JP2008178067A - Image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of facilitating the management of image data while reducing the trouble of inputting a file name by a user.
A file name using a character string associated with a setting value of a setting item when reading image data is assigned, so that a user's trouble of inputting a file name can be reduced. In addition, when the user looks at the file name later, it is easy to remember the purpose of creating the image data, and the file management becomes easy.
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus having a function of saving image data obtained by reading a document as a file in a server computer or a removable memory connected to the apparatus is known. In such an image reading apparatus, as a method of assigning a file name when saving image data, for example, the user can input a name by a key operation, or a unique combination of a common character string and a serial number. There is a method of automatically assigning a (unique) file name (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-2005-45774

  However, simply giving a unique name as the file name of the image data may make it difficult for the user to remember what purpose the image data was created for later. In addition, the method for allowing the user to input a name is complicated because character input is required every time image data is stored.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and provides an image reading apparatus capable of facilitating the management of image data while reducing the trouble of inputting a file name by a user. With the goal.

  As means for achieving the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes an input means for inputting a setting value of a setting item for a reading condition, and reading an original based on the setting value. A reading unit that acquires image data, a file name is generated using a character string associated with the setting value, the file name is assigned to the image data acquired by the reading unit, and the image data is stored And a control means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the reading condition includes at least one of a resolution and a monochrome or color condition.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus corresponding to the setting value, an input means for inputting a setting value of a setting item for an image data storage method, a reading means for acquiring image data by reading a document. Control means for generating a file name using the attached character string, assigning the file name to the image data obtained by the reading means, and storing the image data in accordance with the storage method.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the input unit includes a key, and includes an allocation unit that assigns a specific setting value to the key. The control means reads a set value assigned to the key by operating the key.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to the fourth aspect, when the key is operated, the control means causes some setting values of a plurality of setting items to be input from the input means.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an association unit that associates the setting value with a character string used as a file name.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the one according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the input means can input character information, and the control means is associated with the set value. If the character string does not exist, the character string input from the input means is used as the file name.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the one according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control means obtains a file name from a plurality of character strings associated with each setting value of a plurality of setting items. Order setting means is provided for setting the order of character strings when generating.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the one according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the control means selects a file name from a plurality of character strings associated with setting values of a plurality of setting items. Selection means for selecting a character string to be used when generating the character string.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the control means combines a character string associated with the set value and a serial number to obtain a file name. At the same time, the number of digits of the serial number is determined so that the number of characters in the file name is less than the specified number.

  As a means for achieving the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the invention of claim 11 relates to a reading means for acquiring image data by reading a document, and setting items relating to reading conditions of the document by the reading means. Input means operable by a user to input setting contents, file name generation means for generating a file name of a character string from the setting contents input by the input means in accordance with a predetermined generation rule, and the reading means A file name assigning means for assigning the generated file name to the image data acquired by reading the original document, and a storage means for storing the image data with the assigned file name. .

  In a twelfth aspect of the invention according to the eleventh aspect, the input means is operated by a user to input a plurality of setting contents for a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition, and the generation rule is The order of the setting contents in the generated file name is determined for the plurality of input setting contents.

  The invention of claim 13 is the setting item according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the generation rule uses a setting content as a part of a file name among a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition. Determine whether or not.

  A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the display device according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects, wherein a plurality of setting content candidates to be set are displayed for setting items related to the reading conditions of the original by the reading unit. Candidate display means for selecting, and candidate selection means for selecting desired setting contents from the displayed plurality of candidates according to the operation of the input means.

  A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the eleventh to fourteenth aspects, wherein the input means includes a plurality of keys, and a plurality of different setting contents for setting items relating to the reading conditions. Registering means for registering corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, and reading means for reading setting contents corresponding to the desired key from the registering means by operating a desired key among the plurality of keys. Prepare.

