JP2010074381A - Recommendation setting notification system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a user who does not know that file storage in a specific file format is recommended to execute image reading and transfer in the recommended file format. <P>SOLUTION: When the user designates values of items, such as a reading parameter and a destination (transmission file) in an image reader 10, a job history management server 20 is inquired about a recommended reading parameter on the basis of the designated value of each item (S103). The job history management server 20 retrieves an image reading and transfer job history with, for example, a transmission file included in the inquiry as a key, and notifies the image reader 10 of a reading parameter having the highest usage frequency among job histories in which the transmission file is a destination as a recommended reading parameter (S203), and the image reader 10 notifies the user of the informed recommended reading parameter (S105), and accepts change setting based on the recommended reading parameter (S106). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a recommended setting notification system.

  A system is known in which devices such as a network scanner device, a file server, and a PC (personal computer) are connected via a network, and image information read by the network scanner device is transmitted to a destination via a file server.

  In a system having this type of image reading / transferring function, user-specified parameters used when the user instructs the scanner device to start an image reading / transferring job include address related information (server address, port number, user name). , Password, folder path, etc.) and scan parameters [color / monochrome, resolution, file format (file format) such as pdf / jpg / tif].

  These user-specified parameters may be input by the user on the operation panel when executing the image reading and transferring job, or may be set in advance in the scanner device before executing the job.

  As an example of a system having this type of image reading / transferring function, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 discloses a technique in which a user selects a preset scanning condition.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for setting a correct address by utilizing a normally completed job history.

  By the way, as an operation mode of image reading and transferring in this type of system, an environment in which it is recommended to store a file in a specific file format in a specific folder may be considered.

  As an example of operating by limiting the file format to be stored only to a specific file format, for example, in a drawing management system, the file format of a design drawing is limited due to system processing reasons, or a PC in a workplace The application that opens the pdf file is installed, but the application that opens the tif file is not installed, so if you want to limit the files to be sent only to pdf, the file size is small, so the file size is small A case where it is desired to limit to such a file format (for example, 200 dpi, monochrome, A4, high compression rate) is assumed.

  On the other hand, in this type of conventional system, the parameters used when executing image reading and transfer are set in the device in advance before the job is executed when the user inputs the parameters on the operation panel when executing the job. Was common.

For this reason, even when it is recommended to store a file in a specific file format as described above, the user may execute image reading and transfer in another file format without knowing the recommended setting.
JP-A-9-51398 JP 2007-28019 A

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a recommended setting notification system that allows a user who does not know that file storage in a specific file format is recommended to perform image reading and transfer in the recommended file format.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of the recommended setting notification system according to claim 1 is based on an image reading / transfer instruction operation for specifying values of a plurality of instruction items including a reading condition and destination information. An image reading apparatus that executes an image reading and transferring job that reads image information from a document and transfers the data to a specified destination, and a job history management apparatus that manages a history of the image reading and transferring job executed by the image reading apparatus; And the job history management apparatus sets a reading condition that is most frequently used among job histories having the same value of a specific item in the image reading and transfer job history as the specified item. Determining means for determining as a recommended reading condition when specified by a value; and notifying means for notifying the image reading apparatus of the recommended reading condition determined by the determining means The image reading apparatus includes notifying means for notifying the recommended reading condition notified by the notifying means, and receiving means for accepting a change setting based on the recommended reading condition notified by the notifying means. .

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading device is configured to provide the job history management device with respect to the job history management device based on the values of the instruction items specified in the image reading / transfer instruction operation. Inquiry means for inquiring about the recommended reading condition, and the determination means, based on the inquiry from the inquiry means, the recommended reading corresponding to the value of a specific instruction item in each instruction item included in the inquiry Determine the conditions.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the determining means is the recommended reading condition corresponding to the value of the transmission folder information included as the specific instruction item in the inquiry from the inquiry means. Determine.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the second aspect, the determination unit includes the recommended reading corresponding to the value of the job execution user information included as the specific instruction item in the inquiry from the inquiry unit. Determine the conditions.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the job history management device includes a specifying unit that specifies a determination target period of the recommended reading condition, and the determination unit includes: The recommended reading condition is determined for the image reading and transfer job history within the determination target period specified by the specifying means.

  The invention of the recommended setting notification system according to claim 6 reads the image information from the document under the specified reading condition based on the image reading / transfer instruction operation for specifying the values of a plurality of instruction items including the reading condition and the destination information. An image reading apparatus that executes an image reading and transferring job for transferring data to a specified destination; a job history managing apparatus that manages a history of the image reading and transferring job executed by the image reading apparatus; and the job history managing apparatus Corresponds to a case in which the most frequently used file format is specified among the job histories having the same value of a specific item in the image reading / transfer job history, and the specific item is designated by the value as the instruction item. The appropriate file format determined by the determination unit between a determination unit that determines the appropriate file format to be executed and a job history that matches the value of the specific item. A file conversion unit that converts a file transferred in a file format other than the format into the file of the appropriate file format, and the file conversion unit could not convert the file to be converted into the file of the appropriate file format. A notification means for notifying the image reading apparatus that has executed the image reading and transferring job for the file to be converted that the transfer is performed in an inappropriate file format.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the determining means determines the file format that is most frequently used among job histories that match the transmission folder information that is the specific item. An appropriate file format corresponding to the case where the transmission folder information is designated as an item is determined.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the determination unit selects a file format having the highest use frequency among job histories having the same job execution user information as the specific item. The job execution user information is designated as an instruction item, and it is determined as an appropriate file format corresponding to the designated item.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the notification means cannot convert the file to be converted into the file of the appropriate file format by the file conversion means. In this case, the appropriate file format is further notified to the image reading apparatus that has executed the image reading / transferring job for the file to be converted, and the image reading apparatus is configured to perform the appropriate reading based on the notification by the notifying unit. A notification means for notifying that the transfer has been performed in a file format other than that and that the retransmission is requested in the appropriate file format.

  The recommended setting notification system according to claim 10 is specified by reading image information from a document under a specified reading condition based on an image reading / transfer instruction operation for specifying values of a plurality of instruction items including a reading condition and destination information. An image reading apparatus that executes an image reading and transferring job for transferring data to a destination, and a job history management apparatus that manages a job history including a communication result of the image reading and transferring job executed by the image reading apparatus, In response to a transfer request for image information read from the document based on the image reading / transfer instruction operation, the reading device receives a file format error from the file server device, and Inquiry means for inquiring a file format that can be transmitted to the job history management device based on the instruction item, and to the inquiry means A notifying unit for notifying a transmittable file format notified from the job history management apparatus in response to an inquiry about a transmittable file, and a receiving unit for accepting a setting change based on the transmittable file format notified by the notifying unit. And the job history management apparatus can transmit from the image reading / transfer job history corresponding to a specific instruction item in each instruction item included in the inquiry based on the inquiry from the inquiry unit. Determination means for determining a correct file and notification means for notifying the image reading apparatus of the transmittable file determined by the determination means.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the tenth aspect, based on the inquiry from the inquiry means, the determination means indicates a transmission folder indicated by transmission folder information included in the inquiry as the specific instruction item. The file format of the job history that has been transmitted to and successfully communicated is determined as the transmittable file.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the determination means is a user indicated by job execution user information included in the inquiry as the specific instruction item based on the inquiry from the inquiry means. And the file format of the job history that has been successfully communicated is determined as the transmittable file.

