U.S. patent application number 11/015986 was filed with the patent office on 2006-06-22 for image forming apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba. Invention is credited to Katsuki Ogata, Kazuya Takeuchi, Akihiro Terabe.
Application Number | 20060132833 11/015986 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36595302 |
Filed Date | 2006-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060132833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Terabe; Akihiro ; et
al. |
June 22, 2006 |
Image forming apparatus
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a storing section provided
with a box which stores an electronic document file, a first
instruction accepting section which accepts an instruction for
deleting the electronic document file stored in the box, a second
instruction accepting section which accepts an instruction other
than the instruction for deleting the electronic document file, a
deleting processing section configured to execute processing for
deleting the electronic document file stored in the box, when
receiving the instruction for deleting the electronic document
file, from the first instruction accepting section, and a main
processing section configured to execute processing other than the
processing for deleting the electronic document file, in parallel
with the first deleting processing, when receiving the instruction
other than the instruction for deleting the electronic document
file, from the second instruction accepting section, while the
deleting processing is being executed by the first deleting
processing section.
Inventors: |
Terabe; Akihiro;
(Mishima-shi, JP) ; Ogata; Katsuki; (Mishima-shi,
JP) ; Takeuchi; Kazuya; (Mishima-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SoCAL IP LAW GROUP LLP
310 N. WESTLAKE BLVD. STE 120
WESTLAKE VILLAGE
CA
91362
US
|
Assignee: |
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Minato-ku
JP
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
Chiyoda-ku
JP
|
Family ID: |
36595302 |
Appl. No.: |
11/015986 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15 ;
358/1.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00416 20130101;
H04N 1/0096 20130101; H04N 1/00472 20130101; H04N 1/32358 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00204 20130101; H04N 2201/3295
20130101; Y10S 707/99938 20130101; H04N 1/00411 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.15 ;
358/001.16 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/12 20060101
G06F003/12 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a storing section
including a box which stores an electronic document file; a first
instruction accepting section which accepts an instruction for
deleting the electronic document file stored in the box; a second
instruction accepting section which accepts an instruction other
than the instruction for deleting the electronic document file; a
deleting processing section configured to execute processing for
deleting the electronic document file stored in the box, when
receiving the instruction for deleting the electronic document
file, from the first instruction accepting section; and a main
processing section configured to execute processing other than the
processing for deleting the electronic document file, in parallel
with the first deleting processing, when receiving the instruction
other than the instruction for deleting the electronic document
file, from the second instruction accepting section, while the
deleting processing is being executed by the first deleting
processing section.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
storing section includes a plurality of said boxes, the first
instruction accepting section specifies a predetermined box from
the plurality of boxes, and the deleting processing section deletes
all electronic document files in the specified box.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
storing section provides a plurality of folders for storing
electronic document files in the box, and the first instruction
accepting section specifies a predetermined folder from the
plurality of folders, and the deleting processing section deletes
all electronic document files in the specified folder.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
storing section stores a plurality of electronic document files in
the box, the first instruction accepting section specifies a
predetermined document file from the plurality of electronic
document files, and the deleting processing section deletes the
specified electronic document file.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which further
comprises a control panel, and the first and second instruction
accepting sections are provided at the control panel.
6. An image forming apparatus connectable to a computer apparatus
through a network, comprising: a memory section including a box
provided with a plurality of folders which store electronic
document files; a specification accepting section which accepts
specifying of an electronic document file in the box, from the
computer apparatus; an archiving section configured to execute
archiving the electronic document file specified at the
specification accepting section; and an outputting section
configured to output the electronic document file archived by the
archiving section to the computer apparatus.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, which further
comprises a scan section, a printer section and a facsimile
section, and an electronic document file to be stored in the box is
any of scan data read at a scan time, print data sent from the
computer apparatus, scan data read by the scan section at a copy
time and image data used at a facsimile processing time.
8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the
specification accepting section accepts specification of a
plurality of electronic document files.
9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, which further
comprises: a receiving section configured to receive the archived
electronic document file output to the computer apparatus by the
outputting section, from the computer apparatus; a restoring
section configured to restore the archived electronic document file
received by the receiving section to an original electronic
document file; and a storing section configured to store in the box
the electronic document file restored by the restoring section.
10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the
memory section includes a plurality of said boxes, and the storing
section stores the restored electronic document file in a box other
than the box in which the electronic document file is stored before
being output by the outputting section.
