JP4882915B2 - Image processing apparatus, data transmission method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a data transmission method from the image processing apparatus to another apparatus, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a function of transmitting and storing image data obtained by scanning with an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) to another apparatus via a communication line is used. This function may be called “scan ToPC” or the like.

  In scan ToPC, image data can be transmitted to a plurality of destinations at once. Also, the image data can be transmitted based on a protocol such as SMB (Server Message Block) or FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

  However, when the image data is transmitted, if the transmission destination device is in a state where communication is not possible, the image data cannot be delivered to the intended partner. Therefore, in order to deal with such a problem, it is conceivable to apply methods such as Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3.

  According to the method of Patent Document 1, when an operation of attaching a desired file to an e-mail and performing transmission is performed, the data amount of the file is detected. When the amount of data exceeds a predetermined amount, the transfer destination of the attached file of a predetermined Internet server is determined, and only the file designated as the attached file is uploaded to the Internet server. Then, link information for accessing this file is also created and transmitted. Then, a URL indicating the location of the file is described in the e-mail body, and the file is transmitted to the other party without attaching the attached file.

  In the method of Patent Document 2, when the image data of a document read by the reading unit of the facsimile apparatus is stored in the bulletin board memory box, the content of the bulletin board memory box is updated, and the bulletin board memory box The number is notified by e-mail to the PC of the person who wants to view it. The recipient of the electronic mail browses the contents of the bulletin board memory box based on the electronic mail.

  When the facsimile apparatus of Patent Document 3 receives the image data of the FAX document from the public telephone network, it stores it in the memory and notifies the destination of the FAX document that the image data should be transmitted. When there is a request for image data from the destination, the image data of the corresponding FAX document is read from the memory, and the image data is transmitted to the destination by electronic mail.

That is, in the above-described conventional method, when a facsimile apparatus or the like acquires image data, an electronic mail (notification mail) notifying that is transmitted to a destination to which the image data is to be transmitted. The other party who has received the notification requests and acquires image data at a timing at which the apparatus can communicate.
JP-A-2005-78278 JP 2002-218141 A JP-A-10-107944

  However, in the methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3, when a user who has received a notification mail tries to request image data, the user may not be able to access it because the requested image forming apparatus is shut down. In such a case, the user cannot acquire image data. When the user is relatively close to the installation location of the image forming apparatus, the image data can be acquired by starting the image forming apparatus. However, a user who is away from the image forming apparatus, such as a user who is active outside the company, cannot immediately acquire the image data.

  Although it is conceivable to upload image data (file) to another device as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the same problem occurs when the device becomes inaccessible.

  In view of such a problem, the present invention enables a user to acquire image data more reliably than before when image data obtained by scanning in an image forming apparatus is transmitted to another apparatus. For the purpose.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a setting data storage unit that stores setting data indicating settings related to data transmission for each destination, and an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data for reproducing an image. A destination receiving unit that accepts a destination of image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit specified by the user, and a destination that the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is received by the destination reception unit. A determination unit that determines whether to transmit immediately or wait for a request based on the setting data of the destination, and the destination reception unit receives the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit by the determination unit If it is determined that the image data is to be sent immediately to the destination, the image data is sent to the destination, and the request is sent after waiting for a request. In the case where the image data is acquired, the notification data indicating that the image data has been acquired is transmitted to the destination. Second transmission means for transmitting to the terminal device.

  Preferably, for each destination, a storage location data storage unit that stores storage location data indicating a storage location of the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit, and the image data for the destination received by the destination reception unit An image data storage processing unit for storing the image data in a storage location indicated by the storage location data of the destination when the determination unit determines that the image data acquired by the acquisition unit is transmitted after waiting for a request; Have

  Alternatively, the first transmission unit may perform the notification when the determination unit determines that the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is transmitted to the destination received by the destination reception unit while waiting for a request. As data, notification data further indicating the storage location indicated in the storage location data of the destination and the data name of the image data is transmitted.

  Alternatively, when a plurality of destinations are received by the destination receiving unit with respect to the image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit, the determination unit determines all of the destinations regardless of the contents of the setting data of each destination. Is determined to transmit the image data after waiting for a request.