  According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the fifteenth aspect, the registration unit registers the generation rule predetermined corresponding to each of the plurality of keys, and the reading unit includes the reading unit By operating a desired key among the plurality of keys, the setting contents and the generation rule corresponding to the desired key are read, and the file name generation means generates a file name according to the read generation rule.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the invention, in the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, the registration means sets a plurality of setting contents for a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition as one set, and sets a plurality of different setting contents. Are registered in association with the plurality of keys.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eleventh to seventeenth aspects, the setting item relating to the reading condition includes at least one of a monochrome or color condition and a resolution.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the method according to any one of the eleventh to eighteenth aspects, the setting item relating to the reading condition includes a storage method in which the storage unit stores image data.

  According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus according to any one of the eleventh to nineteenth aspects, the input unit inputs an arbitrary character string desired by the user as one of the setting items related to the reading condition. The generation rule sets the input arbitrary character string in the first order as the order of the setting contents in the generated file name.

<Invention of Claims 1, 3 and 11>
Since the file name using the character string associated with the reading condition and the storage method is given to the image data, it is possible to reduce the trouble of inputting the file name by the user. In addition, when the user looks at the file name later, it is easy to remember the purpose of creating the image data, and the file management becomes easy.

<Invention of Claim 2 and Claim 18>
By using the character string corresponding to the resolution and monochrome or color conditions when reading the image data as the file name, it becomes easier for the user to recognize the use of the image data, etc. It becomes easy.

<Invention of Claim 4>
Since the reading conditions and the storage system setting values assigned to the keys are read by key operation, setting of the reading conditions and the like is facilitated.

<Invention of Claim 5>
By causing the user to input a part of the plurality of setting items at the time of key operation, the degree of freedom of the setting method is increased and the usability is improved.

<Invention of Claim 6>
Since an arbitrary character string can be associated with the setting value of the reading condition or the image data storage method and used as a file name, it is easy to use.

<Invention of Claim 7>
Since the character string input by the user can be used as the file name, it is possible to prevent a character string that is not intended by the user from being assigned as the file name.

<Invention of Claim 8>
Since it is possible to set the order of the character strings when generating a file name from a plurality of character strings associated with a plurality of setting values such as reading conditions, the degree of freedom of the file name generation method is increased, and the usability is improved. good.

<Invention of Claim 9>
A character string to be used for a file name can be selected from a plurality of character strings associated with reading conditions and storage system setting values. Therefore, an unnecessary character string can be omitted as the file name, and the file name can be simplified.

<Invention of Claim 10>
Since the length of the file name is suppressed to a predetermined value or less, it can be prevented that the user has difficulty in understanding the file name.

<Invention of Claim 12>
For multiple settings entered by the user, the order of the settings in the file name to be generated can be determined and the order of the strings used to generate the file name can be set. The degree of freedom of the user increases with respect to the generation method, and it is easy to use.

<Invention of Claim 13>
Since it is possible to determine whether or not a setting item uses a setting content as a part of a file name among a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition, the degree of freedom of a method for generating a file name is increased and the usability is good.

<Invention of Claim 14>
With respect to the setting items related to the reading conditions, a plurality of setting content candidates to be set are displayed, and desired setting content can be selected from the candidates, so that the operability is improved and the usability is good.

<Invention of Claim 15>
Since the setting content corresponding to the desired key is read from the registration means by operating the desired key among the plurality of keys, setting of the reading condition is facilitated.

<Invention of Claim 16>
By operating a desired key among a plurality of keys, setting contents and generation rules corresponding to the desired key are read, and a file name is generated according to the read generation rules, so that operability is improved and usability is improved. Is good.

<Invention of Claim 17>
Since a plurality of setting contents for a plurality of setting items related to the reading conditions can be registered as one set, and a plurality of sets having different setting contents can be registered in association with a plurality of keys, the operability is improved and the usability is good.

<Invention of Claim 19>
By using a character string corresponding to a storage method for storing image data as a file name, when the user looks at the file name, it becomes easy to recognize the use of the image data and the like, and management becomes easy.

