Control device, scanner, computer program for control device, and method performed by control device

Abstract

To disclose a technique for improving user convenience.SOLUTION: A control device includes: a scan control unit that causes a scan execution unit to scan M documents; an identification unit that identifies that the M documents include N documents scanned first and a blank document scanned after the N documents; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a selection screen showing multiple options including a first option and a second option; a first processing execution unit that executes a first process to save each of a first file and a second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; and a second processing execution unit that executes a second process to save a third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification relates to techniques in situations where scans are performed that involve blank documents. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a scanner with a blank page removal function. In this technology, a dialog box containing multiple thumbnail images representing multiple pages of a document, including blank pages, is displayed. The dialog box contains multiple check boxes corresponding to the multiple thumbnail images. The user can switch each check box on or off. A file containing each image corresponding to each thumbnail image with a checked check box is saved.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for dividing a file at the position of a blank page when a blank page is detected in image data obtained by scanning a document. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-208618 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-141425 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] This specification discloses a technique for improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The control device disclosed in this specification includes a scan control unit that causes a scan execution unit to scan M pages of documents (M is an integer of 3 or more); an identification unit that identifies, based on the results of scanning at least some of the M documents, that the M documents include N pages of documents (N is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned first and a blank document scanned after the N documents; and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a selection screen showing a plurality of options including a first option and a second option, the first option including a first file including scan data for N pages representing the N documents and L pages representing L pages of documents (L is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned after the blank document among the M documents. the display control unit may be configured to select an option for saving each of the first file and the second file, the option being a third file different from the first file and the second file, the third file including the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data; a first processing execution unit that executes a first process for saving each of the first file and the second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; and a second processing execution unit that executes a second process for saving the third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen.

[0007] According to the above configuration, when the first option is selected by the user on the selection screen, the control device executes a process for saving a first file containing scan data for N pages and a second file containing scan data for L pages. Furthermore, when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen, the control device executes a process for saving a third file containing scan data for N pages and scan data for L pages. In this way, the user can select on the selection screen whether to save the first file, the second file, or the third file. This improves user convenience.

[0008] A computer program for the above-described control device, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the control device are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of case A1. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case B1 and Case C1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of case A3. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case B3 and Case C3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (First Example) (Configuration of communication system 2; Figure 1) 1, the communication system 2 includes a scanner 10 and a terminal 100. The scanner 10 and the terminal 100 are connected to a LAN 4. The scanner 10 and the terminal 100 can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 may be a wireless LAN or a wired LAN.

[0011] (Configuration of Scanner 10) Scanner 10 is a peripheral device capable of executing a scan function, such as a peripheral device for terminal 100. In a modified example, scanner 10 may be a multi-function device capable of executing a print function, a facsimile function, etc. in addition to the scan function. Scanner 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 16, a scan execution unit 18, and a control unit 30. Each unit 12 to 30 is connected to a bus line. In the following, interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0012] The operation unit 12 is an I / F that allows the user to input various pieces of information to the scanner 10, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various pieces of information to the scanner 10 via the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various pieces of information. The communication I / F 16 is connected to the LAN 4. The scan execution unit 18 includes a scanning mechanism such as a CIS or CCD. The scanner 10 also includes an automatic document feeder mechanism (not shown). The automatic document feeder mechanism is capable of holding multiple sheets of documents and sequentially feeds each of the multiple sheets of documents toward the scan execution unit 18.

[0013] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, RAM and cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or a ROM, or a combination thereof. A program 36 is stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 32 performs various processes in accordance with the program 36 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device.

[0014] (Configuration of terminal 100) The terminal 100 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a PDA, or a tablet PC. In a modified example, the terminal 100 may be a desktop PC, a laptop PC, or the like. The terminal 100 includes an operation unit 112, a display unit 114, a communication I / F 116, and a control unit 130. The units 112 to 130 are connected to a bus line.

[0015] The operation unit 112 is an I / F that allows the user to input various information to the terminal 100, and includes, for example, a touch screen and buttons. The user can input various information to the terminal 100 via the operation unit 112. The display unit 114 is a display for displaying various information. The communication I / F 116 is connected to the LAN 4.

[0016] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device includes, for example, RAM and cache memory. The auxiliary storage device may be, for example, a flash memory, an SSD, or a ROM, or a combination thereof. An OS program 136 and an application program 138 are stored in the auxiliary storage device. The CPU 132 performs various processes in accordance with the programs 136 and 138 loaded from the auxiliary storage device to the main storage device. Hereinafter, the OS program will be referred to as "OS." Furthermore, the application program will be referred to as "app."

