System, reading device, method, and program

Abstract

To provide a system, a reading device, and a method for securely acquiring a scanned file.SOLUTION: An MFP 101 that is a reading device uploads a scan file obtained by reading a document image to a storage server 106 (S506), acquires a code that is an access code for accessing an upload destination of the scan file (S511), and displays the access code on a display panel that is a display unit (S512). A portable terminal reads the code on the display unit, acquires information indicating the upload destination of the scan file, accesses the upload destination of the scan file according to the acquired information, and downloads the scan file. The information indicating the upload destination of the scan file includes recognition information related to an access to the upload destination of the scan file.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a reading device, a method and a program for acquiring a file containing data obtained by scanning. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a system in which a file obtained by scanning an original with a multifunction peripheral (MFP) is acquired and stored in an information terminal such as a smartphone. In such a system, a dedicated application installed in the information terminal directly communicates with and controls the MFP to acquire the scanned file. In addition, in the system, a file scanned by the MFP may be attached to an e-mail and sent to the information terminal. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a file is sent to the information terminal using access information printed by the MFP, eliminating the need for an input operation to set an e-mail address for the MFP. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6339167 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a dedicated application installed on an information terminal is started to acquire a scanned file, it is necessary to install the dedicated application and to set up for direct communication with the MFP. Also, access information printed out as in Patent Document 1 is highly likely to be acquired by a third party.

[0005] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for realizing a system for securely acquiring scanned files with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the system of the present invention is a system including a reading device and a server, wherein the reading device is equipped with a reading means for reading an original image, an uploading means for uploading image data obtained by reading the original image with the reading means to the server, and a display control means for displaying an access code generated by a generation means for generating an access code and for downloading the image data on a screen of a display unit of the reading device, wherein the portable terminal executes download of the uploaded image data using information for downloading the image data obtained by the portable terminal based on reading the access code displayed on the screen by the portable terminal, and authentication information required for access using information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen on which the access code is displayed, and the display control means displays a message prompting the user to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit on the screen together with the access code. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a system for securely acquiring scanned files can be realized with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a system for acquiring a scan file. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a portable terminal. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP. [Figure 4]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a management server and a storage server. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the system. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation up to obtaining a scan file. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation up to erasing a displayed QR code. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the scan system. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a process when a scan instruction is received. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signed URL. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 illustrates an expiration date management table. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a shortened URL management table. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which a QR code is displayed. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 illustrates a service selection screen. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates a screen for accepting a scan execution request. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a detailed setting screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a document confirmation screen. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a portable terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system for acquiring a scan file in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an MFP (Multifunctional Peripheral) 101, a wireless LAN router 102, a management server 105, and a storage server 106 are connected to the Internet 103. The MFP 101 is an image forming device including a scan function, and optically reads an original image placed on a document tray or an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), not shown, to generate a scan file. The portable terminal 104 is, for example, an information terminal such as a smartphone, and is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN router 102 and can communicate with the Internet 103. The portable terminal 104 may be configured to be connected to the Internet 103 via a public line. The portable terminal 104 does not need to be in a state in which it can directly communicate with the MFP 101. The Internet 103 may also be another type of network, such as a WAN or a LAN. In this embodiment, the user of the mobile terminal 104 can obtain a scan file that has been scanned by the MFP 101 and uploaded to the storage server 106 and store it in the mobile terminal 104 .

[0011] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 104. The CPU 202 performs calculations, judgments, and control on data and instructions according to software stored in the RAM 203, ROM 204, or non-volatile memory 205, thereby providing overall control over the portable terminal 104. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 202 performs various processes. The non-volatile memory 205 stores an operating system (OS), application software, and the like.

[0012] The display 206 includes a liquid crystal display and a graphic controller, and displays objects such as images and icons typified by shortcut menus and launchers, as well as GUIs, etc. The input device 207 is a device for receiving various instruction operations from the user to the mobile terminal 104. For example, the input device 207 is configured as a touch panel or digital camera integrated with the display 206, but may also be configured as a device separate from the display 206, such as a mouse or keyboard.

