Image processing apparatus, image processing system, and image processing method

Abstract

The invention provides an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method. An image processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a scanning unit configured to scan an original to generate image data; an acquisition unit configured to acquire information about participants of the online conference from the online conference service; a determination unit configured to determine a recipient based on the acquired information; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the generated image data to the recipient determined by the determination unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing system and an image processing method. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-273256 discloses a technology for identifying users participating in an online conference based on a video image and sending a scanned image to the identified user. This enables materials to be shared among participants in the online conference, thereby enabling information to be shared more smoothly.

[0003] When image data generated by scanning is sent from an image forming device to a participant of an online conference, it is necessary to input the recipient information of the participant at the image forming device. In the case of many participants, inputting the recipient information becomes troublesome. In addition, in the case of not knowing the participants of the online conference, there is also the trouble of checking the participants from the schedule information of the online conference system.

[0004] The present invention provides a technology for conveniently sending image data generated by scanning to participants of an online conference. Summary of the invention

[0005] The image processing device of the present invention includes: a scanning unit, which is configured to scan an original to generate image data; an acquisition unit, which is configured to acquire information about participants of an online conference from an online conference service; a determination unit, which is configured to determine a recipient based on the acquired information; and a sending unit, which is configured to send the generated image data to the recipient determined by the determination unit.

[0006] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a configuration diagram of the network.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral (MFP).

[0009] Figure 3 It is a configuration diagram of the terminal device.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a configuration diagram of the online conference server.

[0011] Figure 5 Is a diagram of the configuration of an email server.

[0012] Figure 6An example of conference schedule information managed by an online conference server is shown.

[0013] Figure 7 An example of user information managed by an online conference server is shown.

[0014] Figure 8 is a timing diagram of sending scan data to participants in an online meeting.

[0015] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B Flowchart of the process of sending scanned data to participants of an online meeting.

[0016] Fig.10 is a diagram showing a graphical user interface (GUI) for scan-to-email.

[0017] Fig.11 is a view showing a scan to online meeting participants button.

[0018] Fig.12 : is a view showing a job setting screen associated with a Scan to Online Conference Participants button.

[0019] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B Flowchart for sending scanned data using the Scan to Online Meeting Participants button.

[0020] Fig.14 is a diagram of a GUI showing a scan to online conference participants button.

[0021] Fig.15 is a view showing the GUI of a chat application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention according to the claims, and that combinations of all features described in the embodiments are not essential to the solutions of the present invention.

[0023] First embodiment

[0024] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0025] Figure 1 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the present invention. Figure 1In the image processing system shown, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 200 and a plurality of terminal devices 300a to 300c are communicatively connected to an online conference server 400 and an email server 500 via a network 100. Note that the network 100 of this example may be the Internet or a local area network (LAN). In addition, the network 100 may be wired or wireless.

[0026] The MFP 200 has a function of scanning and digitizing a paper manuscript. The MFP 200 attaches the scanned data to an email message so as to send it to one or more recipients specified by the user, and sends it to the email server 500. The terminal devices 300a to 300c are electronic devices, such as personal computers (PCs), smart phones, and tablet computers owned by users. The online conference server 400 is a server that communicates with the terminal devices 300a to 300c connected via the network 100 and manages online conferences conducted using the terminal devices 300a to 300c. The email server 500 forwards the email message sent from the MFP 200 to the user terminals 300a to 300c designated as recipients using protocols such as the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). In the following description, when the terminal devices 300a to 300c are processed equally, the terminal devices 300a to 300c are collectively described as the terminal device 300.

[0027] Figure 22 is a view showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 200. The MFP 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read-only memory (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a memory 204, an operation unit 205, a printing unit 206, a reading unit 207, and a communication unit 208. The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire MFP 200. The CPU 201 reads a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the memory 204 into the RAM 203 to perform various controls such as reading control and printing control. The ROM 202 stores the control program executable by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a main memory, which is used as a work area or a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the memory 204. The memory 204 stores image data, print data, various programs, and various setting information. In this example, a flash memory is assumed as the memory 204, but an auxiliary memory device such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) may also be used. Alternatively, an embedded multimedia card (eMMC) may be used. Although it is assumed in this example that the MFP 200 has a CPU 201 that uses a RAM 203 to perform each process shown in the sequence described later, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and memories may collaborate to perform each process shown in the flowchart described later. In addition, it is acceptable to use hardware circuits (such as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)) to perform some processes.

