JP2011087226A - Scan image transmitting apparatus and scan image transmitting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a scan image transmitting apparatus and scan image transmitting system, which can improve convenience while reducing stress of a user even when transmitting image data to a mobile terminal such as a cellular phone. <P>SOLUTION: An MFP 10 is made communicable with an external server 20 and a cellular phone 30, respectively. Furthermore, the MFP 10 includes an HDD 12. The MFP 10 scans a document and produces thumbnail image data having a smaller size than that of real image data together with the read image data. The MFP 10 then transmits to the cellular phone 30 the thumbnail image data and a URL that is information about a place to store the real image data in the external server 20 and transmits the real image data to the place. Furthermore, the real image data and the thumbnail image data are stored in the HDD 12. When the transmission is completed, the MFP 10 transmits a notification indicating the completion of the transmission to the cellular phone 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanned image transmission apparatus that transmits image data acquired by scanning a document to an external server or a portable terminal.

  The present invention also relates to a scan image transmission system including such a scan image transmission device, an external server, and a mobile terminal that can communicate with each other.

  Conventionally, as a so-called MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), image data acquired by scanning is accumulated, thumbnail image data and related information related to the image data are created from the image data, and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “ Some of them are transmitted via a network to a PC or a mobile phone. Here, the PC, mobile phone, or the like that has received the thumbnail image data and related information displays the thumbnail image data on the display screen, and the image data output form to the MFP based on the thumbnail image data. The instructions are given. Then, the MFP outputs image data stored in an output form instructed from a PC, a mobile phone or the like (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-64858, FIG. 6).

  However, in the conventional MFP, since the image data is always transmitted from the MFP, the image is transmitted from the MFP to a PC, a mobile phone, or the like by general short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). When transmitting data, if the size of the image data is large, the time required for transmitting the image data becomes longer. Further, in order to transmit the image data to the mobile terminal, a user with the mobile terminal stays for a long time in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus, that is, within a range where short-range wireless communication with the image forming apparatus is possible. There is a problem of making the user feel stressed because it is necessary.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-64858, FIG.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a scanned image transmission device that can reduce user stress and improve convenience even when image data is transmitted to a portable terminal such as a cellular phone. .

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a scan image transmission system including such a scan image transmission device, an external server, and a portable terminal that can communicate with each other.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a scanned image transmission device of the present invention includes:
A scan image transmission device capable of communicating with an external server that can store data, a user input unit that receives input from a user, and a mobile terminal that includes a display unit that displays data,
An image generation unit that scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a size smaller than the actual image data;
A storage unit for storing the actual image data and the thumbnail image data;
A first control unit configured to transmit the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal and to transmit the actual image data to the external server; And
The related information includes information on a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server.

  In the scanned image transmission apparatus of the present invention, the image generation unit scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a smaller size than the actual image data. The scan image transmission device transmits the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal under the control of the first control unit, and Actual image data is transmitted to the external server. In the portable terminal, the thumbnail image data is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user with the portable terminal can quickly confirm the scan result by looking at the thumbnail image data displayed on the display unit.

  The actual image data and the thumbnail image data are stored in the storage unit of the scanned image transmission apparatus. If the user with the mobile terminal wants to transmit the actual image data directly from the storage unit to the mobile terminal, if there is an instruction from the mobile terminal via the user input unit, The scanned image transmission device can transmit the actual image data from the storage unit to the portable terminal. The related information includes information about a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server.

  Therefore, when the user with the mobile terminal wants to transmit the real image data from the external server to the mobile terminal, if there is an instruction from the mobile terminal via the user input unit, The external server can transmit the actual image data to the mobile terminal.

  As described above, the user having the mobile terminal selects either the storage unit or the external server, whichever is convenient, based on the thumbnail image data transmitted to the mobile terminal. In addition, the actual image data can be transmitted from the storage unit or the external server to the portable terminal. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  In this scanned image transmitting apparatus, even if an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data from the scanned image transmitting apparatus to the external server, the actual image data is stored in the storage unit. Therefore, even if the error occurs, it is not necessary to repeat the scan. Further, since the actual image data is not lost, the reliability of the scanned image transmission device can be improved.

In the scanned image transmission device of one embodiment,
When transmitting the real image data to the mobile terminal, a real image transmission time calculation unit that calculates a transmission time required to complete transmission of the real image data from the scan image transmission device to the mobile terminal is provided. ,
The related information includes the time required for transmission.

  In this scan image transmission apparatus, the transmission time required to complete the transmission of the actual image data from the scan image transmission apparatus to the mobile terminal is transmitted to the mobile terminal as the related information. For this reason, the user with the portable terminal can select the convenient one of the storage unit and the external server for the actual image data based on the required transmission time. Therefore, user convenience can be further enhanced.

