Program for extending general-purpose scanning software, control method for information processing device, and information processing device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which, users utilizing standard scanning drivers are limited to functions achievable only with the standard driver, preventing them from specifying features unique to specific scanning manufacturers.SOLUTION: A program for extending the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used across image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers causes an information processing device to function as display means for displaying a screen that accepts a setting designating either a document glass or a feeder as the reading destination for a document, and creation means for creating a reading instruction for the image reading device executing the scanning on the basis of the setting accepted on the display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program for extending general-purpose scan software, a control method for an information processing apparatus, and an information processing apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] A known configuration uses a scan driver installed on a host computer as software for controlling the scanning device to issue scanning instructions to a scanning device connected to the host computer. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS"), which is the basic software, is installed on the host computer, and the scan driver is configured according to the specifications defined by the OS and runs when called by the OS. By providing a scan driver that conforms to the OS specifications, a scanning device vendor can provide a means for issuing scanning instructions to the scanning device using the OS. In recent years, Windows® has begun to provide standard class drivers (hereinafter referred to as "standard drivers") that can be used across scanning devices from multiple vendors. Such standard drivers are included in the OS package and can be easily used by connecting any scanning device to a host computer. This eliminates the need to separately install a model-specific scan driver suited to the scanning device, providing greater convenience. Furthermore, standard drivers are expected to be configured to allow users to specify scanning functions based on scan function information generated based on information acquired from the connected scanning device. This allows users of a standard driver to specify scanning functions appropriate to the capabilities of the connected scanning device, even while using a single standard driver. However, this is limited to functions that can be implemented by the standard driver alone, and does not allow users to specify functions unique to each scanning device. Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a program that expands the printing function of general-purpose software. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-033526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, a function unique to each scan manufacturer's scan driver is the ability to specify the document reading destination. This function allows the user to specify the location where the document is placed on the scanning device according to its capabilities. The document placement location is typically a platen where documents are read one by one. In recent years, some scanning devices have been equipped with so-called feeders that can continuously read multiple documents using an automatic document feeder. By specifying the document reading destination, the user can scan the document from the location where the document is placed and obtain image data. However, when using the standard driver, which is general-purpose scanning software, it does not support the function to specify the reading destination of the document. Therefore, in scanning devices that can use both a document tray and a feeder, it may not be possible to scan the document correctly and obtain image data from the location where the user places the document. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that enables the use of functions of a scanning device that is not supported by general-purpose scanning software by extending the functions of the general-purpose scanning software. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the program of the present invention has the following configuration. This program expands the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers, and is characterized by causing an information processing device to function as a display means for displaying a display screen that accepts settings specifying either a document tray or a feeder as the destination for reading a document, and as a creation means for creating a reading instruction for the image reading device that performs the scan based on the settings accepted on the display screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, by extending the functions of the general-purpose scanning software, it is possible to use the functions of a scanning device that is not supported by the general-purpose scanning software. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the entire system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Software configuration diagram of the system according to this embodiment [Figure 3A] Scan settings and detailed settings screen in the first embodiment [Figure 3B] Scan settings and detailed settings screen in the first embodiment [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operations of a scan application, general-purpose scan software, and an extension application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Capability table of the scanning device, general-purpose scanning software, and extended application in the first embodiment [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the entire system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an extension application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a scanning device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a rotation process of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13A] Detailed setting screen by extension application in embodiment 1 [Figure 13B] Detailed setting screen by extension application in embodiment 1 [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the entire system in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] Detailed setting screen by extension application in embodiment 2 [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an extension application according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] Detailed setting screen by extension application in embodiment 2 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Scanning system hardware configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the scan system. The host computer 101 is an example of an information processing device, and includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, and an input / output interface 116. CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. ROM stands for Read Only Memory. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 117 are connected to the input interface 110, and a display device such as a display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115. The NETIF 120 is a network interface that controls data transfer between the computer and external devices via a network. The ROM 112 stores an initialization program. The external storage device 114 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The external storage device 114 stores a group of application programs, an operating system (OS), and various other data. The RAM 113 is used as a work memory when various programs stored in the external storage device 114 are executed, and enables the various programs to run within the host computer 101 . In this embodiment, the CPU 111 performs processing in accordance with the code of a computer-executable program stored in the ROM 112, thereby executing functions of the host computer 101, which will be described later, and processing according to flowcharts, which will be described later.

[0010] The scanning device 102, which is a device, is an example of an image reading device, and the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 is connected to the host computer 101 via the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101. The input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 and the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101 may be connected via a wired network or a wireless network. The scanning device 102 , which is an image reading device, includes a CPU 191 , a ROM 192 , a RAM 193 , an operation unit 194 , a reading unit 195 , a printing unit 196 , a NETIF 197 , and an input / output interface 198 . The CPU 191 performs overall control of the scanning device 102. The ROM 192 is a memory that stores programs that can be executed by the CPU 191. The RAM 193 is a memory that temporarily stores program code and image data. Reading unit 195 is a scanner, and includes document table 189 and feeder 188, and reads images of documents. Document table 189 can only read one document at a time, but feeder 188 can continuously feed and read multiple documents. In addition, feeder 188 can turn over a document that has been read once and feed it again, so that the back side can also be continuously read. The printing unit 196 prints an image on a sheet based on image data. Note that the printing unit 196 is not essential. The NETIF 197 is a network interface that controls data transfer between external devices via a network. The image processing unit 190 performs various image editing processes on input image data. Here, the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102, which is an image reading device, are configured separately, but they may also be configured as a single information processing device. The reading setting screen and detailed setting screen, which will be described later, are displayed on the display unit 119. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic digital multifunction peripheral having multiple functions such as copying, printing, and faxing will be used as an example of the scanning device, which is an image reading device. Therefore, the scanning device 102 can also be considered an example of an image processing device. This embodiment is also applicable to devices using other processes, such as inkjet printing, and scanners that only read images. The host computer 101 may be a desktop computer, a smartphone, or a laptop computer.

[0011] Scanning system software configuration Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic software configuration of the scan system. The software configuration in Fig. 2 is stored in the external storage device 114 in Fig. 1. Here, the scan system will be described assuming that a host computer 101 is running Microsoft (registered trademark) Windows (registered trademark) 11 as its operating system. However, the version of Windows (registered trademark) 11 is not limited to 11, and any version to which the present invention can be applied will suffice. FIG. 2( a ) illustrates a typical configuration where an extension application 204 is not associated with general-purpose scanning software 202 and scanning device 102 . FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration in which an extension application 204 is associated with general-purpose scan software 202 and a scan device 102. As shown in FIG.