  According to the recommended setting notification system of the first aspect of the present invention, even if it is desired to limit the file format in operation by informing the user of the recommended file format and leading to the setting change to the file format, the file server side This can be done without changing the settings.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the job history management server determines a recommended reading parameter and notifies the image reading apparatus of the inquiry from the image reading apparatus. It is possible to eliminate the communication load for obtaining the determination target file and the processing load for determining the recommended condition by analyzing the contents of the file.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in the invention described in claim 2, to the destination folder using the recommended reading parameter notified in correspondence with the destination folder designated by the user through the image reading / forwarding instruction operation. Can be stored in a limited file format.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in the invention described in claim 2, since the recommended reading parameter corresponding to the user information designated by the user through the image reading / transferring instruction operation is notified, Can be stored in the file format limited to the destination folder.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, in the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the job history management device may search for recommended setting parameters from a job history within a preset determination target period. , Processing load can be reduced.

  According to the recommended setting notification system of the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to maintain unified file storage in an appropriate file format without changing the settings on the file server side in an operating environment that limits the file format to be stored. .

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the files transmitted to the same transmission folder can be stored in the appropriate file format even if the file is once stored in an inappropriate file format. .

  According to the invention described in claim 8, in the invention described in claim 6, even if files transmitted by the same user are transmitted in an inappropriate file format, they can be stored in an appropriate file format afterwards. .

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, in the invention according to any one of the sixth to eighth aspects, even when the user transmits a file in a file format that cannot be converted, the file cannot be converted into an appropriate file format. You can resend the file with the appropriate file format settings that are informed.

  According to the invention of the recommended setting notification system according to claim 10, in an environment where the file format stored in the folder is limited by the server setting, the user sets a file format that cannot be transmitted and receives a notification of a file format error. In this case, it is possible to transmit after changing the setting to the transmittable file format to be notified later, and it is possible to improve the convenience of the user operation when storing the file in the limited file format.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect, after receiving the notification of the file format error, the file format that has been successfully communicated with the currently set destination folder is the past. It is informed that transmission is possible, and the file format can be reset to make transmission successful.

  According to the invention of claim 12, in the invention of claim 10, after receiving the notification of the file format error, the user is informed that the file format that has been successfully communicated in the past can be transmitted, The file format can be set again so that transmission can be successful.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the recommended setting notification system according to the first embodiment.

  This system scans an image of a document to be scanned (paper document) with a specified reading parameter (scanning parameter), transfers the file to a specified destination via a network, or email (E-mail: hereinafter, mail). ) Image reading apparatus 10 (10-1, 10-2,...) Having a function of executing a network image reading / transferring job (hereinafter referred to as “image reading / transferring job”), and a job history of the image reading / transferring job in the image reading apparatus 10. A job history management server 20 having a job history management unit for managing (only one is disclosed for convenience), receiving and storing scan data transmitted by an image transfer reading job in the image reading apparatus 10, and A file transfer control unit that distributes data (scan files) to a specified destination. Each network server 30 (30-1, 30-2,...) Has a network (NW) 50 configured by a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), or the like. Connected to each other.

  As a configuration example of the NW 50, for example, the image reading devices 10-1, 10-2,... And the file servers 30-1, 30-2,. The WAN may be connected to the LAN via a firewall device.

  In this system, each device such as the image reading device 10, the job history management server 20, and the file server 30 communicates with each other on the NW 50 using, for example, a communication protocol called TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol). I do.

  Each of the above devices is given a unique IP address for identifying the destination. For example, when accessing a partner device, it is necessary to specify the IP address of the partner device.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The image reading apparatus 10 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as document reading (scanning), copying (copying), printing (printing), FAX (facsimile communication), and the like as shown in FIG. A scanning unit 11 that scans an image of a (paper document) and converts it into an electrical image signal (image data), scan data obtained by scanning the paper document by the scanning unit 11, and a client terminal (not shown) The image processing unit 12 that performs image processing for generating print data from the sent print job, the storage unit 13 that stores various information such as scan data and operation programs, and the print data generated by the image processing unit 12 An image forming unit 14 that executes an electrophotographic process to form an image corresponding to the print data on a recording medium (recording paper), and has a touch panel function. Display / operation unit 15 comprising a bitmap display, etc., control unit 16 for controlling the entire apparatus, such as operation control of the respective units related to functions such as scan, copy, print, FAX, etc., job history management server 20, file server A network interface (NW I / F) unit 17 that controls a network interface when communicating with 30 or the like via the NW 50 is configured.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, as a communication control function using the above-described scan function, an image is read from a document using designated scan parameters based on an image read / transfer instruction operation by a user, and the read image information (scan data) Scan-to-file transfer (Scan To FTP (File Transfer Protocol) / SMB (Server Message Block)) job or the above scan data to the specified file server 30 as the destination Scan-to-mail that generates a mail attached as data in a specified file format and sends the mail to a specified mail address via a mail server (not shown in FIG. 1, but connected to the NW 50) An image reading transfer control function to perform the job signal (Scan To Mail).

  In the image reading apparatus 10, the control unit 16 includes a job history registration control unit 162, a recommended setting inquiry unit 163, and a recommended setting reception unit 164 in addition to the image reading / transfer control unit 161 that performs control related to the image reading / transfer. .

  The job history registration control unit 162 stores the history of the job in the job history management table 131 in the own apparatus after executing the image reading transfer job (file transfer job, mail transfer job described above). Control is performed to request the job history management server 20 to register the job history and register the job history.

  The recommended setting inquiry unit 163 sends a recommended setting determination request including a parameter designated by the user in the image reading and transferring job to the job history management server 20, and the job history management server 20 manages the job setting management request from the job history management server 20. In the job history to be processed, a process for obtaining recommended setting conditions (the most frequently used reading parameter in the job history) for the user-specified parameter included in the recommended setting determination request is performed.

  The recommended setting receiving unit 164 notifies the user of recommended setting conditions such as reading parameters that are most frequently used acquired by the recommended setting inquiry unit 163 on the display unit of the display / operation unit 15, for example. Then, a process of accepting a setting change to the displayed recommended setting condition is performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the job history management server 20 according to the present embodiment.

  The job history management server 20 is composed of a general-purpose computer. As shown in FIG. 3, the job history management server 20 is a network interface (NW I / F) that controls a network interface when communicating with the image reading apparatus 10, the file server 30 and the like via the NW 50. Unit 21, a storage unit 22 that stores various information such as operation programs, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores information such as a job history of an image reading transfer job requested to be registered by the image reading device 10. A storage device 23 and a control unit 24 for controlling the entire device are provided.

  In the job history management server 20, the control unit 24 includes a job history management unit 241 and a recommended setting determination unit 242.

  The job history management unit 241 receives a job history registration request from the job history registration request control unit 162 of the image reading apparatus 10 and registers the job history in, for example, the job history management table 231 provided in the storage device 23. Process to manage.

