Image formation apparatus and document management system

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus and a document management system that are convenient for a user to designate processing such as printing on a document.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a display device; a communication interface; and a processor. The display device displays an image. The communication interface communicates via a network to which an external device including a management server is connected. The processor displays an image indicating identification information which is arbitrarily generated on the display device, inquires of the management server about storage location information for a document associated with the identification information, and downloads the document present at a storage location indicated by the storage location information when the storage location information of the document associated with the identification information is acquired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image forming apparatus and a document management system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when a user wants to print a document created using a user terminal, the user terminal transmits the document to be printed to an image forming apparatus using a dedicated driver program. Also, the user may operate the user terminal to create a document to be printed by a web service. In a conventional system, a document created by a web service needs to be downloaded to the user terminal once in order to be printed by the image forming apparatus. Also, there is a problem that the image forming apparatus needs to be provided with a device for acquiring a document or information for acquiring a document from the user terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a document management system with high convenience for a user to instruct processing such as printing on a document.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to an embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes a display device, a communication interface, and a processor. The display device displays an image. The communication interface communicates via a network to which an external device including a management server is connected. The processor displays, on the display device, an image indicating identification information generated arbitrarily, inquires of the management server about storage location information of a document associated with the identification information, and downloads a document at a storage location indicated by the storage location information when the storage location information of the document associated with the identification information is acquired.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006]

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[0007] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. The document management system 1 includes a digital multi-functional peripheral (MFP) 2 as an image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus), a management server 3, a user terminal 4, and a Web server 5.

[0008] The digital multi-functional peripheral 2 includes a system control unit 21 including a communication function, an operation panel 22, a printer 23, a scanner 24, etc. (see FIG. 2). The operation panel 22 provided in the digital multi-functional peripheral 2 has a display device 42 (see FIG. 2) capable of displaying information such as a two-dimensional code (two-dimensional bar code).

[0009] Assume that the digital multi-function device 2 is a device used by general users. Also, the digital multi-function device 2 is installed in a work area, a store, or a public facility, etc. Further, the digital multi-function device 2 may be operated with multiple units installed. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the digital multi-function device 2 is used by any user who operates the user terminal 4. Also, the digital multi-function device 2 may be operated such that a user executes processes such as printing by paying a usage fee.

[0010] The management server 3 is a device that manages information related to documents in the document management system 1. The management server 3 is communicatively connected to the digital multi-function device 2 and the user terminal 4 via a network. The management server 3 registers information such as information related to documents in response to a registration request from the user terminal 4. The management server 3 provides the registered information in response to an inquiry from the digital multi-function device 2.

[0011] The user terminal 4 is a terminal device operated by a user who uses the document management system 1. The user terminal 4 is a portable information processing device equipped with a communication interface and a camera 66 (see FIG. 4), etc. For example, the user terminal 4 is a smartphone or a tablet PC equipped with a camera. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user terminal 4 has application programs (hereinafter referred to as applications) for executing various processes installed therein.

[0012] The Web server 5 is a server device that provides Web services on the network. The Web server 5 accepts access to Web pages and the like from the user terminal 4 and provides services according to user operations on the user terminal 4. In the present embodiment, the Web server 5 is assumed to provide a service for generating (creating) a document (document) according to a user operation on the user terminal 4. Note that in the present embodiment, the document (document) is not limited to text data, and any electronic data that is the target of processing such as printing by the digital multifunction machine 2 may be used. For example, the document (document) may be image data or the like.

[0013] Next, the configuration of the digital multifunction machine 2 as an image forming apparatus in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the digital multifunction machine 2 as an image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the digital multifunction machine 2 includes a system control unit (system controller) 21, an operation panel 22, a printer 23, and a scanner 24.

[0014] The system control unit 21 controls the entire digital multifunction machine 2. The system control unit 21 includes a processor (first processor) 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, a data memory 34, a communication interface (I / F) 35, an image processing unit 36, a FAX interface (I / F) 37, and the like.