[0017] The OS 136 controls the basic operations of the terminal 100. The application 138 is a program for causing the scanner 10 to scan a document. The application 138 is downloaded from a server on the Internet provided by the vendor of the scanner 10, for example, and installed on the terminal 100.

[0018] In this embodiment, a situation is assumed in which the multiple documents to be scanned include a blank document. A user may intentionally or unintentionally scan a blank document. For example, a user may intentionally scan a blank document if they want to separately save a file containing scan data representing each document scanned before the blank document and a file containing scan data representing each document scanned after the blank document. This embodiment provides a technology for improving user convenience in a situation in which the multiple documents include a blank document.

[0019] (Processing performed between each device; Figure 2) Next, the processing executed by each device 10, 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the following, for ease of understanding, the processing executed by the CPU (e.g., 32, 132) of each device (e.g., scanner 10, terminal 100) will be described as the processing subject, rather than each CPU being described as the processing subject. Furthermore, communication between each device is performed via a communication I / F (e.g., 16, 116). Therefore, in the following description, when describing communication, the phrase "via a communication I / F" will be omitted.

[0020] At T10, the user places multiple documents on the automatic document feeder of the scanner 10. In this embodiment, four documents, including one blank document, are placed on the automatic document feeder. The first document has the string "AAA" written on it. The second document is also blank. The third document has the string "XXX" written on it. The fourth document has the string "YYY" written on it.

[0021] At T12, the scanner 10 receives a scan operation from the user to start scanning a document. The scan operation includes specifying a folder in which the scanned data is to be saved. In particular, in this embodiment, a predetermined folder in the memory 134 of the terminal 100 is specified as the folder in which the scanned data is to be saved.

[0022] When scanner 10 receives a scan operation from the user in T12, scanner 10 starts scanning the document in T20. Specifically, scanner 10 first transports the first document of four documents placed on the automatic document feeder to scan execution unit 18. Then, in T22, scanner 10 causes scan execution unit 18 to scan the first document, generates scan data for the first page, and stores this in memory 34. Note that the scan may be a monochrome scan or a color scan.

[0023] Next, at T24, the scanner 10 determines whether the first page of the document is a blank document. Specifically, the scanner 10 first identifies the luminance value of each pixel constituting the generated scan data for the first page. For example, the luminance value of a pixel having an RGB value is identified by the formula "0.3R + 0.6G + 0.1B." The luminance value is, for example, a value between 0 and 255, with the larger the luminance value, the brighter the color (i.e., closer to white). The scanner 10 then converts the scan data into binary data based on the luminance value of each pixel constituting the scan data. For example, the scanner 10 converts pixels having a luminance value between 0 and 127 to "0" and pixels having a luminance value between 128 and 255 to "1." The scanner 10 calculates a value by dividing the number of pixels having a luminance value of "1" by the total number of pixels. If the value is smaller than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 0.01), the scanner 10 determines that the first page of the document is a blank document. On the other hand, if the above value is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the scanner 10 determines that the first document is not a blank document. In this case, the scanner 10 determines that the first document is not a blank document at T24. Note that the above method for determining whether a document is blank or not is only an example, and various other known methods may be used.

[0024] Thereafter, in T26, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the first page to the terminal 100. In particular, the scanner 10 transmits to the terminal 100, together with the scan data of the first page, information indicating that the scan data should be saved in the predetermined folder specified in T12. The same applies to the subsequent transmission of scan data from the scanner 10 to the terminal 100.

[0025] In T26, the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the first page from the scanner 10. In this case, the terminal 100 generates a file F1 in a predetermined folder in the memory 134 based on the information already received in T26. The file F1 is a file in a format that has a concept of pages, such as a PDF format. Then, in T28, the terminal 100 converts the scan data of the first page to conform to the format of the file F1, and saves the converted data as the first page of the file F1.

[0026] Next, scanner 10 conveys the second of the four originals to scan execution unit 18. Then, at T32, scanner 10 causes scan execution unit 18 to scan the second original, generates scan data of the second page, and stores this in memory 34. Here, when scanner 10 detects that a blank original exists, it temporarily stops transmitting the scan data to terminal 100. That is, at this stage, scanner 10 does not transmit the scan data of the second page to terminal 100.

[0027] At T34, scanner 10 determines that the second document is a blank document. In this case, at T36, scanner 10 displays selection screen SC1 on display unit 14. Selection screen SC1 includes a message indicating that a blank document has been detected, two thumbnail images representing the first and second documents, and three options: "Split File," "Remove Blank Page," and "Save." Each of the two thumbnail images is generated using the scan data of the first and second pages stored in memory 34. By viewing selection screen SC1, the user can recognize that a blank document is included among the four documents at the time the blank document is scanned. Furthermore, by viewing the thumbnail images, the user can confirm the document scanned immediately before the blank document.

