JP5369865B2 - Image providing apparatus, image providing method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for providing an image such as a document to a projector or the like.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses having various functions such as copying, network printing, scanning, faxing, and file servers have become widespread. Such an image forming apparatus is sometimes called an “MFP (Multi Function Peripherals)” or “multifunction machine”. Image forming apparatuses are installed and used in various organizations such as companies, government offices, and educational institutions.

  In addition, projectors having a function of projecting a screen displayed on a personal computer onto a screen or the like have become widespread. In recent years, projectors have a function of outputting an image using image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format). As a result, an image can be projected without a personal computer.

  By using the above-described image forming apparatus and projector, it is possible to distribute image data managed by the image forming apparatus to the projector and display an image by the projector. In particular, if image data is transmitted to a projector provided in a conference room, presentations and the like can be easily performed for attendees of the conference.

  In addition, an electronic conference system as described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. This electronic conference system is an electronic conference system that transmits screen data in a server to a client terminal, and the client terminal conducts an electronic conference while displaying the received screen data on a display. A screen data replacing unit that replaces a specific area in the screen data transmitted from the server to each client terminal with arbitrary data is provided, and the screen data replacing unit is validated for the specific client terminal.

JP 2006-195668 A

  However, the conventional method as described in Patent Document 1 can be used in an electronic conference, but cannot be used in a conference in which attendees gather in one place.

  In view of such problems, the present invention is to enable a document to be shown to a conference attendee using a display device for a large number of people such as a projector and considering its confidentiality. With the goal.

An image providing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image providing apparatus that provides an image to a display device via a communication line, and determines whether or not the image may be displayed by the display device. The image data transmission means for transmitting the image data of the image to the user terminal device and the information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device is received from the terminal device. And image data distribution means for transmitting the image data to the display device.

Preferably, when receiving from the terminal device information indicating that another user confirms whether or not the image may be displayed on the display device, the image is displayed by the display device. A second image data transmission means for transmitting the image data to a second terminal device used by the other user in order to inquire whether or not the other user may It said image data distribution means, if the information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device can not be received from the terminal device, indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device If the information can be received from the second terminal device, the image data is transmitted to the display device.

Or image confidentiality information storage means for storing image confidentiality information indicating whether or not the image is related to a secret contract, and the image data transmission means includes the image related to a secret contract. When the image confidentiality information indicates that the image is confidential, the image data is transmitted to the terminal device, otherwise the image data is not transmitted. If it is not indicated in the image confidentiality information that the image is confidential, the image data is stored regardless of whether or not information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device is received from the terminal device. Transmit to the display device.

  According to the present invention, a document can be shown to a conference attendee or the like using a display device for a large number of people such as a projector and taking into account its confidentiality.

It is a figure which shows the example of the whole structure of an organization network system. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a projector. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of a personal computer. It is a figure which shows the example of a functional structure of a personal computer. It is a sequence diagram explaining the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus of an organization network system. It is a sequence diagram explaining the example of the flow of a process of each apparatus of an organization network system. It is a figure which shows the example of an image data list table. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen in display possibility confirmation. It is a figure which shows the example of a document list screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a document confirmation screen and a confirmation dialog box. It is a figure which shows the example of a document screen. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the whole structure of an organization network system. It is a sequence diagram explaining the 2nd example of the flow of a process of each apparatus which comprises an organization network system. It is a sequence diagram explaining the 2nd example of the flow of a process of each apparatus which comprises an organization network system. It is a figure which shows the example of a confirmation dialog box. It is a figure which shows the example of a confirmation dialog box. It is a figure which shows the example of a page movement dialog box. It is a figure which shows the example of an image data list table. It is a figure which shows the example of a supplier list table.

[First embodiment]
1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of the organization network system SY, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is an example of a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the projector 2, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the personal computer 3, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the personal computer 3. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the organization network system SY includes an image forming apparatus 1, a projector 2, a personal computer 3, a communication line 5, and the like.

