Application programs, storage media, methods, and information processing devices

Abstract

The objective is to provide a mechanism that allows images from multiple pages, obtained by scanning a document using a standard driver, to be laid out on a single page. [Solution] An extension application 204 that supports the general-purpose scanning software 202 provided by the operating system (OS) provider causes the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to display a detailed settings screen for accepting settings related to the layout process of laying out images of multiple pages acquired by the scanning device 102 by reading a document using the general-purpose scanning software 202 onto a single page.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a configuration in which a scan driver installed in an information processing apparatus as control software for an image processing apparatus (including a scanner apparatus) is used to give an instruction to read a document to the image processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus. An operating system (OS), which is basic software, is installed in the information processing apparatus. The scan driver is configured according to the specifications defined by the OS and is called from the OS to operate. On the other hand, a manufacturer that provides an image processing apparatus can provide a means for instructing the image processing apparatus to read a document using the OS by providing a scan driver that conforms to the specifications of the OS. In this specification, the manufacturer includes a vendor of the image processing apparatus.

[0003] By the way, in recent years, in Windows (registered trademark), a standard class driver (hereinafter also referred to as "standard driver") that can be commonly used among image processing apparatuses provided by a plurality of manufacturers has been provided. The standard driver is included in the OS package and can be easily used by connecting an arbitrary image processing apparatus to the host computer. Therefore, with a standard driver, the user does not need to separately install a model-specific scan driver suitable for the image processing apparatus, so the convenience of the standard driver is high. Also, it is assumed that the standard driver is configured to be able to set the scan function according to the scan function information generated based on the information acquired from the connected image processing apparatus. Thereby, a user who uses the standard driver can set a scan function according to the capabilities of the connected image processing apparatus even though using one standard driver.

[0004] However, the scanning functions that users can configure are limited to those that can be achieved with standard drivers only, and it is not possible to configure manufacturer-specific functions. In relation to this point, Patent Document 1 discloses a reduction layout function that scans and reads a multi-page document, and then combines and arranges the multi-page document onto a single page for output. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2009-100018 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In this regard, the scanning function of the manufacturer's proprietary scan driver also has a similar function that lays out the images of multiple pages acquired by scanning a document onto a single page. This process, for example, if the size of the laid-out page is set to a desired size, lays out the images of multiple pages acquired by scanning the document so that they fit within that set size (after being enlarged or reduced in some cases). However, when scanning a document using the standard driver, it is not possible to configure the function for the above process, and therefore this function cannot be provided to the user.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The object of the present invention is to provide an application program, a storage medium, a method, and an information processing device that can lay out images from multiple pages acquired by reading a document using a standard driver onto a single page. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, the application program of the present invention is an application program that supports a standard driver provided by the provider of an operating system, and is characterized by causing a computer to display a first screen for accepting settings related to a layout process that lays out images from multiple pages acquired by an image processing device by reading a document using the standard driver onto a single page. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, images from multiple pages obtained by scanning a document using a standard driver can be laid out on a single page. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the scanning system. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the software configuration of the scanning system in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows examples of the scan settings screen and the detailed settings screen. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative diagram to explain 2-in-1 processing. [Figure 5] In the first embodiment, this diagram shows the editing process flow of scan function information performed by the scan function extension unit of the extended application. [Figure 6] This figure shows a table illustrating an example of a list of capability information acquired from the scanning device, scanning functions supported by the extended application, and scanning function information generated by the general-purpose scanning software in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram of the scan application, general-purpose scan software, extension application, and scan device in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]It is a flowchart summarizing the processing flow of an extended application in the sequence of FIG. 7. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart summarizing the processing flow of a scanning device in the sequence of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart of 2in1 processing. [Figure 11] It is an image diagram for explaining the carrier sheet mode and the license mode. [Figure 12] In the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing the software configuration of a scanning system when an extended application is associated with general-purpose scanning software and a scanning device. [Figure 13] In the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing an example of a list of the capability information acquired from a scanning device, the scanning functions supported by an extended application, and the scanning function information generated by general-purpose scanning software. [Figure 14] In the second embodiment, it is a diagram showing the editing processing flow of scanning function information performed by the scanning function extension unit of an extended application. [Figure 15] In the second embodiment, it is a sequence diagram of a scanning application, general-purpose scanning software, an extended application, and a scanning device. [Figure 16] In the third embodiment, it is a sequence diagram of a scanning application, general-purpose scanning software, an extended application, and a scanning device. [Figure 17] It is a diagram showing an example of a UI screen displayed at the timing of placing a document on a document table. [Figure 18] It is an image diagram for explaining the business card / invoice mode and the book mode.

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 two or more configurations (features) in each embodiment can be combined. For the same configuration and process, the description will be omitted by assigning the same reference numerals.

[0012] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. Here, it is a process that an extended application associated with a standard driver causes the CPU of the host computer to perform, and a process of laying out the images of each of a plurality of pages acquired by the scanning device in the reading of the original using the standard driver into one page will be described. That is, the allocation process (layout process) performed in the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the above plurality of pages is set to two pages. Hereinafter, the allocation process in this case will be referred to as 2in1 process. Also, in the first embodiment, it is assumed that the original is read by the feeder of the scanning device.

[0013] [Hardware Configuration of Scanning System] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a scanning system. As shown in Figure 1, the scanning system includes a host computer 101 and a scanning device 102. The host computer 101 (information processing device) can be a desktop PC, a smartphone, a laptop computer, or a tablet device. In Figure 1, the host computer 101 includes an input interface 110, a CPU 111 (computer), a ROM 112, a RAM 113, an external storage device 114, an output interface 115, an input / output interface 116, and a NETIF 117. Input devices such as a keyboard 118 and a pointing device 119 are connected to the input interface 110, and a display device such as a display unit 120 is connected to the output interface 115.

[0014] The display unit 120 displays, for example, the scan settings screen and the detailed settings screen, which will be described later. NETIF 117 is a network interface that controls data transfer to and from external devices via the network. The ROM 112 stores the initialization program. The external storage device 114 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The external storage device 114 stores application programs, the operating system (OS), and various other data. RAM 113 is used as work memory when executing various programs stored in the external storage device 114. This allows various programs to run within the host computer 101. In the first embodiment, the CPU 111 processes according to the program code stored in the ROM 112 or the program code stored in the external storage device 114. This enables the host computer 101 to perform the functions and processes shown in the flowchart sequence described later.

[0015] A scanning device 102 is connected to the host computer 101 via an input / output interface 116. The scanning device 102 includes an input / output interface 130, a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an operation unit 134, a reading unit 135, a printing unit 136, a NETIF 137, an image processing unit 138, and an external storage device 139. The input / output interface 130 is connected to the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101. The input / output interface 130 of the scanning device 102 and the input / output interface 116 of the host computer 101 may be connected via a wired network or a wireless network.

[0016] The CPU 131 provides overall control over the scanning device 102. The ROM 132 is memory where programs and other data are stored. The RAM 133 provides memory for temporarily storing programs and image data when the CPU 131 executes a program. The reading unit 135 is a scanner that reads the image of the document and acquires image data. The printing unit 136 prints the image onto a sheet based on the image data. Note that the printing unit 136 is not mandatory. The NETIF 137 is a network interface that controls data transfer to and from external devices via the network. The image processing unit 138 performs various image editing processes on the input image data.

[0017] The external storage device 139 is, for example, an HDD or SSD. Programs, image data, etc., are stored in the external storage device 139. In the first embodiment, the scanning device 102 is described as an example of an image processing device. The scanning device 102 is an electrophotographic digital multifunction device that has multiple functions such as copying, printing, and faxing in addition to the document reading function. However, the image processing device is not limited to this, and may be a multifunction device using other processes such as an inkjet method, or a scanner that only has a document reading function. Also, in the first embodiment, the host computer 101 and the scanning device 102 are configured separately, but they may be configured as a single information processing device.

[0018] [Scanning system software configuration] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the software configuration of a scanning system. Here, we will explain a scanning system using a host computer 101 equipped with Microsoft's Windows 11 as the operating system. Figure 2(a) shows a general configuration of the scanning system's software, including a scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202 (standard driver), and scan function information 203. Figure 2(b) shows the general configuration of the scanning system's software shown in Figure 2(a), plus an extension application 204 (application program).

[0019] Specifically, Figure 2(a) shows a typical configuration when the extended application 204 is not associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102. On the other hand, 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. Note that the software configuration in Figure 2 is stored in the external storage device 114 of the host computer 101.

[0020] [Software configuration of the scanning system when extension application 204 is not associated] First, using Figure 2(a), the configuration of the scanning system when the extended application 204 is not associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102 will be described. Figure 2(a) shows a typical configuration of the scanning system's software, consisting of a scanning application 201, general-purpose scanning software 202, and scanning function information 203. The scanning application 201 is software that captures the content (image data) acquired by scanning a document. Examples of scanning applications include document creation applications and image editing applications. When the scanning application 201 receives a scan request from the user, it issues a scan instruction to the OS. The scan instruction includes scan setting information to instruct the operation of the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102.

[0021] The scan application 201 can display a scan settings screen provided by either the general-purpose scan software 202, the OS, or the scan application 201 in order to issue a scan command. Furthermore, if the advanced settings button on the scan settings screen is selected, the general-purpose scan software 202 will display an additional advanced settings screen. A detailed explanation of the scan settings screen and advanced settings screen will be provided in Figure 3 below. The advanced settings screen includes setting items (hereinafter referred to as "control items") that allow the user to configure the scan function according to the capability information (configurable information) of the general-purpose scan software 202, and control items that indicate the setting values.

