Image processing apparatus and control method

Abstract

To provide an image processor or the like capable of flexibly selecting a destination.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus includes a first selection unit that selects one or a plurality of first addresses from one or a plurality of addresses received from a terminal using short-range wireless communication, a second selection unit that selects one or a plurality of second addresses different from the first addresses, and an image transmission unit that transmits an image to the first addresses and the second addresses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image processing device and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, digital multifunction peripherals (MFPs; Multi-Function Peripherals / Printers) have been widely used, which have functions such as copying, printing, scanning, and email transmission. Some multifunction peripherals also have a function to send an image of a document scanned by the scanner to a destination specified by the user.

[0003] Furthermore, techniques for acquiring destination information from other devices have also been proposed. For example, an image processing device has been proposed that acquires destination information from a mobile terminal, and switches and sets the image processing function to be executed based on the acquired destination information (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2019-062349 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses that an image processing device can use a destination included in destination information received from a mobile terminal as the destination (transmission destination) of image data. However, the image processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that a destination can only be specified from the destination information received from the mobile terminal.

[0006] In view of the above-described problems, the present disclosure has an object to provide an image processing device and the like that allows flexible selection of a destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the image processing device according to the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a first selection unit that selects one or more first addresses from one or more addresses received from a terminal device using short-range wireless communication, a second selection unit that selects one or more second addresses different from the first addresses, and an image transmission unit that transmits images to the first addresses and the second addresses.

[0008] The control method according to the present disclosure is characterized by including a first selection step of selecting one or more first addresses from one or more addresses received from a terminal device using short-range wireless communication, a second selection step of selecting one or more second addresses different from the first addresses, and an image transmission step of transmitting images to the first addresses and the second addresses. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an image processing device or the like that allows flexible selection of a destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a system in a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data structure of address information stored in a terminal device in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data structure of address information stored in the image processing device in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of transmission history information in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the flow of processing executed by a terminal device and an image processing device in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an address selection process in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of image transmission processing in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of transmission history information in the third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of an image transmission process in the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a transmission history display process in the third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation example in the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation example in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the invention described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0012] [1. First embodiment] [1.1 Overall structure] A system 1 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 in this embodiment includes a terminal device 10 and an image processing device 20. The terminal device 10 and the image processing device 20 have a function of performing short-range wireless communication.

[0013] The terminal device 10 is an information processing device carried by a user. The terminal device 10 is, for example, a device such as a smartphone or a tablet. The terminal device 10 may also be a device such as a smart watch, a PC (Personal Computer), or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).

[0014] The image processing device 20 is a device having functions such as copying, printing, scanning, and email transmission, and is generally called a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP). Note that the image processing device 20 may also be an image forming device equipped with means for forming an image on recording paper such as paper or OHP film using means such as electrophotography.

[0015] [1.2 Functional Configuration] 1.2.1 Terminal Devices The configuration of the terminal device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10 is configured to include a control unit 100, a display unit 140, an operation unit 150, a storage unit 160, a short-range wireless communication unit 180, and a communication unit 190.

[0016] The control unit 100 controls the entire terminal device 10. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 160, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units)).

[0017] The display unit 140 displays various types of information. The display unit 140 is configured by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or a micro LED (Light Emitting Diode) display.

[0018] The operation unit 150 accepts operations by a user of the terminal device 10. The operation unit 150 is configured with an input device such as a touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect input using any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. The terminal device 10 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 140 and the operation unit 150 are integrally formed.

[0019] The storage unit 160 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 10. The storage unit 160 is configured by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory, such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0020] The storage unit 160 secures an address information storage area 162 as a storage area. The address information storage area 162 stores information (address information) related to the user's contact information (for example, a telephone number, an email address, etc.). The address information stored in the terminal device 10 is generally information displayed by a function called an address book or a phone book.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows an example of the data configuration of the address information stored in the address information storage area 162. As shown in Fig. 3, the address information stored in the address information storage area 162 includes the user's name (e.g., "Aiueo"), the user's telephone number (e.g., "080-0123-4567"), and the user's email address (e.g., "aiueo@example.com").

[0022] The address information stored in the terminal device 10 may include multiple telephone numbers and email addresses corresponding to one user name. In addition to the above information, the address information stored in the terminal device 10 may also include information such as phonetic names, facsimile numbers, addresses, company names, department names, categories, and memos.

[0023] The short-range wireless communication unit 180 performs wireless communication with other devices located around the terminal device 10. The short-range wireless communication unit 180 is configured by, for example, a communication device equipped with an antenna. The wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 180 may be any method that is generally used for short-range communication, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Field Communication), ZigBee (registered trademark), or wireless USB.

[0024] The communication unit 190 communicates with an external device. The communication unit 190 is configured by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) used in a wired / wireless local area network (LAN) or a communication module connectable to a long term evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) / License-Assisted Access using LTE (LAA) / 5G line.

[0025] [1.2.2 Image Processing Device] The configuration of image processing device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, image processing device 20 is configured to include control unit 200, image input unit 220, image forming unit 230, display unit 240, operation unit 250, storage unit 260, short-range wireless communication unit 280, and communication unit 290.

