Image processing apparatus, image processing program, and image processing system

Abstract

To provide an image processor, an image processing program and an image processing system capable of facilitating user's work.SOLUTION: The image processing device 30, which includes a scanner and transmits a document image as an image read from a document by the scanner to the image processing server 40, acquires flow information by reading an image code including the flow information as information serving as metadata of the document image by the scanner, and transmits the acquired flow information to the image processing server 40 (S221, S224, S227, S228, S229).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, an image processing program, and an image processing system for processing images. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, image processing systems have been known that include an image processing device and an image processing server that executes a workflow indicating processing to be performed on an image transmitted by the image processing device (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-227706 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-232946 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-107125 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-015432 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, conventional image processing systems have a problem in that the user must set information used by the image processing system each time a workflow is executed.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image processing device, an image processing program, and an image processing system that can facilitate the user's work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image processing device of the present invention is an image processing device that is equipped with a scanner and transmits an original image as an image read from an original by the scanner to a server, and is characterized in that the image processing device obtains the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information as information that becomes metadata for the original image by the scanner, and transmits the obtained metadata information to the server.

[0007] With this configuration, the image processing device of the present invention transmits the metadata information obtained by reading the image code containing the metadata information with a scanner to the server, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the metadata information, thereby making the user's work easier.

[0008] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes scan settings as settings for reading the document image from the document by the scanner, and the image processing device may obtain the scan settings by reading the image code with the scanner, and read the document image from the document by the scanner using the obtained scan settings.

[0009] With this configuration, the image processing device of the present invention reads an original image from a document using a scanner with scan settings obtained by reading an image code including the scan settings, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input scan settings, thereby making the user's work easier.

[0010] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes login information as information for logging in to the server, and the image processing device may obtain the login information by reading the image code with the scanner, and log in to the server using the obtained login information.

[0011] With this configuration, the image processing device of the present invention logs in to the server using login information obtained by reading an image code containing login information with a scanner, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually enter login information, thereby making the user's work easier.

[0012] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes a code-attached image sending setting as a setting for whether or not to send a code-attached image, which is an image including the image code, to the server, and the image processing device may obtain the code-attached image sending setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and if the obtained code-attached image sending setting is set to send the code-attached image to the server, send the code-attached image to the server.

[0013] With this configuration, the image processing device of the present invention transmits the coded image to the server when the coded image transmission setting obtained by reading the image code including the coded image transmission setting with a scanner is set to transmit the coded image to the server, thereby improving convenience.

[0014] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting for whether or not to have the server perform OCR on the original image, and the image processing device obtains the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and if the obtained OCR execution setting is set to have the server perform the OCR, it may obtain from the server the remaining number of pages for which the OCR can be performed, and when the number of pages of the original image exceeds the remaining number, notify the server that the OCR cannot be performed.

[0015] With this configuration, when the OCR execution settings obtained by scanning an image code containing the OCR execution settings with a scanner are set to have the server execute OCR, if the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed obtained from the server, the image processing device of the present invention notifies the server that OCR cannot be executed, thereby improving convenience.

[0016] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting for whether or not to have the server perform OCR on the original image, and the image processing device obtains the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and if the obtained OCR execution setting is set to have the server perform the OCR, it obtains from the server the remaining number of pages for which the OCR can be performed, and when the number of original images exceeds the remaining number, it may send the original image to the server together with an instruction to prohibit the server from performing the OCR.

[0017] With this configuration, when the OCR execution settings obtained by reading an image code containing the OCR execution settings with a scanner are set to have the server execute OCR, and the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed obtained from the server, the image processing device of the present invention sends the original image to the server along with an instruction to prohibit the server from executing OCR, thereby improving convenience.

[0018] In the image processing device of the present invention, the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting for whether or not to have the server perform OCR on the original image, and the image processing device obtains the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and if the obtained OCR execution setting is set to have the server perform the OCR, it may obtain from the server the remaining number of sheets for which the OCR can be performed, and when the number of original images exceeds the remaining number, notify the user that the remaining number should be set to be greater than or equal to the number of original images in accordance with instructions from the user.

[0019] With this configuration, when the OCR execution settings obtained by scanning an image code containing the OCR execution settings with a scanner are set to have the server execute OCR, and the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed obtained from the server, the image processing device of the present invention sets the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed to be greater than or equal to the number of original images in accordance with instructions from the user, thereby allowing the server to execute OCR, thereby improving convenience.

[0020] The image processing program of the present invention is an image processing program executed by an image processing device equipped with a scanner, and is characterized in that it causes the image processing device to perform the following operations: sending an original image as an image read from an original by the scanner to a server; acquiring the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information as information that becomes metadata for the original image by the scanner; and sending the acquired metadata information to the server.

[0021] With this configuration, an image processing device that executes the image processing program of the present invention transmits the metadata information obtained by reading the image code containing the metadata information with a scanner to a server, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the metadata information, thereby simplifying the user's work.

[0022] The image processing system of the present invention comprises an image processing device equipped with a scanner and a server, wherein the image processing device transmits an original image as an image read from an original by the scanner to the server, and the image processing device acquires the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information as information that becomes metadata for the original image by the scanner, and transmits the acquired metadata information to the server.

[0023] With this configuration, the image processing system of the present invention has the image processing device transmit the metadata information obtained by reading the image code containing the metadata information with a scanner to the server, thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the metadata information, thereby making the user's work easier. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The image processing device, image processing program, and image processing system of the present invention can facilitate the work of the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing an example of upper limit exceeding process information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing server shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a workflow is generated. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a code issuing screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image with a code printed by the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when an image code is issued independently of the execution of a workflow. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an issuance target selection screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a workflow is executed. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of "login" shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of the "flow list request" shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of "code reading" shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of "scan image transmission" shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of the “code login” shown in FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of the "workflow execution" shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed in the operations shown in FIGS. [Figure 19] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a flow list request screen displayed in the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. [Figure 20] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an execution target selection screen displayed in the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. [Figure 21] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a flow information setting screen displayed in the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. [Figure 22] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a scan setting screen displayed in the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. [Figure 23] 22 is a diagram showing an example of the flow information setting screen shown in FIG. 21 in a case where values ​​for some items cannot be changed. FIG. [Figure 24]FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting screen shown in FIG. 22 when values ​​for some items cannot be changed. [Figure 25] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an OCR execution disabled screen displayed during the operations shown in FIGS. 11 to 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes an image processing system 20 for processing an image.