In the scanned image transmission device of one embodiment,
When transmitting the actual image data to the mobile terminal, the actual image transmission time calculation unit calculates a remaining transmission time until the transmission is completed during transmission of the actual image data to the mobile terminal. The first control unit performs control to transmit the remaining transmission time as the transmission time to the mobile terminal in real time.

  In this scanned image transmission apparatus, during transmission of the actual image data to the mobile terminal, the remaining transmission time required until the transmission is completed is transmitted to the mobile terminal in real time. Therefore, the user who has the portable terminal can know the remaining transmission time required until the transmission is completed. Therefore, the user's stress can be further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

In the scanned image transmission device of one embodiment,
When the storage of the actual image data in the storage unit or the external server is completed, the first control unit performs control to transmit a notification that the transmission of the actual image data is completed to the mobile terminal. It is characterized by.

  In the scanned image transmission device, when the storage of the actual image data in the storage unit or the external server is completed, a notification that the transmission of the actual image data is completed is transmitted to the portable terminal. Therefore, it is not necessary to check whether the actual image data is stored in the storage unit or the external server. As a result, user convenience can be further enhanced.

In the scanned image transmission device of one embodiment,
When an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data to the external server, a notification that the error has occurred and the actual image data is stored in the storage unit, and the actual image data in the storage unit And a second control unit that performs control to transmit information about the location where the data is stored to the portable terminal.

  In this scanned image transmission device, when an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data to the external server, the second control unit generates the error and stores the actual image data in the storage unit. Control is performed to transmit to the portable terminal a notification to the effect that it has been performed and information about the location where the actual image data is stored in the storage unit. Therefore, even if the error occurs, the user with the portable terminal can transfer the actual image data from the storage unit to the portable terminal based on information about the location where the actual image data is stored in the storage unit. Can be sent to. As a result, user convenience can be further enhanced.

In the scanned image transmission device of one embodiment,
When the original is scanned, the image generation unit includes a third control unit that performs control to give priority to generation of the thumbnail image data over generation of the actual image data.

  In the scanned image transmission apparatus, the image generation unit generates the thumbnail image data earlier than the actual image data under the control of the third control unit. Therefore, the thumbnail image data can be quickly transmitted to the portable terminal together with the related information. As a result, the waiting time for the user can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

The scanned image transmission system of the present invention includes:
An external server capable of storing data;
A portable terminal provided with a user input unit for receiving input by a user and a display unit for displaying data;
The external server, and a scan image transmission device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal,
The scanned image transmission device is
An image generation unit that scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a size smaller than the actual image data;
A storage unit for storing the actual image data and the thumbnail image data;
A first control unit configured to transmit the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal and to transmit the actual image data to the external server; And
The related information includes information on a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server.

  In the scanned image transmission system of the present invention, the image generation unit of the scanned image transmission apparatus scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a smaller size than the actual image data. The scan image transmission device transmits the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal under the control of the first control unit, and Actual image data is transmitted to the external server. In the portable terminal, the thumbnail image data is displayed on the display unit. Therefore, the user with the portable terminal can quickly confirm the scan result by looking at the thumbnail image data displayed on the display unit.

  The actual image data and the thumbnail image data are stored in the storage unit of the scanned image transmission apparatus. If the user with the mobile terminal wants to transmit the actual image data directly from the storage unit to the mobile terminal, if there is an instruction from the mobile terminal via the user input unit, The scanned image transmission device can transmit the actual image data from the storage unit to the portable terminal. The related information includes information about a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server.

  Therefore, when the user with the mobile terminal wants to transmit the real image data from the external server to the mobile terminal, if there is an instruction from the mobile terminal via the user input unit, The external server can transmit the actual image data to the mobile terminal.

  As described above, the user having the mobile terminal selects either the storage unit or the external server, whichever is convenient, based on the thumbnail image data transmitted to the mobile terminal. In addition, the actual image data can be transmitted from the storage unit or the external server to the portable terminal. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  In this scanned image transmitting apparatus, even if an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data from the scanned image transmitting apparatus to the external server, the actual image data is stored in the storage unit. Therefore, even if the error occurs, it is not necessary to repeat the scan. Further, since the actual image data is not lost, the reliability of the scanned image transmission device can be improved.

