Scanner, computer program for the scanner, and method executed by the scanner

Abstract

To provide a novel technique for appropriately transmitting a scan image data.SOLUTION: A scanner receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device. The scanner makes a scan execution part to execute a scan of a script in the case of receiving the scan instruction from the first terminal device to acquire the scan image data, and acquires first user identification information corresponded to the scan instruction. The scanner receives an image request from a second terminal device after the reception of the scan instruction from the first terminal device. The scanner acquires second user identification information corresponded to the image request in the case of receiving the image request from the second terminal device. The scanner transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device in the case where the first user identification information and the second user identification information are matched.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a technique for transmitting scanned image data.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system including an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. When the image forming apparatus receives a scan request from the information processing apparatus, it transmits a signal requesting the transmission of authentication information to the information processing apparatus. When the image forming apparatus receives authentication information from the information processing apparatus, it executes an authentication process using the received authentication information. When the authentication process is successful, the image forming apparatus executes a scan process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This specification provides a novel technique for appropriately transmitting scanned image data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] This specification discloses a scanner. The scanner includes a scan execution unit, a scan instruction receiving unit that receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device, an image data acquisition unit that causes the scan execution unit to execute scanning of a document and acquires scan image data when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, a first user identification information acquisition unit that acquires first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, an image request receiving unit that receives an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, a second user identification information acquisition unit that acquires second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device, and an image data transmission unit that transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the scanner transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction and the second user identification information corresponding to the image request match. Therefore, the scanner can appropriately transmit the scan image data.

[0007] A computer program for realizing the above scanner, a computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the scanner are also novel and useful. Further, a communication system including the above scanner, the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is also novel and useful.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (Example) (Configuration of Communication System 2; FIG. 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a scanner 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 100, 200, 300. The scanner 10 and each terminal device 100 are connected to the Internet 6. Each device 10, 100, 200, 300 can communicate with each other via the Internet 6.

[0010] (Configuration of Scanner 10) The scanner 10 is a peripheral device capable of executing a scanning function. The scanner 10 is further capable of executing a web server function. The web server function is a function of transmitting web page data representing a web page to an external device in response to the external device accessing the web server in the scanner 10. In a modified example, the scanner 10 may be a multifunctional device capable of further executing a printing function, a FAX function, etc. The scanner 10 has a device ID "DV1". The device ID is a name assigned by the administrator of the scanner 10. The scanner 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 16, a scan execution unit 18, and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F".

[0011] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that enables the user to input various information to the scanner 10. The operation unit 12 includes hardware keys, software keys (objects), or both. For example, the operation unit 12 includes a touch screen, buttons, or both. The display unit 14 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may be a touch panel or may not be a touch panel. Also, the panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 16 is connected to the Internet 6. The communication I / F 16 may be a wired I / F or a wireless I / F.

[0012] The scan execution unit 18 includes a scanner engine having an image sensor such as a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) image sensor or a Contact Image Sensor (CIS).

[0013] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to a program 40 stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 34. Specifically, the CPU 32 loads the program 40 from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device and executes the program 40 to execute the various processes described above. The main storage device is, for example, a RAM and a cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, a Solid State Drive (SSD), or a ROM, or a combination thereof. The memory 34 further stores an authentication flag 42 and a management table 44. The authentication flag 42 indicates either "ON", which indicates that execution of a scan using user authentication is requested, or "OFF", which indicates that execution of a scan using user authentication is not requested. The authentication flag 42 is set by the administrator of the scanner 10.

[0014] The management table 44 is a table for managing information when performing a scan using user authentication. In the management table 44, a user name, a password, a management ID, a Job ID, and scan data are stored in association with each other. Hereinafter, the user name and the password may be collectively referred to as "user authentication information". The management ID is information generated by the scanner 10 and is information for managing user authentication information. The Job ID is information for identifying scan data.

[0015] (Configuration of terminal devices 100, 200, 300) The terminal device 100 is a terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a PDA, a tablet PC, a desktop PC, or a notebook PC. The terminal device 100 is a terminal device used by an administrator of the scanner 10. The terminal device 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a communication I / F 116, and a control unit 130.

[0016] The operation unit 112 is an I / F that enables a user to input various information to the terminal device 100 and includes, for example, a touch screen, buttons, or both. The display unit 114 is a display or panel for displaying various information. The panel may be a touch panel or may not be a touch panel. Further, the panel is, for example, a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. The communication I / F 116 is connected to the Internet 6.

[0017] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The OS program 140 is stored in the auxiliary storage device of the memory 134. The OS program 140 controls the basic operations of the terminal device 100. The CPU 132 realizes various processes according to the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0018] The terminal devices 200 and 300 have the same configuration as the terminal device 100. The terminal devices 200 and 300 are terminal devices used by users different from the administrator.

