U.S. patent application number 15/989590 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-27 for image processing system that performs reading and transmitting process of original image, method of controlling image processing system, and storage medium.
The applicant listed for this patent is CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Takeshi Kogure.
Application Number | 20180278803 15/989590 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56112395 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180278803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kogure; Takeshi |
September 27, 2018 |
IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM THAT PERFORMS READING AND TRANSMITTING
PROCESS OF ORIGINAL IMAGE, METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGE PROCESSING
SYSTEM, AND STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
An image processing system which makes it possible to prevent an
erroneous operation from being performed by an improper user. A
console section of an MFP receives an operation from a user. A
scanner reads an original to generate image data. A modem transmits
the image data. A network interface receives an instruction for a
reading and transmitting process for causing the scanner to read an
original and then causing the modem to transmit image data
generated by the scanner. When the instruction for the reading and
transmitting process is received, a controller determines, based on
a state of operation of the console section, whether or not the
reading and transmitting process can be accepted. When acceptance
of the reading and transmitting process is permitted as a result of
the determination, the controller controls the scanner and the
modem to perform the reading and transmitting process.
Inventors: |
Kogure; Takeshi;
(Toride-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
56112395 |
Appl. No.: |
15/989590 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14950106 |
Nov 24, 2015 |
10009511 |
|
|
15989590 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00315 20130101;
H04N 1/4413 20130101; H04N 1/00411 20130101; H04N 1/00281 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00811 20130101; H04N 1/00925
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/44 20060101
H04N001/44; H04N 1/00 20060101 H04N001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2014 |
JP |
2014-250821 |
Claims
1. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions,
including at least a transmission function, and communicable with a
communication terminal via a network, the image processing
apparatus comprising: an operation device; a reading device that
reads an original; a memory device that stores instructions; and at
least one processor that implements the instructions stored in the
memory to: control the operation device to display a selection
screen where a desired function, among the plurality of functions,
is selectable; receive a request regarding the transmission
function from the communication terminal via the network; control,
in accordance with the request regarding the transmission function
received from the communication terminal while the selection screen
is displayed, the operation device to display predetermined
information; control, in accordance with a first user operation
received from the operation device while the predetermined
information is displayed, the operation device to display a
transmission setting screen where an address is indicated, the
address being set by a setting screen of the communication terminal
as a transmission destination to be used at an execution of the
transmission function; and control, in accordance with a second
user operation for executing a process regarding the transmission
function received from the operation device while the transmission
setting screen is displayed on the operation device, the reading
device to read an original to obtain image data and to transmit
data based on the obtained image data to the transmission
destination.
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in
a case where the request regarding the transmission function is
received from the communication terminal while a screen other than
the selection screen is displayed in the operation device, the at
least one processor notifies the communication terminal of an error
via the network.
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, the at
least one processor further controls the operation device to
display the predetermined information, in a case where the image
processing apparatus has been determined to not have received any
user operation for a predetermined time period, even in a case of
the request being received from the communication terminal, while a
screen other than the selection screen is displayed.
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:
the plurality of functions further include a copy function, and the
screen other than the selection screen is a screen regarding the
copy function.
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the plurality of functions further include an authentication
function for authenticating a user that sent the request regarding
the transmission function, and the at least one processor further
determines, in a case where the authentication function is enabled,
regardless of the screen currently displayed on the operation
device, whether or not to display the predetermined information on
the operation device in accordance with a result of
authentication.
6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the
at least one processor further determines, in a case where the
request regarding the transmission function is received and the
authentication function is disabled, whether or not to display the
predetermined information on the operation device based on a type
of screen being currently displayed on the operation device.
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
the predetermined information includes a guidance regarding the
transmission function and a displayed item for executing the
transmission function, and the first user operation is for
selecting the displayed item for executing the transmission
function.
8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein:
the predetermined information further includes a displayed item for
canceling the execution of the transmission function, and in a case
where a third user operation for canceling the execution of the
transmission function is received from the operation device while
the predetermined information is displayed on the operation device,
the at least one processor notifies the communication terminal that
the execution of the transmission function is canceled.
9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a facsimile interface for the transmission function
that transmits image data to a transmission destination, wherein
the transmission destination is a fax number and the transmission
function transmits a facsimile data based on the obtained image
data to the transmission destination using the facsimile
interface.