[0012] (without extended applications) First, the configuration of the scan system when the extended application 204 is not associated will be described with reference to FIG. The scan application 201 is software that imports scanned content (image data). For example, this could be a document creation application or an image editing application. When the scan application 201 receives a scan request from a user, it issues a scan instruction to the OS. The scan instruction includes scan setting information for instructing the operation of the general-purpose scan software 202 and the scan device 102. To execute a scan instruction, the scan application 201 can display a scan setting screen provided by the general-purpose scan software 202, the OS, or the scan application 201. When the advanced settings button on the scan setting screen is pressed, the general-purpose scan software 202 additionally displays an advanced setting screen. The scan setting screen and the advanced setting screen will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. The advanced setting screen includes setting items (hereinafter also referred to as "control items") that indicate configurable scan functions according to the capability information (configurable information) of the general-purpose scan software 202, and control items that indicate their setting values. The general-purpose scanning software 202 is provided by the OS provider and is included in the same package as the OS. The general-purpose scanning software 202 determines scanning capabilities based on scanning function information 203. The scanning function information 203 is data indicating all configurable scanning functions, their setting values, and the exclusive relationships between the setting values. The scanning function information 203 is included in a configuration file of the general-purpose scanning software 202 and stored in the external storage device 114 as an unmodifiable file. Alternatively, the scanning function information 203 can be dynamically generated by the general-purpose scanning software 202. Specifically, the general-purpose scanning software 202 or the OS can be configured to acquire scanning device attribute data from the scanning device 102 and generate the scanning function information 203 based on the attribute information in the acquired attribute data. Note that when the scanning function information 203 is dynamically generated, the generated scanning function information 203 is editable. Note that the scanning device attribute data acquired from the scanning device 102 includes attribute information indicating the functions (scanning device capabilities) that can be specified by the scanning device 102 and the setting values ​​associated with the attribute information. This information is stored in RAM 113.

[0013] With this configuration, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured to allow the user to specify a scanning function that can be commonly used among the connected scanning devices 102, depending on the scanning device 102. In other words, even when scanning devices with different functions or scanning devices developed by different vendors are connected, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured to allow the user to specify a scanning function that can be commonly used among the connected scanning devices. Note that the term "vendor" can also be used as the manufacturer of the scanning device 102. Note that the general-purpose scanning software 202 here is a standard class driver that performs scanning based on a standard scanning protocol called Mopria. The general-purpose scanning software 202 acquires capability information of the connected scanning device 102 and generates scanning function information 203 based on that information so that the user can specify the scanning functions supported by the connected scanning device 102. However, the general-purpose scanning software 202 does not support the function of specifying the reading destination of the original document. This is because the function of specifying the reading destination of the original document is a function unique to the scanning vendor (scanner manufacturer).

[0014] (with extended applications) Next, the configuration of the scan system when the extended application 204 is associated will be described with reference to Fig. 2(b). Note that configurations and processes not specifically mentioned below are the same as those in Fig. 2(a).

[0015] The extension application 204 is software for extending the functionality of the general-purpose scan software 202 and is not pre-installed (bundled) in the OS. Therefore, the user must operate the host computer 101 to download and install the extension application 204 from a server via the Internet. Alternatively, the extension application 204 may be automatically installed when the scanning device 102, which is an image reading device, is connected to the host computer 101. Specifically, when the scanning device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS acquires device identification information (Hardware ID) from the scanning device 102. The OS may then transmit the acquired device identification information to a server via the Internet, and download and install the extension application 204 corresponding to the device identification information from the server. In other words, the general-purpose scan software 202 and the extension application 204 are stored in the host computer 101 as separate files. The general-purpose scanning software 202 and the extension application 204 may be updated and upgraded, but these update processes are also performed at different times. That is, the timing at which the host computer 101 acquires the general-purpose scanning software 202 is different from the timing at which the extension application 204 is acquired. Furthermore, the trigger at which the host computer 101 acquires the general-purpose scanning software 202 is different from the trigger at which the extension application 204 is acquired. When the extension application 204 is installed, the OS associates the extension application 204 with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102.

[0016] (Extended Application) The extension application 204 described in this embodiment includes a scan setting screen extension unit 205, a scan function extension unit 206, an image data editing unit 207, and a notification unit 209. The extension application 204 also includes shared information 208 that can be commonly accessed by each unit. The shared information 208 is actually a file saved in the external storage device 114 or information stored in the RAM 113. The extension application 204 writes and reads information to and from the shared information 208 by using an API (Application Program Interface) provided by the OS. The extension application 204 may terminate its operation each time the processing of each unit is completed. In this case, the OS will start the extension application 204 each time it receives a request to use each unit. Furthermore, the extension application 204 may cancel the processing of each unit during processing. If the processing is canceled, the job being processed is deleted by the OS. When the scan application 201 receives a scan request from a user, it issues a scan instruction to the OS. In this embodiment, as with the configuration of FIG. 2(a), the scan application 201 can display a scan setting screen. In this embodiment, a detailed setting screen provided by the extension application 204 is displayed. Specifically, a detailed setting screen provided by the scan setting screen extension unit 205 included in the extension application 204 is displayed. In addition, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 can save the detailed settings set by the user in the shared information 208.

[0017] The image data editing unit 207 acquires image data from the scanning device 102 and performs editing. The image data editing unit 207 acquires detailed setting information from the shared information 208 and performs image editing on the image data according to the detailed settings. The extension application 204 may be configured to acquire image data acquired by the general-purpose scanning software 202 and perform image editing on the image data according to the detailed settings. The scan function extension unit 206 can edit the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 or the OS. This allows the scan function extension unit 206 to add functions provided by the extension application 204. The scan function extension unit 206 can also add functions that are supported by the scanning device 102 but not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 (such as a function for specifying the document reading destination), and add exclusive relationships between scan function setting values. The OS starts the scan function extension unit 206 when the extension application 204 is first associated with the scanning device 102 and the general-purpose scan software 202. Furthermore, the OS may start the scan function extension unit 206 at other times, such as when the OS starts up.

