Patent Application
20050174606
The present invention relates to a scan data transmitter and a scan data transmission system capable of generating image data of a manuscript and storing a file of the image data into a folder as well as generating image data of a manuscript and transmitting an e-mail to which the image data file is attached.
Some of the digital multifunction devices recently available on the market are ready for “scan-to-mail processing” or “scan-to-file processing” when they are connected to a LAN and a predetermined program (hereinafter referred to as a feature addition program) has been installed in a computer on the LAN (refer to CS-7000 Network Operation Guide from Seiko Epson Corporation) As schematically shown in
In an office, in some cases, when an image data file of a manuscript is stored in a shared folder, an e-mail to which the image data file of the manuscript is attached must be transmitted. The digital multifunction device according to the related art has to perform scan-to-mail processing and scan-to-file processing in this order to complete the whole process. To be more precise, the digital multifunction device takes time and trouble in storing an image data file of a manuscript into a shared folder and transmitting an e-mail to which the data file of the manuscript is attached.
An object of the invention is to provide a scan data transmitter and a scan data transmission system capable of performing processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a shared folder and transmitting an e-mail to which the data file of the manuscript is attached in a fashion which requires less time and workload than in a related art.
In order to solve the aforesaid object, the invention is characterized by having the following arrangement.
The scan data transmitter having such a configuration according to the invention functions as a device which allows the user to issue, at a time, execution instructions on processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a folder and processing of transmitting an e-mail to which the image data file of the manuscript is attached, as well as a device which completes processing of storing the image data file of the manuscript into the folder and processing of transmitting the e-mail to which the image data file of the manuscript is attached, by way of a singles can of the manuscript. Thus, by using the scan data transmitter according to the invention, it is possible to perform processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a folder and transmitting an e-mail to which the data file of the manuscript is attached in a fashion which requires less time and workload than in a related art.
With such a configuration, it is possible to implement a scan data transmitter which allows a small-size file to be attached to an e-mail without separately setting a file format concerning a file to be attached to an e-mail and a file format concerning a file to be stored, the scan data transmitter not requiring a special program for browsing a file to be stored.
To employ such a configuration, it is desirable to cause a compressed file out of an uncompressed format just created, in case both an uncompressed file (file of uncompressed format) and a compressed file (file of compressed format) has to be created.
The scan data transmission system according to the invention is a system capable of performing processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a folder and transmitting an e-mail to which the data file of the manuscript is attached in a fashion which requires less time and workload than in a related art.
The best embodiment to implement the invention is detailed below referring to the drawings.
The hardware configuration of a scan data transmission system according to an embodiment of the invention is described below referring to
As shown in
The internet router 200 is a device for connecting each computer 220 to the Internet. The file server 210 is a computer to which a shared folder is set. The computer 200 is a computer in which a web browser is installed, the computer used by the administrator of the scan data transmission system or a general user.
The scan agent computer 50 is a computer in which is installed a scan agent program 40 (corresponding to an auxiliary information processing program) developed for this scan data transmission system. While the feature of the scan agent program 40 will be described later, the scan agent program 40 requires setting of an administrator's name, a password, a work folder and a mail server in installation (setup).
The digital multifunction device 10 is a device having an external appearance and hardware configuration respectively shown in
A printer 13 used for the digital multifunction device 10 is a printer available as a peripheral device of a computer with an extension board attached for implementing the digital multifunction device 10, that is, for connecting the control unit 11 and the printer 13. The scanner 12 is a scanner available as a peripheral device of a computer with an extension board attached for implementing the digital multifunction device 10, that is, for connecting the control unit 11 and the scanner 12.
The control unit 11 is, as shown in
The touch screen 31 of the control unit 11 is a device comprising a liquid crystal display (LCD) 35 on which a transparent contact position sensor 36 is provided. The switch section 32 (refer to
The CPU 21 (
The LCD control circuit 27 is a circuit which causes the touch screen 31 (LCD 35) to display an image (screen) instructed by the CPU 21. The input interface circuit 28 is a circuit for communicating the operation of the user (operator of the digital multifunction device 10) on the ten-key pad 32 or the touch screen 31 (contact position sensor 36) to the CPU 21. The network interface circuit 29 is a circuit for connecting the control unit 11 to a LAN.