11. A computer apparatus connectable to an image forming apparatus
through a network, comprising: a setting storing section configured
to store setting for acquiring an electronic document file from a
box for storing an electronic document file, which is provided in a
memory section in the image forming apparatus; an accessing section
configured to access the box based on the setting stored in the
setting storing section; an acquiring section configured to acquire
the stored electronic document file from the box accessed by the
accessing section; and a storing section configured to store the
electronic document file acquired by the acquiring section, after
the electronic document file is acquired by the data acquiring
section.
12. The computer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein setting
by the setting storing section includes setting of the box of the
image forming apparatus, a format type in which the electronic
document file is stored, timing at which the electronic document
file is acquired, and a storage portion in which the acquired
electronic document file is to be stored.
13. The computer apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
setting of the timing at which the electronic document file is
acquired is determination of intervals at which connection is
effected.
14. The computer apparatus according to claim 12, which further
comprises: a format type determining section configured to
determine whether a format type of the electronic document file
acquired by the acquiring section is coincident with the format
type set by the setting storing section; and a format converting
section configured to convert the format type of the electronic
document file into the format type set by the setting storing
section, when the format type determining section determines that
the format type of the electronic document file is not coincident
with the format type set by the setting storing section.
15. The computer apparatus according to claim 11, which further
comprises: a determining section configured to determine whether
electronic document files stored in the box are all acquired or
not; an access cutting section configured to cut access to the box,
after the determining section determines that the electronic
document files are all acquired.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus
which can store kinds of data items in boxes provided in a storage
section, and manage the kinds of data.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as a copying
machine and a multi-function peripheral (MFP) have been provided to
have a function of storing image data of an original scanned and
data received through a network, etc., as electronic documents, in
a hard disk drive. Specifically, in the hard disk drive, boxes for
storing electronic documents are prepared for users, respectively.
To be more specific, the boxes are used in storing electronic
documents obtained with scanning or the like by the users. When a
box storing an electronic document file or the like is deleted, it
is carried out by the user by using a control panel of the MFP.
Also, an electronic document file in a box is managed by the user
by a PC or the like connected to the MFP through the Internet.
[0005] When deleting a box or the like, a conventional MFP cannot
accept another operation until deletion is completed. Thus, the
user cannot leave the image forming apparatus until confirming
completion of the processing. Furthermore, when kinds of data
stored in a box is downloaded to a PC, and downloaded kinds of data
is uploaded from the PC to the MFP, these processings need to be
performed in units of one box. In addition, an electronic document
file stored in a box cannot be downloaded, unless a predetermined
operation is performed by the user with the PC or the like.
[0006] Therefore, an image forming apparatus is required to be
provided, which enables an electronic document file stored in a box
to be easily handled.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an
image forming apparatus comprises: a storing section including a
box which stores an electronic document file; a first instruction
accepting section which accepts an instruction for deleting the
electronic document file stored in the box; a second instruction
accepting section which accepts an instruction other than the
instruction for deleting the electronic document file; a deleting
processing section configured to execute processing for deleting
the electronic document file stored in the box, when receiving the
instruction for deleting the electronic document file, from the
first instruction accepting section; and a main processing section
configured to execute processing other than the processing for
deleting the electronic document file, in parallel with the first
deleting processing, when receiving the instruction other than the
instruction for deleting the electronic document file, from the
second instruction accepting section, while the deleting processing
is being executed by the first deleting processing section.
[0008] Objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the
invention, and together with the general description given above
and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a view showing a network structure which is common
to the embodiments of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing part of the structure
of an image forming apparatus, which is common to the
embodiments.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing another part of the
structure of the image forming apparatus, which is common to the
embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing the structure of a
box, which is common to the embodiments.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing the structure of a
computer apparatus, which is common to the embodiments.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing a task configuration
in the first embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a processing procedure in
the first embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing deletion processing in the
first embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a view showing changes of the image on a touch
panel when a box is deleted, in the first embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a view showing changes of the image on the touch
panel when a folder is deleted, in the embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a view showing changes of the image on the touch
panel when an electronic document file is deleted, in the
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing in the second
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of an image displaying
boxes provided in an HDD in the second embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an image displaying
folders and electronic document files in a box in the second
embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when an instruction for archiving an electronic document file is
given, in the second embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when the archived electronic document file is stored in a PC.
[0026] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of another processing in the second
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when an instruction for uploading the archived electronic document
file to an MFP is given, in the second embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when the archived electronic document file to be uploaded is
selected, in the second embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of an image of the
uploaded electronic document file in the second embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an image displaying
a command for automatic downloading in the third embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when automatic downloading is set.
[0032] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of processing in the third
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 24 is a view for use in explaining format conversion of
an electronic document file in the third embodiment.
