JP4517816B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus provided with image data transmission means.

In recent years, multi-function digital multifunction peripherals (hereinafter referred to as “MFP”) connected to a network and equipped with an image reading apparatus have been actively developed.
In such an MFP, the read image data can be transmitted to an external terminal connected via a network by using e-mail software, for example.
Here, for example, when broadcasting image data to multiple people by e-mail, if one user stands in front of the MFP and sets multiple addresses, that user will eventually dominate the MFP. Therefore, the use efficiency of the MFP is reduced.

  Therefore, the scanned image file is temporarily stored in the hard disk, an address is set from an external terminal such as a personal computer (PC) connected to the MFP via a network, and the scanned image file is sent by e-mail or the like. An MFP with a built-in hard disk that can perform (hereinafter referred to as “remote transmission”) has been proposed. Thereby, by setting a plurality of addresses by the MFP, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect of one user using the MFP exclusively.

By storing the read image file on the hard disk and enabling remote transmission, the adverse effects of MFP monopoly as described above can be avoided. However, since the capacity of the hard disk is limited, a new image file is stored. In order to do so, it is necessary to have free space on the hard disk. In other words, it is necessary to delete unnecessary image files from the hard disk and to release an area occupied by the image files.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-105098 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-113086

However, when a user tries to delete an unnecessary image file from the hard disk, the image file is usually given a uniform code, so that it is complicated to search for the image file to be deleted. There is a problem that there is.
Furthermore, there is a problem that the operation itself of deleting an image file unnecessary for the user is troublesome in the first place, and as a result, it is difficult to secure the free space of the hard disk.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can secure a free space of a hard disk without bothering a user.

Therefore, the present invention provides an image reading apparatus having a function of transmitting image data of a document to an external terminal , the document reading unit that reads the document and generates image data, and the document read from the document reading unit by the document reading unit. A selection unit for selecting whether to store or temporarily store image data; and when the storage of the image data is selected by the selection unit, the image data read by the document reading unit A first storage means for storing the image data of the original in a storage BOX for storing the storage area for accumulation; and when the temporary storage of the image data is selected by the selection means, the original reading A temporary storage BOX for temporarily storing the image data read by the means is created, and the original image is stored in the temporary storage BOX. A second storage means for storing image data; and after the image data of the original is stored in the temporary storage BOX, a transmission instruction from the user to the external terminal is received, and the temporary storage BOX Transmission means for transmitting stored image data to the external terminal, and release means for releasing the storage area partitioned by the temporary storage BOX created by the second storage means at a predetermined timing. It is characterized by that.

In the above configuration, when the user selects temporary storage, the storage area of the image data to be transmitted is opened at a predetermined timing. since There are opened without being accumulated, without troubling the user, it is possible to secure a free space.
Here, the term "open the storage area of the image data", also together with the concept of deleting the image data, the concept of the image data to the rewritable state. Further, “send image data to an external terminal device” means, for example, the concept of transmitting image data to an external terminal device according to a communication protocol such as electronic mail (SMTP) or FTP, as well as an external device receiving access. The concept of transmitting image data to other terminal devices is also included.

In the above configuration, it is desirable that the release means release the storage area for the image data immediately after the transmission of the image data is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission is completed. Thus, since the released always image data is opened after the operation of transmission of the image data, free space is secured.
Here in the above-described structure, the opening means, the image data to be transmit subject a predetermined time elapses after stored, or without the image data transmission completion, it is desirable to open the storage area. If the document is scanned but not completed, image data is accumulated in the storage means and the amount of data gradually increases. by the structure for releasing the storage area of the image data after a lapse, it is possible to secure a free space.

Furthermore, in the above configuration, the apparatus further comprises access accepting means for accepting access to the read request for the read image data from an external transmission requesting apparatus, and the opening means is configured such that the access accepting means accepts access from the transmission requesting apparatus. When a predetermined time elapses, it is desirable to release the storage area for the image data regardless of whether the transmission of the image data is completed. Although the user accesses the image reading device from an external transmission requesting device, there may be a case where the transmission is not completed as it is forgotten, for example, that the user has left his / her seat for emergency use before the transmission is completed. . In this case, it remains unnecessary image file is accumulated, not preferable from the viewpoint of ensuring the free space. Therefore, only the user has access to the image reading apparatus from the outside of the transmission request unit, when a predetermined time has elapsed without completing the transmission, by adopting a configuration for releasing the storage area of the image data,-out empty Capacity can be secured.

