Image reading device, control method of the same, and program

Abstract

To prevent disconnection of a session with a terminal device due to generation of a timeout in the case where an error occurs in an image reading device.SOLUTION: A Web server establishes a session between a terminal device and the server when receiving an access from the terminal device which can communicate with an image reading device via a network. A scan processing part executes scan processing for generating image data of a scan image by scanning an image of a script in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session. A session management part disconnects the session when a continuous time that there is no access via the session from the terminal device is reached to a timeout time. A session management part extends the timeout time in accordance with detection of an error generated in execution of the scan processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] As an image reading device that reads an image of an original document and generates image data of the read image, there is known an image reading device that is equipped with a Web server to enable access from an external device via a Web browser. An image reading device equipped with a Web server can receive scan instructions via an operation screen provided to the Web browser without requiring a dedicated application or driver on the external device side.

[0003] Generally, the above-mentioned Web server disconnects a session with the Web browser if there is no access from the Web browser for a predetermined period of time (i.e., a timeout occurs). However, if a session between a terminal device such as a mobile terminal or a PC and an image reading device is disconnected during a scan process, it may become impossible to transmit image data of the read image from the image reading device to the terminal device after the scan process is completed. Patent Document 1 describes a technology for preventing such a timeout from occurring, in which a Web browser inquires of a Web server about the execution status of a process at regular time intervals while the process is being executed on the Web server. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-232893 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when an error occurs in the image reading device and the scanning process is interrupted, a timeout may occur in the session between the image reading device and the terminal device while the user is busy trying to resolve the error. If a timeout occurs and the session is disconnected, it may become impossible to transmit image data of the read image obtained by the scanning process from the image reading device to the terminal device.

[0006] The present invention provides a technique for preventing disconnection of a session with a terminal device due to a timeout occurring when an error occurs in an image reading device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image reading device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an establishment means for establishing a session with a terminal device capable of communicating with the image reading device when access is received from the terminal device, a processing means for executing a scan process for reading an image of a document and generating image data of a scanned image in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session, and a session management means for disconnecting the session when the duration of the state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout time, and the session management means extends the timeout time in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when an error occurs in an image reading device, it is possible to prevent a session with a terminal device from being disconnected due to a timeout. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of an image reading device 100. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of an image reading unit 104. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image reading apparatus 100. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image reading system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 100. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the image reading system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed by a Web browser. [Figure 8] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for request processing by a Web browser. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of setting values ​​of a session timeout period. [Figure 10] 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a session management unit. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing sequence in the image reading system. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a session management table. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed by a Web browser in response to detection of a jam error. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0011] [First embodiment] First, a configuration example of an image reading device (original transport device) according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0012] <Image reader> 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of an image reading device 100 according to the present embodiment. The image reading device 100 includes a platen 102 on which a document 101 to be read is placed. The document on the platen 102 is detected by a document detection sensor 110. The documents on the platen 102 are separated one by one by a paper feed roller 106 and sent to a conveying path 108. The document 101 sent to the conveying path 108 and conveyed through the conveying path 108 is detected by a registration sensor 109. When the registration sensor 109 detects the document 101, the image reading unit 104 starts reading an image of the document 101 (an image formed on the document) being conveyed through the conveying path 108.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the image reading device 100 of this embodiment includes two image reading units 104 on both sides of a transport path 108. One image reading unit 104 is configured to read an image on a first side (front side) of an original 101, and the other image reading unit 104 is configured to read an image on a second side (back side) of the original 101. A background plate 105 is disposed at a position facing each image reading unit 104 across the transport path 108. The background plate 105 is, for example, a black member. The image reading device 100 may be configured to include only one image reading unit 104.

[0014] The original 101, whose image has been read by the image reading unit 104, is transported along the transport path 108 by transport rollers 107 toward the discharge section 103, and is finally discharged to the discharge section 103 and stacked there. An original detection sensor 111 provided in the discharge section 103 is used to detect the original 101 that has been discharged to and stacked on the discharge section 103. An original detection sensor 112 provided near the discharge opening of the transport path 108 is used to detect the original 101 remaining on the transport path 108. By using the original detection sensors 111 and 112, it is possible to detect whether the original 101 remains on the transport path 108 or has been discharged to the discharge section 103.

[0015] The image reading device 100 further includes a multi-feed detection sensor 120 at a position between the feed roller 106 and the registration sensor 109 along the conveying path 108. The multi-feed detection sensor 120 is used to detect a multi-feed when a plurality of overlapping originals (a state in which a plurality of originals are in close contact with each other due to static electricity or the like) are conveyed along the conveying path 108. The multi-feed detection sensor 120 is configured, for example, with an ultrasonic sensor including an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver. When an ultrasonic sensor is used, it is possible to detect a multi-feed based on the amount of attenuation of ultrasonic waves when the originals (original sheets) pass through the conveying path 108.

[0016] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration example of the image reading unit 104. The image reading unit 104 includes a housing 1041 and a glass plate 1042 provided facing the transport path 108. The inside of the image reading unit 104 is sealed by the housing 1041 and the glass plate 1042. An image sensor 1043 and a pair of light emitting units 1044a and 1044b are provided inside the image reading unit 104.

[0017] The image sensor 1043 is composed of a line image sensor, for example, a CCD line sensor or a contact image sensor, and is arranged along a direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the original 101. The image sensor 1043 reads the image of the original 101 being conveyed line by line in the main scanning direction, and outputs an image signal.

[0018] The light emitting unit 1044a has a light source arranged upstream of the image sensor 1043 in the transport direction of the original 101. The light emitting unit 1044b has a light source arranged downstream of the image sensor 1043 in the transport direction of the original 101. The image sensor 1043 is arranged at a position sandwiched between the light emitting units 1044a and 1044b. The light emitting units 1044a and 1044b are arranged in parallel with the image sensor 1043 along the main scanning direction and are each composed of an LED array including a plurality of LEDs. As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 1043 reads an image on the original 101 by receiving reflected light of light irradiated onto the original 101 by the light emitting units 1044a and 1044b.

[0019] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image reading device 100 according to this embodiment. The control unit 10 of the image reading device 100 includes a CPU 11, a RAM (random access memory) 12, a storage unit 13, an input / output I / F (interface) 14, and a communication I / F 15.

