Information processing device, control method thereof, and program

The information processing device addresses the challenge of identifying image data storage locations by acquiring and displaying folder information within chat rooms, enhancing user accessibility and organization.

JP7790892B2Active Publication Date: 2025-12-23CANON KK
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021134623
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-08-20
Publication Date
2025-12-23
Estimated Expiration
2041-08-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems do not allow users to easily determine the storage location of image data uploaded from an image processing device to a chat room, leading to confusion about where the data is stored.

Method used

An information processing device that communicates with an image processing device to receive image data, acquires storage destination information, and stores the data accordingly, displaying folders or individual images based on this information within the chat room.

Benefits of technology

Enables users to easily locate the storage folder of uploaded image data, preventing clutter and simplifying the user experience in chat rooms with multiple image uploads.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To enable, when image data transmitted from an image processing apparatus is stored in a folder, a user to easily refer to the folder in which the image data is stored.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus configured to communicate with an image processing apparatus, includes: communication means configured to receive image data generated by the image processing apparatus reading an image on a document; acquisition means configured to acquire information for identifying a storage location where the image data received by the communication means is to be stored; storage means configured to store the image data received by the communication means in the storage location based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; and a control means configured to control the information acquired by the acquisition means to be displayed in a talk room.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11
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Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that an image processing device scans an image of a document and transmits the generated image data to a chat server that provides a chat service, whereby the image data is uploaded and shared in a chat room of the chat service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-78084 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In Patent Document 1, image data transmitted from an image processing device is uploaded to a chat room, but it is conceivable that the image data may be stored in a folder such as a folder managed by a chat service. Note that even if the image data is stored in this folder, it is not possible to confirm that the image data has been stored in the chat room. Therefore, when image data transmitted from an image processing device is stored in a folder, a user viewing the chat room cannot know in which folder the desired image data is stored.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable a user to easily refer to the folder in which image data transmitted from an image processing device is stored when the image data is stored in the folder. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with an image processing device, and includes: a communication means for receiving image data generated by the image processing device by reading an image of a document; an acquisition means for acquiring information for specifying a storage destination for storing the image data received by the communication means; and a storage means for storing the image data received by the communication means in a storage destination based on the information acquired by the acquisition means. When the image data received by the communication means is two or more image data, The information acquired by the acquisition means Object for displaying folders based on will now be displayed in the chat room and when the image data received by the communication means is one piece of image data, an object for displaying the image data is displayed in the talk room. and a control means for controlling the [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] When image data transmitted from an image processing device is stored in a folder, the user can easily refer to the folder in which the image data is stored. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a message application service according to the present invention. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP10 [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a user terminal 20. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a message application server 30. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a tenant server 40. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of tenant information 601 stored in the HDD 405 in the tenant server 40. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20 by a message application 306 linked with a chatbot application 307. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of a home screen 808 displayed on the operation unit 116. [Figure 9]FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a scanning process and a path notification process. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a folder path notification process; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 shows a screen that the message application 306 displays on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20 when a URL is notified. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The following describes in detail the 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.

[0010] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below, taking as an example an MFP 10 (Multi Function Peripheral) that is a multifunction device having print, scan, and fax functions as an image processing apparatus.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a message application service according to the present invention. The message application service is composed of MFPs 10 and 11, which are image processing devices, user terminals 20 to 22, a message application server 30, and a tenant server 40. Each of these is connected to each other via a network 70, and is capable of communicating with each other. The network 70 is a wireless or wired network composed of a WAN or LAN.

[0012] MFPs 10 and 11 have the function of printing an image notified by message application server 30, or the function of reading an original and sending the generated image data to a message application server, which is an example of an information processing device. In the figure, two MFPs, shown as MFPs 10 and 11, are connected, but the number of connections is arbitrary. MFPs 10 and 11 have the same configuration, and the following description will focus on MFP 10.

[0013] User terminals 20-22 refer to information terminals such as smartphones, tablet terminals, and personal computers used by users of the message application service. While the figure shows an example in which three user terminals 20-22 are connected, any number of connections may be used. A user operates one of the user terminals 20-22 to access the message application server 30 on the cloud, exchange messages with other users, and run installed applications. The user terminals 20-22 and the message application server 30 are connected to a wired or wireless communication network, enabling data transmission and reception between them. In this embodiment, a public line on the Internet is assumed as an example of a communication network, but a dedicated line may also be used. The user terminals 20-22 can have the same configuration, and the following description will be given of user terminal 20.

