 130 is installed with the IP-FAX transmission driver software of the multifunction device 3500 in the network A4, and the document in the PC 130 is arbitrarily sent via the multifunction device 3500 using the IP-FAX transmission driver software. IP-FAX transmission can be performed to the destination.

  Next, functions of the MFP 3500 will be described. FIG. 35 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 3500 according to the eighth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 3500 includes an image acquisition unit 3501, an image transmission unit 302, an ID reception unit 303, and an ID transmission unit 3509.

  In the eighth embodiment, the history storage unit 321, the search ID reception unit 304, the command transmission unit 305, the response reception unit 306, the display control unit 307, and the print output unit 308 are deleted, and the ID transmission unit 3509 is changed. The addition and the function of the image acquisition unit 3501 are different from those of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The image acquisition unit 3501 acquires image information transmitted from the PC 130. An ID transmission unit 3509 transmits the received medium ID to the PC 130.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the eighth embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the image transmission process will be described. FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating an overall flow of image transmission processing of the multifunction machine 3500 according to the eighth embodiment.

  First, the image acquisition unit 3501 determines whether or not an IP-FAX transmission is requested from the PC 130 (step S3601). If not requested (step S3601: NO), the process is repeated until a request is received (step S3601). Step S3601).

  When IP-FAX transmission is requested (step S3601: YES), the image acquisition unit 3501 acquires an image to be transmitted from the PC 130 (step S3602). Next, the image transmission unit 302 transmits the acquired image to a destination designated by the PC 130 (step S3603).

  Next, the ID receiving unit 303 receives the medium ID of the recording medium returned from the multifunction machine 10 (step S3604). Subsequently, the ID transmission unit 3509 transmits the received medium ID to the PC 130 (step S3605), and the image transmission process ends.

  The PC 130 executes the IP-FAX transmission request process by the following operation.

  First, the user displays an arbitrary document using document editing software or the like. Then, a printing window is opened, and an IP-FAX transmission driver name of the multifunction machine 3500 is selected by selecting a printer. Subsequently, when an IP-FAX transmission destination is input and a transmission button is clicked, the IP-FAX transmission driver software of the PC 130 converts the displayed document into a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format file, and information on the destination is used. A TIFF file is transmitted to the multifunction device 3500 together with certain destination data. The multi-function device 3500 transmits this TIFF file to the designated destination by IP-FAX (step S3603).

  For example, the user in the network A4 clicks the transmission button with the IP-FAX transmission destination as the terminal number of the multifunction machine 10 in the network B1. Then, the PC 130 transmits the TIFF file to the multifunction device 3500 together with the terminal number of the multifunction device 10. The multi-function device 3500 transmits this TIFF file to the multi-function device 10 by IP-FAX.

  Processing by the multifunction machine 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and is as follows. First, the multifunction machine 10 prints the received TIFF file on a print sheet to which the RFID tag 57 is added. When the multifunction machine 10 discharges the print paper from the inside of the machine, the RFID reader 47 is operated to generate UHF band radio waves from the antenna 48, and the identification data (RFID tag 57 attached to the print paper) Medium ID). Then, the read medium ID is transmitted to the MFP 3500 which is the IP-FAX transmission source terminal.

  The multi-function device 3500 transmits the received medium ID together with the IP-FAX transmission result to the PC 130 that is the IP-FAX transmission request source (step S3605).

  The PC 130 displays the received medium ID together with the IP-FAX transmission result on the display, and also displays the medium ID as a transmission history (destination address, transmission time, number of transmission pages, and thumbnails (lower resolution) of the transmitted images). Information, transmission results, etc.) are stored in a built-in hard disk.

  Note that the print paper search process by the search command is directly executed between the PC 130 and the other PCs 12 to 19, PCs 61 to 63, and the like. This search process will be described below.

  For example, when a medium ID search application is started on the PC 130 by a user in the network A4, the medium IDs stored in the hard disk are displayed in a list on the display in association with the transmission history. When the medium ID is selected by the user from the list display, the PC 130 displays a window for selecting or inputting a search command transmission destination including the medium ID on the display.

  This destination selection may use a method of selecting from a list of terminal numbers (destination numbers when making a call connection using the SIP proxy server 3) or terminal names (host names of the terminals). A method may be used in which information (terminal number or terminal name) is grouped and registered for each network (subnet) unit and this group is selected.

  When one or more destinations are selected, a search command including a medium ID is transmitted to those destinations. This transmission destination is, for example, the PCs 12 to 19 in the network B1 and the PCs 61 to 63 in the network C1. When receiving the search command, the PCs 12 to 19 and the PCs 61 to 63 operate the connected RFID reader to generate UHF band radio waves. Thereby, the PC from which the response of the identification data (ID) is obtained checks whether or not this ID matches the medium ID included in the received search command. If they match, a search success response including the host name of the device (PC) is transmitted to the PC 130. The PC 130 displays the host name included in the received search success response on the display together with a message display indicating that the search was successful.

  If the search success response is not received after a predetermined time has elapsed after transmitting the search command, the PC 130 displays a message indicating that the designated medium ID has not been found on the display.

  As described above, in the search system according to the eighth embodiment, image data can be transmitted and a recording medium can be searched from a PC connected to the transmission terminal, so that the convenience of the user when searching for the recording medium is further improved. be able to.

(Ninth embodiment)
The search system according to the ninth embodiment can acquire a medium ID for identifying a recording medium when the data is printed on the recording medium by the copy function, and can search the recording medium using the acquired medium ID. To do.