[0015] The processor 31 realizes various processing functions by executing programs. The processor 31 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 31 is connected to the processor 41 of the operation panel 22, the printer 23, the scanner 24, and the like via an internal interface.

[0016] The ROM 32 functions as a program memory for storing programs. The ROM 32 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory. The RAM 33 functions as a working memory or a buffer memory. The processor 31 performs various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 32 or the data memory 55 using the RAM 33.

[0017] The data memory 55 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. For example, the data memory 55 is composed of a storage device such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or an SSD (solid state drive). The data memory 55 stores various types of data such as control data, application programs (hereinafter also referred to as applications), control data, setting information, and image data.

[0018] The communication interface (first communication interface) 35 is an interface for performing data communication with an external device. The communication interface 35 is a network interface that communicates with devices such as the management server 3 and the web server 5 via a network.

[0019] The image processing unit 36 performs image processing. For example, the image processing unit 36 converts the acquired document (document) into print data for printing on paper by the printer 23. Also, the image processing unit 36 may perform image processing for correcting the image data as the acquired document according to a user instruction or a predetermined setting.

[0020] The FAX interface 37 is an interface for performing FAX communication. The FAX interface 37 transmits the acquired document (document) as FAX data to a specified destination. The FAX interface 37 performs FAX transmission as a process for the acquired document (document).

[0021] The operation panel 22 is a user interface. The operation panel 22 includes a processor 41, a display device 42, a touch panel (operation device) 43, and operation buttons (operation devices) 44. The display device 42 is a display for displaying operation guidance and the like. The touch panel 43 is provided on the display screen of the display device 42. The touch panel 43 detects the part touched by the user on the display screen of the display device 42. The operation button 44 is a button for inputting a predetermined instruction.

[0022] The processor 41 of the operation panel 22 controls the operation panel 22. The processor 41 realizes various processes by executing programs stored in an internal memory or an external memory. The processor 41 is connected to the processor 31 of the system control unit 21 and controls the operation panel 22 according to an instruction from the processor 31 of the system control unit 21. For example, the processor 41 controls the display content to be displayed on the display device 42 according to an instruction from the processor 31 of the system control unit 21. Further, the processor 41 detects inputs to the touch panel 43 and the operation buttons 44 and supplies information indicating the input content to the processor 31 of the system control unit 21.

[0023] The printer 23 forms an image on a medium (image-forming medium to be) such as paper. The printer 23, for example, prints a print image supplied from the system control unit 21 on the paper taken out from a paper cassette. The printer 23 may form an image by any image-forming method. For example, when the printer 23 forms an image by an electrophotographic method, it includes an image-forming unit that forms a developer image on an image carrier such as a photosensitive drum and transfers the developer image on the image carrier. Further, when the printer 23 forms an image by an inkjet method, it includes an image-forming unit that forms an image on paper with ink ejected from an inkjet head.

[0024] The scanner 24 is a device that reads an image of a document. The scanner 24 is installed, for example, on the upper part of the main body of the digital multifunction machine 2. The scanner 24 optically reads an image of a document set on the document table glass or a document set in an automatic document feeder (ADF). The scanner 24 outputs document image data as a result of reading the image of the document.

[0025] Next, the configuration of the management server 3 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the management server 3 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 3 includes a processor (second processor) 51, a ROM (read-only memory) 52, a RAM (random access memory) 53, a communication interface (I / F) 54, and a data memory 55.

[0026] The processor 51 executes a program for executing various processes. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 51 is connected to each part in the management server 3 via an internal interface. The processor 51 executes various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 52 or the data memory 55 using the RAM 53. For example, the processor 51 executes the processes described later by an application program installed in the data memory 55.

[0027] The ROM 52 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory. The ROM 52 stores preset programs, control data, and the like. The RAM 53 functions as a working memory or a buffer memory.

