Facsimile device, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide a facsimile device that can improve the variety of post-reception processing that can be executed when a document image is received by storing a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing.SOLUTION: A facsimile device includes: a storage unit that pre-stores a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing; a receiving unit that receives an image; an identification unit that identifies registration information from the image received by the receiving unit; a search unit that searches for the registration information identified by the identification unit from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit; and an execution unit that executes post-reception processing associated with the registration information searched for by the search unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving images has been known. For example, in the facsimile apparatus of Patent Document 1, a technique of including an identification code in an image to be transmitted may be adopted. In the above technique, the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side can analyze the identification code included in the image and execute post-reception processing according to the analysis result.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, in the above-described conventional technique, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to improve the diversity of post-reception processing that can be executed when an image is received. In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to improve the diversity of post-reception processing that can be executed when an image is received.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] To solve the above problems, the facsimile apparatus of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing, a reception unit that receives an image, a specifying unit that specifies the registration information from the image received by the reception unit, a search unit that searches for the registration information specified by the specifying unit from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit, and an execution unit that executes post-reception processing associated with the registration information searched by the search unit.

Effects of the Invention

[0005] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the diversity of post-reception processing that can be executed when an image is received.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining each component of the information processing system 1 according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment includes an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral Product Printer) 100 and a document management server 200.

[0008] The MFP 100 is an example of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. The above MFP 100 has a print function and the like in addition to the facsimile function. However, the facsimile apparatus only needs to have the facsimile function and is not limited to the MFP 100. Further, the MFP 100 is configured to be communicable with another MFP 300 via a network. The MFP 300 is provided at the transmission side C (for example, a business partner).

[0009] The MFP100 receives the document image Gd from the MFP300 on the transmission side C by means of the fax function. An identification code Gc is displayed at a predetermined position in the above-mentioned document image Gd. When the MFP100 receives the document image Gd, it is configured to be able to automatically execute any one of a plurality of types of post-reception processes (step Se in FIG. 1) according to the identification code Gc in the document image Gd. According to the above configuration, the convenience of the user is improved as compared with the configuration in which the post-reception process is executed only manually. The above configuration will be described in detail below.

[0010] Before receiving the document image Gd from the transmission side C, the MFP100 of the present embodiment generates and stores the registration information Ds and the identification code Gc (step Sa in FIG. 1). Specifically, the MFP100 can receive an input operation for inputting the registration information Ds (see FIG. 5(a) described later). The registration information Ds includes, for example, information specifying the name of the transmission side C (for example, company name), document type, and post-reception process to be executed. When the registration information Ds is input, the MFP100 stores the registration information Ds. Further, the MFP100 generates an identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds.

[0011] Specifically, the MFP100 pre-attaches to the transmission side C a standard form Gf in which the generated identification code Gc is displayed at a predetermined position. For example, assume that "delivery note" is input as the document type during the input operation of the registration information Ds. In the above case, a standard form Gf representing a delivery note (however, the part to be filled in by the sending side C is blank) is generated. The MFP100 transmits the standard form Gf (identification code Gc) to the transmission side C (MFP300) (step Sb in FIG. 1).

[0012] On the transmission side C, various documents (for example, delivery notes) are created using the standard form Gf received by the MFP300. The MFP300 transmits a document image Gd indicating the document created on the transmission side C to the MFP100 (step Sc in FIG. 1). The document image Gd created on the transmission side C includes the identification code Gc in the same manner as the standard form Gf.

[0013] When the MFP100 receives the document image Gd from the transmission side C, it detects the identification code Gc included in the document image Gd. Further, the MFP100 identifies the registration information Ds indicated by the detected identification code Gc. Furthermore, the MFP100 searches for the identified registration information Ds from each piece of registration information Ds that it has previously stored (step Sd in FIG. 1). The MFP100 executes post-reception processing according to the searched registration information Ds (step Se in FIG. 1).

