Scanner and computer program for scanner

Abstract

To provide a novel technique for the case where a blank document is scanned.SOLUTION: A scanner may include a scan execution unit, a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M documents (M is an integer greater than or equal to 2), an identification unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on results of scanning the M documents, a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data for (M-N) pages representing (M-N) non-blank documents among the M documents, excluding N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M) blank documents, a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device, a second generation unit that generates a second file including scan data for M pages representing the M documents, and a second transmission unit that transmits the second file to the terminal device.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. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-208618 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A novel technique is provided herein when a blank document is scanned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a scanner that may include a scan execution unit, a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M documents (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2), an identification unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on the results of scanning the M documents, a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data for (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents among the M documents, excluding the N blank documents (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than M), a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device, a second generation unit that generates a second file including scan data for M pages representing the M documents, and a second transmission unit that transmits the second file to the terminal device.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the scanner generates a first file containing scan data for (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents, and a second file containing scan data for M pages representing M documents, and transmits these files to the terminal device. In this way, the scanner can perform a new process when a blank document is scanned.

[0007] This specification also discloses another scanner. The scanner may include a scan execution unit, a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M documents (where M is an integer equal to or greater than 2), an identification unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on the results of scanning the M documents, a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data for (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents among the M documents, excluding N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than M) blank documents, a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device, a fourth generation unit that generates a fourth file including scan data for N pages representing the N blank documents, and a fourth transmission unit that transmits the fourth file to the terminal device.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the scanner generates a first file containing scan data for (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents, and a fourth file containing scan data for N pages representing N blank documents, and transmits these files to the terminal device. In this way, the scanner can perform a novel process when a blank document is scanned.

[0009] A computer program for the above scanner, a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program, and a method executed by the scanner are also novel and useful. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of Case A in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a continuation of the sequence diagram of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of case B of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram continuing from FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of case C of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (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.

[0012] (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."

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] (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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] The control unit 130 includes a CPU 132 and a memory 134. The memory 134 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The 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."

[0018] 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.

[0019] In this embodiment, a situation is assumed in which the multiple documents to be scanned include blank documents. A user may intentionally scan a blank document, or may unintentionally scan a blank document. This embodiment discloses a novel technique for a situation in which the multiple documents include blank documents.

[0020] (Case A; Figure 2) Next, referring to Figure 2, the processing of Case A executed by each device 10, 100 will be described. Note that, 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.

[0021] At T10, a user places multiple documents on the automatic document feeder of scanner 10. In case A, four documents, including one blank document, are placed on the automatic document feeder. The first document contains the character string "AAA." The second document is blank. The third document contains the character string "XXX." The fourth document contains the character string "YYY."

[0022] At T12, the terminal 100 receives a scan operation from the user, for example, via the application 138, to instruct the user to start scanning a document. The scan operation includes specifying a predetermined 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. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits a POST command to the scanner 10 at T14. The POST command is a command instructing the scanner 10 to scan a document, and includes information indicating the specified folder.

[0023] When the scanner 10 receives a POST command from the terminal 100 in T14, the scanner 10 generates a job ID "J1" that identifies the scan job in T16 and starts scanning the document. Then, the scanner 10 transmits the job ID "J1" to the terminal 100 in T18.

[0024] When the terminal 100 receives the job ID "J1" from the scanner 10 at T18, it sends a GET command including a file request and the job ID "J1" to the scanner 10 at T20. The GET command is a command requesting a file to be generated in the scan job identified by the job ID "J1". After T20, the terminal 100 repeatedly (i.e., periodically) sends the GET command until it receives information indicating that the file does not exist as a response to the GET command.

[0025] At T20, scanner 10 receives a GET command from terminal 100. At the stage of T20, no file has yet been generated in the scan job identified by job ID "J1," so at T22, scanner 10 transmits a response signal to terminal 100 indicating that scanning is in progress.

[0026] Scanner 10 scans a document as follows. First, scanner 10 transports the first of four documents placed on the automatic document feeder to scan execution unit 18. Then, in T30, 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.

[0027] Next, in T31, 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 T31. 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.

[0028] Next, scanner 10 conveys the second of the four originals to scan execution unit 18. Then, in T32, scanner 10 causes scan execution unit 18 to scan the second original, generate scan data for the second page, and store this in memory 34. Then, in T33, scanner 10 determines that the second original is a blank original. In this case, scanner 10 stores information indicating that the second original is a blank original in memory 34. Thereafter, scanner 10 similarly causes the scan execution unit to scan the third and fourth originals in sequence (T34). In this case, scanner 10 also determines that neither the third nor the fourth original is a blank original (T35).