[0028] The communication interface (second communication interface) 54 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a network. In the present embodiment, the communication interface 54 is a network interface for communicating with the user terminal 4 and the digital multifunction device 2 via a network.

[0029] The data memory 55 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The data memory 55 stores various data such as programs, control data, and setting information. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the data memory 55 stores a database (DB) 56. The database 56 stores by associating an id with data (storage location information indicating the storage location of a document) associated with the id in response to a registration request from the user terminal 4.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 4 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the user terminal 4 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the user terminal 4 includes a processor 61, a ROM (read only memory) 62, a RAM (random access memory) 63, a data memory 64, a communication interface (I / F) 65, a camera 66, and a user interface 67.

[0031] The processor 61 executes a program for executing various processes. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 61 is connected to each part in the user terminal 4 via an internal interface. The processor 61 executes various processes by executing a program stored in the ROM 62 or the data memory 64 using the RAM 63.

[0032] The ROM 62 is a non-rewritable non-volatile memory. The ROM 62 stores preset programs, control data, etc. The RAM 63 functions as a working memory or a buffer memory. The data memory 64 is a rewritable non-volatile memory. The data memory 64 stores data such as programs, control data, and setting information.

[0033] The communication interface 65 is an interface for communicating with an external device via a network. For example, the communication interface 65 is a network interface for communicating with the management server 3 via a network.

[0034] The camera 66 captures an image. The camera 66 outputs the captured image to the processor 61. The processor 61 has a function of processing the image captured by the camera 66. For example, the processor 61 extracts a code image (e.g., a two-dimensional code) from the image captured by the camera 66 and recognizes the information indicated by the extracted code image.

[0035] The user interface 67 includes a display device 68 and an operation device 69. For example, the user interface 67 is constituted by a display with a touch panel. The display device 68 is a display for displaying operation guidance, etc. For example, the display device 68 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL, etc. The operation device 69 receives operations by the user. For example, the operation device 69 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the display screen of the display device 68. Also, the operation device 69 may include hard keys.

[0036] Next, the information to be registered in the database 56 provided in the data memory 55 of the management server 3 of the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of information to be registered in the database 56 provided in the data memory 55 of the management server 3 of the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. In response to a registration request from the user terminal 4, the management server 3 registers information indicating the storage location of the document associated with the id (storage location information) in the database 56. The id and the storage location information of the document corresponding to the id are specified by the registration request from the user terminal 4.

[0037] The id is any identification information generated by the digital multi-function device 2. The id is identification information displayed as a two-dimensional barcode (code image) on the display device 42 of the operation panel 22 of the digital multi-function device 2. Here, it is assumed that the two-dimensional barcode indicating the id can be recognized from the image captured by the user terminal 4 using the camera 66. The user terminal 4 acquires the id from the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 42 of the digital multi-function device 2 using the camera 66.

[0038] However, the identification information as the id is not limited to that which the digital multi-function device 2 displays as a two-dimensional barcode indicating the id on the display device 42. The identification information as the id to be displayed on the display device 42 of the digital multi-function device 2 may be any information (image) that can be recognized from the image captured by the user terminal 4 using the camera 66. Also, the storage location information associated with the id is information indicating the storage location of the document input by the user who is the operator of the user terminal 4. The storage location information is, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) on the network. The storage location information may be any information indicating the storage location of the document accessible by the digital multi-function device 2.

[0039] For example, the user accesses the Web server 5 using the user terminal 4 and creates a document on the Web server 5. In this case, the Web server 5 provides a service for creating a document in response to an instruction from the user terminal 4 by means of a Web app or the like. The Web server 5 stores the document created in response to the instruction from the user terminal 4 in a specific storage location and presents storage location information such as a URL indicating the storage location to the user terminal 4. Thereby, the user terminal 4 can acquire the storage location information of the document created on the Web server 5.