  FIG. 4 is a table showing job history information items managed by the job history management unit 241 using the job history management table 231.

  As shown in the table of FIG. 4, the job history management unit 241 includes, for example, a server address, a port number, a user name, and a directory (folder) path for a Scan To FTP / SMB job among image reading and transfer jobs. , Share name (SMB only), file name (file format), scan resolution (dpi), color / monochrome type information, etc. are managed as job history. For Scan To Mail jobs, for example, mail address, mail server Address (SMTP), mail server setting, port number, authentication method, upper limit mail size, file name (file format), scan resolution (dpi), color / monochrome type information, etc. are managed as job history.

  The recommended setting determination unit 242 is registered information (image reading transfer job history information) in the job history management table 231 based on a recommended setting inquiry (recommended setting determination request) from the recommended setting inquiry unit 163 of the image reading apparatus 10. To determine the desired setting (recommended setting) for the currently specified user-specified parameter (included in the recommended setting determination request), and if there is a recommended setting, A process of sending the recommended setting parameter as a response to the requesting image reading apparatus 10 is performed.

  As an example, the recommended setting determination unit 242 uses the highest frequency among job histories in which the values of specific items (for example, transmission file, user information, etc.) included in the inquiry match in the image reading / transferring job history. The reading parameter is determined as a recommended reading parameter when the specific item is designated by the value.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the file server 30 according to the present embodiment.

  The file server 30 includes a general-purpose computer, and as shown in FIG. 5, a network interface (NW I / F) that controls a network interface when communicating with the image reading apparatus 10, the job history management server 20, and the like via the NW 50. Unit 31, a storage unit 32 for storing various information such as operation programs, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD), a storage unit 33 for storing information such as scan data requested for registration from the image reading apparatus 10, and a device A control unit 34 that performs overall control is provided.

  In the file server 30, the control unit 34 includes a transmission request reception unit 341 and a file transfer control unit 342.

  The transmission request reception unit 341 performs processing for receiving a file transmission request from the image reading / transfer control unit 161 of the image reading apparatus 10.

  Based on the file transmission request from the image reading apparatus 10 received by the transmission request receiving unit 341, the file transfer control unit 342 converts the file requested for transmission (converted scan data into a specified file format), for example, , Registered and managed in a file management database (DB) 331 provided in the storage device 33, and received a distribution (download) request from a destination (eg, client terminal: not shown), and the file is sent to the destination Control to deliver to.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence among the image reading apparatus 10, the job history management server 20, and the file server 30 related to the image reading / transfer processing of the system according to the present embodiment.

  In particular, FIG. 5 shows a control sequence when the scan-to-file (FTP / SMB) transfer is performed as the image reading transfer in the image reading apparatus 10.

  In this case, the user who wants to perform image reading and transfer sets the original to be scanned at the reading position in the desired image reading apparatus 10, operates the display / operation unit 15 to open the setting screen, After setting (specifying) related information and reading parameters, a series of job execution operations for instructing the start of scanning is performed.

  This scan-to-file (FTP / SMB) transfer setting screen includes, for example, destination related information such as server address, port number, directory (folder) path, user name (user ID), password, and scan parameter related Information such as file name (file format), scan resolution (dpi), and color / monochrome type information can be designated.

  When executing a scan-to-mail transfer job, for example, mail address, mail server address (SMTP), mail server setting, destination related information such as port number, user name (user ID), scan parameter related A setting screen capable of setting and inputting information such as file name (file format), scan resolution (dpi), and color / monochrome type as information is used.

  In the image reading apparatus 10, when the image reading / transfer control unit 161 receives the job execution instruction operation by the user (step S101), the recommended setting inquiry unit 163 receives the user instruction parameter (reading parameter and destination) input by the operation. (Related information) is extracted (step S102), and recommended setting inquiry processing for the extracted user-specified parameters is performed (step S103).

  In this process, the recommended setting inquiry unit 163 sends a recommended setting determination request including the user instruction parameter received in step S101 to the job history management server 20 (step S104).

  In contrast, when the job history management server 20 receives the recommended setting determination request from the image reading apparatus 10, the recommended setting determination unit 242 causes the user instruction parameter included in the request and the job history management unit 241 to execute the job history. The job history managed using the management table 231 is collated, and it is determined whether or not the user instruction parameter satisfies a predetermined condition for notifying the recommended setting (step S201).

  Here, the recommended setting determination unit 242 uses, for example, the transmission destination folder in the destination related information among the user-specified parameters included in the recommended setting determination request as a destination from the job history management table 231 as the transmission destination folder. Search all the specified job histories, specify the reading parameter that is most frequently used, for example, the reading parameter in the searched job history, and read the reading parameter in the user-specified parameter included in the recommended setting determination request Is the most frequently used reading parameter.

  If the reading parameter in the user-specified parameter included in the recommended setting determination request is not the reading parameter with the highest use frequency, the predetermined condition for performing the notification of the recommended setting described above is satisfied. judge.

  If it is determined in step S201 that the user instruction parameter satisfies the recommended setting notification condition by the above-described processing, the recommended setting determination unit 242 then specifies the transmission destination folder based on the search results so far. The most frequently used reading parameter in all job histories is determined as the recommended setting parameter (step S202), and the recommended setting determination result including the recommended setting parameter is transmitted to the image reading apparatus 10 that is the recommended setting determination request source. (Steps S203 and S204).

  On the other hand, when the image reading apparatus 10 receives the recommended setting determination result transmitted from the job history management server 20 after transmitting the recommended setting determination request in step S104, the recommended setting receiving unit 164 receives the recommended setting determination result. The user is notified that the recommended setting parameter included in the result is recommended (see FIG. 9) on the display unit of the display / operation unit 15 or the like (step S105).

  After notifying the recommended setting parameter in step S105, the recommended setting receiving unit 164 performs a reading parameter change setting receiving process based on the recommended setting notification (step S106).

  Here, when the change setting to the recommended setting parameter notified (displayed) in step S105 is performed, the image reading / transfer operation with the setting content after the change setting is performed (step S107).

  Here, the document to be scanned is scanned with the specified reading parameters to generate a file of the specified format, and the file server 30 is requested to transmit the generated file to the specified destination (step). S108).

  On the other hand, in the file server 30, the file transmission request transmitted from the image reading device 10 is received by the transmission request receiving unit 341, and the file transfer control unit 342 stores the file included in the request in the designated destination. (Step S301).

  In the image reading apparatus 10, when the image reading and transfer process performed in step S 107 is completed (step S 109), the job history registration control unit 162 sets the execution result of the job as a history in the job history management table 131. After (stored), the job history management server 20 is requested to register the execution result of the job as a job history (step S110).

  On the other hand, when the job history management server 20 receives the job history registration request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10, the job history management unit 241 adds the job history included in the request to the job history management table 231. Registration is performed (step S205).

  Next, a specific example of recommended setting parameter determination and notification processing in steps S201 to S204 performed by the job history management server 20 during the series of processing illustrated in FIG. 6 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of scan parameter simple setting processing (processing related to determination and notification of recommended setting parameters) in image reading and transferring in the system according to the present embodiment.

