Program for extending functions of general-purpose scanning software, storage medium, control method for information processing device, and information processing device

Abstract

To solve the problem in which the user who uses a standard scan driver is limited to use the functions available in the standard driver alone, and cannot specify a function unique to the scan vendor, such as setting the document orientation.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a program for extending functions of general-purpose scanning software commonly available with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers. The program causes an information processing device to: display a display screen that accepts settings for orientation of a placed document; and output a reading instruction to the image forming device that performs scanning on the basis of the settings accepted on the display screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3B

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program for expanding the functionality of general-purpose scan software, a storage medium, a control method for an information processing device, and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known configuration uses a scan driver installed on a host computer as software for controlling the scanning device, and issues scanning instructions to a scanning device connected to the host computer. An operating system (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 vendor (manufacturer) that provides a scanning device can provide a means for issuing scanning instructions to the scanning device using the OS.

[0003] In recent years, Windows® has begun to provide standard class drivers (hereinafter referred to as "standard drivers") that can be used across scanning devices provided by 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 scanning vendor-specific functions.

[0004] Therefore, Patent Document 1 discloses a program that expands the printing function of general-purpose software (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-33526 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, a function of the scan driver unique to the scan vendor is the document orientation specification function. The document orientation specification function allows you to specify the orientation of the document to be read by the scanning device. For example, when placing the document on the document table, you can specify that the top edge should be placed at the back, or that the top edge should be placed sideways (on the left). By specifying this, it becomes possible to obtain image data in the orientation that corresponds to the document orientation that the user has placed. However, when using the standard driver, the document orientation specification function is not available, and image data cannot be obtained in the correct orientation with the top edge of the document facing up. In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a mechanism that extends the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with scanning devices, and enables users to use a document orientation specification function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is a program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common on image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, and is characterized in that it causes an information processing device to display a display screen that accepts settings for the orientation of a placed document, and outputs a reading instruction to the image forming device that performs the scan based on the settings accepted on the display screen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, by extending the functionality of general-purpose scanning software that can be used in common with scanning devices provided by multiple manufacturers, a document orientation specification function becomes available to users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a scanning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a software configuration diagram of a scanning system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] Scan setting screen by scan application in embodiment 1 [Figure 3B] Detailed setting screen in embodiment 1 [Figure 4] Editing process of scan function information by the extension application of the first embodiment [Figure 5] Scan function list for each device in embodiment 1 [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a sequence diagram illustrating a scan operation according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart of a scanning process of an extension application according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of a scanning process performed by a scanning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9A] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of the scanning device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Detailed setting screen when an extension application is present in the second embodiment [Figure 11] Scan function list for each device in embodiment 2 [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of a scanning device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] Detailed setting screen when an extension application is present in the third embodiment [Figure 14]Scan function list for each device in embodiment 3 [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the operation of an image processing unit of a scanning device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] Scan function list for each device in embodiment 4 [Figure 17] Detailed setting screen when an extension application is present in the fourth embodiment [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a scan operation in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart of a scanning process of an extension application according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] 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.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] Scanning system hardware configuration FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the scan system. (host computer) A host computer 101, which is an example of an information processing device, has an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, an input / output interface 116, and a NETIF 120. These are connected by a common bus, and information can be exchanged via the bus. Here, CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. ROM stands for Read Only Memory, and 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 external devices via a network.

[0012] The ROM 112 stores an initialization program. 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 . 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. In this embodiment, the CPU 111 reads the code of the program stored in the ROM 112. By executing the process according to the code, the host computer 101 realizes the functions described below and the processes according to the flowcharts described below.

[0013] (scanning device) A scanning device 102, which is an example of an image forming device, is connected to the host computer 101 via an input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 and an 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 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 , an input / output interface 198 , an external storage device 199 , and an image processing unit 190 .

[0014] The CPU 191 comprehensively controls the scanning device 102, which is an image forming device. The ROM 192 is a memory that stores programs. The RAM 193 is a memory that temporarily stores programs and image data. The operation unit 194 presents information about the scanning device 102 to the user and also allows the user to give instructions directly. The reading unit 195 is a scanner that reads an image of a document. 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 the input image data.

[0015] Here, the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102 are configured as separate devices, but they may also be configured as a single information processing device. A reading setting screen and a 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 described as an example of the scanning device. However, this embodiment is not limited to this, and can also be applied to devices using other processes, such as inkjet printing, or scanners that only read images. The host computer 101 may also be a desktop computer, a smartphone, or a laptop computer.

