Image forming apparatus

Abstract

This will allow sending messages containing information about the storage location of image data to each chat room across multiple channels. [Solution] When the image forming apparatus is instructed to read an image when multiple channels are selected as destination channels, it has an upload means that uploads the image data generated by reading the original image to a message application server and receives information about the storage location of the image data from the message application server, and a sending means that sends a message containing the information about the storage location of the image data to each of the chat rooms of the multiple destination channels on the message application server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, a processing method of an image forming apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] With the spread of cloud services, services for users to save images scanned from an image forming apparatus via a network to the cloud, and services for acquiring and printing print data stored in the cloud are provided.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for generating a scan button on an image forming apparatus based on a scan instruction from a business chat, and when the scan button is pressed, transmitting a scanned image to a business chat service which is a cloud service.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the generated image data is stored in a determined storage server, and the link information of the stored image data is chatted to a selected group to notify a plurality of users. Therefore, when notifying the same image data to a plurality of groups, it is necessary to send the notification each time for each group.

[0006] Furthermore, depending on the cloud service, access permissions to the image storage server may be tied to the group. In a business chat service based on this configuration, if the link information for image data notified to a group via the aforementioned notification method is shared with another group, participants in the other group will not be able to view it because they do not have the necessary permissions.

[0007] This disclosure aims to enable sending messages containing information about the storage location of image data to each chat room across multiple channels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image forming apparatus, when instructed to read with multiple channels selected as destination channels, includes upload means for uploading image data generated by reading a document image to a message application server and receiving storage location information of the image data from the message application server, and sending means for sending a message containing the storage location information of the image data to each of the chat rooms of the multiple destination channels on the message application server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to send a message containing information about the storage location of image data to each chat room of multiple channels. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the configuration of the MFP (Multi-Functional Processor). [Figure 3] This diagram shows the configuration of the message application server. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the configuration of the user terminal. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the tenant configuration. [Figure 6]This is a sequence diagram showing an example of a sequence for notifying multiple channels of image information. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of a flow for notifying image information to multiple channels. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a channel selection screen displayed on an MFP (Multi-Function Physicist) for notifying multiple channels of image information. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a chat where image information is notified, along with the chat screen for each channel, as displayed on the user's terminal. [Figure 10] This sequence diagram shows an example of a sequence in which image information is notified to another channel from the transmission history. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of a flow for notifying another channel of image information based on the transmission history. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a channel selection screen displayed on an MFP (Multi-Function File Processor) for notifying another channel of image information from the transmission history. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. However, it should be understood that, with respect to these embodiments, any modifications or improvements made to the embodiments described below, based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, are also within the scope of the claims.

[0012] (First embodiment) Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. The image forming system 100 includes MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 10-11, user terminals 30-32, and a message application server 20. Each of these is connected via a network.

[0013] The MFP10~11 is an image forming apparatus having a function of notifying the read image to the message application server 20. In the figure, an example is given where two MFPs shown as 10~11 are connected, but the number of connections is arbitrary. The MFP10~11 has the same configuration, and hereinafter, the MFP10 will be described.

[0014] The message application server 20 is a cloud server arranged on the cloud 21 and is a server that provides services using the message application. The message application server 20 executes all processes related to message exchanges such as transmission / reception processing of messages and the like to / from the user terminals 30~32, and display screen display of message transmission / reception.

[0015] The user terminals 30~32 are information terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers used by users of the message application service. In the figure, an example is given where three terminals shown as 30~32 are connected, but the number of connections is arbitrary. The user operates the user terminals 30~32 to access the message application server 20 via the network, and exchanges messages with other users and executes applications installed in the HDD 205 of FIG. 3. The user terminals 30~32 can have the same configuration, and hereinafter, the user terminal 30 will be described.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP10. The MFP10 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a storage 114, an operation unit I / F 115, an operation unit 116, a reading unit I / F 117, a reading unit 118, a printing unit I / F 119, a printing unit 120, a wireless communication unit I / F 121, a wireless communication unit 122, a communication unit I / F 123, and a communication unit 124.

