JP7287088B2 - Scanner and how to control the scanner - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a scanner and a scanner control method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100000, for example, there is known a function of transmitting scanned data scanned by a scanner to a folder on a PC (Personal Computer) network-connected to the scanner. When using this function, the user must operate the scanner and specify the destination of the scanned data. Hereinafter, the function of transmitting the scan data to the destination specified for each scanning operation in this way will be referred to as a "first transmission function". Therefore, in order to simplify this operation, a function is known in which the destination of the scan data is set in advance for each user. Hereinafter, the function of transmitting the scan data to the destination set for each user in this way will be referred to as a "second transmission function". When the user instructs the scanning operation, the user can transmit the scan data to a preset transmission destination simply by specifying the second transmission function.

JP 2007-104535 A

In order to be able to use the second transmission function, a storage area for storing the destination of the scan data is required. Even though there are users who do not use the transmission function, it wastes a lot of storage resources.

The scanner of the present invention includes a first storage area provided with a user storage area for each user, a second storage area provided with an address storage area for storing address information, and destination information indicating the destination of scan data. is stored, the storage control unit stores destination information in the address storage area, and stores specific information specifying the address storage area in which the destination information is stored in the user storage area.

A scanner control method of the present invention includes a first storage area provided with a user storage area for each user and a second storage area provided with an address storage area for storing address information. When storing destination information indicating a destination of the scan data, a step of storing the destination information in an address storage area; and storing the information.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine; FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a user setting storage area and an address book storage area; It is a figure which shows an example of the user setting screen displayed on administrator PC. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen displayed on the multifunction device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a scan setting folder is selected on the scan to folder function screen displayed on the multifunction device; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a destination folder is selected on the scan to folder function screen displayed on the MFP. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a scan to my folder function screen displayed on the multifunction device; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a first step of a procedure for storing second user information in a ROM; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second step of the procedure for storing second user information in ROM; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third step of the procedure for storing the second user information in the ROM;

A scanner and a scanner control method according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network system SY including a multifunction machine 4 to which a "scanner" is applied.

The network system SY includes an administrator PC 1, a user PC 2, a file server 3, and a multi-function device 4, which are connected via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, an Internet communication network or an in-house LAN (Local Area Network).

In the figure, the network system SY includes one administrator PC 1, one user PC 2, one file server 3, and one multifunction machine 4, but a plurality of each are included. may

The administrator PC 1 is a PC operated by a person in charge of managing the multifunction machine 4 . When the network system SY is used in a company or the like, the administrator uses the administrator PC 1 to set user information for each employee to use the multifunction device 4 . An employee for whom user information is to be set is hereinafter referred to as a "user". The administrator PC 1 sets user information using a user setting screen D11 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later.

The user PC2 is a PC operated by each user. Also, the file server 3 is a server for storing data files. A shared folder that can be used by a plurality of users is created in the file server 3 .

The multifunction device 4 is an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) having a scanning function, a printing function, a copying function and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 4 according to this embodiment requires user authentication for use. The user performs a login operation by causing the card reader 43 (see FIG. 2) of the multifunction device 4 to read an authentication card, which is a card-shaped medium in which a card ID is recorded. Alternatively, the user performs a login operation by entering the user ID and password on the login screen (not shown) of the operation panel 44 . In the following description, a user who has successfully authenticated the user of the MFP 4 will be referred to as "a user logged into the MFP 4".

The multi-function device 4 according to the present embodiment also has a function of transmitting scan data scanned by the scan function to the user PC 2 or the file server 3 as one type of scan function. Specifically, the MFP 4 has a "scan to folder function" that specifies a destination for each scan operation and transmits scan data, and a "scan folder function" that transmits scan data to a destination preset for each user. to my folder function". The MFP 4 selectively accepts designation of these functions through the operation panel 44 . The "scan to folder function" is an example of the "first transmission function", and the "scan to my folder function" is an example of the "second transmission function".

