JPH11331468A - Reader, environment setting method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily set standard operation environment data for transmitting image data read in a reader on a network to an equipment such as a computer on the network. SOLUTION: By setting an IP address as the connection information of a server computer in a scanner beforehand and storing an operation environment data file to the scanner in the server computer, when power is supplied to the scanner, the operation environment data file is downloaded by an instruction from a client computer or the instruction from the scanner and the standard operation environment data are set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction device such as a scanner or a copier connected to a network.
In particular, the present invention relates to a technology for setting standard operating environment data (destination, standard resolution, etc.) when transmitting read image data to a computer on a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multifunction device such as a scanner or a copier is connected to a network together with a computer.
There is known a technique in which a composite device such as a scanner or a copier (hereinafter, referred to as a network scanner) is used as a data input device of a computer.

In this type of network scanner,
Destination for sending scanned image data to a computer on the network, color / black and white, gradation, resolution,
The standard value setting of the standard operating environment data such as data compression has been individually performed on the operation panel for each network scanner device.

[0004]

However, when a plurality of network scanners are connected on a network, a network administrator must set various standard operating environment data individually for each network scanner. In addition, the setting work requires time and labor, and is a heavy burden.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a standard operating environment data for transmitting image data read by a reading device on a network to a device such as a computer on the network. Is to be able to set easily.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a reading apparatus according to the present invention has a reading function having a function of reading an image and a function of transmitting the read image data to another device on a network. The apparatus includes: a download unit that downloads standard operating environment data of the reading device stored in a predetermined device on the network in advance; and a setting unit that sets the standard operating environment data downloaded by the download unit. I have.

The environment setting method according to the present invention relates to a reading apparatus having a function of reading an image and a function of transmitting the read image data to another device on a network. A download step of downloading standard operating environment data of the reading device stored in advance; and a setting step of setting the standard operating environment data downloaded in the downloading step.

The storage medium according to the present invention is a reading apparatus having a storage medium storing a program including an image reading routine and a transmission routine for transmitting the read image data to another device on a network. The program includes a download routine for downloading standard operating environment data of the reading device stored in a predetermined device on the network in advance, and a setting routine for setting the standard operating environment data downloaded by the download routine. I have.

In the present invention, the download means / step / routine and the setting means / step / routine respectively perform download and setting processing in response to turning on the power to the reading apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, the download means / step / routine and the setting means / step / routine respectively perform download and setting processing based on an instruction from the reading device.

In the present invention, the download means / step / routine and the setting means / step / routine respectively perform download and setting processing based on instructions from other devices on the network.

Further, in the present invention, the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from the reading device and transferred to and stored in the predetermined device.

Further, in the present invention, the standard operating environment data of the reading device is inputted from another device on the network and transferred / stored in the predetermined device.

In the present invention, the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from a predetermined device on the network and stored in the predetermined device.

Further, in the present invention, the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input in a graphical user interface system.

In the present invention, the standard operating environment data includes a plurality of pieces of destination data for transmitting the image data, and the plurality of pieces of destination data are selected from a list of destination data registered in advance. Selected and entered using the graphical user interface method.

According to the present invention, a file name for transmitting the image data in a file format is generated based on a device name of the reading device, a transmission date and time, a transmission event count, and the like. Have a routine.

In the present invention, the reading device is a multifunction device having a printing function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and the like in addition to a reading function and a transmission function.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The network scanner device includes an operation panel unit 6 for instructing scanning of a document and the like, a feeder 7 for sequentially capturing documents to a document table, and a scanning unit 3 for reading and scanning the captured documents. An image processing unit 2 for taking in image data from the scan unit 3 and converting the image data into various image formats, client computers 51 to 53 connected via a network 4,
A network I / F unit 1 for transmitting / receiving image data and the like to / from the server computer 54; a MODEM 8 for transmitting / receiving data using a public line;
The power supply 9 is provided.

When the scan unit 3 receives a scan command from the image processing unit 2, a light source 31 for irradiating the original with light, a CVR 35 for controlling an applied voltage applied to the light source 31, and a CCD 32 as a photoelectric conversion element are provided.
A CCD moving motor 36; an A / D conversion circuit 33 for converting analog image data output from the CCD 32 into digital data; and a correction circuit 34 for correcting variations in the CCD 32.

