Image forming system, and data output method

Abstract

To provide an image forming system that allows selection of document data to be output on the basis of a characteristic image regardless of the configuration of a display unit of an image forming apparatus, and a data output method.SOLUTION: An image forming system 100 comprises: an acquisition processing unit that acquires characteristic images indicating characteristics of document data corresponding to respective pieces of document data stored in a server 2; a reception processing unit that displays the one or more characteristics images acquired by the acquisition processing unit on a portable terminal 3, and receives a selection operation of selecting one of the characteristic images on the portable terminal 3; and an output processing unit that outputs the document data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a data output method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an image forming apparatus that stores document data read from a document in a storage unit, and also known is an image forming apparatus that displays thumbnail images of the document data stored in the storage unit on a display unit, and outputs the document data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image in response to an operation to select the displayed thumbnail image (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-332868 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the image forming apparatus may not be provided with the display unit capable of displaying a characteristic image, such as the thumbnail image, that indicates the characteristics of the document data.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and a data output method that are capable of selecting document data to be output based on a characteristic image, regardless of the configuration of the display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an image forming system includes an acquisition processor, a reception processor, and an output processor. The acquisition processor acquires characteristic images showing characteristics of each piece of manuscript data stored in a predetermined storage unit. The reception processor displays one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processor on a predetermined mobile terminal and receives a selection operation on the mobile terminal to select the characteristic image. The output processor outputs the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.

[0007] A data output method according to another aspect of the present invention is executed in an image forming system and includes an acquisition step, a reception step, and an output step. In the acquisition step, characteristic images showing characteristics of manuscript data corresponding to each manuscript data stored in a predetermined storage unit are acquired. In the reception step, one or more characteristic images acquired in the acquisition step are displayed on a predetermined mobile terminal, and a selection operation for selecting the characteristic image is received on the mobile terminal. In the output step, the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation is output. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to select document data to be output based on a characteristic image, regardless of the configuration of the display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a document data output process executed in the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0011] [Configuration of image forming system 100] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of an image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0012] 1, image forming system 100 includes image forming apparatus 1, server 2, and portable terminal 3. In image forming system 100, image forming apparatus 1, server 2, and portable terminal 3 are each connected to a communication network 4. Image forming apparatus 1 and server 2 can communicate with each other via communication network 4. Furthermore, image forming apparatus 1 and portable terminal 3 can communicate with each other via communication network 4. For example, communication network 4 is the Internet or a LAN (local area network).

[0013] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 1] Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device that has multiple functions, such as a scanning function for reading an image from a document, a printing function for forming an image on a sheet based on image data, a fax function, and a copy function. Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may be a printer, a fax machine, or a copy machine.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 12, an image reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, an operation display unit 16, a communication unit 17, and a memory unit 18.

[0016] The control unit 11 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a CPU 11A, a ROM 11B, and a RAM 11C. The CPU 11A is a processor that executes various types of arithmetic processing. The ROM 11B is a non-volatile storage device that stores in advance information such as control programs for causing the CPU 11A to execute various types of processing. The RAM 11C is a volatile or non-volatile storage device that is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for the various types of processing executed by the CPU 11A. The CPU 11A executes the various control programs stored in advance in the ROM 11B. In this way, the CPU 11A performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] The ADF 12 transports a document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 13. The ADF 12 includes a document setting unit, a plurality of transport rollers, a document holder, and a paper discharge unit.

[0018] The image reading unit 13 realizes the scanning function. The image reading unit 13 includes a document table, a light source, multiple mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD. In the image forming system 100, document data read from a document by the scanning function is stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 2 (see FIG. 3).

[0019] Image forming unit 14 realizes the printing function. For example, image forming unit 14 forms a color or monochrome image on a sheet supplied by paper supply unit 15 using an electrophotographic method. For example, image forming unit 14 includes a plurality of image forming units, an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt, a secondary transfer roller, a fixing device, and a paper output tray. Note that image forming unit 14 may also form an image on a sheet supplied by paper supply unit 15 using another image forming method, such as an inkjet method.

[0020] The paper feed unit 15 supplies sheets to the image forming unit 14. The paper feed unit 15 includes a paper feed cassette, a manual feed tray, and a plurality of transport rollers.

[0021] The operation display unit 16 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation display unit 16 includes a first display unit and a second operation unit. The first display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 11. For example, the first display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The second operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 11 in response to user operations. For example, the second operation unit includes operation keys and a touch panel.

[0022] The communication unit 17 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via the communication network 4 between the server 2 and external communication devices such as the mobile terminal 3.

[0023] The storage unit 18 is a nonvolatile storage device, such as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD).