[0028] While displaying the selection screen SC1, the scanner 10 conveys the third of the four documents to the scan execution unit 18. Then, at T32, the scanner 10 causes the scan execution unit 18 to scan the third document, generates scan data of the third page, and stores this in the memory 34. At this stage, the scanner 10 does not transmit the scan data of the third page to the terminal 100.

[0029] At T44, scanner 10 determines that the third document is not a blank document. Then, at T46, scanner 10 updates selection screen SC1 and displays selection screen SC2 on display unit 14. Selection screen SC2 further includes a thumbnail image representing the third document. On selection screen SC2, a thumbnail image representing the second document (i.e., a blank document) is placed between the thumbnail images representing the first document and the thumbnail images representing the third document. This allows the user to easily recognize that the thumbnail image to the left of the thumbnail image representing the blank document represents the document scanned immediately before the blank document, and that the thumbnail image to the right of the thumbnail image representing the blank document represents the document scanned immediately after the blank document.

[0030] (Case A1; Figure 3) 3 and 4 illustrate a case where an option on the selection screen SC2 is selected immediately after the scanning of the third document is completed, i.e., before the scanning of the fourth document is started. However, if an option on the selection screen SC2 is not selected immediately after the scanning of the third document is completed, the scanning of the fourth document may be performed first. At this stage, the scanner 10 does not transmit the scan data of the fourth page to the terminal 100. Then, an option on the selection screen SC2 may be selected after the scanning of the fourth document is completed.

[0031] At T100 in Fig. 3, scanner 10 accepts from the user the selection of "File division" on selection screen SC2. In this case, at T102, scanner 10 deletes from memory 34 the scan data of the second page already generated at T32 in Fig. 2. Then, at T104, scanner 10 transmits a file division instruction and the scan data of the third page already generated at T42 in Fig. 2 to terminal 100. The file division instruction is a signal instructing terminal 100 to save the scan data transmitted after T104 as a file different from file F1.

[0032] In T104, the terminal 100 receives a file division instruction and the scanned data of the third page from the scanner 10. In this case, the terminal 100 first completes the file F1 by generating a footer for the file F1. Next, the terminal 100 generates a file F2 different from the file F1 in the predetermined folder specified in T12. In this way, the terminal 100 can generate a file F2 different from the file F1 in response to receiving the file division instruction from the scanner 10. Then, in T106, the terminal 100 converts the scanned data of the third page to conform to the format of the file F2, and saves the converted data as the first page of the file F2.

[0033] Next, the scanner 10 conveys the fourth of the four documents to the scan execution unit 18. Then, at T112, the scanner 10 causes the scan execution unit 18 to scan the fourth document, generates scan data for the fourth page, and stores this in the memory 34.

[0034] The scanner 10 determines in T114 that the fourth page of the document is not a blank document. In this case, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the fourth page to the terminal 100 in T116.

[0035] When the terminal 100 receives the scanned data of the fourth page from the scanner 10 at T116, it converts the scanned data of the fourth page to conform to the format of the file F2 at T118 and saves the converted data as the second page of the file F2.

[0036] After completing the scanning of the four originals, the scanner 10 detects that no originals remain in the automatic document feeder. In this case, the scanner 10 transmits a scan completion signal to the terminal 100 at T120. This allows the terminal 100 to recognize that scanning of the originals has been completed. Therefore, the terminal 100 completes the file F2 by generating a footer for the file F2. In this way, in case A1, the file F1 containing the scan data representing the first original and the file F2 containing the scan data representing the third and fourth originals are saved in a predetermined folder.

[0037] In particular, scan data representing blank documents is not included in either file F1 or F2. Therefore, if a user wants to separately save file F1 containing scan data representing documents scanned before the blank document and file F2 containing scan data representing documents scanned after the blank document, the user can include the blank document among multiple documents. Then, the user can save file F1 and file F2 separately by selecting the option "Split File."

[0038] (Case B1; Figure 4) Next, case B1 in which the option "remove blank pages" is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Case B1 is a continuation of Fig. 2.

[0039] In T200 of Fig. 4, scanner 10 accepts from the user the selection of "Remove Blank Pages" on selection screen SC2. In this case, in T202, scanner 10 deletes the scan data of the second page already generated in T32 of Fig. 2 from memory 34. Then, in T204, scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the third page already generated in T42 of Fig. 2 to terminal 100 without transmitting the scan data of the second page to terminal 100.

[0040] In T204, the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the third page from the scanner 10. In this case, in T206, the terminal 100 converts the scan data of the third page to conform to the format of the file F1, and saves the converted data as the second page of the file F1. The processes of T212 to T216 are the same as the processes of T112 to T116 in FIG. 3.