[0028] The operation unit 205 includes a display unit such as a touch screen and hardware keys. The operation unit 205 displays information to the user and detects input from the user. The printing unit 206 prints the image data (print data) stored in the RAM 203 onto a recording sheet fed from the paper drawer. The reading unit 207 reads the image of the original document, and the CPU 201 converts the image into image data such as binary data. Note that the reading unit 207 is equipped with a feeder for conveying the original document, which can convey multiple original documents placed on the platen glass, so that the image of the conveyed original document can be scanned. The image data generated based on the image read by the reading unit 207 is sent to an external device or printed on a recording sheet. The communication unit 208 is connected to the network 100. In addition, the communication unit 208 sends the image data to an external device on the network 100 or receives the print data from the terminal device 300. As a method of sending and receiving via the network 100, it is possible to send and receive using e-mail, and to transfer files using other protocols such as file transfer protocol (FTP), service message block (SMB), Web distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), etc. In addition, by using access via hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) communication from the terminal device 300, various setting data can be sent and received via the network 100.

[0029] Figure 3300. The terminal device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a memory 304, a camera 305, a display unit 306, a microphone 307, a speaker 308, and a communication unit 309. The CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 300. The CPU 301 reads the control program stored in the ROM 302 or the memory 304 into the RAM 303 to perform various processes for controlling the operation of the terminal device 300. The ROM 302 stores the control program that can be executed by the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is a main memory, which is used as a work area, or a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the memory 304. The memory 304 stores application data, various programs, and various setting information. The camera 305 is a camera device that uses an image sensor that converts light into an electrical signal to input information of the surrounding environment as image data. The display unit 306 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel. The display unit 306 displays image data processed by the CPU 301 or image data input via the camera 305. The microphone 307 converts sound into audio data, and the speaker 308 outputs audio data input from the microphone 307 or an audio signal processed by the CPU 301. The communication unit 309 transmits / receives data to / from the online conference server 400, the email server 500, and the MFP 200 via the network 100. Figure 3 The configuration shown is only an example, and the terminal 300 does not need to be equipped with all of these units.

[0030] Figure 44 is a view showing an example of the hardware configuration of the online conference server 400. The CPU 401 reads the control program stored in the ROM 402, thereby performing various processes to control the operation of the online conference service provided by the online conference server 400. The ROM 402 stores the control program. The RAM 403 is used as the main memory of the CPU 401, and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 404 stores various data, such as video, audio, user information of online conference participants, and schedule information of the online conference. The communication unit 405 can send / receive data to / from various devices (such as the MFP 200 and the terminal device 300) via the network 100. Upon receiving the instruction to start the online conference reported from the terminal device 300, the online conference server 400 generates motion image data according to the audio and video data sent from the terminal device 300, and sends it to the terminal device 300. In addition, the online conference server 400 issues a conference uniform resource locator (URL) for participating in the online conference, and the participants of the online conference can join the online conference by accessing the issued conference URL. Note that the communication unit 405 can perform wired communication using Ethernet or wireless communication using Wi-Fi or the like.

[0031] Figure 5 5 is a view illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the email server 500. The CPU 501 reads the control program stored in the ROM 502, thereby performing various processes to control the operation of the email server 500. The ROM 502 stores the control program. The RAM 503 is used as a main memory of the CPU 501, and a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 504 stores various data such as email data and email address information. The email server 500 has an email receiving and forwarding function provided by a service such as SMTP. The communication unit 505 receives emails and electronic data attached to emails sent from the MFP 200 via the network 100, and forwards them to the terminal device 300. Note that the communication unit 505 can perform wired communication using Ethernet or wireless communication using Wi-Fi or the like.

[0032] Figure 6It is an example of an online conference schedule stored in the HDD 404 of the online conference server 400. The schedule contains schedule information consisting of the meeting name, date and time, participants, organizers, and conference URLs for joining the meetings of each online conference. When the organizer of the online conference wants to hold an online conference, the organizer sends a meeting instruction including the meeting name, date and time, and the expected participants from the terminal device 300 to the online conference server 400. Upon receiving the meeting instruction, the online conference server 400 issues a meeting URL, associates it with the meeting name, etc. included in the meeting instruction, and adds them to the schedule as schedule information. The schedule contains not only the schedule information of the ongoing or upcoming online conference, but also the schedule information of the past online conference. In addition, in response to a request for schedule information from the MFP 200 and the terminal device 300, the online conference server 400 sends back the requested schedule information. For example, in response to a request from MFP 200 for schedule information of a line conference in which a specific user participates, the line conference server 400 searches the list for schedule information of line conferences whose participants include the user, and sends the requested schedule information back to MFP 200 .