  The organization network system SY is provided in an organization such as a company, a government office, or a school, and is used for exchanging information between members of the organization. Further, the user can transmit the image data stored in the image forming apparatus 1 to the projector 2 and project an image by the projector 2. Hereinafter, an organization network system SY provided in a certain company will be described as an example.

  The image forming apparatus 1, the projector 2, and the personal computer 3 can communicate with each other via the communication line 5. As the communication line 5, a so-called LAN (Local Area Network) line, a public line, the Internet, or the like is used.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus generally called a multifunction peripheral or an MFP (Multi Function Peripherals), and is an apparatus that integrates functions such as copying, network printing (PC printing), fax, scanner, and e-mail.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 10b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 10c, a hard disk 10d, a scanner 10e, a printing device 10f, and a network interface 10g. In addition to the touch panel 10h and the modem 10i, the control circuit is configured.

  The scanner 10e is an apparatus that reads an image such as a photograph, a document, an illustration, a chart, and the like written on an original sheet and generates image data.

  The printing device 10f prints an image read by the scanner 10e or an image indicated by image data received from another device.

  The touch panel 10h displays a screen for giving a message or an instruction to an employee of the company, that is, a user, a screen for the user to input processing commands and conditions, a screen showing the processing result of the CPU 10a, and the like. Moreover, the position which the user touched with the finger | toe is detected, and the signal which shows a detection result is transmitted to CPU10a.

  The network interface 10g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) for communicating with other devices such as a personal computer via the communication line 5.

  The modem 10i is a device for exchanging image data with other fax terminals using a protocol such as G3 via a fixed telephone network.

  In the ROM 10c or the hard disk 10d, as shown in FIG. 3, a document data management unit 101, a cooperation request reception unit 102, a status confirmation unit 103, a display propriety confirmation screen projection control unit 104, a document list transmission unit 105, a display target document A program for realizing the designation receiving unit 106, the display target document data transmission unit 107, the display availability inquiry processing unit 108, the display target document projection control unit 109, and the like is stored. These programs are loaded into the RAM 10b as necessary and executed by the CPU 10a.

  All or some of the functions of the units illustrated in FIG. 3 may be realized only by hardware such as a circuit.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the projector 2 projects an image based on RGB (Red Blue Green) image signals input from a personal computer or the like onto a screen or the like using a liquid crystal panel. Generally, it is called “image projector” or “liquid crystal projector”. The projector 2 may be a projector of a system other than the liquid crystal system.

  The projector 2 can project an image based on image data such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format). Therefore, it is possible to directly receive image data from the image forming apparatus 1 and project an image without using the personal computer 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the projector 2 includes a CPU 20a, a RAM 20b, a ROM 20c, an auxiliary storage device 20d, a control circuit 20e, an operation panel 20f, a network interface 20g, a projection unit 20h, and the like.

  The auxiliary storage device 20d is a non-volatile storage device that retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off. As the auxiliary storage device 20d, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk is used. Information related to various settings such as the IP address of the projector 2 itself is stored in the auxiliary storage device 20d. In addition, image data received from the image forming apparatus 1 may be stored. In addition, programs and data to be executed by the CPU 20a may be stored. In this case, the program and data are loaded into the RAM 20b as necessary. In particular, the CPU 20a executes an image projection process for projecting an image based on the image data received from the image forming apparatus 1.

  The control circuit 20e is a circuit for controlling the auxiliary storage device 20d, the operation panel 20f, the network interface 20g, the projection unit 20h, and the like. Note that a part or all of the functions of the control circuit 20e may be assigned to the CPU 20a.

  The operation panel 20f is configured by a switch group including a display and various switches. You may make it project the screen which should be displayed on a display on a screen etc. by the projection unit 20h. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a display.

  The user can give a command to start or stop the projection to the projector 2 or set the projection mode and IP address by operating the switches in the switch group. Moreover, the power supply of the projector 2 can be switched on / off by pressing a power switch in the switch group.

