Application program, control method, and information processing device.

Abstract

The objective is to provide a system that allows for the scanning of unscanned documents after each scanning session is complete, for documents that are scanned in multiple stages. [Solution] The extended application 204 causes the computer to perform the following steps: a first transmission step of sending a first instruction to the scanning device 102 to instruct it to perform a reading function on the first document; a display control step of displaying a reception screen (reading standby screen 1600) that receives a second instruction to instruct it to perform a reading function on the second document after the reading function on the first document has been performed; a second transmission step of sending the second instruction to the scanning device 102 when the second instruction is received on the reception screen; and a generation step of generating an image file that includes first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first document and second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an application program, a control method, and an information processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] A scanning device (scanner) that performs image reading, that is, scanning, is communicably connected to a host computer (information processing apparatus) capable of processing information with the scanning device. As control software for controlling the scanning device, for example, a scan driver installed from the scanning device to the host computer is used. With this scan driver, a scan instruction can be given from the host computer to the scanning device. An operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS"), which is basic software, is pre-installed on the host computer. The scan driver has a configuration in accordance with the specifications defined by the OS and can be called from the OS to operate. Also, such a scan driver is different for each vendor that supplies the scanning device, that is, it is a model-specific scan driver suitable for each scanning device.

[0003] In recent years, in Windows (registered trademark), even for scanning devices supplied by a plurality of different vendors, a common standard class driver (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "standard driver") has been attempted to be provided. Such a standard driver is pre-embedded in the OS. By connecting an arbitrary scanning device to a host computer having the OS incorporated in the standard driver, the standard driver can be used. Thereby, it is possible to omit the installation of the model-specific scan driver. Also, it is assumed that the standard driver is configured to be able to specify the scan function of the scanning device according to the scan function information generated based on the information acquired from the scanning device. Thereby, the scan function can be specified for each scanning device with one standard driver.

[0004] Standard drivers are designed to be usable across multiple vendors' scanning devices; however, this may mean that, for example, it may be impossible to perform some functions on a particular vendor's scanning device. Patent Document 1 discloses a program that extends the printing capabilities of a print service that can be used universally regardless of the model or vendor of the image forming apparatus. This allows users to perform printing functions that are not possible with a universally usable print service alone by operating a print settings screen tailored to the individual image forming apparatus of each model and vendor. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-033526 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] As mentioned earlier, scan drivers differ depending on the vendor supplying the scanning device; in other words, they are model-specific scan drivers suited to each scanning device. Some of these scan drivers have a continuous reading setting function when issuing scan commands to the scanning device. For example, suppose the scanner's feeder has a maximum number of sheets that can be loaded, and there are multiple documents that exceed that maximum number. In this case, the continuous reading setting function allows the documents to be divided into two bundles, the first bundle to be loaded onto the feeder and scanned, then the scanner enters a waiting state for scanning, and then the second bundle to be loaded onto the feeder and scanned. Through this scanning process, it is possible to generate a single continuous data file from multiple documents. However, with the standard driver, when issuing a scan command to the scanning device, it is not possible to scan documents divided into multiple bundles, and then, after scanning each bundle is completed, to instruct the scanner to scan the documents in the remaining bundles. As a result, there was a problem in that it was not possible to generate a single continuous data file from multiple documents.

[0007] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of this invention is to provide a mechanism that enables the scanning of unscanned documents after each scanning of a document has been completed, for documents that are scanned in multiple stages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the application program of the present invention is a standard driver provided by an operating system provider, an application program that supports a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, and is characterized by causing a computer, which is communicably connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, to send a first instruction to the image processing device instructing it to execute the reading function on a first document; a display control step that, after the execution of the reading function on the first document based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that accepts a second instruction instructing it to execute the reading function on a second document following the first document; a second transmission step that, when the reception screen accepts the second instruction, sends the second instruction to the image processing device; and a generation step that generates a single image file including first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first document and second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, for documents that are read in multiple stages, it is possible to issue an instruction to read any unread documents after each stage of document reading is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the scanning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the scanning system. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a scanning system. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the process by which the scan function expansion unit edits scan function information. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a list of scan information. [Figure 6]This sequence diagram shows the processes that occur between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension applications, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the processes performed by the extended application. [Figure 8A] This is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the scanning device. [Figure 8B] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of a scanning system. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the process by which the scan function extension unit in the second embodiment edits scan function information. [Figure 10] This sequence diagram shows the processes that occur between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension applications, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the processes performed by the extended application. [Figure 12] This is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension application, and scan device after the scan application in the third embodiment receives the scan settings. [Figure 13] This is a sequence diagram (modified) showing the processes that occur between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension applications, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. [Figure 14] This is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension application, and scan device after the scan application in the fourth embodiment receives the scan settings. [Figure 15] This flowchart shows the processes performed by the extended application. [Figure 16]A sequence diagram showing the processes executed among a scan application, general-purpose scan software, an extension application, and a scan device after the scan application in the fifth embodiment receives a scan setting. [Figure 17] A flowchart showing the processes executed by the extension application. [Figure 18] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the scan system in the sixth embodiment. [Figure 19] A sequence diagram showing the processes executed among a scan application, general-purpose scan software, an extension application, and a scan device after the scan application receives a scan setting. [Figure 20] A flowchart showing the processes executed by the extension application.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each part constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can exhibit the same function. Also, any component may be added. Further, any combination of two or more configurations (features) among the embodiments can also be made.

[0012] <<First Embodiment>> Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8B.

[0013] <Hardware Configuration of the Scan System> Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a scanning system according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the scanning system 1000 includes a host computer 101, a scanning device (scanner) 102, a pointing device 117, a keyboard 118, and a display unit 119, which are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with one another. The host computer 101 is an information processing device and includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device (storage medium) 114, an output interface 115, an input / output interface 116, and a NET interface 120. The host computer 101 can be, for example, a desktop personal computer, but is not limited to this, and can also be a notebook personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, etc.

[0014] The CPU 111 is a computer that executes programs stored in the ROM 112 and the external storage device 114. In this embodiment, the CPU 111 can execute the functions and processes of the host computer 101, i.e., the various processes (control methods) described later, by processing according to the code of the programs stored in the ROM 112. The ROM 112 stores an initialization program. The external storage device 114 stores application programs, an operating system (OS), print data generation software, and various other data. In this embodiment, Microsoft's Windows 11 is installed on the host computer 101 as the OS. The external storage device 114 is not particularly limited, and for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be used. The RAM 113 is used as work memory when executing various programs stored in the external storage device 114, enabling various programs to operate within the host computer 101. The input interface 110 is connected to input devices, namely a pointing device 117 and a keyboard 118. A display unit 119 is connected to the output interface 115 as a display device. The display unit 119 displays, for example, the scan setting screen 300A and the detailed setting screen 300C, which will be described later. The NET interface 120 is a network interface and controls data transfer to and from external devices via the network. A scanning device 102 is connected to the input / output interface 116. This allows the host computer 101 to communicate with scanning devices 102 from multiple manufacturers, regardless of the manufacturer of the scanning device 102, that is, to process information between scanning devices 102 from multiple manufacturers. The host computer 101 and the scanning device 102 may be connected by wire or wirelessly.

[0015] The scanning device 102 includes an image processing unit 190, a CPU 191, a ROM 192, a RAM 193, an operation unit 194, a reading unit 195, a printing unit 196, a NET interface 197, an input / output interface 198, and an external storage device 199. The CPU 191 is a computer that executes programs stored in the ROM 192 and the external storage device 199, and comprehensively controls the scanning device 102. The ROM 192 is a memory that stores programs. The RAM 193 is a memory that temporarily stores programs and image data. The operation unit 194 can issue various operation instructions to the scanning device 102. The operation unit 194 is configured to display various information such as the status of the scanning device 102. The reading unit 195 reads (reads) the image of the document. The printing unit 196 prints the image on a sheet, for example, based on the image data generated by reading the image of the document in the reading unit 195. The printing unit 196 may be omitted. NETIF197 is a network interface that controls data transfer to and from external devices via the network. The input / output interface 198 is connected to the host computer 101. The image processing unit 190 receives image data generated, for example, by scanning the document image in the reading unit 195. The image processing unit 190 then performs various editing processes on the image data.

[0016] The scanning device 102 is not particularly limited as long as it has a scanning function to read documents, i.e., a scanning function, but for example, an image processing device such as a multi-function peripheral (MFP) can be used. The scanning device 102 also has a document tray (not shown) and a feeder (not shown). The document tray is a first placement section on which a single document to be scanned is placed. The feeder is located at a different position from the document tray and is a second placement section on which multiple documents to be scanned are placed. When a multi-function peripheral is used as the scanning device 102, the printing performed by the multi-function peripheral is electrophotographic printing in this embodiment, but is not limited to this, and can be inkjet printing, for example. Also, in this embodiment, the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102 are configured as separate devices, but are not limited to this. For example, the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102 may be configured as an integrated device.