[0013] 2 are exchanged via a system bus 208. An interface (I / F) device 209 exchanges data with devices on the same network or the Internet using protocols such as TCP / IP via a wireless LAN or wired LAN conforming to standards such as IEEE802.11a. The imaging device 210 is a camera that captures an image of an object using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The portable terminal 104 can extract an access code from data obtained by reading a barcode using the imaging device 210, for example.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 101. The MFP 101 includes an operation panel 303, a ROM 304, a RAM 305, a reading device 306, a printing device 307, a copying device 308, an I / F device 309, and a system bus 310. The CPU 302 executes a program stored in the ROM 304 on the RAM 305 according to a user's instruction received via the operation panel 303, for example, to comprehensively control the MFP 101. The ROM 304 stores a control command program for the MFP 101, etc. The RAM 305 operates as a working memory for the CPU 302, and is also used as a storage area for a spooler for print jobs. The operation panel 303 includes keys and a touch pad for user operation, and a display unit for displaying images and various information to the user. FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the operation panel 303, which includes a display 1300 and a power button 1302.

[0015] The reading device 306 includes an optical sensor for optically reading an original image placed on a document table or ADF (not shown), and stores image data (scan file) read and generated by the optical sensor in the RAM 305. The printing device 307 includes, for example, an ink tank for storing ink and a recording head for ejecting ink droplets. The printing device 307 also includes a conveying unit for conveying print paper, and records an image on a recording medium such as conveyed print paper. The printing device 307 is not limited to an inkjet recording method, and may employ, for example, an electrophotographic method as another recording method. The copying device 308 performs image processing for printing the original image read by the reading device 306 using the printing device 307 (i.e., a copy function).

[0016] 3 is transmitted and received via a system bus 310. An I / F device 309 transmits and receives data between devices on the same network or on the Internet using a protocol such as TCP / IP via a wireless LAN or wired LAN that complies with standards such as IEEE802.11a.

[0017] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 105 and the storage server 106. The management server 105 and the storage server 106 have a common configuration, and hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the management server 105 will be described as a representative example of the management server 105 and the storage server 106. The CPU 402 performs overall control of the management server 105 by performing calculations, judgments, and control on data and commands according to software stored in the RAM 403, the ROM 404, or the hard disk 405. The RAM 403 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 402 performs various processes. The hard disk 405 stores an operating system (OS), application software, etc.

[0018] The display 406 includes a liquid crystal display and a graphic controller, and displays objects such as images and icons typified by shortcut menus and launchers, as well as GUIs, etc. The input device 407 is a device for receiving various instruction operations from the user to the management server 105. For example, the input device 407 is configured as a touch panel integrated with the display 406, but may also be configured as a device separate from the display 406, such as a mouse or a keyboard.

[0019] 4 are transmitted and received via a system bus 408. An I / F device 409 transmits and receives data between devices on the same network or on the Internet using a protocol such as TCP / IP via a wireless LAN or wired LAN that complies with standards such as IEEE802.11a.

[0020] The management server 105 and the storage server 106 store the following programs in the hard disk 405. For example, the hard disk 405 of the management server 105 stores a program for creating an upload URL (Uniform Resource Locator) and a signed URL. The upload URL is used when the MFP 101 uploads a scan file to the storage server 106. The signed URL is used when the mobile terminal 104 accesses a scan file uploaded to the storage server 106. The hard disk 405 of the management server 105 also stores a program for generating a two-dimensional barcode from a URL, and in this embodiment, the two-dimensional barcode is generated from the signed URL. In this embodiment, a QR (Quick Response) code will be described as an example of a two-dimensional barcode. The hard disk 405 of the storage server 106 also stores a URL verification program for verifying when a signed URL is accessed from outside, for example. The hard disk 405 of the storage server 106 also stores a scan file scanned and uploaded by the MFP 101, and a log file describing an access log to a specific URL from outside.