[0019] (Registration Process; Figure 2) Referring to Figure 2, the registration process for registering user authentication information in the scanner 10 will be described. In the initial state of Figure 2, the management table 44 of the scanner 10 is in an empty state. Also, in the memory 34 of the scanner 10, the administrator password "admin" for accessing the web server in the scanner 10 is stored. Note that in Figure 2, instead of the CPU (for example, CPU 32) of each device, the content of the process is described mainly for each device (for example, the scanner 10, etc.).

[0020] The administrator inputs the IP address of the scanner 10 into the terminal device 100 at T10. Thereby, the terminal device 100 sends a login screen data request with the input IP address as the destination to the scanner 10 at T12, receives the login screen data from the scanner 10 at T14, and displays the login screen represented by the login screen data at T16. The login screen includes an area for inputting the administrator password. The administrator executes an operation to input the administrator password "admin" into the terminal device 100 at T20. Thereby, the terminal device 100 sends the administrator password "admin" to the scanner 10 at T22.

[0021] The scanner 10 receives the administrator password "admin" from the terminal device 100 at T22, and since the received administrator password "admin" matches the administrator password "admin" in the memory 34 at T24, it determines that the user authentication has succeeded. In this case, the scanner 10 sends the home screen data to the terminal device 100 at T26.

[0022] At T26, the terminal device 100 receives home screen data from the scanner 10, and at T28, displays the home screen represented by the home screen data. The home screen is a screen for changing the settings of the scanner 10 or registering user authentication information with the scanner 10.

[0023] At T30, the administrator executes a user registration operation on the terminal device 100 to input the username "user1" and password "pw1" into the terminal device 100. Thereby, at T32, the terminal device 100 sends a registration instruction including the username "user1" and password "pw1" to the scanner 10. Note that the username "user1" and password "pw1" are user authentication information corresponding to the user of the terminal device 200.

[0024] When the scanner 10 receives a registration instruction from the terminal device 100 at T32, it generates a management ID "M1" corresponding to the username "user1" and password "pw1" at T34. Next, at T36, the scanner 10 associates the username "user1", password "pw1", and management ID "M1" and stores them in the management table 44, and at T38, sends a completion notice indicating that the user registration is complete to the terminal device 100.

[0025] T40 to T48 are the same as T30 to T38 except that the username "user2", password "pw2", and management ID "M2" are used instead of the username "user1", password "pw1", and management ID "M1". Thereby, the username "user2", password "pw2", and management ID "M2" are associated and stored in the management table 44. The username "user2" and password "pw2" are user authentication information corresponding to the user of the terminal device 300. In this way, the user authentication information is registered in the management table 44 of the scanner 10.

[0026] (Pre-scan process; Figure 3) Referring to FIG. 3, a pre-scan process for sending a scan instruction to the scanner 10 will be described. The initial state in FIG. 3 is the state after FIG. 2. Also, the authentication flag 42 of the scanner 10 is set to "ON".

[0027] The user of the terminal device 200 performs a scanner selection operation on the terminal device 200 at T110 to select the scanner 10 as the scanner for executing the scan function. Thereby, the terminal device 200 sends a capability information request to the scanner 10 at T112. The capability information request is a signal for requesting the scanner 10 to send capability information regarding the functions that the scanner 10 can execute. Information regarding the functions that the scanner 10 can execute is, for example, the resolution and the convertible data format.

[0028] When the scanner 10 receives the capability information request from the terminal device 200 at T112, it sends the capability information of the scanner 10 to the terminal device 200 at T114.

[0029] When the terminal device 200 receives the capability information from the scanner 10 at T114, it sends a status request to the scanner 10 at T116. The status request is a signal for checking the status of the scanner 10 and also a signal for checking whether user authentication is required.

[0030] When the scanner 10 receives the status request from the terminal device 200 at T116, it determines that the status of the scanner 10 is the standby state and the authentication flag 42 is set to "ON", and sends the authentication screen data to the terminal device 200 at T118.

[0031] When the terminal device 200 receives authentication screen data from the scanner 10 at T118, it displays the authentication screen represented by the authentication screen data at T120. The authentication screen data includes areas for inputting a username and a password. The user of the terminal device 200 performs an operation of inputting the username "user1" and the password "pw1" into the terminal device 200 at T122. Thereby, the terminal device 200 transmits the username "user1" and the password "pw1" to the scanner 10 at T124. Also, the terminal device 200 temporarily stores the username "user1" and the password "pw1" in the memory of the terminal device 200 at T125. For example, the terminal device 200 stores the username "user1" and the password "pw1" in the main memory device of the memory.

[0032] When the scanner 10 receives the username "user1" and the password "pw1" from the terminal device 200 at T124, it determines that user authentication has succeeded at T126 because the username "user1" and the password "pw1" are stored in the management table 44. In this case, the scanner 10 transmits authentication success information to the terminal device 200 at T128. Note that when the scanner 10 receives a status request from the terminal device 200 in a state where the authentication flag 42 is set to "OFF" (see T116), it transmits scan instruction screen data representing a scan instruction screen to the terminal device 100. That is, when the authentication flag 42 is set to "OFF", T118 to T128 are omitted.

