Image reading system, image reading method, reading device, program, and storage medium

Abstract

This invention provides an image reading system that can improve the usability when downloading scanned images generated by a reading device and uploaded to a server to an information terminal. [Solution] The image reading system comprises a reading device for reading a document, a server, and an information terminal. The reading device includes a first transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading a document to the server, and a first storage means for storing storage location information, including information about the storage location of the scanned image on the server. The information terminal includes a first acquisition means for obtaining the storage location information stored in the first storage means from the reading device, and a second acquisition means for obtaining the scanned image from the server based on the storage location information obtained by the first acquisition means. When the reading device receives a request for storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal, it transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image reading system, an image reading method, a reading apparatus, a program, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] There is known an image acquisition system that downloads and stores a scanned image obtained by reading an original document with a reading device such as a scanner to an information terminal such as a PC (personal computer) or a smartphone (smartphone).

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system that downloads a scanned image obtained by a reading device to a portable information terminal. In the above system, the scanned image acquired by the reading device is first uploaded to a server, and a URL indicating the upload destination is displayed by the reading device as a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). Then, by photographing and reading the QR code with the information terminal, the scanned image can be downloaded from the server to the information terminal. Prior Art Literature Patent Literature

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2022-045185 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] A suitable information terminal for the system described in Patent Document 1 is a small terminal having an imaging device, such as a smartphone with a camera. There is a demand for improving usability when a scanned image generated by a reading device and uploaded to a server is downloaded to an information terminal. Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] An image reading system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an image reading system comprising a reading device for reading a document, a server, and an information terminal, wherein the reading device includes a first transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading the document to the server, and a first storage means for storing storage location information including information about the storage location of the scanned image on the server, the information terminal includes a first acquisition means for acquiring the storage location information stored in the first storage means from the reading device, and a second acquisition means for acquiring the scanned image from the server based on the storage location information acquired by the first acquisition means, and the reading device transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal when it receives a request for the storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the usability when downloading scanned images generated by a reader and uploaded to a server to an information terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a schematic overall configuration of an image reading system. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a reader device. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal. [Figure 4] A block diagram showing an example of a server hardware configuration. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for image reading. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a service selection screen in a reader device. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a user selection screen in a reading device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a scan settings screen in a reading device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a scan completion screen in a reading device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a dialog box indicating an expired expiration date on an information terminal. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the behavior of a reading device in an image reading method. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows an example of the behavior of an information terminal in an image reading method. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a scan settings window on an information terminal. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a save location display window on an information terminal. [Figure 15] This figure shows an example of a save completion dialog box on an information terminal. [Figure 16] This figure shows an example of an access code display screen in a reading device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, and not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present invention.

[0010] <<First Embodiment>> <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic overall configuration of an image reading system. An image reading system 100 includes a reading device 101, an information terminal 102, and a server 103. The reading device 101 is a device for reading a document. The reading device 101 has a scanning function of generating a scanned image from a read document, and is capable of transmitting the scanned image to an external device. The reading device 101 is, for example, an MFP (MultiFunctional Peripheral) or a scanner. The information terminal 102 is an information processing device such as a PC (personal computer) or a smartphone. The information terminal 102 can acquire and store a scanned image generated by the reading device 101. The server 103 is an information processing device, and is capable of storing data and transmitting and receiving data between the reading device 101 and the information terminal 102.

[0011] The reading device 101, the information terminal 102, and the server 103 can communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, the reading device 101, the information terminal 102, and the server 103 are communicably connected to each other via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet or an intranet. The reading device 101, the information terminal 102, and the server 103 may be connected to the network NW via a router, and are connected to the router via a wireless LAN or a wired LAN. In another embodiment, the reading device 101, the information terminal 102, and the server 103 communicate with each other via an interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the reading device. The reading device 101 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage device 204, an operation unit 205, a display unit 206, a scanner engine 207, and a communication interface 208. All of the above components of the reading device 101 are connected to a bus and can communicate with each other.

[0013] The CPU 201 performs arithmetic processing and controls internal devices of the reading apparatus 101. The CPU 201 comprehensively controls the reading apparatus 101 by, for example, reading a control program stored in the ROM 202 into the RAM 203 and executing the program. The ROM 202 is a read-only storage device that stores basic software, setting information, and the like for controlling the reading apparatus 101. The RAM 203 functions as a deployment area for programs executed by the CPU 201, or as a temporary storage area for work data of programs being executed. The storage device 204 stores an OS (operating system), application software, and the like. The storage device 204 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 204 may also store data such as scanned images and user settings. The operation unit 205 is an input device for accepting various instruction operations from a user to the reading apparatus 101, and is, for example, a hard key such as a power button. The display unit 206 is an output device for displaying images and various types of information to the user, and is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. The operation unit 205 and the display unit 206 may be integrally configured as a touch panel. The scanner engine 207 is responsible for the process of generating a scanned image from a document. For example, when a scan instruction input by a user to the operation unit 205 is transmitted to the CPU 201, the CPU 201 instructs the scanner engine 207 to execute scanning. The scanner engine 207 irradiates light onto a document placed on a document platen (not shown) or an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), converts the reflected light into an electrical signal, thereby converting it into digital data, and generates a scanned image. A communication interface (communication I / F) 208 transmits and receives data between the reading apparatus 101 and an external device according to a protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0014] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information terminal. The information terminal 102 includes a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, storage device 304, input interface 305, output interface 306, and communication interface 307. All of the above components of the information terminal 102 are connected to a bus and can communicate with each other.