The EEPROM 24 is a nonvolatile rewritable memory mounted on the control unit 11 so as to store various information such as a device IP address and an agent IP address which must be retained even when the power is turned off.
Operation of the scan data transmission system is described below.
The scan data transmission system is designed to operate with the information schematically shown in
To be more precise, the scan data transmission system operates in a state where multifunction device administration information for each digital multifunction device 10 (Digital Multifunction Device A and Digital Multifunction Device B in the figure) and user administration information and several destination specification information items (destination specification information for mail/group/storage) per user (user α, β, γ in the figure) are stored in the HDD of the scan agent computer 50.
The multifunction device administration information for each digital multifunction device 10 stored in the scan agent computer 50 comprises the IP address, MAC address and administration name of the corresponding digital multifunction device 10. Registration of the multifunction device administration information to the scan agent computer 50 is automatically made when initial setting of the digital multifunction device 10 is made.
To be more precise, the control unit 11 is a unit which requires assignment of an IP address (hereinafter referred to as a device IP address) and storage of an IP address assigned to the scan agent computer 50 (hereinafter referred to as an agent IP address) in its installation (integration into a network).
The control unit 11 is designed so that such procedures will be made by operating the ten-key pad and the touch screen 31 on the control unit 11 and the device IP address and the agent IP address set through the procedures will be stored on the EEPROM 24.
The control unit 11 is designed to transmit, in case a device IP address and an agent IP address are stored in the EEPROM 24 or the device IP address and the agent IP address have been changed at power on, an IP address registration/acknowledgment request comprising information indicating the device IP address, the MAC address of the unit (network interface circuit 29), the model name of the unit, the model name of the scanner 12 and attachment of an optional device (ADF) of the scanner 12, to a device identified by the agent IP address stored in the EEPROM 24.
The scan agent program 40 is a program which causes the scan agent computer 50 to execute the IP address registration/acknowledgment processing in the procedure shown in
The scan agent computer 50, receiving the IP address registration/acknowledgment request, determines whether the multifunction device administration information corresponding to the IP address registration/acknowledgment request is stored in the computer (in a predetermined folder in the HDD of the computer) (S101). The multifunction device administration information corresponding to the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request comprises the same MAC address as that included in the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request (refer to
In case the multifunction device administration information corresponding to the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request is not stored in the computer (S101; NO), the scan agent computer 50 generates an administration name by combining the model name of the control unit 11 and part of the MAC address included in the IP address registration/acknowledgment request (S102). Then the scan agent computer 50 generates the multifunction device information including the generated administration name and each information item included in the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request and stores the resulting information into the computer (S103). The actual processing in S102 is processing to generate a character string comprising the model name of the control unit 11 followed by the last four letters of the MAC address. The actual processing in S103 is processing to generate a folder having the same folder name as that of the MAC address under a predetermined folder created on the HDD and creating a multifunction device administration information file in the created folder.
Having generated and stored the multifunction device administration information (S103), the scan agent computer 50 returns the information indicating that the IP address registration/acknowledgment request has been successfully processed to the source device (digital multifunction device 10/control unit 11) of the IP address registration/acknowledgment request (S106). The scan agent computer 50 completes the IP address registration/acknowledgment processing.
In case the multifunction device information corresponding to the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request is stored in the computer (S101; YES), the scan agent computer 50 determines whether the device IP address included in the administration information matches the device IP address included in the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request (S104). In case both IP addresses match each other (S104; YES), the scan agent computer 50 executes S106 and the subsequent steps. In case the both IP addresses do not match each other (S104; NO), the scan agent computer 50 changes the device IP address in the multifunction device administration information having the same MAC address as that but a different device IP address from that in the received IP address registration/acknowledgment request to the device IP address included in the IP address registration/acknowledgment request (S105), then executes S106 and the subsequent steps.