[0034] FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of an image displayed
when downloading is being performed, in the third embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 26 is a view showing an example of an image for use in
checking the condition of downloading in the third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] First of all, a structure common to the embodiments of the
present invention, which will be explained later, will be
explained.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a view showing a network structure common to the
embodiments. An MFP 1 is connected to the Internet 3 through a
router 2. A PC 4 is connected to the Internet 3 through a router 5.
In such a manner, since the PC 4 is connected to the Internet 3, it
can communicate with the MFP 1.
[0038] FIGS. 2 and 3 are views each showing an internal structure
of the MFP 1. To be more specific, FIG. 2 shows the internal
structures of a control panel section 10, a scan section 20 and a
printer section 30 in the MFP 1, and FIG. 3 shows the internal
structure of a basic processing section 40 in the MFP 1.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a main CPU 41, a control panel
CPU 11, a scan CPU 21 and a printer CPU 31 control the basic
processing section 40, the control panel section 10, the scan
section 20 and the printer section 30, respectively. Furthermore,
the main CPU 41 communicates with the control panel CPU 11, the
scan CPU 21 and the printer CPU 31 to control these CPUs.
[0040] The control panel CPU 11 is connected to a ROM 12 and a RAM
13. Also, the control panel CPU 11 controls an input section 15 and
a touch panel 16 on the control panel 14 on the basis of data
stored in the ROM 12 and the RAM 13. In the input section 15,
function keys such as a start key and a register key, etc. are
provided.
[0041] The scan CPU 21 controls a mechanism section 24 of a motor
and a solenoid (which are not shown), an automatic document feeder
(ADF) 25, a coordinate input device (editor) 26, an
analog-to-digital converting circuit (A/D) 27, a shading
compensating circuit (SHD) 28 and a line memory 29, etc. on the
basis of data stored in a ROM 22 and a RAM 23. Furthermore, a
charge-coupled device (CCD) section 27a is connected to the A/D
27.
[0042] The printer CPU 31 controls a mechanism section 34 of a
motor and a solenoid (which are not shown), a sorter 35, a cassette
feeder (CF) 36, a laser converting circuit 37 and a laser drive
circuit 39 for controlling a semiconductor laser 38, etc. on the
basis of data stored in a ROM 32 and a RAM 33. The printer section
30 is formed to form a color image by superimposing toner images of
four colors, i.e., yellow, cyan, magenta and black, on the basis
of, e.g., predetermined image data.
[0043] The main CPU 41 controls the MFP 1 as a whole in accordance
with fixed data and a control program, etc. stored in a ROM 41 and
a RAM 43.
[0044] A data switching and buffer memory section 44 switches the
section to which image data read by the scan section 20 is to be
sent or the data to be sent to the printer section 30, and performs
buffering. An image processing section 45 performs image processing
on, e.g., the data read by the scan section 20 and sent from the
data switching and buffer memory section 44. A compressing section
46 compresses image data, and an expanding section 47 expands
compressed image data. A page memory 48 stores image data of each
page. A print font ROM 49 develops code data on the page memory 48,
and a compression memory 50 stores data compressed by the
compressing section 46. A real time clock (RTC) 51 generates
present time information.
[0045] Furthermore, the main CPU 41 is connected to a hard disk
drive (HDD) 53, an optical disk drive 54, a facsimile processing
section 55 and a local area network (LAN) interface through an
interface controller 52. The optical disk drive 54 reads
information stored in a set disk. The facsimile processing section
55 transfers processed image data to the outside through a
communication line (not shown) connected to the MFP 1, or inputs
image data received from the outside through the communication
line. The LAN interface 56 is used in connection to the Internet 3
through the router 2.
[0046] The HDD 53 stores, e.g., a control program or kinds of data
such as an electronic document file. The electronic document film
is stored in a box provided in the HDD 53. FIG. 4 is a view for use
in explaining the structure of boxes for storing electronic
document files. In each of the boxes, a number of folders are
provided, and electronic document files can be stored. In the
folders, a number of electronic document files can be stored. The
electronic document files each comprise data of each of pages. As
such boxes, one public box shared with users using the MFP 1 and
200 user boxes assigned to the users can be provided. In one box,
100 folders can be provided at the maximum. Also, in one folder,
400 electronic document files can be provided at the maximum. It
should be noted that the greatest number of pages which can be
included in the electronic document file is 1000.
[0047] An electronic document file stored in a box in such a manner
is, e.g., data read by the scan section at a scan function time,
print data sent from the PC 4, data read by the scanner section at
a copy function time and data used by a facsimile function. This
electronic document file is stored in a box designated by a user.