[0024] The storage unit 18 pre-stores account information corresponding to each user of the image forming apparatus 1. The account information includes identification information of the user of the image forming apparatus 1, such as a user name, and a password.

[0025] Furthermore, the portable terminal 3 owned by the user of the image forming device 1 is pre-registered in the image forming device 1. Specifically, in the image forming device 1, the terminal identification information of the portable terminal 3 owned by the user of the image forming device 1 is pre-associated with the account information. For example, the terminal identification information of the portable terminal 3 is the MAC address of the portable terminal 3.

[0026] The storage unit 18 also stores in advance an authentication program for authenticating a user of the image forming apparatus 1. The CPU 11A of the control unit 11 executes the authentication program to function as a login processing unit 41 shown in FIG.

[0027] The login processing unit 41 allows the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0028] For example, when a user operation is accepted on the operation display unit 16, the login processing unit 41 displays an authentication screen used for authenticating the user on the operation display unit 16. The authentication screen accepts the user operation of inputting the user's identification information and password.

[0029] When information is input by a user's operation on the authentication screen, the login processing unit 41 determines whether the input information matches any of the account information stored in the storage unit 18. If the information input on the authentication screen matches any of the account information stored in the storage unit 18, the login processing unit 41 determines that the authentication is successful and allows the user to log in to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0030] In addition, the login processing unit 41 executes a logout process to log out the currently logged in user when a predetermined logout operation is performed on the operation display unit 16, when a predetermined time has elapsed, or when another user is logged in.

[0031] [Server 2 Configuration] Next, the configuration of the server 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] The server 2 is a storage server in which the document data is stored.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the server 2 includes a control unit 21, an operation display unit 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0034] The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the server 2. As shown in Fig. 3, the control unit 21 includes a CPU 21A, a ROM 21B, and a RAM 21C. The CPU 21A, the ROM 21B, and the RAM 21C have the same functions as the CPU 11A, the ROM 11B, and the RAM 11C of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0035] The operation display unit 22 is a user interface of the server 2. The operation display unit 22 includes a second display unit and a second operation unit. The second display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 21. For example, the second display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The second operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 21 in response to user operations. For example, the second operation unit includes a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0036] The communication unit 23 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via the communication network 4 with an external communication device such as the image forming apparatus 1.

[0037] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0038] The storage unit 24 stores the document data transmitted from the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 24 of the server 2 is an example of the storage unit of the present invention. Note that the storage unit 24 may also store the document data transmitted from another image forming apparatus 1.

[0039] [Configuration of mobile device 3] Next, the configuration of the mobile terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] The mobile terminal 3 is a portable information processing device carried by the user of the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the mobile terminal 3 is a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, an operation display unit 32, a communication unit 33, a storage unit , and a camera .

[0042] 4, the control unit 31 has a CPU 31A, a ROM 31B, and a RAM 31C. The CPU 31A, the ROM 31B, and the RAM 31C have the same functions as the CPU 11A, the ROM 11B, and the RAM 11C of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0043] The operation display unit 32 is a user interface of the mobile terminal 3. The operation display unit 32 includes a third display unit and a third operation unit. The third display unit displays various information in response to control instructions from the control unit 31. For example, the third display unit is a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. The third operation unit inputs various information to the control unit 31 in response to user operations. For example, the third operation unit includes a touch panel and operation keys.

[0044] The communication unit 33 is a communication interface that executes wired or wireless data communication via the communication network 4 with an external communication device such as the image forming apparatus 1.

[0045] The storage unit 34 is a non-volatile storage device similar to the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0046] The camera 35 is used to capture an image of a subject.

[0047] Incidentally, there is known an image forming apparatus that displays thumbnail images of each of the manuscript data stored in the memory unit 18 on the operation display unit 16, and outputs the manuscript data corresponding to the selected thumbnail image in response to an operation to select the displayed thumbnail image.

[0048] Here, the image forming apparatus may not have a display unit capable of displaying a characteristic image, such as the thumbnail image, that indicates the characteristics of the document data.

[0049] In contrast, in the image forming system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as described below, the original data to be output can be selected based on the characteristic image, regardless of the configuration of the display unit of the image forming device 1.

[0050] Specifically, a document data output program for causing control unit 11 to function as acquisition processing unit 42, reception processing unit 43, and output processing unit 44 shown in Fig. 2 is pre-stored in storage unit 18 of image forming apparatus 1. CPU 11A of control unit 11 executes the document data output program to function as each of the above-mentioned processing units. Note that image forming apparatus 1 may be an example of the image forming system of the present invention.

[0051] Note that some or all of the processing units included in the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured with electronic circuits. Also, the authentication program and the document data output program may be programs for causing multiple processors to function as the processing units shown in FIG.