[0026] The control unit 200 controls the entire image processing device 20. The control unit 200 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 260, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (e.g., CPUs).

[0027] Image input unit 220 reads an original and inputs data of the read image. For example, image input unit 220 is configured with a scanning device or the like equipped with a device that converts optical information, such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), into an electrical signal, and reads an original placed on a table of image processing device 20. Note that image input unit 220 may also be configured with an interface (terminal) for reading images stored in a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

[0028] The image forming unit 230 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium such as recording paper, etc. The image forming unit 230 is configured by, for example, a laser printer or the like that uses an electrophotographic method.

[0029] The display unit 240 displays various types of information. The display unit 240 is configured by a display device such as an LCD, an organic EL panel, or a micro LED display.

[0030] The operation unit 250 accepts operations from a user who uses the image processing device 20. The operation unit 250 is configured with input devices such as hardware keys (physical keys, numeric keypad) and touch sensors. The touch sensor may detect input using any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. The image processing device 20 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250 are integrally formed.

[0031] The storage unit 260 stores various programs and various data required for the operation of the image processing device 20. The storage unit 260 is configured by a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD, for example.

[0032] The storage unit 260 secures an image data storage area 262, an address information storage area 264, and a transmission history information storage area 266 as storage areas.

[0033] Image data storage area 262 stores image data of an image input by image input unit 220. The image data may be, for example, data (print data) that represents an image formed by image forming unit 230, or a file in a format that can be read by other devices.

[0034] The address information storage area 264 stores information (address information) related to the user's contact information (for example, address information such as a telephone number or an email address). The address information stored in the image processing device 20 is generally information displayed by a function called an address book or a telephone book.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows an example of the data configuration of the address information stored in the address information storage area 264. As shown in Fig. 5, the address information stored in the address information storage area 264 includes the user's name (e.g., "Takagi Seiichi"), the phonetic pronunciation of the name (e.g., "Takagi Seiichi"), the user's email address (e.g., "takagi@example.com"), and a facsimile number indicating the number to which the facsimile is to be sent (e.g., "03-0123-4567").

[0036] The address information stored in the image processing device 20 may include multiple email addresses and facsimile numbers corresponding to one user name. In addition to the above information, the address information stored in the image processing device 20 may also include information such as an address, company name, department name, category, and memo.

[0037] The transmission history information storage area 266 stores history information (transmission history information) when an image is transmitted from the image processing device 20. An example of the data configuration of the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage area 266 is shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage area 266 stores an address indicating the name of the user transmitting the image (e.g., "Takahashi Makoto"), the user's email address (e.g., "makoto.takahashi@example.com"), and the date and time the image was transmitted (e.g., "January 15, 2021 19:02:21").

[0038] The short-range wireless communication unit 280 performs wireless communication with other devices located around the image processing device 20. The short-range wireless communication unit 280 is configured by, for example, a communication device equipped with an antenna. The wireless communication method used by the short-range wireless communication unit 280 may be any method that is generally used for short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, NFC, ZigBee, or wireless USB.

[0039] The communication unit 290 communicates with external devices via a LAN or WAN, and is configured by, for example, a communication device or a communication module such as a NIC used in a wired / wireless LAN.

[0040] [1.3 Processing flow] [1.3.1 Processing flow of terminal device and image processing device] Next, the flow of processing in this embodiment will be described. First, the processing of the terminal device 10 and the image processing device 20 and the information communicated will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] First, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 determines whether or not the user has selected an image transmission function (S1000). The image transmission function is, for example, a function (ScanToEmail function) for transmitting image data generated by scanning an original document using an email.

[0042] When the image transmission function is selected, the control unit 200 acquires an image via the image input unit 220 (S1000; Yes→S1002). The control unit 200 may store the image data of the image acquired in S1002 in the image data storage area 262. When a function other than the image transmission function is selected in S1000, the control unit 200 executes a predetermined process corresponding to the selected function (S1000; No).

[0043] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not an operation to receive address information from the terminal device 10 has been performed (S1004). The operation to receive address information from the terminal device 10 is, for example, an operation to press a button displayed on the display unit 240 indicating "Refer to the phone book of an external device."

[0044] When an operation to receive address information from the terminal device 10 is performed, the terminal device 10 and the image processing device 20 perform pairing to enable short-range wireless communication between the terminal device 10 and the image processing device 20 (S1004; Yes → S1006).

[0045] When pairing is completed, the control unit 100 of the terminal device 10 detects that the user has input an operation to transmit address information via the operation unit 150 (S1008). Furthermore, the control unit 100 performs short-range wireless communication with the image processing device 20, and transmits (transfers) the address information stored in the address information storage area 162 to the image processing device 20 (S1010).

[0046] For example, the control unit 100 transmits all of the address information stored in the address information storage area 162 to the image processing device 20 in a lump using a Bluetooth profile such as OPP (Object Push Profile) or PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile). This allows the control unit 100 to transmit the address information to the image processing device 20 without using a specific app (application). Note that the control unit 100 may transmit the address information to the image processing device 20 by using a specific app having a function of transmitting the address information to the image processing device 20. When using a specific app, the operation to transmit the address information may be input on the specific app.

