Image processing device and image processing method

Abstract

To prevent image data of a document from being uploaded without user's intention when the document is scanned and the image data is uploaded to a cloud.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes scanning means for scanning a document on the basis of a scan instruction to generate image data, transmission means for transmitting the generated image data, setting means for enabling a setting that requires reception means to receive an instruction from the user so that the scanning means can scan the document on the basis of the scan instruction, registration means for performing registration processing for causing the transmission means to transmit the generated image data to a cloud server, and display means for displaying information promoting for enabling the setting on the basis of completion of the registration processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which image data generated by an image reading device reading an image is uploaded to a cloud environment and operated from an information processing terminal such as a smartphone. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-19061 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When an image processing device scans an original document based on a scan instruction from an information processing device such as a PC and transmits the generated image data to the PC, it is possible to restrict the image processing device to perform scanning according to the scan instruction only when the image processing device is in an online state. In addition, switching from an offline state to an online state may be performed by a user manually issuing a switch instruction, or may be performed automatically when a scan instruction is received from a PC. In other words, in order for the image processing device to accept a scan instruction and perform scanning, there are cases where a user operation is required on the image processing device and cases where it is not. In addition, when the image processing device is set so that a user operation is not required on the image processing device to accept a scan instruction and perform scanning, there is a possibility that an original document not intended by the user (such as an original document placed by another person) may be scanned and image data may be transmitted.

[0005] When the scan instruction received by the image processing device is not a scan instruction from a locally connected PC but a scan instruction from a cloud server, the transmitted image data is uploaded to the cloud. In such a case, if the image processing device is set to accept the scan instruction and execute the scan without requiring a user operation on the image processing device, image data of an unintended document may be uploaded to the cloud.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent image data of a document from being uploaded unintentionally by the user when scanning a document and uploading the image data to the cloud. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The image processing device of the present invention is characterized by having a receiving means for receiving a scan instruction, an accepting means for accepting user instructions, a scanning means for scanning a document based on the scan instruction and generating image data, a transmitting means for transmitting the generated image data, a setting means for enabling a setting that requires the accepting means to accept the user's instructions in order for the scanning means to scan the document based on the scan instruction, a registration means for performing a registration process so that the transmitting means can transmit the generated image data to a cloud server, and a display means for displaying information prompting the user to enable the setting based on the registration process being performed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when scanning a document and uploading image data to the cloud, it is possible to prevent image data of the document from being uploaded without the user's intention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the present invention. [Diagram 2]Block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP101 [Diagram 3] A block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing terminal 200. [Figure 4] Flowchart of registration process by MFP101 [Diagram 5] Flowchart of registration process by application server 300 [Figure 6] Registration process sequence diagram [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a registration processing screen. [Figure 8] Scan sequence diagram [Figure 9] Figure showing an example of a screen for manually switching to online mode [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a scan execution screen of the information processing terminal 200. [Figure 11] Registration process sequence diagram [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a registration processing screen. [Figure 13] Flowchart showing the process of the automatic online function [Figure 14] A block diagram showing the configuration of the application server 300. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations shown in the drawings. <Embodiment 1> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the present invention. The system configuration of this embodiment is an example of a cloud scan system, and is configured to connect an application server 300, a storage server 400, an MFP 101, and an information processing terminal 200 via a network 100. The MFP 101 is not limited to an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that is an image processing device including a print function and a FAX function in addition to a reading function, and may be a reading device having a reading function and a communication function. The application server 300 is a cloud server that displays a UI screen on the screen of the information processing terminal 200, creates a scan job in response to an input on the UI screen, requests the MFP 101 to scan, and acquires image data. The network 100 of this embodiment may be the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). The network 100 may be wired or wireless.

