Information processing device, program, and data display method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of reducing individual displays of duplicate addresses registered in an address book.SOLUTION: An information processing device 30 that transmits data based on destination information stored in items of a record includes: an information determination unit that determines one item from the items in the record based on an application or function activated on the information processing device; an integration unit that integrates, into one record, the record having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determination unit; and a display control unit that displays a destination included in the record into which the integration unit performs integration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a program, and a data display method. [Background technology]

[0002] Since information processing devices such as multifunction peripherals have a function for sending data to destinations, they can refer to an address book. Using the address book, users can send image data to be sent by facsimile, image data read by scanning, etc. to a desired destination.

[0003] A technology has been devised for registering an original address book to another address book (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a system for adding telephone numbers and email addresses in a registration source server to address information held by an address information providing server. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the conventional technology has a problem in that duplicate destinations registered in the address book are each displayed. To add, when a user registers destination information in the address book assuming person a of company A, a record that associates company A's facsimile number with person a may be registered. When the same user or a different user registers destination information in the address book assuming person b of company A, a record that associates company A's facsimile number with person b may be registered. In this way, multiple records with the same facsimile number (destination information) but different names may be registered in one address book.

[0005] A facsimile application running on an information processing device displays each name separately even if there are multiple names with the same facsimile number in the address book. Similarly, a scanner application running on an information processing device displays each name separately even if there are multiple names with the same email address. In this way, when the same facsimile number, email address, etc. are registered in the items of records in one or more address books, the information processing device displays each record.

[0006] In this case, when a user sends a facsimile to Company A, he or she mistakenly believes that the facsimile numbers of Person A and Person B are different, and must select the relevant employee each time. Also, depending on the control of the information processing device, even if the facsimile number is the same, the facsimile may be sent separately for each transmission operation, resulting in increased costs.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can reduce the display of each of the destinations that are registered in the address book in duplicate. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing device that transmits data based on destination information stored in each item of a record, comprising: a focus information storage unit that stores focus information that associates an application or function with an item in a record; An application or function started on the information processing device The same item as the attention information associated with From each field in the record Decision the information determination unit determining whether or not a record has been registered as a record containing the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determination unit; an aggregating unit aggregating the records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determination unit into one record; and a display control unit displaying the destinations contained in the records aggregated by the aggregating unit. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device that can reduce the display of each of the destinations that are registered in the address book in duplicate. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method for displaying an address book. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an example of an overall configuration diagram of an electronic device system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction peripheral or a facsimile machine. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating functions of an information processing device and a server in a block form. [Figure 6] 11 is an example of a flowchart illustrating an information processing apparatus integrating a plurality of address books to display one address book. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of integration of a plurality of address books. [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transition of screens displayed by the information processing device in accordance with a selected application. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. [Figure 10] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a facsimile application and telephone line fax screen displayed by the information processing device when a user selects a facsimile application and also selects a telephone line fax function. FIG. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a facsimile application and Internet fax screen displayed by the information processing apparatus when a user selects a facsimile application and also selects an Internet fax function. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a scanner application and email screen displayed by the information processing apparatus when a user selects a scanner application and also selects a Scan To E-mail function. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a scanner application and folder screen displayed by the information processing apparatus when a user selects a scanner application and also selects a Scan To Folder function. FIG. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure in which an information processing device transmits image data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An electronic device system and a data display method performed by the electronic device system will be described below as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] <Outline of the Address Book Display Method in the Present Embodiment> 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method for displaying an address book in this embodiment. An information processing device 30 (for example, a multifunction peripheral) in this embodiment determines a key according to an application (hereinafter, referred to as an app) used by a user or a function within the app, aggregates records having the same key value into one record, and displays the address book. A key refers to an item used for aggregation among multiple items contained in a record. The value of the key is destination information, and for convenience of explanation in this embodiment, destination information may be expressed as a key.

[0013] In FIG. 1, server 10A on the network has address book A, and server 10B on the network has address book B. Information processing device 30 also has address book C. Address books A to C each have a name, a facsimile number, and an email address for each record. The name, facsimile number, and email address are each destination information, and one or more of the name, facsimile number, and email address can serve as a key. The destination information in address books A to C does not all need to be the same, and it is sufficient if one or more pieces of destination information overlap in address books A to C.