The image processing unit 2 has a network I /
An I / O controller 22 for transmitting and receiving data from the F unit 1; an image memory 25 for temporarily storing image data; and a conversion / resolution / gradation / density conversion for image data from the scan unit 3. An image processing circuit 26 for performing data compression processing and the like, and an EEPROM 2 for nonvolatilely storing the contents set by the operation panel unit 6
3, a CPU 21 that performs the setting process of FIG. 7 according to a program stored in the ROM 28, and the CPU 21
RAM 24 functioning as a work memory.

The operation panel unit 6 includes a display panel 61 for displaying scanner status and setting information, and a display panel 6.
A touch switch 62 pasted on the display panel 61 as a function switch for designating various functions corresponding to characters and pictures displayed on the display 1; a start switch 63 for instructing a start of scanning; A panel controller 64 for controlling the display panel 61, the touch switch 62, and the start switch 63 and giving an instruction to the image processing unit 2 is provided.

Further, the network I / F unit 1
As shown in FIG. 2, a packet control unit 11 for packetizing transmission / reception data in units of a predetermined size, and a network 4
A communication control unit 12 for establishing communication with an existing computer and performing communication processing, a server setting unit 13 for setting information for specifying a server computer 54 having a setting information file, an image processing unit 2, or A command control unit 14 for recognizing various commands sent from the network 4 via the communication control unit 12 and acting on each unit is provided.

Next, an operation unique to the present embodiment will be described. First, a preparation process for setting scanner setting information (standard operating environment data) will be described with reference to FIGS.

Basic screen of operation panel unit 6 (S0)
When the "destination" button is selected, the screen changes to a destination screen (S1). Here, the “button” refers to the display panel 6
1 and a touch switch 62 affixed to the surface thereof, and is a programmable button whose function changes for each screen. Next, when the “standard setting” button is selected, the screen changes to a standard setting screen for selecting whether to set the standard setting for each model or to read the operating environment data file of the scanner from the server computer 54 to set the setting ( S13).

In this standard setting screen, "Individual setting"
When you select, the default standard operating environment data set locally becomes the standard setting value, and "Use setting server"
To select the setting server, ie, the server computer 5
When the IP address of No. 4 is input, the standard operating environment data described in the operating environment data file stored in advance in the server computer 54 is automatically set without performing the setting operation individually.

Here, the input IP address of the setting server is received by the CPU 21 from the panel controller 64 in the operation panel 6 via the I / O controller 22, and again via the I / O controller 22, It is stored in the server setting unit 13 in the network I / F unit 1.

The input processing of the operating environment data file to the server computer 54 is performed by the scanner, the server computer 54, and the client computers 51 to 53.
Can be performed from any of the above. At this time, regardless of which device performs the input processing, the operating environment data file can be input using the graphical user interface method as shown in FIGS.

That is, a desired transmission destination (destination) is selected from the list screen of S11 displayed via the destination screen of S1 of FIG. 3, and displayed via the image setting screen of S4 of FIG. The resolution screen of S11 in FIG. 5 and S42 in FIG.
The standard operating environment data is input by selecting a desired resolution, gradation, color / monochrome, and duplex / single-sided on the gradient screen, the color / monochrome screen and the duplex / single-side screen in S43, respectively. Further, when transmitting the image data read by the present network scanner device to the destination, whether or not to compress and transmit the image data,
The compression method at the time of data compression is selected on the compression screen of S3 in FIG. Further, whether to automatically generate and add a file name when image data read by the network scanner apparatus is transmitted to the above-mentioned destination in a file format, or to manually specify the file name manually, is shown in FIG. S2
Can be selected on the file name screen of S21 via the file screen of.

When the operating environment data file is input from the network scanner or the client computers 51 to 53, it is transferred to the server computer 54 by a predetermined operation, and
4 in a predetermined storage area. Further, the server computer 54 does not function as a dedicated device for storing the operation environment data file, but also functions as a normal client computer. The above processing is the processing relating to the preparation of the operating environment data file.

Next, the process of setting the standard operating environment data will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power switch of the power supply 9 is turned on, the network scanner is started and the CPU 21
Performs an initial setting according to the contents stored in the ROM 28 (step S51). And the CPU 21
Sends an instruction to perform a scanner setting to the command control unit 14 of the network I / F unit 1 via the I / O controller 22. Then, upon receiving the instruction, the command control unit 14 sends to the communication control unit 12 the server setting unit 1 in which the IP address of the server computer 54 specified in advance from the operation panel unit 6 is stored.
The connection destination information is extracted from the server 3 and a command is issued to connect to the server computer 54 connected to the network 4.

