Image processing system, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To prevent mis-operation of a user different from a user who instructs reading and transmitting processing of an image of a document irrespective of use or non-use of user authentification.SOLUTION: When receiving an instruction of first transmission processing from a tablet type terminal 101 through a network I / F 219, MFP 103 determines on the basis of the operation state of an operation unit 220 whether the first transmission processing is accepted or not. When a top screen is displayed on the operation unit 220 or a certain time elapses from the last operation of the operation unit 220, the acceptance of the first transmission processing is permitted. When the acceptance is permitted, CPU 211 controls a scanner 222 to read out a document and generate image data, and also controls a Fax part 305 and a modem 223 to transmit the image data by fax. When the acceptance is not permitted, MFP 103 does not execute the first transmission processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for reading and transmitting an image of a document in accordance with an instruction received from an information processing device or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] A function has been known in the past in which image data generated by a client computer as an information processing device is sent to a fax machine via a LAN (Local Area Network) and then sent as a fax from the fax machine. When using this function, the user can specify the fax destination on the client computer side.

[0003] On the other hand, there is also a known function in which image data is not prepared on the client computer side, and only the destination specified by the user is notified to the fax machine, and the fax machine reads the document, generates image data, and sends it by fax to the specified destination (Patent Document 1).

[0004] For example, consider a case where you want to send by fax both a cover page generated by a client computer and image data obtained by scanning a main document with a fax machine. In this case, a job can be generated by the fax machine based on the fax destination information and cover page information sent from the client computer, and when the job is executed, the scanned image of the main document can be added and sent. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-288625 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, when a job is generated on a fax machine based on a transmission instruction from a client computer, another user may be operating the fax machine. In this case, the other user may mistakenly operate the job instructed by the client computer. Such mistaken operations by other users must be avoided.

[0007] If the fax machine manages users using a user authentication function, the fax machine can perform user authentication by sending user authentication information together with a job creation instruction sent from a client computer to the fax machine. By using user authentication, the fax machine can distinguish between the user operating the fax machine and the user who sent the job creation instruction from the client computer, thereby avoiding operational errors. However, requiring the fax machine to use a user authentication function is inconvenient.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and its purpose is to prevent erroneous operations by a user other than the user who instructed the process regarding the reading and sending of document images, regardless of whether user authentication is used or not. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation unit that accepts an operation from a user, a reading unit that reads an original and generates image data, a transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the reading unit, and a command for a read and transmit process that causes the reading unit to read the original and transmits the image data generated by the reading unit to the transmission unit. ,endand control means for, when an instruction for the reading and sending process is received by the receiving means and a top screen is displayed on the operating means or a certain time has passed since the operating means was last operated, displaying a screen including a first button which, when selected, displays a scan setting screen and a second button which, when selected, transmits a response indicating cancellation to the terminal, controlling the reading means in accordance with items set on the scan setting screen displayed when the first button is selected, and causing the image data generated by the reading means to be sent to the sending means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, regardless of whether user authentication is used or not, it is possible to prevent erroneous operations by a user other than the user who has instructed the process regarding the process of reading and transmitting an original image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a network including an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an MFP. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the software configuration of an MFP. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a tablet terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a fax sending application that is displayed when an instruction for the first sending process is to be sent. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing sequence when instructing a first transmission process. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a document scan reception screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of a data management application. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a fax sending application that is displayed when an instruction for a second sending process is to be sent. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing sequence when instructing second transmission processing. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a scan command acceptance determination process. [Figure 12] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing transitions of screens displayed on the operation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a network including an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 103 is exemplified as an image forming apparatus. A tablet terminal 101, which is an example of an information processing apparatus, is a terminal device that communicates with the MFP 103 via a wireless network router (wireless access point) 102. The MFP 103 is an example of an image processing apparatus, but the MFP 103 alone may be referred to as an image processing system, or the entire system including the MFP 103 and the tablet terminal 101 may be referred to as an image processing system. The tablet terminal 101 and the wireless network router 102 are connected via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The MFP 103 and the wireless network router 102 are connected via a wired LAN. The MFP 103 is also connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

[0014] The communication path between the tablet terminal 101 and the MFP 103 is not limited to the one described above. For example, the tablet terminal 101 and the wireless network router 102 may be connected via a wired LAN. The MFP 103 and the wireless network router 102 may be connected via a wireless LAN. The tablet terminal 101 and the MFP 103 may be connected to the same network. There may be a plurality of tablet terminals 101 and a plurality of MFPs 103. Hereinafter, the tablet terminal 101 may be abbreviated as "terminal 101." The terminal 101 does not necessarily have to be a tablet type, and may be a desktop type.