Here in the above-described structure, the opening means, it is desirable to open the BOX each storage area for temporary storage. A storage area to be released can be specified by creating a temporary storage BOX and storing image data with a low possibility of reuse in the temporary storage BOX. by a configuration of opening the each storage area can be ensured free space.

In the above configuration, the opening means, leaving the partitioned storage areas of said temporary storage BOX, may be configured to open only storage areas inside the image data. A storage area to be released can be specified by creating a temporary storage BOX and storing image data with a low possibility of reuse in the temporary storage BOX. For example, the temporary storage BOX can be shared with other users by leaving only the internal image data storage area open, while leaving the storage area section of the image storage area.

  Further, in the above configuration, when an identifier is given to the temporary storage BOX, a display means for displaying the assigned identifier, and an input of the identifier from an external transmission requesting device, the identifier is supported. It is desirable to provide a transmission means for transmitting information on the temporary storage BOX to be transmitted to the transmission requesting device. Thus, when remote transmission is performed, information regarding the temporary storage BOX can be obtained in the external transmission requesting device by performing a simple operation of inputting the identifier of the temporary storage BOX in the external transmission requesting device. it can.

  Here, in the above-described configuration, there is provided identification information receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user, and identifier giving means for giving an identifier using all or part of the user identification information to the temporary storage BOX. Is desirable. As a result, all or part of the user identification information of the user is used as an identifier for the temporary storage BOX, so that the user can easily remember the name of the identifier for the temporary storage BOX.

  Also, in the above configuration, a file that adds identification information receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user and a file name using all or part of the user identification information to the image data file to be transmitted It is good also as a structure provided with a name provision means. Thereby, all or a part of the user identification information of the user is used as the file name of the image data to be transmitted, so that the file name of the image data to be transmitted can be easily learned.

Embodiments of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system (hereinafter simply referred to as “system”) including an MFP (image reading apparatus) according to the present embodiment.

As shown in the figure, this system is configured by connecting an MFP 1 and external terminals 3, 4, and 5 via a network, here a LAN (Local Area Network) 2. The external terminals 3, 4, and 5 are, for example, PCs (Personal Computers). The LAN 2 is connected to an external network via a router (not shown).
<Configuration of MFP 1>
Next, the configuration of the MFP 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP main body 10 includes a document reading unit 20, an operation unit 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and a control unit 50 as main components.
The document reading unit 20 is a known document reading device that reads an image of a set document.
The operation unit 30 includes a display panel 31 made of, for example, a liquid crystal touch panel, and a numeric keypad 32. When the virtual button on the display panel 31 and the numeric keypad 32 are pressed, the information is transmitted to the CPU 51 of the control unit 50.

The HDD 40 is a known storage device for storing data, and has a normal area for storing data and a temporary BOX creation area 41 for creating a temporary BOX to be described later.
The control unit 50 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a flash memory 54, a timer IC 55, and a serial interface 56 as main components.
The ROM 52 stores a program related to a document reading operation in the document reading unit 20, a program related to an operation for storing the read image data in the HDD 40, and the like.

The CPU 51 reads a necessary program from the ROM 52 and controls various operations in a unified manner while measuring the timing so as to execute a smooth operation.
The RAM 53 is a volatile memory and serves as a work area when the CPU 51 executes a program.
The flash memory 54 is a nonvolatile memory, and stores at least a table in which user IDs and passwords are associated with each other in this example.

The timer IC 55 is a known IC for measuring time, and measures the elapsed time from the start of timing.
The serial interface 56 is an interface for connecting the CPU 51 and the LAN 2, receives data transmitted from the external terminal 3 (not shown) via the LAN 2, and sends the data to the CPU 51. In addition, data from the CPU 51 is transmitted to the external terminal via the LAN 2.

<Operation>
The operation of the system according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. Here, a case will be described in which a document read by the MFP 1 is transmitted to a plurality of people by e-mail.
First, an operation from when the MFP 1 reads a document until the image data is stored in the HDD 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 1 in the present embodiment, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams showing display examples on the display panel 31 of the operation unit 30 of the MFP 1.

  First, when the user sets an original on the MFP 1 and touches the display panel 31 when using the MFP 1, a screen for inputting an ID and a password as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display panel 31. The user inputs the ID and password with the numeric keypad 32 of the operation unit 30 and presses an operation that the MFP 1 wants to execute, in this case, the “scan” button 64 (step S101: Yes).