  FIG. 37 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the ninth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system according to the ninth embodiment has a configuration in which a multifunction machine 3910 and PCs 12 to 19 are connected via a network such as a LAN.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the PCs 12 to 19 are connected to an RFID reader that reads data from an RFID tag using UHF band radio waves.

  FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 3910 according to the ninth embodiment. An MFP 3910 has a configuration in which an RFID reader / writer 150 and an antenna 151 are added to the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 shown in FIG.

  The RFID reader / writer 150 has the same function as the RFID reader / writer 90 according to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. The antenna 151 and the RFID tag 152 have functions similar to those of the antenna 48 and the RFID tag 57 shown in FIG.

  The RFID reader / writer 150 and the antenna 151 are attached in the vicinity of the scanner 38, and when the image information input from the scanner 38 is printed by the print engine 40, the print medium ID read by the RFID reader 47 is used as a document. Is written in the RFID tag 152 attached to the.

  Next, functions of the multifunction device 3910 will be described. FIG. 39 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 3910 according to the ninth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 3910 includes a history storage unit 421, an image acquisition unit 3901, a print output unit 402, an ID acquisition unit 3903, an ID recording unit 3904, a command transmission unit 406, and a response reception. A display unit 407 and a display control unit 409.

  In the ninth embodiment, the ID transmitter 404, the command receiver 405, and the response transmitter 408 are deleted, the ID recording unit 3904 is added, and the functions of the image acquisition unit 3901 and the ID acquisition unit 3903 And are different from the first embodiment. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 4 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The image acquisition unit 3901 acquires image information of a document that is designated for copying and read by the scanner 38. The ID acquisition unit 3903 acquires a medium ID (print medium ID) from a print sheet on which image information is printed using the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48, and uses the RFID reader / writer 150 and the antenna 151 to copy a document. The medium ID is acquired.

  The ID recording unit 3904 records the medium ID of the printing paper acquired by the ID acquisition unit 3903 on the RFID tag 152 of the document.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the ninth embodiment configured as described above will be described. The medium search process according to the ninth embodiment is divided into a copy process for copying image information and a search command transmission process for searching for a copied print sheet. FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of copy processing according to the ninth embodiment.

  First, the image acquisition unit 3901 determines whether or not a copy execution operation has been input by the user (step S4001). If copy execution has not been input (step S4001: NO), the process of step S4001 is repeated until copy execution is input. If copy execution has been input (step S4001: YES), the image acquisition unit 3901 reads the specified document and acquires image information (step S4002).

  Next, the print output unit 402 prints the acquired image information on a print sheet to which the RFID 57 is added (step S4003).

  Next, the ID acquisition unit 3903 acquires a print medium ID from the RFID 57 added to the printed print paper (step S4004). At this point, the document is still present in the image information input portion of the scanner 38 (the portion where the image information is input from the CCD by irradiating the document with light).

  Subsequently, the ID recording unit 3904 records the print medium ID acquired by the ID acquisition unit 3903 on the RFID tag 152 of the document using the RFID reader / writer 150 (step S4005), and ends the copy process.

  Note that the RFID reader / writer 150 suppresses the output of radio waves to the extent that the print medium ID is written on only one original. That is, the print medium ID is not written on the document existing outside the image information input portion of the scanner 38.

  Next, search command transmission processing will be described. FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of search command transmission processing in the ninth embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 409 determines whether or not the search mode has been selected (step S4101). If not selected (step S4101: NO), the process is repeated until it is selected. If selected (step S4101: YES), the ID acquisition unit 3903 rescans the document and reads the print medium ID from the RFID tag 152 of the document (step S4102). When the search mode is designated, the image acquisition unit 3901 does not acquire image information by the CCD.

  Next, the display control unit 409 displays a transmission destination selection screen similar to that in the second embodiment (step S4103).

  Next, the display control unit 409 determines whether or not a destination has been selected (step S4104), and if not selected (step S4104: NO), repeats the processing until it is selected. If it is selected (step S4104: YES), the command transmission unit 406 transmits a search command to the selected destination (step S4105).

  Specifically, the command transmission unit 406 sequentially transmits a search command including the read print medium ID to one or more selected destinations using SIP instant messages.

  Next, after transmitting the search command, it is determined whether the response receiving unit 407 has received a response from the destination PC within a predetermined time (step S4106). When the response is received within the predetermined time (step S4106: YES), the display control unit 409 displays the host name included in the response on the LCD 44 (step S4107).

  If the response is not received within the predetermined time (step S4106: NO), the display control unit 409 displays a message indicating that the designated medium ID is not found on the LCD 44 (step S4108).

  As described above, in the search system according to the ninth embodiment, a large number of PCs having a function of reading the medium ID from the RFID using the medium ID acquired when the data is printed on the recording medium by the copy function. On the other hand, the multifunction device transmits a search command, and the multifunction device receives the search result from the PC, thereby searching for the location of the recording medium. For this reason, the presence of the recording medium can be easily searched from a wide range.

(Tenth embodiment)
The search system according to the tenth embodiment outputs data to electronic paper and searches for electronic paper that has output the data.

  FIG. 42-1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a search system according to the tenth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the search system of the tenth embodiment has a configuration in which a network A6 and a network B4 are connected by an IP network 20. The MFP 4300, the gateway 2, and the SIP proxy server 3 are connected to the network A6, and the MFP 4410, the gateway 11, and the PC 161 to PC 168 are connected to the network B4. In the network B4, the electronic paper 170 exists at a position where the MFP 4410 can communicate with the Bluetooth.