For example, when the MFP 4 accepts the designation of the former "scan to folder function", it further accepts the designation of the scan data transmission destination, and transmits the scan data to the designated transmission destination. In addition, when accepting the specification of the latter "scan to my folder function", the multi-function device 4 does not accept the specification of the destination of the scan data, and is set in advance as the user information of the user logged in to the multi-function device 4. The scan data is sent to the specified destination of the scan data.

When accepting the "scan to folder function", the multi-function device 4 can accept designation of a folder in the user PC 2 or the file server 3 as the destination of the scan data. Similarly, the multi-function device 4 can accept designation of a folder in the user PC 2 or the file server 3 as a transmission destination of scan data set as user information for using the "scan to my folder function". In other words, for "UserA", specify the folder in the user PC 2 of "UserA" as the destination of the scan data, and for "UserB", specify the shared folder in the file server 3 as the destination for the scan data. can be set.

Next, referring to FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 4 will be described. The MFP 4 includes a control section 41 , a communication section 42 , a card reader 43 , an operation panel 44 , a reading mechanism 45 and a printing mechanism 46 . The control unit 41 is an example of a “storage control unit” and a “presentation control unit”. Also, the operation panel 44 is an example of a "reception unit" and a "presentation unit".

The control section 41 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 , and controls each section within the MFP 4 . The ROM 52 stores firmware 52a and includes a user setting storage area 52b and an address book storage area 52c. The user setting storage area 52b is an example of a "first storage area", and the address book storage area 52c is an example of a "second storage area".

Note that the controller 41 may use a processor other than the CPU 51 . For example, the processor may be a hardware circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may be configured such that one or more CPUs and a hardware circuit such as an ASIC operate in cooperation.

The firmware 52a is a control program for operating the MFP 4. FIG. The CPU 51 implements various functions such as a scanning function by deploying the firmware 52a in the RAM 53 and executing it.

The user setting storage area 52b stores part of the user information set by the administrator PC 1 using the user setting screen D11 (see FIG. 4). The address book storage area 52c stores address information set by the administrator PC 1 using an address setting screen (not shown) and part of user information set using the user setting screen D11 (see FIG. 4). memorize

The user setting storage area 52b and the address book storage area 52c will be described in detail later. Further, the user information and address information stored in these areas may be set using not only the administrator PC 1 but also the user PC 2 and the operation panel 44 of the multi-function device 4 .

The communication unit 42 communicates with the administrator PC 1, the user PC 2 and the file server 3 via the network NW. For example, the communication unit 42 transmits scan data scanned by the reading mechanism 45 to a designated transmission destination such as the user PC 2 or the file server 3 .

A card reader 43 reads a card ID from the authentication card. The control unit 41 performs user authentication based on the card ID read from the authentication card.

The operation panel 44 receives various operations from the user and presents various information to the user. In this embodiment, the operation panel 44 is mainly used to selectively accept designations of "scan to folder function" and "scan to my folder function". The operation panel 44 is also used to accept designation of the scan data transmission destination when the "scan to folder function" is designated.

The reading mechanism 45 is a mechanism for reading scan data from a document placed on a reading table. The reading mechanism 45 includes a light source for irradiating the original with light, a lens array for capturing the light reflected from the original, an image sensor for converting the output of the lens array into an electric signal, and the like. Note that the reading mechanism 45 is used for the scanning function and the copying function of the MFP 4 .

The printing mechanism 46 is a mechanism for printing on a printing medium such as copy paper. For example, in the case of an inkjet method, the printing mechanism 46 includes an inkjet head, a head drive mechanism for driving the inkjet head, a print medium transport mechanism for transporting the print medium, and the like. Further, for example, in the case of electrophotography, the printing mechanism 46 includes a laser light source, a transfer mechanism, a print medium transport mechanism for transporting the print medium, and the like. Note that the printing mechanism 46 is used for the printing function and the copying function of the MFP 4 .