[0020] The CPU 11 is composed of one or more processors. The CPU 11 controls the entire image reading device 100 by reading out a program stored in the storage unit 13 into the RAM 12 and executing it. The RAM 12 is used as a working area by the CPU 11. The storage unit 13 is configured to store various programs (e.g., control programs) executed by the control unit 10, and various information or data used in processing by the control unit 10. For example, image data obtained by reading an image of a document by the image sensor 1043 is stored in the storage unit 13. The storage unit 13 is composed of one or more storage devices (memories), such as a RAM (random access memory), a ROM (read only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), and an SSD (solid state drive).

[0021] A driving circuit 24 and an image processing circuit 26 are connected to the input / output I / F 14. The driving circuit 24 drives the light emitting parts 1044a and 1044b of the image reading unit 104. The image processing circuit 26 is connected to the image sensor 1043 via the ADC 25. The image sensor 1043 reads the image of the document 101 being conveyed line by line in the main scanning direction and outputs an image signal. The ADC (analog / digital converter) 25 converts the analog image signal output from the image sensor 1043 into digital image data and outputs it. The image processing circuit 26 performs image processing such as shading correction on the image data output from the ADC 25. The CPU 11 acquires the image data output from the image processing circuit 26.

[0022] The communication I / F 15 is an interface for communicating with an external device, and may be configured as a wired communication interface, a wireless communication interface for wireless LAN communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication, a USB interface, a SCSI interface, or the like. In the present embodiment, as an example, the communication I / F 15 is a wired communication interface connected to a wired LAN (local area network). Note that the image reading device 100 may include a plurality of communication I / Fs 15 connected to individual external devices or networks. For example, the image reading device 100 may include, as the plurality of communication I / Fs 15, a USB or SCSI interface directly connected to an external device, and a wired communication interface connected to a wired LAN.

[0023] The communication I / F 15 can communicate with an external device according to any communication protocol and can communicate with the external device via any communication path. When multiple external devices are connected, different communication protocols and communication paths may be used for each external device. For example, the communication I / F 15 may be configured to communicate with one terminal according to the HTTP protocol and communicate with another terminal according to the FTP protocol. The image reading device 100 of this embodiment has a Web server 500 (FIG. 5) that can communicate with an external device according to the HTTP protocol. Therefore, the external device can access the Web server 500 of the image reading device 100 by a Web browser running on the external device.

[0024] The image reading device 100 includes an operation unit 130 connected to the control unit 10. The operation unit 130 includes an input unit and an output unit. The input unit includes a touch panel, hard keys, etc., and receives various operations from the user. The output unit (display unit) includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and outputs (displays) various information to the user. The input unit and the output unit may be realized as a single module, such as a touch panel display.

[0025] <Image reading process> In the image reading device 100, the control unit 10 (CPU 11) starts image reading processing for the original 101 set on the original table 102, for example, when the control unit 10 receives an instruction to start reading the original (scan instruction) by operating the operation unit 130 or from an external device. In the image reading processing, the CPU 11 first drives the paper feed roller 106 to start transporting the original 101 from the original table 102. When multiple sheets of the original 101 are set on the original table 102, the originals are separated one by one and transported through the transport path 108. Thereafter, when the original 101 is detected by the registration sensor 109, the CPU 11 controls the image reading unit 104 for reading the image of the original 101 based on the timing of the detection.

[0026] Specifically, the CPU 11 controls the emission of light-emitting units 1044a and 1044b and drives the image sensor 1043 to read the image of the original 101. The image reading unit 104 reads the image of the original 101 using the image sensor 1043, generates image data of the read image, and outputs the generated image data to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 temporarily stores the obtained image data in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13 of the image reading device 100. The image data may be stored in an external device (server device) capable of communicating with the image reading device 100.

[0027] <Image reading system configuration> 4 shows an example of the configuration of an image reading system according to this embodiment. The image reading system includes an image reading device 100 and terminal devices (terminals) 200 and 300 that can communicate with the image reading device 100 via a network. The network includes a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, a communication I / F 15 of the image reading device 100 is connected to the terminals 200 and 300 via the network so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0028] The terminals 200 and 300 are configured as information processing devices such as, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a mobile terminal. For example, when the terminal 200 or 300 is configured as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal, the terminal may communicate with the image reading device 100 by wirelessly connecting to a wireless access point for wireless LAN communication and connecting to a wired LAN via the wireless access point.

[0029] In this embodiment, the terminal 200 is a terminal device used by a user (operation user) who operates the image reading device 100. The terminal 300 is an example of a terminal operated by a user different from the operation user, and has the same configuration as the terminal 200. The terminal 200 has a Web browser 210 pre-installed. The operation user operates the image reading device 100 via the Web browser 210 running on the terminal 200. The terminal 200 accesses a Web server 500 (see FIG. 5) of the image reading device 100 through the Web browser 210 according to the operation of the operation user. As a result, the Web browser 210 acquires HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data from the Web server 500 as screen data corresponding to an operation screen for operating the image reading device 100, and displays the operation screen based on the acquired HTML data. When the terminal 200 (Web browser 210) accepts an instruction to start reading a document (scan instruction) from the operation user via the displayed operation screen, it transmits the scan instruction to the image reading device 100.

[0030] The control unit 10 (CPU 11) of the image reading device 100 performs the image reading process as described above in accordance with the scan instruction received from the terminal 200. The CPU 11 starts conveying the document 101, reads the document, and temporarily stores image data of the read image obtained by the reading in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13. The stored image data is then transmitted to the terminal 200 or an external device such as a server device via a network. Note that in this embodiment, an example will be described in which the terminal 200 downloads image data of the read image from the image forming device 100 after completing the image reading process and stores the image data.

[0031] <Functional configuration of the image reading device> 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration (example of a software configuration) of the image reading device 100. The image reading device 100 has a Web server 500 as an application that runs on the OS. When the image reading device 100 is started, the CPU 11 starts the OS and then starts the Web server 500. The Web server 500 runs as a process that resides on the CPU 11 and waits until it receives a request via the network. In response to receiving the request, the Web server 500 returns a response according to the request. Note that a Web service task for communicating with a Web browser of an external device resides on the Web server 500 and accepts requests from the Web browser.

[0032] The image reading device 100 has a UI display control unit 501, a scan processing unit 502, an error management unit 503, and a session management unit 504 as functional units (applications) that operate on the Web server 500. The UI display control unit 501 is started in response to the start of the Web server 500, and controls the display of a screen on the operation unit 130. The scan processing unit 502 is started by the Web server 500 when the Web server 500 receives an instruction to start an image reading process (a scan instruction). The scan processing unit 502 performs an image reading process (a scan process) by controlling the image reading unit 104 via a scanner driver (not shown) in accordance with the received scan instruction.