[0033] When the terminal device 200 receives authentication success information from the scanner 10 at T128, it displays a scan instruction screen at T130. The scan instruction screen is a screen for setting scan settings used when executing the scan function. At T132, the user performs a scan execution operation on the terminal device 200 to cause the scanner 10 to execute the scan function. As a result, the terminal device 200 identifies the user name "user1" and password "pw1" stored in the memory of the terminal device 200 (see T125), and at T134, it transmits a scan instruction including the user name "user1" and password "pw1" to the scanner 10.

[0034] When the scanner 10 receives a scan instruction from the terminal device 200 at T134, it executes a scan process (see FIG. 4) at T136. The scan process is a process for executing the scan function.

[0035] (Scan process; FIG. 4) Referring to FIG. 4, the scan process executed by the CPU 32 of the scanner 10 will be described. As described above, when the CPU 32 receives a scan instruction from the terminal device, it executes the process of FIG. 4. Hereinafter, the terminal device that is the transmission source of the scan instruction will be referred to as the "first target terminal device", the terminal device that is the transmission source of the image request (see S30) to be described later will be referred to as the "second target terminal device", and the terminal device that is the transmission source of the cancel request (see S60) to be described later will be referred to as the "third target terminal device".

[0036] In S10, the CPU 32 determines whether it can obtain a management ID corresponding to the first target terminal device (hereinafter referred to as "target management ID"). First, the CPU 32 determines whether user authentication using the user authentication information included in the received scan instruction is successful. In response to successful user authentication, the CPU 32 obtains, as the target management ID, the management ID stored in the management table 44 in association with the user authentication information. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that it can obtain the target management ID (YES in S10) and proceeds to S20. On the other hand, when the user authentication fails, the CPU 32 determines that it cannot obtain the target management ID (NO in S10) and proceeds to S12.

[0037] In S12, the CPU 32 sends an error notification to the target terminal device. The error notification in this case includes information indicating that the user authentication has failed.

[0038] In S20, the CPU 32 generates a new JobID and stores the generated JobID in the management table 44 in association with the target management ID.

[0039] In S22, the CPU 32 generates a URI including the position information of the scanner 10 (https: / / server.com) and the JobID, and sends the generated URI to the first target terminal device. With such a configuration, the first target terminal device can know the transmission destinations of the image request and the cancel request described later.

[0040] In S30, the CPU 32 monitors for receiving an image request from the second target terminal device. The image request is a signal for requesting generation of scan image data corresponding to the target JobID included in the URI in the image request. The image request includes the URI sent in S22 as the transmission destination. Further, the image request includes user authentication information. When the CPU 32 receives an image request from the second target terminal device, it determines YES in S30 and proceeds to S32. The second target terminal device may be the same as or different from the first target terminal device.

[0041] In S32, the CPU 32 determines whether it can acquire a management ID corresponding to the second target terminal device (hereinafter referred to as the "first comparison management ID"). Specifically, the CPU 32 determines whether user authentication using the user authentication information included in the received image request is successful. In response to the success of user authentication, the CPU 32 acquires, as the first comparison management ID, the management ID stored in the management table 44 in association with the user authentication information. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that it can acquire the first comparison management ID (YES in S32) and proceeds to S34. On the other hand, when user authentication fails, the CPU 32 determines that it cannot acquire the first comparison management ID (NO in S32) and proceeds to S50.

[0042] In S34, the CPU 32 determines whether the target management ID matches the first comparison management ID. When the target management ID matches the first comparison management ID (YES in S34), the CPU 32 proceeds to S36. On the other hand, when the target management ID does not match the first comparison management ID (NO in S34), the CPU 32 proceeds to S50.

[0043] In S36, the CPU 32 acquires the image data obtained by causing the scan execution unit 18 to execute the scanning of the document. Next, the CPU 32 generates scanned image data (hereinafter referred to as "target scanned image data") by converting the acquired image data into a predetermined format (for example, JPEG). Further, the CPU 32 stores the target scanned image data in the management table 44 in association with the target management ID.

[0044] In S38, the CPU 32 transmits a first completion notification to the second target terminal device. The first completion notification includes information indicating that the generation of the target scanned image data has been completed.

[0045] In S40, the CPU 32 receives an image data request from the second target terminal device. The image data request includes user authentication information. The image data request is a signal for requesting the scanner 10 to transmit target scan image data.

[0046] In S42, the CPU 32 identifies the target scan image data stored in the management table 44 in association with the user authentication information included in the image data request, and transmits the target scan image data to the second target terminal device. When S42 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 4.

[0047] Also, in S50, the CPU 32 transmits an error notification to the second target terminal device. The error notification after NO in S32 includes information indicating that user authentication has failed. The error notification after NO in S34 includes information indicating that the original document cannot be scanned. When S50 ends, the CPU 32 returns to S30.