  According to the present invention, when image data obtained by scanning in an image forming apparatus is transmitted to another apparatus, the user can acquire the image data more reliably than before.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 2, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the tandem type laser printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 2, terminal apparatuses 3A, 3B,..., A mail server 4, a communication line NT, and the like. Hereinafter, the terminal devices 3A, 3B,... May be collectively referred to as “terminal device 3”. Similarly, other devices or members may be collectively described by omitting the serial numbers attached to the end of the reference numerals.

  Each of these devices can be connected to each other via a communication line NT. As the communication line NT, a LAN line, the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, or the like is used.

  A program and data for performing various processes in cooperation with the image forming apparatus 2 are installed in the terminal device 3. As the terminal device 3, a personal computer, a workstation, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like is used.

  The mail server 4 is a server for sending and receiving electronic mail based on protocols such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3). A personal computer or a workstation is used as the mail server 4.

  The image forming apparatus 2 is an image processing apparatus that integrates various functions such as a copy, a scanner, a fax machine, and a document server. Sometimes called a multi-function peripheral or MFP (Multi Function Peripherals).

  The “document server” provides a storage area corresponding to a folder or directory in a personal computer, which is called “box” or “personal box” for each user, and the user stores sentences, mathematical formulas, This is a function that makes it possible to save data (hereinafter referred to as “image data DG”) for reproducing symbols, photographs, diagrams, illustrations, and the like. Sometimes called “box function”.

  The image forming apparatus 2 performs various processes in cooperation with the terminal device 3. For example, the image forming apparatus 2 scans an image of a document, and the image data DG obtained thereby is attached to an e-mail or transferred to the terminal apparatus 3 based on a protocol such as SMB (Server Message Block) and stored. can do. Such a cooperation function is generally called “scan ToPC” or the like. In the present embodiment, a case where the image data DG is transmitted as an attachment to an e-mail will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the transmission process may be referred to as “scan ToMail transmission”.

  The electronic mail transmitted from the image forming apparatus 2 is transmitted to a device such as the terminal device 3 via the mail server 4.

  In the image forming apparatus 2, a user number and a password of a user who uses it are registered by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 2. Each user can use various functions of the image forming apparatus 2 after logging in using his / her user number and password.

  The image forming apparatus 2 stores address book data of each user registered in the image forming apparatus 2. Each user can preliminarily register another person's e-mail address or the like in his / her own address book.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, a hard disk 10d, a control circuit 10e, an operation panel 10f, a communication interface 10g, a printing apparatus 10h, a scanner 10i, a facsimile modem 10j, and the like. The

  The hard disk 10d stores data relating to the user who uses the image forming apparatus 2, image data DG obtained by the scanner 10i or the facsimile modem 10j, image data DG obtained from the terminal device 3, and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the address book storage unit 101, the box storage unit 102, the screen data storage unit 103, the command reception unit 104, the display control unit 105, the address book editing processing unit 106, the image data registration processing unit 107, the electronic Programs and data for realizing functions such as the mail transmission processing unit 108 and the scan ToMail processing unit 109 are installed. These programs and data are read to the RAM 10b as necessary. Then, the program is executed by the CPU 10a. Some or all of these programs and data may be stored in the ROM 10c. Note that the functions of these units may be realized only by hardware such as the control circuit 10e.

  The scanner 10i is a device that optically reads an image such as a photograph, a character, a picture, or a chart drawn on a document sheet to generate image data DG.

  The printing device 10h is a device that prints an image on a sheet based on the image data DG obtained by the scanner 10i or the facsimile modem 10j or the image data DG transmitted from the terminal device 3 or the like.

  The communication interface 10g is a NIC (Network Interface Card) for communicating with other devices using a protocol such as TCP / IP.

  The control circuit 10e is a circuit for controlling devices such as the hard disk 10d, the scanner 10i, the printing device 10h, the communication interface 10g, the operation panel 10f, and the facsimile modem 10j.

  The operation panel 10f is provided with a numeric keypad, a touch panel, and the like, and the user inputs to the image forming apparatus 2 using them to make various settings. The touch panel also serves as a display device that notifies a user of a message or the like. A mouse and a keyboard can be provided on the operation panel 10f.

  The facsimile modem 10j transmits image data DG obtained by the scanner 10i or receives image data DG transmitted from another fax terminal via the public switched telephone network (PSTN) according to the facsimile standard.