[0033] The error management unit 503 performs a process of detecting errors that occur in the image reading device 100, and manages the occurrence of errors in the image reading device 100. In the detection process, the error management unit 503 detects an error that occurs during execution of a scan process based on the output of a sensor (such as the multi-feed detection sensor 120) arranged inside the image reading device 100. The error management unit 503 detects at least the following errors, for example, as errors that occur in the image reading device 100, and holds information (variable values) indicating the detected errors in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13. An error (roller replacement error) caused when the count value of the number of transported originals exceeds a predetermined value, making it necessary to replace the transport rollers on the transport path. - An error caused by a document getting stuck on the transport path (jam error). - An error caused by multiple documents being transported overlapping each other (multiple feed error). An error in which the cover of the image reading device 100 is open (cover open error).

[0034] Furthermore, the error management unit 503 holds a variable comeback in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13. The variable comeback is set to a value indicating whether the image reading device 100 has recovered from an error state in which an error has occurred. The error management unit 503 operates to set the variable comeback to a value of true only immediately after the error that has occurred is resolved, and to set the variable comeback to a value of false at other times. As will be described later, the variable comeback is referenced by, for example, the Web server 500 and used in a predetermined determination process.

[0035] The session management unit 504 manages sessions established with terminal devices (external devices) such as the terminals 200 and 300. For example, the session management unit 504 performs a process of deleting the session ID of a session in which a session timeout has occurred from a session management table (see FIG. 10).

[0036] In this embodiment, the scan processing unit 502 functions as an example of a processing means for performing a scan process by reading an image of a document and generating image data in accordance with a scan instruction received from a terminal device via a session. The scan processing unit 502 is configured to continue execution of the scan process while the session with the terminal device is ongoing. The session management unit 504 functions as an example of a session management means for disconnecting the session when the duration of a state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout time. The session management unit 504 is configured to extend the timeout time in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process.

[0037] <Session ID (SID)> A session generally refers to a period from the start to the end of communication. In this specification, a session starts when a connection is made from a Web browser running on a terminal device (terminals 200, 300) to Web server 500, and ends when the connection is cut off by Web server 500. Managing the start and end of such a session is called session management.

[0038] When sending a response, the Web server 500 issues a session ID (SID) to manage the accessing Web browser (e.g., to manage the identification state and processing state). The SID is an identifier (ID) for identifying a session used by the Web browser during communication. The SID is assigned individually to multiple users (terminal devices). A user (terminal device) to which an SID is assigned is a user who is permitted to perform scan operations in the image reading device 100. The issued SID is managed by the session management unit 504 in a state where it is stored in a session management table shown in FIG. 12, which is held in the RAM 12 or the memory unit 13.

[0039] <Scanning Function of Image Reading Device 100> The image reading device 100 of this embodiment has a scan function that executes a scan process according to a scan instruction (read instruction) received via the operation unit 130 of the main body of the image reading device 100, and transmits image data of the obtained read image directly to a predetermined destination. In this specification, this scan function is also referred to as a PUSH scan function. In the PUSH scan function, image processing is performed on the image data of the read image inside the image reading device 100 without going through an external device such as a PC, a file in a predetermined format (such as PDF format) is generated, and the file is transmitted to the destination (such as a shared folder designated by the user).

[0040] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 further has a scan function that performs a scan process according to a scan instruction received via a setting screen provided to a Web browser running on a terminal device (terminal 200, etc.) that can communicate with the image reading apparatus 100. In this specification, this scan function is also referred to as a browser scan function. In the browser scan function, image data of a read image is generated by performing a scan process according to a scan instruction sent from a Web browser running on the terminal device. The image data of the read image obtained by the scan process is sent to the terminal device, for example, by being sent to the Web browser of the terminal device in response to a request from the Web browser.

[0041] <Scanning process in image reading system> 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a sequence of a scan process in the image reading device 100. In this example, an example in which the image reading device 100 performs a scan process in accordance with a scan instruction transmitted from the Web browser 210 of the terminal 200 will be described.

[0042] In order to cause the image reading device 100 to execute a scan process, the user of the terminal 200 accesses the Web server 500 of the image reading device 100 via the network using the Web browser 210 of the terminal 200. First, the user operates the terminal 200 to start up the Web browser 210.

[0043] In S601, the user of the terminal 200 inputs the IP address of the Web server 500 operating on the image reading device 100 into a URL input field on a browser screen displayed on the display unit of the terminal 200 by the Web browser 210. As a result, the Web browser 210 transmits an HTTP request to a URL including the IP address of the Web server 500. The URL including this IP address may be obtained by reading a code image such as a two-dimensional code or a character string displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 130 of the image reading device 100 by a camera or the like provided in the terminal 200.

[0044] When the Web server 500 receives an HTTP request from the Web browser 210, the Web server 500 transmits screen data (HTML data) of the home screen as a response to the HTTP request to the Web browser 210. As a result, the Web browser 210 displays the home screen as a browser screen.

[0045] FIG. 7A shows an example of a scan setting screen displayed as a home screen by the Web browser 210 in S601. The scan setting screen 700 is configured as an operation screen for receiving input of scan settings. As an example, the scan setting screen 700 allows the user to set each of the setting items of color mode (color, gray, or black and white), document (paper) size, resolution, and reading side (single-sided or double-sided). The scan setting screen 700 further allows the user to set the setting items of whether or not to perform double feed detection and whether or not to perform image skew correction. The scan setting screen 700 includes a button 701 for transitioning the display screen to a timeout setting screen 710 (FIG. 7B), and a "scan" button 702 for issuing a scan instruction to start a scan process.

[0046] In S602, the user of the terminal 200 inputs settings for each setting item using the scan setting screen 700, and then presses the "Scan" button 702 to input a scan instruction. As a result, the Web browser 210 first transmits a request to issue a session ID (SID) to the Web server 500. As shown in Fig. 6, the request to issue a SID is configured as a request including "sid" as a resource name (command).