<Invention of Claim 20>
As the order of each setting content in the generated file name, the input arbitrary character string is placed in the first order, so that when the user looks at the file name, the image data can be easily recognized and managed. Becomes easier.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

1. In this embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction device 1 (an example of an image reading apparatus) having a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes a reading unit 3 (an example of a reading unit) for reading a document on an upper part of a main body 2. The reading unit 3 is of a so-called flat bed type, and reads a document placed on a document reading surface (not shown) with an image sensor (not shown) such as a CIS, whereby a document image is obtained. Acquire and output the corresponding image data. An ADF (automatic document feeder) 4 is provided above the document reading surface so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document reading surface. The ADF 4 conveys the set original to a position where it can be read by the image sensor.

  An operation unit 5 (an example of an input unit, an allocation unit, an association unit, an order setting unit, a selection unit, and a candidate selection unit) having a plurality of buttons 5A and a display unit including a liquid crystal display are provided on the upper front surface of the multifunction device 1. 6 (an example of candidate display means).

2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the multifunction device 1 includes a CPU 10 (an example of a control unit, a file name generation unit, a file name assigning unit, a storage unit, a registration unit, and a reading unit), a ROM 11, a RAM 12, an NVRAM 13, a network interface 14, A facsimile interface 15 and a USB interface 16 are provided, and the image forming unit 17, the reading unit 3, the operation unit 5, the display unit 6, and the like are connected to them.

  Various programs for controlling the operation of the multifunction device 1 are stored in the ROM 11, and the CPU 10 controls each unit while storing the processing results in the RAM 12 or the NVRAM 13 according to the programs read from the ROM 11. Do.

  The network interface 14 is connected to the FTP server 21, the mail server 22, the client computer 23, and the like via the communication line 20. The facsimile interface 15 is connected to the telephone line 24. A USB memory 25 (an example of a memory) or the like is detachably connected to the USB interface 16. The image forming unit 17 forms an image based on the image data on a recording medium such as paper.

3. Operation at the time of scan processing Next, the operation of the scan processing executed under the control of the CPU 10 will be described. There are two types of scan processing: normal scan processing and simple scan processing that simplifies the input of setting values for each setting item.

(Normal scan processing)
First, the normal scan process will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of normal scan processing.

  The normal scan process is started when the user sets a document on the document reading surface of the reading unit 3 or the ADF 4 and presses a predetermined button 5A of the operation unit 5 to input a normal scan start instruction. In the normal scan process, the CPU 10 causes the user to input setting values (setting contents) of each setting item as described below (S101 to S106).

  First, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 6 to display a screen for allowing the user to select a storage method for image data acquired from the reading unit 3 (S101). Here, as a storage method of the image data (an example of setting items for the storage method), for example, a method of storing the image data in the FTP server 21 or the client computer 23 connected via the network interface 14 (setting value setting). An example), a method in which image data is sent to the mail server 22 and sent from the mail server 22 to a predetermined address as an email attachment (an example of a set value), and the image data is stored in the USB memory 25 connected to the USB interface 16 A method (an example of a set value) to be performed can be selected.

  When the user selects an image data storage method using the operation unit 5, the CPU 10 subsequently performs detailed settings (an example of setting items for the storage method) according to the image data storage method selected on the display unit 6. Is displayed (S102). In this detailed setting, when the image data is stored in the FTP server, the FTP server address, user name, password, storage folder name, etc. (an example of setting values) are input. When image data is transmitted as e-mail, an address of the mail server 22, a user name, a password, an e-mail address of a transmission destination, etc. (an example of setting values) are input. Further, when the image data is stored in the client computer 23, the computer name, the storage destination folder name, etc. (an example of setting values) are input, and when the image data is stored in the USB memory 25, the storage destination A folder name or the like (an example of a setting value) is input.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 6 to display a screen for selecting the number of colors at the time of reading (an example of setting items for the reading conditions) (S103). Here, the user operates the operation unit 5 to set monochrome or color and its gradation to “Black & White (1 bit monochrome)”, “True Gray (24 bit gray scale)”, “True color (24 bit color)”, etc. (Example of value) can be selected from a plurality of candidates (an example of candidate display means and candidate selection means).