Referring to
All of the various information stored per user in the scan agent computer 50 can be set by accessing the scan agent computer 50 from a web browser.
To be more precise, the user administration information comprises a user name, a mail address, a password and information on whether processing completion notice is required. The user administration information can be set using a scan user setting page 60 and an option setting page 65 respectively shown in
The destination specification information for each user stored in the scan agent computer 50 is information set by the user to whom user administration information is set (whose user registration is complete) using a folder setting page 57, a destination setting page 80 and a destination group setting page 85 respectively shown in
The scan data transmission system is designed as a system where the information stored in the scan agent computer 50 is used as described below.
The control unit 11 has an operation mode for operating the digital multifunction device 10 as a copier (hereinafter referred to as a copy mode) and an operation mode for operating a system comprising the digital multifunction device 10 and the scan agent computer 50 as a system (scan data transmission system which actually operates) capable of executing scan data transmission processing (data transmission processing made by the scan agent computer 50 and the processing made by the digital multifunction device 10; details are provided later) (hereinafter referred to as a scan mode).
The control unit 11 is designed to typically display a copy basic screen 100 shown in
When wishing to cause the control unit 11 to start scan mode operation (when wishing to cause the scan data transmission system to execute scan data transmission processing), the user presses a mode selection button 101 on the copy basic screen 100.
When this operation is made, the control unit 11 starts scan mode operation. As shown in
Receiving the user name list request, the scan agent computer 50 creates a user name list from the user administration information group stored in the computer and returns the list to the digital multifunction device 10 (S301). The user name list refers to information including the user name of each user and whether the user has set a password.
Receiving the user name list, the control unit 11 displays a user name selection screen 105 shown in
In case a user name button 106 on the user name selection screen 105 is pressed, the control unit 11 transmits to the scan agent computer 50 a login request including the user name corresponding to the pressed user name button 106 (S203). In case the user name button 106 pressed pertains to a user who has set a password (refer to
Receiving the login request, the scan agent computer 50 checks whether there exists user administration information including the same information as that included in the login request (a user name, or a user name and a password) and starts processing (session administration in the figure) of handling the request from the control unit 11 which has transmitted the login request as a request from the user identified by the user name included in the login request (hereinafter referred to as the current user) (S302).
Receiving this information, the control unit 11 displays the scan basic screen 110 shown in
A mode selection button 111 on the scan basic screen 110 is a button which triggers, when pressed, copy mode operation by the control unit 111.
A set value area 112 on the scan basic screen 110 shows set values concerning the manuscript size, resolution, color type, and file format at present point in time. A “Manuscript size” button, a “Resolution” button, a “Color type” button, a “File format” button 113 respectively changes a set value concerning the manuscript size, resolution, color type and file format.
A “Manuscript type” button 114 is used to specify the manuscript type (whether the manuscript is printed matter, a photograph, or a manuscript most of which includes characters). The “Manuscript type” button 114 shows therein a set value (characters in the figure) at that point in time. A single/double side selection button 115 is used to specify whether both sides or single side of a manuscript is to be read. The single/double side selection button 115 also shows therein a set value (single side in the figure) at that point in time.
Pressing one of the buttons causes another screen on the touch screen 31. For example, a file format button 113, when pressed, causes a file format selection screen shown in
A “Light” button and a “Dark” button provided on the scan basic screen 110 (buttons to adjust the scan density) are buttons which do not cause another screen to appear but causes the display position of a density cursor 117 to be shifted when it is pressed.
A Scan destination button 116 is used to specify the transmit destination (final destination) of scan data (image data generated by the scanner 12).
In case the Scan destination button 116 is pressed, the control unit 11 transmits a scan destination list request to the scan agent computer 50 (
Receiving the scan destination list request, the scan agent computer 50 creates a scan destination list including the name of each destination specification information item and information on whether the destination specification information item is destination specification information for storage, mail or group, and returns the list to the control unit 11 (S303).