10. A method of controlling an image processing apparatus having a
plurality of functions, including at least a transmission function,
and communicable with a communication terminal via a network, and
including an operation device, a reading device that reads an
original, and at least one processor, the method being executable
by the at least one processor and comprising the steps of:
controlling the operation device to display a selection screen
where a desired function, among the plurality of functions, is
selectable; receiving a request regarding the transmission function
from the communication terminal via the network; controlling, in
accordance with the request regarding the transmission function
received from the communication terminal while the selection screen
is displayed, the operation device to display predetermined
information; controlling, in accordance with a first user operation
received from the operation device while the predetermined
information is displayed, the operation device to display a
transmission setting screen where an address is indicated, the
address being set by a setting screen of the communication terminal
as a transmission destination to be used at an execution of the
transmission function; and controlling, in accordance with a second
user operation for executing a process regarding the transmission
function received from the operation device while the transmission
setting screen is displayed on the operation device, the reading
device to read an original to obtain image data and to transmit
data based on the obtained image data to the transmission
destination.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer-executable program executable by at least one processor of
an image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions,
including at least a transmission function, and communicable with a
communication terminal via a network, and including an operation
device and a reading device that reads an original, to execute a
method of controlling the image processing apparatus, the method
comprising the steps of: controlling the operation device to
display a selection screen where a desired function, among the
plurality of functions, is selectable; receiving a request
regarding the transmission function from the communication terminal
via the network; controlling, in accordance with the request
regarding the transmission function received from the communication
terminal while the selection screen is displayed, the operation
device to display predetermined information; controlling, in
accordance with a first user operation received from the operation
device while the predetermined information is displayed, the
operation device to display a transmission setting screen where an
address is indicated, the address being set by a setting screen of
the communication terminal as a transmission destination to be used
at an execution of the transmission function; and controlling, in
accordance with a second user operation for executing a process
regarding the transmission function received from the operation
device while the transmission setting screen is displayed on the
operation device, the reading device to read an original to obtain
image data and to transmit data based on the obtained image data to
the transmission destination.
12. An image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions,
including at least a transmission function, and communicable with a
communication terminal via a network, the image processing
apparatus comprising: an operation device; a reading device that
reads an original; a memory device that stores instructions; and at
least one processor that implements the instructions stored in the
memory to: receive a request regarding the transmission function
from the communication terminal via the network; control, in
accordance with the request regarding the transmission function
received from the communication terminal, the operation device to
display a confirmation screen including a first displayed item and
a second displayed item; control, in accordance with a user
operation of selecting the first displayed item, the operation
device to display a transmission setting screen where an address is
indicated, the address being set by a setting screen of the
communication terminal as a transmission destination to be used at
an execution of the transmission function; control, in accordance
with a user operation for executing a process regarding the
transmission function received from the operation device while the
transmission setting screen is displayed on the operation device,
the reading device to read an original to obtain image data and to
transmit data based on the obtained image data to the transmission
destination; and control, in accordance with a user operation of
selecting the second displayed item, to cancel a transmission
processing based on the request received from the communication
terminal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for reading and
transmitting an original image according to an instruction received
e.g. from an information processing apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a function of
transmitting image data generated by a client computer as an
information processing apparatus to a facsimile machine via a LAN
(local area network) and then faxing the generated image data from
the facsimile machine. In the case of using this function, a user
can designate a destination of facsimile transmission on a client
computer side.
[0003] On the other hand, there has also been known a function of
notifying a facsimile machine only of a destination designated by a
user on a client computer side without preparing image data, and
causing the facsimile machine to generate image data by reading an
original and fax the generated image data to the designated
destination (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
H07-288625).
[0004] For example, a case is envisaged in which a user desires to
fax both a cover page generated by a client computer and image data
obtained by causing a facsimile machine to read the body of an
original. In this case, it is possible to cause the facsimile
machine to generate a job based on information on a fax destination
and information on the cover page which are sent from the client
computer, and perform facsimile transmission by adding a read image
of the body of the original to the cover page during execution of
the job.
[0005] However, there can be a case where when the facsimile
machine generates a job according to a transmission instruction
from the client computer, another user is operating the facsimile
machine. In this case, the other user can perform an erroneous
operation for the job instructed from the client computer.
Therefore, it is required to avoid such an erroneous operation
which may be performed by the other user.