[0030] The image processing system 20 includes an image processing device 30 that reads an image from a document and processes the read image. The image processing system 20 may include at least one other image processing device similar to the image processing device 30. The image processing device may be configured, for example, by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

[0031] The image processing system 20 includes an image processing server 40 that processes images transmitted by an image processing device. The image processing server 40 executes a workflow that indicates the processing to be performed on the images transmitted by the image processing device. The image processing server 40 may be configured as a single computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured as multiple computers. For example, the image processing server 40 may be configured on a cloud.

[0032] The system 10 includes a repository 50 that stores images transmitted by the image processing server 40. The system 10 may include at least one other repository similar to the repository 50. The repository may be configured by a single computer such as a PC, or may be configured by multiple computers. For example, the repository may be configured on the cloud. For example, Google (registered trademark) Drive may be adopted as one of the repositories.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device 30 when configured as an MFP.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the image processing device 30 is a computer that includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a printer 33, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper; a scanner 34, which is a reading device that reads images from a document; a communication unit 35, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a fax communication unit 36, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile device (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line; a memory unit 37, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 38 that controls the entire image processing device 30.

[0035] The storage unit 37 stores an apparatus-side image processing program 37a for processing images. The apparatus-side image processing program 37a may be installed in the image processing device 30 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 30, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 30 from a network.

[0036] The storage unit 37 can store upper limit exceeding process information 37b indicating a process (hereinafter referred to as "processing when upper limit is exceeded") to be performed by the image processing device 30 when the number of times OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is executed by the image processing server 40 in the current specific period (hereinafter referred to as "current period number of times") exceeds the upper limit of the number of OCRs by the image processing server 40 in the specific period (hereinafter referred to as "specific period upper limit"). Here, the specific period may be, for example, one calendar month.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the upper limit exceeding process information 37b.

[0038] The process information 37b for when the upper limit is exceeded shows, for each user, a user name as user identification information and a process for when the upper limit is exceeded. The process for when the upper limit is exceeded is one of a process selection, in which the user is prompted to select the process to be performed by the image processing device 30 each time; a process continuation, in which the image processing device 30 continues processing without causing the image processing server 40 to perform OCR; and a process stop, in which the image processing device 30 stops processing. The process information 37b for when the upper limit is exceeded shown in FIG. 3 is drawn with some information omitted. The process for when the upper limit is exceeded in the process information 37b for when the upper limit is exceeded can be set by the user via the operation unit 31, for example.

[0039] The control unit 38 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 38. The CPU of the control unit 38 executes programs stored in the storage unit 37 or the ROM of the control unit 38.

[0040] The control unit 38 executes the device-side image processing program 37a to realize a device-side image processing unit 38a that processes images.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing server 40 when configured by one computer.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, the image processing server 40 includes an operation unit 41, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 42, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 43, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 44, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 45 that controls the entire image processing server 40.

[0043] The storage unit 44 can store a server-side image processing program 44a for processing images transmitted by the image processing device. The server-side image processing program 44a may be installed in the image processing server 40 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing server 40, or may be additionally installed in the image processing server 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing server 40 from a network.

[0044] The storage unit 44 can store user management information 44b for managing users.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 44b.

[0046] The user management information 44b shown in Fig. 5 indicates, for each user, a user name, a password for the user to log in to the image processing server 40, an upper limit value for a specific period, and a number of times for the current period. Some information is omitted from the user management information 44b shown in Fig. 5.

[0047] 4, the storage unit 44 can store a workflow 44c. The storage unit 44 can store workflows other than the workflow 44c. A workflow ID for identifying the workflow is assigned to the workflow.

[0048] The control unit 45 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

[0049] The control unit 45 executes the server-side image processing program 44a to realize a server-side image processing unit 45a that processes images transmitted by the image processing device.

[0050] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0051] In the following, the image processing device 30 will be described as a representative example of image processing devices. However, image processing devices other than the image processing device 30 can also perform the same operations as the image processing device 30.

[0052] First, the operation of the system 10 when generating a workflow will be described.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a workflow is generated.

[0054] The user can instruct the image processing device 30 to start the process of generating a workflow via the operation unit 31 of the image processing device 30.

[0055] When instructed to start workflow generation processing, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 executes workflow generation processing (S101), as shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, the device-side image processing unit 38a can generate a workflow in response to instructions received via the operation unit 31. For example, the user can set a name for the workflow (hereinafter referred to as the "workflow name"), set names of items (hereinafter referred to as "item names") of information used by the image processing server 40 when executing the workflow (hereinafter referred to as "flow information"), set at least one candidate value that can be specified for the item of the flow information, set an initial value for the value that can be specified for the item of the flow information, and set a repository where data generated by the execution of the workflow will be saved. After the processing of S101 is completed, the user can instruct the image processing device 30 to register the workflow via the operation unit 31.

[0056] When an instruction to register a workflow is received after the process of S101 is completed, the device-side image processing unit 38a instructs the image processing server 40 to register the workflow generated in the process of S101 (S102). The device-side image processing unit 38a includes the workflow generated in the process of S101 in the instruction in S102.

[0057] Upon receiving the instruction in S102, the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 registers the workflow included in the instruction in S102 in the storage unit 44 (S103). When registering the workflow in S103, the server-side image processing unit 45a assigns a new workflow ID to this workflow.

[0058] When the process of S103 is completed, the server-side image processing unit 45a notifies the image processing device 30 of the workflow ID assigned in S103 (S104).

