Reading device, method

Abstract

This invention provides a system, reading device, method, and program that enable the secure acquisition of scanned files with a simple configuration. [Solution] In the scanning system, the MFP includes an upload means for reading an image of a document and uploading the resulting scanned file to a storage server, and a display control means for obtaining the access code generated by a generation means that generates an access code including authentication information for accessing the upload destination of the scanned file and displaying it on a display unit. The portable terminal includes a reading means for reading the access code displayed on the display unit, an access means for obtaining information indicating the upload destination of the scanned file based on the reading by the reading means and accessing the upload destination of the scanned file using the obtained information, and a download means for downloading the scanned file from the upload destination of the scanned file accessed by the access means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a reading device, a method, and a program for acquiring a file including data obtained by scanning.

Background Art

[0002] There is a system that acquires and stores a file scanned from a document by a multi-functional peripheral (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) in an information terminal such as a smartphone. In such a system, a dedicated application installed in the information terminal directly communicates with and controls the MFP to acquire the scanned file. Also, in the system, a file scanned by the MFP may be attached to an e-mail and sent to its own information terminal. Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a file is sent to an information terminal using access information printed by the MFP in order to eliminate the need for an input operation for setting an e-mail address for the MFP.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when starting a dedicated application installed in an information terminal to acquire a scanned file, it is necessary to install the dedicated application and perform setup for direct communication with the MFP. Also, there is a high possibility that the access information printed as a print output as in Patent Document 1 will be acquired by a third party.

[0005] In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a method for realizing a system for securely acquiring scanned files with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a system including a reader and a server, wherein the reader includes a reading means for reading an image of a document, an upload means for uploading image data obtained by reading the image of the document by the reading means to the server, and a display control means for displaying an access code generated by a generation means for generating an access code and for downloading the image data on the screen of the display unit of the reader, wherein the portable terminal downloads the uploaded image data using information for downloading the image data acquired by the portable terminal based on the reading of the access code displayed on the screen, authentication information necessary for access using the information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen where the access code is displayed, and the display control means displays a message prompting the reading of the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit on the screen together with the access code. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a system for securely acquiring scanned files can be realized with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the system configuration for acquiring scanned files. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of a portable device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the MFP. [Figure 4]This diagram shows the configuration of the management server and storage server. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram that explains the operation of the system. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the process of obtaining a scanned file. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram explaining the steps taken to erase the displayed QR code. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the scanning system. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the process when a scan command is received. [Figure 10] This diagram shows a signed URL. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the expiration date management table. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the shortened URL management table. [Figure 13] This is a diagram showing how a QR code is displayed. [Figure 14] This is a diagram showing the service selection screen. [Figure 15] This diagram shows the screen that accepts the request to perform a scan. [Figure 16] This is a diagram showing the detailed settings screen. [Figure 17] This is a diagram showing the manuscript confirmation screen. [Figure 18] This is a diagram showing the screen displayed on a portable device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a system for acquiring a scan file in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) 101, a wireless LAN router 102, a management server 105, and a storage server 106 are connected to the Internet 103. The MFP 101 is an image forming apparatus including a scan function, and optically reads a document image placed on a document table or an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) (not shown) to generate a scan file. The portable terminal 104 is an information terminal such as a smartphone, for example, and is wirelessly connected to the wireless LAN router 102 and can communicate with the Internet 103. Note that the portable terminal 104 may be configured to be connected to the Internet 103 via a public line. The portable terminal 104 does not necessarily need to be in a state where it can directly communicate with the MFP 101. Also, the Internet 103 may be another form of network such as a WAN or a LAN. In this embodiment, a user of the portable terminal 104 can acquire a scan file scanned by the MFP 101 and uploaded to the storage server 106 and save it in the portable terminal 104.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the portable terminal 104. The CPU 202 comprehensively controls the portable terminal 104 by performing operations, judgments, and controls on data and commands according to software stored in the RAM 203, the ROM 204, or the non-volatile memory 205. The RAM 203 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 202 performs various processes. The non-volatile memory 205 stores an operating system (OS), application software, and the like.

[0012] The display 206 is composed of a liquid crystal display and a graphic controller, and displays objects such as images and icons represented by shortcut menus and launchers, as well as displays such as GUI. The input device 207 is a device for receiving various instruction operations from the user to the portable terminal 104. For example, the input device 207 is configured as a touch panel integrated with the display 206 or a digital camera, but may also be configured as a separate device from the display 206, such as a mouse or a keyboard.