[0033] Figure 7 An example of a user information list of users participating in an online conference stored in the HDD 404 of the online conference server 400 is illustrated. The user information list contains user information, such as the user name of each user, and an email address and a chat ID used as an address for sending electronic data to individual users. The user name is a name used to identify an individual in an online conference, and is used to specify participants in an online conference or indicate users participating in a conference. User information is information pre-registered when using an online conference service, but it is acceptable to register only one of the email address or chat ID. In addition, the recipient information to be registered is not limited to an email or chat service address; it can also include a URL or fax number of a cloud storage prepared for each person, as long as they are services that can send electronic data.

[0034] Figure 8 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a time sequence example in which a file scanned and generated by the MFP 200 is sent to a participant of an online conference via e-mail. Fig.10 The home screen 1001 shown in the figure shows a scan-to-email button 1002 (described later) to start Figure 8 The timing shown.

[0035] In S801, the user enters the user ID and password of the user on the operation unit 205 of the MFP 200, thereby logging into the online conference system. In the information acquisition request to the online conference server 400 in the following steps, it is assumed that the token information obtained by sending the user ID and password entered in S801 to the online conference server 400 is used. Note that the user ID and password entered by the user in S801 can be directly used for authentication. In addition, it is acceptable to use the login information stored in the MFP 200 as the login information entered by the user in S801; in this case, the user proceeds to step S802 without entering the login information to the online conference server 400.

[0036] In S802 , the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 controls the communication unit 208 to transmit the login information input in S801 to the online conference server 400 .

[0037] In S803 , upon receiving the login information transmitted from the MFP 200 in S802 , the online conference server 400 issues a token required for an information acquisition request to the online conference server 400 , and transmits the token to the MFP 200 .

[0038] In S804, the user operates on a screen for setting a recipient of the scanned data to select a line conference as a recipient from among items of schedule information of the line conference.

[0039] In S805, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 controls the communication unit 208 to request schedule information from the online conference server 400 via HTTP communication. Specifically, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 sends the token information obtained in S803 and information indicating a request for schedule information of such an online conference: the participants of the online conference include the user indicated by the token information to the online conference server 400. Note that the requested schedule information is not limited to the upcoming schedule, and can also include schedule information of past online conferences.

[0040] Additionally, it is acceptable to request schedule information focused on upcoming meetings.

[0041] In S806, the CPU 401 of the online conference server 400 checks whether access is allowed based on the token information attached to the schedule information acquisition request sent from the communication unit 208 of the MFP 200 in S805. If access is allowed, a search is performed based on the schedule information acquisition request to find the schedule information of such an online conference: the participants of the online conference include the user indicated by the token information. As the search result, the corresponding schedule information and the user information associated with the user name of the participant of the online conference included in each item of the schedule information are sent to the MFP 200 via the communication unit 405 of the online conference server 400 as the response information of the HTTP communication.

[0042] In S807, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 generates an online conference selection screen 1012 based on the schedule information received in S806. When the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed on the operation unit 205, the MFP 200 waits for the user's operation. The online conference selection screen 1012 will be displayed in Fig.10 is described in the description.

[0043] In S808 , when the online conference is selected on the online conference selection screen 1012 , the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 determines the online conference in which the user who is the recipient participates.

[0044] In S809, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 generates a recipient selection screen 1014 based on the schedule information and user information of the online conference selected in S808. On the recipient selection screen 1014, the email addresses associated with the user names of the participants included in the schedule information are displayed on the recipient selection screen 1014. The user can select a recipient from the email address list displayed on the recipient selection screen 1014 to send the scan data. The MFP 200 sets the email address selected by the user as the recipient of the scan-to-email. The recipient selection screen 1014 will display the recipient information. Fig.10 is described in the description.

[0045] In S810 , the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 accepts a Scan-to-Email execution instruction via the operation unit 205 .

[0046] In S811, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 controls the reading unit 207 to scan a document and generate an image file.

[0047] In S812 , the MFP 200 transmits the image file generated in S811 to the e-mail address set to the e-mail server 500 in S809 via the communication unit 208 .