[0015] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the MFP 103. The control unit 210 has a CPU 211 as a control means and controls the overall operation of the MFP 103. The CPU 211 reads out a control program stored in a ROM 212 and performs various controls such as reading, printing, and communication. The RAM 213 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 211. Note that in the MFP 103, one CPU 211 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described below using one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214), but other configurations are also possible. For example, multiple CPUs and multiple RAMs or HDDs can cooperate to execute each process shown in the flowcharts.

[0016] The HDD 214 stores image data and various programs. The operation unit I / F 215 connects the control unit 210 to an operation unit 220 serving as an operation means. The operation unit 220 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like, and serves as a receiving means for receiving operations / inputs / instructions from the user.

[0017] The printer I / F 216 connects the printer 221 and the control unit 210. Image data to be printed by the printer 221 is transferred from the control unit 210 via the printer I / F 216 and printed on a recording medium by the printer 221. The scanner I / F 217 connects the scanner 222, which serves as a reading unit, to the control unit 210. The scanner 222 reads an image on a document to generate image data and inputs the image data to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217.

[0018] The modem I / F 218 connects the modem 223 to the control unit 210. The modem 223 is connected to the PSTN and executes fax communication of image data with a fax machine (not shown). The network I / F 219, which serves as a receiving means, connects the control unit 210 (MFP 103) to a wired LAN. The MFP 103 can send and receive image data and various information to and from external devices using the network I / F 219.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a software configuration diagram of the MFP 103. Each unit indicated by a solid line in Fig. 3 is a software module realized by the CPU 211 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 212 or HDD 214. A UI (User Interface) unit 301 provides various information to the user via the operation unit 220 (Fig. 2) and accepts various instructions from the user. A Job Controller unit 302 accepts jobs such as copying, printing, and faxing, and controls the execution of the accepted jobs. A Protocol Stack unit 304 holds various network protocols such as TCP / IP and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol).

[0020] In this embodiment, image data transmitted from the terminal 101 is received via the network I / F 219 in accordance with the network protocol held in the protocol stack unit 304. The received image data is stored in the image file unit 303. The image file unit 303 is a software module that manages the image data stored in the RAM 213 and the HDD 214.

[0021] The Image File unit 303 stores not only image data received via the network I / F 219, but also image data generated by the scanner 222. The generation of image data by the scanner 222 is controlled by a Scan unit 306. A Fax unit 305 controls fax communication via a modem 223. When sending a fax from the MFP 103, the Fax unit 305 reads out and sends the image data stored in the Image File unit 303.

[0022] An OS (Operating System) 308 adjusts each module and task and manages the entire software of the MFP 103. The OS 308 is combined with a Device Driver 307. The Device Driver 307 controls hardware devices such as the scanner 222 and modem 223.

[0023] The authentication unit 309 is a module that controls user authentication. The user authentication function can be switched between enabled and disabled. When the user authentication function is enabled in the MFP 103, the user must perform a login operation to input authentication information consisting of a user name and password via the operation unit 220. The authentication unit 309 compares the input authentication information with pre-registered authentication information to determine whether authentication is successful, and the user can use the MFP 103 only if authentication is successful. Note that when the user authentication function is disabled in the MFP 103, the user can use the MFP 103 without performing a login operation or authentication by the authentication unit 309.

[0024] 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal 101. A control unit 410 including a CPU 411 controls the overall operation of the terminal 101. The CPU 411 reads out a control program stored in a memory 412 and performs various controls. The memory 412 is also used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 411. Note that, in the terminal 101, one CPU 411 executes each process using one memory 412, but other configurations are also possible. For example, multiple CPUs or multiple memories can cooperate to execute each process.