In the scanned image transmission system of one embodiment,
The scan image transmission device includes a real image transmission time calculation unit that calculates a transmission time required to complete transmission of the real image data to the mobile terminal when transmitting the real image data to the mobile terminal. Prepared,
The related information includes the time required for transmission,
When the portable terminal receives the thumbnail image data and the related information from the scan image transmission device under the control of the first control unit, the display unit of the portable terminal displays the thumbnail image data, The time required for transmission and a real image reception selection key for selecting whether to receive the real image data from the scan image transmission device are displayed.

  In the scan image transmission system, when the portable terminal receives the thumbnail image data and the related information from the scan image transmission device under the control of the first control unit, the display unit of the portable terminal The thumbnail image data, the transmission required time, and an actual image reception selection key for selecting whether to receive the actual image data from the scanned image transmission apparatus are displayed. For this reason, the user with the portable terminal transmits the actual image data from the scan image transmission device to the portable terminal based on the thumbnail image data and the required transmission time, or transmits the actual image data to the portable terminal. After transmitting to the external server, it can be selected whether to transmit from the external server to the portable terminal. Further, this selection can be instructed from the portable terminal to the scanned image transmitting apparatus.

  In this way, the user can cause the actual image data to be transmitted from the scanned image transmission device or the external server to the portable terminal depending on the situation. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved. In addition, the storage capacity required for the portable terminal can be reduced.

In the scanned image transmission system of one embodiment,
When the portable terminal receives an instruction to transmit an e-mail attached with the thumbnail image data to another terminal through the user input unit, the actual image data corresponding to the thumbnail image data is received from the external server. Is acquired, and the actual image data is attached to the e-mail and transmitted.

  In this scan image transmission system, when the portable terminal receives an instruction to transmit an e-mail attached with the thumbnail image data to another terminal through the user input unit, the thumbnail image is transmitted from the external server. Real image data corresponding to the data is acquired, and the actual image data is attached to the e-mail and transmitted. Therefore, the user's stress can be further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

  According to the scanned image transmission apparatus of the present invention, the user having the mobile terminal determines which one of the storage unit or the external server is convenient based on the thumbnail image data transmitted to the mobile terminal. By selecting, the actual image data can be transmitted from the selected storage unit or the external server to the mobile terminal. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  Further, according to the scanned image transmission system of the present invention, the user having the portable terminal can conveniently use either the storage unit or the external server based on the thumbnail image data transmitted to the portable terminal. The actual image data can be transmitted from the selected storage unit or the external server to the portable terminal. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a scan image transmission system according to a first embodiment including an MFP which is an embodiment of a scan image transmission apparatus of the present invention. It is a block diagram about the system configuration of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart of control by a job management unit of the MFP according to the first embodiment. It is an operation | movement flowchart of the mobile telephone of the said 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the scan image transmission system of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart of control by a job management unit of the MFP according to the second embodiment. It is an example of the display part of the mobile telephone of the said 2nd Embodiment. It is an example of the display part of the mobile telephone of the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the scan image transmission system of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display part of the mobile telephone of the said 3rd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart of control by a job management unit of the MFP according to the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to illustrated embodiments.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a scan image transmission system including an MFP 10 which is an embodiment of a scan image transmission apparatus of the present invention.

  This scanned image transmission system includes an external server 20 capable of storing data and a mobile phone 30 as a mobile terminal in addition to the MFP 10. The MFP 10, the external server 20, and the mobile phone 30 can communicate with each other through a communication path indicated by a solid arrow in the figure by Ethernet (not shown). Further, the mobile phone 30 can communicate with other terminals 40 via Ethernet. Further, the MFP 10 and the mobile phone 30 can communicate with each other via a communication path indicated by a broken-line arrow in the drawing by Bluetooth (registered trademark) (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes an image generation unit 11, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 12 as a storage unit, an external communication unit 13, an actual image transmission time calculation unit 14, a job management unit 15, A panel unit 16 and a scanner control unit 17 are provided.

  The image generation unit 11 scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a smaller size than the actual image data. The HDD 12 as a storage unit stores the actual image data and the thumbnail image data. The external communication unit 13 communicates with the external communication unit 22 of the external server 20 and the external communication unit 33 of the mobile phone 30 by the above-described Ethernet or Bluetooth. The actual image transmission time calculation unit 14 will be described in the second embodiment.

  The job management unit 15 controls the entire operation of the MFP 10. The panel unit 16 displays a message as necessary, for example, when scanning a document. Further, the scanner control unit 17 determines whether or not the document is in a predetermined place when scanning the document.

  On the other hand, the external server 20 includes an HDD 21 and an external communication unit 22. The mobile phone 30 includes a display unit 31, a user input unit 32, and an external communication unit 33.