[0041] When the terminal 100 receives the scanned data of the fourth page from the scanner 10 in T216, it converts the scanned data of the fourth page to conform to the format of the file F1 in T218 and saves the converted data as the third page of the file F1.

[0042] The processing of T220 is the same as the processing of T120. As a result, the terminal 100 completes the file F1 by generating a footer for the file F1. In this way, in case B1, the file F1 containing the scan data representing the first, third, and fourth pages of the document is saved in a predetermined folder.

[0043] In particular, scan data representing blank documents is not included in file F1. Therefore, if a user unintentionally scans a blank document, the user can select the option "Remove Blank Pages." This allows the user to save file F1 without scan data representing blank documents.

[0044] (Case C1; Figure 4) Next, case C1 in which the option "Save" is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Case C1 is a continuation of Fig. 2.

[0045] The scanner 10 accepts the user's selection of the option "Save" on the selection screen SC2 in T300 of Fig. 4. In this case, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the second page already generated in T32 of Fig. 2 to the terminal 100 in T302.

[0046] In T302, the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the second page from the scanner 10. In this case, in T304, the terminal 100 converts the scan data of the second page to conform to the format of the file F1, and saves the converted data as the second page of the file F1.

[0047] In addition, in T306, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the third page already generated in T42 of FIG.

[0048] In T306, the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the third page from the scanner 10. In this case, in T308, the terminal 100 converts the scan data of the third page to conform to the format of file F1, and saves the converted data as the third page of file F1. The processes of T312 to T316 are the same as the processes of T112 to T116 in FIG. 3.

[0049] When the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the fourth page from the scanner 10 in T316, it converts the scan data of the fourth page to conform to the format of the file F1 in T318 and saves the converted data as the fourth page of the file F1.

[0050] The processing of T320 is the same as the processing of T120. As a result, the terminal 100 can complete the file F1 by generating a footer for the file F1. In this way, in case C1, the file F1 containing the scan data representing the first to fourth pages of the document is saved in a predetermined folder.

[0051] The user can intentionally include a blank document among multiple documents as a scanned object, and by selecting the option "Save," the user can save a file F1 containing scan data representing the blank document.

[0052] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the above configuration, when the option "Split File" is selected by the user on the selection screen SC2, a file F1 including scan data of the first page, which represents the single document scanned before the blank document, and a file F2 including scan data of the third and fourth pages, which represent the two documents scanned after the blank document, are each saved in the terminal 100 (Case A1). On the other hand, when the option "Remove Blank Pages" is selected by the user on the selection screen SC2, the file F1 including scan data of the first, third, and fourth pages is saved in the terminal 100 (Case B1). Also, when the option "Save" is selected by the user on the selection screen SC2, the file F1 including scan data of the first to fourth pages is saved in the terminal 100 (Case C1). That is, when the option "Remove Blank Pages" or "Save" is selected by the user on the selection screen SC2, one file F1 is saved in the terminal 100. In this way, the user can select on the selection screen SC2 whether to save each of the two files F1 and F2 (see case A1) or to save one file F1 (see case B1 or case C1), thereby improving user convenience.

[0053] (Correspondence) The scanner 10, the control unit 30 of the scanner 10, and the terminal 100 are examples of a "scanner," a "control device," and a "terminal device," respectively. Four originals are an example of "M originals." One original consisting of the first original is an example of "N originals." Two originals consisting of the third and fourth originals are an example of "L originals." The option "Split file" is an example of a "first option." From one perspective, the option "Remove blank pages" is an example of a "second option," and the option "Save" is an example of a "third option." From another perspective, the option "Save" is an example of a "second option." Selection screens SC1 and SC2 are examples of a "selection screen." The thumbnail image representing the first original, the thumbnail image representing the second original, and the thumbnail image representing the third original are examples of a "first original image," a "third original image," and a "second original image," respectively. The file division instruction sent in T104 of FIG. 3 is an example of a "generation instruction." The files F1 and F2 saved in case A1 are examples of a "first file" and a "second file," respectively. From one perspective, the file F1 saved in case B1 is an example of a "third file." From another perspective, the file F1 saved in case C1 is an example of a "third file (and fourth file)."

[0054] The processes of T20, T22, T32, and T42 in FIG. 2 and T112 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by a "scan control unit." The processes of T24 and T34 in FIG. 2 are examples of processes executed by a "identification unit." The processes of T36 and T46 in FIG. 2 are examples of processes executed by a "display control unit." The processes of T102 and T104 in FIG. 3 are examples of processes executed by a "first process execution unit." The processes of T202 and T204 (and the processes of T302 and T306) in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "second process execution unit." The processes of T302 and T306 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "third process execution unit."