[0006] In a case where the facsimile machine performs user
management using a user authentication function, a job generation
instruction is transmitted from the client computer to the
facsimile machine together with user authentication information,
whereby the facsimile machine can perform user authentication. The
use of the user authentication function enables the facsimile
machine to discriminate between the user operating the facsimile
machine and the user having issued the job generation instruction
from the client computer, so that the erroneous operation can be
avoided. However, if the use of the user authentication function by
the facsimile machine is made compulsory, the user friendliness of
the facsimile machine is degraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention makes it possible to prevent an
erroneous operation from being performed on a reading and
transmitting process of an original image, by a user different from
a user who instructed the process, irrespective of whether or not a
user authentication function is used.
[0008] In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an
image processing system comprising an operation unit configured to
receive an operation from a user, a reading unit configured to read
an original to thereby generate image data, a transmission unit
configured to transmit the image data generated by the reading
unit, a reception unit configured to receive an instruction for a
reading and transmitting process for causing the reading unit to
read an original and then causing the transmission unit to transmit
the image data generated by the reading unit, and a control unit
configured to determine, based on a state of operation of the
operation unit, whether or not the reading and transmitting process
can be accepted, in a case where the instruction for the reading
and transmitting process is received by the reception unit, and
control the reading unit and the transmission unit to perform the
reading and transmitting process, in a case where the acceptance of
the reading and transmitting process is permitted as a result of
the determination.
[0009] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a
method of controlling an image processing system including an
operation unit configured to receive an operation from a user, a
reading unit configured to read an original to thereby generate
image data, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the
image data generated by the reading unit, the method comprising
receiving an instruction for a reading and transmitting process for
causing the reading unit to read an original and then causing the
transmission unit to transmit the image data generated by the
reading unit, and determining, based on a state of operation of the
operation unit, whether or not the reading and transmitting process
can be accepted, in a case where the instruction for the reading
and transmitting process is received by the receiving, and
controlling the reading unit and the transmission unit to perform
the reading and transmitting process, in a case where the
acceptance of the reading and transmitting process is permitted as
a result of the determination.
[0010] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a
non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a
computer-executable program for causing a computer to execute a
method of controlling an image processing system including an
operation unit configured to receive an operation from a user, a
reading unit configured to read an original to thereby generate
image data, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the
image data generated by the reading unit, wherein the method
comprises receiving an instruction for a reading and transmitting
process for causing the reading unit to read an original and then
causing the transmission unit to transmit the image data generated
by the reading unit, and determining, based on a state of operation
of the operation unit, whether or not the reading and transmitting
process can be accepted, in a case where the instruction for the
reading and transmitting process is received by the receiving, and
controlling the reading unit and the transmission unit to perform
the reading and transmitting process, in a case where the
acceptance of the reading and transmitting process is permitted as
a result of the determination.
[0011] According to the invention, it is possible to prevent an
erroneous operation from being performed on the reading and
transmitting process of an original image, by a user different from
a user who instructed the process, irrespective of whether or not
the user authentication function is used.
[0012] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments
(with reference to the attached drawings).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the whole configuration of a
network including an image forming system.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration
of an MFP.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration
of the MFP.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration
of a tablet terminal.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view of an example of an operation screen of a
facsimile transmission application, which is displayed when an
instruction for a first transmission process is to be
transmitted.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sequence of operations performed
when the first transmission process is instructed.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view of an original scan acceptance screen.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a view of an example of an operation screen of a
data management application.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a view of an example of an operation screen of a
facsimile transmission application, which is displayed when an
instruction for a second transmission process is to be
transmitted.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a sequence of operations performed
when the second transmission process is instructed.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a scan command acceptance
determination process.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing changes in a screen displayed
on a console section.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail below
with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments
thereof. It should be noted that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described below, and not all
combinations of features described in the embodiments are
absolutely essential to solution according to the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the whole configuration of
a network including an image forming system according to an
embodiment of the invention. In the present embodiment, an MFP
(multi-function peripheral) 103 is shown as an example of an image
forming apparatus. A tablet terminal 101 as an example of an
information processing apparatus is a terminal apparatus that
communicates with the MFP 103 via a wireless network router
(wireless access point) 102. Although the MFP 103 is an example of
the image processing apparatus, a single unit of the MFP 103 may be
referred to as the image processing system, or the whole system
including the MFP 103 and the tablet terminal 101 may be referred
to as the image processing system. The tablet terminal 101 and the
wireless network router 102 are connected by a wireless LAN (local
area network). The MFP 103 and the wireless network router 102 are
connected by a wired LAN. Further, the MFP 103 is connected to a
public switched telephone network (PSTN) as well.