  In particular, in FIG. 7, the image reading apparatuses A (10-1) and B (10-2) each execute an image reading and transfer job, and the transmission file in each job is a server address (= 192.168.8.1. 1), and at a certain timing when each job history is managed by the job history management server A (20), the image reading apparatus A, for example, a server Address (= 192.168.1.1), folder path (= dir1 / dir2), user name (= user1), file name (= filename6.tif), resolution (= 300 dpi), color / monochrome type (= monochrome) ) Discloses a processing flow when a user starts an image reading and transferring job with a parameter setting of a value of).

  In this case, the recommended setting determination request including the scan parameter is transmitted from the image reading apparatus A that executes the job to the job history management server A (see step S104 in FIG. 6).

  At this time, it is assumed that the job history management server A manages, for example, job history information having the contents shown in FIG. 8 in the job history management table 231.

  In this case, the job history management server A, based on the recommended setting determination request from the image reading apparatus A, “server address (= 192.168.1.1)” in the scan parameter included in the request and “ Using “folder path (= dir1 / dir2)” as a key, the “server address (= 192.168.1.1)” and “folder path (= dir1 / dir2) from all the job histories in the job history management table 231. ) ”Is searched for the job histories of Nos. 1, 3, and 5 in the table shown in FIG.

  Next, for each of the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 5 job histories, all are based on the recognition that the extension part of the file name is pdf, the resolution is 600 dpi, and the color / monochrome type is color. It is determined that the scan parameter with high frequency is “pdf / 600 dpi / color” (see step S201 in FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, the value of the corresponding type parameter in the scan parameter included in the recommended setting determination request from the image reading apparatus A is “tif / 300 dpi / monochrome” as described above, and the corresponding type in the managed job history. Therefore, it is determined that the recommended setting parameter notification condition is satisfied, and it is determined that the recommended setting parameter is “pdf / 600 dpi / color” having the highest use frequency (step in FIG. 6). (See S202).

  As a result, the job history management server A sends to the image reading apparatus A a determination result indicating that “pdf / 600 dpi / color” is recommended as the scan parameter setting change target parameter of the image reading transfer job that is currently being executed. Return (see step S204 in FIG. 6).

  Then, in the image reading apparatus A that has received this determination result, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the file name extension is changed from “tif” to “pdf”, and the resolution is changed from “300 dpi” to “600 dpi”. And a recommended setting notification screen 80 including a message to recommend changing the monochrome / color type from “monochrome” to “color” is displayed on the display unit of the display / operation unit 15, so that the recommended setting is displayed. The notification process is performed (see step S105 in FIG. 6).

  Thereafter, in the image reading apparatus A, when the user changes the setting to the recommended setting parameter “pdf / 600 dpi / color” based on the notification content on the recommended setting notification screen 80 shown in FIG. 9, the setting change is accepted. The image reading / transferring job is executed (see steps S106 to S108 in FIG. 6).

  As a result, in the current image reading and transferring job, in the file server A having “server address (192.168.1.1)”, the value changed as described above (the extension portion of the file name is pdf and the resolution is 600 dpi). The scan file having the color / monochrome type is stored in the “folder path (dir1 / dir2)” (see step S301 in FIG. 6).

  After the completion of the image reading / transferring job, the job history management server A sets the value changed for the image reading / transferring job (file name extension portion is pdf, resolution is 600 dpi, color / monochrome type). A job history having a content indicating that a scan file having “color” is transmitted to “server address (192.168.1.1)” and “folder path (dir1 / dir2)” is the job history management table 231. It is additionally registered.

  In this embodiment, the job history management server 20 determines the recommended setting for each destination (transmission folder) from the managed job history. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and recommended for each user. The setting may be determined.

  That is, for example, the most frequently used scan parameter in the history executed by the user A (user 1) on the job history is determined as a recommended setting for the user A and notified to the user via the image reading device 10. A configuration of the job history management server 20 having a function to perform the above may be employed.

  In the job history management server 20, the recommended setting for the processing function (the processing function of the recommended setting determination unit 242) for determining the recommended setting for each key information (destination folder or user information) described above from the job history. The parameter determination target period is specified, and the recommended reading parameter determination is performed for the image reading and transfer job history within the specified determination target period, and the job history to be determined is determined within a predetermined period. A configuration may be adopted in which the job history of the executed job (for example, a job executed during the most recent days or months with respect to the current job trial) is limited.

  In this embodiment, in the image reading apparatus 10, the user is not limited to the inquiry of the recommended setting after waiting for the user to execute the job (input of the destination related information and the scan parameter). Immediately after inputting related information (server address, folder path), the job history management server 20 is queried for recommended settings, and the image reading apparatus 10 sets the recommended setting parameters based on the recommended setting parameters returned in response to the inquiry. It is good also as a structure to set automatically.

  Further, in response to an inquiry from the image reading apparatus 10, a value recommended by the job history management server (a scan parameter setting with high use frequency) is sent in a list, or the image reading apparatus is notified from the job history management server. For example, the recommended settings may be displayed in a list in descending order of usage frequency so that the user can select and specify the recommended settings.

  In addition, the job history management server creates an instruction sheet in which the recommended setting of the scan parameter is reflected for each key information in the transmission destination folder information, user information, and the like, and distributes the instruction sheet to the image reading device 10. The scan parameter may be automatically set according to the recommended setting based on the distributed instruction sheet.

  In this case, the creation and distribution timing of the above-mentioned instruction is not necessarily the timing when the user executes the job (or the timing when the server address and folder path are input).

  Thus, regardless of the timing described above, for example, by periodically creating and distributing the above instruction, the image reading can be performed under control from the job history management server in a steady state where no user operation is performed. Scan parameters can be automatically set according to the recommended settings on the apparatus 10 side.

  According to the above configuration according to the present embodiment, even when the file server 30 manages a limited file format (file format, resolution, color / monochrome type) for business operation, the restricted file format setting on the file server 30 side is set. It can respond without changing.

  In the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 10 acquires a file in a specific folder from the job history management server, and matches the largest file format (file name, resolution, color / monochrome type) among the acquired files. Compared with the configuration in which the reading parameter is set, it is possible to avoid an increase in communication load that occurs when acquiring a file on the job history management server 20.

  Also, analysis of the contents of the file after acquisition (resolution, color / monochrome type determination) is not required, which contributes to maintaining the processing capability.

  In this embodiment, since the recommended setting is determined from the job history, the file manually stored by the user is excluded from the target file, and the image is only read and transferred from the image reading apparatus (scanner). It can be limited to.

  In addition, since the recommended setting is determined from the job history, a file that has been deleted from the folder or moved in the past can be determined as the recommended setting determination target.

  In addition, as a method for limiting the file format, there is a method in which an administrator or the like manually sets each image reading apparatus 10B so that only specific scan parameters can be transmitted to a specific folder. In this embodiment, the manual setting by the administrator is not necessary, so that it is possible to save the administrative effort.

  The recommended setting notification system according to the second embodiment includes an image reading device 10B instead of the image reading device 10 and a job management history server instead of the job history management server 20 in the system configuration (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. 20B is installed and configured.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of each apparatus of the image reading apparatus 10B and the job history management server 20B according to the second embodiment. In particular, the configuration (control unit 16b, 24b) is mainly shown.