[0048] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B The flowchart is composed as follows: This flowchart shows an example of processing of sending scanned data to participants in an online conference by using Scan to Email. The processing of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 reading the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203. In addition, the MFP 200 starts when the power is turned on. Fig.9A and Fig. 9B The process shown.

[0049] In S901, the CPU 201 determines whether a Scan to Email button 1002 (described later) has been selected. If it is determined that the button 1002 has been selected, the process proceeds to S902. Otherwise, the process returns to S901.

[0050] In S902 , the CPU 201 displays the Scan to Email screen 1003 on the operation unit 205 .

[0051] In S903 , the CPU 201 detects that the recipient setting button 1005 on the Scan to Email screen 1003 is selected.

[0052] In S904, the CPU 201 detects that the online conference button 1007 as the recipient setter is selected.

[0053] In S905, the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to log in to the online conference server 400 using the login information pre-stored in the MFP 200. If the login information is not pre-registered in the MFP 200, a login screen capable of inputting the login information may be displayed on the operation unit 205 in S905, and the online conference server 400 may be logged in using the input login information. If the stored login information is to be used, the login information registered in association with the user who logs in to the MFP 200 may be used. This allows the user to easily log in and access the online conference service by logging in to the MFP 200. Therefore, the MFP 200 can acquire the schedule information and the recipient information corresponding to the user who logs in to the MFP 200.

[0054] In S906, for the login information sent in S905, the CPU 201 determines whether a token has been received from the online conference server 400. Specifically, if the status code in the HTTP communication response indicates an error, or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be obtained, it is determined that the token has not been received. If it is determined that the token has been received, the process proceeds to S907. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S917.

[0055] In S917 , the CPU 201 displays information indicating that the MFP 200 cannot log in to the online conference server 400 on the Scan to Email screen 1003 .

[0056] In S907 , the CPU 201 executes a process of transmitting information indicating the schedule information requested in the HTTP communication to the online conference server 400 , using the token information acquired in S906 .

[0057] In S908, in response to the schedule information request sent in S907, the CPU 201 determines whether the CPU 201 has received schedule information from the online conference server 400. Specifically, if the status code in the HTTP communication response indicates an error, or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be obtained, it is determined that the schedule information has not been received. If it is determined that the schedule information has been received, the process proceeds to S909. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S918.

[0058] In S918, the CPU 201 displays information indicating that the online conference information cannot be acquired on the online conference selection screen 1012. At this time, the online conference selection screen 1012 does not display any options for the online conference.

[0059] In S919, the CPU 201 determines whether the return button 1013 has been selected. If it is determined that the return button 1013 has been selected, the process returns to S907. Otherwise, the process returns to S919.

[0060] In S909, the CPU 201 displays a list based on the schedule information received from the online conference server 400 on the online conference selection screen 1012. The list of schedule information received from the online conference server 400 contains the schedule information of the online conference corresponding to the token information sent with the request in S907. In other words, a list of schedules of online conferences corresponding to the user logged in to the online conference service is displayed. The online conference corresponding to the user logged in to the online conference service is an online conference that the user has participated in or plans to participate in. In addition, the schedule information includes information related to the participants of each online conference. For example, the schedule information includes the name of the user who is participating in or has participated in a specified online conference, and the recipient information.

[0061] In S910, the CPU 201 detects via the operation unit 205 whether an online conference has been selected on the online conference selection screen 1012. If it is determined that the online conference has been selected, the process switches to S911. Otherwise, the process switches to S909. The method of detecting the selection is whether any item in the list displayed on the online conference selection screen 1012 has been selected.

[0062] In the case of a screen configuration in which a confirmation button is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 205 , the same transition is performed when the confirmation button is selected.

[0063] In S911, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display an e-mail address on the recipient selection screen 1014 that is the recipient information of the user who is a participant of the online conference selected in S910. On the recipient selection screen 1014, the e-mail addresses of all users participating in the online conference selected in S910 are displayed, and a recipient can be selected from them to send the scanned data. In addition, in S911, the CPU 201 can be controlled to display the recipient selection screen 1014 in a pre-configured state in which the e-mail address identical to the e-mail address of the logged-in user used in S905 cannot be selected as a recipient. In addition, if the selection of the online conference or the schedule of the online conference results in the recipient information of the online conference participant being automatically determined (set) as the recipient of the e-mail without displaying the recipient selection screen, the recipient information of the user who logs in to the MFP 200 (the user who logs in to the online conference) may not be used as the recipient. This allows unnecessary e-mail transmission to be omitted when the sender of the image data is included as a participant of the online conference.