[0029] After completing the scanning of the four originals, scanner 10 detects that no originals remain in the automatic document feeder. In this case, scanner 10 determines that scanning is complete at T36. Then, at T40 and T42, scanner 10 generates two files based on the four pages of scan data stored in memory 34. File F1 is a file that does not contain scan data representing blank originals. File F2 is a file that contains scan data representing blank originals.

[0030] Specifically, scanner 10 first generates file F1 in T40. File F1 is a file in a format that incorporates the concept of pages, such as PDF. Scanner 10 first converts the scanned data of the first page in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F1 and saves the converted data as page 1 of file F1. Since scanner 10 has already stored information indicating that the second document is a blank page, it does not save the scanned data of page 2 in file F1. Next, scanner 10 sequentially converts the scanned data of pages 3 and 4 in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F1 and saves the converted data as pages 2 and 3 of file F1. Scanner 10 then completes file F1 by generating a footer for file F1. File F1 is stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J1."

[0031] Next, scanner 10 generates file F2 at T42. File F2 is also a file in a format that has a concept of pages, such as PDF. Scanner 10 sequentially converts each of the scanned data for pages 1 to 4 in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F2, and sequentially saves each converted data as pages 1 to 4 of file F2. Scanner 10 then completes file F2 by generating a footer for file F2. File F2 is stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J2."

[0032] After the files F1 and F2 are generated, the scanner 10 receives, at T50, a GET command including a file request and the job ID "J1" from the terminal 100. In this case, at T51, the scanner 10 transmits the file F1, which has been stored in the memory 34 in association with the job ID "J1," to the terminal 100.

[0033] At T51, the terminal 100 receives the file F1 from the scanner 10. In this case, the terminal 100 stores the file F1 in a storage area in the memory 134 that is different from the predetermined folder designated at T12. This storage area is a storage area for temporarily storing the file F1, etc., and will be referred to as the "temporary storage area" below.

[0034] Furthermore, when the scanner 10 receives a GET command including a file request and job ID "J1" from the terminal 100 at T52, it transmits the file F2 already stored in the memory 34 in association with the job ID "J1" to the terminal 100 at T53.

[0035] At T53, the terminal 100 receives the file F2 from the scanner 10. In this case, the terminal 100 stores the file F2 in a temporary storage area.

[0036] Thereafter, when the scanner 10 receives a GET command including a file request and job ID "J1" from the terminal 100 at T54, at T55, since all files F1 and F2 stored in the memory 34 in association with the job ID "J1" have already been sent, the scanner 10 sends information indicating that there are no files to the terminal 100.

[0037] At T55, the terminal 100 receives information indicating that there is no file from the scanner 10. This causes the terminal 100 to recognize that the scan job identified by the job ID "J1" has been completed. Therefore, the terminal 100 stops sending GET commands including file requests.

[0038] (Continuation of Figure 2; Figure 3) 2, when the terminal 100 receives information indicating that there is no file from the scanner 10, the terminal 100 transmits a GET command including a blank page request and the job ID "J1" to the scanner 10 at T60 in Fig. 3. The GET command is a command requesting information indicating which of the documents scanned in the scan job identified by the job ID "J1" is a blank document.

[0039] In T60, scanner 10 receives a GET command including a blank page request from terminal 100. As described above, scanner 10 has already stored information indicating that the second document is a blank document (see T33 in FIG. 2). Therefore, in T62, scanner 10 transmits blank page information indicating that the second document is a blank document to terminal 100.

[0040] When the terminal 100 receives blank page information from the scanner 10 in T62, it displays a selection screen SC1 on the display unit 114 in T64. The selection screen SC1 includes a message prompting the user to select scan data representing blank documents to be saved to a file, four thumbnail images corresponding to the four documents, a check box C1 located near (below, in this embodiment) the thumbnail image corresponding to the blank document, and an OK button. The terminal 100 generates the selection screen SC1 as follows: First, the terminal 100 generates thumbnail images of each page in file F2 (see T53 in FIG. 2), which was received last, of files F1 and F2. Then, the terminal 100 arranges each thumbnail image below the message. The terminal 100 arranges page numbers near (above, in this embodiment) each thumbnail image. Based on the blank page information already received in T62, the terminal 100 identifies the second thumbnail image as a thumbnail image corresponding to a blank document, and places a check box C1 below the second thumbnail image. By viewing the selection screen SC1, the user can recognize that the four scanned documents include a blank document. Furthermore, via the selection screen SC1, the user can select whether to save a file including data representing a blank document, or save data that does not include data representing a blank document.