[0014] As post-reception processing executed when the MFP100 of the present embodiment receives the document image Gd, the MFP100 can execute each process including a printing process in which the document image Gd is printed on printing paper, a storage process in which the document image Gd is stored (transferred) in another external device (for example, the document management server 200), and a notification process in which the fact that the document image Gd has been received is notified to an external device (for example, the computer 400 shown in FIG. 1). Also, in the above notification process, in addition to the document image Gd, information identifying the post-reception processing executed by the MFP100 may be notified to the computer 400.

[0015] The information identifying the external device (storage location) where the document image Gd is stored in the storage process is included in the above-described registration information Ds and can be input in the input operation. Similarly, the information identifying the external device that receives the notification in the notification process is included in the registration information Ds and can be input in the input operation. However, the types of post-reception processing executed by the MFP100 are not limited to the above examples.

[0016] In the above-described present embodiment, for example, assume a case where the user of the MFP100 (reception side) wishes to execute the storage process and the notification process when receiving an invoice from the transmission side C. In the above case, when performing the input operation of the registration information Ds, the user inputs the name of the transmission side C, sets the document type as "invoice", sets the printing process of the post-reception processing as "not performed", inputs the email address to which the notification is sent in the notification process, and inputs the storage destination where the document image Gd is stored by the storage process, and a template form Gf including the identification code Gc may be generated.

[0017] On the other hand, assume a case where the user of the MFP100 (the receiving side) wishes to execute a printing process when receiving a guidance document from the same sending side C. In the above case, at the time of input operation of the registration information Ds, the name of the sending side C, "guidance document" as the document type, and "perform" for the printing process of the post-reception process may be input, and the identification code Gc may be generated. According to the above-described present embodiment, various post-reception processes can be executed according to the wishes of the user of the MFP100.

[0018] Note that in the above example, the fixed form Gf including the identification code Gc is sent to the sending side C, but the method of assigning the identification code Gc to the sending side C is not limited to the above example. For example, a configuration may be such that an image representing only the identification code Gc is sent to the sending side C. In the above configuration, the sending side C inserts the identification code Gc into the document image Gd and then sends it to the MFP100. Note that a configuration may be such that it is automatically switchable between a case where the fixed form Gf is generated according to the input document type (for example, document type = delivery note) and a case where only the identification code Gc is generated (for example, document type = guidance document).

[0019] The document management server 200 can communicate with the MFP100 and stores and stores a plurality of document images Gd. Specifically, the MFP100 is configured to be able to specify the document management server 200 as the storage destination of the document image Gd in the storage process of the post-reception process. When the MFP100 transfers the document image Gd to the document management server 200, the registration information Ds specified from the identification code Gc is transferred in association with the document image Gd. Specifically, the information (Ds1 and Ds2 described later) specifying the name of the sending side C and the document type among the registration information Ds is transferred in association with the document image Gd.

[0020] When the document management server 200 receives the document image Gd, it determines the information indicating the document type associated with the document image Gd. Also, when it determines that the document type is a predetermined document type, the document management server 200 assigns a time stamp to the document image Gd and saves it. On the other hand, when it determines that the document type is not a predetermined document type, the document management server 200 saves the document image Gd without assigning a time stamp. According to the above configuration, for example, there is an advantage of cost reduction as compared with a configuration in which a time stamp is uniformly assigned to the document image Gd regardless of the document type.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes a controller 110, a short-range communication circuit 120, an engine control unit 130, an operation panel 140, and a network I / F 150.

[0022] The controller 110 has a CPU 101 which is the main part of a computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 102, a north bridge (NB) 103, a south bridge (SB) 104, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 106, a local memory (MEM-C) 107 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 108, and an HD 109 which is a storage unit, and is configured to connect between the NB 103 and the ASIC 106 by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 121.

[0023] The CPU 101 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 100. The NB 103 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 101 to the MEM-P 102, the SB 104, and the AGP bus 121, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 102, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0024] MEM-P102 consists of a ROM102a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 110, and a RAM102b which is used as a memory for expanding programs and data, and for drawing during memory printing. Note that the programs stored in the RAM102b may be provided by recording them in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0025] SB104 is a bridge for connecting the NB103 with the PCI device and peripheral devices. The ASIC106 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has the role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 121, the PCI bus 122, the HDD108, and the MEM-C107 respectively.