[0014] (1) A user starts an application by operating an operation panel. In Fig. 1, information processing device 30 has a facsimile application 291 and a scanner application 292. Facsimile application 291 can send a facsimile using e-mail (Internet fax) or can send a facsimile using a facsimile number (telephone line fax). Scanner application 292 can send scanned image data using e-mail (this function is called Scan To E-mail) or can send image data using a folder name (this function is called Scan To Folder).

[0015] (2) The information processing device 30 connects to the server 10A and the server 10B, and acquires the address books A and B. The information processing device 30 also acquires its own address book C (local address book).

[0016] (3) The launched application integrates multiple address books. When integrating, the application determines a key depending on the application or the functions used within the application, and consolidates and displays records with the same destination information as the key into a single record. For example, if a fax application uses telephone line fax, the key is determined to be the fax number. Also, if a scanner application uses Scan To E-mail, the key is determined to be the email address.

[0017] (4) The launched application consolidates records with the same destination information, which was the determined key, into a single record and displays it.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, a fax application that uses telephone line fax aggregates records of names A, E, and H that have the same key fax number into a single record and displays the fax number in association with the names A, E, and H. The same is true for names C, G, F, and J.

[0019] On the other hand, a scanner application that uses Scan To E-mail will aggregate records of names A, E, and G that have the same key email address into one record, and display the email address associated with the names A, E, and G. The same is true for names B and I.

[0020] In this way, the information processing device 30 of this embodiment can aggregate and display records based on a key determined according to an app or a function within the app. Since duplicate destinations registered in the address book are aggregated and displayed, the user only needs to select one record. Furthermore, since the number of records displayed in the address book is reduced, the operability when the user selects a destination can be improved. Since duplicate destination information is aggregated and displayed, the destinations displayed on the operation panel can be minimized. Since destination information of users with the same address book is displayed, the user does not need to scroll to display the bottom of the address book.

[0021] <Terminology> Combining multiple pieces of data into one is called integration. In information processing, integration is called merging.

[0022] Aggregation means to gather and consolidate. In this embodiment, aggregation means to consolidate a plurality of records contained in an address book into one record.

[0023] A record is data that consists of a sequence of values. 1 A record contains multiple items.

[0024] An address book is a table of information that lists the contact information of people who belong to a group by item. In this embodiment, one or more items are destination information. Destination information includes name, facsimile number, email address, telephone number, and SNS ID.

[0025] A destination refers to a user or a destination of data identified by destination information.

[0026] An application is a program executed by an information processing device to allow a user to receive a service. Applications include Web apps that are executed by a Web browser and a server-side program in cooperation with each other, and native apps that are executed by an information processing device without requiring a server (although communication with the server is acceptable). In the case of Web apps, the application may be a workflow app that executes a series of processes in sequence.

[0027] A function is a service that an application provides. An application may provide multiple services.

[0028] The term "launching an app or function" refers to the state in which the app or function becomes available to the user. When the screen is occupied by one app or function, the app or function displayed on the screen is the launched app or function.

[0029] <System configuration example> 2 is an example of an overall configuration diagram of an electronic device system 100. The electronic device system 100 has a multifunction peripheral 30a, a facsimile machine 30b, and a PC 30c (Personal Computer), which are communicatively connected via a public line W. In the following, the multifunction peripheral 30a, the facsimile machine 30b, and the PC 30c are referred to as an information processing device 30 without distinction.

[0030] The public line W is a telephone line, and the source facsimile device and the receiving information processing device 30 occupy the line to transmit image data (fax document). The source and destination information processing devices 30 are specified by facsimile numbers. Therefore, the facsimile numbers are destination information.

[0031] In order for the information processing device 30 to send and receive facsimiles, in addition to using the public line W, there are methods using the Internet or IP-FAX. The method of sending and receiving facsimiles as an attachment to an e-mail via the Internet is called Internet fax. Therefore, with Internet fax, the sender sends image data using the e-mail mechanism, and the destination information processing device 30 receives the image data using the e-mail mechanism. The sender and destination are specified by e-mail addresses. Therefore, the e-mail address is the destination information.

[0032] IP-FAX uses the Internet in the same way as Internet Fax, but it uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and H.323 protocols for communication connections. SIP is a protocol that creates, modifies, and disconnects sessions to exchange audio, video, or text messages between two or more locations. H.323 is a protocol related to telephone call control. H.323 performs processes such as securing and disconnecting communication paths on the source and destination networks. Note that T.37 may also be used as the protocol.

[0033] Since IP-FAX uses the Internet, the destination and sender are specified by SIP URI. Various URIs can be specified in SIP, and the SIP URI can be an IP address or host name, a SIP user name, a fax number, etc. These are written in the header of the SIP RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) packet. Therefore, the SIP URI is the destination information.