Receiving the scan destination list, the control unit 11 displays a scan destination selection screen 120 shown in
A list area 121 of the scan destination selection screen 120 is an area where the name of each destination specification information item pre-registered by the user (such as “FOLDER—1”, “USER—1”: hereinafter also represented as a destination specification information item came) is shown. In the list area 121, as understood from
The scan destination selection screen 120 allows selection of an arbitrary number of destination specification information items by way of the operation described below.
The user wishing to select certain destination specification information (destination specification information for storage, destination specification information for mail or destination specification information for group) operates a button 122u and a button 122d to form a selection frame 126 in a portion where the target destination specification information item name is displayed. Then the user presses a “Add to scan destination” button 123.
When the user presses the “Add to scan destination” button 123, the control unit 11 stores selection of destination specification information identified by the destination specification information item name enclosed by the selection frame 126. The control unit 11 increments the numeric value in a selection count display column 124 by “1” as well as erases the destination specification information item name enclosed by the selection frame 126.
In case a plurality of destination specification information items are selected (a plurality of scan data destinations are specified), the user performs the above operation for each destination specification information item and presses an “OK” button 125. A scan destination button 127 on the scan destination selection screen 120, when pressed, causes the scan destination check/deletion screen shown in
When the user presses the “OK” button 125 (or “OK” button on the scan destination check/deletion screen), the scan basic screen 110 is displayed where the information concerning the destination specification information selected by the user (a list of destination specification information item names) is displayed in the scan destination button 116.
The control unit 11, in case the start button 32 is pressed with a scan destination specified, transmits to the scan agent computer 50 a processing start request including the process contents specification information at that point in time (group of set values displayed on the scan basic screen 110), as shown in
Receiving the processing start request, the scan agent computer 50 creates scanner control information based on the process contents specification information included therein and returns the information to the control unit 11 (S312). The scanner control information refers to information obtained by converting each information item (only the information related to control of the scanner 12) in the process contents specification information to information (command) used to control the scanner.
Receiving the scanner control information, the control unit 11 performs the control processing specified by the scanner control information on the scanner 12 (S212). In short, the control unit 11 starts control of the scanner 12.
The control unit 11 enters a state of transferring scan data transmitted from the scanner 12 to the scan agent computer 50.
The scan agent computer 50 which has returned scanner control information to the control unit 11 starts to receive scan data transmitted from the control unit 11 and stores the scan data into the HDD (S313). The scan agent computer 50, receiving the information indicating that transmission of all scan data is complete (completion of scan in the figure) from the control unit 11, performs data transmission (S314).
As shown in
Then, the scan agent computer 50, in case it is necessary to execute file storage processing (S401; YES), creates a file having a file format specified by the current process contents specification information from the received scan data (S402). Next, the scan agent computer 50 performs the processing of storing the created file into each folder specified by the current process contents specification information (S403) by referencing the destination specification information concerning the current user in the HDD.
In the processing of S402 described above, in case the specified file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “monochrome”, an MMR (G4)-compressed TIFF file is created. In case the specified file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “color” or “gray scale”, an uncompressed TIFF file is created. The processing of S403 (and S402) is processing of storing (generating) a file having a name generated from the current date and time.
The scan agent computer 50, having completed the processing of S402 and S403, or recognizing that it is not necessary to execute file storage processing (S401; NO), determines whether it is necessary to execute mail transmission processing (processing of transmitting an e-mail to which a file of received scan data is attached) (S404). In other words, the scan agent computer 50 determines whether the current process contents specification information includes a destination specification information item name for mail and a destination specification information item name for group.
In case it is necessary to perform mail transmission processing (S404; YES), the scan agent computer 50 determines whether a scan data file has been created (S405). In case the scan data file has not been created (S405; NO), the scan agent computer 50 creates a file having a file format specified by the current process contents specification information from the received scan data (S406). In the processing of S406, in case the specified file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “monochrome”, an MMR (G4)-compressed TIFF file is created. In case the specified file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “color” or “grayscale”, an uncompressed TIFF file is created.