[0018] The notification unit 209 can display a notification to the user in response to an error occurring in the scanning device 102. For example, when a reading jam error occurs in the scanning device 102, the general-purpose scanning software 202 detects it, and the OS uses a notification function of the OS called a toast notification to display a message on the display unit 119. When the user presses this toast notification, the OS calls the notification unit 209 of the extension application 204, and the UI screen of the notification unit 209 is displayed. The UI screen of the notification unit 209 can display, for example, a detailed message of the scan jam error and a method for clearing the jam. Furthermore, the configuration of the extension application 204 for realizing this embodiment is not limited to one having all of the above-mentioned functions (units), but may also have only some of the functions or other functions. The extension application 204 may also be simply called scan software. As described above, the extension application 204 can be said to have at least one of the following functions: The first function is to display a settings screen (scan setting screen extension unit 205); the second function is to edit image data according to detailed settings (image data editing unit 207); the third function is to extend the functions that can be specified in the image data generation software (scan function extension unit 206); and the fourth function is to display a screen in response to the occurrence of an error in the scan device 102 (notification unit 209).

[0019] <Example of scan settings screen / detailed settings screen> Next, examples of the scan setting screen and the detailed setting screen in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "FIG. 3"). FIG. 3( a ) shows a scan setting screen displayed by the scan application 201 . FIG. 3B shows a detailed setting screen that is displayed in a configuration in which the extension application 204 shown in FIG. 2A is not included. FIG. 3(c) shows a detailed setting screen that is displayed when the configuration includes the extension application 204 shown in FIG. 2(b). Note that the units and modules that display the scan setting screen are not limited to those described above. For example, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 may be configured to only generate a display screen. In this case, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 transmits the generated display screen to the scan application 201 via the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan application 201 may be configured to display the acquired display screen.

[0020] (Scan settings screen (scan application)) The scan setting screen displayed by the scan application will be described with reference to FIG. The control 301 has various objects that allow the user to set the scanner to which image data will be scanned (the scanner to be used for reading). Control 302 is a detailed settings button, and when control 302 is pressed, an additional scan screen is displayed by the general-purpose scan software 202 or the scan settings screen extension unit 205. Control 303 is a button to start a scan, and control 304 is a button to cancel a scan.

[0021] (Advanced settings screen (general-purpose scanning software)) The detailed setting screen displayed by the general-purpose scanning software will be described with reference to FIG. 3(b) shows the setting screen for the general-purpose scan software 202 when the extension application 204 is not present. In the general-purpose scan software 202, there are no items that can be changed in the settings, and each item is fixed at A4H scan size and 300 x 300 dpi, as shown in display 305. Control 306 is a setting end button, and pressing control 306 returns to the scan setting screen in FIG. 3(a).

[0022] (Advanced settings screen (extended application)) The detailed setting screen displayed by the extension application will be described with reference to FIG. 3(c) shows an additional setting screen displayed by the scan setting screen extension unit 205 when the extension application 204 is present. Unlike FIG. 3(b), some setting items can be changed. Control 307 is a control for specifying the reading destination, which is a characteristic setting in this embodiment. Control 307 allows selection of platen 189 or feeder 188. Note that the options for feeder 188 can specify either scanning a single-sided document or scanning a double-sided document, and control 307 has three options: platen, feeder (single-sided), and feeder (double-sided). Controls 308 and 309 are displayed when the feeder (double-sided) is selected in the control 307, and allow the user to set the opening method of a double-sided document to either left-right opening or top-bottom opening. Guide 310 is an image of the document for each opening method and serves as a guide to the user. Controls 311 and 312 are buttons for setting the orientation of the document placed in feeder 188. Guide 313 represents the image of the document placed in feeder 188, and is a guide to the user as to the document placement orientation with the top edge facing back and the top edge facing sideways. FIG. 3(c) shows a setting example in which the user places a double-sided document that opens upside down in the feeder 188, and the document is placed so that the top side faces the back.

[0023] Here, we will explain why the scan setting items are different between Figures 3(b) and 3(c). The advanced setting screen is generated by referring to the scan capabilities generated based on the scan function information 203. However, because the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support the read destination specification function, the read destination specification function cannot be added to the scan function information 203. Furthermore, even if the scan function information 203 includes the read destination specification function, the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot interpret the read destination specification function, and therefore cannot display the read destination specification function on the advanced setting screen. However, the scan function extension unit 206 can add a read destination specification function to the scan function information 203, and the scan setting screen extension unit 205 can display the detailed setting screen by referring to the scan capability. This scan function extension unit 206 enables the extension application 204 to display the read destination specification function on the detailed setting screen. Note that Figure 3(c) may also include additional extension functions other than the read destination specification function.

[0024] Editing process of scan function information (extension application) 4, a process flow in which the scan function extension unit 206 edits the scan function information 203 will be described. Each step is realized by the CPU 111 executing each unit read from the external storage device 114 to the RAM 113. First, in S401, the scan function extension unit 206 acquires capability information from the scan device 102. The capability information is attribute information indicating functions that can be specified in the scan device 102 and setting values ​​related to that attribute information. 5 shows a table of capability information 501 obtained from the scanning device 102. As shown in the capability information 501, it is possible to obtain from the scanning device 102 functions such as specifying the scanning size and options that can be set for each function. In S402, the scan function extension unit 206 obtains a list of scan functions supported by the extension application 204 from the shared information 208. The list of scan functions supported by the extension application 204 is stored in the shared information 208 and contains all scan functions that can be processed by the extension application 204 and their setting values. 5 shows an example of extended supported functions 502, which are scan functions supported by the extension application 204. The list of scan functions supported by the extension application 204 may be updated when the extension application 204 is updated.

[0025] In S403, the scan function extension unit 206 acquires from the OS the scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202. Figure 5 shows general-purpose support functions 503, which are scan functions supported by the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 is created based on capability information 501 acquired by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the scan device 102. Of the capability information acquired from the scan device 102, the scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 only describes general supported functions 503, which are scan functions supported by the general-purpose scan software 202. Therefore, the functions of the scan function information 203 are limited. For example, the capability information 501 acquired from the scan device 102 includes a read destination specification function, but the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support the read destination specification function, and therefore the read destination specification function is not described in the scan function information 203. The scan function extension unit 206 adds functions and options to the scan function information 203, which enables the extension application 204 to compensate for insufficient functions of the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan function extension unit 206 can also delete unnecessary functions and options from the scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202. The following steps S404, S405, and S406 are processes that are repeatedly performed for the list of functions included in the capability information acquired from the scanning device in S401. In this embodiment, these processes are repeatedly performed for 14 types of reading size included in the capability information 501, from A4H to document orientation with the top edge horizontal.