[0059] Upon receiving the notification in S104, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays a screen 400 (see, for example, FIG. 7) for issuing an image code indicating information to be used in processing the image (hereinafter referred to as the "code issuing screen") on the display unit 32 (S105). The image code may be, for example, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) or a one-dimensional code.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the code issuing screen 400.

[0061] The code issuing screen 400 shown in FIG. 7 is an example of a screen for a workflow for processing an invoice.

[0062] The code issuance screen 400 shown in Figure 7 includes a text box 411a for entering the user's username for logging in to the image processing server 40, a check box 411b for specifying whether the username entered in text box 411a should be included in the image code, a text box 412a for entering the user's password for logging in to the image processing server 40, and a check box 412b for specifying whether the password entered in text box 412a should be included in the image code.

[0063] The code issuing screen 400 shown in FIG. 7 includes text 421 indicating the workflow ID of the workflow executed by the image processing server 40.

[0064] The code issuance screen 400 shown in Figure 7 includes text 431a indicating "Issuer" as the item name of the flow information item, which indicates the issuer of the invoice, a combo box 431b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Issuer", a check box 431c for specifying whether the value entered in combo box 431b is to be included in the image code, text 432a indicating "Borrowing Department" as the item name of the flow information item, which indicates the department that will pay the invoice amount, a combo box 432b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Borrowing Department", a check box 432c for specifying whether the value entered in combo box 432b is to be included in the image code, text 433a indicating "Bank" as the item name of the flow information item, which indicates the bank that will be used to pay the invoice amount, a combo box 433b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Bank", and a check box 433c for specifying whether the value entered in combo box 433b is to be included in the image code. The device-side image processing unit 38a includes text, a combo box, and a check box on the code issuance screen 400 for each item of flow information set in the target workflow of the code issuance screen 400. On the code issuance screen 400 shown in Fig. 7, the candidate values ​​set in the combo boxes for inputting values ​​specified for items of flow information are candidate values ​​set for this item in the target workflow.

[0065] The code issuing screen 400 shown in FIG. 7 is used for reading an image from a document by the scanner 34, that is, for setting up the scan (hereinafter referred to as "scan setting").), as the item name of the item in the scan settings, text 441a indicating "color mode" indicating the color mode when an image is read from a document, a combo box 441b for inputting a value specified for the scan setting item "color mode", and a check box 441c for specifying whether the value input in combo box 441b is to be included in the image code; as the item name of the scan setting item, text 442a indicating "resolution" indicating the resolution when an image is read from a document, a combo box 442b for inputting a value specified for the scan setting item "resolution", and a check box 442c for specifying whether the value input in combo box 442b is to be included in the image code; as the item name of the scan setting item, text 443a indicating "scan side" indicating whether an image is to be read from one side or both sides of a document, a combo box 443b for inputting a value specified for the scan setting item "scan side", and a check box 443c for specifying whether the value input in combo box 443b is to be included in the image code; The item names for the scan settings include text 444a indicating "Original Size" which indicates the size of the original, a combo box 444b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Original Size", and a check box 444c for specifying whether or not the value input in combo box 444b is to be included in the image code; the item names for the scan settings include text 445a indicating "Original Orientation" which indicates the orientation of the original relative to scanner 34 when the original is set on scanner 34, a combo box 445b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Original Orientation", and a check box 445c for specifying whether or not the value input in combo box 445b is to be included in the image code; and the item names for the scan settings include text 446a indicating "Preview" which indicates whether or not to perform a preview of the image read from the original, a combo box 446b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Preview", and a check box 446c for specifying whether or not the value input in combo box 446b is to be included in the image code.The device-side image processing unit 38a includes text, a combo box, and a check box on the code issuing screen 400 for each scan setting item for which a value can be specified in the image processing device 30.

[0066] 7 includes text 451 indicating a setting value for whether or not to cause the image processing server 40 to perform OCR (hereinafter referred to as "OCR execution setting"). When the device-side image processing unit 38a determines based on the workflow targeted by the code issuance screen 400 that OCR will be performed in the image processing server 40, the value indicated in the text 451 is "perform." When the device-side image processing unit 38a determines based on the workflow targeted by the code issuance screen 400 that OCR will not be performed in the image processing server 40, the value indicated in the text 451 is "do not perform." For example, when executing a process for saving an image in a workflow, the device-side image processing unit 38a may determine that OCR will be performed in the image processing server 40 if the format of the save is either a highly compressed portable document format (PDF) that uses the OCR results or a searchable PDF that uses the OCR results.

[0067] The code issuance screen 400 shown in Figure 7 includes a combo box 461 for specifying a value for a setting (hereinafter referred to as "code-attached image sending setting") as to whether or not to send an image containing an image code (hereinafter referred to as "code-attached image") to the image processing server 40.

[0068] The code issuance screen 400 shown in FIG. 7 includes a code issuance button 471 for receiving an instruction to issue an image code, and a code not required button 472 for receiving an instruction to cancel the issuance of an image code.

[0069] When either the code issuance button 471 or the code-unnecessary button 472 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a terminates display of the code issuance screen 400 on the display unit 32.

[0070] In S105, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays the workflow ID notified in S104 in the text 421 on the code issuance screen 400. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input the initial value set in S101 into a combo box for inputting a value specified for an item of flow information at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S105. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input the default value of the image processing device 30 into a combo box for inputting a value specified for an item of scan settings at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S105.

[0071] Although not specifically shown in Figure 6, after the processing of S105 is completed, when the No code required button 472 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S105, the device-side image processing unit 38a terminates the operation shown in Figure 6.

[0072] When the code issuance button 471 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S105, the device-side image processing unit 38a causes the printer 33 to print a coded image 500 (see, for example, Figure 8) including an image code indicating the information specified on the code issuance screen 400 at the time the code issuance button 471 was pressed (S106).

[0073] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an image 500 with a code printed by the image processing device 30. As shown in FIG.