[0017] <Configuration of a software-centric scanning system> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the scanning system. Figure 2(a) shows a typical configuration when the extended application (application program) 204 is not associated with the general-purpose scanning software (standard driver) 202 and the scanning device 102. Figure 2(b) shows a configuration when the extended application 204 is associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102. The general-purpose scanning software 202 is a standard driver provided by the OS provider and pre-installed in the OS. The standard driver is a class driver (general-purpose program) that can be used in common for scanning devices 102 from multiple manufacturers, for example, during scanning (image reading). The standard driver is provided together with the OS as one of the functions within the OS package. The standard driver can perform processing for various scanning devices by utilizing a standardized scanning method. As a result, the standard driver can generate and output instructions that can be interpreted by scanning devices from multiple manufacturers. Note that the standard driver is not particularly limited; for example, a program that operates based on IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) can be used. This general-purpose scanning software 202 is pre-installed (built into) the OS.

[0018] The extension application 204 is a program that supports, i.e., assists the general-purpose scan software 202 (a program that executes a control method to perform controls that support the general-purpose scan software 202). In this embodiment, the extension application 204 is an extension program that can extend functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot perform on the scan device 102, but is not limited to this. For example, the extension application 204 may be a program that improves the convenience of the functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 can perform on the scan device 102. The extension application 204 is stored in the external storage device 114 together with the OS (general-purpose scan software 202), for example. As a result, the host computer 101 has the general-purpose scan software 202 and the extension application 204.

[0019] <Configuration when the extended application is not associated with general-purpose scanning software and scanning device> First, referring to Figure 2(a), the configuration when the extended application 204 is not associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102 will be described. The scanning application 201 is software that captures content (image data) generated by scanning with the scanning device 102. The scanning application 201 is not particularly limited and can include, for example, a document creation application or an image editing application. The scanning application 201 issues a scan instruction to the OS, for example, when it receives a scan request from a user. The scan instruction includes scan setting information to instruct the operation of the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102. In order to issue a scan instruction, the scanning application 201 can display a scan setting screen 300A provided by the general-purpose scanning software 202, the OS, or the scanning application 201 on the display unit 119. In addition, by pressing the control 302B (see Figure 3(a)) within the scan setting screen 300A, for example, the detailed setting screen 300B (see Figure 3(b)) can be displayed on the display unit 119. The scan settings screen 300A, the detailed settings screen 300B, and the detailed settings screen 300C will be described later. The scan settings screen 300A includes setting items that indicate the configurable scan functions and control items that indicate the setting values, according to the capability information acquired by the general-purpose scan software 202, that is, the information that can be set as scan settings. "Capability information" refers to information about the scanning device 102's ability to perform scans. Furthermore, this capability information can also be used to determine, for example, whether or not it contains information that enables the display of the detailed settings screen 300C. If, as a result of this determination, it is determined that the information that enables the display of the detailed settings screen 300C is included, the detailed settings screen 300C can be displayed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the information that enables the display of the detailed settings screen 300C is not included, the detailed settings screen 300C will not be displayed. In this way, the extended application 204 can switch whether or not to display the detailed settings screen 300C depending on the capability information of the scanning device 102.

[0020] Scan function information 203 is data indicating the scan function, which includes all configurable scan functions, their settings, and mutual exclusion relationships between the settings. Scan function information 203 is included in the configuration file of the general-purpose scan software 202 and is placed in the external storage device 114 as an immutable file. Alternatively, scan function information 203 is dynamically generated by the general-purpose scan software 202. Specifically, the general-purpose scan software 202 obtains attribute data of the scan device 102 from the scan device 102. The general-purpose scan software 202 generates scan function information 203 according to the attribute information in this attribute data. When scan function information 203 is dynamically generated in this way, it is editable. The attribute data of the scan device 102 includes attribute information indicating the functions that can be specified by the scan device 102 (the capabilities of the scan device 102) and setting values ​​related to that attribute information, and these are stored in RAM 113.

[0021] With this configuration, the general-purpose scan software 202 allows the user to specify the scan functions available on the scan device 102, depending on the scan device 102 connected to the host computer 101. This makes it possible to specify the scan functions available on the scan device 102 regardless of the specific scan device 102, that is, even when connecting scan devices 102 with different functions or scan devices 102 developed by different scanner manufacturers. In this embodiment, the general-purpose scan software 202 is assumed to be a standard class driver that performs scanning based on a standard scan protocol called Mopria. Specifically, as mentioned above, the general-purpose scan software 202 is not a specific scan driver for each model of scan device 102, but a standard class driver that can be used in common with scan devices 102 from various scanner manufacturers, regardless of the scanner manufacturer. Furthermore, the general-purpose scan software 202 acquires capability information of the scan device 102 and generates scan function information 203 based on this information.

[0022] Furthermore, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be associated with an extended application 204. This allows the general-purpose scanning software 202 to perform functions that are not available in the general-purpose scanning software 202. For example, when the general-purpose scanning software 202 causes the scanning device 102 to perform a scanning function, it cannot perform a reading function on a second document following the reading function on the first document. In other words, when the scanning function is performed on the scanning device 102, the general-purpose scanning software 202 cannot accept a setting for continuous reading, which would otherwise involve reading each document in a bundle of documents that are divided into multiple bundles and generating a single continuous data file. Thus, the general-purpose scanning software 202 does not support continuous reading settings. This is because the continuous reading setting is a predetermined skill. This is because it is a function that is uniquely performed by the scanning device 102 manufactured by the manufacturer. The extended application 204 can be extended to enable the execution of functions that the general-purpose scanning software 202 cannot perform. In this embodiment, the general-purpose scanning software 202 cannot perform continuous reading settings, and the extended application 204 can be extended to enable such continuous reading settings, but it is not limited to this. For example, the general-purpose scanning software 202 may be able to perform a part of the continuous reading settings, and the extended application 204 may further extend the execution range by supplementing the deficiencies of those continuous reading settings.

[0023] <Configuration when an extended application is associated with general-purpose scanning software and scanning devices> Referring to Figure 2(b), the configuration in which the extended application 204 is associated with the general-purpose scan software 202 and the scan device 102 will be described. As shown in Figure 2(b), unlike Figure 2(a), the extended application 204 is added. That is, the host computer 101 has the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, the scan function information 203, and further has the extended application 204. The extended application 204 is software for extending the functionality of the general-purpose scan software 202, and is sometimes simply called "scan software". Note that the extended application 204 is software that is not pre-included (not bundled) with the OS. Therefore, the extended application 204 is downloaded from a server (not shown) via the Internet by the user operating the host computer 101 and installed on the host computer 101. Alternatively, the extended application 204 may be automatically installed on the host computer 101 based on the connection when the scan device 102 is connected to the host computer 101. Specifically, when a scanning device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS obtains device identification information from the scanning device 102. The OS may also download and install an extended application 204 corresponding to this device identification information from a server via the internet. As a result, the host computer 101 maintains the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the extended application 204 as separate control programs. The general-purpose scanning software 202 and the extended application 204 may be updated and upgraded. In this case, the update process for the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the update process for the extended application 204 may occur at the same time or at different times. Furthermore, the trigger for the host computer 101 to acquire the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the trigger for the host computer 101 to acquire the extended application 204 may be the same trigger or different triggers.Furthermore, if the extended application 204 is installed, the OS associates the extended application 204 with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2(b), the extended application 204 can exchange information (send and receive information) with the general-purpose scan software 202 and the scan device 102, respectively. That is, the extended application 204 is associated with the general-purpose scan software 202 and the scan device 102. In this embodiment, the extended application 204 has a scan setting screen extension unit 205, a scan function extension unit 206, an image data editing unit 207, and a notification unit 209. The extended application 204 also has shared information 208 that can be accessed from each of the units: the scan setting screen extension unit 205, the scan function extension unit 206, the image data editing unit 207, and the notification unit 209. The shared information 208 is a file stored in the external storage device 114 or information stored in the RAM 113. The extended application 204 can write to and read the shared information 208 by using the API (Application Program Interface) provided by the OS.

[0025] Furthermore, the extended application 204 may terminate its overall operation when the processing of each unit from the scan settings screen extended unit 205 to the notification unit 209 is completed. In this case, the OS will start the extended application 204 each time it receives a processing execution request from each unit. Also, the extended application 204 may cancel processing while each unit from the scan settings screen extended unit 205 to the notification unit 209 is processing. In this case, the OS will delete the jobs currently being processed on the print queue. As mentioned above, the scan application 201 issues a scan command to the OS upon receiving a print request from the user. The scan application 201 can also display the scan settings screen. In the configuration shown in Figure 2(b), the scan application 201 can display the scan settings screen 300A (detailed settings screen 300C) provided by the scan settings screen extended unit 205 (extended application 204). The scan settings screen extended unit 205 can also save the detailed settings set by the user to the shared information 208.