[0025] The operation unit I / F 413 connects the operation unit 420 and the control unit 410. The operation unit 420 is provided with a liquid crystal display unit with a touch panel function, and serves as a reception unit that receives operations, inputs, instructions, etc. from the user. The network I / F 414 connects the control unit 410 (terminal 101) to a wireless LAN. The terminal 101 can use the network I / F 414 to transmit image data and information to external devices and receive various types of information.

[0026] In this embodiment, the instructions transmitted from terminal 101 to MFP 103 and received by network I / F 219 include at least an instruction for a first transmission process (read and transmit process) and an instruction for a second transmission process. The instruction for the first transmission process is an instruction to cause scanner 222 in MFP 103 to read an original and to transmit the image data generated thereby by fax using fax unit 305 and modem 223. On the other hand, the instruction for the second transmission process is an instruction to cause image data prepared on the terminal 101 side to be transmitted by fax using transmission means (fax unit 305 and modem 223) in MFP 103.

[0027] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the fax transmission application displayed on terminal 101. The fax transmission application is an application that can be downloaded from a server on the Internet and additionally installed on terminal 101, and is software that operates on OS unit 308. By using the fax transmission application, settings for causing MFP 103 to send a fax can be performed on the terminal 101 side. The operation of terminal 101, which will be described later, is executed based on instructions from the fax transmission application.

[0028] In particular, the operation screen shown in Fig. 5 is displayed on operation unit 420 when the user of terminal 101 attempts to send an instruction for the first transmission process. When a fax transmission application is started on terminal 101 by a predetermined operation, the operation screen shown in Fig. 5 is displayed. On this operation screen, setting field 501 is a field for setting the MFP that will execute the fax transmission. When there are multiple MFPs, one MFP is selected using setting field 501. In other words, when the user touches setting field 501, terminal 101 searches for MFPs in the vicinity and displays a list of found MFPs. The user can select the MFP that will execute the fax transmission from the displayed MFPs.

[0029] The setting field 502 is a field for setting a telephone number (fax number) to be used as the destination of a fax transmission. The user may input the telephone number using a soft keyboard displayed on the terminal 101, or may select a telephone number by referring to an address book stored in the terminal 101.

[0030] The setting field 503 is a field for making detailed settings for the scan process (read process) to be executed using the scanner 222 of the MFP 103. When the user touches the setting field 503, a screen for specifying reading parameters such as resolution, document size, color / monochrome, etc. is displayed, and the terminal 101 accepts the scan settings from the user via this screen.

[0031] The fax transmission key 504 is a key for instructing the MFP 103 to execute fax transmission. When the fax transmission key 504 is pressed after completing the settings in the setting fields 501, 502, and 503, communication between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 starts.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a sequence of processing between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 when the terminal 101 instructs the first transmission processing.

[0033] In step S601, the terminal 101 accepts settings from the user via the operation screen shown in Fig. 5. In step S602, the terminal 101 transmits a command for job generation to the MFP 103. This command is assumed to include authentication information of the user operating the terminal 101. In step S603, the MFP 103 receives this command and returns an OK response to the terminal 101.

[0034] In step S604, terminal 101 transmits a scan command to MFP 103 instructing it to execute a scan. In step S605, MFP 103 receives this scan command and determines whether it can accept the scan command. This scan command acceptance determination process will be described later with reference to FIG. 11. Determining whether the scan command can be accepted has the same meaning as determining whether the first transmission process can be accepted. As will be explained below, if the result of the determination is that acceptance is permitted, the first transmission process is executed, and if it is not permitted, the first transmission process is not executed. If the scan command can be accepted, the process proceeds to step S606, and if it cannot be accepted, the process proceeds to step S615.

[0035] In step S606, the MFP 103 returns a response OK to the terminal 101. Next, in step S607, the terminal 101 transmits a command for ending the job to the MFP 103. Upon receiving this command, the MFP 103 returns a response OK to the terminal 101 in step S608. When the MFP 103 has finished receiving the job communication from the terminal 101, in step S609, the MFP 103 displays on the operation unit 220 a document scan acceptance screen ( FIG. 7 ) indicating that the document scan has been accepted.