[0017] The control unit 110, which includes the CPU 111, controls the overall operation of the MFP 10. The CPU 111 reads the control program stored in the ROM 112 or storage 114 into the RAM 113 and performs various controls such as read control and print control.

[0018] ROM112 stores control programs that can be executed by CPU111. ROM112 also stores boot programs, font data, and other related information.

[0019] RAM113 is the main memory and is used as a temporary storage area for deploying various control programs stored in the work area, ROM112, and storage114.

[0020] Storage 114 stores image data, print data, various programs, various addresses, and various setting information, including automatic order settings. Candidate media for use as storage 114 include flash memory, auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disc Drives), and eMMC (embedded Multi Media Cards).

[0021] In this embodiment, the MFP10 uses one CPU 111 and one memory (RAM 113) to execute each process shown in the flowchart described later, but it is not limited to this. For example, multiple CPUs, RAM, ROM, and storage can work together to execute each process. Alternatively, some processes may be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs.

[0022] The control interface 115 connects the control unit 110 to the control unit 116, which includes a display unit such as a touch panel and hard keys. The control unit 116 displays information to the user and detects user input.

[0023] The reading unit interface 117 connects the reading unit 118, such as a scanner, to the control unit 110. The reading unit 118 reads the image of the document, and the CPU 111 converts that image into image data such as binary data. The image data generated based on the image read by the reading unit 118 is transmitted to an external device or printed on recording paper.

[0024] The printing interface 119 connects the printing unit 120, such as a printer, to the control unit 110. The CPU 111 transfers image data (print data) stored in the RAM 113 to the printing unit 120 via the printing interface 119. The printing unit 120 prints an image based on the transferred image data onto recording paper fed from the paper cassette.

[0025] The wireless communication interface 121 is an interface for controlling the wireless communication unit 122 and connects to the control unit 110 and external wireless devices wirelessly. A configuration using user terminals shown in 30-32 may also be used as the external wireless devices.

[0026] The communication unit 124 connects the control unit 110 to the network. The communication unit interface 123 allows the communication unit 124 to transmit image data and various internal information to external devices on the network, and to receive print data and network information from information processing devices on the network. Methods of transmission and reception over the network include email and file transfer using other protocols (e.g., FTP, SMB, WebDAV). Furthermore, image data and various configuration data can also be transmitted and received over the network via HTTP communication.

[0027] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the message application server 20.

[0028] The message application server 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a communication unit 204, and an HDD 205. The HDD 205 has a storage area 206 for channel X, a storage area 207 for channel Y, and a storage area 208 for channel Z.

[0029] The CPU 201 reads the control program stored in the ROM 202 and various information stored in the HDD 205 onto the RAM 203 and executes various processes to control the operation of the message application server 20.

[0030] ROM202 stores the control program.

[0031] RAM203 is used as the main memory and temporary storage area for the CPU201, such as the work area.

[0032] The communication unit 204 exchanges data with various devices such as the user terminal 30. The communication unit 204 is designed to use wired LAN communication.

[0033] The HDD205 stores various types of data, including messages, images, channel information, and applications.

[0034] HDD205 has storage areas 206-208 for each channel's data. That is, data for channels X-Z is stored in storage areas 206-208 corresponding to channels X-Z. Although this diagram shows storage areas for 3 channels, HDD205 actually has storage areas corresponding to the number of channels.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 30. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 is assumed to be a device such as a smartphone or tablet PC, but it may be any other device as long as it is an information processing device that can connect to a network using Wi-Fi communication or the like.

[0036] The user terminal 30 includes an operation panel 301, a CPU 302, a ROM 303, a RAM 304, an HDD 305, a camera 306, an NFC communication unit 307, a Bluetooth® communication unit 308, and a wireless LAN communication unit 309.