[0022] The general-purpose scan software 202 determines the scanning capability based on the scan function information 203. The scan function information 203 is data indicating the scan function, which includes all user-configurable scan functions, their settings, and the mutual exclusion relationships between those settings. The scan function information 203 is included in the configuration file of the general-purpose scan software 202 and is stored in the external storage device 114 as an immutable file. The scan function information 203 can also be dynamically generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 or the OS. Specifically, the general-purpose scan software 202 or the OS can be configured to acquire attribute data of the scan device 102 from the scan device 102 and generate the scan function information 203 according to the attribute information in the acquired attribute data. When the scan function information 203 is dynamically generated, the generated scan function information 203 is editable.

[0023] Furthermore, the attribute data of the scanning device 102 includes attribute information indicating the functions that the user can configure on the scanning device 102 (the capabilities of the scanning device 102), and setting values ​​related to that attribute information. This information is stored in RAM 113. With this configuration, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured so that the user can configure the scanning functions available on each scanning device, depending on the scanning device connected to the host computer 101. In other words, even if scanning devices with different functions or scanning devices developed by different vendors are connected, the general-purpose scanning software 202 can be configured so that the user can configure the scanning functions available on each connected scanning device. Note that the manufacturer may be the vendor of the scanning device, as described above.

[0024] In the first embodiment, a standard class driver is used as the general-purpose scanning software 202, which reads documents based on a standard scanning protocol called Mopria. The general-purpose scanning software 202 acquires capability information of the connected scanning device 102 and generates scanning function information 203 based on that information, so that the user can set the scanning functions supported by the connected scanning device 102. However, the general-purpose scanning software 202 does not support functions such as scanning size. This is because functions such as scanning size are manufacturer-specific functions.

[0025] [Software configuration of the scanning system when extended application 204 is associated] Next, using Figure 2(b), the configuration of the scanning system when the extended application 204 is associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102 will be described. Figure 2(b) shows the extended application 204 in addition to the general configuration of the scanning system software configuration shown in Figure 2(a). Note that configurations and processes that are not specifically mentioned below are the same as those in Figure 2(a). The extended application 204 is software that supports the functions of the general-purpose scanning software 202 and is not pre-installed (not bundled) with the OS.

[0026] Therefore, the user needs to operate the host computer 101 to download and install the extended application 204 from the server via the internet to the host computer 101. Alternatively, the extended application 204 may be automatically installed based on the connection of the scanning device 102 to the host computer 101. Specifically, when the scanning device 102 is connected to the host computer 101, the OS obtains device identification information from the scanning device 102. Furthermore, the OS downloads and installs the extended application 204 corresponding to the obtained device identification information from the server via the internet to the host computer 101. In other words, the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the extended application 204 are stored as separate files on the host computer 101. Alternatively, the extended application 204 may be installed on the host computer 101 when the extended application 204 stored on the storage medium is read by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101.

[0027] Note that the general-purpose scan software 202 and the extended application 204 may be updated and upgraded, but this update process is performed at different times. In other words, the timing at which the host computer 101 acquires the general-purpose scan software 202 and the timing at which the host computer 101 acquires the extended application 204 are different. Also, the triggers for the host computer 101 acquiring the general-purpose scan software 202 and the triggers for the host computer 101 acquiring the extended application 204 are different. When the extended application 204 is installed, the OS associates the extended application 204 with the general-purpose scan software 202 and the scan device 102.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(b), the extended application 204 includes a scan settings screen extension unit 205, a scan function extension unit 206, an image data editing unit 207, and a notification unit 208. The extended application 204 also has shared information 209 that can be accessed from all units in common. The shared information 209 is actually a file stored in the external storage device 114 or information stored in the RAM 113 on the host computer 101. The extended application 204 writes to and reads information from the shared information 209 using the API (Application Program Interface) provided by the OS. The extended application 204 may terminate its operation after each unit has finished processing. In this case, the OS will start the extended application 204 each time it receives a request to use each unit. Furthermore, the extended application 204 may cancel processing within the processing of each unit. If the extended application 204 cancels processing, the job in progress is deleted by the OS.

[0029] When the scan application 201 receives a scan request from the user, it issues a scan command to the OS. In the configuration of Figure 2(b), as in the configuration of Figure 2(a), the scan application 201 can display the scan settings screen. Furthermore, in the configuration of Figure 2(b), when the detailed settings button on the scan settings screen is selected, the detailed settings screen provided by the extension application 204 is additionally displayed. Specifically, the detailed settings screen provided by the scan settings screen extension unit 205 of the extension application 204 is displayed. The detailed settings screen provided by the scan settings screen extension unit 205 of the extension application 204 includes control items that allow the user to configure the scan function and control items that show the setting values. In addition, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 can save the functions and their setting values ​​configured by the user on the detailed settings screen as detailed settings information in the shared information 209.

[0030] The image data editing unit 207 acquires image data from the scanning device 102 and edits the acquired image data. The image data editing unit 207 acquires detailed setting information from the shared information 209 and performs image editing on the image data according to the settings included in the acquired detailed setting information. The extended application 204 may acquire image data via the general-purpose scanning software 202 and perform image editing on the acquired image data according to the settings included in the detailed setting information. In addition, even in the configuration of Figure 2(b), the user may not set the reading size, etc., as described later. In this case, as in the configuration of Figure 2(a), the general-purpose scanning software 202 may issue a scan command to the scanning device 102 without going through the extended application 204.

[0031] 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 the scan function expansion unit 206 to add functions provided by the expansion application 204. The scan function expansion unit 206 can also add functions that the scan device 102 supports but the general-purpose scan software 202 does not (for example, the read size function), or 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. Furthermore, the OS may start the scan function expansion unit 206 at other times (for example, when the OS starts).

[0032] The notification unit 208 can display a notification to the user in response to an error occurring 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 the error, and the OS uses a notification function called a toast notification, which is a function of the OS, to display a message on the display unit 120. When the user selects this toast notification with a pointing device 119 or the like, the notification unit 208 is called by the OS, and the UI screen of the notification unit 208 is displayed. On its UI screen, the notification unit 208 can display, for example, a detailed message about the read jam error and instructions on how to clear the jam.

[0033] The configuration of the extended application 204 is not limited to having all of the above-mentioned functions (units); it may have only some of the functions or other functions. The extended application 204 is also sometimes simply called the scan software. As described above, the extended application 204 can be said to have at least one of the following functions: The first is a function to display the detailed settings screen (scan settings screen extension unit 205). The second is a function to edit image data according to the settings on the detailed settings screen (image data editing unit 207). The third is a function to support the functions of the general-purpose scan software 202 (scan function extension unit 206). The fourth is a function to display a UI screen in response to an error occurring in the scan device 102 (notification unit 208). The scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, and the extended application 204 are started by being read from the external storage device 114 by the CPU 111, expanded into RAM 113, and executed.

[0034] [Scan settings screen and advanced settings screen] Next, we will explain examples of the scan settings screen and the detailed settings screen using Figure 3. Figure 3(a) shows the scan settings screen displayed by the scan application 201. Figure 3(b) shows the detailed settings screen displayed in the configuration shown in Figure 2(a), that is, the configuration without the extension application 204. Figure 3(c) shows the detailed settings screen displayed in the configuration shown in Figure 2(b), that is, the configuration with the extension application 204. Note that the units and modules that display the scan settings screen are not limited to those described above. For example, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 may only be configured to generate the display screen. In this 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 displays the display screen acquired in this way.

[0035] [Figure 3(a): Scan settings screen displayed by scan application 201] First, let's explain the scan settings screen shown in Figure 3(a). The scan settings screen in Figure 3(a) is a UI screen having control items 301 to 304. Control item 301 has one or more setting items for the user to set the scanner (i.e., scanning device) to be used to read the document. Control item 302 is a button to start scanning the document. Control item 303 is a button to cancel scanning the document. Control item 304 is an advanced settings button. When control item 304 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, an additional advanced settings screen is displayed by the general-purpose scan software 202 or the scan settings screen extension unit 205.

[0036] [Figure 3(b): Detailed settings screen displayed by the general-purpose scan software 202] Next, the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(b) will be explained. The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b) is an additional detailed settings screen displayed by the general-purpose scanning software 202 when there is no extended application 204. The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b) is a UI screen that has control items 305-306 and list 307. List 307 is one of the control items. This is also true for the list described later. Control item 305 allows the user to set the reading destination, and in Figure 3(b), it shows that "feeder" is set.

[0037] In List 307, when Control Item 305 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the scan destinations that can be set with Control Item 305 are shown. List 307 indicates that in addition to the currently set "feeder," "document glass" is also a scan destination that can be set with Control Item 305. Control Item 306 is a button to finish the settings. When Control Item 306 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b) is closed and the user returns to the scan settings screen in Figure 3(a).

[0038] [Figure 3(c): Detailed settings screen displayed by the scan settings extension unit 205] Next, the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) will be explained. The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(c) is an additional detailed settings screen displayed by the scan settings screen extension unit 205 when the extension application 204 is present. The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(c) is a UI screen (first screen) in which control items 308-311 and lists 312-315 have been added to the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b).

[0039] The control item 308 allows the user to set the scanning size, and Figure 3(c) shows that "A4H" is set. When the control item 308 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, List 312 shows the scanning sizes that can be set with the control item 308. List 312 shows that in addition to the currently set "A4H", the scanning sizes that can be set with the control item 308 include "A4R" and "A3". The user can switch scanning sizes and scan documents by selecting the desired scanning size from List 312 using the pointing device 119 or the like.

[0040] The control item 309 allows the user to set whether or not to perform 2-in-1 processing, and Figure 3(c) shows that "Yes" is set. When the control item 309 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the list 313 shows the settings that can be set for the control item 309. The list 313 shows that in addition to the currently set "Yes," there is also a "No" setting that can be set for the control item 309. The user can perform 2-in-1 processing by selecting "Yes" from the list 313 using the pointing device 119 or the like. A detailed explanation of 2-in-1 processing will be given later.