[0021] In this embodiment, the management server 105 and the storage server 106 are described as different devices, but they may be integrated into a single device. Also, although each server is described as a single device, each server may be composed of multiple devices.

[0022] Next, the operation of this system will be described. In this system, after a scan file obtained by reading an original image by the MFP 101 is uploaded to the storage server 106, an access code for accessing the storage server 106 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101. In this embodiment, a QR code will be described as an example of the access code.

[0023] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of this system. First, the service selection screen 1400 of Fig. 14 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101. A list of services executed in cooperation with the portable terminal 104 is displayed on the service selection screen 1400. The scan service 1401 is a button for accepting the selection of a scan service function that transmits a scan file obtained as a result of reading an original image by the MFP 101 to the portable terminal 104. The print service 1402 is a button for accepting the selection of a print service function that causes the MFP 101 to print image data in the portable terminal 104.

[0024] The MFP 101 accepts the selection of the scan service 1401 on the service selection screen 1400 from the user. When the selection of the scan service 1401 is accepted, a screen 1500 for accepting scan execution shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the operation panel 303. When a scan button 1501 on the screen 1500 is pressed, for example, reading of an original image placed on a platen is executed (S501). A detailed setting button 1502 on the screen 1500 is a button for setting reading of an original image. When the detailed setting button 1502 is pressed, a detailed setting screen 1600 of FIG. 16 is displayed on the operation panel 303. On the detailed setting screen 1600, for example, items such as the type and size of an original image such as a document or a photo, reading resolution, and data format of a scan file are displayed so as to be changeable. For example, as for the data format, file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and PDF are displayed so as to be selectable. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the compression rate of JPEG and PDF can be set. When a cancel button 1601 is pressed, the changed settings are cancelled and the screen returns to the screen 1500. When an OK button 1602 is pressed, the changed settings are confirmed and the screen returns to the screen 1500.

[0025] When scanning is executed in S501, the reading device 306 starts reading the document image based on the settings on the detailed setting screen 1600, and saves the image data generated as a result of the reading in RAM 305 as a scan file in the specified data format (S502). The MFP 101 transmits a device name and serial number unique to the device to the management server 105, and requests a URL (upload URL) to which the scan file saved in S502 should be uploaded (S503).

[0026] When management server 105 receives the upload URL request from MFP 101, it issues a job ID corresponding to reading by MFP 101. Then, management server 105 creates a unique folder hierarchy in storage server 106 associated with the received device name and serial number, and determines an upload URL (S504). Thereafter, management server 105 transmits the determined upload URL to MFP 101 (S505), and MFP 101 uploads the scan file saved in S502 to the specified URL (S506).

[0027] After completing upload of the scan file, the MFP 101 transmits the upload URL and the file name of the scan file to the management server 105, and requests a QR code (S507). The QR code is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 as a target to be read by the mobile terminal 104 when the mobile terminal 104 accesses the scan file uploaded to the storage server 106.

[0028] The management server 105 compares the file name of the scan file in the specified upload URL with the file name obtained from the MFP 101, and starts creating a signed URL. The signed URL is used to enable the client mobile terminal 104 to temporarily access the storage server 106 directly without going through the management server 105. For example, the period during which the signed URL can be accessed is set as an expiration date.

[0029] The signed URL in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The signed URL 1000 includes elements 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004. The element 1001 is a communication protocol declaration, and for example, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used as the encrypted communication protocol. The element 1002 indicates a host name, and for example, the storage server 106 is set. The element 1003 is hierarchical path information uniquely determined for each data, indicating the storage location of the data (scan file) to be downloaded. The element 1003 further includes information indicating the device name and serial number specific to the device, the job ID, the file name, and the like. The element 1004 is a URL query parameter, and is authentication information (signature information) issued when the signed URL is created, and for example, an expiration date is set. The expiration date is information on the expiration date during which the portable terminal 104 can download the scan file from the storage server 106. In this embodiment, a unique hierarchical path including device-specific information is generated as element 1003, but the hierarchical path may be generated by including other information as long as it is unique.

