JP5785639B2 - COMMUNICATION DEVICE, IMAGE FORMING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM THEREOF - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program that can connect an external medium and transmit data in the medium to an external apparatus.

  In recent years, external media has been developed as an external storage device, and has been widely used by users due to an increase in capacity and improvement in availability. Furthermore, external media can store files of various data formats such as images, videos, and music data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An image processing apparatus such as an MFP is provided with a function of analyzing and transmitting a file read from an external medium, for example. Such an image processing apparatus cannot transmit a file having a data format that is not supported by the image forming apparatus. However, in an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting e-mail and file transfer protocol (FTP, etc.), it is not necessary to analyze the contents of the file, so a file in a data format not supported by the image forming apparatus is transmitted. can do.

JP 2008-028556 A

  However, the above prior art has the following problems. For example, when a transmission method such as G3 FAX transmission or Internet FAX transmission is selected, it is necessary to once expand the file into image data. Therefore, only a file having a data format supported by the image processing apparatus can be transmitted as usual. As described above, since there is a restriction according to the data format and the transmission method, there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated for the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and suitably applies restrictions according to the data format and transmission method when transmitting data to an external device, and reduces the complexity of user operations. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus.

The present invention is a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of protocols, a file selection means for selecting a file to be transmitted, and a protocol selection means for selecting at least one transmission protocol among the plurality of protocols. A transmission means for transmitting the file selected by the file selection means using the protocol selected by the protocol selection means, and a format in which the file selected by the file selection means can be analyzed by the communication device A determination unit that determines whether the file is a file, and a determination by the determination unit that the file selected by the file selection unit is determined not to be in a format that can be analyzed by the communication device to, among the plurality of protocols, requires processing of the file at the communication device And restricting means for restricting a selection of a predetermined protocol, characterized in that it comprises a.

The present invention is also an image forming apparatus, wherein an output unit that outputs a file by a plurality of output methods, a selection unit that selects at least one file from a plurality of stored files, and a selection unit selected by the selection unit. A determination unit that determines whether the output file can be analyzed by the output unit; and, as a result of the determination by the determination unit, the file selected by the selection unit is determined to be analyzable by the output unit; In this case, it is allowed to accept instructions for all output methods among the plurality of output methods for causing the output unit to output the file selected by the selection unit, and the file selected by the selection unit is received by the output unit. If it is determined not to be analyzed, said to output the file selected by said selection means by said output means Of the number of output method, characterized by comprising a control means for limiting the acceptance of instructions output method which requires processing of the file by the image forming apparatus.

  The present invention can provide, for example, an image processing apparatus that suitably applies restrictions according to a data format and a transmission method when transmitting data to an external apparatus, and reduces the complexity of user operations.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of the data transmission which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process sequence of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the tables 401 and 402 which defined the setting regarding the destination which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of the process sequence of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the setting procedure for setting the file restriction | limiting by the transmission method which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the table 700 which registers the permission / non-permission setting for every transmission classification which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the transmission permission list | wrist 801 and the transmission disapproval list | wrist 802 which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the case of the data transmission which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  An embodiment of the present invention is shown below. The individual embodiments described below will help to understand various concepts, such as superordinate concepts, intermediate concepts and subordinate concepts of the present invention. Further, the technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims, and is not limited by the following individual embodiments.

<First Embodiment>
<Configuration of image processing apparatus>
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. First, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, components necessary for describing the present invention will be mainly described. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present invention may be configured to include other components.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a media I / F 104, a keyboard 105, a display 106, a modem / NCU 107, and a LAN I / F 108. Each component is connected to other components via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The CPU 101 reads device operation commands from the ROM 102 and instructs the media I / F 104, modem / NCU 107, and LAN I / F 108 to operate. Various programs executed by the CPU 101 are stored in the ROM 102 in advance. The RAM 103 stores data received from the program work area and the media I / F 104 and is used as a work area for transmitting data from the modem / NCU 107 and the LAN I / F 108. The media I / F 104 is configured to be connectable to an external medium that is an external storage device, and is an interface for exchanging data with the external medium. The keyboard 105 is an input device for selecting data displayed on the display 106 and giving an instruction to the image processing apparatus 100. The display 106 displays information input by the keyboard 105 and data such as a file name acquired through the media I / F 104. A modem / NCU 107 is a unit of a modem and NCU for performing facsimile transmission. The LAN I / F 108 transmits data to an external device via the LAN 109.

