Scanning system, printing system, image processing device, and method

Abstract

To reduce time and effort for inputting information in printing or scanning via a message sharing system.SOLUTION: In a scanning system including a web application cooperating with a message sharing system and an image processing apparatus provided with a scanner. The web application holds card information acquired from a scanning request source and a destination of scan data in association with each other in response to a scanning request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system. An image processing apparatus transmits to the web application the scan data generated based on scanning and the card information that has been read. The web application specifies a destination associated with the card information that has been received from the image processing apparatus and posts the scan data that have been transmitted from the image processor to the message sharing system.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a scanning system, a printing system, an image processing apparatus, and a method. [Background technology]

[0002] The use of messaging applications for chatting, which is the exchange of messages between multiple user terminals via a network, is becoming widespread. In addition, services using Bot applications that automatically respond to messages sent by users on messaging applications are also on the rise.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes that in a cloud printing service that cooperates with a Bot application, a printing instruction is sent to a printing device on a network via a message application. 。 [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-144698 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the patent document 1, when issuing a print instruction, it is necessary to input a device identification ID issued by the Bot application to identify the multifunction device. .child As such, when printing or scanning via a messaging application, it is necessary to take the time to input the information issued by the bot application.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to reduce the effort required for inputting information when printing or scanning via a message sharing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, a scan system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system, and an image processing device equipped with a scanner. The web application includes a requesting means for requesting card information from a source of a scan request in response to a scan request from a user account that belongs to the message sharing system, a receiving means for receiving a designation of a message to a communication space of the message sharing system or a user account that belongs to the message sharing system as a destination to which scan data generated based on the scan is to be sent, and a storing means for linking the read card information with the destination and storing the information. The image processing device transmits the scan data generated based on the scan and the scan data to the message sharing system. send and a sending unit for sending the scanned card information read from the image processing device to the web application in order to send the scanned card information to the web application. The web application further includes a sending unit for sending the scanned data sent from the image processing device to the message sharing system by specifying a destination associated with the card information received from the image processing device. send do send The present invention has a means and a method for performing the same.

[0008] A print system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system, and an image processing device that includes a printing device. The web application includes a storage unit that stores identification information of the image processing device and card information acquired from the image processing device in association with each other, a request unit that requests the image to be printed and the card information associated with the image processing device from a print request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system, and an instruction unit that specifies the image processing device associated with the card information acquired from the print request unit and instructs the image to be printed. The image processing device includes a print unit that executes printing of the image in accordance with a print instruction from the web application. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the time and effort required for inputting information can be reduced when printing or scanning via a message sharing system. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of a client terminal; [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a message application server. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image processing device. [Diagram 5] 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating an example of a screen of the image processing device when registering an association between an IC card and the image processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process of registering an association between an IC card and an image processing device. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram of a linkage management table between an IC card and an image processing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen of a message application. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message exchange screen with the multifunction peripheral bot when printing is performed. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a process when printing is performed. [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message exchange screen with the multifunction device bot when registering an association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process of registering an association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram of a linking management table between IC cards and destinations of scanned images. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the image processing apparatus when performing scanning. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process when a scan is performed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, etc. However, not all of the features described in the following embodiments are necessarily essential to the present invention.

[0012] In the first and second embodiments, an example of a service in which a Bot application used in a message sharing system cooperates with an image processing device will be described. In this service, the image processing device executes printing or scanning in response to an instruction from a user via a message application. Specifically, in a print service, a user sends a print request from a message application, and the image processing device prints via a Bot application. In a scan service, a user sends a scan request from a message application, and the image processing device scans, and the scanned image is sent from the image processing device via the Bot application to a desired destination using the message application.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of the first and second embodiments. This system functions as a scan system in the first embodiment, and as a print system in the second embodiment. This system includes a client terminal 100, a message application server 200, a Bot application server 300, and an image processing device 400. In Fig. 1, the message application server 200 is connected to the client terminal 100 via a network 2000, and is connected to the Bot application server 300 via a network 2200.

[0014] Here, the message application can also transmit and receive messages to and from other client terminals via the message application server 200. Although one client terminal 100 is shown in the example of Fig. 1, the scan system may have a plurality of client terminals 100. In this case, the plurality of client terminals may each have a different hardware configuration.

[0015] The Bot application server 300 and the image processing device 400 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 2200. The networks 2000, 2200, and 2200 may be networks of any specifications as long as they are capable of transmitting and receiving data.

[0016] The client terminal 100 is a computer device operated by a user, and examples of such devices include a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, a tablet terminal, etc. The client terminal 100 includes a message application 101, which is a software module for using the message sharing system.

[0017] The message application 101 has a function of transmitting a message including a character string input by a user to a message service application 201 (described later) via a network 2000. The message application 101 also has a function of notifying the user of a message received from the message service application 201 via the network 2000.

[0018] The message application server 200 is a server installed to provide the message sharing system service to the message application 101. The message application server 200 includes a message service application 201, which is a software module, and a file storage 202. Although not shown in Fig. 1, the message application server 200 performs message relay processing when messages are exchanged between a plurality of client terminals.