  Here, the HDD 21 can store actual image data. The external communication unit 22 communicates with the external communication unit 13 of the MFP 10 and the external communication unit 33 of the mobile phone 30 via Ethernet. The external communication unit 33 communicates with the external communication unit 13 of the MFP 10 and the external communication unit 22 of the external server 20 by the above-described Ethernet or Bluetooth.

  The display unit 31 of the mobile phone 30 displays data such as thumbnail image data. In addition, the user input unit 32 receives input from the user.

  FIG. 3 shows a control flow by the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10.

  Next, the operation of the scanned image transmission system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 mainly from the viewpoint of focusing on the operation of the MFP 10, particularly the control by the job management unit 15.

  In this example, the external communication unit 13 of the MFP 10 receives a scan instruction so as to scan a document from the mobile phone 30 by Bluetooth as indicated by a dashed arrow (1) in FIG. 1 (in FIG. 3). Step S1). Next, the scanner control unit 17 determines whether or not the document is at a predetermined location (step S2 in FIG. 3). When the scanner control unit 17 determines that the document is not in a predetermined location (NO in step S2 in FIG. 3), it displays a document setting instruction message on the panel unit 16 instructing to set the document (in FIG. 3). Step S3). On the other hand, when the scanner control unit 17 determines that the document is in a predetermined place (YES in step S2 in FIG. 3), the scanner control unit 17 performs a scan as shown in (2) in FIG. 1 (in FIG. 3). Step S4). Then, the job management unit 15 works as a third control unit, and first causes the image generation unit 11 to generate thumbnail image data (step S5 in FIG. 3).

  Next, the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 functions as a first control unit, and as shown by the broken line arrow (3) in FIG. A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 as related information indicating the storage location of the actual image data (step S6 in FIG. 3). Then, under the control of the job management unit 15, the image generation unit 11 generates actual image data (step S7 in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the MFP 10 stores the actual image data in the HDD 12 (step S8 in FIG. 3).

  Next, the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 further functions as a first control unit, and the real image data is transferred to a predetermined location in the HDD 21 by Ethernet as indicated by a solid line arrow (4) in FIG. Transmit (step S9 in FIG. 3). Then, it is determined whether or not this transmission is completed (step S10 in FIG. 3). When this transmission is completed (YES in step S10 in FIG. 3), as shown by the solid line arrow (5) in FIG. 1, an actual image for notifying that the transmission of the actual image data is completed by Ethernet. A data transmission completion notification is transmitted to the mobile phone 30 (step S11 in FIG. 3).

  FIG. 4 shows an operation flow of the mobile phone 30.

  Next, the operation of the scan image transmission system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 mainly from the viewpoint of focusing on the operation of the mobile phone 30.

  First, it is assumed that the user inputs a scan instruction to the MFP 10 to the mobile phone 30 through the user input unit 32 (step S21 in FIG. 4). Then, as indicated by the dashed arrow (1) in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 30 transmits a scan instruction to the MFP 10 to scan the document by Bluetooth (step S22 in FIG. 4).

  Next, the cellular phone 30 transmits the thumbnail image data and the URL, which is the information on the storage location of the actual image data in the HDD 21, from the MFP 10 by Bluetooth as indicated by the dashed arrow (3) in FIG. Receive (step S23 in FIG. 4). Then, the thumbnail image data is displayed on the display unit 31 (step S23 in FIG. 4). The user selects the thumbnail image by the user input unit 32, and sends and sends an e-mail attached with actual image data corresponding to the thumbnail image data to another terminal 40. (Step S24 in FIG. 4).

  Next, the mobile phone 30 determines whether or not a real image data transmission completion notification has been received from the MFP 10 via Ethernet as indicated by the solid line arrow (5) in FIG. 1 (step S25 in FIG. 4). . If this notification has been received (YES in step S25 in FIG. 4), the mobile phone 30 transmits the actual image data to the external server 20 as represented by the solid arrow (6) in FIG. Transmission is requested (step S26 in FIG. 4). In response to this request, the mobile phone 30 receives the real image data from the external server 20 as indicated by the solid arrow (7) in FIG. 1 (step S27 in FIG. 4).

  Next, as indicated by the solid line arrow (8) in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 30 attaches the actual image data to the e-mail and transmits it to the other terminal 40 (step S28 in FIG. 4). .

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the image generation unit 11 of the MFP 10 scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a smaller size than the actual image data. In the MFP 10, the job management unit 15 functions as a first control unit, and the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data (in this example, the external server 20's The URL indicating the storage location of the actual image data in the HDD 21) is transmitted to the mobile phone 30, and the actual image data is transmitted to the external server 20. In the mobile phone 30, the thumbnail image data is displayed on the display unit 31. Therefore, the user who has the mobile phone 30 can quickly confirm the scan result by looking at the thumbnail image data displayed on the display unit 31.