[0015] The CPU 301 performs arithmetic processing and controls the internal devices of the information terminal 102. The CPU 301 comprehensively controls the information terminal 102 by, for example, reading a control program stored in the ROM 302 into the RAM 303 and executing it. The ROM 302 is a read-only storage device that stores basic software and configuration information for controlling the information terminal 102. The RAM 303 functions as an expansion area for programs executed by the CPU 301, or as a temporary storage area for working data of a program that is currently running. The storage device 304 stores the OS and application software. The storage device 204 is, for example, an HDD or SSD. The input interface (input I / F) 305 inputs signals from external devices to the information terminal 102. An input device 311 for converting user input into signals may be connected to the input I / F 305. The output interface (output I / F) 306 sends signals and data from the information terminal 102 to external devices. An output device for outputting signals from the information terminal 102 may be connected to the output I / F 306. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a display device 312 for visually outputting data from the information terminal 102 is connected to the output I / F 306. The display device 312 may be an external monitor or may be included in the information terminal 102, such as the display of a notebook PC. The input device 311 and the display device 312 may be integrated, for example, as a touch panel. The communication interface (communication I / F) 307 transmits and receives data between the reader 101 and external devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

[0016] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the server's hardware configuration. Server 103 includes a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, storage device 404, and communication interface 405. All of the above components of server 103 are connected to a bus and can communicate with each other.

[0017] The CPU 401 performs arithmetic processing and controls the internal devices of the server 103. The CPU 401 comprehensively controls the server 103 by, for example, reading a control program stored in the ROM 402 into the RAM 403 and executing it. The ROM 402 is a read-only storage device that stores basic software and configuration information for controlling the server 103. The RAM 403 functions as an expansion area for programs executed by the CPU 401, or as a temporary storage area for working data of programs that are running. The storage device 404 stores the OS and application software, etc. The storage device 404 is, for example, an HDD or SSD. The storage device 404 may also store, for example, image or document files. The communication interface (communication I / F) 405 transmits and receives data between the server 103 and external devices using protocols such as TCP / IP.

[0018] <How to read the image> From here, an image reading method using the image reading system of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 15. In this image reading method, after the scanned image generated from the original document by the reading device 101 is uploaded to the server 103, the storage location information of the scanned image is transmitted from the reading device 101 to the information terminal 102, and the information terminal 102 retrieves the scanned image from the server 103. In this embodiment, the reading device 101 is assumed to be an MFP, and the information terminal 102 is a PC. Note that some or all of the steps in Figure 5 may be implemented by hardware such as an ASIC or electronic circuit. Also, the symbol "S" in the following description means a step in a sequence diagram or flowchart.

[0019] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the procedure for the image reading method. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the service selection screen in the reading device. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the user selection screen in the reading device. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the scan settings screen in the reading device. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the scan completion screen in the reading device. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the expiration date dialog in the information terminal. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the behavior of the reading device in the image reading method. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the behavior of the information terminal in the image reading method. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the scan settings window in the information terminal. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the save destination display window in the information terminal. Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the save completion dialog in the information terminal.

[0020] First, using Figure 5, we will explain the first part of this image reading method, from the start of the sequence until the scanned image is uploaded to the server 103. For convenience, we will explain based on an example that starts with the operation of the reading device 101, but this disclosure is not limited to the example in Figure 5, and may also start with the operation of the information terminal 102.

[0021] The image reading method shown in Figure 5 is initiated when the user inputs a scan execution command to the reading device 101. When the user turns on the power to the reading device 101, the service selection screen 600 is displayed on the display unit 206, as shown in Figure 6. The service selection screen 600 displays a list of functions that the reading device 101 can perform. When the user operates the operation unit 205 and presses the scan button 601 on the service selection screen 600, the user selection screen 700 is displayed on the display unit 206, as shown in Figure 7. The user selection screen 700 displays a list of pre-registered usernames. When the user presses one of the username buttons 701 displayed on the user selection screen 700, the selected user is set as the scan execution user. Subsequently, the scan settings screen 800 shown in Figure 8 is displayed on the display unit 206.

[0022] The reader 101 may be configured to perform a scan without setting a user to execute the scan. In that case, after the scan button 601 on the service selection screen 600 is pressed, the reader 101 will display the scan settings screen 800 on the display unit 206 instead of the user selection screen 700.

[0023] The scan settings screen 800 displays setting items 801 such as the type of document (document, photograph, etc.), document size, document scanning direction, scanning resolution, and scanned image data format. These setting items 801 can be changed by the user; for example, JPEG, PNG, PDF, etc., can be selected as the data format. Other items may also be configurable as setting items 801.

[0024] When the user presses the start button 802 on the scan settings screen 800, a scan execution command is input to the reader 101, and the sequence shown in Figure 5 begins.

[0025] In S501, the reader 101 reads the original document and generates a scanned image. When the reader 101 detects a scan command input from the user, it starts reading the original document based on the setting item 801 on the scan setting screen 800.

[0026] After scanning a document, the scanner 101 displays the scan completion screen 900 shown in Figure 9 on the display unit 206. The scan completion screen 900 displays a confirmation message asking whether to scan the next document. If there is another document, the user places the next document on the document glass or ADF and then presses the scan continuation button 901 on the scan completion screen 900. After scanning all documents, the user presses the finish button 902. When the finish button 902 is pressed, the scanner 101 generates a scanned image from the scanned documents and saves it within the scanner 101. The scanned image may also be saved in RAM 203. At this time, the scan execution user information and the scan setting information set in setting item 801 of the scan setting screen 800 may be linked to and saved with the scanned image. The scan execution user information may include the username and password.

[0027] The reader 101 may temporarily save scanned images in a format different from the data format set on the scan settings screen 800, for reasons such as image processing and data transfer. For example, suppose the user has set the scan settings screen 800 to save scanned images in PDF format. In this case, the scanned images may be temporarily saved in RAM 203 in JPEG format, downloaded to the information terminal 102 via server 103, and then converted to PDF format on the information terminal 102.