[0041] (Case A1) In case A1, in T70, terminal 100 accepts the selection of the OK button without accepting the user's operation of checking check box C1 on selection screen SC1. That is, in case A1, the user desires to acquire a file that does not include data representing a blank document. In this case, in T72, terminal 100 saves file F1 stored in the temporary storage area in the predetermined folder designated in T12 of FIG. 2, and discards (i.e., deletes) file F2 stored in the temporary storage area. Terminal 100 also deletes file F1, which has been saved in the predetermined folder, from the temporary storage area. Therefore, the user can acquire file F1 that does not include data representing a blank document.

[0042] (Case A2) Furthermore, in case A2, terminal 100 accepts the selection of the OK button after accepting an operation from the user in T80 to check check box C1 on selection screen SC1. That is, in case A2, the user desires to acquire a file containing data representing a blank manuscript. In this case, terminal 100 saves file F2 stored in the temporary storage area in the predetermined folder designated in T12 of FIG. 2 in T82, and discards (i.e., deletes) file F1 stored in the temporary storage area. Terminal 100 also deletes file F2, which has been saved in the predetermined folder, from the temporary storage area. Therefore, the user can acquire file F2 containing data representing the blank manuscript.

[0043] (Case B; Figure 4) Next, case B will be described with reference to FIG. 4. In case B, five documents, including two blank documents, are placed on the automatic document feeder. The first document contains the character string "AAA." The second document is blank. The third document contains the character string "XXX." The fourth document is blank. The fifth document contains the character string "YYY." The processes of T110 to T122 are the same as those of T10 to T22 in FIG. 2, except that five documents are placed on the automatic document feeder and that job ID "J2" is used. The processes of T130 to T136 are the same as those of T30 to T36 in FIG. 2, except that five pages of scan data are generated. In particular, in case B, scanner 10 stores information indicating that the second and fourth documents are blank in memory 34.

[0044] Thereafter, scanner 10 generates files F1 and F12 in T140 and T142. The process of T140 differs from the process of T40 in FIG. 2 in that the scanned data of page 4 as well as page 2 are not saved in file F1. The file F1 generated in T140 is the same as the file F1 generated in T40. File F1 is stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J2."

[0045] Next, in T142, scanner 10 generates file F12. File F12 is also a file in a format that has a concept of pages, such as PDF. Scanner 10 sequentially converts each of the scanned data pages 1 to 5 in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F12, and sequentially saves each converted data as pages 1 to 5 of file F12. Scanner 10 then completes file F12 by generating a footer for file F12. File F12 is stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J2." The processes of T150 to T155 are similar to the processes of T50 to T55 in FIG. 2, except that job ID "J2" is used and file F12, instead of file F2, is sent from scanner 10 to terminal 100.

[0046] (Continuation of Figure 4; Figure 5) The processing of T160 in Fig. 5 is the same as the processing of T60 in Fig. 3, except that job ID "J2" is used. In this case, scanner 10 has already stored information indicating that the second and fourth documents are blank documents. Therefore, in T162, scanner 10 transmits blank page information indicating that the second and fourth documents are blank documents to terminal 100.

[0047] When the terminal 100 receives blank page information from the scanner 10 in T162, it displays a selection screen SC11 on the display unit 114 in T64. The selection screen SC11 is similar to the selection screen SC1, except that it includes five thumbnail images corresponding to five documents and two check boxes C1 and C2 located near each of the two thumbnail images corresponding to blank documents. The method for generating the selection screen SC11 is similar to the method for generating the selection screen SC1, except that it uses the file F12 (see T153 in FIG. 4) and includes two thumbnail images corresponding to blank documents. By viewing the selection screen SC11, the user can recognize that the five scanned documents include two blank documents. The user can also select blank documents to save to a file via the selection screen SC11.

[0048] (Case B1) In case B1, in T170, the terminal 100 accepts the selection of the OK button from the user without accepting an operation to check either check box C1 or C2 on the selection screen SC11. That is, in case B1, the user desires to acquire a file that does not include data representing a blank document. In this case, in T172, the terminal 100 saves the file F1 stored in the temporary storage area in the predetermined folder specified in T112 of FIG. 4, and discards (i.e., deletes) the file F12 stored in the temporary storage area. The terminal 100 also deletes the file F1 saved in the predetermined folder from the temporary storage area. Therefore, the user can acquire the file F1 that does not include blank data.

[0049] (Case B2) In case B2, terminal 100 accepts the user's operation of checking both check boxes C1 and C2 on selection screen SC11 in T180, and then accepts the selection of the OK button. That is, in case B2, the user desires to acquire a file containing two pages of data representing two blank pages of original documents. In this case, terminal 100 saves file F12 stored in the temporary storage area in the predetermined folder specified in T112 of FIG. 4 in T182, and discards (i.e., deletes) file F1 stored in the temporary storage area. Terminal 100 also deletes file F12, which has been saved in the predetermined folder, from the temporary storage area. Therefore, the user can acquire file F12 containing two pages of data representing two blank pages of original documents.