[0040] Next, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 as an image forming apparatus in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 as an image forming apparatus in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. An application program (hereinafter also referred to as a cooperation application) for cooperating with the management server 3 is installed in a memory such as the data memory 34 in the digital multi-function peripheral 2. The processor 31 of the system control unit 21 in the digital multi-function peripheral 2 activates the cooperation application (ACT10) in response to an operation instruction detected by the touch panel (operation device) 43 or the like. When the processor 31 activates the cooperation application, the processor 31 executes processing for generating and displaying a two-dimensional barcode indicating an id.

[0041] When the processor 31 of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 activates the cooperation application, first, the processor 31 generates (creates) an id as identification information for uniquely determining information (ACT11). For example, the processor 31 generates a random id in a predetermined format. As a specific example, the processor 31 generates an id from randomly selected numbers and characters as shown in FIG. 5.

[0042] When the processor 31 of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 generates an id, the processor 31 creates a two-dimensional barcode as an image indicating the generated id (ACT12). For example, the processor 31 creates a two-dimensional barcode by encoding the id according to a predetermined algorithm. When the processor 31 creates a two-dimensional barcode indicating the id, the processor 31 displays the created two-dimensional barcode on the display device 42 of the operation panel 22 (ACT13).

[0043] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in which a two-dimensional barcode is displayed on the display device 42 in the digital multi-function peripheral 2. As shown in FIG. 7, the processor 31 causes the display device 42 to display a two-dimensional barcode and a guidance such as "Please read with the terminal". Further, in the display example shown in FIG. 6, the processor 31 causes the display device 42 to display a barcode generation button for instructing the regeneration of the two-dimensional barcode. The barcode generation button is a button for instructing to regenerate the id and cause the display device 42 to display a two-dimensional barcode indicating the regenerated id.

[0044] That is, the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 receives an instruction for regenerating the displayed two-dimensional barcode in the state where the two-dimensional barcode is displayed (ACT14). When the regeneration of the two-dimensional barcode is instructed (ACT14, YES), the processor 31 regenerates the id and redisplay the two-dimensional barcode indicating the regenerated id. For example, when the processor 31 detects by the touch panel (operation device) 43 that the barcode generation button as shown in FIG. 7 is instructed, the processor 31 executes the processes of ACT11-13 again. Thereby, the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 42 is updated to a two-dimensional barcode indicating the id regenerated according to the user's instruction.

[0045] If there is no instruction for regenerating the displayed two-dimensional barcode (ACT14, NO), the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 makes an inquiry to the management server 3 about the document corresponding to the displayed id (ACT15). The processor 31 communicates with the management server 3 via the communication I / F 35 and inquires of the management server 3 whether a document corresponding to the id indicated by the displayed two-dimensional barcode is registered. The processor 31 determines whether information about the document associated with the id indicated by the displayed two-dimensional barcode is registered based on the response to the inquiry from the management server 3 (ACT16).

[0046] When the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 cannot obtain information indicating the document associated with the id as a response to the query (ACT16, NO), it waits for a predetermined time (ACT17) and returns to ACT15. That is, the processor 31 repeatedly executes a query to the management server 3 by performing polling with the id indicated by the two-dimensional barcode being displayed at a predetermined cycle as a query parameter.

[0047] When the document associated with the id is registered in the management server 3 (ACT16, YES), the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 acquires the storage location information of the document associated with the id from the management server 3 (ACT18). For example, the processor 31 acquires a URL as the storage location information indicating the storage location of the document corresponding to the id.

[0048] When the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 acquires the storage location information of the document, it accesses the storage location indicated by the acquired storage location information via the communication I / F 35. When the processor 31 accesses the storage location of the document via the communication I / F 35, it downloads (DL) the document from the storage location (ACT19).

[0049] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance screen displayed on the display device 42 while the digital multi-function machine is downloading a document. When the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 accesses the storage location of the document, it displays a guidance screen indicating that the download is in progress as shown in FIG. 8 on the display device 42. While displaying the guidance screen as shown in FIG. 8, the processor 31 executes the download of the document.