[0026] First, in S404, the scan function extension unit 207 determines whether the function / option being processed exists in the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202. If the function / option exists in the scan function information 203 (Yes in S404), the process returns to the beginning of the loop, selects the next item from the function / options included in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102, and performs S404 again. If the last item from the function / options included in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102 is being processed, the process exits the loop and ends the flowchart of FIG. 4. On the other hand, if the function / option does not exist in the scan function information 203 (No in S404), the CPU 111 proceeds to S405. In this embodiment, for example, the reading size: A4H in the capability information 501 of the scan device 102 also exists in the general-purpose support function 503, which is the capability information of the general-purpose scan software 202, and therefore the determination in S404 is Yes. On the other hand, since the reading destination: document plate in the capability information 501 does not exist in the general support function 503, it is determined as No in S404, and the process proceeds to S405. Next, in S405, the scan function extension unit 206 determines whether a function or option currently being processed exists among the functions and options supported by the extension application 204. If a function or option currently being processed exists (Yes in S405), the CPU 111 advances the process to S406. On the other hand, if a function or option currently being processed does not exist (No in S405), the process returns to the first process of the repeat start loop, as in the case where Yes is determined in S404, and either S404 is performed again or the loop is exited and the process of the flowchart in FIG. 4 is terminated. In this embodiment, for example, if the function currently being processed is the scan destination: platen, it also exists in the extended supported functions 502, which is the capability information of the extension application 204, so Yes is determined in S405 and the process advances to S406.

[0027] In S406, the scan function extension unit 206 adds the function / option being processed to the scan function information 203. After processing S406, as in the case where the determination in S404 is Yes, S404 is performed again or the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 4 is terminated. As described above, the scan function extension unit 206 adds functions and options that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202, are supported by the scan device 102, and are supported by the extension application 204 to the scan function information 203. Scan capabilities are generated based on the scan function information 203 edited by this process. Furthermore, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 generates a display screen based on the generated scan capabilities, thereby expanding functions that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 and making it possible to display the detailed setting screen shown in FIG. 3(c).

[0028] Scan execution sequence Next, the sequence of scan execution by the scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, extension application 204, and scan device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that each step other than that of the scan device 102 in Fig. 6 is performed by the CPU 111 reading the scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, and extension application 204 from the external storage device 114 to RAM 113 and executing them. Each step of the scan device 102 in Fig. 6 is realized by the CPU 191 of the scan device 102 reading the code of a computer-executable program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 to RAM 193 and executing it. In S601, the scan application 201 accepts scan settings from the user. The user can instruct the scan application 201 to set scan settings by operating the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118. In S602, the scan application 201 displays the scan setting screen shown in FIG.

[0029] In S603, the scan application 201 accepts an instruction for detailed settings. The user can instruct detailed settings by operating the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to select a control 302. In S604, the scan application 201 requests the general-purpose scan software 202 to display the detailed settings. In S605, the general-purpose scan software 202 requests the extension application 204 to display the detailed settings. As described above, in the configuration of FIG. 2(b), the general-purpose scan software 202 displays the detailed settings screen of FIG. 3(c). In S606, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 of the extension application 204 displays the detailed setting screen of FIG. 3(c) on the display unit 119. This is because, as described in FIG. 4, the scan function expansion unit 206 has added a function for specifying a read destination to the scan function information 203. The scan setting screen expansion unit 205 references the scan capabilities generated based on the added scan function information 203 and displays the detailed setting screen of FIG. 3(c) on the display unit 119. In this embodiment, the extension application 204 supports only one scanning size, A4H, so there is no need for the user to select it, and it is only displayed on the detailed setting screen. Similarly, there is only one resolution, 300 x 300 dpi, so it is only displayed on the detailed setting screen and cannot be changed. Items that cannot be changed may not be displayed on the detailed setting screen.

[0030] In S607, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 accepts detailed settings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, it is assumed that the user has selected the following: read destination: feeder (double-sided), double-sided document opening method: top-bottom opening, and document orientation: top edge facing back. The accepted settings are set and stored in the RAM 113 by the CPU 111. In S608, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 accepts that the detailed settings have been completed and instructs that the accepted settings be written to the scan setting information. The user can instruct the user to complete the detailed settings by operating the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 to select the control 306. When writing to the scan setting information, it is also possible to write in items that the user has not selected, such as resolution. In S609, the extension application 204 notifies the general-purpose scan software 202 that the detailed settings have been completed. In S610, the general-purpose scan software 202 notifies the scan application 201 that the detailed settings have been completed.

[0031] In step S611, the scan application 201 receives a scan instruction. The user can issue a scan instruction by operating the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 and selecting a control 303. In S612, the scan application 201 issues a scan instruction to the general-purpose scan software 202. In S613, the general-purpose scan software 202 issues a scan instruction to the extension application 204. Next, in S614, the extension application 204 creates a scan instruction command based on the scan setting information written in S608. If an item that is not selectable by the user, such as resolution, is not written in the scan setting information in S608, the extension application 204 may add it when creating the scan instruction command in S614. Alternatively, the extension application 204 may operate using the default values ​​of the scanning device 102 without adding it. Next, in step S615, the extension application 204 sends a scan instruction command to the scanning device 102 to instruct the scanning device 102 to scan.

[0032] In S616, the scanning device 102 interprets the scan instruction command and executes the scan. At this time, whether the document is read from the platen 189 or the feeder 188 is determined according to the control 307 for specifying the read destination. If a feeder is specified, the control 307 also determines whether to scan only one side of the document or both sides. Next, when the scan is executed, the necessary image processing is performed on the image data in accordance with the scan instruction. In this embodiment, assuming that the scan settings shown in FIG. 3(c) are set, the image data obtained by the scan is rotated so that it is in the correct orientation on the PC according to the specification (309) for how to open both sides and the specification (311) of the document orientation. In S617, the scanning device 102 transmits the generated image data to the extension application 204. In S618, the extension application 204 sends the received image data to the general-purpose scan software 202. In S619 , the general-purpose scan software 202 transmits the received image data to the scan application 201 . In S620, the scan application 201 receives image data. In S621, the scan application 201 displays the received image data.