[0047] The Web server 500 issues an SID to the Web browser 210 in accordance with the received request, and stores (adds) the issued SID in the session management table. The session management table is held in, for example, the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12(A), the Web server 500 stores the last access time, resource name, and timeout time in the session management table in association with the issued SID. The Web server 500 stores the current time as the last access time in the session management table, together with the resource name included in the received request. The Web server 500 also stores an initial value of the timeout time in the session management table. In this embodiment, an example in which the initial value is "10 minutes" will be described.

[0048] Thereafter, Web server 500 transmits the issued SID ("AAA" in the example of FIG. 6) to Web browser 210 as a response to the received request. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the upper limit number of SIDs that can be stored in the session management table is 1. In this case, if the SID has already been issued to another terminal (another Web browser), Web server 500 transmits a response including error information to Web browser 210.

[0049] In this way, when Web server 500 accepts access from terminal 200 (Web browser 210) capable of communicating with image forming apparatus 100, it establishes a session with terminal 200. Web server 500 stores and manages the SID corresponding to the established session in a session management table. The established session is managed by session management unit 504. In response to the occurrence of a session timeout, the corresponding SID is deleted from the session management table.

[0050] When a response including the issued SID is sent from the Web server 500 in S602, the Web browser 210 receives the response and acquires the SID from the received response. In response to receiving the response, the Web browser 210 transmits a request for starting a scan process (a scan instruction for instructing the start of a scan process) to the image reading device 100 (Web server 500) in S603. After acquiring the SID, the Web browser 210 adds the SID to all requests sent to the image forming device 100 (Web server 500). As shown in Fig. 6, the request for starting a scan process is configured as a request including "scanstart" as a resource name (command).

[0051] When the image reading device 100 (Web server 500) receives a request (other than a request to issue an SID) from a Web browser, it executes processing according to the request (request processing), including processing to confirm the validity of the SID. The request processing is executed by a Web service task running on the Web server 500 in the procedure shown in FIG. 8 (details will be described later). In the subsequent processing in the sequence of FIG. 6, each time a request is received from the terminal 200 (Web browser 210), the processing according to the procedure shown in FIG. 8 is executed, and it is determined whether the SID is valid ("YES" in S802, described later). If the determination result is valid, the processing of S803 to S807 (including processing according to the request in S803, described later) is executed.

[0052] Returning to the description of FIG. 6, in response to receiving (S603) a request to start scanning (a scan instruction instructing to start scanning), the Web server 500 causes the scan processing unit 502 to start executing scanning in S604. Specifically, the Web server 500 starts the scan processing unit 502, and instructs the scan processing unit 502 to start scanning in accordance with the scan settings specified in the scan instruction from the Web browser 210. The scan processing unit 502 performs scanning in accordance with the scan settings received from the Web browser 210. In this embodiment, the scan processing unit 502 is controlled to continue executing scanning while the session with the terminal 200 that is the sender of the request is ongoing (i.e., while the session is maintained by the session management unit 504).

[0053] When the scan processing unit 502 starts the scan processing normally, the Web server 500 in S605 sends information indicating that the scan processing has started (result:0) to the Web browser 210 as a response to the request received in S603. Note that this response (sent from the Web server 500 to the Web browser 210) and each of the subsequent responses correspond to the response sent in S803 in FIG.

[0054] After receiving the response including information indicating that the scan process has started, the Web browser 210 transmits a status acquisition request to the Web server 500 in S606 to check the status (execution status) of the scan process. When the scan process is being executed, the Web server 500 transmits a response including status information (status:1) indicating that the scan process is being executed to the Web browser 210. As shown in FIG. 6, the status acquisition request is configured as a request including "scanning" as a resource name (command), and is repeatedly transmitted (polled) at, for example, a preset time interval. Note that the scan processing unit 502 is controlled to continue executing the scan process as long as access (in this example, a status acquisition request) from the terminal 200 via a session with the terminal 200 is accepted at a preset time interval (polling interval) during the execution of the scan process.

[0055] In S607, when the scan processing is completed, the scan processing unit 502 transmits a notification indicating that the scan processing is completed to the Web server 500. Thereafter, in S608, when the Web server 500 receives a status acquisition request similar to that in S606 from the Web browser 210, it transmits a response including status information (status: 0) indicating that the scan processing is completed to the Web browser 210.

[0056] Upon receiving a response including status information indicating that the scan process is complete, in S609, the Web browser 210 transmits a request to the Web server 500 to acquire image data of the read image obtained by the scan process. As shown in FIG. 6, this request is configured as a request including "image" as a resource name (command). The Web server 500 transmits screen data of an image confirmation screen 720, an example of which is shown in FIG. 7(C), to the Web browser 210 as a response to the received request. As a result, the Web browser 210 displays the image confirmation screen 720 as a browser screen.

[0057] FIG. 7(C) shows an image confirmation screen 720 for confirming a read image (scan image). The image confirmation screen 720 includes a display area 721, a save button 722, and a continuous scan button 723. The web browser 210 displays a preview image of the read image in the display area 721 for the user to confirm the read image. Here, a thumbnail of the read image is displayed, and the read image is still in the image reading apparatus 100. The save button 722 is used to instruct to acquire (download) the image data of the read image obtained by the scan process from the image reading apparatus 100 via the network and save it in the terminal 200. The continuous scan button 723 is used to instruct to execute a scan process for acquiring a new read image to be added to the image data of the read image obtained by the scan process.

[0058] Next, in S610, the user of the terminal 200 inputs a save instruction by pressing the save button 722 on the image confirmation screen 720. In response to this, the web browser 210 transmits, in S611, a request for downloading the image data of the read image obtained by the scan process to the web server 500. As shown in FIG. 6, this request is configured as a request including "save" as a resource name (command). The web server 500 starts transmitting the image data to the web browser 210 in response to the received request.

[0059] Note that when the continuous scan button 723 is pressed on the image confirmation screen 720, the web browser 210 returns the process to S603 and transmits a request for starting the scan process to the web server 500 again.

[0060] <Request Processing by Web Server 500> Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure for request processing executed by the Web server 500 (Web service task). As described above, when issuing an SID, the Web server 500 (Web service task) adds the issued SID and information associated with it to the session management table. Furthermore, when receiving a request, the Web server 500 (Web service task) updates the information in the session management table associated with the SID corresponding to the session in which the request was received, by performing request processing according to the procedure in Fig. 8.

[0061] First, in S801, the Web server 500 (Web service task) determines whether or not an SID is included in the received request. If an SID is not included in the received request, the Web server 500 advances the process to S808, transmits a response to the Web browser to display error information indicating that an SID is not present, and ends the request processing.