[0041] The control item 310 allows the user to set the combined size in the 2-in-1 processing (hereinafter abbreviated as "combined size"), and Figure 3(c) shows that "A4R" is set. List 314 shows the combined sizes that can be set with the control item 310 when the control item 310 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like. List 314 shows that in addition to the currently set "A4R", the combined sizes that can be set with the control item 310 include "A4H" and "A3".

[0042] The control item 311 allows the user to set the orientation after joining in the 2-in-1 process (hereinafter abbreviated as "joined orientation"), and Figure 3(c) shows that "left to right" is set. In List 315, when the control item 311 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the joined orientations that can be set by the control item 311 are shown. List 315 shows that in addition to the currently set "left to right", "right to left" is also a joined orientation that can be set by the control item 311.

[0043] Here, we will explain the details of 2-in-1 processing. 2-in-1 processing is the process of laying out each of the two images obtained by scanning a document using the general-purpose scanning software 202 onto a single page. As mentioned above, the user can set the scanning size with control item 308. The user can also set the combined size as the layout size with control item 310, and the orientation of the combined images as the layout orientation with control item 311.

[0044] The 2-in-1 process will be explained below with reference to Figure 4. In the 2-in-1 process, if the scanning size is set to "A4H", the document is scanned while being transported downwards, as indicated by arrow 401 in Figure 4(1), that is, along the longer side of the document. Furthermore, if the combined size is set to "A4R", the image acquired by scanning the document is reduced to A4R size, as shown by 402 in Figure 4(2). In this case, if the orientation after combining is set to "left to right", the image reduced in size after the first scan is laid out on the left, and the image reduced in size after the second scan is laid out on the right, as shown in Figure 4(3). On the other hand, if the orientation after combining is set to "right to left", the image acquired by scanning the first document is laid out on the right, and the image acquired by scanning the second document is laid out on the left, as shown in Figure 4(4).

[0045] When the scanning size is set to "A4R", the document is scanned while being transported downwards, as indicated by arrow 403 in Figure 4(5), that is, along the shorter side of the document. In this case, if the set combined size is A4, it is fixed to "A4H". Therefore, the image acquired by scanning the document is reduced to A4H size, as shown by 404 in Figure 4(6). Furthermore, in this case, the orientation of the combined image is not set by control item 311 or list 315, but is fixed to "top to bottom". Thus, as shown in Figure 4(7), the image reduced in size after the first scan is laid out at the top, and the image reduced in size after the second scan is laid out at the bottom. However, the orientation of the combined image may be fixed to "bottom to top" instead of "top to bottom" as described above.

[0046] Here, we will explain why the control items differ in the detailed settings screens of Figure 3(b) and Figure 3(c). The detailed settings screen is generated by referring to the scanning capabilities determined based on the scan function information 203. However, the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support the functions of read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation, and therefore cannot add these functions to the scan function information 203. Furthermore, even if the functions of read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation were originally included in the scan function information 203, the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot interpret these functions.

[0047] Therefore, the general-purpose scan software 202 cannot display control items 308-311, which allow settings for read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation, on the detailed settings screen. However, if an extended application 204 is present, the scan function extension unit 206 adds the functions for read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation to the scan function information 203. Furthermore, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 displays the detailed settings screen generated by referring to the scan capabilities. As a result, the extended application 204 can display control items 308-311, which allow settings for read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation, on the detailed settings screen. However, in the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(c), additional control items that allow settings other than read size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation may also be displayed. Figures 3(d)-(f) will be described later.

[0048] [Editing process flow for scan function information 203] Here, referring to the flowchart shown in Figure 5, we will explain the editing process flow of scan function information 203 performed by the scan function expansion unit 206 of the extended application 204. Each step in the flowchart shown in Figure 5 is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 loading the extended application 204 read from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it. When the flowchart in Figure 5 starts, in step S501, the CPU 111 obtains capability information from the scan device 102 via the scan function expansion unit 206. Capability information consists of attribute information indicating the functions that can be set on the scan device 102 and the setting values ​​associated with that attribute information. Table 601 in Figure 6 is an example of a list of capability information obtained from the scan device 102. As shown in Table 601, the scan device 102 can obtain capability information such as the read size and read destination, as well as options that can be set for each function.

[0049] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5, in step S502, the CPU 111 obtains a list of scan functions supported by the extended application 204 from the shared information 209 using the scan function expansion unit 206. The list of scan functions supported by the extended application 204 contains all the functions that the extended application 204 can process and their settings, and is stored in the shared information 209. Table 602 in Figure 6 is an example of a list of scan functions supported by the extended application 204. Note that the list of scan functions supported by the extended application 204 may be updated due to updates to the extended application 204, etc.

[0050] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5, in step S503, the CPU 111 obtains the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the OS via the scan function expansion unit 206. Table 603 in Figure 6 shows an example of a list of scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 is generated based on Table 601, which is a list of capability information acquired by the general-purpose scan software 202 from the scan device 102. Furthermore, the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 only includes the functions supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 and their settings from the capability information acquired from the scan device 102.

[0051] Therefore, the functionality of the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 is limited. For example, Table 601, which is a list of capability information acquired from the scan device 102, includes the read size function. However, since the general-purpose scan software 202 does not support the read size function, the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 does not include the read size function. Therefore, the scan function expansion unit 206 can add functions and options to the scan function information 203, allowing the expansion application 204 to compensate for the lack of functionality in the general-purpose scan software 202. The scan function expansion unit 206 can also remove unnecessary functions and options from the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0052] Returning to the explanation of Figure 5, steps S504, S505, and S506 are repetitive processes performed on the functions and options of the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102 in step S501. In other words, steps S504, S505, and S506 are repetitive processes performed on the 12 types included in Table 601, from "Reading size: A4H" to "Orientation after merging: Right to left". First, in step S504, the CPU 111 determines whether there is a function or option being processed in the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202 via the scan function expansion unit 206.

[0053] If the CPU 111 determines, via the scan function expansion unit 206, that there is a function or option being processed in the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202, the process returns to step S504. At this time, the CPU 111 selects the next item from the functions and options in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102 via the scan function expansion unit 206, and repeats the process in step S504. However, if the CPU 111 is processing the last item in the functions and options in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102 via the scan function expansion unit 206, the flowchart in Figure 5 is terminated. Conversely, if the CPU 111 determines, via the scan function expansion unit 206, that there is no function or option being processed in the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scan software 202, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0054] Specifically, for example, “Scanning destination: Document glass” shown in Table 601, which is a list of capability information for the scanning device 102, also exists in Table 603, which is a list of capability information for the general-purpose scanning software 202. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 111 determines that there is a function / option being processed in the scanning function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scanning software 202 via the scanning function expansion unit 206. On the other hand, “Scanning size: A4H” shown in Table 601 does not exist in Table 603. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 111 determines that there is no function / option being processed in the scanning function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scanning software 202 via the scanning function expansion unit 206. As a result, the process proceeds to step S505.

[0055] Next, in step S505, the CPU 111 determines whether the function / option being processed exists among the functions / options supported by the extended application 204, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206. If the CPU 111 determines that the function / option being processed exists among the functions / options supported by the extended application 204, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206, the process proceeds to step S506. Specifically, for example, if the function / option being processed is "Scanning size: A4H", it also exists in Table 602, which is a list of the capabilities information of the extended application 204. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 111 determines that the function / option being processed exists among the functions / options supported by the extended application 204, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206. As a result, the process proceeds to step S506.

[0056] In response, if the CPU 111 determines, via the scan function expansion unit 206, that there are no functions or options currently being processed among the functions and options supported by the expansion application 204, the process returns to step S504. At this point, the CPU 111, via the scan function expansion unit 206, selects the next item from the functions and options in the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102, and repeats the process in step S504. However, if the CPU 111 is processing the last item from the functions and options in the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102 via the scan function expansion unit 206, it terminates the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0057] Next, in step S506, the CPU 111 adds the function / option being processed to the scan function information 203 using the scan function expansion unit 206. After that, the process returns to step S504. At this time, the CPU 111 selects the next item from the function / options in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102 using the scan function expansion unit 206, and performs the process in step S504 again. However, if the CPU 111 is processing the last item from the function / options in the capability information acquired from the scan device 102 using the scan function expansion unit 206, it terminates the flowchart in Figure 5.

[0058] As described above, the CPU 111, via the scan function expansion unit 206, adds functions and options to the scan function information 203 that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 but are supported by the scan device 102 and the expansion application 204. Based on the scan function information 203 edited through this editing process flow, the scan capability is determined. Furthermore, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 generates a display screen based on the determined scan capability. This adds functions not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 and selects the options to be displayed, making it possible to display the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c).

[0059] From the above, it can be said that the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 changes the control items included in the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(c) based on the capability information of the general-purpose scanning software 202, via the extended application 204. Furthermore, it can be said that the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 changes the control items included in the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(c) based on the capability information of the scanning device 102, via the extended application 204.

[0060] [Sequence of events after scan application 201 accepts scan settings] Next, referring to Figure 7, the sequence (method) of the scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, extended application 204, and scan device 102 after the scan application 201 accepts the scan settings will be described. Each step in Figure 7, except for the scan device 102, is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 starting the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, and the extended application 204. On the other hand, each step of the scan device 102 in Figure 7 is realized by the CPU 131 of the scan device 102 loading the program read from the ROM 132 or external storage device 139 into the RAM 133 and executing it. Note that the sequence in Figure 7 assumes that the software configuration of the scan system is as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0061] First, in step S701, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 accepts scan settings from the user via the scan application 201. The user can instruct the scan application 201 to configure scan settings by operating the keyboard 118 or pointing device 119. Next, in step S702, the CPU 111 displays the scan settings screen shown in Figure 3(a) on the display unit 120 via the scan application 201. Subsequently, in step S703, the CPU 111 accepts detailed setting instructions from the scan application 201. The user can provide detailed setting instructions by selecting a control item 304 using the pointing device 119 or the like.