[0055] (Second embodiment; Figure 5) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the processing for a blank document is set in advance by the user.

[0056] 5, the scanner 10 accepts a setting operation from the user via, for example, the operation unit 12, for setting the processing for blank documents. In this case, the scanner 10 displays a setting screen SC10 on the display unit 14 in T412. The setting screen SC10 includes a message prompting the user to select the processing to be performed when a blank page is detected, and three options: "Split File," "Remove Blank Page," and "Save."

[0057] In T414, scanner 10 accepts from the user the selection of one of three options: "Split File," "Remove Blank Pages," or "Save." In this case, in T416, scanner 10 stores information indicating the selected option in memory 34. The processes of T420 to T444 are the same as the processes of T10 to T34 in FIG. 2, respectively. In the second embodiment, even if it is determined in T444 that the second document is a blank document, selection screen SC1 is not displayed.

[0058] (Case A2; Figure 5) First, a case A2 will be described in which information indicating the option "File Split" has already been stored in memory 34. In this case, scanner 10 deletes the scan data of the second page that has already been generated in T442 from memory 34 (see T102 in FIG. 3). Then, scanner 10 scans the third document (see T42 and T44 in FIG. 2), and transmits a file split instruction and the scan data of the third page to terminal 100 (see T104 in FIG. 3). The subsequent processing is the same as the processing from T106 to T120 in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, too, the user can save files F1 and F2 separately by previously selecting the option "File Split" on setting screen SC10.

[0059] (Case B2; Figure 5) Next, a case B2 will be described in which information indicating the option "Remove Blank Pages" has already been stored in memory 34. In this case, scanner 10 deletes the scan data of the second page that has already been generated in T442 from memory 34 (see T202 in FIG. 4). Scanner 10 then scans the third document (see T42 and T44 in FIG. 2) and transmits the scan data of the third page to terminal 100 (see T204 in FIG. 4). The subsequent processing is the same as the processing from T206 to T220 in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, too, the user can save file F1 that does not include scan data representing blank documents by previously selecting the option "Remove Blank Pages" on setting screen SC10.

[0060] (Case C2; Figure 5) Next, a case C2 will be described in which information indicating the option "Save" has already been stored in memory 34. In this case, scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the second page already generated in T442 to terminal 100 (see T302 to T304 in FIG. 4). Then, scanner 10 scans the third document (see T42 and T44 in FIG. 2) and transmits the scan data of the third page to terminal 100 (see T306 in FIG. 4). The subsequent processing is the same as the processing from T306 to T320 in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, too, the user can save file F1 containing scan data representing a blank document by previously selecting the option "Save" on setting screen SC10.

[0061] The second embodiment also improves user convenience. In particular, the second embodiment allows the processing to be performed when a blank page is detected to be set in advance. That is, the selection screen SC1, etc. is not displayed after a blank page is detected. This allows the user to quickly obtain a file containing the scanned results of the document (e.g., files F1 and F2). The setting screen SC10 is an example of a "selection screen." The processing of T412 in FIG. 5 is an example of processing executed by the "display control unit."

[0062] (Third embodiment; Figures 6 to 8) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8. In the third embodiment, a selection screen SC1 is displayed on the display unit 114 of the terminal 100. The process of T510 in Figure 6 is the same as the process of T10 in Figure 2.

[0063] In T512, the terminal 100 receives a scan operation from the user to instruct the start of scanning a document, for example, via the application 138. The scan operation includes designation of a predetermined folder in which to save the scanned data. In this case, in T514, the terminal 100 transmits a scan instruction including information indicating the predetermined folder to the scanner 10.

[0064] When the scanner 10 receives a scan instruction from the terminal 100 in T514, it starts scanning in T520. The processes of T520 to T524 are the same as the processes of T20 to T24 in FIG.

[0065] In T526, the scanner 10 transmits to the terminal 100 the scan data of the first page and non-blank page information indicating that the first page of the document is a non-blank page.

[0066] When the terminal 100 receives the scanned data of the first page and the non-blank page information in T526, it generates a file F1 in a predetermined folder in the memory 134. Then, in T528, the terminal 100 converts the scanned data of the first page to conform to the format of the file F1, and saves the converted data as the first page of the file F1. The processes of T532 and T534 are similar to the processes of T32 and T34 in FIG. 2, respectively.

[0067] At T536, the scanner 10 transmits to the terminal 100 the scan data of the second page and blank page information indicating that the second page of the document is a blank page.

[0068] In T536, the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the second page and blank page information from the scanner 10. In this case, in T538, the terminal 100 displays the selection screen SC1 (see T36 in FIG. 2) on the display unit 114.