[0028] In S502, the reader 101 requests the server 103 to prepare a location for uploading the scanned images and to provide scanned image destination information, including information about that upload location. Along with the request for scanned image destination information, the reader 101 may also send reader-related information (such as the device name and serial number unique to the device) and a job ID to uniquely identify the executed scan to the server 103.

[0029] In this embodiment, the information of the upload destination for scanned images is represented by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). This URL is referred to as the scanned image destination URL. The scanned image destination URL includes the hostname of server 103, the domain name (or IP address), and a path indicating a specific directory within server 103.

[0030] Furthermore, HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) may be used for communication between the reader 101 and the server 103.

[0031] In S503, the server 103 determines the URL to which the scanned image will be sent. In this embodiment, the storage device 404 of the server 103 stores a program for determining the URL to which the scanned image will be sent. When the server 103 receives a request for scanned image destination information from the reader 101, the CPU 401 of the server 103 reads and executes the program for determining the URL to which the scanned image will be sent from the storage device 404. At this time, the server 103 may create a directory associated with the reader-related information and job ID received in S502, and determine that directory as the upload destination for the scanned image.

[0032] In S504, the server 103 sends scan image destination information, including the URL for the scanned image, to the reader 101. The reader 101 may store the acquired scan image destination information in the RAM 203.

[0033] The scanning image transmission destination URL may be determined by the reader device 101. In this case, steps S502 to S504 are not executed.

[0034] In S505, the reader 101 uploads the scanned image to the scanned image destination URL received in S504.

[0035] In S506, server 103 determines the storage location for the uploaded scan image and saves the scan image. In this embodiment, the uploaded scan image is moved to a directory different from the upload destination. The final storage location of the scan image is represented by a URL, and this URL is referred to as the scan image storage URL. The scan image storage URL includes the hostname of server 103, the domain name (or IP address), and a path indicating a specific directory within server 103. In this embodiment, the storage device 404 of server 103 stores a program for determining the scan image storage URL. After the scan image is uploaded, the CPU 401 of server 103 reads the program for determining the scan image storage URL from the storage device 404 and executes it.

[0036] Note that the URL to send scanned images and the URL to store scanned images may be the same. In that case, steps S507 and S508 do not need to be executed.

[0037] In S507, the reader 101 requests scan image storage destination information, including the URL of the scanned image storage destination, from the server 103. At this time, the reader 101 may also send scan image transmission destination information and the file name of the scanned image to the server 103 along with the scan image storage destination information. S507 may be executed simultaneously with S505, or after S505. S507 may also be executed before S506.

[0038] In S508, server 103 transmits scan image storage location information to reader 101. The scan image storage URL may have an expiration date set as the period during which it is accessible, and this expiration date may be included in the scan image storage location information and transmitted to reader 101. The expiration date may be a predetermined period from the time the scan image storage location information is transmitted from server 103. For example, the expiration date may be 10 minutes.

[0039] The scanned image storage location information may include information related to the reader device, a job ID, the file name of the scanned image, etc., and these may be used as authentication information in communication between the reader device 101 and the server 103.

[0040] In S509, the reader 101 stores scan image storage destination information, which includes information about the storage location of the scanned image. The reader 101 stores the scan image storage destination information, which includes the URL of the scanned image storage destination, in RAM 203 or storage device 204. The reader 101 may also store the scan image storage destination information in association with information about the scan execution user, scan setting information, and scanned images, etc.

[0041] At this point, the storage of the scanned images to server 103 is complete.

[0042] The reading device 101 can perform the above-described reading of the document and saving the scanned image storage location information regardless of the startup status of the information terminal 102. The startup status of the information terminal 102 refers to whether the power of the information terminal 102 is ON or OFF, and whether or not it is in a state where it can communicate with the reading device 101. In other words, the reading device 101 and the server 103 can perform the above-described processing S501 to S509 without communicating with the information terminal 102.

[0043] Furthermore, steps S501 to S509 may be executed repeatedly in order to store multiple scanned images in the server 103. Alternatively, steps S501' to generate scanned images SI' as a separate file, and steps S502' to S509' to store scanned images SI' in the server 103 may be executed in parallel with steps S502 to S509 to store scanned images SI' in the server 103.

[0044] The RAM 203 or storage device 204 may store multiple scan image storage destinations corresponding to multiple scan image files.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the server that stores the program for determining the URL to send scanned images and the URL to store scanned images is the same as the server that stores the scanned image data, but they may be separate.

[0046] From here, we will explain the latter part of this image reading method (from S510 onwards).

[0047] By the start of S510 in Figure 5, the information terminal 102 has its OS started, the scan application corresponding to the reader 101 has started, and it is in a state where it can communicate with the reader 101 and the server 103. The OS and scan application can be started at any time before the start of S510, and may even be performed after the completion of S509.

[0048] In S510, the information terminal 102 requests scanned image storage location information from the reader 101. The information terminal 102 may periodically and repeatedly request scanned image storage location information. The interval between requests is arbitrary. At this time, along with the request for scanned image storage location information, the information terminal 102 may also send information about the user operating the information terminal 102 to the reader 101.

[0049] Incidentally, when S510 is executed, the reader 101 may be operating in sleep mode, which shuts off some power while maintaining the state of operation. If scanned image storage location information is stored in the reader 101, the reader 101 may receive and respond to signals from the information terminal 102 even in sleep mode. Even in sleep mode, the communication I / O 208 is operational, so it can receive and respond to signals from the information terminal 102.