[0026] The ASIC106 consists of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) forming the core of the ASIC106, a memory controller for controlling the MEM-C107, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) for performing operations such as rotation of image data by means of hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit for performing data transfer via the PCI bus 122 between the scanner unit 131 and the printer unit 132. Note that an interface for USB (Universal Serial Bus) or an interface for IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to the ASIC106.

[0027] MEM-C107 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. HD109 is a storage for accumulating image data, font data used at the time of printing, and forms. HD109 controls the reading or writing of data to HD109 according to the control of CPU101. The AGP bus 121 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. By directly accessing MEM-P102 with high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0028] The short-distance communication circuit 120 is equipped with a short-distance communication circuit 120a. The short-distance communication circuit 120 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth. Further, the engine control unit 130 is composed of a scanner unit 131 and a printer unit 132.

[0029] The operation panel 140 includes a panel display unit 140a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, selection screens, etc. and receives inputs from the operator, and an operation panel 140b consisting of a numeric keypad that receives setting values of conditions related to image formation such as density setting conditions and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 110 controls the entire MFP100, for example, controls drawing, communication, inputs from the operation panel 140, etc. The scanner unit 131 or the printer unit 132 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion or gamma conversion.

[0030] Note that the MFP100 can sequentially switch and select the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function by the application switching key on the operation panel 140. When the document box function is selected, it becomes the document box mode, when the copy function is selected, it becomes the copy mode, when the printer function is selected, it becomes the printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, it becomes the facsimile mode.

[0031] The network I / F 150 is an interface for data communication using the network N. For example, the MFP 100 communicates with the document management server 200 via the network N. The short-distance communication circuit 120 and the network I / F 150 are electrically connected to the ASIC 106 via the PCI bus 122.

[0032] An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 160 is connected to the ASIC 106 via the PCI bus. The FCU 160 is hardware for controlling the facsimile function. Specifically, the FCU 160 is connected to a telephone line and communicates with an external device using the facsimile function. For example, the FCU 160 receives an image from an external facsimile device via the telephone line. Also, the FCU 160 transmits an image to an external device via the telephone line.

[0033] Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the document management server 200. As shown in Figure 3, the document management server 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an HD 204, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 205, a display 206, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 208, a network I / F 209, a data bus 210, a keyboard 211, a pointing device 212, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 214, and a media I / F 216.

[0034] The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire document management server 200. The ROM 202 stores programs used for driving the CPU 201 such as IPL. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201. The HD 204 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 205 controls the reading or writing of various data to / from the HD 204 according to the control of the CPU 201. The display 206 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image.

[0035] The external device connection I / F 208 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, etc. The network I / F 209 is an interface for performing data communication using the network N. As described above, the document management server 200 communicates with the MFP 100 via the network N. The bus line 210 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 201 shown in FIG. 3.

[0036] Also, the keyboard 211 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numerical values, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 212 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 214 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 213 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it is not limited to DVD-RW, and it may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 216 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 215 such as a flash memory.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the information processing system 1. Each functional means of the functional block (including the generation unit 11 etc. described later) is realized by causing the CPU shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 above to execute the program of the present embodiment and causing each hardware to function. For example, the information processing system 1 includes a facsimile device 10 and a management server 20. By the CPU of the above-described MFP 100 executing a program, it functions as a facsimile device 10, and by the CPU of the document management server 200 executing a program, it functions as a management server 20. However, all of the functional means may be realized software-wise, or a part or all of them may be implemented as hardware providing an equivalent function.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the facsimile apparatus 10 includes a generation unit 11, an acquisition unit 12, a storage unit 13, a code transmission unit 14, a reception unit 15, a specification unit 16, a search unit 17, and an execution unit 18. The generation unit 11 generates registration information Ds. As described above, the facsimile apparatus 10 can receive an input operation of the registration information Ds (see FIG. 5(a) described later), and generates the registration information Ds corresponding to the input operation. Further, when the input operation of the registration information Ds is executed, the facsimile apparatus 10 generates an identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds.