  The network interface 20g is a NIC for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 and the personal computer 3 using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The projection unit 20h separates the white light from the light source into an R (Red) color component, a G (Green) color component, and a B (Blue) color component, and transmits the separated light to the liquid crystal panel and then synthesizes it. Then, the synthesized light is projected through the projection lens. By controlling the display elements in the liquid crystal panel based on a command from the CPU 20a or the like, an image based on the input image data is projected on a screen or the like.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the personal computer 3 includes a CPU 30a, a RAM 30b, a ROM 30c, a hard disk 30d, a keyboard 30e, a pointing device 30f, a network interface 30g, and a display 30h, as shown in FIG.

  The keyboard 30e and the pointing device 30f are used for a user to input various commands and data to the personal computer 3.

  The display 30h displays a screen for giving a message or an instruction to the user, a screen for the user to input processing instructions and conditions, a screen showing the processing result of the CPU 30a, and the like.

  The network interface 30 g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) for communicating with the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 via the communication line 5.

  The ROM 30c or the hard disk 30d includes a document display cooperation request unit 301, a status response unit 302, a document list receiving unit 303, a document list display unit 304, a display target document designation receiving unit 305, a display target document notification unit 306, as shown in FIG. A program for realizing the display target document data receiving unit 307, the display target document display unit 308, the display availability notification unit 309, and the like is stored. These programs are loaded into the RAM 30b as necessary and executed by the CPU 30a.

  The image forming apparatus 1 is placed on a floor where a user (employee) has a desk for daily work. The projector 2 is placed in the conference room. The personal computer 3 is a so-called notebook personal computer, and is provided for each user. The user can carry his / her personal computer 3 and use it at his / her desk or conference room. The personal computer 3 can be connected to a hub or a radio base station at each location and participate in the organization network system SY.

  7 and 8 are sequence diagrams for explaining an example of the processing flow of each device of the organizational network system SY, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the image data list table TB1, and FIG. 10 is an example of a display permission confirmation screen GM1. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a document list screen WD1, FIG. 12 is a diagram showing examples of a document confirmation screen WD2 and a confirmation dialog box WD3, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a document screen GM2.

  Next, each part of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 3, each part of the personal computer 3 shown in FIG. 6, and the processing contents of the projector 2 will be described in detail with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. .

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the document data management unit 101 in FIG. 3 stores and manages image data DTG of a document (material) including an image such as a document, an illustration, a photograph, or a chart. As will be described later, the image data DTG is used to display (project) a document with the projector 2 at a meeting or a presentation.

  The image data DTG is generated by scanning the paper of the document with the scanner 10e. Or it may be obtained by downloading from a Web server on the Internet. As the format of the image data DTG, JPEG, GIF, TIFF, or the like is used.

  The image data DTG has a unique document ID and document name. Whether a document has confidentiality is determined by a user who stores the image data DTG of the document in the document data management unit 101. The document data management unit 101 includes an image data list table TB1 indicating the document ID, document name, size, and confidentiality of each image data DTG as shown in FIG.

  By the way, the user who hosts the conference can project the document used in the conference as follows.

  The user connects his personal computer 3 to the projector 2 in advance. You may connect via the communication line 5, and you may connect via an RGB terminal. The user operates the personal computer 3 to request the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 to cooperate with each other, and further designates the document to the image forming apparatus 1. Then, the image data DTG of the document is distributed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the projector 2, and the projector 2 projects the document onto the screen.

  However, if the document is confidential, it is not immediately transmitted to the projector 2 but is first transmitted to the personal computer 3. Then, the document is displayed on the display 30 h of the personal computer 3. Here, the user confirms whether or not the document can be shown to the attendees of the meeting. If it can be shown, the image forming apparatus 1 is answered accordingly. Then, image data DTG of the document is distributed from the image forming apparatus 1 to the projector 2, and the document is projected onto the screen by the projector 2.

  Returning to the explanation of each part, the user specifies the projector 2 to be used for projecting the document and connects his personal computer 3 and the projector 2 (# 311 and # 211 in FIG. 7). Then, the RGB signal or digital data of the screen (for example, desktop) displayed on the display 30h of the personal computer 3 is output from the personal computer 3 to the projector 2 (# 312), and the screen is displayed on the screen by the projector 2. (# 212).

