Server, information processing method and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention relates to a server, an information processing method and a storage medium. In order to solve the problem of troublesome setting operation when sending image data to cloud storage, when a user sets the image data to be sent to the cloud storage, a setting screen reflecting the settings previously made by the user for image data similar to the image data to be sent is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for transmitting image data to a cloud service that provides services (such as a cloud storage service, etc.). Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the number of multifunction peripherals (MFPs) that collaborate with cloud services that provide services (such as cloud storage services, etc.) has increased. For example, an image scanned by an MFP can be sent to a cloud service specified by a user. In this case, the user performs data transmission processing after specifying the cloud service to which the scanned image is to be sent and setting the file name. Since it is cumbersome to set a file name using, for example, a keyboard, Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2019-041150 discusses a technology for displaying a preview of a scanned image and using an optical character recognition (OCR) result of a character area selected by a user as a file name or metadata of the scanned image.

[0003] Even if the trouble of setting a file name can be omitted as discussed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2019-041150, the user still needs to specify the destination cloud and select a character area to be set as the file name each time the scanned image data is sent. Therefore, the troublesome setting operation is not improved. The present invention is intended to enhance the operability of the setting for sending scanned image data to a cloud service. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to the present invention, a Web server capable of accessing a cloud service is provided, characterized in that it includes: a providing unit for providing a setting screen for making settings regarding sending target image data to a client device; a sending unit for sending the sending target image data to the cloud service based on the settings regarding the sending target image data received from a user of the client device on the setting screen; and a storage unit for storing the settings regarding the sending target image data received from the user on the setting screen in association with the type of the sending target image data; wherein, in a case where a setting screen for making settings regarding new sending target image data is to be provided, the providing unit provides the setting screen for making settings regarding new sending target image data in a state reflecting the settings stored in the storage unit and stored in association with the type of the new sending target image data.

[0005] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the overall structure of this system.

[0007] Figure 2 The hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) is illustrated.

[0008] Figure 3 The hardware configuration of the client personal computer (PC) and MFP cooperative service is illustrated.

[0009] Figure 4 The software structure of this system is illustrated.

[0010] Figure 5A and Figure 5B It is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing performed between devices.

[0011] Fig. 6A and Figure 6B Each illustrates an example of a screen displayed by the MFP.

[0012] Figure 7 An example of a scan form list screen displayed by a client PC is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 8 An example of a transmission destination cloud storage service editing screen displayed on a client PC is illustrated.

[0014] Fig. 9 An example of a transmission destination folder editing screen displayed on a client PC is illustrated.

[0015] Fig.10 An example of the output setting editing screen displayed by the client PC is illustrated.

[0016] Fig.11A , Fig. 11B , Fig. 11C and Fig.11D An example of an editing screen displayed by a client PC is illustrated.

[0017] Fig.12 An example of a scan form list screen displaying metadata displayed by a client PC is illustrated.

[0018] Fig.13 This is a flowchart illustrating details of the image analysis process performed by the MFP cooperation service in this system.

[0019] Fig.14 An example of partially saved data of analysis result information performed by the MFP cooperation service in this system is illustrated.

[0020] Fig.15 This is a flowchart illustrating details of a display process of classified scan forms performed by the MFP cooperation service in the present system.

[0021] Fig.16 This is a flowchart illustrating details of the setting saving process for the scan form performed by the MFP cooperation service in the present system.

[0022] Fig.17 This is a flowchart illustrating details of processing for changing a transmission destination or a transmission destination folder performed by the MFP cooperation service in the present system when a cloud storage service with metadata is set.

[0023] Fig.18 This is a flowchart illustrating details of the transmission process of the scan form performed by the MFP cooperation service in this system.

[0024] Fig.19A and Fig.19B Each illustrates an example of a management structure of learning data stored by the MFP cooperation service in the present system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims. Not all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are necessary for the solution of the present invention.

[0026] (First Exemplary Embodiment)

[0027] <Overall Structure>

[0028] Figure 1 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the present system. The image processing system includes a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 110, a client personal computer (PC) 111, an MFP cooperation service 120, and a cloud storage 130. The MFP 110 and the client PC 111 are connected to a server providing various services on the Internet via a local area network (LAN) in a communicable manner.

[0029] The MFP 110 is a multifunction peripheral having multiple functions such as a scanner and a printer, and serves as an example of an image forming apparatus.

[0030] The client PC 111 is an information processing apparatus equipped with a service specified by a request issued to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0031] The MFP cooperative service (Web server) 120 serves as an example of a service having a function of saving an image file scanned by the MFP 110 in a server of the MFP cooperative service 120 or transmitting the scanned image file to a service that can save files such as another storage service.

[0032] The cloud storage (service) 130 is a service that enables files received via the Internet to be saved and enables external devices to obtain the files via a web browser. The cloud storage is not limited to the cloud storage 130, and there are multiple cloud storages.

[0033] The image processing system according to the present exemplary embodiment has a configuration including the MFP 110, the client PC 111, the MFP cooperation service 120, and the cloud storage 130, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the MFP 110 may also have the functions of the client PC 111 or the MFP cooperation service 120. In addition, the MFP cooperation service 120 may be arranged on a server on the LAN instead of being connected to the Internet. The cloud storage 130 may also be replaced with an email server that sends a scanned image by attaching the scanned image to an email.

[0034] <Hardware Configuration of MFP>

[0035] Figure 2 The hardware configuration of the MFP 110 is illustrated.

[0036] The MFP 110 includes a control unit 210, an operation unit 220, a printer unit 221, a scanner unit 222, and a modem 223.

[0037] The control unit 210 includes the following components 211 to 219 and controls the operation of the entire MFP 110.

[0038] The central processing unit (CPU) 211 reads out the control program stored in the read-only memory (ROM) 212 and executes / controls various functions included in the MFP 110, such as reading, printing, and communication functions.

[0039] The random access memory (RAM) 213 is used as the main memory of the CPU 211 and a temporary storage area such as a work area. In the present exemplary embodiment, one CPU 211 uses one memory (RAM 213 or hard disk drive (HDD) 214) to execute each process illustrated in the following flowcharts, but the configuration is not limited thereto. For example, multiple CPUs may use multiple cooperating RAMs or HDDs to cooperatively execute each process.

[0040] The HDD 214 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs.

[0041] The operation unit interface (I / F) 215 is an interface that connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210.

[0042] The operation unit 220 includes a touch panel and a keyboard and receives operations / inputs / instruction generated by a user.

[0043] The printer I / F 216 is an interface that connects the printer unit 221 and the control unit 210. Image data for printing is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer unit 221 via the printer I / F 216 and printed onto a recording medium.

[0044] The scanner I / F 217 is an interface that connects the scanner unit 222 and the control unit 210 .

[0045] The scanner unit 222 generates image data by reading a document set on a document table (not illustrated) or an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not illustrated), and inputs the generated image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217 .

[0046] The MFP 110 can print (copy) the image data generated by the scanner unit 222 with the printer unit 221 , and transmit the image data as a file or via e-mail.