[0062] Next, in step S704, the CPU 111 requests the general-purpose scan software 202 to display the detailed settings via the scan application 201. Subsequently, in step S705, the CPU 111 requests the extended application 204 to display the detailed settings via the general-purpose scan software 202. Contrary to the premise, if the software configuration of the scan system is as shown in Figure 2(a), then, as described above, the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(b) will be displayed on the display unit 120 by the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0063] Next, in step S706, the CPU 111 (display means) displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 120 using the scan setting screen extension unit 205 of the extended application 204 (display step). As described above, the scan function extension unit 206 adds functions such as the reading size to the scan function information 203. Therefore, the scan setting screen extension unit 205 generates the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) by referring to the scan capability determined based on the updated scan function information 203 and displays it on the display unit 120.

[0064] Next, in step S707, the CPU 111 receives detailed settings from the scan settings screen extension unit 205. In the case of the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c), the scan settings screen extension unit 205 receives confirmation that the user has set “Scanning destination: Feeder,” “Scanning size: A4H,” and “2in1: Yes.” Furthermore, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 receives confirmation that the user has set “Size after merging: A4R” and “Orientation after merging: Left to right.” The CPU 111 also stores the received function settings along with their setting values ​​in the RAM 113. Next, in step S708, the CPU 111 receives confirmation from the scan settings screen extension unit 205 that the detailed settings have been completed. Furthermore, the CPU 111 instructs the scan settings screen extension unit 205 to write the received function settings along with their setting values ​​to the scan settings information. The user can signal the end of detailed settings by operating a pointing device 119 or the like to select control item 306.

[0065] When detailed settings are completed, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 saves the scan settings information to the shared information 209. The scan settings screen extension unit 205 also closes the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 120. Furthermore, when the accepted function settings are written to the scan settings information, settings for functions and options that cannot be set by the user, such as resolution, may also be written to the scan settings information.

[0066] Next, in step S709, the CPU 111 sends a message to the general-purpose scan software 202 via the extended application 204 indicating that the detailed settings have been completed. Then, in step S710, the CPU 111 sends a message to the scan application 201 via the general-purpose scan software 202 indicating that the detailed settings have been completed. Next, in step S711, the CPU 111 receives a scan command from the scan application 201. The user can issue a scan command by operating the pointing device 119 or the like to select the control item 302. Then, in step S712, the CPU 111 issues a scan command to the general-purpose scan software 202 via the scan application 201.

[0067] Next, in step S713, the CPU 111 issues a scan command to the extended application 204 using the general-purpose scan software 202. Then, in step S714, the CPU 111 generates scan and image processing command instructions based on the scan setting information written in step S708 using the extended application 204. If settings for user-unconfigurable functions or options, such as resolution, are not written in the scan setting information, the extended application 204 may add them to the command instructions when generating the command instructions in step S714. Alternatively, settings for user-unconfigurable functions or options, such as resolution, may not be added to the scan command instructions, and the scan device 102 may operate with its default values.

[0068] Next, in step S715, the CPU 111 sends scan and image processing instruction commands to the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204. The extended application 204 then issues a scan instruction to the scanning device 102. Subsequently, in step S716, the CPU 131 of the scanning device 102 interprets the scan instruction command and performs document reading. Then, in step S717, the CPU 131 interprets the image processing instruction command and performs image processing. This causes the CPU 131 to perform the necessary image processing on the image data acquired during document reading, according to the image processing instruction command.

[0069] Specifically, the CPU 131 performs 2-in-1 processing based on the reading size, 2-in-1 format, combined size, and combined orientation set in step S707. In 2-in-1 processing, the CPU 131 performs the following processing on two images obtained from the scanning of multiple documents via the feeder. The CPU 131 scales the two images down or up according to the reading size and combined size set in step S707, and lays them out according to the combined orientation set in step S707. Details of the 2-in-1 processing flow will be described later. Furthermore, the CPU 131 performs image processing to convert the processed image data into image data for transmission (for example, image processing such as compression, resolution conversion, and format conversion). This generates image data for transmission.

[0070] Next, in step S718, the CPU 131 transmits the generated image data to the extended application 204 on the host computer 101. Then, in step S719, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 transmits the image data to the general-purpose scanning software 202 via the extended application 204. Next, in step S720, the CPU 111 transmits the image data to the scanning application 201 via the general-purpose scanning software 202. Then, in step S721, the CPU 111 causes the scanning application 201 to accept the image data. Furthermore, the CPU 111 displays the image data via the scanning application 201. After that, the sequence in Figure 7 ends.

[0071] Next, referring to Figure 8, the processing flow of the extended application 204 after the scan application 201 has received the scan settings will be described. Each step shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 is realized by the host computer 101, where the CPU 111 reads the extended application 204 from the external storage device 114, loads it into the RAM 113, and executes it. When the flowchart of Figure 8 starts, in step S801, the CPU 111 receives a request for detailed settings display from the extended application 204.

[0072] Next, in step S802, the CPU 111 displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 120 via the scan settings screen extension unit 205 of the extended application 204. This is because, as described above, the scan function extension unit 206 has added functions such as reading size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation to the scan function information 203. In other words, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) on the display unit 120 by referring to the scan capabilities generated based on the updated scan function information 203.

[0073] Next, in step S803, the CPU 111 determines whether there are any user settings via the scan settings screen extension unit 205. If the CPU 111 determines that there are no user settings via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, the process proceeds to step S805, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 111 determines that there are user settings via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, the process proceeds to step S804. In step S804, the CPU 111 saves the settings via the scan settings screen extension unit 205. In other words, the scan settings screen extension unit 205 accepts function settings from the user and stores the accepted function settings along with their setting values ​​in RAM 113.

[0074] Next, in step S805, the CPU 111 determines, via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, whether the user has instructed it to finish the detailed settings. The user can instruct it to finish the detailed settings by operating the pointing device 119 or the like and selecting the control item 306. If the CPU 111 determines, via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, that the user has not instructed it to finish the detailed settings, the process returns to step S803. On the other hand, if the CPU 111 determines, via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, that the user has instructed it to finish the detailed settings, the process proceeds to step S806. In this case, when the CPU 111 receives the instruction to finish the detailed settings via the scan settings screen extension unit 205, it writes the received function settings and their values ​​to the scan settings information.

[0075] In step S806, the CPU 111 sends a message to the general-purpose scan software 202 via the extended application 204 indicating that the detailed settings have finished. Subsequently, in step S807, the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, whether there is a scan command from the general-purpose scan software 202. If the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, that there is no scan command from the general-purpose scan software 202, the process returns to step S807. As a result, the CPU 111 again determines, via the extended application 204, whether there is a scan command from the general-purpose scan software 202. If the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, that there is a scan command from the general-purpose scan software 202, the process proceeds to step S808.

[0076] In step S808, the CPU 111 generates scan and image processing instruction commands based on the scan setting information written in step S805, using the extended application 204. At this time, the extended application 204 adds the read size setting and its value to the scan instruction command. The method for adding the read size setting may be to write an ID indicating a standard size such as A4H, to write a numerical value obtained by converting the standard size to millimeters, or to write a numerical value obtained by converting the standard size to pixels, taking the resolution into consideration. The extended application 204 also adds the settings for 2-in-1, the size after merging, and the orientation after merging, along with their respective values, to the image processing instruction command.

[0077] Furthermore, the extended application 204 uses a method of extending the standard protocol commands to generate the scan and image processing instruction commands in step S808. This extension method involves writing dedicated commands in the extended area of ​​the standard protocol commands. Note that there are also other methods for generating the scan and image processing instruction commands, such as adding proprietary commands to the end of the standard protocol commands, or the extended application 204 overwriting the standard protocol commands with its own command system. In addition, when the CPU 111 issues instructions from the extended application 204, it may issue instructions and communicate using the manufacturer's proprietary protocol, regardless of the standard protocol.

[0078] Next, in step S809, the CPU 111 sends scan and image processing instruction commands to the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204. The extended application 204 then issues scan and image processing instructions to the scanning device 102. The scan instruction is for scanning the document in accordance with the scan size setting. The image processing instruction is for 2-in-1 processing in accordance with the scan size, 2-in-1 processing, combined size, and combined orientation settings.

[0079] Next, in step S810, the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, whether all image data has been received from the scanning device 102. If the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, that all image data has not been received from the scanning device 102, the process returns to step S810. As a result, the extended application 204 determines again whether all image data has been received from the scanning device 102. If the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, that all image data has been received from the scanning device 102, the process proceeds to step S811. In step S811, the CPU 111 transmits all image data acquired through reception to the general-purpose scanning software 202 via the extended application 204. After that, the flowchart in Figure 8 ends.

[0080] Next, referring to Figure 9, the processing flow of the scanning device 102 after the scanning application 201 has received the scan settings will be described. Each step shown in the flowchart of Figure 9 is realized in the scanning device 102 by the CPU 131 loading a program read from the ROM 132 or external storage device 139 into the RAM 133 and executing it. When the flowchart of Figure 9 starts, in step S901, the CPU 131 receives the scan and image processing instruction commands sent from the host computer 101. In the first embodiment, the CPU 131 receives the scan and image processing instruction commands sent from the extended application 204.