The format type at the time of storing the electronic document file
in the box varies in accordance with, e.g., which of a scan time, a
print time, a copy time and a fax time is time at which image data
is used, and the kind of the image data used at that time. For
example, at the copy time and the print time, a color image and a
monochrome image are both stored in an original format set by a
maker of the MFP 1. At a scan input time, a color image and a gray
image are stored in a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), and
a monochrome image is stored in a Modified Modified Read (MMR). At
the fax time, a monochrome image is stored in the MMR.
[0048] FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing the internal
structure of the PC 4. The PC 4 includes a CPU 61, a ROM 62, a RAM
63, a displaying section 64, an inputting section 65, an HDD 66 and
a local area network (LAN) interface 67. The CPU 61 is connected to
the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the displaying section 64, the inputting
section 65, the HDD 66 and the LAN interface 67 through a bus line
68.
[0049] The CPU 61 collectively controls those sections by executing
a control program stored in the ROM 63. In the ROM 62, the control
program to be executed by the CPU 61 is stored. In the RAM 63, a
work area necessary for the CPU 61 to perform kinds of processings
and etc. are formed. The displaying section 64 is, e.g., a display,
and displays information to the user. The inputting section 65 is,
e.g., a keyboard and a mouse, and is used when an instruction is
input by the user. The HDD 66 stores kinds of data such as image
data or a control program. Also, in the HDD 66, a setting storing
section 66a stores setting of an automatic download which will be
explained later with respect to the third embodiment which will be
described later. The LAN interface 67 is connected to the Internet
3 through the router 5.
[0050] The first to third embodiments of the present invention
using the above PC 4 and the MFP 1 will be explained with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
The First Embodiment
[0051] The first embodiment will be explained by referring to the
case where a user operates the control panel 14 to select or delete
any of boxes, folders and electronic document files in the HDD 53
in the MFP 1.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a view schematically showing the configurations of
tasks to be processed by the main CPU 41 of the MFP 1. The tasks
comprise a main processing task and a deletion processing task. The
user operates the control panel 14 to edit an electronic document
file stored in a box in the HDD 53, print predetermined image data,
etc. and fetch an electronic document file into a box. Furthermore,
the user operates the control panel 14 to instruct that deletes a
box, a folder or an electric document file provided with HDD. When
those instructions are given by the user, a main processing task
101 is informed of them. When being informed of an instruction
regarding deletion, the main processing task 101 informs a deletion
processing task 102 of the instruction. After informing the
deletion processing task 102, the main processing task 101 waits
for an instruction other than the deletion processing, from the
user. On the other hand, the deletion processing task 102 executes
deletion processing. When the main processing task 101 receives
another instruction from the user while the deletion processing
task 102 is executing the deletion processing, it executes
processing based on the instruction. Therefore, in this case, the
main processing task 101 and the deletion processing task perform
parallel processing.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a processing procedure of
the deletion processing. When an instruction to delete a box, a
folder or an electronic document file, which is designated from the
control panel 14 by the user, is given, the main processing task
101 immediately informs the deletion processing task 102 that a
deletion request is made. Then, displaying indicating that deletion
is being performed is performed by the control panel 14. The
deletion processing task 102 executes processing for deleting the
designated box, folder or electronic document file. At this time,
when an instruction indicating that the box be deleted is given,
the main processing task 101 inhibits access to the box, and
performs processing for preventing folders and electronic document
files in the box from being operated. Also, the main processing
task 101 erases displaying indicating that deletion is being
performed, performed by the control panel 14, when an instruction
indicating that a folder or an electronic document be deleted is
given. Even when the deletion processing task 102 is executing the
deletion processing, and when, e.g., an instruction other than the
box, folder or electronic document file being deleted is given from
the control panel 14, the main processing task 101 executes
processing according with the instruction. In this case, processing
of the deletion processing task 102 and that of the main processing
task 101 are performed in parallel with each other. The parallel
processing of the main processing task 101 and the deletion
processing task 102 is achieved by, e.g., time-sharing the main CPU
41. Furthermore, when the deletion processing is completed, the
deletion processing task 102 informs the main processing task 101
of completion of the deletion. When the main processing task 101
receives information indicating completion of the deletion, and
when it is instructed to delete a box, it erases an image displayed
on the control panel 14, which indicates that deletion is being
performed. The main processing task 101 does not perform specific
processing when being instructed to delete a folder or an
electronic document file.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the deletion processing. First, the
main CPU 41 checks a session ID (ST101). When checking of the
session ID ends, the main CPU 41 checks a box status (ST102). When
checking of the box status ends, the main CPU 41 checks a folder
status (ST103). Then, the main CPU 41 checks a document status.