[0039] The acquisition unit 12 acquires (imports) the registration information Ds from the outside. Details of the above configuration will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d). Note that the identification code Gc in the present embodiment is assumed to be a two-dimensional code. Examples of the two-dimensional code include QR (Quick Response) code (registered trademark), PDF417 (registered trademark), DataMatrix code (registered trademark), Maxi code (registered trademark), etc., and any of them may be applied. Further, an identification code Gc other than the two-dimensional code may be adopted. For example, a barcode may be adopted as the identification code Gc, or a numeric string may be adopted as the identification code Gc.

[0040] The storage unit 13 stores a plurality of pieces of registration information Ds in advance (see FIG. 5(c) described later). That is, before receiving the document image Gd from the transmission side C, the registration information Ds is stored in the storage unit 13. The code transmission unit 14 transmits the identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds stored in the storage unit 13 to the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side C (for example, the MFP300 in FIG. 1). A specific example of the above configuration will be described later with reference to FIG. 5(b). The reception unit 15 receives an image (document image Gd) from the transmission side C. Note that in the present embodiment, the document image Gd is used as the image received by the facsimile apparatus 10 (reception unit 15), but the facsimile apparatus 10 can also transmit and receive other than the document image.

[0041] The specific unit 16 identifies the registration information Ds from the image (e.g., document image Gd) received by the reception unit 15. For example, assume a case where a QR code (registered trademark) is adopted as the identification code Gc. In the above case, using the finder pattern in the QR code (registered trademark), the QR code (registered trademark) is detected from the received document image Gd. The facsimile apparatus 10 analyzes the detected identification code Gc and identifies the registration information Ds indicated by the identification code Gc. The search unit 17 searches for the registration information Ds identified by the specific unit 16 from the plurality of pieces of registration information Ds stored in the storage unit 13.

[0042] The execution unit 18 executes post-reception processing associated with the registration information Ds searched by the search unit 17. For example, assume a case where a save process is executed as the post-reception processing. In the above case, as shown in FIG. 4, in addition to the document image Gd received from the transmission side C, the transmission source information Ds1 and the document type information Ds2 among the registration information Ds specified from the identification code Gc of the document image Gd are transmitted to the management server 20. The transmission source information Ds1 is information indicating the name of the transmission side C. The document type information Ds2 is information indicating the document type of the document image Gd.

[0043] The management server 20 receives the document image Gd, the transmission source information Ds1, and the document type information Ds2 from the facsimile apparatus 10 and stores them in association with each other. Specifically, the management server 20 includes a storage unit 21, and the storage unit 21 can store and remember the document image Gd. In addition, the management server 20 stores a time stamp in association with the document image Gd. Specifically, when the document type specified from the document type information Ds2 is a predetermined document type, the management server 20 assigns a time stamp to the document image Gd and stores it.

[0044] FIGS. 5(a) to 5(c) are diagrams for explaining a specific example of the configuration for generating the registration information Ds (identification code Gc). The facsimile apparatus 10 of the present embodiment generates the registration information Ds according to the input operation of the user and generates the identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds.

[0045] Fig. 5(a) is a simulated diagram of the input screen for the registration information Ds. When the facsimile apparatus 10 is appropriately operated, for example, the input screen is displayed on the operation panel 140. During the period when the above input screen is displayed, the registration information Ds can be input via the operation panel 140. In the specific example of Fig. 5(a), it is assumed that "Company A" is input as the name of the sending side C and "invoice" is input as the document type in the registration information Ds.

[0046] In the specific example of Fig. 5(a), it is assumed that "※※※※@※※※※.※※.※※" is input as the email address to which the notification is sent in the notification process of the post-reception process. In the above case, when the document image Gd is received by the facsimile apparatus 10, an email indicating that is sent to the email address. On the other hand, when the email address is not input during the input operation of the registration information Ds, the notification process is not executed when the document image Gd displaying the identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds is received. Note that it is also possible to configure to allow multiple email addresses to which the notification is sent by the notification process, and the notification is sent to each of the email addresses.