  The gateway 2 and SIP proxy server 3 connected to the network A6, the gateway 11 connected to the network B4, and the IP network 20 are the same as those in FIG. 1 showing the network configuration of the search system according to the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

  The PC 161 to PC 168 of this embodiment are equipped with a Bluetooth PC card (PCMCIA card) instead of an RFID reader, and perform wireless communication based on the Bluetooth standard in addition to communication via a LAN. Can do.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 4410 in the network B4 will be described. Note that the hardware configuration in the MFP 4300 in the network A6 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 42-2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 4410 according to the tenth embodiment. The MFP 4410 is different from the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in that the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48 are deleted, and instead, a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 180, a Bluetooth module. 181 and an antenna 182 are added. The UART 180 is an interface that exchanges serial data between the CPU 30 and the Bluetooth module 181 and includes a FIFO (First In, First Out), a shift register, and the like. The Bluetooth module 181 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) unit and a baseband unit, and executes wireless communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard.

  Next, the function of the MFP 4300 in the network A6 that is a transmission terminal will be described. FIG. 43 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 4300 according to the tenth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 4300 includes a history storage unit 321, an image acquisition unit 301, an image transmission unit 4302, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 304, a command transmission unit 4305, a response A receiving unit 306, a display control unit 307, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the tenth embodiment, the functions of the image transmission unit 4302 and the command transmission unit 4305 are different from those in the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The image transmission unit 4302 transmits the user name of the electronic paper 170 designated by the user together with the acquired image information to the multifunction device 4410. The command transmission unit 4305 transmits a search command including the user ID of the electronic paper 170 to the multi-function device 4410 together with a medium ID (device ID) to be searched. The user name is transmitted by adding a text in a format such as “UserName = (user name)” to the message body of the search command expressed in the format of the SIP MESSAGE method.

  Next, functions of the multifunction peripheral 4410 in the network B4 that is a receiving terminal will be described. FIG. 44 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 4410 according to the tenth embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 4410 includes a history storage unit 421, an image reception unit 401, an image transfer unit 4402, an ID acquisition unit 4403, an ID transmission unit 404, a command reception unit 405, and a command transmission. Unit 406, response receiver 407, response transmitter 408, and display controller 409.

  In the tenth embodiment, an image transfer unit 4402 is added in place of the print output unit 402, and the function of the ID acquisition unit 4403 is different from that of the first embodiment. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 4 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The image transfer unit 4402 transfers the image information acquired by the image receiving unit 401 to the electronic paper 170. Specifically, the image transfer unit 4402 establishes an OBEX (OBject EXchange) session by executing a connection procedure based on the Bluetooth standard with the electronic paper 170, and transfers the image information received from the multifunction device 4300 to the electronic paper 170. Forward.

  The ID acquisition unit 4403 acquires a device ID corresponding to the medium ID of the electronic paper 170 using the UART 180, the Bluetooth module 181 and the antenna 182. Specifically, the ID acquisition unit 4403 acquires the device ID transmitted from the electronic paper 170 by object push in the OBEX session.

  Here, the electronic paper 170 illustrated in FIG. 44 will be described. FIG. 45 is an explanatory view showing an example of the appearance of the electronic paper 170. As shown in the figure, the electronic paper 170 has a rectangular appearance and is configured to be able to accept an operation with the touch pen 171 or the like.

  FIG. 46 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic paper 170. As shown in the figure, an electronic paper 170 includes a CPU 200, a clock 201, a main memory 202, a flash ROM 203, a UART 204, a Bluetooth module 205, an antenna 206, an RTC 207, a display controller 208, an electrophoretic display 209, a touch panel controller 210, and a touch panel. 211, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) controller 212, a USB I / F 213, a system bus 214, a battery (not shown), and the like.

  The CPU 200 executes and processes a control processing program stored in the flash ROM 203. The clock 201 includes a crystal oscillator and a frequency dividing circuit, and generates a clock for controlling the operation timing of the CPU 200 and the system bus 214. The main memory 202 is composed of DRAM and is used in the work area of the CPU 200 and the like. The flash ROM 203 stores a program for controlling the entire system and files such as images received from an external device. The UART 204, the Bluetooth module 205, and the antenna 206 have the same configurations as the UART 180, the Bluetooth module 181 and the antenna 182 described above, respectively.

  The RTC 207 is a date clock and is backed up by a dedicated battery (not shown). The display controller 208 performs control for displaying characters and image information on the electrophoretic display 209. In the electrophoretic display 209, white particles that are positively charged and black particles that are negatively charged are present in transparent microcapsules coated on the surface of the substrate. Display by moving particles in the opposite direction. The touch panel controller 210 detects a portion where the pen tip of the touch pen 171 contacts on the touch panel 211 and takes in the position information. The touch panel 211 is overlapped with and closely attached to the electrophoretic display 209. The USB controller 212 executes and controls data transfer conforming to the USB standard.

  The electronic paper 170 is operated by a battery, but even if the power is turned off, the display data of the electrophoretic display 209 is not erased, and the display data is held as it is. In addition, the electronic paper 170 uses the Bluetooth module 205 to perform data communication with a Bluetooth device. The electronic paper 170 is given a user name and a unique ID (device ID) in the world and stored in the flash ROM 203.

  Next, image transmission processing and medium search processing by the search system according to the tenth embodiment configured as described above will be described. First, the image transmission process will be described. FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of image transmission processing in the tenth embodiment.

  First, the display control unit 307 determines whether or not an operation for transmitting image information by the IP-FAX function has been input (step S4701). When performing IP-FAX transmission to electronic paper, the user specifies the user name of electronic paper 170 and the terminal number of multifunction device 4410 (destination number when making a call connection using SIP proxy server 3). An IP-FAX transmission operation is performed.