[0050] (Case B3) In case B3, the terminal 100 accepts the user's operation of checking the check box C1 on the selection screen SC11 in T190, and then accepts the selection of the OK button. That is, in case B3, the user desires to obtain a file that includes data representing one of two blank documents (in this case, the scan data of the second page) but does not include data representing the other blank document (in this case, the scan data of the fourth page). In this case, the terminal 100 transmits a POST command to the scanner 10 in T192. The POST command includes a blank page save request and a job ID "J2." The POST command is a command requesting a file that includes data representing the blank document corresponding to the second thumbnail image selected by the user (i.e., the scan data of the second page) from among the data representing blank documents generated by the scan job identified by the job ID "J2."

[0051] When scanner 10 receives a POST command including a blank page save request from terminal 100 in T192, scanner 10 generates file F13 in T194. File F13 is also a file in a format that incorporates the concept of pages, such as PDF. Scanner 10 first converts the scanned data of the first page in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F13 and saves the converted data as page 1 of file F13. Next, since the POST command received in T192 requests that the scanned data of page 2 be saved in a file, scanner 10 converts the scanned data of page 2 in memory 34 to conform to the format of file F13 and saves the converted data as page 2 of file F13. Similarly, scanner 10 sequentially converts the scanned data of pages 3 and 5 to conform to the format of file F13 and saves the converted data as pages 3 and 4 of file F2, respectively. The POST command does not require that the scanned data of page 4, which corresponds to a blank document, be saved in a file. Therefore, the scanned data of the fourth page is not saved in file F13. Then, scanner 10 completes file F13 by generating a footer for file F13. File F13 is stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J2."

[0052] 4. In addition, in T196, the terminal 100 transmits a GET command including a file request and the job ID "J2" to the scanner 10. This GET command is the same as the GET command in T120 etc. in FIG.

[0053] After file F13 is generated, scanner 10 receives a GET command including a file request and job ID "J2" from terminal 100 at T196. In this case, scanner 10 transmits file F13, which has been stored in memory 34 in association with job ID "J2", to terminal 100 at T198. In this way, scanner 10 can transmit file F13 to terminal 100.

[0054] When the terminal 100 receives the file F13 from the scanner 10 in T198, it saves the file F13 in the predetermined folder specified in T112 of Fig. 4 in T199. Furthermore, the terminal 100 discards (i.e., deletes) the files F1 and F12 stored in the temporary storage area in T199. Therefore, the user can obtain the file F13 that contains only one of the data representing the two pages of the blank document.

[0055] (Effects of the first embodiment) Before describing the effects of the first embodiment, the following first and second comparative examples will be described. In the first comparative example, when multiple documents, including a blank document, are scanned, only a file that does not include scan data representing the blank documents but includes scan data representing non-blank documents is transmitted to the terminal 100. For example, in case A of FIGS. 2 and 3 above, in the first comparative example, only file F1 is generated, and file F2 is not generated. In this case, the terminal 100 saves file F1 in a specified folder. If a user intentionally scans a blank document, the user will not be able to obtain the desired file including data representing the blank document. To obtain the desired file, the user must change the settings of the scanner 10 so that the scan data representing the blank document is not removed, and then have the scanner 10 scan again.

[0056] In the second comparative example, when multiple documents, including blank documents, are scanned, only a file containing both scan data representing the blank documents and scan data representing the non-blank documents is transmitted to the terminal 100. For example, in case A of FIGS. 2 and 3 above, in the second comparative example, only file F2 is generated, and file F1 is not generated. In this case, the terminal 100 saves file F2 in a predetermined folder. If the user unintentionally scans a blank document, the desired file that does not contain data representing the blank document cannot be obtained. To obtain the desired file, the user must remove the blank document from the multiple documents and then have the scanner 10 scan again.

[0057] According to the configuration of this embodiment, in Case A of FIGS. 2 and 3 or Case B of FIGS. 4 and 5, the scanner 10 generates a file F1 containing scan data for three pages representing three non-blank documents and a file F2 (or F12) containing scan data for four pages representing four documents (or five pages representing five documents) (T40 and T42 of FIG. 2, T140 and T142 of FIG. 4), and transmits these files F1 and F2 (or F12) to the terminal 100 (T51 and T53 of FIG. 2, T151 and T153 of FIG. 4). Therefore, whether the user is intentionally scanning a blank document or unintentionally scanning a blank document, the user can obtain the desired file without having the scanner 10 rescan multiple documents. This improves user convenience. In each of cases A1, A2, B1, and B2 of this embodiment, after the user makes a selection on selection screen SC1 (or SC11), the desired file is saved in a predetermined folder without a new file being generated by scanner 10. Therefore, the user can quickly obtain the desired file.