Furthermore, the main CPU 41 deletes a status file (ST105). When
those processings end, an electronic document file is deleted
(ST106).
[0055] When an electronic document file is deleted, the main CPU 41
determines whether or not the instruction to perform deletion is an
instruction to delete a box (ST107). At this time, when this
determination is made as "YES", the main CPU 41 further determines
whether or not the electronic document files in a box are all
deleted (ST108). At this time, when this determination is made as
"NO", the processing to be performed is returned to processing for
performing folder checking in step ST103. On the other hand, in the
step ST107, when the determination is made as "NO", the main CPU 41
determines whether or not the instruction to perform deletion is an
instruction to delete a folder (ST109). At this time, when the
determination is made as "YES", the main CPU 41 determines that the
electronic document files in a folder are all deleted (ST110). At
this time, when the determination is made as "NO", the processing
to be performed is returned to processing for performing document
checking in step ST104.
[0056] When the main CPU 41 determines that the electronic document
files in the box are all deleted (YES at ST108), that an
instruction to delete a folder cannot be given (NO at ST109), and
that the electronic document files in the folder are all deleted
(YES at ST110), it ends the processing.
[0057] Next, the operation in the case where the user operates the
control panel 14 in the MFP 1 having the above structure to delete
a box, a folder or an electronic document file will be
explained.
[0058] First, the operation in the case where the user operates the
control panel 14 to delete a box made in the HDD 53 will be
explained with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a view showing
changes of the image on the touch panel 16 when the box is deleted.
First, the user operates the control panel 14 to invoke an image
displaying a list of boxes on the touch panel 16. A touch panel 16a
displays an image appearing when the list of boxes is invoked. In
the touch panel 16a, "SETUP", "DELETE", "EDIT" and "ENTER" keys are
displayed in addition to "Public Box" and boxes having box numbers
001 to 007. Furthermore, in box numbers 001 to 003 and 005,
"BOX001", "BOX002", "BOX003" and "BOX005" are prepared,
respectively. In those boxes, folders are provided, and electronic
document files, etc. are stored.
[0059] The user selects a box to be deleted, from among the
displayed boxes, by touching it. This will be explained by
referring to the case where "BOX005" having box number 005 is
deleted. The user touches the "DELETE" key after selecting
"BOX005".
[0060] The touch panel 16b displays an image appearing when the
"DELETE" key is touched. This image is intended to ask the user to
make sure of whether to delete the box. In the image, when "YES" is
touched by the user, the above deletion processing starts.
Therefore, the electronic documents files in a folder in "BOX005"
are successively deleted. A touch panel 16c displays an image
appearing when "YES" is touched. At this time, with respect to a
box having box number 005 which is being deleted, the box name
"BOX005" is displayed to indicate that it is being deleted.
Furthermore, when "BOX005" is selected, the "SETUP", "DELETE" and
"EDIT" keys are displayed in gray to inhibit a user's operation. In
this case, only the operation regarding "BOX005" whose box number
is 005 is inhibited, i.e., processings on other boxes and other
operations can be performed. A touch panel 16d displays an image
appearing when the deletion processing ends. The box name "BOX005"
of the box having box number 005 is deleted. Thereby, the user
visually recognizes that deletion of "BOX005" having box number 005
is completed, and setup, etc. can be re-carried out with respect to
the box having box number 005.
[0061] In such a manner, the MFP 1 can accept kinds of operations
such as editing and printing of electronic document files in boxes
other than the box being deleted, and fetching an electronic
document file. Thus, the user can freely utilize the MFP 1 even
when a box is being deleted. Furthermore, the user can immediately
leave the MFP 1 even if he or she does not confirm ending of the
deletion processing. In a conventional MFP 1, until deletion of
folders or electronic document files in a box is completed, other
operations are not accepted. Thus, in the case where it takes long
time to delete a box, it takes long time until other operations are
allowed to be performed, and it is inconvenient. However, this can
be solved by the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0062] Furthermore, until the folders and electronic document files
in a box are all deleted, the box name "BOX005" is displayed, and
the operation for the box having box number 005 is inhibited. Thus,
the user can visually recognize that the box having box number 005
is being deleted, and know that its operation cannot be
performed.
[0063] Next, the operation in the case where the user operates the
control panel 14 to delete a folder will be explained with
reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a view showing changes of the
image on the touch panel 16 when a folder is deleted. The user
operates the control panel 14 to invoke an image displaying folders
and electronic document files in a predetermined box, on the touch
panel 16. FIG. 16e shows an image appearing when a list of them is
invoked. On a touch panel 16e, "OPEN FORDER", "DELETE", "TESTPRINT"
and "SETTING" keys are displayed in addition to the list of folders
and electronic document files.