[0019] The message service application 201 receives a message sent from the message application 101 of the client terminal 100. The message service application 201 also sends a message reception event to a Bot application 301 (described later) of the Bot application server 300. The message service application 201 also sends a message to the message application 101 based on a request from the Bot application 301. The message service application 201 also performs a process of saving the received image file in the file storage 202.

[0020] The file storage 202 is a storage device managed by the message application server 200. The file storage 202 stores image files sent from the message application 101 of the client terminal 100, and image files and messages sent from the Bot application 301.

[0021] The Bot application server 300 is a server installed to provide the functions of a Bot application 301 that cooperates with the message sharing system. The Bot application server 300 includes a Bot application 301, which is an example of a web application, and a file storage 302.

[0022] The Bot application 301 receives an event notification from the message service application 201 of the message application server 200, and executes processing according to the contents of the received event. For example, the Bot application 301 issues a print request in response to a post about printing. The Bot application 301 also issues a scan request in response to a post about scanning to the image processing device 400. The Bot application 301 also transmits a message transmission request to the message service application 201 via the network 2200 as necessary.

[0023] If the received event is registration of association between an IC card and an image processing device, the Bot application 301 stores the IC card identification number and the image processing device identification number in association with each other. If the received event is a print request by an IC card, the Bot application 301 executes printing to the image processing device associated with the IC card according to the associated and stored IC card identification number and image processing device.

[0024] If the received event is registration of an association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image, the Bot application 301 stores the IC card identification number and the destination in association with each other. If the received event is transmission of a scanned image by an IC card, the Bot application 301 sends the scanned image to a specified user or group according to the associated and stored IC card identification number and destination.

[0025] In addition, the Bot application 301 functions as a virtual user of the message service application 201 and is capable of sending and receiving messages to and from the message application 101 of the client terminal 100.

[0026] The file storage 302 stores image files and messages received from the image processing device 400. The file storage 302 also stores information linking an IC card and an image processing device linked by the Bot application 301, and an IC card and a scan image transmission reservation.

[0027] In this embodiment, the Bot application 301 is arranged on the Bot application server 300, but the Bot application 301 may be arranged to exist on the image processing device 400. The message application server 200 and the Bot application server 300 may be realized by a server device or a virtual machine (cloud service) that uses resources provided by a data center including a server device.

[0028] The image processing device 400 is a device with a print function and a scan function, and is, for example, a multifunction peripheral (MFP). The image processing device 400 has a print device that forms an image on paper using a recording agent such as toner or ink. The image processing device 400 also has a scanner device that reads an original and generates a scanned image. The image processing device 400 may also have functions such as copying and fax transmission.

[0029] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 100. The client terminal 100 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, a display device 114, an input device 115, a communication module 116, an external storage device 117, an IC card reader 119, and an internal IC chip 120. These elements are connected via a system bus 118 and exchange data with each other.

[0030] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 111 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in a RAM 112 and a ROM 113, and controls the entire client terminal 100. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 is a volatile storage area, and is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 111 performs various processes. A ROM (Read Only Memory) 113 is a non-volatile storage area, and stores an operating system (OS), a message application 101, and other applications.

[0031] The display device 114 is a device that displays a graphic user interface (GUI) and the like, and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and a graphic controller. The input device 115 is a device that accepts user operations on the client terminal 100, and examples of such devices include a keyboard and a pointing device. The client terminal 100 performs various controls in response to various user instructions accepted from the input device 115. Here, the input device 115 may be a device that is externally attached to the client terminal 100. In addition, in the example of FIG. 2, the display device 114 and the input device 115 are shown separately in the client terminal 100. However, the display device 114 and the input device 115 may be integrally configured, for example, as a touch panel display. By associating input coordinates and display coordinates on the touch panel, a GUI can be configured as if the user could directly operate the screen displayed on the touch panel.

[0032] The communication module 116 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The communication module 116 is connected to a communication device (not shown) such as a router, and performs data communication with the message application server 200 via the network 2000. This data communication may be performed by wireless communication, communication over a wired line such as a telephone line or a LAN, or a combination of these.

[0033] The external storage device 117 is a non-volatile storage area. For example, if the client terminal 100 is a smartphone, the external storage device 117 may be a flash memory. The system bus 118 exchanges data between each unit included in the client terminal 100 .

[0034] The IC card reader 119 is a device for reading information from an IC card. Here, the IC card in this embodiment is a contactless IC card equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) or a terminal equipped with an IC chip. That is, the IC card is provided with an IC chip on which card information is written, and the IC card reader 119 reads the card information from the IC chip. For example, if the client terminal 100 is a smartphone, a smartphone application permitted to read IC cards can read card information from an IC card held over the back of the smartphone. The card information that can be read includes a number that can uniquely identify the IC chip (hereinafter, referred to as an IC card identification number).

[0035] The built-in IC chip 120 is an IC chip built into the client terminal 100. An IC card identification number is written into the built-in IC chip 120, similar to an IC card. When the client terminal 100 is a smartphone, the built-in IC chip 120 allows the smartphone itself to be used as an IC card. Furthermore, a smartphone application that is permitted to read the built-in IC chip 120 can read the IC card identification number written into the built-in IC chip 120.

[0036] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the message application server 200. The message application server 200 includes a CPU 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, a communication module 214, and an external storage device 216. These elements are connected via a system bus 215 and exchange data with each other.

