Communication control apparatus, image processing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To enable selection of a network of a communication destination without receiving network information from an external device, as compared with a case where an external device is provided with a means for transmitting network information for specifying a network connecting the own device and the external device.SOLUTION: A communication control device comprising a processor, wherein, in an environment including a plurality of networks, when the communication control device recognizes an external device via one network, the processor specifies the one network among the plurality of networks as a network to be used for communication between the communication control device and the external device, and enables data communication with the external device based on information of a user who performs data communication with the external device and the specified one network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, an image processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Multiple networks may be connected to a multifunction device. For multifunction devices connected to multiple networks, preventing data from passing between the multiple networks is sometimes listed as a security requirement. In this case, data communication must be performed between specific networks, and the multifunction device is required to identify the network to which the external device with which it is communicating is connected. Patent document 1 discloses an image reading device that reads an image in accordance with a reading instruction issued from an information processing device and transmits the read image data to the information processing device, and is characterized by having: a receiving means that receives specific information from the information processing device for identifying the reading settings set in the information processing device; a registration means that registers the specific information received by the receiving means and identification information that identifies the information processing device that transmitted the specific information in association with a specific key; a transmitting means that, in response to operation of the specific key, transmits a request to issue a reading instruction to the information processing device indicated by the identification information in accordance with the specific information registered in association with the specific key; and an image transmitting means that reads an image in accordance with a reading instruction transmitted from the information processing device in response to the request to issue the reading instruction transmitted by the transmitting means, and transmits image data obtained from the image to the information processing device. In Patent Document 1, when a multifunction device, which is an example of an image reading device, performs data communication, it receives interface information from the host PC that identifies the interface connecting the multifunction device to a host PC (information processing device), and performs data communication via that interface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-34298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to perform data communication between the image processing device and an external device, the image processing device must acquire network information that identifies the network connecting the image processing device and the external device. One method for acquiring network information is for the image processing device to receive network information from the external device. In this case, a means for transmitting the network information to the external device must be provided.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to enable the selection of a communication destination network without receiving network information from an external device, compared to the case where a means is provided to send network information to the external device that identifies the network connecting the device and the external device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a communication control device comprising a processor, which, in an environment having multiple networks, when the device itself recognizes an external device via one of the networks, identifies one of the multiple networks as the network to be used for communication between the device itself and the external device, and enables data communication to the external device based on information about a user communicating with the external device and the identified one network. The invention described in claim 2 is a communication control device described in claim 1, characterized in that the processor associates information regarding the recognized external device with the identified one network and stores it in a storage device. The invention described in claim 3 is a communication control device described in claim 2, characterized in that the processor determines whether or not the data communication is possible based on information about a network associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device and the identified network. The invention described in claim 4 is a communication control device described in claim 3, characterized in that the processor determines that the data communication is possible when the identified network is included in the networks associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device. The invention described in claim 5 is a communication control device described in claim 1, characterized in that the processor outputs information identifying the external device and the content of processing in the external device, for the external device connected to a network associated with the user that performs data communication with the external device. The invention described in claim 6 is a communication control device described in claim 5, characterized in that the processor outputs information identifying the external device and the content of processing in the external device associated with the user who has logged in to the device. The invention described in claim 7 is an image processing device including the communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and an image reading device. The invention described in claim 8 is a program for causing a computer controlling an image processing device to realize the following functions: in an environment having multiple networks, when the device recognizes an external device via one of the multiple networks, identify one of the multiple networks as the network to be used for communication between the device and the external device; and enable data communication with the external device based on information about a user who will communicate data with the external device and the identified one network. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, compared to a case where a means is provided to transmit network information to an external device that identifies the network connecting the device and the external device, it is possible to select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from the external device. According to the invention of claim 2, it is possible to reduce the number of processing steps related to data communication compared to when network information is acquired when performing data communication. According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to identify external devices that can perform data communication with the device itself. According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to determine an external device that can perform data communication with the device itself, based on a network associated with a user who performs data communication with the external device. According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to display only external devices connected to a network associated with a user who performs data communication with the external device. According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to display only the external devices associated with the user who performs data communication with the external devices. According to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to provide an image processing device that can select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from an external device, compared to when a means is provided to send network information to the external device that identifies the network connecting the image processing device and the external device. According to the invention of claim 8, in a computer having the program of the present invention installed, it is possible to select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from an external device, compared to a case where a means is provided for transmitting network information to an external device that identifies a network connecting the computer and the external device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication control system including a communication control device to which the present embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal device information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of communication control by the image processing apparatus. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a determination process. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display list. [Figure 10] 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed to user 1, and FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed to user 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in a storage unit in a modified example. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow up to creation of a display list in a modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display list in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Communication control system configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication control system 1 including a communication control device to which this embodiment is applied. Consider a system in which a terminal device, such as a personal computer (PC), detects an image processing device on a network and communicates with the detected image processing device. In such a system, for example, image data obtained by the scan function of the image processing device can be transmitted to the destination terminal device. An example of a system with this function is a WSD (Web Services on Devices) scan system. In a WSD scan system, the destination terminal device can instruct the image processing device to execute a scan and transmit data to the destination terminal device. The image processing device can also instruct the destination terminal device to execute a scan and transmit data to the destination terminal device. This embodiment is applicable, for example, to a WSD scan system in which the image processing device instructs the destination terminal device to execute a scan and transmit data to the destination terminal device.