  Although not shown in FIG. 10, each of the above devices has the same configuration as the corresponding devices in the first embodiment (the image reading device 10 and the job history management server 20) except for the control units 16 b and 24 b ( A functional block that performs the same function as each functional block is denoted by the same reference numeral).

  In the image reading apparatus 10B according to the present embodiment, the control unit 16b includes an image reading / transfer control unit 161 and a job history registration control unit 162 that are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the job history management server 20B of the present embodiment, the control unit 24b is configured to include a job history management unit 241 (equivalent to the first embodiment), a file format determination unit 243, and a file conversion unit 244.

  The file format determination unit 243 determines the most frequently used file format among the job histories of the image reading and transfer job managed by the job history management unit 241 and having the same value of a specific item as a job execution instruction. Processing for determining an appropriate file format corresponding to the case where the specific item is designated by the value as an instruction item in the operation is performed.

  As an example, the file format determination unit 243 searches the file format of each transmitted file for each job history having the same destination (destination folder), for example, and uses the most frequently among these files. The file format is determined as an appropriate file format to be transmitted to the transmission folder, and a file having a file format different from the most frequently used file format is determined as a file conversion target file.

  As a result of the determination by the file format determination unit 243, the file conversion unit 244 converts a file determined as a file conversion target (a file format other than an appropriate file format) into a file format with the highest use frequency (appropriate File format) file.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a control sequence among the image reading apparatus 10B, the job history management server 20B, and the file server 30 related to the image reading / transfer processing in the system of this embodiment.

  FIG. 11 also shows a control sequence when performing a scan-to-file (FTP / SMB) transfer as an image reading transfer, as in the first embodiment (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the image reading apparatus 10B receives the job execution instruction operation (equivalent to the first embodiment) by the user (step S101), the image reading / transfer control unit 161 accepts the received setting contents (user The image reading / transferring operation is performed with the designated parameter) (step S111).

  Here, the document to be scanned is scanned with the specified reading parameters to generate a file of the specified format, and the file server 30 is requested to transmit the generated file to the specified destination (step). S112).

  On the other hand, in the file server 30, the file transmission request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10B is received by the transmission request receiving unit 341, and the file transfer control unit 342 stores the file included in the request in the designated destination. (Step S301).

  In the image reading apparatus 10B, when the image reading and transfer process in step S111 is completed (step S113), the job history registration control unit 162 additionally sets the execution result of the job as a history in the job history management table 131. After (stored), the job history management server 20B is requested to register the execution result of the job as a job history (step S114).

  In contrast, when the job history management server 20B receives the job history registration request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10B, the job history management unit 241 adds the job history included in the request to the job history management table 231. Register (step S211).

  Thereafter, each time a scan job is executed in the image reading apparatus 10B (steps S101, S111 to S112), the scan data file is stored in the file server 30 (step S301), and the image reading and transfer jobs are completed. Thus, registration of the history of the job is requested (steps S113 and S114).

  Thereby, in the job history management server 20B, the job history of each of the image reading and transferring jobs is sequentially registered in the job history management table 231 (step S211).

  In the job history management server 20B that manages the job history of the image reading / transferring job in each image reading apparatus 10B by the processing described above, the file format determination unit 243, for example, has a specified timing (for example, as an execution interval of file format determination). The file format unification process in step S221 is performed each time a preset time) comes.

  In this process, the file format determination unit 243 monitors whether or not the specified timing has been reached (step S222). When the specified timing is reached (YES in step S222), the job stored in the job history management table 231 is displayed. From the history information, for example, the file formats of all the files sent to a predetermined same destination (transmission folder) are searched (step S223), and the most frequently used file format is identified from among them. It is checked whether there exists a file format file (file conversion target file) other than the specified file format (step S224).

  Here, when the file format determination unit 243 determines that a file format file (file conversion target file) other than the file format with the highest usage frequency exists (YES in step S224), the file conversion unit 244. In cooperation with the file server 30, the file conversion processing is performed on the file determined as the file conversion target to a file having the file format that is most frequently used (step S 2251).

  In this file conversion process, for example, the file conversion unit 244 requests the file server 30 to acquire a file to be converted from the file server 30, and the acquired file is most frequently used. After the file is converted into a format file, the converted file can be sent to the file server 30 and stored in the original transmission folder.

  After the file conversion processing in steps S225 and S2251 is completed, the job history management unit 241 rewrites the file format in the job history corresponding to the converted file on the job history management table 231 to the converted file format. Then, the corresponding job history is updated (step S226), and then the process returns to the monitoring state of the specified timing (step S222).

  When the file to be converted cannot be converted into the most frequently used file format at the time of file conversion in steps S225 and S2251, the file conversion unit 244 identifies the transmission source of the file that could not be converted, and the transmission A process of notifying the original image reading apparatus 10B of a warning that a file inappropriate for the corresponding job has been transmitted to the file server 30 is performed (step S227), and then the timing monitoring state (step S222) is entered. Return.

  In addition, as a process when the file conversion cannot be performed in steps S225 and S2251, the appropriate file format determined by the file format determination unit 243 is used together with the above-described inappropriate transmission warning. You may make it notify also to 10B.

  Also, warning information indicating that an inappropriate file has been transmitted in the job history corresponding to the file in the job history management table 231 together with or in place of the above-described inappropriate transmission warning. May be embedded (registered) for management.

  Next, a specific example of the process in step S221 by the job history management server 20B during the series of processes shown in FIG. 11 will be described.

  In the file format unification processing, the job history management server 20B manages job history information including values shown in FIG. 12, for example, using a job history management table (referred to as 231b for convenience). To do.

  For the job history management table 231b that manages such job history information, when the prescribed timing for determining the file format suitability is reached, the file format determination unit 243 sets a server address and a folder path as search keys in advance. Therefore, from all the job histories in the job history management table 231b, for example, as a job history in which “server address (192.168.1.1)” and “folder path (dir1 / dir2)” match. In the table shown in FIG. 12, the first, third, and fifth job histories are searched (see step S223 in FIG. 11).

  Next, as a result of referring to the file formats of the first, third, and fifth job histories, the extension part of the file name is pdf, the resolution is 600 dpi, and color / monochrome for both the first and fifth job histories. Is the color, the remaining one job history (No. 3) is the extension of the file name is tif, the resolution is 300 dpi, and the color / monochrome type is monochrome. It is determined that the file format having the pdf, the resolution of 600 dpi, and the color / monochrome type is color is the most frequently used (2/3 of all the files) (see step S224 in FIG. 11).

  Further, since the file format in the third job history is “tif / 300 dpi / monochrome” and does not match the value of the most frequently used file format “pdf / 600 dpi / color”, this third job If the history file is determined to be a conversion target file, the file conversion unit 244 determines that the conversion target file “filename3.tif” on the file server 30 is the most frequently used “pdf / 600 dpi / color” file format file. (See step S225 in FIG. 11).