[0033] Scan processing (extended application) Next, a flow of the scan process performed by the extension application 204 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Each step is realized by the CPU 111 executing each unit read from the external storage device 114 to the RAM 113. The following steps S701 to S706 correspond to the processing of steps S606 to S608 in the sequence of FIG. 6, and steps S707 to S711 correspond to the processing of steps S614 to S617. (Advanced Settings) In step S701, the extension application 204 receives a request to display detailed settings from the general-purpose scan software 202. In S702, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 of the extension application 204 displays the detailed setting screen of Fig. 3(c) on the display unit 119. This is because, as described in Fig. 4, the scan function extension unit 206 has added a function for specifying the reading destination to the scan function information 203. The scan setting screen extension unit 205 references the scan capability generated based on the added scan function information 203 and displays the detailed setting screen of Fig. 3(c) on the display unit 119. In S703, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the user has set a function. If the user has set a function (Yes in S703), the CPU 111 proceeds to S704; if not (No in S703), the CPU 111 proceeds to S705. In S704, the extension application 204 accepts detailed settings from the user, and the accepted settings are stored in the RAM 113 by the CPU 111. Then, the process proceeds to S705.

[0034] Next, in S705, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether or not there is a setting end instruction from the user. If there is a setting end instruction (Yes in S705), the CPU 111 proceeds to S706, and if not (No in S703), the CPU 111 returns to S703 and waits for the user to set the function. In step S706, the extension application 204 receives the completion of the detailed settings, and writes the received settings into the scan setting information. The extension application 204 then notifies the general-purpose scan software 202 that the detailed settings have been completed. (Scan instruction) In the following step S707, the extension application 204 determines whether a scan instruction has been received from the general-purpose scan software 202. If a scan instruction has been received (Yes in step S707), the CPU 111 proceeds to step S708; otherwise (No in step S707), the CPU 111 waits in step S707. In S708, the extension application 204 creates a scan instruction command based on the scan setting information written in S706. One method for creating a scan instruction command is to extend the standard protocol command. One extension method is to write a dedicated command in the extension field of the standard protocol command. Other methods include adding a proprietary command to the end of the standard protocol command, or having the extension application 204 overwrite the standard protocol command with its own command system. Furthermore, when issuing an instruction from the extension application 204, the instruction and communication may be configured to be performed using a vendor-specific protocol, regardless of the standard protocol.

[0035] In S709, the extension application 204 sends a scan instruction command to the scanning device 102 to instruct the scanning device 102 to scan. In S710, the extension application 204 determines whether all image data has been received from the scanning device 102. If all image data has been received (Yes in S710), the CPU 111 proceeds to S711, and if not (No in S710), the CPU 111 waits in a state where image data has been received in S710. In S711, the extension application 204 sends the received image data to the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0036] Scanning process (scanning device) Next, a flow of scan processing performed by the scanning device 102 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Each step is realized by the CPU 191 executing each unit read from the external storage device 199 to the RAM 193. The following steps S801 to S814 correspond to the process of S616 in the sequence of FIG. In step S801 , the CPU 191 receives a scan instruction sent from the extension application 204 . In S802, the scan instruction command received in S615 of Fig. 6 is analyzed and converted into reading settings that allow the scanning device 102 to perform reading processing. In this embodiment, the reading settings are as follows: reading destination: feeder (double-sided), reading size: A4H, resolution: 300 x 300 dpi, opening method of double-sided original: top and bottom opening, and original orientation: top edge at the back. In step S803, the CPU 191 determines the ASIC of the image processing unit 190 to be used to execute scanning in accordance with the reading settings converted in step S802, and sets the ASIC. In S804, the CPU 191 transmits a read instruction according to the read setting to the reading unit 195. In this embodiment, the CPU 191 transmits an instruction to perform double-sided reading of A4H size from the feeder 188. In S805, the next process is switched depending on the specified reading destination. If the platen is specified as the reading destination, the process proceeds to S806, and if a feeder (single-sided or double-sided) is specified, the process proceeds to S807. In S806, the CPU 191 causes the reading unit 195 to scan the document on the document table 189, and the process proceeds to S808. In S807, the CPU 191 causes the feeder 188 to transport the document, causes the reading unit 195 to scan the transported document, and advances the process to S808. In S808, the CPU 191 acquires from the reading unit 195 the image data generated by the reading unit 195 when the reading unit 195 scans the document.

[0037] In step S809, the CPU 191 and the image processing unit 190 specify the reading destination, the opening method of the double-sided document, and rotate the image according to the orientation of the document for the received image data. Details of the processing will be described later with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In S810, the CPU 191 performs resolution conversion on the rotated image data to 300×300 dpi. In S811 , the CPU 191 stores the image data in the external storage device 199 . In S812, the CPU 191 determines whether scanning of all pages (including the back side if double-sided printing is set) has been completed. If it is determined that scanning has not been completed (No in S812), the process returns to S805, and scanning of the next page is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that scanning has been completed (Yes in S812), the process proceeds to S813. In S813, the CPU 191 and image processing unit 190 convert the image data saved in the previous S811 in accordance with the transmission format setting received in the previous S801. In this embodiment, the transmission format is not included in the scan instruction received from the extension application 204, so the image data is converted to the default JPEG of the scanning device 102. However, the transmission format to be converted is not limited to this, and any format that can be handled by the information processing device may be used. In S814, the converted image data is sent to the extension application 204, and all processing ends.

[0038] (Image rotation processing: Scanning device) The image rotation process, which is a characteristic operation in this embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 shows the details of the image rotation process in S809 described above. First, in S901, CPU 191 switches the process to be executed next depending on the designation of the reading destination. If the designation of the reading destination is the platen, CPU 191 advances the process to S902, and if the designation of the reading destination is the feeder, CPU 191 advances the process to S904. In step S902, the CPU 191 switches the process to be executed next depending on the specified orientation of the original. If the specified orientation of the original is such that the top side faces backward, the CPU 191 advances the process to step S903. In step S903, the image data received in step S808 is rotated 90 degrees to the right by the image processing unit 190, and this process ends. On the other hand, if the specified orientation of the document is such that the top side is horizontal, this process ends without rotating the image data.

[0039] - Rotating the document placed on the document tray - The rotation process for a document placed on the document platen described above is explained in more detail in Figure 10. Figure 10(a) explains the rotation process when a document is placed on the document platen with its top edge facing up, and Figure 10(b) explains the rotation process when a document is placed on the document platen with its top edge facing horizontally. 10(a) denotes an original placed with the print side facing downwards on the platen 189. The inverted letter R indicates that the print side faces downwards. Original document 1001 is scanned by reading unit 195 (platen 189) in the direction of the arrow and recorded as image data 1002 in RAM 193. As shown in image data 1002, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 (platen 189) is an image facing left (9 o'clock), so this image is rotated 90 degrees to the right by image processing unit 190 so that it faces 0 o'clock. The image after rotation is 1003, and it can be seen that the image data is in the correct orientation with the top edge of the original facing up. 10(b) is a document placed on the document table, and differs from the document 1001 in that its orientation has changed from the top edge facing backward to the top edge facing horizontally. When a document is placed with its top edge facing horizontally, it is scanned by the reading unit 195 (document table 189) and the image data is an image oriented at midnight, as shown at 1005. Because the document is already oriented at midnight at this point, no rotation processing by the image processing unit 190 is required, and other image processing (here, resolution conversion to 300 x 300 dpi) is performed, generating image data 1006.