[0047] The modem I / F 218 is an interface that connects the modem 223 and the control unit 210 .

[0048] The modem 223 performs facsimile communication of image data on the public switched telephone network (PSTN) using a facsimile device.

[0049] The network I / F 219 is an interface that connects the control unit 210 (MFP 110 ) to a LAN.

[0050] The MFP 110 uses the network I / F 219 to transmit image data or information to various services on the Internet and to receive various types of information from various services on the Internet.

[0051] <Hardware Configuration of Client PC and MFP Collaboration Service (Server)>

[0052] Figure 3 The hardware configurations of the client PC 111 and the MFP cooperation service 120 are illustrated.

[0053] The control unit 310 of the client PC 111 and the MFP cooperation service 120 includes a CPU 311 , a ROM 312 , a RAM 313 , a HDD 314 , and a network I / F 315 .

[0054] The CPU 311 controls the operation of the entire apparatus by reading out a control program stored in the ROM 312 to execute various types of processing.

[0055] The RAM 313 is used as a main memory of the CPU 311 and a temporary storage area such as a work area.

[0056] The HDD 314 is a large-capacity storage unit that stores image data and various programs.

[0057] The network I / F 315 is an interface that connects the MFP cooperation service 120 to the Internet.

[0058] The MFP cooperation service 120 and the client PC 111 receive processing requests from other devices (eg, the MFP 110 ) via the network I / F 315 , and transmit / receive various types of information.

[0059] <Software Structure of Image Processing System>

[0060] Figure 4 The software configuration of the image processing system according to the present exemplary embodiment is illustrated.

[0061] The MFP 110 is broadly divided into two software components corresponding to a native function unit 410 and an additional function unit 420. Each function unit is implemented by the CPU 211 loading a program stored in the ROM 212 or HDD 214 of the MFP 110 into the RAM 213 and executing the program.

[0062] Although the components included in the native function unit 410 are included in the MFP 110 as a standard, the additional function unit 420 is an application additionally installed on the MFP 110 .

[0063] The additional functional unit 420 is based on The additional function unit 420 can easily add functions to the MFP 110 by using an application of the MFP 110. Other additional applications (not illustrated) can be installed on the MFP 110.

[0064] The native function unit 410 includes a scan execution unit 411 and an image data storage unit 412. The additional function unit 420 includes a display control unit 421, a scan instruction unit 422, and a cooperative service request unit 423.

[0065] The display control unit 421 displays a user interface (UI) screen for receiving operations performed by a user on the liquid crystal display unit of the operation unit 220 with a touch panel function of the MFP 110. For example, the display control unit 421 displays an operation screen for receiving input of authentication information for accessing the MFP cooperative service 120, scan settings, and scan start operations.

[0066] The scan instruction unit 422 sends a scan processing request to the scan execution unit 411 using the scan setting in accordance with the user instruction issued via the UI screen.

[0067] The scan execution unit 411 receives a scan processing request including scan settings from the scan instruction unit 422. The scan execution unit 411 generates scan image data by reading an original placed on the original platen glass with the scanner unit 222 via the scanner I / F 217 according to the scan processing request. The generated scan image data is sent to the image data storage unit 412.

[0068] The scan execution unit 411 transmits a scan image identifier uniquely indicating the stored scan image data to the scan instruction unit 422. The scan image identifier includes numbers, symbols, and letters (not illustrated) for uniquely identifying a scan image in the MFP 110. The image data storage unit 412 stores the scan image data received from the scan execution unit 411 in the HDD 214.

[0069] The scan instruction unit 422 acquires scanned image data corresponding to the scanned image identifier received from the scan execution unit 411 from the image data storage unit 412. The scan instruction unit 422 requests the cooperative service request unit 423 to issue an instruction for processing the acquired scanned image data in the MFP cooperative service 120.

[0070] The cooperation service request unit 423 sends requests for various types of processing to the MFP cooperation service 120. Examples of the request include login and scanned image analysis. A protocol such as Representational State Transfer (REST) ​​or Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) is used in communication with the MFP cooperation service 120, but other communication methods may also be used.

[0071] The MFP cooperation service 120 includes a request control unit 431 , an image processing unit 432 , a cloud storage access unit 433 , a data management unit 434 , and a display control unit 435 .

[0072] The request control unit 431 stands by in a state where the request control unit 431 can receive a request from an external device. When the request control unit 431 receives a processing request, the request control unit 431 instructs the image processing unit 432, the cloud storage access unit 433, or the data management unit 434 to perform processing based on the processing request. For example, the request control unit 431 issues an instruction for performing a login process according to a login request from the MFP 110.

[0073] The image processing unit 432 performs functions such as character region analysis in the image data, optical character recognition (OCR), similar form determination (described below in Figure 5A ) and image recognition processing or image processing such as rotation or tilt correction of the image.

[0074] The cloud storage access unit 433 sends a processing request to a cloud service that provides a cloud storage function (storage service). Generally, cloud services release various interfaces to the public for storing files in cloud storage or obtaining stored files from external devices using protocols such as REST or SOAP. The cloud storage access unit 433 uses the released cloud storage interface to perform cloud storage operations.

[0075] The data management unit 434 holds user information and various types of setting data managed by the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0076] The display control unit 435 receives a request from a Web browser operated on other terminals (not illustrated) such as a PC or a mobile terminal connected via the Internet, and returns screen configuration information (e.g., Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Cascading Style Sheet (CSS)) for screen display. The user checks the user information registered in the MFP cooperative service 120 or changes the scan setting via the screen displayed on the Web browser.

[0077] Reference Figure 4 , a description is given of a configuration example for installing the additional function unit 420 to the MFP 110. However, the present exemplary embodiment is not limited to this configuration. For example, the function of the additional function unit 420 may also be included in the client PC 111.

[0078] <Overall Processing Flow>

[0079] Figure 5A and Figure 5B are sequence diagrams each illustrating a flow of processing performed between devices when the MFP 110 converts a scanned image into a file and sends the file to a cloud storage. Figure 5A 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which a user scans a form using a scanning application in the MFP 110 and sends the form data to the MFP cooperation service 120 . Figure 5B 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process of browsing and operating form data transmitted to the MFP cooperation service 120 on the client PC 111, and transmitting the form data to the cloud storage 130. Communication performed between devices will be mainly described.

[0080] The MFP 110 displays a home screen on which buttons for executing functions to be provided are arranged on the touch panel.

[0081] By installing an additional application for sending a scan form to cloud storage (hereinafter referred to as a scan application), a button for using the function of the application is displayed on the home screen of the MFP 110. When the button is pressed, a screen for sending the scan form to the MFP cooperation service 120 is displayed.

[0082] In step S501 , the MFP 110 displays a login screen (not illustrated) for inputting authentication information for accessing the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0083] In step S502 , the user inputs a user name and password for login, and the MFP 110 sends a login request to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0084] In step S503, the MFP cooperation service 120 verifies whether the user name and password included in the login request are correct, and if the user name and password are correct, returns an access token to the MFP 110. In the following processing, various requests to be sent from the MFP 110 to the MFP cooperation service 120 include the access token, and the user to be processed can be identified based on the information of the token. A known method (e.g., basic authentication, digest authentication, authentication using open authentication (OAuth)) is generally used as a user authentication method.