[0027] Note that the communication path between the tablet terminal
101 and the MFP 103 is not limited to the above-mentioned one. For
example, the tablet terminal 101 and the wireless network router
102 may be connected by a wired LAN. Further, the MFP 103 and the
wireless network router 102 may be connected by a wireless LAN.
Furthermore, the tablet terminal 101 and the MFP 103 may be
connected to the same network. Note that there may exist a
plurality of tablet terminals 101 and a plurality of MFPs 103. In
the following, the tablet terminal 101 is simply referred to as
"the terminal 101". The terminal 101 is not absolutely required to
be a tablet type, but it may be a stationary type.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration
of the MFP 103. A controller 210 includes a CPU 211 as a control
unit and controls the overall operation of the MFP 103. The CPU 211
reads out control programs stored in a ROM 212 and performs various
control operations for reading, printing, communication, and so
forth. A RAM 213 is used as a main memory and a temporary storage
area, such as a work area, for the CPU 211. It is assumed in the
present example that in the MFP 103, the single CPU 211 performs
various processing operations shown in flowcharts described
hereinafter, using a single memory (the RAM 213 or an HDD 214), but
this is not limitative. For example, the various processing
operations may be performed by cooperation of a plurality of CPUs
and a plurality of RAMS or HDDs.
[0029] The HDD 214 stores image data and various programs. A
console section interface 215 connects between a console section
220 as an operation unit and the controller 210. The console
section 220 is provided with a liquid crystal display section
having a touch panel function, a keyboard, etc. and serves as a
reception unit for receiving operations, inputs, and instructions
from a user.
[0030] A printer interface 216 connects between a printer 221 and
the controller 210. Image data to be printed by the printer 221 is
transferred to the printer 221 from the controller 210 via the
printer interface 216 and is printed on a recording medium by the
printer 221. A scanner interface 217 connects between a scanner 222
as a reading unit and the controller 210. The scanner 222 reads an
original to thereby generate image data, whereafter the scanner 222
inputs the image data to the controller 210 via the scanner
interface 217.
[0031] A modem interface 218 connects between a modem 223 and the
controller 210. The modem 223 is connected to the PSTN and performs
facsimile communication with a facsimile machine, not shown, for
transmission of image data. A network interface 219 as a reception
unit connects the controller 210 (MFP 103) to the wired LAN. The
MFP 103 is capable of transmitting and receiving image data and
various kinds of information to and from an external apparatus
using the network interface 219.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the software configuration
of the MFP 103. Blocks each enclosed by solid lines in FIG. 3
represent respective software modules each of which is executed by
the CPU 211 reading out a program stored in the ROM 212 or the HDD
214 and executing the same. A UI (user interface) section 301
provides various kinds of information to a user and receives
various instructions from the user, via the console section 220
(see FIG. 2). A job controller section 302 receives a copy job, a
print job, a fax job, or the like job, and controls the execution
of the received job. A protocol stack section 304 holds various
network protocols, such as TCP/IP and HTTP (hypertext transfer
protocol).
[0033] In the present embodiment, image data transmitted from the
terminal 101 is received via the network interface 219 according to
a network protocol held in the protocol stack section 304. The
received image data is stored by an image file section 303. The
image file section 303 is a software module for managing image data
stored in the RAM 213 and the HDD 214.
[0034] The image file section 303 stores not only image data
received via the network interface 219, but also image data
generated by the scanner 222. Generation of image data by the
scanner 222 is controlled by a scan section 306. A fax section 305
controls facsimile communication that is performed via the modem
223. In facsimile transmission from the MFP 103, the fax section
305 reads out image data stored by the image file section 303 and
transmits the same.
[0035] An OS section (operating system section) 308 adjusts modules
and tasks to thereby manage the overall operation of the software
of the MFP 103. The OS section 308 is combined with a device driver
section 307. The device driver section 307 controls hardware
devices, such as the scanner 222 and the modem 223.