[0047] Next, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 receives the address information transmitted from the terminal device 10 via the short-range wireless communication unit 280 by using short-range wireless communication (S1012).

[0048] Next, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 executes an address selection process to select a destination to which the image acquired in S1002 is to be transmitted (S1014). Furthermore, the control unit 200 executes a transmission process to transmit the image to the destination selected in S1014 (S1016). The process flow of the address selection process and the transmission process will be described later.

[0049] If it is selected in S1004 not to acquire an address from the terminal device 10, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 transmits the image to a predetermined destination without acquiring address information from the terminal device 10 (S1004; No). In this case, the address to which the image is to be sent may be, for example, an email address stored in the address information stored in the address information storage area 264, or an address directly input by the user.

[0050] [1.3.2 Address selection process] The address selection process will be described with reference to Fig. 8. First, the control unit 200 temporarily stores address information received from the terminal device 10 in the storage unit 260 (step S100) (address storage unit), separate from the address information storage area 264.

[0051] Next, the control unit 200 displays the address information stored in step S100 on the display unit 240 (step S102). For example, the control unit 200 displays the name and email address information included in the address information on the display unit 240 in a list format.

[0052] Next, the control unit 200 selects one or more destinations (first addresses) to which image data will be sent from the address information received and stored from the terminal device 10 in step S100, based on a user operation (step S104) (first selection unit). For example, the control unit 200 selects all email addresses included in the address information displayed in list format in step S102 as addresses indicating destinations to which images will be sent. Note that the control unit 200 can also select an email address included in address information selected by the user from the address information displayed in list format in step S102 as an address indicating a destination to which images will be sent. In this embodiment, the one or more destinations (addresses) selected based on the address information received and stored from the terminal device 10 are also referred to as a first address group.

[0053] Next, the control unit 100 displays the address information (registered address information) previously stored in the address information storage area 264 on the display unit 240 (step S106). For example, the control unit 200 displays the name and email address information included in the address information on the display unit 240 in a list format.

[0054] Next, the control unit 200 additionally selects one or more destinations (second addresses) different from the destination based on the address information received and stored from the terminal device 10 in step S100 (second selection unit). Note that in this embodiment, one or more destinations (addresses) different from the destination based on the address information received from the terminal device 10 are also referred to as a second address group.

[0055] First, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has selected one or more pieces of address information from among the registered address information (step S108). For example, the control unit 200 determines that the address information has been selected when the user performs an operation to select one or more pieces of address information from among the address information displayed in the list format in step S106.

[0056] When it is determined that the address information has been selected, the control unit 200 additionally selects the address selected in step S108 (step S108; Yes → step S110) (second selection unit). For example, the control unit 200 adds the email address included in the address information selected by the user in step S108 to the address selected in step S104. This allows the control unit 200 to select the address selected in step S104 and the address selected in step S108 as destination addresses to send the image.

[0057] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S108 that no address information has been selected, the control unit 200 determines whether or not to display the global address book (step S108; No -> step S112). The global address book is a screen for displaying global address information. The global address information is address information shared by the organization that owns the image processing device 20 or the facility where the image processing device 20 is installed. For example, when an operation to display the global address information is performed (for example, when a button for displaying the global address book is selected by the user), the control unit 200 determines to display the global address book.

[0058] When displaying global address information, the control unit 200 acquires the global address information and displays the acquired global address information on the display unit 240 (step S112; Yes → step S114). For example, the control unit 200 connects to a server device or service that manages global address information (for example, a directory service or a service that manages destinations provided on the cloud) via the communication unit 290. Then, the control unit 200 acquires address information managed as global address information from the connected server device or service. The control unit 200 also displays, in list form, information on names and email addresses included in the acquired address information on the display unit 240.

[0059] Next, it is determined whether or not one or more pieces of global address information have been selected from the global address information displayed in step S114 (step S116).

[0060] If it is determined in step S116 that global address information has been selected, the control unit 200 additionally selects the address selected in step S116 (step S116; Yes → step S118) (second selection unit). The process in step S118 is the same as the process in step S110.

[0061] On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines in step S112 that the global address information should not be displayed, it determines whether or not the address has been directly input by the user (step S112; No -> step S120). The control unit 200 determines that the address has been directly input when, for example, an operation to directly input an address has been performed (for example, when the user inputs an address in a predetermined input area and selects the "OK" button).

[0062] If the control unit 200 determines that the address has been directly input, it additionally selects the address input in step S120 (step S120; Yes→step S122) (second selection unit). The process in step S122 is the same as the process in step S110.

[0063] If the control unit 200 determines in step S120 that the address has not been directly input by the user, the process returns to step S108 (step S120; No→step S108).

[0064] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has performed an operation to start transmitting the image (step S124). For example, the control unit 200 determines that the operation to start transmitting the image has been performed when the user has selected a button to transmit the image.

[0065] If the control unit 200 determines that the user has performed an operation (transmission instruction) to start image transmission, it ends the address selection process (step S124; Yes). On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that the user has not performed an operation to start image transmission, it returns to step S102 (step S124; No → step S102). This allows the control unit 200 to allow the user to add an address based on address information transferred from the terminal device 10 and address information pre-stored in the image processing device 20, an address based on global address information, or a directly input address.