[0085] If the login process is completed, then in step S504 , the MFP 110 displays applications that can be used by the MFP 110 on a home screen (not illustrated).

[0086] If the user presses the scan application button on the home screen, the MFP 110 sends a scan application start request to the MFP cooperation service 120 in step S505 .

[0087] The MFP cooperation service 120 acquires information for displaying a button selection screen for scanning processing executable by the logged-in user from the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120, and transmits the acquired information to the MFP 110. In step S506, the MFP 110 displays the button selection screen based on the information received from the MFP cooperation service 120. Fig. 6A The scan button selection screen is shown in the figure.

[0088] Fig. 6A Buttons 601 to 604 illustrated in FIG. 1 are buttons that a logged-in user can use among scan buttons registered in the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0089] There are two types of scan buttons. One type corresponds to a button 601 (hereinafter referred to as a setting unspecified button) for setting, for example, a sending destination cloud service or a sending destination folder, output settings, and a file name of scanned data from the client PC 111. The other type corresponds to buttons 602, 603, and 604 (hereinafter referred to as setting specified buttons) for presetting a sending destination cloud service or scan settings in the MFP cooperative service 120.

[0090] For the setting designated buttons 602 to 604 , the user or administrator of the MFP 110 is required to register a required number of buttons corresponding to a required combination of settings in the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0091] The setting unspecified button 601 does not require preset settings in the MFP cooperation service 120 , and thus one setting unspecified button 601 is displayed for each user.

[0092] Therefore, the user can use the function of the scan application even if the administrator has not pre-registered the button in the MFP cooperation service 120. The user can also specify user-desired settings after scanning without having to consult the administrator.

[0093] In the present exemplary embodiment, a detailed description will be given below assuming that the user uses the set unspecified button 601 .

[0094] If the user selects the setting unspecified button 601 , then in step S507 , the MFP 110 sends a request for the scan setting that is set by default by the setting unspecified button 601 to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0095] In response to the scan setting request, the MFP cooperation service 120 acquires the default scan setting set for the setting unspecified button 601 and information for displaying the scan setting screen from the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 , and transmits the acquired information to the MFP 110 .

[0096] In step S508, the MFP 110 displays the received information. Figure 6B . Button 605 is a button for executing scanning. Area 606 is an area for receiving changes to scanning settings such as color, resolution, image quality, duplex printing, mixed original sizes, density, and original size. A preview of the scanned original is displayed in area 607. Button 608 is a button for turning pages of the displayed preview, rotating pages, deleting pages, and adding pages (additional scanning). Button 609 is a button for returning to the scan button selection screen.

[0097] If various scan settings for reading are made, a paper form to be scanned is placed on the platen glass or ADF, and the "Scan" button 605 is pressed, then in step S509, the MFP 110 performs scanning and generates image data obtained by computerizing the paper form. Button 610 is a button for causing the scanned data to enter the next process.

[0098] When the "Next" button 610 is pressed, the MFP 110 displays a scanning process progress screen in step S510.

[0099] In step S511 , the MFP 110 transmits a scan image analysis request to the MFP cooperation service 120 together with the image generated by the scan process performed in step S509 .

[0100] The scanned image received by the MFP cooperation service 120 is held in the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 until the scanned image is sent to the cloud storage.

[0101] When the MFP cooperation service 120 receives the scanned image analysis request from the MFP 110 , in step S512 , the image processing unit 432 of the MFP cooperation service 120 starts image analysis.

[0102] Thereafter, the MFP cooperation service 120 returns to the MFP 110 an identifier "Process Id" uniquely indicating a request for analysis to be performed by the MFP cooperation service 120 without waiting for the image analysis process to end. Then, in step S513, the MFP cooperation service 120 receives a process status check request.

[0103] In the image analysis process, in step S514 , the MFP cooperation service 120 analyzes character regions existing in the image, and in step S515 , performs character recognition processing on all character regions.

[0104] In step S516, the MFP cooperation service 120 uses the arrangement information of the character area in the form to compare the arrangement information of the image previously scanned by the user who logged in to the MFP cooperation service 120 in step S503 with the arrangement information of the image scanned this time, and determines whether an image with a similar arrangement of character areas is scanned. This process is called similar form determination.

[0105] In the case where it is determined in the similar form determination that the target scanned image is similar to the previously scanned image, the MFP cooperative service 120 saves the target scanned image into the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperative service 120 after assigning setting information indicating that it is set for the target scanned image. In the case where there is no image similar to the target scanned image, the MFP cooperative service 120 saves information about the character area in the entire scanned image and information indicating that there is no similar image.

[0106] The information on the previously scanned images used in the determination is saved and accumulated in association with the user through the processing in steps S534, S540, and S543 described below.

[0107] Will refer to Fig.13 Details of the processing in steps S514 to S516 are described.

[0108] In step S517, the MFP 110 periodically (e.g., approximately every several hundred milliseconds to every several milliseconds) sends a processing status check request to the MFP cooperation service 120 for image analysis corresponding to the “processing ID” using the “processing ID” received as a response in step S511. The processing in step S517 is continued until a response indicating completion of the image processing is obtained from the MFP cooperation service 120 ( Figure 5A If the MFP cooperation service 120 receives the process status check request, the MFP cooperation service 120 checks the process status corresponding to the “process Id” received as a response in step S511 and returns a response indicating the process status.

[0109] A character string indicating the current processing status is stored as "status" in the response. For example, when "status" indicates "processing", "status" indicates that the processing is in progress in the MFP cooperation service 120, and when "status" indicates "completed", "status" indicates a state where the processing has been completed. Other statuses such as "failed" are sometimes returned when the processing fails.

[0110] If the MFP 110 detects that the processing is completed in step S517, then in step S518, the MFP 110 displays a message indicating that the scanning is completed on the screen of the MFP 110, and the processing returns to the scan setting screen displayed in step S508. If there are multiple forms to be scanned, the multiple forms can be scanned repeatedly (the processing in steps S508 to S518 can be repeatedly performed). In addition, by issuing an instruction for setting the number of pages to be divided into a fixed number of pages using a separator sheet before scanning, multiple forms can be collectively scanned at one time and the scanned forms can be divided into multiple forms.

[0111] After step S518, the user sets the transmission destination cloud storage, the transmission destination folder, the output settings, the file name, and the metadata of the form generated by scanning with the client PC 111, and performs a process of sending the settings to the processing cloud storage (service) 130. When accessing the MFP cooperation service 120 from the client PC 111, the user performs a login process similar to the login process of the MFP 110 ( Figure 5B Not illustrated in the figure), and the user processes the scan form scanned by the user.

[0112] exist Figure 5B In step S519 of , the client PC 111 acquires a scan form list screen for checking the scan form list from the MFP cooperation service 120 , and displays the scan form list screen.

