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

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method for easily transmitting image data generated by scanning a document to participants in an on-line conference.SOLUTION: A method includes: a scanning step (S902) of scanning a document to generate image data; an acquisition step (S907) of acquiring information on participants in an on-line conference from an on-line conference service; a determination step (S911) of determining transmission destinations on the basis of the acquired information; and a transmission step (S915) of transmitting the generated image data to the transmission destinations determined by the determination means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that identifies users participating in an online conference from a video and transmits a scanned image to the identified users. This allows documents to be shared with participants in the online conference, making information sharing smoother. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-273256 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When sending image data generated by scanning from an image forming device to participants in an online conference, it is necessary to input the destination information of the participants in the image forming device, and when there are many participants, inputting the destination information can be a hassle. Also, when the participants of the online conference are not known, it is time-consuming to check the participants from the schedule information of the online conference system.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to make it possible to easily transmit image data generated by scanning to participants in an online conference. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image processing device of the present invention is characterized by having a scanning means for scanning a document to generate image data, an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding participants in an online conference from an online conference service, a determination means for determining a destination based on the acquired information, and a transmission means for transmitting the generated image data to the destination determined by the determination means. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the need to input destination information of online conference participants from an image forming apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Network Diagram [Diagram 2] MFP configuration diagram [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] Online conference server configuration diagram [Diagram 5] Mail server configuration diagram [Figure 6] An example of meeting schedule information managed by an online meeting server [Figure 7] An example of user information managed by the online conference server [Figure 8] Sequence diagram for sending scanned data to online meeting participants [Figure 9] Flowchart diagram for sending scanned data to online meeting participants [Figure 10] Scan to Email GUI [Figure 11] Diagram showing the Scan to Online Meeting Participant button [Figure 12] A diagram showing the job setting screen associated with the Scan to Online Conference Participant button [Figure 13] Flowchart diagram of sending scan data with Scan to Online Meeting Participant button [Figure 14]Diagram showing GUI of Scan to Online Meeting Participant button [Figure 15] Diagram showing the GUI of a chat application DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] <First embodiment> A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the present invention. In the image processing system of FIG. 1, an MFP 200 and a plurality of terminal devices 300a to 300c are communicatively connected to an online conference server 400 and an E-mail server 500 via a network 100. The network 100 in this embodiment may be the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The network 100 may be wired or wireless. The MFP 200 has a function of scanning and digitizing a paper document, and transmits the scanned data to the E-mail server 500 by attaching the scanned data to an e-mail so that the scanned data is sent to a destination specified by the user. The terminal devices 300a to 300c are electronic devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet PCs owned by users. The online conference server 400 is a server that communicates with the terminal devices 300a to 300c connected via the network 100 and manages an online conference held using the terminal devices 300a to 300c. The E-mail server 500 transfers the E-mail sent from the MFP 200 to the user terminals 300a to 300c of the designated destinations using a protocol such as SMTP. In the following description, when the terminal devices 300a to 300c perform the same process, the terminal devices 300a to 300c will be collectively described as the terminal device 300.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 200. The MFP 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage 204, an operation unit 205, a printing unit 206, a reading unit 207, and a communication unit 208. The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the MFP 200. The CPU 201 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage 204 to the RAM 203 and performs various controls such as reading control and printing control. The ROM 202 stores a control program executable by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a main memory, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 202 and the storage 204. The storage 204 stores image data, print data, various programs, and various setting information. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 204, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) may be used. Also, an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) may be used. In the MFP 200 of this embodiment, one CPU 201 executes each process shown in a sequence described later using one RAM 203, but this is not limited thereto. For example, each process shown in a flowchart described later can be executed by cooperating with a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages. Also, some of the processes may be executed using a hardware circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The operation unit 205 is, for example, a display unit such as a touch panel or a hard key. The operation unit 205 displays information to a user and detects input from the user. The printing unit 206 prints image data (print data) stored in the RAM 203 on a recording paper fed from a paper feed cassette. The reading unit 207 reads an image of an original, and the CPU 201 converts the image into image data such as binary data. The reading unit 207 has a conveying unit that conveys an original, and can convey a plurality of originals placed on an original table and scan the image of the conveyed original. Image data generated based on the image read by the reading unit 207 is sent to an external device or printed on a recording paper.The communication unit 208 is connected to the network 100. The communication unit 208 also transmits image data to external devices on the network 100 and receives print data from the terminal device 300. As a method for transmitting and receiving data via the network 100, transmission and reception using e-mail and file transmission using other protocols (for example, FTP, SMB, WEBDAV, etc.) can be performed. Furthermore, various setting data can be transmitted and received via the network 100 by accessing from the terminal device 300 via HTTP communication.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage 304, a camera 305, a display unit 306, a microphone 307, a speaker 308, and a communication unit 309. The CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire terminal device 300. The CPU 301 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 302 or the storage 304 to the RAM 303 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the terminal device 300. The ROM 302 stores a control program executable by the CPU 301. The RAM 303 is a main memory, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for expanding various control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the storage 304. The storage 304 stores application data, various programs, and various setting information. The camera 305 is an imaging device that uses an imaging element that converts light into an electrical signal and inputs information of the surrounding environment as image data. The display unit 306 is a display device such as a liquid crystal panel. It displays image data processed by CPU 301 and image data input via camera 305. Microphone 307 converts voice into voice data, and speaker 308 outputs voice data input from microphone 307 and voice signals processed by CPU 301. Communication unit 309 transmits and receives data to and from online conference server 400, E-mail server 500, and MFP 200 via network 100. The configuration shown in Fig. 3 is merely an example, and it is not necessary to include all of these.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the online conference server 400. The CPU 401 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 402 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the online conference service provided by the online conference server 400. The ROM 402 stores the control program. The RAM 403 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 401. The HDD 404 stores various data such as video and audio, user information participating in the online conference, and schedule information of the online conference. The communication unit 405 can transmit and receive data to and from various devices such as the MFP 200 and the terminal device 300 via the Internet 100. When the online conference server 400 receives an instruction to start an online conference notified from the terminal device 300, it generates video data from the audio and video data transmitted from the terminal device 300 and transmits the video data to the terminal device 300. In addition, the online conference server 400 issues a conference URL for participating in the online conference, and participants in the online conference can participate in the online conference by accessing the issued conference URL. The communication unit 405 may perform wired communication using Ethernet, or may perform wireless communication such as Wi-Fi.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the E-mail server 500. The CPU 501 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 502 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the E-mail server 500. The ROM 502 stores the control program. The RAM 503 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 501. The HDD 504 stores various data such as e-mail data and e-mail address information. The E-mail server 500 has an e-mail receiving function and a transfer function using a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service or the like. The communication unit 505 receives e-mail and electronic data attached to the e-mail transmitted from the MFP 200 via the Internet 100, and transfers them to the terminal device 300. The communication unit 505 may perform wired communication using Ethernet, or may perform wireless communication such as Wi-Fi.