  If no operation has been input (step S4701: NO), the process of step S4701 is repeated until an operation is input. If an operation has been input (step S4701: YES), the image acquisition unit 301 reads the specified document and acquires image information (step S4702).

  Next, the image transmission unit 4302 transmits the read image and the designated user name to the multi-function device 4410 (step S4703).

  Next, the ID receiving unit 303 receives the device ID of the electronic paper returned from the multifunction device 4410 as a medium ID (step S4704), and ends the image transmission process.

  Next, transfer / search processing in the multifunction machine 4410 will be described. FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an overall flow of transfer / search processing in the tenth embodiment.

  First, the image receiving unit 401 determines whether image information has been received from the multifunction machine 4300 (step S4801). If image information has been received (step S4801: YES), the image transfer unit 4402 acquires a user name from the electronic paper 170 (step S4802). Specifically, the image transfer unit 4402 recognizes the electronic paper 170 by the Bluetooth inquiry procedure, and acquires the user name from the electronic paper 170.

  Next, it is determined whether the user name acquired by the image transfer unit 4402 from the electronic paper 170 matches the user name received from the MFP 4300 together with the image information (step S4803). If they do not match (step S4803: NO), the process returns to step S4801 and the process is repeated.

  If they match (step S4803: YES), the image transfer unit 4402 transfers the received image information to the electronic paper 170 (step S4804). Specifically, the image transfer unit 4402 transfers image information to the electronic paper 170 using an OBEX session established with the electronic paper 170.

  The electronic paper 170 displays the received image information on the electrophoretic display 209. When the file transfer is completed, the electronic paper 170 transmits the device ID of its own device to the multifunction device 4410 by object push in the OBEX session.

  Next, the ID acquisition unit 4403 acquires the device ID transmitted from the electronic paper 170 by the object push (step S4805).

  Subsequently, the ID transmission unit 404 transmits the acquired device ID to the MFP 4300 that is the transmission source (step S4806), returns to the information reception determination process, and repeats the process (step S4801).

  If it is determined in step S4801 that image information has not been received (step S4801: NO), the command receiving unit 405 determines whether a search command has been received from the multifunction device 4300 (step S4807).

  The search command reception / transmission processing and response reception / transmission processing from step S4807 to step S4811 are the same as the processing from step S1105 to step S1109 in the search system according to the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted. .

  The search command transmission process executed by the multifunction machine 4300 is the same as the search command transmission process in the first embodiment except that the medium ID is replaced with the device ID and the search command including the user name is transmitted in step S905. Since this is the same as FIG. 9, the description is omitted.

  The PC 161 to PC 168 in the network B4 to which the search command is transmitted in step S4808 first recognizes the electronic paper 170 that can perform Bluetooth communication by the Bluetooth inquiry procedure, and acquires the user name from the electronic paper 170. If the acquired user name matches the user name of the electronic paper included in the search command received from the multifunction device 4410, a connection procedure based on the electronic paper 170 and the Bluetooth standard is executed to execute the OBEX session. And the device ID of the electronic paper 170 is acquired by object push. If the acquired device ID matches the device ID included in the search command received from the multifunction device 4410, a search success response including the host name of the own device (PC) is transmitted to the multifunction device 4410.

  In the above description, as in the first embodiment, the search command is transmitted to each PC via the multi-function device 4410 that is the reception terminal. However, as in the second embodiment, the search command is a transmission terminal. The search command may be directly transmitted from the multifunction machine 4300 to each PC.

  Note that since the user name of the electronic paper 170 is changed as appropriate or the same user name is registered in a plurality of electronic papers 170, the device ID is used in the search for the electronic paper 170 as described above.

  As described above, in the search system according to the tenth embodiment, the search can be performed on the electronic paper that is a recording medium other than the paper medium.

(Eleventh embodiment)
The search system according to the eleventh embodiment enables a data visual output request to be transferred to another multi-function device, and allows a search command for a recording medium that has been visually output to be transferred to another multi-function device. .

  FIG. 49 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a search system according to the eleventh embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the search system of the eleventh embodiment, a network A5 and a network B3 are connected via an IP network (IP network) 20. The network B3 is connected to the network D1 via the Internet 240.

  Such a network configuration assumes a case where image information received by IP-FAX communication via the in-house IP network 20 is transferred to another receiving terminal via the Internet 240 by IP-FAX communication. . That is, in order to increase the security of the in-house IP network 20, a NAT router 221 that is a router (firewall) having a NAT (Network Address Translation) function is installed between the in-house IP network and the Internet. The in-house multifunction device 5210 can execute IP-FAX communication and SIP instant message transmission / reception with the outside multifunction device 231 via the NAT router 221 and the Internet.

  The multi-function device 5000 in the network A5 has a function of designating transfer of image information by IP-FAX communication to the multi-function device 231 via the multi-function device 5210. In addition to the copy function, printer function, and IP-FAX function, the multi-function device 5210 in the network B3 transmits the image information received by IP-FAX to a specified destination by IP-FAX (IP-FAX transfer). Function).

  The NAT router 221 in the network B3 and the NAT router 230 in the network D1 have functions of ALG (Application Layer Gateway) and special application port mapping as NAT functions.

  ALG mutually converts a private IP address and a global IP address in an IP packet header or SIP message. Special application port mapping associates a private IP address of a terminal having an arbitrary application with an arbitrary port number, and associates a packet transmitted from the terminal with a global IP address to the port number with the port number. The data is transferred to a private IP address.