[0010] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, a communication control system 1 includes an image processing device 2 including a communication control device, and terminal devices 3A and 3B as examples of external devices. The image processing device 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple communication interfaces (I / FA, I / FB) and is connected to multiple networks. In FIG. 1, the image processing device 2 is connected to two networks (network A100 and network B200). In FIG. 1, two terminal devices 3A are connected to network A100, and two terminal devices 3B are connected to network B200. Note that the number of terminal devices 3A and 3B is not limited to this. When there is no need to distinguish between the terminal devices 3A and 3B, they will be referred to as terminal devices 3.

[0011] <Configuration of image processing device> FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 has, for example, a print function, a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, etc. The image processing device 2 includes an image forming unit 110, an image reading unit 120, a display device 130, and an operation device 140. The image processing device 2 also includes a first communication interface 150 and a second communication interface 160. The image processing device 2 also includes a storage device 170 and a control device 180.

[0012] The image forming unit 110 forms an image based on image data on paper, which is an example of a recording material, using an image forming material. Methods for forming an image on a recording material include, for example, an electrophotographic method in which toner attached to a photosensitive member is transferred to the recording material to form an image. Alternatively, an inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto the recording material to form an image may be used.

[0013] The image reading unit 120 is configured by a so-called scanner device, and optically reads an image on a set document and generates data of the read image. For example, a CCD method is used to read the image, in which light irradiated from a light source onto the document is reduced by a lens and reflected by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). Alternatively, a CIS method may be used, in which light reflected from an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source onto the document is received by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

[0014] The display device 130 displays information images that present various types of information to the user. The display device 130 also displays preview images of images to be processed, such as read or output, and operation images for the user to operate. The display device 130 is configured, for example, with a liquid crystal display. The display device 130 may be combined with the operation device 140 to be used as a user interface means for the user to input and output information to and from the image processing device 2.

[0015] The operation device 140 is a device for a user to perform operations such as inputting commands and data. The operation device 140 is configured, for example, by hardware keys or a touch sensor that outputs a control signal according to the position pressed or touched by a finger or the like. The operation device 140 may be configured as a touch panel that combines a touch sensor with a liquid crystal display that constitutes the display device 130.

[0016] The first communication interface 150 is an interface for transmitting and receiving commands and data to and from external devices. The first communication interface 150 is a communication interface used to connect to the network A100. In this embodiment, the image processing device 2 also includes a second communication interface 160. The second communication interface 160 is a communication interface used to connect to the network B200. Note that the image processing device 2 in this embodiment includes two communication interfaces 150, 160, but is not limited to this.

[0017] The storage device 170 stores programs and data executed by the control device 180. The storage device 170 also stores various data, such as data of images read by the image reading unit 120, log data generated by various operations, and other data. The storage device 170 is realized by a storage device such as a magnetic disk device or an SSD (Solid State Drive), for example.

[0018] The control device 180, which is an example of a communication control device, includes a processor serving as a calculation means and a memory serving as a storage means. The processor controls the image processing device 2 by loading a program stored in the storage device 170 into the memory and executing it. As the processor, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc. are used. As the memory, for example, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) etc. are used.

[0019] <Functional configuration of image processing device> FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the image processing device 2. The image processing device 2 includes a terminal device information acquisition unit 21, a user information identification unit 22, a control unit 23, a display control unit 24, and a storage unit 25.

