Image reading system, image reading device, and server device

Abstract

To easily set up distributed scanning in a scanner.SOLUTION: An image reading system 100 comprises a server device 1, and a first scanner 2A communicably connected with the server device 1. The server device 1 includes a distributed scanning storage unit 131 that stores distributed scanning setting information DSS defining setting items of distributed scanning including identification information JD. The first scanner 2A includes a first receiving unit 221A that receives execution instructions CM from a user for the distributed scanning including the identification information JD, a first acquisition unit 222A that, when the first receiving unit 221A receives the execution instruction CM for the distributed scanning, acquires the distributed scanning setting information DSS from the server device 1, a first reading unit 223A that reads a first document bundle SD1 based on the distributed scanning setting information DSS and generates first read data DR1, and a first transmission unit 224A that transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading system, an image reading device, and a server device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique relating to distributed scanning that combines data read by a plurality of scanners. For example, Patent Document 1 describes connecting multiple scanners to a network environment, allowing the user to specify the second and subsequent scanners on the first scanner, and combining the read data from each scanner into a single file. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-176191 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, before executing distributed scanning, the user needs to specify the second and subsequent scanners on the first scanner, making the settings for distributed scanning cumbersome. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect for solving the above problem is an image reading system including a server device, a first image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, and a second image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, wherein the server device includes identification information for identifying a distributed scan, and a distributed scan storage unit that has setting items for the distributed scan and stores a distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information, and the first image reading device includes a first reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the distributed scan from a user, the first reception unit including the identification information, and a first reception unit that acquires the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the first reception unit receives the instruction to execute the distributed scan. The image reading system comprises an acquisition unit, a first reading unit that reads a first stack of documents based on the distributed scan settings and generates first read data, and a first transmission unit that transmits the first read data to the server device, and the second image reading device comprises a second reception unit that accepts an instruction to perform a distributed scan from a user, the instruction including the identification information, a second acquisition unit that acquires the distributed scan settings corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the second reception unit accepts the instruction to perform the distributed scan, a second reading unit that reads a second stack of documents based on the distributed scan settings and generates second read data, and a second transmission unit that transmits the second read data to the server device.

[0006] Another aspect for solving the above problem is an image reading device that is communicatively connected to a server device, and includes a reception unit that receives an instruction to perform a distributed scan from a user, the instruction including identification information that identifies the distributed scan, an acquisition unit that acquires distributed scan settings corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the reception unit accepts an instruction to perform the distributed scan, a reading unit that reads a stack of documents based on the distributed scan settings and generates read data, and a transmission unit that transmits the read data to the server device.

[0007] Yet another aspect that solves the above problem is a server device that is communicatively connected to a first image reading device and a second image reading device, and includes a distributed scan memory unit that has identification information that identifies a distributed scan and setting items for the distributed scan and stores a distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information, a server communication unit that, when receiving a request for the distributed scan setting specified by the identification information from the first image reading device or the second image reading device, sends the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information to the first image reading device and the second image reading device, receives first read data from the first image reading device, and receives second read data from the second image reading device, and a combination unit that combines the first read data and the second read data received by the server communication unit. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image reading system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a first scanner. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second scanner. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a server device. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a scanner. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of a server device. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the first scanner. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of a second scanner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] This embodiment includes a first embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and a second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6 to 8. FIG.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image reading system 100 including a configuration of a server device 1. As shown in FIG. The server device 1 is communicably connected to the scanner 2 via a network NW. The network NW is, for example, the Internet. The server device 1 transmits distributed scan setting information DSS to the scanner 2 via the network NW. The distributed scan setting information DSS is information having setting items for distributed scan corresponding to the identification information JD for identifying distributed scan. "Distributed scanning" refers to generating read data DR using multiple scanners 2 and combining the multiple generated read data DR to generate one file. The identification information JD is information for identifying each of one or more settings related to distributed scanning that are stored in advance in the server device 1.

[0011] The scanner 2 sets the reading conditions, reads an image, and generates read data DR based on the distributed scan setting information DSS from the server device 1. The scanner 2 transmits the generated read data DR to the server device 1. The scanner 2 corresponds to an example of an "image reading device."

[0012] In this embodiment, the network NW is the Internet, but is not limited to this. The network NW may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0013] The image reading system 100 of this embodiment includes, for example, a first scanner 2A, a second scanner 2B, and a third scanner 2C. When the first scanner 2A, the second scanner 2B, and the third scanner 2C are not distinguished from each other, the first scanner 2A, the second scanner 2B, and the third scanner 2C are referred to as the scanner 2. Unique identification information is assigned to each of the first scanner 2A, the second scanner 2B, and the third scanner 2C in advance. The unique identification information is an IP (Internet Protocol) address or a printer name. The first scanner 2A corresponds to an example of a "first image reading device." The second scanner 2B corresponds to an example of a "second image reading device."

[0014] The server device 1 determines the scanner 2 to which the distributed scan setting information DSS is to be transmitted based on the unique identification information of the scanner 2. The scanner 2 generates read data in a predetermined format. The predetermined format is a portable document format (PDF), a tagged image file format (TIFF), a joint photographic experts group (JPEG), or the like.

[0015] The server device 1 includes a server control unit 11, a server input mechanism 14, a server display mechanism 15, and a server communication interface mechanism 16. In this embodiment, the server device 1 includes the server input mechanism 14 and the server display mechanism 15, but the server input mechanism 14 and the server display mechanism 15 may be separate from the server device 1. The server control unit 11 controls the operation of each unit of the server device 1 .

[0016] The server input mechanism 14 receives an input from a user, generates an input signal corresponding to the received input, and transmits the input signal to the server control unit 11. The server input mechanism 14 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse.

[0017] The server display mechanism 15 has a display screen such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various images on the display screen according to instructions from the server control unit 11.

[0018] The server communication interface mechanism 16 communicates with the scanner 2 via the network NW in accordance with instructions from the server control unit 11. The server communication interface mechanism 16 communicates with the scanner 2 in accordance with, for example, the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard.