[0064] The user selects a box to be deleted, from among the
displayed boxes, by touching it. This will be explained by
referring to the case where the folder "FOLDER001" is deleted. The
user inputs the "DELETE" key after selecting "FORDER001".
[0065] A touch panel 16f displays an image appearing when the
"DELETE" key is touched. This image is intended to ask the user to
make sure of whether to delete the folder. In the image, when "YES"
is selected by the user, the above deletion processing starts.
Therefore, the electronic documents files in the "folder001" are
successively deleted. Furthermore, at this time, "FORDER001" is
immediately erased from the displayed list. A touch panel 16g
displays an image appearing when "YES" is touched. In a list
displayed on the touch panel 16g, "FORDER001" is not displayed.
Furthermore, in the touch panel 16g, a user's operation can be
accepted.
[0066] Lastly, the operation in the case where the user operates
the control panel 14 to delete an electronic document file will be
explained with reference to FIG. 11. It will be explained by
referring to the case where the user deletes an electronic document
file in a list displayed on the touch panel 16e.
[0067] The user selects an electronic document file to be deleted,
from the displayed electronic document files, by touching it. It
will be explained by referring to the case where electronic
document file "DOC041117-001" is deleted. The user inputs the
"DELETE" key after selecting "DOC041117-001".
[0068] A touch panel 16h displays an image appearing when the
"DELETE" key is touched. This image is intended to ask the user to
make sure of whether to erase the electronic document file. In this
image, when "YES" is selected, the above deletion processing
starts. At this time, "DOC041117-001" is immediately erased from
the displayed list. A touch panel 16i displays an image appearing
when "YES" is touched. In a list displayed on the touch panel 16i,
"DOC041117-001" is not displayed. Furthemore, in the touch panel
16i, an operation can be accepted from the user.
[0069] In such a manner, in the MFP 1 according to the first
embodiment, when a folder or an electronic document file is
deleted, kinds of operations such as editing and printing of an
electronic document file in another box and fetching of an
electronic document file can be accepted immediately.
The Second Embodiment
[0070] Next, the second embodiment will be explained. In the second
embodiment, in a file management function of managing, with the PC
4, electronic document files stored in a box in the HDD 53 in the
MFP 1, archiving/uploading is carried out in unit of one electronic
document file.
[0071] FIG. 12 is a flowchart schematically showing processing
performed when the main CPU 41 of the MFP 1 executes archiving of
an electronic document file. First, designation of an electronic
document file stored from the PC4 in a box in the HDD 53 is
accepted (ST201). In this designation, one electronic document file
may be designated, and a number of electronic document files may be
designated as long as they are in a box. Then, the main CPU 41
archives a designated electronic file or files (ST202). Due to this
archiving processing, the designated electronic document file or
files are collected and compressed together with each other. In the
second embodiment, they are compressed in a Zip format. Then, the
main CPU 41 outputs the archived electronic document file or files
to the PC4 being accessing the box (ST203).
[0072] Next, the operation in the case where the user uses the PC 4
to archive an electronic document file or files stored in a box in
the MFP 1 will be explained.
[0073] The user operates the PC 4, the PC 4 communicates with the
MFP 1, and an application for managing electronic document files is
started, to have the PC 4 access the MFP 1. Then, the user makes
the displaying section 64 of the PC 4 display a list of boxes in
the MFP 1. FIG. 13 shows an image displayed by the displaying
section 64 when the list of the boxes is displayed at that time. As
shown in the figure, a number of boxes such as a public box are
displayed. When the user selects, e.g., the box "TERABE", from the
boxes displayed by the displaying section 64, electronic document
files stored in the box "TERABE" are displayed as shown in FIG. 14.
In the displaying section 64, the first page of each of the
electronic document files are displayed in thumbnail images. Also,
check boxes are provided under the thumbnail images of the
electronic document files, respectively. The user checks a check
box of a file to be archived. For example, when causing only a file
"test2_doc [scan]" to be archived, the user checks the check box
under the file. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, when the user opens a
menu image from "File" in a tool bar, and selects "Archive
Document", then only the selected electronic document file is
archived. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, it is displayed that the
archived file is stored in the PC 4.
[0074] The case where the archived electronic document file stored
in the PC 4 is uploaded to the MFP 1 will be explained. FIG. 17 is
a flowchart schematically showing processings to be executed by the
main CPU 41 of the MFP 1.