  The user inputs a command for cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 to the personal computer 3. At this time, the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 are designated using respective identifiers (for example, an IP address or an apparatus name).

  Then, in the personal computer 3, the document display cooperation request unit 301 in FIG. 6 transmits cooperation request data 80 for requesting the cooperation to each of the designated image forming apparatus 1 and projector 2 (# 313). , # 314). In the cooperation request data 80, identifiers of the designated image forming apparatus 1 and projector 2 are shown.

  Upon receiving the cooperation request data 80 (# 213), the projector 2 waits for the image data DTG to be transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 (# 214).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the cooperation request receiving unit 102 receives the cooperation request data 80 from the personal computer 3 (# 111).

  The status confirmation unit 103 inquires of the personal computer 3 whether or not the personal computer 3 that is the transmission source of the cooperation request data 80 is connected to the projector 2 whose identifier is indicated in the cooperation request data 80. (# 112). At this time, the status confirmation unit 103 transmits confirmation request data 81 to the personal computer 3.

  In the personal computer 3, when the status reply unit 302 receives the confirmation request data 81 from the image forming apparatus 1, the status reply unit 302 confirms that the projector 2 is connected. To the image forming apparatus 1 (# 315).

  When the confirmation response data 82 is received from the personal computer 3 in the image forming apparatus 1 (# 113), the display propriety confirmation screen projection control unit 104 and the document list transmission unit 105 perform the following processing.

  The display propriety confirmation screen projection control unit 104 displays display feasibility confirmation screen data that is display data for the display feasibility confirmation screen GM1 in order to display the display feasibility confirmation screen GM1 as shown in FIG. 83 is transmitted to the projector 2 (# 114). In other words, the projector 2 is controlled to display the display GM1 confirmation screen GM1.

  When the projector 2 receives the screen data 83 during confirmation of display availability (# 215), the projector 2 stops displaying the screen (eg, desktop) of the personal computer 3 and displays the screen GM1 during confirmation of display availability on the screen (# 216). .

  On the other hand, the document list transmission unit 105 transmits the image data list table TB1 stored in the document data management unit 101 to the personal computer 3 (# 115).

  In the personal computer 3, the document list receiving unit 303 receives the image data list table TB1 from the image forming apparatus 1 (# 316).

  The document list display unit 304 displays a document list screen WD1 including a list of documents that can be displayed by the image data DTG managed by the image forming apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 11 on the desktop, based on the image data list table TB1. (# 317). Here, the user selects and specifies a document to be used in the meeting.

  The display target document designation receiving unit 305 receives a document designated by the user (# 318). The display target document notification unit 306 transmits display target notification data 84 indicating the document ID of the document to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 319).

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the display target document designation receiving unit 106 receives the display target notification data 84 (# 116). Then, the display target document data transmission unit 107 reads out the image data DTG of the document ID indicated in the display target notification data 84 from the document data management unit 101 and transmits it to the projector 2. However, the confidentiality of the image data DTG is checked, and if the confidentiality is “Yes”, it is not immediately transmitted to the projector 2. Before that, the display availability inquiry processing unit 108 inquires whether or not the document can be shown by transmitting the image data DTG to the personal computer 3 (# 117).

  In the personal computer 3, the display target document data receiving unit 307 receives the image data DTG from the image forming apparatus 1 (# 320). As shown in FIG. 12, the display target document display unit 308 displays a document confirmation screen WD2 on which the document image is arranged based on the image data DTG on the desktop (# 321), and a confirmation dialog box WD3 in the vicinity thereof. Is displayed (# 322 in FIG. 8).

  Here, the user confirms whether or not the document shown on the document confirmation screen WD2 may be shown to the conference participants. Then, if it is determined that it can be shown, the “OK” button of the confirmation dialog box WD3 is pressed, and if it is determined that it should not be shown, the “Cancel” button is pressed.

  When the “OK” button is pressed (# 323), the display availability notification unit 309 returns display enable notification data 85 indicating that the document can be displayed to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 324).