[0081] Next, in step S902, the CPU 131 analyzes the scan and image processing instruction commands received in step S901 and converts them into scan settings to be used when scanning the document and performing image processing. In the first embodiment, the scan settings converted from the scan instruction command are "Scanning destination: Feeder", "Scanning size: A4H", and "Resolution: 300 x 300 dpi". The scan settings converted from the image processing instruction command are "2in1: Yes", "Size after merging: A4R", and "Orientation after merging: Left to right".

[0082] Next, in step S903, the CPU 131 determines the ASIC of the image processing unit 138 to be used when reading the document and performing image processing, according to the reading settings converted in step S902, and configures the determined ASIC. In step S904, the CPU 131 sends a reading instruction to the reading unit 135 according to the reading settings converted in step S902. In this first embodiment, the CPU 131 instructs the reading unit 135 to read the document with “reading destination: feeder” and “reading size: A4H”.

[0083] In step S905, the CPU 131 acquires image data from the reading unit 135. In this first embodiment, the CPU 131 acquires A4H-sized image data. In step S906, the CPU 131 has the image processing unit 138 perform resolution processing on the image data acquired in step S905. In the first embodiment, the image data is converted to a resolution of 300 x 300 dpi. If the reading unit 135 is capable of reading at a resolution of 300 x 300 dpi, the CPU 131 can acquire the image data at a resolution of 300 x 300 dpi from the reading unit 135, and resolution processing in step S906 is not necessary. In step S907, the CPU 131 stores the image data in the external storage device 139.

[0084] In step S908, the CPU 131 determines whether it has acquired image data for all pages. If the CPU 131 determines that it has not acquired image data for all pages, the process returns to step S905. As a result, the CPU 131 acquires image data for the next page from the reading unit 135. On the other hand, if the CPU 131 determines that it has acquired image data for all pages, the process proceeds to step S909. In step S909, the CPU 131, in accordance with the image processing instruction command received in step S901 by the image processing unit 138, performs 2-in-1 processing on the image data stored in step S907 and then converts the format.

[0085] In this first embodiment, the image processing unit 138 processes the image data stored in step S907 using the 2-in-1 method according to the reading settings: “2-in-1: do,” “Combined size: A4R,” and “Combined orientation: left to right.” Furthermore, the image processing unit 138 converts the format of the image data after 2-in-1 processing according to the transmission format setting. However, in the first embodiment, the transmission format setting is not specified in the scan / image processing instruction commands sent from the extended application 204. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the image processing unit 138 converts the format of the image data after 2-in-1 processing to the JPEG file format. However, the converted format (i.e., the transmission format) is not limited to this and can be any format that can be handled by the host computer 101.

[0086] In step S910, the CPU 131 transmits image data to the host computer 101. In the first embodiment, the CPU 131 transmits the image data converted in step S909 to the extended application 204. The flowchart in Figure 9 then ends.

[0087] Next, the 2-in-1 process will be described with reference to Figure 10. Each step shown in the flowchart of Figure 10 is realized by the CPU 131 in the scanning device 102 reading image data from the external storage device 139, and then loading the program read from the ROM 132 or external storage device 139 into the RAM 133 and executing it. When the flowchart of Figure 10 is started, in step S1001, the CPU 131 interprets an image processing instruction command. In the first embodiment, the image processing instruction command is an instruction command to which settings for 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation, and their setting values ​​have been added.

[0088] Next, in step S1002, the CPU 131 determines whether to perform 2in1 processing. This determination is based on the 2in1 setting interpreted in step S1001. If the CPU 131 determines not to perform 2in1 processing, that is, if the 2in1 setting interpreted in step S1001 is "do not", the flowchart in Figure 10 ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 131 determines to perform 2in1 processing, that is, if the 2in1 setting interpreted in step S1001 is "do", the process proceeds to step S1003.

[0089] Next, in step S1003, the CPU 131 determines whether there is any unadjusted image data among all the image data spooled in the external storage device 139. Note that all image data spooled in the external storage device 139 refers to the image data acquired by scanning the original document. If the CPU 131 determines that there is no unadjusted image data among all the image data spooled in the external storage device 139, the process proceeds to step S1006, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 131 determines that there is unadjusted image data among all the image data spooled in the external storage device 139, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0090] Next, in step S1004, the CPU 131 adjusts the image data. Specifically, the CPU 131 compares the image size of the image data being processed (i.e., the read size) with the combined image size to obtain a scaling factor. Furthermore, the CPU 131 uses the obtained scaling factor to enlarge or reduce the image size of the image data being processed. For example, if both the image size of the image data being processed and the combined image size are A4 size, the image size of the image data being processed is reduced to half. Also, if the image size of the image data being processed is A4 size, but the combined image size is A3 size, the image size of the image data being processed does not need to be enlarged or reduced. In this case, the image data being processed is spooled into the external storage device 139 as adjusted image data.

[0091] Next, in step S1005, the CPU 131 spools the image data adjusted in step S1004 into the external storage device 139. After that, the process returns to step S1003. Next, in step S1006, the CPU 131 determines whether there is any image data among the adjusted image data spooled in the external storage device 139 that has not undergone 2in1 processing. If the CPU 131 determines that there is no image data among the adjusted image data spooled in the external storage device 139 that has not undergone 2in1 processing, the flowchart in Figure 10 ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 131 determines that there is image data among the adjusted image data spooled in the external storage device 139 that has not undergone 2in1 processing, the process proceeds to step S1007.

[0092] Next, in step S1007, the CPU 131 performs 2-in-1 processing on the adjusted image data. Specifically, the CPU 131 performs 2-in-1 processing by laying out the adjusted image data in the combined size and orientation based on the settings for the combined size and orientation interpreted in step S1001. After that, the process returns to step S1006. This concludes the explanation of 2-in-1 processing.

[0093] [summary] As described above, in the first embodiment, the scan function expansion unit 206 of the extended application 204 edits the scan function information 203 on the host computer 101. This editing is performed based on the capability information of the scanning device 102, the scan functions supported by the extended application 204, and the scan function information 203 generated by the general-purpose scanning software 202. Furthermore, when the user gives a detailed setting instruction, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 of the extended application 204 displays a detailed setting screen generated by referring to the scan capability determined based on the scan function information 203. This allows the user to set various settings such as the reading size, 2-in-1, size after merging, and orientation after merging.

[0094] Subsequently, the scanning device 102 receives various settings such as the scanning size, 2-in-1 format, combined size, and combined orientation, along with instruction commands for scanning and image processing to which these settings have been added. The scanning device 102 then scans the document at the set scanning size and performs 2-in-1 processing on the image obtained from scanning the document, according to the set 2-in-1 format, combined size, and combined orientation. Through this series of processes, the extended application 204 on the host computer 101 can lay out the images from multiple pages obtained by scanning the document using the general-purpose scanning software 202 on a single page.

[0095] [Example of changes] In the first embodiment, in the configuration of Figure 2(b), the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(c) is displayed in addition to the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(b), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when a request to display detailed settings is made to the general-purpose scan software 202 in step S704, the CPU 111 first has the general-purpose scan software 202 display the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(b). Furthermore, after the detailed settings on the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(b) are completed, the CPU 111 has the general-purpose scan software 202 request the extension application 204 to display detailed settings. Through this process, the CPU 111 may have the extension application 204 display the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(c), in which the reading destination has been set but the reading size and other settings have not yet been set. Alternatively, the CPU 111 may have the extension application 204 display control items 308-311 and lists 312-315 in addition to the detailed settings screen of Figure 3(b), in which the reading destination has been set.

[0096] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the configuration shown in Figure 2(b), the CPU 111 issues scan instructions to the extended application 204 using general-purpose scan software 202, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the CPU 111 may issue scan instructions to the extended application 204 using scan application 201. Alternatively, the user may directly issue scan instructions to the extended application 204 by selecting a control item for scan instructions provided on the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c) through the operation of a pointing device 119 or the like.

[0097] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in the configuration shown in Figure 2(b), the CPU 111 transmits image data from the extended application 204 to the scan application 201 via the general-purpose scan software 202, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 111 may transmit image data directly from the extended application 204 to the scan application 201 without going through the general-purpose scan software 202. Alternatively, the CPU 111 may transmit image data directly from the scan device 102 to the scan application 201 without going through the extended application 204 and the general-purpose scan software 202.

[0098] Furthermore, the CPU 111 may store the image data from the scanning device 102 in the external storage device 114 and send only the file path information of the storage destination to the extended application 204, the general-purpose scanning software 202, or the scanning application 201. Also, in the first embodiment, if there are multiple image data files, the CPU 111 acquires all of the image data before transmitting all of it, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the CPU 111 may transmit the acquired image data at any time.

[0099] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the allocation process was described as multiple pages being treated as two pages (i.e., 2-in-1 processing), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may be able to set the number of pages in the allocation process (i.e., N in Nin1 processing) to two or more pages. In this case, the CPU 111 adds control items 326-327 and lists 328-329 shown in Figure 3(f) to the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(c), for example, in place of control item 309 and list 313. Control item 326 allows the user to set whether or not to perform Nin1 processing, and Figure 3(f) shows that "do not perform" is set. List 328 shows the setting items that can be set with control item 326 when control item 326 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like. List 328 shows that in addition to the currently set "do not perform", there is also a setting "perform" that can be set with control item 326.

[0100] Control item 327 allows the user to set N for Nin1 processing, and Figure 3(f) shows that "2" is set. List 329 shows the configurable items for control item 327 when it is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like. List 329 shows that in addition to the currently set "2", there are also "3" and "4" that can be set by control item 327. Thus, the user can set Nin1 processing to "on" or "off" using control item 326 and list 328, and set N for Nin1 processing to "2", "3", or "4" using control item 327 and list 329.