[0037] The CPU 302 reads control programs stored in the ROM 303 and various information stored in the HDD 305 into the RAM 304 and executes various processes to control the operation of the user terminal 30.

[0038] ROM303 stores the control program.

[0039] RAM304 is used as the main memory and temporary storage area for the CPU302, such as the work area.

[0040] The HDD305 stores various types of data, such as photos and electronic documents.

[0041] The operation panel 301 has a touch panel function that can detect user touch operations and displays various screens provided by the OS and email sending applications. The operation panel 301 is also used to check information stored in the message application server 20. The user can input desired operation instructions to the user terminal 30 by inputting touch operations on the operation panel 301. The user terminal 30 may also be equipped with hardware keys (not shown), and the user may input operation instructions to the user terminal 30 using these hardware keys.

[0042] Camera 306 takes images according to the user's imaging instructions. The images taken by camera 306 are stored in a designated area of ​​HDD 305. It is also possible to obtain information from QR codes read by camera 306 using a program capable of analyzing QR codes (registered trademark).

[0043] The user terminal 30 can exchange data with various peripheral devices via the NFC communication unit 307, Bluetooth communication unit 308, and wireless LAN communication unit 309. The Bluetooth communication unit 308 of the user terminal 30 may also support Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of tenant information 400 held by the message application server 20. In this embodiment, the message application server 20 is configured to hold the tenant information 400, but it may also be configured so that it is held by other cloud servers included in the cloud 21.

[0045] Tenant information 400 has one or more groups, and in the example in Figure 5, there are two groups 401 and 411. In this embodiment, the description of group 411 is omitted in the figure so that the explanation will focus on group 401, but in reality, other groups, including group 411, have the same configuration as group 401.

[0046] Each group has its own set of constituent information; for example, group 401 has user information 402, channel information 403, printer information 404, and file information 405.

[0047] User information 402 shows the information of each user belonging to group 401.

[0048] Channel information 403 is information used to group user information 402, and it holds a list 407 that summarizes the user information corresponding to each channel. In the example in Figure 5, user information for user A and user B is associated with channel X.

[0049] Printer information 404 indicates MFP10-11. Applications using the information in group 401 can send various commands to any MFP by referring to this printer information 404.

[0050] File information 405 is information about files held in group 401. The format of the files held as file information 405 is arbitrary, and various file information formats such as image data, video data, and audio data can be stored. Specifically, file information 405 is stored in an arbitrary area on the HDD 205 within the message application server 20.

[0051] The file information 406 associated with channel X in channel information 403 corresponds to channel information 403. For example, files X1 and X2, indicated by file information 406, are configured to be associated with channel X. Each of the file information 406 associated with channel X is granted access permissions so that only members of channel X can access it. Specifically, the file information 406 associated with channel X is stored in the storage area 206 provided on the HDD 205 within the message application server 20.

[0052] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a sequence in which images scanned by the MFP10 are saved to the storage area 206 of channel X on the HDD 205 in the message application server 20, and the storage location information of the saved images is displayed in the talk rooms of multiple channels. Here, users accessing channel X use user terminal 30, and users accessing channel Y use user terminal 31.

[0053] As soon as this sequence begins, the transmission screen 701 shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the operation panel 116 of the MFP10.

[0054] The sending screen 701 includes a saved file name display area 702, a destination display area 703, a sequence termination command button 704, and a scan start button 705. By selecting the destination display area 703, the screen displayed on the MFP10's operation unit 116 transitions to the channel selection screen 711. In this embodiment, no default destination is set, and nothing is displayed in the destination display area 703, but it may be configured so that a default destination is set. In that case, the user who sent the file last time may be selected as the default destination. Also, in this embodiment, a default name is set in the saved file name display area 702, but it may be configured so that the user can freely enter a name.