[0016] Scanning system software configuration Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the 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 on the premise that the host computer 101 is equipped with Microsoft (registered trademark) Windows (registered trademark) 11 as its operating system. Note that a standard driver is also provided for Apple's MacOS, and the present technology can also be applied to this. FIG. 2( a ) shows a typical configuration where an extension application 204 is not associated with general-purpose scanning software 202 and scanning device 102 . FIG. 2( b ) illustrates a configuration in which an extension application 204 is associated with general-purpose scanning software 202 and a scanning device 102 .

[0017] Scanning system software configuration (without associated 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, it is 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.

[0018] 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 control in the scan setting screen is pressed, the general-purpose scan software 202 additionally displays an advanced settings screen. The scan setting screen and advanced settings screen will be described later with reference to Figures 3A and 3B (hereinafter, Figures 3A and 3B will be collectively referred to as "Figure 3"). The advanced settings 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.

[0019] The general-purpose scan software 202 determines the scan capabilities based on the scan capability information 203 . The scan function information 203 is data indicating all configurable scan functions, their setting values, and the exclusive relationships between the setting values. The scan function information 203 is included in a configuration file of the general-purpose scan software 202 and stored in the external storage device 114 as an unmodifiable file. Alternatively, the scan function information 203 can be dynamically generated by the general-purpose scan software 202. Specifically, the general-purpose scan software 202 or the OS can be configured to acquire scan device attribute data from the scan device 102 and generate the scan function information 203 based on the attribute information in the acquired attribute data. Note that when the scan function information 203 is dynamically generated, the generated scan function information 203 is editable. Note that the scan device attribute data acquired from the scan device 102 includes attribute information indicating the functions (scan device capabilities) that can be specified by the scan device 102 and the setting values ​​related to the attribute information. This information is stored in the RAM 113.

[0020] With this configuration, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured to allow the user to specify the scan functions available for each connected scanning device 102. That is, even when scanning devices with different functions or developed by different vendors are connected, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured to allow the user to specify the scan functions available for the connected scanning device. The vendor may be 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 for the connected scanning device 102 and generates scan function information 203 based on that information so that the user can specify the scan functions supported by the connected scanning device 102. However, the general-purpose scanning software 202 does not support a document orientation specification function. This is because the document orientation specification function is a proprietary function of the scanning vendor (scanner manufacturer).

[0021] Scan system software configuration (with extended application association) Next, the software configuration of the scan system when the extended application 204 is associated will be described with reference to Fig. 2(b). Note that a description of the same configuration as Fig. 2(a) will be omitted.

[0022] The extension application 204 is software for extending the functionality of the general-purpose scan software 202, and is not included (bundled) in advance with 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. Note that the extension application 204 may be installed automatically when the scan device 102 is connected to the host computer 101. Specifically, when the scan device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS acquires device identification information from the scan device 102. The OS may download and install the extension application 204 corresponding to the acquired device identification information from a server via the Internet. In other words, the general-purpose scan software 202 and the extension application 204 are stored in the host computer 101 as separate files.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] When the scan application 201 receives a scan request from a user, it issues a scan instruction to the OS. In this configuration, as in the configuration of FIG. 2(a), the scan application 201 can display a scan setting screen. In this configuration, 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.

[0027] The extension application 204 has an image data editing unit 207. The image data editing unit 207 acquires image data from the scanning device 102 and performs editing. The scan data editing unit 207 acquires detailed setting information from the shared information 208 and performs image editing on the image data in accordance with the detailed settings. The extension application 204 may also be configured to acquire image data acquired by the general-purpose scanning software 202 and perform image editing on the image data in accordance with the detailed settings.

[0028] The extension application 204 has a scan function extension unit 206. 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 by the general-purpose scan software 202 (such as a document orientation specification function), add exclusive relationships between scan function setting values, and so on. 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.

[0029] The extension application 204 also has a notification unit 209. The notification unit 209 can display a notification to the user in response to an error occurring in the scanning device 102. For example, if 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 called a toast notification, which is an OS function, 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 about the scan jam error and a method for clearing the jam.

[0030] Furthermore, the configuration of the extension application 204 for realizing this embodiment is not limited to having all of the above-mentioned functions (units), but may have only some of the functions or other functions. Also, the extension application 204 may simply be called scan software. As described above, the extension application 204 has at least one of the following functions. The first is a function to display a setting screen (scan setting screen expansion unit 205). The second function is to edit image data according to detailed settings (image data editing unit 207). The third is a function (scan function extension unit 206) that extends the functions that can be specified in the image data generation software. The fourth function is a function (notification unit 209) that displays a screen in response to an error occurring in the scanning device 102.