[0011] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the MFP 101. The MFP 101 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a storage 114, an operation unit I / F 115, an operation unit 116, a reading unit I / F 117, a reading unit 118, a printing unit I / F 119, a printing unit 120, a wireless communication unit I / F 121, and a wireless communication unit 122. The MFP 101 also includes a FAX unit I / F 123, a FAX communication unit 124, a communication unit I / F 125, a communication unit 126, a scan job analysis unit 127, an upload URL storage unit 128, an online status storage unit 129, and an automatic online transition setting storage unit 130. The control unit 110 including the CPU 111 controls the operation of the entire MFP 101. The CPU 111 reads a control program stored in the ROM 112 or the storage 114 into the RAM 113, and performs various controls such as reading control and printing control. The ROM 112 stores a control program executable by the CPU 111. The ROM 112 also stores a boot program, font data, and the like. The RAM 113 is a main memory, and is used as a temporary storage area for developing various control programs stored in the work area, the ROM 112, and the storage 114. The storage 114 stores image data, print data, various programs, and various setting information. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 114, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (SolID State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used. Also, an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) may be used. Note that, in the MFP 101 of this embodiment, one CPU 111 executes each process shown in the flowchart described later using one memory (RAM 113), but this is not limited thereto. For example, each process shown in the flowchart described later can be executed by cooperating with a plurality of CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages. Also, some processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs. An operation unit I / F 115 connects an operation unit 116 including a display unit such as a touch panel and hard keys to the control unit 110. The operation unit 116 displays information to a user and receives instructions from the user.The reading unit I / F 117 connects the control unit 110 to a reading unit 118 such as a scanner. The reading unit 118 scans an image of an original document, and the CPU 111 generates image data. The image data generated based on the image read by the reading unit 118 is sent to an external device or printed on a recording paper. The reading unit also has an ADF, and can transport an original document placed on an original tray provided in the MFP 101, read the image of the transported original document, and generate image data. The printing unit I / F 119 connects the control unit 110 to a printing unit 120 such as a printer. The CPU 111 transfers image data (print data) stored in the RAM 113 to the printing unit 120 via the printing unit I / F 119. The printing unit 120 prints an image based on the transferred image data on a recording paper fed from a paper feed cassette. The wireless communication unit I / F 121 is an I / F for controlling the wireless communication unit 122, and can connect to the control unit 110 and an external wireless device via wireless communication. The control unit 110 is connected to the public line network 107 by controlling a FAX communication unit 124 such as a facsimile via a FAX unit I / F 123. The FAX unit I / F 123 is an I / F for controlling the FAX communication unit 124, and can connect to the public line network and control a facsimile communication protocol by controlling a modem and an NCU for facsimile communication. The communication unit I / F 125 connects the control unit 110 and the network 100. The communication unit I / F 125 allows the communication unit 126 to transmit image data and various information inside the device to an external device on the network 100, and to receive print data and information on the network 100 from an information processing device on the network 100. Methods for sending and receiving data via the network 100 include sending and receiving data using e-mail, and sending files using other protocols (e.g., FTP, SMB, WEBDAV, etc.). Furthermore, scan jobs and various setting data can be sent and received over the network 100 by accessing the application server 300 through HTTP communication. The CPU 111 receives scan jobs from the application server 300 connected via the network 100, and analyzes the scan jobs using the scan job analysis unit 127.An upload URL (Uniform ReSource Locator) for uploading the scanned image data included in the analysis result to the application server 300 is stored in an upload URL storage unit 128. Other scan parameters (document type: document, scan size: A4, etc.) are stored in a work area of ​​the RAM 113. An online status storage unit 129 stores whether or not the MFP 101 is online. An automatic online transition setting storage unit 130 stores a setting for whether or not the MFP 101 will perform an automatic offline transition operation.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing terminal 200. Note that the information processing terminal 200 of the present embodiment is assumed to be a device such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC, but may be another device as long as it is an information processing device capable of communicating with the MFP 101. The CPU 207 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 208 to the RAM 209 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the information processing terminal 200. The ROM 208 stores the control program. The RAM 209 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 207. The HDD 210 stores various data such as photos and electronic documents. The operation panel 201 has a touch panel function capable of detecting a touch operation by a user, and displays various screens provided by the OS and an e-mail sending application. The operation panel 201 is also used to execute a setup tool, which is an initial setting application of the MFP 101. A user can input a desired operation instruction to the information processing terminal 200 by inputting a touch operation to the operation panel 201. The information processing terminal 200 may be provided with a hardware key (not shown), and the user may input operation instructions to the information processing terminal 200 using this hardware key. The camera 204 captures an image in response to an image capture instruction from the user. A photo captured by the camera 204 is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the HDD 210. It is also possible to acquire information from a QR code read by the camera 204 using a program capable of QR code analysis. The information processing terminal 200 can transmit and receive data to and from various peripheral devices via the NFC communication unit 205, the Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 206, and the wireless LAN communication unit 211. The Bluetooth communication unit 206 of the information processing terminal 200 may be compatible with Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy. A setup tool for the MFP 101 is installed (saved) in a predetermined area of ​​the HDD 210, and is executed by being expanded in the RAM 209.