Next, referring to FIG. 3, the user setting storage area 52b and the address book storage area 52c will be described. As shown in the figure, the user setting storage area 52b has a plurality of user storage areas 200 for storing user information set for each user. Each user storage area 200 also includes a first user area 210 and a second user area 220 having a storage capacity smaller than that of the first user area 210 . The first user area 210 is an area in which first user information, which is user information set in a first setting area E1 (see FIG. 4) described later, of the user setting screen D11 is stored. The second user area 220 is an area in the address book storage area 52c in which specific information for specifying the address storage area 300, which will be described later, is stored.

On the other hand, the address book storage area 52c is provided with a plurality of address storage areas 300 for storing address information. Each address storage area 300 is distinguished by an address number such as "No.1" and "No.2". The address information includes address setting information set by the administrator PC 1 using an address setting screen (not shown), and user information set in a second setting area E2 (see FIG. 4) of the user setting screen D11, which will be described later. and second user information that is

The address setting information includes address type, address, address name and index information. Here, the address type is information indicating the type of address, that is, whether the address is in an SMB (Server Message Block) server or an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server. Also, the address is information indicating the destination of the scan data when the "scan to folder function" is specified. Also, the address name is the name of the address arbitrarily given by the user. Index information is information for searching for an address based on an address number or an address name. Upon receiving the address setting information from the administrator PC 1 , the control unit 41 stores the received address setting information in the unused address storage area 300 .

It should be noted that the administrator PC 1 may be able to specify the address number when setting the address setting information. In this case, the control unit 41 stores the address setting information in the address storage area 300 of the address number designated by the administrator PC1.

On the other hand, the second user information is information regarding the destination of the scan data, which is set in the second setting area E2 (see FIG. 4) of the user setting screen D11 by the user using the "scan to my folder function". The second user information does not contain index information, unlike the address setting information. Also, the second user information is an example of "destination information".

In addition, each address storage area 300 in the address book storage area 52c is a first address storage area that can be used with the "scan to folder function" but cannot be used with the "scan to my folder function", and a first address storage area that cannot be used with the "scan to folder function". It is classified into a second address storage area that cannot be used and can be used with the "scan to my folder function" and an unused area. The address information stored in the first address storage area specifies the destination of scan data when the "scan to folder function" is specified, and the destination of fax data when the fax function is specified. used for Also, the address information stored in the second address storage area is used as the destination of the scan data when the "scan to my folder function" is specified.

Upon receiving the user information from the administrator PC 1, the control unit 41 stores the first user information among the received user information in the first user area 210 in the user setting storage area 52b, and stores the second user information as It is stored in the address storage area 300 in the address book storage area 52c. At this time, the control unit 41 stores specific information for specifying the address storage area 300 storing the second user information in the second user area 220 in the user storage area 200 storing the first user information. In this embodiment, the address number of the address storage area 300 is used as the identification information for specifying the address storage area 300 . That is, the control unit 41 causes the second user area 220 to store the address numbers such as "No. 1" and "No. 2" as the specific information.

Next, the user setting screen D11 displayed on the administrator PC 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The user setting screen D11 displays a first setting area E1, a second setting area E2, an apply button 75, and a cancel button . The first setting area E1 is an area for setting first user information, and the second setting area E2 is an area for setting second user information. As described above, in the second setting area E2, only users who use the "scan to my folder function" enter necessary items.

The first setting area E1 includes a user ID input area 61, a user display name input area 62, a password input area 63, an authentication card ID input area 64, a department input area 65, and an email address input area 66. include.

A user ID for identifying a user is entered in the user ID input area 61 . In the user display name input area 62, a user display name indicating the user who has logged in to the MFP 4 is input. A password required for a login operation is entered in the password entry area 63 . In the authentication card ID input area 64, the card ID recorded on the user's authentication card is entered. In the department input area 65, the department to which the user belongs is entered. The user's e-mail address is entered in the e-mail address input area 66 .