  For example, a tandem (type) laser printer is used as the printing apparatus 10h. When a tandem laser printer is used, the printing apparatus 10h is configured as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a printing apparatus 10h includes an electrophotographic tandem process unit, and sequentially superimposes toners of four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). To print a color image.

  The printing apparatus 10h includes a print head (writing unit) 11, a process unit unit 12, a transfer belt unit unit 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a fixing unit unit 15, a toner cartridge unit 16, a paper discharge tray 17, and the like.

  The print head 11 includes a laser diode, a polygon motor, an SOS sensor, a mirror, lenses, and the like, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the surface of the photoconductor of the process unit unit 12 with laser light.

  The process unit unit 12 includes four photoconductor units for C, M, Y, and K colors. After forming a charging potential on the surface of the photoreceptor for each color, an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser beam of the print head 11, and the toner supplied for each color from the toner cartridge portions 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K is supplied. A visible toner image is formed by adhering to the photoreceptor.

  The toner cartridge units 16C, 16M, 16Y, and 16K are composed of four toner cartridges for each color of C, M, Y, and K, and supply toners of corresponding colors, respectively.

  The transfer belt unit 13 includes a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a driving roller, a cleaning mechanism, and sensors, and transfers toner images of C, M, Y, and K colors formed on the photosensitive member to the transfer belt. Then, a full-color toner image is formed.

  Then, a full-color toner image formed on the transfer belt is transferred by a secondary transfer unit (not shown) onto a sheet fed and conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 14 or the manual sheet feeding unit 14a.

  The fixing unit 15 includes a heating roller, a pressure belt, a heater lamp, a thermistor, and the like. The toner image transferred to the sheet in the secondary transfer unit is fixed to the sheet by heat, and is then placed on the sheet discharge tray 17. Discharge.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the address book table TLA. 6 shows an example of the menu screen GM1, FIG. 7 shows an example of the address book screen GM2, FIG. 8 shows an example of the address book registration screen GM3, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of scan ToMail transmission. Next, processing of each unit of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The address book storage unit 101 stores the address book of each user registered in the image forming apparatus 2. This address book is managed by an address book table TLA as shown in FIG. The address book table TLA is stored in the address book storage unit 101 in association with a user number for each user.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the address book table TLA includes fields of “name”, “address”, “image attachment”, and “storage location”.

  “Name” indicates the name of a person registered in the address book. The “address” indicates an e-mail address that is information on the destination of the registered person. “Attach image” is a setting for whether or not to attach the image data DG to the notification mail to the destination (image presence / absence), that is, whether or not to immediately send the image data DG attached to the notification mail. Indicated. “Yes” means that the image data DG is sent immediately after being attached to the notification mail. “None” means not attached. In this case, the image data DG is transmitted after waiting for a request from the terminal device 3 that has received the notification mail. The “notification mail” will be described in detail later.

  In the “storage location”, the name (box name) of the storage location box (storage box) of the image data DG when the presence / absence of the image attachment is “none”, that is, when the image data DG is not attached to the notification mail. Indicated.

  The box storage unit 102 stores each box registered in the image forming apparatus 2. In these boxes, image data DG obtained by the scanner 10i and image data DG transmitted from other devices such as the terminal device 3 are stored.

  The screen data storage unit 103 stores data for displaying each screen as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 on the touch panel. Here, each of these screens will be described.

  The menu screen GM1 in FIG. 6 is a screen for selecting a function to be executed by the image forming apparatus 2. The menu screen GM1 includes a copy button BT1, a fax button BT2, a scan button BT3, a scan ToMail button BT4, an address book button BT5, and a user registration button BT6. When the copy button BT1, the fax button BT2, or the scan button BT3 is pressed, a screen for causing the image forming apparatus 2 to execute copy, fax, or scan is displayed on the touch panel, respectively. When the user registration button BT6 is pressed, a screen for user registration is displayed on the touch panel. Description of these screens is omitted.

  When the address book button BT5 is pressed, an address book screen GM2 as shown in FIG. 7 is displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the address book screen GM2 includes a destination list LS21, an edit button BT21, a new registration button BT22, and a return button BT23.

  The destination list LS21 shows the contents of each record registered in the address book of the logged-in user.