[0058] (Correspondence) Scanner 10 and terminal 100 are examples of a "scanner" and a "terminal device," respectively. In case A, four originals, one blank original, three non-blank originals, file F1, and file F2 are examples of "M originals," "N originals," "(MN) originals," "first file," and "second file," respectively. In case B, five originals, two blank originals, three non-blank originals, file F1, and file F12 are examples of "M originals," "N originals," "(MN) originals," "file F1," and "file F2," respectively. In case A, selection screen SC1, four thumbnail images, and one thumbnail image corresponding to the blank original are examples of a "selection screen," "M thumbnail images," and "N thumbnail images," respectively. In Case B, the selection screen SC11, five thumbnail images, and two thumbnail images corresponding to blank documents are examples of a "selection screen," "M thumbnail images," and "N thumbnail images," respectively. The second thumbnail image located above the check box C1 in T190 of FIG. 5 is an example of "L thumbnail images." The POST command in T192 is an example of "selection information." File F13 is an example of a "third file." The GET command in T196 of FIG. 5 is an example of a "file transmission request."

[0059] The processes of T16, T30, T32, and T34 in FIG. 2 and T116, T130, T132, and T134 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "scan control unit." The processes of T33 in FIG. 2 and T133 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "determining unit." The processes of T40 in FIG. 2 and T140 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "first generating unit." The processes of T42 in FIG. 2 and T142 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "second generating unit." The processes of T51 in FIG. 2 and T151 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "first transmitting unit." The processes of T53 in FIG. 2 and T153 in FIG. 4 are examples of processes executed by a "second transmitting unit." The processing of T192, processing of T194, processing of T196, and processing of T198 in Figure 5 are examples of processing performed by the ``first receiving unit,'' ``third generating unit,'' ``second receiving unit,'' and ``third transmitting unit,'' respectively.

[0060] (Second embodiment; Figure 6) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the second embodiment, the files generated by the scanner 10 differ from those in the first embodiment. Specifically, the scanner 10 generates a file that does not contain scan data representing a blank document, and a file that contains only scan data representing a blank document.

[0061] 6, first, the same processes as T10 to T36 in FIG. 2 are executed, and scan data for the first to fourth pages representing the first to fourth originals, respectively, are generated by the scanner 10. In particular, the scanner 10 stores information indicating that the second original is a blank document.

[0062] The process of T240 is the same as the process of T40 in FIG. 2. In T242, the scanner 10 generates a file F22. The file F22 is a file in a format that has a concept of pages, such as PDF. Because the scanner 10 does not store information indicating that the first document in the memory 34 is a blank document, the scanner 10 does not save the scanned data of the first page in the file F22. Next, because the scanner 10 has stored information indicating that the second document is a blank document, the scanner 10 converts the scanned data of the second page to conform to the format of the file F22 and saves the converted data as the first page of the file F22. Because the scanner 10 does not store information indicating that the third and fourth documents are blank documents, the scanner 10 does not save the scanned data of the third and fourth pages in the file F22. The scanner 10 then completes the file F22 by generating a footer for the file F22. Thereafter, the same processes as those in T50 to T55 in Fig. 2 are executed, except that file F22 is sent instead of file F2 at T53 in Fig. 2 cited in Fig. 6. That is, files F1 and F22 are sent from the scanner 10 to the terminal 100. Thereafter, the same processes as those in T60 and T62 in Fig. 3 are executed.

[0063] When the terminal 100 receives blank page information from the scanner 10 at T62 in FIG. 3 cited in FIG. 6, it displays selection screen SC21 on the display unit 114 at T264. Selection screen SC21 is similar to selection screen SC1 except that it includes one thumbnail image corresponding to one blank document and a check box C11 located near (below in this embodiment) the one thumbnail image. In particular, page number "2" is placed near the thumbnail image.

[0064] The terminal 100 generates a selection screen SC21 as follows. First, the terminal 100 generates a thumbnail image of one page in file F22 (see T53 in FIG. 2, which is cited in FIG. 6) that was received last among files F1 and F22. The terminal 100 then places the thumbnail image below the message. The terminal 100 also places a page number based on the received blank page information near (above in this embodiment) the thumbnail image. The terminal 100 places a check box C11 below the thumbnail image. Since the terminal 100 recognizes that file F22 contains only data representing blank documents, it places check boxes below all of the thumbnail images. By viewing the selection screen SC21, the user can recognize that the scanned document contains one blank document. The user can also select a blank document to save to a file via the selection screen SC11.