The second setting area E2 includes a type input area 67, a destination input area 68, a user name input area 69, and a password input area . The information entered in each of these areas, that is, the destination type, destination, user name and password are stored in address storage area 300 in address book storage area 52c as second user information.

In the type input area 67, the destination type of the scan data, that is, whether the destination is an SMB server or an FTP server is selectively input. The destination of the scan data is entered in the destination input area 68 . User name input area 69 and password input area 70 are used to input the user name and password required to log in to the PC having the folder to which the scan data is to be sent.

When the administrator PC1 selects the apply button 75 after the user information is input in the first setting area E1 and the second setting area E2, the input contents of the first setting area E1 and the second setting area E2 are changed. based user information is sent to the MFP 4 . Further, when the cancel button 76 is selected, the administrator PC1 cancels the input contents of the first setting area E1 and the second setting area E2.

Next, various screens displayed on the operation panel 44 of the multifunction device 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the home screen D41. The home screen D41 is the first screen displayed after the user logs into the multifunction device 4. FIG. The home screen D41 displays a user display field 81 and function selection buttons 82. FIG.

The user display field 81 displays the user display name of the user who has logged in to the multifunction device 4 . When the login operation is performed, the control unit 41 refers to the user setting storage area 52b, reads out the user display name from the user storage area 200 in which user information including the user ID or card ID of the logged-in user is stored, The read user display name is displayed in the user display column 81 .

The function selection buttons 82 include a print button 82a, a copy button 82b, a scan button 82c, a fax button 82d, a scan to folder function button 82e, and a scan to my folder function button 82f.

The print button 82a is a button for designating a print function. The copy button 82b is a button for specifying a copy function. The scan button 82c is a button for designating the scan function. The fax button 82d is a button for specifying a fax function. The scan to folder function button 82e is a button for designating the scan to folder function. The scan to my folder function button 82f is a button for specifying the scan to my folder function.

Note that when the scan operation is instructed after the scan button 82 c is specified, the control unit 41 stores the scan data scanned by the scan operation in a predetermined storage area provided in the multifunction device 4 . Further, when the scanning operation is instructed after the scan to folder function button 82e is designated and the transmission destination of the scan data is designated, the control unit 41 transmits the scan data scanned by the scanning operation to the specified transmission destination. send ahead. In addition, when the scan to my folder function button 82f is designated and the scan operation is instructed, the control unit 41 sends the scan data scanned by the scan operation to the destination set in advance as part of the user information (see FIG. 4). 68).

6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of the scan to folder screen D42. The scan to folder screen D42 is a screen displayed when the scan to folder function button 82e is designated. The scan to folder screen D42 displays a first destination display field 91, a direct input button 92, a setting field 93, and a first save button 94.

The first destination display field 91 displays the destination of the scan data. The direct input button 92 is a button for displaying a keyboard (not shown) for inputting the destination of the scan data. The destination entered using the keyboard is displayed in the first destination display field 91 .

The setting field 93 includes a scan setting tab 93a and a destination tab 93b. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the scan setting tab 93a is selected. When the scan setting tab 93a is selected, the control unit 41 uses a color setting button 95a, a file format button 95b, a resolution button 95c, a double-sided setting button 95d, a document reading button 95e, a document type button 95f, to display a first setting button 95 including

The color setting button 95a is a button for displaying a color setting screen (not shown) for specifying monochrome or color. The file format button 95b is a button for displaying a file format specification screen (not shown) for specifying a file format. The resolution button 95c is a button for displaying a resolution designation screen (not shown) for designating a resolution. The double-sided setting button 95d is a button for displaying a double-sided setting screen (not shown) for designating double-sided setting or single-sided setting. The document reading button 95e is a button for displaying a document reading screen (not shown) for designating whether or not to automatically detect the document size. The document type button 95f is a button for displaying a document type screen (not shown) for designating a document type such as text or image.