  The NAT router 221 and the NAT router 230 have a function of ALG for a packet transferred from the private network to the global network, and a special application port mapping function for a packet transferred from the global network to the private network. .

  The NAT router 221 and the NAT router 230 are set with global IP addresses given by Internet service providers that provide Internet connection services.

  The network D1 is connected to a multifunction machine 231 having a copy function, a printer function, an IP-FAX function, and a medium ID search function, and personal computers (PCs) 232 to 234.

  The hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 231 is the same as that shown in FIG. An RFID reader for reading data from an RFID tag using UHF band radio waves is connected to the PCs 232 to 234. In the present embodiment, global IP addresses are set only for the NAT router 221 and the NAT router 230, and private IP addresses are set for other devices.

  Next, functions of the MFP 5000 and the MFP 5210 will be described. FIG. 50 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function peripheral 5000 according to the eleventh embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 5000 includes a history storage unit 5321, an image acquisition unit 301, an image transmission unit 5002, an ID reception unit 303, a search ID reception unit 304, a command transmission unit 5005, a response A receiving unit 306, a display control unit 307, and a print output unit 308 are provided.

  In the eleventh embodiment, the data structure of the history storage unit 5321 and the functions of the image transmission unit 5002 and the command transmission unit 5005 are different from those of the first embodiment. Other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 3 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function device 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The history storage unit 5321 stores the transmission history further including the information of the transfer destination IP address when the image information is designated to be transferred via another multi-function peripheral. Different from the storage unit 321. That is, the history storage unit 5321 receives the received medium ID, information specifying the acquisition source of the medium ID (destination address), transmission time, number of transmission pages, image information obtained by converting the transmitted image into thumbnails (reducing resolution), transmission In addition to the result, the forwarding IP address is stored.

  The image transmission unit 5002 has a function of transmitting instruction information for transferring image information (identification information to be transferred / not transferred and a transfer destination IP address) when it is designated to transfer the image information via another multifunction device. The provided point is different from the image transmission unit 302 of the first embodiment. Note that the image transmission unit 5002 transmits the transfer instruction information included in the NSS of ITU-T recommendation T.30.

  FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing a format example of NSS including transfer instruction information. In the example of the figure, the forwarding address is an IPv4 address, and this IP address is expressed in binary format.

  Unlike the command transmission unit 305 of the first embodiment, the command transmission unit 5005 transmits a search command including a transfer destination IP address when searching for a recording medium on which the transferred image information is printed out. Yes.

  FIG. 52 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the multi-function peripheral 5210 according to the eleventh embodiment. As shown in the figure, the MFP 5210 includes a history storage unit 421, an image reception unit 401, a print output unit 402, an ID acquisition unit 5203, an ID transmission unit 404, a command reception unit 405, and a command transmission. A unit 5206, a response receiver 5207, a response transmitter 408, and an image transfer unit 5209.

  In the eleventh embodiment, the provision of the image transfer unit 5209 and the functions of the ID acquisition unit 5203, the command transmission unit 5206, and the response reception unit 5207 are different from those in the first embodiment. Since other configurations and functions are the same as those in FIG. 4 which is a block diagram showing the configuration of the multifunction machine 10 according to the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given, and description thereof is omitted here.

  The image transfer unit 5209 transfers the image information acquired by the image receiving unit 401 to a multifunction peripheral (such as the multifunction peripheral 231) specified by the transfer destination address in accordance with the transfer instruction information. The ID acquisition unit 5203 acquires a medium ID from a print sheet on which image information is printed using the RFID reader 47 and the antenna 48, or receives a medium ID returned from a transfer destination multifunction peripheral.

  The command transmission unit 5206 further has a function of transferring the search command received by the command reception unit 405 to a multifunction device (such as the multifunction device 231) specified by the transfer destination address according to the transfer instruction information. The response receiving unit 5207 receives the search result returned from the transfer destination multifunction peripheral.

  Next, medium search processing by the search system according to the eleventh embodiment configured as described above will be explained. The image transmission process by the multi-function peripheral 5000 serving as the transmission terminal is the same as that of FIG. 8 which is the image transmission process of the first embodiment except that the transfer instruction information is transmitted together with the image information, and the description thereof is omitted. The search command transmission processing by the multi-function peripheral 5000 is the same as that in FIG. 9 which is the search command transmission processing of the first embodiment, except that the search command includes transmission instruction information and is transmitted. To do.

  Next, transfer / search processing by the multi-function peripheral 5210 will be described. FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the overall flow of transfer / search processing in the eleventh embodiment.

  First, the image receiving unit 401 determines whether image information has been received from the multi-function peripheral 5000 (step S5301). If image information has been received (step S5301: YES), it is determined whether image information transfer instruction information is included (step S5302). If it is determined in step S5302 that transfer instruction information is included (step S5302: YES), the image transfer unit 5209 transfers the image information with the transfer destination IP address included in the received instruction information as the destination. (Step S5303).

  Next, the ID acquisition unit 5203 acquires the medium ID returned from the transfer destination multifunction peripheral (step S5304). Subsequently, the ID transmission unit 404 transmits the acquired medium ID to the MFP 5000 that is the transmission source (step S5305), returns to the information reception determination process, and repeats the process (step S5301).

If it is determined in step S5302 that the transfer instruction information is not included (step S5302: NO), the print output unit 402 prints the received image information on the print paper to which the RFID tag 57 is added (step S5302). S5306). Then, the ID acquisition unit 403 acquires a medium ID from the RFID tag 57 added to the printed print paper (step S5307). Subsequently, the ID transmission unit 404 transmits the acquired medium ID to the MFP 5000 as the transmission source (step S5308), returns to the information reception determination process, and repeats the process (step S5301).