[0019] In this embodiment, the server communication interface mechanism 16 communicates with the scanner 2 according to, but not limited to, the Ethernet standard. The server communication interface mechanism 16 may also communicate with the scanner 2 via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0020] The server control unit 11 is a controller that includes a server processor 12 and a server memory 13 . The server memory 13 is a storage device that non-volatilely stores programs and data executed by the server processor 12. The server memory 13 is composed of a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a semiconductor storage device such as a solid state drive (SSD), a semiconductor storage element such as a flash read only memory (ROM), or other types of non-volatile storage devices. The server memory 13 may also include a random access memory (RAM) that constitutes a work area for the server processor 12. The server memory 13 stores data processed by the server control unit 11 and a server control program PG1 executed by the server processor 12.

[0021] The server processor 12 may be configured as a single processor, or may be configured such that a plurality of processors function as the server processor 12. The server processor 12 controls each part of the server device 1 by executing a server control program PG1.

[0022] In this embodiment, the server processor 12 executes the server control program PG1 to control each part of the server device 1, but the server control unit 11 may execute processing using functions implemented in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may execute processing by performing signal processing in a signal processing circuit.

[0023] The server control unit 11 includes a server communication control unit 121, a connection unit 122, and a distributed scan storage unit 131. When the server processor 12 executes the server control program PG1, the server processor 12 functions as the server communication control unit 121 and the connection unit 122. When the server processor 12 executes the server control program PG1, the server processor 12 causes the server memory 13 to function as the distributed scan storage unit 131. The server communication control unit 121 corresponds to an example of a "server communication unit." The server device 1 may include a timer unit (not shown) that measures the time from when an instruction to execute distributed scanning is received from the scanner 2. The server communication control unit 121, the combining unit 122 and the distributed scan storage unit 131 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 after describing the configurations of the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the first scanner 2A. As shown in FIG. 2, the first scanner 2A includes a first control unit 21A, a first input mechanism 24A, a first display mechanism 25A, a first communication interface mechanism 26A, and a first reading mechanism 27A. The first control unit 21A controls the operation of each unit of the first scanner 2A.

[0025] The first input mechanism 24A receives an input from a user, generates an input signal corresponding to the received input, and transmits the input signal to the first control unit 21 A. The first input mechanism 24A is composed of various hardware keys, a touch panel, and the like.

[0026] The first display mechanism 25A has a display screen such as an LCD, and displays various images on the display screen according to instructions from the first control unit 21 A. When the first input mechanism 24A is configured with a touch panel, the display mechanism of the touch panel corresponds to the first display mechanism 25A.

[0027] The first communication interface mechanism 26A communicates with the server device 1 via the network NW in accordance with an instruction from the first control unit 21A. The first communication interface mechanism 26A communicates with the server device 1 in accordance with the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard.

[0028] The first reading mechanism 27A is equipped with an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a C-MOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor), and reads an image printed on a document such as a recording paper in accordance with instructions from the first control unit 21A, and generates first read data DR1. The first reading mechanism 27A includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder). The first document stack SD1 placed on the document stack of the ADF is fed out in order from the document placed at the top or bottom, and the images printed on each document included in the first document stack SD1 are read in order by an image sensor to generate first read data DR1.

[0029] The first control unit 21A is a controller including a first processor 22A and a first memory 23A. The first memory 23A is a storage device that non-volatilely stores programs and data executed by the first processor 22A. The first memory 23A is configured with a magnetic storage device such as an HDD, a semiconductor storage device such as an SSD, a semiconductor storage element such as a flash ROM, or other types of non-volatile storage devices. The first memory 23A may include a RAM that configures the work area of ​​the first processor 22A. The first memory 23A stores data processed by the first control unit 21A and the first control program PG2A executed by the first processor 22A.

[0030] The first processor 22A may be configured as a single processor, or may be configured with multiple processors functioning as the first processor 22A. The first processor 22A executes a first control program PG2A to control each part of the first scanner 2A. In this embodiment, the first processor 22A executes the first control program PG2A to control each part of the first scanner 2A, but the first control unit 21A may execute processing using a function implemented in an ASIC, or may execute processing by performing signal processing in a signal processing circuit.

[0031] The first control unit 21A includes a first reception unit 221A, a first acquisition unit 222A, a first reading unit 223A, a first transmission unit 224A, and a first distributed scan storage unit 231A. When the first processor 22A executes the first control program PG2A, the first processor 22A functions as the first reception unit 221A, the first acquisition unit 222A, the first reading unit 223A, and the first transmission unit 224A. When the first processor 22A executes the first control program PG2A, the first processor 22A causes the first memory 23A to function as the first distributed scan storage unit 231A. The first receiving unit 221A, the first acquiring unit 222A, the first reading unit 223A, the first transmitting unit 224A, and the first distributed scan memory unit 231A will be further described with reference to FIG. 3 after describing the configuration of the second scanner 2B.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the second scanner 2B. The second scanner 2B and the third scanner 2C have substantially the same configuration, so Fig. 3 shows the configuration of the second scanner 2B, and a description of the configuration of the third scanner 2C will be omitted.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the second scanner 2B includes a second control unit 21B, a second input mechanism 24B, a second display mechanism 25B, a second communication interface mechanism 26B, and a second reading mechanism 27B. The second control unit 21B controls the operation of each unit of the second scanner 2B.

[0034] The second input mechanism 24B receives an input from a user, generates an input signal corresponding to the received input, and transmits the input signal to the second control unit 21 B. The second input mechanism 24B is composed of various hardware keys, a touch panel, and the like.

[0035] The second display mechanism 25B has a display screen such as an LCD, and displays various images on the display screen according to instructions from the second control unit 21B. When the second input mechanism 24B is configured with a touch panel, the display mechanism of the touch panel corresponds to the second display mechanism 25B.

[0036] The second communication interface mechanism 26B communicates with the server device 1 via the network NW in accordance with an instruction from the second control unit 21B. The second communication interface mechanism 26B communicates with the server device 1 in accordance with the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard.

[0037] The second reading mechanism 27B includes an image sensor such as a CCD or a C-MOS, and reads an image printed on an original such as a recording paper according to instructions from the second control unit 21B, and generates second read data DR2. The second reading mechanism 27B also includes an ADF. The second document stack SD2 placed on the document stacking section of the ADF is fed out in order from the document placed at the top or bottom, and the images printed on each document included in the second document stack SD2 are read in order by an image sensor to generate second read data DR2.