[0014] The message application server 30 is a cloud server located on the cloud 60, and is an information processing device that provides services using a message application 306. The message application server 30 executes all processes related to message exchange, such as sending and receiving messages to and from the user terminals 20 to 22, and displaying the display screen for message sending and receiving. The mechanism for message exchange in the message application 306 will be explained in the section explaining FIG. 7.

[0015] The tenant server 40 is a cloud server arranged on the cloud 60, and is a server that stores and provides information about each tenant. Details of the tenant information stored in the tenant server 40 will be explained in the section explaining FIG. 6.

[0016] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of MFP 10. Control unit 110 including CPU 111 controls the overall operation of MFP 10. CPU 111 loads control programs stored in ROM 112 or storage 114 into RAM 113 to perform various types of control, such as reading control and printing control. ROM 112 stores control programs executable by CPU 111. ROM 112 also stores a boot program, font data, and the like. RAM 113 is a main memory, and is used as a work area and a temporary storage area for expanding the various control programs stored in ROM 112 and storage 114. Storage 114 stores image data, print data, various programs, various addresses, and various setting information. Possible media for use as storage 114 include auxiliary storage devices such as SSDs (Solid State Drives) and HDDs (Hard Disc Drives), and eMMCs (Embedded Multi Media Cards).

[0017] In the MFP 10 of this embodiment, one CPU 111 executes each process shown in the flowcharts described below using one memory (RAM 113), but this is not limited to this. For example, each process can be executed by multiple CPUs, RAMs, ROMs, and storages working together. Also, some processes can be executed using hardware circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs.

[0018] The operation unit I / F 115 connects the control unit 110 to an operation unit 116 including a display unit such as a touch panel and hard keys. The operation unit 116 is both a display unit that displays information to the user and an operation unit that detects input from the user.

[0019] The reading unit I / F 117 connects the control unit 110 to a reading unit 118, such as a scanner. The reading unit 118 reads an image of a document, and the CPU 111 converts the image into image data such as binary data. The image data generated based on the image read by the reading unit 118 is sent to an external device or printed on recording paper.

[0020] The printing unit I / F 119 connects the control unit 110 to a printing unit 120, such as a printer. The CPU 111 transfers image data (print data) stored in the RAM 113 to the printing unit 120 via the printing unit I / F 119. The printing unit 120 prints an image based on the transferred image data on recording paper fed from a paper feed cassette.

[0021] The wireless communication unit I / F 121 is an I / F for controlling the wireless communication unit 122, and connects the control unit 110 to external wireless devices via wireless communication. User terminals 20 to 22 may be used as the external wireless devices.

[0022] The communication unit I / F 123 connects the control unit 110 to the network 100. The communication unit I / F 123 allows the communication unit 124 to transmit image data and various internal device information to external devices on the network 100, and to receive print data and information on the network 100 from information processing devices on the network 100. Methods for transmitting and receiving data via the network 100 include transmission and reception using electronic mail (E-mail) and file transmission using other protocols (e.g., FTP, SMB, WEBDAV, etc.). Furthermore, image data and various setting data can be transmitted and received over the network 100 by accessing via HTTP communication from the user terminal 20 and the message application server 30.

[0023] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20. Note that the user terminal 20 in this embodiment is assumed to be a device such as a smartphone or a tablet PC, but may be any other device as long as it is an information processing device that can connect to the network 100 using Wi-Fi communication or the like.

[0024] The CPU 207 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 208 and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the user terminal 20. The ROM 208 stores the control program. The RAM 209 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 207. The HDD 210 stores various data such as photographs and electronic documents.

[0025] The operation panel 201 has a touch panel function capable of detecting a user's touch operation, and displays various screens provided by the OS and an email sending application. The operation panel 201 is also used to check information stored in the message application server 30. The user can input desired operation instructions to the user terminal 20 by inputting touch operations on the operation panel 201. The user terminal 20 is also equipped with hardware keys (not shown), and the user can also input operation instructions to the user terminal 20 using these hardware keys.

[0026] Camera 204 takes an image in response to an image capture instruction from the user. The photograph taken by camera 204 is stored in a predetermined area of ​​HDD 210. It is also possible to obtain information from a QR code read by camera 204 using a program capable of analyzing QR codes (registered trademark).