[0037] The CPU 211 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the RAM 212 or the ROM 213, and controls the entire message application server 220. The RAM 212 is a volatile storage area, and is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 211 performs various arithmetic processing. The ROM 213 is a non-volatile storage area, and stores various data.

[0038] The communication module 214 is an interface for communicating with an external device. The communication module 214 performs data communication with the client terminal 100 via the network 2000, and performs data communication with the Bot application server 300 via the network 2200. This data communication may be performed by wireless communication, communication via a wired line such as a telephone line or a LAN, or a combination of these.

[0039] The external storage device 216 is a non-volatile storage area, and is used to store, for example, the operating system, the message service application 201, and the like. The system bus 215 exchanges data between the various components included in the message application server 200 .

[0040] The hardware configuration of the Bot application server 300 is the same as that of the message application server 200, except for the following points. In the Bot application server 300, a Bot application 301 is stored in an external storage device. The communication module of the Bot application server 300 performs data communication with the message application server 200 via the network 2200, and performs data communication with the image processing device 400 via the network 2200. Therefore, a description of the hardware configuration of the Bot application server 300 will be omitted. The configurations of the message application server 200 and the Bot application server 300 are not limited to those described above. For example, the message application server 200 and the Bot application server 300 may have the same configuration as a general information processing device, or each server may have a different configuration.

[0041] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device 400. The image processing device 400 includes a CPU 401, a RAM 402, a hard disk (hereinafter also referred to as HDD) 403, an input device 404, a communication device 406, a printing device 407, a scanner device 408, and an IC card reader 409. These elements are connected via a main bus 405 and exchange data with each other.

[0042] The CPU 401 performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with programs stored in the RAM 402 or the HDD 403, and controls the entire image processing device 400. The RAM 402 is a volatile storage area, and is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 401 performs various arithmetic processing. The HDD 403 is a storage medium that stores the programs executed by the image processing device 400. Note that a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM) may be used instead of the HDD 403.

[0043] The input device 404 includes a display unit that provides a GUI to the user, and accepts various inputs from the user via the GUI. The communication device 406 controls communication with the Bot application server 300 via the network 2200.

[0044] The printing device 407 executes printing processing. For example, the printing device 407 converts image data based on a received print job into a printable data format, and prints and outputs the data on a paper document. The printing device 407 also outputs a document read by the scanner device 408 onto paper. The scanner device 408 optically reads a document and generates an electronic file (scanned data) based on the scan.

[0045] The IC card reader 409 is a device for reading information from an IC card. The card information that can be read includes a number that uniquely identifies the IC card and is written in the IC chip (hereinafter, referred to as an IC card identification number). A main bus 405 exchanges data between the various components included in the image processing device 400 .

[0046] (First embodiment) As a first embodiment, a print process from the message application 101 using an IC card will be described. In the print process from the message application 101 using an IC card, the IC card and the image processing device 400 are linked in advance and registered in the Bot application 301. When a user issues a print instruction in the message application 101, the Bot application 301 requests reading of the IC card, and when card information is returned in response to the request, the print process is executed by the image processing device 400 linked to the IC card. Therefore, as a pre-processing of the print process using the IC card in the message application 101, a process of linking and registering the IC card and the image processing device in the Bot application 301 is required.

[0047] (Registration process of linking IC card and image processing device 400 before printing) First, the process of registering the association between an IC card and the image processing device 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 8. Fig. 5(A) to (C) are diagrams showing examples of screens of the image processing device when registering the association between an IC card and the image processing device 400. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process of registering the association between an IC card and the image processing device 400. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a binding management table between the IC card and the image processing device 400.

[0048] In order to register an IC card in association with the image processing device 400, the user first operates the image processing device 400 to register the IC card. Fig. 5(A) is a diagram showing an example of a main menu screen of the image processing device 400. The main menu screen 500 displays a function menu of the image processing device 400 including chat print 501 and chat scan 502. Chat print 501 is an icon corresponding to a print service from a message application. Chat scan 502 is an icon corresponding to a scan service via a message application.

[0049] A user presses chat print 501 on a main menu screen 500 of the image processing device 400. When the image processing device 400 detects the pressing of chat print 501, it displays an IC card registration screen 510 for chat print. A display prompting the user to register an IC card and a cancel button are displayed on the IC card registration screen 510 for chat print. The user holds the IC card over the IC card reader 409 of the image processing device 400 in accordance with the display of the IC card registration screen 510 for chat print. For example, the user holds the client terminal 100 having an internal IC chip 120 as an IC card over the IC card reader 409.

[0050] Here, the process from reading the IC card identification number of the client terminal 100 held over the IC card reader 409 to linking and registering the IC card and the image processing device 400 in the Bot application 301 will be described with reference to FIG. In step S 601 , the image processing device 400 reads the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100 held over the IC card reader 409 .

[0051] In step S602, the image processing device 400 requests the Bot application 301 to register the association between the IC card and the image processing device 400. At this time, the image processing device 400 transmits the image processing device identification number of its own device and the IC card identification number read in step S601 to the Bot application 301. The image processing device identification number is identification information for uniquely identifying the image processing device 400.