[0036] 7, the document scan reception screen displays a read button 701 and a cancel button 702. Next, in step S610, when the user presses and selects the read button 701, the MFP 103 displays a scan setting screen on the operation unit 220 in step S611. Therefore, the process moves to settings for starting scanning in the first transmission process. On the other hand, when the cancel button 702 is pressed and selected, the MFP 103 transmits a response indicating this to the terminal 101.

[0037] Although this scan setting screen is not shown, it is a screen that displays the same content as that displayed when setting field 503 is selected on the operation screen of FIG. 5. In step S612, the user sets the items on the scan setting screen and issues an instruction to start scanning. In step S613, MFP 103 performs scanning according to the items set on the scan setting screen. Specifically, CPU 211 controls scanner 222 to read the document and generate image data. The scanning process follows the settings in setting field 503 of FIG. 5, but if the settings are changed on the scan setting screen displayed in step S611, the changed settings are followed. Then, in step S614, MFP 103 faxes the image data generated by the scan. Specifically, CPU 211 controls fax unit 305 and modem 223 to fax the image data. The destination of this fax transmission is the telephone number set in setting field 502 of FIG. 5.

[0038] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S605 is that the scan command cannot be accepted, the MFP 103 returns a Busy response indicating that the command cannot be accepted to the terminal 101 in step S615. Upon receiving the Busy response, the terminal 101 waits a certain period of time in step S616 and then transmits the scan command again. The MFP 103 determines again in step S617 whether the scan command can be accepted and returns the result of the determination in step S615 or step S618.

[0039] The terminal 101 repeats sending the scan command until acceptance of the scan command is permitted. Once acceptance is permitted, the process proceeds to step S606. However, if the number of repeated transmissions exceeds a predetermined number, or if the total time for repeated transmissions exceeds a predetermined time, an error may be notified.

[0040] As described above, when a fax transmission job including a scan command is instructed from terminal 101, MFP 103 determines whether or not the scan command can be accepted. If the scan command can be accepted, MFP 103 displays the document scan acceptance screen (FIG. 7) on operation unit 220, waits for a user instruction to execute scanning, scans the document with MFP 103, and sends the image data obtained by scanning by fax. As described above, in the first transmission process, image data obtained by scanning with MFP 103 is sent by fax. In contrast, the second transmission process in which image data prepared on the terminal 101 side is sent by fax from MFP 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

[0041] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a data management application displayed on the terminal 101. The terminal 101 stores image data downloaded from the network and image data captured using the camera function of the terminal 101. These image data can be sequentially switched and displayed using the data management application installed on the terminal 101. The operation screen in Fig. 8 shows one of the stored image data being displayed.

[0042] When the user presses operation key 801 on the operation screen in Fig. 8, a screen for selecting a function to be executed on the currently displayed image data is displayed. On this screen, the above-mentioned fax sending application is displayed as a selection candidate, in addition to an email sending application and a print application. When the user selects the fax sending application from these selection candidates, the screen switches to the operation screen shown in Fig. 9. Note that each of the above applications can be downloaded from a server on the Internet and installed additionally on terminal 101.

[0043] 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of a fax sending application that is displayed on operation unit 420 when the user of terminal 101 attempts to send an instruction for the second sending process. In this operation screen, setting fields 901, 902, and 903 are the same as setting fields 501, 502, and 504, respectively, described in FIG.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence of processing between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 when the terminal 101 instructs the second transmission processing.

[0045] In step S1001, the terminal 101 accepts an image selection from the user via the operation screen of Fig. 8, and in step S1002 accepts settings from the user via the operation screen of Fig. 9. In step S1003, the terminal 101 transmits a command for job generation to the MFP 103. Upon receiving this command, the MFP 103 returns an OK response to the terminal 101 in step S1004.