[0031] (Settings screen) Next, an example of the scan setting screen and the detailed setting screen in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3( a ) shows a scan setting screen displayed by the scan application 201 . FIG. 3(b) is a detailed setting screen that is displayed in the case where the configuration shown in FIG. 2(a) does not include the extension application 204. FIG. 3(c) is 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 may be configured to send the generated display screen to the scan application 201 via the general-purpose scan software 202, and the scan application 201 may be configured to display the acquired display screen.

[0032] <Scan settings screen (scan application)> First, the scan setting screen displayed by the scan application 201 in FIG. 3(a) will be described. 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 303 is a button to start the scan, and control 304 is a button to cancel the scan. 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.

[0033] <Advanced settings screen (general-purpose scanning software)> Next, Fig. 3(b) will be described. Fig. 3(b) shows an additional setting screen displayed by the general-purpose scan software 202 when the extension application 204 is not present. A control 305 allows the user to set the reading destination, and indicates that the platen is selected. Control 306 is a setting end button, and when control 306 is pressed, the screen returns to the scan setting screen of FIG. 3(a).

[0034] <Detailed settings screen (extended application)> Next, we will explain Figure 3(c). Figure 3(c) is an additional setting screen displayed by the scan setting screen extension unit 205 when the extension application 204 is present. Unlike Figure 3(b), controls 309 and 310 have been added. Controls 309 and 310 are buttons for setting the orientation of the document placed on the reading unit 195. Images 307 and 308 show images of the document placed on the reading unit 195, with the top edge facing back and the top edge facing sideways, respectively, with the top image showing an example of document placement on a document table and the bottom image showing an example of document placement in a feeder (automatic document feeder). In the example of document placement on the document table, the inverted letter R indicates that the document is placed with the print side facing downwards.

[0035] 3(c) shows a setting example in which the user places the document on the document table with the top edge facing backward. By setting controls 309 or 310 according to the orientation of the document that the user has placed, the user can obtain image data in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the document facing up.

[0036] Here, the reason why the scan setting items differ between Figures 3(b) and 3(c) will be explained. 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 a document orientation specification function, the document orientation specification function cannot be added to the scan function information 203. Even if the scan function information 203 originally included a document orientation specification function, the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot interpret the document orientation specification function included in the scan function information 203 and therefore cannot display the document orientation specification function on the advanced setting screen. However, the scan function extension unit 206 is configured to add the document orientation specification function to the scan function information 203, and the scan setting screen extension unit 205 is configured to display the advanced setting screen by referring to the scan capabilities. With these configurations, the extension application 204 can display the document orientation specification function on the advanced setting screen. Note that Figure 3(c) may also include additional extension functions other than the document orientation specification function.

[0037] [Editing process of scan function information: Scan function expansion unit] 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.

[0038] 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 by the scan device 102 and setting values ​​related to that attribute information. Table 501 in Fig. 5 shows an example of a list of scan functions acquired from the scan device 102. As shown in Table 501, functions such as scanning size specification and options that can be set for each function can be acquired from the scan device 102.

[0039] Next, 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 lists all scan functions that the extension application 204 can process and their setting values. Table 502 in Fig. 5 shows an example of the list of 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, for example.

[0040] Next, in S403, the scan function extension unit 206 acquires scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the OS. Table 503 in FIG. 5 shows an example of a list of 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 the scan functions (Table 501) acquired by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the scan device 102. The scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 only describes scan functions supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 among the scan functions acquired from the scan device 102, and therefore the functions of the scan function information 203 are limited. For example, the scan function 501 acquired from the scan device 102 includes a document orientation specification function, but the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support the document orientation specification function, and therefore the document orientation 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.