  If it is determined in step S5301 that image information has not been received (step S5301: NO), the command receiving unit 405 determines whether a search command has been received from the multi-function peripheral 5000 (step S5309).

  If a search command has been received (step S5309: YES), it is determined whether or not the transfer destination address is included in the command (step S5310). When the transfer destination address is included (step S5310: YES), the command transmission unit 5206 transfers the received search command to the multifunction peripheral identified by the transfer destination IP address included in the search command (step S5311). ).

  Next, the response reception unit 5207 receives the search result from the transfer destination (step S5312), and the response transmission unit 408 transmits the received search result to the transmission source terminal (step S5313), and returns to the information reception determination process. The process is repeated (step S5301).

If it is determined in step S5310 that the forwarding address is not included (step S5310: NO), the command transmission unit 406 transmits the received search command to the PCs 12 to 19 using the SIP instant message ( Step S5314).

  Next, the response receiving unit 407 determines whether or not a search result (response) has been received from the PCs 12 to 19 within a predetermined time after transmitting the search command (step S5315).

  If a response is received within the predetermined time (step S5315: YES), the response transmission unit 408 transmits a search success response to the MFP 5000 that is the transmission source of the search command (step S5316). If a response is not received within the predetermined time (step S5315: NO), the response transmission unit 408 transmits a search failure response to the MFP 5000 that is the search command transmission source (step S5317).

  After the response transmission unit 408 transmits a response (steps S5316 and S5317), or when it is determined in step S5309 that the search command has not been received (step S5309: NO), the process returns to the information reception determination process. Repeat (step S5301).

  Next, a specific example of medium search processing by the search system configured as described above will be described. In the following, a case where a user in the network A5 transmits image information from the MFP 5000 to the MFP 231 in the network D1 via the MFP 5210 in the network B3 using the IP-FAX function will be described as an example. To do.

  The user of the multifunction machine 5000 receives the FAX number of the multifunction machine 5210 as a multifunction machine (transfer machine) that performs transfer, and the address of the multifunction machine 231 as the transfer destination (the global IP address of the NAT router 230 is the port for the multifunction machine 231 When an IP-FAX transmission operation in which a number is added is performed, the MFP 5000 uses the SIP proxy server 3 to make a call connection to the MFP 5210, execute IP-FAX communication, and execute image information. Is transmitted (step S803 in FIG. 8).

  When the multi-function device 5210 receives the image information, the multi-function device 5210 does not print the image information, but the destination designated as the transfer destination (the destination address is the global IP address of the NAT router 230, and the destination port number is the port number for the multi-function device 231). Is transmitted by IP-FAX communication (step S5303). The NAT router 221 and the NAT router 230 can associate a plurality of port numbers with one private IP address, and can use different port numbers for call connection and image information transmission.

  The multi-function device 231 prints the received image information on a print sheet to which the RFID tag 57 is added. When the multi-function device 231 ejects the printed paper from the inside of the machine to the outside, the RFID reader 47 is operated to generate a radio wave in the UHF band from the antenna 48, and from the RFID tag 57 attached to the print paper. The identification data (medium ID) is read. Note that the RFID reader 47 suppresses the output of radio waves to such an extent that the medium ID is read from only one print sheet. Then, the multifunction device 231 transmits the read medium ID to the multifunction device 5210, which is an IP-FAX transfer source terminal, by an SIP instant message.

  The multi-function device 5210 transmits the received medium ID to the multi-function device 5000, which is an IP-FAX transmission source terminal, by an SIP instant message (step S5305).

  The MFP 5000 transmits the received medium ID to the MFP 5210 by IP-FAX transmission history (destination address, transfer destination IP address, transmission time, number of transmission pages, and thumbnails of the transmitted images (low resolution). And the image information, transmission results, etc.) are stored in the history storage unit 5321.

  Next, when the user in the network A5 selects the medium ID search mode in the MFP 5000 (step S901 in FIG. 9: YES), the medium ID stored in the history storage unit 5321 is associated with the transmission history. A list is displayed on the LCD 44 of the MFP 5000. When a medium ID is selected by the user from the list display on the LCD 44 (step S903: YES), a search command including the selected medium ID is transmitted to the destination (multifunction device 5210) in the transmission history (step S903). S905). The search command includes the transfer destination IP address in the transmission history transmitted by IP-FAX.

  The multi-function device 5210 transmits the received search command to the multi-function device 231 that is the transfer destination (step S5311). When the multifunction device 231 receives the search command, it transmits the search command to the PCs 232 to 234.

  When receiving the search command, the PCs 232 to 234 operate the connected RFID reader to generate UHF band radio waves. As a result, the PC from which the response of the identification data (ID) is obtained checks whether or not the obtained ID matches the medium ID included in the search command received from the multifunction device 231. If they match, a search success response including the host name of the own device (PC) is transmitted to the multifunction device 231. The multifunction device 231 transmits the received search success response to the multifunction device 5210.

  The multi-function device 5210 transmits the received search success response to the multi-function device 5000 (step S5313). The multi-function device 5000 displays the host name included in the received search success response on the LCD 44 together with a message display indicating that the search has been successful (step S907).

  As described above, in the search system according to the eleventh embodiment, a visible data output request and a search command can be transferred to another multi-function peripheral. Therefore, a wide range of recording media can be used for an unspecified number of PCs or the like. Can be searched. In addition, it is possible to search for a recording medium even in an environment where data and commands cannot be transmitted directly to a target terminal due to security problems.