[0040] Returning to FIG. 9, the description will begin with S904, which will proceed if the reading destination is a feeder (single-sided or double-sided) in S901. In S904, the process to be executed next is switched depending on the specified document orientation. If the specified document orientation is that the top side is at the back, CPU 191 advances the process to S905, and if the top side is at the landscape orientation, CPU 191 advances the process to S910. In S905, the next process is switched depending on whether the currently processed page is the front or back side of the document. If it is the front side, the CPU 191 advances the process to S906, and if it is the back side, the CPU 191 advances the process to S907. In S906, the CPU 191 rotates the image data received in the previous step S808 by 270 degrees to the right using the image processing unit 190, and ends this processing. On the other hand, in S907, which is the case when the document is the back side, the next process is switched depending on the setting of how the document is opened. If the setting of how the document is opened is left-right, CPU 191 proceeds to S908, and if it is top-bottom, CPU 191 proceeds to S909. In S908, the CPU 191 rotates the image data received in the previous step S808 by 270 degrees to the right, and ends this process. In S909, the CPU 191 rotates the image data by 90 degrees to the right, and ends this process.

[0041] - Rotation processing for documents placed in the feeder with the top edge facing backward - FIG. 11 shows in more detail the rotation process for a document placed in the feeder described above with its top edge facing backward. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram for explaining the rotation process of the front surface when a document is placed in the feeder with its top side facing backward. FIG. 11(b) is a diagram for explaining the rotation process of the back side of a left-right opening document when the document is placed in the feeder with the top side facing the rear. FIG. 11(c) is a diagram for explaining the rotation process of the back side of a top-down opening document when the document is placed in the feeder with the top side facing the rear. 11(a), the original 1101 represents an original (front side) placed on the feeder 188 with the top edge facing backward and the printed side facing up. The original 1101 is scanned by the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in the RAM 193 as image data 1102. As shown in the image data 1102, the image data 1102 obtained from the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image facing right (3 o'clock orientation). Therefore, in order to orient this image at 0 o'clock, the image processing unit 190 must rotate the image 270 degrees to the right. The image after rotation is image data 1103, which can be seen to be image data in the correct orientation with the top edge of the original facing up. Original 1104 in Figure 11(b) corresponds to the back side of the previous original 1101, which opens left and right. After scanning the previous original 1104, feeder 188 inverts the original, feeds it again, and begins scanning the back side. Original 1104 is scanned by reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1105. As shown in image data 1105, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image facing right (3 o'clock orientation). Therefore, in order to orient this image at 0 o'clock, the image processing unit 190 must rotate it 270 degrees to the right. The image after rotation is image data 1106, which shows that the image data is in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the original facing up.

[0042] Original 1107 in Figure 11(c) corresponds to the back side of the previous original 1101 when it is opened upside down, and shows how feeder 188 scans the previous original 1107, then flips it over and feeds it again to start scanning the back side. Original 1107 is scanned by reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1108. As shown in image data 1108, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image facing right (9 o'clock orientation). In order to change this image to a midnight orientation, the image processing unit 190 must rotate the image 90 degrees to the right. The image after rotation is image data 1109, which shows that the image data is in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the original facing up.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 9 again, the description will begin with step S910, which is reached if the document orientation specified in step S904 is that the top side is horizontal. In S910, the next process is switched depending on whether the page currently being processed is the front or back side of the document. If it is the front side, the rotation process is not performed and this process ends. If it is the back side of the document, the CPU 191 advances the process to S911. In S911, the next process is switched depending on the setting of the document opening. If the document opening setting is left-right, CPU 191 proceeds to S912, but if it is top-bottom, CPU 191 ends this process without performing rotation processing. In step S912, the image data received in step S808 is rotated 180 degrees to the right, and the process ends.

[0044] - Rotation process for documents placed in the feeder with the top edge facing landscape - FIG. 12 shows in more detail the rotation process for a document placed in the feeder with its top edge facing horizontal. FIG. 12(a) explains the rotation process of the front side when the document is placed on the feeder with the top side facing horizontally. FIG. 12(b) is a diagram for explaining the rotation process of the back side of a left-right opening document when a document is placed on the feeder with the top side facing horizontally. FIG. 12(c) is a diagram for explaining the rotation process of the back side of a top-down opening document when the document is placed in the feeder with the top side facing the rear. 12(a) represents a document (front side) placed on the feeder 188 with the top side oriented horizontally and the printed side facing up. The document 1201 is scanned by the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in the RAM 193 as image data 1202. As shown in the image data 1202, the image data obtained from the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image oriented at midnight. Because the image is already oriented at midnight at this point, no rotation processing by the image processing unit 190 is required, and other image processing (here, resolution conversion to 300 x 300 dpi) is performed, generating image data 1203. Original 1204 in Figure 12(b) corresponds to the back side of the original 1101 that opens left and right, and shows the feeder 188 scanning the original 1201, then flipping it over and feeding it again to begin scanning the back side. Original 1204 is scanned by the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1205. As shown in image data 1205, the image data obtained from the reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image facing downwards (6 o'clock orientation). Therefore, in order to orient this image at 0 o'clock, the image processing unit 190 must rotate it 180 degrees to the right. The image after rotation is image data 1206, which shows that the image data is in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the original facing up.

[0045] Original 1207 in Figure 12(c) corresponds to the back side of the previous original 1201 when opened upside down, and shows the feeder 188 scanning the previous original 1101, then flipping it over and feeding it again to start scanning the back side. Original 1207 is scanned by reading unit 195 (feeder 188) from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1208. As shown in image data 1208, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 (feeder 188) is an image oriented at midnight. Because the image is already oriented at midnight at this point, no rotation processing by image processing unit 190 is required, and other image processing (here, resolution conversion to 300 x 300 dpi) is performed, generating image data 1209.

[0046] (Other scan setting screen examples) The above-mentioned Figure 3(c) shows an example in which the feeder (double-sided) is specified as the reading destination, but Figures 13A and 13B (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Figure 13") will explain screen examples for other settings and screen display examples according to the capability response of the scanning device 102.