[0027] The user terminal 20 can transmit and receive data to and from various peripheral devices via an NFC communication unit 205, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) communication unit 206, and a wireless LAN communication unit 211. The Bluetooth communication unit 206 of the user terminal 20 may be compatible with Bluetooth Low Energy.

[0028] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the message application server 30. A CPU 301 reads a control program stored in a ROM 302 and a message application 306 stored in a HDD 305, and executes various processes for controlling the operation of the message application server 30.

[0029] The ROM 302 stores a control program. The RAM 303 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 301. The HDD 305 stores various data such as messages, images, channel information, and applications. Data can be sent and received to and from various devices such as the user terminal 20 and the MFP 10 via the communication unit 304. The communication unit 304 may perform wired communication using Ethernet (registered trademark) or wireless communication such as Wi-Fi. A message application 306 is installed in the HDD 305 and runs on the CPU 301. A chatbot application 307 is also installed in the HDD 305.

[0030] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the tenant server 40. The CPU 401 reads out a control program stored in the ROM 402 and executes various processes for controlling the tenant information 601. The stored tenant information 601 will be described later. The ROM 402 stores the control program. The RAM 403 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 401. The HDD 405 stores the tenant information 601 and the like. Data can be sent and received via the communication unit 404 to and from various models such as the message application server 30.

[0031] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of tenant information 601 stored in the HDD 405 in the tenant server 40. The tenant information 601 has one or more groups, and in the example of Fig. 6, there are two groups 602 and 610. Depending on the configuration of the message application 306, one piece of tenant information may have only one piece of group information, in which case the tenant information 601 and the group information will be equivalent.

[0032] Each group 602, 610 has information that constitutes the group. Specifically, taking group 602 as an example, user information 603, channel information 604, printer information 606, cooperative application information 607, and file information 608 are linked.

[0033] User information 603 indicates information about each user belonging to a group. Channel information 604 is information for grouping the user information 603, and holds a list 605 that compiles the user information corresponding to each channel. A channel is a chat room where multiple associated users can exchange messages.

[0034] Printer information 606 is information for identifying MFP 10. An application using group information 602 can send commands such as a print instruction to any MFP by referencing the printer information. This printer information 606 may be the IP address or MAC address of the MFP, or a uniquely identifiable ID. The ID may also be an ID issued by MFP 10 when information about MFP 10 is registered in message application server 30. While printer information 606 is associated with a group, it may also be associated with a channel or with cooperative application information (described later). For example, application 1 may be configured to be associated with MFP 10, and application 2 may be configured to be associated with MFPs 10 and 11. Printer information 606 may also be associated with tenant information 601. That is, in the case of tenant 1 in FIG. 6, the printer indicated by printer information 606 associated commonly within tenant 1 is used.

[0035] The linked application information 607 is information about a linked application that links with the message application 306 corresponding to the group 602. When the chatbot application 307 is linked to the group 602 as a linked application, the linked application information 607 stores information about the chatbot application 307.

[0036] File information 608 is information about folders and files held in association with group 602. A folder can store folders or files. For example, two files, "file U1_1_1" and "file U1_1_2", are stored in "folder U1_1".

[0037] The file information 608 also holds dedicated folders 609 for all users and channels in the group 602. Dedicated folders are created by the message application 306 when a user is added or a channel is created. The user dedicated folder stores files uploaded and folders created by the user himself, files sent to other users individually, etc. The channel dedicated folder stores files uploaded to the channel and folders created by users who belong to the channel.

[0038] For example, the dedicated folder 609 contains a "Folder_User 1" folder that stores folders and files that User 1 uses personally, and a "Folder_Channel 1" folder that is a folder shared among users belonging to Channel 1. In addition, users can check the stored files within the channel and download them to the user terminal 20.

[0039] When the message application 306 refers to the user list corresponding to the tenant information 601, the message application 306 refers to the group information 602 stored in the HDD 405 of the tenant server 40 via the communication unit 304, and the user information 603 is listed. The same applies to the channel information 604, the printer information 606, the linked application information 607, and the file information 608.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20 by the message application 306 linked with the chatbot application 307.