[0020] The functions of the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 are realized by a CPU, which is an example of a processor, loading a program into memory and executing it. The terminal device information acquisition unit 21 acquires information (hereinafter also referred to as "terminal device information") about the terminal device 3 connected to the image processing device 2 via a network. More specifically, when a user operates the terminal device 3 to detect the image processing device 2 connected to the network, data exchange occurs between the terminal device 3 and the image processing device 2. As a result, the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 in the image processing device 2 recognizes the terminal device 3 that has detected the image processing device 2 as the terminal device 3 of the communication destination. Then, the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 specifies the network connecting the image processing device 2 and the terminal device 3 as the network to be used for communication between the image processing device 2 and the terminal device 3. At this time, the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 acquires information about the terminal device 3 recognized as the communication destination. The information about the terminal device 3 is, for example, information to identify the terminal device 3, such as address information of the terminal device 3. The terminal device information acquired by the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 is stored in the storage unit 25 together with information about the specified network.

[0021] The functions of the user information identification unit 22 are realized by a CPU, which is an example of a processor, loading a program into memory and executing it. The user information identification unit 22 authenticates a user who uses the image processing device 2 and identifies information about the user (hereinafter also referred to as "user information"). The user information identification unit 22 accepts, for example, a user ID and password for identifying the user, and performs login authentication. If the login authentication is successful, the user information identification unit 22 refers to the storage unit 25 and identifies information about the user that is stored in association with the user ID and password. The information about the user will be described later.

[0022] The functions of the control unit 23 are realized by a CPU, which is an example of a processor, loading a program into memory and executing it. The control unit 23 controls various operations of the image processing device 2. Furthermore, the control unit 23 in this embodiment determines whether data communication with the terminal device 3 is possible based on information about a user who will perform data communication with the terminal device 3 and information about the network used for communication between the control unit 23 itself and the terminal device 3. Details of determining whether data communication is possible will be described later.

[0023] The functions of the display control unit 24 are realized by a CPU, which is an example of a processor, reading a program into a memory and executing it. The display control unit 24 controls the display of operation images and the like for the user to perform operations.

[0024] The function of the storage unit 25 is realized by a storage device 170 (see FIG. 2). The storage unit 25 stores programs and data executed by the control unit 23. The storage unit 25 also stores various types of information such as image data read by the image reading unit 120 (see FIG. 2). The storage unit 25 also stores terminal device information and user information.

[0025] <Information about the terminal device> FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the terminal device information. As described above, the storage unit 25 stores terminal device information. Fig. 4 shows a network information column 301 for the terminal device 3 and an address information column 302 for the terminal device 3. Also shown are a display name column 303 to be displayed to the user and an internal identification code column 304.

[0026] The network information field 301 stores information about the network identified by the terminal device information acquisition unit 21 and used for communication between the image processing device 2 and the terminal device 3. The address information field 302 stores address information of the terminal device 3. The display name field 303 stores a display name that identifies the terminal device 3 to a user who uses the image processing device 2. The internal identification code field 304 stores information arbitrarily determined by the operating system of the terminal device 3. The storage unit 25 manages the above information for each terminal device 3 connected to the image processing device 2.

[0027] FIG. 4 shows, as an example, information about one terminal device 3. For example, the network information field 301 shows "Network A100." This indicates that the network used for communication between the device itself and the one terminal device 3 is network A100. Furthermore, the address information field 302 shows "http: / / 192.168.1.10." This is address information of the one terminal device 3 and indicates a destination on the network. Furthermore, the display name field 303 shows "xxx001." This indicates a display name for identifying the one terminal device 3.

[0028] <User information> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. The storage unit 25 stores information about users who use the image processing device 2. The information about users can be set in advance by an administrator of the communication control system 1, etc. FIG. 5 shows a user name column 311, a user ID column 312, a password column 313, and a network information column 314 associated with the user. The user ID is an ID for identifying the user. The password is a personal identification number set for each user for user authentication. The network information associated with the user indicates the networks that the user is authorized to use. The storage unit 25 manages the above information for each user who uses the image processing device 2.

[0029] 5 shows, as an example, information about user 1 and information about user 2. As information about user 1, "user 1" is shown in the user name column 311. Furthermore, "user1" is shown in the user ID column 312. Furthermore, "user001" is shown in the password column 313. Furthermore, "network A100, network B200" is shown in the network information column 314. In other words, when user 1 uses the image processing device 2, the networks that user 1 can use are stored as "network A100 and network B200."

[0030] 5, as information about user 2, "user 2" is shown in the user name column 311. Furthermore, "user2" is shown in the user ID column 312. Furthermore, "user002" is shown in the password column 313. Furthermore, "network A100" is shown in the network information column 314. In other words, when user 2 uses the image processing device 2, the network that user 2 can use is stored as "network A100."