[0113] Figure 7 An example of a scan form list screen to be displayed by the client PC 111 is illustrated.

[0114] Data 701 to 703 are data of a form scanned by the user using the MFP 110 .

[0115] An area 704 is an area for displaying information set for the scan form selected on the scan form list screen (hereinafter, referred to as job attributes).

[0116] A button 705 is a button for displaying a screen for setting a transmission destination cloud storage service.

[0117] A button 706 is a button for displaying a screen for setting a transmission destination folder in the transmission destination cloud storage service after the transmission destination cloud storage service is set using the button 705 .

[0118] A button 707 is a button for displaying a screen for setting output settings such as a storage file format used when storing a scan form.

[0119] A button 708 is a button for displaying an editing screen for setting a file name using characters included in the preview image of the scan form.

[0120] A button 709 is a button for setting a file name by directly inputting text.

[0121] Button 710 is a button for saving the settings or sending the scan form to the set sending destination after the required settings are completed. The button name of button 710 is switched to "Save" or "Send" according to the content of the settings. If the required settings for saving or sending are not made, button 710 is displayed as a disabled state.

[0122] A button 711 is a button for sending a scan form.

[0123] A button 712 is an edit button for displaying an edit screen. The edit screen is a screen for selecting a character string in a preview image of a scan form and inputting the selected character string, and is used for inputting a file name or inputting metadata to be described below.

[0124] A button 713 is a button for deleting data of the selected scan form.

[0125] Button 714 is a list refresh button that enters an enabled state when the MFP cooperation service 120 holds a scan form that is not displayed. By clicking button 714, the scan form list screen is refreshed and all scan forms currently held in the MFP cooperation service 120 are displayed.

[0126] Label 715 is a label to be displayed when it is determined in similar form determination that there is no form similar to the scanned form. Since there is no form similar to the form corresponding to data 701 in this example, there is no learning data, so "Not Learned" is displayed. Figure 7 , a scan form corresponding to data 701 is selected, and the job properties of the scan form corresponding to data 701 are displayed in area 704. Since "Unlearned" is displayed as a label 715, the user can see that a form similar to the form indicated by data 701 has never been scanned. If a similar form has been scanned, the settings previously made by the user for the similar form are reflected in the settings of the job properties in area 704. Nevertheless, since no similar form exists in this example, the default value is displayed in the setting button of the job properties in area 704. In this example, neither the sending destination cloud service nor the sending destination folder is set, "Cloud Compressed PDF" is displayed as the default value of the output setting, and "None" is displayed as the default value of the file name. In this way, for forms without similar forms (unlearned forms) among the forms scanned using the Set Unspecified button, settings such as the sending destination cloud storage service can be set separately later.

[0127] First, if the user clicks the transmission destination button 705, then in step S520, the client PC 111 sends a transmission destination edit screen request to the MFP cooperation service 120. Then, the client PC 111 receives the screen information from the MFP cooperation service 120 and displays it. Figure 8 The sending destination setting screen is shown in FIG.

[0128] Information on the scan form is displayed in a region 801 in such a manner that the setting target scan form can be identified. Selectable cloud storages 130 are displayed in a region 802. A button 803 is a button for saving the selected cloud storage 130 as a transmission destination.

[0129] If the user selects one cloud storage service from the area 802 and clicks the save button 803 , the client PC 111 transmits information on the selected transmission destination to the MFP cooperation service 120 in step S521 .

[0130] In step S522, the MFP collaboration service 120 checks whether the user can access the selected cloud storage 130. If the authentication information for the user to access the cloud storage 130 is stored in the MFP collaboration service 120, the MFP collaboration service 120 saves the received cloud storage 130 as the sending destination of the scan form. If the authentication information required for the user to access the cloud storage 130 is not stored in the MFP collaboration service 120, the MFP collaboration service 120 displays a message indicating that authentication is required to access the cloud storage 130. After that, the MFP collaboration service 120 displays a login screen for the cloud storage 130. If the user logs in to the cloud storage 130, the MFP collaboration service 120 saves the authentication information for connecting to the cloud storage 130 in the MFP collaboration service 120. After checking the connection, the MFP collaboration service 120 saves the selected cloud storage 130 as the sending destination of the scan form.

[0131] If the processing in step S523 is completed, the client PC 111 displays the information about the set transmission destination cloud storage service in a state where the information about the set transmission destination cloud storage service is updated. Figure 7 . A column of data 701 showing the sending destination cloud storage service and the content set in button 705 is reflected. At this time, if the cloud storage 130 selected as the sending destination is a cloud storage service without metadata information, the button name of button 710 changes from "Save" to "Send". If the selected cloud storage 130 is a cloud storage service with metadata information, the button name of button 710 remains "Save". If the setting of the sending destination is completed by using button 705, the sending destination folder setting button 706 changes from a disabled state to an enabled state.

[0132] When the user clicks the button 706 , the client PC 111 transmits a transmission destination folder edit screen request to the MFP cooperation service 120 in step S524 .

[0133] In step S525, the MFP cooperation service 120 acquires folder information from the cloud storage 130 using authentication information for user access to the cloud storage 130. Thereafter, the MFP cooperation service 120 transmits a transmission destination folder editing screen displaying the acquired folder information to the client PC 111, and the client PC 111 displays the transmission destination folder editing screen.

[0134] Fig. 9 14. The transmission destination folder editing screen is illustrated. An edit destination scan form is displayed in a region 901 similar to the region 801.

[0135] In area 902 , the selected destination folder is displayed as a preview.

[0136] Folder information acquired from the cloud storage 130 is displayed in area 903 as a tree view.

[0137] The user selects a transmission destination folder by clicking a folder displayed in area 903 .

[0138] A button 904 is a button for saving the selected folder as a transmission destination folder.

[0139] If the user designates a folder in the area 903 and clicks the save button 904 , then in step S526 , the client PC 111 transmits information on the transmission destination folder selected by the user to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0140] In step S527 , the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the received transmission destination folder as the transmission destination folder of the scan form. The MFP cooperation service 120 transmits a screen with the updated transmission destination folder to the client PC 111 .

[0141] Client PC 111 displays Figure 7 The scan form list screen including the updated transmission destination folder shown in . At this time, if settings are made using buttons 705 to 707 and the transmission destination of button 705 is the cloud storage 130 with metadata, the “Save” button 710 changes from the disabled state to the enabled state.

[0142] If the user clicks the button 707, then in step S528, the client PC 111 sends an output setting edit screen request to the MFP cooperation service 120. The MFP cooperation service 120 sends the output setting edit screen to the client PC 111, and the client PC 111 displays the output setting edit screen.

[0143] Fig.10 An example of an output setting editing screen is illustrated. Information about the edit target scan form is displayed in area 1001 similar to areas 801 and 901. Selectable output settings are displayed in area 1002. In this example, the storage file format is displayed, and Cloud Compressed PDF is selected as the default value.