[0074] The coded image 500 shown in FIG. 8 includes an image code 501 generated by the image processing device 30 and text 502 indicating at least a part of the information indicated by the image code 501.

[0075] Next, the operation of the system 10 when issuing an image code independently of the execution of a workflow will be described.

[0076] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when an image code is issued independently of the execution of a workflow.

[0077] The user can instruct the image processing device 30 to start the process of issuing an image code via the operation unit 31 of the image processing device 30.

[0078] When the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 is instructed to start the process of issuing an image code, it requests a list of workflows from the image processing server 40, as shown in FIG. 9 (S121).

[0079] Upon receiving the request in S121, the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 notifies the image processing device 30 of a list of the workflows requested in S121 (S122). The list in S122 includes a workflow name and a workflow ID for each workflow.

[0080] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 receives the notification in S122, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "issuance target selection screen") 510 (see, for example, Figure 10) on the display unit 32 based on the list notified in S122 (S123) to allow the user to select the workflow for which an image code is to be issued.

[0081] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the issue target selection screen 510. As shown in FIG.

[0082] 10 includes a button (hereinafter referred to as an "issuance target selection button") 511 for selecting a workflow for which an image code is to be issued, for each workflow. Each of the issuance target selection buttons 511 displays the workflow name of the workflow to which the issuance target selection button 511 itself corresponds.

[0083] When any of the issuance target selection buttons 511 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a terminates display of the issuance target selection screen 510 on the display unit 32.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 9, after the process of S123 is completed, when an issuance target selection button is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a notifies the image processing server 40 of the workflow ID corresponding to the pressed issuance target selection button (S124).

[0085] Upon receiving the notification in S124, the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 transmits the workflow to which the workflow ID notified in S124 has been assigned to the image processing device 30 (S125).

[0086] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 receives the workflow transmitted in S125, it displays the code issuing screen 400 (see, for example, FIG. 7) corresponding to the received workflow on the display unit 32 (S126).

[0087] The device-side image processing unit 38a displays the workflow ID notified in S124 in text 421 on the code issuance screen 400 in S126. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input initial values ​​set in the workflow transmitted in S125 into combo boxes for inputting values ​​specified for items of flow information at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S126. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input default values ​​in the image processing device 30 into combo boxes for inputting values ​​specified for items of scan settings at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S126.

[0088] Although not specifically shown in Figure 9, after the processing of S126 is completed, when the No Code Required button 472 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S126, the device-side image processing unit 38a terminates the operation shown in Figure 9.

[0089] When the code issuance button 471 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S126, the device-side image processing unit 38a causes the printer 33 to print a coded image including an image code indicating the information specified on the code issuance screen 400 at the time the code issuance button 471 was pressed (S127).

[0090] Next, the operation of the system 10 when executing a workflow will be described.

[0091] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when executing a workflow. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of "login" shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of "flow list request" shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of "code reading" shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram of "scan image transmission" shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram of "code login" shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram of "workflow execution" shown in FIG. 11.

[0092] The user can instruct the image processing device 30 to start the process of executing a workflow via the operation unit 31 of the image processing device 30.

[0093] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 is instructed to start processing the workflow execution, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "login screen") 520 (see, for example, Figure 18) for logging the user into the image processing server 40 on the display unit 32, as shown in Figures 11 to 17 (S141).

[0094] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen 520. As shown in FIG.

[0095] 18 includes a text box 521 for inputting the user's user name, a text box 522 for inputting the user's password, a button for executing login (hereinafter referred to as the "login button") 523, and a button for executing login using an image code (hereinafter referred to as the "code login button") 524. When pressing the code login button 524, the user sets a recording medium on which a coded image is printed in the scanner 34 and then presses the code login button 524.

[0096] When either the login button 523 or the code login button 524 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a terminates display of the login screen 520 on the display unit 32.

[0097] 11 to 17, when the login button 523 is pressed after the process of S141 is completed, the device-side image processing unit 38a requests the image processing server 40 to log in the user (S161). The device-side image processing unit 38a includes in the request in S161 a combination of the user name that was input in the text box 521 at the time the login button 523 was pressed and the password that was input in the text box 522 at the time the login button 523 was pressed.

[0098] When the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 receives the request in S161, it authenticates the user based on the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S161 (S162). If the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S161 is included in the user management information 44b, the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S162 was successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S161 is not included in the user management information 44b, the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S162 was unsuccessful.

[0099] 11 to 17, if the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S162 has failed, it notifies the image processing device 30 that the user's login is not permitted. Therefore, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0100] If the server-side image processor 45a of the image processing server 40 determines that the authentication executed in S162 is successful, it notifies the image processing device 30 that the user's login is permitted (S163).

[0101] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 receives the notification in S163, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "flow list request screen") 530 (see, for example, Figure 19) on the display unit 32 for requesting a list of workflows from the image processing server 40 (S164).

[0102] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the flow list request screen 530. As shown in FIG.

[0103] 19 includes a button (hereinafter referred to as the "flow list request button") 531 for requesting a workflow list from the image processing server 40, and a button (hereinafter referred to as the "code reading button") 532 for reading an image code. When pressing the code reading button 532, the user sets the recording medium showing the coded image in the scanner 34, and then presses the code reading button 532.

[0104] When either the flow list request button 531 or the code reading button 532 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a ends the display of the flow list request screen 530 on the display unit 32.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 11 to 17, when the flow list request button 531 is pressed after the process of S164 is completed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a requests the image processing server 40 for a list of workflows (S181).

[0106] Upon receiving the request in S181, the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 notifies the image processing device 30 of a list of the workflows requested in S181 (S182). The list in S182 includes a workflow name and a workflow ID for each workflow.

[0107] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 receives the notification in S182, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "execution target selection screen") 540 (see, for example, Figure 20) on the display unit 32 based on the list notified in S182 (S183) to allow the user to select the workflow to be executed.

[0108] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the execution target selection screen 540. As shown in FIG.

[0109] 20 includes, for each workflow, a button (hereinafter referred to as an "execution target selection button") 541 for selecting a workflow to be executed. Each execution target selection button 541 displays the workflow name of the workflow to which the execution target selection button 541 itself corresponds.

[0110] When any of the execution target selection buttons 541 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a terminates the display of the execution target selection screen 540 on the display unit 32.

[0111] As shown in Figures 11 to 17, after the processing of S183 is completed, when an execution target selection button is pressed, the device-side image processing unit 38a notifies the image processing server 40 of the workflow ID corresponding to the pressed execution target selection button (S184).

[0112] Upon receiving the notification in S184, the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 transmits the workflow to which the workflow ID notified in S184 has been assigned to the image processing device 30 (S185).

[0113] When the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 receives the workflow transmitted in S185, it displays a screen 550 (see, for example, Figure 21) for setting flow information (hereinafter referred to as the "flow information setting screen") on the display unit 32 (S186).

[0114] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the flow information setting screen 550. As shown in FIG.

[0115] The flow information setting screen 550 shown in FIG. 21 is an example of a screen for a workflow for processing an invoice.

[0116] 21 includes text 551a indicating the name of the flow information item "Issuer," a combo box 551b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Issuer," text 552a indicating the name of the flow information item "Borrowing Department," a combo box 552b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Borrowing Department," text 553a indicating the name of the flow information item "Bank," a combo box 553b for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "Bank," and a button for setting flow information (hereinafter referred to as the "flow information setting button") 554. The apparatus-side image processing unit 38a includes text and a combo box on the flow information setting screen 550 for each item of flow information set for the target workflow of the flow information setting screen 550. On the flow information setting screen 550, the value candidates set in the combo box for inputting the value specified for the flow information item are the value candidates set for this item in the target workflow.

[0117] When the flow information setting button 554 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a ends the display of the flow information setting screen 550 on the display unit 32.

[0118] The device-side image processing unit 38a may input the initial value set in the target workflow into a combo box for inputting values ​​specified for flow information items at the start of displaying the flow information setting screen 550 in S186.

[0119] As shown in Figures 11 to 17, after the processing of S186 is completed, when the flow information setting button 554 is pressed, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays a screen for executing scan settings (hereinafter referred to as the "scan setting screen") 560 (see, for example, Figure 22) on the display unit 32 (S187).

[0120] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting screen 560. As shown in FIG.

[0121] The scan setting screen 560 shown in FIG. 22 includes text 561a indicating the item name of the scan setting item "color mode", a combo box 561b for inputting a value to be specified for the scan setting item "color mode", text 562a indicating the item name of the scan setting item "resolution", a combo box 562b for inputting a value to be specified for the scan setting item "resolution", text 563a indicating the item name of the scan setting item "scan plane", a combo box 563b for inputting a value to be specified for the scan setting item "scan plane", and a combo box 563b for inputting a value to be specified for the scan setting item "scan plane". The scan settings screen 560 includes text 564a indicating the item name of "Document Size," a combo box 564b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Document Size," text 565a indicating the item name of the scan settings item "Document Orientation," a combo box 565b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Document Orientation," text 566a indicating the item name of the scan settings item "Preview," a combo box 566b for inputting a value specified for the scan settings item "Preview," and a scan execution button 567 for receiving an instruction to execute a scan. The device-side image processing unit 38a includes text and a combo box in the scan settings screen 560 for each scan setting item for which a value can be specified in the image processing device 30.

[0122] When the scan execution button 567 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a ends the display of the scan setting screen 560 on the display unit 32.

[0123] As shown in Figures 11 to 17, after the processing of S187 is completed, when scan execution button 567 is pressed, device-side image processing unit 38a reads an image from the document using scanner 34 using the scan settings specified on scan setting screen 560 at the time scan execution button 567 was pressed, i.e., executes scanning (S188).

[0124] After the process of S188 is completed, if previewing the image read from the document is specified on the scan setting screen 560 at the time the scan execution button 567 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a displays a preview screen for previewing the scan executed in S188 on the display unit 32 (S189). The preview screen includes an OK button for instructing continuation of the process and a Cancel button for canceling the process.

[0125] If previewing the image read from the document was not specified on the scan setting screen 560 at the time the scan execution button 567 was pressed, or if the OK button was pressed on the preview screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S189, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 sends to the image processing server 40 the workflow ID notified to the image processing server 40 in S184, the image read from the document in S188, and the flow information specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed (S190).

[0126] After the process of S164 is completed, when the code reading button 532 (see FIG. 19) is pressed, the device-side image processing unit 38a reads the image from the recording medium on which the coded image is displayed using the scanner 34 (S201).

[0127] After the process of S201 is completed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a acquires information indicated in the coded image included in the image read in S201 (S202).

[0128] After the process of S202 is completed, the device-side image processing unit 38a requests all items of flow information of the workflow identified by the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202 from the image processing server 40 (S203). The device-side image processing unit 38a includes the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202 in the request in S203.

[0129] When the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 receives the request in S203, it notifies the image processing device 30 of the item name, the value candidates if any, and the initial value if any for the value, for all items of the flow information of the workflow identified by the workflow ID included in the request in S203 (S204).

[0130] Upon receiving the notification in S204, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 displays a flow information setting screen 550 (see, for example, FIG. 23) on the display unit 32 if there is an item for which no value is specified in the information acquired in S202 among all the items notified in S204 (S205). For items for which a value is specified in the information acquired in S202, the device-side image processing unit 38a makes it impossible to change the value on the flow information setting screen 550 displayed in S205.

[0131] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the flow information setting screen 550 when values ​​for some items cannot be changed.

[0132] The configuration of the flow information setting screen 550 shown in Fig. 23 is the same as the configuration of the flow information setting screen 550 shown in Fig. 21, except that combo box 551b (see Fig. 21) for inputting a value specified for the flow information item "issuer" is changed to text 551c indicating the value specified for the flow information item "issuer". In other words, on the flow information setting screen 550 shown in Fig. 23, a value for the item "issuer" was specified in the information acquired in S202.

[0133] 11 to 17, if there is no item for which a value is not specified in the information acquired in S202 among all the items notified in S204, or if there is an item for which a value is not specified in the information acquired in S202 among all the scan setting items that can be specified in the image processing device 30 when the flow information setting button 554 is pressed on the flow information setting screen 550 displayed in S205, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays a scan setting screen 560 (see, for example, FIG. 24) on the display unit 32 (S206). For items for which a value is specified in the information acquired in S202, the device-side image processing unit 38a makes it impossible to change the value on the scan setting screen 560 displayed in S206.

[0134] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the scan setting screen 560 when values ​​for some items cannot be changed.

[0135] The configuration of scan setting screen 560 shown in Fig. 24 is the same as the configuration of scan setting screen 560 shown in Fig. 22, except that combo box 561b (see Fig. 22) for inputting a value specified for the scan setting item "color mode" is changed to text 561c indicating the value specified for the scan setting item "color mode." In other words, in scan setting screen 560 shown in Fig. 24, a value for the item "color mode" was specified in the information acquired in S202.

[0136] 11 to 17, if there is no item for which no value has been specified in the information acquired in S202 among all the scan setting items that can be specified in the image processing device 30, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays a scan setting screen 560 in which values ​​have been specified for all the scan setting items on the display unit 32 (S207). The device-side image processing unit 38a makes it impossible to change the values ​​on the scan setting screen displayed in S207.

[0137] After the processing of S206 or S207 is completed, when the scan execution button 567 is pressed, the device-side image processing unit 38a reads an image from the document using the scanner 34 with the scan settings specified on the scan setting screen 560 at the time the scan execution button 567 was pressed, i.e., executes the scan (S208).

[0138] After the process of S208 is completed, if the execution of a preview of the image read from the document is specified in the information acquired in S202 or on the scan setting screen 560 at the time when the scan execution button 567 is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a displays a preview screen for previewing the scan executed in S208 on the display unit 32 (S209). The preview screen includes an OK button for instructing continuation of the process and a Cancel button for canceling the process.

[0139] If executing a preview of the image read from the document was not specified on the scan setting screen 560 at the time the scan execution button 567 was pressed, or if the OK button was pressed on the preview screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S209 and the OCR execution setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the image processing server 40 not perform OCR, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a transmits the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202, the image read from the document in S208, and the flow information to the image processing server 40 (S221). The flow information transmitted to the image processing server 40 in S221 is the information acquired in S202 if it is included in the information acquired in S202, and is the information that was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed if it was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed. In addition, when the code-attached image transmission setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the code-attached image should be sent to the image processing server 40, the device-side image processing unit 38a sends the code-attached image read from the recording medium in S201 to the image processing server 40 in S221 as the cover of the image read from the original in S208.

[0140] If previewing an image read from a document was not specified on the scan setting screen at the time the scan execution button was pressed, or if the OK button was pressed on the preview screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S209 and the OCR execution setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the image processing server 40 should execute OCR, the device-side image processing unit 38a requests the image processing server 40 for the remaining number of pages that can be OCR executed by the image processing server 40 (S222). The device-side image processing unit 38a includes the user name included in the request in S161 in the request in S222.

[0141] When the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 receives the request in S222, it notifies the image processing device 30 of the remaining number of sheets obtained by subtracting the number of times for the current period from the upper limit value for the specific period associated with the user name included in the request in S222 in the user management information 44b (S223).

[0142] After receiving the notification in S223, if the number of sheets scanned in S208 does not exceed the remaining number of sheets notified in S223, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 transmits the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202, the image read from the document in S208, and the flow information to the image processing server 40 (S224). The flow information transmitted to the image processing server 40 in S224 is the information included in S202 if it is included in the information acquired in S202, and is the information specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed if it was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed. In addition, when the code-attached image transmission setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the code-attached image should be sent to the image processing server 40, the device-side image processing unit 38a sends the code-attached image read from the recording medium in S201 to the image processing server 40 in S224 as a cover of the image read from the original in S208.

[0143] After receiving the notification in S223, if the number of sheets scanned in S208 exceeds the remaining number of sheets notified in S223, and the upper limit exceeding processing associated with the user name included in the request in S161 in the upper limit exceeding processing information 37b is processing selection, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 displays a screen 570 (hereinafter referred to as the ``OCR execution impossible screen'') indicating that the image processing server 40 cannot perform OCR (see, for example, Figure 25) on the display unit 32 (S225).

[0144] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the OCR execution disabled screen 570.

[0145] The OCR execution not possible screen 570 shown in Figure 25 includes text 571 indicating that the image processing server 40 cannot perform OCR, an increase upper limit button 572 for accepting an instruction to increase the upper limit for a specific period and continue processing, an OCR cancel button 573 for accepting an instruction to change the settings so that the image processing server 40 does not perform OCR and continue processing, and a flow cancel button 574 for accepting an instruction to cancel the execution of the workflow.

[0146] When the increase upper limit button 572 is pressed on the OCR disable screen 570, the device image processor 38a increases the specific period upper limit by at least the difference between the number of sheets scanned in S208 and the remaining number of sheets notified in S223 (S226). The amount of increase in S226 may be specified by the user each time, within a range of at least the difference between the number of sheets scanned in S208 and the remaining number of sheets notified in S223. The increase in S226 may be performed for a fee.

[0147] When the process of S226 is completed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a transmits the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202, the image read from the document in S208, and the flow information to the image processing server 40 (S227). The flow information transmitted to the image processing server 40 in S227 is the information acquired in S202 if it is included in the information acquired in S202, and is the information specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed if it was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed. Note that when the code-added image transmission setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the code-added image should be transmitted to the image processing server 40, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a transmits the code-added image read from the recording medium in S201 to the image processing server 40 in S227 as a cover of the image read from the document in S208.

[0148] When the OCR stop button 573 is pressed on the OCR disable screen 570, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a transmits to the image processing server 40 the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202, the image read from the document in S208, the flow information, and an instruction to prohibit the image processing server 40 from executing OCR (hereinafter referred to as an "OCR disable instruction") (S228). The flow information transmitted to the image processing server 40 in S228 is the information included in the information acquired in S202 if it is included in the information acquired in S202, and is the information that was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed if it was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed. In addition, when the code-attached image transmission setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the code-attached image should be sent to the image processing server 40, the device-side image processing unit 38a sends the code-attached image read from the recording medium in S201 to the image processing server 40 in S228 as a cover of the image read from the original in S208.

[0149] Although not specifically shown in FIGS. 11 to 17, when the flow stop button 574 is pressed on the OCR unexecutable screen 570, the apparatus-side image processor 38a ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0150] After receiving the notification in S223, if the number of sheets scanned in S208 exceeds the remaining number of sheets notified in S223, and if the upper limit exceeding process associated with the user name included in the request in S161 in the upper limit exceeding process information 37b is to continue processing, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a transmits the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202, the image read from the document in S208, the flow information, and an OCR prohibition instruction to the image processing server 40 (S229). The flow information transmitted to the image processing server 40 in S229 is the information included in S202 if it is included in the information acquired in S202, and is the information that was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed if it was specified on the flow information setting screen 550 at the time the flow information setting button 554 was pressed. In addition, when the code-attached image transmission setting included in the information acquired in S202 specifies that the code-attached image should be sent to the image processing server 40, the device-side image processing unit 38a sends the code-attached image read from the recording medium in S201 to the image processing server 40 in S229 as the cover of the image read from the original in S208.

[0151] When the process of S229 is completed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a displays on the display unit 32 that the process content has been changed so that the image processing server 40 will not execute OCR (S230).

[0152] Although not specifically shown in Figures 11 to 17, after receiving the notification in S223, if the number of sheets scanned in S208 exceeds the remaining number of sheets notified in S223, and the upper limit exceeding processing associated with the user name included in the request in S161 in the upper limit exceeding processing information 37b is to cancel processing, the device-side image processing unit 38a displays on the display unit 32 that the processing will be canceled, and terminates the operation shown in Figures 11 to 17.

[0153] After the process of S141 is completed, when the code login button 524 (see FIG. 18) is pressed, the apparatus-side image processing unit 38a reads the image from the recording medium on which the coded image is displayed using the scanner 34 (S241).

[0154] After the process of S241 is completed, the device-side image processing unit 38a acquires the information indicated in the coded image included in the image read in S241 (S242).

[0155] After the process of S242 is completed, the device-side image processing unit 38a requests the image processing server 40 to log in the user (S243). The device-side image processing unit 38a includes the combination of the user name and password contained in the information acquired in S242 in the request in S243.

[0156] When the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 receives the request in S243, it authenticates the user based on the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S243 (S244). If the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S243 is included in the user management information 44b, the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S244 was successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user name and password included in the request in S243 is not included in the user management information 44b, the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S244 was unsuccessful.

[0157] 11 to 17, if the server-side image processing unit 45a determines that the authentication performed in S244 has failed, it notifies the image processing device 30 that the user's login is not permitted. Therefore, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0158] If the server-side image processor 45a of the image processing server 40 determines that the authentication executed in S244 is successful, it notifies the image processing device 30 that the user's login is permitted (S245).

[0159] When receiving the notification in S245, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 executes the processes of S246 to S252, which are similar to the processes of S203 to S209. Here, the device-side image processing unit 38a uses the information acquired in S242, not the information acquired in S202.

[0160] If previewing the image read from the document is not specified on the scan setting screen 560 at the time the scan execution button 567 is pressed, or if the OK button is pressed on the preview screen displayed on the display unit 32 in S252, the device-side image processing unit 38a executes processing similar to the processing shown in Fig. 15. Here, the device-side image processing unit 38a uses the information acquired in S242, not the information acquired in S202.

[0161] When the server-side image processing unit 45a of the image processing server 40 receives information such as the workflow ID, image, and flow information transmitted from the image processing device 30 through processing such as S190, S221, S224, S227, S228, or S229, it executes the workflow identified by the received workflow ID (S261). If the server-side image processing unit 45a receives an OCR prohibition instruction along with the workflow ID, it changes the process of executing OCR to a process of not executing OCR and executes the workflow. For example, if the image storage format in the workflow is either a highly compressed PDF that uses the OCR results or a searchable PDF that uses the OCR results, the server-side image processing unit 45a may change the image storage format in the workflow to a normal PDF that does not use the OCR results.

[0162] In addition, when performing OCR in the execution of the workflow in S261, the server-side image processing unit 45a may stop the execution of the workflow in S261 if the current period count associated with the user in the user management information 44b exceeds the specific period upper limit value associated with the user in the user management information 44b.

[0163] When the processing of S261 is completed, the server-side image processing unit 45a increases the number of times in the current period associated with the user in the user management information 44b by the number of times OCR was performed when OCR was performed in the execution of the workflow in S261 (S262).

[0164] If OCR was not performed in the execution of the workflow in S261, or when the processing of S262 is completed, the server-side image processing unit 45a saves the data in a repository specified in the workflow (S263). The server-side image processing unit 45a may save the flow information received together with the image from the image processing device 30 as metadata for the image.

[0165] When the process of S263 ends, the server-side image processing unit 45a notifies the image processing device 30 of the completion of the execution of the workflow (S264).

[0166] Upon receiving the notification in S264, the device-side image processing unit 38a of the image processing device 30 displays the code issuing screen 400 (see, for example, FIG. 7) on the display unit 32 (S265).