[0016] FIG. 6 is an example of a schedule list of an online conference stored in the HDD 404 of the online conference server 400. The schedule list includes schedule information including the conference name, the date and time of the online conference, the participants, the organizer, and the conference URL for participating in the conference. When the organizer of the online conference holds an online conference, the organizer transmits a conference instruction including the conference name, the date and time of the conference, and the people who wish to attend the conference from the terminal device 300 to the online conference server 400. When the online conference server 400 receives the conference instruction, it issues a conference URL and links it with the conference name and the like included in the conference instruction, and adds it to the schedule list as schedule information. The schedule list stores not only schedule information of online conferences that are being held or will be held in the future, but also schedule information of online conferences that have been held in the past. In addition, the schedule information is returned in accordance with a request instruction for schedule information from the MFP 200 or the terminal device 300. For example, when the MFP 200 requests schedule information of an online conference in which a specific user participates, the online conference server 400 searches the list for schedule information in which the user is a participant, and returns it to the MFP 200.

[0017] FIG. 7 is an example of a user information list of users participating in an online conference stored in the HDD 404 of the online conference server 400. The user information list includes user information consisting of a user name, an email address serving as a destination for transmitting electronic data to the individual user, and a chat ID. The user name is a name for identifying an individual in an online conference, and is used to specify attendees of the online conference and to indicate users participating in the conference. The user information is information that is registered in advance when using an online conference service, but only one of the email address and the chat ID may be registered. In addition, the destination information to be registered is not limited to an address of an e-mail or chat service, and may be a URL of a cloud storage prepared for each individual or a fax number, etc., as long as the service allows the transmission of electronic data.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence in which a file generated by scanning by the MFP 200 is sent by e-mail to participants of an online conference. The sequence in Fig. 8 is started in response to selection of a Scan to E-mail button 1002 displayed on a home screen 1001 in Fig. 10, which will be described later.

[0019] In S801, the user inputs a user ID and password for logging in to the online conference system to the operation unit 205 of the MFP 200. In the information acquisition request to the online conference server 400 in the following steps, token information acquired by transmitting the user ID and password input in S801 to the online conference server 400 is used. Note that the user ID and password input by the user in S801 may be used for authentication as is. Also, the login information input by the user in S801 may be login information previously stored in the MFP 200, in which case the user proceeds to step S802 without inputting login information to the online conference server.

[0020] In S802, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 controls the communication unit 208 to transmit to the online conference server 400 the login information input in S801.

[0021] In S803, upon receiving the login information transmitted from the MFP 200 in S802, the online conference server 400 issues a token required for an information acquisition request to the online conference server, and transmits the token to the MFP 200.

[0022] In S804, the user performs an operation on the scan data destination setting screen to select an online conference as a destination from the schedule information of the online conference.

[0023] In S805, CPU 201 of MFP 200 controls communication unit 208 to request schedule information from online conference server 400 via HTTP communication. Specifically, the token information acquired in S803 and information indicating a request for schedule information of an online conference in which the user indicated by the token information is a participant are transmitted to online conference server 400. Note that the requested schedule information may include not only schedules scheduled for the future, but also schedule information of online conferences that have been held in the past. Also, the request may be limited to schedule information scheduled to be held in the near future.

[0024] In S806, the CPU 401 of the online conference server 400 checks whether access is permitted based on the token information attached to the schedule information acquisition request transmitted from the communication unit 208 of the MFP 200 in S805. If access is permitted, the CPU 401 searches for schedule information in which the user indicated by the token information is a participant, in accordance with the schedule information acquisition request. As a result of the search, the relevant schedule information and user information linked to the user names of the online conference participants included in each schedule information are transmitted to the MFP 200 via the communication unit 405 of the online conference server 400 as response information of the HTTP communication.

[0025] In S807, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 generates an online conference selection screen 1012 based on the schedule information received in S806. When the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed on the operation unit 205, the MFP 200 waits for a user operation. The online conference selection screen 1012 will be described in the description of FIG.

[0026] In step S808, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 determines the online conference in which the destination user is participating, as a result of the online conference being selected on the online conference selection screen 1012.

[0027] In S809, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 generates a destination selection screen 1014 based on the schedule information and user information of the online conference selected in S808. The destination selection screen 1014 displays email addresses linked to the user names of the participants included in the schedule information. The destination selection screen 1014 allows the user to select a destination to which the scan data is to be sent from a list of email addresses displayed. The MFP 200 sets the email address selected by the user as the destination for scan-to-email. The destination selection screen 1014 will be described in the description of FIG. 10.

[0028] In S810, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 accepts an instruction to execute Scan to E-mail via the operation unit 205.

[0029] In S811, the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 controls the reading unit 207 to scan the document and generate an image file.

[0030] In S812, the MFP 200 transmits the image file generated in S811 to the E-mail server 500 via the communication unit 208, to the e-mail address set in S809.

[0031] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for sending scan data to participants of an online conference by Scan to E-mail. The process of this flowchart is executed by the CPU 201 of the MFP 200 reading a program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203. The flow of Fig. 9 is started when the power of the MFP 200 is turned on.

[0032] In S901, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a Scan to E-mail button 1002, which will be described later, has been selected. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process proceeds to S902. If not, the process returns to S901.

[0033] In step S902 , the CPU 201 displays the Scan to E-mail screen 1003 on the operation unit 205 .

[0034] In step S903, the CPU 201 detects that the destination setting button 1005 on the scan to E-mail screen 1003 has been selected.