[0066] Before executing the process in step S124, the control unit 200 may display a list of the addresses selected in steps S104, S110, S118, and S122 on the display unit 240. This allows the user to confirm the addresses to which the image is to be sent, which are based on address information transferred from the terminal device 10 to the image processing device 20 or address information pre-stored in the image processing device 20. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may delete an address from the list of addresses based on a user operation. In this way, the control unit 200 can allow the user to delete an address that has already been added as a destination to which the image is to be sent.

[0067] In addition, if the control unit 200 detects in step S124 that an operation other than an operation for starting image transmission (for example, an operation for returning to the home screen or an operation for changing settings) has been performed, it executes processing corresponding to the detected operation.

[0068] [1.3.3 Transmission process] Next, the image transmission process will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The image transmission process is executed after the user performs an operation (transmission instruction) to start image transmission in step S124.

[0069] First, control unit 200 executes a job to transmit the image acquired in S1002 of Fig. 7 to the address selected by the address selection process (step S150) (image transmission unit). For example, control unit 200 attaches image data of the image acquired in S1002 of Fig. 7 and generates an email addressed to the email address selected in steps S104, S110, S118, and S122 of Fig. 8. Then, control unit 200 transmits the generated email via communication unit 290.

[0070] 8 (address information received from the terminal device 10) from the storage unit 260 (step S152) (address deletion unit). As a result, the image processing device 20 no longer holds the address information received from the terminal device 10.

[0071] Next, the control unit 200 stores the addresses selected in steps S104, S110, and S118 of FIG. 8 and the address (e.g., email address) input in step S122 as transmission history information (step S154) (history information storage unit).

[0072] For example, the control unit 200 generates transmission history information in which the name and email address and the image transmission date and time included in the address information selected in steps S104, S110, and S118 of Fig. 8 are used as the destination, email address, and transmission date and time, respectively. Alternatively, the control unit 200 generates transmission history information in which the email address and image transmission date and time input in step S122 are used as the email address and transmission date and time, respectively, and no specific information is included in the destination. Then, the control unit 200 stores the generated transmission history information in the transmission history information storage area 266.

[0073] By the above-described processing, the address information received from the terminal device 10 is not stored in the address information storage area 264 of the image processing device 20. On the other hand, among the address information received from the terminal device 10, the address included in the address information selected as the destination to which the image is to be transmitted is stored as transmission history information in the storage unit 260 (transmission history information storage area 266) of the image processing device 20. Note that in step S154, the control unit 100 may execute processing to prevent the transmission history information related to the address information received from the terminal device 10 from being stored in the transmission history information storage area 266. In this case, the address information received from the terminal device 10 is not stored at all in the storage unit 260 of the image processing device 20.

[0074] In the above description, the control unit 200 deletes the address information received from the terminal device 10 after transmitting the image, but the timing of deleting the address information received from the terminal device 10 may be different from the above timing. For example, the control unit 200 may delete the address information received from the terminal device 10 when an instruction to start an image transmission job is given, or may delete the address information received from the terminal device 10 before transmitting the image or while transmitting the image.

[0075] [1.4 Example of operation] Next, an example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10 to Fig. 14. Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 10(b) are examples of display screens that are displayed on the display unit 240 when an image transmission function is selected.

[0076] 10(a) is a screen for a function called simple scan, which is one of the image transmission functions, and the contents that can be set by the user are limited. By selecting (pressing) a button B100 indicating "reference to the phone book of an external device," the user can use the address information stored in the terminal device 10 that the user uses in the image processing device 20.

[0077] 10(b) is a screen in a mode (e-mail mode) for executing the ScanToEmail function. In particular, the display screen W110 is a screen displayed when an address book stored in the main body of the image processing device 20 is open on the basic screen in the e-mail mode. The user can set a destination to which an image is to be sent via the display screen W110. Furthermore, the user can use address information stored in the terminal device 10 used by the user in the image processing device 20 by selecting (pressing) a button B110 indicating "referencing the phone book of an external device."

[0078] Furthermore, when button B100 in FIG. 10(a) or button B110 in FIG. 10(b) is selected, a screen for acquiring address information from the terminal device 10 is displayed on the display unit 240 of the image processing device 20. Here, FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing a display screen displayed on the display unit 240 of the image processing device 20 when button B110 in FIG. 10(b) is selected by the user. FIG. 11(a) is an example of a display screen W120 displayed on the display unit 240 when button B110 in FIG. 10(b) is selected. As shown in FIG. 11(a), the display screen W120 is a screen on which a dialog message M120 is displayed on the display screen W110 to prompt the user to pair with the terminal device 10. The user performs pairing between the terminal device 10 and the image processing device 20 while referring to the dialog message M120.

[0079] Fig. 11(b) is an example of a display screen W130 that is displayed on the display unit 240 after pairing is completed. As shown in Fig. 11(b), the display screen W130 displays a dialog message M130 indicating that address information (phone book data) stored in the terminal device 10 is being read.