The CPU 51 refers to a table in which the ID and password stored in the flash memory 54 are associated with each other, and determines whether or not the input ID and password match those stored. (Step S102).
If they do not match (step S102: No), the display panel 31 displays a request for re-input of the ID / password. If they match (step S102: Yes), a screen for selecting the type of BOX storing the read image file as shown in FIG. Note that “BOX” refers to a storage area of the HDD 40.

  When the user wants to store image data of a document to be read in the HDD 40, the user selects the “Save BOX” button 65, does not need to store it in the HDD 40, temporarily stores it in the HDD 41, and deletes it after transmission. If it is acceptable, the “temporary BOX” button 66 is selected (instruction for temporary storage). In this way, it is determined by the user to select whether to store in the storage BOX or temporary BOX according to the user's intention. Here, a case where the user selects the “temporary BOX” button 66 will be described.

  When the “temporary BOX” button 66 is pressed (step S103: Yes), the CPU 51 creates a temporary BOX in the temporary BOX creation area 41 in the HDD 40 (step S104). At this time, the user ID “141421356” (see FIG. 4) is used as the name of the temporary BOX. As the name of the temporary BOX, a part of the user ID may be used.

  Subsequently, the MFP 1 displays a screen for allowing the user to confirm the BOX name as shown in FIG. 6 on the display panel 31 (step S105). When the user wants to change the BOX name, the user presses the “change” button 68, and when the user can leave the box name, the user presses the “scan” button 69. When the “scan” button 69 is pressed (step S106: Yes), the MFP 1 reads the document (step S107), assigns a name to each image file, and stores it in the temporary BOX “141421356” (step S108). Thereafter, the MFP 1 stands by until it receives a transmission request from the external terminal (step S109: No). Up to this point, the operation until the MFP 1 reads the document and stores the image data in the HDD 40 has been described.

  Subsequently, the user moves away from the MFP 1 to the external terminal 3 connected to the MFP 1 via the LAN 2 in order to set a destination address and the like. Note that the destination address and the like are set on the external terminal because, for example, in the case of broadcast transmission, if a plurality of addresses are set in front of the MFP 1, one user exclusively uses the MFP. This is because the use efficiency of the MFP decreases.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the external terminal 3, and FIGS. 8 to 12 are display examples of application screens displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3. Hereinafter, the operation from the access to the MFP 1 to the transmission request in the external terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12, and then the processing of the MFP 1 performed in parallel with the operation of the external terminal 3 by returning to FIG. Will be described.

First, the user activates the application of the MFP 1 on the external terminal 3 (step S201). Then, the external terminal 3 accesses the MFP 1 via the LAN 2 (step S202), and is ready to exchange data.
At this time, a screen for selecting the type of BOX as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3. The user selects which type of BOX stores the read image data in the MFP 1. Here, since the temporary BOX is created earlier and image data is stored therein, the temporary BOX is selected, and the user presses the “temporary BOX” button 72 (step S203). At this time, the BOX type information for notifying the selected BOX type is transmitted from the external terminal 3 to the MFP 1 (step S204).

  Subsequently, the external terminal 3 receives from the MFP 1 list information of the temporary BOX existing in the temporary BOX creation area 41 of the HDD 40 (step S205). Then, a screen for selecting a temporary BOX as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3. The user selects the temporary BOX storing the image file from the temporary BOX list 73. In this example, since the user's ID is used as the name of the temporary BOX, the user can easily find his / her temporary BOX. In this example, the cursor is placed on the temporary BOX with the name “141421356” that is its own ID, and the “select” button 74 is pressed (step S206). As a result, BOX selection information for transmitting which BOX is selected from the external terminal 3 to the MFP 1 is transmitted (step S207).

  Subsequently, the external terminal 3 receives from the MFP 1 the list information of the image files existing in the temporary BOX “141421356” (step S208). Then, a screen as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3. The user selects a file to be transmitted from the image file list 75 in the temporary BOX “141421356”. At this time, when the cursor is placed on the file name, a preview of the image of the file is displayed in the viewer 79, and the file to be transmitted can be selected by referring to this. When selecting an image file on which the cursor is placed, a “select” button 76 is pressed. In this example, image files “31340”, “31342”, and “31345” are selected and listed in the transmission file list 78.