[0050] When the download of the document is completed (ACT20, YES), the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 displays a guidance screen indicating the completion of the download of the document on the display device 42 (ACT21). In a state indicating the completion of the download of the document, the processor 31 accepts an execution instruction for processing such as printing on the acquired document.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a guidance screen displayed on the display device 42 when the digital multi-function machine 2 has completed downloading a document. When the download of the document is completed, the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 displays on the display device 42 a guidance screen indicating the completion of the download as shown in FIG. 9. In the display example shown in FIG. 9, the display device 42 displays a guidance of the completion of the download, a preview (thumbnail) image of the downloaded document, and a print button.

[0052] In the display example shown in FIG. 9, the preview image is an image showing the content of the downloaded document. The processor 31 causes the display device 42 to display a preview image showing the content of the document generated from the downloaded document. Also, the print button is a button for instructing the printing of the downloaded document. When the processor 31 detects an instruction to the print button by the touch panel (operation device) 43, the processor 31 executes a printing process of the downloaded document.

[0053] After the processor 31 of the digital multi-function machine 2 has completed the download of the document, it accepts an instruction to execute a process on the document. When the processor 31 receives a print instruction for the downloaded document (ACT22, YES), it executes a printing process of the document using the printer 23 (ACT23). For example, when the print button is instructed on the guidance screen of the completion of the download as shown in FIG. 9, the processor 31 executes the printing of the downloaded document.

[0054] Also, when the processor 31 receives an instruction to execute a process other than printing on the document (ACT22, NO), it executes a process on the document according to the instruction content (ACT24). For example, when the processor 31 is instructed to perform FAX transmission of the document, it executes a process of FAX transmitting the acquired document to the designated destination by FAXI / F37.

[0055] According to the above processing, the digital multi-function peripheral as an image forming apparatus displays a two-dimensional barcode on a display device as an image indicating an id which is arbitrary identification information. While the digital multi-function peripheral displays the two-dimensional barcode indicating the id on the display device, it inquires of the management server about the storage location information of the document associated with the id being displayed. When the digital multi-function peripheral acquires the storage location information of the document associated with the id being displayed from the management server, it acquires the document from the storage location indicated by the acquired storage location information. Thereby, the digital multi-function peripheral can acquire the document associated with the id being displayed, and can execute processing such as printing on the document associated with the id.

[0056] Next, the operation of the user terminal 4 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the user terminal 4 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. In the user terminal 4, an application for creating a document and an application for registering a document are installed in a memory such as the data memory 64. Here, it is assumed that the user terminal 4 has installed an application (hereinafter referred to as a Web application) for providing a document created by the Web server 5 to the digital multi-function peripheral 2 via the management server 3.

[0057] When the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 starts the Web application, it accesses the Web server 5 that provides a service for creating a document. The processor 61 of the user terminal 4 creates a document according to the user's operation in the Web server 5 (ACT41). When the processor 61 creates a document in the Web server 5 by the Web application, it acquires information (for example, a URL) that is the storage location of the created document.

[0058] When the user supplies the document created on the Web server 5 to the digital multifunction peripheral 2, the user operates the operation device 69 of the user terminal 4 to instruct the registration of the document. The processor 61 of the user terminal 4 displays a registration instruction screen for registering the document on the display device 68 by the user's operation (ACT42). When the processor 61 displays the registration instruction screen, it accepts the input of the storage location information of the document (ACT43) and accepts the start of reading the two-dimensional barcode displayed by the digital multifunction peripheral 2.

[0059] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a document registration instruction screen displayed on the display device 68 of the user terminal 4. In the display example shown in FIG. 11, the display device 68 displays an input field for the storage location information of the document (data) and a two-dimensional barcode reading button. In the display example shown in FIG. 11, storage location information indicating the storage location of the document is input into the input field. The user inputs the storage location information of the document to be registered into the input field using the operation device 69 of the user terminal 4.