[0047] Figure 13(a) shows the detailed settings screen when the feeder (single-sided) is specified as the reading destination. The difference from Figure 3(c) is that the setting for how to open a double-sided document is not displayed. This is because the control 307 is set to scan single-sided documents, so settings for double-sided scanning are not required. Figure 13(b) is a detailed settings screen when a platen is specified as the scanning destination. The differences from Figure 3(c) are that the specification for how to open a double-sided document is not displayed, and there is a guide 1301 for the user to set the document orientation. The reason that the specification for how to open a double-sided document is not displayed is because when a platen is specified, only one side is scanned, so no settings related to double-sided scanning are necessary. Furthermore, the guide 1301 for the user to set the document orientation is an example of a document placed on a platen, in accordance with the specification of the scanning destination, unlike 313 in Figure 3(c). The inverted letter R indicates that the document is placed with the print side facing downwards. 13C is an example of a screen when the only reading destination specified in the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102 is the platen. In this case, unlike control 307 in FIG. 3C, the reading destination is fixed to the platen as shown in control 1302.

[0048] As described above, in this embodiment, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 of the extension application 204 modifies the scan function information 203 based on the capability information of the general-purpose scan software 202, the extension application 204, and the scan device 102. Furthermore, when a user requests a detailed setting screen, the setting screen is displayed based on the scanning capability generated from the scan function information 203, allowing the user to specify a reading destination for the original. After that, when the scan device 102 receives a scan instruction reflecting the specified reading destination for the original, it reads the original from the reading device corresponding to the specification and performs a rotation process on the obtained image data as necessary. Through the above series of processes, the scan device 102 can realize the function of specifying a reading destination for the original, thereby providing the user with the function of specifying a reading destination for the original.

[0049] In this embodiment, the detailed settings screen shown in FIG. 3(c) has been described using the configuration of FIG. 2(b), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a detailed settings display request is made to the general-purpose scanning software 202 in S604, the general-purpose scanning software 202 may display the detailed settings screen shown in FIG. 3(b). Subsequently, after completing the detailed settings of FIG. 3(b), the general-purpose scanning software 202 requests the extension application 204 to display an additional detailed settings screen. Next, the extension application 204 may display an additional detailed settings screen that allows the user to specify the document reading destination. In addition, although the general-purpose scan software 202 has been configured to issue a scan instruction to the extension application 204, this is not limiting. For example, the scan application 201 may issue an instruction to the extension application 204, or a control for scan instructions may be placed on a detailed setting screen so that the user can issue an instruction directly to the extension application 204. As a method for transferring image data, the extension application 204 may directly transfer the image data to the scan application 201 without going through the general-purpose scan software 202, or the image data may be transferred from the scanning device 102 to the scan application 201. Alternatively, the received image data may be saved in the external storage device 114, and only information on the file path to the save destination may be transferred. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there are multiple pieces of image data, all the image data are received and then transferred, but the transmitted image data may be transferred as needed.

[0050] [Embodiment 2] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the first embodiment, the scanning process was described on the assumption that the document is correctly placed on the document tray 189 or feeder 188 specified as the reading destination. In the second embodiment, a method for displaying a message on the detailed settings screen prompting the user to confirm when there is a possibility that the document has been placed at a destination other than the specified reading destination will be described. Note that only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0051] 14 will be used to explain the sequence of the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, the extension application 204, and the scan device 102 after the scan application 201 accepts scan settings. Note that each step other than that of the scan device 102 in FIG. 14 is performed by the CPU 111 reading the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, and the extension application 204 from the external storage device 114 to the RAM 113 and executing them. Each step of the scan device 102 in FIG. 14 is realized by the CPU 191 of the scan device 102 reading the code of a computer-executable program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 to the RAM 193 and executing it. For the sake of explanation, it is assumed here that the user places the document on the feeder 188 but designates the document table 189 as the reading destination as shown in FIG. 13(b).

[0052] In S608, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 receives the information that the detailed setting has been completed. In step S1401, the state of document placement in the feeder is requested to the scanning device 102. The feeder 188 is provided with a document loading sensor (not shown), which detects whether a document is placed on the feeder. In step S1402, the scanning device 102 responds to the extension application whether or not a document is placed on the feeder based on the detection result of the document loading sensor. In S1403, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 displays a guide message on the extension application prompting the user to confirm the reading destination setting based on the reading destination setting confirmed in S608 and whether or not a document is placed in the feeder obtained from the scanning device 102. An example of such a display is the guide 1501 in Fig. 15. In this example, even though the user has placed the document in the feeder 188, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 displays a message in the guide 1501 asking whether the specified read destination is correct, because the document tray has been selected as the read destination using the control 307. In S1404, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 accepts the detailed settings again. In S1405, when the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 receives that the detailed setting has been completed, the process from S609 onwards is the same as that described in the first embodiment, and therefore the description here will be omitted.

[0053] Scan processing (extended application) Next, a flow of the scan process performed by the extension application 204 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Each step is realized by the CPU 111 executing each unit read from the external storage device 114 to the RAM 113. First, steps S701 to S705 are the same as those described in the previous embodiment, so we will start with step S1601, which is the characteristic operation of this embodiment, after the extended application 204 receives an instruction to end settings from the user in step S705. In step S1601, the extension application 204 acquires, from the scanning device 102, the state of placement of the document in the feeder. In S1602, the next process is switched according to the reading destination designated by the user using the control 307. If a platen is designated, the CPU 111 advances the process to S1603, and if a feeder is designated, the CPU 111 advances the process to S1609. In S1603, it is determined whether or not there is a document in the feeder based on the state of document placement in the feeder acquired in S1601. If there is a document in the feeder (Yes in S1603), CPU 111 proceeds to S1604, and if there is not (No in S1603), it determines that a document is placed on the platen and proceeds to S706 without providing any guidance to the user. In S1604, a message for confirming whether the read destination specification is correct is displayed on the extension application 204, as shown in Fig. 15. At the same time, the application waits for a user operation on the detailed setting screen so that the user can change the read destination specification.