[0050] Furthermore, the reader 101 may have an auto power-off function that automatically turns off the power if it remains idle for a predetermined period of time. If scanned image storage location information is stored in the reader 101, the reader 101 may not perform the auto power-off and instead receive and respond to a signal from the information terminal 102. In other words, the auto power-off function may be temporarily disabled. In addition, the reader 101 may perform the auto power-off function after discarding the scanned image storage location information. In other words, the reader 101 may re-enable the auto power-off function, which was temporarily disabled, after discarding the scanned image storage location information. The discarding of scanned image storage location information will be described later.

[0051] Through the control described above, even if the scanned image storage location information is stored in volatile memory, it is possible to prevent the loss of the scanned image storage location information due to power outage.

[0052] After the reader 101 receives a request for scanned image storage location information in S510, if the scanned image storage location information is stored in the reader 101, the reader 101 executes S511; otherwise, the reader 101 executes S518. First, the process from S511 will be explained, and S518 will be described later.

[0053] In S511, if the reader 101 receives a request for scanned image storage location information from the information terminal 102 in S510, it transmits the scanned image storage location information to the information terminal 102. The reader 101 may also transmit scan setting information to the information terminal 102 along with the scanned image storage location information.

[0054] When the reader 101 receives a request for scanned image storage location information, it may transmit the scanned image storage location information to the information terminal 102 if user authentication is successful. Specifically, the reader 101 transmits the scanned image storage location information to the information terminal 102 if the user information for operating the information terminal 102 received in S510 matches the user information for performing the scan associated with the scanned image storage location information. If the two sets of user information do not match, the reader 101 may transmit a response indicating a user authentication error to the information terminal 102. The user information used for this user authentication is, for example, a username.

[0055] In S512, the information terminal 102 requests scanned images from the server 103. The information terminal 102 sends a request for scanned images to the server 103, specifying the scanned image storage URL included in the scanned image storage information obtained in S511. The information terminal 102 may access the server 103 via an API (Application Programming Interface). Alternatively, the information terminal 102 may access the server 103 via a web browser launched by the scanning application. The reader 101 may store multiple scanned image storage information, and in S511, it may send multiple scanned image storage information to the information terminal 102 all at once. In S512, the information terminal 102 may simultaneously request multiple scanned images corresponding to multiple scanned image storage URLs from the server 103.

[0056] In S513, the server 103 sends the scanned image to the information terminal 102. When the server 103 receives a request for a scanned image, it sends the scanned image to the information terminal 102. If the information terminal 102 accesses the server 103 in S512 after the expiration date set for the scanned image storage URL has passed, the server 103 may send information about the expiration date to the information terminal 102. In that case, the information terminal 102 may display the expiration date dialog 1000 shown in Figure 10 on the display device 312.

[0057] The information terminal 102 may output the acquired scanned image via the output interface 306. The information terminal 102 may display the scanned image on the display device 312 via the output interface 306, or it may display the scanned image on the display device 312 which is integrated with the output interface 306.

[0058] In S514, the information terminal 102 saves the acquired scanned image. The information terminal 102 may automatically save the scanned image to a location set in the scanning application (details will be described later). Alternatively, the information terminal 102 may automatically save the scanned image to a location set in the scan settings screen 800 of the reader 101. In another embodiment, the information terminal 102 first displays the scanned image acquired via the web browser on the web browser and saves the scanned image in response to user operations on the web browser. In yet another embodiment, the information terminal 102 first displays the acquired scanned image on the UI of the scanning application and saves the scanned image in response to user operations on the scanning application.

[0059] In S515, the information terminal 102 requests the reader 101 to discard the scanned image storage location information. By deleting the scanned image storage location information from the reader 101, the possibility of unauthorized access to the server 103 due to the scanned image storage location information falling into the hands of a third party can be reduced.

[0060] After successfully acquiring the scanned image from the server 103, the information terminal 102 instructs the reader 101 to discard the scanned image storage location information, along with the information terminal 102 acquired in S511. The information terminal 102 may also send information about the user operating the information terminal 102 to the reader 101 along with the request to discard the scanned image storage location information.

[0061] Furthermore, the information terminal 102 may automatically instruct the reader 101 to discard the scanned image storage information after the expiration date of the scanned image storage URL has passed, regardless of whether scanned images have been acquired or not. Also, if the information terminal 102 acquires multiple scanned images from the server 103, the information terminal 102 may request the discarding of the scanned image storage information corresponding to all scanned images at once, or it may request the discarding of only the scanned image storage information selected by the user. In the latter case, the information terminal 102 displays a list of acquired scanned images or the file names of scanned images on the UI of the scanning application and instructs the reader 101 to discard only the scanned image storage information of the scanned images selected by the user.

[0062] In S516, the reader 101 discards the scanned image storage location information. The reader 101 discards the scanned image storage location information stored in the reader 101 when it receives a request from the information terminal 102 to discard the scanned image storage location information. The reader 101 may automatically discard the scanned image storage location information when it sends the scanned image storage location information to the information terminal 102 in S511. Alternatively, the reader 101 may discard the scanned image storage location information only if the user information of the user operating the information terminal 102 received in S515 matches the information of the user performing the scan associated with the scanned image storage location information to be discarded.

[0063] In S517, the reader 101 transmits to the information terminal 102 that the scanned image storage location information has been discarded. If the information terminal 102 does not receive a message from the reader 101 indicating that the discarding of the scanned image storage location information has been completed within a predetermined time after sending a request to discard the scanned image storage location information in S516, it may execute S516 again.

[0064] After S517, the information terminal 102 executes S510 again. If the scanned image storage destination information is stored in the reader 101, the reader 101 executes S511 again; otherwise, the reader 101 executes S518.

[0065] In S518, the reader 101 responds to the information terminal 102's request for scan image storage location information by sending a response indicating that there is no stored scan image storage location information. Subsequently, the information terminal 102 executes S510 again.