[0144] If the user selects an output setting from the area 1002 and clicks the save button 1003, in step S529, the client PC 111 transmits information about the output setting selected by the user to the MFP cooperation service 120. The MFP cooperation service 120 saves the received output setting as the output setting of the scan form, and transmits information for displaying the updated screen to the client PC 111.

[0145] Client PC 111 displays Figure 7 The scan form list screen with updated output settings is shown in the example.

[0146] If the user clicks the file name edit button 708, then in step S531, the client PC 111 sends a file name edit screen request to the MFP cooperation service 120. The MFP cooperation service 120 sends information for displaying the edit screen, such as a preview image of the scanned form, coordinates of the character area, and character recognition results, to the client PC 111. Then, the client PC 111 displays the edit screen.

[0147] FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D Each illustrates an example of an editing screen. Fig.11A An example of a screen to be displayed in a case where a character string to be used as a file name is not selected from the preview image of the scan form is illustrated.

[0148] Preview 1101 is a scanned form. By clicking a character area that is desired to be used as a file name, a character string corresponding to the character area can be extracted and added as the file name. As described below, by learning the character area for extracting a character string, when scanning the same format (similar to a form), the character string in the same character area can be used to automatically set the file name from the next time.

[0149] A button 1102 is used to cancel editing and return to the scan form list screen.

[0150] Button 1103 is used to save the selected character area.

[0151] Area 1104 is an area for displaying the set file name. In this example, the number of character areas that can be set as the file name is three at most, but the number of character areas may not be limited or other upper limit values ​​may be set.

[0152] Fig. 11B This illustrates a state in which a user has selected a character string in a preview image.

[0153] A selection box 1105 is displayed so that the selected character string can be identified. Instead of the selection box 1105, the selected character area may be filled with a semi-transparent color as long as it can be identified that the character string is in a selected state. When the user selects a character string in the preview image, an image obtained by extracting the area of ​​the selected character string is displayed in the area of ​​button 708. In addition, the character string in the area selected from the preview image is input as a value into the area of ​​button 709.

[0154] Button 1106 is used to cancel the character string in the selected state. If the user clicks button 1106, the display of the selection box 1105 in the selected state and the image displayed in the area of ​​button 708 corresponding to the selection box 1105 and the value of the character string in the area of ​​button 709 are deleted.

[0155] If the user further clicks on the character string in preview 1101, the screen changes to Fig. 11C Example screen.

[0156] An image corresponding to the area of ​​the selected character string is added to the area of ​​button 708 below the image added as the first image. In addition, the value of the character string added as the second character string is added to the area of ​​button 709. At this time, the first value and the second value may be stacked by a separator (such as an underscore, a space, or a hyphen) to delimit the first value and the second value. Fig. 11C In the illustrated example, the first value and the second value are delineated by underscores.

[0157] If the user further selects a third character string in the preview 1101, the screen changes to Fig.11D Example screen.

[0158] The selected third character area is displayed in the area of ​​button 708, and the value of the character string of the area is added to the area of ​​button 709. If the value of the added character string does not correspond to the image of the character string, or if the user desires to add an arbitrary character string, the value can be directly edited or added after clicking the edit button 709.

[0159] If the user clicks the Save button 1103 , then in step S532 , the client PC 111 transmits information on the selected file name to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0160] In step S533 , the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the selected file name of the scan form.

[0161] In step S534, the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the setting information set so far (such as the transmission destination, transmission destination folder, output settings, and character area for file name) in association with the user information and a form ID (described in detail below) uniquely indicating the type of the scan form.

[0162] In other words, generate or update Fig.19A or Fig.19B710 (described in detail below). The timing of saving can be the timing when the user makes various settings such as the sending destination or the file name, or the timing when the user presses the save button 710. Since in some cases, it is assumed that the file name or the sending destination to be saved varies depending on each user, the setting information is also saved in association with the user information. Nevertheless, the structure for saving the setting information is not limited to this. The setting information can be saved only in association with the form ID. As an alternative, the setting information can be saved in association with other information, or the information to be saved in association can be set.

[0163] If it is determined that the form to be scanned next time is the same form as this time, the information and user stored in association with the form ID are automatically assigned. Therefore, the trouble of the same user making similar settings for the same type of form multiple times can be saved.

[0164] If information having the same form ID as the information to be saved this time has already been saved in the MFP cooperation service 120 when saving information in step S534, the information saved this time will overwrite the already saved information. Each time information is saved, the user may be prompted to check whether to overwrite the information.

[0165] If the cloud storage 130 having metadata is set as the transmission destination of the form data, the processes in steps S535 to S540 are performed.

[0166] If the destination is saved in step S523 and the destination folder is saved in step S527, Figure 7 The save button 710 on the illustrated scan form list screen changes to an enabled state. If the user clicks the changed save button 710, the client PC 111 sends a metadata request to the MFP cooperation service 120 in step S535.

[0167] In step S536 , the MFP cooperation service 120 transmits a metadata acquisition request for the set transmission destination folder to the cloud storage 130 .

[0168] The cloud storage 130 transmits metadata information set for the transmission destination folder to the MFP cooperation service 120. The MFP cooperation service 120 transmits information for displaying the metadata information to the client PC 111.

[0169] The client PC 111 displays metadata information in an area 704 of job attributes.

[0170] Fig.12 An example of a job properties area displaying metadata information is illustrated.

[0171] At this time, the “Save” button 710 changes to a “Send” button 710 .

[0172] In the area 1201, the transmission destination setting button 705 and the transmission destination folder setting button 706 are switched to display only the setting values. This is to prevent the user from easily changing the transmission destination or the transmission destination folder after the metadata is displayed.

[0173] The button 1202 is a button for editing the transmission destination cloud storage service or the transmission destination folder. When the user clicks the button 1202, a confirmation message indicating that the displayed metadata is to be cleared is displayed to the user on the client PC 111.

[0174] If the user confirms the message, area 1201 returns to displaying the original buttons 705 and 706, and the sending destination cloud storage service and the sending destination folder become settable again. Then the "Send" button 710 returns to the "Save" button 710 again.

[0175] Areas 1203 and 1204 indicate metadata set for the selected transmission destination folder. Area 1203 indicates an example of metadata input as a value of a character string. Similar to a file name, a character string in a scan form image can also be selected and input to area 1203.

[0176] Area 1204 indicates an example of metadata of a date. By clicking the edit button, a calendar can be displayed and the date can be changed. Since the value and type of metadata vary depending on the cloud storage 130, the value and type are not limited to the value and type of metadata illustrated in this example.

[0177] In the case where the user inputs a character string into the area 1203 as a value of metadata in the preview image, the user clicks the area 1203. In step S537, the client PC 111 then sends a metadata edit screen request to the MFP cooperative service 120 and displays the metadata edit screen. FIG. 11A to FIG. 11D The editing screen is shown in the example.

[0178] After the user selects a character string in the preview image and clicks the save button 1103 on the displayed screen, in step S538 , the client PC 111 transmits the set metadata information to the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0179] In step S539 , the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the transmitted metadata for the scan form.