  When the displayable notification data 85 is received as a result of the inquiry in the image forming apparatus 1 (# 118), the display target document projection control unit 109 causes the projector 2 to display an image of the document. The image data DTG is transmitted to the projector 2 (# 119). That is, the display of the document is controlled with respect to the projector 2.

  When the projector 2 receives the image data DTG from the image forming apparatus 1 (# 217), the projector 2 closes the display availability confirmation screen GM1 (see FIG. 10), and based on the image data DTG, as shown in FIG. The document screen GM2 on which the document image is arranged is displayed on the screen (# 218).

  Note that when the “Cancel” button in the confirmation dialog box WD3 is pressed, the image data DTG is not transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1 to the projector 2.

  When the document is composed of a plurality of pages, the projector 2 displays the first page of the document when receiving the image data DTG. Thereafter, when the user operates the personal computer 3 and inputs a page movement command, the command is transmitted to the projector 2 (# 325, # 219), and the projector 2 displays another page in accordance with the command (# 220). ).

  The organization network system SY may be configured so that the user confirms whether or not to display it for each page and is displayed only when permission is granted. This will be described later.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1. Next, the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 1 when displaying a document on the projector 2 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In FIG. 14, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a request for cooperation with the projector 2 from the personal computer 3 (# 11), whether or not the personal computer 3 is connected to the projector 2, that is, the function of the projector is used. It is confirmed with respect to the personal computer 3 whether or not it is done (# 12).

  If it is confirmed that it is in use (Yes in # 13), the image forming apparatus 1 causes the projector 2 to display a display permission confirmation in-progress screen GM1 as shown in FIG. 10 (# 14) and as shown in FIG. The document list screen WD1 is displayed on the personal computer 3 (# 15).

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives designation of a document to be displayed from the personal computer 3 (# 16), whether or not the designated document is confidential is determined based on the image data list table TB1 of FIG. If it is checked and there is no confidentiality (No in # 17), the image data DTG of the document is transmitted to the projector 2, and the projector 2 projects the document (# 20).

  If there is confidentiality (Yes in # 17), the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data DTG of the document to the personal computer 3 and causes the personal computer 3 to display a document confirmation screen WD2 indicating the document (# 18). . At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, a confirmation dialog box WD3 is also displayed (# 19).

  When the display permission is accepted from the personal computer 3 (Yes in # 20), the image data DTG of the document is transmitted to the projector 2 and the document is displayed on the projector 2 (# 21).

  On the other hand, when display cancellation is received from the personal computer 3 (No in # 20), the image forming apparatus 1 does not transmit the image data DTG, the function of cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 is stopped, and the projector 2 and a function of normal cooperation between the personal computer 3 and the personal computer 3 (# 22).

  After the image data DTG is transmitted to the personal computer 3, when the display of the document is finished, the function of cooperation between the image forming apparatus 1 and the projector 2 is terminated, and the function of normal cooperation between the projector 2 and the personal computer 3 is switched. (# 22).

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a second example of the overall configuration of the organization network system SY.

  The user in charge of the progress of the meeting may have to check with the supervising user whether or not the document may be displayed on the projector 2. Therefore, the organization network system SY may be configured as shown in FIG. 15, and each device may execute processing as follows.

  In the organization network system SY, a personal computer 31 operated by a user who is in charge of the progress of the conference and a personal computer 32 operated by a superior are prepared as the personal computer 3. Further, an authentication server 41 and a schedule management server 42 are prepared.

  The authentication server 41 is a server that authenticates a user who uses the personal computer 3 via the communication line 5. The authentication server 41 has a user account database for each user. More specifically, the authentication server 41 manages information related to the department and position to which the user belongs in addition to the user ID and password of each user.

  The user inputs his / her user ID and password before starting to use the personal computer 3. Then, the personal computer 3 transmits the input user ID and password to the authentication server 41. The authentication server 41 checks whether or not the user is a legitimate user based on the user account information in the database and the transmitted user ID and password.

  The schedule management server 42 manages schedule information for each user. Therefore, the schedule management server 42 also manages information on the schedule of the meeting attended by the user.