On the other hand, FIG. 7 shows a state in which the destination tab 93b is selected in the setting column 93. As shown in FIG. When the destination tab 93b is selected, the control unit 41 displays a name search button 96, a number search button 97, a number selection field 98, a destination display field 99, and a selection button 100. FIG.

The name search button 96 is a button for displaying a name search screen (not shown) for searching for the destination of scan data by address name. On the name search screen, it is possible to search for the address to which the scan data is to be sent by entering the first letter of the address name. The control unit 41 searches for an address based on characters such as "a", "i", and "u" stored as index information. Also, on the name search screen, an address to which the scan data is to be sent is specified based on the search result.

The number search button 97 is a button for displaying a number search screen (not shown) for searching for the destination of scan data by address number. On the number search screen, it is possible to specify part of the address number to search for the address to which the scan data is to be sent. For example, it is possible to search by specifying "10s" and "1" as the last digit. The control unit 41 searches for the address based on the number indicating the address number stored as the index information. Also, on the number search screen, an address to which the scan data is to be sent is specified based on the search result.

The number selection column 98 displays the address numbers of the address setting information registered in the address book storage area 52c. In the figure, addresses are set in the address storage area 300 of address numbers "No.1", "No.5", "No.10", "No.20", "No.30" and "No.Y". It shows a display example when information is registered. The address numbers displayed in the number selection field 98 are examples of "address candidates".

Note that the control unit 41 does not display the address number of the second address storage area, which is the address storage area 300 reserved for the “scan to my folder function”, in the number selection field 98 . For example, when the address book storage area 52c shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the ROM 52, "003" indicating the address number "No. 3" reserved for the "scan to my folder function" is displayed. don't let Further, naturally, the control unit 41 does not display "003" indicating the address number "No. 3" of the unused area in the number selection field 98 either.

Also, since the second user information in the second address storage area does not have index information, it cannot be searched on the name search screen and the number search screen. In this way, when a function other than the "scan to my folder function" is specified, the control unit 41 stores the second user information in the second address storage area reserved for the "scan to my folder function" as It is not presented to the operator of the MFP 4.

On the other hand, the destination display field 99 displays destination information obtained by encrypting the address specified on the name search screen and the number search screen or the address corresponding to the address number selected on the number selection field 98 . When the selection button 100 is selected with the destination information displayed in the destination display field 99, the control unit 41 selects the address corresponding to the displayed destination information, that is, the destination of the scan data as the first transmission destination. It is displayed in the first display column 91 . Note that the address display field 99 may display an unencrypted address instead of the encrypted address information.

When the first save button 94 is selected in a state in which the destination of the scan data is displayed in the first destination display field 91, the control unit 41 executes the scan operation, and performs the scan operation based on the setting of the scan setting tab 93a. The scan data is transmitted to the destination displayed in the first destination display field 91 . Note that selection of the first save button 94 is an example of "instruction of scan operation".

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the scan to my folder screen D43. The scan to my folder screen D43 is a screen displayed when the scan to my folder function button 82f is designated. The scan to my folder screen D43 displays a second destination display field 101, a scan setting field 102, and a second save button 103. FIG.

The second destination display field 101 displays the destination of the scan data included in the user information of the user logged in to the MFP 4 . The control unit 11 refers to the user setting storage area 52b, reads out the destination of the scan data from the user storage area 200 that stores the user ID and card ID of the logged-in user, and sets the destination of the read scan data. is displayed in the second destination display field 101 . When the scan to my folder screen D43 is displayed, the destination is entered in the second destination display field 101. FIG.

The scan setting field 102 displays second setting buttons 105 including a color setting button 105a, a file format button 105b, a resolution button 105c, a double-sided setting button 105d, a document reading button 105e, and a document type button 105f. do. The second setting button 105 functions similarly to the first setting button 95 shown in FIG.