[0036] An authentication section 309 is a module for controlling
user authentication. A user authentication function can be switched
between enabled and disabled. When the user authentication function
is enabled in the MFP 103, a user needs to perform a login
operation for inputting authentication information including a user
name and a password, via the console section 220. The
authentication section 309 checks the input authentication
information against authentication information registered in
advance to thereby determine whether or not the authentication is
successful. Only when the authentication is successful, the user is
permitted to use the MFP 103. Note that when the user
authentication function is disabled in the MFP 103, the user is
permitted to use the MFP 103 without the login operation and the
authentication by the authentication section 309.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration
of the terminal 101. A controller 410 including a CPU 411 controls
the overall operation of the terminal 101. The CPU 411 reads out
control programs stored in a memory 412 and performs various
control operations. The memory 412 is used as a main memory and a
temporary storage area, such as a work area, for the CPU 411. It is
assumed in the present example that in the terminal 101, the single
CPU 411 performs various processing operations using the single
memory 412, but this is not limitative. For example, the various
processing operations may be performed by cooperation of a
plurality of CPUs and a plurality of memories.
[0038] A console section interface 413 connects between a console
section 420 and the controller 410. The console section 420 is
provided with a liquid crystal display section having a touch panel
function and serves as a reception unit for receiving operations,
inputs, instructions, etc. from a user. A network interface 414
connects the controller 410 (i.e. the terminal 101) to a wireless
LAN. The terminal 101 is capable of transmitting image data and
information to an external apparatus and receiving various kinds of
information from the same using the network interface 414.
[0039] In the present embodiment, instructions transmitted from the
terminal 101 to the MFP 103 and received by the network interface
219 of the MFP 103 include at least an instruction for a first
transmission process (reading and transmitting process) and an
instruction for a second transmission process. The instruction for
the first transmission process is issued so as to cause the MFP 103
to read an original by the scanner 222 and then fax image data
generated by the scanner 222, using the fax section 305 and the
modem 223 as a transmission unit. On the other hand, the
instruction for the second transmission process is issued so as to
cause the MFP 103 to fax image data prepared by the terminal 101,
using the fax section 305 and the modem 223 as the transmission
unit.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a view of an example of an operation screen of a
facsimile transmission application, which is displayed on the
terminal 101. The facsimile transmission application can be
downloaded from a server on the Internet and be additionally
installed in the terminal 101. The facsimile transmission
application is a software program which operates on the OS section
308. The use of the facsimile transmission application makes it
possible to configure settings for causing the MFP 103 to perform
facsimile transmission, on the terminal side. Operations of the
terminal 101, described hereinafter, are performed based on
instructions from the facsimile transmission application.
[0041] In particular, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is
displayed on the console section 420 when the user of the terminal
101 is going to transmit the instruction for the first transmission
process. When the facsimile transmission application is started in
response to a predetermined operation of the terminal 101 by the
user, the operation screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. In the
operation screen, a setting field 501 is used to set an MFP to be
caused to perform facsimile transmission. When there are a
plurality of MFPs, one of them is selected using the setting field
501. More specifically, when the user touches the setting field
501, the terminal 101 searches for MFPs existing in its
neighborhood, and the MFPs thus found are displayed in a list. The
user can select an MFP to be caused to perform facsimile
transmission from the displayed list of the MFPs.
[0042] A setting field 502 is used to set a telephone number (fax
number) as a destination of facsimile transmission. The user may
input a telephone number using a soft keyboard displayed on the
terminal 101 or alternatively may select the telephone number by
referring to an address book stored in the terminal 101.
[0043] A setting field 503 is used to configure detailed settings
of a scanning process (reading process) performed using the scanner
222 of the MFP 103. When the user touches the setting field 503, a
screen for designation of reading parameters including a
resolution, an original size, color or monochrome, and so forth is
displayed, and the terminal 101 receives scan settings from the
user via the screen.
[0044] A facsimile transmission key 504 is used to instruct the MFP
103 to perform facsimile transmission. When the facsimile
transmission key 504 is pressed after completing the configuration
of the settings in the respective setting fields 501, 502, and 503,
communication between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 is
started.
[0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a sequence of operations performed
between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 when the terminal 101
designates the first transmission process.
[0046] In a step S601, the terminal 101 receives settings from a
user via the operation screen shown in FIG. 5. In a step S602, the
terminal 101 sends a command for job generation to the MFP 103. It
is assumed that the command has authentication information, added
thereto, of the user operating the terminal 101. In a step S603,
the MFP 103 having received this command sends a response "OK" to
the terminal 101.