[0031] Next, the terminal device 3 will be described. The terminal device 3 is an information processing device that performs data communication with the image processing device 2 and transmits and receives data. For example, the terminal device 3 receives image data obtained by scanning with the image processing device 2. The terminal device 3 can then perform various processes, such as storage, on the received image data. For example, a personal computer or the like is used as the terminal device 3. Alternatively, a tablet, a smartphone, or the like may be used.

[0032] <Configuration of terminal device> FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device 3. As shown in FIG. The terminal device 3 is realized by, for example, a computer as shown in Fig. 6. The computer shown in Fig. 6 includes a processor 410, a main storage device 420, and an auxiliary storage device 430. The computer shown in Fig. 6 also includes a display device 440, an operation device 450, and a communication interface 460.

[0033] The processor 410 loads a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 430 into the main storage device 420 and executes it to realize various functions of the terminal device 3. The processor 410 may be, for example, a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, a DSP, or the like. The main storage device 420 may be, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The auxiliary storage device 430 may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an SSD, or the like.

[0034] The display device 440 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display, and displays various information to the user. The operation device 450 is configured, for example, by a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and accepts input operations by the user. The communication interface 460 is an interface for sending and receiving commands and data to and from external devices. In this embodiment, the communication interface 460 is connected to one of multiple networks connected to the image processing device 2.

[0035] <Flow of communication control performed by image processing device> FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication control by the image processing device 2. An example will be described in which a user transmits image data obtained by the scan function of the image processing device 2 to the terminal device 3.

[0036] The user information identification unit 22 of the image processing device 2 accepts a login operation from a user who uses the image processing device 2 (S101). Here, the user information identification unit 22 accepts input of, for example, a user ID and a password. Next, the user information identification unit 22 reads out the user information (see FIG. 5) stored in the storage unit 25, and acquires network information associated with the user who performed the login operation (hereinafter also referred to as the "login user") (S102).

[0037] When the control unit 23 receives a scan request from the user, the control unit 23 performs a determination process using the network information associated with the logged-in user acquired in S102, and identifies the terminal device 3 that is capable of data communication (S103). This determination process will be described later.

[0038] The display control unit 24 then displays the terminal device 3 identified in S103 on the operation screen of the own device (S104). Next, when the terminal device 3 is selected by the user's operation, the control unit 23 executes the scan function and acquires image data (S105). Then, the image processing device 2 transmits the image data to the destination indicated in the address information of the terminal device 3 for the terminal device 3 selected by the user (S106).

[0039] It is assumed that the image processing device 2 can instruct the terminal device 3 to perform processing on the transmitted image data. Examples of the processing performed by the terminal device 3 include saving the image data and processing such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition). In S104, the display control unit 24 displays each pair of the terminal device 3 and the processing performed by the terminal device 3 as an individual item. In S105, a selection is made based on the item displayed in S104 (i.e., the pair of the terminal device 3 and the processing). The image processing device 2 acquires and stores information on processing that can be performed by the terminal device 3 in advance through information communication with the terminal device 3. Then, when the terminal device 3 is identified in S103, the image processing device 2 identifies the items to be displayed in S104 based on the information on the processing that can be performed by the identified terminal device 3.

[0040] <Determination process flow> The determination process by the image processing device 2 is performed to identify the terminal device 3 that is capable of data communication with the image processing device 2. In this determination process, the image processing device 2 identifies the terminal device 3 that is capable of data communication using network information associated with the logged-in user.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the determination process. The control unit 23 reads out information about all terminal devices 3 stored in the control unit 23 from the storage unit 25 (see FIG. 4) (S201). Next, the control unit 23 focuses on network information associated with one of the read terminal devices 3. Then, it determines whether the network information associated with the one terminal device 3 is included in the network information associated with the logged-in user acquired in S102 of FIG. 7 (S202).

[0042] If the network information associated with one terminal device 3 is included in the network information associated with the logged-in user (YES in S202), the control unit 23 determines that data communication is possible for that terminal device 3. Then, the control unit 23 adds that terminal device 3 to the display list (S203). On the other hand, if the network information associated with one terminal device 3 is not included in the network information associated with the logged-in user (NO in S202), the control unit 23 determines that data communication is not possible for that terminal device 3. Then, the control unit 23 does not add that terminal device 3 to the display list, and proceeds to S204.

[0043] The control unit 23 checks whether the operation of S202 has been performed for all of the read terminal devices 3 (S204). If the operation of S202 has not been completed for all of the read terminal devices 3 (NO in S204), the control unit 23 returns to S202 and focuses on one of the unprocessed terminal devices 3. When the control unit 23 checks that the operation of S202 has been performed for all of the read terminal devices 3 (YES in S204), it completes creation of the display list (S205).