[0080] 12(a) is an example of a display screen W140 that is displayed on the display unit 240 after address information is received from the terminal device 10. The display screen W140 is a destination list screen that displays a list of destinations to which an image is to be sent. The display screen W140 includes a list E140 that displays address information selected as a destination to which an image is to be sent.

[0081] The list E140 displays the address information transferred from the terminal device 10. For example, in the example in Fig. 12(a), three pieces of address information transferred from the terminal device 10 are displayed in list format.

[0082] In this way, in the image processing device 20, the address information (destinations) transferred from the terminal device 10 are displayed in a list on the display screen W140, and a desired destination can be selected from the list. In this embodiment, it is assumed that all email addresses stored in the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 are selected (set) as destinations to which images are to be sent.

[0083] The display screen W140 also includes a button B140 for closing the display screen W140. When the user selects the button B140, the display unit 240 displays a display screen W150 as shown in FIG. 12(b). The display screen W150 is a screen that displays address information that has been pre-stored in the image processing device 20. In other words, the display screen W150 is a screen of an address book stored in the image processing device 20.

[0084] Display screen W150 includes an area E150 that displays the number of destination addresses that have already been selected. As shown in Fig. 12(b), the email addresses (three addresses) stored in the address information transferred from terminal device 10 have already been selected as destinations to send images, so area E150 displays "3," which is the number of selected email addresses.

[0085] The list E140 may be a list from which one or more pieces of address information can be selected by a user operation. In this case, the image processing device 20 selects the email addresses stored in the address information selected in the list E140 as destinations to which the image is to be sent, and displays the number of selected email addresses in the area E150.

[0086] Furthermore, the user can select a destination to which the image is to be sent based on the address information stored in the image processing device 20 via the display screen W150.

[0087] Here, the display screen W150 includes a list E152 that displays address information (registered address information) pre-stored in the address information storage area 264. The user can add and select a destination to send the image by selecting one or more pieces of address information from the list E152. The image processing device 20 adds the email address stored in the address information selected by the user to the addresses of the destination to send the image.

[0088] The display screen W150 also includes a magnifying glass button B150 for displaying the global address book, a button B152 for searching the global address book, and an input area F150 for directly inputting an address.

[0089] 13(a) shows a display screen W160 displaying a global address book. The display screen W160 includes a list E160 displaying global address information. The user can add and select destinations to send images to by selecting one or more pieces of address information from the list E160.

[0090] The display screen W160 may also include an area E162 displaying buttons or the like that are operated to narrow down the global address information. For example, after entering a keyword in the input field F162, the user can select the search again button B162 to display address information that includes the keyword entered in the input field F162 in the list E160. Furthermore, the user can select one or more address information from the address information narrowed down based on the keyword, thereby additionally selecting a destination to send the image to.

[0091] 13(b) is an example of a display screen W170 that is displayed on the display unit 240 when the input area F150 shown in FIG. 12(b) is selected. The display screen W170 includes an area E170 that displays a software keyboard. The user can input characters into the input area F170 by selecting a button included in the area E170. The user can also add the address entered into the input area F170 as a destination to which the image is to be sent by selecting an OK button B170 included in the area E170.

[0092] Fig. 14 shows a display screen W180 that is displayed after a destination selected or input via the display screen W150 shown in Fig. 12(b), the display screen W160 shown in Fig. 13(a), and the display screen W170 shown in Fig. 13(b) has been added. The display screen W180 is a destination list screen that displays a list of destinations to which an image is to be sent. The display screen W180 includes a list E180 that displays address information selected as a destination to which an image is to be sent.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 14 , list E180 includes address information E182 selected from the address information transferred from terminal device 10 and address information E184 added by operating image processing device 20 after the address information was transferred from terminal device 10. By referring to list E180, the user can confirm whether the address information selected from the address information transferred from terminal device 10 and the address information added via image processing device 20 have been correctly added as destinations for transmitting images. Note that display screen W180 may display a button or the like for performing an operation to delete address information from list E180. Address information can be deleted from list E180 by selecting desired address information from list E180 and operating the delete button. Note that display screen W180 may also display a button or the like for performing an operation to add address information to list E180.

[0094] In this embodiment, an email address is used as the destination (address) to which an image is sent, but address information other than an email address (e.g., a facsimile number, an IP address, etc.) may be used as long as it is information that can identify the destination to which an image is sent.

[0095] As described above, according to this embodiment, a user can flexibly specify a destination (address) to which an image is to be sent by transferring address information stored in a terminal device such as a smartphone to the image processing device and then operating the image processing device. That is, the user can add or delete a destination selected from one or more of address information transferred from the terminal device, address information stored in the image processing device, and global address information, or a directly entered destination. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, a user can flexibly select a destination to which an image is to be sent on the image processing device without installing a specific app on the smartphone.

[0096] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the terminal device 10 does not transfer all of the address information stored in the terminal device 10 to the image processing device 20.

[0097] In this embodiment, in S1008 in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment, the control unit 100 displays the address information stored in the address information storage area 162 on the display unit 140 in a display format (for example, a list format) that can be selected by the user.

[0098] In addition, in S1010, the control unit 100 transmits one or more pieces of address information selected by the user in S1008 to the image processing device 20. This allows the terminal device 10 to selectively transfer address information to the image processing device 20.