[0038] The second control unit 21B is a controller including a second processor 22B and a second memory 23B. The second memory 23B is a storage device that non-volatilely stores programs and data executed by the second processor 22B. The second memory 23B is configured with a magnetic storage device such as an HDD, a semiconductor storage device such as an SSD, a semiconductor storage element such as a flash ROM, or other types of non-volatile storage devices. The second memory 23B may include a RAM that configures the work area of ​​the second processor 22B. The second memory 23B stores data processed by the second control unit 21B and the second control program PG2B executed by the second processor 22B.

[0039] The second processor 22B may be configured as a single processor, or may be configured such that a plurality of processors function as the second processor 22B. The second processor 22B executes a second control program PG2B to control each part of the second scanner 2B. In this embodiment, the second processor 22B executes the second control program PG2B to control each part of the second scanner 2B, but the second control unit 21B may execute processing using a function implemented in an ASIC, or may execute processing by performing signal processing in a signal processing circuit.

[0040] The second control unit 21B includes a second reception unit 221B, a second acquisition unit 222B, a second reading unit 223B, a second transmission unit 224B, and a second distributed scan storage unit 231B. When the second processor 22B executes the second control program PG2B, the second processor 22B functions as the second reception unit 221B, the second acquisition unit 222B, the second reading unit 223B, and the second transmission unit 224B. When the second processor 22B executes the second control program PG2B, the second processor 22B causes the second memory 23B to function as the second distributed scan storage unit 231B.

[0041] 1. Main parts of the first embodiment The configurations of the server control unit 11, the first control unit 21A, and the second control unit 21B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a server control unit 11 according to the first embodiment. The distributed scan storage unit 131 stores distributed scan setting information DSS. The distributed scan setting information DSS corresponds to a distributed scan setting including a setting item for the distributed scan, and includes identification information JD.

[0043] The distributed scan setting includes, as a setting item, the acceptance end time ET of the distributed scan execution instruction CM. The acceptance end time ET indicates the allowable time from when the first acceptance unit 221A of the first scanner 2A accepts the distributed scan execution instruction CM to when the second acceptance unit 221B of the second scanner 2B accepts the distributed scan execution instruction CM. In other words, if the second acceptance unit 221B of the second scanner 2B accepts the distributed scan execution instruction CM after the acceptance end time ET has elapsed from when the first acceptance unit 221A of the first scanner 2A accepts the distributed scan execution instruction CM, the second read data DR2 is not combined with the first read data DR1. The acceptance end time ET is, for example, 5 minutes.

[0044] When the server communication control unit 121 receives a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS including identification information JD from the first scanner 2A, it sends the distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A to the first scanner 2A. Similarly, when the server communication control unit 121 receives a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS including the identification information JD from the second scanner 2B, it transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD received from the second scanner 2B to the second scanner 2B. Moreover, when the server communication control unit 121 receives a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS including the identification information JD from the third scanner 2C, it transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD received from the third scanner 2C to the third scanner 2C.

[0045] The server communication control unit 121 receives the first read data DR1 from the first scanner 2A, receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B, and receives the third read data DR3 from the third scanner 2C.

[0046] The combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 to the third read data DR3. The processing of the combining unit 122 will be further explained after the configuration of the first control unit 21A according to the first embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 2, and the configuration of the second control unit 21B according to the first embodiment is explained with reference to FIG. 3.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the first control unit 21A according to the first embodiment. The first distributed scan storage unit 231A stores the distributed scan setting information DSS acquired from the server device 1 by the first acquisition unit 222A.

[0048] The first reception unit 221A receives from the user the designation of identification information JD of the distributed scan job and an instruction CM to execute the distributed scan. When the first reception unit 221A receives the instruction CM to execute the distributed scan, it acquires first reception date and time information RT1 from a clock unit (not shown). The clock unit is disposed in the first control unit 21A and has a clock function. The first reception unit 221A corresponds to an example of a "reception unit."

[0049] The first acquiring unit 222A acquires distributed scan setting information DSS including the specified identification information JD from the server device 1 when the first accepting unit 221A accepts an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan. The first acquisition unit 222A corresponds to an example of an "acquisition unit."

[0050] The first reading section 223A reads the first document stack SD1 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS, and generates first read data DR1. The first reading section 223A corresponds to an example of a "reading section."

[0051] The first transmission unit 224A transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1. In addition, the first transmission unit 224A transmits the first received date and time information RT1 in association with the first read data DR1. The first transmitting unit 224A corresponds to an example of a "transmitting unit."

[0052] Next, FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the second control unit 21B according to the first embodiment. The second distributed scan storage unit 231B stores the distributed scan setting information DSS acquired from the server device 1 by the second acquisition unit 222B.

[0053] The second reception unit 221B receives from the user the designation of identification information JD of the distributed scan job and an instruction CM to execute the distributed scan. When the second reception unit 221B receives the instruction CM to execute the distributed scan, it acquires second reception date and time information RT2 from a clock unit (not shown). The clock unit is disposed in the second control unit 21B and has a clock function. The second reception unit 221B corresponds to an example of a "reception unit."

[0054] The second acquiring unit 222B acquires distributed scan setting information DSS including the specified identification information JD from the server device 1 when the second accepting unit 221B accepts an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan. The second acquisition unit 222B corresponds to an example of an "acquisition unit."

[0055] The second reading section 223B reads the second document stack SD2 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS, and generates second read data DR2. The second reading section 223B corresponds to an example of a "reading section."

[0056] The second transmitting unit 224B transmits the second read data DR2 to the server device 1. The second transmitting unit 224B transmits the second received date and time information RT2 in association with the second read data DR2. The second transmitting unit 224B corresponds to an example of a "transmitting unit."

[0057] The third scanner 2C has substantially the same configuration as the second scanner 2B. The third scanner 2C transmits the third reception date and time information RT3 to the server device 1 in association with the third read data DR3.