[0041] The following steps S404, S405, and S406 are processes that are repeatedly performed for the list of functions of the scan function acquired from the scanning device in S401. In this embodiment, these processes are repeatedly performed for the 13 types of functions included in table 501, from "read size: A4H" to "document orientation: top side horizontal." First, in S404, the scan function extension unit 206 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 being processed exists in the scan function information 203 (Yes in S404), the process returns to the beginning of the loop. Specifically, the next item is selected from the function / options of the scan function acquired from the scan device 102, and S404 is performed again. If the last item of the function / options of the scan function acquired from the scan device 102 is being processed, the process exits the loop and ends the flowchart of FIG. 4. If the function / option being processed does not exist in the scan function information 203 (No in S404), the process proceeds to S405. In this embodiment, for example, "Scan Destination: Platen" shown in Table 501, which is the scan function of the scan device 102, also exists in Table 503, which is the scan function of the general-purpose scan software 202, and therefore the determination in S404 is Yes. On the other hand, since "orientation of document: top side at the back" shown in table 501 does not exist in table 503, it is determined as No in S404, and the process proceeds to S405.

[0042] 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 it is determined that a function or option currently being processed exists (Yes in S405), the process proceeds to S406. If it is determined that a function or option currently being processed does not exist (No in S405), as in the case where the determination in S404 is Yes, S404 is performed again, or the loop is exited and the process of this flowchart is terminated. In this embodiment, for example, if the function currently being processed is "Document orientation: top edge at the back," this also exists in table 502, which is the scan function of the extension application 204, so the determination in S405 is Yes and the process proceeds to S406. Next, 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 loop is exited and the processing of this flowchart is terminated.

[0043] 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).

[0044] Scanning process sequence Next, the processing 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 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, 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. 6 is realized by the CPU 191 of the scan device 102 reading a program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 to the RAM 193 and executing it.

[0045] 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. In S603, the scan application 201 accepts a detailed setting instruction from the user. The user can instruct detailed setting by operating the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 and selecting a control 302.

[0046] 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).

[0047] In S606, 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 document orientation specification 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 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 not displayed on the detailed setting screen. Furthermore, there is only one resolution, 300 x 300 dpi, so it is similarly not displayed on the detailed setting screen. Even if it is not selectable, it may be displayed on the detailed setting screen to clearly indicate it to the user.

[0048] 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 "read destination: platen" and "original orientation: top edge at the back." The accepted settings are 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.

[0049] 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. In S611, the scan application 201 receives a scan instruction from the user. The user can issue a scan instruction by operating the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 and selecting the 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.

[0050] 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. In step S615, the extension application 204 sends a scan instruction command to the scanning device 102 to instruct the scanning device 102 to perform scanning. In S616, the scanning device 102 interprets the scan instruction command and executes the scan. When the scan is executed, the necessary image processing is performed on the image data in accordance with the scan instruction. In this embodiment, if the scan settings shown in FIG. 3C are configured, the image data obtained by the scan is rotated so that it is oriented correctly on the PC in accordance with the orientation specification of the original document. In S617, the scanning device 102 transmits the generated image data to the extension application 204.

[0051] 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, and the sequence of the actual scan process ends.

[0052] [Scan processing: Extended application] Here, a processing flow in which the extension application 204 executes the scan processing 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. In S701, the extension application 204 receives a request to display detailed settings. 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 document orientation specification to the scan function information 203. The scan setting screen extension unit 205 references the scan function list (Table 502) generated based on the added scan functions, and displays the detailed setting screen of Fig. 3(c) on the display unit 119.

[0053] 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, and if the user has not set a function (No in S703), the CPU 111 proceeds to S705. In S704, detailed settings are accepted, and the accepted settings are stored in the RAM 113 by the CPU 111, and the process proceeds to S705. In S705, 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 S705), the CPU 111 accepts that the detailed settings have been completed, writes the accepted settings into the scan setting information, and proceeds to S706. If the instruction to end the settings has not been issued (No in S705), the process returns to S703 and determines again whether the user has issued any function settings.

[0054] In S706, the extension application 204 notifies the general-purpose scan software 202 that the detailed settings have been completed. In S707, the extension application 204 determines whether a scan instruction has been issued from the general-purpose scan software 202. If a scan instruction has been issued (Yes in S706), the CPU 111 proceeds to S708, and if not (No in S706), the CPU 111 returns to S707 and determines again whether a scan instruction has been issued from the general-purpose scan software 202. In S708, the extension application 204 creates a scan instruction command based on the scan setting information written in S705.

[0055] One way to create a scan instruction command in S708 is to extend the standard protocol command. The extension method involves writing a dedicated command in the extension field of the standard protocol command. Other methods include adding a command of a unique standard 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. 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; if not (No in S710), the CPU 111 returns to S710 and determines whether all image data has been transmitted from the scanning device 102. In step S711, the extension application 204 transmits the received image data to the general-purpose scan software 202, and then ends this processing flow.