[0035] In step S904, the CPU 201 detects that the online conference button 1007 has been selected as the destination setting means.

[0036] In S905, CPU 201 controls communication unit 208 to log in to online conference server 400 using login information previously stored in MFP 200. If login information has not been registered in MFP 200, a login screen may be displayed on operation unit 205 in S905, and login to online conference server 400 may be performed using input login information. When using stored login information, login information registered in association with a user logged in to MFP 200 may be used. This allows a user to log in and access an online conference service simply by logging in to MFP 200. This allows MFP 200 to obtain schedule information and destination information corresponding to the user logged in to MFP 200.

[0037] In S906, CPU 201 determines whether or not a token has been received from online conference server 400 for the login information transmitted in S905. Specifically, it determines that a token has not been received if the status code in the HTTP communication response is an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be acquired. If it is determined that a token has been received, the process proceeds to S907. If not, the process proceeds to S917.

[0038] In step S917, the CPU 201 displays on the scan-to-E-mail screen 1003 information indicating that login to the online conference server 400 has failed.

[0039] In S907, the CPU 201 executes a process of transmitting information indicating a request for schedule information to the online conference server 400 by HTTP communication, using the token information acquired in S906.

[0040] In S908, the CPU 201 determines whether or not schedule information has been received from the online conference server 400 in response to the schedule information request sent in S907. Specifically, it determines that schedule information has not been received if the status code in the HTTP communication response is an error or if the body information of the response contains a parameter indicating that the information cannot be acquired. If it is determined that the schedule information has been received, the process proceeds to S909. If not, the process proceeds to S918.

[0041] In step S918, the CPU 201 displays information indicating that the online conference information could not be received on the online conference selection screen 1012. At this time, the online conference selection screen 1012 does not display any options for online conferences.

[0042] In S919, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the back button 1013 has been selected. If it is determined that the back button 1013 has been selected, the process returns to S907. If not, the process returns to S719.

[0043] In S909, the CPU 201 displays a list based on the schedule information received from the online conference server 400 on the online conference selection screen 1012. The list of schedule information received from the online conference server 400 includes schedule information of the online conference corresponding to the token information transmitted together with the request in S907. That is, a list of schedules of online conferences corresponding to a user logged in to the online conference service is displayed. An online conference corresponding to a user logged in to the online conference service is an online conference in which the user has already participated or will participate. Furthermore, the schedule information includes information on participants of each online conference. For example, the schedule information includes the names and destination information of users who will participate or have participated in a certain online conference.

[0044] In S910, the CPU 201 detects via the operation unit 205 whether or not an online conference has been selected on the online conference selection screen 1012. If it is determined that an online conference has been selected, the process transitions to S911. If not, the process transitions to S909. The method of detecting the selection is whether or not any of the lists displayed on the online conference selection screen 1012 has been selected. Note that in the case of a screen configuration in which a Confirm button is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 205, a similar transition is made when the Confirm button is selected.

[0045] In S911, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display, on the destination selection screen 1014, the email addresses of the users who are participants in the online conference selected in S910. In the destination selection screen 1014, the email addresses of all users who participate in the online conference selected in S911 are displayed, and the destination to which the scan data is to be transmitted can be selected from among them. In addition, the CPU 201 may be controlled to display the destination selection screen 1014 in a state in which the email address that matches the email address of the login user used in S905 is not set as the destination in S911. In addition, when the destination selection screen is not displayed and the destination information of the participants of the online conference is automatically determined (set) as the destination of the email due to the selection of an online conference or a schedule of the online conference, the destination information of the user who is logged in to the MFP 200 (the user who is logged in to the online conference) may not be used as the destination. This makes it possible to omit unnecessary email transmission when the sender of the image data himself is included as a participant of the online conference.

[0046] In S912, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the monochrome start key 1010 or the color start key 1011 displayed on the operation unit 205 has been selected. If it is determined that the key has been selected, the process proceeds to S913. If not, the process returns to S912.

[0047] In S913, the CPU 201 controls the reading unit 207 based on the scan settings to read the document and generate image data.

[0048] In step S914, the CPU 201 converts the image data generated in step S913 into the file format set on the transmission setting screen.