[0048] Also, simultaneously with the monitoring of S30, in S60, the CPU 32 monitors for receiving a cancellation request from the third target terminal device. The cancellation request is a signal for canceling the scanning of the original document. The cancellation request includes the URI transmitted in S22 as the destination. Also, the cancellation request includes user authentication information. When the CPU 32 receives a cancellation request from the third target terminal device, it determines YES in S60 and proceeds to S62. The third target terminal device may be the same as or different from the first target terminal device.

[0049] In S62, the CPU 32 determines whether it can obtain a management ID corresponding to the third target terminal device (hereinafter referred to as the "second comparison management ID"). Specifically, the CPU 32 determines whether user authentication using the user authentication information included in the received cancellation request is successful. In response to successful user authentication, the CPU 32 obtains, as the second comparison management ID, the management ID stored in the management table 44 in association with the user authentication information. In this case, the CPU 32 determines that it can obtain the second comparison management ID (YES in S62) and proceeds to S64. On the other hand, when the user authentication fails, the CPU 32 determines that it cannot obtain the second comparison management ID (NO in S62) and proceeds to S50.

[0050] S64 is the same as S34 except that the second comparison management ID is used. When the CPU 32 determines YES in S64, it proceeds to S66, and when it determines NO in S64, it proceeds to S50.

[0051] In S66, the CPU 32 executes a cancellation process to cancel the scanning of the document. Specifically, the CPU 32 deletes the JobID in the URI included in the cancellation request received in S60 from the management table 44.

[0052] In S68, the CPU 32 transmits a second completion notice to the second target terminal device. The second completion notice includes information indicating that the scanning of the document has been canceled. When S68 ends, the CPU 32 ends the process of FIG. 4.

[0053] Note that in S50 after NO in S62 or NO in S64, the CPU 32 transmits an error notice to the third target terminal device. The error notice after NO in S62 includes information indicating that the user authentication has failed. The error notice after NO in S64 includes information indicating that the scanning of the document cannot be canceled.

[0054] (Specific case) Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7, a specific case realized by the communication system 2 of this embodiment will be described.

[0055] (Case A; FIG. 5) Referring to FIG. 5, a case where the scanned image data SD1 is transmitted to the terminal device 200 will be described. The initial state of Case A is the same as the initial state of FIG. 3.

[0056] First, between the scanner 10 and the terminal device 200, the same processing as T110 to T132 in FIG. 3 is executed. In this case, at T234, the terminal device 200 transmits a scan instruction including the user name "user1" and the password "pw1" to the scanner 10.

[0057] When the scanner 10 receives the scan instruction from the terminal device 200 at T234, since the user name "user1" and the password "pw1" in the scan instruction are stored in the management table 44 at T240, it determines that the user authentication is successful. At T242, it acquires the management ID "M1" associated with the user name "user1" and the password "pw1" as the target management ID "M1". In this case, the scanner 10 determines that the target management ID can be acquired (YES in S10 of FIG. 4). Next, the scanner 10 generates a JobID "job1" at T244 and stores the JobID "job1" in the management table 44 in association with the target management ID "M1" at T246 (S20). Next, the scanner 10 generates a URI 400 (https: / / server.com / job1) including the location information of the scanner 10 (https: / / server.com) and the JobID "job1", and transmits the URI 400 to the terminal device 200 at T250 (S22).

[0058] When the terminal device 200 receives the URI 400 from the scanner 10 at T250, it obtains the username "user1" and password "pw1" in the main memory of the memory of the terminal device 200, and at T252, it sends an image request including the username "user1" and password "pw1" with the URI 400 as the destination.

[0059] The scanner 10 receives an image request from the terminal device 200 at T252 (YES in S30). T260 is the same as T240. The scanner 10 obtains the management ID "M1" stored in association with the username "user1" and password "pw1" as the first comparison management ID "M1" at T262. In this case, the scanner 10 determines that it can obtain the first comparison management ID (YES in S32). Next, the scanner 10 determines that the target management ID "M1" and the first comparison management ID "M1" match at T264 (YES in S34), generates the scanned image data SD1 at T266, and stores the scanned image data SD1 in the management table 44 in association with the target management ID "M1" (S36). As a result, the username "user1", password "pw1", management ID "M1", JobID "job1", and the scanned image data SD1 are stored in the management table 44 in association. Next, the scanner 10 sends the first completion notification to the terminal device 200 at T270.

[0060] When the terminal device 200 receives the first completion notification from the scanner 10 at T270, it obtains the username "user1" and password "pw1" in the main memory of the memory of the terminal device 200, and at T272, it sends an image data request including the username "user1" and password "pw1" to the scanner 10.