[0099] The image processing device 20 executes address selection processing and image transmission processing based on the address information selectively transferred by the terminal device 10. The address selection processing and image transmission processing in the second embodiment are the same as the processing described in the first embodiment.

[0100] According to this embodiment, the user can selectively transfer address information from the terminal device to the image processing device 20, thereby limiting the addresses to be transferred to the image processing device 20. This allows the user to avoid sending unnecessary information from the terminal device 10 to the image processing device 20, and also reduces the time required to transfer address information.

[0101] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, after a job for transmitting an image is executed, the user can select whether or not to store address information transferred from the terminal device 10. This embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments. Note that this embodiment is an embodiment in which FIG. 9 in the first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 16. The same processes as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0102] The image processing device 20 in this embodiment further includes a user authentication function. In addition, the image processing device 20 in this embodiment is capable of enabling or disabling the user authentication function, which can be switched by a user (for example, an administrator of the image processing device 20).

[0103] When the user authentication function is enabled, the image processing device 20 authenticates the user and then allows the authenticated user to use a predetermined function. User authentication may be performed using any commonly used method. For example, authentication information including a login name and password may be stored in the storage unit 260, and the user may be authenticated if the login name and password entered by the user match the login name and password included in any of the authentication information. Alternatively, a method of authenticating the user using an authentication server may be used, or an authentication method using biometric authentication or an authentication card may be used.

[0104] 15 shows an example of the data configuration of the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage area 266 in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the transmission history information in this embodiment stores a login name (e.g., "user1") for identifying the user who performed the operation to send an image, an address (e.g., "Takahashi Makoto") indicating the name of the user who is the destination (recipient) to send the image, an email address (e.g., "makoto.takahashi@example.com") of the user who is the destination to send the image, the date and time the image was sent (e.g., "January 15, 2021 19:02:21"), and a transfer flag (e.g., "Yes") indicating whether the email address is information transferred from the terminal device 10.

[0105] 15, the forwarding flag stores information of either "Yes" or "No." Note that the forwarding flag only needs to store information that can distinguish whether the email address of the user to whom the image is to be sent is information that has been forwarded from the terminal device 10. Therefore, if the email address of the user to whom the image is to be sent is information that has been forwarded from the terminal device 10, predetermined information is stored in the forwarding flag, and if the information is not information that has been forwarded from the terminal device 10, no information need be stored in the forwarding flag.

[0106] Furthermore, the image processing device 20 in this embodiment can set one of the following two methods for handling address information transferred from the terminal device 10. (A) When sending an image, ask the user whether or not to save the address information. (B) Delete all images when sending them

[0107] Here, when (B) is selected as the handling of the address information transferred from the terminal device 10, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 executes the processing described in the first and second embodiments as the image transmission processing. That is, the control unit 200 deletes the address information received from the terminal device 10 from the storage unit 260, triggered by a job start instruction from the user (for example, selection of a button for executing a job). Note that the control unit 100 may delete the address information received from the terminal device 10 from the storage unit 260 after executing the job to transmit an image.

[0108] On the other hand, when (A) is selected as the handling of the address information transferred from the terminal device 10, the control unit 200 of the image processing device 20 executes the processing shown in FIG. 16 as the image transmission processing.

[0109] In the image transmission process when the user is asked whether or not to store address information when transmitting an image, the control unit 200 first executes a job to transmit the image in step S150, and then displays a confirmation message on the display unit 240 (step S250).

[0110] The confirmation message is a message for confirming with the user how to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10. In this embodiment, the control unit 200 allows the user to select the method for storing the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 from the following three methods. (a) Store address information and transmission history information (b) Store only as transmission history information (c) Do not store address information or sending history information (delete all)

[0111] This allows the user to select, via the confirmation message, whether or not to register the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the address book of the image processing device 20, and whether or not to keep it as a transmission history.

[0112] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has selected to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the image processing device 20 (step S252).

[0113] When the control unit 200 determines that an operation has been performed to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the image processing device 20, the control unit 200 stores the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the address information storage area 264 (step S252; Yes -> step S254). Note that the control unit 200 may convert the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 into address information that can be stored in the address information storage area 264, and then store the converted address information in the address information storage area 264.

[0114] Next, the control unit 200 stores the addresses selected in steps S104, S110, and S118 of FIG. 8 and the address (for example, an email address) input in step S122 as transmission history information (step S256).

[0115] The process in step S256 is similar to the process in step S154 in the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the control unit 200 further executes the following process. (a) If the address information included in the transmission history information is address information received from the terminal device 10, the transfer flag of the transmission history information is set to "Yes." (b) If the address information included in the transmission history information is address information that has been stored in advance in the image processing device 20, the transfer flag of the transmission history information is set to "No."

[0116] In this way, by varying the information of the forwarding flag stored in the transmission history information, the control unit 200 makes it possible to distinguish, based on the forwarding flag, whether the email address included in the transmission history information is based on address information forwarded from the terminal device 10.

[0117] Furthermore, by the process in step S254, the control unit 200 stores the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the address information storage area 264 of the image processing device 20. Furthermore, by the process in step S256, the control unit 200 stores, from the address information transferred from the terminal device 10, the address information corresponding to the destination to which the image is to be sent in the transmission history information storage area 266.