[0058] Next, the combining unit 122 shown in FIG. When the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2, the process of the combining unit 122 is as follows. If the second reception unit 221B receives an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan specified by the identification information JD between the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, which is the time when the first reception unit 221A received the instruction CM to execute a distributed scan specified by the identification information JD, and the end of reception time ET, the combination unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. In other words, if the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 is a date and time before the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, the combination unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0059] When the second reception unit 221B receives an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan specified by the identification information JD after the end of acceptance time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, which is the time when the first reception unit 221A received the instruction CM to execute a distributed scan specified by the identification information JD, the combination unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. In other words, if the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 is a date and time after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, the combination unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0060] Next, a case where the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3 will be described. If the second scanner 2B and the third scanner 2C receive an instruction CM to perform a distributed scan between the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, which is the time when the first reception unit 221A received the instruction CM to perform a distributed scan, and the reception end time ET has elapsed, the combination unit 122 combines the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3. In other words, if the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 and the third reception date and time information RT3 is a date and time before the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, the combination unit 122 combines the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3.

[0061] Furthermore, if the third scanner 2C receives the distributed scan execution instruction CM after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, which is the time when the first reception unit 221A received the distributed scan execution instruction CM, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the third read data DR3. At this time, if the second scanner 2B receives the distributed scan execution instruction CM before the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. In other words, if the date and time indicated by the third reception date and time information RT3 is a date and time after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1, the combination unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the third read data DR3.

[0062] Next, the processing of the server control unit 11, the first control unit 21A, and the second control unit 21B according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. For convenience, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a case where the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1 from the first scanner 2A, receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B, and does not receive the third read data DR3 from the third scanner 2C. Also, in Fig. 4, the distributed scan storage unit 131 stores in advance one or more pieces of identification information JD and distributed scan setting information DSS associated with the identification information JD.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the server control unit 11 of the server device 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in step SA101, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not a transmission request for distributed scan setting information DSS including identification information JD and first reception date and time information RT1 have been received from the first scanner 2A. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS has not been received from the first scanner 2A (step SA101; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS and first reception date and time information RT1 have been received from the first scanner 2A (step SA101; YES), the process proceeds to step SA103. In step SA103, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A matches the identification information JD of the distributed scan setting information DSS stored in the distributed scan storage unit 131 or not. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A does not match the identification information JD of the distributed scan setting information DSS stored in the distributed scan storage unit 131 (step SA103; NO), the process ends. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A matches the identification information JD of the distributed scan setting information DSS stored in the distributed scan storage unit 131 (step SA103; YES), the process proceeds to step SA105. Then, in step SA105, the server communication control unit 121 transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD to the first scanner 2A.

[0064] After the server communication control unit 121 sends the distributed scan setting information DSS to the first scanner 2A, in step SA107, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether it has received a request to send the distributed scan setting information DSS including the identification information JD and the second reception date and time information RT2 from the second scanner 2B. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS has not been received from the second scanner 2B (step SA107; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that a request to send distributed scan setting information DSS and second reception date and time information RT2 have been received from the second scanner 2B (step SA107; YES), the process proceeds to step SA109. In step SA109, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not the identification information JD received from the second scanner 2B matches the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the identification information JD received from the second scanner 2B does not match the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A (step SA109; NO), it determines whether the identification information JD received from the second scanner matches the identification information JD of the distributed scan setting information DSS stored in the distributed scan memory unit 131. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the identification information JD received from the second scanner 2B does not match the identification information JD of the distributed scan setting information DSS stored in the distributed scan storage unit 131 (step SA109; NO), the process ends. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the identification information JD received from the second scanner 2B matches the identification information JD received from the first scanner 2A (step SA109; YES), the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the combining unit 122 determines whether the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 is a date and time after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1. If the combining unit 122 determines that the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 is a date and time after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1 (step SA111; YES), the process ends. If the combining unit 122 determines that the date and time indicated by the second reception date and time information RT2 is not a date and time after the reception end time ET has elapsed from the date and time indicated by the first reception date and time information RT1 (step SA111; NO), the process proceeds to step SA113. In step SA113, the server communication control unit 121 transmits to the second scanner 2B the same distributed scan setting information DSS transmitted to the first scanner 2A and corresponding to the identification information JD.

[0065] After the server communication control unit 121 transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS to the second scanner 2B, in step SA115, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not the first read data DR1 has been received from the first scanner 2A. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the first read data DR1 has not been received from the first scanner 2A (step SA115; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the first read data DR1 has been received from the first scanner 2A (step SA115; YES), the process proceeds to step SA117. In step SA117, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not the second read data DR2 has been received from the second scanner 2B. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the second read data DR2 has not been received from the second scanner 2B (step SA117; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the second read data DR2 has been received from the second scanner 2B (step SA117; YES), the process proceeds to step SA119. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 have been received, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 in step SA119. Then, the process ends.

[0066] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A and the second control unit 21B of the second scanner 2B. For convenience, the following description will be given assuming that the processing is performed by the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A. As shown in FIG. 5, in step SA201, it is determined whether the first reception unit 221A has received an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan. If the first reception unit 221A determines that it has not received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SA201; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the first reception unit 221A determines that it has received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SA201; YES), the process proceeds to step SA203. In step SA203, the first reception unit 221A acquires the first reception date and time information RT1. After the first reception unit 221A determines that it has received the execution instruction CM for a distributed scan, in step SA205, the first acquisition unit 222A transmits a request for distributed scan setting information DSS and first reception date and time information RT1 to the server device 1.

[0067] After the first acquisition unit 222A sends a request for distributed scan setting information DSS and the first reception date and time information RT1 to the server device 1, in step SA207, the first acquisition unit 222A determines whether or not it has received the distributed scan setting information DSS from the server device 1. If the first acquisition unit 222A determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has not been received (step SA207; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the first acquisition unit 222A determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has been received (step SA207; YES), the process proceeds to step SA209. In step SA209, the first reading unit 223A reads the first document stack SD1 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS, and generates first read data DR1. Next, in step SA211, the first transmission unit 224A transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1. After that, the process ends.