[0065] (Case C1) In case A1, in T270, the terminal 100 accepts the selection of the OK button without accepting the user's operation of checking the check box C11 on the selection screen SC21. That is, in case C1, the user desires to acquire a file that does not include data representing a blank document. In this case, in T272, the terminal 100 saves the file F1 stored in the temporary storage area in the predetermined folder designated in T12 of FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6, and discards (i.e., deletes) the file F22 stored in the temporary storage area. The terminal 100 also deletes the file F1 saved in the predetermined folder from the temporary storage area. Therefore, the user can acquire the file F1 that does not include data representing a blank document.

[0066] (Case C2) Furthermore, in case C2, the terminal 100 accepts, in T280, an operation by the user to check the check box C21 on the selection screen SC1, and then accepts selection of the OK button. That is, in case C2, the user desires to acquire a file containing data representing a blank document. In this case, the terminal 100 transmits a POST command to the scanner 10 in T282. The POST command includes a blank page save request and the job ID "J1." The POST command is a command requesting a file containing data representing a blank document corresponding to the thumbnail image selected by the user (i.e., scanned data of the second page) from among the data representing blank documents generated by the scan job identified by the job ID "J1."

[0067] When the scanner 10 receives a POST command including a blank page save request from the terminal 100 in T282, it generates a file F2 in T284. The file F2 generated here is the same as the file F2 generated in T42 in FIG.

[0068] At T286, the terminal 100 sends a GET command including a file request and the job ID "J1" to the scanner 10. This GET command is the same as the GET commands such as T20 in FIG.

[0069] After file F2 is generated, scanner 10 receives a GET command including a file request and job ID "J1" from terminal 100 at T286. In this case, scanner 10 transmits generated file F2 to terminal 100 at T288. In this way, scanner 10 can transmit file F2 to terminal 100.

[0070] When the terminal 100 receives the file F2 from the scanner 10 at T288, the terminal 100 saves the file F2 in the predetermined folder specified at T12 in Fig. 2, which is cited in Fig. 6. Furthermore, at T289, the terminal 100 discards (i.e., deletes) the files F1 and F22 stored in the temporary storage area. Thus, the user can obtain the file F2 containing data representing a blank document.

[0071] (Effects of the second embodiment) According to the above configuration, the scanner generates a file F1 containing scan data for three pages representing three non-blank documents and a file F22 containing scan data for one page representing one blank document (T240, T242 in FIG. 6), and transmits these files F1 and F22 to the terminal device (T51, T53 in FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6). By checking file F22 (or the selection screen SC21), the user can recognize that a blank document is included among the multiple documents.

[0072] In particular, even in the configuration of the first embodiment, the user can recognize that a blank document is included among the multiple documents by checking file F2 (or selection screen SC1). However, when the number of documents is relatively large, the number of pages in file F2 becomes large, making it difficult for the user to recognize that a blank document is included among the multiple documents. On the other hand, in the configuration of the second embodiment, file F22 contains only data representing blank documents, so that even when the number of documents is relatively large, the user can easily recognize that a blank document is included among the multiple documents. This improves user convenience.

[0073] (Correspondence) The processes of T16, T30, T32, and T34 in FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by a "scan control unit." The process of T33 in FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6 is an example of processes executed by a "specifying unit." The processes of T240 and T242 in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by a "first generating unit" and a "fourth generating unit," respectively. The process of T51 in FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6 and the process of T53 in FIG. 2 cited in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by a "first transmitting unit" and a "fourth transmitting unit," respectively. The processes of T282, T284, T286, and T288 in FIG. 6 are examples of processes executed by a "first receiving unit," a "third generating unit," a "second receiving unit," and a "third transmitting unit," respectively.

[0074] 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.

[0075] (Variation 1) The terminal 100 may not display the selection screen SC1 at T64 in Fig. 2. In this case, for example, the terminal 100 may save the two files F1 and F2 already received from the scanner 10 in a predetermined folder. Similarly, the terminal 100 may not display the selection screens SC11 and SC21 at T164 in Fig. 5 and T264 in Fig. 6, respectively. Generally speaking, the selection screens may not be displayed on the "terminal device."

[0076] (Variation 2) The selection screen SC1 may include one thumbnail image corresponding to a blank document (i.e., the second document), but may not include three thumbnail images corresponding to non-blank documents (i.e., the first, third, and fourth documents). In another variation, the selection screen SC1 may include three thumbnail images: a thumbnail image representing the first document, a thumbnail image representing the third document, and a thumbnail image corresponding to the second document (i.e., the blank document) located between them, but may not include a thumbnail image representing the fourth document. In another variation, the selection screen SC1 may include two thumbnail images: a thumbnail image representing the first document and a thumbnail image representing the second document, but may not include a thumbnail image representing the third document or a thumbnail image representing the fourth document. In another modified example, the selection screen SC1 may include two thumbnail images, one representing the second document and the other representing the third document, but may not include the thumbnail image representing the first document or the thumbnail image representing the fourth document. In another modified example, the selection screen SC1 may not include any thumbnail images. Similarly, the selection screen SC21 may not include any thumbnail images. Generally speaking, the "selection screen" may not include M (or N) thumbnail images.