Next, the scan agent computer 50 performs the processing of transmitting an e-mail to which the created file is attached to each destination specified by the current process contents specification information (S409) by referencing the destination specification information concerning the current user in the HDD.
In case the scan data file has been created (S405; YES), the scan agent computer 50 determines whether the conditions are satisfied that the specified file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “color” or “gray scale” (S407).
In case the conditions are not satisfied (S407; NO), the scan agent computer 50 performs the processing of transmitting an e-mail to which the created file is attached to each destination specified by the current process contents specification information (S409).
In case the conditions are satisfied (S407; YES), the scan agent computer 50 creates a JPEG-compressed TIFF file from the created file (an uncompressed TIFF file in this case) (S408) and performs the processing of transmitting an e-mail to which the created file is attached to each destination specified by the current process contents specification information (S409).
The scan agent computer 50, having completed the processing of S409, or recognizing that it is not necessary to execute mail transmission processing (S404; NO), determines whether the current user needs to transmit a processing completion notice mail (S410). In other words, the scan agent computer 50 determines whether the information on whether processing completion notice is required concerning the current user (refer to
In case the current user needs to transmit a processing completion notice mail (S410; YES), the scan agent computer 50 sets information indicating the executed process contents and results to the title name and the body, then creates and transmits a processing completion notice mail whose destination mail address is the mail address of the current user (refer to
To be more precise, in S411, the scan agent computer 50 transmits a processing completion notice mail whose title is a character string as a combination of a destination specification information item name (“folderA”, “UserA”) concerning each destination and information indicating the type of processing made concerning each destination (“ScanImage”, “SendData”) and whose body is a sentence indicating the details and results of each executed process by destination, as shown in
Having completed the processing of S411, the scan agent computer 50 terminates the data transmission processing. In case the current user does not need to transmit a processing completion notice mail (S410; NO), the scan agent computer 50 terminates the data transmission processing without transmitting a processing completion notice mail.
In case information is not received from the control unit 11 for a duration longer than a prespecified period, or information indicating an error is received from the control unit 11, the scan agent computer 50 performs the data transmission processing while skipping the steps S404 through S409. That is, the control unit 11 performs the processing of storing into a specified folder a file of scan data (part of image data of a manuscript) received at that point in time and the processing of transmitting a processing completion notice mail.
As detailed hereinabove, a scan data transmission system according to this embodiment is a system which allows the user to issue, at a time, execution instructions on processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a folder and processing of transmitting an e-mail to which the image data file of the manuscript is attached, as well as a system which completes both processes by way of a singles can of the manuscript. Thus, by using the scan data transmission system, it is possible to perform processing of storing an image data file of a manuscript into a folder and transmitting an e-mail to which the data file of the manuscript is attached in a fashion which requires less time and workload than in a related art.
In the scan data transmission system according to this embodiment, in case the file format and color type are respectively “TIFF” and “color” or “gray scale”, a JPEG-compressed TIFF file is created for e-mail transmission and an uncompressed TIFF file is created for file storage. In such a case, the scan data transmission system creates a TIFF file for e-mail transmission from a TIFF file created for file storage.
The scan data transmission system is a system which allows a small-size file to be attached to an e-mail without separately setting a file format concerning a file to be attached to an e-mail and a file format concerning a file to be stored, as well as a system which efficiently performs the processing therefor.
Variation
The scan data transmission system according to the embodiment may be modified in a variety of fashions. For example, while the scan data transmission system is a system comprising one or more digital multifunction devices 10 and a scan agent computer 50, a single device (scan data transmitter) having the same capability as the scan data transmission system may be provided based on the technology used in the scan data transmission system.
The digital multifunction device 10 may be a dedicated device, not a combination of devices. Particular layout of the screen displayed on the digital multifunction device 10 may be different from that described above.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| P. 2004-002881 | Jan 2004 | JP | national |