[0066] In the sequence diagram shown in Figure 5, the information terminal 102 repeats steps S510 to S518 until the request for scanned image storage location information from the information terminal 102 is stopped by an operation on the information terminal 102 side. The stopping of the request for scanned image storage location information will be described later.

[0067] Furthermore, scanned images stored on server 103 may be automatically deleted from server 103 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The predetermined period may be the same as the expiration date of the URL where the scanned images are stored.

[0068] Next, the operation of the reading device 101 and the information terminal 102 in this image reading method will be explained in detail using Figures 11 and 12.

[0069] First, the operation of the reading device 101 will be explained with reference to Figure 11. When a scan execution command is input to the reading device 101, it starts the flowchart shown in Figure 11.

[0070] In S1101, the CPU 201 of the reading device 101 performs document scanning. S1101 corresponds to S501.

[0071] In S1102, the CPU 201 determines whether to scan the next document. If the user presses the "Continue Scan" button 901 on the scan completion screen 900 shown in Figure 9, the CPU 201 executes S1101 again (YES in S1102). If the user presses the "Finish" button 902 on the scan completion screen 900, the CPU 201 proceeds to S1103 (NO in S1102).

[0072] In S1103, CPU201 saves the scanned image. In S1104, CPU201 requests server103 to provide destination information for the scanned image. S1104 corresponds to S502. In S1105, CPU201 receives destination information for the scanned image from server103. S1105 corresponds to S504. In S1106, CPU201 uploads the scanned image to server103. S1106 corresponds to S505. In S1107, CPU201 requests storage information for the scanned image from server103. S1107 corresponds to S507. In S1108, CPU201 receives storage information for the scanned image from server103. S1108 corresponds to S508. In S1109, CPU201 saves the storage information for the scanned image. S1109 corresponds to S509.

[0073] In S1110, the CPU 201 determines whether it has received a query from the information terminal 102. If it determines that it is YES, it proceeds to S1111; if it determines that it is NO, it executes S1101 again.

[0074] In S1111, the CPU 201 determines whether the inquiry received in S1110 from the information terminal 102 is a request to obtain information about the storage location of scanned images. If it determines that the answer is YES, it proceeds to S1112; if it determines that the answer is NO, it proceeds to S1113.

[0075] In S1112, the CPU 201 transmits the scanned image storage location information to the information terminal 102. S1112 corresponds to S511.

[0076] In S1113, the CPU 201 determines whether it has received a request from the information terminal 102 to discard the scanned image storage location information. If it determines that it is YES, it proceeds to S1114; if it determines that it is NO, it proceeds to S1110.

[0077] In S1114, CPU201 executes the discarding of the scanned image storage location information. S1114 corresponds to S516.

[0078] In S1115, CPU 201 sends a message to information terminal 102 indicating that the discarding of the scanned image storage location information is complete. S1115 corresponds to S517.

[0079] With this, CPU201 completes the processing shown in the flowchart in Figure 11.

[0080] For convenience, the operation of the reader 101 has been explained as a series of flowcharts, but steps S1101-S1109 and S1110-S1115 in Figure 11 may be separated into different flowcharts. In that case, the trigger for the start of S1110 may be the power being turned on to the reader 101.

[0081] In the above description, the various controls performed by CPU201 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (for example, multiple processors or circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0082] Next, regarding the information terminal 102, we will first explain the scan application, which is software for controlling the reading device 101 from the information terminal 102, and then, referring to Figure 12, explain the operation of the information terminal 102 in this image reading method.

[0083] The information terminal 102 has a scan application pre-installed that corresponds to the reader 101. If the scan application is configured to start automatically when the OS starts, the CPU 301 runs the scan application in the background without displaying its UI and keeps it resident in the task tray or similar, which is a function of the OS such as Windows. When the user selects the scan application icon in the task tray, the CPU 301 displays the scan settings window 1300 shown in Figure 13 on the display device 312. If the scan application is not configured to start automatically when the OS starts, the CPU 301 may start the scan application, for example, by detecting user operation of the input device 311. After the scan application is temporarily interrupted due to OS user logoff or sleep, the CPU 301 resumes the scan application when the OS user logs in or wakes from sleep.

[0084] The scan settings window 1300 is a screen used by the information terminal 102 to configure the scan settings performed by the reader 101. The scan settings window 1300 displays a checkbox 1301, a list 1302, setting items 1303, and an OK button 1304.

[0085] Checkbox 1301 is labeled "Load image data to the PC using the control panel." When the OK button 1304 is pressed with checkbox 1301 checked, it becomes possible to load scanned images into the information terminal 102 by operating the control panel 205 of the reader 101 registered in the scan application. When the OK button 1304 is pressed with checkbox 1301 checked, the information terminal 102 is configured to periodically request scanned image storage location information from the reader 101. In other words, the information terminal 102 performs a polling process to acquire scanned image storage location information. Note that checkbox 1301 may be checked by default.

[0086] List 1302 is a list of readers 101 registered in the scan application. Multiple readers 101 may be registered in the scan application. A checkbox is placed next to the device name of each reader 101 in List 1302. For readers 101 with a checkbox checked, it is possible to capture scanned images on the information terminal 102 by operating the operation unit 205. In List 1302, it is possible that all checkboxes next to the device names of the readers 101 are checked by default.

[0087] The scan settings window 1300 displays setting items 1303 for saving scanned images to the information terminal 102. The setting items 1303 include the file name of the scanned image, the save location on the information terminal 102, and the data format. The data format may be selectable, for example, JPEG, PNG, PDF, etc., and it may also be possible to select "Follow main unit settings," which follows the scan settings on the scan settings screen 800 of the reader 101. Setting items 1303 may include items other than those shown in Figure 13.