[0069] The processes of T542 and T544 are respectively the same as the processes of T42 and T44 in Fig. 2. In T546, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the third page and non-blank page information to the terminal 100.

[0070] When the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the third page and non-blank page information from the scanner 10 in T546, it updates the selection screen SC1 in T548 and displays the selection screen SC2 (see T46 in FIG. 2) on the display unit 114.

[0071] (Case A3; Figure 7) 7 and 8 illustrate a case where an option on the selection screen SC2 is selected immediately after the scan data of the third page is received, i.e., before the scan data of the fourth page is received. However, in a case where an option on the selection screen SC2 is not selected immediately after the scan data of the third page is received, the fourth document may be scanned first, and the scan data of the fourth page may be received. Then, after the scan data of the fourth page is received, an option on the selection screen SC2 may be selected.

[0072] In T600 of FIG. 7, the scanner 10 accepts from the user the selection of "File Split" on the selection screen SC2. In this case, in T602, the terminal 100 deletes the scanned data of the second page already received in T536 of FIG. 6. Then, the terminal 100 completes the file F1 by generating a footer for the file F1. Next, the terminal 100 generates a file F2, which is different from the file F1, in the predetermined folder already specified in T512. Then, in T606, the terminal 100 converts the scanned data of the third page to conform to the format of the file F2, and saves the converted data as the first page of the file F2.

[0073] The processes of T612 and T614 are respectively the same as the processes of T112 and T114 in Fig. 3. In T616, the scanner 10 transmits the scan data of the fourth page and non-blank page information to the terminal 100.

[0074] When the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the fourth page and the non-blank page information from the scanner 10 in T616, it converts the scan data of the fourth page to conform to the format of file F2 in T618 and saves the converted data as the second page of file F2. The processing in T620 is the same as the processing in T120 in Fig. 3. In this way, in this embodiment as well, the user can save file F1 and file F2 separately by selecting the option "Split File."

[0075] (Case B3; Figure 8) Next, case B3 in which the option "Remove Blank Page" is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Case B3 is a continuation of Fig. 6.

[0076] In T700 of Fig. 8, the terminal 100 accepts from the user the selection of the option "Remove Blank Pages" in the selection screen SC2. In this case, in T702, the terminal 100 deletes the scanned data of the second page that was already received in T536 of Fig. 6. Then, in T706, the terminal 100 converts the scanned data of the third page to conform to the format of file F2, and saves the converted data as the second page of file F1. The processing from T712 to T716 is the same as the processing from T612 to T616 of Fig. 7.

[0077] When the terminal 100 receives the scan data of the fourth page and the non-blank page information from the scanner 10 in T716, it converts the scan data of the fourth page to conform to the format of the file F1 in T718 and saves the converted data as the third page of the file F1. The processing in T720 is the same as the processing in T120 in Fig. 3. Thus, in this embodiment as well, the user can save the file F1 that does not include scan data representing blank documents by selecting the option "remove blank pages."

[0078] (Case C3; Figure 8) Next, case C3 in which the option "Save" is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Case C3 is a continuation of Fig. 6.

[0079] In T800 of Fig. 8, the terminal 100 accepts from the user the selection of the option "Save" in the selection screen SC2. In this case, in T806, the terminal 100 converts the scanned data of the second page already received in T536 of Fig. 6 and the scanned data of the third page already received in T546 of Fig. 6 so that they conform to the format of file F2, and saves the converted data as the second and third pages of file F1, respectively. The processing from T812 to T816 is the same as the processing from T612 to T616 of Fig. 7.

[0080] When terminal 100 receives the scan data of the fourth page and non-blank page information from scanner 10 in T816, terminal 100 converts the scan data of the fourth page to conform to the format of file F1 and saves the converted data as the fourth page of file F1 in T818. The processing in T820 is the same as the processing in T120 in Fig. 3. Thus, in this embodiment as well, the user can save file F1 containing scan data representing a blank document by selecting the option "Save."

[0081] (Correspondence) In this embodiment, the scanner 10 and the terminal 100 are examples of a "scanner" and a "control device", respectively. The processing of T514 in FIG. 6 is an example of a processing executed by a "scan control unit". The processing of T526 and T536 in FIG. 6 is an example of a processing executed by a "specifying unit". The processing of T538 and T548 in FIG. 6 is an example of a processing executed by a "display control unit". The processing of T602 to T606 in FIG. 7 is an example of a processing executed by a "first processing execution unit". The processing of T702 to T706 (and the processing of T806) in FIG. 8 is an example of a processing executed by a "second processing execution unit". The processing of T806 in FIG. 8 is an example of a processing executed by a "third processing execution unit".