[0013] Data transmission and reception between each block shown in FIG. 2 are performed via the system bus 208. Also, the interface (I / F) device 209 performs data transmission and reception with devices on the same network or the Internet via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN conforming to a standard such as IEEE802.11a using a protocol such as TCP / IP. The imaging device 210 is a camera that captures an object using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The portable terminal 104 can extract an access code from the read data obtained by reading a barcode by the imaging device 210, for example.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP 101. The MFP 101 has an operation panel 303, a ROM 304, a RAM 305, a reading device 306, a printing device 307, a copying device 308, an I / F device 309, and a system bus 310. The CPU 302 comprehensively controls the MFP 101 by executing a program stored in the ROM 304 on the RAM 305 in accordance with an instruction from the user received via the operation panel 303, for example. The ROM 304 stores a control instruction program of the MFP 101 and the like. The RAM 305 operates as a working memory by the CPU 302 and is also used as a storage area for a print job spooler. The operation panel 303 includes keys and a touch pad for the user to operate, and a display unit for displaying images and various information to the user. FIG. 13 shows an example of the configuration of the operation panel 303, and the operation panel 303 includes a display 1300 and a power button 1302.

[0015] The reading device 306 is equipped with an optical sensor for optically reading an image of a document placed on a document glass or ADF (not shown), and stores the image data (scan file) generated by the reading by the optical sensor in the RAM 305. The printing device 307 includes, for example, an ink tank for storing ink and a recording head for ejecting ink droplets. The printing device 307 also includes a transport unit for transporting printing paper, and for example, records an image on a recording medium such as the transported printing paper. Note that the printing device 307 is not limited to an inkjet recording method, and other recording methods, such as an electrophotographic method, may be adopted. The copying device 308 performs image processing for printing (i.e., copying function) the image of the document to be read by the reading device 306 using the printing device 307.

[0016] Data is transmitted and received between the blocks shown in Figure 3 via the system bus 310. The I / F device 309 transmits and receives data between devices on the same network or the internet using protocols such as TCP / IP via wireless LAN or wired LAN compliant with standards such as IEEE802.11a.

[0017] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the management server 105 and the storage server 106. The management server 105 and the storage server 106 have a common configuration, and unless otherwise specified, the management server 105 will be described as a representative example of the management server 105 and the storage server 106. The CPU 402 comprehensively controls the management server 105 by performing calculations, decisions, and controls on data and instructions according to the software stored in the RAM 403, ROM 404, or hard disk 405. The RAM 403 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 402 performs various processing. The hard disk 405 stores the operating system (OS), application software, etc.

[0018] The display 406 consists of an LCD display and a graphics controller, and displays objects such as images and icons, including shortcut menus and launchers, as well as a GUI. The input device 407 is a device for receiving various instructions and operations from the user to the management server 105. For example, the input device 407 is configured as a touch panel integrated with the display 406, but it may also be configured as a separate device from the display 406, such as a mouse or keyboard.

[0019] Data is transmitted and received between the blocks in Figure 4 via the system bus 408. The I / F device 409 also transmits and receives data between devices on the same network or the internet using protocols such as TCP / IP via wireless LAN or wired LAN compliant with standards such as IEEE802.11a.

[0020] The management server 105 and the storage server 106 store the following programs on the hard disk 405. For example, the hard disk 405 of the management server 105 stores a program that creates upload URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) and signed URLs. The upload URL is used when the MFP 101 uploads scanned files to the storage server 106. The signed URL is used when the portable terminal 104 accesses scanned files uploaded to the storage server 106. The hard disk 405 of the management server 105 also stores a program that generates a two-dimensional barcode from a URL, and in this embodiment, it generates a two-dimensional barcode from a signed URL. In this embodiment, a QR (Quick Response) code is described as an example of a two-dimensional barcode. The hard disk 405 of the storage server 106 also stores a URL verification program that performs verification when an external party accesses a signed URL. The hard disk 405 of the storage server 106 also stores a log file that describes scanned files scanned and uploaded by the MFP 101, as well as logs of access to specific URLs from external sources.

[0021] In this embodiment, the management server 105 and the storage server 106 are described as separate devices, but they may be configured as a single, integrated device. Similarly, although each server is described as a single device, each server may be composed of multiple devices.