Then, the communication control unit 12 performs a connection process to the server computer 54, and downloads the operating environment data file from the server computer 54 (step S52). Then, the CPU 21 fetches the operating environment data file via the communication control unit 12, the packet control unit 11, and the I / O controller 22 in the network I / F unit 1, and stores the standard operating environment data in the standard setting of the scanner. The value is written in the EEPROM 23 (step S53).

As described above, when the power is turned on, the operating environment data file stored in the server computer 54 is automatically downloaded, and the standard operating environment data can be set in the scanner. However, the timing of downloading the operating environment data file is not limited to when the power is turned on.For example, even when the power is on, the operating environment data file is downloaded and set by giving a command to acquire the operating environment data file. It is configured to be able to. This processing is shown in FIG.
Is performed after step S54.

That is, when the start switch 63 is pressed, the CPU 21 performs a document scanning process (step S57), and proceeds to step S55. When the start switch 63 is not pressed, the CPU 21 proceeds to step S55.
The process skips step S57 and proceeds to step S55. In step S55, it is determined whether an acquisition command has been transferred from the network I / F unit 1 (that is, from the client computers 51 to 53. As a result,
When the acquisition command is transferred from the client computers 51 to 53, the process returns to the above step S52 to download the operating environment data file from the server computer 54 and set the standard operating environment data.

On the other hand, the client computers 51 to 5
If the acquisition command has not been transferred from No. 3, it is determined whether or not the touch switch 62 has been pressed. As a result, if the touch switch 62 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S54. On the other hand, if the touch switch 62 has been pressed, it is determined whether or not the acquisition button has been pressed on the standard setting screen in S13 of FIG. (Step S58).

As a result, if the acquisition button is depressed, the process returns to the above step S52 to download the operating environment data file from the server computer 54 and set the standard operating environment data. on the other hand,
If the get button is not pressed on the standard setting screen and the individual setting button or setting server use button is pressed,
Perform setting processing corresponding to those buttons (step S
59), returning to step S54. Step S59
Then, when the individual setting button is pressed, the standard operating environment data set locally for each scanner is stored in the EEP.
When the setting is performed in the ROM 23 and the setting server use button is pressed, the IP address of the server computer 54 input on the standard setting screen is stored in the server setting unit 13.

As described above, the IP address as the connection information of the server computer 54 is stored in the network I / O in advance.
Set in the F unit 1 and the server computer 54
The operating environment data file for the scanner is stored in advance, the operating environment data file is downloaded according to the power-on, the information acquisition command input from the client computer, or the instruction from the operation panel unit 6, and the standard operating environment data is downloaded. Is set.

In this case, once the server computer 54
If the operating environment data file is stored in the network, all the scanners on the network 4 can automatically download the operating environment data file and set the standard operating environment data. This eliminates the need to individually set standard operating environment data for each network scanner device, and facilitates management of scanners on the network.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the destination of image data is not limited to a client computer, and may be, for example, a printer on a network. . In addition, standard operating environment data is not only information about scanning,
Naturally, it is possible that some information of the network is included.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In a reading apparatus having an image reading function and a transmitting function of transmitting read image data to another device on a network, the standard operating environment data of the reading device stored in a predetermined device on the network in advance is used. A download unit for downloading and a setting unit for setting standard operating environment data downloaded by the download unit are provided, so that image data read by a reading device on the network can be transmitted to a device such as a computer on the network. Can be easily set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a network I / F unit in the network scanner device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchy of menus displayed on a display panel of the network scanner device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a hierarchy of a menu following the menu shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hierarchy of menus continued from FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hierarchy of a menu continued from FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a setting process of standard operating environment data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 network I / F unit 2 image processing unit 3 scan unit 4 network 6 operation panel unit 9 power supply unit 13 server setting unit 21 CPU 23 EEPROM 24 RAM 28 ROM 51, 52, 53 client computer 54 server computer