[0075] The main CPU 41 receives the archived electronic document
file in order that it be stored in a predetermined box (ST301).
Then, the main CPU 41 restores the achieved electronic document
file (ST302). That is, the main CPU 41 performs expanding
processing on data of the archived electronic document file to
convert it into its original data format. Then, the main CPU 41
stores the electronic document file in the box (ST303).
[0076] Next, the operation in the case where the user uploads the
archived electronic document file stored in the PC 4 to the MFP 1
by using the PC 4 will be explained.
[0077] The user operates the PC 4, starts an application for
managing the electronic document file, and has the PC 4 access the
MFP 1. Then, the user selects a box to which the archived
electronic document file is to be uploaded. For example, he or she
selects "TERABE2". As shown in FIG. 18, the box "TERABE 2" stores
no electronic document file. Then, the user opens a menu image from
"File" in a tool bar, and selects "Upload Archive Document".
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 19, an image for selecting the archived
electronic document file to be uploaded, in the PC 4, is opened.
The user inputs the archived electronic document file to be
uploaded, on the image. For example, the electronic document file
"test2_doc [scan]" achieved by the above processing is input as
file name. Then, the archived electronic document file is output to
the MFP 1. The electronic document file is restored, and the
electronic document file "test2_doc [scan]" is stored in the box
"TERABE2". In such a manner, when the electronic document file is
stored, the first page of the electronic document file is displayed
as a thumbnail image, and the file name "test2_doc [scan]" is
displayed. As a result, the user can visually recognize that
uploading is completed.
[0078] In such a manner, in the MFP 1 according to the second
embodiment, by operating the PC 4, the user can archive one
electronic document file stored in the box "TERABE" in the MFP 1,
in the PC 4, and the archived electronic document file from the PC
4 to the box "TERABE2". That is, the MFP 1 can archive/upload only
one electronic document file. Therefore, the MFP 1 enables the user
to archive/upload a desired electronic document only. On the other
hand, in the conventional MFP 1, archiving/uploading can be carried
out in units of one box. Thus, the MFP 1 according to the second
embodiment, by comparison the conventional one, the time required
for archiving/uploading and the capacity of files can be reduced.
Therefore, the MFP 1 according to the second embodiment enables an
electronic document file or files stored in a box or boxes to be
easily handled.
[0079] In the MFP 1, a public box is provided. The public box is a
box used by an unspecified number of users. In such a manner, in
the case where electronic document files can be stored in the
public box, the user can archive/upload a desired document file or
files. Thus, the user can prevent an unnecessary file from being
archived and backed up. Furthermore, there is a case where boxes
other than the public box can be utilized by a number of users. In
this case also, each of the users can archive/upload a desired file
only, and also archive/upload only an electronic document file
newly added. In this case also, the users can prevent an
unnecessary file from being archived and backed up.
[0080] The second embodiment is explained by referring to the case
of archiving/uploading one electronic document file. However, two
or more electronic document files may be designated, and
archived/uploaded.
The Third Embodiment
[0081] The third embodiment will be referred to. The third
embodiment will be explained by referring to the case where an
electronic document file stored in a box in the HDD 53 in the MFP 1
is automatically downloaded to the PC 4. In the PC 4 in the first
embodiment, an application software for automatic downloading is
stored in the HDD 66.
[0082] When the user starts the application software in the PC 4,
"File" is displayed in the tool bar. When "File" is selected, a
menu image is opened. As shown in FIG. 21, when the user selects
"Automatic Downloading", and selects "Properties", an image for
setting automatic downloading is displayed as shown in FIG. 22. In
setting of automatic downloading, as shown in the figure, a box in
the HDD 53 in the MFP 1, the pass for use in storage, the file
format and the connection intervals, etc. can be set in a wizard
format. In the setting image shown in FIG. 22, the user can set the
file format, compression type and connection intervals, etc. It
should be noted that when "Next" is selected, setting of the box in
the HDD 53 in the MFP 1 and the pass for use in storage, etc. can
be carried out.
[0083] Next, processing to be executed by the CPU 61 based on
information set by the user in the above manner will be explained
with reference to FIG. 23.