[0026] The image data editing unit 207 acquires image data from the scanning device 102. After acquiring the image data, the image data editing unit 207 can also edit the image data. Furthermore, the image data editing unit 207 acquires detailed setting information from the shared information 208 and performs image editing on the image data according to the detailed setting information. The extended application 204 may also perform image editing on the image data acquired by the general-purpose scanning software 202 according to the detailed setting information. In addition, even in the configuration of Figure 2(b), the continuous reading setting may not be executed. In this case, the general-purpose scanning software 202 may send a scan request instruction to the scanning device 102 without going through the extended application 204.

[0027] The scan function expansion unit 206 can edit the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 or the OS. This allows for the addition of functions provided by the expansion application 204. It can also add functions that are executable on the scan device 102 but not on the general-purpose scan software 202 (e.g., continuous reading setting function), and add mutual exclusion relationships between scan function settings. The OS starts the scan function expansion unit 206 when the expansion application 204 is first associated with the scan device 102 and the general-purpose scan software 202. The OS may also start the scan function expansion unit 206 at other times (e.g., when the OS starts). Even if scanning-related functions are expanded later through such startup, the scan function expansion unit 206 can detect the expansion and add it to the scan function information 203.

[0028] The notification unit 209 can notify the user when an error occurs in the scanning device 102. For example, if a read jam error occurs in the scanning device 102, the general-purpose scanning software 202 detects this error. The OS uses a notification function called toast notification, which is one of the functions of the OS, to display the read jam error detected by the general-purpose scanning software 202 as a message on the display unit 119. When the user interacts with the toast notification, the notification unit 209 is called by the OS and the user interface screen (UI screen) of the notification unit 209 is displayed. The user interface screen can display, for example, detailed messages regarding the read jam error and instructions on how to clear the jam.

[0029] As described above, in this embodiment, the extended application 204 can be said to have the following four functions. The first function is to display a settings screen. This function is performed by the scan settings screen extended unit 205. The second function is to edit image data according to detailed setting information. This function is performed by the image data editing unit 207. The third function is to extend the functions that can be specified in the image data generation software. This function is performed by the scan function extended unit 206. The fourth function is to display a screen in response to an error occurring in the scanning device 102. This function is performed by the notification unit 209. Note that the configuration of the extended application 204 is not limited to a configuration having these four functions, and a configuration having at least one function is preferred, and a configuration having other functions is also possible.

[0030] <Example of scan settings screen / advanced settings screen> Figure 3 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the scan system. Figure 3(a) is the scan settings screen displayed by the scan application 201. Figure 3(b) is the detailed settings screen displayed when the extended application 204 is not associated. Figure 3(c) is the detailed settings screen displayed when the extended application 204 is associated. Note that the units and modules that display each screen are not particularly limited. For example, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 may be configured only to generate the display screen. In that case, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 sends the generated display screen to the scan application 201 via the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan application 201 may be configured to display the acquired display screen.

[0031] The scan settings screen 300A shown in Figure 3(a) is a screen that allows settings related to scanning on the scanning device 102. This scan settings screen 300A includes control (buttons) 301, 302, 303, and 304. Control 301 allows you to select and set the scanner device to be used to read the document. In Figure 3(a), as an example, the scanner device used to read the document is set to "Scanner 001 (common driver)". Control 302 displays a screen that allows you to make detailed settings related to scanning. Control 303 allows you to instruct the scanning device 102 to start scanning. Control 304 allows you to instruct the scanning device 102 to cancel scanning.

[0032] If the extended application 204 is not associated with the configuration, operating control 302 will display the detailed settings screen 300B shown in Figure 3(b). The detailed settings screen 300B includes controls 305 and 306. Control 305 is a placement area selection unit for selecting and setting the document scanning destination in the scanner 102, that is, the placement area on which the document to be scanned is placed. As mentioned above, the scanner 102 has a document glass and a feeder as document scanning destinations. In this case, in control 305 in Figure 3(b), "document glass" is selected as an example. Control 306 allows you to finish the settings made in control 305. Also, operating control 306 will return you to the scan settings screen 300A shown in Figure 3(a).

[0033] In a configuration where the extended application 204 is associated, operating the control 302 displays the detailed settings screen (selection screen) 300C shown in Figure 3(c) (display control process). The detailed settings screen 300C is a screen displayed in the first display control process prior to the first transmission process described later. The detailed settings screen 300C is a screen displayed together with the scan settings screen 300A, but its display manner is not particularly limited. For example, the detailed settings screen 300C may be displayed overlapping the scan settings screen 300A. Alternatively, the detailed settings screen 300C may be displayed adjacent to the scan settings screen 300A, or the scan settings screen 300A may disappear before the detailed settings screen 300C is displayed. The detailed settings screen 300C includes controls 305 and 306, similar to the detailed settings screen 300B. The detailed settings screen 300C also includes a checkbox 307. The checkbox 307 allows the user to select whether to enable or disable the continuous reading setting. For example, as shown in Figure 3(c), if check box 307 is checked, the continuous scanning setting is enabled. Conversely, if check box 307 is not checked, the continuous scanning setting is disabled. With check box 307 checked and the continuous scanning setting enabled, operating control 306 returns to the scan settings screen 300A. Then, by pressing control 303 on the scan settings screen 300A, a first instruction can be sent to the scanning device 102 to execute the scanning function for the first document on the document glass (first transmission step). As a result, the scanning device 102 can execute the scanning function according to the first instruction.

[0034] Here, we will explain why the items included in the detailed settings screen 300B shown in Figure 3(b) and the items included in the detailed settings screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c) are different. In other words, we will explain why it is possible to switch between displaying the detailed settings screen 300B or the detailed settings screen 300C. The detailed settings screen 300B and the detailed settings screen 300C are each generated based on scan function information (capability information). As mentioned above, the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support continuous reading settings. Therefore, the general-purpose scan software 202 alone cannot add the continuous reading setting function to the scan function information. Furthermore, even if the scan function information originally included the continuous reading setting function, the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot interpret the continuous reading setting function included in the scan function information. Therefore, it is not possible to display the continuous reading setting on the detailed settings screen. Thus, the scan function expansion unit 206 adds the continuous reading setting function to the scan function information 203. Then, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 refers to the capability information and displays the detailed settings screen 300C. This detailed settings screen 300C is a screen where continuous reading settings can be configured. Note that the detailed settings screen 300C may also include additional settings other than continuous reading settings.

[0035] <Flowchart for editing scan function information on the scan function expansion unit> Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the process by which the scan function expansion unit edits scan function information. The program based on the flowchart shown in Figure 4 is executed by the CPU 111 controlling the scan function expansion unit 206. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a list of scan information. As shown in Figure 4, in step S401, the scan function expansion unit 206 acquires capability information from the scan device 102. Capability information is capability information related to the ability to perform scan functions, and in this embodiment, it is attribute information indicating the functions that can be specified by the scan device 102 and setting values ​​related to said attribute information. Table 501 shown in Figure 5(a) shows a list of capability information acquired from the scan device 102. As shown in Table 501, functions such as continuous reading and options that can be set for each function can be acquired from the scan device 102. For example, for the continuous reading function, the options are "do" to execute the continuous reading function and "do not" to not execute the continuous reading function.

[0036] In step S402, the scan function expansion unit 206 retrieves the scan functions supported by the expansion application 204 from the shared information 208. The shared information 208 stores a list of scan functions supported by the expansion application 204. Table 502, shown in Figure 5(b), includes all scan functions that the expansion application 204 can execute (support) and their settings. For example, the continuous reading function has two options: "enable" and "disabled". Note that the scan functions that the expansion application 204 can execute may be updated through updates to the expansion application 204, etc.

[0037] In step S403, the scan function expansion unit 206 obtains scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the OS. The scan function information 203 is created by the general-purpose scan software 202 based on capability information obtained from the scan device 102. The scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202 includes only the scan functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 can execute from the capability information obtained from the scan device 102. Table 503 shown in Figure 5(c) includes all scan functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 can execute and their settings. As shown in Table 503, the scan functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 can execute do not include the continuous reading function. Therefore, the scan function information 203 does not include the continuous reading setting. By adding functions and options to the scan function information 203, the scan function expansion unit 206 enables the expansion application 204 to compensate for the lack of functionality of the general-purpose scan software 202. Furthermore, the scan function expansion unit 206 can also remove unnecessary functions and options from the scan function information 203 created by the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0038] Steps S404, S405, and S406 are repeated processes for the list of functions possessed by the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102 in step S401. In this embodiment, steps S404, S405, and S406 are repeated for all 11 options included in Table 501.

[0039] In step S404, the scan function expansion unit 206 determines whether the function or option currently being processed exists in the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202. If the determination in step S404 determines that it exists in the scan function information 203, the processing ends if the last item among the options is being processed. Alternatively, if the last item among the options is not being processed, the next item among the options is selected and step S404 is executed again. On the other hand, if the determination in step S404 determines that it does not exist in the scan function information 203, the process proceeds to step S405. For example, in this embodiment, Table 501 includes the scanning destination "document glass," and Table 503 also includes the scanning destination "document glass." In this case, step S404 determines that the function or option currently being processed exists in the scan function information 203. In contrast, Table 501 includes "do" for continuous scanning, but Table 503 does not include "do" for continuous scanning. In this case, step S404 determines that the function or option currently being processed does not exist in the scan function information 203.