[0041] Screen 701 is a diagram showing an example of a message screen that the message application 306 corresponding to group 602 displays on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20. This example screen shows a case where user 603 accesses the message application 306 linked to group 602.

[0042] Area 702 displays user information 603 of the user who accessed message application server 30 and received the data displayed on screen 701, and group information 602 to which the user belongs.

[0043] Area 703 displays other user information 603 and channel information 604 corresponding to group information 602 corresponding to user 1 who has accessed the message application server 30. By selecting any person from area 703, the user can exchange individual messages with the selected person. If channel information 604 is selected here, messages can be exchanged with all members belonging to the channel, as shown on screen 705. Area 719 displays folders corresponding to user 1 who has accessed the message application server 30 and folders and files corresponding to the channel to which that user belongs.

[0044] A button 704 is an object for adding a cooperative application, and pressing this button causes the cooperative application to be installed.

[0045] Screen 705 is a chat room screen, and displays the history of messages received from the person with whom you are currently exchanging messages. That is, messages sent from the person selected in 703 are displayed on screen 705.

[0046] Message 706 displays the history of messages sent by user 1. The message may be just text, or may include file information 608. In other words, a file link or the like may be included.

[0047] Message 707 is a message for starting an associated application. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the chatbot application 307 is installed in the associated application information 607. The phrase "I want to scan" is used as a trigger to start the chatbot application 307, and screen 711 is displayed. In this embodiment, the chatbot application 307 is started as a trigger by the phrase, but the chatbot application 307 may also be started by selecting it on screen 705 or the like.

[0048] A screen 711 is a diagram showing an example of a scan button generation screen that the chatbot application 307 displays on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20.

[0049] A window 712 is a window for making read settings (scan settings) used in the read process (scan process) for reading an original and generating image data.

[0050] The reading size of the original can be set in a pull-down menu 713. In a window 712, other reading settings such as file format, density, and double-sided settings can also be set.

[0051] The pull-down menu 714 is a setting item for specifying the MFP that will execute the reading process. This pull-down menu displays a list of printer information corresponding to the channel or group in which the bot application was started in the tenant information 601. The list also displays printer information corresponding to the user who started the bot application. In this example, MFP10 (printer 1) is selected.

[0052] A setting field 715 is a setting field for setting the name of the button. The user can manually input a character string or select from channel names, etc. This button will be described later.

[0053] A setting field 716 is a setting field for specifying a button deletion condition. In this setting field 716, the condition for deleting (not displaying) a button can be selected from conditions such as "delete after time has elapsed," "delete after the number of executions," and "delete after the number of buttons." If "delete after time has elapsed," the registered button set in window 712 and registered in MFP 10 is deleted (not displayed) when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since registration. This predetermined period may be determined by inputting a value arbitrarily by the user. If "delete after the number of executions" is selected, the registered button set in window 712 and registered in MFP 10 is deleted (not displayed) when the button is selected and the reading process is executed a predetermined number of times since registration. This predetermined number of times may be determined by inputting a value arbitrarily by the user. If "delete after the number of buttons" is selected, the registered button is deleted (not displayed) when the number of buttons registered in MFP 10 reaches a predetermined number. Note that this predetermined number may be determined by inputting a value arbitrarily by the user.

[0054] A button 717 is an object for making a button registration request to the MFP 10. When the button 717 is selected, information on each setting made in the window 712 and a button registration request are sent to the MFP 10.

[0055] In this way, by deleting buttons (not displaying them), the number of buttons displayed on the operation unit 116 of the MFP 10 can be adjusted, thereby solving the problem of an increase in the number of buttons making it difficult for the user to select.

[0056] A button 718 is an object for canceling the process. When the button 718 is selected, the settings made in the window 712 are discarded and the screen returns to the screen 701.

[0057] Screen 720 is a diagram showing a screen that the message application 306 displays on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20 when the user selects, from area 723, “doc.pdf”, which is a file uploaded to channel 1.

[0058] The file name of the file selected by the user is displayed in area 721. Although the file name is displayed in this embodiment, the path where the file is stored may also be displayed.