[0061] T280 is the same as T240. In this case, the scanner 10 identifies the scan image data SD1 stored in the management table 44 in association with the user name "user1" and password "pw1" included in the image data request, and transmits the scan image data SD1 to the terminal device 200 at T282. In this way, the scan image data SD1 is transmitted to the terminal device 200.

[0062] (Effect of Case A) As described above, the scanner 10 uses the user authentication information (i.e., the user name "user1" and password "pw1") included in the scan instruction received from the terminal device 200 to identify the management ID corresponding to the scan instruction. With such a configuration, the management ID corresponding to the scan instruction can be appropriately identified.

[0063] Also, when the terminal device 200 receives a scan execution operation (T132 in FIG. 3) for transmitting a scan instruction to the scanner 10, even if the user authentication information is not input by the user, the terminal device 200 transmits a scan instruction including the user authentication information (i.e., the user name "user1" and password "pw1") stored in the terminal device 200 to the scanner (T134). Therefore, the convenience of the user is improved.

[0064] According to the above configuration, when user authentication is successful (T126 in FIG. 3), the scanner 10 receives a scan instruction including user authentication information from the terminal device 200 (T134). With such a configuration, it is possible to limit the users who can use the scan function.

[0065] (Case B; FIG. 6) Referring to FIG. 6, Case B in which the scan image data SD1 is transmitted to the terminal device 200 will be described. The initial state of Case B is the same as the initial state of Case A in FIG. 5.

[0066] First, between the scanner 10 and the terminal device 200, the same processing as T110 to T132 in FIG. 3 and T234 to T250 in FIG. 5 is executed. In this case, it is assumed that the URI 400 is acquired by a terminal device 300 different from the terminal device 200 that transmitted the scan instruction. Note that the user of the terminal device 300 has already executed an operation of inputting the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" to the terminal device 300. For this reason, the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" are stored in the main storage device of the memory of the terminal device 300. The user of the terminal device 300 executes an image request operation on the terminal device 300 at T350. As a result, the terminal device 300 acquires the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" in the main storage device of the memory of the terminal device 300, and at T352, transmits an image request including the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" to the scanner 10 with the URI 400 as the destination.

[0067] When the scanner 10 receives an image request from the terminal device 300 at T352 (YES in S30), since the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" in the image request are stored in the management table 44 at T360, it is determined that the user authentication has succeeded, and at T362, the management ID "M2" stored in association with the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" is acquired as the first comparison management ID "M2". In this case, the scanner 10 determines that the first comparison management ID "M2" can be acquired (YES in S32). Next, the scanner 10 determines at T364 that the target management ID "M1" and the first comparison management ID "M2" do not match (NO in S34), and at T370, transmits an error notification including information indicating that the original document cannot be scanned to the terminal device 300 (S50).

[0068] The terminal device 200 then transmits an image request including the user name "user1" and the password "pw1" to the URI 400 as the destination at T380. As a result, the same processing as T260 to T282 in FIG. 5 is executed between the scanner 10 and the terminal device 200.

[0069] (Case C; Figure 7) Referring to Figure 7, Case C where the scanning of the manuscript is canceled will be described. The initial state of Case C is the same as the initial state of Case A in Figure 5.

[0070] First, between the scanner 10 and the terminal device 200, the same processing as T110 to T132 in Figure 3 and T234 to T250 in Figure 5 is executed. In this case, similar to Case B in Figure 6, it is assumed that the terminal device 300 has acquired the URI 400. The user of the terminal device 300 executes a cancel operation on the terminal device 300 at T450 to cancel the scanning of the manuscript. As a result, the terminal device 300 acquires the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" in the main storage device of the memory of the terminal device 300, and at T452, sends a cancel request including the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" with the URI 400 as the destination.

[0071] When the scanner 10 receives a cancel request from the terminal device 300 at T452 (YES in S60), at T460, since the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" in the cancel request are stored in the management table 44, it is determined that the user authentication has succeeded. At T462, the management ID "M2" stored in association with the user name "user2" and the password "pw2" is obtained as the second comparison management ID "M2". In this case, the scanner 10 determines that the second comparison management ID can be obtained (YES in S62). Next, the scanner 10 determines at T464 that the target management ID "M1" and the second comparison management ID "M2" do not match (NO in S64), and at T470, sends an error notification including information indicating that the scanning of the manuscript cannot be canceled to the terminal device 300 (S50).

[0072] The user of the terminal device 200 then performs a cancellation operation on the terminal device 200 in T480. As a result, the terminal device 200 obtains the username "user1" and password "pw1" in the main memory device of the memory of the terminal device 200, and in T482, sends a cancellation request including the username "user1" and password "pw1" to the scanner 10 with the URI 400 as the destination.