[0013] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the application server 300. The application server 300, which is a cloud server, includes a CPU 1401, a ROM 1403, a RAM 1402, a storage 1404, and a communication unit 1405. The CPU 1401 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 1403 or the storage 1404 to the RAM 1402, and performs various controls such as communication control with other servers connected thereto. The application server 300 of this embodiment may be composed of one device or may be composed of multiple devices. The ROM 1403 stores a control program executable by the CPU 1401. The ROM 1403 also stores a boot program and the like. The RAM 1402 is a main memory, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for developing various control programs stored in the ROM 1403 and the storage 1404. The storage 1404 stores image data, various programs, and various setting information. In this embodiment, a flash memory is assumed as the storage 1404, but an auxiliary storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may also be used. Also, an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card) may also be used. A communication unit 1405 is connected to the network 100, and is controlled by the CPU 1401 to communicate with mobile terminals and other connected servers. The storage server 400 has the same hardware configuration as the application server 300 in FIG. 14, so a description thereof will be omitted. Also, each server may be configured as a virtual server operating within one hardware configuration.

[0014] 13 is a flowchart showing online determination processing including an automatic online transition function of the MFP 101. Before describing the flowchart, the automatic online function and the offline and online states of the MFP 101 will be described.

[0015] The offline state is a state in which scanned images can be stored in the storage 114 inside the MFP 101 or in a storage device (not shown) such as a USB memory connected to the MFP 101. In other words, it is a state in which the reading unit 118 is set not to scan a document even if a scan instruction is received from a PC or a cloud server. In the offline state, reception of a scan request via the network 100 described in this embodiment is prohibited.

[0016] The online state is a state in which, when a scan instruction is received from a PC or a cloud server, the reading unit 118 is set to scan a document based on the scan instruction. In the online state, it is possible to receive a scan request (scan instruction) via the network 100 described in this embodiment, but storing image data in the storage 114, a USB memory, or the like without using the network is prohibited.

[0017] The automatic online function is a function that enables a scan request via the network 100 by automatically transitioning to the online state when a scan instruction is received via the network 100 in the offline state. In other words, it is a function that does not require the receipt of a user's instruction to scan a document based on a scan instruction. The transition from the online state to the offline state may be performed automatically at a fixed time interval, or may be performed only manually.

[0018] If the automatic online function is not set, the MFP 101 will not switch from the offline state to the online state until there is an instruction from the user of the MFP 101. In other words, if the automatic online function is not set, this means that a setting that requires the acceptance of an instruction from the user in order to scan a document based on a scan instruction is enabled.

[0019] In S1301, the CPU 111 judges whether a scan request has been received by the communication unit 126 via the network 100. If the scan request has not been received by the communication unit 126, the process remains in S1301 and waits for the scan request to be received. If the scan request has been received by the communication unit 126, the process proceeds to S1302. In S1302, the CPU 111 refers to the contents of the online status storage unit 129 and judges whether the device is in an online state. If the device is in an online state, the process proceeds to S1303, in which the reading unit 118 scans the document based on the received scan request (instruction) to generate image data, and the generated image data is transmitted to the sender of the scan request, and the process ends. If the device is in an offline state in S1302, the process proceeds to S1304. In S1304, the CPU 111 refers to the contents of the automatic online transition setting storage unit 130 and judges whether the automatic online function is on. If the automatic online function is on, the process proceeds to S1305. In S1305, CPU 111 changes the contents of online status storage unit 129 from offline to online, and proceeds to S1303. If it is determined to be offline in S1304, the process proceeds to S1306, where CPU 111 transmits information indicating an error to the sender of the scan request, and ends the process. This makes it possible to prevent remote scanning from being performed in the offline state.