[0180] In step S540, the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the changed setting information in association with the form ID and the user. The MFP cooperation service 120 sends the information for displaying the screen with the updated information to the client PC 111, and the client PC 111 displays the scan form list screen.

[0181] When the user clicks the send button 710, in step S541, the client PC 111 performs a sending process on the data to be sent.

[0182] In step S542, the MFP cooperation service 120 generates a file using the set output settings and file name. If any setting is changed, in step S543, the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the changed setting information in association with the form ID and the user.

[0183] In step S544 , the MFP cooperation service 120 assigns the input metadata to the generated file and transmits the generated file to the set transmission destination cloud storage service and transmission destination folder.

[0184] If the transmission is completed, the MFP cooperation service 120 notifies the client PC 111 that the transmission is completed, and the client PC 111 notifies the user that the transmission is completed. The scan form of the file that has been transmitted is deleted from the scan form list screen.

[0185] After the processing performed in step S543 , in step S545 , the MFP cooperation service 120 saves information on the transmission destination cloud storage service and output settings among the newly set setting information.

[0186] When scanning is performed later, in the settings of the scanned form that does not have a similar form, the setting contents saved in step S545 are reflected. Since it is assumed that the sending destination cloud storage service and the output settings do not change even if the form type changes, it is possible to reduce the burden of the user to set the form that does not have a similar form by setting the value as the default value. A detailed description of each process will be given below.

[0187] <Management of Setting Information for Setting Unassigned Buttons and Setting Assigned Buttons>

[0188] Fig.19A and Fig.19B A setting information management table is illustrated.

[0189] The setting information management table is a table for holding setting information such as a transmission destination cloud and an output destination set by a user for a scan form for each form type. The setting information management table is held by the data management unit 434 of the MFP cooperation service 120 . Fig. 6AThe setting unspecified button and the setting specified button illustrated in FIG. 1 are different in the management format of the setting information in the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0190] Management tables 1910 and 1920 indicate setting of an unspecified button and hold setting information in association with a button and a user. Tables are created for each form ID that uniquely indicates a form type. In the case of user A, tables are created for form IDs 1910 and 1920, respectively.

[0191] Column 1901 indicates the user name associated with the table. Column 1902 indicates the sending destination cloud storage service that the user has previously set for the form corresponding to the form ID. Column 1903 indicates the sending destination folder, column 1904 indicates the output setting, and column 1905 indicates the layout information of the character area. That is, column 1905 indicates the position information of the character area for setting the file name.

[0192] If user A scans a form similar to the form with form ID "aaaaaaaaa-ffff-49ab-acf8-55558888eeee", setting information such as the transmission destination cloud service indicated in management table 1910 is reflected as settings for the scanned form. The management table is updated each time user A performs scanning and specifies setting information.

[0193] Management table 1930 indicates an example of a management table corresponding to a setting designated button. Unlike management tables 1910 and 1920, management table 1930 is not associated with a user. In other words, management table 1930 is updated regardless of who performs scanning and designation of setting information.

[0194] A description is given of an example in which the setting information corresponding to the form ID is defined with only one row and a table is updated each time a user performs scanning and designation of setting information. In other words, when a user scans a new form, the user can reflect the latest setting information set for a similar form to the new form. The number of rows for defining the setting information corresponding to the form ID is not limited to one, and setting information can be newly added each time a user performs scanning and designation of setting information. The setting information to be reflected can be determined based on, for example, the frequency of use of the setting information.

[0195] <Form classification processing>

[0196] Fig.13 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of the image analysis processing performed by the image processing unit 432 in the present system.

[0197] Each process is realized by the CPU 311 loading a program stored in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperative service 120 into the RAM 313 and executing the program. The flowchart illustrates that after the image processing unit 432 receives the image processing request from the request control unit 431 in step S512, the image processing unit 432 of the MFP cooperative service 120 Figure 5A Details of the processing performed in steps S514 to S516.

[0198] In step S1301 , the image processing unit 432 analyzes the character area of ​​the form scanned in step S509 and acquires a character area group in the form.

[0199] In step S1302 , the image processing unit 432 performs character recognition processing on all character string regions detected by the analysis performed in step S1301 .

[0200] In step S1303, the image processing unit 432 performs similar form determination using the information detected in steps S1301 and S1302. In the similar determination, the image processing unit 432 compares the layout information of the previously scanned image with the layout information of the current scan using the layout information of the character area. If there is an image that was previously scanned and has a similar layout of the character area, the image processing unit 432 determines that there is a similar form. In other words, the image processing unit 432 determines whether the MFP cooperative service 120 maintains a setting management information table having the same form ID as the form ID of the form analyzed this time.

[0201] If, as a result of the determination in step S1304, it is determined that a similar form is found, the process proceeds to step S1305.

[0202] In step S1305, the image processing unit 432 generates analysis result information based on the saved setting information associated with the similar form (i.e., the setting information saved in association with the form ID in step S534). The analysis result information is information about the character string in the image to be used as the file name and the destination cloud service set for the similar form. The image processing unit 432 obtains information about the character area used as the file name in the similar form, detects the character area located at a similar position in the image scanned this time, and obtains the character string of the detected character area.

[0203] If it is determined in step S1304 that a similar form has not been found, the process advances to step S1306.

[0204] In step S1306, the image processing unit 432 registers the image scanned this time as a new form (i.e., as a form without similar forms). Fig.13 In the analysis processing in , the registered information is to be used as one of the form information to be subjected to similar form determination.

[0205] In step S1307, the image processing unit 432 generates analysis result information. Since there is no similar form, a character string to be set as a file name is not acquired.

[0206] In step S1308 , the image processing unit 432 saves the analysis result information generated in step S1305 or S1307 into the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0207] Fig.14 An example of analysis result information to be saved to the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 is illustrated.

[0208] In the similar form determination, a value indicating whether the analysis target image is similar to the previously scanned image is stored in the row "Match".

[0209] If there is a similar form, the row "Match" indicates "True", and if there is no similar form, the row "Match" indicates "False". Determination of whether the row "Match" indicates "True" or "False" is performed by representing the degree of coincidence between the arrangement information of the previously scanned image and the arrangement information of the image scanned this time by a real value ranging from 0 to 1. As the real value becomes larger, the scanned form is more similar to the previous form, and whether the row "Match" is "True" or "False" is determined depending on whether the real value exceeds a predetermined threshold.

[0210] A value uniquely indicating the type of the form is stored in the row "Form ID." If the forms are similar forms, the same form ID is assigned.

[0211] If a similar form exists, the cloud storage service that is the sending destination set for the previous similar form is added to "Destination".

[0212] If there is a similar form, the path of the sending destination folder set for the previous similar form is added to the “folder path.” This path uniquely indicates the storage destination folder of the cloud storage 130 and has a format such as a uniform resource locator (URL) that can identify the target cloud storage 130.

[0213] If a similar form exists, the output settings set for the previous similar form are added to the Output Settings.

[0214] If a similar form exists, a character string in a character area determined to match a character area used to set a file name in a previous similar form is added to the "file area".