  Here, the job history management server 20B can convert only the conversion from tif to pdf, and the conversion from 300 dpi to 600 dpi and the conversion from monochrome to color cannot be performed. In the job history management server 20B, the file conversion unit 244 notifies warning information that warns that an inappropriate file transmission is executed to the image reading apparatus 10B that has executed the job (step S227 in FIG. 11). reference).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the warning information notified in step S227, indicating that the job is transmitted in an inappropriate file format “tif” and the setting is changed to “pdf”. In this example, an inappropriate transmission warning screen 83 including a warning message including re-execution of image reading and transfer is displayed on the display unit of the display / operation unit 15, for example.

  In step S227, the inappropriate file format “tif” is included in the job history of the file “filename3.tif” in parallel with the notification of the warning information described above (or in place of the notification of the warning information). "" May be registered in association with warning information indicating that the transmission has been made.

  In this embodiment, the job history management server 20B has an example in which an appropriate file format is determined for each destination (transmission folder) from the managed job history. However, the present invention is not limited to this. An appropriate file format may be determined.

  That is, for example, the most frequently used file format in the history executed by the user A (user1) is determined as an appropriate file format for the user A, and the history executed by the user A is determined. If there is a file format file that does not match the appropriate file format, the job history having a processing function for selecting the file as a file conversion target and converting the file conversion target file to the appropriate file format The configuration of the management server 20B may be used.

  In the job history management server 20B, a processing function (processing function of the file format determination unit 243) for determining an appropriate file format for each of the above-described key information (destination folder and user information) from the job history is as follows. The job history to be determined may be limited to the job history of a job executed within a predetermined period (for example, a job executed during the most recent days or months with respect to the current job trial). .

  According to the above configuration according to the present embodiment, even when the file server 30 manages a limited file format (file format, resolution, color / monochrome type) for business operation, the restricted file format setting on the file server 30 side is set. It can respond without changing.

  In addition, there is a method in which an administrator or the like sequentially performs setting for each image reading apparatus 10B in order to permit only storage of scan files based on specific scan parameters in a specific folder on the file server 30. In this embodiment, it is possible to save the management effort by the administrator or the like for this method.

  In the present embodiment, for example, in the system configuration having the recommended setting notification function as in the first embodiment, the storage file when the user transmits the file in another file format ignoring the recommended setting. Can also be converted to an appropriate file format.

  The recommended setting notification system according to the third embodiment includes an image reading device 10C instead of the image reading device 10 and a job history management server in place of the job history management server 20 in the system configuration (see FIG. 1) according to the first embodiment. 20C is installed and configured.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of each device of the image reading device 10C and the job history management server 20C according to the third embodiment. In particular, a configuration (control unit 16c, 24c) is mainly shown.

  Although not shown in FIG. 14, all the above-described devices are configured in the same manner as the corresponding devices (the image reading device 10 and the job history management server 20) in the first embodiment except for the control units 16 c and 24 c ( A functional block that performs the same function as each functional block is denoted by the same reference numeral).

  In the image reading apparatus 10C according to the present embodiment, the control unit 16c includes an image reading / transfer control unit 161 and a job history registration control unit 162 that are the same as those in the first embodiment, a transmission enable setting inquiry unit 165, and a transmission enable setting. A receiving unit 166 is provided.

  When an image format transfer error is received from the file server 30 when the image reading / transfer job is executed, the transmission enable setting inquiry unit 165 sends a job history management server 20C to the job history management server 20C based on the parameters set during the job execution instruction operation. Inquires about the file format that can be transmitted, and obtains the file format that can be transmitted.

  The transmittable setting accepting unit 166 informs the user of the transmittable file format acquired by the transmittable setting inquiry unit 165, and allows the user to change the file format (allows conversion to the file format. Process).

  In the job history management server 20C of the present embodiment, the control unit 24c includes a job history management unit 241c and a transmission enable setting determination unit 245.

  The job history management unit 241c uses a job history management table (referred to as 231c for convenience: see FIG. 16), and each job history item (job history management table 231 in FIG. In addition to the job history management table 231b in FIG. 12, whether each job has succeeded in communication (indicated by a circle in the example of FIG. 16) or failed in communication (indicated by a cross). Management of the job history further including the “communication result” information item column shown is performed.

  The transmittable setting determination unit 245 is based on the transmittable file format query from the transmittable setting query unit 165 of the image reading apparatus 10C and is registered in the job history management table 231c. Referring to the communication result information in all job history files having the same destination as the destination of the job, the file format of the job history that has been successfully transmitted in the past is searched, and the image format of the inquiry source is set as the file format that can be transmitted 10 is sent as a response.

  In the file server 30 of the present embodiment, the transmission request receiving unit 341 has a function of accepting setting of a storable file format and a file from the image reading device 10C when executing an image reading / transferring job in the image reading device 10C. A control function is provided for notifying an invalid file format error when the file format specified when the transmission request is received is not the file format preset by the above function.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a control sequence among the image reading apparatus 10C, the job history management server 20C, and the file server 30 related to the image reading / transfer processing in the system of the present embodiment.

  In FIG. 15 as well, as in the first and second embodiments (see FIGS. 6 and 11), it is assumed that scan-to-file transfer is performed as image reading and transfer. The same processing steps as the processing are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the image reading apparatus 10C receives the job execution instruction operation (equivalent to the first embodiment) by the user (step S101), the image reading / transfer control unit 161 receives the received setting contents (user The image reading / transferring operation is performed with the designated parameter) (step S111).

  Here, the document to be scanned is scanned with the specified reading parameters to generate a file of the specified format, and the file server 30 is requested to transmit the generated file to the specified destination (step). S112).

  On the other hand, when the file server 30 receives the file transmission request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10B, the transmission request reception unit 341 presets the file format in the user-specified parameter included in the file transmission request. It is determined whether or not the file format is acceptable for transmission, and if it is determined that the file format is not acceptable for transmission, the image reading apparatus 10C that is the file transmission request source is notified of an error due to an illegal file format ( Steps S311, S312).

  On the other hand, in the image reading apparatus 10C, after sending the file transmission request in step S112, the transmission enable setting inquiry unit 165 monitors whether a file format invalid error is notified as a response to the file transmission request. Upon receiving the file format error error notification, the job history management server 20C is inquired about a sendable file (step S121).

  In this process, the transmittable setting inquiry unit 165 sends a transmittable setting determination request including the user instruction parameter accepted in step S101 to the job history management server 20C (step S122).

  On the other hand, when the job history management server 20C receives the transmission enable setting determination request from the image reading apparatus 10C, the transmission enable setting determination unit 245 determines that the user instruction parameter included in the request and the job history management unit 241c The job history managed using the management table 231c is collated, and a process for determining a file format that can be transmitted is performed (step S231).

  Here, the transmission possible setting determination unit 245 uses the transmission destination setting information as a destination from the job history management table 231 using, for example, the transmission destination folder in the destination related information among the user-specified parameters included in the transmission possible setting determination request. A search is made for all job histories in which a folder is designated, and a job history in which file transmission has succeeded is specified based on communication result information in the searched job history, and the file format (communication is Extract (acquire) a successful file format.

  Next, the transmittable setting determination unit 245 notifies the image reading apparatus 10C that is the transmittable setting determination request source of the transmittable setting determination result indicating the file format acquired in step S231 as the transmittable file format (steps S232 and S233). ).