[0034] The multifunction device 30a and the facsimile device 30b may have a function of transmitting image data read by a scanner. The multifunction device 30a and the facsimile device 30b transmit image data when an application such as Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder is running. In the case of Scan To E-mail, the destination information is an email address. In the case of Scan To Folder, the destination information is a folder name (which may include a host name and IP address) of the PC used by the user. The folder name may be a URL. The folder name is also called a file path.

[0035] The multifunction device 30a has a facsimile sending and receiving function, a document scanning function, etc. In addition, the multifunction device 30a may have, for example, a printer function. In this way, a device having multiple functions is called a multifunction device. The multifunction device 30a may be called an MFP (Multi-function Peripheral / Product / Printer). In addition, the multifunction device 30a may be called an image forming device, an image processing device, a printer, a printing device, a scanner, or a facsimile device.

[0036] The facsimile device 30b is an information processing device 30 having a facsimile sending and receiving function. The facsimile device 30b necessarily has a function of printing a received facsimile and a function of reading a transmitted document by a scanner.

[0037] PC 30c is an information processing device equipped with an OS such as Windows (registered trademark). PC 30c can connect to the Internet, so it can send and receive Internet faxes and IP-FAXes. On the other hand, in order for PC 30c to send and receive facsimiles via the public line W, components such as a facsimile modem are required. PC 30c also has the function of sending and receiving e-mail.

[0038] The PC 30c may be a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a game machine, a car navigation system, an electronic whiteboard, or a video conference terminal, as long as it has a function of connecting to the network N.

[0039] 2, the electronic device system 100 has servers 10A and 10B connected to a network N. A multifunction peripheral 30a, a facsimile machine 30b, and a PC 30c are connected to the network N. In this embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 30a, the facsimile machine 30b, and the PC 30c share an address book, so it is assumed that the multifunction peripheral 30a, the facsimile machine 30b, and the PC 30c are information processing devices 30 in the same company or organization. Therefore, the network N may be an in-house LAN, a wide area LAN connecting business locations, a WAN, or a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or the Internet.

[0040] The servers 10A and 10B are mainly used as storage locations for address books. Therefore, the servers 10A and 10B may simply be NAS (Network Attached Storage) on the network. The servers 10A and 10B may also be called servers. The servers 10A and 10B may be, for example, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) servers. Conventionally, the multifunction device 30a has a local address book, but there are cases where a company manages the address book using an LDAP server or the like, and the multifunction device 30a and the servers 10A, 10B, etc. may each have an address book. In the following, there are cases where the servers 10A and 10B are referred to as the server 10 without distinction between them.

[0041] A server is a computer or software that provides information and processing results in response to requests from clients. Servers 10A and 10B may exist on the Internet or on-premise. If they exist on the Internet, they should be compatible with cloud computing. Cloud is a term used when no specific hardware resources are intended.

[0042] <Hardware configuration example> <<Hardware configuration example for servers 10A and 10B>> Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the servers 10A and 10B. As shown in Fig. 3, the servers 10A and 10B are constructed by a computer and include a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0043] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the servers 10A and 10B. The ROM 502 stores programs such as IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls reading or writing of various data from the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network N. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[0044] Moreover, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys used for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW 513 is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0045] The hardware block diagram of the PC 30c may be the same as that shown in FIG. 3, but even if it is different, it will not cause any problems in explaining this embodiment.

[0046] <<Examples of hardware configurations for multifunction machines and facsimile machines>> 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device 30b. As shown in FIG. 4, the multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device 30b includes a controller 910, a short-distance communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0047] Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0048] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PC30I (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0049] The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0050] The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 with the PC30I device and peripheral devices. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PC30I bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C907. The ASIC906 is composed of a PC30I target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PC30I unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932 via the PC30I bus 922. The ASIC906 may be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0051] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0052] Further, the short-range communication circuit 920 is provided with a short-range communication circuit antenna 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0053] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. Also, the operation panel 940 displays current setting values, a selection screen, and the like. The operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that receives input from an operator, and hard keys 940b including a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. Also, the operation panel 940 includes a storage medium mounting unit 940c for mounting a storage medium. The controller 910 controls the entire multifunction machine 30a or the facsimile device 30b, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0054] The multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device 30b can successively switch among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function by using an application switching key on the operation panel 940. The multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device goes into document box mode when the document box function is selected, into copy mode when the copy function is selected, into printer mode when the printer function is selected, and into facsimile mode when the facsimile mode is selected.