When the second save button 103 is selected with the destination displayed in the second destination display field 101, the control unit 41 executes a scanning operation and saves the scan data based on the settings in the scan setting field 102. , to the destination displayed in the second destination display field 101 . Note that selection of the second save button 103 is an example of "instruction of scan operation".

Next, information stored in the second user area 220 and a procedure for storing the second user information in the ROM 52 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. 9 to 11 show a state in which "UserA", "UserB", "UserC" and "UserX" have already been associated with each user storage area 200. FIG. In other words, at least the “user ID” of the first user information is stored in the first user area 210 within each user storage area 200 .

As for "UserC", as indicated by arrow A1, the second user information is stored in the address storage area 300 of the address number "No.2", and the second user information is stored in the second user area 220 of "UserC". It shows a state in which the address number "No. 2" specifying the address storage area 300 that stores the information is stored. In other words, "UserC" is a user who uses the "Scan to My Folder function".

On the other hand, "UserA" and "UserB" are users who do not use the "Scan to My Folder function". In this case, the control unit 41 causes the second user area 220 to store information indicating that the "scan to my folder function" is not to be used. As the information indicating that the "scan to my folder function" is not to be used, for example, "not to be used" is stored.

On the other hand, FIGS. 9 to 11 show a state in which the address storage area 300 of address number "No. 3" is an unused area.

When the administrator PC 1 inputs the necessary items in the second setting area E2 of the user setting screen D11 (see FIG. 4) and selects the apply button 75, the user information of "UserA" including the second user information is combined. Send to machine 4. When the control unit 41 of the multifunction device 4 receives the user information of "UserA" from the administrator PC 1, as shown in FIG. 9, it specifies the user storage area 200 for storing the second user information, Find unused space in . Here, it is assumed that the address storage area 300 with the address number "No.3" has been found.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the control unit 41 secures the address storage area 300 of the found address number "No. 3" as a second address storage area that can be used in the "scan to my folder function", The second user information is stored in the address storage area 300 with the address number "No.3".

Subsequently, as indicated by an arrow A2 in FIG. 11, the control unit 41 transfers the address number "No. 3" of the address storage area 300 in which the second user information is stored to It is stored in the second user area 220 .

Although not shown, when the administrator PC 1 newly sets user information on the user setting screen D11, that is, in the user setting storage area 52b, the user storage area 200 and the user ID are linked. In the absence state, the control unit 41 causes the user information to be stored in the unused user storage area 200 .

As described above, when storing the second user information indicating the destination of the scan data in the ROM 52, the MFP 4 according to the present embodiment stores the second user information in the address storage area 300 in the address book storage area 52c. The address number specifying the address storage area 300 storing the second user information is stored in the user storage area 200 in the user setting storage area 52b. In this way, by using the address book storage area 52c in which a plurality of address storage areas 300 are reserved in advance, the user storage area 200 can be used as a The storage capacity to be secured can be reduced, and as a result, the user setting storage area 52b can be effectively utilized. In addition, the second user information may be stored in the address storage area 300 only for users who use the "scan to my folder function". Since it is not necessary to reserve the address storage area 300 for storing the second user information, the address book storage area 52c can also be effectively utilized.

In addition, the multifunction device 4 has a "scan to folder function" in which a destination is specified for each scan operation instruction, and the scan data is sent to the specified destination. and a "scan to my folder function" that transmits scan data to the destination of the second user information stored in the address storage area 300 specified by the address number stored in the , you can use these functions according to your needs.

Further, when the scan to folder function button 82e is selected on the home screen D41, the MFP 4 displays the second Since the destination indicated by the user information is not presented, unauthorized use of the second user information can be suppressed.