[0060] Also, the two-dimensional barcode reading button is instructed when reading the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 42 of the operation panel 22 of the digital multifunction peripheral 2. The user instructs the two-dimensional barcode reading button and images the two-dimensional barcode displayed on the display device 42 of the digital multifunction peripheral 2 with the camera 66.

[0061] When the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 is instructed to read a two-dimensional barcode by a two-dimensional barcode reading button or the like, it executes the two-dimensional barcode reading process (ACT44). When starting the two-dimensional barcode reading process, the processor 61 activates the camera 66. The processor 61 acquires the image captured by the camera 66 and performs a process of extracting a two-dimensional barcode from the image captured by the camera 66. When the processor 61 extracts a two-dimensional barcode from the image captured by the camera 66, it decodes the extracted two-dimensional barcode. The processor 61 identifies the id based on the result of decoding the two-dimensional barcode extracted from the image captured by the camera 66 (ACT45).

[0062] When the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 acquires the id being displayed on the digital multifunction device 2, it sends a registration request for the document corresponding to the acquired id to the management server 3 (ACT46). For example, the processor 61 sends the storage location information of the document associated with the acquired id to the management server 3 via the communication I / F 65 together with the registration request. When sending the registration request to the management server 3, the processor 61 displays a guidance indicating that the registration is in progress on the display device 68.

[0063] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the display of a guidance screen indicating that the registration is in progress on the display device 68 in the user terminal 4. When the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 acquires the id displayed on the digital multifunction device 2, it displays a guidance screen as shown in Fig. 12 on the display device 68. While displaying the guidance screen as shown in Fig. 12, the processor 61 sends a registration request including the id and the storage location information of the document to the management server 3. In the display example shown in Fig. 12, the display device 68 displays a guidance indicating that the registration request including the id and the storage location information of the document is being sent.

[0064] After the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 sends a registration request to the management server 3, it waits for a registration completion notification from the management server 3 (ACT47). If there is no registration completion notification from the management server 3 (ACT47, NO), the processor 61 displays a guidance indicating that the registration is in progress on the display device 68. Also, when the processor 61 receives a registration completion notification from the management server 3 (ACT47, YES), it displays a registration completion guidance on the display device 68 (ACT48).

[0065] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a guidance screen indicating registration completion to be displayed on the display device 68 in the user terminal 4. When the processor 61 of the user terminal 4 receives a registration completion notification from the management server 3, it displays a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 13 on the display device 68 to notify the user of the registration completion. In the display example shown in FIG. 13, the display device 68 displays a guidance indicating that the storage location information of the document has been registered in association with the ID displayed by the digital multi-function machine 2. The user can recognize that the registration of the storage location information of the document associated with the ID is completed when a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display device 68.

[0066] According to the above processing, the user terminal acquires the ID by photographing a two-dimensional barcode indicating the ID displayed by the digital multi-function machine with the camera. The user terminal causes the management server to register the storage location information of the document specified by the user in association with the ID displayed by the digital multi-function machine. Thereby, the user terminal can register the storage location information of the document in association with the ID displayed by the digital multi-function machine in the management server without directly sending the document or information indicating the document to the digital multi-function machine.

[0067] Next, the operation of the management server 3 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the management server 3 in the document management system 1 according to the embodiment. The management server 3 executes a process of registering the storage location information of a document in association with an id and a process of providing the storage location information of the document corresponding to the id to the digital multifunction peripheral.

[0068] That is, the processor 51 of the management server 3 receives a registration request for the storage location information of a document associated with an id from the user terminal 4 (ACT61). When the processor 51 receives a registration request from the user terminal 4 (ACT61, YES), it associates the id received from the user terminal 4 with the storage location information of the document and registers (saves) them in the database 56 (ACT62).