  On the same screen, the user selects a desired transmission protocol from “electronic mail (SMTP)”, “FTP”, and “SMB” by using the protocol selection pull-down menu 80. Here, it is assumed that “electronic mail” is selected as the transmission protocol. After confirming the transmission file list 78 and the transmission protocol 80, the user presses an “OK” button 81 (step S209).

  Then, a destination selection screen for selecting an e-mail address as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3 (step S210). In the example shown in the figure, “Ryota Mino” is selected as “Destination”, and “Emi Suzuki” and “Hanako Yamamoto” are selected as “Cc”. If the transmission destination may have this content, the user presses the “confirm” button 85 (step S211: Yes).

  Then, a screen for confirming transmission contents as shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the monitor of the external terminal 3 (step S212). When it is desired to change the transmission content, the “return” button 86 is pressed to return to the screen shown in FIG. 12 or 11 and edit the transmission content again. If this content is acceptable, the “send” button 87 is pressed (step S213: Yes). At this time, a transmission request is made to MFP 1 by transmitting transmission file information, transmission protocol information, and destination information from external terminal 3 to MFP 1 (step S214). Thus, the operation of the external terminal 3 is completed.

  Next, returning to FIG. 3, the processing of the MFP 1 performed in parallel with the operation of the external terminal 3 described above will be described. When the access from the external terminal 3 to the MFP 1 is confirmed (step S109: Yes) and the BOX type information is received from the external terminal 3 (step S110: Yes), the temporary BOX list information in the HDD 40 is transmitted to the external terminal 3. (Step S111). Next, when the information for selecting the temporary BOX is received from the external terminal 3 (step S112: Yes), the list information of the files stored in the selected temporary BOX is transmitted to the external terminal 3 (step S113). . Next, when a transmission request is received from the external terminal 3 (step S114: Yes), protocol, file and destination information is extracted from the received data (step S115). Then, according to the above example, using e-mail as the transmission protocol, the image files “31340”, “31342”, “31345” stored in the temporary BOX “141421356” are sent to the destination “Ryuta Mino” To “Emi Suzuki” and “Hanako Yamamoto” (step S116).

Subsequently, the CPU 1 starts timing using the timer IC 55 (step S117), and when a predetermined time (for example, 2 hours) has elapsed (step S118: Yes), deletes the temporary BOX together with the image file (step S119). End the operation. Note that the temporary BOX may be deleted immediately after transmission is completed.
Further, instead of deleting the temporary BOX and the file, they may be overwritten. This is because this is equivalent to an increase in the free capacity of the HDD 40.

  In a conventional image reading apparatus, it is troublesome for a user to search for an unnecessary file from the hard disk and delete it in order to delete an unnecessary file in order to secure the hard disk capacity after transmitting the image file. It was very troublesome. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, at the stage of reading a document, unnecessary files are automatically deleted after transmission only by the user selecting the “temporary BOX” button 66 on the screen shown in FIG. This makes it much easier to delete image files that are unnecessary for the user. As described above, the free space of the HDD 40 can be secured without bothering the user.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 1. In the first embodiment, the image file is deleted from the HDD 40 after the transmission is completed. In the second embodiment, the image file is further deleted. Since the timing for deleting from the HDD 40 is added, this point will be mainly described.

  After the document is read by the MFP 1, the user accesses the MFP 1 from the external terminal 3. However, until the transmission is completed, for example, the user forgets to send a seat in an emergency and the transmission is not completed as it is. Conceivable. In this case, unnecessary image files remain stored in the HDD 40, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of securing the free space of the HDD 40.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the MFP is accessed from an external terminal and transmission is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the storage area for the image file stored in the temporary BOX is released. . The operation of MFP 1 in the second embodiment will be described below.
First, as described in the first embodiment, after the ID / password authentication, a temporary BOX is selected, a temporary BOX is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 40, and the read image data is stored in the temporary BOX. Suppose that it was done (step S101-step S108).

The MFP 1 stands by until there is an access from an external terminal (step S301: No). When there is an access (step S301: Yes), the CPU 51 starts measuring time with the timer IC 55 (step S302).
The CPU 51 waits until BOX type information is received from the external terminal (step S303: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed from the start of timing in step S302 (step S304: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted together with the image file (step S314). This is because, even when the user accesses the MFP 1 from an external terminal, for example, when there is an urgent need and the transmission operation is not completed while leaving the seat on the way, the unnecessary image data is accumulated, so that the HDD 40 This is to prevent the free capacity of the disk from decreasing.