[0059] Window 722 is a file display window for displaying a file, and displays "doc.pdf" selected by the user. Window 722 can provide display methods and functions appropriate for the format of the selected file. For example, if the selected file is text, the file is displayed as a window that not only displays the text but also allows characters to be inserted and deleted. Furthermore, if the user selects a folder rather than a file in area 723, file display window 722 displays a list of folders and files stored in the selected folder.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a home screen 808 displayed on the operation unit 116. The operation unit 116 is composed of a touch panel 801 that displays an operation screen, and LEDs 809 and 810. The touch panel 801 also functions as a touch panel that accepts instructions from the user. The user directly touches the screen displayed on the touch panel 801 with a finger, a stylus, or other object to instruct the execution of each function based on the displayed screen. The screen of the touch panel 801 shown in FIG. 8 displays a HOME screen 808. The HOME screen 808 is the first screen used to instruct the execution of each function of the MFP 10, and is a screen used to select a screen display for making various settings for each function executed by the MFP 10, such as copy, fax, scan, and media print.

[0061] The status check button 805 is a button for displaying a screen (status check screen) for checking the status of the MFP 10. It is possible to display the transmission history and the like from the status check screen. Note that although described here as a button, a button on a touch panel detects that it has been pressed by touching a separated area of ​​the display area.

[0062] Button 802 is a transmission execution button for channel 1 that is created when button 717 is pressed. If the conditions in setting field 716 are met, this button is deleted. In other words, button 802 is no longer displayed on home screen 808. In addition, setting information stored in association with the button is also deleted.

[0063] Button 803 is a scan button for displaying a scan selection screen (not shown) from the MFP 10. The scan selection screen displays a selection of transmission methods, such as email transmission (Email), file transmission via SMB, FTP, or HTTP, and Internet fax (I-fax) transmission. Touching the displayed selection display screen displays each transmission setting screen.

[0064] A button 804 is an address book button for displaying the address book screen of the MFP 10 .

[0065] LEDs 809 and 810 are LEDs that notify the user of the status of the MFP 10. LED 809 lights up while an e-mail or a print job is being received or executed, and LED 810 lights up when an error occurs in the MFP 10.

[0066] A button 806 is a stop button that is pressed when canceling various operations, and is a resident key that is always displayed on the operation unit 116.

[0067] A button 807 is a HOME button that is pressed to display a HOME screen 808, and is a resident key that is always displayed on the operation unit 116.

[0068] A button 811 is a menu button that displays a screen for setting the environment such as the language to be used and for setting each function.

[0069] 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of scan processing and path notification processing. Note that each operation (step) of the MFP 10 in the sequence diagram of this embodiment is executed by the CPU 111 reading a control program stored in the ROM 112 or storage 114 into the RAM 113 and executing it.

[0070] In S901, the user executes a scan execution instruction, and the user terminal 20 that has received the execution instruction transmits the scan execution instruction to the message application server 30. The scan execution instruction may be triggered by chat text as described in 707 to launch the chatbot application 307, or may be launched by selecting the chatbot application 307.

[0071] In step S902, the CPU 301 of the message application server 30 sends a printer information acquisition request to the tenant server 40.

[0072] In step S903 , the CPU 401 of the tenant server 40 sends the printer information 606 to the message application server 30 .

[0073] In S904, the CPU 301 of the message application server 30 starts the chatbot application 307 and controls the user terminal 20 to display the window 712.

[0074] In S905, the user terminal 20 accepts input of the scan settings displayed in the window 712. In S906, upon accepting pressing of the generate button 717, the user terminal 20 transmits the input scan settings to the message application server 30.

[0075] In S907, the CPU 301 of the message application server 30 generates scan button generation information from the data received in S906 and transmits it to the MFP 10. The scan button generation information includes a URL to which the image data generated by scanning is to be sent. In other words, the information includes a URL for the MFP 30 to access the message application server 30.

[0076] In step S908, the CPU 111 generates the scan execution button 802 from the received scan button generation information.

[0077] In S909, the user presses the scan execution button 802. The user's pressing of the scan execution button 802 triggers the chatbot application 307 to start monitoring the scan job status of the MFP 10. In S910, the CPU 111 scans the document based on the scan settings received in S907.

[0078] In S911, the CPU 111 of the MFP 10 transmits the scanned image to the message application server 30 based on the destination URL received in S907.

[0079] In S912, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 to save the received image data in the HDD 305 and count the number of files of the transmitted scanned images. In this embodiment, the images are saved in the message application server 30, but they may also be saved in a linked storage server. The file name of the scanned image may be a name previously set in the MFP 10 by the user, or may be an automatically assigned name such as a combination of a date and a number that does not overlap with other files, such as "20210520_0001.pdf."