  FIGS. 16 and 17 are sequence diagrams for explaining a second example of the processing flow of each device constituting the organization network system SY, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation dialog box WD4, and FIG. 19 is a confirmation dialog box WD5. It is a figure which shows the example of.

  Next, details of processing contents of each device in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 16 and 17. The description overlapping with the first embodiment is omitted.

  The procedure of the process until the user who is the facilitator confirms whether or not the document can be displayed (projected) by the projector 2 is the same as that in the first embodiment. That is, each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 performs the same processing as steps # 111 to # 117 in FIG. 7 (# 131 to # 137 in FIG. 16), and the projector 2 performs the same processing as steps # 211 to # 216. (# 231 to # 236), the personal computer 31 performs the same processing as step # 311 to step # 322 in FIG. 10 (# 331 to # 342 in FIG. 17).

  However, in step # 342, the personal computer 31 displays a confirmation dialog box WD4 in FIG. 18 instead of the confirmation dialog box WD3 in FIG.

  When the “OK” button in the confirmation dialog box WD4 is pressed, the same processing as in the first embodiment is executed. On the other hand, when the “confirm to superior” button is pressed, the processing is executed as follows.

  When the “confirm superior” button is pressed (# 343), the personal computer 31 requests the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a proxy request for confirming whether or not the document can be displayed (# 343). 344).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 sends the image data DTG of the document to the personal computer 32, thereby inquiring to the supervising user whether or not the document can be shown (# 138, # 140).

  The image forming apparatus 1 can know the personal computer 32 of the supervising user by inquiring the authentication server 41 and the schedule management server 42 (# 139). In other words, the authentication server 41 can specify a user who is a supervisor of a user who is a facilitator. The schedule management server 42 can identify those attending the meeting from among the identified users.

  Upon receiving the image data DTG from the image forming apparatus 1, the personal computer 32 displays a document confirmation screen WD2 (see FIG. 12) on which the document image is arranged based on the image data DTG on the desktop (# 351). Further, a confirmation dialog box WD5 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed in the vicinity thereof (# 352).

  Here, the user who is a senior manager confirms whether or not the document shown on the document confirmation screen WD2 may be shown to the conference participants. Then, if it is determined that it can be shown, the “OK” button in the confirmation dialog box WD5 is pressed, and if it is determined that it should not be shown, the “Cancel” button is pressed.

  When the “OK” button is pressed (# 353), the personal computer 32 returns data indicating that the document can be displayed to the image forming apparatus 1 (# 354).

  Then, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image data DTG to the projector 2 (# 141, # 142), and the projector 2 receives the image data DTG and displays a document based on it (# 237, # 238).

The subsequent processing is the same as steps # 325, # 219, and # 220 of the first embodiment (# 345, # 239, and # 240).
[Third embodiment]
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the page movement dialog box WD6.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, whether or not display is possible in units of documents is confirmed, but confirmation may be performed in other units. For example, confirmation may be performed in units of pages. The contents of the processing performed by the image forming apparatus 1, the projector 2, and the personal computer 3 in this case will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The description overlapping with the first embodiment and the second embodiment is omitted.

  When the document to be displayed is selected by the user, the image forming apparatus 1 does not transmit image data of all pages of the document to the personal computer 3, but transmits image data of the first page of the document. . As shown in FIG. 12, the personal computer 3 displays a confirmation dialog box WD3 together with the document confirmation screen WD2 for the page. When the user permits display of the first page, the image data of the first page is transmitted to the projector 2, and the projector 2 displays the image of the first page. Further, when displaying an image of each page, a page moving dialog box WD6 as shown in FIG.

  Here, when the “display next page” button is pressed, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits image data of the next page of the page currently displayed by the projector 2 to the personal computer 3. The personal computer 3 displays the confirmation dialog box WD3 together with the document confirmation screen WD2 for the next page, thereby allowing the user to determine whether or not the next display is possible.

  When the user permits display of the next page, the image data of the next page is transmitted to the projector 2, and the projector 2 displays the image of the next page. Also at this time, the page moving dialog box WD6 is displayed on the personal computer 3.