[0055] The channel selection screen 711, like the sending screen 701, has a saved file name display area 702, a destination display area 703, an end command button 704, and a scan start button 705. The destination channel candidate display area 714 displays channel candidates that can be selected as destinations. 713 is a destination radio button, and the user can specify the chat destination by selecting the destination radio button corresponding to each channel. Multiple destination radio buttons 713 can be selected. 712 is a radio button for selecting the storage location of the sent image data. For example, if channel X is selected in 712, the sent image data will be saved to the storage area 206 of channel X on the HDD 205 of the message application server 20. Only one storage location radio button 712 can be selected.

[0056] Let's return to the explanation of the sequence diagram in Figure 6. In step S501, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP and requests the acquisition of channel information. An example of the command sent is "HTTP GET / channels". By accessing this URL, the message application server 20 executes step S502.

[0057] In step S502, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 generates a list of channel information.

[0058] In step S503, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 sends the generation result to the MFP 10 as HTTP communication response information. When the MFP 10 receives the channel information list in step S503, it controls the operation unit 116 to display the channel selection screen 711 with the destination channel candidate display area 714 updated.

[0059] In steps S504 and S505, the user selects any number of channels to chat image information from the screen 711 displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP10. In this embodiment, channel X and channel Y are specified as destination radio boxes 713, and channel X is specified as storage radio box 712. Once the user has selected any channels, the MFP10 stores the channel-ids of the selected channels. In this embodiment, the channel-id of channel X, channelX-id, is stored in step S504, and the channel-id of channel Y, channelY-id, is stored in step S505. In this embodiment, since information for two channels is stored, two storage steps, S504 and S505, are performed, but the number of storage steps may be configured to correspond to the number of channels.

[0060] In step S506, when the user selects the scan start button 705, the reading unit 118 of the MFP 10 reads the document image. The read information is converted into image data and stored in a temporary storage area such as the storage 114.

[0061] In step S507, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 to upload image data to the storage area 206 of channel X. An example of the command sent is "HTTP PUT / groups / {channelX-id} / drive / items / : / {filename}: / content". Here, filename is the file name set in the storage file name display area 702. Also, channelX-id is the identification information associated with the channel selected in step S504. By accessing this URL, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 executes step S508.

[0062] In step S508, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 saves the image data sent in step S507 to the designated storage area, namely the storage area 206 of channel X.

[0063] If saving is successful, in step S509, the message application server 20 sends the storage location information to the MFP 10 as HTTP communication response information.

[0064] In step S510, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room of channel X. An example of the command sent is "HTTP POST / chats". At this time, the storage location information of the image data acquired in step S509 is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0065] In step S511, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 requests the user terminal 30, which is referencing the timeline of channel X, to display the chat content.

[0066] In step S512, the CPU 302 of the user terminal 30 displays the chat content on the operation panel 301. The chat screen 800 in Figure 9 is an example of the chat screen for channel X displayed on the operation panel 301 on the user terminal 30. 801 indicates the currently used user. 802 indicates another user belonging to channel X. 803 is chat content containing information about the storage location of the image saved in step S508, and by referring to this storage location information, it is possible to view the image data.

[0067] Returning to Figure 6, in step S513, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP to request permission for members of channel Y to access the image data stored in step S508. An example of the command sent is "POST / shares / {sharing-url} / permission / grant". Here, sharing-url is the image storage location information obtained in step S509. At this time, channelY-id, which is information indicating channel Y, is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0068] In step S514, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 sets the access permissions for the members of channel Y to the file stored in step S508.

[0069] In step S515, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room on channel Y. An example of the command sent is "HTTP POST / chats". At this time, the storage location information of the image data received in step S509 is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0070] In step S516, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 requests the user terminal 31, which is referencing the timeline of channel Y, to display the chat content.