[0055] Furthermore, the network I / F 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the network N. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PC30I bus 922.

[0056] <About the function> <<Information processing device>> FIG. 5 is an example of a functional block diagram showing the functions of the information processing device 30 and the servers 10A and 10B in a block form. The information processing device 30 has a communication unit 31, a display control unit 32, an operation reception unit 33, an output unit 34, a facsimile control unit 35, a reading unit 36, an information determination unit 37, and an aggregation unit 38. These functions of the information processing device 30 are functions or means realized by the CPU 901 of the multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device 30b shown in FIG. 4 executing a program stored in the HD 909 or the like and controlling the hardware of the multifunction device 30a or the facsimile device 30b. Alternatively, these functions of the information processing device 30 are functions or means realized by the CPU 501 of the PC 30 shown in FIG. 3 executing a program stored in the HD 504 or the like and controlling the hardware of the PC 30c.

[0057] The communication unit 31 communicates with the servers 10A and 10B via the network N. In this embodiment, the communication unit 31 requests the servers 10A and 10B for address books A and B, and receives the address books A and B. In addition, when an application that uses the network N, such as Internet Fax, Scan To E-mail, or Scan To Folder, is running, the communication unit 31 transmits these data to the destination.

[0058] The display control unit 32 displays a screen that serves as an interface with the user on the operation panel 940. The display control unit 32 also displays a screen according to an application executed by the information processing device 30. For example, in the case of a facsimile application, the display control unit 32 displays a screen that accepts the facsimile destination and the like. In the case of a scanner application, the display control unit 32 displays a screen that accepts the reading conditions and the destination and the like of image data generated by scanning. An address book is displayed on these screens so that the user can select a destination.

[0059] The operation acceptance unit 33 accepts an operation by a user to the information processing device 30. For example, the operation acceptance unit 33 accepts a selection of a destination. The operation acceptance unit 33 may accept a voice operation.

[0060] The output unit 34 controls the printer unit 932 to perform control for outputting (printing). When the facsimile application receives a facsimile, the output unit 34 prints the facsimile (image data) received by the facsimile control unit 35. When the printer application receives a print job from a PC or the like, the output unit 34 executes the print job sent from the PC. The printing method may be either an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

[0061] The facsimile control unit 35 transmits the image data read and generated by the reading unit 36 ​​to the destination information selected in the address book. The facsimile control unit 35 transmits and receives image data (fax documents) by using the telephone line unit 39 or the email unit 40.

[0062] The telephone line unit 39 uses a fax communication protocol. Fax communication protocols include G3, Super G3, G4, etc. For example, G3 is an analog line with a resolution of 200 dpi both horizontally and vertically, and the compression method is Modified Huffman coding (MH) or Modified Read (MR). Super G3 uses Modified Modified Read (MMR) or joint bi-level image experts group (JBIG) compression. G4 is an ISDN line with a resolution of 400 dpi.

[0063] The e-mail unit 40 performs processing related to e-mail. An example of a communication protocol for Internet fax is T.37 Simple Mode (e-mail method), and the e-mail unit 40 transmits and receives facsimiles based on this communication protocol.

[0064] The fax communication protocols for IP-FAX include T.37 direct SMTP (IP address method) and T.38 (FoIP).

[0065] The reading unit 36 ​​optically reads the sheet-like member and generates image data. The reading unit 36 ​​uses the e-mail unit 40 or the folder storage unit 41 to transmit the generated image data.

[0066] The email unit 40 attaches image data to an email whose destination information is an email address and transmits the email to a mail server (Scan To E-mail). If the destination information is a folder name, the folder storage unit 41 stores the image data in the folder (Scan To Folder).

[0067] The information determination unit 37 determines a key (item in a record) for aggregating records in the address book according to the application or function of the application used by the user. The information determination unit 37 refers to the focus information storage unit 492 of the storage unit to determine a key associated with the application or function.

[0068] The consolidation unit 38 integrates a plurality of address books. When integrating, the consolidation unit 38 consolidates into one record records having the same destination information stored in the key in the address books. For example, among the records received by the communication unit 31 and the records held by the information processing device 30, records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determination unit 37 are consolidated into one record. Details will be described later.

[0069] The information processing device 30 also has a storage unit 49 constructed in the HD 909, ROM 902a, and RAM 902b shown in Fig. 4, or the HD 504 and RAM 503 shown in Fig. 3. The storage unit 49 has an address book storage unit C (reference numeral 491) and a focused information storage unit 492 (see Tables 1 and 2).