[0080] In S913, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 to detect the completion of the scan job and obtain the number of image data sent from the MFP 10. The number of image data may be obtained by counting the number of image data received in S912, or from the scan job status of the MFP 10. Furthermore, if the chatbot application 307 determines that multiple image data have been sent, it creates a new folder and stores the image data in the created folder. The name of the created folder may be a combination of a function name and a number that does not overlap with other folders, such as "SCAN0001," or a combination of a date and a number that does not overlap with other folders, such as "20210520_0001." Alternatively, the user may be able to arbitrarily determine the name. In this case, the user may enter the folder name on the MFP 10 or in window 712.

[0081] In S914, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 and notifies the user of the URL or link of the folder storing the image data by message.

[0082] In this embodiment, the chatbot application 307 determines whether to create a folder and creates the folder in S913, and notifies the user in S914. However, the MFP 10 may also perform these steps.

[0083] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a folder path notification process. This flowchart starts when the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 and detects that the MFP 10 has completed a scan job.

[0084] In S1001, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307, thereby determining whether the message application server 30 has received multiple pieces of image data from the MFP 10. If it determines that multiple pieces of image data have been received, the process proceeds to S1002, and if it determines that there is only one piece of image data, the process proceeds to S1004. Note that it is also possible to always proceed to S1002 without making this determination. In other words, it is also possible to create a folder regardless of the number of pieces of image data received from the MFP 10.

[0085] In S1002, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 to create a folder on the message application. Specifically, a folder that is displayed in area 719, that is managed and provided by the message application server 30, and that can be referenced on the message application is created. The name of the created folder may be set in window 712 or may be set on the operation unit 116 of the MFP 10. When the folder name is set on the operation unit of the MFP 10, the message application server 30 receives information indicating the folder name from the MFP 10.

[0086] In this embodiment, an example in which the received image data is stored in a newly created folder will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a folder with the folder name specified by the user already exists, the image data may be stored in the existing folder without creating a new folder, and if a folder with the specified folder name does not exist, a new folder may be created and the image data may be stored in that folder.

[0087] In S1003, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307, thereby storing the image data received from the MFP 10 in the folder created in S1002.

[0088] In S1004, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 to obtain a URL to be notified. Specifically, if there are multiple image data received from the MFP 10, a URL for referencing a folder in which the multiple image data are stored is obtained. Note that what is obtained here may be a path for referencing a folder, etc., as long as it is information for identifying the folder in which the image data is stored. If there is only one image data received from the MFP 10, a URL for referencing that image data is obtained. Note that the information obtained here may also be information such as a file path, as long as it is information for identifying and referencing the image data.

[0089] In S1005, the message application server 30 executes the chatbot application 307 to notify the channel that is the destination of the message containing the URL acquired in S1004. Note that the destination of the message may be the individual user who issued the instruction to generate the scan button.

[0090] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen that the message application 306 displays on the operation panel 201 of the user terminal 20 when a URL is notified.

[0091] Message 1101 is a message that is notified when it is determined in S1001 that there is only one image data. Message 1101 displays a message indicating that the image data transmitted from MFP 10 has been saved, along with a file name 1102 of the saved image data. File name 1102 is a link associated with a URL for referencing the image data. The link can be selected by a user operation such as clicking or tapping. Note that the image data may be displayed by selecting any location within the message area of ​​message 1101, rather than just file name 1102. Furthermore, the displayed character string of the link in message 1101 may be a URL instead of a file name.

[0092] Image 1103 is an image that is displayed by accessing a URL linked to file name 1102 when the user selects file name 1102, and is an image based on image data received from MFP 10. Note that the image may be displayed by an image display application or the like installed in user terminal 20, or may be displayed by a message application.

[0093] In this way, when image data is uploaded, an icon and message will be displayed in the chat room for each image data. Users viewing the chat room can select the icon or link to display or download the image corresponding to the selected icon or link.

[0094] When an image processing device transmits multiple image data to a chat server and uploads them to a chat room, multiple icons and links corresponding to each of the multiple image data are displayed in the chat room. As a result, as the amount of shared image data increases, the number of displayed icons and links also increases, making it difficult for users to view messages exchanged in the chat room.