[0068] 4 and 5, the combining unit 122 determines whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 based on the first reception date and time information RT1, the second reception date and time information RT2, and the reception end time ET. Therefore, by setting the reception end time ET to an appropriate value, it is possible to appropriately determine whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0069] 2. Main parts of the second embodiment The configurations of the server control unit 11, the first control unit 21A, and the second control unit 21B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Of the configuration of the server control unit 11 according to the second embodiment, the following mainly describes the configuration that differs from the server control unit 11 according to the first embodiment, and descriptions of the configuration that is common to the server control unit 11 according to the first embodiment may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the server control unit 11 includes a server communication control unit 121, a combining unit 122, and a distributed scan storage unit 131. The distributed scan storage unit 131 stores distributed scan setting information DSS. The distributed scan setting information DSS corresponds to a distributed scan setting including a setting item for distributed scanning. The distributed scan setting information DSS includes identification information JD. The distributed scan setting differs from the distributed scan storage unit 131 according to the first embodiment in that the distributed scan setting does not include an acceptance end time ET as a setting item.

[0070] The combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. The combining unit 122 according to the first embodiment determines whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 based on the first reception date and time information RT1, the second reception date and time information RT2, and the reception end time ET. In contrast, the combining unit 122 according to the second embodiment determines whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 based on the reception end information ER received from the first scanner 2A.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2, the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A includes a first receiving unit 221A, a first acquiring unit 222A, a first reading unit 223A, a first transmitting unit 224A, and a first distributed scan memory unit 231A. The first reception unit 221A differs from the first reception unit 221A according to the first embodiment in that, when an execution instruction CM for distributed scanning is received, the first reception unit 221A does not acquire first reception date and time information RT1 from a clock unit (not shown). Also, the first reception section 221A differs from the first reception section 221A according to the first embodiment in that the first reception section 221A receives an acceptance end operation EP indicating the end of acceptance of distributed scanning from the user.

[0072] The first transmission unit 224A differs from the first transmission unit 224A according to the first embodiment in that the first transmission unit 224A does not transmit first reception date and time information RT1 to the server device 1. The first transmission unit 224A differs from the first transmission unit 224A according to the first embodiment in that, when the first reception unit 221A receives the reception end operation EP, the first transmission unit 224A transmits reception end information ER indicating that the reception end operation EP has been received to the server device 1.

[0073] The server communication control unit 121 of the server device 1 differs from the server communication control unit 121 of the first embodiment in that when it receives acceptance end information ER from the first transmission unit 224A of the first scanner 2A, it sends an acceptance end command EC to the second scanner 2B, indicating the end of acceptance of the distributed scan.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 3, the second control unit 21B of the second scanner 2B includes a second receiving unit 221B, a second acquiring unit 222B, a second reading unit 223B, a second transmitting unit 224B, and a second distributed scan memory unit 231B.

[0075] The second reception unit 221B differs from the first reception unit 221A according to the first embodiment in that, when an execution instruction CM for distributed scanning is received, the second reception unit 221B does not acquire second reception date and time information RT2 from a clock unit (not shown).

[0076] The second transmission unit 224B differs from the second transmission unit 224B according to the first embodiment in that it does not transmit the second reception date and time information RT2 to the server device 1.

[0077] The processing of the coupling portion 122 shown in FIG. 1 in the second embodiment will be specifically described. A case where the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 will be described. If the server communication control unit 121 receives the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 before receiving the acceptance completion information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. If the server communication control unit 121 receives the second read data DR2 after receiving the acceptance completion information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0078] A case where the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3 will be described. If the server communication control unit 121 receives the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3 before receiving the acceptance completion information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1, the second read data DR2, and the third read data DR3. If the server communication control unit 121 receives the third read data DR3 after receiving the acceptance completion information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the third read data DR3. At this time, if the server communication control unit 121 receives the second read data DR2 before receiving the acceptance completion information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0079] The processes of the server control unit 11, the first control unit 21A, and the second control unit 21B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 8. For convenience, Fig. 6 to Fig. 8 show a case where the server device 1 receives the first read data DR1 from the first scanner 2A, the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B, and does not receive the third read data DR3 from the third scanner 2C.

[0080] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the server control unit 11 of the server device 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, steps SB101 to SB109 are the same processes as steps SA101 to SA109 shown in FIG. 3, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. In step SB111, the server communications control unit 121 transmits to the second scanner 2B the same distributed scan setting information DSS transmitted to the first scanner 2A and corresponding to the identification information JD. After the server communication control unit 121 transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS to the second scanner 2B, in step SB113, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not the first read data DR1 has been received from the first scanner 2A. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the first read data DR1 has not been received from the first scanner 2A (step SB113; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the first read data DR1 has been received from the first scanner 2A (step SB113; YES), the process proceeds to step SB115. In step SB115, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not reception end information ER has been received from the first scanner 2A. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the acceptance completion information ER has been received from the first scanner 2A (step SB115; YES), the process proceeds to step SB117. In step SB117, the server communications control unit 121 transmits an end of acceptance command EC to the second scanner 2B, after which the process ends.

[0081] If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the acceptance completion information ER has not been received from the first scanner 2A (step SB115; NO), the process proceeds to step SB119. In step SB119, the server communication control unit 121 determines whether or not the second read data DR2 has been received from the second scanner 2B. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the second read data DR2 has not been received (step SB119; NO), the process returns to step SB115. If the server communication control unit 121 determines that the second read data DR2 has been received (step SB119; YES), the process proceeds to step SB121. In step SB121, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2, and then the process ends.

[0082] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in step SB201, it is determined whether the first reception unit 221A has received an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan. If the first reception unit 221A determines that it has not received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SB201; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the first reception unit 221A determines that it has received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SB201; YES), the process proceeds to step SB203. In step SB203, the first obtaining unit 222A transmits a request for the distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1.

[0083] After the first acquisition unit 222A transmits a request for the distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1, in step SB205, the first acquisition unit 222A determines whether or not the distributed scan setting information DSS has been received from the server device 1. If the first acquisition unit 222A determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has not been received (step SB205; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the first acquisition unit 222A determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has been received (step SB205; YES), the process proceeds to step SB207. In step SB207, the first reading unit 223A reads the first document stack SD1 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS, and generates first read data DR1. After the first reading unit 223A generates the first read data DR1, the first transmission unit 224A transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1 in step SB209.