[0052] In step S603, the Bot application 301 associates and holds the image processing device identification number and the IC card identification number received from the image processing device 400. The Bot application 301 manages the image processing device identification number and the IC card identification number by associating them with each other, for example, using a management table 700 shown in FIG.

[0053] The management table 700 manages the image processing device and the IC card in association with each other. In this embodiment, the expiration date of the information of the associated image processing device and IC card is also managed in the management table 700. The management table 700 includes an IC card identification number column 701, an image processing device identification number column 702, and an expiration date column 703. The IC card identification number column 701 stores the IC card identification number read in step S601 obtained from the image processing device 400. The image processing device identification number column 702 stores the image processing device identification number obtained from the image processing device 400 that reads the IC card identification number. The expiration date column 703 stores a value that takes into consideration a predetermined time that is determined in advance when a row is added to the management table 700. That is, the expiration date column 703 stores the date and time of the expiration date of the predetermined time during which the association is valid from the date and time when the IC card and the image processing device 400 are associated and registered. When the expiration date stored in the expiration date column 703 is reached, the corresponding row is deleted from the management table 700.

[0054] When the Bot application 301 completes the registration of the association between the image processing device and the IC card, it transmits the expiration date of the association between the image processing device and the IC card to the image processing device 400. The image processing device 400 notifies the user by displaying the expiration date information and a registration completion screen 520 shown in Fig. 5C indicating that the association registration between the IC card and the image processing device 400 has been completed. The expiration date displayed on the registration completion screen 520 may be a date and time or a period.

[0055] Through the above process, the identification number of the image processing device 400 that performs the print process and the identification number of the IC card can be associated with each other and registered in the Bot application 301. Through the above process of associating and registering the IC card and the image processing device 400, the advance preparation for chat print is completed, and printing can be performed by posting to the message application 101.

[0056] (Printing) Next, a process for performing printing from a message application will be described with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 10. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 800 of the message application 101. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a message exchange screen during print processing using the message application 101. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram showing print processing.

[0057] The home screen 800 of the message application 101 includes a channel list display section 801 and a user list display section 802. The channel list display section 801 displays a list of channels to which the operating user belongs, among channels for sharing messages with other users. A channel is an example of a communication space used in a chat function for sharing messages among multiple user accounts in a message sharing system. Examples of this type of communication space include a Slack channel, a Chatwork group chat, and a LINE group talk. The user list display section 802 displays a list of users with whom messages can be exchanged directly.

[0058] 8, a bot account (multifunction machine bot 803) is displayed as a user with whom messages can be exchanged directly. The bot account (multifunction machine bot 803) is a virtual user registered in the message sharing system, and replies are made by the Bot application 301. In the message application 101, the user can select the multifunction machine bot 803 as a user with whom messages can be exchanged directly.

[0059] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a message exchange screen 900 with the multifunction device bot in the message application 101. The message exchange screen 900 in Fig. 9 is displayed on the display device 114 of the client terminal 100 in response to an operation of selecting the virtual user "multifunction device bot 803" from the user list display area 802 of the home screen 800 in Fig. 8. On the message exchange screen 900, the Bot application 301 displays a message as "multifunction device Bot", and the user displays a message as "You".

[0060] When the message exchange screen 900 with the MFP bot is displayed, the message application 101 first displays a MFP bot message 901. The MFP bot message 901 displays a message for prompting the user to select a process to be executed by the MFP (image processing device 400). For example, the MFP bot message 901 includes a print instruction button 902 for instructing printing, a scan instruction button 903 for instructing scanning, and a message for prompting the user to select whether to print or scan.

[0061] The process of displaying the multifunction machine bot message 901 will be described in detail. When the message exchange screen 900 is displayed, the Bot application 301 transmits an instruction request to the message service application 201. When the message service application 201 receives a request for an instruction request message, it transmits the multifunction machine bot message 901 to the user account of the message application 101 as an instruction request from the bot account.

[0062] When the user selects a print instruction button 902 to instruct printing, the message application 101 displays a multifunction device bot message 904. The multifunction device bot message 904 is a message for confirming with the user whether or not the IC card and the image processing device 400 have been associated and registered. For example, the multifunction device bot message 904 includes a message asking whether the IC card and the image processing device 400 have been associated and registered, a registration button 905 indicating that they have been registered, and an unregistered button 906 indicating that they have not yet been registered.

[0063] When the user selects a registration button 905, which indicates that the IC card and the image processing device 400 have been associated and registered, the message application 101 displays a multifunction device bot message 907. The multifunction device bot message 907 is a message for urging the user to read the IC card. For example, the multifunction device bot message 907 displays a message for urging the user to read the IC card, a terminal button 908 for selecting the terminal in use to read the IC card identification number, and an IC card button 909 for selecting an IC card for a terminal other than the terminal in use.

[0064] The process of displaying the MFP bot message 907 corresponds to the processes of steps S1001 and S1002 in Fig. 10. Specifically, in step S1001, the Bot application 301 transmits an IC card read request to the message service application 201. Then, in step S1002, the message service application 201 transmits an IC card read request to the message application 101, and causes the MFP bot message 907 to be displayed on the message exchange screen 900.