  Next, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 6 to display a screen for selecting the file format of the image data (an example of setting items for the reading conditions) (S104). Here, a plurality of file format candidates (“JPEG”, “PDF”, “TIFF”, “BMP”, “GIF”, “PNG”, etc. (examples of setting values)) are displayed on the display unit 6, and these are displayed. Is selected as a set value by the user (an example of candidate display means and candidate selection means).

  Next, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 6 to display a screen for selecting the image quality at the time of reading (an example of setting items for the reading condition) (S105). Here, “100 dpi”, “200 dpi”, “600 dpi”,..., Etc. (an example of setting values) indicating the resolution are displayed as candidates, and one of them is selected as a setting value by the user (candidate display means) An example of candidate selection means). It should be noted that here, instead of a character string directly indicating the numerical value of the resolution, a character string indicating an image quality such as “Normal”, “Fine”, or “S-Fine” is displayed and selected by the user. The resolution corresponding to the character string may be set as the setting value.

  Next, the CPU 10 causes the display unit 6 to display a screen for inputting an arbitrary character string used as a file name (S106). Here, an arbitrary character string is input from the operation unit 5 by the user.

Next, the CPU 10 executes reading of a document by the reading unit 3 (S107). Here, the CPU 10 performs image processing on the image data acquired from the reading unit 3 and follows each setting value of “number of colors”, “file format”, and “image quality (resolution)” set by the user. The generated image data file is generated on the RAM 12.

Subsequently, the CPU 10 generates a file name of the image data and assigns the file name to the image data (S108). FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of file name generation / assignment processing. As shown in the figure, the CPU 10 first generates file name candidates (S201). Here, the file name is generated using an arbitrary character string, a serial number, and an extension. For example, if the arbitrary character string input by the user is “IMAGE”, the initial number of digits of the serial number is 5 digits, and the extension corresponding to the file format is “PDF”, “IMAGE00001.PDF” The file name candidate is generated.

  Next, if the number of characters in the file name candidate exceeds the limit on the number of characters in the file name at the image data storage destination, the number of digits in the serial number is set so that the number of characters in the file name candidate is less than the limit number of characters (specified number). Is adjusted (S202). For example, if the sequence number is 5 digits or 4 digits, the file name candidate character string exceeds the limit of the number of characters, and if the sequence number is 3 digits, the number of digits of the sequence number is 3 digits (" 001 "etc.).

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a file having the same name as the file name candidate exists in the image data storage destination folder (the E-mail when attached to the E-mail) (S203). If a file with the same name exists (S203: Yes), 1 is added to the number of consecutive numbers in the file name candidate (S204), and the process returns to S203, and a file with the same name as the file name candidate exists again. Judge whether to do. If a file with the same name does not exist (S203: No), the file name candidate is assigned to the image data as a file name (S205), and the file name generation / assignment process is exited. As a result, a unique file name is given to the image data in the storage destination folder or the like.

  Thus, the CPU 10 stores the image data given the file name in S108 in accordance with the set storage method (S109), and completes the normal scanning process.

(Simple scanning process)
Next, the simple scan process will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the simple scan process.

  The operation unit 5 includes a plurality of buttons called one-touch keys (an example of a key, indicated by 5B in FIG. 1). In each one-touch key 5B, in order to omit at least a part of the input work in each step shown in FIG. 3, the user sets all or some of the setting values (a plurality of setting values) of the seven setting items shown in FIG. An example of setting contents) can be assigned and registered as one set. This registration work is performed by an input from the operation unit 5 or an input from an external client computer 23 or the like, and the registration content is stored in the NVRAM 13 (an example of a registration unit).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of registered contents for one one-touch key 5B. In the same figure, each of the setting items of “arbitrary character string”, “file format”, “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, and “storage method” is a plurality of candidates as in the above-described normal scan processing. One set value can be selected and registered, and further, a value “unregistered” to be input later can be set without setting a set value. Although not shown, the setting value of the detailed setting corresponding to the storage method (similar to that described in detail in S102) is also registered in association with the one-touch key 5B.