[0073] When the scanner 10 receives a cancellation request from the terminal device 200 in T482 (YES in S60), in T490, since the username "user1" and password "pw1" in the cancellation request are stored in the management table 44, it determines that the user authentication is successful, and in T492, obtains the management ID "M1" stored in association with the username "user1" and password "pw1" as the second comparison management ID "M1". In this case, the scanner 10 determines that it can obtain the second comparison management ID (YES in S62). Next, the scanner 10 determines in T494 that the target management ID "M1" and the second comparison management ID "M1" match (YES in S64), and in T496, executes a cancellation process of deleting the JobID "job1" from the management table 44 (S66). Next, the scanner 10 sends a second completion notification including information indicating that the scanning of the original document has been canceled to the terminal device 200 in T498 (S68). In this way, the scanning of the original document is canceled.

[0074] (Effect of Case C) As described above, when the scanner 10 receives a cancel request and the target management ID corresponding to the scan instruction matches the second comparison management ID corresponding to the cancel request (T494), the scanner 10 executes a cancel process. On the other hand, when the scanner 10 receives a cancel request and the target management ID does not match the second comparison management ID (T464), the scanner 10 does not execute a cancel process. According to such a configuration, the scanner 10 can appropriately execute a cancel process. Specifically, the scanner 10 can execute a cancel process only when the scan of the document is canceled by the user who desired to execute the scan.

[0075] (Effect of this embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the target management ID corresponding to the scan instruction matches the first comparison management ID corresponding to the image request (YES in S34 of FIG. 4), the scanner 10 transmits scan image data to the second target terminal device (S40). When the target management ID matches the first comparison management ID, it is highly likely that the first target terminal device that is the transmission source of the scan instruction and the second target terminal device that is the transmission source of the image request are the same. Therefore, the scanner 10 can appropriately transmit scan image data. Specifically, the scanner 10 can transmit scan image data to the user who desired to execute the scan. On the other hand, when the target management ID does not match the first comparison management ID (NO in S34), the scanner 10 does not transmit scan image data to the second target terminal device. When the target management ID does not match the first comparison management ID, it is highly likely that the first target terminal device that is the transmission source of the scan instruction and the second target terminal device that is the transmission source of the image request are different. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the transmission of scan image data to a terminal device that is not the transmission source of the scan instruction.

[0076] (Corresponding relationship) The terminal device 200 is an example of the "first terminal device". The management ID corresponding to the user authentication information included in the scan instruction is an example of the "first user identification information". The terminal devices 200 and 300 are examples of the "second terminal device". The management ID corresponding to the user authentication information included in the image request is an example of the "second user identification information". The terminal devices 200 and 300 are examples of the "third terminal device". The management ID corresponding to the user authentication information included in the cancellation request is an example of the "third user identification information". The user authentication information included in the scan instruction is an example of the "first user authentication information". The user authentication information included in the image request is an example of the "second user authentication information". The terminal device 100 is an example of the "fourth terminal device". The user name "user1" and the password "pw1" are examples of the "specific user authentication information". The management ID "M1" is an example of the "specific user identification information". The user name "user2" and the password "pw2" are examples of the "specific user authentication information". The management ID "M2" is an example of the "specific user identification information". The scan execution operation of T132 in FIG. 3 is an example of the "first operation". The scan execution operation of T132 in FIG. 3 and the image request operation of T350 in FIG. 6 are examples of the "second operation".

[0077] S36 in FIG. 4 is an example of the process executed by the "image data acquisition unit". S10 in FIG. 4 is an example of the process executed by the "first user identification information acquisition unit". S30 in FIG. 4 is an example of the process executed by the "image request reception unit". S32 in FIG. 4 is an example of the process executed by the "second user identification information acquisition unit". S42 in FIG. 4 is an example of the process executed by the "image data transmission unit".

[0078] As described above, specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. Variations of the above embodiments are listed below.

[0079] (First Modification Example) S60 to S68 in FIG. 4 can be omitted. In this modification example, the "Cancel Request Receiver", the "Third Acquisition Unit", and the "Cancel Process Execution Unit" can be omitted. In another modification example, S62 and S64 can be omitted. In this modification example, the "Cancel Request Receiver" can be omitted.

[0080] (Second Modification Example) In the embodiment, in the registration process of FIG. 2, the scanner 10 generates a management ID and stores the generated management ID in the management table 44. In the modification example, the management table 44 may not include the management ID. In this modification example, each of the terminal devices 200 and 300 stores the management IDs "M1" and "M2". In this case, the scan instruction, the image request, the image data request, and the cancel request include the management ID stored in the terminal device that is the transmission source of each signal. Therefore, the scanner 10 can acquire the management ID in response to receiving a scan instruction, an image request, an image data request, or a cancel request.

[0081] (Third Modification Example) In the embodiment, in the registration process of FIG. 2, the scanner 10 generates a management ID and stores the generated management ID in the management table 44. In the modification example, the management table 44 may not include the management ID. In this modification example, each time the scanner 10 receives a signal (for example, a scan instruction, an image request, an image data request, a cancel request) including user authentication information, the scanner 10 generates and acquires a management ID by using the user authentication information included in the signal. In this modification example, if the same user authentication information is used, the same management ID is generated regardless of the timing of generating the management ID. For example, when a scan instruction is received, the scanner 10 generates and acquires a target management ID by using the user authentication information included in the scan instruction. The scanner 10 can acquire the first comparison management ID and the second comparison management ID by the same method. In this modification example, the "Generation Unit" and the "Storage Control Unit" can be omitted.