[0088] The checkbox 1301, list 1302, and setting item 1303 can be selected by the user. When the user presses the OK button 1304, the settings in the scan settings window 1300 are saved to the information terminal 102.

[0089] Furthermore, a unique setting value that cannot be selected by the user may be used as setting item 1303 in the scan settings. Alternatively, the scan application may use a setting value obtained from a file or other source containing the setting value as setting item 1303.

[0090] Using the scanning application described above, the flowchart shown in Figure 12 is executed. When the information terminal 102 is powered on, this flowchart is started.

[0091] In S1201, the CPU 301 of information terminal 102 starts the OS.

[0092] In S1202, CPU301 launches the scan application. As mentioned above, the scan application may be configured to start automatically when the OS starts, or it may be launched manually by the user. When the scan settings window 1300 is displayed, the user configures the checkbox 1301, list 1302, and setting item 1303, and then presses the OK button 1304.

[0093] Note that the order in which the OK button 1304 is pressed in the scan settings window 1300 of the information terminal 102 or the document reading operation in the reader 101 is performed depends on the user. As shown in the sequence diagram in Figure 5, the document reading operation in the reader 101 may be performed first, or the OK button 1304 on the information terminal 102 may be pressed first. Since the OK button 1304 on the information terminal 102 may be pressed first, the checkbox 1301 is labeled "Load image data to the PC using the operation panel".

[0094] In S1203, the CPU 301 determines whether it is configured to request information about the storage location of the scanned image. If the CPU 301 determines it is YES, it proceeds to S1204; if it determines it is NO, it terminates the processing of this flowchart. Specifically, the CPU 301 determines it is YES if checkbox 1301 in the scan settings window 1300 is checked, and at least one checkbox for reader 101 in list 1302 is checked. The CPU 301 determines it is NO if checkbox 1301 is unchecked, or if no checkboxes for reader 101 are checked in list 1302.

[0095] In S1204, the CPU 301 sends a request for scanned image storage location information to the reader 101. S1204 corresponds to S510. The CPU 301 requests scanned image storage location information from the reader 101 whose checkboxes are checked in the list 1302 of the reader 101. The CPU 301 may execute S1204 in parallel for multiple reader 101.

[0096] In S1205, the CPU 301 determines whether it has obtained the scan image storage location information. If the CPU 301 determines that it has obtained the information, it proceeds to S1206; if it determines that it has obtained the information, it proceeds to S1203.

[0097] In S1206, CPU301 requests the scanned image from server103. S1206 corresponds to S512.

[0098] In S1207, CPU 301 determines whether it has acquired the scanned image from server 103. If CPU 301 determines that it has acquired the image, it proceeds to S1208; otherwise, it proceeds to S1203.

[0099] In S1208, the CPU 301 saves the scanned image. S1208 corresponds to S514. The CPU 301 saves the acquired scanned image according to the file name, save location, data format, etc. set in setting item 1303 of the scan setting window 1300. Alternatively, as described above, the CPU 301 may save the scanned image to the location set in the scan setting screen 800 of the reader 101.

[0100] In S1209, the CPU 301 displays the storage location of the scanned image on the display device 312. In the embodiment shown in Figure 14, after saving the scanned image, the CPU 301 displays a save location display window 1400 on the display device 312. The save location display window 1400 displays the file name of the saved scanned image and the path to the directory where the scanned image is saved. In the embodiment shown in Figure 15, after the completion of saving the scanned image, the CPU 301 displays a save completion dialog 1500 on the display device 312 to notify that saving is complete. The save completion dialog 1500 displays scanned image save location information 1501, which is represented by the path to the directory where the scanned image is saved and the file name of the scanned image. A link may be set in the scanned image save location information 1501, and the CPU 301 may detect that the scanned image save location information 1501 has been clicked, launch an image display application, and display the scanned image on the display device 312.

[0101] In S1210, the CPU 301 sends a request to the reader 101 to discard the scanned image storage location information. S1210 corresponds to S515.

[0102] In S1211, the CPU 301 determines whether it has received confirmation from the reader 101 that the scanned image storage location information has been discarded. If the CPU 301 determines that the result is YES, it proceeds to S1203; otherwise, it proceeds to S1210.

[0103] As mentioned above, this flowchart terminates if the answer to S1203 is NO.

[0104] In S1203, the CPU 301 makes a decision based on the settings in the scan settings window 1300. If the user unchecks the checkbox 1301 in the scan settings window 1300 and presses the OK button 1304, the CPU 301 stops the periodic queries to the reader 101 and stops this flowchart. Alternatively, the CPU 301 may terminate this flowchart if the scan application is terminated by user operation, or if there is no response from the reader 101 after a predetermined period has elapsed since the sending of the periodic queries.

[0105] Furthermore, the various controls described above as being performed by the CPU 301 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (for example, multiple processors or circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0106] As described above, this embodiment improves usability when downloading images scanned by the reader 101 and uploaded to the server 103 to the information terminal 102. For example, communication between the reader 101 and the information terminal 102 is not required when the reader 101 performs a scan, and therefore the reader 101 can perform a scan even when the information terminal 102 is powered off. In addition, the information terminal 102 applicable to this embodiment does not need to be a small terminal with an imaging device for reading 2D codes, for example, and various information terminals 102 can be applied.

[0107] <<Second Embodiment>> The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, in the image reading method shown in Figure 5, the reading device 101 displays an access code for accessing the storage location of the scanned image. The differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be described below.