<Data transmission>
Next, a processing procedure when the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment reads data from an external medium and transmits the data to an external apparatus connected via the LAN 109 will be described with reference to FIG. . The process described below is realized by the CPU 101 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 102. In addition, the number following S described below shows the step number in each flowchart.

  In step S <b> 201, the CPU 101 detects that an external medium is connected to the medium I / F 104 by the user. Subsequently, in S202, the CPU 101 functions as a first display control unit, searches the inside of the connected external medium, creates a file (data) list, and displays the file list on the display 106. Thereafter, in step S <b> 203, the CPU 101 specifies selection information selected in accordance with a user operation input via the keyboard 105. That is, the CPU 101 identifies a plurality of selected files from the file list displayed in S202.

  In step S <b> 204, the CPU 101 determines all the data formats of the files selected in step S <b> 203, and determines whether these data formats are files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. Here, if all the data can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S205, and if there is any data that cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S206. In S205, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 displays all of the table 401 (first transmission method and second transmission method) stored in the RAM 103 on the display 106, and proceeds to S207. Here, the table 401 shows a table in which a transmission type corresponding to each destination is defined. On the other hand, in S206, as shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 101 refers to the table 402, extracts only the first transmission method, displays it on the display 106, and proceeds to S207. Here, the table 402 is a table that defines whether or not the image processing apparatus 100 needs to handle data for each transmission type. In S205 and S206, the CPU 101 functions as a second display control unit. The first transmission method indicates a transmission method capable of transmitting all data regardless of the data format. For example, the first transmission method includes transmission methods such as “E-Mail”, “FTP”, and “SMB”. Further, the second transmission method indicates a transmission method capable of transmitting only a data format that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. For example, the second transmission method includes transmission methods such as “FAX”, “Internet-FAX”, and “transmission to memory in the apparatus”.

  In step S <b> 207, the CPU 101 selects a destination from the destinations displayed on the display 106 according to the user operation input via the keyboard 105. Subsequently, in S208, the CPU 101 starts transmission processing according to the selected destination. In step S209, the CPU 101 determines whether transmission processing has been completed for all destinations selected in step S207. If all the selected destinations have finished transmitting, the process ends. On the other hand, if transmission of any destination has not ended, the process proceeds to S210.

  In S210, the CPU 101 extracts one destination that has not yet been transmitted among the destinations selected in S207. Subsequently, in S211, the CPU 101 determines whether or not conversion of the data is necessary when transmitting the data to the destination extracted in S210. If conversion is necessary, the process proceeds to S212, and if conversion is not necessary, the process proceeds to S213. In S212, the CPU 101 converts the data to be transmitted in accordance with a transmittable data format, stores the converted data in the RAM 103, and proceeds to S213. In S213, the CPU 101 functions as a transmission unit, and transmits the data converted in S212 and stored in the RAM 103 or the file (data) selected in S203 without being converted in S212 to the destination (external device). Then, the process returns to S209.

  As described above, the data transmission method in the flowchart of FIG. 2 first causes the user to select a file to be transmitted from among the files stored in the external storage device. When a file is selected, the user is allowed to select a transmission method capable of transmitting the selected file. Here, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether the selected file includes a data format that cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 100 displays only the first transmission method on the display unit if a data format that cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 is included, and if not, the first transmission method. And the second transmission method are displayed on the display unit. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 restricts and selects the transmission method according to the data format of the selected file, and therefore can transmit data that cannot be handled by the apparatus. That is, the image processing apparatus 100 can expand the transmittable data and reduce the complexity of user operations.