(Modification)
In each of the above embodiments, the case where IP-FAX is used as the image information transmission method has been described. Another communication method such as a transmission method compliant with 37 may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the SIP instant message is used as an example of the protocol for transmitting the notification of the medium ID and the device ID, the search command, the search success response, and the search failure response. However, instead of SIP, SOAP ( It is also possible to use Simple Object Access Protocol.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the RFID tag 57 (inlet) is embedded in the label and the print paper to which the label is attached is used. However, the RFID tag 57 (inlet) is in the paper. It is also possible to use printed paper that has been engraved on the paper.

  As described above, the receiving terminal, visible information copying terminal, transmitting terminal, and search system according to the present invention are suitable for an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that visually output an image to recording paper or electronic paper to which an RFID is attached. Yes.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 1st Embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the range which can read data from a RFID tag. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of a notification message. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of a search command. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the search command transmission process in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a list display screen. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the recording / search process in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the print history display screen which displayed the print history. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the search history display screen which displayed the search history. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the search command transmission process in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the data structure of the message. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a format of NSS containing document ID. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a third embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data structure of the information stored in ID storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the recording / search process in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a list display screen. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the search command transmission process in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to a fifth embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 5th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 6th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 6th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 7th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 8th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to an eighth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 8th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 9th Embodiment. FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to a ninth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a ninth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the copy process in 9th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the search command transmission process in 9th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 10th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device concerning 10th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 10th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 10th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the external appearance of electronic paper. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of electronic paper. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the image transmission process in 10th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the transfer / search process in 10th Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the search system concerning 11th Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 11th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of a format of NSS containing instruction information. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 11th Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the transfer / search process in 11th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 2 Gateway 3 SIP Proxy Server 10 MFP 11 Gateway 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 PC
20 IP network 30 CPU
31 Main memory 32 ROM
33 Clock 34 Bus controller 35 PCI bridge 36 Cache memory 37 Scanner controller 38 Scanner 39 Print controller 40 Print engine 41 Hard disk 42 HD controller 43 LCD display controller 44 LCD
45 LAN controller 46 LAN I / F
47 RFID reader 48 Antenna 49 Key input controller 50 Hard key 51 Touch panel controller 52 Touch panel 53 RTC
54 CPU bus 55 PCI bus 56 X bus 57 RFID tag 60 Gateway 61, 62, 63 PC
90 RFID reader / writer 100 Document discard monitoring device 101 Shredder 110, 111, 112, 113 Mobile phone 120 Mobile phone network 121 GW between networks
150 RFID Reader / Writer 151 Antenna 152 RFID Tag 170 Electronic Paper 171 Touch Pen 180 UART
181 Bluetooth module 182 Antenna 200 CPU
201 clock 202 main memory 203 flash ROM
204 UART
205 Bluetooth module 206 Antenna 207 RTC
208 Display Controller 209 Electrophoretic Display 210 Touch Panel Controller 211 Touch Panel 212 USB Controller 213 USB I / F
214 System bus 221 NAT router 230 NAT router 231 MFP 232, 233, 234 PC
240 Internet 301 Image acquisition unit 302 Image transmission unit 303 ID reception unit 304 Search ID reception unit 305 Command transmission unit 306 Response reception unit 307 Display control unit 308 Print output unit 321 History storage unit 401 Image reception unit 402 Print output unit 402 Print output unit 403 ID acquisition Unit 404 ID transmission unit 405 Command reception unit 406 Command transmission unit 407 Response reception unit 408 Response transmission unit 409 Display control unit 421 History storage unit 501 Area 1500 MFP 1505 Command transmission unit 1506 Response reception unit 1507 Display control unit 1700 MFP 1701 Image acquisition unit 1702 Image transmission unit 1704 Search ID reception unit 1705 Command transmission unit 1721 History storage unit 2001 Image reception unit 2003 ID acquisition unit 2006 Command transmission unit 2010 MFP 202 2 ID storage unit 2500 MFP 2501 Image acquisition unit 2503 ID reception unit 2504 Search ID reception unit 2521 History storage unit 2900 MFP 2901 Image acquisition unit 2904 Search ID reception unit 2908 ID recording unit 2921 History storage unit 3200 MFP 3206 Response reception Unit 3500 MFP 3501 image acquisition unit 3509 ID transmission unit 3901 image acquisition unit 3903 ID acquisition unit 3904 ID recording unit 3910 MFP 4300 MFP 4302 image transmission unit 4305 command transmission unit 4402 image transfer unit 4403 ID acquisition unit 4410 MFP 5000 MFP 5002 Image transmission unit 5005 Command transmission unit 5203 ID acquisition unit 5206 Command transmission unit 5207 Response reception unit 5209 Image transfer unit 5210 MFP 5321 History storage unit A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6 Network B1, B2, B3, B4 Network C1 Network D1 Network

Claims (9)

An information transmission means for transmitting the information to a receiving terminal connected via a network and receiving the information and visualizing the information on a recording medium;
Command transmitting means for transmitting a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information to at least one of the receiving terminal and an external terminal connected via a network;
Response receiving means for receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
ID receiving means for receiving, from the receiving terminal, a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualizes the information;
Information acquiring means for acquiring, together with the information, a second medium ID for identifying the recording medium from the recording medium from which the information is acquired;
Storage means capable of storing the first medium ID and the second medium ID in association with each other ,
The information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal;
The ID receiving means stores the received first medium ID and the acquired second medium ID in the storage means in association with each other,
The command transmission unit acquires the first medium ID corresponding to the acquired second medium ID from the storage unit when the second medium ID is acquired by the information acquisition unit, and acquires the acquired Transmitting the search command including the first medium ID to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
A transmitting terminal characterized by . An information transmission means for transmitting the information to a receiving terminal connected via a network and receiving the information and visualizing the information on a recording medium;
Command transmitting means for transmitting a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information to at least one of the receiving terminal and an external terminal connected via a network;
Response receiving means for receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
ID receiving means for receiving, from the receiving terminal, a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualizes the information;
Recording means for recording an information ID for identifying the information on the recording medium from which the information is obtained;
Information acquisition means for acquiring the information ID recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium from which the information is acquired together with the information;
Storage means capable of storing the first medium ID and the information ID in association with each other ,
The information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal;
The ID receiving means stores the received first medium ID and the information ID in association with each other in the storage means,
The command transmission unit acquires the first medium ID corresponding to the acquired information ID from the storage unit when the information ID is acquired by the information acquisition unit, and includes the acquired first medium ID Transmitting the search command to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
A transmitting terminal characterized by . A transmission history including the address information of the receiving terminal, the time when the information was transmitted, the result indicating whether or not the transmission of the information was successful, and the first medium ID received from the receiving terminal can be stored. History storage means,
Visual output control means for visually outputting the transmission history stored in the history storage means,
Storing the transmission history in the history storage unit when the information transmission unit transmits the information;
The transmission terminal according to claim 1, wherein: History storage means capable of storing a search history including a response result to the search command, a time when the response is received, and the first medium ID;
Visual output control means for visually outputting the search history stored in the history storage means,
The response receiving means stores the search history in the history storage means when receiving the response;
The transmission terminal according to claim 1, wherein: The command transmission means transmits the search command to the external terminal, which is a discard management device that manages the discarded recording medium,
The response receiving means, when receiving the response from the discard management device, storing the search history including discard information indicating that the recording medium is discarded in the history storage means;
The transmission terminal according to claim 4 . The command transmission means transmits the search command to the external terminal which is a pulverizing device for pulverizing the recording medium,
The response receiving means stores, in the history storage means, the search history including pulverization information indicating that the recording medium has been crushed when the response is received from the pulverization apparatus;
The transmission terminal according to claim 4 . The information acquisition means acquires the information from a request terminal that is connected via a network and requests transmission of the information,
The information transmitting means transmits the information acquired by the information acquiring means to the receiving terminal;
The transmission terminal according to claim 1, wherein: A transmitting terminal that transmits information; a receiving terminal that is connected to the transmitting terminal via a network; receives the information and visualizes the information on a recording medium; and is connected to the transmitting terminal via a network and searches for the recording medium An external terminal that performs
A search system comprising:
The transmitting terminal is
Information transmitting means for transmitting the information to the receiving terminal;
First command transmission means for transmitting a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
First response receiving means for receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
ID receiving means for receiving, from the receiving terminal, a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualizes the information;
First information acquisition means for acquiring, together with the information, a second medium ID for identifying the recording medium from the recording medium from which the information is acquired;
Storage means capable of storing the first medium ID and the second medium ID in association with each other,
The information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal;
The ID receiving means stores the received first medium ID and the acquired second medium ID in the storage means in association with each other,
The first command transmission unit acquires the first medium ID corresponding to the acquired second medium ID from the storage unit when the second medium ID is acquired by the first information acquisition unit. Transmitting the search command including the acquired first medium ID to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
The receiving terminal is
Second information acquisition means for acquiring the information from the transmission terminal;
Visualization means for visualizing the acquired information on the recording medium provided with a medium ID for identifying the recording medium;
Receiving means for receiving a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information;
Second command transmission means for transmitting the received search command to the external terminal for searching for the recording medium having the medium ID;
Second response receiving means for receiving a response representing a search result of the recording medium from the external terminal in response to the search command;
Output means for outputting the received response to the transmitting terminal;
A search system characterized by comprising:   A transmitting terminal that transmits information; a receiving terminal that is connected to the transmitting terminal via a network; receives the information and visualizes the information on a recording medium; and is connected to the transmitting terminal via a network and searches for the recording medium An external terminal that performs
  A search system comprising:
  The transmitting terminal is
  Information transmitting means for transmitting the information to the receiving terminal;
  First command transmission means for transmitting a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
  First response receiving means for receiving a response to the search command from at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
  ID receiving means for receiving, from the receiving terminal, a first medium ID for identifying the recording medium that visualizes the information;
  Recording means for recording an information ID for identifying the information on the recording medium from which the information is obtained;
  First information acquisition means for acquiring the information ID recorded on the recording medium from the recording medium from which the information is acquired together with the information;
  Storage means capable of storing the first medium ID and the information ID in association with each other,
  The information transmitting means transmits the acquired information to the receiving terminal;
  The ID receiving means stores the received first medium ID and the information ID in association with each other in the storage means,
  The first command transmission unit acquires the first medium ID corresponding to the acquired information ID from the storage unit when the information ID is acquired by the first information acquisition unit, and the acquired first ID Transmitting the search command including a medium ID to at least one of the receiving terminal and the external terminal;
  The receiving terminal is
  Second information acquisition means for acquiring the information from the transmission terminal;
  Visualization means for visualizing the acquired information on the recording medium provided with a medium ID for identifying the recording medium;
  Receiving means for receiving a search command for requesting a search for the recording medium that visualizes the information;
  Second command transmission means for transmitting the received search command to the external terminal for searching for the recording medium having the medium ID;
  Second response receiving means for receiving a response representing a search result of the recording medium from the external terminal in response to the search command;
  Output means for outputting the received response to the transmitting terminal;
  A search system characterized by comprising:

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