[0108] Figure 16 shows an example of an access code display screen in a reader device. When the reader device 101 obtains scanned image storage location information from the server 103, it displays an access code 1601 for accessing the scanned image storage location on the display unit 206. In S509 of Figure 5, the reader device 101 saves the scanned image storage location information within the reader device 101 and displays an access code display screen 1600 containing the access code 1601 on the display unit 206.

[0109] In this embodiment, the access code 1601 is represented by a two-dimensional code. The reader 101 may convert the scan image storage URL transmitted from the server 103 into the access code 1601 and display it on the display unit 206. Alternatively, the server 103 may convert the scan image storage URL into an image of the access code 1601 and transmit it to the reader 101, and the reader 101 may display that image. In this case, the reader 101 may convert the access code 1601 into a URL and store it in the reader 101 as the scan image storage URL. Furthermore, the server 103 may transmit both the scan image storage URL and the image of the access code 1601 converted from the scan image storage URL to the reader 101.

[0110] Information terminal 102 can acquire scanned images stored in server 103 by reading access code 1601. The information terminal 102 assumed in the second embodiment is a mobile terminal equipped with an imaging device, such as a smartphone or tablet. When a user photographs access code 1601 with the imaging device of information terminal 102, information terminal 102 extracts scanned image storage location information from access code 1601. In this case, information terminal 102 does not need to have a dedicated scanning application compatible with the reader device 101 in order to acquire scanned image storage location information. Information terminal 102 accesses server 103 by specifying the scanned image storage URL and requests scanned images. Server 103 sends scanned images in response to the request from information terminal 102, and information terminal 102 saves the received scanned images through user operation.

[0111] If the information terminal 102 is a mobile terminal, a request to discard the scanned image storage destination information to the reader 101 may not be sent. Therefore, the reader 101 may automatically discard the scanned image storage destination information after a predetermined time has elapsed since its acquisition. The predetermined time may be the expiration date set for the scanned image storage destination URL. Alternatively, the reader 101 may discard the scanned image storage destination information when the user presses the exit button 1602 displayed on the access code display screen 1600.

[0112] According to this embodiment, the information terminal 102 can acquire scanned image storage location information from the reading device 101 in two ways. Therefore, a wider variety of information terminals 102 can be applied to this image reading system, improving usability.

[0113] <<Third Embodiment>> The third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that, in the image reading method shown in Figure 5, the information terminal 102 pre-stores a portion of the scanned image storage location information. The differences between the third embodiment and the first and second embodiments will be described below.

[0114] In the third embodiment, the information terminal 102 has a portion of the scanned image storage location information in advance, and in S511 of Figure 5, it acquires the other portion of the scanned image storage location information from the reader 101. The portion of the scanned image storage location information that the information terminal 102 has a portion of in advance is, for example, the hostname and domain name of the server 103. The other portion of the scanned image storage location information that the information terminal 102 acquires from the reader 101 is, for example, reader-related information, job ID, file name of the scanned image, etc.

[0115] The information terminal 102 stores a program for generating scan image storage information by combining a portion of the scan image storage information it has previously stored with the other portion of the scan image storage information it has obtained from the reader 101. This program may also be stored in the information terminal 102's storage device 304. After the information terminal 102 obtains the other portion of the scan image storage information from the reader 101 in S511, the CPU 301 of the information terminal 102 may read the program from the storage device 304 onto the RAM 303 and execute it. Specifically, the information terminal 102 generates a scan image storage URL by combining the hostname and domain name of the server 103, which it has previously stored, with reader-related information, job ID, scan image file name, etc., obtained from the reader 101. In S512, the information terminal 102 requests a scan image from the server 103 based on the generated scan image storage URL.

[0116] Alternatively, in S511, the information terminal 102 may receive information from the reader 101 indicating that a scan has been performed, rather than information about the scan image storage location. This information could be, for example, a scan execution log. The information terminal 102 extracts reader-related information, job ID, scan image file name, etc., from the scan execution log and combines them with the hostname and domain name of the server 103, which are stored in advance, to generate a scan image storage URL.

[0117] According to this embodiment, by having the information terminal 102 pre-store a portion of the scanned image storage destination information, data communication between the information terminal 102 and the reader 101 can be performed efficiently.

[0118] Although the present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the embodiments described above is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

[0119] <<Technical Features of This Disclosure>> This disclosure includes configurations represented by the following examples of image reading systems, image reading methods, reading devices, programs, and recording media.

[0120] <Configuration 1> An image reading system comprising a reading device for reading a document, a server, and an information terminal, The aforementioned reading device, A first transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading the aforementioned document to the server, A first storage means for storing storage destination information, including information about the storage location of the scanned image in the server, Includes, The aforementioned information terminal is A first acquisition means for acquiring the storage location information stored in the first storage means from the reading device. A second acquisition means acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage destination information acquired by the first acquisition means, Includes, When the reading device receives a request for the storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal, it transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal. An image reading system characterized by the following.

[0121] <Configuration 2> The reading device can perform the reading of the document and the saving of the storage location information regardless of the startup status of the information terminal. The image reading system according to feature 1.

[0122] <Structure 3> The information terminal further includes a second transmission means for periodically and repeatedly transmitting the request for the storage destination information to the reader. The image reading system according to claim 1 or 2.

[0123] <Structure 4> The second transmission means, when a predetermined setting is made, repeatedly performs the request for the storage destination information. The image reading system according to feature 3.