[0056] [Scanning process: Scanning device] Next, the flow of the scan processing of the scan device 102 that receives a scan instruction from the extension application 204 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Note that each step shown in the flowchart of Fig. 8 is realized by the CPU 191 executing a program stored in the ROM 192. In step S801 , the CPU 191 receives a scan instruction sent from the extension application 204 .

[0057] In S802, the scan instruction command received in S801 is analyzed and converted into reading settings that enable the scanning device 102 to perform reading processing. In this embodiment, the reading settings are as follows: reading destination: platen, reading size: A4H, resolution: 300 × 300 dpi, and document 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 step 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 read an A4H size document on the platen.

[0058] In S805 , the CPU 191 acquires image data from the reading unit 195 . In S806, the next process is switched depending on whether the reading destination specified by the control 305 in Fig. 3C is "platen" or "feeder." If "platen" is specified, the CPU 191 proceeds to S807, and if "feeder" is specified, the CPU 191 proceeds to S809. In S807, the CPU 191 switches the next process depending on whether the orientation of the document in Fig. 3(c) is "top side toward the back" 309 or "top side toward the landscape" 310. If it is "top side toward the back" 309, the process proceeds to S808, and if it is "top side toward the landscape" 310, the process proceeds to S811. In S808, the image data is rotated 90 degrees to the right, and the process proceeds to S811. On the other hand, if "feeder" is specified as the reading destination in S806, then in S809 the rotation angle of the image data acquired from the reading unit 195 is switched according to the orientation specification of the original document described above. If "top side is at the back" 309 is set, the CPU 191 proceeds to S810, and if "top side is at the landscape" 310 is set, the CPU 191 proceeds to S811 without rotating the image data. In S810, the image data acquired from the reading unit 195 is rotated 270 degrees to the right, and the process proceeds to S811.

[0059] [Top edge is at the back: manuscript table] When the setting "top edge is at the back" 309 is made, the rotation angles of the platen and the feeder are different because the scanning direction of the document is different for each. This will be explained using Figures 9A and 9B (hereinafter, Figures 9A and 9B will be collectively referred to as "Figure 9"). Figure 9(a) is a diagram for explaining that the rotation angle of S808 is 90 degrees. Original 901 represents an original placed on a platen with the top edge facing backward, with the print side facing downward. The inverted letter R represents that the print side is facing downward. Original 901 is scanned by reading unit 195 from top to bottom, as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in RAM 193 as image data 902. As shown in image data 902, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 is an image facing left (9 o'clock direction), so in order to turn this image to 0 o'clock, it is necessary to rotate the image 90 degrees to the right by image processing unit 190. The image data after rotation is image data 903, which can be seen to be image data in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the original facing up.

[0060] [Top edge is at the back: Feeder] Next, the rotation angle of 270 degrees to the right in step S810 will be explained using FIG. 9(b). Original 904 represents an original placed in a feeder with the top edge facing backward and the print side facing up. Original 904 is scanned by reading unit 195 from bottom to top, as indicated by the arrow, and is recorded in RAM 193 as image data 905. As shown in image data 905, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 is an image facing right (3 o'clock direction), so in order to turn this image to 0 o'clock, it is necessary to rotate the image 270 degrees to the right by image processing unit 190. After rotation, the image is image 906, which shows that the image data is in the correct orientation, with the top edge of the original facing up.

[0061] [Top side horizontal: document table, feeder] Fig. 9(c) is a diagram for explaining that the required image rotation angle is 0 degrees when a document is placed on the document table with the top side facing horizontal and the print side facing downwards. Similarly, Fig. 9(d) is a diagram for explaining that the required image rotation angle is 0 degrees when a document is placed on the feeder with the top side facing horizontal and the print side facing upwards. In either case, when a document is placed with the top side facing horizontal, image data 908, 911 obtained from reading unit 195 are oriented at 0 o'clock, so rotation processing by image processing unit 190 is not required.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 8, in S811, the image processing unit 190 performs resolution conversion to 300×300 dpi on the image data that has been subjected to the necessary rotation processing. In S812, the CPU 191 stores the image data in the external storage device 199. In S813, the CPU 191 determines whether scanning of all pages has been completed. If it is determined that scanning has not been completed (No in S813), the process returns to S805 and scanning of the next page is executed. If it is determined that scanning has been completed (Yes in S813), the process proceeds to S814.

[0063] In S814, the CPU 191 and the image processing unit 190 convert the image data 903 saved in the previous S807 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 S815, the converted image data is sent to the extension application 204, and this process ends.