[0044] <Display List> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display list. The display control unit 24 uses the display list created by the control unit 23 to display the terminal devices 3 that are enabled for data communication on the operation screen of the terminal device itself. The operation screen shown in FIG. 9 is the screen displayed in S104 of FIG. 7. This operation screen displays the display name that identifies the terminal device 3 that is enabled for data communication and the content of the processing in the terminal device 3. For example, field 351 displays "Scan to xxx001". Field 352 displays "Scan to xxx001 for printing". Field 353 displays "Scan to xxx001 for email". Field 354 displays "Scan to xxx001 for FAX". Field 355 displays "Scan to xxx001 for OCR". Field 356 displays "Scan to xxx002".

[0045] In FIG. 9, as an example, a terminal device 3 identified by "xxx001" and a terminal device 3 identified by "xxx002" that have been determined to be capable of data communication are displayed. In reality, all terminal devices 3 that are capable of data communication can be displayed on the operation screen. This operation screen can be scrolled by user operation. On this operation screen, the user selects the destination terminal device 3 and the content of the processing to be performed on the terminal device 3. Once the destination terminal device 3 and the content of the processing to be performed on the terminal device 3 have been selected, the image data is sent to that terminal device 3, and then, for example, the image data is saved or processed, such as by OCR, etc.

[0046] Next, the flow of communication control by the image processing device 2 will be described using a specific example. First, a specific configuration of the system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, a terminal device 3A is connected to an image processing device 2 via a network A100. Here, when the terminal device 3A is connected to the network A100, if a user operating the terminal device 3A detects the image processing device 2 connected to the network, data exchange occurs between the terminal device 3A and the image processing device 2. Through this data exchange, the image processing device 2 recognizes the detected terminal device 3A as the terminal device 3A of the communication destination. Then, the image processing device 2 specifies the network A100 as the network to be used for communication between the image processing device 2 and the terminal device 3A. Then, when the image processing device 2 recognizes the terminal device 3A as the terminal device 3A of the communication destination, it acquires information about the terminal device 3A. The information about the terminal device 3A includes at least the address information of the terminal device 3A. Then, the image processing device 2 associates the network information "network A100" of the identified terminal device 3A with the address information of the terminal device 3A and stores them in the storage unit 25.

[0047] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1 , terminal device 3B is connected to image processing device 2 via network B200. Here, when terminal device 3B is connected to network B200, if a user operating terminal device 3B detects image processing device 2 connected to the network, data exchange occurs between terminal device 3B and image processing device 2. Through this data exchange, image processing device 2 recognizes terminal device 3B that detected itself as terminal device 3B of the communication destination. Then, image processing device 2 specifies network B200 as the network to be used for communication between itself and terminal device 3B. Then, when image processing device 2 recognizes terminal device 3B as terminal device 3B of the communication destination, it acquires information about terminal device 3B. The information about terminal device 3B includes at least address information of terminal device 3B. Then, image processing device 2 associates the network information "network B200" of the identified terminal device 3B with the address information of terminal device 3B and stores them in storage unit 25.

[0048] The flow of communication control by the image processing device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, taking operations by user 1 and user 2 as examples.

[0049] <Operation by User 1> First, an example of the operation of the image processing device 2 by the user 1 will be described. It is assumed that the network information associated with user 1 is predetermined as "network A100 and network B200" (see FIG. 5).

[0050] When the image processing device 2 receives a login operation from user 1 (S101), it acquires network information associated with user 1 (S102). In this example, the image processing device 2 acquires "network A100 and network B200" as the network information associated with user 1. Next, when the image processing device 2 receives a scan request from user 1, it performs a determination process using the network information associated with user 1 acquired in S102 to identify terminal devices 3 with which data communication is possible (S103). This determination process is performed by comparing the network information associated with terminal device 3 with the network information associated with user 1. The network information "network A100" associated with terminal device 3A is included in the network information "network A100 and network B200" associated with user 1. Furthermore, the network information "network B200" associated with terminal device 3B is included in the network information "network A100 and network B200" associated with user 1. Therefore, the image processing device 2 determines that data communication is possible with each of terminal devices 3A and 3B. Then, the image processing device 2 displays the terminal devices 3A and 3B identified as the terminal devices 3 with which data communication is possible on the operation screen of the image processing device 2 (S104).