  The edit button BT21 is a button for editing the contents of the record selected in the destination list LS21. When this button is pressed, a screen for editing is displayed.

  The new registration button BT22 is a button for registering a new destination in the address book. When this button is pressed, an address book registration screen GM3 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. The return button BT23 is a button for returning to the menu screen GM1.

  The address book registration screen GM3 of FIG. 8 includes a name text box TX31, an address text box TX32, a radio button RG31, a radio button RG32, a box list LS31, a registration button BT31, and a cancel button BT32.

  The name text box TX31 and the address text box TX32 are areas for inputting the name and e-mail address of the other party to be registered by the user.

  The presence radio button RG31 and the absence radio button RG32 are radio buttons for setting whether to attach an image. Only one of the presence radio button RG31 and the absence radio button RG32 can be selected. When the presence radio button RG31 is selected, the presence / absence of image attachment is set to “present”. When the none radio button RG32 is selected, the image attachment is set to “none”.

  The box list LS31 displays a list of names of boxes registered in the box storage unit 102. When the user touches and selects one of the rows in the box list LS31, the color of the row is inverted and the state is selected.

  When the registration button BT31 is pressed, a record indicating the input name and e-mail address, presence / absence of the selected image attachment, and box name is additionally registered in the user's address book table TLA. When the cancel button BT32 is pressed, the display on the touch panel returns to the address book screen GM2.

  When the scan ToMail button BT4 is pressed on the menu screen GM1 in FIG. 6, a scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed.

  A scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 in FIG. 9 is a screen for causing the image forming apparatus 2 to perform scan ToMail transmission. The scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 includes a destination list LS41, a file name text box TX41, a scan execution button BT41, and a cancel button BT42.

  The destination list LS41 shows the contents of each record registered in the address book of the logged-in user. The file name text box TX41 is an area for inputting a file name of the image data DG obtained by scanning.

  The scan execution button BT41 is a button for causing the image forming apparatus 2 to execute scan ToMail transmission. The cancel button BT42 is a button for canceling scan ToMail transmission. When the cancel button BT42 is pressed, the touch panel display returns to the menu screen GM1.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 3, the command receiving unit 104 receives a command input by the user using the operation panel. The display control unit 105 controls the touch panel so as to display the screens shown in FIGS. Based on the content input by the user, the address book editing processing unit 106 additionally registers a destination in the user's address book, and updates or deletes the already registered destination.

  The image data registration processing unit 107 performs processing for registering the image data DG obtained by scanning in the box storage unit 102. At that time, the file name input on the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 of FIG. 9 is stored in association with the image data DG.

  The e-mail transmission processing unit 108 generates an e-mail at the time of scan ToMail transmission and transmits it to a designated destination.

  The scan ToMail processing unit 109 instructs each unit to execute processing for scan ToMail transmission when the user presses the scan execution button BT41 on the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4.

  Here, processing procedures of the image data registration processing unit 107, the e-mail transmission processing unit 108, and the scan ToMail processing unit 109 at the time of scan ToMail transmission will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 in FIG. 9, the user designates the destination of the scan ToMail transmission, inputs the file name, and presses the scan execution button BT41. Then, the scan ToMail processing unit 109 receives a signal indicating that the scan execution button BT41 has been pressed, and causes the scanner 10i to execute a scan (# 101).

  When there are a plurality of destinations designated by the user (Yes in # 102), the scan ToMail processing unit 109 instructs the image data registration processing unit 107 to save the image data DG obtained by the scan.

  In accordance with the instruction, the image data registration processing unit 107 refers to the record corresponding to the destination registered in the address book table TLA (see FIG. 5) of the user, and stores the image in the storage box indicated in the record. Data DG is stored (# 103). At that time, the file name input by the user is stored in association with the image data DG.

  The scan ToMail processing unit 109 further instructs the e-mail transmission processing unit 108 to transmit “notification mail”, which is a notification e-mail, to the designated destination without attaching the image data DG.

  Then, the e-mail transmission processing unit 108 generates image link data for the other party receiving the notification mail to access the image data DG stored in the box (# 104). The image link data includes, for example, “192.168.0.10/user Z / report.bmp”, the IP address (192.168.0.10) of the image forming apparatus 2 and the name of the storage box for the image data DG (user Z ) And data indicating the file name (report.bmp) of the image data DG input by the user, that is, data indicating the path of the image data DG. The e-mail transmission processing unit 108 generates a notification mail including the generated image link data (# 105), and transmits it to each designated destination (# 106).