[0020] Fig. 4 is a flowchart of the registration process in the cloud scan system. The flow in Fig. 4 is executed by the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 reading a program into the RAM 113. The flow in Fig. 4 is started when a registration process screen is displayed. The registration process in Fig. 4 is for transmitting image data generated by scanning to the application server 300.

[0021] In S401, CPU 111 determines whether an input to start registration has been made. An example of a screen displayed on operation unit 116 in this state is screen 701. CPU 111 waits for execute button 702 to be pressed. If pressing of execute button 702 is detected, the process proceeds to S402. In S402, CPU 111 issues a registration request S601 to application server 300, and the process proceeds to S403. In the process of S601, identification information such as the serial number of MFP 101 is transmitted.

[0022] In S403, CPU 111 waits for a registration result notification S603 from application server 300. If the notification indicates successful registration, the process proceeds to S404. If CPU 111 determines in S403 that registration has failed, the process ends. In S404, CPU 111 refers to automatic online transition setting storage unit 130 to determine the automatic online transition setting content. If the automatic online transition setting is on, the process proceeds to S405. In other words, if the setting that requires acceptance of a user instruction to scan a document is not enabled (if a user instruction is not required to transition from an offline state to an online state), the process proceeds to S405.

[0023] In S404, if the automatic online transition setting is disabled, the CPU 111 ends the process. In other words, if the setting that requires the acceptance of a user instruction to scan a document is enabled (if a user instruction is required to transition from an offline state to an online state), the process ends.

[0024] In S405, the CPU 111 displays a message on the operation unit 116 recommending that the automatic online transition setting be changed to off. An example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 116 in this state is screen 706. This screen 706 displays a message indicating that the automatic online transition setting is on, and a message recommending (urging) that the automatic online transition setting be disabled. In other words, a message is displayed indicating that the setting that requires the acceptance of a user's instruction to scan a document is not enabled (disabled). In addition, a message is displayed recommending (urging) that the setting that requires the acceptance of a user's instruction to scan a document be enabled.

[0025] In S406, the CPU 111 waits for input to change the automatic online transition setting. If the Set button 708 is pressed, a screen 710 is displayed on the operation unit 116, and the process proceeds to S407. If the Cancel button 709 is pressed in S406, the CPU 111 ends the process. In S407, the CPU 111 displays the screen 710 and waits for input. If the Off button 712 is pressed, the CPU 111 displays the automatic online transition setting screen 715 and waits for input. If the CPU 111 determines that the Set button 718 or the Set button 713 has been pressed, it updates the contents of the automatic online transition setting storage unit 130 in accordance with the contents of the pressed button, and ends the process.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of the registration process in the cloud scan system. The flow in Fig. 5 is executed by the CPU 1401 of the application server 300 reading a program stored in the ROM 1403 into the RAM 1402. The flow in Fig. 5 is started when the application server 300 is started.

[0027] In S501, the CPU 1401 waits for a registration request S601 from the MFP 101. If the registration request S601 is received, the process proceeds to S502. In S502, the CPU 1401 analyzes the contents of the registration request S601, performs registration processing, and proceeds to S503. In S503, the CPU 1401 determines the result of the registration processing. If the registration is successful, the process proceeds to S504, where a registration success notification is issued as a registration result notification S603, and the process ends. If the registration is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S505, where a registration failure notification is issued as a registration result notification S603, and the process ends.

[0028] By executing this registration process, it is possible to register MFP 101 as a candidate destination to which a scan instruction is transmitted. Furthermore, application server 300 can identify capability information of MFP 101 based on the serial number received from MFP 101. Then, it is possible to present candidates for scan settings on the UI of information processing terminal 200 using the identified capability information.

[0029] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram of the registration process. As explained in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, when the application server 300 receives a registration request S601 from the MFP 101, the registration process S602 is performed. The result of the registration process S602 is notified to the MFP 101 as a registration result notification S603.

[0030] 7 shows examples of screens displayed on the operation unit 116 during registration processing of the MFP 101. Screen 701 is displayed in a state waiting for registration to be executed. Processing screen 704 is an example of a screen displayed after a registration request S402. Registration completion screen 705 is an example of a screen displayed after receiving a registration result notification S603. Screen 706 is an example of a screen displayed in S405. Screens 710 and 715 are examples of screens displayed in S407.