  On the other hand, in the image reading apparatus 10C, when the transmittable setting inquiry unit 165 receives the transmittable setting determination result from the job history management server 20C after transmitting the transmittable setting determination request in step S122, the transmittable setting acceptance is received. The unit 166 performs a process of notifying the transmittable setting (transmittable file format) based on the transmittable setting determination result (step S123).

  In this process, the transmittable setting receiving unit 166 reads the file format included in the transmittable setting determination result, and indicates that the file format is a transmittable file format and permits the change setting to the file format. For example, a transmission possible setting notification message including a prompt to instruct whether or not to perform is displayed on the display unit of the display / operation unit 15.

  Thereafter, the transmission enable setting receiving unit 166 receives the file format change setting based on the transmission enable setting notification in step S123 (selection instruction as to whether or not to allow setting change to the displayed transmittable file format). Is performed (step S124).

  Here, when the change setting to the transmittable file format notified (displayed) in step S123 (instruction to permit the setting change to the transmittable file format) is made, the setting contents after the change setting (file As the format, the image reading / transferring operation is retried (step S125).

  In this process, the document to be scanned is scanned with the specified reading parameters to generate a file in the specified format (transmittable file format permitted to be changed in step S124), and the generated file is specified. The file server 30 is requested to transmit to the destination (step S126).

  On the other hand, when the file server 30 receives the file transmission request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10C, the transmission request reception unit 341 determines that the file format is not invalid, and accepts the file transmission request, and performs file transfer control. The unit 342 stores the file included in the request in the designated destination (step S301).

  In the image reading apparatus 10C, when the image reading and transfer process performed in step S125 is completed (step S127), the job history registration control unit 162 stores the execution result of the job as a history in a job history management table (not shown). After the additional setting (storage), the job history management server 20C is requested to register the execution result (including the communication result) of the job as the job history (step S128).

  In contrast, when the job history management server 20C receives the job history registration request transmitted from the image reading apparatus 10C, the job history management unit 241c uses the job history (including the communication result) included in the request as a job. It is additionally registered in the history management table 231c (step S234).

  Next, a specific example of the transmittable setting determination and notification process in steps S231 to S233 by the job history management server 20C during the series of processes illustrated in FIG. 15 will be described.

  In this description, for example, the transmission request reception unit 341 of the file server 30 having the file server address (192.168.1.1) has a “tif” file, 300 dpi, monochrome for the file path of dir1 / dir2. It is assumed that the setting is made so that only the file can be stored.

  In such a setting state, the image reading apparatus A (10C-1) sets the user name (= user1) and the file for the dir1 / dir2 folder of the file server 30 having the file server address (192.168.1.1). Consider a case where an image reading / transferring job is executed with settings of name (= filename6.pdf), resolution (= 600 dpi), and color / monochrome type (= monochrome).

  In this case, while the scan file transmission request specifying the “pdf” file format is sent from the image reading apparatus A side as the file format of the image reading transfer job, the “tif file” is received on the file server 30 side that accepts the transmission request. Since only “/ 300 dpi / monochrome” can be stored, a file format error is returned from the file server 10 to the image reading apparatus A (see steps S311 and S312 in FIG. 15).

  Upon receiving this file format error, the image reading apparatus A includes the user instruction parameters included in the scan file transmission request, for example, the file server address (192.168.1.1), the folder path (= dir1 / dir2), file name or (or) extension (= “filename6.pdf” or “pdf”), resolution (= 600 dpi), and color / monochrome type (= color) to the job history management server 20C. Inquires about a file format that can be transmitted (see steps S121 and S122 in FIG. 15).

  At this time, in the job history management server 20C, it is assumed that the job history management table 231c manages job history information including values shown in FIG. 16, for example.

  As a result, in the job history management server 20C, in response to the above-described inquiry about the file format that can be transmitted from the image reading apparatus A, the transmittable setting determination unit 245 determines from all the job histories in the job history management table 231c. For example, job histories in which “server address (192.168.1.1)” and “folder path (dir1 / dir2)” match are the first, third, and fifth in the table shown in FIG. Search the job history.

  Next, as a result of referring to the communication result of each of the first, third and fifth job histories, only the third job history indicates that the job transmission result indicates “success”. File format information (extension, resolution and color / monochrome type) is read and (tif / 300 dpi / monochrome) is determined to be a transmittable file format, and the determination result is returned to the image reading apparatus A as the inquiry source (See steps S231 to S233 in FIG. 15).

  On the other hand, the image reading apparatus A that has received the determination result recognizes that (tif / 300 dpi / monochrome) is a file format that can be transmitted, and based on the recognition result, for example, as shown in FIG. “This job can be sent when the file format is“ tif ”. Do you want to change?”, “Yes” button to indicate that the change is allowed, and that the change is not allowed A transmission possible setting notification screen 85 including a “No” button is displayed to confirm with the user whether or not the file format can be changed (see step S213 in FIG. 15).

  When the user presses the “Yes” button on the transmittable setting notification screen 85 for the notification of the transmittable setting, the transmittable setting receiving unit 166 is permitted to change the setting to the file format “tif”. For example, file server address (192.168.1.1), folder path (= dir1 / dir2), file name (= “filename6.tif”), resolution (= 300 dpi), color / monochrome The setting content is changed to the type (= monochrome), and the image reading and transfer job is retried with the changed setting content (see steps S124 to S126 in FIG. 15).

  Thus, in the current image reading and transferring job, in the file server 30 having “server address (192.168.1.1)”, the setting changed value (the extension portion of the file name is tif and the resolution is 300 dpi). The scan file having a value of color / monochrome type is stored in “folder path (dir1 / dir2)” (see step S301 in FIG. 15).

  After the completion of the image reading / transferring job, the job history management server 20C sets the value changed for the image reading / transferring job (file name extension portion is tif, resolution is 300 dpi, color / monochrome type). Scan file having a monochrome) is transmitted to “server address (192.168.1.1)” and “folder path (dir1 / dir2)”, and the job history indicates that communication was successful. Are additionally registered in the job history management table 231c (see steps S127, S128, and S234 in FIG. 15).

  According to the above configuration according to the present embodiment, in the environment where the file format that can be stored in the folder is set by the setting of the file server 30, the file format that can not be transmitted by the user operating the image reading apparatus 10C (storable Even when an image reading / transferring job specifying a file format other than the file format set as) is attempted, a file format that can be transmitted is acquired from the job history of the job history management server 20C and notified to the user. Then, the operation for accepting the change setting to the transmittable file format and retrying the job is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the process that determines the file format that can be transmitted that is inquired from the image reading apparatus 10C from the job history managed by the job history management server 20C and notifies the inquiry source of the file format is a determination target. The job history may be limited to the job history of a job executed within a predetermined period (for example, a job executed during the last several days or months with respect to the current job trial).

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and can be implemented by being appropriately modified within a range not changing the gist thereof.

  For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the recommended setting determination / notification in the scan-to-file (FTP / SMB) transfer, the file conversion process, and the determination / notification process of the transmittable setting have been described. It can also be applied to scan-to-mail transfer processing.