[0065] When the user selects the terminal button 908, the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100. On the other hand, when the user selects the IC card button 909, the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number via the IC card reader 119 of the client terminal 100. The process of reading the card information and acquiring the IC card identification number corresponds to the process of step S1003 in Fig. 10. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects the terminal button 908 for selecting the terminal in use as the target for reading the IC card identification number, and the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100.

[0066] Next, the message application 101 displays the MFP bot message 910. The MFP bot message 910 is a message that prompts the user to send an image (original) to be printed. In response to the MFP bot message 910, the user selects an image to be printed and posts it on the message exchange screen 900. The process of displaying the MFP bot message 910 corresponds to the processes of steps S1004 and S1005 in FIG. 10. Specifically, in step S1004, the Bot application 301 transmits a request for an image to be printed to the message service application 201. Then, in step S1005, the message service application 201 transmits a request for an image to be printed to the message application 101, and causes the MFP bot message 910 to be displayed on the message exchange screen 900. Note that steps S1004 and S1005 for requesting an image to be printed may be transmitted simultaneously with steps S1001 and S1002 for requesting card information. The process in which the message application 101 acquires the image to be printed that has been posted by the user corresponds to the process in step S1006 in FIG.

[0067] The message application 101 notifies the Bot application 301 of the acquired image to be printed and the IC card identification number acquired in step S1003 via the message service application 201. The process in which the message application 101 notifies the message service application 201 of the image to be printed and the IC card identification number corresponds to the print request process by the IC card in step S1007 in Fig. 10. The process in which the message service application 201 notifies the Bot application 301 of the image to be printed and the IC card identification number corresponds to the print request process by the IC card in step S1008 in Fig. 10.

[0068] The Bot application 301, which has acquired the image to be printed and the IC card identification number, refers to the management table 700 and identifies the image processing device identification number corresponding to the IC card identification number. The process in which the Bot application 301 identifies the image processing device identification number from the IC card identification number acquired from the message application 101 corresponds to the process of step S1009 in FIG.

[0069] The Bot application 301 submits a print job to the image processing device 400 having the image processing device identification number specified in step S1009, instructing the image acquired from the message application 101 to be printed. The process in which the Bot application 301 instructs the image processing device 400 corresponding to the image processing device identification number to print the image posted on the message exchange screen 900 corresponds to the process of step S1010 in FIG.

[0070] The image processing device 400 that receives the print job from the Bot application 301 executes print processing according to the print job. The process in which the image processing device 400 executes printing corresponds to the process of step S1011 in Fig. 10. After executing printing, the image processing device 400 notifies the Bot application 301 of the print result. The process in which the image processing device 400 notifies the Bot application 301 of the print result corresponds to the process of step S1012 in Fig. 10.

[0071] The Bot application 301, which has received a notification of the print result from the image processing device 400, notifies the message application 101 of the print result via the message service application 201. Then, the message application 101 displays a multifunction device bot message 912 indicating completion of printing. The process in which the Bot application 301 notifies the message service application 201 of the print result corresponds to the process of step S1013 in Fig. 10. The process in which the message service application 201 notifies the message application 101 of the print result and displays the print result as a multifunction device bot message 912 corresponds to the process of step S1014 in Fig. 10.

[0072] As a result, the user can execute printing on a predetermined image processing device 400 from the message application 101 on the client terminal 100. At that time, it is only necessary to perform an IC card reading operation on the message application 101, and there is no need to take the time to input numbers such as an ID number.

[0073] Second embodiment As the second embodiment, a scan process from the message application 101 using an IC card will be described. In the scan process from the message application 101 using an IC card, the IC card and a destination (destination) of the scanned image (scan data) designated by the user are linked in advance and registered in the Bot application 301. Then, when the user uses the IC card to scan an image with the image processing device 400, the Bot application 301 transmits the scanned image to the destination corresponding to the IC card. Therefore, as a pre-processing of the scan process using the IC card in the message application 101, a process of linking the IC card and the destination and registering them in the Bot application 301 is required.

[0074] (Registering the link between the IC card and the destination before scanning) First, the process of registering the association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image in the Bot application 301 will be described with reference to Figs. 11 to 13. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a message exchange screen during scanning using the message application 101. Fig. 12 is a sequence diagram showing the process of registering the association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a table for managing the association between an IC card and a destination of a scanned image.

[0075] A message exchange screen 1100 shown in Fig. 11 is a screen that the message application 101 displays on the display device 114 of the client terminal 100. The message exchange screen 1100 in Fig. 11 is displayed on the display device 114 of the client terminal 100 in response to an operation of selecting the "multifunction machine bot 803", which is a virtual user, from the user list display section 802 of the home screen 800 in Fig. 8. On the message exchange screen 900, the Bot application 301 displays a message as a multifunction machine Bot.

[0076] When the message exchange screen 1100 with the MFP bot is displayed, the message application 101 first displays a MFP bot message 1101. The MFP bot message 1101 is the same as the MFP bot message 901 shown in Fig. 9. When the user selects a scan instruction button 1103 for instructing a scan and requests a scan, the message application 101 displays a MFP bot message 1104.