[0084] After the first reception unit 221A receives an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning, in step SB211, the first reception unit 221A determines whether or not it has received an acceptance end operation EP indicating the end of acceptance of the distributed scanning from the user. If the first receiving unit 221A determines that the acceptance end operation EP has not been accepted (step SB211; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the first receiving unit 221A determines that the acceptance end operation EP has been accepted (step SB211; YES), the process proceeds to step SB213. In step SB213, the first transmission unit 224A transmits acceptance end information ER, which indicates that the acceptance end operation EP has been accepted, to the server device 1. After that, the process ends.

[0085] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of the second control unit 21B of the second scanner 2B according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in step SB301, it is determined whether the second reception unit 221B has received an instruction CM to execute a distributed scan. If the first reception unit 221A determines that the second reception unit 221B has not received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SB301; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the second reception unit 221B determines that the second reception unit 221B has received an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning (step SB301; YES), the process proceeds to step SB303. When the first scanner 2A sends an acceptance termination command EC to the second scanner 2B, the second acquisition unit 222B determines in step SB303 whether or not the acceptance termination command EC has been received before sending a request for distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1. If the second acquisition unit 222B determines that the end acceptance command EC has not been received (step SB303; NO), the process proceeds to step S305. If the second acquisition unit 222B determines that the end acceptance command EC has been received (step SB303; YES), the second acquisition unit 222B does not send a request for distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1, and the process ends. In step SB305, the second obtaining unit 222B transmits a request for distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1. In step SB307, the second acquisition unit 222B determines whether or not the distributed scan setting information DSS has been received from the server device 1. Note that if the server device 1 has received reception end information ER from the first scanner 2A before the second acquisition unit 222B transmits a request for the distributed scan setting information DSS to the server device 1, the server device 1 does not transmit the distributed scan setting information DSS to the second scanner 2B. If the second acquisition unit 222B determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has been received from the server device 1 (step SB307; YES), the process proceeds to step SB311. If the second acquisition unit 222B determines that the distributed scan setting information DSS has not been received from the server device 1 (step SB307; NO), the process proceeds to step SB309. In step SB309, the second control unit 21B determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the request for the distributed scan setting information DSS was transmitted to the server apparatus 1. If the second control unit 21B determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step SB309; NO), the process returns to step S307. If the second control unit 21B determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (step SB309; YES), the process ends. In step SB311, the second reading unit 223B starts reading the second document stack SD2 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS, and starts generating the second read data DR2.

[0086] In step SB313, the second reading unit 223B determines whether or not the generation of the second read data DR2 is completed. If the second reading unit 223B determines that the generation of the second read data DR2 is not complete (step SB313; NO), the process goes to a standby state. If the second reading unit 223B determines that the generation of the second read data DR2 is complete (step SB313; YES), the process proceeds to step SB315. In step SB315, the second transmission unit 224B transmits the second read data DR2 to the server device 1. After that, the process ends.

[0087] 6 to 8, the combining unit 122 determines whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 based on the acceptance end information ER. Therefore, compared to the first embodiment, the combining unit 122 can easily determine whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0088] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, the image reading system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a server device 1, a first scanner 2A communicably connected to the server device 1, and a second scanner 2B communicably connected to the server device 1. The server device 1 includes a distributed scan storage unit 131 that stores distributed scan setting information DSS that defines setting items for distributed scan including identification information JD. The first scanner 2A includes a first reception unit 221A that receives an execution instruction CM for distributed scan including identification information JD from a user, a first acquisition unit 222A that acquires distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD from the server device 1 when the first reception unit 221A receives the execution instruction CM for distributed scan, a first reading unit 223A that reads a first document stack SD1 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS and generates first read data DR1, and a first transmission unit 224A that transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1. The second scanner 2B includes a second reception unit 221B that receives an instruction CM to perform distributed scanning including identification information JD from a user, a second acquisition unit 222B that acquires distributed scan setting information DSS corresponding to the identification information JD from the server device 1 when the second reception unit 221B receives the instruction CM to perform distributed scanning, a second reading unit 223B that reads the second document stack SD2 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS and generates second read data DR2, and a second transmission unit 224B that transmits the second read data DR2 to the server device 1. In the first scanner 2A, when the first reception unit 221A receives an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning, the first acquisition unit 222A acquires distributed scan setting information DSS from the server device 1. In the second scanner 2B, when the second reception unit 221B receives an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning, the second acquisition unit 222B acquires distributed scan setting information DSS from the server device 1. Therefore, distributed scanning can be easily set for each of the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B.

[0089] The server device 1 further includes a combining unit 122 that combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. The server device 1 can easily combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2, and therefore can easily perform distributed scanning.

[0090] The distributed scan setting information DSS includes, as a setting item, a reception end time ET of the execution instruction CM of the distributed scan. The first transmission unit 224A transmits, to the server device 1, first reception date and time information RT1 indicating the date and time when the first reception unit 221A received the execution instruction CM. The second transmission unit 224B transmits, to the server device 1, second reception date and time information RT2 indicating the date and time when the second reception unit 221B received the execution instruction CM. The combination unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 when the second reception unit 221B receives the execution instruction CM before the reception end time ET has elapsed since the first reception unit 221A received the execution instruction CM. The first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 can be combined by the user issuing an execution instruction CM to the second scanner 2B to perform distributed scanning between the time when the first reception unit 221A receives the execution instruction CM and the time when the reception end time ET has elapsed.

[0091] If the second receiving unit 221B receives the execution instruction CM after the reception end time ET has elapsed since the first receiving unit 221A received the execution instruction CM, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. By properly setting the value of the acceptance end time ET, it is possible to properly determine whether or not to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0092] In the first scanner 2A, the first reception unit 221A receives an acceptance end operation EP indicating the end of acceptance of the distributed scan from the user. When the first reception unit 221A receives the acceptance end operation EP, the first transmission unit 224A transmits acceptance end information ER indicating that the acceptance end operation EP has been accepted to the server device 1. When the server device 1 receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B after receiving the acceptance end information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. That is, when the server device 1 receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B after receiving the acceptance end information ER from the first scanner 2A, the combining unit 122 does not combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. Therefore, by the user properly inputting the acceptance end operation EP, it is possible to properly determine whether to combine the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0093] In the server device 1, when the combining unit 122 receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B before receiving the acceptance end information ER, the combining unit 122 combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. Before receiving the acceptance completion information ER, the acceptance completion operation EP is performed so that the server device 1 receives the second read data DR2 from the second scanner 2B, thereby combining the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2.