[0064] In S912, the CPU 201 determines whether the black and white start key 1010 or the color start key 1011 displayed on the operation unit 205 has been selected. If it is determined that the key 1010 or 1011 has been selected, the process advances to S913. Otherwise, the process returns to S912.

[0065] In S913 , the CPU 201 controls the reading unit 207 based on the scan setting so as to read the document and generate image data.

[0066] In S914, the CPU 201 converts the image data generated in S913 into the file format set on the transmission setting screen.

[0067] In S915, the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to attach the file generated in S914 to the email message and send it to the email server 500. Here, the recipient set for the email message may be the recipient information (email address) selected by the user on the recipient selection screen 1014. In addition, the recipient set for the email message may include the recipient information of multiple participants of such an online conference that is determined as a destination by selecting an online conference on the online conference selection screen 1012.

[0068] In S916, the CPU 201 determines whether the email message sent in S915 has been successfully sent to the email server 500. Specifically, if the status code in the SMTP response indicates an error, it is determined that the email message has not been successfully sent. In the case where it is determined that the email message has been successfully sent, the operation unit 205 displays that the email message has been successfully sent. Otherwise, the operation unit 205 displays that the sending failed.

[0069] Fig.10 1001 is a view showing an example of screen transition in sending scan data to a participant of an online conference via Scan to Email. When a Scan to Email button 1002 displayed on the Home screen 1001 is selected, a Scan to Email screen 1003 is displayed on the operation unit 205 .

[0070] A reset button 1009 is displayed on the scan to email screen 1003. When the reset button 1009 is selected, the setting information is cleared. At this time, the set recipient information and the sending setting are cleared. In addition, when the black and white start key 1010 or the color start key 1011 is selected, scanning is started, and the generated image file is attached to the email message and sent to the email server 500.

[0071] When the recipient setting button 1005 is selected, the scan to email screen 1003 is displayed. On this screen, objects for setting an email address as a recipient are displayed. For example, a button for displaying a keyboard screen, a button for selecting a recipient from an address book registered in the MFP 200 or from an email address registered in a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server, and an online conference button 1007 for selecting a recipient from participants in an online conference are selectively displayed. In the recipient display column 1004, the email address set as a recipient by the online conference button 1007 or the like is displayed. In addition, the number of recipients set is displayed in the recipient number column 1008.

[0072] When the send setting button 1006 is selected, a send setting screen 1019 is displayed. On this screen, scan settings and send settings such as the scan size of the document to be scanned, the file format, and the file name can be selected and confirmed.

[0073] When the online conference button 1007 is selected, the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed. Based on the online conference information received by the MFP 200 from the online conference server 400, a list of online conferences displayed on the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed. For example, the conference name, date and time, and number of participants of each online conference are displayed. On this screen, an online conference that the user who is the recipient is participating in can be selected. When an online conference is selected on the online conference selection screen 1012, a recipient selection screen 1014 is displayed, which displays the email addresses of the participants of the selected online conference. When the return button 1013 is selected, the scan to email screen 1003 is displayed again.

[0074] On the recipient selection screen 1014, an email address to be a recipient of the scan-to-email can be selected. For example, the email addresses designated as recipients are displayed with a check mark indicating that they are recipients. When an email address designated as a recipient is selected, it is excluded from the recipients and the check mark indicating that it is a recipient will be hidden.

[0075] In the recipient number column 1016, the number of email addresses selected as recipients is displayed. The recipient selection screen 1014 can display the email addresses of all online conference participants pre-selected as recipients. Alternatively, the recipient selection screen 1014 can be displayed in a pre-configured state, in which the email address that is the same as the email address of the user who logged in to the online conference server 400 cannot be selected as a recipient. In addition, if the online conference selected in the online conference selection screen 1012 is currently in progress or has already occurred, the recipient selection screen 1014 can only display the email addresses of users who have accessed the conference URL of the online conference. When the return button 1015 is selected, the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed again. When the confirmation button 1017 is selected, the scan to email screen 1018 is displayed. At this time, the recipient display bar 1004 displays the object of the online conference selected on the online conference selection screen 1012, and the email address selected as the recipient on the recipient selection screen 1014.