  When there are not a plurality of designated destinations (No in # 102), the scan ToMail processing unit 109 refers to the presence / absence of an image attached to the destination registered in the user's address book, and immediately transmits the image data DG. Or whether to wait for a request. If “None” is set (No in # 107), it is determined that the request is sent before transmission, and the processes of steps # 103 to # 106 described above are performed.

  If “Yes” is set (Yes in # 107), it is determined that the transmission is to be performed immediately, and a notification mail attached with the image data DG obtained by scanning is transmitted to the designated destination. An instruction is sent to the e-mail transmission processing unit 108.

  In accordance with the instruction, the e-mail transmission processing unit 108 generates a notification mail to the designated destination (# 108), and transmits the image data DG attached thereto (# 106). In this case, the body of the notification mail includes the file name input by the user.

  The partner who has received the notification mail with the image data DG attached saves the image data in the hard disk of his / her terminal device 3.

  The other party who has received the notification mail not attached with the image data DG performs an operation for acquiring the image data based on the image link data included therein as follows. First, the content of the notification mail is displayed on the display of its own terminal device 3. Then, the image link data included therein is displayed in a hyperlink format, for example. By clicking the hyperlink, the image forming apparatus 2 is requested to transmit the image data DG.

  The image data transmission processing unit 110 transmits the image data DG to the terminal device 3 that has requested transmission of the image data DG using the notification mail. At this time, the image data DG is transmitted by a method other than attaching to the e-mail based on a protocol such as SMB or FTP. In addition, you may make it transmit with attaching to an email.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the overall processing flow of the image forming apparatus 2.

  Next, a processing flow of the image forming apparatus 2 from when the user logs in to when the user logs out will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 11, the user inputs his / her user number and password to the image forming apparatus 2 and logs in to the image forming apparatus 2.

  When the login process is completed (# 201), the image forming apparatus 2 displays the menu screen GM1 on the touch panel. When the user presses the address book button BT5 on the menu screen GM1 (Yes in # 202), the address book screen GM2 (see FIG. 7) is displayed on the touch panel. At this time, the destination list LS21 on the address book screen GM2 shows the contents of the address book of the logged-in user. When the user presses the new registration button BT22 on the address book screen GM2, the address book registration screen GM3 (see FIG. 8) is displayed on the touch panel (# 203). The user inputs information on the other party to be registered on the address book registration screen GM3.

  The image forming apparatus 2 receives the e-mail address input on the address book registration screen GM3 (# 204). In addition, selection of whether or not to send the image data DG attached to the notification mail at the time of scan ToMail transmission is accepted (# 205). If the one not to be attached is selected, the selection of the storage box for the image data DG is further accepted (# 206). The storage box is selected from the boxes shown in the box list LS31 on the address book registration screen GM3.

  When the user inputs a necessary item on the address book registration screen GM3 and presses the registration button BT31, the image forming apparatus 2 additionally registers a record indicating the received contents in the address book table TLA of the user (# 207). .

  When the scan ToMail button BT4 is pressed on the menu screen GM1, the image forming apparatus 2 displays the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 (see FIG. 9) on the touch panel (No in # 202 and Yes in # 208). The user sets a document on the scanner 10i.

  When a destination is selected from the destination list LS41 on the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4, the image forming apparatus 2 accepts it (# 209). At this time, a plurality of destinations can be selected.

  The image forming apparatus 2 receives the file name of the image data DG input by the user on the scan ToMail transmission screen GM4 (# 210).

  When the user presses the scan execution button BT41 after designating the destination, the image forming apparatus 2 executes a scan ToMail transmission process on the document set on the scanner 10i (# 211). This process is as already described in FIG.

  When a button other than the address book button BT5 or the scan ToMail button BT4 is pressed on the menu screen GM1 (No in # 202 and No in # 208), the user instructs execution of processing of the function corresponding to the pressed button. Display a screen for Then, the process of the function is executed according to the instruction input from the user (# 212).