In addition, in the second user area 220 of the user who does not use the "scan to my folder function", the multi-function device 4 displays "do not use" indicating that the "scan to my folder function" is not used instead of the address number. , the user corresponding to the user storage area 200 determines whether or not to use the "scan to my folder function" depending on whether or not the characters "do not use" are stored. can be easily done. In other words, when the multi-function device 4 does not store the characters "do not use" in the second user area 220, the user corresponding to the user storage area 200 determines whether or not to use the "scan to my folder function". In order to do so, it is necessary to determine the size of the user storage area 200 and to determine whether or not there is an address number. Only the processing of determining the presence or absence can be completed.

The following modifications can be adopted regardless of the above embodiment.
[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the control unit 41 stores characters such as "No. 1" indicating the address number as the specific information specifying the address storage area 300. The type of specific information does not matter. Similarly, the control unit 41 stores the characters "do not use" as information indicating that the "scan to my folder function" is not to be used, but the number "0" is stored, and the type of information does not matter. .

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the administrator PC 1 directly transmits the user information set on the user setting screen D11 to the multifunction device 4, but the user information may be transmitted via the information management server. For example, when the information management server is a web server, the information management server may provide the administrator PC 1 with the user setting screen D11 as a web page. In this case, the administrator PC 1 may use a Web browser to display the user setting screen D11, and input necessary items on the displayed user setting screen D11. Also, the information management server may generate user information based on the input content on the user setting screen D11 and transmit the generated user information to the multi-function device 4 .

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, the multi-function device 4 performs user authentication based on reading an authentication card and inputting a password, but may perform biometric authentication such as face authentication or fingerprint authentication.

[Modification 4]
Also, user authentication itself may be unnecessary. In this case, the MFP 4 may specify the destination of the scan data by acquiring the user ID input by the user when executing the "scan to my folder function". Further, the multi-function device 4 may present a list of user IDs to the user and acquire the user ID selected by the user from the list of user IDs presented, thereby specifying the destination of the scan data.

[Modification 5]
In the above-described embodiment, when the scan to folder function button 82e is designated on the home screen D41, the control unit 41 accepts the designation of the scan data transmission destination, and then performs the scan operation based on the scan operation instruction. However, after executing the scan operation based on the scan operation instruction, the designation of the destination of the scan data may be accepted.

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, the MFP 4 has the "scan to folder function" and the "scan to my folder function", but may be configured without the "scan to folder function". In other words, any multi-function device 4 that has at least the "scan to my folder function" may be used.

[Modification 7]
Further, in the above embodiment, the multifunction machine 4 having functions other than the scanner function was exemplified, but the above embodiments may be applied to a device having only the scanner function, that is, a scanner.

[Modification 8]
The administrator PC1 and the user PC2 may use information processing devices such as tablet terminals instead of PCs. The network system SY may have a configuration in which the file server 3 is omitted, or may have a configuration in which the administrator PC1 is omitted by causing the user PC2 to function as the administrator PC1.

[Modification 9]
A method for executing each process of the multifunction machine 4 shown in the above embodiment and each modified example, a program for executing each process of the multifunction machine 4, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program are also provided by the invention. included in the scope of rights of Moreover, it is good also as a structure which combined said embodiment and each modification. In addition, appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Appendix]
The scanner and the method of controlling the scanner are described below.
The multifunction machine 4 has a user setting storage area 52b in which a user storage area 200 is provided for each user, an address book storage area 52c in which a plurality of address storage areas 300 for storing address information are provided, and a scan data transmission destination. When storing the second user information shown in FIG. 41 and.

The control method of the multifunction machine 4 includes a user setting storage area 52b provided with a user storage area 200 for each user, and an address book storage area 52c provided with a plurality of address storage areas 300 for storing address information. In the method for controlling the multifunction machine 4, when storing the second user information indicating the destination of the scan data, storing the second user information in the address storage area 300; and storing an address number specifying the address storage area 300 that stores the information.