[0022] Next, the operation of this system will be described. In this system, after the scanned file obtained as a result of reading the original image by the MFP101 is uploaded to the storage server 106, an access code for accessing the storage server 106 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP101. In this embodiment, a QR code will be described as an example of an access code.

[0023] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of this system. First, the service selection screen 1400 shown in Figure 14 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP101. The service selection screen 1400 displays a list of services that are performed in conjunction with the portable terminal 104. The scan service 1401 is a button that accepts the selection of the scan service function, which sends the scanned file obtained as a result of scanning the original image with the MFP101 to the portable terminal 104. The print service 1402 is a button that accepts the selection of the print service function, which prints image data from the portable terminal 104 using the MFP101.

[0024] The MFP101 accepts the user's selection of the scan service 1401 on the service selection screen 1400. Upon acceptance of the selection of the scan service 1401, the screen 1500 for accepting the execution of the scan, as shown in Figure 15, is displayed on the operation panel 303. When the scan button 1501 on screen 1500 is pressed, the scanning of the document image placed on the document glass is performed (S501). The detailed settings button 1502 on screen 1500 is a button for configuring the document image scanning settings. When the detailed settings button 1502 is pressed, the detailed settings screen 1600 shown in Figure 16 is displayed on the operation panel 303. On the detailed settings screen 1600, items such as the type and size of the document image (document, photograph, etc.), scanning resolution, and data format of the scanned file are displayed and can be changed. For example, for the data format, file formats such as JPEG, PNG, and PDF are displayed and can be selected. It may also be configured to allow settings such as the compression ratio of JPEG and PDF. When the Cancel button 1601 is pressed, the changed settings are canceled and the screen returns to screen 1500. Also, when the OK button 1602 is pressed, the changed settings are confirmed and the screen returns to screen 1500.

[0025] When scanning is performed in S501, the reader 306 starts reading the document image based on the settings in the detailed settings screen 1600, and saves the image data generated as a result of the reading as a scan file in the specified data format on RAM 305 (S502). MFP 101 sends the device name and serial number unique to the device to the management server 105, and requests the URL (upload URL) to which the scan file saved in S502 will be uploaded (S503).

[0026] When the management server 105 receives an upload URL request from the MFP 101, it issues a job ID corresponding to the reading by the MFP 101. The management server 105 then creates a unique folder hierarchy in the storage server 106 associated with the received device name and serial number, and determines the upload URL (S504). Subsequently, the management server 105 sends the determined upload URL to the MFP 101 (S505), and the MFP 101 uploads the scanned file saved in S502 to the specified URL (S506).

[0027] After the scan file upload is complete, MFP101 sends the upload URL and the filename of the scan file to the management server 105 and requests a QR code (S507). The QR code is displayed on the operation panel 303 of MFP101 as a target for reading by the portable terminal 104 when the portable terminal 104 accesses the scan file uploaded to the storage server 106.

[0028] The management server 105 compares the filename of the scanned file located at the specified upload URL with the filename obtained from the MFP 101 and begins creating a signed URL. The signed URL is used to allow the client, the portable terminal 104, to temporarily access the storage server 106 directly without going through the management server 105. For example, the period during which the signed URL is accessible is set as its expiration date.

[0029] The signed URL in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 10. The signed URL 1000 is composed of elements 1001, 1002, 1003, and 1004. Element 1001 is a communication protocol declaration, for example, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is used as the encrypted communication protocol. Element 1002 indicates the hostname, for example, storage server 106 is set. Element 1003 is hierarchical path information uniquely determined for each data, indicating the storage location of the data to be downloaded (scan file). Element 1003 further includes information such as the device name, serial number, job ID, and file name specific to the device. Element 1004 is a URL query parameter, which is authentication information (signature information) issued when the signed URL is created, for example, an expiration date is set. The expiration date is the time limit information for when the portable terminal 104 can download the scan file from the storage server 106. In this embodiment, element 1003 generates a unique hierarchical path that includes device-specific information, but a hierarchical path may be generated by including other information as long as it is unique.

[0030] The management server 105 sets the expiration date for creating signed URLs based on the validity period management table 1100 shown in Figure 11 (S508). The validity period management table 1100 is stored on the hard disk 405 of the management server 105, and the validity period is set as an expiration date in association with, for example, the file size, the number of files, and the communication line speed of the region where the download takes place. For example, the larger the file size or the number of files, or the slower the communication line speed, the longer the validity period is set. In this embodiment, the expiration date set in the signed URL can be appropriately set according to the communication environment of the portable terminal 104 and the size of the file.