[0040] In step S405, the scan function extension unit 206 determines whether the currently processed function (option) exists among the functions (options) supported by the extension application 204. If the determination in step S405 is made to determine that a function currently being processed exists, the process proceeds to step S406. On the other hand, if the determination in step S405 is made to determine that no function is currently being processed, the process terminates if the last item among the options is being processed, similar to when "Yes" was determined in step S404. Alternatively, if the last item among the options is not being processed, the next item among the options is selected and step S404 is executed again. For example, in this embodiment, if the currently processed function is "do", then "do" also exists in Table 502. Therefore, in step S405, it is determined that a function currently being processed exists.

[0041] In step S406, the scan function expansion unit 206 adds the currently processed function (option) to the scan function information 203. After step S406 is executed, if the last item among the options is being processed, the process is terminated, as in the case where "Yes" was determined in step S404. Alternatively, if the last item among the options is not being processed, the next item among the options is selected and step S404 is executed again.

[0042] As described above, the extended application 204 can add functions (options) to the scan function information 203 that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202, are supported by the scan device 102, and are also supported by the extended application 204. Based on the scan function information 203 edited through this addition process, capability information is generated. Furthermore, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 generates a display screen based on this capability information, thereby extending the functions not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 and displaying the detailed setting screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c).

[0043] <Processing after the scan application accepts the scan settings> Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extended application, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. Processing in scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, and extended application 204 is executed by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101. This processing program is stored in external storage device 114. Then, the CPU 111 reads the processing program from external storage device 114 into RAM 113 and executes it. Processing in scan device 102 is executed by the CPU 191 of scan device 102. This processing program is stored in external storage device 199. Then, the CPU 191 reads the processing program from external storage device 199 into RAM 193 and executes it. Note that processing in scan device 102 may also be executed by CPU 111 via CPU 191. The software configuration of the scan system 1000 is the software configuration shown in Figure 2(b).

[0044] As shown in Figure 6, in step S601, the scan application 201 accepts scan settings from the user. The user can, for example, operate the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 to instruct the scan application 201 to configure the scan settings.

[0045] In step S602, the scan application 201 displays the scan settings screen 300A shown in Figure 3(a) on the display unit 119.

[0046] In step S603, the scan application 201 accepts detailed setting instructions from the user. The user can provide detailed settings by, for example, operating the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 to select control 302 on the scan setting screen 300A.

[0047] In step S604, the scan application 201 requests the general-purpose scan software 202 to display the detailed settings.

[0048] In step S605, the general-purpose scan software 202 requests the extended application 204 to display the detailed settings.

[0049] In step S606, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 of the extended application 204 displays the detailed setting screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 119 in response to the request in step S605 (first display control step). As described above, the scan function extension unit 206 adds a continuous reading setting to the scan function information 203. The scan setting screen extension unit 205 can display the detailed setting screen 300C by referring to the capability information generated based on the scan function information 203 to which this continuous reading setting has been added. If there are setting items such as image resolution, these setting items may be displayed as needed, or their display may be suppressed or grayed out.

[0050] In step S607, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 accepts the user's detailed settings on the detailed settings screen 300C. Here, as an example, let's assume that on the detailed settings screen 300C, the scan destination "document glass" is selected in control 305 and check box 307 is checked, that is, continuous scanning is set (see Figure 3(c)). With these settings, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 accepts that the user has operated control 306 on the detailed settings screen 300C. As a result, the CPU 111 stores the settings on the detailed settings screen 300C in RAM 113.

[0051] In step S608, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 accepts that the user has finished the detailed settings based on the operation of control 306 in step S607. The user can indicate the end of detailed settings by, for example, operating the pointing device 117 or keyboard 118 and selecting control 306. As a result, the setting status on the detailed settings screen 300C is written to the scan function information 203. The information written to the scan function information 203 may include, for example, information that is suppressed or grayed out.

[0052] In step S609, the extended application 204 sends detailed configuration completion information to the general-purpose scan software 202, indicating that the detailed configuration in step S608 has been completed.

[0053] In step S610, the general-purpose scan software 202 receives the detailed configuration completion information sent from the extended application 204 in step S609. The general-purpose scan software 202 then sends this detailed configuration completion information to the scan application 201.

[0054] In step S611, the scan application 201 receives a scan command from the user. The user can issue a scan command, i.e., an instruction to read the first document, by operating, for example, the pointing device 117 or the keyboard 118 and selecting control 303 on the scan settings screen 300A (see Figure 3(a)).

[0055] In step S612, the scan application 201 issues the scan instruction (first instruction) received in step S611 to the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0056] In step S613, the general-purpose scan software 202 receives the scan instruction made in step S612. The general-purpose scan software 202 then sends this scan instruction to the extended application 204.

[0057] In step S614, the extended application 204 receives the scan instruction made in step S613. Then, the extended application 204 creates a scan instruction command based on the scan function information 203 in which the settings status on the detailed settings screen 300C was written in step S608. This scan instruction command includes the continuous reading setting information received on the detailed settings screen 300C. In addition, there may be cases where the information that was suppressed or grayed out in step S608 is not written to the scan function information 203. In this case, in step S614, the extended application 204 may add the information not written to the scan function information 203 to the scan instruction command, or it may use the default value.

[0058] In step S615, the extended application 204 sends the scan instruction command created in step S614 to the scanning device 102.

[0059] In step S616, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 receives the scan command sent in step S615. The reading unit 195 of the scanning device 102 then interprets the scan command and performs a scan according to the settings in the detailed settings screen 300C. This obtains scanned image data (read image data) of the first document.

[0060] In step S617, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 transmits the image data obtained in step S616 to the extended application 204.

[0061] In step S618, the extended application 204 receives the scanned image data transmitted in step S617 (acquisition step). The extended application 204 then transmits this scanned image data to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0062] In step S619, the general-purpose scanning software 202 receives the scanned image data transmitted in step S618. The general-purpose scanning software 202 then transmits this scanned image data to the scanning application 201.

[0063] In step S620, the scan application 201 receives the scan image data transmitted in step S619 (acquisition step).

[0064] In step S621, the scan application 201 displays the image data received in step S620 on the display unit 119. As a result, the display unit 119 displays the scanned image data of the first document as a preview image.

[0065] In step S622, the scanning device 102 enters a read-only state, waiting for an instruction to execute the reading function on the second document, which has been placed on the document glass in place of the first document. At this time, the display unit 119 of the host computer 101 displays a read-only screen 1600 (see Figure 8B) (display control step). This display control step is the second display control step, following the first display control step. The read-only screen 1600 may also be displayed on the operation unit 194 of the scanning device 102. The read-only screen 1600 is a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function on the second document. As mentioned above, the scanning functions that the general-purpose scanning software 202 can execute do not include a continuous scanning function (see Figure 5(c)). Therefore, the function to display the read-only screen 1600 is a function that cannot be executed by the general-purpose scanning software 202, and is therefore handled by the extended application 204. By pressing the control 1603 on the read-along screen 1600, the instruction to read the second document is received. This instruction is then transmitted to the scanning device 102 (second transmission step). The read-along screen 1600 will be described later with reference to Figure 8B.

[0066] In step S623, the reading unit 195 of the scanning device 102 performs a scan based on the setting conditions on the read standby screen 1600, based on the second document reading instruction in step S622. This obtains scanned image data (read image data) of the second document.

[0067] In step S624, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 transmits the image data obtained in step S623 to the extended application 204.

[0068] In step S625, the extended application 204 receives the scanned image data transmitted in step S624. The extended application 204 then transmits this scanned image data to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0069] In step S626, the general-purpose scanning software 202 receives the scanned image data transmitted in step S625. The general-purpose scanning software 202 then transmits this scanned image data to the scanning application 201. The scanning application 201 receives this scanned image data (acquisition step). After receiving the scanned image data, the scanning application 201 may display the image data on the display unit 119. As a result, the display unit 119 displays the scanned image data of the second document as a preview image.

[0070] In step S627, the system enters a reading standby state, similar to step S622. At this time, the reading standby screen 1600 is displayed again. By pressing control 1604 on the reading standby screen 1600, the instruction to read the document following the document reading in step S623 is canceled, continuous reading ends, and the display of the reading standby screen 1600 is suppressed.

[0071] In step S628, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 notifies the extended application 204 that continuous reading has ended in step S627.

[0072] In step S629, the extended application 204 receives the notification of the end of continuous reading in step S628. The extended application 204 then notifies the general-purpose scanning software 202 of this end of continuous reading.

[0073] In step S630, the general-purpose scanning software 202 receives the notification of the end of continuous scanning in step S629. The general-purpose scanning software 202 then transmits this end of continuous scanning to the scanning application 201. The CPU 111 of the host computer 101 generates a single image file containing the scanned image data of the first document (first image data) and the scanned image data of the second document (second image data) that have been acquired above (generation step). This provides a series of image files of the first and second documents obtained through continuous scanning. This image file is stored, for example, in an external storage device 114. In this embodiment, the first image data and the second image data are transmitted from the scanning device 102 to the host computer 101, and a single image file containing these two image data is generated in the host computer 101, but this is not limited to this. For example, the first image data and the second image data may not be transmitted to the host computer 101, and a single image file containing these two image data may be generated in the scanning device 102 directly.