[0101] Furthermore, there are various types of scanning devices 102; for example, the reading unit 135 of the scanning device 102 may only be able to read documents up to A4 size. In this case, if the scanning device 102 is set to carrier sheet mode, it can read A3 size documents. To achieve this, first, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(d) on the display unit 120, instead of the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c). The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(d) is a UI screen (first screen) in which, in addition to the control items 308 and list 312 mentioned above, control items 316-317 and lists 318-319 are added compared to the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b).

[0102] In the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(d), the user can enable carrier seat mode using control item 316 and list 318. Control item 316 allows the user to set whether or not to enable carrier mode, and in Figure 3(d), it is shown that "Do not enable" is selected. When control item 316 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, list 318 shows the settings that can be configured with control item 316. List 318 shows that in addition to the currently set "Do not enable", there is also a setting "Enable" that can be configured with control item 316. Therefore, in the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(d), the user sets "Carrier mode: Enable" using control item 316 and list 318. Control item 317 and list 319 will be described later.

[0103] Furthermore, in order to allow the scanning unit 135 of the scanner 102, which can only read documents up to A4 size, to read an A3 size document, the A3 size document is folded in half to A4 size, as shown in 1101 of Figure 11(1). The A4 size document, folded in half, is then placed in a transparent carrier sheet 1102 (transparent sheet) as shown in Figure 11(2), resulting in the state shown in 1103 of Figure 11(3). The document, now in the state shown in 1103 of Figure 11(3) after being placed in the transparent carrier sheet 1102, is then set in the feeder, causing the scanning unit 135 of the scanner 102, which can only read documents up to A4 size, to perform double-sided scanning. In this way, the front and back images of the A4 size document acquired by double-sided scanning by the scanning unit 135 of the scanner 102 are processed in 2-in-1 to be laid out as a single A3 size image. Figures 11(4) and 11(5) will be described later.

[0104] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 12 to 15, etc. In the first embodiment, the allocation process was performed by the scan device 102, but depending on the scan device, it may not be possible to perform the allocation process due to cost considerations, etc. In this case, even if the extended application 204 can generate scan setting information including settings related to the allocation process, it is not possible to make the scan device execute the allocation process. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the extended application 204 first determines whether it is possible to perform the allocation process on the scan device based on the capabilities information of the scan device. Next, if the extended application 204 determines that it is possible to perform the allocation process, it generates scan setting information including settings related to the allocation process. Furthermore, the extended application 204 passes the generated scan setting information to the scan device.

[0105] On the other hand, if the extended application 204 determines that it is not possible to perform the layout process on the scanning device, it generates scan setting information that includes a statement indicating that the layout process should be performed by the extended application 204. Furthermore, the extended application 204 passes the generated scan setting information to the scanning device 102. In response, the scanning device sends the image data acquired by scanning the document to the extended application 204. The extended application 204 uses the image data received from the scanning device to cause the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform the layout process. This makes it possible to provide the layout process to the user through the extended application 204 even if the scanning device is unable to perform the layout process. In the second embodiment as well, multiple pages in the layout process will be described as two pages.

[0106] The following description of the second embodiment will only cover the differences from the first embodiment. Also, in Figures 12 to 15, the same reference numerals and processes as in the first embodiment have already been explained in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted. The differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment are four points: the software configuration of the scan system, the capability information of the scan device 102, the editing process flow of the scan function information 203, and the sequence after the scan application 201 receives the scan settings.

[0107] [Scanning system software configuration] Referring to Figure 12, the software configuration of the scanning system when the extended application 204 is associated with the general-purpose scanning software 202 and the scanning device 102 will be described. In addition to the scan setting screen extended unit 205, scan function extended unit 206, image data editing unit 207, notification unit 208, and shared information 209 described above, the extended application 204 has a 2-in-1 processing unit 1201. The 2-in-1 processing unit 1201 performs 2-in-1 processing on the image data received from the image data editing unit 207 based on the set reading size, 2-in-1 processing, combined size, combined orientation, etc.

[0108] [Capabilities information of scanning device 102] In the second embodiment, the scanning device 102 is a scanning device that does not support 2-in-1 processing. Therefore, the table showing an example of a list of capability information obtained from the scanning device 102 is Table 1301 in Figure 13, not Table 601 in Figure 6 above. Table 1301 in Figure 13 is Table 601 in Figure 6 above, with the 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation functions and options removed.

[0109] [Editing process flow for scan function information 203] In the second embodiment, as described above, the capability information acquired from the scanning device 102 does not include the functions / options for 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation. However, even in this case, the scanning function expansion unit 206 adds functions / options such as 2-in-1 to the scanning function information 203 if the expansion application 204 has a unit that performs 2-in-1 processing (i.e., a 2-in-1 processing unit 1201). The editing processing flow of the scanning function information 203 performed by the scanning function expansion unit 206 of the expansion application 204 will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 14. Each step in the flowchart shown in Figure 14 is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 loading the expansion application 204 read from the external storage device 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0110] When the flowchart in Figure 14 is started, the CPU 111 performs the processes described in steps S501 to S503 by the scan function expansion unit 206. After that, the CPU 111 repeatedly performs the processes described in steps S504 to S506 by the scan function expansion unit 206. When the repeated execution of the processes described in steps S504 to S506 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1401. Note that the scanning device 102 does not support 2-in-1 processing, as described above. Therefore, when the process proceeds to step S1401, the scan function information 203 does not have any functions or options such as 2-in-1 added to it. So, in steps S1401 and S1402, if the expansion application 204 has a unit that performs 2-in-1 processing (i.e., the 2-in-1 processing unit 1201), functions or options such as 2-in-1 are added to the scan function information 203.

[0111] Specifically, in step S1401, the CPU 111 determines whether the extended application 204 has a unit that performs 2-in-1 processing, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206. This determination is made by referring to Table 602, which is a list of capability information for the extended application 204, and the scan function information 203. If the CPU 111 determines, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206, that the extended application 204 does not have a unit that performs 2-in-1 processing, the flowchart in Figure 14 ends. On the other hand, if the CPU 111 determines, as determined by the scan function expansion unit 206, that the extended application 204 has a unit that performs 2-in-1 processing, the process proceeds to step S1402. In the second embodiment, the extended application 204 has functions and options related to 2-in-1 processing in Table 602, which is a list of its capability information; that is, it has a 2-in-1 processing unit 1201 that performs 2-in-1 processing, so the process proceeds to step S1402.

[0112] Next, in step S1402, the CPU 111 adds functions and options related to 2-in-1 processing to the scan function information 203 via the scan function expansion unit 206. After that, the flowchart in Figure 14 ends. In the second embodiment, the information added in step S1402 is the functions and options for 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation, respectively, from Table 602, which is a list of capability information for the extended application 204.

[0113] As described above, the CPU 111 adds functions and options that are not supported by the general-purpose scan software 202 but are supported by the scan device 102 and the extension application 204 to the scan function information 203 using the scan function expansion unit 206. Subsequently, the scan function expansion unit 206 determines whether the extension application 204 is capable of 2-in-1 processing. If the scan function expansion unit 206 determines that the extension application 204 is capable of 2-in-1 processing, it adds functions and options related to 2-in-1 processing to the scan function information 203. Then, the CPU 111 generates a detailed settings screen by referring to the scan capability determined based on the scan function information 203 using the scan setting screen expansion unit 205, and displays the generated detailed settings screen on the display unit 120. As a result, even if the scan device 102 does not support 2-in-1 processing, the scan setting screen expansion unit 205 can display the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c), which allows settings for the reading size, 2-in-1, combined size, and combined orientation.

[0114] [Sequence of events after scan application 201 accepts scan settings] Next, referring to Figure 15, the sequence of the scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, extended application 204, and scan device 102 after the scan application 201 accepts the scan settings will be described. Each step in Figure 15, except for the scan device 102, is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 starting the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, and the extended application 204. On the other hand, each step of the scan device 102 in Figure 15 is realized by the CPU 131 of the scan device 102 loading the program read from ROM 132 or external storage device 139 into RAM 133 and executing it. Note that the sequence in Figure 15 assumes that the software configuration of the scan system is as shown in Figure 12.

[0115] The sequence shown in Figure 15 will be explained below, focusing on each process performed between steps S1501 and S1503, which differ from the first embodiment. In step S1501, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 acquires capability information of the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204. The capability information of the scanning device 102 acquired here includes not only scanning capabilities such as the scanning device 102's reading size function and options, but also image processing functions possessed by the scanning device 102. In step S1502, the CPU 111 determines, via the extended application 204, whether functions and options related to 2-in-1 processing are present in the capability information of the scanning device 102. In the second embodiment, it is determined that functions and options related to 2-in-1 processing are not present in the capability information of the scanning device 102.

[0116] In step S714, the CPU 111 generates scan and image processing instruction commands via the extended application 204 in response to the determination made in step S1502. If the extended application 204 determines in step S1502 that the capabilities information of the scanning device 102 includes functions related to 2-in-1 processing, it generates an image processing command that includes a notification to perform 2-in-1 processing on the scanning device 102. Conversely, if the extended application 204 determines in step S1502 that the capabilities information of the scanning device 102 does not include functions related to 2-in-1 processing, it generates an image processing command that includes a notification to perform 2-in-1 processing on the extended application 204. In the second embodiment, since the scanning device 102 does not support 2-in-1 processing, an image processing command that includes a notification to perform 2-in-1 processing on the extended application 204 is generated. In step S715, the CPU 111 sends scan and image processing instruction commands to the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204.