If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S304: No), the process waits until BOX type information is received (step S303). When the BOX type information is received from the external terminal (step S303: Yes), the MFP 1 transmits the list information of the temporary BOX existing in the temporary BOX creation area 41 to the external terminal (step S305).
Next, the MFP 1 stands by until it receives temporary BOX selection information from the external terminal 3 (step S306: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step S302 (step S307: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted together with the image file (step S314). This is the same purpose as in step S304: Yes. When the BOX selection information is received by the predetermined time (step S307: No) (step S306), the image file list information stored in the selected temporary BOX is transmitted to the external terminal ( Step S307), and waits until a transmission request is received (step S309: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed from the start of time measurement in step S302 (step S310: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted together with the image file (step S314). When the transmission request is received from the external terminal (step S309: Yes) until the predetermined time has elapsed (step S310: No), the transmission protocol / transmission file / destination information is extracted from the received data (step S311).

Based on the extracted information, the MFP 1 transmits an image file to a predetermined destination using a designated protocol (step S312). Similar to the first embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed after transmission, the temporary BOX is deleted from the temporary BOX creation area of the HDD together with the image file (step S314), thereby completing the operation of the MFP.
In the above configuration, if the transmission is not completed even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the MFP was accessed from the external terminal, the image file stored in the temporary BOX is deleted, so that free space on the hard disk is secured. The

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP. In the third embodiment, timing for deleting an image file from the HDD 41 is further added to the second embodiment, and this point will be mainly described.

In the second embodiment, even when a predetermined time elapses after an external terminal accesses the MFP, the storage area of the temporary BOX is released from the HDD 40. Even in the case where the user forgets to stand and does not complete the transmission, the storage area for unnecessary image data is released, so the capacity of the HDD 40 is secured.
Further, it is possible that the user selects the temporary BOX and causes the MFP to read the document, but forgets to access the MFP as it is. If such a situation is repeated, the created temporary BOX gradually increases, and the capacity of the HDD will eventually become tight.

Therefore, in the MFP 1 according to the third embodiment, in addition to the second embodiment, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the image file was stored in the temporary BOX, the temporary BOX storage area is stored from the HDD 40. Is configured to open. Hereinafter, the operation of the MFP 1 in the third embodiment will be described.
First, as described in the first embodiment, after authenticating the user ID and password, a temporary BOX is selected, a temporary BOX is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 40, and the image file read into the temporary BOX is read. Is stored (step S101 to step S108). When the image data is temporarily stored in the BOX (step S108), the CPU 51 starts measuring time with the timer IC 55 (step S501).

  Until a predetermined time (for example, one day) elapses from the time measured in step S501 (step S502: No), the process waits until there is an access from an external terminal (step S503: No). After the image data is stored in the temporary BOX (from the time measured in step S501), if there is no access from the external terminal even after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S502: Yes), the temporary BOX is stored together with the image file from the HDD 40. It deletes (step S517). This is to prevent the scanned image data from being unnecessarily stored in the HDD 41 without accessing the MFP 1 from the external terminal after the document is scanned by the MFP 1.

If the MFP 1 is accessed from the external terminal before the predetermined time has elapsed from the time measured in step S501 (step S502: No), the CPU 1 starts time counting by the timer IC 55 again (step S504).
The CPU 51 waits until BOX type information is received from the external terminal (step S505: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed from the start of time measurement in step S504 (step S506: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted together with the image file (step S517). This is because unnecessary image data is accumulated even when the user has accessed the MFP 1 from an external terminal, for example, when there is another business and the user does not complete the transmission operation while leaving the seat on the way. This is to prevent the free space of the HDD 40 from decreasing.