  The present invention is an operation in which a server stores a file in a limited file format in a system for transferring image information read from a document with a reading parameter specified by an image reading apparatus to a destination specified via the server. Applicable.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a recommended setting notification system according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image reading apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a job history management server according to the first embodiment. The table figure which shows the information item of the job history managed with a job history management table. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a file server according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence among the image reading apparatus, the job history management server, and the file server according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a flow of a scan parameter simple setting process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a table showing an example of job history information according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of a recommendation setting notification screen. FIG. 6 is a functional configuration block diagram of an image reading apparatus and a job history management server according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence among an image reading apparatus, a job history management server, and a file server according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a table showing an example of job history information according to the second embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of an improper transmission warning screen. FIG. 10 is a functional configuration block diagram of an image reading apparatus and a job history management server according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a control sequence among an image reading apparatus, a job history management server, and a file server according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a table showing an example of job history information according to the third embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a display of a transmission possible setting alert | report screen.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10-1, 10-2, 10B, 10C ... Image reading apparatus, 11 ... Reading part, 12 ... Image processing part, 13 ... Storage part, 131 ... Job history management table, 14 ... Image forming part, 15 ... Display / Operation unit 16, 16b, 16c ... Control unit, 161 ... Image reading / transfer control unit, 162 ... Job history registration control unit, 163 ... Recommended setting inquiry unit, 164 ... Recommended setting reception unit, 165 ... Sendable setting inquiry unit 166: Transmission enable setting receiving unit, 17 ... Network interface (NW I / F) unit, 20 ... Job history management server, 21 ... Network interface (NW I / F) unit, 22 ... Storage unit, 23 ... Storage device, 231, 231b, 231c ... job history management table, 24, 24b, 24c ... control unit, 241, 241c ... job history management unit, 242 ... recommended setting determination , 243 ... file format determination unit, 244 ... file conversion unit, 245 ... transmittable setting determination unit, 30, 30-1, 30-2 ... file server, 31 ... network interface (NW I / F) unit, 32 ... Storage unit 33 ... Storage device, 331 ... File management database (DB), 34 ... Control unit, 341 ... Transmission request reception unit, 342 ... File transfer control unit, 50 ... Network (NW)

Claims (12)

Based on an image reading / transfer instruction operation that specifies values of a plurality of instruction items including reading conditions and destination information, an image reading / transfer job that reads image information from a document under the specified reading conditions and transfers the data to a specified destination An image reading device to be executed;
A job history management device for managing a history of the image reading and transfer job executed by the image reading device;
The job history management device
In the image reading / transferring job history, a reading condition that is most frequently used among job histories having a value of a specific item matches, and a recommended reading condition when the specific item is designated by the value as the instruction item Determination means for determining as,
Notifying means for notifying the image reading apparatus of the recommended reading conditions determined by the determining means,
The image reading device includes:
An informing means for informing the recommended reading condition notified by the informing means;
A recommended setting notification system comprising: accepting means for receiving a change setting based on the recommended reading condition notified by the notification means. The image reading device includes:
Inquiry means for inquiring of the recommended reading condition to the job history management device based on the value of each instruction item specified at the time of the image reading and transferring instruction operation,
The determination means includes
The recommended setting notification system according to claim 1, wherein the recommended reading condition corresponding to a value of a specific instruction item in each instruction item included in the inquiry is determined based on the inquiry from the inquiry unit. The determination means includes
The recommended setting notification system according to claim 2, wherein the recommended reading condition corresponding to a value of transmission folder information included as the specific instruction item in the inquiry from the inquiry unit is determined. The determination means includes
The recommended setting notification system according to claim 2, wherein the recommended reading condition corresponding to a value of job execution user information included as the specific instruction item in the inquiry from the inquiry unit is determined. The job history management device
Designating means for designating a period to be judged for the recommended reading condition;
The determination means includes
5. The recommended setting notification system according to claim 1, wherein the recommended reading condition is determined based on the image reading transfer job history within the determination target period specified by the specifying unit. Based on an image reading / transfer instruction operation that specifies values of a plurality of instruction items including reading conditions and destination information, an image reading / transfer job that reads image information from a document under the specified reading conditions and transfers the data to a specified destination An image reading device to be executed;
A job history management device for managing a history of the image reading and transfer job executed by the image reading device;
The job history management device
In the image reading / transferring job history, a file format that is most frequently used among job histories having the same value of a specific item corresponds to the case where the specific item is designated by the value as the instruction item. Determining means for determining the file format,
File conversion for converting a file transferred in a file format other than the appropriate file format determined by the determination unit to a file of the appropriate file format between job histories whose values of the specific items match Means,
If the file conversion unit cannot convert the file to be converted into the file having the appropriate file format, the file format is not appropriate for the image reading apparatus that has executed the image reading / transferring job for the file to be converted. And a notification unit for notifying that a warning is given that the transfer has been performed. The determination means includes
The most frequently used file format among job histories having the same transmission folder information as the specific item is determined as an appropriate file format corresponding to the case where the transmission folder information is designated as the instruction item. Item 7. The recommended setting notification system according to item 6. The determination means includes
The most frequently used file format among the job histories having the same job execution user information as the specific item is determined as an appropriate file format corresponding to the case where the job execution user information is designated as the instruction item. The recommended setting notification system according to claim 6. The notification means includes
If the file conversion unit cannot convert the file to be converted into the file of the appropriate file format, the appropriate file is sent to the image reading apparatus that has executed an image reading / transfer job on the file to be converted. Further inform the format,
The image reading device includes:
The notification means for notifying that the transfer in the inappropriate file format has been performed based on the notification by the notification means and that the retransmission in the appropriate file format is urged. Recommended setting notification system. Based on an image reading / transfer instruction operation that specifies values of a plurality of instruction items including reading conditions and destination information, an image reading / transfer job that reads image information from a document under the specified reading conditions and transfers the data to a specified destination An image reading device to be executed;
A job history management device for managing a job history including a communication result of the image reading transfer job executed by the image reading device;
The image reading device includes:
When a file format error is notified from the file server device in response to a transfer request for image information read from the document based on the image reading / transfer instruction operation, the instruction information specified in the image reading / transfer instruction operation is used. Inquiry means for inquiring about a file format that can be transmitted to the job history management device;
Informing means for informing a sendable file format notified from the job history management apparatus in response to an inquiry of a sendable file by the inquiry means;
Receiving means for accepting a setting change based on the transmittable file format notified by the notification means; and
The job history management device
Based on the inquiry from the inquiry means, a determination means for determining a transmittable file corresponding to a specific instruction item in each instruction item included in the inquiry from the image reading and transfer job history;
A recommended setting notification system comprising: notification means for notifying the image reading apparatus of the transmittable file determined by the determination means. The determination means includes
Based on the inquiry from the inquiry means, the file format of the job history that is transmitted to the transmission folder indicated by the transmission folder information included in the inquiry as the specific instruction item and has been successfully communicated is the transmission-enabled file. The recommended setting notification system according to claim 10. The determination means includes
Based on the inquiry from the inquiry means, the user indicated by the job execution user information included in the inquiry as the specific instruction item is a transmission source user, and the file format of the job history that has been successfully communicated is transmitted. The recommended setting notification system according to claim 10, which is determined as a possible file.

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