[0047] In a step S604, the terminal 101 sends a scan command
instructing the MFP 103 to execute scanning, to the MFP 103. The
MFP 103 having received this scan command determines in a step S605
whether or not the scan command can be accepted. This scan command
acceptance determination process will be described hereinafter with
reference to FIG. 11. The determination as to whether or not the
scan command can be accepted means the same thing as the
determination as to whether or not the first transmission process
can be accepted. As described hereinafter, if the acceptance of the
scan command is permitted as a result of the determination, the
first transmission process is performed, whereas if not, the first
transmission process is not performed. If the scan command can be
accepted, the process proceeds to a step S606, whereas if not, the
process proceeds to a step S615.
[0048] In the step S606, the MFP 103 sends a response "OK" to the
terminal 101. Then, in a step S607, the terminal 101 sends a
command for terminating the job, to the MFP 103. The MFP 103 having
received this command sends a response "OK" to the terminal 101 in
a step S608. When the reception of job transmission from the
terminal 101 is thus completed, in a step S609, the MFP 103
displays on the console section 220 an original scan acceptance
screen (see FIG. 7) indicating that the original scan has been
accepted.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, on the original scan acceptance screen,
there are displayed a "Read" button 701 and a "Cancel" button 702.
If the user selectively presses the "Read" button 701 in a step
S610, the MFP 103 displays a scan setting screen on the console
section 220 in a step S611. Therefore, the process proceeds to
processing for making settings for starting scan in the first
transmission process. On the other hand, if the "Cancel" button 702
is selectively pressed, the MFP 103 sends a response indicative of
cancellation of the processing to the terminal 101.
[0050] Although the scan setting screen is not shown, the same
contents as displayed when the setting field 503 is selected on the
operation screen shown in FIG. 5 are displayed on the scan setting
screen. When the user sets items on the scan setting screen and
instructs execution of a scanning operation in a step S612, the MFP
103 performs the scanning operation according to the items set on
the scan setting screen, in a step S613. Specifically, the CPU 211
controls the scanner 222 to read an original to thereby generate
image data. The scanning process is executed according to the
settings made in the setting field 503 in FIG. 5, but if any of the
settings is changed on the scan setting screen displayed in the
step S611, the scanning process is executed according to the
changed settings. Then, in a step S614, the MFP 103 faxes the image
data generated by scanning. Specifically, the CPU 211 controls the
fax section 305 and the modem 223 to fax the image data. The
destination of this facsimile transmission is the same as the
telephone number set in the setting field 502 in FIG. 5.
[0051] On the other hand, if it is determined in the step S605 that
the scan command cannot be accepted, the MFP 103 sends a response
"Busy" indicating that the scan command cannot be accepted to the
terminal 101. When receiving the response "Busy", the terminal 101
sends the scan command again in a step S616 after the lapse of a
predetermined time period. The MFP 103 determines again in a step
S617 whether or not the scan command can be accepted, and sends a
result of the determination to the terminal 101 in the step S615 or
a step S618. Note that, in FIG. 6, as to the result of this
determination, only a case (step S618) is shown in a continuous
manner where the scan command can be accepted and the MFP sends the
response "OK" to the terminal 101.
[0052] The terminal 101 repeatedly performs the scan command
transmission until the acceptance of the scan command is permitted.
When the acceptance of the scan command is permitted, the process
proceeds to the step S606 or S618 (it should be regarded that the
step S618 is followed by the same processing steps as in the case
of the step S606). However, when the number of times of the
repeated transmission exceeds a predetermined value or when the
total time period over which the repeated transmission is performed
exceeds a predetermined time period, an error notification may be
issued.
[0053] As described above, when receiving the instruction for the
facsimile transmission job including the scan command from the
terminal 101, the MFP 103 determines whether or not the scan
command can be accepted. Then, if the scan command can be accepted,
the MFP 103 causes the console section 220 to display the original
scan acceptance screen (see FIG. 7), scans the original when a scan
execution instruction is issued from the user, and then faxes the
image data obtained by the scan. In the first transmission process,
image data obtained by the scan performed by the MFP 103 is faxed,
as described above. On the other hand, in the second transmission
process, image data prepared by the terminal 101 is faxed from the
MFP 103. In the following, the second transmission process will be
described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a view of an example of an operation screen of a
data management application displayed on the terminal 101. The
terminal 101 stores image data items downloaded from the network
and image data items photographed using a camera function provided
in the terminal 101. It is possible to display the image data items
sequentially by switching therebetween using a data management
application installed in the terminal 101. On the operation screen
shown in FIG. 8, there is displayed one of the stored image data
items.