[0031] FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 116 by an operation to manually shift the MFP 101 to an online state. The home screen 901 is an example of a home screen displayed when no operation is performed after the power of the MFP 101 is turned on. The home screen 901 displays function buttons that can be selected by pressing them. When the CPU 111 determines that the scan button 902 is pressed, a setting screen for the scan function is displayed. Similarly, when the print button 903, the menu button 904, and the fax button 905 are pressed, respectively, a setting screen for the print function, a menu screen, and a setting screen for the fax function are displayed. The setting screen 906 for the scan function is an example of a screen displayed when it is determined that the scan button 902 is pressed. The PC selection button 907 is for selecting a target PC for push scanning, which specifies a PC as a destination of image data from the MFP 101 and performs scanning. The remote scanner button 908 is for shifting the MFP 101 to an online state to enable the remote scan function. If the remote scanner button 908 is selected before receiving a scan instruction from the application server 300 or a PC, the MFP 101 can execute remote scanning. If this remote scanner button 908 is not selected before receiving a scan instruction from the application server 300 or a PC, the MFP 101 cannot execute remote scanning. A remote scanner screen 909 is an example of a screen indicating that the MFP 101 is in an online state that enables remote scanning. The state in which this remote scanner screen 909 is displayed indicates that the MFP 101 is accepting a user instruction to perform scanning based on a scan instruction received from the application server 300.

[0032] 8 is a sequence diagram of scanning executed in the cloud scan system. When the CPU 207 of the information processing terminal 200 selects a storage service icon 1002 or a storage service name 1003 from a home screen 1001, the corresponding storage server 400 is determined, and a storage service function selection screen 1004 is displayed. When the scan button 1005 is pressed, the CPU 207 of the information processing terminal 200 displays a scan function screen 1007. When the read start button 1010 is pressed, the CPU 207 of the information processing terminal 200 notifies the application server 300 of a scan execution notification S801. When the application server 300 receives the scan execution notification S801, it notifies the MFP 101 of a scan request S802. When the CPU 111 of the MFP 101 receives the scan request S802, it performs online determination processing S803 and determines whether the scan request can be executed. The contents of the online determination processing S803 have been described in the explanation of FIG. 13 and will not be described again. In this embodiment, it is recommended to turn off the automatic online transition setting in the display of the registration process, and it is assumed that the user has set the automatic online transition setting to off. If the automatic online transition setting is set to off, it is necessary to press the scan button 902 on the home screen 901, and then press the remote scanner button 908 to transition to the remote scanner screen 909 and then start reading. If scanning is possible, a scan start notification S804 is sent to the application server 300, and document scanning S805 is performed. The CPU 111 of the MFP 101 uploads image data S806 acquired in document scanning S805 to the application server 300, and sends a scan completion notification S807. The application server 300 transfers the image data uploaded from the MFP 101 to the storage server 400 determined to receive the scan completion notification S807 as image data storage S808, and ends the process.

[0033] FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed on the operation unit 116 by an operation to manually shift the MFP 101 to the online state. A home screen 901 is an example of a home screen displayed in a state where no operation is performed after the power is turned on. The home screen displays selectable function buttons by pressing them. When the CPU 111 determines that the scan button 902 has been pressed, it displays a screen related to the scan button. Similarly, when the CPU 111 determines that the print button 903, the menu button 904, and the fax button 905 have been pressed, a print function related screen, a menu function related screen, and a fax function related screen are displayed. A scan function setting screen 906 is an example of a screen displayed when it is determined that the scan button 902 has been pressed. A PC selection button 907 is for selecting a target PC for push scanning, which specifies a PC from the MFP 101 and performs scanning. A remote scanner button 908 is for shifting the MFP 101 to the online state to enable the remote scan function. A remote scanner screen 909 is an example of a screen indicating that the MFP 101 is in the online state to enable remote scanning.