[0064] 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 scanning functions of the general-purpose scan software 202, the extension application 204, and the scanning device 102. Furthermore, when a user requests a detailed setting screen, the setting screen is displayed based on the scanning capabilities generated from the scan function information 203, allowing the user to specify the document orientation. After that, when the scanning device 102 receives a scan instruction reflecting the document orientation specification, it reads the document and performs a rotation process on the obtained image data in accordance with the document orientation specification. Through the above series of processes, the document orientation specification function can be realized in the scanning device 102, making it possible to provide the document orientation specification function to the user.

[0065] 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 orientation of the document.

[0066] 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.

[0067] [Embodiment 2] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, a method for acquiring image data of a document with its top side facing up by specifying the orientation of the document placed on the scanning device 102 has been described. In the second embodiment, a method of acquiring image data by specifying a rotation angle instead of the orientation of a document will be described. Note that only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0068] <Detailed settings screen (extended application)> Fig. 10 shows a detailed scan setting screen that is displayed when the extended application 204 is configured, and corresponds to Fig. 3(c) in the first embodiment. The difference between Fig. 10 and Fig. 3(c) is that the image rotation angle, rather than the document orientation, is set using control 1001, and can be set to 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, or 270 degrees. By specifying this rotation angle, the user can obtain image data in the required orientation.

[0069] Table 1101 shown in Fig. 11 is a list of scan functions acquired from the scanning device 102, and differs from table 501 in embodiment 1 in that it is possible to specify the rotation angle rather than the orientation of the document. Table 1102 shown in Fig. 11 is a list of scan functions supported by the extension application 204, and differs from table 502 in embodiment 1 in that it is possible to specify the rotation angle rather than the orientation of the document, as before.

[0070] Next, the operation of the scanning device 102 when the user selects the reading destination as the platen and the rotation angle as 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The document 1201 in FIG. 12 represents a document placed on a document table with the print side facing downwards. The inverted letter R represents that the print side is facing downwards. The document 1201 is scanned by the reading unit 195 in the direction of the arrow and recorded as image data 1202 in RAM 193. As shown in the image data 1202, the image data obtained from the reading unit 195 is an image facing left (9 o'clock direction). The image processing unit 190 rotates this image by the rotation angle of 90 degrees set in the control 1001, and the result is image data 1203. The generated image data 1203 is finally sent to the extension application 204, whereupon all processing is completed.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with a function for specifying an image rotation angle by specifying the image rotation angle from the detailed setting screen. Note that the image rotation angle specification shown in this embodiment may be set simultaneously with the document orientation specification function shown in embodiment 1. When both are specified, the image data may be rotated by an angle obtained by adding the rotation specified by the rotation angle specification to the rotation specified by the document orientation.

[0072] [Embodiment 3] In the third embodiment, a method will be described in which the image is rotated using the direction of characters on the document, rather than specifying the direction of the document or the rotation angle, and image data is acquired. Fig. 13 shows a detailed scan setting screen that is displayed when the configuration includes the extension application 204, and corresponds to Fig. 3(c) in the first embodiment. The difference between Fig. 13 and Fig. 3(c) is that instead of setting the document orientation using controls 1301 and 1302, the user sets whether or not to automatically detect the document orientation. When the user sets control 1301 to ON for this automatic document orientation detection, the orientation can be automatically detected and rotated image data can be obtained regardless of the orientation of the document.

[0073] Table 1401 shown in Fig. 14 is a list of scan functions acquired from the scanning device 102, and differs from table 501 in embodiment 1 in that it is possible to set automatic detection of document orientation instead of document orientation. Table 1402 shown in Fig. 14 is a list of scan functions supported by the extension application 204, and differs from table 502 in embodiment 1 in that it is possible to set automatic detection of document orientation instead of document orientation, as before.

[0074] Next, the operation of the scanning device 102 when the user selects the read destination as platen and automatic document orientation detection as ON as shown in FIG. 13 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 15(a), 1501 represents an original placed on a platen with the print side facing downwards. The inverted letter R indicates that the print side faces downwards. The original 1501 is scanned by the reading unit 195 in the direction of the arrow and recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1502. As shown in image data 1502, the image data obtained from the reading unit 195 is an image facing left (9 o'clock direction). This image undergoes character recognition processing (OCR) by the image processing unit 190 to determine the orientation of the original. For example, if the letter R on the image data 1502 is the letter on the original, the OCR result shows that the image data 1502 is oriented at 9 o'clock. Therefore, to make it oriented at midnight, it is necessary to rotate the image 90 degrees to the right. In image data 1503 obtained in this way, it can be seen that the letter R is oriented at midnight.