[0054] In S1605, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the user has made any changes to the function settings. If there have been any changes (Yes in S1605), the CPU 111 proceeds to S1607, and if there have been no changes (No in S1605), the CPU 111 proceeds to S1608. In S1607, the CPU 111 accepts detailed settings from the user, stores them in the RAM 113, and advances the process to S1608. In S1608, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the user has issued an instruction to end the settings. If the instruction to end the settings has been issued (Yes in S1608), the CPU 111 accepts that the detailed settings have been completed, writes the accepted settings to the scan setting information, and proceeds to S706. If the instruction to end the settings has not been issued (No in S1608), the CPU 111 returns the process to S1605 and determines again whether the user has issued any function settings. On the other hand, in S1609, which is reached if it is determined in S1602 that the specified reading destination is a feeder, it is determined whether or not there is a document in the feeder based on the state of document placement in the feeder acquired in S1601. If there is no document in the feeder (No in S1609), CPU 111 advances the process to S1610, and if there is a document in the feeder (Yes in S1609), it determines that the specification of the reading destination is appropriate and proceeds with the execution of the scan process from S706 onwards. In S1610, a message to confirm whether the reading destination is specified correctly is displayed on the extension application 204. An example is the display of guide 1701 in Fig. 17. In this example, although it is determined in the above-mentioned S1601 that there are no documents in the feeder, the reading destination is set to the feeder in control 307. The scan setting screen extension unit 205 displays a message to confirm whether the reading destination, which is the location where the documents are placed, is specified as the feeder.

[0055] In the next step S1611, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the user has made any changes to the function settings. If there have been any changes (Yes in S1611), the CPU 111 proceeds to step S1612, and if there have been no changes (No in S1609), the CPU 111 proceeds to step S1613. In S1612, detailed settings are accepted, and the accepted settings are stored in the RAM 113 by the CPU 111, and the process proceeds to S1613. Next, in S1613, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether or not there is a setting end instruction from the user. If there is a setting end instruction (Yes in S1613), the accepted settings are written to the scan setting information, and the process proceeds to S706. If there is no setting end instruction (No in S1613), the CPU 111 returns the process to S1611, and determines again whether or not there is a function setting from the user. As explained above, in this embodiment, the method has been described in which the detection result of the document loading sensor provided in feeder 188 is used to check whether the reading destination specified by the user on the detailed setting screen is appropriate before starting scanning, and a display prompting the user to confirm is displayed. Although the document loading sensor is provided in the feeder, a similar sensor may also be provided on the document table, and the display may be displayed according to the detection result of the sensor on the document table, or by using the detection results of sensors on both the feeder and the document table.

[0056] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following programs, methods, and configurations. (Program 1) A program that extends the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers, Information processing device a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting for designating either a document table or a feeder as a reading destination of the document; a generating means for generating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; Program to make it work. (Program 2) the display means, when a feeder is specified as the reading destination, displays a display screen for accepting a setting for specifying whether to perform a single-sided scan, which scans only the front side of the document, or a double-sided scan, which scans both the front and back sides of the document; The program according to Program 1, characterized by: (Program 3) When double-sided scanning is designated in the settings, the display means displays a display screen that accepts a setting of either left-right opening or top-bottom opening as the opening method of the document. The program according to Program 2, characterized in that (Program 4) The display means displays a display screen for accepting setting of the orientation of the placed document. 4. The program according to any one of Programs 1 to 3, characterized in that: (Program 5) A program installed in an information processing device that extends the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers, Information processing device a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting as to whether to perform single-sided scanning, which scans only the front side of the document, or double-sided scanning, which scans both the front and back sides of the document; a generating means for generating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; A program characterized by its function. (Program 6) an acquisition unit for acquiring a placement state of a document on either a document table or a feeder for the image reading device; When it is determined that the original is not placed based on the acquired placement state of the original, the display means displays on the display screen a message prompting the user to confirm whether the specified reading destination is correct or whether the location where the original is placed is correct. 5. The application according to any one of programs 1 to 4. (Program 7) 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates the instruction command by extending a command of a standard protocol. (Program 8) 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates an extended instruction command by adding to a command of a standard protocol. (Program 9) 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates an original instruction command instead of a standard protocol. (Program 10) The display means changes the display screen according to the setting. 7. The program according to any one of Programs 1 to 6, characterized in that: (Program 11) The display means displays a display screen for accepting the setting in accordance with the capability information of the image reading device. 7. The program according to any one of Programs 1 to 6, characterized in that: (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device in which a program for expanding the functions of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers is installed, comprising: a display step of displaying a display screen for accepting a setting to designate either the platen or the feeder as a reading destination of the document; a creating step of creating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: (Configuration 1) An information processing device in which a program for expanding the functions of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers is installed, a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting for designating either a document table or a feeder as a reading destination of the document; a creating unit that creates a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; An information processing device comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 101 Information processing equipment 102 Scanning Device 201 Scan Application 202 General-purpose scanning software 204 Extended Applications

Claims

1. A program that extends the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers, Information processing device a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting for designating either a document table or a feeder as a reading destination of the document; a generating means for generating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; Program to make it work.

2. the display means, when a feeder is specified as the reading destination, displays a display screen for accepting a setting for specifying whether to perform a single-sided scan, which scans only the front side of the document, or a double-sided scan, which scans both the front and back sides of the document; The program according to claim 1 .

3. When double-sided scanning is designated in the settings, the display means displays a display screen that accepts a setting of either left-right opening or top-bottom opening as the opening method of the document.

3. The program according to claim 2.

4. The display means displays a display screen for accepting setting of the orientation of the placed document.

4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing ....

5. A program that extends the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers, Information processing device a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting as to whether to perform single-sided scanning, which scans only the front side of the document, or double-sided scanning, which scans both the front and back sides of the document; a generating means for generating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; Program to make it work.

6. an acquisition unit for acquiring a placement state of a document on either a document table or a feeder for the image reading device; When it is determined that the original is not placed based on the acquired placement state of the original, the display means displays on the display screen a message prompting the user to confirm whether the specified reading destination is correct or whether the location where the original is placed is correct.

4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the program is a program for executing a program for executing a program.

7. 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates the instruction command by extending a command of a standard protocol.

8. 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates an extended instruction command by adding to a command of a standard protocol.

9. 6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the creating means creates an original instruction command instead of a standard protocol.

10. The display means changes the display screen according to the setting. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5.

11. The display means displays a display screen for accepting the setting in accordance with the capability information of the image reading device. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5.

12. A method for controlling an information processing device in which a program for expanding the functions of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers is installed, comprising: a display step of displaying a display screen for accepting a setting to designate either the platen or the feeder as a reading destination of the document; a creating step of creating a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

13. An information processing device in which a program for expanding the functions of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with image reading devices provided by multiple manufacturers is installed, a display means for displaying a display screen for accepting a setting for designating either a document table or a feeder as a reading destination of the document; a creating unit that creates a reading instruction for the image reading device that executes scanning based on the setting received on the display screen; An information processing device comprising:

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