[0117] In step S716, the CPU 131 of the scanning device 102 reads the document according to the scan instruction command. Then, in step S717, the CPU 131 performs necessary image processing on the image data acquired in the document reading in step S716, according to the image processing instruction command. At this time, if the image processing command includes a notification that 2-in-1 processing should be performed by the scanning device 102, the CPU 131 performs 2-in-1 processing based on the reading size, 2-in-1 format, combined size, combined orientation, etc., set in step S707. The reason for having the scanning device 102 perform 2-in-1 processing is to reduce the amount of data sent from the scanning device 102 to the extended application 204 on the host computer 101. Conversely, if the image processing command includes a notification that 2-in-1 processing should be performed by the extended application 204, the CPU 131 does not perform 2-in-1 processing.

[0118] Furthermore, the CPU 131 performs image processing to convert the processed image data into image data for transmission (for example, image processing such as compression, resolution conversion, and format conversion). This generates image data for transmission. In step S718, the CPU 131 sends the generated image data to the extended application 204 on the host computer 101.

[0119] In step S1503, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 performs the necessary image processing on the image data received from the scanning device 102 according to the image processing instruction command. In this case, the image processing instruction command may be one of the image processing instruction commands that was saved and generated in step S714, or it may be an image processing instruction command received from the scanning device 102. However, if the image processing instruction command includes a notification that the scanning device 102 should perform 2-in-1 processing, the CPU 111 will not perform 2-in-1 processing.

[0120] In response, if the CPU 111 receives a notification in the image processing command indicating that 2-in-1 processing should be performed by the extended application 204, the 2-in-1 processing unit 1201 of the extended application 204 will perform the 2-in-1 processing. At this time, the 2-in-1 processing unit 1201 performs the 2-in-1 processing on the image data received from the scanning device 102 based on the reading size, 2-in-1 processing, combined size, and combined orientation set in step S707.

[0121] The reason for having the CPU 111 perform 2-in-1 processing using the 2-in-1 processing unit 1201 of the extended application 204 is to distribute the load within the host computer 101. This concludes the explanation of the sequence after the scan application 201 accepts the scan settings. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the user may set the number of pages in the allocation process (i.e., N in Nin1 processing) to two or more pages.

[0122] [summary] As described above, in the second embodiment, if the scanning device 102 supports Nin1 processing, the extended application 204 of the host computer 101 causes the scanning device 102 to perform Nin1 processing according to the settings for allocation processing. If the scanning device 102 does not support Nin1 processing, the extended application 204 causes the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform Nin1 processing according to the settings for allocation processing. In this way, the extended application 204 can cause the scanning device 102 or the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform Nin1 processing depending on whether the scanning device 102 supports Nin1 processing. Alternatively, the extended application 204 may cause the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform Nin1 processing according to the settings for allocation processing regardless of whether the scanning device 102 supports Nin1 processing.

[0123] <Third Embodiment> The third embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 16 to 18, etc. In the first and second embodiments, the case in which the document is read by the feeder of the scanning device 102 was described. In the third embodiment, the case in which the document is read by the document glass of the scanning device 102 will be described using the license mode as an example. In order to enter license mode, first the CPU 111 displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(d) on the display unit 120 of the host computer 101. On the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(d), the user can enter license mode using the control item 317 and the list 319.

[0124] The control item 317 allows the user to set whether or not to activate driver's license mode, and Figure 3(d) shows that "Do not activate" is selected. When the control item 317 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the list 319 shows the settings that can be set with the control item 317. The list 319 shows that in addition to the currently set "Do not activate," there is also a setting "Activate" that can be set with the control item 317. Therefore, the user sets "Driver's License Mode: Activate" on the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(d) using the control item 317 and the list 319.

[0125] In driver's license mode, specifically, the front 1104 and back 1105 of the driver's license shown in Figure 11(4) are each scanned once on the document glass of the scanner 102. Furthermore, the images of the front 1104 and back 1105 of the driver's license obtained through this scanning are laid out on one page at the same size as the driver's license, as shown in 1106 of Figure 11(5). Thus, driver's license mode is based on the premise that the document is scanned on the document glass of the scanner 102. For this reason, when "Driver's License Mode: On" is set by control item 317 and list 319, even if "Scanning Destination: Feeder" is set by control item 305 and list 307, it is forcibly changed to "Scanning Destination: Document Glass". Note that documents that are convenient to use with driver's license mode are not limited to driver's licenses, but may also include, for example, My Number cards, health insurance cards, identification cards, medical cards, membership cards, business cards, contact cards, or sticky notes.

[0126] The following description of the third embodiment will only cover the differences from the first embodiment. Also, in Figure 16, the processing of the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment has already been explained in the first embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted. The only difference between the third embodiment and the first embodiment is the sequence after the scan application 201 receives the scan settings.

[0127] [Sequence of events after scan application 201 accepts scan settings] Next, referring to Figure 16, the sequence of the scan application 201, general-purpose scan software 202, extended application 204, and scan device 102 after the scan application 201 accepts the scan settings will be described. Each step in Figure 16, excluding the scan device 102, is realized by the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 starting the scan application 201, the general-purpose scan software 202, and the extended application 204. On the other hand, each step of the scan device 102 in Figure 16 is realized by the CPU 131 of the scan device 102 loading the program read from ROM 132 or external storage device 139 into RAM 133 and executing it. Note that the sequence in Figure 16 assumes that the software configuration of the scan system is as shown in Figure 2(b).

[0128] The following describes the sequence in Figure 16, including the differences from the first embodiment, specifically the processes performed between steps S1601 and S717. In step S1601, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 notifies the user via the extended application 204 that the document should be placed on the document glass of the scanning device 102. At this time, the extended application 204 displays a UI screen 1701 on the display unit 120 with the message, for example, as shown in Figure 17(a), that reads, "Please place the document on the document glass." As a result, the user places the front side of the license 1104 face down on the document glass of the scanning device 102. After that, if the OK button 1702 on the UI screen 1701 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the process proceeds to step S715. If the Cancel button 1703 on the UI screen 1701 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the sequence in Figure 16 ends.

[0129] In step S715, the CPU 111 sends scan and image processing command instructions to the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204. This notifies the scanning device 102 that it is to read the document. In step S716, the CPU 131 of the scanning device 102 performs document reading. This reads the front surface 1104 of the license placed on the document glass of the scanning device 102. In step S1602, the CPU 131 notifies the extended application 204 on the host computer 101 that the scan is complete.

[0130] In step S1603, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 notifies the user via the extended application 204 that the next document should be placed on the document glass of the scanner 102. At this time, the extended application 204 displays a UI screen 1704 (second screen) on the display unit 120 with the message, "Please place the next document on the document glass," as shown in Figure 17(b). The user then places the back side 1105 of the license face down on the document glass of the scanner 102. After that, if the OK button 1705 on the UI screen 1704 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the process proceeds to step S1604. If the Cancel button 1706 on the UI screen 1704 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the sequence in Figure 16 ends.

[0131] In step S1604, the CPU 111 issues a scan command to the scanning device 102 via the extended application 204. This notifies the scanning device 102 to read the document and to perform image processing, including 2-in-1 processing. In step S1605, the CPU 131 of the scanning device 102 executes the document reading. This reads the back side 1105 of the license placed on the document glass of the scanning device 102.

[0132] In step S717, the CPU 131 performs image processing. This lays out the images of the front 1104 and back 1105 of the license, acquired by scanning the document in steps S716 and S1605, so that they fit on one page at the same size as the license, as shown in 1106 of Figure 11(5). Furthermore, the CPU 131 performs image processing to convert the processed image data into image data for transmission (for example, image processing such as compression, resolution conversion, and format conversion). This generates image data for transmission. This concludes the explanation of the sequence after the scan application 201 accepts the scan settings.

[0133] [summary] In the third embodiment described above, the case in which the document is read on the platen of the scanner 102, rather than on the feeder of the scanner 102, was explained. However, even when the Nin1 processing (including carrier sheet mode) described in the first and second embodiments is performed, the document reading on the platen of the scanner 102 can be performed using the same flowchart and sequence as in the first and second embodiments. In other words, the extended application 204 of the host computer 101 can perform Nin1 processing even when the document is read on the platen of the scanner 102.

[0134] [Example of changes] In the first to third embodiments, Nin1 processing (including carrier sheet mode and driver's license mode) was described. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, it is also possible to describe the splitting process, which divides a one-page image acquired by scanning a document once using the general-purpose scanning software 202 into multiple-page images, using the sequence of the third embodiment (with some exceptions). This splitting process can be described as a 1toN process, which divides a one-page image acquired by scanning a document once using the general-purpose scanning software 202 into N-page images. Note that N in the 1toN process may be set by the user to two or more pages, similar to N in the Nin1 process described above. Here, as an example of 1toN processing, multi-crop processing will be described.

[0135] In multi-crop processing, for example, as shown in Figure 18(1), when multiple business cards are placed on the document glass of the scanner 102, a single scan of the documents for the multiple business cards results in the acquisition of a single page image, as shown in Figure 18(2). Furthermore, the acquired single-page image is divided into individual images for each of the multiple business cards, as shown in Figure 18(3). However, in order for the multi-crop processing to be performed as shown in Figures 18(1) to (3), the user must be in business card / invoice mode. Note that the documents that are convenient to use in business card / invoice mode are not limited to business cards; for example, invoices, receipts, invoices, contact cards, or sticky notes may also be used.

[0136] Furthermore, in multi-crop processing, for example, as shown in Figure 18(4), when a book in an open state is placed face down on the document tray of the scanner 102, one image of the open book is obtained in a single scan, as shown in Figure 18(5). The obtained single-page image is then split into images of each of the two pages of the open book, as shown in Figure 18(6). However, in order for the multi-crop processing to be performed as shown in Figures 18(4) to (6), the user must be in book mode.