[0077] The multifunction device bot message 1104 is a message for prompting the user to read the IC card. For example, the multifunction device bot message 907 displays a message indicating that the IC card needs to be registered, a terminal button 1105, and an IC card button 1106. The terminal button 1105 is an icon for selecting a terminal in use as the target for reading the IC card identification number. The IC card button 1106 is an icon for selecting an IC card other than the terminal in use as the target for reading the IC card identification number.

[0078] When the user selects the terminal button 1105, the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100. On the other hand, when the user selects the IC card button 1106, the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number via the IC card reader 119 of the client terminal 100. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the user selects the terminal button 1105 for selecting the terminal in use from which the IC card identification number is to be read, and the message application 101 acquires the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100.

[0079] When the IC card identification number is acquired, the message application 101 displays a multifunction device bot message 1107. The multifunction device bot message 1107 is a message that prompts the user to input the destination (recipient) of the scanned image (scan data). In response to the multifunction device bot message 1107, the user inputs the destination of the scanned image. The destination of the scanned image may be an individual user (user account) who uses the message service, or a group (communication space). Multiple destinations may be specified at one time. When the user inputs the destination of the scanned image, the message application 101 displays a user message 1108.

[0080] The process of acquiring the card information required for scanning and the destination of the scan data from the scan request source in response to the scan request corresponds to the processes in steps S1201 to S1206 in Fig. 12. Specifically, in step S1201, the Bot application 301 transmits a request to read an IC card and a request to input a destination to the message service application 201. Then, in step S1202, the message service application 201 that has received the request transmits a request to read an IC card and a request to input a destination to the message application 101.

[0081] Based on a request from the Bot application 301, the message application 101 first displays a multifunction machine bot message 1104 for prompting the user to read the IC card on the message exchange screen 1100. In step S1203, the message application 101 reads the card information and acquires the IC card identification number according to the IC card identification number reading method selected by the user.

[0082] Next, the message application 101 displays a multifunction device bot message 1107 on the message exchange screen 1100 to prompt input of a destination (address) of the scanned image based on a request from the Bot application 301. The message application 101 acquires the destination input by the user in step S1204. The Bot application 301 posts multifunction device bot messages 1104 and 1107 as a multifunction device Bot on the message exchange screen 1100 in steps S1201 and S1202, thereby requesting card information and a destination from the requester of the scan request. Then, the message application 101 acquires the card information and the destination in steps S1203 and S1204, and notifies the Bot application 301 of a scanned image transmission reservation including this information.

[0083] The process in which the message application 101 notifies the Bot application 301 of the scan image transmission reservation corresponds to steps S1205 and S1206 in Fig. 12. The scan image transmission reservation includes the IC card identification number acquired in step S1203 and the destination (recipient) of the scan image acquired in step S1204. Specifically, in step S1205, the message application 101 notifies the message service application 201 of the scan image transmission reservation. Then, in step S1206, the message service application 201, which has received the scan image transmission reservation, notifies the Bot application 301 of the scan image transmission reservation.

[0084] The Bot application 301 that receives a scan image transmission reservation from the message application 101 associates and holds the IC card identification number and the destination of the scan image included in the scan image transmission reservation. The Bot application 301 manages the IC card identification number and the destination of the scan image by associating them with each other, for example, using a management table 1300 shown in FIG.

[0085] The management table 1300 manages the IC card identification number and the destination of the scanned image in association with each other. In this embodiment, the management table 1300 also manages the expiration date of the associated IC card identification number and the destination of the scanned image. The management table 1300 includes an IC card identification number column 1301, a destination of the scanned image 1302, and an expiration date column 1303. The IC card identification number column 1301 stores the IC card identification number obtained from the message application 101 and read in step S1203. The destination of the scanned image 1302 stores the destination of the scanned image obtained from the message application 101 and read in step S1203. The expiration date column 1303 stores a value that takes into consideration a predetermined time that is determined when a row is added to the management table 1300. That is, the expiration date column 1303 stores the date and time of the expiration date of the predetermined time during which the association is valid from the date and time when the IC card identification number and the destination of the scanned image are associated with each other and registered. When the expiration date described in the expiration date column 1303 is reached, the corresponding row is deleted from the management table 1300. In the Bot application 301, the process of registering the IC card identification number and the destination of the scanned image in association with each other corresponds to the process of step S1207 in FIG.

[0086] The Bot application 301, which has registered an IC card identification number and a destination of a scanned image based on a scan image transmission reservation in association with each other, notifies the message application 101 of the reception result via the message service application 201. The message application 101, which has acquired the reception result from the Bot application 301, displays a multifunction device bot message 1109 on the message exchange screen 1100. The multifunction device bot message 1109 is a message indicating the reception result of the scan image transmission reservation. For example, the multifunction device bot message 1109 displays a message urging the user to hold the registered IC card over the image processing device to perform a scan by the expiration date registered in the management table 1300.

[0087] The process in which the Bot application 301 notifies the message application 101 of the reception result via the message service application 201 corresponds to steps S1208 and S1209 in Fig. 12. Specifically, in step S1208, the ot application 301 notifies the message service application 201 of the reception result. Then, in step S1209, the message service application 201 that has received the reception result notifies the message application 101 of the reception result and causes the reception result to be displayed as a multifunction device bot message 1109.