[0124] <Composition 5> The second acquisition means downloads and acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage location information. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0125] <Composition 6> The reading device further includes an auto power-off control means that automatically turns off the power when a predetermined state has been in place for a certain period of time. The auto power-off control means does not automatically turn off the power if the storage destination information is stored in the first storage means. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[0126] <Composition 7> The reading device further includes a discard means for discarding the storage destination information stored in the first storage means when it receives a request from the information terminal to discard the storage destination information. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0127] <Structure 8> The first acquisition means acquires the storage location information stored in the first storage means when user authentication is successful. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[0128] <Composition 9> The information of the storage location of the scanned image is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[0129] <Composition 10> The aforementioned information terminal is A second storage means in which a portion of the URL indicating the storage location of the scanned image is pre-stored, A generation means that obtains other parts of the aforementioned URL from the reading device and generates the aforementioned URL by combining them with the aforementioned part of the URL stored in the second storage means, including The image reading system according to feature 9.

[0130] <Composition 11> The reading device further includes a first display control means for displaying an access code for accessing the storage location of the scanned image in the server on the display unit of the reading device. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by the features described herein.

[0131] <Composition 12> The information terminal further includes a second display control means for displaying the acquired scanned image. The image reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the features described herein.

[0132] <Composition 13> The second display control means displays information indicating the storage location of the scanned image acquired by the second acquisition means on the information terminal, and when it receives an operation from the user to access the storage location, it displays the scanned image stored in the storage location. The image reading system according to feature 12.

[0133] <Composition 14> An image reading method performed in an image reading system comprising a document reading device, a server, and an information terminal, The reading step involves the reading device reading the document, The reading device transmits the scanned image obtained by reading the document to the server in a transmission step, The reading device performs a storage step of storing destination information, which includes information about the storage location of the scanned image in the server. The information terminal performs a first acquisition step in which it acquires the storage destination information stored in the storage step from the reading device, The information terminal performs a second acquisition step in which it acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage destination information acquired in the first acquisition step, Includes, When the reading device receives a request for the storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal, it transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal. An image reading method characterized by the following.

[0134] <Composition 15> A reading device capable of communicating with a server and an information terminal, A means of reading the manuscript, A transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading the aforementioned document to the server, A storage means for storing storage location information indicating the storage location of the scanned image in the server, Includes, When a request for the storage location information of the scanned image is received from the information terminal, the storage location information of the scanned image is transmitted to the information terminal. A reading device characterized by the following.

[0135] <Composition 16> A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the reading device described in claim 15.

[0136] <Composition 17> A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the reading device described in claim 15. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0137] 100: Image reading system 101: Reader 102: Information terminal 103: Server

Claims

1. An image reading system comprising a reading device for reading a document, a server, and an information terminal, The aforementioned reading device, A first transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading the aforementioned document to the server, A first storage means for storing storage destination information, including information about the storage location of the scanned image in the server, Includes, The aforementioned information terminal is A first acquisition means for acquiring the storage location information stored in the first storage means from the reading device. A second acquisition means acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage destination information acquired by the first acquisition means, Includes, When the reading device receives a request for the storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal, it transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal. An image reading system characterized by the following.

2. The reading device can perform the reading of the document and the saving of the storage location information regardless of the startup status of the information terminal. The image reading system according to feature 1.

3. The information terminal further includes a second transmission means for periodically and repeatedly transmitting the request for the storage destination information to the reader. The image reading system according to feature 1.

4. The second transmission means, when a predetermined setting is made, repeatedly performs the request for the storage destination information. The image reading system according to feature 3.

5. The second acquisition means downloads and acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage location information. The image reading system according to feature 1.

6. The reading device further includes an auto power-off control means that automatically turns off the power when a predetermined state has been in place for a certain period of time. The auto power-off control means does not automatically turn off the power if the storage destination information is stored in the first storage means. The image reading system according to feature 1.

7. The reading device further includes a discard means for discarding the storage destination information stored in the first storage means when it receives a request from the information terminal to discard the storage destination information. The image reading system according to feature 1.

8. The first acquisition means acquires the storage location information stored in the first storage means when user authentication is successful. The image reading system according to feature 1.

9. The information of the storage location of the scanned image is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). The image reading system according to feature 1.

10. The aforementioned information terminal is A second storage means in which a portion of the URL indicating the storage location of the scanned image is pre-stored, A generation means that obtains the other part of the URL from the reading device and generates the URL by combining it with the part of the URL stored in the second storage means, including The image reading system according to feature 9.

11. The reading device further includes a first display control means for displaying an access code for accessing the storage location of the scanned image in the server on the display unit of the reading device. The image reading system according to feature 1.

12. The information terminal further includes a second display control means for displaying the acquired scanned image. The image reading system according to feature 1.

13. The second display control means displays information indicating the storage location of the scanned image acquired by the second acquisition means on the information terminal, and when it receives an operation from the user to access the storage location, it displays the scanned image stored in the storage location. The image reading system according to claim 12, characterized in that it is the same as described in claim 12.

14. An image reading method performed in an image reading system comprising a document reading device, a server, and an information terminal, The reading step involves the reading device reading the document, The reading device transmits the scanned image obtained by reading the document to the server in a transmission step, The reading device performs a storage step of storing destination information, which includes information about the storage location of the scanned image in the server. The information terminal performs a first acquisition step in which it acquires the storage destination information stored in the storage step from the reading device, The information terminal performs a second acquisition step in which it acquires the scanned image from the server based on the storage destination information acquired in the first acquisition step, Includes, When the reading device receives a request for the storage location information of the scanned image from the information terminal, it transmits the storage location information of the scanned image to the information terminal. An image reading method characterized by the following.

15. A reading device capable of communicating with a server and an information terminal, A means of reading the manuscript, A transmission means for transmitting a scanned image obtained by reading the aforementioned document to the server, A storage means for storing storage location information indicating the storage location of the scanned image in the server, Includes, When a request for the storage location information of the scanned image is received from the information terminal, the storage location information of the scanned image is transmitted to the information terminal. A reading device characterized by the following.

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the reading device described in claim 15.

17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the reading device described in claim 15.

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