[0070] [Table 1] Table 1 is an example of an address book C stored in the address book memory unit C. The address book C is a local address book stored internally in the information processing device 30. The address book C has fields for name, facsimile number, and email address. Each field stores destination information. One line of "name, facsimile number, and email address" is called a record. Name is the user's first and last name. Name may be the name of a company or department, etc. The facsimile number is the facsimile number used by the information processing device 30 to send a facsimile to this user. The email address is an email address that the information processing device 30 uses to send emails to this user.

[0071] [Table 2] Table 2 is an example of the attention information stored in the attention information storage unit 492. The attention information associates an application or a function with a key. The application or function is the type of application that runs on the information processing device 30, or the function that the information processing device 30 or the application has. For example, types of applications include a facsimile application and a scanner application. Functions of a facsimile application include telephone line fax and Internet fax. Functions of a scanner application include Scan To E-mail and Scan To Folder. In this manner, a key is associated with an application or function. Note that Scan To E-mail and Scan To Folder may be called applications independently. The key is the information to be focused on when aggregating. Multiple records with the same key are aggregated into one record. Multiple records may be in any of Address Books A to C, or may be in one address book. The key may be, for example, a fax number, an email address, or a folder name.

[0072] <<Server>> The servers 10A and 10B have communication units 11A and 11B, respectively. These functions of the servers 10A and 10B are functions or means that are realized by the CPU 501 of the servers 10A and 10B shown in Fig. 3 executing a program stored in the HD 504 or the like and controlling the hardware of the servers 10A and 10B.

[0073] The communication units 11A and 11B communicate with the information processing device 30 via the network N. In this embodiment, the communication units 11A and 11B receive requests for the address books A and B from the information processing device 30. The communication units 11A and 11B transmit the address books A and B to the information processing device 30.

[0074] In addition, in the servers 10A and 10B, the storage units 12A and 12B are constructed by the HD 504, ROM 502, and RAM 503 of the servers 10A and 10B shown in Fig. 3. The storage units 12A and 12B have address book storage units A (reference numeral 13A) and B (reference numeral 13B), respectively (see Tables 3 and 4).

[0075] [Table 3] Table 3 is an example of an address book A stored in the address book storage unit A. The items held by the address book A may be the same as those held by the address book C.

[0076] [Table 4] Table 4 is an example of an address book B stored in the address book storage unit B. The items held by the address book B may be the same as those held by the address book C.

[0077] The items in address books A, B, and C do not have to be identical, and any address book may have more or fewer items than the other address books. However, it is preferable that key items are duplicated in address books A, B, and C.

[0078] <Processing flow> Fig. 6 is an example of a flow chart in which information processing device 30 integrates multiple address books to display one address book. The process in Fig. 6 starts, for example, when a user selects an application. Fig. 6 starts, for example, when an application is pressed (launched) on a home screen on which application icons are displayed. Screen examples have been described with reference to Figs. 8 to 13.

[0079] First, the aggregation unit 38 determines whether the started application is a facsimile application or a scanner application (S1). If the started application is neither a facsimile application nor a scanner application, the aggregation unit 38 does not need to integrate the address books, and the process in FIG. 6 ends.

[0080] If the started application is a facsimile application or a scanner application, the aggregation unit 38 acquires an available address book (S2). That is, the aggregation unit 38 receives the address books A and B from the servers 10A and 10B via the communication unit 31. The aggregation unit 38 also acquires the address book C from the address book storage unit C.

[0081] Next, the information determination unit 37 determines whether the facsimile application has been started (S3). If the facsimile application has been started, the information determination unit 37 further determines whether the Internet fax has been selected (S4). The user can select the Internet fax or the telephone line fax from the screen of the facsimile application. The information determination unit 37 identifies the function selected in response to the user's operation.

[0082] If Internet fax is not selected, telephone line fax is selected, and so information determination unit 37 determines that the key is the facsimile number by referring to focus information storage unit 492. If there are records with the same facsimile number in address books A, B, and C based on the facsimile number, consolidation unit 38 extracts only one facsimile number from the multiple records and associates other destination information (e.g., name) from the multiple records with this facsimile number. In addition, consolidation unit 38 may delete destination information that is not used in the fax application.

[0083] Then, the display control unit 32 displays on the operation panel an address book in which a plurality of records are aggregated by facsimile number (S5).