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. A reading device having a function of reading an image and a function of transmitting read image data to another device on a network, wherein the reading device has a function of reading the image data stored in a predetermined device on the network in advance. A reading device, comprising: download means for downloading standard operating environment data; and setting means for setting standard operating environment data downloaded by the download means. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the download unit and the setting unit respectively perform a download process and a setting process in response to power-on of the reading device. 3. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the download unit and the setting unit respectively perform download and setting processes based on an instruction from the reading device. 4. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the download unit and the setting unit respectively perform a download process and a setting process based on an instruction from another device on the network. 5. The standard operating environment data of the reading device includes:
2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is input from the reading device and transferred / stored in the predetermined device. 6. The standard operating environment data of the reading device includes:
2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is inputted from another device on the network and transferred / stored in the predetermined device. 7. The standard operating environment data of the reading device includes:
2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the data is input from a predetermined device on the network and stored in the predetermined device. 8. The standard operating environment data of the reading device includes:
8. The reading device according to claim 5, wherein the input is performed by a graphical user interface method. 9. The standard operating environment data includes a plurality of destination data at the time of transmitting the image data, and the plurality of destination data is a graphical user data from a list of destination data registered in advance. 9. The reader according to claim 8, wherein the input is selected and input by an interface method. 10. A generating means for generating a file name when the image data is transmitted in a file format, based on a device name of the reading device, a transmission date and time, a transmission event count, and the like. The reading device according to claim 1. 11. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading device is a multifunction device having a printing function, a facsimile transmitting / receiving function, and the like in addition to the reading function and the transmitting function. 12. A reading device having an image reading function and a transmitting function of transmitting read image data to another device on a network, wherein the reading device has a function of reading the image data stored in a predetermined device on the network in advance. An environment setting method, comprising: a download step of downloading standard operation environment data; and a setting step of setting standard operation environment data downloaded in the download step. 13. The downloading step and the setting step,
13. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein a download process and a setting process are respectively performed in response to power-on of the reading device. 14. The downloading step and the setting step,
13. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein a download process and a setting process are respectively performed based on an instruction from the reading device. 15. The downloading step and the setting step,
13. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein a download process and a setting process are respectively performed based on an instruction from another device on the network. 16. The standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from the reading device and transferred to the predetermined device.
13. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein the environment setting method is stored. 17. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from another device on the network and transferred / stored in the predetermined device. 18. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the standard operating environment data of the reading device is inputted from a predetermined device on the network and stored in the predetermined device.
2. The environment setting method described in 2. 19. The environment setting method according to claim 16, wherein the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input by a graphical user interface method. 20. The standard operating environment data includes a plurality of pieces of destination data when transmitting the image data, and the plurality of pieces of destination data are graphical user data from a list of destination data registered in advance. 20. The environment setting method according to claim 19, wherein the environment setting method is selected and input by an interface method. 21. A method for generating a file name when transmitting the image data in a file format, based on a device name of the reading device, a transmission date and time, a transmission event count, and the like. The environment setting method according to claim 12. 22. The environment setting method according to claim 12, wherein the reading device is a multifunction device having a printing function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, and the like in addition to the reading function and the transmission function. 23. A reading apparatus having a storage medium storing a program including an image reading routine and a transmission routine for transmitting the read image data to another device on a network, wherein the program is executed on the network. A storage medium, comprising: a download routine for downloading standard operating environment data of the reading device stored in a predetermined device in advance; and a setting routine for setting standard operating environment data downloaded by the download routine. . 24. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein said download routine and setting routine respectively perform download and setting processing in response to power-on of said reading device. 25. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the download routine and the setting routine respectively perform download and setting processing based on an instruction from the reading device. 26. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the download routine and the setting routine respectively perform download and setting processing based on an instruction from another device on the network. 27. The standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from the reading device and transferred to the predetermined device.
The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the storage medium is stored. 28. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from another device on the network and transferred / stored in the predetermined device. 29. The standard operating environment data of the reading device is input from a predetermined device on the network and stored in the predetermined device.
3. The storage medium according to 3. 30. The storage medium according to claim 27, wherein the standard operating environment data of the reading device is input by a graphical user interface method. 31. The standard operating environment data includes a plurality of destination data at the time of transmitting the image data, and the plurality of destination data is a graphical user data from a list of destination data registered in advance. 31. The storage medium according to claim 30, which is selected and input by an interface method. 32. A method for generating a file name for transmitting the image data in a file format, based on a device name of the reading device, a transmission date and time, a transmission event count, and the like. The storage medium according to claim 23. 33. The storage medium according to claim 23, wherein the reading device is a multifunction device having a printing routine, a facsimile transmission / reception routine, and the like in addition to a reading routine and a transmission routine.