[0062] On the other hand, if the received request contains an SID, the Web server 500 advances the process to S802 and determines whether or not the SID is stored in the session management table. If the SID is not stored in the session management table, the Web server 500 advances the process to S808, transmits a response to display error information indicating that the SID does not exist, and terminates the request processing. If the SID contained in the received request is stored in the session management table, the Web server 500 advances the process to S803. In S803, the Web server 500 performs processing according to the received request (for example, starting the scan processing in S604) and transmits a response to the received request (for example, the response in S605) to the Web browser.

[0063] Thereafter, in S804, the Web server 500 determines whether the received request is a request immediately after an error that occurred in the image reading device 100 is resolved (the first request after the error is resolved). This determination process is performed, for example, by referring to a variable comeback stored in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13 by the error management unit 503. The variable comeback holds a value indicating whether the image forming device 100 has returned from an error state in which an error occurred. That is, the error management unit 503 can operate to set the variable comeback to a value of true only immediately after the error that occurred is resolved, and to set the variable comeback to a value of false at other times. The Web server 500 can make the above determination based on the value set in the variable comeback.

[0064] If the received request is not the first request after the error is resolved, the Web server 500 advances the process from S804 to S805. In S805, the Web server 500 updates the session management table by updating the last access time, resource name, and timeout period among the information associated with the target SID in the session management table. Specifically, the Web server 500 updates the last access time to the time when the response was sent, updates the resource name to the resource name included in the received request, and updates the timeout period to the initial value (10 minutes in this embodiment).

[0065] On the other hand, if the received request is the first request after the error is resolved, the Web server 500 proceeds from S804 to S806. In S806, the Web server 500 updates the session management table by updating the last access time and resource name among the information associated with the target SID in the session management table. Specifically, the Web server 500 updates the last access time to the time the response was sent, and updates the resource name to the resource name included in the received request.

[0066] When the process of S805 or S806 is completed, the Web server 500 ends the request processing according to the procedure of FIG.

[0067] <Session timeout setting> In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, an individual timeout time for a session established with a terminal device is preset for each type of error that occurs in the image reading device 100 and is detected by the error management unit 503. In this embodiment, as described above, the initial value of the timeout time is set to "10 minutes", and this initial value is used as the timeout time when no error occurs. The set value of the timeout time for each type of error and the initial value of the timeout time are stored in the storage unit 13, for example.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 9, the timeout period for each type of error is set to a time longer than the initial value of the timeout period. As a result, the session management unit 504 is configured to change the timeout period set when an error occurs during execution of a scan process to an individual timeout period set for each type of error, in response to the detection of the error. For example, the timeout period set for an error caused by a jam of a document sheet during transport can be set to a time longer than the timeout period set for a multi-feed error. This is because, in general, it is more likely that a jam error will require more time to resolve than a multi-feed error.

[0069] The setting value of the timeout period shown in Fig. 9 can be changed by the user using a setting screen for accepting the setting of the timeout period, which is provided by the Web server 500 to a terminal device (Web server browser 210) such as the terminal 200. A timeout setting screen 710 shown in Fig. 7(B) is an example of such a setting screen. When a button 701 on a scan setting screen 700 is pressed on the terminal device, the timeout setting period 710 is displayed by the Web browser 210. Screen data for the timeout setting screen 710 is acquired from the image reading device 100 (Web server 500). When a button 711 is pressed on the timeout setting screen 710, the Web browser 210 returns the display screen to the scan setting screen 700.

[0070] The timeout time screen 710 in this example is configured to be able to accept input of a set value of the timeout time for a roller replacement error, a jam error, a double feed error, a cover open error, and other errors other than these. Note that the timeout time screen 710 may be configured to only accept input of a value equal to or greater than the initial value as the timeout time for each error.

[0071] <Processing by the session management unit 504> 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of processing executed by the session management unit 504 in the image reading device 100. The session management unit 504 is configured to continue executing the processing according to the procedure of FIG.

[0072] In S1001, the session management unit 504 determines whether or not an SID is stored in the session management table. If an SID is not stored in the session management table, the session management unit 504 repeats the determination in S1001. On the other hand, if an SID is stored in the session management table, the session management unit 504 advances the process to S1002 and executes the processes from S1002 onward for each SID stored in the session management table.

[0073] In S1002, the session management unit 504 determines whether or not any error has occurred in the image reading device 100. The session management unit 504 makes the determination based on the detection result of the detection process performed by the error management unit 503. If no error has occurred, the session management unit 504 advances the process to S1006, and if an error has occurred, the session management unit 504 advances the process to S1003.

[0074] In S1003, the session management unit 504 acquires the setting value of the timeout period corresponding to the occurred error from the storage unit 13. For example, when a jam error occurs, the session management unit 504 acquires the setting value of the timeout period corresponding to the jam error stored in the storage unit 13 (17 minutes in the example of FIG. 9).

[0075] Thereafter, in S1004, the session management unit 504 determines whether or not to change the timeout time stored in the session management table using the timeout time setting value acquired in S1003. Specifically, the session management unit 504 makes the above change if the timeout time setting value acquired in S1003 exceeds the timeout time stored in the session management table. If the session management unit 504 does not want to change the timeout time stored in the session management table, it advances the process to S1006, and if it does change the timeout time, it advances the process to S1005. In S1005, the session management unit 504 makes the above change and advances the process to S1006.

[0076] In S1006, the session management unit 504 determines whether a timeout has occurred for a session corresponding to a SID stored in the session management table. Specifically, the session management unit 504 refers to the session management table and determines whether the time elapsed since the last access time (the duration of the state in which there is no access from the terminal 200 via the session) for each SID has reached the timeout time. If the time elapsed since the last access time has reached the timeout time, the session management unit 504 determines that a session timeout has occurred and proceeds to S1007. On the other hand, if the time elapsed since the last access time has not reached the timeout time, the session management unit 504 determines that a session timeout has not occurred and returns to S1001.

[0077] In S1007, session management unit 504 deletes the target SID and information associated therewith from the session management table, thereby disconnecting the session corresponding to the target SID, and returns the process to S1001. In this manner, when the duration of the state in which there is no access from terminal 200 via the session reaches the timeout time, session management unit 504 disconnects the session.

