Image reading device and image reading method

Abstract

To solve the problem that when an image reading device is mounted with a USB memory, the image reading device displays a picture related to the operation, however an operator has to start the operation from an initial picture and has to reach a target operation picture.SOLUTION: An image reading device 10 is provided, comprising a reading portion 13, a display portion 11, and the control portion 14. In the image reading device 10, when an external storage capable of storing image data is mounted, the control portion 14 implements a first switching process of switching a displayed picture to a read executable picture capable of reading the image data (stored in the external storage). Then, when the external storage is inserted into the device, the picture is automatically switched to a job executable picture, so that a user himself / herself can save the trouble of switching the picture by the operation, and the convenience is increased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading method for reading an image of a medium.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an image reading apparatus capable of mounting an external storage such as a USB memory, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. When the USB memory is mounted, this image reading apparatus displays a related screen when an operation regarding the USB memory is performed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional ones display a related screen during operation if a USB memory is mounted, but the operator has to start the operation from the initial screen and reach the target operation screen.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The present invention is an image reading apparatus including a reading unit that reads an image of a medium, a display unit that can display a plurality of screens, and a control unit, wherein the control unit executes a first switching process of switching a displayed screen to a reading executable screen capable of executing reading of the image data stored in the external storage when the external storage capable of storing the image data is mounted.

[0006] Furthermore, the present invention is an image reading method capable of displaying a plurality of screens and reading an image of a medium, and when an external storage capable of storing image data is attached, the displayed screen is switched to a reading executable screen capable of executing reading of the image data stored in the external storage.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the image reading device 10 includes a display unit 11 that performs various displays for the user, an operation unit 12 for the user to input operations, a reading unit 13 that reads the image of the medium, and a control unit 14 that executes controls such as the display by the display unit 11, the input of operations by the operation unit, and the reading by the reading unit 13. Also, a memory interface 15 for USB connecting a USB memory 20 serving as an external storage, a network interface 16 for network connection, an authentication reading unit 17 for authenticating the user by a card key or the like, a user management table - login management unit 18 for managing the logged - in users, an internal storage 19, etc. are connected to the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 executes a control program to control these respective units.

[0009] As a basic function, the image reading device 10 has a function of performing a predetermined display on the display unit 11, receiving the user's operations on the operation unit 12, reading the image of the medium by the reading unit 13 to generate image data, and transmitting the image data via the network interface 16. In addition to the function of transmitting image data, the image reading device 10 also has a function of saving the image data to the internal storage 19 or to the USB memory 20 attached via the memory interface.

[0010] In addition to this, the image reading device 10 includes a user management table - login management unit 18, and in addition to user codes and passwords, it can record the presence or absence of authentication and the presence or absence of an administrator, distinguish between authenticated users, administrators, and other users, and restrict the available functions. Also, a system that queries the server for authentication is also possible. If the authentication result is OK after querying the server, the authentication information can be obtained from the server and temporarily saved in the user management table.

[0011] In this embodiment, the following processing is performed regarding the distinction of users. · An authenticated user can use the external storage saving function. · An administrator can use the external storage saving function and can perform network diagnosis. It is used as such. Note that the external storage saving function is displayed to the user as the ScanToUSB drive function. The control unit 14 executes various control programs and checks whether a USB memory 20 attached via a memory interface is attached or not.

[0012] Figure 2 is a flowchart of USB memory attachment confirmation executed by the control unit of the image reading apparatus. In step S100, the control unit 14 reads the previous USB memory attachment. In step S105, it checks whether the current USB memory is attached or not. In step S110, it records the current USB memory attachment. In step S115, based on the recorded information, it can be determined whether the USB memory has changed from "none" to "present" by this confirmation. This means detecting the timing when the USB memory 20, which is an external storage, is attached. Since a USB device is attached, in step S120, the control unit 14 executes USB memory attachment interrupt processing. Currently, just by determining whether the USB memory 20 is attached or not, it is not possible to confirm that the USB memory 20 has been attached. It is necessary to confirm the change from the state where the USB memory 20 is not attached to the state where the USB memory 20 is attached. For this reason, when confirming, the state at the last confirmation is read (step S100), the current state is confirmed (step S105), and the difference between the two (change from none to present) is determined. Also, it is necessary to record the current state as the "state at the last confirmation" (step S110).