[0071] In step S517, the CPU 302 of the user terminal 31 displays the chat content on the operation panel 301. The chat screen 810 in Figure 9 is an example of the chat screen for channel Y displayed on the operation panel 301 on the user terminal 31. 811 indicates the currently used user. 812 indicates another user belonging to channel Y. 813 is chat content that contains information about the storage location of the image saved in step S508, and by accessing this storage location information, it is possible to view the image data.

[0072] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the MFP10's operation flow when scanning images with the MFP10, saving them to HDD205 for each user, and displaying the save location information in multiple channel chat rooms. The MFP10's processing method is described below.

[0073] In step S601, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP to request the acquisition of a channel information list. Upon receiving this request, the message application server 20 generates a channel information list and returns it to the MFP 10 as an HTTP response.

[0074] In step S602, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits for the response to the HTTP communication performed in step S601. If a response has been received, the process moves to step S603. The response includes a list of channel information.

[0075] In step S603, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 displays a channel selection screen 711 on the operation unit 116. The destination channel candidate display area 714 displayed here uses the channel information acquired in step S602.

[0076] In step S604, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits until the user selects all the channels to be sent. If all are selected and the scan start button 705 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S605. In this embodiment, channels X and Y are specified as destination radio boxes 713, and channel X is specified as destination radio box 712.

[0077] When the CPU 111 of the MFP10 is instructed to read with one channel X selected as the storage destination channel for the storage destination radio box 712, and multiple channels X and Y selected as the destination channels for the delivery destination radio box 713, by pressing the scan start button 705, the system proceeds to step S605.

[0078] In step S605, the reading unit 118 of the MFP 10 reads the document image. The read information is converted into image data and stored in a temporary storage area such as the storage 114.

[0079] In step S606, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication to the message application server 20 for uploading image data. That is, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 uploads the image data generated by reading the document image to the storage area 206 of the storage destination channel X of the message application server 20.

[0080] When the message application server 20 receives an HTTP communication, it saves the target image data in the storage area 206 associated with the channel information, and returns (sends) the storage location information (location information) of the image data to the MFP 10 as a response to the HTTP communication.

[0081] In step S607, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits for the response to the HTTP communication performed in step S606. If a response has been received, the process proceeds to step S608. The CPU 111 of the MFP 10 receives a response from the message application server 20 that includes information about the storage location of the saved data.

[0082] In step S608, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room of channel X. At this time, along with the HTTP communication message, it also sends information about the storage location of the image data included in the HTTP communication response information obtained in step S607.

[0083] In other words, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to the chat room of the destination channel X, which is on the same channel as the storage channel X, without requesting permission from the message application server 20 for members of the destination channel X, which is on the same channel as the storage channel X, to access the image data.

[0084] When the message application server 20 receives an HTTP message, it requests the user terminal 30, which is referencing the timeline of channel X, to display the chat content. In other words, when the message application server 20 receives a message from the MFP 10, it controls the system to display the message in the chat room of the destination channel X.

[0085] In step S609, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 determines whether it has sent a chat message request to all channels selected in steps S603 and S604. If it has sent the request to all channels, it terminates the process. If there are still channels that have not been processed, it proceeds to step S610.

[0086] In step S610, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 updates the channel information being processed. In this embodiment, the channel being processed is switched from channel X to channel Y when step S610 is first reached.

[0087] In step S611, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP and requests permission for members of channel Y to access stored image data.

[0088] The CPU 111 of the MFP10 requests the message application server 20 to grant permission for members of the destination channel Y, which is on a different channel from the storage channel X, to access the above image data.

[0089] In step S612, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits for a response to the HTTP communication request for access permission that was sent to the message application server 20 in step S612. If the response has been received, the process proceeds to step S613.

[0090] In step S613, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room of channel Y. At this time, along with the HTTP communication message, it also sends information about the storage location of the image data included in the HTTP communication response information obtained in step S607.

[0091] In other words, the CPU 111 of the MFP10 sends a message containing the storage location information of the above image data to a chat room on destination channel Y, which is a different channel from the storage channel X.