[0047] In the specific example of Fig. 5(a), it is assumed that "document management server" is input as the storage destination of the document image Gd in the storage process of the post-reception process. In the above case, when the document image Gd is received by the facsimile apparatus 10, the storage process of storing the document image Gd in the management server 20 is executed. On the other hand, when the storage destination of the document image Gd is not input during the input operation of the registration information Ds, the storage process is not executed when the document image Gd displaying the identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds is received. Note that it is also possible to configure to allow multiple storage destinations where the document image Gd is stored by the storage process, and the document image Gd is stored in each of the storage destinations.

[0048] In this embodiment, when the storage destination of the document image Gd is input (when the storage process is executed), the file name of the document image Gd (image data) is automatically determined. Specifically, the file name of the document image Gd is determined based on the input source information Ds1 and the document type information Ds2. The file name of the document image Gd is determined as "the name indicated by the source information Ds1 _ (underscore) the document type indicated by the document type information Ds2". By storing each document image Gd in the management server 20 with the above file name, there is an advantage that the document image Gd can be easily searched later.

[0049] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram for explaining a specific example of a configuration for assigning the generated identification code Gc to the transmission side C. When the registration information Ds is input via the input screen shown in FIG. 5(a) described above and the "OK" button image is touched, the transmission screen shown in FIG. 5(b) is displayed. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the identification code Gc indicating the registration information Ds input on the input screen is displayed on the above transmission screen.

[0050] In addition, on the transmission screen, an area where the destination address (for example, the address of the transmission side C) for transmitting the identification code Gc can be input is provided. After inputting the destination address and touching the "OK" button on the transmission screen, a message including the identification code Gc is transmitted to the destination address. As described above, when the document type for which the standard form Gf is provided is input on the input screen and the "OK" button on the transmission screen is touched, the standard form Gf including the identification code Gc is transmitted.

[0051] Note that the method of assigning the identification code Gc (standard form Gf) to the transmission side C is not limited to the above example. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a URL for downloading the identification code Gc (standard form Gf) is notified to the destination address. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which the identification code Gc (standard form Gf) is transmitted to the facsimile device of the transmission side C using the FAX function of the facsimile device 10. FIG. 5(c) shows a specific example of the registration information Ds input by the input screen.

[0052] Figures 6(a) to 6(d) are diagrams for explaining a specific example of a configuration for acquiring the identification code Gc (registration information Ds) from the outside. When the facsimile apparatus 10 is appropriately operated, the import start screen shown in FIG. 6(a) is displayed on the operation panel 140. When the identification code Gc is acquired from the outside, a transmission screen (see FIG. 5(b)) may be displayed and the identification code Gc may be transmitted to the transmission side C, similar to the case where the facsimile apparatus 10 itself generates the identification code Gc (see FIG. 5(a) above).

[0053] When the area where the character string "Read from Scanner" is displayed on the import start screen is touched, the read start screen shown in FIG. 6(b) is displayed. When the user takes in the identification code Gc printed on the printing paper into the facsimile apparatus 10, the read start screen is displayed. Then, when the printing paper is set in the facsimile apparatus 10 and the area where the character string "Start Reading" is displayed on the read start screen is touched, the identification code Gc is read. The facsimile apparatus 10 specifies and stores the registration information Ds from the read identification code Gc.

[0054] When the area where the character string "Download by Specifying URL" is displayed on the import start screen is touched, the download screen shown in FIG. 6(c) is displayed. When the user downloads the identification code Gc from the specified URL, the download screen is displayed. Then, when the URL is input and the area where the character string "Start Download" is displayed on the download screen is touched, the identification code Gc is downloaded. The facsimile apparatus 10 specifies and stores the registration information Ds from the downloaded identification code Gc.

[0055] When a region where the string "Read from External Memory" is displayed on the import start screen is touched, the load screen shown in Fig. 6(d) is displayed. When the user loads the identification code Gc from an external memory detachable from the facsimile apparatus 10, the load screen is displayed. After attaching the external memory, when a region where the string "Start Reading" is displayed on the load screen is touched, the identification code Gc is loaded from the external memory. The facsimile apparatus 10 specifies and stores the registration information Ds from the loaded identification code Gc.