[0076] With the above configuration, scanned data can be sent to participants of an online conference without setting an email address as a recipient.

[0077] Second embodiment

[0078] In the first embodiment, a Scan-to-Email example is described in which the MFP 200 transmits scan data to the E-mail server 500. In the second embodiment, an example in which the MFP 200 transmits scan data to a chat server will be described.

[0079] Fig.11 1 is a view showing an example in which a home screen 1101 according to the second embodiment displays a scan-to-online-meeting-participant button 1102 for sending scanned data to participants of an online meeting using scan-to-chat. The scan-to-online-meeting-participant button 1102 is a button for executing a job according to a scan setting and a send setting set by a button setting (described later), and is displayed on the home screen after the button setting.

[0080] Fig.12 1102 is a view showing an example of a button setting screen for setting a job to be executed using the Scan to Online Conference Participant button 1102. The button setting can be configured by accessing a button setting page provided by the MFP 200 from the browser 1201. The logged-in user column 1202 displays the user name of the user who logs in to the MFP 200 and configures the button setting from the browser. In order to configure the button setting, the user logs in to the MFP 200 as a user with administrator authority of the MFP 200 or a general user with permission to configure the button setting. When the logout button 1203 is selected, the user logs out of the MFP 200, and the browser 1201 displays a screen indicating that the user has logged out of the MFP 200.

[0081] The button name column 1206 is used to set the button name displayed on the home screen. The selection column 1207 is used to select the online conference service from which the MFP 200 will request schedule information. The selection column 1207 displays a list of online conference services whose schedule information acquisition process the MFP 200 can process, and selecting the desired online conference service can acquire schedule information. The login ID column 1208 and the password column 1209 are used to set the login ID and password to log in to the online conference service selected in the selection column 1207.

[0082] The sending type column 1210 is used to select the type of sending scan data. The sending types include, for example, email, chat, and cloud storage services. The MFP 200 sends the scan data to the outside according to the sending type set in the sending type column 1210. The switching button 1211 is a button for switching the screen display to a screen display that is used to input information required to send the scan data by the sending type selected in the sending type column 1210. For example, in response to selecting the switching button 1211 in a state where "chat" is selected in the sending type column 1210, the following processing is performed. A chat service selection column 1212, input columns (1213 and 1214) for inputting a login ID and password to log in to the selected chat service, and a text column 1215 for setting a predetermined message to be posted when registering in the chat are displayed.

[0083] A scan size selection field 1216 , a color mode selection field 1217 , and a file format selection field 1218 are used to configure scan settings, and a scan job is executed according to the scan settings configured in the fields 1216 to 1218 .

[0084] When the OK button 1204 is selected, the MFP 200 stores the job settings configured in the fields 1206 to 1218 in the memory 204, and displays a button for executing the job according to the scan settings on the home screen 1101. When the Cancel button 1205 is selected, the information configured in the fields 1206 to 1218 is cleared, and the button setting is terminated.

[0085] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B The flowchart is composed as follows: This flowchart shows an example of a process of sending scanned data to a participant of an online conference via Scan to Chat. The CPU 201 of the MFP 200 reads the program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 to execute the processing of this flowchart. In addition, the MFP 200 starts when the power is turned on. Fig.13A and Fig. 13B The process shown.

[0086] In S1301, the CPU 201 determines whether a Fig.12 The button shown is set to perform a job of scanning to online conference participants button 1102. If it is determined that button 1102 is selected, the process proceeds to S1302. Otherwise, the process returns to S1301.

[0087] In S1302 , the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to transmit the information set in the login ID field 1208 and the password field 1209 to the online conference server 400 in order to log in to the online conference service selected in the selection field 1207 .

[0088] In S1303, for the login information sent in S1302, the CPU 201 determines whether a token has been received from the online conference server 400. Specifically, if the status code in the HTTP communication response indicates an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be obtained, it is determined that the token has not been received. If it is determined that the token has been received, the process proceeds to S1304. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1314.

[0089] In S1314 , the CPU 201 displays information on the operation unit 205 indicating that the user cannot log in to the online conference server 400 .

[0090] In S1304, the CPU 201 executes a process of transmitting information indicating the schedule information requested in the HTTP communication to the online conference server 400 using the token information acquired in S1303.