[0215] The analysis results include: Fig.14 The coordinates, width and height of the character area in the scanned form not illustrated in the figure and the character string in each character area are compared with the information about the character area in the previous similar form to determine whether the character area is the character area corresponding to the same position.

[0216] Since the number of character areas that can be used as file names is not limited to three in the present exemplary embodiment, Fig.14 Three character areas corresponding to "file area 0", "file area 1" and "file area 2" are illustrated. When these character areas are displayed as a file name, the file name is displayed in the form of file area 0, file area 1 and file area 2 linked by a separator.

[0217] If a duplicate file name is assigned, a unique value assigned to prevent the same file name from being assigned is added to the "Number of Copies".

[0218] If the set sending destination is a cloud storage service with metadata, and if there is a value that can be input based on information about metadata previously set for a similar form, the value is added to "Metadata". In the case where a character string in a scanned form is used as metadata similar to a file name, the value is added when it is determined that there is an identical character area.

[0219] Row S1401 indicates an example of partial analysis result information obtained when it is determined that a similar form exists in the cloud storage without metadata. The transmission destination cloud service and output information set for the similar form (ie, the form with the same form ID) are set.

[0220] Row S1402 indicates an example of partial analysis result information obtained when it is determined that a similar form exists in the cloud storage having metadata.

[0221] Row S1403 indicates an example of an analysis result obtained in a case where it is determined that no similar form exists.

[0222] As shown in rows S1401 and S1402, in the case where it is determined that a similar form exists, based on the settings and input information previously saved in association with the form ID ( Fig.19A or Fig.19B As shown in column S1403, since the previous settings and input information are not saved, if it is determined that there is no similar form, the default value held by the MFP cooperative service 120 is set as described below.

[0223] <Display Processing of Scan Form Subject to Similar Determination>

[0224] Fig.15 There is illustrated a flow of processing performed by the MFP cooperation service 120 acquiring information for displaying a scan form list screen and transmitting the information to the client PC 111 when a scan form list screen request to be transmitted in step S519 is issued.

[0225] Each process is realized by the CPU 311 loading a program stored in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 into the RAM 313 and executing the program. If the MFP cooperation service 120 receives an acquisition request for the scan form list screen from the client PC 111 in step S519, the MFP cooperation service 120 refers to the list of scan forms currently held by the MFP cooperation service 120 and analyzes the result information of the scan forms. The MFP cooperation service 120 refers to information corresponding to the user authenticated by the MFP cooperation service 120.

[0226] As illustrated in step S1501 , this process is repeated a number of times corresponding to the number of scan forms currently held by the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0227] In step S1502, the display control unit 435 determines whether the scanned form includes a similar form. Fig.14 This determination is made based on whether the value of the row "match" in the analysis result information illustrated in 1 indicates "true" or "false." In the case of "false," there is no similar form, so the process proceeds to determination in step S1503.

[0228] In step S1503, it is determined whether the settings last (previously) sent by the user are saved as described below: If the user has previously sent a scan form to the cloud storage 130, a part of the settings in step S544 is saved as default values.

[0229] If the user sends the scan form for the first time (No in step S1503), the process proceeds to steps S1504 and S1507. In step S1504, the default value of the setting unspecified button is acquired. In step S1507, the acquired default value is saved as the setting value of the scan form. Only the default value of the output setting is reflected as the specific default value of the setting unspecified button, and the setting values ​​of other settings are saved in an unset state.

[0230] If it is determined in step S1503 that there are settings last sent by the user (YES in step S1503), the process proceeds to step S1505. In step S1505, the transmission destination cloud service and output settings among the settings last sent by the user are reflected, while other settings are saved in an unset state.

[0231] If it is determined in step S1502 that a similar form exists (YES in step S1502), the process proceeds to step S1506. In step S1506, the setting values ​​acquired from the analysis result information are saved for the scanned form.

[0232] If there is a default value of the cloud storage 130 corresponding to the metadata, or if other settings are made in such a way that information that can be referred to by the MFP cooperation service 120 is input, such information is also saved for the scan form. Figure 5B and Fig.15 This process is not illustrated in FIG.

[0233] If the cloud storage 130 as the connection destination cannot be accessed or the transmission destination folder does not exist, the error point may be notified without saving the corresponding setting value.

[0234] If the processing of all scanned forms is completed, then in step S1508 , information including settings saved for the form is sent to the client PC 111 .

[0235] <Processing to be performed when saving scan form settings>

[0236] If the user clicks button 710 to save the scan form list screen and button 1103 to save the edit screen, the settings are saved for the scan form according to the changed settings and the setting information of the similar form is saved. Fig.19A or Fig.19B The information in the setting information management table illustrated in FIG. 1 is stored in memory, and the updated settings are reflected in the settings of similar scan forms thereafter.

[0237] Fig.16 The flowchart for saving the settings for the scan form is illustrated. Each process is realized by the CPU 311 loading a program stored in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 into the RAM 313 and executing the program.

[0238] When the save button is pressed, in step S1601 , the set contents are saved for the scan form.

[0239] In step S1602, it is determined whether the set content includes information indicating a cloud storage service having metadata.

[0240] If information indicating a cloud storage service with metadata is not included (No in step S1602), the process proceeds to step S1603. If information indicating a cloud storage service with metadata is included (Yes in step S1602), the process proceeds to step S1608.

[0241] In step S1608, it is determined whether metadata has been acquired.

[0242] If metadata has not been acquired ("No" in step S1608), the process proceeds to step S1609. Metadata is acquired in step S1609, and the process proceeds to step S1603. If metadata is acquired ("Yes" in step S1608), the process proceeds to step S1603. Even if the process proceeds to step S1603 after metadata is acquired in step S1609, step S1603 and subsequent steps are the same. However, the process including the acquired metadata is added to the process performed in step S1604 and subsequent steps.

[0243] The above processing is consistent with steps S533, S534, S536 and the subsequent Figure 5B S539 and S540 after the processing in the illustrated steps S532, S535, and S538 correspond to each other.

[0244] In step S1603, it is determined whether settings related to the setting information management table of a similar form among the settings saved for this form have been changed.

[0245] If the setting has not been changed ("No" in step S1603), the process ends. If the setting has been changed ("Yes" in step S1603), the process proceeds to step S1604. In step S1604, the contents of the setting are saved as the setting for similar forms from next time. That is, the update Fig.19A or Fig.19B The setting information management table illustrated in .

[0246] The setting values ​​to be updated include the transmission destination cloud storage service, the transmission destination folder, the output settings, and the character area for the file name in the table with the corresponding form ID.

[0247] In step S1605, it is determined whether the scan form list currently held by the MFP cooperation service 120 includes a form similar to the form whose settings have been changed.

[0248] If there is no similar form (No in step S1605), the process of saving the settings ends. If there is a similar form (Yes in step S1605), the process proceeds to step S1606. In step S1606, the contents in the newly updated setting information management table are reflected in the settings of the scan form.