[0167] The device-side image processing unit 38a displays either the workflow ID notified to the image processing server 40 in S184 or the workflow ID included in the information acquired in S202 or S242 in the text 421 of the code issuance screen 400 in S265. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input the values ​​transmitted to the image processing server 40 by processing such as S190, S221, S224, S227, S228, or S229 into combo boxes for inputting values ​​specified for items of flow information at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S265. The device-side image processing unit 38a may input the values ​​used in the scan executed in S188 or S208 into combo boxes for inputting values ​​specified for items of scan settings at the start of displaying the code issuance screen 400 in S265.

[0168] Although not specifically shown in Figures 11 to 17, after the processing of S265 is completed, when the No code required button 472 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S265, the device-side image processing unit 38a terminates the operations shown in Figures 11 to 17.

[0169] When the code issuance button 471 is pressed on the code issuance screen 400 displayed in S265, the device-side image processing unit 38a causes the printer 33 to print a coded image including an image code indicating the information specified on the code issuance screen 400 at the time the code issuance button 471 was pressed (S266).

[0170] As described above, the image processing device 30 reads the image code including the flow information with the scanner 34 in S201 or S241, and then transmits the flow information obtained in S202 or S242 to the image processing server 40 (S221, S224, S227, S228, S229), thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the flow information, and as a result, simplifying the user's work.

[0171] The image processing device 30 reads the image code including the scan settings with the scanner 34 in S201 or S241, and then reads the document image from the document with the scanner 34 using the scan settings obtained in S202 or S242 (S208), thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the scan settings, and as a result, making the user's work easier.

[0172] The image processing device 30 reads the image code containing the login information with the scanner 34 in S241 and logs in to the image processing server 40 using the login information obtained in S242 (S243), thereby reducing the need for the user to manually input the login information, thereby simplifying the user's work.

[0173] When the image processing device 30 reads the image code including the coded image transmission setting by the scanner 34 in S201 or S241 and the coded image transmission setting obtained in S202 or S242 is set to transmit the coded image to the image processing server 40 (S221, S224, S227, S228, S229), it can improve convenience.

[0174] When the image processing device 30 reads the image code including the OCR execution setting by the scanner 34 in S201 or S241 and the OCR execution setting obtained in S202 or S242 is set to have the image processing server 40 execute OCR, if the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed obtained from the image processing server 40 in S223, the image processing device 30 notifies the image processing server 40 that OCR cannot be executed (S225), thereby improving convenience.

[0175] When the image processing device 30 is configured to have the image processing server 40 perform OCR in the OCR execution settings acquired in S202 or S242 by reading the image code including the OCR execution settings with the scanner 34 in S201 or S241, and the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be performed acquired from the image processing server 40 in S223, the image processing device 30 transmits the original images to the image processing server 40 together with an instruction to prohibit the image processing server 40 from performing OCR (S228, S229), thereby improving convenience.

[0176] When the image processing device 30 is set to have the image processing server 40 execute OCR in the OCR execution settings acquired in S202 or S242 by reading the image code including the OCR execution settings with the scanner 34 in S201 or S241, and the number of original images exceeds the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed acquired from the image processing server 40 in S223, the image processing device 30 increases the remaining number of pages for which OCR can be executed to be equal to or greater than the number of original images in accordance with instructions from the user (S226), thereby enabling the image processing server 40 to execute OCR, thereby improving convenience. [Explanation of symbols]

[0177] 20 Image Processing System 30 Image processing device 34 Scanner 37a Device-side image processing program (image processing program) 40 Image Processing Server (Server) 500 Images with Code 501 Image Code

Claims

1. An image processing device including a scanner, the image processing device transmitting an original image read from an original by the scanner to a server, An image processing device characterized by acquiring the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information as information that becomes metadata for the original image using the scanner, and transmitting the acquired metadata information to the server.

2. the image code includes a scan setting as a setting for reading the document image from the document by the scanner; The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing device acquires the scan settings by reading the image code with the scanner, and reads the document image from the document with the scanner using the acquired scan settings.

3. the image code includes login information as information for logging in to the server, The image processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing device acquires the login information by reading the image code with the scanner, and logs in to the server using the acquired login information.

4. the image code includes a code-attached image transmission setting as a setting as to whether to transmit a code-attached image as an image including the image code to the server; The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing device acquires the coded image sending setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and if the acquired coded image sending setting is set to send the coded image to the server, sends the coded image to the server.

5. the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting as to whether or not the server is to execute OCR on the document image; The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing device acquires the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and when the acquired OCR execution setting is set to have the server execute the OCR, the image processing device acquires from the server the remaining number of pages for which the OCR can be executed, and when the number of pages of the original image exceeds the remaining number, notifies the server that the OCR cannot be executed.

6. the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting as to whether or not the server is to execute OCR on the document image; The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing device acquires the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and when the acquired OCR execution setting is set to have the server execute the OCR, the image processing device acquires the remaining number of pages for which the OCR can be executed from the server, and when the number of pages of the original image exceeds the remaining number, the image processing device transmits the original image to the server together with an instruction to prohibit the server from executing the OCR.

7. the image code includes an OCR execution setting as a setting as to whether or not the server is to execute OCR on the document image; The image processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing device acquires the OCR execution setting by reading the image code with the scanner, and when the acquired OCR execution setting is set to have the OCR executed by the server, acquires from the server the remaining number of pages for which the OCR can be executed, and when the number of original images exceeds the remaining number, notifies the user that the remaining number should be set to be greater than or equal to the number of original images in accordance with instructions from the user.

8. An image processing program executed by an image processing device equipped with a scanner, an operation of transmitting an original image, which is an image read from an original by the scanner, to a server; An image processing program characterized by causing the image processing device to execute an operation of acquiring the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information as information that becomes metadata of the original image using the scanner, and transmitting the acquired metadata information to the server.

9. an image processing device including a scanner; Server and Equipped with the image processing device transmits an original image, which is an image read from an original by the scanner, to the server; The image processing system is characterized in that the image processing device acquires the metadata information by reading an image code containing metadata information, which is information that becomes metadata for the original image, using the scanner, and transmits the acquired metadata information to the server.

Images