[0084] When Internet Fax is selected, information determination unit 37 determines that the key is an email address by referring to focus information storage unit 492. When address books A, B, and C contain records with the same email address, aggregation unit 38 extracts only one email from the records and associates other destination information (e.g., name) from the records with this email. Aggregation unit 38 may also delete destination information that is not used in the function of sending images by email.

[0085] Then, the display control unit 32 displays the address book in which the records are aggregated by email address on the operation panel (S6).

[0086] If the facsimile application is not running, the scanner application is started in the information processing device 30. Therefore, the information determination unit 37 further judges whether or not Scan To E-mail is selected (S7). The user can select Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder from the screen of the scanner application. The information determination unit 37 identifies the function selected in response to the user's operation.

[0087] When Scan To E-mail is selected, the information determining unit 37 determines that the key is an email address by referring to the focused information storage unit 492. When the address books A, B, and C contain records with the same email address, the consolidating unit 38 extracts only one email from the records and associates this email with other destination information (e.g., name) from the records. The consolidating unit 38 may also delete destination information that is not used in Scan To E-mail.

[0088] Then, the display control unit 32 displays the address book in which the records are aggregated by email address on the operation panel (S6).

[0089] When Scan To E-mail is not selected, Scan To Folder is selected, and so the information determination unit 37 determines that the key is the folder name by referring to the focused information storage unit 492. When there are records with the same folder name in the address books A, B, and C, the aggregation unit 38 extracts only one folder name from the multiple records and associates other destination information (e.g., name) of the multiple records with this folder name. The aggregation unit 38 may also delete destination information not used in Scan To Folder.

[0090] Then, the display control unit 32 displays the address book in which the records are aggregated under the folder name on the operation panel (S8).

[0091] Through the above process, the information processing device 30 can display an address book in which records are aggregated according to the application or function used by the user.

[0092] <Integration example> Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of integrating multiple address books. For the sake of convenience, we will explain the cases where the key is a facsimile number and an email address. Fig. 7(a) shows address book A, Fig. 7(b) shows address book B, and Fig. 7(c) shows address book C.

[0093] If the key is a fax number, the same fax number is found in address books A, B, and C as follows: Records with fax number 100 exist in address books A, B, and C. The names are H, A, and E. A record with a fax number of 102 exists in address books A and B. The names are G and C.

[0094] It may be difficult for the display control unit 32 to display the names H, A, and E aggregated in one record in the space for one record on the operation panel. Therefore, the display control unit 32 may display only one name in the space for one record, and the remaining names may be displayed in a pop-up or pull-down menu when the user touches the record. The display control unit 32 may display, by using characters, icons, symbols, or the like, that there are aggregated names in addition to the name displayed in the space for one record.

[0095] If there is no record with the same key, the aggregation unit 38 sorts and integrates the records in each address book by key.

[0096] 7(d) shows an example of integrating address books when the key is a facsimile number. The aggregation unit 38 aggregates records in each address book that have the same facsimile number into one record. The aggregation unit 38 associates a name and an email address with one key (fax number), but the display control unit 32 can hide the email address because it is not used in the facsimile app.

[0097] If the key is an email address, the same email address will be found in address books A, B, and C as shown below. Records with email address abc@jp.com exist in address books A, B, and C. The names are G, A, and E. A record with a fax number of cde@jp.com exists in address books A and B. The names are I and B.

[0098] 7(e) shows an example of integrating address books when the key is an email address. The aggregation unit 38 aggregates records in each address book that have the same email address into one record. The aggregation unit 38 associates a name and a facsimile number with one key (email address), but since the facsimile number is not used in the scanner application, the display control unit 32 can hide it.

[0099] <An example of screen transition> An example of screen transition when each application is selected will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a transition diagram of screens displayed by information processing device 30 according to the selected application. Each screen in Fig. 8 is shown in Figs. 9 to 13.

[0100] 9 is an example of a home screen 150. The home screen 150 is a screen that is first displayed after the information processing device 30 is started up or when the user logs in. The home screen displays a list of apps that the user can use. The list of apps includes a facsimile app 101 and a scanner app 102.

[0101] 10 is an example of a facsimile application and telephone line fax screen 110 displayed by the information processing device 30 when the user selects a facsimile application and also selects the telephone line fax function. The facsimile application and telephone line fax screen 110 has a function selection field 111. The function selection field 111 displays a pull-down menu of function names (Internet fax or telephone line fax) in response to a user operation. The user can select either Internet fax or telephone line fax.