[0078] <Scanning process in image reading system (when an error occurs)> 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the sequence of the scan process in the image reading device 100, and shows a case where an error occurs during the execution of the scan process. In this example, an example will be described in which the image reading device 100 performs the scan process according to a scan instruction transmitted from the Web browser 210 of the terminal 200. Note that steps performing the same processes as those in FIG. 6 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0079] The processes of S601 to S606 are the same as those in Fig. 6. In response to the issuance of the SID in S602, for example, the SID shown in Fig. 12(A) and information associated therewith are stored in the session management table. In the session management table, the resource name (command) "sid" included in the SID issuance request received from terminal 200 (Web browser 210) is stored in association with the SID, and the initial value (10 minutes) is set as the timeout period (S805).

[0080] After the scan process is started in S604, a status acquisition request is sent from the terminal 200 (Web browser 210) to the image reading device 100 (Web server 500), for example, at a predetermined time interval. During the execution of the scan process, as shown in Fig. 12(B), the resource name (command) associated with the SID in the session management table is changed from "sid" to the resource name "scanning" included in the status acquisition request (S805). At this point, since no error has occurred in the image reading device 100, the timeout period associated with the SID has not been changed from the initial value (10 minutes).

[0081] In S1101, an error occurs in the image reading device 100 during execution of the above-mentioned scan process, and the error is detected by the error management unit 503. In this case, in S1102, the Web server 500 transmits a response including an error code indicating the content of the error that occurred to the Web browser 210 in response to receiving a status acquisition request from the Web browser 210. Note that when an error occurs in the image reading device 100, the scan process itself is processed to be temporarily terminated, and therefore, in this embodiment, at this point, only the session is maintained.

[0082] Furthermore, in response to the occurrence of an error, the session management unit 504 changes (extends) the timeout time of the session in use to the timeout time corresponding to the error that has occurred (S1005). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12(C), the timeout time stored in the session management table in association with the SID is updated to the changed timeout time. FIG. 12(C) shows an example in which, in response to the occurrence of a jam error, the set value of the timeout time is changed to the set value (17 minutes) for a jam error shown in FIG. 9. This makes it possible to prevent a session timeout from occurring during the time it takes the user to perform an operation to resolve the jam error.

[0083] In this embodiment, the image reading device 100 (Web server 500) controls whether to display an error notification screen on the operation unit 130 of the image reading device 100 or on the terminal 200 (Web browser 210) according to the content of the error that has occurred. Specifically, when the Web server 500 detects the occurrence of an error other than a double feed error, such as a jam error, the Web server 500 causes the UI display control unit 501 to display an error notification screen 1300 exemplified in FIG. 13 on the operation unit 130. On the other hand, when the Web server 500 detects the occurrence of a double feed error, the Web server 500 transmits screen data of an error notification screen 730 exemplified in FIG. 7(D) to the Web browser 210. This causes the error notification screen 730 to be displayed on the Web browser 210. The display of the error notification screen 1300 or 730 prompts the user to resolve the error in the image reading device 100.

[0084] In S1103, the user may instruct to execute a rescan or the like after resolving the error in image reading device 100 (for example, after removing a jammed sheet in the conveying path). For example, when a jam error occurs, if rescan button 1301 is pressed on error notification screen 1300, Web server 500 determines that execution of a rescan has been instructed. On the other hand, if button 1302 is pressed on error notification screen 1300, Web server 500 displays the home screen (scan setting screen 700) on the display screen without instructing scan processing unit 502 to execute a rescan.

[0085] Also, when a multiple feed error occurs, the Web browser 210 accepts an operation of any one of the buttons 731 to 733 on the error notification screen 730 from the user, and transmits a request corresponding to the accepted button to the Web server 500. When the continuous scan button 731 is pressed, the Web server 500 determines that a continuous scan instruction (S1103) for continuing the interrupted scan process has been accepted. When the button 732 is pressed, the Web browser 210 determines that an instruction to discard the image data of the read image generated in the scan process up to that point and to end the scan process has been accepted. When the button 733 is pressed, the Web browser 210 determines that an instruction to download and save the image data of the read image generated in the scan process up to that point from the image reading device 100 has been accepted. As described above, the state after the error occurs is a state in which the scan process has ended and only the session has been maintained. Therefore, when a button other than the continuous scan button 731 is pressed or when the timeout time has elapsed, the session maintained at this time is discarded.

[0086] 11 shows a case where a jam error occurs, and after the error is resolved, a command to execute a rescan is issued in S1103. In this case, in S1104, the Web browser 210 transmits a request to start a scan process to the image reading device 100 (Web server 500). This request is configured as a request including "scanstart" as a resource name (command), similar to S603.

[0087] In response to receiving a request to start scanning (S1104), the Web server 500 causes the scan processing unit 502 to restart execution of the scanning process in S1105. Note that when the Web server 500 receives the request in S1104, it is immediately after the error that occurred has been resolved, so in the request processing (FIG. 8), it does not initialize the timeout period corresponding to the SID included in the received request (S806). For this reason, at this point, the timeout period (17 minutes) shown in FIG. 12(C) continues to be used.

[0088] When the scan processing is normally started by the scan processing unit 502, the Web server 500 in S1106 transmits information indicating that the scan processing has started (result: 0) to the Web browser 210 as a response to the request received in S1104.

[0089] Thereafter, in S1107, the Web browser 210 transmits a status acquisition request to the Web server 500 to check the status (execution status) of the scan process, as in S606. If the scan process is being executed, the Web server 500 transmits a response to the Web browser 210 including status information (status: 1) indicating that the scan process is being executed. At this time, the Web server 500 initializes (S805) the timeout period corresponding to the SID included in the received request in the request process (FIG. 8). As a result, as shown in FIG. 12(D), the timeout period extended in response to the occurrence of an error is returned to the timeout period before the extension (10 minutes).

[0090] In S1108, when the scan processing is completed, the scan processing unit 502 transmits a notification indicating that the scan processing is completed to the Web server 500. Thereafter, in S1109, when the Web server 500 receives a status acquisition request from the Web browser 210, it transmits a response including status information (status: 0) indicating that the scan processing is completed to the Web browser 210.

[0091] The processes of S1110 to S1112 executed thereafter are similar to the processes of S609 to S611 in FIG.