When storing the second user information indicating the destination of the scan data, the MFP 4 stores the second user information in the address storage area 300 in the address book storage area 52c, and stores the second user information in the user setting storage area 52b. An address number specifying the address storage area 300 is stored in the area 200 . In this way, by using the address book storage area 52c in which a plurality of address storage areas 300 are reserved in advance, the user storage area 200 can be used as a The storage capacity to be secured can be reduced, and as a result, the user setting storage area 52b can be effectively utilized.

In the MFP 4, a destination is specified for each scan operation instruction, a first transmission function for transmitting scan data to the specified destination, and a user storage area 200 for a user logged in to the MFP 4. a second transmission function for transmitting scan data to the destination of the second user information stored in the address storage area 300 specified by the address number stored in the second transmission function; It is preferable to have

According to this configuration, the user can select the first transmission function that requires designation of the destination for each scan operation instruction and the second transmission function that does not require designation of the destination for each scan operation instruction. You can use them properly according to your needs.

In the multifunction device 4 described above, the control unit 41 causes the operation panel 44 to present the address information stored in the address storage area 300 in the address book storage area 52c, and when the first transmission function is designated, the transmission destination is displayed. It is preferable not to display the destination indicated by the second user information on the operation panel 44 as a candidate for designation.

According to this configuration, when the first transmission function is designated, the MFP 4 does not present the destination indicated by the second user information as a candidate for designating the destination. Usage can be suppressed.

In the MFP 4 described above, it is preferable that the control unit 41 stores information indicating that the second transmission function is not to be used in place of the address number in the user storage area 200 of the user who does not use the second transmission function.

According to this configuration, the multi-function device 4 stores, in place of the address number, information indicating that the user does not use the second transmission function in the user storage area 200 of the user who does not use the second transmission function. Whether or not the user corresponding to the user storage area 200 uses the second transmission function can be easily determined according to whether or not information indicating that the transmission function is not used is stored.

52b...user setting storage area, 52c...address book storage area, 200...user storage area, 210...first user area, 220...second user area, 300...address storage area.

Claims (4)

A first transmission function in which a destination is specified for each scan operation instruction and the scan data is sent to the specified destination, and a transmission preset for each user without specifying a destination when instructing a scan operation. a reception unit that selectively receives designation of a second transmission function that transmits the scan data first;
a first storage area in which a user storage area is provided for each user;
a plurality of address storage areas including an address storage area for storing first address information that can be used as a transmission destination of the first transmission function and an address storage area that stores second address information that can be used as a transmission destination for the second transmission function a second storage area provided with an address storage area;
a storage control unit configured to store specific information specifying the address storage area storing the second address information in the user storage area when the second address information is stored in the address storage area. Characterized scanner. a presentation control unit that causes a presentation unit to present the first address information stored in the address storage area in the second storage area;
wherein, when the first transmission function is designated, the presentation control unit does not cause the presentation unit to present the destination indicated by the second address information as a candidate for designating the destination. Item 1. The scanner according to item 1 . 3. The storage control unit stores information indicating that the user does not use the second transmission function instead of the specific information in the user storage area of the user who does not use the second transmission function. 3. The scanner according to 1 or 2 . A first transmission function in which a destination is specified for each scan operation instruction and the scan data is sent to the specified destination, and a transmission preset for each user without specifying a destination when instructing a scan operation. a reception unit that selectively receives designation of a second transmission function that transmits the scan data first;
a first storage area in which a user storage area is provided for each user;
a plurality of address storage areas including an address storage area for storing first address information that can be used as a transmission destination of the first transmission function and an address storage area that stores second address information that can be used as a transmission destination for the second transmission function A scanner control method comprising: a second storage area provided with an address storage area;
a step of selectively accepting designation of the first transmission function and the second transmission function by the reception unit;
When storing the second address information in the address storage area, storing in the user storage area specific information specifying the address storage area storing the second address information. How to control the scanner.

Images