[0013] Figure 3 is a first flowchart executed by the control unit of the image reading apparatus, and Figure 4 is a second flowchart executed by the image reading apparatus. Step S200 is a process for detecting the attachment of the USB memory 20 and corresponds to the process shown in FIG. 2. When the USB memory 20 is attached, the control unit 14 determines in step S205 whether the authentication function is valid. The authentication function enables restrictions on functions for users, etc. by means of a card key or the like. When the authentication function is valid, the process proceeds to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

[0014] In step S300, the control unit 14 determines whether authentication has been completed. Normally, the user holds the authentication card key over the authentication reading unit 17 or the like to log in as an authenticated user, and then attaches the USB memory 20. The attachment of the USB memory 20 is highly likely to indicate that the authenticated user is attempting to execute the external storage saving function. Therefore, if authentication has not been completed, step S300 is repeated and the system waits for authentication to be completed.

[0015] If authentication has been completed, the control unit 14 determines in step S305 whether the login is by the administrator. If the login is not by the administrator, in step S310, the control unit 14 determines whether the ScanToUSB drive function is enabled for the authenticated user. The ScanToUSB drive function is a function permitted only for specific users, and it may be registered in the user management table - login management unit 18 for each user to indicate whether permission is granted, or it may be set to grant permission if authentication has been completed. In the former case, the presence or absence of permission can be determined by referring to a table or the like, and in the latter case, the presence or absence of permission can be determined based on whether authentication has been completed.

[0016] When it is determined that the ScanToUSB drive function is enabled, the control unit 14 transitions to the TOP screen (G3) of the ScanToUSB drive function as shown in FIG. 5 in step S315.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the transition of the display screen. When the USB memory 20 is not attached, the control unit 14 displays the screen G1 on the display unit 11. The display unit 11 is a touch-operable screen that displays a "Computer" icon for selecting a storage destination, a "USB Drive" icon, and a "Cloud" icon. Conventionally, after the user attached the USB memory 20, they had to touch the "USB Drive" icon on the display unit 11 themselves. Since the screen itself also serves as the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12, touching the "USB Drive" icon allows the control unit 14 to recognize that the "USB Drive" has been selected as the storage destination and display the screen G3.

[0018] The screen G3, which is displayed after the storage destination is determined, is a screen that is displayed together with the "Scan Settings" tab and allows settings to be made for the output data. The settings can be made as the "Scan Settings" content, such as selecting whether the reading mode is "Color", selecting the output format of the data as "PDF (Multi-page)" or other formats, and selecting whether the medium to be read is "Double-sided". These are just examples, and additional settings may be provided for further operations. Note that the screen G3 also displays a tab for "Application Settings", which allows settings that are not usually required to be made, simplifying the operation while providing a rich set of options.

[0019] However, in this embodiment, upon the attachment of the USB memory 20, which is an external storage device, the control unit 14 transitions to the TOP screen (G3) of the ScanToUSB drive function after making judgments in steps S205, S300, S305, S310, and S315. In other words, when the USB memory 20 is attached, the screen transitions to the TOP screen G3 of the ScanToUSB drive function without waiting for the user's operation. Since it is recognized that the USB memory 20 has been attached, the screen G2 that displays this is also shown for a short period of time.

[0020] This corresponds to an image reading apparatus 10 including a reading unit 13, a display unit 11, and a control unit 14. When an external storage capable of storing image data is attached, the control unit 14 executes a first switching process of switching the displayed screen to a reading executable screen capable of executing reading of the image data (stored in the external storage). Also, when an external storage capable of storing image data is attached, it corresponds to an image reading method of switching the displayed screen to a reading executable screen capable of executing reading of the image (data) (stored in the external storage).

[0021] When an external storage is inserted into the apparatus, it automatically switches to a job executable screen, so that the user can save the trouble of manually switching the screen and the convenience is increased. As an example, a reading executable screen is a screen where reading settings such as the reading mode being "color, monochrome, gray", the output format being "PDF, JPEG, TIFF...", and others such as single-sided / double-sided, and the output destination which is the storage destination "external storage such as a removable USB / SD card, folder, email, cloud" can be selected to start reading.