[0034] FIG. 10 is an example of a scan execution screen displayed on the operation panel 201 of the information processing terminal 200. A home screen 1001 is an example of a screen in a state where a home screen of the cloud scan system is displayed on a browser. A storage service icon 1002 is an example of a storage service icon, and a user selects a storage service by pressing the storage service icon 1002. A storage service name 1003 is an example of a name of a storage service, and a storage service can be selected by pressing it in the same way as the storage service icon 1002. The home screen 1001 is an example of a screen on which four types of storage icons and storage names are displayed. A storage service function selection screen 1004 is an example of a screen on which a storage service is selected by pressing the storage service icon 1002 or the storage service name 1003. A scan button 1005 is an example of a function selection button, and pressing the button selects a scan function, and a transition can be made to a setting screen for the scan function. A print button 1006 is an example of a function selection button, and pressing the button selects a print function, and a transition can be made to a setting screen for the print function. A scan function screen 1007 is an example of a setting screen for the scan function, and is displayed by pressing a scan button 1005. A document size designation button 1008 is an example of a document size designation button, and pressing the button allows transition to a screen for selecting the size of the document to be read. A density designation button 1009 is an example of a density designation button, and pressing the button allows transition to a screen for selecting density designation. A read start button 1010 is an example of a read start button, and pressing the button allows an instruction to read a document. A scan processing in progress screen 1011 is an example of a screen displayed when a read processing request is made by pressing the read start button 1010. A scan completion screen 1012 is an example of a screen displayed when a read processing request made by pressing the read start button 1010 is normally completed. A scan failure screen 1013 is an example of a screen displayed when a read processing request made by pressing the read start button 1010 fails.

[0035] In the above process, an example has been described in which the execution of the registration process for transmitting image data generated by scanning to a cloud server prompts the user to enable a setting that requires the user to accept instructions to scan a document based on a scan instruction. The present invention is not limited to this, and the execution of the registration process may automatically disable the automatic online transition setting and notify the user that the setting has been made. In other words, the execution of the registration process can automatically enable the setting that requires the user to accept instructions to scan a document based on a scan instruction.

[0036] By performing the above process, when scanning a document and uploading the image data to the cloud, it is possible to prevent image data of the document from being uploaded unintentionally by the user.

[0037] <Embodiment 2> In the second embodiment, the contents of the registration request S402 in FIG. 4 are replaced with the sequence in FIG.

[0038] 12 is an example of a registration processing screen. A registration ID display screen 1201 is an example of a registration ID display screen displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP 101 upon reception of a registration ID notification S1102 from the application server 300. The registration ID 1102 is displayed by analyzing the contents contained in the received registration ID notification S1102. Pressing an OK button 1203 displays the next screen. A registration ID setting screen 1204 is an example of a registration ID setting screen displayed on the operation panel 201 of the information processing terminal 200. A registration ID input area 1205 is where the user inputs a registration ID.

[0039] 11 is a sequence diagram of the registration process. As in the first embodiment, when the execute button 702 is pressed while the screen 701 is displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP 101, the CPU 111 notifies the application server 300 of a registration request S1101 and displays a processing screen 704. When the application server 300 receives the registration request S1101, it creates a registration ID for the registration process and notifies the MFP 101 of a registration ID notification S1102. The CPU 111 of the MFP 101 that has received the registration ID notification S1102 analyzes the registration ID notification S1102 and displays a registration ID display screen 1201 in registration ID display S1103. The user refers to the registration ID 1102 displayed in registration ID display S1103 and inputs the registration ID in a registration ID input area 1205 of a registration ID setting screen 1204 displayed on the operation panel 201 of the information processing terminal 200. When the CPU 207 of the information processing terminal 200 determines that input in the registration ID input area 1205 is complete, it sends a registration ID notification 1105 to the application server 300. When the application server 300 receives the registration ID notification 1105, it executes a registration process S1106. When the execution of the registration process S1106 is completed, the application server 300 sends a registration result notification S1107 to the MFP 101. Since the contents from this point onwards are the same as those from S403 onwards in Fig. 4, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0040] As described above, if the automatic online transition setting is on after registration with the cloud scan system, it is recommended that the user change the setting to off. By setting the automatic online transition setting to off, it is possible to limit the time for scanning documents in the online state, and it is possible to perform secure document scanning by reducing the risk of documents being read by a third party.