[0082] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above examples are listed below.

[0083] (Variation 1) The "control device" of the present technology may be realized by cooperation between the control unit 30 of the scanner 10 and the terminal 100. For example, in the above embodiment, the determination of whether each document is a blank document is performed by the scanner 10 (see T24, T34, etc. in FIG. 2). In a variation, the determination of whether each document is a blank document may be performed by the terminal 100. Then, when the terminal 100 determines that the document is a blank document, the scanner 10 may receive information indicating that from the terminal 100 and display a selection screen SC1 (see T36 in FIG. 2).

[0084] (Variation 2) When the option "Split File" is selected on selection screen SC2, neither of the files F1 nor F2 saved contains scan data representing a blank document. Alternatively, in a variation, at least one of files F1 and F2 may contain scan data representing a blank document. Generally speaking, at least one of the "first file" and the "second file" may contain scan data representing a blank document.

[0085] (Variation 3) The "second file" may include all of the scan data representing the documents scanned after the blank document, or may include only a portion of the scan data representing the documents scanned after the blank document. In particular, when blank documents are identified multiple times, the "second file" may be a file that includes scan data representing the documents scanned after the blank document identified the first time and scan data representing the documents scanned before the blank document identified the second time. Furthermore, when blank documents are identified multiple times, the "second file" may include at least one of the scan data representing the blank document identified the first time and the scan data representing the blank document identified the second time.

[0086] (Variation 4) Scanner 10 may not display selection screen SC1 at T36 in Fig. 2. Also, selection screen SC1 may not be displayed at T46. In this case, scanner 10 may execute the processes of T112 to T116 and, when scanning of four documents is completed, display unit 14 may display selection screen SC2.

[0087] (Variation 5) Selection screen SC2 may not include thumbnail images. In another variation, scanner 10 may display a selection screen that does not include a thumbnail image representing the first document, but includes thumbnail images representing the second document (i.e., a blank document) and a thumbnail image representing the third document. In another variation, scanner 10 may display a selection screen that does not include a thumbnail image representing the second document (i.e., a blank document).

[0088] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the selection screen SC1 etc. included three options: "Split File," "Remove Blank Pages," and "Save." Alternatively, in a variation, a selection screen including only two of the three options may be displayed.

[0089] (Variation 7) The scanner 10 may be configured to generate a file based on each scan data. In such a configuration, when the user selects the option "File division" in T100 of FIG. 3, the scanner 10 may itself generate a new file to store the scan data. In this case, the scanner 10 does not need to send a file division instruction to the terminal 100.

[0090] (Variant 8) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 2 to 8 is realized by software (e.g., program 36, OS 136, application 138), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0091] The technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0092] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A control device, a scan control unit that causes a scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M being an integer of 3 or more); an identification unit that identifies, based on a result of scanning at least some of the M documents, that the M documents include N documents (where N is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned first and a blank document that was scanned next to the N documents; a display control unit that displays on a display unit a selection screen showing a plurality of options including a first option and a second option, wherein the first option is an option for saving a first file including scan data for N pages representing the N sheets of original documents and a second file including scan data for L pages representing L sheets of original documents (L is an integer equal to or greater than 1) scanned after the blank sheet of original document out of the M sheets of original documents, and the second option is an option for saving a third file that is different from the first file and the second file and includes the scan data for the N pages and the scan data for the L pages; a first processing execution unit that executes a first process for saving each of the first file and the second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; a second processing execution unit that executes a second process for saving the third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen; A control device comprising: (Item 2) The control device according to item 1, wherein the display control unit displays the selection screen on the display unit after it is determined that the M documents include the N documents and the blank document. (Item 3) The control device described in item 2, wherein the display control unit displays the selection screen on the display unit after it has been determined that the M documents include the N documents and the blank document, and before scanning of the M documents is completed. (Item 4) The control device described in any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the selection screen further includes at least one of a first document image representing a document scanned immediately before the blank document and a second document image representing a document scanned immediately after the blank document. (Item 5) 5. The control device according to item 4, wherein the selection screen includes both the first original image and the second original image. (Item 6) The control device described in item 5, wherein the selection screen further includes a third original image positioned between the first original image and the second original image, the third original image representing the blank original. (Item 7) 7. The control device according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the selection screen before scanning of the M documents starts. (Item 8) 8. The control device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the second option is an option for saving the third file that includes the scan data for the N pages and the scan data for the L pages but does not include scan data representing the blank document. (Item 9) the selection screen further includes a third option for saving a fourth file including the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data and including scan data representing the blank document; The control device further Item 9. The control device according to item 8, further comprising a third processing execution unit that executes a third processing for saving the fourth file when the third option is selected by the user on the selection screen. (Item 10) 10. The control device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the second option is an option for saving the third file including the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data, and including scan data representing the blank document. (Item 11) The control device according to any one of items 1 to 10; the scan execution unit; a scanner comprising the display unit. (Item 12) Item 12. The scanner according to item 11, wherein the first process includes a process of sending a generation instruction for generating each of the first file and the second file to a terminal device different from the control device. (Item 13) the control device is a terminal device different from the scanner having the scan execution unit, The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising the display unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Scanner, 12, 112: Operation unit, 14, 114: Display unit, 16, 116: Communication I / F, 18: Scan engine, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: Program, 136: OS program, 138: Application program