[0088] Through the above process, the IC card identification number read by the image processing device 400 when scanning can be associated with the destination (recipient) to which the scanned image generated by the scan is sent, and registered in the Bot application 301. The process of registering the association between the IC card and the recipient of the scanned image completes the advance preparation for chat scanning.

[0089] (Scanned) Next, the scan process after the Bot application 301 associates the IC card identification number with the destination of the scanned image will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the image processing device 400 when performing the scan process. Fig. 15 is a sequence diagram showing the scan process.

[0090] Fig. 14(A) is a diagram showing an example of a main menu screen of the image processing device 400. The main menu screen 1400 is a screen similar to the main menu screen 500 of Fig. 5(A). The main menu screen 1400 is displayed on a display unit provided in the input device 404 of the image processing device 400. The main menu screen 1400 displays a function menu of the image processing device 400 including chat print 1401 and chat scan 1402. Chat print 1401 is an icon corresponding to a print service from a message application. Chat scan 1402 is an icon corresponding to a scan service via a message application.

[0091] The user presses chat scan 1402 on the main menu screen 1400 of the image processing device 400. When the image processing device 400 detects the pressing of chat scan 1402, it displays an IC card reading screen 1410 for chat scan shown in FIG. 14B. The IC card reading screen 1410 is displayed on a display unit provided in the input device 404. The IC card reading screen 1410 for chat scan displays a display prompting the user to hold the IC card registered when making a scan request in the message application 101 over the IC card reader 409 and a cancel button. The user holds the IC card over the IC card reader 409 of the image processing device 400 according to the display of the IC card reading screen 1410 for chat scan. For example, the user holds the client terminal 100 having the built-in IC chip 120 as an IC card over the IC card reader 409.

[0092] Here, the process of reading the IC card identification number of client terminal 100 held over IC card reader 409 and transmitting a scanned image will be described with reference to FIG. In step S 1501 , the image processing device 400 reads the IC card identification number from the built-in IC chip 120 of the client terminal 100 held over the IC card reader 409 .

[0093] In step S1502, the image processing device 400 performs scanning. Specifically, the image processing device 400 displays a scan execution screen 1420 shown in Fig. 14(C). The scan execution screen 1420 is displayed on a display unit provided in the input device 404. For example, a message prompting the user to perform scanning is displayed on the scan execution screen 1420. The user places a document to be scanned on the scanner device 408 and instructs the image processing device 400 to scan. The image processing device 400 performs scanning in response to the user's scan instruction and generates a scanned image of the scanned document.

[0094] Step S 15 In step S03, the image processing device 400 15 Enter the IC card identification number read in step 01 and step S 15 The scanned image generated in 02 is notified to the Bot application 301. Step S 15 In step 04, the Bot application 301 refers to the management table 1300 to identify the destination of the scanned image corresponding to the IC card identification number acquired from the image processing device 400.

[0095] Step S 15 05, Bot application 301 is a messaging application 2 For 01, step S 15 A request is made to send the scanned image as a message to the destination of the scanned image specified in 04. The message application that received the request to send the scanned image 2 01 is the messaging application to which the specified scanned image will be sent 2 Send the scanned image to 01.

[0096] Step S 15In step S06, the Bot application 301 15 Message Application in 05 2 The image processing device 400 is notified of the result of transmission of the scanned image to the image processing device 400. Step S 15 In step 07, the image processing device 400 displays a scan transmission result screen 1403 shown in Fig. 14(D) and notifies the user of the transmission result of the scanned image. The scan transmission result screen 1403 is displayed on a display unit provided in the input device 404. The scan transmission result screen 1403 is a screen that displays the transmission result of the scanned image. The scan transmission result screen 1403 may include, for example, information on the destination of the scanned image.

[0097] As described above, the user can send a scanned image from the image processing device 400 to a destination of the scanned image registered in advance in the message application 101. At that time, the user only needs to hold the IC card over the image processing device 400, and there is no need to take the time to enter a number such as an ID.

[0098] As described above, according to this embodiment, when using a print service or a scan service via a message application, the use of an IC card can reduce the effort of inputting numbers such as an ID number.

[0099] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0100] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

Claims

1. A scanning system including a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system and an image processing device having a scanner, The web application a requesting means for requesting card information from a source of a scan request in response to a scan request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system; a reception means for receiving a designation of a message to a communication space of the message sharing system or a user account belonging to the message sharing system as a destination to which scan data generated based on a scan is to be transmitted; a storage means for storing the read card information in association with the destination, The image processing device includes: A sending means for sending scan data generated based on the scan and card information read to send the scan data to the message sharing system to the web application, The web application further comprises: A scanning system characterized by having a transmitting means for transmitting the scanned data transmitted from the image processing device to the message sharing system by specifying a destination linked to the card information received from the image processing device.

2. The web application posts, in response to the scan request, a message prompting the user to register the card information and a message prompting the user to input the destination of the scan data to the message sharing system via a bot account registered in the message sharing system.

2. The scanning system of claim 1.

3. The link between the card information and the destination has an expiration date.

3. The scanning system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the web application is capable of accepting a print request in addition to the scan request via a bot account registered in the message sharing system; When the print request is accepted, the web application posts a message to the message sharing system, via a bot account registered in the message sharing system, to prompt the user to read card information associated with the image processing device that executes the print.