[0095] To solve the above problem, in S1004, when multiple image data are received, the multiple image data are stored in a folder, and only the icon or link of the folder storing the multiple image data is displayed in the chat room (channel), which prevents the user from having difficulty viewing messages exchanged in the chat room.

[0096] Message 1104 is a message that is notified when it is determined in S1001 that there is a plurality of image data. Message 1104 displays a folder name 1105 of the folder in which the plurality of image data is stored, along with a message indicating that the plurality of image data received from MFP 10 has been stored in the folder. Folder name 1105 is a link associated with a URL for accessing the folder. Note that instead of just folder name 1105, a list of scanned images in the folder may be displayed by selecting any location within the message area of ​​message 1104. Furthermore, the displayed character string for the link in message 1104 may be a URL instead of a folder name.

[0097] When the user selects folder name 1105, list 1106 is displayed by message application 306 as a list of data stored in the folder of the URL associated with folder name 1105. The list displays the file name and file size of the data, and the user can view the selected data by selecting data in the list. For example, when image data included in the list is selected, an image based on the selected image data, such as image 1103, is displayed. The list display of data may be displayed by a file management application installed on user terminal 20. In this way, when a URL is selected, the data stored in the storage destination is displayed so that the user can select it.

[0098] By performing the above-described processing, when image data transmitted from an image processing device is stored in a folder, the user can easily refer to the folder in which the image data is stored.

[0099] <Other embodiments> The present invention can 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 by having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10 MFP 20 User terminal 30 Message Application Server

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of communicating with an image processing device, a communication means for receiving image data generated by the image processing device by reading an image of a document; an acquisition means for acquiring information for specifying a storage destination for storing the image data received by the communication means; a storage means for storing the image data received by the communication means in a storage location based on the information acquired by the acquisition means; When the image data received by the communication means is two or more image data, an object for displaying a folder based on the information acquired by the acquisition means is displayed in the talk room; An information processing device characterized by having a control means that, when the image data received by the communication means is one piece of image data, causes an object for displaying the image data to be displayed in the talk room.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, based on the selection of an object for displaying the folder displayed in the talk room, data including the image data and stored in the storage destination is displayed so as to be selectable by the user.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image data is selected from the displayed data, and an image based on the image data selected by the user is displayed.

4. An information processing device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the talk room is a talk room set by a user before the storage means stores the image data in the storage destination.

5. 5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the talk room is a talk room of a chat service provided by the information processing device, and the storage destination is a folder provided by the chat service.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of users exchange messages in the talk room.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information is a URL of the storage destination.

8. A program executed by an information processing device capable of communicating with an image processing device, a communication step of receiving image data generated by the image processing device by reading an image of a document; an acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying a storage destination for storing the image data received in the communication step; a storage step of storing the image data received in the communication step in a storage destination based on the information acquired in the acquisition step; When the image data received in the communication step is two or more image data, an object for displaying a folder based on the information acquired in the acquisition step is displayed in the talk room; A program characterized by having a control process in which, when the image data received in the communication process is one piece of image data, an object for displaying the image data is displayed in the talk room.

9. The program described in claim 8, characterized in that, based on the selection of an object for displaying the folder displayed in the chat room, data including the image data and stored in the storage location is displayed so that it can be selected by the user.

10. 10. The program according to claim 9, wherein the image data is selected from the displayed data, and an image based on the image data selected by the user is displayed.

11. A program described in any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the talk room is a talk room set by the user before storing the image data in the storage destination in the storage process.

12. 12. The program according to claim 8, wherein the talk room is a talk room of a chat service provided by the information processing device, and the storage destination is a folder provided by the chat service.

13. 13. The program according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of users exchange messages in the talk room.

14. 14. The program according to claim 8, wherein the information is a URL of the storage destination.

15. A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an image processing device, comprising: a communication step of receiving image data generated by the image processing device by reading an image of a document; an acquisition step of acquiring information for identifying a storage destination for storing the image data received in the communication step; a storage step of storing the image data received in the communication step in a storage destination based on the information acquired in the acquisition step; When the image data received in the communication step is two or more image data, an object for displaying a folder based on the information acquired in the acquisition step is displayed in the talk room; A control method for an information processing device, characterized by having a control step of, when the image data received in the communication step is one piece of image data, displaying an object for displaying the image data in the talk room.

Citation Information

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