Claims

1. A control device, a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 3 or more); an identification unit that identifies, based on a result of scanning at least some of the M documents, that the M documents include N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned first and a blank document that was scanned next to the N documents; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a selection screen showing a plurality of options including a first option and a second option, wherein the first option is an option for saving a first file including scan data for N pages representing the N sheets of original documents and a second file including scan data for L pages representing L sheets of original documents (L is an integer of 1 or more) scanned after the blank sheet of original document out of the M sheets of original documents, and the second option is an option for saving a third file that is different from the first file and the second file and includes the scan data for the N pages and the scan data for the L pages; a first processing execution unit that executes a first process for saving each of the first file and the second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; a second processing execution unit that executes a second process for saving the third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen; A control device comprising:

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the selection screen after it is determined that the M documents include the N documents and the blank document.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit causes the selection screen to be displayed on the display unit after it has been determined that the M documents include the N documents and the blank document, and before scanning of the M documents is completed.

4. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the selection screen further includes at least one of a first document image representing a document scanned immediately before the blank document and a second document image representing a document scanned immediately after the blank document.

5. The control device according to claim 4 , wherein the selection screen includes both the first original image and the second original image.

6. 6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the selection screen further includes a third original image arranged between the first original image and the second original image, the third original image representing the blank original.

7. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the display control unit causes the display unit to display the selection screen before scanning of the M originals is started.

8. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second option is an option for saving the third file that includes the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data but does not include scan data representing the blank document.

9. the selection screen further includes a third option for saving a fourth file including the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data and including scan data representing the blank document; The control device further The control device according to claim 8 , further comprising a third process execution unit that executes a third process for saving the fourth file when the third option is selected by the user on the selection screen.

10. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second option is an option for saving the third file including the N pages of scan data and the L pages of scan data, and including scan data representing the blank document.

11. The control device according to claim 1 ; the scan execution unit; a scanner comprising the display unit.

12. The scanner according to claim 11 , wherein the first process includes a process of transmitting a generation instruction for generating each of the first file and the second file to a terminal device different from the control device.

13. the control device is a terminal device different from the scanner having the scan execution unit, The control device according to claim 1 , further comprising the display unit.

14. A computer program for a control device, comprising: The control device is composed of the following parts: a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 3 or more); an identification unit that identifies, based on a result of scanning at least some of the M documents, that the M documents include N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned first and a blank document that was scanned next to the N documents; a display control unit that causes a display unit to display a selection screen showing a plurality of options including a first option and a second option, wherein the first option is an option for saving a first file including scan data for N pages representing the N sheets of original documents and a second file including scan data for L pages representing L sheets of original documents (L is an integer of 1 or more) scanned after the blank sheet of original document out of the M sheets of original documents, and the second option is an option for saving a third file that is different from the first file and the second file and includes the scan data for the N pages and the scan data for the L pages; a first processing execution unit that executes a first process for saving each of the first file and the second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; a second processing execution unit that executes a second process for saving the third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen; A computer program that functions as a

15. A method performed by a controller, comprising: a scan control step of causing a scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M being an integer of 3 or more); a specifying step of specifying, based on a result of scanning at least some of the M documents, that the M documents include N documents (where N is an integer of 1 or more) that were scanned first and a blank document that was scanned next to the N documents; a display control process for displaying on a display unit a selection screen showing a plurality of options including a first option and a second option, wherein the first option is an option for saving a first file including scan data for N pages representing the N sheets of original documents and a second file including scan data for L pages representing L sheets of original documents (L is an integer of 1 or more) scanned after the blank sheet of original document out of the M sheets of original documents, and the second option is an option for saving a third file different from the first file and the second file, the third file including the scan data for the N pages and the scan data for the L pages; a first processing execution step of executing a first process for saving each of the first file and the second file when the first option is selected by a user on the selection screen; a second processing execution step of executing a second processing step for saving the third file when the second option is selected by the user on the selection screen; A method comprising:

Images