[0031] The management server 105 requests the storage server 106 to create a signed URL along with the set expiration date (S509). Subsequently, the management server 105 starts the QR code generation program stored on the management server 105's hard disk 405, converts the created signed URL into a QR code (S510), and sends the QR code to the MFP 101 (S511). The MFP 101 displays the QR code sent from the management server 105 on the operation panel 303 so that it can be read from the outside (S512). Figure 13 shows the QR code being displayed, and a message prompting the user of the portable terminal 104 to read the QR code is displayed.

[0032] In this embodiment, after the MFP 101 uploads the scanned file to the storage server 106, a signed URL indicating the upload destination is generated as a QR code. This generated QR code is then displayed on the MFP 101's operation panel 303.

[0033] Next, we will explain the sequence from when the user reads the QR code displayed on the MFP101's control panel 303 with their portable terminal 104, to when they download and save the scanned file from the storage server 106, referring to Figure 6.

[0034] The user activates the QR code reading program stored in the non-volatile memory 205 of the portable terminal 104 (S601). Activating the QR code reading program here is, for example, done by the user using the imaging device 210 of the portable terminal 104 to photograph the QR code. In other words, in this embodiment, the user does not need to install a dedicated application on the portable terminal 104 to obtain a signed URL.

[0035] After the QR code reading program is started, the portable terminal 104 uses the imaging device 210 to photograph and read the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101 (S602), and extracts a signed URL for download from the read data (S603). Then, the portable terminal 104 uses the QR code reading program to start the web browser program stored in the non-volatile memory 205 (S604). The portable terminal 104 uses the started web browser program to access the storage server 106 by specifying the signed URL (S605).

[0036] The storage server 106 verifies whether the accompanying information of the accessed signed URL is correct (S606). Here, the accompanying information of the signed URL includes, for example, encrypted token information, the expiration date mentioned above, and information about the file to be downloaded. If the accompanying information is an expiration date, the storage server 106 determines that the accompanying information of the signed URL is correct if the date and time the access was received in S605 is within the expiration date. If the storage server 106 determines that the accompanying information of the signed URL is correct in S606, the storage server 106 sends the information about the file to be downloaded to the portable terminal 104 (S607).

[0037] The portable terminal 104 displays the received file information on the display 206 using a web browser (S608). Figure 18(A) shows the image 1801 of the scanned file displayed in the web browser. The user can, for example, select the image 1801 displayed on the display 206 using the web browser, specify a save location and save the file (S609), and then display the saving result (S610). As a saving result, a message indicating that the scanning file has been saved may be displayed, or a file viewing program such as a file viewer may be launched to display the saved scanning file. The actual scanned file uploaded in S506 may be downloaded to the portable terminal 104 in S607, or it may be downloaded when the save location is specified in S609.

[0038] If S605 determines that the date and time of access is incorrect, such as the date and time the signed URL expires, the storage server 106 sends access error information to the portable terminal 104. In this case, the portable terminal 104 displays the received access error information on the display 206 using a web browser. Figure 18(B) shows how access error information 1802 is displayed by the web browser.

[0039] Thus, in this embodiment, the programs launched on the portable terminal 104 to download and save the scanned file are a QR code reader program and a web browser. Therefore, there is no need to install a dedicated application or set up communication with the MFP 101, and the portable terminal 104 can download and save the scanned file with a simple configuration. In addition, since the QR code to be read by the portable terminal 104 contains information of a signed URL, security during access can be maintained, and the user's operation procedure can be simplified.

[0040] Next, we will explain the operation from the time the QR code is read by the portable terminal 104 until the QR code displayed on the MFP101's operation panel 303 is erased, with reference to Figure 7. Note that the same process in Figure 6 is given the same symbols and its explanation is omitted.

[0041] After displaying a QR code on the operation panel 303, the MFP101 starts a monitoring program (S701) that monitors whether there is access from the portable terminal 104 to the upload destination of the scanned file uploaded to the storage server 106. The access monitoring program of the MFP101 monitors for updates to the access log file of a specific URL on the storage server 106. When the storage server 106 detects that there has been access to the signed URL in S605 and verifies in S606 that the accompanying information of the signed URL is correct, it adds access information to the access log file of the signed URL and updates it (S702). The access information is, for example, information on the date and time of access. The storage server 106 notifies the MFP101 that the access log file has been updated (S703). The access monitoring program of the MFP101 detects that there has been access to the signed URL upon notification of the update of the access log file and erases the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 (S704).