[0092] As described above, in the image reading device 100 of this embodiment, when the Web server 500 receives access from a terminal device capable of communicating with the image reading device 100 via a network, the Web server 500 establishes a session with the terminal device. The scan processing unit 502 executes a scan process for reading an image of a document and generating image data of a scanned image according to a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session. When the duration of no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout time, the session management unit 504 disconnects the session. The session management unit 504 extends the timeout time in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process.

[0093] In this manner, in this embodiment, a timeout occurring in the session with the terminal device is avoided while the user is busy trying to resolve the error by extending the timeout period set when an error occurs in the image reading device 100. Therefore, according to this embodiment, when an error occurs in the image reading device 100, it is possible to prevent the session with the terminal device from being disconnected due to a timeout occurring.

[0094] In addition, in this embodiment, the timeout period set when an error occurs is changed to an individual timeout period set for each type of detected error, which makes it possible to extend the timeout period appropriately according to the type of error (for example, to extend the timeout period to a longer period for an error type that takes a relatively long time to resolve).

[0095] The above-described embodiment may be modified in various ways. For example, the session management unit 504 may be configured to extend the timeout period when a jam error is detected during execution of a scan process, and to further extend the timeout period when a cover open error is detected before the jam is cleared. This allows a user to have sufficient time to clear the error depending on the error occurrence situation. The session management unit 504 may also be configured to stop timing for determining the timeout period until the cover is closed when a cover open error is detected during execution of a scan process.

[0096] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the session management unit 504 extends the timeout period in response to detection of an error that occurs during execution of the scan process, and the timeout period other than when an error occurs is set to an initial value (e.g., 10 minutes). In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the timeout period is changed in response to a command (resource name included in a request) received from a terminal device via a session. Note that this may or may not be combined with the process of extending the timeout period in response to detection of an error that occurs in the first embodiment. In the following, a description of the parts common to the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0097] The session management unit 504 of this embodiment is configured to hold in the RAM 12 or the storage unit 13 an individual timeout setting value for each command (each resource name shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11) received from the terminal device. For example, an initial value of the timeout time (for example, 10 minutes as in the first embodiment) is set for the resource name "sid", and a longer time (for example, 20 minutes) is set for the resource name "image". This is to prevent the session from timing out during the time that may be required for the user to check the scanned images using the image confirmation screen 720 and select the scanned images to be saved. Even if the image confirmation screen 720 is configured to allow image editing such as page deletion and image rotation, this is preferable when these image editing operations are realized using Javascript or the like on the Web page that constitutes the image confirmation screen 720 (i.e., no request is sent to the Web server 500). In this way, for example, individual timeout times can be set for each command (resource name) "sid", "scanstart", "scanning", "image" and "save" illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 11. Also, a setting screen such as that shown in FIG. 7(B) may be provided to the terminal device, allowing the timeout period to be set for each command.

[0098] For example, when determining whether a timeout has occurred for a session corresponding to a SID stored in the session management table (S1006 in FIG. 10), the session management unit 504 refers to the resource name associated with the SID in the session management table, and acquires and uses the setting of the timeout period corresponding to the resource name. However, when an error has occurred in the image reading device 100 ("YES" in S1002), the session management unit 504 gives priority to the timeout period extended in response to the detection of the error. That is, the session management unit 504 is configured to give priority to the timeout period extended in response to the detection of an error occurring during the execution of a scan process, over the timeout period changed in response to a command (resource name included in a request) received from a terminal device via a session.

[0099] Furthermore, the session management unit 504 may operate to maintain the session after it is detected that an error has occurred in the image reading device 100 during execution of the scan process, unless a command is received from another terminal device (terminal 300, for example) other than the terminal device (terminal 200, for example) with which the session has been established. This is because, if there is no other terminal device other than the terminal 200 that is trying to use the image reading device 100, there is no problem in maintaining the session until the error resolution work is completed (i.e., even if the user of the terminal 200 is allowed to occupy the image reading device 100). This makes it possible to secure sufficient time for the user to perform the error resolution work. On the other hand, the session management unit 504 may operate to start timing for determining the timeout time when a command is received from another terminal device (terminal 300) after it is detected that an error has occurred in the image reading device 100 during execution of the scan process.

[0100] As described above, in the image reading device 100 of this embodiment, the session management unit 50 changes the timeout period in response to a command (resource name included in a request) received from a terminal device via a session. This makes it possible to set an appropriate timeout period in accordance with the processing contents of the image reading device 100 and the operations performed by the user, and to prevent the session with the terminal device from being disconnected due to the occurrence of a timeout.

[0101] In the above-described embodiments, the session timeout time in the session management table described with reference to Fig. 12 is changed based on Fig. 9 to change the session timeout time. The present invention is not limited to this, and may be configured to, for example, stop the time count for the session timeout when an error occurs, and resume the time count at the point in time when a scan instruction (S1104) is received after the error is resolved, thereby substantially extending the session timeout time.