[0052] The acquisition processing unit 42 acquires the characteristic images corresponding to the respective pieces of manuscript data stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 2 .

[0053] For example, the characteristic image is the thumbnail image of the manuscript data.

[0054] Specifically, when the acquisition processing unit 42 receives a predetermined operation from a user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 1, it acquires each of the manuscript data stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 2. Then, the acquisition processing unit 42 generates the thumbnail image corresponding to each of the manuscript data based on the manuscript data acquired from the storage unit 24. For example, the acquisition processing unit 42 reduces the image of the first page of the manuscript data to a predetermined size and adds file name information of the manuscript data below the reduced image, thereby generating the thumbnail image.

[0055] The characteristic image may be a characteristic document image that indicates the characteristics of the manuscript data using document data. In this case, if the manuscript data is document data, the acquisition processing unit 42 may perform character recognition processing to recognize characters included in the manuscript data, perform processing to extract a summary from text data acquired by the character recognition processing, and acquire an image showing the extracted summary as the characteristic image. A well-known method using AI may be used to extract the summary from text data. Furthermore, if the manuscript data is document data, the acquisition processing unit 42 may perform object recognition processing to recognize objects included in the manuscript data and verbalize the recognition result, and acquire an image showing the result of the object recognition processing (the verbalized recognition result) as the characteristic image. The object recognition processing may be realized by a well-known method using AI.

[0056] The acquisition processing unit 42 may also cause the server 2 or another image forming device to generate the characteristic image.

[0057] The reception processing unit 43 displays one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit 42 on the mobile terminal 3, and receives a selection operation on the mobile terminal 3 to select the characteristic image.

[0058] For example, when the acquisition processing unit 42 acquires the characteristic images corresponding to the respective pieces of manuscript data, the reception processing unit 43 displays a selection screen used for the selection operation on the operation display unit 32 of the mobile terminal 3. On the selection screen, each of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit 42 is displayed so as to be selectable.

[0059] For example, a display control program is pre-stored in the storage unit 34 of the mobile terminal 3 to display the selection screen on the operation display unit 32 in accordance with an instruction from the reception processing unit 43, and to input information indicating the characteristic image selected by the selection operation to the reception processing unit 43. By executing the display control program, the control unit 31 of the mobile terminal 3 can display the selection screen on the operation display unit 32 in accordance with an instruction from the reception processing unit 43, and to input information indicating the characteristic image selected by the selection operation to the reception processing unit 43.

[0060] Then, the reception processing unit 43 instructs the portable terminal 3 corresponding to the user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 to display the selection screen, thereby causing the selection screen to be displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the portable terminal 3. Furthermore, the reception processing unit 43 recognizes the characteristic image selected by the selection operation, based on information indicating the characteristic image selected by the selection operation, which is input from the portable terminal 3.

[0061] When the acquisition processing unit 42 acquires the characteristic images corresponding to each of the manuscript data, the reception processing unit 43 may generate a web page to be used for the selection operation and display a two-dimensional code, such as a QR code (registered trademark), including a URL for accessing the web page on the operation / display unit 16. In this case, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 may use the camera 35 of the portable terminal 3 owned by the user to photograph the two-dimensional code displayed on the operation / display unit 16. When the camera 35 photographs the two-dimensional code, the control unit 31 of the portable terminal 3 may acquire a URL included in the two-dimensional code from the photographed two-dimensional code and display the web page on the operation / display unit 32 using the acquired URL. In other words, when the camera 35 of the portable terminal 3 photographs the two-dimensional code, the reception processing unit 43 may display the web page including one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit 42 on the portable terminal 3 and accept the selection operation on the portable terminal 3.

[0062] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 may be capable of wireless communication with the portable terminal 3 in accordance with a predetermined communication standard. For example, the communication standard is NFC (Near Field Communication) (ISO / IEC18092). The communication standard is not limited to NFC, and may be any standard, such as Bluetooth, that allows wireless communication directly with the image forming apparatus 4 without going through another communication device. In this case, the reception processing unit 43 may transmit a URL for accessing the web page to the portable terminal 3 that is present within the communication range of the communication standard.

[0063] The output processing unit 44 outputs the document data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.

[0064] For example, the output processing unit 44 uses the image forming unit 14 to execute a printing process for printing the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.

[0065] For example, the output processing unit 44 may transmit the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation to a destination designated in advance.