[0030] The management server 105 sets the expiration date for creating the signed URL based on the validity time management table 1100 as shown in Fig. 11 (S508). The validity time management table 1100 is stored in the hard disk 405 of the management server 105, and the validity time is set as the expiration date in association with, for example, the file size, the number of files, and the communication line speed of the area where the download is performed. For example, the larger the file size or the number of files, or the slower the communication line speed, the longer the validity time is set. In this way, in this embodiment, the expiration date set in the signed URL can be appropriately set according to the communication environment of the mobile terminal 104 and the size of the file.

[0031] The management server 105 requests the storage server 106 to create a signed URL along with the set expiration date (S509). Thereafter, the management server 105 starts a QR code generation program stored in the hard disk 405 of the management server 105, converts the created signed URL into a QR code (S510), and transmits the QR code to the MFP 101 (S511). The MFP 101 displays the QR code transmitted from the management server 105 on the operation panel 303 so that it can be read externally (S512). Fig. 13 shows the state in which the QR code is displayed, and a message is displayed to the user of the mobile terminal 104 urging them to read the QR code.

[0032] In this manner, in this embodiment, after the MFP 101 uploads the scan file to the storage server 106, a signed URL indicating the upload destination is generated as a QR code. Then, the generated QR code is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101.

[0033] Next, a sequence in which the user reads the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 with the mobile terminal 104 and downloads and saves the scanned file from the storage server 106 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0034] The user starts the QR code reading program stored in the non-volatile memory 205 of the portable terminal 104 (S601). The QR code reading program is started by, for example, the user capturing an image of a QR code using the imaging device 210 of the portable terminal 104. That is, in this embodiment, the user does not need to install a dedicated application on the portable terminal 104 to obtain a signed URL.

[0035] After starting the QR code reading program, the portable terminal 104 uses the imaging device 210 to capture and read the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 (S602), and extracts a signed URL for downloading from the read data (S603). The portable terminal 104 then uses the QR code reading program to start a Web browser program stored in the non-volatile memory 205 (S604). The portable terminal 104 uses the started Web browser program to specify the signed URL and access the storage server 106 (S605).

[0036] The storage server 106 verifies whether the additional information of the accessed signed URL is correct (S606). Here, the additional information of the signed URL is, for example, encrypted token information, the above-mentioned expiration date, and information on the file to be downloaded. If the additional information is an expiration date, if the date and time when the access was received in S605 is within the expiration date, the additional information of the signed URL is determined to be correct. If it is determined in S606 that the additional information of the signed URL is correct, the storage server 106 transmits information on the file to be downloaded to the mobile terminal 104 (S607).

[0037] The mobile terminal 104 displays the received file information on the display 206 using a Web browser (S608). FIG. 18A shows an image 1801 of the scan file displayed by the Web browser. The user, for example, selects the image 1801 displayed on the display 206 using the Web browser, specifies a save destination and saves the file (S609), and displays the save result (S610). As the save result, a message indicating that the scan file has been saved may be displayed, or a file display program such as a file viewer may be started to display the saved scan file. The actual scan file uploaded in S506 may be downloaded to the mobile terminal 104 in S607, or may be downloaded when the save destination is specified in S609.

[0038] If it is determined in S605 that the associated information is incorrect, for example because the date and time when the access was received has passed the expiration date of the signed URL, the storage server 106 transmits access error information to the portable terminal 104. In this case, the portable terminal 104 uses a Web browser to display the received access error information on the display 206. Fig. 18(B) shows the access error information 1802 displayed by the Web browser.

[0039] Thus, in this embodiment, the programs that are started by portable terminal 104 to download and save the scan file are a QR code reading program and a web browser. Therefore, there is no need to install a dedicated application or set up for communicating with MFP 101, and portable terminal 104 can download and save the scan file with a simple configuration. Also, the QR code to be read by portable terminal 104 contains information about a signed URL, so that security in access is maintained and the user's operation procedure can be simplified.