In the setting item “number of digits of consecutive number”, the number of digits of the consecutive number added to the file name is registered as a setting value. In the “delimiter” setting item, a symbol used as a delimiter for a character string used for a file name is registered. Specifically, symbols such as “_ (underscore)”, “, (comma)”, “() (parentheses)”, “-(hyphen)” can be registered as set values.
It can also be set as a value of “unregistered”.

  In each of the setting items of “file format”, “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, and “storage method”, a character string associated with each setting value is also registered. In FIG. 6, the character strings associated with these setting values are shown in parentheses following the setting values. For example, in the setting item of “storage method”, the setting value “store in the FTP server” of the image data is associated with a character string such as “ftp” or “F”, and the image data is converted to “E-mail”. The setting value “attach” is associated with a character string such as “Mail”. The user can also associate an arbitrary character string with these set values. For example, in the setting item of “image quality (resolution)”, a character string such as “high image quality” or “beautiful” can be associated with a setting value of “600 dpi”. In addition, the character string corresponding to the set value can be set to “unregistered”. Such association work is performed by inputting character information from the operation unit 5 or by inputting from an external client computer 23 or the like, and the contents are stored in the NVRAM 13. These character strings are used when generating a file name as will be described later.

Furthermore, the registration content corresponding to the one-touch key 5B is also provided with a setting item for a generation rule determined in advance for generating a file name. Among these, “arbitrary character string”, “sequential number”, “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, and “storage method” indicate the order in which the corresponding character string is used when generating the file name, as will be described later. Numbers are registered as set values in order from 1. Also, in these setting items, a setting value “not used” can be registered when the corresponding character string is not used as the file name. For the setting item of “separator”, a setting value of “use” or “not use” can be registered as the file name. The generation rule predetermines the order of each setting content in the generated file name and also determines in advance whether or not the setting item is used for a part of the file name. NVRAM1 corresponding to 5B
3 is stored.

  When the user sets a document on the reading unit 3 and presses one of the one-touch keys 5B, the CPU 10 starts a simple scan process. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 10 first reads out the registered content corresponding to the pressed one-touch key 5B from the NVRAM 13 (S301). If there is a setting item “unregistered” in the registered content (S302: Yes), each of the setting items is displayed on the display unit 6 to the user in the same manner as in the normal scan process described above. A screen for prompting input of a set value is displayed (S303). Here, even if the setting item of “arbitrary character string” or “separator” is “unregistered”, those items are set to “not use” in “file name generation rule”. If it is, the display prompting the user to input is not performed. For each setting item of “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, and “storage method”, the order is set in the “file name generation rule”, and the associated character string is “unregistered”. If there is, the display unit 6 is prompted to input the character string, and the input character string is set as a set value.

If a setting value is input to the setting item that prompted the user to input in S303, or if there is no “unregistered” setting item in S302 (S302: No), the reading unit 3 subsequently reads the document. Is executed (S304). As a result, the CPU 10 reads the reading unit 3 based on a preset value registered in advance or a preset value input later by the user.
Then, image processing is performed on the image data acquired from, and an image data file is generated on the RAM 12.

  Subsequently, the CPU 10 generates a file name of the image data and assigns the file name to the image data (S305). The overall flow of the process for generating and assigning the file name is the same as in the normal scan process (see FIG. 4), but when generating the file name candidate (S201), as described below, The file name is generated by a method in accordance with the contents registered in the file name generation rule of the one-touch key 5B. After assigning a file name to the image data, the CPU 10 stores the image data in the set storage method, and completes the simple scan process.

(Specific example of registered contents of one-touch key)
Next, a specific example of registered contents of the one-touch key and an operation based on the registered contents will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the one-touch key 5B in which setting values are registered for all seven setting items is pressed, reading is immediately performed without inputting the setting values by the user. In this example, since there is no setting value “not used” in the “file name generation rule”, the CPU 10 sets the character string set to “arbitrary character string” and the “number of digits of the consecutive number”. A serial number of the set number of digits, an extension corresponding to “file format”, a character string associated with each setting value of “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, “storage method”, and “separator” Using the characters set to “character”, file name candidates are generated according to the order of the setting values of “file name generation rule”. For the file name candidates, the number of digits of the serial number is adjusted and the numerical value of the serial number is determined as described above, and a file name such as "Pict-ftp-TC-200dpi-00002.jpg" The image data is added to the data, and the image data is stored in the FTP server 21.