  When the user performs a logout operation, a process of logging out the user is executed (Yes in # 213).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, whether or not an image is attached, that is, whether image data DG is immediately attached to a notification mail or only a notification mail is transmitted at the time of scan ToMail transmission is set for each destination. did. Then, in principle, the image data DG is attached to the notification mail and transmitted to the address set to “Yes” for the presence / absence of image attachment. A notification e-mail was sent to the address set as “None” without attaching the image data DG. When the notification mail is transmitted without attaching the image data DG, the image data DG is transmitted when there is a request for transmission of the image data DG from the destination terminal device 3. However, when there are a plurality of destinations, the notification mail is transmitted without attaching the image data DG regardless of the setting of whether or not the image is attached. The setting of whether to attach an image can be used as follows, for example.

  When transmitting the image data DG, depending on the destination terminal device 3, it is possible for the terminal device 3 to receive the e-mail text because, for example, the hard disk space is insufficient. May not receive the image data DG. The destination of the user who owns such a terminal device 3 is registered in the address book as “None” as to whether or not an image is attached. By doing so, the image data DG is acquired at a timing that the terminal device 3 can acquire.

  However, the image data DG may not be acquired because the image forming apparatus 2 is shut down when the terminal device 3 that has received the notification mail requests the image data DG. When the user who has requested the image data DG is working near the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 2 can be restarted to acquire the image data DG. However, when the user is active at a relatively remote location from the image forming apparatus 2 such as when working outside the company, the image data DG cannot be acquired immediately. Further, due to security reasons, a user who is active outside the company may not be able to request the image data DG. Such user destinations are registered in the address book with the presence / absence of image attachment as “present”. By doing so, the user can acquire the image data DG at the timing when the scan is executed.

  According to the present embodiment, by setting whether or not to attach an image for each destination in this way, the image data DG can be transmitted to the destination at an appropriate timing, and the user of the destination can reliably transmit the image data than before. DG can be acquired.

  In this embodiment, when a plurality of destinations are designated, a notification mail is transmitted without attaching the image data DG regardless of the setting of whether or not each destination is attached to an image. This can further suppress a rapid increase in traffic.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which an address book is registered for each user is shown, but one address book shared by all users may be registered. In that case, for example, the administrator of the image forming apparatus 2 updates the address book. As for the presence / absence of image attachment, a setting desired by the other party receiving image data DG is registered.

  In this embodiment, the user sets the file name of the image data DG. However, the file name may be automatically set based on the date and time when the scan is executed.

  In this embodiment, the image data DG obtained by scanning is targeted for transmission. However, the image data DG received from another fax terminal by the facsimile modem 10j or the image data DG received from another device such as the terminal device 3 is used. May be the target of transmission. In addition, the image data DG saved when the scan was performed previously may be the transmission target. In these cases, similarly, the notification mail is transmitted with or without the image data DG attached according to the setting of whether or not the image is attached.

  In the present embodiment, when a plurality of destinations are specified, the notification mail is transmitted without attaching the image data DG regardless of the setting of whether or not each destination is attached to an image. Even in such a case, the image data DG may be transmitted according to the setting of the presence or absence of image attachment for each destination. That is, the image data DG is attached to the notification mail for the destination set with “Yes”, and the image data DG is not attached to the destination set with “No”. A notification email containing image link data is sent to.

  Depending on the other party to which the image data DG is transmitted, it may not be preferable in terms of security to convey information regarding the storage location of the image data DG. For such a partner, the presence / absence of image attachment is set to “Yes”, and a notification mail not including image link data is transmitted regardless of whether or not there are a plurality of selected destinations. Thereby, the confidentiality of the image data DG stored in the storage box can be improved.

  In this embodiment, in Scan ToMail, the transmission destination of the image data DG is specified by selecting from the destinations registered in the address book. However, when sending a notification mail, an arbitrary e-mail address is input and specified. You may be able to do it. In that case, whether or not to attach an image can be specified at the time of the designation.

  In the present embodiment, the notification mail is transmitted with or without the image data DG attached according to the pre-registered image attachment presence / absence setting, but whether or not the image data DG is attached is transmitted. May be specified by the user when sending the notification mail. In that case, the notification mail is transmitted according to the user's specification at the time of transmission of the notification mail regardless of the setting of whether to attach an image. If the user does not specify, a notification mail is transmitted according to the registered image attachment presence / absence setting.