  In addition, when a confirmation is requested from the superior, a confirmation dialog box WD4 of FIG. 18 is displayed instead of the confirmation dialog box WD3. The user who is a superior determines whether or not to accept in the confirmation dialog box WD5 of FIG. Also in this case, whether or not each page is acceptable is determined, and image data for each page is transmitted to the projector 2.

  According to the first to third embodiments, the meeting organizer can present documents to the attendees of the meeting in consideration of confidentiality.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the image data list table TB2, and FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the supplier list table TB3.

  In the above-described embodiment, the presence / absence of confidentiality is managed for each document, but may be managed for each business partner. For example, the information of the image data DTG of each document is managed using the image data list table TB2 shown in FIG. 21 instead of the image data list table TB1 shown in FIG. As can be seen from comparison with the image data list table TB1, the image data list table TB2 shows the name (company name) of the business partner related to the document instead of the confidentiality of the document.

  Further, a supplier list table TB3 as shown in FIG. 22 is prepared. The supplier list table TB3 shows the name (company name) of the supplier and the status (NDA situation) of whether or not there is an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) with the supplier.

  The image forming apparatus 1 checks a supplier related to the document designated by the user based on the image data list table TB2. Furthermore, the presence or absence of NDA with the business partner is checked. When DNA is present (that is, when a confidentiality agreement is concluded), the user is inquired whether the document can be displayed, and the image data DTG of the document is sent to the projector 2 only when the display is permitted. Send. On the other hand, when there is no DNA, the image data DTG may be transmitted to the projector 2 without inquiring the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, the projector 2 is used as a document display device, but a plasma display or the like may be used.

  In addition, the configuration of the entire organization network system SY, the image forming apparatus 1, the projector 2, and the personal computer 3, each unit, the processing content, the processing order, the table configuration, and the like can be appropriately changed in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. .

1 Image forming device (image providing device)
101 Document data management unit (image confidentiality information storage means)
107 Display target document data transmission unit (image data distribution means)
108 Display availability inquiry processing unit (image data transmission means, second image data transmission means)
109 Display target document projection control unit (image data distribution means)
2 Projector (display device)
3, 31 Personal computer (terminal equipment)
3, 32 Personal computer (second terminal device)
5 Communication line DTG Image data TB1, TB2 Image data list table (Image confidentiality information)

Claims (5)

An image providing device that provides an image to a display device via a communication line,
Image data transmitting means for transmitting image data of the image to the terminal device of the user in order to inquire the user whether the image may be displayed by the display device;
Image data distribution means for transmitting the image data to the display device when information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device is received from the terminal device;
An image providing apparatus comprising: When receiving the information indicating that asked to confirm whether the image may be displayed on the display device to another user from the terminal device, the image may be displayed by the display device A second image data transmission means for transmitting the image data to a second terminal device used by the other user in order to inquire whether or not to the other user;
It said image data distribution means, if the information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device can not be received from the terminal device, indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device If the information can be received from the second terminal device, the image data is transmitted to the display device.
The image providing apparatus according to claim 1. Image confidentiality information storage means for storing image confidentiality information indicating whether or not the image is related to a secret contract;
The image data transmitting means transmits the image data to the terminal device when the image confidentiality information indicates that the image is related to a secret contract, and does not transmit otherwise.
The image data distribution means displays information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device when the image confidentiality information does not indicate that the image is related to a secret contract. Regardless of whether or not received from the device, the image data is transmitted to the display device.
The image providing apparatus according to claim 1. An image providing method for providing an image to a display device via a communication line,
In order to inquire the user whether or not the image may be displayed by the display device, the image data of the image is transmitted to the terminal device of the user,
When the information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device is received from the terminal device, the image data is transmitted to the display device.
An image providing method characterized by the above. A computer program used in a computer that provides an image to a display device via a communication line,
In the computer,
In order to inquire the user whether or not the image may be displayed by the display device, a process of transmitting image data of the image to the user terminal device is executed,
Causing the image data to be transmitted to the display device when information indicating that the image may be displayed on the display device is received from the terminal device;
A computer program characterized by the above.

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