[0051] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed to the user 1. As shown in FIG. In the above example, the image processing device 2 identifies terminal device 3A and terminal device 3B as terminal devices 3 with which data communication is possible, based on the network information associated with user 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the operation screen of user 1 displays terminal device 3A and terminal device 3B as terminal devices 3 that user 1 can select. When user 1 selects terminal device 3A or terminal device 3B as the destination, the image processing device 2 executes the scan function and acquires image data (S105). Then, the image processing device 2 transmits the image data to the destination indicated in the address information of the selected terminal device 3A or terminal device 3B (S106).

[0052] <Operation by User 2> Next, an example of the operation of the image processing device 2 by the user 2 will be described. It is assumed that the network information associated with user 2 is predetermined as "network A100" (see FIG. 5).

[0053] When the image processing device 2 receives a login operation from user 2 (S101), it acquires network information associated with user 2 (S102). In this example, the image processing device 2 acquires "Network A100" as the network information associated with user 2. Next, when the image processing device 2 receives a scan request from user 2, it performs a determination process using the network information associated with user 2 acquired in S102 to identify a terminal device 3 with which data communication is possible (S103). This determination process is performed by comparing the network information associated with terminal device 3 with the network information associated with user 2. The network information "Network A100" associated with terminal device 3A is included in the network information "Network A100" associated with user 2. Therefore, the image processing device 2 determines that data communication with terminal device 3A is possible. On the other hand, the network information "Network B200" associated with terminal device 3B is not included in the network information "Network A100" associated with user 2. Therefore, the image processing device 2 determines that data communication with terminal device 3B is impossible. Then, the image processing device 2 displays the terminal device 3A, which has been identified as the terminal device 3 with which data communication is possible, on the operation screen of the image processing device 2 (S104).

[0054] FIG. 10(b) is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed to the user 2. As shown in FIG. In the above example, the image processing device 2 identifies the terminal device 3A as a terminal device 3 with which data communication is possible, based on the network information associated with the user 2. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the operation screen of the user 2 displays only the terminal device 3A as a terminal device 3 that the user 2 can select. When the user 2 selects the terminal device 3A as a destination, the image processing device 2 executes a scan function and acquires image data (S105). Then, the image processing device 2 transmits the image data to the destination indicated in the address information of the selected terminal device 3A (S106).

[0055] <Display List Variations> Next, a modified example of the display list will be described. In the above display list, all terminal devices 3 included in the network information associated with the logged-in user are displayed on the operation screen. In this modified example, only the terminal devices 3 associated with the logged-in user are displayed on the operation screen. This allows the user to select a terminal device 3 more easily than when all terminal devices 3 included in the network information associated with the logged-in user are displayed. To realize this modified example, the storage unit 25 stores user information and terminal device information available to the user in association with each other.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the storage unit 25 in the modified example. 11 shows a user name column 501, a user ID column 502, a password column 503, a network information column 504 associated with the user, and an identification information column 505 of the terminal device 3. The user ID, password, and network associated with the user have been explained using FIG. 5, so explanation will be omitted. The identification information of the terminal device 3 is information for identifying the terminal device 3. The identification information of the terminal device 3 is further stored in association with terminal device information (see FIG. 4). Note that the information for identifying the terminal device 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can identify the terminal device 3. For example, the address information of the terminal device 3 or the display name of the terminal device 3 can be used as the identification information of the terminal device 3.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows, as an example, information about user 1 and information about user 2. As information about user 1, "user 1" is shown in the user name column 501. Furthermore, "user1" is shown in the user ID column 502. Furthermore, "user001" is shown in the password column 503. Furthermore, "network A100, network B200" is shown in the network information column 504 associated with the user. Furthermore, "xxx001" is shown in the identification information column 505 of the terminal device 3. In other words, it is stored that the networks associated with user 1 are "network A100 and network B200." Furthermore, it is stored that the terminal device 3 available to user 1 is the terminal device 3 identified by "xxx001."

[0058] 11, as information relating to user 2, "user 2" is shown in the user name column 501. "user2" is shown in the user ID column 502. "user002" is shown in the password column 503. "Network A100" is shown in the network information column 504 associated with the user. "xxx002" is shown in the identification information column 505 of the terminal device 3. In other words, the network associated with user 2 is stored as "network A100." The terminal device 3 available to user 2 is stored as the terminal device 3 identified by "xxx002."