[0091] In S1305, for the schedule information request sent in S1304, the CPU 201 determines whether the schedule information has been received from the online conference server 400. Specifically, if the status code in the HTTP communication response indicates an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be obtained, it is determined that the schedule information has not been received. If it is determined that the schedule information has been received, the process proceeds to S1306. Otherwise, the process proceeds to S1315.

[0092] In S1315, the CPU 201 displays information indicating that the online conference information cannot be received on the online conference selection screen 1403. At this time, the online conference selection screen 1403 does not display any options for the online conference.

[0093] In S1316, the CPU 201 determines whether the return button 1404 is selected. If it is determined that the return button 1404 is selected, the process returns to S1304. Otherwise, the process returns to S1316.

[0094] In S1306 , the CPU 201 displays a list based on the schedule information received from the online conference server 400 on the online conference selection screen 1403 .

[0095] In S1307, the CPU 201 detects, through the operation unit 205, whether an online conference in which the user designated as the recipient is participating is selected on the online conference selection screen 1403. If it is determined that this online conference is selected, the process switches to S1308. Otherwise, the process switches to S1306. The method of detecting the selection is whether any item in the list displayed on the online conference selection screen 1403 has been selected. In the case of a screen configuration in which a confirmation button is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 205, the same transition is performed when the confirmation button is selected.

[0096] In S1308, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the chat ID of the user who is participating in the online conference selected in S1307 on the recipient selection screen 1405. The recipient selection screen 1405 displays the chat IDs of all users who are participating in the online conference selected in S1307, and the recipient for sending the scanned data can be selected from these chat IDs. In addition, in S1308, the CPU 201 can be controlled to display the recipient selection screen 1405 in a pre-configured state in which the chat ID that is the same as the chat ID of the logged-in user used in S1302 cannot be selected as a recipient.

[0097] In S1309, the CPU 201 determines whether the Yes button 1410 displayed on the operation unit 205 has been selected. If it is determined that the Yes button 1410 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1310. Otherwise, the process returns to S1309.

[0098] In S1310 , the CPU 201 controls the reading unit 207 to read the document and generate image data based on the scan settings configured in the scan size selection field 1216 and the color mode selection field 1217 .

[0099] In S1311 , the CPU 201 converts the image data generated in S1310 into the file format set in the file format selection field 1218 .

[0100] In S1312, CPU 201 controls communication unit 208 to transmit the file generated in S1311 to the chat server. In addition, the message set in text field 1215 can be posted to the chat server together with the file transmission.

[0101] In S1313, the CPU 201 determines whether the scan data sent in S1312 has been successfully sent to the chat server. Specifically, if the status code in the HTTP response indicates an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the scan data cannot be received, it is determined that the sending of the scan data has failed. In the case where it is determined that the scan data has been successfully sent, it is displayed on the operation unit 205 that the scan data has been successfully sent. Otherwise, it is displayed on the operation unit 205 that the sending has failed.

[0102] Fig.14 1 is a view showing an example of screen transition in the process of sending scanned data to participants of an online conference through a chat by using Scan to Online Conference Participants. In response to the selection of the Scan to Online Conference Participants button 1402 displayed on the home screen 1401, an online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed. Based on the online conference information received by the MFP 200 from the online conference server 400, a list of online conferences displayed on the online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed. For example, the conference name, date and time, and number of participants of each online conference are displayed. On this screen, an online conference that a user who is a recipient is participating in can be selected. When an online conference is selected on the online conference selection screen 1403, a recipient selection screen 1405 is displayed, which displays the chat ID of the participant of the selected online conference. When the return button 1404 is selected, the home screen 1401 is displayed again.

[0103] In the recipient selection screen 1405, a chat ID can be selected as a recipient of the scan-to-chat. For example, the chat IDs designated as recipients will be displayed in the form of a check mark, indicating that they are recipients. When a chat ID designated as a recipient is selected, it is excluded from the recipients, and the check mark indicating that it is a recipient will be hidden. In the recipient number bar 1407, the number of chat IDs selected as recipients is displayed. The recipient selection screen 1405 can display the chat IDs of all online conference participants who are pre-selected as recipients. Optionally, the recipient selection screen 1405 can be displayed in a pre-configured state, in which the chat ID that is the same as the chat ID of the user who logged in to the online conference server 400 cannot be selected as a recipient. In addition, if the online conference selected on the online conference selection screen 1403 is currently in progress or has already occurred, the recipient selection screen 1405 can only display the chat IDs of users who have accessed the conference URL of the online conference. When the return button 1406 is selected, the online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed again. When the confirmation button 1408 is selected, the job setting confirmation screen 1409 is displayed, indicating the recipient and the scan setting. When the yes button 1410 displayed on the job setting confirmation screen 1409 is selected, the scanned data is sent to the chat ID selected on the recipient selection screen 1405. When the no button 1411 is selected, the home screen 1401 is displayed again.