[0040] Next, the operation from reading the QR code by the mobile terminal 104 to erasing the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 at the timing of accessing the uploaded scan file will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Note that the same processes as in Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] After displaying the QR code on the operation panel 303, the MFP 101 starts a monitoring program that monitors whether or not the upload destination of the scan file uploaded to the storage server 106 has been accessed from the mobile terminal 104 (S701). The access monitoring program of the MFP 101 monitors updates to an access log file for a specific URL in the storage server 106. When the storage server 106 detects that the signed URL has been accessed in S605 and that the associated information of the signed URL is correct in S606, it adds access information to the access log file for the signed URL and updates it (S702). The access information is, for example, information on the date and time of access. The storage server 106 notifies the MFP 101 that the access log file has been updated (S703). The access monitoring program of the MFP 101 detects that the signed URL has been accessed based on the notification of the access log file update, and erases the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 (S704).

[0042] In this way, MFP 101 monitors whether or not there is access from mobile terminal 104 to the upload destination of the scan file uploaded to storage server 106. Then, when MFP 101 detects that there has been access, it erases the QR code displayed on operation panel 303. For example, if the access code is configured to be output as a printout rather than displayed, once it is output, there is a possibility that the access code information will be passed on to a third party even after access has been detected. However, in this embodiment, when access is detected, the access code display is erased, so it is possible to reduce the possibility that the access code information will be passed on to a third party.

[0043] Next, the process performed when a scan instruction is received on operation panel 303 of MFP 101 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The process in Fig. 9 is realized, for example, by CPU 302 reading a program stored in ROM 304 into RAM 305 and executing it.

[0044] On the screen 1500 of Fig. 15 displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101, the CPU 302 waits for an event of pressing the scan button 1501 (S901). When the pressing of the scan button 1501 is accepted (Yes in S901), the CPU 302 reads an image of an original placed on a platen or ADF (not shown) (S902). After the reading is completed, the CPU 302 displays an original confirmation screen 1700 of Fig. 17 to prompt the user to confirm whether or not to continue to read the next original image. If the user wishes to continue to read the next original, the user presses the scan button 1701. When the pressing of the scan button 1701 is accepted, the CPU 302 repeats the process from S902 (Yes in S903). On the other hand, when the reading of all originals is completed, the user presses the end button 1702. When the CPU 302 accepts the pressing of the end button 1702 (No in S903), the CPU 302 saves the image data generated as a result of the reading as a scan file (S904). For example, the image data obtained by reading a plurality of original images is saved as one scan file. For example, when the setting of "multi-page PDF" is accepted in the data format item of the detailed setting screen 1600 in FIG. 16, the data may be saved as one scan file.

[0045] S901 to S903 correspond to S501 in FIG. 5, and S904 corresponds to S502 in FIG.

[0046] The CPU 302 displays a QR code for accessing the scan file uploaded to the storage server 106 on the operation panel 303 so that the QR code can be read from outside (S905). As shown in FIG. 13, an OK button 1303 for the user to respond to the message is displayed on the display 1300. When the OK button 1303 is pressed as a user operation (Yes in S906), the CPU 302 erases the QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). If a certain time has elapsed without the OK button 1303 being pressed (No in S906, Yes in S907), the CPU 302 erases the QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). Note that a message indicating that the QR code will be erased after a certain time has elapsed may be displayed on the operation panel 303, or a timer section for counting down until the erasure may be displayed.

[0047] Furthermore, if the fixed time has not elapsed in S907, CPU 302 determines whether or not it has detected that the signed URL included in the QR code has been accessed from portable terminal 104. If it has detected that the signed URL has been accessed from portable terminal 104 (Yes in S908), CPU 302 erases QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). On the other hand, if it has not detected that the signed URL has been accessed from portable terminal 104, it repeats the processing from S906.

[0048] S905 corresponds to S512 in FIG. 5, and S908 to S909 correspond to S703 to S704 in FIG.