[0137] To switch to business card / invoice mode or book mode, the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 first displays the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(e) on the display unit 120, instead of the detailed settings screen shown in Figure 3(c). The detailed settings screen in Figure 3(e) is a UI screen (third screen) that adds control items 320-322 and lists 323-325 to the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(b), in addition to the control items 308 and list 312 mentioned above. This allows the user to configure settings related to the splitting process on the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(e).

[0138] The control item 320 allows the user to set whether or not to perform multi-crop processing, and Figure 3(e) shows that "Do not perform" is set. When the control item 320 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like, the list 323 shows the settings that can be set for the control item 320. The list 323 shows that in addition to the currently set "Do not perform," there is also a setting "Perform" that can be set for the control item 320. Therefore, in order for the user to perform multi-crop processing, the user sets "Multi-crop: Perform" using the control item 320 and list 323 on the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(e).

[0139] Control item 321 allows the user to set whether or not to enable business card / invoice mode, and Figure 3(e) shows that "Do not enable" is selected. List 324 shows the settings that can be set for control item 321 when control item 321 is selected by a pointing device 119 or the like. List 324 shows that in addition to the currently set "Do not enable", there is also a setting "Enable" that can be set for control item 321. Therefore, in order for the user to perform multi-crop processing in business card / invoice mode, the user sets "Business card / invoice mode: Enable" using control item 321 and list 324 on the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(e).

[0140] Control item 322 allows the user to set whether or not to enable book mode, and Figure 3(e) shows that "Do not enable" is selected. List 325 shows the settings that can be set for control item 322 when control item 322 is selected by the pointing device 119 or the like. List 325 shows that in addition to the currently set "Do not enable", there is also a setting "Enable" that can be set for control item 322. Therefore, in order for the user to perform multi-crop processing in book mode, the user sets "Book mode: Enable" using control item 322 and list 325 on the detailed settings screen in Figure 3(e).

[0141] Furthermore, multi-cropping can be performed in either business card / invoice mode or book mode using the sequence shown in Figure 16 (excluding steps S1602 to S1605) described in the third embodiment.

[0142] Furthermore, the extended application 204 of the host computer 101 can control the 1toN process in the same way as N in the Nin1 process described above, as follows: If the scanning device 102 supports 1toN processing, the extended application 204 instructs the scanning device 102 to perform 1toN processing according to the settings for partition processing. If the scanning device 102 does not support 1toN processing, the extended application 204 instructs the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform 1toN processing according to the settings for partition processing.

[0143] Thus, the extended application 204 can cause the scanning device 102 or the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform 1toN processing, depending on whether the scanning device 102 supports 1toN processing. Alternatively, the extended application 204 may cause the CPU 111 of the host computer 101 to perform 1toN processing according to the settings for partition processing, regardless of whether the scanning device 102 supports 1toN processing.

[0144] <Other> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, 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.

[0145] Each embodiment of the disclosure includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Program 1) An application program that supports standard drivers provided by the operating system provider, On the computer, An application program characterized by displaying a first screen for receiving settings related to layout processing, which involves laying out images from multiple pages acquired by an image processing device through scanning of a document using the aforementioned standard driver onto a single page. (Program 2) The computer, The application program according to Program 1, characterized in that it controls the display of a control item that accepts settings related to the layout processing on the first screen based on information from the image processing device. (Program 3) An application program according to Program 1 or 2, characterized in that the settings relating to the layout processing include the read size, the size after layout, and the orientation after layout. (Program 4) An application program according to any one of Programs 1 to 3, characterized in that the multiple pages of the layout process are two or more pages. (Program 5) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 4, characterized in that it allows the user to accept, via the first screen, the setting for a carrier sheet mode in which two images, which are images of both sides of a document placed in a transparent sheet sent by the feeder of the image processing device, are laid out on one page, as a setting related to the layout process. (Program 6) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 5, characterized in that it accepts a setting for a license mode, which lays out two pages of images, each containing an image of both sides of a license placed on the document glass of the image processing device, onto one page at the same size as the license, as a setting related to the layout process, via the first screen. (Program 7) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 6, characterized in that the image processing device is made to perform the layout processing according to the settings relating to the layout processing. (Program 8) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 6, characterized in that the layout processing is performed according to the settings relating to the layout processing. (Program 9) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 6, characterized in that, in response to information from the image processing device, the image processing device or the computer is instructed to perform the layout processing according to the settings relating to the layout processing. (Program 10) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 9, characterized in that, in response to a notification of completion of reading from the image processing device which is performing reading of a document using the standard driver, the image processing device displays a second screen to inform the user that it will perform reading of the next document. (Program 11) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 1 to 10, characterized by displaying a third screen for receiving settings related to a splitting process that divides a one-page image acquired by the image processing device by reading a document using the standard driver into multiple-page images. (Program 12) The computer, The application program according to program 11, characterized in that it controls the display of a control item that accepts settings related to the division process on the third screen based on information from the image processing device. (Program 13) An application program according to Program 11 or 12, characterized in that the multiple pages of the splitting process are two or more pages. (Program 14) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 11 to 13, characterized in that it allows the user to accept a setting for a business card / invoice mode, which divides a single-page image containing multiple business cards / invoices placed on the document glass of the image processing device into multiple-page images for each of the multiple business cards / invoices, as a setting related to the division process, via the third screen. (Program 15) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 11 to 13, characterized in that it allows the user to accept a setting for a book mode, which divides a single page image including both pages of a book placed on the document glass of the image processing device into two pages, one for each of the two pages of the book, as a setting related to the division process, via the third screen. (Program 16) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 11 to 15, characterized in that the image processing device is made to perform the division process according to the settings relating to the division process. (Program 17) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 11 to 15, characterized in that the division process is performed according to the settings relating to the division process. (Program 18) The computer, An application program according to any one of programs 11 to 15, characterized in that, in response to information from the image processing device, the image processing device or the computer is instructed to perform the division process according to the settings relating to the division process. (Storage medium 1) A computer-readable storage medium containing an application program described in any one of Programs 1 to 18. (Method 1) A method performed on an information processing device that runs an application program that supports a standard driver provided by the provider of the operating system, A method characterized by comprising a display step in which the application program displays a screen for accepting settings related to layout processing, which involves laying out images from multiple pages acquired by an image processing device through reading a document using the standard driver onto a single page. (Configuration 1) An information processing device that executes an application program that supports standard drivers provided by the operating system provider, An information processing apparatus characterized by having a display means for displaying a screen, via the application program, for accepting settings related to layout processing, which involves laying out images from multiple pages acquired by the image processing apparatus through reading a document using the standard driver onto a single page. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0146] 101 Host computer (information processing device) 102 Scanning device (image processing device) 111 CPU (Computer) (Display means) 202 General-purpose scanning software (standard driver) 204 Extended Applications (Application Programs)

Claims

1. An application program that supports standard drivers provided by the operating system provider, On the computer, An application program characterized by displaying a first screen for receiving settings related to a layout process that lays out images from multiple pages acquired by an image processing device through scanning of a document using the aforementioned standard driver onto a single page.

2. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it controls the display of a control item that accepts settings related to the layout processing on the first screen based on information from the image processing device.

3. The application program according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the settings relating to the layout processing include the reading size, the size after layout, and the orientation after layout.

4. The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that the multiple pages of the layout process consist of two or more pages.

5. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows the user to set a carrier sheet mode, which lays out two images, each of the images on both sides of a document placed in a transparent sheet sent by the feeder of the image processing device, onto one page, as a setting related to the layout process, via the first screen.

6. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it allows the user to accept a setting for a license mode, which lays out two pages of images, each containing an image of both sides of a license placed on the document glass of the image processing device, onto one page at the same size as the license, as a setting related to the layout process, via the first screen.

7. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that the image processing device is made to perform the layout processing according to the settings relating to the layout processing.

8. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that the layout processing is performed according to the settings relating to the layout processing.

9. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it causes the image processing device or the computer to perform the layout processing in accordance with the settings relating to the layout processing, in response to information from the image processing device.

10. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that, in response to a notification of completion of reading from the image processing device which is performing reading of a document using the standard driver, the image processing device displays a second screen to inform the user that it will perform reading of the next document.

11. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 1, characterized in that it displays a third screen for receiving settings related to a splitting process that splits a one-page image acquired by the image processing device by reading a document using the standard driver into multiple-page images.

12. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that it controls the display of a control item that accepts settings related to the division process on the third screen based on information from the image processing device.

13. The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that the multiple pages of the division process consist of two or more pages.

14. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that it allows the user to accept a setting for a business card / invoice mode, which divides a single-page image containing multiple business cards / invoices placed on the document glass of the image processing device into multiple-page images for each of the multiple business cards / invoices, as a setting related to the division process, via the third screen.

15. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that it allows the user to accept a setting for a book mode, which divides a single page image including both pages of a book placed on the document glass of the image processing device into two pages, one for each of the two pages of the book, as a setting related to the division process, via the third screen.

16. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that the image processing device is made to perform the division process according to the settings relating to the division process.

17. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that the division process is performed according to the settings relating to the division process.

18. To the aforementioned computer, The application program according to claim 11, characterized in that it causes the image processing device or the computer to perform the division process in accordance with the settings relating to the division process, based on information from the image processing device.

19. A computer-readable storage medium storing the application program described in claim 1.

20. A method performed on an information processing device that runs an application program that supports standard drivers provided by the provider of the operating system, A method characterized by comprising a display step in which the application program displays a screen for accepting settings related to layout processing, which involves laying out images from multiple pages acquired by an image processing device through reading a document using the standard driver onto a single page.

21. An information processing device that executes an application program that supports standard drivers provided by the operating system provider, An information processing apparatus characterized by having a display means for displaying a screen, via the application program, for accepting settings related to a layout process in which images from multiple pages acquired by the image processing apparatus through reading a document using the standard driver are laid out on a single page.

Images