[0092] When the message application server 20 receives an HTTP message, it requests the user terminal 31, which is referencing the timeline of channel Y, to display the chat content. In other words, when the message application server 20 receives a message from the MFP 10, it controls the system to display the message in the chat room of the destination channel Y. After this step is completed, the system returns to step S609.

[0093] With the configuration described above, the document image read by the MFP10 is saved to the message application server 20, and the location information of the saved document image can be chatted on the timelines of channels X and Y. In addition, while the image is saved in the storage area 206 of channel X, members of channel Y can access the image information.

[0094] (Second embodiment) In the second embodiment, we describe a configuration in which the history of image information sent to channel X stored in the MFP10 is used to chat the image storage location information to another channel, channel Z. As a premise for the second embodiment, in the sequence shown in Figure 6, the image storage location information and the storage channel notified by the MFP10 are stored in storage 114 within the MFP10.

[0095] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a sequence in which, when the transmission history information to channel X stored in storage 114 within the MFP 10 is selected, the image storage location information of the history is displayed in the talk room of channel Z. Here, users who access channel X use user terminal 30, and users who access channel Z use user terminal 32.

[0096] As soon as this sequence begins, the transmission screen 1101 shown in Figure 12 is displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP10. In this embodiment, the transmission screen 1101 is also displayed instead of the transmission screen 701 when the transmission sequence shown in Figure 6 begins.

[0097] The sending screen 1101, like the sending screen 701, has a saved file name display area 702, a destination display area 703, a termination command button 704, and a scan start button 705. Since the operation of these is the same as in the first embodiment, a description will be omitted. Button 1102 is a button that indicates selection from the sending history, and when button 1102 is pressed, the screen transitions to screen 1111.

[0098] The screen 1111 for selecting from the transmission history, like the transmission screen 1101, has a saved file name display area 702, a destination display area 703, an end command button 704, and a scan start button 705. The transmission history list 1112 is a list that displays the image transmission history to each channel stored in the storage 114 within the MFP 10. The transmission history list 1112 displays the file name, the channel where the image information is stored, and the date and time of transmission, which were displayed in the saved file name display area 702 when the file was transmitted. The saved file name display area 702 is updated when any one of these is set.

[0099] The channel selection screen 1121 is the channel selection screen accessed from screen 1111. The configuration of screen 1121 is the same as the channel selection screen 711 of the first embodiment, except that there is no destination radio button 712 and there is a button 1102 to select from the transmission history. The operation of each item is the same as that described above, so the explanation is omitted in this section.

[0100] Returning to Figure 10, in step S901, the user presses button 1102 to transition to screen 1111 and selects any history from the delivery history list 1112. Then, by pressing the recipient display area 703, the user transitions to screen 1121.

[0101] In step S902, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP to request channel information. An example of a command sent is "HTTP GET / channels". By accessing this URL, the message application server 20 executes step S903.

[0102] In step S903, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 generates a list of channel information.

[0103] In step S904, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 sends the generation result to the MFP 10 as HTTP communication response information. When the MFP 10 receives the channel information list information in step S904, it displays the channel selection screen 1121 with the destination channel candidate display area 714 updated on the operation unit 116.

[0104] In step S905, the user selects a channel to chat image storage location information from the screen 1121 displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP10. In this embodiment, channel Z is selected as the destination radio button 713. Once a channel is selected by the user, the MFP10 stores the channel-id of the selected channel. In this embodiment, the channel-id of channel Z, which is channelZ-id, is stored. In this embodiment, one storage step is performed to store one channel's information, but the configuration may be such that the number of storage steps is performed according to the number of channels.

[0105] In step S906, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP to request permission for members of channel Z to access image data. An example of the command sent is "POST / shares / {sharing-url} / permission / grant". Here, sharing-url is the location information of the image stored in the history. At this time, channelZ-id, which is information indicating channel Z, is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0106] In step S907, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 sets the access permissions for the members of channel Z to the file in question.