4. A scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the scanning system is a scanning device.

5. The image processing device has a reading means for reading card information in order to transmit scan data generated based on the scan to the message sharing system, When a user instructs the image processing device to scan the card information for transmission to the message sharing system, the image processing device displays a message on a display unit prompting the user to read the card information by the reading means.

5. A scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the scanning system is a scanning device.

6. The card information is uniquely identifiable information that can be read from an IC card or a terminal with an IC chip built in at a terminal where a user uses the message sharing system and at the image processing device.

6. A scanning system according to claim 1, wherein the scanning system is a scanning device.

7. A method for a scan system including a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system and an image processing device having a scanner, comprising: a request step of the web application requesting card information from a source of the scan request in response to a scan request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system; a receiving step in which the web application receives a designation of a message to a communication space of the message sharing system or a user account belonging to the message sharing system as a destination to which scan data generated based on the scan is to be transmitted; a storing step of storing the card information and the destination in the web application in association with each other; a transmission step in which the image processing device transmits to the web application scan data generated based on the scan and card information read by the image processing device in order to transmit the scan data to the message sharing system; and a sending step in which the web application sends the scanned data sent from the image processing device to the message sharing system by specifying the destination linked to the card information received from the image processing device.

8. An image processing device including a scanner, A reading means for reading card information in order to transmit scan data generated based on the scan to a message sharing system; A transmission means for transmitting the scan data generated based on the scan and the read card information to a web application that cooperates with the message sharing system, In the web application, a destination associated with the card information transmitted from the image processing device is specified based on the destination of the scanned data and the card information that have been previously associated and stored, and the scanned data transmitted from the image processing device is transmitted to the message sharing system; The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the destination is a message to a communication space of the message sharing system or a user account belonging to the message sharing system.

9. A method in an image processing device having a scanner, comprising: A reading step of reading card information in order to transmit scan data generated based on the scan to a message sharing system; A transmission step of transmitting the scan data generated based on the scan and the read card information to a web application linked to the message sharing system, In the web application, a destination associated with the card information transmitted from the image processing device is specified based on the destination of the scanned data and the card information that have been previously associated and stored, and the scanned data transmitted from the image processing device is transmitted to the message sharing system; The method, wherein the destination is a message to a communication space of the message sharing system or to a user account belonging to the message sharing system.

10. A print system including a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system and an image processing device having a printing device, The web application a storage unit for storing identification information of the image processing device acquired from the image processing device and card information in association with each other; a requesting means for requesting, in response to a print request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system, card information linked to the image processing device and an image to be printed from a source of the print request; and an instruction unit for instructing a printing of the acquired image by designating an image processing device linked to the card information acquired from the source of the print request, The image processing device includes: a printing means for executing printing of the image in response to a print instruction from the web application; A printing system comprising:

11. The web application posts, in response to the print request, a message prompting the user to read card information associated with the image processing device and a message prompting the user to transmit the image to be printed to the message sharing system via a bot account registered in the message sharing system.

11. The printing system according to claim 10.

12. The association between the identification information of the image processing device and the card information has a validity period.

12. The printing system according to claim 10 or 11.

13. the web application is capable of accepting scan requests in addition to the print requests via a bot account registered in the message sharing system; When the scan request is received, the web application transmits to the message sharing system, via a bot account registered in the message sharing system, a message prompting registration of card information that can be read by an image processing device that executes the scan and a message prompting input of a destination of the scan data generated based on the scan.

13. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second inputs are connected to the first and second inputs.

14. The image processing device includes: A reading means for reading card information; a transmitting means for transmitting the card information read by the reading means and the identification information of the image processing device to the web application.

14. The printing system according to claim 10, wherein the first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.

15. A method for a print system including a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system and an image processing device having a printing device, comprising: a storing step of storing, by the web application, identification information of the image processing device acquired from the image processing device and card information in association with each other; a request step of the web application requesting, in response to a print request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system, card information linked to an image processing device and an image to be printed from a source of the print request; an instruction step of the web application specifying an image processing device linked to the card information acquired from a source of a print request, and instructing printing of the acquired image; a printing step in which the image processing device executes printing of the image in response to a print instruction from the web application; A method comprising:

16. An image processing device including a printing device, A reading means for reading card information; a transmitting means for transmitting the card information and the identification information of the image processing device read by the reading means to a web application that cooperates with a message sharing system; a printing means for executing printing of an image in response to a print instruction from the web application, The web application stores the card information sent from the image processing device in association with identification information of the image processing device, and in response to a print request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system, sends a print instruction to the image processing device associated with the card information notified from the user account to print an image sent by the user account to the message sharing system.

17. A method for an image processing apparatus including a printing device, comprising: A reading step of reading card information; a transmission step of transmitting the read card information and identification information of the image processing device to a web application linked to a message sharing system; a printing step of printing an image in response to a print instruction from the web application, The method is characterized in that the web application links and retains the card information sent from the image processing device and identification information of the image processing device, and in response to a print request from a user account belonging to the message sharing system, sends a print instruction to the image processing device linked to the card information notified from the user account to print the image sent by the user account to the message sharing system.

Images