[0077] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, for example, at T72 in Fig. 3, the terminal 100 saves the file F1 in a predetermined folder and discards (i.e., deletes) the file F2 from the temporary storage area. Alternatively, at T72, the terminal 100 may save the file F1 in a predetermined folder but may not discard (i.e., delete) the files F1 and F2 from the temporary storage area. Generally speaking, it is sufficient that the "first (or second or third) file" is saved in a predetermined folder.

[0078] (Variation 4) The processing of T196 in FIG. 5 can be omitted. In this case, after generating file F13 in T194, scanner 10 may transmit the generated file F13 to terminal 100 in T198 without receiving a GET command from terminal 100. Similarly, the processing of T286 in FIG. 6 can be omitted. In this case, after generating file F2 in T284, scanner 10 may transmit the generated file F2 to terminal 100 in T288 without receiving a GET command from terminal 100. Similarly, the processing of T286 in FIG. 6 can be omitted. In this variation, the "second receiving unit" can be omitted.

[0079] (Variant 5) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 2 to 6 is realized by software (e.g., program 36, OS program 136, application 138), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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 scanner, A scan execution unit; a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents excluding the blank documents, N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M) of the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a second generation unit that generates a second file including scan data for M pages representing the M original documents; a second transmission unit that transmits the second file to the terminal device; A scanner comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The scanner according to item 1, wherein after the first file and the second file are transmitted to the terminal device, a selection screen for selecting scan data representing the blank document is displayed on the terminal device. (Item 3) Item 3. The scanner according to item 2, wherein the selection screen includes M thumbnail images corresponding to the M documents. (Item 4) Item 4. The scanner according to item 3, wherein, when none of the N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents among the M thumbnail images is selected on the selection screen, the first file is saved in a predetermined folder. (Item 5) 5. The scanner according to item 3 or 4, wherein when all of the N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents among the M thumbnail images are selected on the selection screen, the second file is saved in a predetermined folder. (Item 6) The scanner further comprises: a first receiving unit that, when L thumbnail images (where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N) are selected from the N thumbnail images on the selection screen, receives selection information from the terminal device indicating that the L thumbnail images have been selected; a third generation unit that generates a third file including (M-N+L) pages of scan data representing the (MN) non-blank documents and L blank documents corresponding to the L thumbnail images when the selection information is received from the terminal device; a third transmission unit that transmits the third file to the terminal device; Equipped with 6. The scanner according to item 4 or 5, wherein when the third file is transmitted to the terminal device, the third file is saved in the predetermined folder. (Item 7) The scanner further comprises: a second receiving unit that receives a file transmission request from the terminal device after the selection information is received from the terminal device; 7. The scanner according to claim 6, wherein the third transmission unit transmits the third file to the terminal device when the file transmission request is received from the terminal device. (Item 8) A scanner, A scan execution unit; a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (MN) pages representing (MN) non-blank documents excluding the blank documents, N (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than M) of the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a fourth generation unit that generates a fourth file including scan data for N pages representing the N blank documents; a fourth transmission unit that transmits the fourth file to the terminal device; A scanner comprising: (Item 9) Item 9. The scanner according to item 8, wherein after the first file and the fourth file are transmitted to the terminal device, a selection screen for selecting scan data representing the blank document is displayed on the terminal device. (Item 10) Item 10. The scanner according to item 9, wherein the selection screen includes N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents. (Item 11) Item 11. The scanner according to item 10, wherein if none of the N thumbnail images is selected on the selection screen, the first file is saved in a predetermined folder. (Item 12) The scanner further comprises: a first receiving unit that, when L thumbnail images (where L is an integer between 1 and N) are selected from the N thumbnail images on the selection screen, receives selection information from the terminal device indicating that the L thumbnail images have been selected; a third generation unit that generates a third file including (M-N+L) pages of scan data representing the (MN) non-blank documents and L blank documents corresponding to the L thumbnail images when the selection information is received from the terminal device; a third transmission unit that transmits the third file to the terminal device; Equipped with Item 12. The scanner according to item 11, wherein when the third file is sent to the terminal device, the third file is saved in the predetermined folder. (Item 13) The scanner further comprises: a second receiving unit that receives a file transmission request from the terminal device after the selection information is received from the terminal device; Item 13. The scanner according to item 12, wherein the third transmission unit transmits the third file to the terminal device when the file transmission request is received from the terminal device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 2: Communication system, 4: LAN, 10: Scanner, 12, 112: Operation unit, 14, 114: Display unit, 16, 116: Communication I / F, 18: Scan execution unit, 30, 130: Control unit, 32, 132: CPU, 34, 134: Memory, 36: Program, 136: OS program, 138: Application program