[0074] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the extended application. The program based on the flowchart shown in Figure 7 is stored in the external storage device 114. The CPU 111 can execute this program by reading it from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113. As shown in Figure 7, in step S701, the extended application 204 receives a request from the general-purpose scan software 202 to display detailed settings (see step S605).

[0075] In step S702, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 of the extended application 204 displays the detailed setting screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 119 in response to the detailed setting display request received in step S701. As mentioned above, continuous reading settings are added to the scan function information 203. The scan setting screen extension unit 205 can display the detailed setting screen 300C by referring to the capability information generated based on this scan function information 203.

[0076] In step S703, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 determines whether or not detailed settings are present on the detailed settings screen 300C, that is, whether or not a selection has been made in the control 305 and whether or not the checkbox 307 has been checked. If the determination in step S703 is that detailed settings are present, the process proceeds to step S704. On the other hand, if the determination in step S703 is that detailed settings are not present, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0077] In step S704, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 stores (saves) the settings status (setting information) from the detailed settings screen 300C in RAM 113. After step S704 is executed, the process proceeds to step S705.

[0078] In step S705, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 determines whether or not there is an instruction to end detailed settings on the detailed settings screen 300C, that is, whether or not there is an operation on the control 306. If the determination in step S705 is that there is an instruction to end detailed settings, the process proceeds to step S706. On the other hand, if the determination in step S705 is that there is no instruction to end detailed settings, the process returns to step S703 and executes the subsequent steps sequentially.

[0079] In step S706, the extended application 204 notifies the general-purpose scan software 202 that the detailed settings in step S705 have been completed.

[0080] In step S707, the extended application 204 determines whether there is a scan instruction from the general-purpose scan software 202 (see step S613). If the determination in step S707 is that there is a scan instruction, the process proceeds to step S708. On the other hand, if the determination in step S707 is that there is no scan instruction, the process remains in step S707 and waits.

[0081] In step S708, the extended application 204 creates a scan command based on the scan function information 203, which contains the settings from the detailed settings screen 300C. One method for creating the scan command is to extend a standard protocol command. Another method of extension is to write a dedicated command in the extension area of ​​the standard protocol command. Other extension methods include adding a proprietary command to the end of the standard protocol command, or the extended application 204 overwriting the standard protocol command with its own command system. Furthermore, when issuing instructions from the extended application 204, instructions and communication may be performed using the manufacturer's proprietary protocol, regardless of the standard protocol.

[0082] In step S709, the extended application 204 sends the scan instruction command created in step S708 to the scanning device 102.

[0083] In step S710, the extended application 204 determines whether or not it has received all of the scanned image data from the scanning device 102 (see steps S617 and 624). If the determination in step S710 is that all of the data has been received, the process proceeds to step S711. On the other hand, if the determination in step S710 is that not all of the data has been received, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0084] In step S711, the extended application 204 transmits all scan image data from the scanning device 102, as determined in step S710, to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0085] In step S712, the extended application 204 determines whether it has received notification of the end of continuous reading from the scanning device 102 (see step S628). If the determination in step S712 indicates that the end of continuous reading has been received, the process proceeds to step S713. On the other hand, if the determination in step S712 indicates that the end of continuous reading has not been received, the process returns to step S710 and executes the subsequent steps in order.

[0086] In step S713, the extended application 204 notifies the general-purpose scanning software 202 that continuous reading has ended (see step S629), and the process ends.

[0087] Figure 8A is a flowchart showing the process performed by the scanning device. The program based on the flowchart shown in Figure 8A is stored in the external storage device 199. The CPU 191 can execute this program by reading it from the external storage device 199 into the RAM 192. As shown in Figure 8A, in step S801, the CPU 191 receives a scan instruction command from the extended application 204 (see step S615).

[0088] In step S802, the CPU 191 interprets the scan command received in step S801. The CPU 191 then converts the scan command into a scan processing setting for the scanning device 102, that is, a scanning setting that enables scanning using the continuous scanning setting on the document glass, as specified in the detailed settings screen 300C.

[0089] In step S803, the CPU 191 determines the ASIC of the image processing unit 190 to be used to perform the scan, according to the settings (reading settings) in step S802, and configures the ASIC.

[0090] In step S804, the CPU 191 sends a reading instruction to the reading unit 195 according to the reading settings.

[0091] In step S805, the CPU 191 acquires scanned image data from the reading unit 195.

[0092] In step S806, the CPU 191 controls the image processing unit 190 to perform image processing on the scanned image data acquired in step S805.

[0093] In step S807, the CPU 191 saves the scan image data obtained in step S806 to the external storage device 199.

[0094] In step S808, the CPU 191 determines whether the scanning process for all pages of the document to be read has been completed. If the determination in step S808 is made to determine that the scanning process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S809. On the other hand, if the determination in step S808 is made to determine that the scanning process has not been completed, the process returns to step S805 and proceeds to execute the subsequent steps sequentially.

[0095] In step S809, the CPU 191 controls the image processing unit 190 to convert the scanned image data saved in step S807 according to the transmission format. In this embodiment, the transmission format is not included in the scan instruction command received in step S801. Therefore, the scanned image data is converted to the default JPEG format of the scanning device 102, but is not limited to this.

[0096] In step S810, the CPU 191 controls the input / output interface 198 to send the scanned image data converted in step S809 to the extended application 204.

[0097] In step S811, the CPU 191 displays a read-waiting screen 1600 (see Figure 8B) on the display unit 119.

[0098] In step S812, the CPU 191 determines whether or not the control 1603 on the read-waiting screen 1600 has been pressed. This control 1603 is a button that instructs the reading unit 195 of the scanning device 102 to perform a scan (see step S623). If the determination in step S812 is that the control 1603 has been pressed, the process returns to step S801 and the subsequent steps are executed in order. On the other hand, if the determination in step S812 is that the control 1603 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S813.

[0099] In step S813, the CPU 191 determines whether or not the control 1604 on the read-waiting screen 1600 has been pressed. This control 1604 is a button that instructs the reading unit 195 of the scanning device 102 to finish the scan (see step S627). If the determination in step S813 indicates that the control 1604 has been pressed, the process ends. On the other hand, if the determination in step S813 indicates that the control 1604 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S812 and the subsequent steps are executed in order.

[0100] In this embodiment, continuous scanning using a document glass has been described, but it is also possible to perform continuous scanning using a feeder. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when there are multiple image data, all image data is received before being sent to the extended application 204, but this is not limited to this, and for example, each image data may be received and sent to the extended application 204 each time.

[0101] As described above, even if the general-purpose scan software 202 of the scan system 1000 does not support continuous scanning settings, the extended application 204 can perform continuous scanning settings. This allows the scan device 102 to perform scanning under continuous scanning settings. That is, for documents scanned in multiple stages, the scan waiting screen 1600 is displayed after each stage of document scanning is completed, allowing instructions to scan the unscanned documents. In the explanation referring to Figure 6, the software configuration of the scan system 1000 is assumed to be the software configuration shown in Figure 2(b), and the detailed settings screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c) is displayed, but it is not limited to this. For example, if a request to display detailed settings is made to the general-purpose scan software 202 in step S604, the general-purpose scan software 202 displays the detailed settings screen 300B shown in Figure 3(b). In this case, after operating the control 306 on the detailed settings screen 300B, the general-purpose scan software 202 requests the extended application 204 to display an additional detailed settings screen. Next, the extended application 204 may display an additional detailed settings screen that allows for continuous reading settings.

[0102] Furthermore, the scan command in step S613 is issued from the general-purpose scan software 202 to the extended application 204, but is not limited to this. For example, the scan command may be issued from the scan application 201 to the extended application 204. Alternatively, a control for the scan command may be placed on the detailed settings screen 300C. In this case, the user operates the control for the scan command to issue the scan command to the extended application 204. The scan image data may also be transmitted from the scan device 102 to the scan application 201 via the extended application 204 without going through the general-purpose scan software 202. Alternatively, the scan image data may be transmitted directly from the scan device 102 to the scan application 201. The scan system 1000 may also be configured to store the scan image data in an external storage device 114 and only allow the transfer of information about the file path where the data is stored. In addition, if there are multiple scan image data files, the scan system 1000 may transmit all scan image data at once, or transmit scan image data as it becomes available.