[0075] Another example will be described with reference to FIG. The operation will be described when a document is placed on the document platen as in document 1504. Document 1504 is scanned by reading unit 195 in the direction of the arrow and recorded in RAM 193 as image data 1505. As shown in image data 1505, the image data obtained from reading unit 195 is an image facing upward (at 0 o'clock). This image is subjected to character recognition processing (OCR) by image processing unit 190 to determine the document orientation. In this example, since the image is at 0 o'clock when scanned, rotation processing by image processing unit 190 is not necessary, and only other image processing (resolution conversion to 300 x 300 dpi as in embodiment 1) is performed to obtain image data 1506.

[0076] The image data 1503 and 1506 thus generated are finally sent to the extension application 204, and all processing is completed. As described above, in this embodiment, by setting the automatic document orientation detection function from the advanced settings screen, it is possible to provide the user with the function of automatically rotating the image to the correct orientation regardless of the orientation of the document.

[0077] [Embodiment 4] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described. In the fourth embodiment, a method will be described in which a preview image is displayed, the orientation of image data obtained from a scanner is confirmed, and the user specifies an appropriate rotation angle to obtain image data. In the following, only the differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0078] 16(a) shows an example of a list of scan functions acquired from the scan device 102 in this embodiment as table 1601. As shown in table 1601, information "Preview: Supported" 1603 has been acquired from the scan device 102. As shown in table 1602, it is assumed that the information "Preview: Supported" 1604 is also set for the extension application 204.

[0079] <Detailed settings screen (extended application)> FIG. 17 shows an example of a detailed settings screen where the preview function can be used. FIG. 17 shows an area 1702 for displaying a preview image and a control 1701 for instructing the execution of a preview. A preview image 1703 obtained from a scanner is shown in area 1702 as a preview. Control 1704 differs from control 1001 for setting the image rotation angle described in the second embodiment in that it is a control for specifying the rotation angle to be applied to the displayed preview image when a preview, which will be described later, is being displayed. The possible settings are 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees. Control 1705 instructs the user to save the preview image, and details of this will be described later. Control 1706 is a control for canceling image rotation processing using the preview image.

[0080] Scanning process sequence 18 will be used to explain a case where a preview is displayed in the sequence of scan processing by the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, the extension application 204, and the scan device 102 after scan settings are accepted. Note that each step other than that of the scan device 102 in FIG. 18 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. 18 is realized by the CPU 191 of the scan device 102 reading a program stored in the ROM 192 or the external storage device 199 to the RAM 193 and executing it. In the following, explanations of steps that are the same as those in the sequence shown in FIG. 6 will be omitted, and only differences will be explained.

[0081] In step S1801, the extension application 204 receives a preview display. The user can select a control 1701 by operating the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to instruct a preview display. In S1802, the extension application 204 issues a scan instruction for preview by sending a preview instruction command to the scanning device 102. The scan instruction command is created based on the settings accepted at this point. In S1803, the scanning device 102 interprets the received preview instruction command and executes the scanning process.

[0082] Next, in step S1804, the scanning device 102 transmits the generated image data to the extension application 204. In S1805, the extended application 204 displays the received preview image 1703 in the area 1702. The preview image 1703 is an example in which the top side of the image faces left (9 o'clock direction). In S1806, the extension application 204 accepts the control 1704 for instructing image rotation from the user via the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118. Here, it is assumed that the user instructs to rotate the image 90 degrees so that the image facing 9 o'clock becomes facing 0 o'clock. In S1807, the extension application 204 causes the image data editing unit 207 to perform image rotation on the preview image received from the scanning device in S1804.

[0083] In S1808, the extension application 204 accepts a request to save the preview image. The user can instruct the user to save the preview image by operating the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 and selecting the control 1705. When the user is instructed to save the image, the extension application 204 passes the image data to the general-purpose scan software 202. The general-purpose scan software 202 then passes the image data to the scan application 201, allowing the scan application 201 to handle the image data.

[0084] [Scan processing: Extended application] Here, a flow in which the extension application 204 executes the scan process will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Each step is realized by the CPU 111 executing each unit read from the external storage device 114 to the RAM 113. Explanation of the same steps as in Fig. 7 will be omitted, and only differences will be described. In S1901, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether a preview display request has been made by the user. If a preview display request has been made (Yes in S1901), the process proceeds to S1902; if not (No in S1901), the process proceeds to S705. In S1902, the extension application 204 creates a preview image instruction command based on the setting information stored in S704.