[0049] In S915, the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to attach the file generated in S914 to an e-mail and transmit the e-mail to the e-mail server 500. Here, the destination information (e-mail address) set as the destination of the e-mail may be the destination information selected by the user on the destination selection screen 1014. Also, the destination information may be the destination information of multiple participants of the online conference determined as the destination by selecting the online conference on the online conference selection screen 1012.

[0050] In S916, CPU 201 determines whether or not the E-mail sent in S915 was successfully sent to E-mail server 500. Specifically, if the status code in the SMTP response is an error, it determines that the E-mail was not successfully sent. If it is determined that the E-mail was successfully sent, it displays on operation unit 205 that the transmission was successful. If not, it displays on operation unit 205 that the transmission failed.

[0051] 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions in a process of sending scan data to participants of an online conference by e-mail using scan-to-e-mail. When a scan-to-e-mail button 1002 displayed on a home screen 1001 is selected, a scan-to-e-mail screen 1003 is displayed on the operation unit 205.

[0052] A reset button 1009 is displayed on the scan to e-mail screen 1003. When the reset button 1009 is selected, the set information is cleared. At this time, the set destination information and transmission settings are cleared. When the black and white start key 1010 or color start key 1011 is selected, scanning is started, and the generated image file is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the e-mail server 500.

[0053] When the destination setting button 1005 is selected, a scan to e-mail screen 1003 is displayed. On this screen, objects for setting an e-mail address as a destination are displayed. For example, a button for displaying a keyboard screen, a button for selecting a destination from an address book registered in the MFP 200 or an e-mail address registered in an LDAP server, and an online conference button 1007 for selecting a destination from participants of an online conference are displayed in a selectable manner. An e-mail address set as a destination by the online conference button 1007 or the like is displayed in a destination display field 1004. Also, the number of destinations set in a destination number field 1008 is displayed.

[0054] When the transmission setting button 1006 is selected, a transmission setting screen 1019 is displayed. On this screen, reading settings and transmission settings such as the reading size of the scanned document, file format, and file name can be selected and confirmed.

[0055] When the online conference button 1007 is selected, an online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed. The list of online conferences displayed on this online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed based on online conference information received by the MFP 200 from the online conference server 400. For example, the conference name, date and time of the online conference, and the number of participants are displayed. On this screen, it is possible to select an online conference in which the destination user is participating. When an online conference is selected on the online conference selection screen 1012, a destination selection screen 1014 is displayed that displays the email addresses of the selected online conference participants. When the back button 1013 is selected, the scan to e-mail screen 1003 is displayed again.

[0056] In the destination selection screen 1014, an email address to be the destination of the scan to e-mail can be selected. For example, a check mark indicating that the email address is a destination is displayed on the email address that is the destination. When an email address that is the destination is selected, it is excluded from the destination, and the check mark indicating that the email address is a destination is hidden. The number of email addresses selected as destinations is displayed in the transmission number field 1016. The destination selection screen 1014 may be displayed in a state in which all the email addresses of the online conference participants are selected as destinations in advance. In addition, the destination selection screen 1014 may be displayed in a state in which an email address that matches the email address of a user who is logged in to the online conference server is not set as a destination. Furthermore, if the online conference selected in the online conference selection screen 1012 is an online conference that is being held or has been held, only the email address of the user who accessed the conference URL of the online conference may be displayed on the destination selection screen 1014. When the back button 1015 is selected, the online conference selection screen 1012 is displayed again. When the confirm button 1017 is selected, the scan to e-mail screen 1018 is displayed. At this time, the destination display field 1004 displays the subject of the online conference selected on the online conference selection screen 1012 and the email address selected as the transmission destination on the destination selection screen 1014.

[0057] With the configuration described above, it is possible to send scan data to participants of an online conference without setting the destination email address.

[0058] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, an example of scan to e-mail has been described in which the MFP 200 transmits scan data to the e-mail server 500. As the second embodiment, an example will be described in which the MFP 200 transmits scan data to a chat server.

[0059] 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a scan to online conference participant button 1102 for transmitting scan data to participants of an online conference by scan to chat is displayed on a home screen 1101 in the second embodiment. The scan to online conference participant button 1102 is a button for executing a job according to scan settings and transmission settings set in the button settings described below, and is a button that is displayed on the home screen after the button settings are made.