<Modification 1>
Next, a modification of the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 2, the user selects a file to be transmitted first, and the transmission methods that can be selected based on the selected file are limited. On the other hand, in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the user first selects a transmission method (destination) and restricts files that can be selected based on the selected transmission method. Here, the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in the following, the processing from S301 to S305 will be described.

  In step S <b> 301, the CPU 101 functions as a first display control unit, displays all of the table 401 stored in the RAM 103 on the display 106, and sets a destination (transmission method) according to a user operation input via the keyboard 105. select. Subsequently, in S <b> 302, the CPU 101 refers to the table 402 and determines whether or not the destination selected in S <b> 301 is a transmission method that needs to handle data in the image processing apparatus 100. If even one of the selected destinations includes a transmission method that requires data to be handled by the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S <b> 303 and a transmission method that does not require all destinations to handle data in the image processing apparatus 100. If so, the process proceeds to S304.

  In S303, the CPU 101 acquires only the files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 from the external media connected to the media I / F 104, displays the file names on the display 106, and proceeds to S305. On the other hand, in S304, the CPU 101 acquires all the files from the external media connected to the media I / F 104, displays them on the display 106, and proceeds to S305. In S303 and S304, the CPU 101 functions as a second display control unit. Subsequently, in S305, the CPU 101 selects one or more files from the list of file names displayed in S303 or S304 according to a user operation input via the keyboard 105. Thereafter, as described above, in the processing of S208 to S213, the CPU 101 transmits all the selected files, and ends the processing.

  As described above, the data transmission method in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed when the file stored in the external storage device is transmitted to the user from among the transmission methods that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. Select the transmission method. When the transmission method is selected, the user is allowed to select a file that can be transmitted by the selected transmission method. Here, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the selected transmission method includes a transmission method that requires the image processing apparatus 100 to handle data. Furthermore, if the image processing apparatus 100 includes a transmission method that requires data handling by the image processing apparatus 100, the image processing apparatus 100 displays only the files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 on the display unit. If not, all files are displayed on the display. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 restricts and selects files that can be transmitted according to the selected transmission method, so that data that cannot be handled by the apparatus can also be transmitted. That is, the image processing apparatus 100 can expand the transmittable data and reduce the complexity of user operations.

<Modification 2>
Next, a modification of the flowchart of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the same steps as those in the flowchart of FIG. That is, in the following, the processing from S501 to S507 will be described. In the flowchart of FIG. 3, the file name list displayed on the display 106 in S <b> 303 is limited to only files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. However, here, the file name to be restricted is also displayed, and when it is selected, the control described later is performed.

  In step S <b> 501, the CPU 101 obtains a file that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 and a file that cannot be handled from the files of the external media connected to the media I / F 104, and displays these file names on the display 106. . Subsequently, in S502, the CPU 101 selects a plurality of files in accordance with a user operation input via the keyboard 105 from the list of file names that are distinguished and displayed in S501. Thereafter, in S503, the CPU 101 starts transmission processing according to the selected destination.

  In step S <b> 504, the CPU 101 determines all the data formats of the files selected in step S <b> 502 and determines whether the data formats are files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. If any one of the selected files cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S505. If all the selected files are files that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S209.

  In step S <b> 505, the CPU 101 acquires only the destinations that are No from the table 402 acquired from the ROM 102 in which information indicating whether the image processing apparatus 100 can handle the information is displayed on the display 106. In step S <b> 506, the CPU 101 reselects a file from the file displayed on the display 106 according to the user operation input via the keyboard 105. Thereafter, in S507, the CPU 101 starts transmission processing according to the destination selected again.