[0085] As with the scan command, the preview image command in step S1902 can be created by first extending a standard protocol command. The extension method involves writing a dedicated command in the extension area of ​​the standard protocol command. Other methods include adding a command of a unique standard to the end of the standard protocol command, or having the extension application 204 overwrite the standard protocol command with a unique command system.

[0086] 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. In step S1903, the extension application 204 sends a preview image instruction command to the scanning device 102 to instruct it to scan. In S1904, the extension application 204 determines whether all preview image data has been received from the scanning device 102. If all preview image data has been received (Yes in S1904), the process proceeds to S1905; if not (No in S1904), the process returns to S1904 and it is determined whether preview image data has been received from the scanning device 102. In S1905, the extension application 204 displays the received preview image data.

[0087] In S1906, it is determined whether an instruction to rotate the image has been received from the user via the control 1704. If an instruction to rotate the image has been received (Yes in S1906), the process proceeds to S1907; otherwise (No in S1906), the process proceeds to S1908. In S1907, the image data editing unit 207 performs image rotation on the preview image received from the scanning device. In S1908, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 determines whether the user has requested saving of the preview image. If the control 1705 has issued an instruction to save (if the instruction is "Save" in S1908), the process proceeds to S711. If the control 1706 has issued an instruction to cancel (if the instruction is "Cancel" in S1908), the process proceeds to S705.

[0088] As described above, in the fourth embodiment, a preview image is displayed by an extension application. Then, by changing the preview image according to the settings, it is possible to provide an image rotation function in a form that allows the user to easily imagine the final product.

[0089] (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 program, storage medium, method, and configuration. (Program 1) A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, A display screen will appear that accepts the setting of the orientation of the placed document. A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen. (Program 2) A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, a display screen for accepting the setting of the rotation angle for the image data obtained by scanning is displayed; A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen. (Program 3) A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, A display screen is displayed that accepts the automatic document orientation detection setting for automatically detecting and rotating the orientation of the image data obtained by scanning. A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen. (Program 4) A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, receiving an instruction to display a preview image, and displaying a display screen for receiving a rotation angle for the displayed preview image; a program for executing a rotation process on the preview image by the received rotation angle; (Program 5) 5. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 4, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, a command is created by extending a command of a standard protocol. (Program 6) 5. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 4, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, a command of a unique standard is added to a command of a standard protocol and then transmitted. (Program 7) 5. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 4, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, a command of a standard protocol is not sent, but an original command is sent. (Program 8) 8. The program according to any one of programs 1 to 7, wherein the display screen is generated based on a scan function acquired from an image forming apparatus. (Storage medium 1) A computer-readable storage medium storing any one of the programs 1 to 8. (Method 1) A method for controlling an information processing device, which is realized by causing an information processing device to execute any one of the programs set forth in Programs 1 to 8. (Configuration 1) An information processing device in which any one of the programs 1 to 8 is installed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 101 host computer 102 Scanning Device 201 Scan Application 202 General-purpose scanning software 204 Extended Applications

Claims

1. A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, A display screen will appear that accepts the setting of the orientation of the placed document. A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen.

2. A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, a display screen for accepting the setting of the rotation angle for the image data obtained by scanning is displayed; A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen.

3. A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, A display screen is displayed that accepts the setting of automatic document orientation detection for automatically detecting and rotating the orientation of the image data obtained by scanning. A program for outputting a read instruction to an image forming apparatus that performs scanning based on the settings received on the display screen.

4. A program that expands the functionality of general-purpose scan software that can be used in common with image forming devices provided by multiple manufacturers, In the information processing device, receiving an instruction to display a preview image, and displaying a display screen for receiving a rotation angle for the displayed preview image; a program for executing a rotation process on the preview image by the received rotation angle;

5. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, the program creates a command by extending a command of a standard protocol.

6. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, a command of a unique standard is added to a command of a standard protocol and transmitted.

7. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein when issuing a read instruction to the image forming apparatus that executes the scan, the program does not send a command of a standard protocol but sends a unique command.

8. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the display screen is generated based on a scan function acquired from the image forming apparatus.

9. A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. A method for controlling an information processing device, which is realized by causing an information processing device to execute the program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. An information processing device in which the program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is installed.

Images