[0046] In step S1005, terminal 101 transmits an image command to MFP 103. This image command includes image data to be transmitted by fax from MFP 103. This image data has been acquired by terminal 101 and has been displayed on the operation screen of FIG. 8. Upon receiving the image command, MFP 103 returns an OK response to terminal 101 in step S1006.

[0047] In step S1007, the terminal 101 transmits a command for ending the job to the MFP 103. Upon receiving this command, the MFP 103 returns a response OK to the terminal 101 in step S1008. In step S1009, the MFP 103 transmits the image data received from the terminal 101 by fax. The destination of this fax transmission is the telephone number set in the setting field 902.

[0048] In this way, a process (second transmission process) is performed in which the image data transmitted from terminal 101 to MFP 103 is faxed from MFP 103 in accordance with the settings made at terminal 101. In the second transmission process, scanning is not performed on the MFP 103 side. Therefore, unlike the first transmission process, there is no need to wait for the user to operate MFP 103, and the fax transmission process is quickly performed.

[0049] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the scan command acceptance determination process. Each operation (step) shown in the flowchart of Fig. 11 is realized by the CPU 211 of the control unit 210 executing a control program stored in the ROM 212 in the MFP 103. This process is executed in step S605 of Fig. 6 when the MFP 103 receives a scan command from the terminal 101 as a result of the terminal 101 instructing the first transmission process.

[0050] First, in step S1101, CPU 211 determines whether or not the user authentication function of MFP 103 is enabled. If the authentication function is enabled, CPU 211 proceeds to step S1105. If the authentication function is disabled, CPU 211 proceeds to step S1102.

[0051] In step S1105, CPU 211 determines whether the authentication information attached to the command for job creation sent from terminal 101 (in step S602 of FIG. 6) matches the authentication information of the currently logged-in user. If the determination shows that the two pieces of authentication information match, authentication has been successful, and CPU 211 proceeds to step S1104, where it enables acceptance of the scan command. Therefore, acceptance of the first transmission process is permitted. On the other hand, if the two pieces of authentication information do not match, authentication has not been successful, and CPU 211 proceeds to step S1103, where it disables acceptance of the scan command. Therefore, acceptance of the first transmission process is not permitted. After steps S1103 and S1104 are completed, the process of FIG. 11 ends.

[0052] In step S1102, CPU 211 first determines the operating state of operation unit 220 when the scan command was received. Specifically, CPU 211 determines whether or not at least one of the following conditions is met: a top screen is displayed on operation unit 220 of MFP 103, or a certain amount of time has passed since operation unit 220 was last operated. There is no limitation on the length of the certain amount of time. Here, the top screen is the screen displayed on operation unit 220, and is a screen for using each function such as copy, scan, and fax. This will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0053] 12 is a diagram showing the transition of screens displayed on operation unit 220. Home screen 1201 is a function selection screen for selecting a function to be executed by MFP 103. When copy button 1207 is selected on home screen 1201, the screen switches to copy screen 1202. When scan button 1208 is selected, the screen switches to scan screen 1203. When fax button 1209 is selected, the screen switches to fax screen 1204. The top screens mentioned above include screens for selecting each function, such as home screen 1201, and screens 1202 to 1204 for each function.

[0054] When color mode display area 1210 on copy screen 1202 is selected, the screen switches to color mode selection screen 1205. Screens for setting parameters related to a selected function, such as color mode selection screen 1205, are not included in the top screen. Pop-up displays that are displayed without switching screens when setting function parameters are also not included in the top screen.

[0055] If the result of the determination in step S1102 is that the above condition is met, it can be determined that the operation state of the operation unit 220 is not being operated by a user other than the user who transmitted the command for job creation. Therefore, the CPU 211 enables acceptance of scan commands and permits acceptance of the first transmission process (step S1104). On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1102 is that the top screen is not displayed on the operation unit 220 and operation of the operation unit 220 has not continued for a certain period of time or more, it can be determined that the above condition is not met. In this case, it can be determined that there is a possibility that operation is being performed by a user other than the user who transmitted the command for job creation. Therefore, the CPU 211 disables acceptance of scan commands and does not permit acceptance of the first transmission process (step S1103).