  As described above, the data transmission method in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is a method for transmitting a file stored in the external storage device to the user from among the transmission methods that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100. Select the transmission method. When the transmission method is selected, the user is allowed to select a file that can be transmitted by the selected transmission method. Here, the image processing apparatus 100 determines whether or not the selected transmission method includes a transmission method that requires the image processing apparatus 100 to handle data. Furthermore, unlike the first modification, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a file that can be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 if the transmission method that requires data handling by the image processing apparatus 100 is included, and image processing. A file that cannot be handled by the apparatus 100 is distinguished and displayed on the display unit. In this case, when a file that cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 is selected, the image processing apparatus 100 causes the user to select a transmission method capable of transmitting the file, as in the flowchart of FIG. As a result, the image processing apparatus 100 restricts and selects files that can be transmitted according to the selected transmission method, so that data that cannot be handled by the apparatus can also be transmitted. That is, the image processing apparatus 100 can expand the transmittable data and reduce the complexity of user operations.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the above-described embodiment, for example, when an e-mail or a file transfer protocol is selected as a transmission method, a file having a data format that cannot be handled by the image processing apparatus 100 can be transmitted to the external apparatus. However, if all the files can be sent in this way, if the data is infected with a virus, you will lose important data and not only incur significant financial losses for your company. Social trust will also be lost. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when an e-mail or a file transfer protocol that can transmit all data formats to an external device is selected as a transmission method, a more secure and flexible external medium Implement a data transmission method. Specifically, in addition to the configuration of the above embodiment, the present embodiment has a configuration in which restrictions on each transmission method can be set by a user operation.

<File limit setting by transmission method>
With reference to FIG.6 and FIG.7, the setting procedure of the file restriction | limiting in each transmission method is demonstrated. The process described below is realized by the CPU 101 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 102. In addition, the number following S described below shows the step number in each flowchart.

  First, in step S <b> 601, the CPU 101 displays information for registering items set in the table 700 on the display 106. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the table 700 is a table in which items 701 for setting restrictions on transmission from an external medium are defined for each transmission type in addition to the items of the table 402 of FIG. For example, on the display 106, transmission types “FAX”, “Internet-FAX”, “E-Mail”, “FTP”, and “SMB” are displayed in a selectable manner. Thereafter, in step S <b> 602, the CPU 101 determines the transmission type selected according to the user operation input from the keyboard 105. If “FAX” is selected, the process proceeds to S603. If “Internet-FAX”, “E-Mail”, “FTP”, and “SMB” are selected, the process proceeds to S604, S605, S610, and S611. . Further, before proceeding to S603, S604, S605, S610, or S611, the CPU 101 displays the restriction that can be set in the item 701 on the display 106 in the selected transmission type. For example, when “FAX” is set as the transmission type, the CPU 101 refers to the item 701 in the table 700, and acquires “non-permitted” and “permitted only data that can be converted by the device” that are settable restrictions. , Display on the display 106 in a selectable manner.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the restrictions that can be set in the item 701 include “not permitted”, “permitted only for data that can be converted by the device”, “permitted all”, and “follow list”. The restriction “not permitted” indicates that transmission of all files included in the external medium is prohibited. In addition, the restriction of “only allow data that can be converted by the device” is a restriction on the files included in the external media that can be converted by the image processing device 100, that is, data that can be handled by the image processing device 100. Indicates that only files in the format are allowed to be sent. The restriction “permit all” indicates that transmission of all files included in the external medium is permitted. The restriction “according to the list” indicates that the restriction is set according to a transmission permission list and a transmission disabling list which will be described later.

  In step S <b> 603, the CPU 101 updates the item 701 of the transmission type “FAX” from the contents of the table 700 stored in the RAM 103, and ends the process. Specifically, the restriction selected via the keyboard 105 is updated to the item 701 from the restriction displayed on the display 106. For example, when “not allowed” is selected, data indicating “not allowed” is written, and when “only data that can be converted by the device” is selected, “only data that can be converted by the device is allowed” "Is written.

  In step S <b> 604, the CPU 101 updates the item 701 of the transmission type “Internet-FAX” from the contents of the table 700 stored in the RAM 103 as in step S <b> 603, and ends the process. In S605, S610, and S611, the CPU 101 updates the items 701 of the transmission types “E-Mail”, “FTP”, and “SMB”, respectively, from the contents of the table 700 stored in the RAM 103 as in S603. Then, the process proceeds to S606.