If the BOX type information is received from the external terminal (step S505: Yes) until the predetermined time has elapsed from the time measured in step S504 (step S506: Yes), the MFP 1 exists in the temporary BOX creation area 41 in the external terminal. The list information of the temporary BOX is transmitted to the external terminal (step S507).
Next, the MFP 1 stands by until it receives BOX selection information from the external terminal (step S508: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed since the start of time measurement in step S504 (step S509: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted from the HDD 40 together with the image file (step S517). This is the same purpose as in step S506: Yes. When the BOX selection information is received from the external terminal by the predetermined time (step S509: No) (step S508), the image file list information stored in the selected temporary BOX is transmitted to the external terminal. (Step S510), and waits until a transmission request is received (Step S511: No). At this time, if a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed from the start of time measurement in Step S504 (Step S512: Yes), the image is displayed. The temporary BOX is deleted from the HDD 40 together with the file (step S517). If the transmission request is received from the external terminal (step S511: Yes) before the predetermined time has elapsed (step S512: No), the transmission protocol / transmission file / destination information is extracted from the received data (step S513).

  Then, based on the extracted information, the MFP transmits the image file to a predetermined destination (step S514). When the transmission is completed, the CPU 51 causes the timer IC 55 to start timing again (step S515). When the predetermined time has elapsed (step S516: Yes), the temporary BOX is deleted from the temporary BOX creation area of the HDD together with the image file (step S516). Thus, the operation of the MFP 1 is completed.

As described above, even when an original is read by the MFP but the MFP is not accessed from an external terminal, the temporary BOX is deleted from the HDD 40, so that the capacity is limited by image data with a low possibility of reuse. In other words, the free space of the HDD 40 is secured.
Alternatively, the start of time measurement in step S504 may be eliminated, and the time measurement start of the predetermined time measurement in steps S506, S509m, and S512 may be set as the timing of step S501. By doing so, when a predetermined time elapses after the image file is stored in the HDD 40, the image file stored in the temporary BOX is deleted regardless of whether the image data transmission is completed.

<Modification>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the content of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples shown in the above embodiments. For example, the following modifications are possible. Can think.
(1) In each of the above embodiments, when the user selects temporary storage, the storage area of the image data stored in the temporary BOX is always released after transmission is completed, but transmission is not necessarily performed. It is not necessary to have a configuration in which the image data storage area is released after the completion, but it is sufficient that the image data storage area stored in the temporary BOX is released at least in response to a certain operation. Even in this case, since the storage area of the image data is released at a predetermined timing, image data that is unlikely to be reused is released from the HDD 40 without being stored in the HDD 40, which is bothersome for the user. The free space of the storage means can be ensured without any problem.

  (2) In the above, in order to select the temporary BOX from the external terminal, the type of BOX is selected in FIG. 8, and the temporary BOX is searched from the temporary BOX list in FIG. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a shortcut key (identifier) is assigned to the temporary BOX, and the temporary BOX is accessed by simply inputting the shortcut key from an external terminal to obtain information on the temporary BOX.

Specifically, in step S105 of the flowchart of FIG. 3, a confirmation screen as shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the display panel 31 of the MFP in place of the screen of FIG. In this example, the shortcut key “tree” is assigned to the temporary BOX name “141421356”.
When the user leaves the MFP and activates the MFP application on the external terminal, a screen as shown in FIG. 16 is displayed.

  When the user inputs the shot cut key “tree” assigned to the BOXNAME input field 98 and presses the “search” button 99 from the external terminal, the external terminal displays the file list information in the temporary BOX “141421356” from the MFP. It may be configured to receive and access a temporary BOX “141421356”. As a result, information regarding the user's temporary BOX can be obtained at the external terminal by performing a simple operation of inputting a shortcut key at the external terminal, thereby improving user convenience.

In the above description, the shortcut key is a character string consisting of the alphabet “tree”. However, the shortcut key may be any identifier as long as it can easily identify the temporary BOX. It may be a numeric string such as “123”, a Japanese character string such as “peace”, or a combination thereof.
(3) In the above description, a unique temporary BOX is created for each user and the read image file is stored in the temporary BOX. However, a configuration in which a plurality of users share one temporary BOX is also possible. Good. Hereinafter, a case where image files of a plurality of users are stored in a shared temporary BOX will be briefly described.

When the user selects a temporary BOX and scans a document, a screen for confirming the temporary BOX name and file name as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the display panel 31 of the MFP 1.
In the confirmation screen illustrated in FIG. 17, “Share Box” shared with other users is used as a temporary BOX, and three image files with file names “1414a”, “1414b”, and “1414c” are stored. Presented. The file name is preferably one that uses all or part of the user ID so that the user can easily store the file name. In the example of FIG. 17, the file name is assigned using the first four digits “1414” of the user ID “141421356”.