[0022] Also, since the control unit 14 has transitioned to the TOP screen (G3) after the determinations in steps S205 and S300, the user authentication function can be executed. When the user authentication function is valid, the control unit 14 corresponds to executing the first switching process when the user is authenticated by the user authentication function. In this way, when an external storage is inserted into the apparatus while user authentication is performed, it automatically switches to a job executable screen, so that the user can save the trouble of manually switching the screen and the convenience is increased.

[0023] Note that the user authentication function is · Authentication by card touch · Authentication by ID / password · Authentication by PIN code It may be like this. Card touch is an operation of touching a contactless card key to a reading pad, and authentication by ID / password or PIN code is an operation of inputting an ID, password, PIN number, etc. using a touch pad or physical keys.

[0024] For example, it is also possible to read a magnetic card with a card reader. In this case, the control unit 14 corresponds to executing user authentication based on the information of the magnetic card read by the card reader in the user authentication function. In this way, user authentication is executed based on the information of the magnetic card read by the card reader, so user authentication can be executed with a simple configuration.

[0025] Since the control unit 14 has transitioned to the TOP screen (G3) after the determination in step S310, the user authentication function can be executed. When the user authentication function is valid, the control unit 14 corresponds to executing the first switching process when the user is authenticated by the user authentication function. This is because the user management table - login management unit 18 has an external storage saving function setting function for switching whether to enable or disable the external storage saving function of saving the read image data to an external storage connected by USB. When the external storage saving function is set to be enabled by the external storage saving function setting function, the control unit 14 corresponds to executing the first switching process when the user is authenticated by the user authentication function.

[0026] In this way, it is possible to select whether the external storage saving function setting is enabled or disabled. And it can be enabled only when necessary and disabled when not needed, so the functions can be reduced and the operation can be simplified. It can also be said that functions that are not used are not displayed. Moreover, when the USB memory 20 which is an external storage is inserted into the device, it automatically switches to the job - executable screen, so the trouble of the user switching the screen by operation can be saved and the convenience is increased.

[0027] When the control unit 14 determines in step S310 that the authenticated user does not have the ScanToUSB drive function enabled, in step S320, it displays the pop-up screen G4 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an error notification screen. This pop-up screen G4 displays "A USB memory has been inserted. You are not provided with the ScanToUSB drive function. Please contact the administrator."

[0028] This means that when the user authentication function is enabled and the external storage saving function is disabled, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 14 executes a second switching process of switching to an error screen indicating the absence of the external storage saving function. In this way, since it is possible to switch to an error screen indicating the absence of the ScanToUSB drive function, the user can quickly and surely know the abnormality before performing the scan operation.

[0029] Note that in step S305, it is determined whether or not the administrator has logged in. Regarding the display of this error screen, such an administrator setting may or may not be present. For example, it may be determined that it is present by default. By the way, general authenticated users use the USB memory 20 as a storage destination for image data. However, in the case of the image reading device 10 connected to the network, when a problem occurs in the network connection, the administrator often wants the network diagnosis result and wants to save the network diagnosis result in the USB memory 20.

[0030] In this embodiment, when the control unit 14 determines in step S305 that the administrator has logged in, in step S325, it displays the pop-up screen G5 shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen. This pop-up screen G5 displays a message "A USB memory has been inserted. Which function do you want to perform?", and further displays a selection icon for "Perform network connection diagnosis" and a selection icon for "Perform ScanToUSB drive function". Touching the "Perform ScanToUSB drive function" selection icon displays screen G3, and touching the "Perform network connection diagnosis" selection icon advances to step S220 as shown by connector D.