  Further, whether to attach the image data DG to the notification mail may be determined based on the usage status (for example, the usage rate of the CPU) of the image forming apparatus 2 or the traffic status of the communication line NT.

  In addition, the user may be prevented from accessing another user's box. Thereby, the confidentiality of the image data DG stored in the box is improved.

  In addition, the image processing system 1, the image forming apparatus 2, the terminal apparatus 3, and the mail server 4 are configured as a whole or each unit, functions, table configurations and contents, contents indicated by each data, process contents or order, etc. It can change suitably according to the meaning of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the laser printer of a tandem format. It is a figure which shows the example of an address book table. It is a figure which shows the example of a menu screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an address book screen. It is a figure which shows the example of an address book registration screen. It is a figure which shows the example of a scan ToMail transmission screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process of scan ToMail transmission. 6 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of the image forming apparatus in the present embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Image forming apparatus (image processing apparatus, computer)
3 Terminal device 10i Scanner (image data acquisition means)
101 Address book storage unit (setting data storage means, storage location data storage means)
104 Command reception unit (destination reception means)
107 Image data registration processing unit (image data acquisition means, image data storage processing means)
108 Email transmission processing unit (first transmission means)
109 Scan ToMail processing unit (determination means)
110 Image data transmission processing unit (second transmission means)
DG image data

Claims (6)

Setting data storage means for storing setting data indicating settings related to data transmission for each destination;
Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data for reproducing an image;
A destination accepting unit for accepting a destination of image data acquired by the image data acquiring unit specified by a user;
A determination unit that determines whether the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is to be transmitted immediately to the destination received by the destination reception unit or waiting for a request based on the setting data of the destination; ,
If the determination means determines that the image data acquired by the image data acquisition means is to be transmitted immediately to the destination received by the destination reception means, the image data is transmitted to the destination and a request is made. A first transmission unit configured to transmit notification data indicating that the image data has been acquired to the destination when it is determined to wait and transmit;
A second transmission means for transmitting the image data to the terminal device when a request for the image data is made from the terminal device;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Storage location data storage means for storing storage location data indicating a storage location of image data acquired by the image data acquisition means for each destination;
When the determination unit determines that the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is transmitted after waiting for a request to the destination received by the destination reception unit, the storage location indicated in the storage location data of the destination Image data storage processing means for storing the image data in
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first transmission unit, as the notification data, when the determination unit determines that the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is transmitted to the destination received by the destination reception unit while waiting for a request. , Sending notification data further indicating the storage location indicated in the storage location data of the destination and the data name of the image data;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2. When a plurality of destinations are received by the destination reception unit for the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit, the determination unit is configured for all of the destinations regardless of the contents of the setting data of each destination. It is determined that the image data is transmitted after waiting for a request.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. A method of transmitting data to another terminal device in an image processing device,
For each destination, prepare setting data indicating settings related to data transmission,
Obtain image data to reproduce the image,
Accept the destination of the acquired image data specified by the user,
It is determined based on the setting data of the destination whether to send the acquired image data immediately to the received destination or to wait for a request,
When it is determined that the acquired image data is immediately transmitted to the received destination, the image data is transmitted to the destination, and when it is determined that the image data is transmitted after waiting for the request, the image data is acquired. Notification data indicating
When image data is requested from a terminal device, the image data is transmitted to the terminal device.
A data transmission method characterized by the above. A computer program used for a computer capable of transmitting acquired data to another computer via a communication line,
In the computer,
Execute the process to store the setting data indicating the settings related to data transmission for each destination,
Execute the process to acquire image data to reproduce the image,
Execute the process to accept the destination of the acquired image data specified by the user,
A process for determining whether the acquired image data is to be transmitted immediately to a received destination or waiting for a request based on the setting data of the destination;
When it is determined that the acquired image data is immediately transmitted to the received destination, a process of transmitting the image data to the destination is executed,
When it is determined that the acquired image data is transmitted to the received destination after waiting for a request, a process for transmitting notification data indicating that the image data has been acquired to the destination is executed.
When a request for image data is made from a terminal device, a process for transmitting the image data to the terminal device is executed.
A computer program characterized by the above.

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