[0069] In addition, the processor 51 of the management server 3 receives an inquiry regarding the presence or absence of the storage location information of the document corresponding to the id being displayed from the digital multifunction peripheral 2 via the communication I / F 34 (ACT63). For example, the processor 51 of the management server 3 receives an inquiry including the id being displayed transmitted from the digital multifunction peripheral 2 at a predetermined cycle via the communication I / F 34. Each time the processor 51 receives an inquiry specifying an id from the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (ACT63, YES), it searches whether the id received from the digital multifunction peripheral 2 is registered in the database 56 (ACT64).

[0070] When the id for which the processor 51 of the management server 3 has received an inquiry from the digital multifunction peripheral 2 is in the database 56 (ACT65, YES), it acquires the storage location information of the document corresponding to the id from the database 56. The processor 51 transmits the storage location information of the document associated with the id acquired from the database 56 to the digital multifunction peripheral 2 via the communication I / F 54 (ACT64).

[0071] As described above, the management server of the document management system registers a document in association with the ID displayed by the digital multi-function peripheral in response to a registration request from the user terminal. Also, the management server transmits the storage location information of the document corresponding to the currently displayed ID received from the digital multi-function peripheral to the digital multi-function peripheral. Thereby, the digital multi-function peripheral can acquire the storage location information of the document associated with the currently displayed ID from the management server and can acquire the document in the storage location information.

[0072] According to the document management system as described above, a user can intuitively specify the digital multi-function peripheral for which the user wants to execute processing such as printing on a document. Also, according to the document management system, it is not necessary to directly transmit the document to be processed or the information for acquiring the document from the user terminal to the digital multi-function peripheral. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide the digital multi-function peripheral with a configuration for directly acquiring information from the user terminal. Also, since it is not necessary to download to the user terminal a document created by a web service or the like for processing such as printing with the digital multi-function peripheral, the convenience of the user is improved.

[0073] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0074] 1... Document management system, 2... Digital multi-function device (image forming apparatus), 3... Management server, 4... User terminal, 5... Web server, 21... System control unit, 22... Operation panel, 23... Printer, 24... Scanner, 31... Processor (first processor), 34... Data memory, 35... Communication interface (first communication interface), 36... Image processing unit, 37... FAX interface, 41... Processor, 42... Display device, 43... Touch panel (operation device), 44... Operation button (operation device), 51... Processor (second processor), 54... Communication interface (second communication interface), 55... Data memory (memory), 56... Database, 61... Processor, 64... Data memory, 65... Communication interface, 66... Camera, 67... User interface, 68... Display device, 69... Operation device.

Claims

1. A display device for displaying an image, a communication interface for communicating via a network to which an external device including a management server is connected, a processor that displays an image indicating identification information generated arbitrarily on the display device, inquires the management server about storage location information of a document associated with the identification information, and downloads a document at a storage location indicated by the storage location information when the storage location information of the document associated with the identification information is obtained, An image forming apparatus having the above.

2. The processor displays a two-dimensional barcode indicating the identification information as an image indicating the identification information on the display device, The image forming apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. Furthermore, it has a printer for printing an image, The processor causes the printer to print an image based on the downloaded document on a medium, The image forming apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. While the processor is displaying an image indicating the identification information on the display device, it transmits an inquiry about a document associated with the identification information to the management server at a predetermined cycle and receives a response from the management server, The image forming apparatus according to Claim 1.

5. In a document management system having an image forming apparatus and a management server, The image forming apparatus includes a display device for displaying an image, a first communication interface connected to a network to which an external device including the management server is connected, a first processor that displays an image indicating identification information generated arbitrarily on the display device, inquires the management server about storage location information of a document associated with the identification information, and downloads a document at a storage location indicated by the storage location information when the storage location information of the document associated with the identification information is obtained, The management server includes a second communication interface for communicating via the network, a memory that associates and stores the identification information and the storage location information of the document obtained from a mobile terminal device communicating via the second communication interface, a second processor that transmits the storage location information of the document associated with the identification information stored in the memory to the image forming apparatus when receiving an inquiry designating the identification information from the image forming apparatus, A document management system.

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