[0042] In this way, the MFP 101 monitors whether the portable terminal 104 has accessed the upload destination of the scanned files uploaded to the storage server 106. When the MFP 101 detects that an access has occurred, it erases the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303. For example, if the access code were output as a printed document rather than being displayed, once it is printed, there is a possibility that the access code information could fall into the hands of a third party even after an access has been detected. However, in this embodiment, since the display of the access code is erased when an access has been detected, the possibility of the access code information falling into the hands of a third party can be reduced.

[0043] Next, the processing when a scan command is received on the MFP101's operation panel 303 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. The processing in Figure 9 is achieved, for example, by the CPU 302 reading a program stored in ROM 304 into RAM 305 and executing it.

[0044] On the screen 1500 shown in Figure 15 on the MFP101's control panel 303, the CPU 302 waits for an event to be triggered by pressing the scan button 1501 (S901). When the press of the scan button 1501 is detected (Yes in S901), the CPU 302 reads the document image placed on the document glass or ADF (not shown) (S902). After the reading is complete, the CPU 302 displays the document confirmation screen 1700 in Figure 17 to ask the user whether to continue scanning the next document image. If the user wishes to continue scanning the next document, they press the scan button 1701. If the press of the scan button 1701 is detected, the CPU 302 repeats the process from S902 (Yes in S903). On the other hand, if the user has finished scanning all documents, they press the finish button 1702. When the End button 1702 is pressed (No. in S903), the CPU 302 saves the image data generated as a result of the reading as a scan file (S904). For example, image data from multiple scanned documents can be saved as a single scan file. For example, if the "Multi-page PDF" setting is selected in the data format item of the detailed settings screen 1600 in Figure 16, the files may be saved as a single scan file.

[0045] S901 to S903 correspond to S501 in Figure 5, and S904 corresponds to S502 in Figure 5.

[0046] The CPU 302 displays a QR code on the operation panel 303 so that it can be read externally, allowing access to the scanned file uploaded to the storage server 106 (S905). As shown in Figure 13, the display 1300 shows an OK button 1303 for the user to respond to a message. When the user presses the OK button 1303 (Yes in S906), the CPU 302 erases the QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). Also, if a certain period of time has elapsed without the OK button 1303 being pressed (No in S906, Yes in S907), the CPU 302 erases the QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). Alternatively, the operation panel 303 may display a message indicating that the QR code will be erased after a certain period of time, or it may display a timer showing a countdown until erasure.

[0047] Furthermore, if a certain amount of time has not elapsed as of S907, the CPU 302 determines whether or not it has detected that the mobile terminal 104 has accessed the signed URL contained in the QR code. If it has detected that the mobile terminal 104 has accessed the signed URL (Yes in S908), the CPU 302 erases the QR code 1301 and transitions to a home screen (not shown) (S909). On the other hand, if it has not detected that the mobile terminal 104 has accessed the signed URL, the process from S906 is repeated.

[0048] S905 corresponds to S512 in Figure 5, and S908 to S909 correspond to S703 to S704 in Figure 7.

[0049] In this embodiment, when a QR code is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP101, the displayed QR code is erased if predetermined conditions are met. For example, the QR code is erased when the OK button 1303 is pressed or when a certain amount of time has elapsed since the QR code was displayed. Such display control can further reduce the possibility that access code information may fall into the hands of a third party and lead to unauthorized access to the storage server 106.

[0050] As described above, according to this embodiment, an access code for downloading scanned files from the storage server 106 is displayed on the operation panel 303 of the MFP 101. The portable terminal 104 can then read the displayed access code and download and save the files via a web browser. Furthermore, when certain conditions are met, such as when the portable terminal 104 accesses the storage server 106, the access code displayed on the MFP 101 is erased. As a result, the possibility of unauthorized access to scanned files by a third party due to the access code information being passed on can be reduced. In this embodiment, a QR code (two-dimensional barcode) was described as an example of an access code. However, the access code may be implemented using other configurations, such as a one-dimensional barcode, as long as it is readable by the imaging device 210 of the portable terminal 104.