[0049] In this manner, in this embodiment, when a QR code is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 and a certain condition is satisfied, the displayed QR code is erased. For example, the QR code is erased when the OK button 1303 is pressed or when a certain time has passed since the QR code was displayed. Such display control can further reduce the possibility that the access code information will be passed to a third party and used to illegally access the storage server 106.

[0050] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, an access code for downloading the scan file from the storage server 106 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101. The mobile terminal 104 can download and save the scan file via a web browser by reading the displayed access code. In addition, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, such as when the mobile terminal 104 accesses the storage server 106, the access code displayed on the MFP 101 is erased. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the access code information is passed on to a third party and an unauthorized access to the scan file is made. In the present embodiment, a QR code (two-dimensional barcode) has been described as an example of the access code. However, the access code may be realized by other configurations, such as a one-dimensional barcode, as long as it can be read by the imaging device 210 of the mobile terminal 104.

[0051] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment will be described below with respect to the differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a QR code was described as an example of an access code for accessing a scan file uploaded to the storage server 106. Here, there are cases where the storage capacity of an access code such as a QR code is limited. In this embodiment, a configuration using a shortened URL as an access code will be described. With such a configuration, in this embodiment, even if there is a limit to the capacity of the access code, the influence of the limit can be avoided.

[0052] In this embodiment, a shortened URL creation program that creates a shortened URL from a signed URL is stored in the hard disk 405 of the management server 105. In addition, a redirect program that transmits the signed URL to the mobile terminal 104 when the mobile terminal 104 accesses the shortened URL is stored in the hard disk 405 of the management server 105.

[0053] The operation of the system of this embodiment will be described below. After a scan file is uploaded from the MFP 101 to the storage server 106, the mobile terminal 104 reads the QR code displayed on the MFP 101, and displays it on the display 206 using a Web browser.

[0054] Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the system in this embodiment. Note that the same processes as those in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are given the same reference numerals.

[0055] 5, when management server 105 receives an upload URL request for the scan file from MFP 101, it transmits the upload URL to MFP 101 (S503 to S505). After uploading the scan file (S506), MFP 101 requests management server 105 to provide a QR code to be displayed on operation panel 303 (S507). After creating the signed URL (S508, S509), management server 105 starts a shortened URL creation program and creates a shortened URL from the signed URL (S801).

[0056] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a shortened URL management table 1200 for creating a shortened URL from a signed URL. The shortened URL management table 1200 is stored in, for example, the hard disk 405 of the management server 105. The shortened URL may be created by directly using a character string of a fixed size, such as a device name or a serial number, included in the signed URL. The shortened URL may also be created by randomly shortening a character string of a variable size, such as additional information of the signed URL. The entire character string of the signed URL may also be created as a randomly shortened character string. After creating the shortened URL (S801), the management server 105 starts a QR code generation program to convert the shortened URL into a QR code (S802), and transmits the converted QR code to the MFP 101 (S511).

[0057] 6, the user starts the QR code reading program of the mobile terminal 104, photographs the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 in S512, reads it, and extracts the shortened URL from the read data (S601 to S603). That is, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the shortened URL is extracted from the read data, not the signed URL. The mobile terminal 104 starts a Web browser program by the QR code reading program (S604), and accesses the management server 105 by specifying the shortened URL (S803).

[0058] The management server 105 starts a redirect program (S804), and refers to the shortened URL management table 1200, and transmits the signed URL for downloading the scan file to the portable terminal 104 as a redirect destination (S805). The portable terminal 104 accesses the storage server 106 by specifying the signed URL through a Web browser program (S806). The storage server 106 verifies whether the additional information of the signed URL is correct (S606). If it is determined in S606 that the additional information of the signed URL is correct, the storage server 106 transmits information of the file to be downloaded to the portable terminal 104 (S607). The portable terminal 104 displays the received file information on the display 206 through the Web browser (S608). At that time, an image 1801 of the scan file is displayed as shown in FIG. 18(A).