In addition, when the one-touch key 5B to which the registration content shown in FIG. 7 different from the registration content shown in FIG. . In this example, “image quality (resolution)”, “number of colors”, and “separator” are set to “not used” in the “file name generation rule”, and the corresponding character string is used as the file name. Not used. Here, "Receipt002USB.pdf"
Is given to the image data, and the image data is stored in the USB memory 25.

When the one-touch key 5B to which different registration contents shown in FIG. 8 are assigned is pressed, the user inputs a set value for the “storage method” using the operation unit 5 and the character corresponding to “number of colors” is displayed. A column is input (S303), and then reading is executed. Then, a file name is generated using a character string associated with the “number of colors” input by the user. For example, when “TG” is input as a character string, a file name such as “NEWS_005_TG.pdf” is given to the image data. The image data is stored in accordance with the input “storage method” setting value.

  The registered contents of the one-touch key 5B shown in FIG. 9 are different contents obtained by adding two setting items of “arbitrary character string 2” and “reading date and time”. In the “arbitrary character string 2”, an arbitrary character string is registered by the user in the same manner as the “arbitrary character string” described above. “Reading date / time” is a setting value that determines the method used when the reading date / time is used as a file name. For example, when the setting value is “yyyymmdd”, the numbers indicating the reading date / time indicate the order of year, month, and day. The list is used as the file name. When the registered one-touch key 5B is pressed, a file name such as “paper_ftp_BW_100dpi_24_Jack_20061114.tif” is given to the image data.

4). As described above, according to this embodiment, a file name using a character string associated with a reading condition or a storage method is assigned to image data. Can be reduced. In addition, when the user looks at the file name later, it is easy to remember the purpose of creating the image data, and the file management becomes easy.

  In addition, by using the character string corresponding to the resolution and monochrome or color conditions when reading the image data as the file name, when the user looks at the file name, it becomes easier to recognize the use of the image data, Management becomes easy.

  In addition, since the reading condition assigned to the key and the set value of the storage method are read by key operation, setting of the reading condition and the like is facilitated.

  In addition, when a key operation is performed, a part of a plurality of setting items is input by the user, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of the setting method and improving usability.

  In addition, since an arbitrary character string can be associated with the setting value of the reading condition or image data storage method and used as a file name, it is easy to use.

  In addition, since a character string input by the user can be used as a file name, it is possible to prevent a character string unintended by the user from being given as a file name.

  In addition, since it is possible to set the order of the character strings when generating a file name from a plurality of character strings associated with a plurality of setting values such as reading conditions, the degree of freedom of the file name generation method is increased, Convenience is good.

  In addition, a character string to be used for a file name can be selected from a plurality of character strings associated with reading conditions and storage method setting values. Therefore, an unnecessary character string can be omitted as the file name, and the file name can be simplified.

  In addition, since the length of the file name can be suppressed to a predetermined number or less, it is possible to prevent the user from easily grasping the file name. In particular, in the present embodiment, since the length of the file name is suppressed to be equal to or less than the limit number of characters of the image data storage destination, it is possible to prevent a problem from occurring due to an excessively long file name.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine has been shown. However, the present invention is provided with a printer function, a copy function, and a facsimile function as long as it is an image reading apparatus having at least a scanner function. It can also be applied to those that do not.
(2) In the above embodiment, the setting value assigned by pressing the one-touch key (button) is shown. However, when a touch panel type liquid crystal display or the like is used, a key displayed on the display is displayed. You may make it call the setting value allocated by touch operation.
(3) According to the present invention, as a character string corresponding to the storage method, a storage destination folder name, a character string indicating an email transmission destination, or the like may be used as a file name.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram schematically showing the electrical configuration of the MFP Flow chart showing the flow of normal scan processing Flow chart showing the flow of file name generation / assignment processing Flow chart showing the flow of simple scan processing The figure which illustrates the registration contents of the one touch key The figure which illustrates the registration contents of the one touch key The figure which illustrates the registration contents of the one touch key The figure which illustrates the registration contents of the one touch key