[0103] Figure 8B shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the scanning system. The read standby screen 1600 shown in Figure 8B is a screen that instructs the execution of further read functions following the execution of a read function in continuous reading. The read standby screen 1600 includes control 1601, control 1602, control 1603, control 1604, and message 1605. Control 1601 allows setting the read conditions. In this embodiment, control 1601 includes sub-controls 1601a, 1601b, and 1601c. Sub-control 1601a is a size setting unit that sets the read size for the document to be read. In Figure 8B, as an example, the read size is set to "A4H". Sub-control 1601b is a placement unit selection unit that selects the document glass or feeder as the placement unit (reading destination) on which the document to be read is placed. In Figure 8B, as an example, the mounting unit is set to "feeder". Sub-control 1601c is a resolution setting unit that sets the resolution for the document to be read. In Figure 8B, as an example, the resolution is set to "400 x 400 dpi". Sub-controls 1601a to 1601c allow the execution conditions of the further reading functions to be changed as appropriate.

[0104] The control (page count display) 1602 can display the number of documents scanned by the execution of the further scanning function. In Figure 8B, as an example, the number of scanned pages is displayed as "1". This allows the user to understand the number of scanned pages. In this embodiment, the scanning standby screen 1600 includes sub-controls 1601a to 1601c and control 1602, but is not limited to this; it is sufficient if at least one of these controls is included. Control 1603 can instruct the scanner 102 to start scanning. Control 1604 can instruct the scanner 102 to cancel scanning. Message 1605 is a message indicating that the further scanning function can be executed. This scanning standby screen 1600 improves operability when instructing continuous scanning.

[0105] <<Second Embodiment>> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiment, and omitting explanations of similar matters. In the first embodiment, the extended application 204, together with the general-purpose scan software 202, sets up continuous reading. The scan device 102 is then instructed to perform continuous reading according to this setting. As a result, the scan device 102 can perform continuous reading. Thus, in the first embodiment, the extended application 204, together with the general-purpose scan software 202, causes the scan device 102 to perform continuous reading.

[0106] However, some scanning devices 102 are incapable of performing continuous reading. In this case, even if the extended application 204 instructs the scanning device 102 to perform continuous reading, it cannot be made to perform continuous reading. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is determined whether or not continuous reading is possible on the scanning device 102 based on the capability information of the scanning device 102. If it is determined that continuous reading is possible on the scanning device 102, the scanning device 102 is made to perform continuous reading. On the other hand, if it is determined that continuous reading is not possible on the scanning device 102, the scanning device 102 is made to perform normal reading for the number of times that would normally be required for continuous reading. This allows the user to receive continuous reading even when continuous reading is not possible on the scanning device 102. In this embodiment, the scanning function extension unit 206 differs from that of the first embodiment. Specifically, if the capability information of the scanning device 102 does not include information regarding continuous reading, the scanning function expansion unit 206 adds a continuous reading setting to the scanning function information 203 if there is a unit in the expansion application 204 capable of performing the generation process. For example, the image data editing unit 207 performs the generation process based on the continuous reading setting.

[0107] <Flowchart for editing scan function information on the scan function expansion unit> Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the process by which the scan function expansion unit edits scan function information in the second embodiment. The program based on the flowchart shown in Figure 9 is executed by the CPU 111 controlling the scan function expansion unit 206. Furthermore, the flowchart shown in Figure 9 is the same as the flowchart shown in Figure 4, but with steps S901 and S902 added. As shown in Figure 9, when the iterative processing of steps S404 to S406 is completed, the process proceeds to step S901. As mentioned above, the capability information of the scanning device 102 does not include information related to continuous reading. Therefore, the continuous reading setting function is not added to the scan function information 203 after the processing of steps S404 to S406 is completed.

[0108] As shown in Figure 9, in step S901, the scan function extension unit 206 determines whether or not there is a continuous processing unit with a continuous reading setting function in the extension application 204. If the determination in step S901 is that there is a continuous processing unit, the process proceeds to step S902. On the other hand, if the determination in step S901 is that there is no continuous processing unit, the process ends. In this embodiment, the extension application 204 has a continuous reading setting function. Therefore, the determination in step S901 is that there is a continuous processing unit, and the process proceeds to step S902.

[0109] In step S902, the scan function expansion unit 206 adds information related to continuous reading (continuous reading setting function) to the scan function information 203.

[0110] As described above, the extended application 204 can add functions to the scan function information 203 that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202, are supported by the scan device 102, and are also supported by the extended application 204. The extended application 204 then determines whether or not a continuous reading setting function is available. If, as a result of this determination, it is determined that a continuous reading setting function is available, the continuous reading setting function is added to the scan function information 203. This addition process ensures that even if the scan device 102 is unable to perform continuous reading, capability information is generated based on the scan function information 203 with the added continuous reading setting function. Based on this capability information, the extended application 204 can generate a display screen, thereby displaying the detailed settings screen 300C shown in Figure 3(c).

[0111] <Processing after the scan application accepts the scan settings> Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing the processes executed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extended application, and scan device after the scan application receives the scan settings. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 6, the sequence diagram in Figure 10 executes step S1001 instead of step S614. Also, step S1002 is executed between steps S624 and S625. As shown in Figure 10, in step S1001, the extended application 204 creates a scan instruction command based on the scan function information 203, in which the setting status on the detailed setting screen 300C was written in step S608.

[0112] In step S1002, the extended application 204 receives the scanned image data transmitted in step S624. The image data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 then performs a concatenation process to link this image data with the image data acquired in step S620, generating a single image file containing each of the image data. This results in a series of image files obtained through continuous reading. Details of steps S1001 and S1002 will be described later with reference to Figure 11.

[0113] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the extended application. Unlike the flowchart in Figure 7, step S1101 is executed between steps S707 and S708 in the flowchart shown in Figure 11. Also, step S1103 is executed between steps S710 and S711. As shown in Figure 11, in step S1101, the extended application 204 obtains the capability information of the scanning device 102 from the shared information 208. If the capability information of the scanning device 102 is stored in the shared information 208, the scan function extension unit 206 may request the capability information of the scanning device 102 from the scanning device 102 and store it in the shared information 208. This allows the capability information of the scanning device 102 to be obtained from the shared information 208. Then, based on this capability information and detailed setting information, the extended application 204 determines whether there are any function settings that are not supported by the scanning device 102, i.e., that cannot be executed. If, as a result of this determination, it is determined that there are unsupported function settings, the process proceeds to step S1102. Furthermore, if it is determined that there are no unsupported function settings, the process proceeds to step S708. In this embodiment, continuous reading, which is not supported, is set in the scanning device 102. Therefore, the result of the determination in step S1101 is that there are unsupported function settings.

[0114] In step S1102, the extended application 204 creates a scan command, excluding function settings not supported by the scanning device 102. In this embodiment, the continuous reading setting function is not included in the scan command. After step S1102 is executed, the process proceeds to step S710.

[0115] In step S1103, the extended application 204 determines, based on the detailed setting information, whether there are any settings that need to be edited in the image data editing unit 207. If the determination in step S1103 is that there are necessary settings, the process proceeds to step S1104. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1103 is that there are no necessary settings, the process proceeds to step S711. In this embodiment, continuous reading, which is not supported by the scanning device 102, is set, so the determination in step S1103 is that there are necessary settings.

[0116] In step S1104, the image data editing unit 207 of the extended application 204 performs a concatenation process to combine the two acquired image data based on the continuous reading setting determined in step S703. This generates a single image file containing each of the acquired image data. After step S1104 is executed, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0117] <<Third Embodiment>> The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 12 and 13, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiment, and similar matters will be omitted from the explanation. In the first embodiment, information is transmitted and received between the extended application 204 and the scanning device 102. In this embodiment, instead of the extended application 204, information is transmitted and received between the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102. The extended application 204 also performs scanning instruction command extensions and image editing. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing the processing executed between the scanning application, the general-purpose scanning software, the extended application, and the scanning device after the scanning application receives the scan settings in the third embodiment. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 6, the sequence diagram in Figure 12 executes steps S1201 to S1205 in order instead of steps S613 to S615. Also, step S1206 is executed instead of steps S617 and S618. Also, step S1207 is executed instead of steps S624 and S625. In addition, step S1208 is executed instead of steps S628 and S629.

[0118] As shown in Figure 12, in step S1201, the general-purpose scan software 202 receives the scan instruction made in step S612. The general-purpose scan software 202 then creates a scan instruction command. This scan instruction command does not include any functions that the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support.

[0119] In step S1202, the general-purpose scan software 202 sends the scan instruction command created in step S1201 to the extended application 204.

[0120] In step S1203, the extended application 204 receives the scan command in step S1202. The extended application 204 then adds instructions for functions not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 or modifies existing instructions to this scan command. This extends the scan command. In this embodiment, the scan command created in step S1201 does not include a continuous reading setting, so a continuous reading setting is added in step S1203.

[0121] In step S1204, the extended application 204 notifies the general-purpose scan software 202 that the scan command extension in step S1203 has finished, and sends the scan command that was extended in step S1203.

[0122] In step S1205, the general-purpose scan software 202 receives the extended scan instruction command in step S1204. The general-purpose scan software 202 then transmits this extended scan instruction command to the scan device 102 (transmission of the first instruction). As a result, the scan in step S616 is executed.