[0118] On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that no operation has been performed to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the image processing device 20, it determines whether the user has selected to store the address information as transmission history information (step S252; No → step S258).

[0119] When the control unit 200 determines that an operation to store the address information as transmission history information has been performed, the control unit 200 deletes the address information stored in step S100 of Fig. 8 (address information received from the terminal device 10) from the storage unit 260 (step S258; Yes -> step S152). Furthermore, the control unit 200 stores the address information as transmission history information (step S256). Note that the process of step S256 may be performed before the process of step S152.

[0120] Through the above-described processing, the control unit 200 stores, among the address information transferred from the terminal device 10, the address information corresponding to the destination to which the image is to be transmitted, in the transmission history information storage area 266. On the other hand, the control unit 200 does not store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 in the address information storage area 264 of the image processing device 20.

[0121] If the control unit 200 determines in step S258 that no operation has been performed to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 as transmission history information, it determines whether or not an operation to delete all of the address information received from the terminal device 10 has been performed (step S258; No→step S260). If the control unit 200 determines that an operation to delete all of the address information has been performed, it deletes the address information stored in step S100 of Fig. 8 (address information received from the terminal device 10) from the storage unit 260 (step S260; Yes→step S262). The process of step S262 is the same as the process of step S152.

[0122] After the process of step S262, the control unit 200 omits (skips) the process of step S256. As a result, the control unit 200 does not store address information corresponding to the destination to which the image is to be transmitted in the transmission history information storage area 266. Note that, instead of omitting the process of step S256, the control unit 200 may store only transmission history information related to address information that has been pre-stored in the image processing device 20 in the transmission history information storage area 266. In this case, the image processing device 20 does not store transmission history information corresponding to address information transferred from the terminal device 10 among the address information corresponding to the destination to which the image is to be transmitted, but only the transmission history information corresponding to address information that has been pre-stored in the image processing device 20.

[0123] If the user authentication function is disabled, the control unit 200 may execute a process in step S256 in which null information is stored as the login name information in the transmission history information (i.e., no predetermined information is stored in the login name).

[0124] Next, the flow of the transmission history display process will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The transmission history display process is executed when the user performs an operation to display the transmission history (for example, an operation to select a button for displaying the transmission history).

[0125] First, the control unit 200 acquires the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage area 266 (step S280). Next, the control unit 200 (history information display unit) conceals the address information received from the terminal device 10, and then displays the transmission history information acquired in step S280 on the display unit 240 (step S282).

[0126] For example, the control unit 200 displays the transmission history information in list format on the display unit 240. At this time, for transmission history information whose forwarding flag is "Yes", the control unit 200 may hide the email address included in the transmission history information, or replace it with a predetermined symbol (for example, an asterisk) and display it as obscured text. Furthermore, the control unit 200 may delete transmission history information whose forwarding flag is "Yes" from the list in which the transmission history information is displayed.

[0127] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether the user authentication function is enabled (step S284). If the user authentication function is enabled, the control unit 200 displays, on the display unit 240, the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 by the user authenticated by the user authentication function (step S284; Yes → step S286).

[0128] For example, the control unit 200 determines, for each item in the list displayed in step S282, whether the login name stored in the transmission history information matches the login name of the user authenticated by the user authentication function. Then, the control unit 200 displays, among the transmission history information whose forwarding flag is set to "Yes," the email address included in the transmission history information whose login name matches the login name of the user authenticated by the user authentication function. In other words, when the control unit 200 receives address information from the terminal device 10 while a user authenticated by the user authentication function is operating the image processing device 20, the control unit 200 considers the address information to be information forwarded by the user who operated the image processing device 20.

[0129] Next, an example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 shows an example of a display screen W300 when a confirmation message M300 is displayed.

[0130] The confirmation message M300 includes the following three buttons related to the address information transferred from the terminal device 10: (A) Button B300 for storing the address information as the address information of the image processing device 20 (B) A button B302 for storing the address information as transmission history information (C) Button B304 for deleting the address information

[0131] The user can select whether or not to store the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 by selecting one of the buttons B300, B302, and B304.

[0132] Figure 19 shows a display screen (transmission history screen) on which transmission history information is displayed. Figure 19(a) shows an example of the transmission history screen W310 when the user authentication function is enabled. The transmission history screen W310 includes a list E310 that displays transmission history information.

[0133] Here, the items included in the field E312 of the list E310 are items based on address information transferred from the terminal device 10. Here, if the items included in the field E312 are items of transmission history information based on address information transferred by a user authenticated by the user authentication function, the addresses included in the transmission history information are displayed without concealment, as shown in Fig. 19(a). Therefore, the user authenticated by the user authentication function can reuse addresses previously transferred from the terminal device 10 to the image processing device 20.

[0134] 19(b) is a diagram showing an example of the transmission history screen W320 when the user authentication function is disabled. The transmission history screen W320 includes a list E320 that displays transmission history information.