[0056] Fig. 7 is a system sequence diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation of the information processing system 1. As shown in Fig. 7, in the information processing system 1, each process including the pre-processing Sa and the post-reception processing Se is executed. The pre-processing Sa is a process for pre-storing the registration information Ds in the facsimile apparatus 10 and pre-transmitting the identification code Gc to the transmission side C.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 7, the pre-processing Sa includes steps Sa1 to Sa5. In the pre-processing Sa, an input operation of the registration information Ds (see Fig. 5(a) above) is executed on the facsimile apparatus 10 (Sa1). When the input operation is completed, the facsimile apparatus 10 executes a generation process (Sa2) to generate the registration information Ds corresponding to the input operation. Further, the facsimile apparatus 10 generates an identification code Gc (standard form Gf) indicating the input registration information Ds. Also, a combination of the registration information Ds and the identification code Gc is stored by a storage process (Sa3).

[0058] When the storage process is executed, the facsimile apparatus 10 transmits the generated identification code Gc to the transmission side C (Sa4). When the transmission side C receives the identification code Gc, it stores the identification code Gc (Sa5). The above pre-processing Sa is repeatedly executed until all necessary identification codes Gc (standard form Gf) are available. Also, when a necessary identification code Gc occurs afterwards, the pre-processing Sa for generating the identification code Gc and transmitting it to the transmission side C is additionally executed, and the identification code Gc is stored at the transmission side C.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the transmitting side C transmits a document image Gd in which the identification code Gc stored in the preprocessing Sa is displayed at a predetermined position to the facsimile apparatus 10 (Sd1). As the above document image Gd, for example, an image in which necessary items are entered in the standard form Gf stored in the preprocessing Sa is assumed. When the facsimile apparatus 10 receives the document image Gd, it executes a specifying process (Sd2). In the specifying process, the identification code Gc is detected from the document image Gd, and the registration information Ds is specified from the identification code Gc.

[0060] After executing the specifying process, the facsimile apparatus 10 executes a search process (Sd3). In the search process, the registration information Ds specified in the specifying process is searched from each registration information Ds previously stored in the storage process (Sa3) of the above-described preprocessing Sa. When the registration information Ds is searched, the facsimile apparatus 10 analyzes the registration information Ds and determines the post-reception process to be executed. For example, when the storage destination of the document image Gd is included in the registration information Ds, it is determined to execute the storage process. On the other hand, when the registration information Ds is not searched, a predetermined common post-reception process is executed.

[0061] In the specific example of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the storage process Se is executed as the post-reception process. As shown in FIG. 7, the storage process Se includes steps Se1 to Se5. In the storage process Se, the facsimile apparatus 10 executes a pre-transmission process (Se1). In the pre-transmission process, the facsimile apparatus 10 associates the document image Gd received this time, the transmission source information Ds1 and the document type information Ds2 among the registration information Ds. Then, the facsimile apparatus 10 transmits each information (Gd, Ds1, Ds2) associated in the pre-transmission process to the management server 20 (Se2).

[0062] When the management server 20 receives each of the above pieces of information (Gd, Ds1, Ds2), it executes a determination process (Se3). In the determination process, it is determined whether to assign a time stamp to each piece of information received this time. Specifically, when the received document type information Ds2 indicates a predetermined document type, the management server 20 determines to assign a time stamp. When it is determined to assign a time stamp, thereafter, a time stamp is assigned to each piece of information (Se4), and each piece of information (Gd, Ds1, Ds2+TS) is stored (Se5). Note that when the document type indicated by the document type information Ds2 is not a document type to which a time stamp should be assigned, each piece of information is stored without a time stamp being assigned.

[0063] In addition, each function executed in the embodiment described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification means a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a CPU implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a device such as a conventional circuit module.

[0064] <Summary of the operations and effects of the example embodiments of the present embodiment> <First aspect> The facsimile apparatus (10) of this aspect includes a storage unit (13) that stores in advance a plurality of pieces of registration information (Ds) associated with post-reception processing, a reception unit (15) that receives an image, a specifying unit (16) that specifies registration information from the image received by the reception unit, a search unit 17 that searches for the registration information specified by the specifying unit from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit, and an execution unit (18) that executes post-reception processing associated with the registration information searched by the search unit. According to this aspect, by storing a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing, the diversity of post-reception processing that can be executed when registration information is received can be improved.