[0060] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a button setting screen for setting a job to be executed by the scan to online conference participant button 1102. The button settings can be set by accessing a button setting page provided by the MFP 200 from a browser 1201. A login user field 1202 displays the name of the user who has logged in to the MFP 200 to set the buttons from the browser. To set the buttons, a user having administrator authority for the MFP 200 or a general user having authority to set the buttons logs in to the MFP 200. When the user selects a logout button 1203, the user is logged out of the MFP 200, and a screen indicating that the user has been logged out of the MFP 200 is displayed on the browser 1201.

[0061] A button name to be displayed on the home screen is set in a button name field 1206. A selection field 1207 is used to select an online conference service for which the MFP 200 will make a schedule information request. A list of online conference services that the MFP 200 can use to obtain schedule information is displayed in the selection field 1207, and schedule information can be obtained by selecting a desired online conference service. A login ID field 1208 and a password field 1209 are used to set a login ID and password for logging in to the online conference service selected in the selection field 1207.

[0062] In the transmission type field 1210, the transmission type of the scan data is selected. Examples of the transmission type include e-mail, chat, and cloud storage service. The MFP 200 transmits the scan data to the outside according to the transmission type set in the transmission type field 1210. A switch button 1211 is a button for switching to a screen display for inputting information required to transmit the scan data with the transmission type selected in the transmission type field 1210. For example, when the switch button 1211 is selected with "chat" selected in the transmission type field 1210, the following processing is performed. A chat service selection field 1212, input fields (1213, 1214) for a login ID and password for logging in to the selected chat service, and a text field 1215 for setting a standard message to be posted when registering for chat are displayed.

[0063] A read size selection field 1216, a color mode selection field 1217, and a file format selection field 1218 are scan settings, and a scan job is executed according to the scan settings set in fields 1216 to 1218.

[0064] When the OK button 1204 is selected, the MFP 200 stores the job settings set in 1206 to 1218 in the storage 204, and displays a button for executing a job according to the job settings on the home screen 1101. When the Cancel button 1205 is selected, the information set in 1206 to 1218 is cleared and the button settings are terminated.

[0065] Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for sending scan data to participants of an online conference by scan-to-chat. The process of this flowchart is executed by CPU 201 of MFP 200 reading a program stored in ROM 202 into RAM 203. The flow of Fig. 13 is started when MFP 200 is powered on.

[0066] In S1301, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the scan to online conference participant button 1102 for executing a job has been selected according to the button settings in Fig. 12. If it is determined that the button has been selected, the process proceeds to S1302. If not, the process returns to S1301.

[0067] In step S1302 , the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to transmit the information set in the login ID field 1208 and the password field 1209 to the online conference server 400 in order to log in to the online conference service selected in the selection field 1207 .

[0068] In S1303, CPU 201 determines whether or not a token has been received from online conference server 400 in response to the login information transmitted in S1302. Specifically, it determines that a token has not been received if the status code in the HTTP communication response is an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be acquired. If it is determined that a token has been received, the process proceeds to S1304. If not, the process proceeds to S1314.

[0069] In step S1314, the CPU 201 displays on the operation unit 205 information indicating that login to the online conference server 400 has failed.

[0070] In S1304, the CPU 201 executes a process of transmitting information indicating a request for schedule information to the online conference server 400 by HTTP communication, using the token information acquired in S1303.

[0071] In S1305, CPU 201 determines whether or not schedule information has been received from online conference server 400 in response to the schedule information request sent in S1304. Specifically, it determines that schedule information has not been received if the status code in the HTTP communication response is an error or if the body information of the response includes a parameter indicating that the information cannot be acquired. If it is determined that schedule information has been received, the process proceeds to S1306. If not, the process proceeds to S1315.

[0072] In step S1315, the CPU 201 displays information indicating that the online conference information could not be received on the online conference selection screen 1403. At this time, the online conference selection screen 1403 does not display any options for online conferences.

[0073] In S1316, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the back button 1404 has been selected. If it is determined that the back button 1404 has been selected, the process returns to S1304. If not, the process returns to S1316.