Claims

1. A scanner, A scan execution unit; a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (M-N) pages representing (M-N) non-blank documents excluding the blank N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more and less than M) among the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a second generating unit that generates a second file including scan data for M pages representing the M original documents; a second transmission unit that transmits the second file to the terminal device; A scanner comprising:

2. 2. The scanner according to claim 1, wherein after the first file and the second file are transmitted to the terminal device, a selection screen for selecting the scan data representing the blank document is displayed on the terminal device.

3. The scanner according to claim 2 , wherein the selection screen includes M thumbnail images corresponding to the M original documents.

4. 4. The scanner according to claim 3, wherein, when none of the N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents among the M thumbnail images is selected on the selection screen, the first file is saved in a predetermined folder.

5. 4. The scanner according to claim 3, wherein when all of the N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents among the M thumbnail images are selected on the selection screen, the second file is saved in a predetermined folder.

6. The scanner further comprises: a first receiving unit that, when L thumbnail images (where L is an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than N) are selected from the N thumbnail images on the selection screen, receives selection information from the terminal device indicating that the L thumbnail images have been selected; a third generation unit that generates a third file including (M-N+L) pages of scan data representing the (M-N) non-blank documents and L blank documents corresponding to the L thumbnail images when the selection information is received from the terminal device; a third transmission unit that transmits the third file to the terminal device; Equipped with 6. The scanner according to claim 4, wherein when the third file is transmitted to the terminal device, the third file is saved in the predetermined folder.

7. The scanner further comprises: a second receiving unit that receives a file transmission request from the terminal device after the selection information is received from the terminal device; The scanner according to claim 6 , wherein the third transmission unit transmits the third file to the terminal device when the file transmission request is received from the terminal device.

8. A scanner, A scan execution unit; a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (M-N) pages representing (M-N) non-blank documents excluding the blank N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more and less than M) among the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a fourth generation unit that generates a fourth file including scan data for N pages representing the N blank documents; a fourth transmission unit that transmits the fourth file to the terminal device; A scanner comprising:

9. 9. The scanner according to claim 8, wherein after the first file and the fourth file are transmitted to the terminal device, a selection screen for selecting scan data representing the blank document is displayed on the terminal device.

10. 10. The scanner of claim 9, wherein the selection screen includes N thumbnail images corresponding to the N blank documents.

11. The scanner according to claim 10, wherein if none of the N thumbnail images is selected on the selection screen, the first file is saved in a predetermined folder.

12. The scanner further comprises: a first receiving unit that, when L thumbnail images (where L is an integer between 1 and N) are selected from the N thumbnail images on the selection screen, receives selection information from the terminal device indicating that the L thumbnail images have been selected; a third generation unit that generates a third file including (M-N+L) pages of scan data representing the (M-N) non-blank documents and L blank documents corresponding to the L thumbnail images when the selection information is received from the terminal device; a third transmission unit that transmits the third file to the terminal device; Equipped with The scanner according to claim 11 , wherein when the third file is transmitted to the terminal device, the third file is saved in the predetermined folder.

13. The scanner further comprises: a second receiving unit that receives a file transmission request from the terminal device after the selection information is received from the terminal device; The scanner according to claim 12 , wherein the third transmission unit transmits the third file to the terminal device when the file transmission request is received from the terminal device.

14. 1. A computer program for a scanner, comprising: The scanner A scan execution unit; A computer, Equipped with The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (M-N) pages representing (M-N) non-blank documents excluding the blank N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more and less than M) among the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a second generating unit that generates a second file including scan data for M pages representing the M original documents; a second transmission unit that transmits the second file to the terminal device; A computer program that functions as a

15. 1. A computer program for a scanner, comprising: The scanner A scan execution unit; a computer; The computer program controls the computer to operate as follows: a scan control unit that causes the scan execution unit to scan M sheets of documents (M is an integer of 2 or more); an identifying unit that identifies blank documents included in the M documents based on a result of scanning the M documents; a first generation unit that generates a first file including scan data of (M-N) pages representing (M-N) non-blank documents excluding the blank N documents (N is an integer of 1 or more and less than M) among the M documents; a first transmission unit that transmits the first file to a terminal device; a fourth generation unit that generates a fourth file including scan data for N pages representing the N blank documents; a fourth transmission unit that transmits the fourth file to the terminal device; A computer program that functions as a

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