[0056] In this way, even if user authentication is not enabled in MFP 103, CPU 211 determines whether to accept the first transmission process depending on the operation state of MFP 103 by another user. By not accepting the first transmission process while another user is operating MFP 103, erroneous operations by other users are prevented. Note that what is defined as the operation state or the method for determining the operation state is not limited to the example given above.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, when MFP 103 receives an instruction for a first transmission process from tablet terminal 101, it determines whether or not to accept the first transmission process based on the operation state of operation unit 220. If the result of this determination is that acceptance is permitted, CPU 211 controls scanner 222 to read the original and generate image data, and also controls fax unit 305 and modem 223 to send the image data by fax. However, if acceptance is not permitted, CPU 211 does not execute the first transmission process.

[0058] This makes it possible to prevent erroneous operations by a user other than the user who instructed the first transmission process (reading and transmitting process) of an original image, regardless of whether user authentication is used. In particular, even if there is no authentication function for authenticating the user who instructed the first transmission process, or even if the authentication function is available but disabled, a determination is made as to whether to accept the first transmission process based on the operation status of operation unit 220. Therefore, even in a situation where the authentication function is unavailable, erroneous operations by another user can be prevented. Therefore, even when multiple users share MFP 103, a mechanism is provided to prevent erroneous operations of an original reading and transmitting job caused by another user operating MFP 103, without requiring a user authentication function.

[0059] On the other hand, if the authentication function is enabled, whether or not the first transmission process can be accepted is determined based on the result of authentication by the authentication function, regardless of the operation state of the operation unit 220, so that if the authentication is successful, the first transmission process can be quickly transitioned to.

[0060] If the CPU 211 does not permit the reception, it returns information indicating that the reception has not been permitted to the source of the instruction, as a Busy response (step S615 in FIG. 6), thereby making it possible to notify that the first transmission process will not be executed.

[0061] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the 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 realizes one or more functions.

[0062] The present invention has been described in detail above based on its preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the invention that do not deviate from the gist of the invention are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 103 MFP 211 CPU 210 Control Unit 219 Network Interface 220 Operation section 222 Scanner 223 modem 305 Fax Department

Claims

1. an operation means for accepting an operation from a user; a reading means for reading an original and generating image data; a transmitting means for transmitting the image data generated by the reading means; a receiving means for receiving, from a terminal, an instruction for a read / send process for causing the reading means to read an original and for causing the image data generated by the reading means to be sent to the sending means; an image processing system comprising: a control means for, when an instruction for the reading and sending process is received by the receiving means, and when a top screen is displayed on the operating means or when a certain amount of time has passed since the operating means was last operated, allowing acceptance of the reading and sending process, and displaying a screen including a first button which, when selected, displays a scan setting screen and a second button which, when selected, sends a response indicating cancellation to the terminal, controlling the reading means in accordance with the items set on the scan setting screen displayed when the first button is selected, causing the reading means to transmit image data generated by the reading means to the transmitting means; and, if acceptance of the reading and sending process is not allowed, transmitting information indicating that acceptance was not allowed to the sender of the instruction for the reading and sending process without executing the reading and sending process.

2. A control method for an image processing system including an operation unit that receives an operation from a user, a reading unit that reads an original and generates image data, and a transmission unit that transmits the image data generated by the reading unit, comprising: a receiving step of receiving, from a terminal, an instruction for a read / send process for causing the reading means to read a document and for causing the image data generated by the reading means to be sent to the sending means; a control step of: when an instruction for the reading and sending process is received by the receiving step, and if a top screen is displayed on the operation means or if a certain amount of time has passed since the operation means was last operated, allowing acceptance of the reading and sending process, displaying a screen including a first button which, when selected, displays a scan setting screen and a second button which, when selected, sends a response indicating cancellation to the terminal, controlling the reading means in accordance with items set on the scan setting screen displayed when the first button is selected, causing the reading means to transmit image data generated by the reading means to the transmission means, and if acceptance of the reading and sending process is not allowed, sending information indicating that acceptance was not allowed to the sender of the instruction for the reading and sending process without executing the reading and sending process.

3. 3. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling an image processing system according to claim 2.

Images