[0059] Next, the flow up to displaying the display list in the modified example will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow up to the creation of a display list in the modified example. The image processing device 2 accepts a login operation from a user who uses the image processing device 2 (S301). Upon accepting the login operation, the image processing device 2 reads information associated with the login user (see FIG. 11 ) from the storage unit 25 (S302). Here, the image processing device 2 acquires terminal device information of the terminal device 3 associated with the login user and network information associated with the login user. Next, upon accepting a scan request from the user, the image processing device 2 reads all terminal device information stored in the image processing device 2 from the storage unit 25 (S303). The image processing device 2 then focuses on one of the read terminal devices 3 and checks whether the terminal device 3 is associated with the login user (S304). If the terminal device 3 is not associated with the login user (NO in S304), the process proceeds to S307. If the terminal device 3 is associated with the login user (YES in S304), the process focuses on the network information associated with the terminal device 3. Then, the image processing device 2 performs a determination process to confirm whether the network information is included in the network information associated with the login user (S305). If the network information associated with the terminal device 3 is included in the network information associated with the login user (YES in S305), the image processing device 2 determines that data communication with the terminal device 3 is possible. Then, the image processing device 2 adds the terminal device 3 to the display list (S306). On the other hand, if the network information associated with the terminal device 3 is not included in the network information associated with the login user (NO in S305), the image processing device 2 determines that data communication with the terminal device 3 is not possible. Then, the image processing device 2 does not add the terminal device 3 to the display list, and proceeds to S307. Next, the image processing device 2 determines whether the operations from S304 to S306 have been performed for all the read terminal devices 3 (S307). If the operations from S304 to S306 have not been completed for all the read terminal devices 3 (NO in S307), the image processing device 2 returns to S304 and focuses on one terminal device 3 among the unprocessed terminal devices 3.When the image processing device 2 confirms that the operations from S304 to S306 have been performed for all the terminal devices 3 that have been read out (YES in S307), it completes the creation of the display list (S308).

[0060] In the above description, after identifying the terminal device 3 associated with the login user, it is checked whether the network information associated with the terminal device 3 is included in the network information associated with the login user, but the order is not limited to this. It is also possible to configure the terminal device 3 associated with the login user to be identified after identifying the network information associated with the login user.

[0061] With reference to FIGS. 4, 11, and 12, the flow up to creating a display list in the modified example will be described using the operation of user 1 as an example. 11, the terminal device 3 associated with the user 1 is "xxx001." In this example, the information relating to the terminal device 3 identified by "xxx001" will be described as being the terminal device 3 shown in FIG.

[0062] The image processing device 2 accepts a login operation from the user 1 (S301). Next, the image processing device 2 reads out information associated with the user 1 (see FIG. 11) from the information stored in the storage unit 25 (S302). Here, "network A100" is acquired as the terminal device information of the terminal device 3 "xxx001" associated with the user 1 (see FIG. 4). Furthermore, "network A100 and network B200" is acquired as the network information associated with the user 1. Next, when the image processing device 2 accepts a scan request from the user 1, it reads out all of the terminal device information stored in itself from the storage unit 25 (S303). Then, the image processing device 2 focuses on one terminal device 3 from the read terminal devices 3 and checks whether the focused terminal device 3 is "xxx001" associated with the user 1 (S304). If the terminal device 3 of interest is "xxx001" (YES in S304), the image processing device 2 focuses on the network information associated with "xxx001" and performs a determination process to confirm whether it is included in the network information associated with user 1 (S305). Since "network A100" associated with "xxx001" is included in "network A100 and network B200" associated with user 1 (YES in S305), the image processing device 2 determines that data communication with "xxx001" is possible. Then, it adds "xxx001" to the display list (S306). Next, the image processing device 2 checks whether the operations from S304 to S306 have been performed for all the read terminal devices 3 (S307). In this example, "xxx001" is the only terminal device 3 associated with user 1. The image processing device 2 confirms that the operations from S304 to S306 have been performed for all the read terminal devices 3 (YES in S307) and completes creation of the display list (S308).

[0063] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display list in the modified example. In FIG. 13, only "xxx001", which is the terminal device 3 associated with user 1, is displayed. More specifically, field 551 displays "Scan to xxx001". Field 552 displays "Scan to xxx001 for printing". Field 553 displays "Scan to xxx001 for email". Field 554 displays "Scan to xxx001 for FAX". Field 555 displays "Scan to xxx001 for OCR".

[0064] In this example, the terminal device 3 associated with the user 1 is the terminal device 3 identified by "xxx001," so the determination process is performed only on "xxx001." If there are multiple terminal devices 3 associated with the user 1, it may be determined that multiple terminal devices 3 are capable of data communication based on the determination process. In this case, the operation screen may display multiple terminal devices 3 as terminal devices 3 that the user can select.