[0059] Thus, according to this embodiment, even if there is a limit to the capacity of the access code in the process of generating and displaying the access code for downloading the scan file from the storage server 106, the effect of that limit can be avoided.

[0060] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0061] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 101 MFP: 104 Portable terminal: 105 Management server: 106 Storage server: 202, 302, 402 CPU: 203, 305, 403 RAM: 204, 304, 404 ROM

Claims

1. A system including a reading device and a server, The reading device is A reading means for reading an original image; an upload means for uploading image data obtained by reading an original image by the reading means to the server; a display control means for displaying an access code for downloading the image data, the access code being generated by a generating means for generating an access code, on a screen of a display unit of the reading device; downloading the uploaded image data on the portable terminal using information for downloading the image data acquired by the portable terminal based on reading the access code displayed on the screen on the portable terminal; authentication information required for access using information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen on which the access code is displayed; the display control means displays, on the screen, a message prompting the user to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit together with the access code. A system characterized by:

2. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said generating means generates an access code including information for downloading said image data.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the authentication information is included in information for downloading the image data, and is provided from the reading device to the portable terminal by displaying the access code.

4. 4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the information for downloading the image data is a signed Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

5. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the portable terminal downloads the image data from an upload destination of the image data based on a result of verification of access to the signed URL.

6. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein a validity period is set for downloading the image data using the access code.

7. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the generating means is provided in a second server different from the server to which the image data is uploaded.

8. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the display control means erases the access code displayed on the display unit when a certain condition is satisfied.

9. 9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the condition includes receipt of a user operation via the display unit.

10. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the access code is a two-dimensional bar code.

11. 11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the information for downloading the uploaded image data is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

12. A reading device, A reading means for reading an original image; an upload means for uploading image data obtained by reading an original image by the reading means to a server; a display control means for displaying an access code for downloading the image data on a screen of a display unit of the reading device, downloading the uploaded image data on the portable terminal using information for downloading the image data acquired by the portable terminal based on reading the access code displayed on the screen on the portable terminal; authentication information required for access using information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen on which the access code is displayed; the display control means displays, on the screen, a message prompting the user to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit together with the access code. A reading device comprising:

13. 13. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the authentication information is included in information for downloading the image data, and is provided from the reading device to the portable terminal by displaying the access code.

14. 14. The reading device according to claim 13, wherein the information for downloading the image data is a signed Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

15. 15. The reading device according to claim 14, wherein the portable terminal downloads the image data from an upload destination of the image data based on a result of verification of the access to the signed URL.

16. 16. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein a validity period is set for downloading the image data using the access code.

17. 17. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the display control means erases the access code displayed on the display unit when a certain condition is satisfied.

18. 18. The reading device according to claim 17, wherein the condition includes receipt of a user operation via the display unit.

19. 19. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the access code is a two-dimensional bar code.

20. 19. The reading device according to claim 12, wherein the information for downloading the uploaded image data is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

21. A method for a reading device having a reading means for reading an image of a document, comprising: an uploading step of uploading image data obtained by reading an original image by the reading means to a server; a display control step of displaying an access code for downloading the image data on a screen of a display unit of the reading device, downloading the uploaded image data on the portable terminal using information for downloading the image data acquired by the portable terminal based on reading the access code displayed on the screen on the portable terminal; authentication information required for access using information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen on which the access code is displayed; In the display control step, a message prompting the user to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit are displayed on the screen together with the access code. A method comprising:

22. A computer as a reading device having a reading means for reading an original image, an uploading step of uploading image data obtained by reading an original image by the reading means to a server; a display control step of displaying an access code for downloading the image data on a screen of a display unit of the reading device, downloading the uploaded image data on the portable terminal using information for downloading the image data acquired by the portable terminal based on reading the access code displayed on the screen on the portable terminal; authentication information required for access using information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen on which the access code is displayed; In the display control step, a message prompting the user to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit are displayed on the screen together with the access code. A program characterized by:

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