[0065] <Aspects 2 to 4> The facsimile apparatus (10) according to the second aspect includes a generation unit (11) that generates registration information, and the storage unit stores the registration information generated by the generation unit. Further, the facsimile apparatus (10) according to the third aspect includes an acquisition unit (12) that acquires registration information from the outside, and the storage unit stores the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit. The facsimile apparatus (10) according to the fourth aspect includes a code transmission unit (14) that transmits an identification code indicating the registration information to the facsimile apparatus on the transmission side. According to this aspect, the convenience for the user is improved.

[0066] <Aspects 5 to 6> In the facsimile apparatus (10) according to the fifth aspect, the execution unit transmits the image data representing the image received by the reception unit and the process type information for which the post-reception process associated with the registration information is specified to a predetermined external device (management server 20). In the facsimile apparatus (10) according to the sixth aspect, the execution unit identifies the transmission source information (Ds1) for identifying the transmission source of the image received by the reception unit and the document type information (Ds2) for identifying the type of the document represented by the image from the registration information, and transmits them to a predetermined external device in association with the image data representing the image.

[0067] <Aspects 7 and 8> The information processing system (1) according to the seventh aspect is an information processing system including the facsimile apparatus according to the sixth aspect described above and a management server (20) capable of communicating with the facsimile apparatus. The management server receives the image data, the transmission source information, and the document type information from the facsimile apparatus and stores them in association with each other. In the information processing system (1) according to the eighth aspect, the management server stores the time stamp in association with the image data. According to this aspect, the convenience of document management is improved.

[0068] <Aspects 9 and 10> The information processing method according to the ninth aspect includes steps in which a computer stores a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing in a storage unit (preprocessing Sa), the computer receives an image, the computer identifies registration information from the received image, the computer searches for the identified registration information from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit, and the computer executes post-reception processing associated with the searched registration information. The program according to the tenth aspect causes a computer to execute each step of the ninth aspect. According to this aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

Explanation of Signs

[0069] 1…Information processing system, 10…Facsimile apparatus, 11…Generation unit, 12…Acquisition unit, 13…Storage unit, 14…Code transmission unit, 15…Reception unit, 16…Identification unit, 17…Search unit, 18…Execution unit, 20…Management server.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0070]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing; A reception unit that receives an image; An identification unit that identifies the registration information from the image received by the reception unit; A search unit that searches for the registration information identified by the identification unit from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit; An execution unit that executes the post-reception processing associated with the registration information searched by the search unit A facsimile apparatus comprising the above components.

2. Comprising a generation unit that generates the registration information, The storage unit stores the registration information generated by the generation unit The facsimile apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. Comprising an acquisition unit that acquires the registration information from the outside, The storage unit stores the registration information acquired by the acquisition unit The facsimile apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. A code transmission unit that transmits an identification code indicating the registration information to a facsimile apparatus on the transmission side The facsimile apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, comprising the above component.

5. The execution unit transmits image data representing the image received by the reception unit and information identifying the post-reception processing associated with the registration information to a predetermined external device. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The execution unit identifies transmission source information for identifying the transmission source of the image received by the reception unit and document type information for identifying the type of document represented by the image from the registration information, and transmits the information to a predetermined external device in association with the image data representing the image. The facsimile apparatus according to Claim 1.

7. The facsimile apparatus according to Claim 6, and A management server capable of communicating with the facsimile apparatus An information processing system comprising the above components, The management server receives the image data, the transmission source information, and the document type information from the facsimile apparatus and stores each of them in association with each other. An information processing system.

8. The management server stores a time stamp in association with the image data. The information processing system according to Claim 7.

9. A step in which a computer stores a plurality of pieces of registration information associated with post-reception processing in a storage unit; A step in which the computer receives an image; A step in which the computer identifies the registration information from the received image; A step in which the computer searches for the identified registration information from the plurality of pieces of registration information stored in the storage unit; executing the post-reception processing associated with the retrieved registration information; An information processing method comprising the above.

10. A program for causing a computer to execute each step according to Claim 9.

Images