[0123] In step S1206, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 transmits the image data obtained in step S616 to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0124] In step S1207, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 transmits the image data obtained in step S623 to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0125] In step S1208, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 notifies the general-purpose scanning software 202 of the completion of continuous reading in step S627. In this embodiment, the transmission of the first instruction is performed via the general-purpose scanning software 202, but is not limited to this. For example, both the transmission of the first instruction and the transmission of the second instruction may be performed via the general-purpose scanning software 202, or only the transmission of the second instruction may be performed via the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0126] Figure 13 is a sequence diagram (modified) showing the process performed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension application, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 13, the sequence diagram shown in Figure 13 shows that between step S1207 and step S626, Steps S1301 to S1303 are executed in order. As shown in Figure 13, in step S1301, the general-purpose scanning software 202 receives the image data transmitted in step S1207. The general-purpose scanning software 202 then transmits this image data to the extended application 204.

[0127] In step S1302, the extended application 204 receives the image data transmitted in step S1301. The extended application 204 then performs editing on this image data. This editing is a concatenation process similar to that in step S1104 (see Figure 11). As a result, a single image file is generated.

[0128] In step S1303, the extended application 204 sends the image data edited in step S1302, i.e., one image file, to the general-purpose scanning software 202.

[0129] <<Fourth Embodiment>> The fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 14 and 15, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiments, and similar matters will be omitted. In the first embodiment, information is transmitted and received with the scanning device 102 by extending the commands used in the standard protocol. In this embodiment, the commands used in the standard protocol are not extended. Furthermore, for functions supported only by the extended application 204, information is transmitted and received with the scanning device 102 using separate commands. Figure 14 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the scanning application, general-purpose scanning software, extended application, and scanning device after the scanning application receives the scan settings in the fourth embodiment. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 6, the sequence diagram shown in Figure 14 executes steps S1401 to S1405 in order instead of steps S614 to S616.

[0130] As shown in Figure 14, in step S1401, the extended application 204 receives the scan instruction made in step S613. The extended application 204 then creates a standard scan instruction command in accordance with the standard protocol. Note that this standard scan instruction command does not include functions that are not supported by the standard protocol.

[0131] In step S1402, the extended application 204 creates an extended scan command for features that are supported only by the extended application 204.

[0132] In step S1403, the extended application 204 sends the standard scan instruction command created in step S1401 to the scanning device 102.

[0133] In step S1404, the extended application 204 sends the extended scan instruction command created in step S1402 to the scanning device 102.

[0134] In step S1405, the input / output interface 198 of the scanning device 102 receives the standard scan instruction command sent in step S1403 and the extended scan instruction command sent in step S1404. The reading unit 195 of the scanning device 102 then interprets the standard scan instruction command and the extended scan instruction command, respectively, and performs the scan.

[0135] As described above, in this embodiment, the standard scan instruction command does not extend the continuous reading setting function, and the continuous reading setting function, which is supported only by the extended application 204, can be handled by a separate scan instruction command. This makes it possible to perform scanning under the continuous reading setting. Note that the execution order of steps S1401 to S1404 may be, for example, step S1401, step S1403, step S1402, step S1404.

[0136] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the processes executed by the extended application. Unlike the flowchart in Figure 7, the flowchart in Figure 15 shows steps S1501 to S1504 being executed sequentially, instead of steps S708 and S709. As shown in Figure 15, in step S1501, the extended application 204 creates a standard scan instruction command in accordance with the standard protocol. This step S1501 corresponds to step S1401.

[0137] In step S1502, the extended application 204 creates an extended scan instruction command for a function that is not supported by the standard protocol and is only supported by the extended application 204. This step S1502 corresponds to step S1402.

[0138] In step S1503, the extended application 204 sends the standard scan instruction command created in step S1501 to the scanning device 102. This step S1503 corresponds to step S1403.

[0139] In step S1504, the extended application 204 sends the extended scan instruction command created in step S1502 to the scanning device 102. This step S1504 corresponds to step S1404. After step S1504 is executed, the process proceeds to step S710.

[0140] <<Fifth Embodiment>> The fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 16 and 17, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiments, and similar matters will be omitted. In the first embodiment, for continuous scanning, the scanning device 102 displays a scan waiting screen 1600, and the scanning device 102 issues a command to scan the next document. In this embodiment, the extended application 204 displays the scan waiting screen 1600, and the host computer 101 issues a command to scan the next document. Figure 16 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed between the scanning application, general-purpose scanning software, extended application, and scanning device after the scanning application receives the scan settings in the fifth embodiment. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 6, the sequence diagram in Figure 16 executes steps S1701 to S1703 in order instead of step S622. Also, step S1704 is executed instead of steps S627 and S628. As shown in Figure 16, in step S1701, the extended application 204 displays the read waiting screen 1600 (see Figure 8B). This allows the user to change the read conditions setting in control 1601, issue a scan execution command in control 1603, and cancel the scan in control 1604.

[0141] In step S1702, the extended application 204 creates a scan command when the control 1603 on the read waiting screen 1600 is pressed. This scan command reflects the read conditions set by the control 1601, based on the scan function information 203, which was written in step S608 on the detailed settings screen 300C.

[0142] In step S1703, the extended application 204 sends the scan instruction command created in step S1702 to the scanning device 102.

[0143] In step S1704, if the control 1604 on the read standby screen 1600 is pressed, the scan command is canceled, continuous reading ends, and the display of the read standby screen 1600 is suppressed.

[0144] Figure 17 is a flowchart of the process executed by the extended application. Unlike the flowchart in Figure 7, the flowchart in Figure 17 executes steps S1801 to S1803 instead of step S712. As shown in Figure 17, in step S1801, the extended application 204 displays the waiting screen 1600. This step S1801 corresponds to step S1701.

[0145] In step S1802, the extended application 204 determines whether the control 1603 on the read waiting screen 1600 has been pressed, that is, whether a scan has been instructed to be performed. If the determination in step S1802 is that the control 1603 has been pressed, the process returns to step S708 and the subsequent steps are executed in order. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1802 is that the control 1603 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1803.

[0146] In step S1803, the extended application 204 determines whether the control 1604 on the read-waiting screen 1600 has been pressed, that is, whether or not the instruction to end continuous reading has been given. If the determination in step S1803 is that the control 1604 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S713. On the other hand, if the determination in step S1803 is that the control 1604 has not been pressed, the process returns to step S1802 and the subsequent steps are executed in order. As described above, in this embodiment, the host computer 101 can issue an instruction to execute the scan of the next document.

[0147] <<Sixth Embodiment>> The sixth embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 18 to 20, focusing on the differences from the previously described embodiments, and similar matters will be omitted. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit of the scan system in the sixth embodiment. In this embodiment, the read-while-waiting screen is displayed on both the host computer 101 and the scan device 102. Specifically, the read-while-waiting screen 1600 (see Figure 8B) is displayed on one of the host computer 101 and the scan device 102, while the read-while-waiting screen 1900 (see Figure 18) is displayed on the other. The read-while-waiting screen 1900 shown in Figure 18 includes controls 1601 to 1604, similar to the read-while-waiting screen 1600. The read-while-waiting screen 1900 also includes control 1901 and message 1902. Control 1901 allows switching the read operation to be executed on the read-while-waiting screen 1900. Message 1902 indicates that pressing control 1901 will switch the read operation to execution on the read waiting screen 1900.

[0148] Until control 1901 is pressed, controls 1601 to 1604 are displayed, for example, in gray. This restricts operation on the read-waiting screen 1900. On the other hand, operation becomes possible on the read-waiting screen 1600. When control 1901 is pressed, the grayed-out display of controls 1601 to 1604 is released. This makes operation possible on the read-waiting screen 1900. In this case, the read-waiting screen 1900 becomes the read-waiting screen 1600. On the other hand, operation is restricted on the read-waiting screen 1600. In this case, the read-waiting screen 1600 becomes the read-waiting screen 1900. Thus, in this embodiment, operation is possible on the read-waiting screen displayed on either the host computer 101 or the scanning device 102, while operation is restricted on the read-waiting screen displayed on the other. This allows operations on the read-waiting screen to be performed from both the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102. Furthermore, a switching operation can be performed to switch between a read-waiting screen that is operable and one that is restricted. This prevents simultaneous operations on the read-waiting screen from both the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102.

[0149] Figure 19 is a sequence diagram showing the processes executed between the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extended application, and scan device after the scan application accepts the scan settings. Unlike the sequence diagram shown in Figure 16, the sequence diagram in Figure 19 executes steps S2001 to S2006. As shown in Figure 19, step S2001 is executed along with step S1701. In step S2001, the CPU 191 of the scan device 102 displays the read-waiting screen 1900 on the operation unit 194. This makes it possible to accept switching of the read-waiting screen 1900 at the control 1901.

[0150] In step S2002, the CPU 191 of the scanning device 102 controls the input / output interface 198 to send a screen switching notification to the extended application 204 when the control 1901 of the read-waiting screen 1900 is pressed. As a result, the read-waiting screen 1900 becomes the read-waiting screen 1600 (see step S622).

[0151] In step S2003, the extended application 204 receives a screen switching notification from the scanning device 102 in step S2002. Then, the extended application 204 displays the read-waiting screen 1900 on the display unit 119 instead of the read-waiting screen 1600.