[0094] The first scanner 2A in this embodiment is a first scanner 2A that is communicatively connected to the server device 1, and is equipped with a first reception unit 221A that receives an instruction CM to perform a distributed scan from a user, which includes identification information JD that identifies the distributed scan, a first acquisition unit 222A that acquires distributed scan setting information DSS from the server device 1 when the first reception unit 221A receives the instruction CM to perform a distributed scan, a first reading unit 223A that reads a first document stack SD1 based on the distributed scan setting information DSS and generates first read data DR1, and a first transmission unit 224A that transmits the first read data DR1 to the server device 1. In the first scanner 2A, when the first reception unit 221A receives an instruction CM to execute distributed scanning, the first acquisition unit 222A acquires distributed scanning setting information DSS from the server device 1. Therefore, distributed scanning can be easily set for the first scanner 2A.

[0095] The server device 1 of this embodiment is a server device 1 communicatively connected to a first scanner 2A and a second scanner 2B, and is equipped with: a distributed scan memory unit 131 that stores identification information JD for identifying distributed scan, and distributed scan setting information DSS having setting items for distributed scan and corresponding to the identification information JD; a server communication control unit 121 that, when a request for distributed scan setting information DSS specified by the identification information JD is received from the first scanner 2A or the second scanner 2B, transmits the distributed scan setting information DSS to the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B, and receives the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 from each of the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B; and a combination unit 122 that combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 received by the server communication control unit 121. When a request for distributed scan setting information DSS specified by the identification information JD is received from the first scanner 2A or the second scanner 2B, the distributed scan setting information DSS is transmitted to the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B. Therefore, distributed scanning can be easily set for the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B. The first scanner 2A receives the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 from the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B, respectively, and combines the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2. Therefore, the first read data DR1 and the second read data DR2 can be combined.

[0096] The present application is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0097] In this embodiment, the case where the "image reading device" is the scanner 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. As long as the "image reading device" has an image reading function, it may be, for example, a copying machine or a multifunction device with a fax function.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the server device 1 is communicatively connected to the first scanner 2A, the second scanner 2B, and the third scanner 2C, but is not limited thereto. The server device 1 may be communicatively connected to at least two scanners 2. The server device 1 may be communicatively connected to, for example, two scanners 2, or may be communicatively connected to, for example, four or more scanners 2.

[0099] At least a portion of the functional blocks shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be realized by hardware, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software, and is not limited to a configuration in which independent hardware resources are arranged as shown in the figures. The server control program PG1 executed by the server processor 12 of the server control unit 11 of the server device 1 is stored in the server memory 13, but the server control program PG1 may be stored in a HDD or the like. Similarly, the first control program PG2A executed by the first processor 22A of the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A is stored in the first memory 23A, but the first control program PG2A may be stored in a HDD or the like. The second control program PG2B executed by the second processor 22B of the second control unit 21B of the second scanner 2B is stored in the second memory 23B, but the second control program PG2B may be stored in a HDD or the like.

[0100] The processing units in the flowcharts shown in Figs. 4 to 8 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the processing of each of the server control unit 11 of the server device 1, the first control unit 21A of the first scanner 2A, and the second control unit 21B of the second scanner 2B. The embodiment is not limited by the manner of division or names of the processing units shown in the flowcharts shown in Figs. 4 to 8. The processing of the server control unit 11, the first control unit 21A, and the second control unit 21B can be divided into more processing units according to the processing contents, or one processing unit can be divided to include more processes. Furthermore, the processing order of the above flowcharts is not limited to the example shown in the figures.

[0101] The server control program PG1, the first control program PG2A, and the second control program PG2B can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium can be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. Specific examples of the recording medium include portable or fixed recording media such as flexible disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), Blu-ray (registered trademark) Discs, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, and card-type recording media. The recording medium may also be a non-volatile storage device such as a RAM, ROM, or HDD, which is an internal storage device provided in the server device 1. In addition, the first control program PG2A and the second control program PG2B may be stored in a server device or the like, and the first control program PG2A and the second control program PG2B may be downloaded from the server device to the first scanner 2A and the second scanner 2B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 100...image reading system, 1...server device, 11...server control unit, 12...server processor, 121...server communication control unit (server communication unit), 122...connection unit, 13...server memory, 131...distributed scan storage unit, 16...server communication interface mechanism, 2...scanner (image reading device), 2A...first scanner (first image reading device), 21A...first control unit, 22A...first processor, 221A...first reception unit (reception unit), 222A...first acquisition unit (acquisition unit), 223A...first reading unit (reading unit), 224A...first transmission unit (transmission unit), 23A...first memory, 231A...first distributed scan storage unit, 24A...first input mechanism, 25A...first display mechanism, 26A...first communication interface mechanism, 27A...first reading mechanism, 2B...second scanner (second image reading device), 21B...second control unit, 22B...second processor a second reception unit (reception unit), a second acquisition unit (acquisition unit), a second reading unit (reading unit), a second transmission unit (transmission unit), a second memory, a second distributed scan storage unit, a second input mechanism, a second display mechanism, a second communication interface mechanism, a second reading mechanism, a third scanner, a first execution instruction, a second read data, a third read data, a fourth read data, a fifth read data, a fifth read data, a fifth read data, a fifth read data, a fifth read data, a sixth read data, a fifth read data, a sixth read data, a sixth read data, a seventh ... Data, DR2...second read data, DR3...third read data, DSS...distributed scan setting information, EP...reception end operation, ER...reception end information, ET...reception end time, JD...identification information, PG1...server control program, PG2A...first control program, PG2B...second control program, RT1...first reception date and time information, RT2...second reception date and time information, RT3...third reception date and time information, SD1...first stack of documents, SD2...second stack of documents.