[0107] In step S908, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room on channel Z. An example of the command sent is "HTTP POST / chats". At this time, information about the storage location of the image data stored in the history is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0108] In step S909, the CPU 201 of the message application server 20 requests the user terminal 32, which is referencing the timeline of channel Z, to display the chat content.

[0109] In step S910, the CPU 302 of the user terminal 32 displays the chat content on the operation panel 301. By accessing the storage location information displayed in the chat, it is possible to view the image data.

[0110] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation flow of the MFP10 when it saves scanned images to the HDD205 for each user and displays the save location information in multiple channel chat rooms.

[0111] In step S1001, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 detects the target selected in the transmission history list 1112. That is, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 detects the image data selected from the transmission history list 1112. The transmission history list 1112 is a list of image data that has been uploaded to the message application server 20 in the past.

[0112] In step S1002, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates with the message application server 20 via HTTP to request the acquisition of a channel information list. Upon receiving the HTTP communication, the message application server 20 generates a channel information list and returns it to the MFP 10 as a response to the HTTP communication.

[0113] In step S1003, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits for the response to the HTTP communication performed in step S1002. If the response has been received, the process moves to step S1004.

[0114] In step S1004, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 displays the channel selection screen 1121 on the operation unit 116. The destination channel candidate display area 714 displayed here uses the channel information acquired in step S1003. The user selects channel Z in the destination radio box 713 on the channel selection screen 1121.

[0115] If the CPU 111 of the MFP10 receives an instruction to send the image data selected in step S1001 to another destination channel Z by pressing the start button 705, it proceeds to step S1005.

[0116] In step S1005, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 updates the channel information being processed. If step S1005 is reached for the first time, an arbitrary channel is set as the first channel being processed. In this embodiment, the channel being processed is set to channel Z.

[0117] In step S1006, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 communicates via HTTP to the message application server 20 and requests permission for members of channel Z to access image data.

[0118] In other words, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 requests the message application server 20 to grant permission for other members of destination channel Z to access the above image data.

[0119] In step S1007, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 waits for the HTTP communication response of the access permission request sent to the message application server 20 in step S1006. If the response has been received, the process proceeds to step S1008.

[0120] In step S1008, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 performs HTTP communication with the message application server 20 and sends a message to the chat room of channel Z. At this time, information about the storage location of the image data stored in the history is also sent as part of the HTTP communication message.

[0121] In other words, the CPU 111 of MFP10 sends a message containing the storage location information of the above image data to the chat room of another destination channel Z.

[0122] When the message application server 20 receives an HTTP message, it requests the user terminal 32, which is referencing the timeline of channel Z, to display the chat content.

[0123] In step S1009, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 determines whether it has sent chat requests to all channels selected in step S1004. If it has sent requests to all channels, it terminates the process. If there are channels that have not yet been processed, it moves to step S1005. In this embodiment, no channels other than channel Z have been selected, so the process terminates as is.

[0124] By configuring it as described above, the history of image information sent to channel X, which is stored in MFP10, can be used to chat information about the image's storage location to another channel, channel Z.

[0125] As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the image data generated by the MFP10 reading the image of the document can be sent to chat rooms in multiple channels and made viewable. When sending image data to multiple channels, it is not necessary to perform the image data sending operation and access permission request operation from the MFP10 multiple times. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a copy of the image data for each channel in the message application server 20.

[0126] (Other embodiments) This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0127] Furthermore, the embodiments described above are merely examples illustrating how to implement this disclosure, and they should not be interpreted as limiting the technical scope of this disclosure. In other words, this disclosure can be implemented in various ways without departing from its technical concept or its main features.