[0102] Immediately after the facsimile application is selected, the function previously selected by the user (Internet fax or telephone line fax) may be displayed in a selected state, or the default function may be displayed in a selected state.

[0103] In the facsimile application and telephone line fax screen 110, the facsimile number is the key, so a list 112 of multiple names is displayed together with the facsimile number.

[0104] Therefore, for example, when sending image data to an employee of the same company, the user only needs to select one facsimile number. Also, the number of names displayed is reduced, making it easier for the user to select the desired name.

[0105] In Fig. 10, both the name and the facsimile number are displayed, but it is also possible to display only the name or only the facsimile number. It is sufficient if information that allows the user to determine the destination is displayed. The same applies to the following screens.

[0106] Also, in response to a user operation, the information processing device 30 may display the records before aggregation. For example, when the user presses and holds one of the designations A, E, or H, the display control unit 32 retrieves the record of the facsimile number "100" from the address books A to C and displays it, for example, in a pop-up.

[0107] 11 is an example of a facsimile application and Internet fax screen 120 displayed by the information processing device 30 when the user selects a facsimile application and also selects the Internet fax function. The facsimile application and Internet fax screen 120 has a function selection field 121. The function selection field 121 displays a pull-down menu of function names (Internet fax or telephone line fax) in response to a user operation. The user can select either the Internet fax or the telephone line fax.

[0108] A facsimile application and telephone line fax screen 110 in FIG. 10 and a facsimile application and Internet fax screen 120 in FIG. 11 transition between them depending on the function selected by the user.

[0109] In the facsimile application and Internet fax screen 120, the email address is the key, so a list 122 of multiple names is displayed along with the email addresses.

[0110] Therefore, for example, when sending image data to employees of the same company, the user only needs to select one email address. Also, the number of names displayed is reduced, making it easier for the user to select the desired name.

[0111] 12 is an example of a scanner application and email screen 130 displayed by the information processing device 30 when the user selects the scanner application and also selects the Scan To E-mail function. The scanner application and email screen 130 has a function selection field 131. The function selection field 131 displays function names (Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder) in a pull-down menu in response to a user operation. The user can select Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder.

[0112] Immediately after the scanner application is selected, the function previously selected by the user (Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder) may be displayed in a selected state, or the default function may be displayed in a selected state.

[0113] In the scanner application and email screen 130, the email address is the key, so a list 132 of multiple names is displayed along with the email addresses.

[0114] Therefore, for example, when sending image data to employees of the same company, the user only needs to select one email address. Also, the number of names displayed is reduced, making it easier for the user to select the desired name.

[0115] 13 is an example of a scanner application and folder screen 140 displayed by the information processing device 30 when the user selects the scanner application and also selects the Scan To Folder function. The scanner application and folder screen 140 has a function selection field 141. The function selection field 141 displays function names (Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder) in a pull-down menu in response to a user operation. The user can select Scan To E-mail or Scan To Folder.

[0116] The scanner application and mail screen 130 in FIG. 12 and the scanner application and folder screen 140 in FIG. 13 transition to each other depending on the function selected by the user.

[0117] In the scanner application folder screen 140, the folder name is the key, so a list 142 of a plurality of names is displayed together with the folder name.

[0118] Therefore, for example, when sending image data to employees in the same department, the user only needs to select one name. Also, the number of names displayed is reduced, making it easier for the user to select the desired name.

[0119] <Send image data> Fig. 14 is an example of a flow chart showing a procedure for transmitting image data by the information processing device 30. The user selects a desired destination from the list of names shown in Figs. 10 to 13 (S11). The operation acceptance unit 33 accepts the selection.

[0120] The telephone line unit 39, the e-mail unit 40, or the folder storage unit 41 transmits the image data only once to the destination information used for aggregation (S12). That is, even if there are multiple records with the same destination information before aggregation, the information processing device 30 transmits only once, so that the communication cost can be reduced.

[0121] When the application is a facsimile application and the function selected by the user is Internet fax, the email unit 40 sends an email only once to the email address associated with the selected name.

[0122] When the application is a facsimile application and the function selected by the user is telephone line fax, the telephone line unit 39 sends a facsimile only once to the facsimile number associated with the selected name.

[0123] When the application is a scanner application and the function selected by the user is Scan To E-mail, the e-mail unit 40 sends an e-mail only once to the e-mail address associated with the selected name.

[0124] When the application is a scanner application and the function selected by the user is Scan To Folder, the folder storage unit 41 stores image data in the folder only once, with the folder name associated with the selected name as the destination.