[0055] When the user presses an operation key 801 on the FIG. 8
operation screen, a screen for selecting a function to be performed
for the currently displayed image data is displayed. On this
screen, not only a mail transmission application and a printing
application, but also the above-described facsimile transmission
application and the like are displayed as selection candidates.
When the user selects the facsimile transmission application from
the selection candidates, the screen is switched to an operation
screen shown in FIG. 9. Note that each of the applications can be
downloaded from a server on the Internet and be additionally
installed in the terminal 101.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a view of an example of an operation screen of the
facsimile transmission application, which is displayed on the
console section 420 when an instruction for the second transmission
process is to be transmitted. In this operation screen, setting
fields 901, 902, and 903 are the same as the respective setting
fields 501, 502, and 504 described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a diagram of a sequence of operations performed
between the terminal 101 and the MFP 103 when the terminal 101
designates the second transmission process.
[0058] The terminal 101 receives an image selection from the user
via the FIG. 8 operation screen in a step S1001 and receives
settings from the user via the FIG. 9 operation screen in a step
S1002. In a step S1003, the terminal 101 sends a command for job
generation to the MFP 103. The MFP 103 having received this command
sends a response "OK" to the terminal 101 in a step S1004.
[0059] In a step S1005, the terminal 101 sends an image command to
the MFP 103. This image command includes image data to be faxed
from the MFP 103. This image data is the image data item acquired
by the terminal 101 and displayed on the FIG. 8 operation screen.
The MFP 103 having received the image command sends a response "OK"
to the terminal 101 in a step S1006.
[0060] In a step S1007, the terminal 101 sends a command for
terminating the job, to the MFP 103. The MFP 103 having received
this command sends a response "OK" to the terminal 101 in a step
S1008. In a step S1009, the MFP 103 faxes the image data received
from the terminal 101. The destination of this facsimile
transmission is the telephone number set in the setting field
902.
[0061] Thus, a process for causing the MFP 103 to fax the image
data sent from the terminal 101 to the MFP 103 (i.e. the second
transmission process) is performed according to the settings made
on the terminal 101. In the second transmission process, the
scanning process is not performed on the MFP 103, and hence,
differently from the first transmission process, the facsimile
transmission process is executed promptly without having to wait
for an operation of the MFP 103 by the user.
[0062] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the scan command acceptance
determination process. Each operation (step) shown in the FIG. 11
flowchart is achieved by the CPU 211 of the controller 210
executing control programs stored in the ROM 212 in the MFP 103.
The present process is executed in the step S605 in FIG. 6 when the
MFP 103 receives the scan command from the terminal 101 according
to an instruction for the first transmission process issued from
the terminal 101.
[0063] First, the CPU 211 determines in a step S1101 whether or not
the user authentication function of the MFP 103 is enabled. If it
is determined that the user authentication function is enabled, the
CPU 211 proceeds to a step S1105, whereas if the user
authentication function is disabled, the CPU 211 proceeds to a step
S1102.
[0064] In the step S1105, the CPU 211 determines whether or not
authentication information added to the job generation command sent
from the terminal 101 (in the step S602 in FIG. 6) matches
authentication information of the currently logged-in user. If it
is determined that the two pieces of authentication information
match, which means that the authentication is successful, the CPU
211 proceeds to a step S1104 and determines that the scan command
can be accepted. Accordingly, the acceptance of the first
transmission process is permitted. On the other hand, if the two
pieces of authentication information do not match, which means that
the authentication is unsuccessful, the CPU 211 proceeds to a step
S1103 and determines that the scan command cannot be accepted.
Accordingly, the acceptance of the first transmission process is
not permitted. After execution of the step S1103 or S1104, the FIG.
11 process is terminated.
[0065] In the step S1102, first, the CPU 211 determines a state of
operation of the console section 220 when the scan command is
received. Specifically, the CPU 211 determines whether or not at
least one of a condition that a top screen has been displayed on
the console section 220 of the MFP 103 and a condition that a
predetermined time period has elapsed after the console section 220
was operated last time is satisfied. Note that the length of the
predetermined time period is not limited. The top screen is
displayed on the console section 220, as a screen for using a copy
function, a scan function, or a fax function. This will be
described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0066] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing changes in a screen displayed
on the console section 220. A home screen 1201 is a function
selection screen for selecting a function to be performed by the
MFP 103. When a copy button 1207 is selected on the home screen
1201, the home screen 1201 is switched to a copy screen 1202. When
a scan button 1208 is selected, the home screen 1201 is switched to
a scan screen 1203. When a fax button 1209 is selected, the home
screen 1201 is switched to a fax screen 1204. The top screen
mentioned above corresponds to any of function selecting screens,
such as the home screen 1201, and function screens, such as the
screens 1202 to 1204.