[0065] <Program Description> The processes performed by the image processing device 2 in this embodiment described above are prepared as a program such as software, etc. The program for realizing this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0066] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications and alternative configurations that do not depart from the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention are included in the present invention. The present invention can also be applied to programs and program products.

[0067] <Additional Notes> (((1))) A communication control device comprising a processor, wherein in an environment having a plurality of networks, when the device itself recognizes an external device via one of the networks, the processor identifies the one of the multiple networks as the network to be used for communication between the device itself and the external device, and enables data communication with the external device based on information about a user who will communicate data with the external device and the identified one network. (((2))) The communication control device according to (((1))), wherein the processor associates information relating to the recognized external device with the identified one network and stores the information in a storage device. (((3))) The communication control device described in (((1))) or (((2))) is characterized in that the processor determines whether or not the data communication is possible based on information about a network associated with the user that performs data communication with the external device and the identified network. (((4))) The communication control device described in any of (((1))) to (((3))) is characterized in that the processor determines that the data communication is possible when the identified network is included in networks associated with the user that perform data communication with the external device. (((5))) The communication control device described in any of (((1))) to (((4))) is characterized in that the processor outputs information identifying the external device and the content of processing in the external device, for the external device connected to a network associated with the user that performs data communication with the external device. (((6))) The processor is a communication control device described in any of ((1)) to ((5))), characterized in that it outputs information identifying the external device and the content of processing in the external device associated with the external device that has logged in to the device itself. (((7))) An image processing device comprising the communication control device according to any one of claims ((1)) to ((6))) and an image reading device. (((8))) A program for enabling a computer that controls an image processing device to realize the following functions: in an environment having multiple networks, when the device recognizes an external device via one of the multiple networks, identify one of the multiple networks as the network to be used for communication between the device and the external device; and enable data communication with the external device based on information about a user who will be communicating with the external device and the identified network.

[0068] According to the invention of (((1))), compared to a case where a means is provided to transmit to an external device network information that identifies a network connecting the device and the external device, it is possible to select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from the external device. According to the invention (((2))), it is possible to reduce the number of processing steps related to data communication compared to when network information is acquired when performing data communication. According to the invention (((3))), it is possible to identify external devices that can perform data communication with the device itself. According to the invention (((4))), it is possible to determine external devices that are capable of performing data communication with the device itself, based on the network associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device. According to the invention (((5))), it is possible to display only external devices connected to a network associated with a user who performs data communication with the external device. According to the invention (((6))), it is possible to display only external devices associated with a user who performs data communication with the external device. According to the invention (((7))), it is possible to provide an image processing device that can select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from an external device, compared to when a means is provided to send network information to the external device that identifies the network connecting the image processing device and the external device. According to the invention (((8))), in a computer having the program of the present invention installed, it is possible to select a network to communicate with without receiving network information from an external device, compared to a case where a means is provided for transmitting network information to an external device that identifies a network connecting the computer and the external device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1...Communication control system, 2...Image processing device, 3...Terminal device, 21...Terminal device information acquisition unit, 22...User information identification unit, 23...Control unit, 24...Display control unit, 25...Memory unit, 110...Image forming unit, 120...Image reading unit, 130...Display device, 140...Operation device, 150...First communication interface, 160...Second communication interface, 170...Storage device, 180...Control device

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: In an environment having a plurality of networks, when the device recognizes an external device via one of the networks, the device identifies the one of the multiple networks as a network to be used for communication between the device and the external device; Enabling data communication with the external device based on information about a user who will communicate with the external device and the identified network. A communication control device characterized by:

2. The processor:

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein information relating to the recognized external device and the identified one network are stored in a storage device in association with each other.

3. The processor:

3. The communication control device according to claim 2, characterized in that it determines whether or not the data communication is possible based on information about a network associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device and the identified network.

4. The processor:

4. The communication control device according to claim 3, wherein the communication control device determines that the data communication can be performed when the identified network is included in networks associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device.

5. The processor: The communication control device according to claim 1, characterized in that it outputs information identifying the external device and the contents of processing in the external device, for the external device connected to a network associated with the user who performs data communication with the external device.

6. The processor:

6. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein, for the external device associated with the user who has logged in to the device itself, information for identifying the external device and details of processing in the external device are output.

7. A communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; Image reader and An image processing device comprising:

8. The computer that controls the image processing device In an environment having a plurality of networks, when the device itself recognizes an external device via one of the networks, the function of identifying the one of the networks as the network to be used for communication between the device itself and the external device; a function of enabling data communication with the external device based on information of a user who will perform data communication with the external device and the identified one network; A program to achieve this.

Images