[0041] In addition, if MFP101 has a function for registering a system administrator who manages settings, etc., if a system administrator has been registered, it may determine that the number of users of MFP101 is large, and a display may be displayed recommending that the user change the automatic online transition setting to off.

[0042] Even if the MFP 101 has a function for registering a system administrator, if a system administrator is not registered, it may be determined that the number of users of the MFP 101 is small, and a display may be displayed recommending that the user change the automatic online transition setting to on.

[0043] If the automatic online transition setting is on after registration with the cloud scan system, the automatic online transition setting may be automatically changed to off before notifying the user, and the user may then be notified of the setting change later, making it easier for the user to turn the automatic online transition setting off.

[0044] If MFP101 is configured to operate multiple product models with one common program and settings for each model, in a configuration that can be determined as a model that is expected to be used by many users, a display may be displayed recommending that the user change the automatic online transition setting to off.

[0045] <Other embodiments> The MFP101 of the present invention supplies a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium. The program can also be implemented by one or more processors in a computer of the system or device reading and executing the program. The program can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 101 MFP 200 Information processing terminal 300 Application Servers 400 Storage Server 100 Network 111 CPU 118 Reading unit

Claims

1. A receiving means for receiving a scan instruction; A receiving means for receiving an instruction from a user; a scanning means for scanning an original document based on the scan instruction to generate image data; A transmitting means for transmitting the generated image data; a setting unit for enabling a setting that requires the receiving unit to receive an instruction from the user in order for the scanning unit to scan the document based on the scan instruction; A registration unit that performs a registration process for the transmission unit to transmit the generated image data to a cloud server; a display unit that displays information prompting the user to validate the setting based on the completion of the registration process.

2. When the registration process is performed in a state in which the setting is not enabled by the setting means, the display means displays the information that prompts the user to enable the setting; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein even if the registration process is performed while the setting is enabled by the setting means, the display means does not display the information prompting the user to enable the setting.

3. The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving means receives the scan instruction from the cloud server.

4. When the accepting means has accepted an instruction from the user to scan the document based on the scan instruction before the receiving means receives the scan instruction, the scanning means scans the document based on the scan instruction, 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein if the accepting means has not accepted an instruction from the user to scan the document based on the scan instruction before the receiving means receives the scan instruction, the scanning means will not scan the document even if the scan instruction is received.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that in the registration process, a process is executed to transmit identification information of the image processing device to the cloud server, and by transmitting the identification information, the image processing device is registered as a candidate destination for the scan instruction.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the information prompting the user to validate the setting is a message prompting the user to validate the setting.

7. a receiving step of receiving a scan instruction; a receiving step of receiving an instruction from a user; a scanning step of scanning an original document based on the scan instruction to generate image data; a transmitting step of transmitting the generated image data; a setting step of enabling a setting that requires the receiving step to receive an instruction from the user in order to scan the document based on the scan instruction in the scanning step; a registration process for performing a registration process for transmitting the image data generated in the transmission process to a cloud server; and displaying information prompting the user to validate the setting based on the fact that the registration process has been performed.

8. displaying, in the display step, the information prompting the user to enable the setting based on the fact that the registration process has been performed in a state in which the setting has not been enabled in the setting step; The image processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that even if the registration process is performed while the setting is enabled by the setting process, the information prompting the user to enable the setting is not displayed in the display process.

9. The image processing method according to claim 7 , wherein in the receiving step, the scan instruction is received from the cloud server.

10. When an instruction from the user to scan the document based on the scan instruction is accepted in the accepting step before the scan instruction is received in the receiving step, the document is scanned based on the scan instruction in the scanning step; The image processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that if the user's instruction to scan the document based on the scan instruction is accepted in the acceptance process before the scan instruction is received in the receiving process, the document is not scanned in the scanning process even if the scan instruction is received.

11. The image processing method according to claim 7, characterized in that in the registration process, a process is performed to send identification information of the image processing device to the cloud server, and by sending the identification information, the image processing device is registered as a candidate destination for the scan instruction.

12. 8. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the information prompting the user to validate the setting is a message prompting the user to validate the setting.

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