[0135] Here, the items included in the area E322 of the list E320 are items based on the address information transferred from the terminal device 10. If the user authentication function is disabled, the addresses included in the transmission history information are displayed in a confidential manner, as shown in Fig. 19(b). In this case, the user of the image processing device 20 cannot reuse the addresses included in the address information transferred from the terminal device 10.

[0136] Even if the user authentication function is enabled, if the user who transferred the address information from the terminal device 10 is different from the user authenticated by the user authentication function, the address information transferred from the terminal device 10 may be kept secret, as shown in Figure 19(b).

[0137] According to the image processing device of this embodiment, it is possible to select whether or not to store address information transferred from a terminal device, and whether or not to leave it as transmission history information. This allows the user to freely select whether or not to leave address information transferred from the terminal device 10 to the image processing device 20 in the address book or transmission history of the image processing device 20, or whether or not to leave it at all in the image processing device 20. Furthermore, the image processing device of this embodiment can conceal the address information transferred from the terminal device based on the status of whether or not the user authentication function is enabled and the user authenticated by the user authentication function. This can improve the security of address information transferred from the terminal device.

[0138] [4. Modifications] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that are appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0139] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments are described separately for the sake of convenience, they may of course be combined and executed within the scope of technical feasibility.

[0140] In addition, the programs that run on each device in the embodiments are programs that control the CPU, etc. (programs that make a computer function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) during processing, and then stored in various storage devices such as ROMs (Read Only Memories) and HDDs, and is read, modified, and written by the CPU as needed.

[0141] Here, the recording medium for storing the program may be any of semiconductor media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), optical recording media / magneto-optical recording media (e.g., DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.), etc. Furthermore, not only are the functions of the above-described embodiments realized by executing the loaded program, but the functions of the present invention may also be realized by processing in cooperation with an operating system or other application programs, etc., based on instructions from the program.

[0142] Furthermore, when distributing the program on the market, the program can be stored on a portable recording medium and distributed, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is of course included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 1 System 10 Terminal Equipment 100 control section 140 Display section 150 Operation section 160 Storage section 162 Address information storage area 180 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 190 Communications Department 20 Image processing device 200 control section 202 Image processing section 220 Image input unit 230 Image forming unit 240 Display section 250 Operation section 260 Storage section 262 Image data storage area 264 Address Information Storage Area 266 Transmission history information storage area 280 Near Field Wireless Communication Department 290 Communications Department

Claims

1. The device includes a storage unit, a communication unit, a display unit, and a control unit, the storage unit stores one or more pieces of first address information as destinations to which images are to be transmitted; The control unit receiving, via the communication unit, one or more pieces of second address information as destinations to which the image is to be transmitted from the terminal device; receiving, via the communication unit, one or more pieces of third address information as destinations to which the image is to be transmitted from the server device; a first display screen including the one or more pieces of first address information, a second display screen including the one or more pieces of second address information, and a third display screen including the one or more pieces of third address information, each of which can be displayed as a different display screen on the display unit; selecting at least one address information from the one or more first address information, the one or more second address information, or the one or more third address information as a destination to which the image is to be transmitted, and transmitting the image to the selected destination; The first display screen, the second display screen, and the third display screen are display screens that can be accessed from a scan screen on which the configurable contents of the image transmission function are limited.

1. An image processing device comprising:

2. The control unit displaying, on the display unit, the first display screen including information relating to the name of the destination included in the one or more pieces of first address information; displaying the second display screen on the display unit, the second display screen including information related to email addresses included in the one or more pieces of second address information; 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the third display screen including information relating to the name of the destination included in the one or more pieces of third address information.

3. The control unit displaying the first display screen including the one or more pieces of first address information displayed in a list on the display unit; displaying the second display screen including the one or more pieces of second address information displayed in a list on the display unit; 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the third display screen including the one or more pieces of third address information displayed in a list.

4. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first display screen is a display screen for selecting the destination from the one or more pieces of first address information.

5. the second display screen is a display screen on which the destinations are displayed as a list, The control unit displays the list in a state where the one or more pieces of second address information are selected as destinations to which the image is to be transmitted.

5. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device is a computer.

6. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second display screen is a display screen including information relating to the number of the one or more pieces of second address information.

7. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third display screen is a display screen for selecting the destination from the one or more pieces of third address information.

8. The control unit The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, of the one or more second address information, one or more second address information used as the destination is stored in the memory unit as transmission history information.

9. The control unit 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein when the transmission history information is displayed on the display unit, the one or more pieces of second address information included in the transmission history information are kept secret.

10. a storage unit that stores one or more pieces of first address information as destinations to which images are to be transmitted; A control method for an image processing device having a communication unit, a display unit, and a control unit, comprising: a step of displaying, as different display screens, a first display screen including the one or more pieces of first address information, a second display screen including the one or more pieces of second address information received from a terminal device as destinations to which the image is to be transmitted, and a third display screen including the one or more pieces of third address information received from a server device as destinations to which the image is to be transmitted; selecting at least one address information from the one or more first address information, the one or more second address information, or the one or more third address information as a destination to which the image is to be transmitted, and transmitting the image to the selected destination; Including, The first display screen, the second display screen, and the third display screen are display screens that can be accessed from a scan screen on which the configurable contents of the image transmission function are limited.

2. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus comprising:

Images