[0067] Note that when a color mode display area 1210 is selected on
the copy screen 1202, the copy screen 1202 is switched to a color
mode selection screen 1205. The color mode selection screen 1205
and the like screen for setting a parameter concerning a selected
function are not included in the top screens. Further, a popup
screen displayed without screen switching when a function parameter
is to be set is not included in the top screens, either.
[0068] If it is determined in the step S1102 that the condition is
satisfied, it can be judged that the console section 220 is not
being operated by a user different from the user having transmitted
the job generation command. Therefore, the CPU 211 determines that
the scan command can be accepted and the acceptance of the first
transmission process is permitted (step S1104). On the other hand,
when it is determined in the step S1102 that no top screen has been
displayed and that the console section 220 has not been operated
for the predetermined time period or longer, which means that the
condition is not satisfied, it can be judged that the console
section 220 may be being operated by a user different from the user
having transmitted the job generation command. Therefore, the CPU
211 determines that the scan command cannot be accepted and the
acceptance of the first transmission process is not permitted (step
S1103).
[0069] As described above, even when the user authentication
function is not enabled in the MFP 103, the CPU 211 determines
whether or not the first transmission process can be accepted,
according to a state of operation of the MFP 103 by a user
different from the user having transmitted the job generation
command. In this case, the first transmission process is not
accepted during operation of the MFP 103 by the different user, and
hence an erroneous operation by the user is prevented. Note that
definition of the state of operation or the method of determining
the state of operation is not limited to the above example.
[0070] According to the present embodiment, upon receipt of an
instruction for the first transmission process from the tablet
terminal 101, the MFP 103 determines, based on the state of
operation of the console section 220, whether or not the first
transmission process can be accepted. Then, if the acceptance of
the first transmission process is permitted as a result of the
determination, the CPU 211 controls the scanner 222 to read an
original to thereby generate image data and then controls the fax
section 305 and the modem 223 to fax the image data. However, if
the acceptance of the first transmission process is not permitted,
the CPU 211 does not execute the first transmission process.
[0071] Thus, irrespective of whether or not the user authentication
function is used, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation
from being performed by a user different from the user having
issued the instruction for the first transmission process (reading
and transmitting process). In particular, even when the MFP 103 is
not equipped with the authentication function for authenticating
the user having issued the instruction for the first transmission
process or when the authentication function is disabled though the
MFP 103 is equipped therewith, the MFP 103 determines, based on the
state of operation of the console section 220, whether or not the
first transmission process can be accepted. Therefore, even when
the authentication function cannot be used, it is possible to
prevent an erroneous operation from being performed by a user
different from the user having issued the instruction for the first
transmission process. Thus, a mechanism is provided which makes it
possible to prevent a different user from erroneously operating the
MFP 103 when an original reading and transmission job is to be
performed, without absolutely necessitating the user authentication
function even in a case where a plurality of users share the use of
the MFP 103.
[0072] On the other hand, in a case where the authentication
function is enabled, whether or not the first transmission process
can be accepted is determined based on a result of authentication
by the authentication function, irrespective of the state of
operation of the console section 220, so that if the authentication
is successful, it is possible to promptly start the first
transmission process.
[0073] Further, in a case where the acceptance of the first
transmission process is not permitted, the CPU 211 sends the
response "Busy", which indicates information to the effect, to the
sender of the instruction for the first transmission process (step
S615 in FIG. 6). This makes it possible to notify that the first
transmission process is not executed.
Other Embodiments
[0074] Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized
by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes
computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs)
recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more
fully as a `non-transitory computer-readable storage medium`) to
perform the functions of one or more of the above-described
embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g.,
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the
functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and
by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus
by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable
instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of
one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling
the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of
the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or
more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro
processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate
computers or separate processors to read out and execute the
computer executable instructions. The computer executable
instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a
network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for
example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM),
a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing
systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital
versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD).TM.), a flash memory
device, a memory card, and the like.
[0075] While the present invention has been described with
reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.
The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent structures and functions.
[0076] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent
Application No. 2014-250821 filed Dec. 11, 2014 which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
* * * * *