  In step S <b> 606, the CPU 101 displays information for updating the transmission permission list 801 on the display 106. As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission permission list 801 defines a data format that permits transmission when “follow list” is selected as the restriction. Here, for example, the CPU 101 displays a predetermined data format on the display 106 so as to be selectable. In step S <b> 607, the CPU 101 sets a data format in the transmission permission list 801 in accordance with a user operation. For example, when the user operation indicates that transmission of text data in the external medium is permitted, data indicating “plain text” is set in the transmission permission list 801. On the other hand, when the user operation indicates that the permission to transmit the text data in the external medium is cancelled, the data indicating “plain text” is deleted from the transmission permission list 801.

  In step S <b> 608, the CPU 101 displays information for updating the transmission disable list 802 on the display 106. As shown in FIG. 8, in the transmission disabling list 802, a data format that prohibits transmission when “follow list” is selected as a restriction is defined. Here, for example, the CPU 101 displays a predetermined data format on the display 106 so as to be selectable. In step S <b> 609, the CPU 101 sets a data format in the transmission impossible list 802 in accordance with a user operation, and ends the process. For example, when the user operation indicates that transmission of HTML data in the external medium is prohibited, data indicating “html text” is added to the transmission disabling list 802. On the other hand, when the user operation indicates that the transmission of HTML data in the external medium is canceled, the data indicating “html text” is deleted from the transmission disabled list 802.

  As described above, in this embodiment, transmission permission and transmission prohibition can be set in advance by the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, for example, the data transmission is restricted by referring to the restriction in the data transmission process described in the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Note that the flowchart of FIG. 9 is executed before the processing of S213 in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is performed. The process described below is realized by the CPU 101 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 102. In addition, the number following S described below shows the step number in each flowchart.

  In step S <b> 901, when the information of the item 701 corresponding to the transmission file is set to “according to the list”, the CPU 101 determines whether the type of the transmission file is registered in the transmission permission list 801 or the transmission prohibition list 802. judge. If not registered, the process proceeds to S702, and if registered, the process is terminated. In step S <b> 902, the CPU 101 displays on the display 106 whether the unregistered file type is registered in the transmission permission list 801 or the transmission disabling list 802. That is, the CPU 101 inquires of the user whether transmission is permitted in the data format of the transmission target data or transmission non-permission. In step S902, if the CPU 101 adds the file type (data format) to the transmission permission list 801, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S903 if it is added to the transmission permission list 801 in accordance with the result selected by the user operation from the content displayed on the display 106. To do. On the other hand, if the addition is selected in the transmission disabled list 802, the CPU 101 proceeds to S904, adds the file type to the transmission disabled list 802, and ends the processing. Thereafter, in S213, it is determined whether or not to transmit the data according to the restrictions set by the user.

  As described above, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment registers restrictions for each data format in each transmission method by a user operation. Thereby, the image processing apparatus can realize more flexible data transmission. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, the table 700 may be provided for each user or for each group (for example, a department). In this case, a transmission permission list 801 and a transmission disabling list 802 are set for each table.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (13)

A communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of protocols,
A file selection means for selecting a file to be transmitted;
Protocol selection means for selecting at least one transmission protocol among the plurality of protocols;
Transmitting means for transmitting the file selected by the file selecting means using the protocol selected by the protocol selecting means;
A determination unit that determines whether the file selected by the file selection unit is a file in a format that can be analyzed by the communication device;
The result of the determination by the determination means, the file selected by the selecting means file, when the analysis by the communication device is determined not to be the form of a file that can, among the plurality of protocols, the in the communication device Restriction means to restrict the selection of a given protocol that requires processing of the file ;
A communication apparatus comprising: A registration unit for registering the destination information and the protocol in association with each other;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the restriction unit restricts selection of destination information registered in association with the predetermined protocol. And further comprising display means for displaying the destination information registered by the registration means,
The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the restriction unit restricts display of destination information registered in association with the predetermined protocol on the display unit. A communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of protocols,
A file selection means for selecting a file to be transmitted;
Protocol selection means for selecting at least one transmission protocol among the plurality of protocols;
Transmitting means for transmitting the file selected by the file selecting means using the protocol selected by the protocol selecting means;
Determining means for determining whether or not the protocol selected by the protocol selecting means is a predetermined protocol that requires processing of the transmission target file in the communication device ;
Restriction means for restricting selection of a file in a format that cannot be analyzed by the communication device when it is determined that the protocol selected by the protocol selection means is the predetermined protocol as a result of determination by the determination means When,
A communication apparatus comprising: And further comprising display means for displaying files that can be selected by the file selection means,
The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the restriction unit restricts display of a file in a format that cannot be analyzed by the communication device on the display unit. An output means for outputting a file by a plurality of output methods ;
Selecting means for selecting at least one file from a plurality of stored files;
A determination unit that determines whether the file selected by the selection unit can be analyzed by the output unit;
Wherein the determination by the determining means results if the file selected by said selection means is determined to be analyzed by said output means, said plurality of outputting the file selected by said selection means by said output means Accepting instructions for all output methods among the output methods is permitted, and if it is determined that the file selected by the selection unit cannot be analyzed by the output unit, the file selected by the selection unit is output Control means for restricting acceptance of an instruction of an output method that requires processing of the file in the image forming apparatus among the plurality of output methods to be output by a device ;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A display unit for displaying a list of the plurality of stored files;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit selects the at least one file in accordance with a user operation based on the list display. A storage means for storing the file;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the selection unit selects the at least one file from the plurality of files stored in the storage unit. A method for controlling a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of protocols,
A file selection means for selecting a file to be transmitted;
A protocol selection means for selecting at least one transmission protocol among the plurality of protocols;
A transmission step of transmitting the file selected in the file selection step using the protocol selected in the protocol selection step;
A determination step of determining whether the file selected in the file selection step is a file in a format that can be analyzed by the communication device;
When it is determined that the file selected in the file selection step is not a file of a format that can be analyzed by the communication device as a result of the determination in the determination step , the restricting unit, among the plurality of protocols , A restriction step for restricting selection of a predetermined protocol that requires processing of the file in the communication device ;
A method for controlling a communication apparatus, characterized in that: A method for controlling a communication device capable of communicating with a plurality of protocols,
A file selection means for selecting a file to be transmitted;
A protocol selection means for selecting at least one transmission protocol among the plurality of protocols;
A transmission step of transmitting the file selected in the file selection step using the protocol selected in the protocol selection step;
A determination step of determining whether or not the protocol selected in the protocol selection step is a predetermined protocol that requires processing of the file to be transmitted in the communication device ;
If it is determined that the protocol selected in the protocol selection step is the predetermined protocol as a result of the determination in the determination step , the limiting unit selects a file in a format that cannot be analyzed by the communication device. A limiting process to limit;
A method for controlling a communication apparatus, characterized in that: A method of controlling an image forming apparatus including an output unit that outputs a file by a plurality of output methods ,
A selection step in which the selection means selects at least one file from the plurality of stored files;
A determination step for determining whether or not the output unit can analyze the file selected in the selection step;
When it is determined that the file selected in the selection step can be analyzed by the output unit as a result of the determination in the determination step , the control unit outputs the file selected in the selection step by the output unit. If it is determined that the output unit can accept the instruction of all the output methods among the plurality of output methods and the output unit can analyze the file selected in the selection step, the selection is performed in the selection step. A control step of restricting acceptance of an instruction of an output method that requires processing of the file in the image forming apparatus among the plurality of output methods of outputting the output file by the output unit;
Method of controlling an image forming apparatus, characterized by the execution.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the communication apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8 .

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