[0102] The disclosure of this specification includes the following image reading apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program. (Item 1) An image reading device, an establishment unit that establishes a session with a terminal device that can communicate with the image reading device when the image reading device receives an access from the terminal device; a processing unit that executes a scan process to read an image of an original document and generate image data of a scanned image in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session; a session management means for disconnecting the session when a duration of a state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout period, the session management means extends the timeout period in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process. 1. An image reading apparatus comprising: (Item 2) The image reading device further includes a detection unit for detecting an error that occurs in the image reading device, the session management means changes the timeout period set when an error is detected by the detection means to an individual timeout period that is preset for each type of error detected by the detection means; 2. The image reading device according to item 1, (Item 3) The timeout period set for an error caused by a paper jam during transport is longer than the timeout period set for a multi-feed error. 3. The image reading device according to item 2, (Item 4) the detection means detects an error that has occurred during execution of the scan process based on an output from a sensor disposed inside the image reading device; 4. The image reading device according to item 2 or 3. (Item 5) the session management means, when detecting an error caused by a jam of a document sheet being conveyed during execution of the scan process, extends the timeout period, and, when detecting an error caused by a cover of the image reading device being opened before the jam is cleared, further extends the timeout period. 5. The image reading device according to any one of items 1 to 4, (Item 6) when the session management means detects an error caused by the cover of the image reading device being opened during the execution of the scan process, the session management means stops counting the time for determining the timeout period until the cover is closed. 6. The image reading device according to any one of items 1 to 5, (Item 7) a providing unit that provides an operation screen for accepting the setting of the timeout period to a terminal device that can communicate with the image reading device, the session management means changes settings of individual timeout periods for each type of error in accordance with settings received via the operation screen; 3. The image reading device according to item 2, (Item 8) a providing unit that provides, when it is detected that a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, an operation screen for receiving a selection of whether or not to continue the scanning process from an operating user to the terminal device, The processing means continues the scanning process or ends the scanning process in accordance with the selection received via the operation screen. 7. The image reading device according to any one of items 1 to 6, (Item 9) the operation screen is configured to allow a user to select whether to continue the scanning process, to discard the image data generated by the scanning process up to that point and end the scanning process, or to save the image data generated by the scanning process up to that point in the terminal device and end the scanning process. 9. The image reading device according to item 8, (Item 10) the providing means provides, when it is detected that a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, an operation screen for receiving from an operating user a selection of whether or not to continue the scanning process, to the terminal device, and when it is detected that an error other than a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, displays the operation screen on a display unit of the image reading device. 10. The image reading device according to item 8 or 9, (Item 11) The error other than the double feed error includes at least one of a jam of an original sheet during conveyance, an opening of a cover of the image reading device, and a replacement of a roller. 11. The image reading device according to item 10, (Item 12) the session management means changes the timeout period in response to a command received from the terminal device via the session. 12. The image reading device according to any one of items 1 to 11, (Item 13) the session management means gives priority to the timeout period extended in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process over the timeout period changed in response to a command received from the terminal device via the session. 13. The image reading device according to item 12, (Item 14) the session management means maintains the session unless a command is received from a terminal device other than the terminal device after it is detected that an error has occurred in the image reading device during execution of the scan process. 14. The image reading device according to item 12 or 13, (Item 15) the session management means, when detecting that an error has occurred in the image reading device during execution of the scan process, receives a command from a terminal device other than the terminal device, starts measuring time for determining the timeout period. 15. The image reading device according to any one of items 12 to 14, (Item 16) the processing means continues to execute the scan process as long as access from the terminal device via the session is accepted at a preset time interval during the execution of the scan process; 16. The image reading device according to any one of items 1 to 15, (Item 17) A method for controlling an image reading device, comprising: an establishment step of establishing a session with a terminal device capable of communicating with the image reading device when the image reading device receives an access from the terminal device; a processing step of executing a scan process to read an image of an original document and generate image data of a scanned image in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session; a session management step of disconnecting the session when a duration of a state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout time; In the session management step, the timeout period is extended in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process. 2. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus comprising: (Item 18) 18. A program for causing a computer of an image reading device to execute the method for controlling an image reading device according to item 17.

[0103] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100: image reading device, 104: image reading unit, 10: control unit, 11: CPU, 13: storage unit, 130: operation unit, 210: web browser, 500: web server

Claims

1. An image reading device, an establishment unit that establishes a session with a terminal device that can communicate with the image reading device when the image reading device receives an access from the terminal device; a processing unit that executes a scan process to read an image of an original document and generate image data of a scanned image in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session; a session management means for disconnecting the session when a duration of a state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout period, the session management means extends the timeout period in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process.

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

2. The image reading device further includes a detection unit for detecting an error that occurs in the image reading device, the session management means changes the timeout period set when an error is detected by the detection means to an individual timeout period that is preset for each type of error detected by the detection means; 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

3. The timeout period set for an error caused by a paper jam during transport is longer than the timeout period set for a multi-feed error.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

4. the detection means detects an error that has occurred during execution of the scan process based on an output from a sensor disposed inside the image reading device; 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus is a digital camera.

5. the session management means, when detecting an error caused by a jam of a document sheet being conveyed during execution of the scan process, extends the timeout period, and, when detecting an error caused by a cover of the image reading device being opened before the jam is cleared, further extends the timeout period.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

6. when the session management means detects an error caused by the cover of the image reading device being opened during the execution of the scan process, the session management means stops counting the time for determining the timeout period until the cover is closed.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

7. a providing unit that provides an operation screen for accepting the setting of the timeout period to a terminal device that can communicate with the image reading device, the session management means changes settings of individual timeout periods for each type of error in accordance with settings received via the operation screen; 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image reading apparatus comprises:

8. a providing unit that provides, when it is detected that a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, an operation screen for receiving a selection of whether or not to continue the scanning process from an operating user to the terminal device, The processing means continues the scanning process or ends the scanning process in accordance with the selection received via the operation screen.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

9. the operation screen is configured to allow a user to select whether to continue the scanning process, to discard the image data generated by the scanning process up to that point and end the scanning process, or to save the image data generated by the scanning process up to that point in the terminal device and end the scanning process.

9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8,

10. the providing means provides, when it is detected that a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, an operation screen for receiving from an operating user a selection of whether or not to continue the scanning process, to the terminal device, and when it is detected that an error other than a multifeed error has occurred during the execution of the scanning process, displays the operation screen on a display unit of the image reading device.

9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8,

11. The error other than the double feed error includes at least one of a jam of an original sheet during conveyance, an opening of a cover of the image reading device, and a replacement of a roller.

11. The image reading device according to claim 10,

12. the session management means changes the timeout period in response to a command received from the terminal device via the session.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

13. the session management means gives priority to the timeout period extended in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process over the timeout period changed in response to a command received from the terminal device via the session.

13. The image reading apparatus according to claim 12.

14. the session management means maintains the session unless a command is received from a terminal device other than the terminal device after it is detected that an error has occurred in the image reading device during execution of the scan process.

13. The image reading apparatus according to claim 12.

15. the session management means, when detecting that an error has occurred in the image reading device during execution of the scan process, receives a command from a terminal device other than the terminal device, starts measuring time for determining the timeout period.

13. The image reading apparatus according to claim 12.

16. the processing means continues to execute the scan process as long as access from the terminal device via the session is accepted at a preset time interval during the execution of the scan process; 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is a scanning apparatus.

17. A method for controlling an image reading device, comprising: an establishment step of establishing a session with a terminal device capable of communicating with the image reading device when the image reading device receives an access from the terminal device; a processing step of executing a scan process to read an image of an original document and generate image data of a scanned image in accordance with a scan instruction received from the terminal device via the session; a session management step of disconnecting the session when a duration of a state in which there is no access from the terminal device via the session reaches a timeout time; In the session management step, the timeout period is extended in response to detection of an error occurring during execution of the scan process.

2. A method for controlling an image reading apparatus comprising:

18. A program for causing a computer of an image reading device to execute the method for controlling an image reading device according to claim 17.

Images