[0128] This embodiment includes the following configuration. (Item 1) When reading is instructed with multiple channels selected as the destination channel, the upload means uploads the image data generated by reading the document image to the message application server and receives information on the storage location of the image data from the message application server. A sending means that sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to each chat room of the multiple destination channels of the message application server. An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features. (Item 2) The image forming apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that, when reading is instructed with one channel selected as the storage destination channel and multiple channels selected as the delivery destination channels, the upload means uploads the image data generated by reading the original image to the storage area of ​​the storage destination channel of the message application server, and receives information on the storage location of the image data from the message application server. (Item 3) The aforementioned sending means is Without requesting permission from the message application server for a member of the destination channel, which is on the same channel as the storage channel, to access the image data, a message containing information about the storage location of the image data is sent to the chat room of the destination channel, which is on the same channel as the storage channel. The image forming apparatus according to item 2, characterized in that, after a member of a destination channel on a different channel from the storage channel requests permission from the message application server to access the image data, a message containing information about the storage location of the image data is sent to the chat room of the destination channel on a different channel from the storage channel. (Item 4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that when an instruction is given to send image data selected from image data previously uploaded to the message application server to another destination channel, the sending means sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to the chat room of the other destination channel on the message application server. (Item 5) The image forming apparatus according to item 4, characterized in that the sending means requests the message application server to grant permission for the members of the other destination channel to access the image data, and then sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to the chat room of the other destination channel. (Item 6) An image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 5, The message application server is included, The image forming system is characterized in that the message application server stores image data from the image forming apparatus, transmits information about the storage location of the image data to the image forming apparatus, and, upon receiving a message, controls the system to display the message in the chat room of the destination channel. (Item 7) When scanning is instructed with multiple channels selected as the destination channel, the upload step includes uploading the image data generated by scanning the original image to the message application server and receiving information about the storage location of the image data from the message application server. A sending step of sending a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to each chat room of the multiple destination channels of the message application server. A processing method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by having the following features. (Item 8) A program to cause a computer to function as an image forming apparatus as described in any one of items 1 to 5. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0129] 10 MFP 20. Message Application Server 21 Cloud 30 User terminals 400 tenants 701 Sending screen 711 Channel Selection Screen

Claims

1. When reading is instructed with multiple channels selected as the destination channel, the upload means uploads the image data generated by reading the document image to the message application server and receives information on the storage location of the image data from the message application server. A sending means that sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to each chat room of the multiple destination channels of the message application server. An image forming apparatus characterized by having the following features.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when reading is instructed with one channel selected as the storage destination channel and multiple channels selected as the delivery destination channels, the upload means uploads the image data generated by reading the original image to the storage area of ​​the storage destination channel of the message application server, and receives information on the storage location of the image data from the message application server.

3. The aforementioned sending means is Without requesting permission from the message application server for a member of the destination channel, which is on the same channel as the storage channel, to access the image data, a message containing information about the storage location of the image data is sent to the chat room of the destination channel, which is on the same channel as the storage channel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, after a member of a destination channel on a different channel from the storage channel requests permission from the message application server to access the image data, a message containing information about the storage location of the image data is sent to the chat room of the destination channel on a different channel from the storage channel.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the sending means receives an instruction to send selected image data from image data previously uploaded to the message application server to another destination channel, it sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to the chat room of the other destination channel on the message application server.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the sending means requests the message application server to grant permission for the members of the other destination channel to access the image data, and then sends a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to the chat room of the other destination channel.

6. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The message application server is included, The image forming system is characterized in that the message application server stores image data from the image forming apparatus, transmits information about the storage location of the image data to the image forming apparatus, and, upon receiving a message, controls the system to display the message in the chat room of the destination channel.

7. When scanning is instructed with multiple channels selected as the destination channel, the upload step includes uploading the image data generated by scanning the original image to the message application server and receiving information about the storage location of the image data from the message application server. A sending step of sending a message containing information about the storage location of the image data to each chat room of the multiple destination channels of the message application server. A processing method for an image forming apparatus, characterized by having the following features.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

Images