[0074] In step S1306 , the CPU 201 displays a list based on the schedule information received from the online conference server 400 on the online conference selection screen 1403 .

[0075] In S1307, the CPU 201 detects, via the operation unit 205, whether or not an online conference in which the destination user is participating has been selected on the online conference selection screen 1403. If it is determined that the online conference has been selected, the process transitions to S1308. If not, the process transitions to S1306. The method of detection of selection is whether or not anything in the list displayed on the online conference selection screen 1403 has been selected. Note that, in the case of a screen configuration in which a Confirm button is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 205, a similar transition is made when the Confirm button is selected.

[0076] In S1308, the CPU 201 controls the operation unit 205 to display the chat IDs of the users participating in the online conference selected in S1307 on a destination selection screen 1405. On the destination selection screen 1405, the chat IDs of all users participating in the online conference selected in S1307 are displayed, and a destination to which scan data is to be transmitted can be selected from among them. Also, in S1308, the CPU 201 may be controlled to display the destination selection screen 1405 in a state in which it is preset so that a chat ID that matches the chat ID of the logged-in user used in S1302 is not used as a destination.

[0077] In S1309, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the Yes button 1410 displayed on the operation unit 205 has been selected. If it is determined that the Yes button 1410 has been selected, the process proceeds to S1310. If not, the process returns to S1309.

[0078] In step S1310, the CPU 201 controls the reading unit 207 based on the scan settings set in the reading size selection field 1216 and the color mode selection field 1217, reads the original, and generates image data.

[0079] In step S 1311 , the CPU 201 converts the image data generated in step S 1310 into the file format set in the file format selection field 1218 .

[0080] In S1312, the CPU 201 controls the communication unit 208 to transmit the file generated in S1311 to the chat server. In addition, together with the file transmission, a message may be entered in the text field 1215 and posted to the chat server.

[0081] In S1313, CPU 201 determines whether the scan data sent in S1312 was successfully sent to the chat server. Specifically, it determines that sending of the scan data has failed if the status code in the HTTP response is an error or if the body information of the response contains a parameter indicating that the scan data could not be received. If it is determined that the scan data was successfully sent, it displays on operation unit 205 that the transmission was successful. If not, it displays on operation unit 205 that the transmission failed.

[0082] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions in a process in which a scan-to-online conference participant transmits scan data to an online conference participant via chat. When a scan-to-online conference participant button 1402 displayed on a home screen 1401 is selected, an online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed. The list of online conferences displayed on this online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed based on online conference information received by the MFP 200 from the online conference server 400. For example, the name of the online conference, the date and time of the conference, the number of participants, and the like are displayed. On this screen, it is possible to select an online conference in which a destination user is participating. When an online conference is selected on the online conference selection screen 1403, a destination selection screen 1405 is displayed, which displays the chat ID of the selected online conference participant. When a back button 1404 is selected, the home screen 1401 is displayed again.

[0083] In the destination selection screen 1405, a chat ID to be a destination of scan to chat can be selected. For example, a check mark indicating that the chat ID is a transmission target is displayed on the chat ID that is a transmission target. When a chat ID that is a transmission target is selected, it is excluded from the transmission target, and the check mark indicating that the chat ID is a transmission target is hidden. The number of transmissions field 1407 displays the number of chat IDs selected as transmission targets. The destination selection screen 1405 may be displayed in a state in which all chat IDs of online conference participants are selected as transmission targets in advance. In addition, the destination selection screen 1405 may be displayed in a state in which chat IDs that match the chat ID of a user who is logged in to the online conference server are not set as a destination. Furthermore, if the online conference selected in the online conference selection screen 1403 is an online conference that is being held or has been held, only the chat ID of the user who accessed the conference URL of the online conference may be displayed on the destination selection screen 1405. When the back button 1406 is selected, the online conference selection screen 1403 is displayed again. When the confirm button 1408 is selected, a job setting confirmation screen 1409 is displayed in which the destination, scan settings, etc. are displayed. When a Yes button 1410 displayed on the job setting confirmation screen 1409 is selected, the scan data is sent to the chat ID selected on the destination selection screen 1405. When a No button 1411 is selected, the home screen 1401 is displayed again.