[0125] <Major Effects> As described above, the information processing device 30 of the present embodiment can aggregate and display records based on a key determined according to an application or a function within the application. Since duplicate destinations registered in the address book are aggregated and displayed, the user only needs to select one destination. Furthermore, since the number of records displayed in the address book is reduced, the operability when the user selects a destination can be improved. Since duplicate destination information is aggregated and displayed, the destinations displayed on the operation panel can be minimized. Since destination information of users with the same address book is displayed, the user does not need to scroll to display the bottom of the address book.

[0126] <Other application examples> The above describes the best mode for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0127] For example, in the present embodiment, the information processing device 30 integrates multiple address books by aggregating records, but the same process may be performed by a server. In this case, the information processing device 30 transmits its own address book and the apps and functions selected by the user to the server, and obtains the integrated address book from the server.

[0128] In addition, in the present embodiment, the information processing device 30 displays the aggregated records on a screen, but the information processing device 30 may print the aggregated records on paper. Also, the information processing device 30 may transmit the aggregated records to the outside by e-mail or the like.

[0129] Moreover, the configuration examples shown in Fig. 5 and the like in the above embodiments are divided according to main functions in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of the information processing device 30. However, the present invention is not limited by the manner in which each processing unit is divided or the names of each processing unit. The information processing device 30 can also be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents. Also, it can be divided so that one processing unit includes more processes.

[0130] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0131] Additionally, the devices described in the example are merely representative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0132] In addition, the information processing device 30 is not limited to an image forming device as long as it is a device equipped with a communication function. The information processing device 30 may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an electronic blackboard (electronic whiteboard), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, an industrial machine, an imaging device, a sound collecting device, a medical device, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game machine, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0133] 10 Server 30 Information processing device 30a multifunction device 30b Facsimile machine 30c PC 100 Electronic equipment systems [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0134] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-085805 A

Claims

1. An information processing device that transmits data based on destination information stored in each item of a record, a focus information storage unit that stores focus information that associates an application or function with an item in a record; an information determination unit that determines, in the focus information storage unit, an item that is the same as the focus information associated with the application or function started by the information processing device from each item in a record; an aggregating unit that aggregates the records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determining unit into one record; a display control unit that displays destinations included in the records aggregated by the aggregation unit; 13. An information processing device comprising:

2. a communication unit for receiving destination information stored in a record from another information processing device capable of communicating via a network; The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the consolidation unit consolidates into one record records among the records received by the communication unit and records held by the information processing device, the records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determination unit.

3. When the application for sending a facsimile is started and the Internet fax function is used, the information determination unit determines, based on the target information storage unit, the item in which an email address is to be stored from among the items in a record; 3 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the records having the same email address into one record.

4. When the application for sending a facsimile is started and the telephone line fax function is used, the information determination unit determines, based on the target information storage unit, the item in which a facsimile number is to be stored from among the items in the record; 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the records having the same facsimile number into one record.

5. When the application using the scanner is started and the Scan To E-mail function is used, the information determination unit determines, based on the target information storage unit, the item in which an email address is to be stored from among the items in a record; 3 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the records having the same email address into one record.

6. When the application using the scanner is launched and the Scan To Folder function is used, the information determination unit determines, based on the focus information storage unit, the item in which a folder name is to be stored from each item in a record; 3 . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the consolidation unit consolidates the records having the same folder name into one record.

7. A display control unit includes an operation receiving unit that receives a selection of a destination displayed by the display control unit, 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data generated by the application is transmitted to the destination accepted by the operation acceptance unit only once.

8. An information processing device having a focus information storage unit that stores focus information that associates an application or function with an item in a record, and that transmits data based on destination information stored in each item of the record, an information determination unit that determines, in the focus information storage unit, an item that is the same as the focus information associated with the application or function started by the information processing device from each item in a record; an aggregating unit that aggregates the records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determining unit into one record; a display control unit that displays destinations included in the records aggregated by the aggregation unit; A program to function as a

9. A data display method performed by an information processing device that transmits data based on destination information stored in each item of a record, comprising: the information processing device includes a focus information storage unit that stores focus information that associates an application or function with an item in a record; An information determination unit determines, in the focus information storage unit, an item that is the same as the focus information associated with the application or function started by the information processing device from each item in a record; an aggregating unit aggregating the records having the same destination information stored in the item determined by the information determining unit into one record; a display control unit displaying destinations included in the records aggregated by the aggregation unit; A data display method comprising:

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