  When the user accesses the “Share Box” of the MFP from an external terminal after confirming the file name on the display panel screen of the MFP of FIG. 17, a screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. The user searches for and selects the image files “1414a”, “1414b”, and “1414c” read earlier from the image file list 92 stored in the “Share Box”. After confirming the selection list 93 and selecting a transmission protocol from the pull-down menu 95, an “OK” button 96 is pressed to send a transmission request to the MFP.

When the MFP receives a transmission request from the external terminal, the MFP transmits the selected image file to the designated destination, and then transmits the transmitted image files “1414a”, “1414b”, and “1414c” to a temporary BOX “Share Box”. ". The above system may be configured as described above.
(4) In the above description, a configuration has been described in which an image file is transmitted from an MFP by e-mail or the like in accordance with a transmission request from an external terminal. May be transmitted to each destination by e-mail. In this case, when the image file is downloaded from the MFP in the external terminal, that is, when the image file is downloaded from the MFP to the external terminal, the MFP considers that the image file has been transmitted to the external terminal. The image file may be deleted from the HDD 40 immediately after a predetermined time has elapsed from this transmission or immediately after the transmission.

  (5) In the above description, an example in which the external terminal is a PC connected to the MFP 1 via the wired LAN 2 has been described. However, as the external terminal, for example, a mobile LAN, a PDA, or the like can be connected to the MFP 1 and a wireless LAN It may be connected wirelessly such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  The present invention can be widely applied to image reading apparatuses connectable to a network.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of MFP1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the MFP 1 in the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 31 of the MFP 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 31 of the MFP 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 31 of the MFP 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of an external terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal.

It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of MFP 1 in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of MFP 1 in the third embodiment. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 31 of the MFP 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of a display panel 31 of the MFP 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the dialog box displayed on the monitor of an external terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image reading device)
2 LAN
3, 4, 5 External terminal 20 Document reading unit 30 Operation unit 31 Display panel 40 HDD
41 Temporary BOX creation area 51 CPU
55 Timer IC

Claims (10)

An image reading apparatus having a function of transmitting image data of a document to an external terminal ,
An original reading means for reading the original and generating image data;
A selection means for selecting whether to store or temporarily store the image data of the original to be read by the original reading means;
When storing of the image data is selected by the selection unit, the image data of the document is stored in a storage BOX that stores a storage area for storing the image data read by the document reading unit. 1 storage means;
When temporary storage of the image data is selected by the selection unit, a temporary storage BOX for temporarily storing the image data read by the document reading unit is created, and the temporary storage is performed. Second storage means for storing image data of the original in the BOX for use;
After the image data of the original is stored in the temporary storage BOX, a transmission instruction from the user to the external terminal is received, and the image data stored in the temporary storage BOX is transmitted to the external terminal. A transmission means;
An image reading apparatus comprising: an opening unit that opens the storage area divided by the temporary storage BOX created by the second storage unit at a predetermined timing.   2. The release unit releases the storage area partitioned by the temporary storage BOX immediately after the transmission of the image data is completed or when a predetermined time has elapsed after the completion of the transmission. Image reading apparatus.   The release means stores the storage area divided by the temporary storage BOX when a predetermined time elapses after the image data to be transmitted is stored in the storage means, regardless of whether the image data transmission is completed or not. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is opened. An access receiving means for receiving access of the read request for the read image data from an external transmission requesting device;
The release means stores the storage area divided by the temporary storage BOX when a predetermined time elapses after the access accepting means accepts access from the transmission requesting device regardless of whether or not the transmission of the image data is completed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is opened.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the release unit releases a storage area for each temporary storage BOX.   The image according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the release means releases only the internal image data storage area while leaving the storage area of the temporary storage BOX. Reader.   The release means releases the storage area partitioned by the temporary storage BOX by deleting the image data stored in the temporary storage BOX and the temporary storage BOX. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. An identifier assigning means for assigning an identifier to the temporary storage BOX;
8. The transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the transmission request device, information related to the temporary storage BOX corresponding to the identifier when an input of the identifier is received from an external transmission request device. The image reading apparatus according to any one of the above. Identification information receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an identifier adding unit that adds an identifier using all or part of the user identification information to the temporary storage BOX. Identification information receiving means for receiving user identification information for identifying a user;
8. A file name assigning unit for attaching a file name using all or part of the user identification information to a file of the image data to be transmitted. The image reading apparatus described in 1.

Images