[0031] Note that step S325 is more specifically what is displayed as step S225. First, in step S220, the control unit 14 determines whether the network settings are valid. When they are valid, in step S225, it displays the pop-up screen G5. In step S230, it is a process of waiting for a function selection from the user and waits until an input is received. When an input is received, in step S235, it determines that the execution of the ScanToUSB drive function has been selected, and in step S240, it transitions to the TOP screen G3 of the ScanToUSB drive function. Note that when it is determined in step S205 that the user authentication function is invalid, and when it is determined in step S210 that the administrator login is valid and in step S215 that the administrator has logged in, it also advances to step S220. Otherwise, it advances to step S240 without performing network diagnosis.

[0032] On the other hand, when the "Perform network connection diagnosis" selection icon is touched, in step S245, the control unit 14 displays the network diagnosis execution screen G6 on the pop-up screen shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen. This pop-up screen G6 displays a message "Perform network diagnosis. The diagnosis result will be saved to the USB memory.", and further displays a selection icon for "Execute".

[0033] This corresponds to the control unit 14 executing a fourth switching process of switching the displayed screen to a screen where network status diagnosis or an external storage saving function can be selected when a user logs in as an administrator in a state where the user authentication function is invalid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the network setting is valid, with the user already authenticated, and the user management table - login management unit 18 having an administrator setting function that can grant the user administrator authority.

[0034] By doing so, the user can freely select by switching to a screen where network diagnosis or the ScanToUSB drive function can be selected, thus increasing convenience.

[0035] The pop - up screen G5 gives the administrator a choice, but the administrator can also choose not to display the ScanToUSB drive function. In this case, the selection screen of the pop - up screen G6 may be displayed without determining whether the network setting is valid. This corresponds to the control unit 14 executing a fourth switching process of switching the displayed screen to a screen where network status diagnosis or an external storage saving function can be selected when a user logs in as an administrator in a state where the user authentication function is valid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the user is already authenticated, and the user management table - login management unit 18 having an administrator setting function that can grant the user administrator authority.

[0036] By doing so, the user can freely select by switching to a screen where network diagnosis or the ScanToUSB drive function can be selected, thus increasing convenience.

[0037] Similarly, it is provided with an administrator setting function that can grant the user administrator authority, and a network setting function that sets the presence or absence of a network. When the user authentication function is invalid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the network setting is invalid, and the user logs in as an administrator, the control unit 14 executes a third switching process of switching the displayed screen to a network diagnosis execution screen capable of executing a network status diagnosis.

[0038] As a result, when troubles such as not being connected to the network occur, network information can be confirmed, improving maintainability. Note that the administrator setting may or may not be present. For example, it may be determined to be present by default. Also, as an example, the network includes a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, and a Bluetooth connection.

[0039] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when a network diagnosis is performed, "the diagnosis result is saved to the USB memory". This means that when the execution of the diagnosis is selected on the network diagnosis execution screen, the control unit 14 saves the diagnosis result to the USB memory 20 which is an external storage device that is attached. By doing so, since the diagnosis result is saved to the inserted USB memory 20 in the image reading apparatus 10, the trouble of selecting a storage location is saved and convenience is increased.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a network connection diagnosis report. The content of such a network connection diagnosis report is saved to the inserted USB memory 20. The network connection diagnosis report shown in the figure is · While displaying "OK or NG" as the diagnosis result, it also displays a simple comment "It is operating normally. When any trouble occurs, please refer to the manual and take appropriate measures." Also, · As diagnostic items, for "Checking network cable connection", "Checking IP address", and "Checking IP detailed settings", display "OK or NG" respectively. Finally, the current · As network setting information, display "Printer name PRT1", "Printer model number EP001", "IP address 1.1.1.128", "Subnet mask 255.255.255.0", "Default gateway 1.1.1.1", "MAC address 40:A1:B3:22:4A:56". Of course, these displays are just examples and can be changed as appropriate.

[0041] Next, briefly explain the processing flow when the administrator has logged in. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the administrator has logged in. On the top screen G7 when the administrator logs in, "Network information" related to the network is displayed at the top. Details of each are omitted. Next, as storage destinations for image data, "Computer" icon, "Network folder" icon, "Mail sending" icon, and "Cloud storage" icon are displayed. Based on the determination in step S220 described above, if the network setting is invalid, display the pop-up screen G6, and if the network setting is valid, display the pop-up screen G5.