[0104] Fig.15 is a view showing an example in which scan data transmitted from the MFP 200 is received by the chat server and a notification indicating a recipient is displayed on the chat application.

[0105] The chat application screen 1501 is displayed on the display unit 306 of the terminal device 300 .

[0106] The logged-in user ID column 1502 displays the chat ID of the user logged in to the chat server. The user selection column 1503 displays a list of user IDs that can exchange messages and files through chat. By selecting the desired user, the exchange of messages and files begins through the chat with the selected user. The recipient user ID column 1504 displays the user ID of the user selected in the user selection column 1503. The chat column 1505 displays the exchange through chat between the user (UserA_chat) displayed in the recipient user ID column 1504 and the user (UserB_chat) logged in to the chat application. The message bubble 1506 displays the message 1508 sent by UserB_chat together with its sending date and time 1507. A message can be sent by entering any string in the message input column 1512. The message bubble 1509 indicates that the user with the chat ID UserA_chat uses the Scan to Online Conference Participant button to send the scanned data to the participant UserB_chat of the online conference. The message bubble 1509 is accompanied by a message 1510 and scan data 1511 set in the text field 1215 .

[0107] With the above configuration, the scanned data can be sent to the participants of the online conference without setting the chat ID as the recipient.

[0108] Other embodiments

[0109] 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.

[0110] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An image processing device, comprising: A scanning unit, used for scanning an original document to generate image data; An acquisition unit, used to acquire information about participants of the online conference from the online conference service; a determination unit, configured to determine a recipient based on the acquired information; as well as The sending unit is used to send the generated image data to the recipient determined by the determining unit.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit, configured to display recipient information of participants of the online conference included in the acquired information, The determining unit determines the recipient information selected by the user from the displayed recipient information as the recipient.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The acquisition unit also acquires the schedule information of the online meeting, and The display unit displays recipient information of a participant corresponding to schedule information selected by a user from among the schedule information.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The determination unit does not determine, as the addressee, addressee information that is included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit and corresponds to a user who logs in to the image processing apparatus.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A feeding unit for conveying originals, The scanning unit scans the document transported by the feeding unit and generates image data.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The recipient information is an email address, and The sending unit sends the generated image data via e-mail.

7. An image processing system, comprising: A scanning unit, used for scanning an original document to generate image data; An acquisition unit, used to acquire information about participants of the online conference from the online conference service; a determination unit, configured to determine a recipient based on the acquired information; as well as The sending unit is used to send the generated image data to the recipient determined by the determining unit.

8. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising: a display unit, configured to display recipient information of participants of the online conference included in the acquired information, The determining unit determines the recipient information selected by the user from the displayed recipient information as the recipient.

9. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein: The acquisition unit also acquires the schedule information of the online meeting, and The display unit displays recipient information of a participant corresponding to schedule information selected by a user from among schedule information.

10. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein: The determination unit does not determine, as a recipient, recipient information that is included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit and corresponds to a user who logs in to an image processing apparatus included in the image processing system.

11. The image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising: A feeding unit for conveying originals, The scanning unit scans the document transported by the feeding unit and generates image data.

12. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein: The recipient information is an email address, and The sending unit sends the generated image data via e-mail.

13. An image processing method, comprising: Scanning an original to generate image data; obtain information about participants in online conferences from online conference services; Determine the recipient based on the acquired information; as well as The generated image data is sent to the recipient determined in the determination.

14. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising: displaying recipient information of participants of the online conference included in the acquired information, The determining step includes determining the recipient information selected by the user from the displayed recipient information as the recipient.

15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein: The acquisition also acquires the schedule information of the online meeting, and The display displays the schedule information of the participant corresponding to the schedule information selected by the user from the schedule information.

16. The image processing method according to claim 13, further comprising: Transmit the original, The scanning scans the original document transmitted by the transmission and generates image data.

17. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein: The recipient information is an email address, and Send Sends the generated image data via e-mail.

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