[0082] (Fourth Modification Example) When the terminal device 200 receives the input of the user name "user1" and the password "pw1", it may transmit a signal (including a scan instruction, an image request, an image data request, a cancellation request) including the user name "user1" and the password "pw1" to the scanner 10. In this modification example, T125 in FIG. 3 can be omitted.

[0083] (Fifth Modification Example) In each of the above-described embodiments, the processes in FIGS. 2 to 7 are realized by software (for example, programs 40 and 140), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0084] The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings can achieve a plurality of purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of these purposes itself has technical utility.

[0085] In the claims of this patent application at the time of filing, even if each claim depends only on some of the claims, each claim is not limited to being able to depend only on some of the claims. Within a technically non - contradictory range, each claim can also depend on other claims that it did not depend on at the time of filing. That is, the technologies of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows. (Item 1) A scanner, a scan execution unit, a scan instruction receiving unit that receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device, an image data acquisition unit that, when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, causes the scan execution unit to execute a scan of a document and acquires scan image data, a first user identification information acquisition unit that, when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, acquires first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction. An image request receiving unit that receives an image request from a second terminal device after receiving the scan instruction from the first terminal device; A second user identification information acquisition unit that acquires second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device; An image data transmission unit that transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match; A scanner comprising: (Item 2) The scanner further comprises: A position information transmission unit that transmits the position information of the scanner to the first terminal device when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; The second terminal device transmits the image request to the scanner using the position information. The scanner according to Item 1. (Item 3) The scanner further comprises: A cancellation request receiving unit that receives a cancellation request from a third terminal device after receiving the scan instruction from the first terminal device; A third acquisition unit that acquires third user identification information corresponding to the cancellation request when the cancellation request is received from the third terminal device; A cancellation process execution unit that executes a process of canceling the scan of the document when the first user identification information and the third user identification information match; The scanner according to Item 1 or 2, comprising: (Item 4) The scanner includes a memory that stores, for each of one or more pieces of user authentication information, the user authentication information and user identification information in association with each other; The scan instruction includes first user authentication information; The image request includes second user authentication information; The first user identification information acquisition unit acquires the first user identification information stored in the memory in association with the first user authentication information included in the scan instruction. The second user identification information acquisition unit acquires the second user identification information stored in the memory in association with the second user authentication information included in the image request, the scanner according to any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) The scanner further When a registration instruction including specific user authentication information is received from a fourth terminal device, a generation unit that generates specific user identification information corresponding to the specific user authentication information, When the specific user identification information is generated, a storage control unit that stores the specific user authentication information and the specific user identification information in association with each other in the memory, the scanner according to item 4. (Item 6) When a first operation for transmitting the scan instruction to the scanner is received by the first terminal device, even if the first user authentication information is not input by the user, the scan instruction including the first user authentication information stored in the first terminal device is transmitted to the scanner. When a second operation for transmitting the image request to the scanner is received by the second terminal device, even if the second user authentication information is not input by the user, the image request including the second user authentication information stored in the second terminal device is transmitted to the scanner, the scanner according to item 4 or 5. (Item 7) The scanner further An authentication screen data transmission unit that transmits authentication screen data representing an authentication screen for inputting user authentication information to the first terminal device, and when the first terminal device receives the authentication screen data from the scanner, the first terminal device displays the authentication screen, the authentication screen data transmission unit. An authentication information receiving unit that receives the first user authentication information from the first terminal device in response to the input of the first user authentication information on the authentication screen; A success information transmitting unit that transmits success information indicating that user authentication has succeeded to the first terminal device when the received first user authentication information is stored in the memory. When the first terminal device receives the success information, the first terminal device displays a scan instruction screen for receiving a first operation for transmitting the scan instruction to the scanner. The success information transmitting unit; The scan instruction receiving unit receives the scan instruction including the first user authentication information from the first terminal device in response to the reception of the first operation on the scan instruction screen. The scanner according to any one of items 4 to 6. (Item 8) A computer program for a scanner, The computer of the scanner, A scan instruction receiving unit that receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device; An image data acquisition unit that, when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, causes the scan execution unit of the scanner to execute scanning of a document and acquires scan image data; A first user identification information acquisition unit that acquires first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; An image request receiving unit that receives an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; A second user identification information acquisition unit that acquires second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device; An image data transmitting unit that transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match; A computer program that functions as such. (Item 9) A method executed by a scanner, comprising: a scan instruction receiving step of receiving a scan instruction from a first terminal device; an image data acquisition step of causing a scan execution unit of the scanner to execute scanning of a document to acquire scan image data when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a first user identification information acquisition step of acquiring first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; an image request receiving step of receiving an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a second user identification information acquisition step of acquiring second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device; an image data transmission step of transmitting the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match; A method comprising the above steps.