[0051] [Second Embodiment] The second embodiment will now be described in terms of its differences from the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a QR code was described as an example of an access code for accessing a scanned file uploaded to the storage server 106. However, there may be limitations on the storage capacity of access codes such as QR codes. In this embodiment, a configuration using a shortened URL as the access code will be described. In this embodiment, even if there are limitations on the capacity of the access code, the impact of those limitations can be avoided.

[0052] In this embodiment, the hard disk 405 of the management server 105 stores a URL shortening program that creates a shortened URL from a signed URL. The hard disk 405 of the management server 105 also stores a redirect program that sends a signed URL to the mobile terminal 104 when the mobile terminal 104 accesses the shortened URL.

[0053] The operation of the system in this embodiment will now be described. After the scanned file is uploaded from the MFP 101 to the storage server 106, the portable terminal 104 reads the QR code displayed on the MFP 101 and displays it on the display 206 using a web browser.

[0054] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the system in this embodiment. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same processes as in Figures 5 and 6.

[0055] Similar to the case in Figure 5, when the management server 105 receives a request from the MFP 101 for an upload URL for the scanned file, it sends the upload URL to the MFP 101 (S503-S505). After the MFP 101 uploads the scanned file (S506), it requests the management server 105 to display a QR code on the operation panel 303 (S507). After the management server 105 creates a signed URL (S508, S509), it starts a shortened URL creation program and creates a shortened URL from the signed URL (S801).

[0056] Figure 12 shows an example of a shortened URL management table 1200 for creating shortened URLs from signed URLs. The shortened URL management table 1200 is stored, for example, on the hard disk 405 of the management server 105. The shortened URL may be created by using fixed-size strings such as the device name and serial number included in the signed URL as they are. Alternatively, the shortened URL may be created by creating a random shortened string from variable-size strings such as supplementary information of the signed URL. Alternatively, the entire string of the signed URL may be created as a random shortened string. After creating the shortened URL (S801), the management server 105 starts a QR code generation program to convert the shortened URL into a QR code (S802), and sends the converted QR code to the MFP 101 (S511).

[0057] Similar to the case in Figure 6, the user activates the QR code reading program on the portable terminal 104, reads the QR code displayed on the operation panel 303 by taking a picture of it in S512, and extracts a shortened URL from the read data (S601-S603). That is, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a shortened URL is extracted from the read data instead of a signed URL. The portable terminal 104 activates the web browser program via the QR code reading program (S604), and accesses the management server 105 by specifying the shortened URL (S803).

[0058] The management server 105 starts a redirect program (S804), refers to the shortened URL management table 1200, and sends a signed URL for downloading the scanned file to the mobile terminal 104 as the redirect destination (S805). The mobile terminal 104 uses a web browser program to access the storage server 106 by specifying the signed URL (S806). The storage server 106 verifies whether the accompanying information of the signed URL is correct (S606). If the storage server 106 determines in S606 that the accompanying information of the signed URL is correct, it sends information about the file to be downloaded to the mobile terminal 104 (S607). The mobile terminal 104 uses a web browser to display the received file information on the display 206 (S608). At that time, the image 1801 of the scanned file is displayed as shown in Figure 18(A).

[0059] Thus, according to this embodiment, in the process of generating and displaying an access code for downloading a scan file from the storage server 106, even if there is a limit on the capacity of the access code, the impact of that limit can be avoided.

[0060] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments 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 realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0061] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 101 MFP: 104 Portable terminal: 105 Management server: 106 Storage server: 202, 302, 402 CPU: 203, 305, 403 RAM: 204, 304, 404 ROM

Claims

[Claim 1] A system including a reader and a server, The aforementioned reading device, A reading method for reading the original image, An upload means uploads image data obtained by reading the original document image using the reading means to the server, The system includes a display control means that generates an access code, which is used to generate the access code for downloading the image data, and displays the access code on the screen of the display unit of the reader, Based on the reading of the access code displayed on the aforementioned screen by the portable terminal, the portable terminal uses the information for downloading the image data obtained by the portable terminal to download the uploaded image data. The authentication information necessary for accessing the data using the information for downloading the image data from the portable terminal is provided on the screen where the access code is displayed. The display control means displays on the screen a message prompting the reader to read the displayed access code and a message indicating a time limit, along with the access code. A system characterized by the following features.

Images