Claims

1. An image reading system including a server device, a first image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, and a second image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, The server device a distributed scan storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a distributed scan and a distributed scan setting that has a setting item for the distributed scan and corresponds to the identification information; The first image reading device is a first reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the distributed scan, the instruction including the identification information, from a user; a first acquisition unit that acquires the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the first acceptance unit accepts the instruction to execute the distributed scan; a first reading unit that reads a first stack of originals and generates first read data based on the distributed scan setting; a first transmission unit that transmits the first read data to the server device; Equipped with The second image reading device is a second reception unit that receives an instruction to execute a distributed scan including the identification information from a user; a second acquisition unit that acquires the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the second acceptance unit accepts the instruction to execute the distributed scan; a second reading unit that reads a second document stack based on the distributed scan setting and generates second read data; a second transmission unit that transmits the second read data to the server device; Equipped with The server device further includes a combining unit that combines the first read data and the second read data, the distributed scan setting includes, as a setting item, a time limit for accepting an instruction to execute the distributed scan; The first transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the first acceptance unit accepted the execution instruction; The second transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the second acceptance unit accepted the execution instruction; An image reading system, wherein the combination unit combines the first read data and the second read data when the second reception unit accepts the execution instruction between the time the first reception unit accepts the execution instruction and the time the acceptance end time has elapsed.

2. 2. The image reading system of claim 1, wherein the combining unit does not combine the first read data and the second read data when the second receiving unit accepts the execution instruction after the acceptance end time has elapsed since the first receiving unit accepted the execution instruction.

3. An image reading system including a server device, a first image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, and a second image reading device communicatively connected to the server device, The server device a distributed scan storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a distributed scan and a distributed scan setting that has a setting item for the distributed scan and corresponds to the identification information; The first image reading device is a first reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the distributed scan, the instruction including the identification information, from a user; a first acquisition unit that acquires the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the first acceptance unit accepts the instruction to execute the distributed scan; a first reading unit that reads a first stack of originals and generates first read data based on the distributed scan setting; a first transmission unit that transmits the first read data to the server device; Equipped with The second image reading device is a second reception unit that receives an instruction to execute a distributed scan including the identification information from a user; a second acquisition unit that acquires the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device when the second acceptance unit accepts the instruction to execute the distributed scan; a second reading unit that reads a second document stack based on the distributed scan setting and generates second read data; a second transmission unit that transmits the second read data to the server device; Equipped with The server device further includes a combining unit that combines the first read data and the second read data, the distributed scan setting includes, as a setting item, a time limit for accepting an instruction to execute the distributed scan; The first transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the first acceptance unit accepted the execution instruction; The second transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the second acceptance unit accepted the execution instruction; the combining unit combines the first read data and the second read data when the second reception unit receives the execution instruction during a period from when the first reception unit receives the execution instruction until the reception end time has elapsed; The first image reading device is The first reception unit receives an end of reception operation indicating an end of reception of the distributed scan from the user, when the first reception unit receives a reception end operation, the first transmission unit transmits reception end information indicating that the reception end operation has been received to the server device; The server device An image reading system, in which when the second read data is received from the second image reading device after receiving the acceptance completion information from the first image reading device, the combination unit does not combine the first read data and the second read data.

4. The server device 4. The image reading system according to claim 3, wherein the combining unit combines the first read data and the second read data when the second read data is received from the second image reading device before receiving the acceptance completion information.

5. An image reading device communicably connected to a server device, a reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the distributed scan from a user, the instruction including identification information for identifying the distributed scan; an acquisition unit that acquires, when the reception unit receives the execution of the distributed scan, a distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device; a reading unit that reads a document stack and generates read data based on the distributed scan setting; a transmitting unit that transmits the read data to the server device; Equipped with The transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the reception unit received the execution instruction.

6. An image reading device communicably connected to a server device, a reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the distributed scan from a user, the instruction including identification information for identifying the distributed scan; an acquisition unit that acquires, when the reception unit receives the execution of the distributed scan, a distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information from the server device; a reading unit that reads a document stack and generates read data based on the distributed scan setting; a transmitting unit that transmits the read data to the server device; Equipped with The transmission unit transmits, to the server device, a date and time when the reception unit received the execution instruction; The reception unit receives an end of reception operation from the user indicating an end of reception of the distributed scan, When the reception unit receives a reception end operation, the transmission unit transmits reception end information indicating that the reception end operation has been received to the server device.

7. A server device communicably connected to a first image reading device and a second image reading device, a distributed scan storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a distributed scan and a distributed scan setting that has setting items for the distributed scan and corresponds to the identification information; a server communication unit that, when receiving a request for the distributed scan setting designated by the identification information from the first image reading device or the second image reading device, transmits the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information to the first image reading device and the second image reading device, receives first read data from the first image reading device, and receives second read data from the second image reading device; a combining unit that combines the first read data and the second read data received by the server communication unit; Equipped with the distributed scan setting includes, as a setting item, a time limit for accepting an instruction to execute the distributed scan; A server device, wherein the combination unit combines the first read data and the second read data when the second image reading device accepts the execution instruction between the time the first image reading device accepts the execution instruction and the time the acceptance end time has elapsed.

8. A server device communicably connected to a first image reading device and a second image reading device, a distributed scan storage unit that stores identification information for identifying a distributed scan and a distributed scan setting that has setting items for the distributed scan and corresponds to the identification information; a server communication unit that, when receiving a request for the distributed scan setting designated by the identification information from the first image reading device or the second image reading device, transmits the distributed scan setting corresponding to the identification information to the first image reading device and the second image reading device, receives first read data from the first image reading device, and receives second read data from the second image reading device; a combining unit that combines the first read data and the second read data received by the server communication unit; Equipped with the distributed scan setting includes, as a setting item, a time limit for accepting an instruction to execute the distributed scan; the combining unit combines the first read data and the second read data when the second image reading device accepts the execution instruction during the period from when the first image reading device accepts the execution instruction until the acceptance end time has elapsed; A server device in which the combination unit does not combine the first read data and the second read data when it receives the second read data from the second image reading device after receiving acceptance end information from the first image reading device indicating that an acceptance end operation has been accepted, which indicates the end of acceptance of the distributed scan.

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