Explanation of Signs

[0086] 2: Communication system, 6: Internet, 10: Scanner, 12: Operation unit, 14: Display unit, 16: Communication I / F, 18: Scan execution unit, 30: Control unit, 32: CPU, 34: Memory, 40: Program, 42: Authentication flag, 44: Management table, 100: Terminal device, 112: Operation unit, 114: Display unit, 116: Communication I / F, 130: Control unit, 132: CPU, 134: Memory, 140: OS program, 200: Terminal device, 300: Terminal device

Claims

1. A scanner comprising: a scan execution unit; a scan instruction receiving unit that receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device; an image data acquisition unit that, when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, causes the scan execution unit to execute scanning of a document and acquires scan image data; a first user identification information acquisition unit that, when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device, acquires first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction; an image request receiving unit that receives an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a second user identification information acquisition unit that, when the image request is received from the second terminal device, acquires second user identification information corresponding to the image request; an image data transmission unit that transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match; A scanner.

2. The scanner further comprises: a position information transmission unit that transmits position information of the scanner to the first terminal device when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; The second terminal device uses the position information to transmit the image request to the scanner. The scanner according to claim 1.

3. The scanner further comprises: a cancellation request receiving unit that receives a cancellation request from a third terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a third acquisition unit that, when the cancellation request is received from the third terminal device, acquires third user identification information corresponding to the cancellation request; a cancellation process execution unit that executes a process of canceling the scanning of the document when the first user identification information and the third user identification information match; The scanner according to claim 1.

4. The scanner comprises a memory that stores, for each of one or more pieces of user authentication information, the user authentication information and user identification information in association with each other; The scan instruction includes first user authentication information; The image request includes second user authentication information; The first user identification information acquisition unit acquires the first user identification information stored in the memory in association with the first user authentication information included in the scan instruction; The scanner according to claim 1, wherein the second user identification information acquisition unit acquires the second user identification information stored in the memory in association with the second user authentication information included in the image request.

5. The scanner further includes: a generation unit that generates specific user identification information corresponding to the specific user authentication information when a registration instruction including the specific user authentication information is received from a fourth terminal device; a storage control unit that stores the specific user authentication information and the specific user identification information in association with each other in the memory when the specific user identification information is generated, the scanner according to claim 4.

6. When a first operation for transmitting the scan instruction to the scanner is received, the first terminal device transmits the scan instruction including the first user authentication information stored in the first terminal device to the scanner without the first user authentication information being input by the user. When a second operation for transmitting the image request to the scanner is received, the second terminal device transmits the image request including the second user authentication information stored in the second terminal device to the scanner without the second user authentication information being input by the user, the scanner according to claim 4.

7. The scanner further includes: an authentication screen data transmission unit that transmits authentication screen data representing an authentication screen for inputting user authentication information to the first terminal device, and when the first terminal device receives the authentication screen data from the scanner, the first terminal device displays the authentication screen; the authentication screen data transmission unit; an authentication information reception unit that receives the first user authentication information from the first terminal device in response to the first user authentication information being input on the authentication screen; a success information transmission unit that transmits success information indicating that user authentication has succeeded to the first terminal device when the received first user authentication information is stored in the memory, and when the first terminal device receives the success information from the scanner, the first terminal device displays a scan instruction screen for receiving a first operation for transmitting the scan instruction to the scanner; the success information transmission unit. The scan instruction receiving unit according to claim 4 receives the scan instruction including the first user authentication information from the first terminal device in response to the first operation being received on the scan instruction screen.

8. A computer program for a scanner, configuring the computer of the scanner to function as a scan instruction receiving unit that receives a scan instruction from a first terminal device; an image data acquisition unit that causes the scan execution unit of the scanner to execute scanning of a document to acquire scan image data when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a first user identification information acquisition unit that acquires first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; an image request receiving unit that receives an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a second user identification information acquisition unit that acquires second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device; and an image data transmission unit that transmits the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match. A computer program that causes the above to function.

9. A method executed by a scanner, the method comprising: a scan instruction receiving step of receiving a scan instruction from a first terminal device; an image data acquisition step of causing the scan execution unit of the scanner to execute scanning of a document to acquire scan image data when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a first user identification information acquisition step of acquiring first user identification information corresponding to the scan instruction when the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; an image request receiving step of receiving an image request from a second terminal device after the scan instruction is received from the first terminal device; a second user identification information acquisition step of acquiring second user identification information corresponding to the image request when the image request is received from the second terminal device; and an image data transmission step of transmitting the scan image data to the second terminal device when the first user identification information and the second user identification information match. A method comprising the above steps.

Images