[0084] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which the chat server receives scan data transmitted from the MFP 200, and a notification indicating the reception is displayed on the chat application. A chat application screen 1501 is displayed on the display unit 306 of the terminal device 300. A login user ID field 1502 displays the chat ID of a user who has logged in to the chat server. A user selection field 1503 displays a list of user IDs that can exchange messages and files by chat, and by selecting a desired user, exchange of messages and files by chat with the selected user is started. A destination user ID field 1504 displays the user ID selected in the user selection field 1503. A chat field 1505 displays chat exchanges between a user (UserA_chat) displayed in the destination user ID field 1504 and a user (UserB_chat) who is logged in to the chat application. A speech bubble 1506 displays a message 1508 sent by UserB_chat himself and a transmission date and time 1507 of the message. A message is transmitted by inputting an arbitrary character string in a message input field 1512. A balloon 1509 indicates that a user with a chat ID of UserA_chat has used the Scan to Online Conference Participant button to send scanned data to UserB_chat, who is also a participant in the online conference. A message 1510 set in the text field 1215 and scanned data 1511 are attached to the balloon 1509.

[0085] With the configuration described above, it is possible to send scan data to participants of an online conference without setting a chat ID for the destination.

[0086] <Other embodiments> The present invention can be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-mentioned embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium. Then, one or more processors in the computer of the system or device can read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 200 MFP 400 Online Conference Server

Claims

1. A scanning means for scanning an original to generate image data; An acquisition means for acquiring information about participants of an online conference from an online conference service; A determination means for determining a destination based on the acquired information; 2. An image processing apparatus comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits the generated image data to a destination determined by the determining unit.

2. The method further includes a display unit for displaying destination information of the online conference included in the acquired information, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination means determines destination information selected by a user from the displayed destination information as the transmission destination.

3. The acquiring means further acquires schedule information of the online conference, 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said display means displays destination information of a participant corresponding to schedule information selected by a user from said schedule information.

4. The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination means does not determine, as the transmission destination, destination information included in the destination information included in the information acquired by the acquisition means, which corresponds to a user who is logged in to the image processing device.

5. The document feeder further includes a feed means for feeding the document, 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanning means scans the document conveyed by the conveying means to generate the image data.

6. The destination information is an email address, 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transmission means transmits the generated image data by email.

7. A scanning means for scanning an original to generate image data; An acquisition means for acquiring information regarding an online conference from an online conference service; A determination means for determining a destination based on the acquired information; an image processing system further comprising a transmitting unit configured to transmit the generated image data to a destination determined by the determining unit;

8. The method further includes a display unit for displaying destination information of the participants of the online conference included in the acquired information, 8. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein said determination means determines destination information selected by a user from the displayed destination information as the transmission destination.

9. The acquiring means further acquires schedule information of the online conference, 9. The image processing system according to claim 8, wherein said display means displays destination information of a participant corresponding to schedule information selected by a user from said schedule information.

10. The image processing system according to claim 7, characterized in that the determination means does not determine, as the transmission destination, destination information contained in the destination information included in the information acquired by the acquisition means, which destination information corresponds to a user who is logged in to an image processing device included in the image processing system.

11. The document feeder further includes a feed means for feeding the document, 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the scanning means scans the document conveyed by the conveying means to generate the image data.

12. The destination information is an email address, 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the transmitting means transmits the generated image data by email.

13. A scanning step of scanning an original to generate image data; An acquisition step of acquiring information related to the online conference from the online conference service; a determination step of determining a destination based on the acquired information; an image processing method comprising the steps of: transmitting the generated image data to the destination determined in the determination step;

14. The method further includes a display step of displaying destination information of the participants of the online conference included in the acquired information, 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein said determining step determines destination information selected by a user from the displayed destination information as said transmission destination.

15. The acquiring step further acquires schedule information of the online conference, 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein said display step displays destination information of a participant corresponding to schedule information selected by a user from said schedule information.

16. The method further includes a conveying step of conveying the document, 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein the scanning step generates the image data by scanning the document transported in the transport step.

17. The destination information is an email address, 15. The image processing method according to claim 14, wherein the transmission step transmits the generated image data by email.

Images