[0084] The CPU 61 determines whether the set time lapses or not
(ST401). When this determination is made as "NO", the CPU 61
repeats this determination. When determining that the set time
lapses, the CPU 61 accesses the box in the HDD 53 in the MFP 1
(ST402). Then, the CPU 61 determines whether an electronic document
file is present in the accessed box or not (ST403). When this
determination is made as "YES", the CPU 61 acquires one electronic
document file from the accessed box (ST404). It should be noted
that an electronic document file output to the PC 4 is deleted from
the box in the MFP 1 Next, the CPU 61 determines whether the format
type of the electronic document file acquired from the MFP 1 is
coincident with the designated format type (ST405). When this
determination is made as "NO", the CPU 61 performs format
conversion (ST406). This format conversion will be described later
with reference to FIG. 24. Furthermore, when the determination in
step ST405 is made as "YES", and after format conversion is
performed in step ST406, and the CPU 61 stores an electronic
document file in a storage portion set in the HDD 66 (ST407). Then,
the processing to be performed is returned to that of step ST403,
and the CPU 61 determines whether an electronic document file is
present in the box or not. In such a manner, this processing is
continued until the electronic document files in the box are all
acquired. When "NO" is determined in step ST403, the CPU 61 cuts
connection with the box (ST408). Then, the processing is returned
to ST401, and the above processing is continued until the power
supply of the PC 4 is turned off.
[0085] FIG. 24 is a view for use in explaining the above formation
conversion. The first rank indicates the format types of electronic
document files stored in the MFP 1. The format types of the
electronic document files vary in accordance with how they are
fetched or whether they are color or monochrome. The second rank
indicates processing for acquiring those electronic document files
with the PC 4. The third rank indicates processing for performing
bitmap conversion on the electronic document files fetched by the
original formats of makers. The fourth rank indicates processing
for performing JPEG-compressing the color electronic document files
subjected to bitmap conversion, and performing MMR-compressing the
monochrome electronic document files subjected to bitmap
conversion. The fifth rank indicates processing for making data
written in the MMR and JPEG formats as TIFF files and PDF files and
storing the data in JPEG. Then, which format type the data should
be stored in is determined by the user in advance. Then, the data
is converted into any of the format types of the TIFF file, the PDF
file and the JPEG file.
[0086] The operation in the case where the PC 4 automatically
downloads an electronic document file from a set predetermined box
in the HDD 53 in the MFP 1 will be explained.
[0087] The PC 4 accesses the set predetermined box in the HDD 53 in
the MFP 1, when each of the time intervals set by the user lapses.
Then, in the case where an electronic document file is stored in
the box, it is acquired. In the case where it needs to be subjected
to format conversion, it is stored in a set storage portion in the
HDD 66 after formation conversion. This operation is performed
until the electronic document files in the set box are all
acquired. Then, when the set time intervals re-lapse, the same
operation is performed. Thereby, at each of the set times, an
operation of fetching an electronic document file or files newly
stored in a box is repeated. It should be noted that since in the
MFP 1, the electronic document file or files output to the PC 4 are
deleted, electronic documents file or files identical to the
deleted electronic file or files are not downloaded.
[0088] Therefore, the PC 4 can automatically download electronic
document files stored in boxes in the MFP 1. Due to this,
electronic document stored in boxes can be easily handled.
[0089] It should be noted that when the user selects "Start" from
"Automatic Download" in FIG. 21, an electronic document file is
downloaded from a box in the MFP 1. At this time, as shown in FIG.
25, an image indicating that downloading is being performed is
displayed in the displaying section 64. Also, when the user selects
"Stop" from "Automatic Download" during downloading of the
electronic document file, downloading thereof is stopped.
[0090] Furthermore, even during automatic downloading, the user can
check the condition of downloading. When "Summary" is selected from
"File" in FIG. 21, an image indicating the downloading condition
which is shown in FIG. 26 is displayed in the displaying section
64. The image indicating the downloading condition is also
displayed, when "Stop" is selected in the above manner to effect
cancel-ending, and an error such as a communication error occurs,
as a result of which it becomes impossible to carry out downloading
of an electronic document file. At this time, the user selects
"View Log File" in FIG. 26 to have a detail log displayed.
[0091] Furthermore, in setting of automatic downloading, in the
case where an error occurs when automatic downloading is performed,
retrying may be performed in subsequent connection without
immediately releasing setting of automatic downloading. In this
case, the number of times retrying can be performed can be set,
e.g., it is set at three, and if an error occurs even when retrying
is performed the set number of times, automatic setting of
downloading is released. It suffices that it is displayed in the
image for use in checking the condition of downloading, which is
explained with reference to FIG. 26, that automatic setting of
downloading is released.
[0092] It should be noted that in the third embodiment, the
connection intervals are set in order that an electronic document
file be automatically downloaded. However, it is not limited to
this. For example, it may be set such that downloading is
scheduled, e.g., with respect to what time downloading will be
carried out every week, and an electronic document is downloaded at
the timing.
[0093] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *