JP2016025645A - Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mechanism for notifying a job that has not been executed due to the fact that job history information cannot be stored depending on the type of job. The present invention provides an execution means capable of executing a job, a storage control means for storing history information of a job executed by the execution means in a storage unit, and a job executed by the execution means is a first one. In the case of a type of job, the first type of job is executed on condition that the image data processed by the execution of the first type of job can be stored in the storage unit as history information. The job executed by the execution unit is a second type job different from the first type job, and image data processed by the execution of the second type job is stored in the storage unit as history information. And a control means for controlling to notify that when it is not possible. [Selection] Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program.

Conventionally, there is an image processing apparatus that stores history information of executed jobs. (See Patent Document 1)
The image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 attempts to store transmission target image data as history information before transmitting the image data to a designated destination. Then, the image data is transmitted to the destination on condition that the image data to be transmitted can be stored as history information.

JP 2006-330939 A

The conventional method can reliably leave image data as history information.
For example, when this method is applied to a transfer job for transferring received image data, history information of the transfer job can be reliably left. The transfer job is preferably executed early in order to transfer the received image data to the transfer destination quickly. This is because the transfer destination user can quickly recognize the image data received by the image processing apparatus.

  However, if the transfer job is executed on the condition that the history information can be stored, the transfer job is not executed while the device for storing the history information cannot be used, so the execution of the transfer job is delayed. .

  Further, in such a situation, the user or the administrator cannot easily notice that there is a job that cannot be executed because the history information cannot be stored.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for notifying a job that has not been executed due to the fact that job history information cannot be stored depending on the type of job.

  The present invention provides an execution unit capable of executing a job, a storage control unit that stores history information of a job executed by the execution unit in a storage unit, and the job executed by the execution unit is a first type of job. In some cases, the execution unit executes the first type job on condition that the image data processed by the execution of the first type job can be stored in the storage unit as history information. When the job to be performed is a second type job different from the first type job, and image data processed by the execution of the second type job cannot be stored in the storage unit as history information, And control means for controlling to notify that effect.

  Depending on the type of job, if there is a job that is not being executed because job history information cannot be stored, this fact can be notified.

1 is an overall view of a system in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP in an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the report image data which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the screen which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the example of control which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing system includes an MFP 1 as an example of an image processing apparatus, an archive server 3, a PC 4 (Personal Computer), and a file server 5. Note that MFP is an abbreviation for Multi Functional Peripheral. These devices are connected to each other via the network 2. The MFP 1 may be a scanner, a PC (Personal Computer), or a portable terminal as long as it has a communication function.

  The archive server 3 includes a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The CPU receives history information of jobs executed by the MFP 1 from the MFP 1 and controls storage of the history information in the storage unit.

  The PC 4 includes an operation unit such as a mouse and a keyboard and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display. Further, the PC 4 includes an application and transmits image data generated by the application to the MFP. Further, the PC 4 receives image data from the MFP 1.

  The file server 5 is a server that manages files. A file storage request, a file reference request or a download request is received from the MFP 1 or a PC (not shown) connected to the network 2.

  FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment.

  The MFP 1 includes a CPU 11, a RAM 12, an HDD (hard disk drive) 13, an operation unit 14, a scanner 15, and a communication unit 16.

  The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the MFP 1. The RAM 12 functions as a work area for the CPU 11.

  The HDD 13 is a large-capacity memory that stores programs and image data. The HDD 13 may be a DVD or NVRAM.

  The operation unit 14 includes a touch panel and hard keys, and accepts user operations. The operation unit 14 includes a display unit that displays various screens such as an operation screen and an error screen.

  The scanner 15 reads an image of a document and generates image data indicating the read image. The generated image data is stored in the HDD 13.

  The communication unit 16 controls communication with an external device via the image communication device network 2.

  The printer 17 prints an image on a sheet based on the image data.

  These components are connected via a bus 18.

  The MFP 1 executes a copy job for causing the printer 17 to print an image based on the image data indicating the image of the document read by the scanner 15. Further, the MFP 1 executes a transmission job for transmitting image data indicating an image of a document read by the scanner 15 via the network 2. The MFP 1 can execute a print job for printing an image on a sheet based on image data received from an external device such as the PC 4 via the network 2.

  The HDD 13 stores transfer settings for transferring the received image data when the MFP 1 receives the image data via the communication unit 16. Further, the MFP 1 stores a destination setting for transmitting image data processed by a job as history information. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the archive server 3 is stored as a destination.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining processing according to the present embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out the program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  First, the process starts in S101, and in S102, the CPU 11 executes an initialization process. In the initialization process, a specific job flag is set to OFF in S201 of FIG. The specific job is a transfer job or a report output job, and the specific job flag is a flag indicating that a job of a type called a transfer job or a report output job is being executed.

  When the initialization process ends, in S104, the CPU 11 determines whether a job execution instruction has been received via the operation unit 14. Specifically, for example, in the case of a transmission job, the MFP 11 receives a transmission setting for the transmission job via the transmission job setting screen shown in FIG. On the transmission job setting screen, a protocol 302 for transmission, a transmission destination 303, a transmission directory 304, a user name 305, and a password 606 are displayed. In the transmission protocol 302, the SMB protocol is set. In the transmission destination 303, the address of the file server 5 is set. In the directory 304, a path of a directory in which image data is to be stored is set. In the user name 305, a user name for causing the file server 5 to perform authentication is set. In the password 306, a password for allowing the file server 5 to perform authentication is set. The password is hidden so that it cannot be seen by others. Although a screen for setting a transmission job for transmitting image data using the SMB protocol has been described as an example here, the transmission job may be a screen for setting a job for transmitting an e-mail. . In the case of a screen for setting a job for sending an electronic mail, a destination mail address is set as the destination address 303. The input area of the directory 304, the user name 305, and the password 306 is not used. When the transmission start key 307 is pressed after accepting these settings, the transmission job is accepted by the CPU 11. If it is determined in S104 that a job execution instruction has been received, the CPU 11 advances the process to S105. If it is determined that a job execution instruction has not been received, the CPU 11 advances the process to S112.

  When the process proceeds to S105, the CPU 11 acquires image data. Specifically, when the job is a transmission job, the CPU 11 causes the scanner 15 to read an image of the document. The CPU 11 stores the image data of the read original in the HDD 13.

  When the process proceeds to S106, the CPU 11 tries to store history information. Specifically, the CPU 11 reads a URL for accessing a server where history information should be stored from the HDD 13 and accesses the server based on the URL. Then, the CPU 11 requests the archive server 3 to store the current time of the job, the job setting information, the image data acquired in S105, and the information as history information as history information.

  In S107, the CPU 11 determines whether or not history information has been stored. For example, when information indicating that storage was possible from the archive server 3 is received within a predetermined period, the CPU 11 determines that the history information has been stored. On the other hand, when the information indicating that the data can be stored from the archive server 3 is not received within a predetermined period, the CPU 11 determines that the history information cannot be stored. When it is determined that the history information can be stored, the CPU 11 advances the process to S108, and when it is determined that the history information cannot be stored, the CPU 11 advances the process to S111. The reasons why history information cannot be stored in the archive server 3 include congestion of the network 2 and maintenance of the archive server 3.

  In S108, the CPU 11 executes the job. In the case of a transmission job, the image data acquired in S105 is transmitted to the destination set in the transmission destination 303.

  In step S109, the CPU 111 determines whether the job has been successfully executed. If it is determined that the job can be executed normally, the process proceeds to S104. If it is determined that the job cannot be executed normally, the process proceeds to S110. When the process proceeds to S110, the CPU 11 displays an error screen indicating that the job execution has failed on the operation unit 14. FIG. 6 is an example of an error screen. On this screen 401, a pop-up 402 indicating that image transmission has failed is displayed. The user can know that the job execution has failed by viewing this screen.

  On the other hand, when the process proceeds from S107 to S111, the CPU 11 executes the process when the history information storage fails. Details of S111 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the process proceeds from S104 to S112, in S112, the CPU 11 determines whether image data is received from the outside. If it is determined that image data has been received from the outside, the CPU 11 advances the process to S113. If it is determined that image data has not been received from the outside, the CPU 11 advances the process to S115.

  In S113, the CPU 11 determines whether or not to execute a transfer job for transferring the received image data. As described above, the HDD 13 stores transfer settings. As the transfer setting, the transfer condition and the transfer destination are stored in the HDD 13. The transfer conditions include “received an e-mail”, “received a fax”, and “sender is xya@abc.co.jp”. As a transfer destination setting, a PC or MFP connected to the network 2 can be set. In S113, the CPU 11 reads the transfer condition stored in the HDD, and determines that the transfer job for transferring the received image data should be executed when the transfer condition is satisfied. On the other hand, when the transfer condition is not satisfied, the CPU 11 determines that the transfer job should not be executed. If it is determined that the transfer job for transferring the received image data is to be executed, the CPU 11 advances the process to S114. If it is determined that the transfer job for transferring the received image data is not to be executed, the CPU 11 performs the process in S105. Proceed. The image data received from the outside is stored in the HDD 13, and the CPU 11 may acquire the image data received from the outside from the HDD 13 in S <b> 105.

  When the process has proceeded to S114, the CPU 11 sets the specific job flag to ON, and the process proceeds to S105. Again, image data received from the outside is stored in the HDD 13, and the CPU 11 may acquire the image data received from the outside from the HDD 13 in S <b> 105.

  When the process proceeds from S112 to S115, in S115, the CPU 11 determines whether a report output job has been generated. The report output job is automatically generated by the CPU 11 when the history information of the transmission job executed in the MFP 1 exceeds a predetermined amount in the HDD 13 or when the time specified to generate the report output job comes. . FIG. 7 is an example of report image data 601 output by a report output job. The report image data 601 includes history information of transmission jobs executed by the MFP 1. When the report output job is executed, a report is printed by the printer 17 based on the report image data 601. When the report output job is executed, the report image data 601 shown in FIG. 7 may be transmitted to the administrator's mail address registered in advance in the HDD 13. If it is determined in S115 that a report output job has been generated, the CPU 11 proceeds to S114. If it is determined in S115 that a report output job has not been generated, the CPU 11 proceeds to S104.

  As described above, when executing the transfer job for transferring the received image and the report output job, the specific job flag is set to ON.

  Next, the processing when the history storage has failed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing according to this embodiment. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out the program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  In S502, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a specific job flag is set to ON. If it is determined that the specific job flag is set to ON, the process proceeds to S503. If it is determined that the specific job flag is not set to ON, the process proceeds to S508.

  In step S <b> 508, the CPU 11 displays an error screen indicating that the history storage has failed on the operation unit 14, and ends the process. FIG. 9 is an example of an error screen. A screen 701 shown in FIG. 9 displays a pop-up 702 indicating that the history information storage has failed.

  When the process proceeds from S502 to S503, the CPU 11 adds attribute information indicating that the image data is processed by a specific job. This attribute information is used in the process shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 504, the CPU 11 stores the image data in an area accessible from outside in the HDD 13.

  In step S <b> 505, a URL necessary for accessing the stored image data from the outside is transmitted to the administrator's e-mail address registered in the HDD 13 in advance. Further, the CPU 11 notifies the administrator of a message indicating that there is image data that cannot be transferred or a report print job that cannot be executed in the area indicated by the URL.

  In step S506, the CPU 11 performs the initialization process illustrated in FIG. 4 and ends the process.

  By performing the control as described above, when the image data received by the MFP 1 cannot be transferred because the history information of the transfer job for transferring the image data cannot be stored, the fact is notified to the administrator. Can do. Further, the administrator can easily confirm the contents of the image data from the administrator's PC based on the notified URL. Furthermore, the administrator can be notified that there is a report print job that the MFP 1 cannot print. Further, the administrator can easily confirm the contents of the report print job that the MFP 1 cannot print from the administrator's PC.

  Next, a process for attempting to store history information again will be described with reference to FIG. The processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out the program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  If the CPU 11 detects in step S802 that the user has pressed the history information storage key 308 on the transmission job setting screen, the CPU 11 advances the process to step S803.

  In step S <b> 803, the CPU 11 acquires image data to which attribute information indicating that the image data is based on a specific job is added from the image data stored in the HDD 13 in step S <b> 504 in FIG. 8.

  In step S804, the CPU 11 sets a specific job flag to ON.

  In step S805, the CPU 11 deletes attribute information indicating that the image data is processed by a specific job from the image data. Then, the process proceeds to S106.

  By such processing, when the archive server 3 recovers from the maintenance and the history information can be stored, the history information can be stored again, and the image data stored in the HDD 13 should be originally transferred. Can be forwarded to the destination.

<Second Embodiment>
In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which image data of a transfer job or report output job that could not be executed due to a failure in storing history information is tried to be executed again at predetermined time intervals.

  The HDD 13 records the failure time for each transfer job or report output job that could not be executed due to the failure to store the history information, and each time a predetermined time elapses from that time, the job is restored. Try to run.

  Since the system configuration and the device configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described here.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining processing according to the present embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out a program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  If it is determined in S115 that a report output job has not been generated, the process proceeds to S201. In step S <b> 801, the CPU 11 determines whether there is image data for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous history information storage failed. Here, the image data to which the attribute information indicating that the image data is processed by a specific job is added, and the history information of the job that processes the image data is previously stored from the time when the history information has failed to be stored. It is determined whether there is image data for which time has elapsed. If it is determined that there is image data for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous history information storage failed, the CPU 11 advances the process to S114, and the predetermined time has elapsed since the previous history information storage failed. If it is determined that there is no processed image data, the process proceeds to S104.

  In S114, the CPU 11 turns on the specific job flag for a job that uses (transfers or reports output) image data for which a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous history information storage failure, and executes the processing from S105 onward. .

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining processing executed instead of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out a program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  In step S <b> 1001, the CPU 11 stores the image data used in the job together with information on the current time and attribute information indicating that the image data is for a specific job.

  By storing the current time, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the current time, the image data can be selected as a retry target in the process shown in S201.

  Through the control described above, image data that could not be transferred or output due to a failure to store history information is stored, transferred again, or output at a predetermined time interval. Can be controlled.

<Third Embodiment>
In the third embodiment, an example will be described in which, even if the storage of history information fails, a specific job such as a transfer job or a report output job is executed.

  Since the system configuration and the device configuration are the same as those in the first embodiment, only the differences from the first embodiment will be described here.

  In the third embodiment, the process shown in FIG. 13 is executed by the CPU 11 instead of the process shown in FIG. 8 in S111 of FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing according to the present embodiment. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 13 is realized by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1 reading out the program stored in the HDD 13 to the RAM 12 and executing it.

  In S1102, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the specific job flag is ON. If the specific job flag is ON, the CPU 11 advances the process to S108 in FIG. On the other hand, if the specific job flag is not ON, the process proceeds to S1104.

  When the process proceeds to S108, the CPU 11 executes a specific job. On the other hand, when the process proceeds to S <b> 1104, the CPU 11 causes the operation unit 14 to display an error screen indicating that the history information has failed.

  According to the control described above, when the history information storage fails, if the job to be executed is a transfer job or a report output job, the job can be executed. It should be noted that after execution of the job, control is performed so as to attempt to store in the archive server 3 at a predetermined time interval, and the history information may be stored in the archive server 3 when the archive server 3 is restored.

<Other embodiments>
In the first embodiment described above, an example has been described in which the URL required to access the image data stored in the HDD 13 from the outside in S504 is notified to the administrator in S505. However, it may be displayed on the operation unit 14 that there is image data stored in the HDD 13 in S504, and an image can be printed on a sheet based on the image data in accordance with an instruction received from the operation unit 14. Thereby, even when it takes time to restore the archive server 3 or when the network 2 cannot be used, the received image can be confirmed.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to specific descriptions in this specification by those skilled in the art.

  The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

1 MFP
11 CPU
12 RAM

Claims (12)

Execution means that can execute jobs,
Storage control means for storing history information of jobs executed by the execution means in a storage unit;
When the job executed by the execution means is a first type job, the image data processed by the execution of the first type job can be stored as history information in the storage unit on the condition The first type job is executed, and the job executed by the execution unit is a second type job different from the first type job, and is processed by execution of the second type job. Control means for controlling to notify that when image data cannot be stored in the storage unit as history information;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The control unit is a second type job that the job executed by the execution unit is different from the first type job, and stores image data processed by the execution of the second type job as history information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a step of notifying information for acquiring the image data when the image data cannot be stored in the storage unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information for acquiring the image data is a URL.   When the control unit cannot store the image data processed by the execution of the second type job as history information in the storage unit, the control unit determines whether the second type job 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data processed by execution is controlled to be stored again in the storage unit as history information. 5. Execution means that can execute jobs,
Storage control means for storing history information of jobs executed by the execution means in a storage unit;
When the job executed by the execution unit is a first type job, the image data used by the execution of the first type job can be stored in the storage unit as history information. Used by executing the second type job when the first type job is executed and the job executed by the execution unit is a second type job different from the first type job. Control means for controlling the execution of the second type job even if the stored image data cannot be stored in the storage unit as history information;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first type of job includes a copy job or a transmission job.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second type of job includes a transfer job for transferring image data received by the image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second type of job includes a report output job that outputs a history of jobs executed by the image processing apparatus. An execution process that can execute the job;
A storage control step of storing history information of jobs executed in the execution step in a storage unit;
When the job executed in the execution step is a first type job, the image data processed by the execution of the first type job can be stored in the storage unit as history information. The first type job is executed, and the job executed in the execution step is a second type job different from the first type job, and is processed by executing the second type job. A control step for controlling to notify that when the stored image data cannot be stored in the storage unit as history information;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: An execution process that can execute the job;
Storage control means for storing history information of jobs executed in the execution step in a storage unit;
When the job executed in the execution step is a first type job, the image data used by the execution of the first type job can be stored in the storage unit as history information. Executing the first type of job, and executing the second type of job when the job executed in the execution step is a second type of job different from the first type of job A control step for controlling the execution of the second type of job even if the image data used by the storage unit cannot be stored as history information in the storage unit;
A control method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:   A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 9.   A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 10.

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