[0152] In step S2004, if the control 1901 on the read-waiting screen 1900 is pressed, the extended application 204 controls the input / output interface 116 to send a screen switching notification to the scanning device 102.

[0153] In step S2005, the extended application 204 displays the read-waiting screen 1600 on the display unit 119 instead of the read-waiting screen 1900.

[0154] In step S2006, the CPU 191 of the scanning device 102 receives a screen switching notification from the extended application 204 in step S2004. The extended application 204 then displays the read-waiting screen 1900 on the operation unit 194, replacing the read-waiting screen 1600.

[0155] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing the processes performed by the extended application. Unlike the flowchart shown in Figure 20, step S2101 is executed between steps S1801 and S1802. As shown in Figure 20, in step S2101, the extended application 204 determines whether or not it has received a screen switching notification from the scanning device 102. If the determination in step S2101 determines that a screen switching notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S2102. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2101 determines that a screen switching notification has not been received, the process proceeds to step S1802.

[0156] In step S2102, the extended application 204 displays the read waiting screen 1900.

[0157] In step S2103, the extended application 204 determines whether or not control 1901 on the waiting screen 1900 has been pressed, that is, whether or not a screen switch has been instructed. If the determination in step S2103 is that control 1901 has been pressed, the process returns to step S1801 and the subsequent steps are executed in order. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2103 is that control 1901 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S2104.

[0158] In step S2104, the extended application 204 determines whether or not it has received image data from the scanning device 102. If the determination in step S2104 indicates that image data has been received, the process proceeds to step S2105. On the other hand, if the determination in step S2104 indicates that image data has not been received, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0159] In step S2105, the extended application 204 sends the image data determined in step S2104 to the general-purpose scanning software 202. After step S2105 is completed, the process proceeds to step S712.

[0160] In step S712, the extended application 204 determines whether or not it has received a notification that the continuous reading has ended. If the determination in step S712 indicates that the continuous reading has ended, the process proceeds to step S713. On the other hand, if the determination in step S712 indicates that the continuous reading has not ended, the process returns to step S2103 and executes the subsequent steps in order.

[0161] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above 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. Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0162] Each embodiment of the disclosure includes the following programs, methods, and configuration programs. (Program 1) A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver pre-installed in the said operating system, A computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document scanning function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An application program characterized by causing the program to perform a generation step of generating an image file that includes a first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first original document and a second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction. (Program 2) A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver pre-installed in the said operating system, A computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document scanning function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to acquire from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first original document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction, An application program characterized by causing the program to execute a generation step that generates a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step. (Program 3) To the aforementioned computer, Prior to the first transmission step, after the reading function has been performed on the first document, a display control step is performed to display a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to enable continuous reading to perform the reading function on the second document. The application program according to program 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the continuous reading setting on the selection screen is selected as "enabled", the reception screen is made available for display. (Program 4) The image processing device comprises a first mounting section on which the document to be read is placed, and a second mounting section located at a different position from the first mounting section, on which the document to be read is placed. The application program according to program 3, characterized in that the selection screen and the reception screen include a mounting unit selection unit for selecting the first mounting unit or the second mounting unit. (Program 5) The application program according to any one of programs 1 to 4, characterized in that the reception screen includes at least one of the following: a resolution setting unit for setting the resolution for the document to be scanned; a size setting unit for setting the scanning size for the document to be scanned; and a page count display unit for displaying the number of scanned pages of the second document scanned by the scanning function based on the second instruction. (Program 6) The application program according to any one of programs 1 to 5, characterized in that the reception screen allows the cancellation of the second instruction. (Program 7) The standard driver and the application program are stored in the information processing device. The application program according to any one of programs 1 to 6, characterized in that the reception screen is displayed on the information processing device. (Program 8) The application program according to Program 7, characterized in that the reception screen is displayed on both the information processing device and the image processing device, operation is possible with respect to the reception screen displayed on one of the two, and operation is restricted with respect to the reception screen displayed on the other. (Program 9) The application program according to program 8, characterized in that it enables a switching operation to switch between a reception screen in which the above operations are possible and a reception screen in which the above operations are restricted. (Program 10) An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 9, characterized in that the function for displaying the reception screen is a function that cannot be executed by the standard driver. (Program 11) An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one of the transmission of the first instruction in the first transmission step and the transmission of the second instruction in the second transmission step can be executed via the standard driver. (Program 12) An application program described in any one of programs 1 to 11, characterized in that it is stored on a storage medium. (Method 1) A method for performing control that supports a standard driver provided by the provider of an operating system, which is a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, The control method described above is performed by a computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, A control method characterized by comprising a generation step of generating an image file that includes a first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first original document and a second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction. (Method 2) A method for performing control that supports a standard driver provided by the provider of an operating system, which is a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, The control method described above is performed by a computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to acquire from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first original document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction, A control method characterized by comprising: a generation step of generating a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step. (Configuration 1) An information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, comprising a standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, which is a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver, The application program is installed on the computer of the information processing device. A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An information processing device characterized by performing a generation step of generating an image file that includes first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first original document and second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction. (Configuration 2) An information processing device that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, comprising a standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, which is a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver, The application program is installed on the computer of the information processing device. A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is performed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to perform the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to acquire from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first original document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction, An information processing apparatus characterized by causing it to perform a generation step of generating a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step. [Explanation of symbols]

[0163] 101 Host computer 102 Scanning device 202 General-purpose scanning software 204 Extended Applications 300C detailed setting screen 1600, 1900 Read waiting screen

Claims

1. A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver pre-installed in the said operating system, A computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document scanning function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An application program characterized by causing the program to perform a generation step of generating an image file that includes first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first document and second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction.

2. A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver pre-installed in the said operating system, A computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document scanning function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to obtain from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction, An application program characterized by causing the program to execute a generation step that generates a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step.

3. To the aforementioned computer, Prior to the first transmission step, after the reading function for the first document has been performed, a display control step is performed to display a selection screen that allows the user to select whether or not to enable continuous reading to perform the reading function for the second document. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when the continuous reading setting on the selection screen is selected as enabled, the reception screen is made available for display.

4. The image processing device comprises a first mounting section on which the document to be read is placed, and a second mounting section located at a different position from the first mounting section, on which the document to be read is placed. The application program according to claim 3, characterized in that the selection screen and the reception screen include a mounting unit selection unit for selecting the first mounting unit or the second mounting unit.

5. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reception screen includes at least one of the following: a resolution setting unit for setting the resolution for the document to be scanned; a size setting unit for setting the scanning size for the document to be scanned; and a number display unit for displaying the number of scanned second documents scanned by the scanning function based on the second instruction.

6. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reception screen allows the cancellation of the second instruction.

7. The standard driver and the application program are stored in the information processing device. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the reception screen is displayed on the information processing device.

8. The application program according to claim 7, characterized in that the reception screen is displayed on both the information processing device and the image processing device, operation is possible with respect to the reception screen displayed on one of the two, and operation is restricted with respect to the reception screen displayed on the other.

9. The application program according to claim 8, characterized in that it enables a switching operation to switch between a reception screen in which the above operations are possible and a reception screen in which the above operations are restricted.

10. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the function for displaying the reception screen is a function that cannot be executed by the standard driver.

11. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one of the transmission of the first instruction in the first transmission step and the transmission of the second instruction in the second transmission step can be executed via the standard driver.

12. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is stored on a storage medium.

13. A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and a method for performing control that supports a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, The control method described above is performed by a computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, A control method characterized by comprising a generation step of generating an image file that includes a first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first original document and a second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction.

14. A standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, and a method for performing control that supports a standard driver pre-installed in the operating system, The control method described above is performed by a computer that is communicatively connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to obtain from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction, A control method characterized by comprising: a generation step of generating a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step.

15. An information processing device comprising a standard driver provided by the provider of an operating system, which is pre-installed in the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver, and which is communicably connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, The application program is installed on the computer of the information processing device. A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An information processing apparatus characterized by performing a generation step of generating an image file that includes first image data generated by executing the reading function on the first original document and second image data generated by executing the reading function on the second original document based on the second instruction.

16. An information processing device comprising a standard driver provided by the provider of an operating system, which is pre-installed in the operating system, and an application program that supports the standard driver, and which is communicably connected to an image processing device having a document reading function, The application program is installed on the computer of the information processing device. A first transmission step of transmitting a first instruction to the image processing device that instructs the execution of the reading function for the first document, A display control step that, after the reading function for the first document is executed based on the first instruction, displays a reception screen that receives a second instruction to execute the reading function for a second document following the first document, When the reception screen receives the second instruction, a second transmission step is performed to transmit the second instruction to the image processing device, An acquisition step is performed to obtain from the image processing device the first image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the first document, the second image data generated by the execution of the reading function on the second document based on the second instruction, An information processing apparatus characterized by causing it to perform a generation step of generating a single image file containing the first image data and the second image data acquired in the acquisition step.

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