[0042] Next, briefly explain the processing flow during authentication. Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of screen transition during authentication. When the USB memory 20 is attached while the top screen G7 is being displayed, for users who have permission for the ScanToUSB drive function, the screen transitions to screens G2 and G3, and automatically switches to the job executable screen, saving the trouble for the user to switch the screen manually and increasing convenience.

[0043] Also, in the case of an administrator, by changing the screen to screen G5 and switching to screens G3 and G6 where the network diagnosis or ScanToUSB drive function can be selected, users can freely choose, thus increasing convenience. Furthermore, even for authenticated users, if it is determined that the ScanToUSB drive function is not enabled, screen G4 is displayed. Since it can be switched to an error screen, users can quickly and surely know about abnormalities before performing a scan operation.

[0044] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. As is obvious to those skilled in the art, · Appropriately change the combinations of mutually replaceable members, configurations, etc. disclosed in the above embodiments and apply them. · Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, appropriately replace members and configurations, etc. that are publicly known and mutually replaceable with the members and configurations, etc. disclosed in the above embodiments, and also change their combinations and apply them. · Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, appropriately replace members and configurations, etc. that can be assumed as substitutes for the members and configurations, etc. disclosed in the above embodiments by those skilled in the art based on publicly known technologies, etc., and also change their combinations and apply them. are disclosed as one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 10…Image reading device, 11…Display unit, 12…Operation unit, 13…Reading unit, 14…Control unit, 15…Memory interface, 16…Network interface, 17…Authentication reading unit, 18…User management table · Login management unit, 19…Internal storage, 20…USB memory.

Claims

1. A reading unit that reads an image of a medium, A display unit capable of displaying a plurality of screens, An image reading apparatus comprising a control unit, wherein When an external storage capable of storing image data is attached, the control unit executes a first switching process of switching the displayed screen to a readable executable screen capable of executing reading of the image data stored in the external storage. The image reading apparatus is characterized by this.

2. Capable of executing a user authentication function, When the user authentication function is valid, the control unit executes the first switching process when the user is authenticated by the user authentication function. The image reading apparatus according to Claim 1 is characterized by this.

3. It has an external storage storage function setting function for switching whether the external storage storage function for saving the read image data to the externally connected external storage is valid or invalid, When the external storage storage function is set to be valid by the external storage storage function setting function, the control unit executes the first switching process when the user is authenticated by the user authentication function. The image reading apparatus according to Claim 2 is characterized by this.

4. The control unit executes user authentication based on information on a magnetic card read by a card reader by the user authentication function The image reading apparatus according to Claim 2 is characterized by this.

5. When the user authentication function is valid and the external storage storage function is invalid, the control unit executes a second switching process of switching to an error screen indicating that there is no external storage storage function when the user is authenticated. The image reading apparatus according to Claim 3 is characterized by this.

6. An administrator setting function capable of granting authority to the user as an administrator, A network setting function for setting the presence or absence of a network, and When the user authentication function is invalid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the network setting is invalid, when the user logs in as an administrator, the control unit switches the displayed screen to a network diagnosis execution screen capable of executing network status diagnosis. The image reading apparatus according to Claim 3 is characterized by executing a third switching process.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when execution of diagnosis is selected on the network diagnosis execution screen, the control unit saves the diagnosis result in the externally attached storage device that is attached.

8. Comprising an administrator setting function that can grant the user authority as an administrator, When the user authentication function is invalid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the network setting is valid, and the user logs in as an administrator in an authenticated state, the control unit executes a fourth switching process of switching the displayed screen to a screen on which diagnosis of the network status or an external storage saving function can be selected. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3.

9. Comprising an administrator setting function that can grant the user authority as an administrator, When the user authentication function is valid, the administrator setting function is valid, and the user logs in as an administrator in an authenticated state, the control unit executes a fourth switching process of switching the displayed screen to a screen on which diagnosis of the network status or an external storage saving function can be selected. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3.

10. An image reading method capable of displaying a plurality of screens and reading an image of a medium, When an external storage capable of storing image data is attached, the image reading method is characterized in that the displayed screen is switched to a read-executable screen capable of executing reading of the image data stored in the external storage.

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