[0249] In step S1607, the sending destination cloud storage service and the output settings among the setting values ​​of the scan form set this time are saved as the user's default values. The user's default values ​​are saved in association with the user and will be used thereafter as the default values ​​for the scan form that is scanned using the unspecified setting button and is determined to have no similar form.

[0250] <Processing of Changing a Delivery Destination or a Delivery Destination Folder Having Metadata>

[0251] Fig.17 Example of clicking Fig.12 In the case of the above-described transmission destination change button 1202 for changing the transmission destination cloud storage service and the transmission destination folder, the processing is performed by the MFP cooperation service 120 .

[0252] When the user clicks the transmission destination change button 1202, a confirmation message (not illustrated) asking whether clearing metadata is not a big deal is displayed on the client PC 111 in step S1701.

[0253] In step S1702, the display control unit 421 determines whether the user has clicked "OK" (not illustrated). If the display control unit 421 detects the click ("Yes" in step S1702), the process proceeds to step S1703. In step S1703, the set metadata is cleared. In other words, the metadata acquired from the cloud storage 130 is deleted from the settings of the scan form.

[0254] In step S1704 , the update information of the screen is transmitted from the MFP cooperation service 120 to the client PC 111 .

[0255] When the client PC 111 receives the refresh information of the screen, the screen is changed as follows. The display of the metadata is deleted from the job attribute area 704. The button 710 is changed from "Send" to "Save". The setting value displayed in the area 1201 and the sending destination change button 1202 return to the sending destination cloud storage service button 705 and the sending destination folder button 706. After that, the user can change the sending destination cloud storage or the sending destination folder again.

[0256] <Processing when sending a scan form>

[0257] Fig.18 A flow in which the MFP cooperation service 120 generates a file using information set for a scan form and transmits the generated file to a set transmission destination is illustrated.

[0258] This process is similar to Figure 5BEach process is realized by the CPU 311 loading a program stored in the ROM 312 or the HDD 314 of the MFP cooperation service 120 into the RAM 313 and executing the program.

[0259] When the send button 710 is pressed, in step S1801, the MFP cooperation service 120 saves the setting information indicated in the job attribute area 704 for the scan form. Fig.16 If no changes are made after the process of saving settings illustrated in , this process is skipped.

[0260] In step S1802, a file is generated using the set output settings and file name.

[0261] In step S1803, the cloud storage access unit 433 sends the file generated in step S1802 to the folder of the set destination cloud storage service. At this time, if there is a setting value of the metadata, the setting value is sent synchronously. Then the scanned form is saved in the cloud storage 130.

[0262] In step S1804, the settings of the scanned form sent this time are compared with the setting information of similar forms (i.e., the setting information management table having the form ID corresponding to the form sent this time). If the settings have not been changed ("No" in step S1804), the sending process ends.

[0263] If the setting is changed (YES in step S1804), the process proceeds to step S1805. In step S1805, the content of the setting is saved as the setting for the next similar form.

[0264] The processing performed in steps S1805 to S1808 is the same as Fig.16 The processes in steps S1604 to S1607 illustrated are the same.

[0265] According to the above exemplary embodiment, it is possible to enhance the operability of the user when sending a scanned form to a cloud storage. Usually, the user is required to set the sending destination cloud storage and output settings each time the scanned data is sent. Nevertheless, according to the present exemplary embodiment, if a similar form has been scanned and sent before, the previously set contents can be reflected in the settings newly used for scanning and sending the form. Therefore, it is possible to save the user the trouble of making new settings.

[0266] (Other embodiments)

[0267] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by reading and executing computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more completely referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or a computer of a system or device including one or more circuits (e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by, for example, reading and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium by the computer of the system or device to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments, and / or controlling the one or more circuits to perform one or more functions in the above-mentioned embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU)), and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a memory of a distributed computing system, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray disc (BD) TM ), flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0268] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by providing software (program) for performing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and a computer or a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0269] Although exemplary embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A web server capable of accessing a cloud service, the web server comprising: a providing unit for providing a setting screen for performing settings regarding transmission target image data to the client device; a transmitting section for transmitting the transmission target image data to the cloud service according to the setting regarding the transmission target image data received from the user of the client device on the setting screen; a storage section for storing settings regarding transmission target image data received from a user on a setting screen in association with both a type of the transmission target image data and information regarding the user; In which, in the case of providing a setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data, the providing unit provides the setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data in a state reflecting the settings stored in the storage unit, which are stored in association with the type of the newly sent target image data and information about the same user as the user who makes settings regarding the newly sent target image data.

2. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: The settings stored by the storage section include settings regarding at least one of a transmission destination of the image data, an area in the image data to be set for a file name, and a storage file format of the image data.

3. The Web server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The Web server is capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, and the transmission target image data is image data generated by reading a form using the image forming apparatus.

4. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: Transmission target image data similar to new transmission target image data is determined to be the same type of image data.

5. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: The type of the image data is determined based on at least the arrangement of the character area in the image data.

6. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where no setting regarding image data of the same type as the new transmission target image data is received from the user on the setting screen, the providing section provides the setting screen in a state where a part of the setting regarding the image data received from the user last time is reflected.

7. The Web server according to claim 6, wherein: The part of settings corresponds to settings regarding a transmission destination of image data and a storage file format of the image data.

8. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: The setting screen provided in a state where the stored settings are reflected is an operation screen in a state where the setting values ​​are set.

9. The Web server according to claim 1, further comprising an authentication unit for authenticating a user of the client device, in, The providing unit provides an operation screen corresponding to the user authenticated by the authenticating unit.

10. The Web server according to claim 9, wherein: The providing section provides a setting screen in a state where the setting corresponding to the user authenticated by the authenticating section and stored by the storage section is reflected in the setting screen.

11. The Web server according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where the storage section does not store settings regarding the same type of image data as the new transmission target image data, the providing section provides the settings screen in a state where a display indicating that the settings are not stored is performed.

12. An information processing method for a Web server capable of accessing a cloud service, the information processing method comprising: providing a setting screen for making settings regarding transmission target image data to the client device; transmitting the transmission target image data to the cloud service according to the setting regarding the transmission target image data received from the user of the client device on the setting screen; storing settings regarding transmission target image data received from a user on a settings screen in association with both the type of the transmission target image data and information regarding the user, In which, in the case where a setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data is to be provided, a setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data is provided in a state reflecting settings stored in association with both the type of newly sent target image data and information of the same user as the user who makes settings regarding the newly sent target image data among the stored settings.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform an information processing method for a Web server capable of accessing a cloud service, the information processing method comprising: providing a setting screen for making settings regarding transmission target image data to the client device; transmitting the transmission target image data to the cloud service according to the setting regarding the transmission target image data received from the user of the client device on the setting screen; storing settings regarding transmission target image data received from a user on a settings screen in association with both the type of the transmission target image data and information regarding the user, In which, in the case where a setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data is to be provided, a setting screen for making settings regarding newly sent target image data is provided in a state reflecting settings stored in association with both the type of newly sent target image data and information of the same user as the user who makes settings regarding the newly sent target image data among the stored settings.

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