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Multifunction machine (image reading device)
3 Reading unit (reading means)
5 ... operation unit (input means, assignment means, association means, order setting means, selection means)
10 ... CPU (control means)
25 ... USB memory (memory)

Claims (20)

An input means for inputting the setting value of the setting item for the reading condition;
Reading means for acquiring image data by reading a document based on the set value;
Control means for generating a file name using a character string associated with the set value, giving the file name to the image data acquired by the reading means, and storing the image data;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading condition includes at least one of a resolution and a monochrome or color condition. An input means for inputting a setting value of a setting item for a storage method of image data;
Reading means for acquiring image data by reading an original;
Control means for generating a file name using a character string associated with the set value, giving the file name to the image data acquired by the reading means, and storing the image data according to the storage method;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The input means has a key,
An assigning means for assigning a specific setting value to the key;
The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit reads a setting value assigned to the key by operating the key.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the key is operated, the control unit causes a part of setting values of a plurality of setting items to be input from the input unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an association unit that associates the setting value with a character string used as a file name. The input means can input character information;
The said control means uses the character string input from the said input means as a file name, when the character string matched with the said setting value does not exist. Image reading device.   Either of the Claims 1-7 in which the said control means is provided with the order setting means which sets the order of the character string at the time of producing | generating a file name from the several character string matched with each setting value of several setting items. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1.   The selection means for selecting a character string to be used when the control means generates a file name from a plurality of character strings associated with setting values of a plurality of setting items. The image reading apparatus according to one item.   The control means generates a file name by combining a character string associated with the set value and a serial number, and determines the number of digits of the serial number so that the number of characters in the file name is equal to or less than a specified number. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. Reading means for acquiring image data by reading an original;
An input means operable by a user to input setting contents for setting items relating to the reading conditions of the original by the reading means;
File name generation means for generating a file name of a character string from the setting content input by the input means in accordance with a predetermined generation rule;
File name assigning means for assigning the generated file name to the image data obtained by reading the document by the reading means;
Storage means for storing the image data with the given file name;
An image reading apparatus comprising: The input means is operated by a user to input a plurality of setting contents for a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the generation rule determines an order of setting contents in the generated file name for the plurality of input setting contents.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the generation rule determines whether or not the setting item uses a setting content as a part of a file name among a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition. Candidate display means for displaying a plurality of setting content candidates to be set for the setting items related to the reading conditions of the original by the reading means;
14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a candidate selection unit that selects a desired setting content from among the plurality of displayed candidates according to an operation of the input unit. The input means has a plurality of keys,
Registration means for registering a plurality of different setting contents for the setting items related to the reading condition in association with the plurality of keys,
The image according to any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising: a reading unit that reads out the setting content corresponding to the desired key from the registration unit by operating a desired key among the plurality of keys. Reader. The registration means registers the generation rule predetermined corresponding to each of the plurality of keys;
The reading means reads a setting content and a generation rule corresponding to the desired key by operating a desired key among the plurality of keys.
The image reading device according to claim 15, wherein the file name generation unit generates a file name according to the read generation rule.   16. The registration unit registers a plurality of setting contents for a plurality of setting items related to the reading condition as one set, and registers a plurality of sets having different setting contents in association with the plurality of keys, respectively. The image reading apparatus according to claim 16.   18. The image reading apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the setting item related to the reading condition includes at least one of a monochrome or color condition and a resolution.   The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the setting item relating to the reading condition includes a storage method in which the storage unit stores image data. The input means is operated to input an arbitrary character string desired by the user as one of the setting items related to the reading condition,
The image according to any one of claims 11 to 19, wherein the generation rule sets the input arbitrary character string in a first order as an order of setting contents in the generated file name. Reader.