[0066] [Manuscript data output processing] 5, the data output method of the present invention will be described below along with an example of the procedure of the document data output process executed by the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1. Here, steps S11, S12, etc. represent the numbers of the processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 11. The document data output process is executed when a command to display the selection screen is input by a user currently logged in to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0067] <Step S11> First, in step S11, the control unit 11 acquires the characteristic images corresponding to the respective pieces of manuscript data stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 2. The processing of step S11 is an example of an acquisition step of the present invention, and is executed by the acquisition processing unit 42 of the control unit 11.

[0068] Specifically, the control unit 11 acquires each of the manuscript data stored in the storage unit 24 of the server 2. Then, based on each of the manuscript data acquired from the storage unit 24, the control unit 11 generates the thumbnail image corresponding to each of the manuscript data.

[0069] <Step S12> In step S12, the control unit 11 displays the selection screen including one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the processing of step S11 on the operation display unit 32 of the mobile terminal 3. The processing of step S12 is an example of a reception step of the present invention, and is executed by the reception processing unit 43 of the control unit 11.

[0070] Specifically, the control unit 11 instructs the portable terminal 3 corresponding to the user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 to display the selection screen.

[0071] <Step S13> In step S13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the selection operation has been accepted on the selection screen.

[0072] Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the selection operation has been accepted when information indicating the characteristic image selected by the selection operation is input from the mobile terminal 3 corresponding to the user logged in to the image forming device 1.

[0073] Here, when the control unit 11 determines that the selection operation has been accepted on the selection screen (Yes in S13), it shifts the process to step S14. On the other hand, when the selection operation has not been accepted on the selection screen (No in S13), the control unit 11 waits for acceptance of the selection operation in step S13.

[0074] <Step S14> In step S14, the control unit 11 outputs the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation. The process of step S14 is an example of an output step of the present invention, and is executed by the output processing unit 44 of the control unit 11.

[0075] Specifically, the control unit 11 executes the printing process using the image forming unit 14 to print the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.

[0076] In this way, in the image forming system 100, one or more characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit 42 are displayed on the operation display unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, and the selection operation is accepted on the portable terminal 3. Therefore, regardless of the configuration of the display unit of the image forming apparatus 1, the manuscript data to be output can be selected based on the characteristic images.

[0077] The document data read from the document by the scanning function may be stored in the storage unit 18 of the image forming apparatus 1. The storage unit 18 is another example of the storage unit of the present invention. In this case, the image forming system 100 does not need to include the server 2.

[0078] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0079] <Appendix 1> An image forming system comprising: an acquisition processing unit that acquires characteristic images showing characteristics of manuscript data corresponding to each of the manuscript data stored in a predetermined memory unit; a reception processing unit that displays one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit on a predetermined mobile terminal and accepts a selection operation to select the characteristic image on the mobile terminal; and an output processing unit that outputs the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation.

[0080] <Appendix 2> 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic image includes a thumbnail image of the manuscript data.

[0081] <Appendix 3> 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic image includes a characteristic document image that indicates a characteristic of the manuscript data using document data.

[0082] <Appendix 4> A data output method executed in an image forming system, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring a characteristic image showing characteristics of each of the manuscript data stored in a predetermined memory unit; a reception step of displaying one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquisition step on a predetermined mobile terminal and receiving a selection operation on the mobile terminal to select the characteristic image; and an output step of outputting the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1. Image forming device 2 Server 3. Mobile devices 4. Communication Network 11 Control section 12 ADF 13 Image reading unit 14 Image forming unit 15 Paper feed section 16 Operation display section 17 Communications Department 18 Memory section 21 Control section 22 Operation display section 23 Communications Department 24 Memory section 31 Control Unit 32 Operation display section 33 Communications Department 34 Storage section 35 Camera 41 Login processing section 42 Acquisition processing unit 43 Reception Department 44 Output Processing Section 100 Image forming system

Claims

1. an acquisition processing unit that acquires a characteristic image that indicates a characteristic of each of the document data stored in a predetermined storage unit; a reception processing unit that displays the one or more characteristic images acquired by the acquisition processing unit on a predetermined mobile terminal and receives a selection operation to select the characteristic image on the mobile terminal; an output processing unit that outputs the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation; An image forming system comprising:

2. the characteristic image includes a thumbnail image of the document data; The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. the characteristic image includes a characteristic document image indicating a characteristic of the manuscript data; 3. The image forming system according to claim 1.

4. A data output method executed in an image forming system, comprising: an acquiring step of acquiring a characteristic image showing a characteristic of each of the document data stored in a predetermined storage unit; a receiving step of displaying one or more of the characteristic images acquired by the acquiring step on a predetermined mobile terminal and receiving a selection operation for selecting the characteristic image on the mobile terminal; an output step of outputting the manuscript data corresponding to the characteristic image selected by the selection operation; Data output method including:

Images