  In the first embodiment, the HDD 12 of the MFP 10 stores the actual image data and the thumbnail image data. When the user who has the mobile phone 30 desires that the actual image data is directly transmitted from the HDD 12 to the mobile phone 30, if there is an instruction from the mobile phone 30 via the user input unit 32, the MFP 10 The actual image data can be transmitted from the HDD 12 to the mobile phone 30.

  In this example, the related information is a URL indicating the storage location of the actual image data in the HDD 21 of the external server 20. Therefore, if the user who has the mobile phone 30 desires that the actual image data is transmitted from the external server 20 to the mobile phone 30, if there is an instruction from the mobile phone 30 via the user input unit, The server 20 can transmit the actual image data to the mobile phone 30.

  As described above, the user who has the mobile phone 30 selects the convenient one of the HDD 12 and the external server 20 based on the thumbnail image data transmitted to the mobile phone 30, and selects the selected HDD 12. Alternatively, the actual image data can be transmitted from the external server 20 to the mobile phone 30. Therefore, a user's stress can be reduced and the convenience can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, even if an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data from the MFP 10 to the external server 20, the actual image data is stored in the HDD 12. Therefore, even if the error occurs, it is not necessary to repeat the scan. Further, since the actual image data is not lost, the reliability of the MFP 10 can be improved.

  In the first embodiment, when the storage of the actual image data from the MFP 10 to the HDD 12 in the MFP 10 or the HDD 21 of the external server 20 is completed, a notification that the transmission of the actual image data is completed is sent to the mobile phone 30. Sent. Therefore, it is not necessary to check whether the actual image data is stored in the HDD 12 or the HDD 21 of the external server 20. As a result, user convenience can be further enhanced.

  In the first embodiment, the job management unit 15 functions as a third control unit, and the image generation unit 11 generates the thumbnail image data earlier than the actual image data. Therefore, the thumbnail image data can be quickly transmitted to the mobile phone 30 together with the related information. As a result, the waiting time for the user can be reduced, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.

  In the scan image transmission system according to the first embodiment, when the mobile phone 30 receives an instruction to transmit an e-mail attached with the thumbnail image data to another terminal 40 through the user input unit 32, Real image data corresponding to the thumbnail image data is acquired from the external server 20, and the real image data is attached to the e-mail and transmitted. Therefore, the user's stress can be further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a second embodiment of the scanned image transmission system including the MFP 10. FIG. 6 shows a control flow by the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 according to the second embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, a mode in which the actual image transmission time calculation unit 14 shown in FIG. 2 of the MFP 10 operates will be described. When transmitting the actual image data to the mobile phone 30, the actual image transmission time calculation unit 14 calculates a transmission time required for completing the transmission of the actual image data from the MFP 10 to the mobile phone 30. In the second embodiment, the same parts and steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the operation of the scan image transmission system is different from that of the first embodiment mainly from the viewpoint of focusing on the operation of the MFP 10, particularly the control by the job management unit 15. explain.

  In this example, after the processing of steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 6 (same as the processing of steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 3), the image generation unit 11 generates thumbnail image data (step S5 in FIG. 6). . Subsequently, as indicated by (9) in FIG. 5, the actual image transmission time calculation unit 14 calculates the transmission time required to complete the transmission of the actual image data from the MFP 10 to the mobile phone 30 by Bluetooth ( Step S31 in FIG. 6). The required transmission time is calculated from the size of the actual image data, the Bluetooth transmission speed, and the like.

  Next, the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 functions as a first control unit, and the thumbnail image data and the above-described data in the HDD 21 of the external server 20 are displayed by Bluetooth as shown by a broken line arrow (3 ′) in FIG. The URL as the related information indicating the storage location of the actual image data and the required transmission time are transmitted from the external communication unit 13 to the mobile phone 30 (step S32 in FIG. 6).

  When the mobile phone 30 receives the thumbnail image data, the URL as the related information, and the transmission time, the thumbnail image data is displayed on the display unit 31 of the mobile phone 30 as shown in FIG. 7A. 101, URL 102, real image acquisition time 103 as the required transmission time, real image reception selection key 104, and storage selection key 105 are displayed on the server.

  Here, the actual image reception selection key 104 is for selecting reception of actual image data from the MFP 10, and the save to server selection key 105 transmits actual image data from the MFP 10 to the external server 20. , For selecting to be stored in the HDD 21.

  Here, based on the information displayed on the display unit 31, the user can select the real image reception selection key 104 or the storage selection key 105 to the server by the user input unit 32. That is, whether the user holding the mobile phone 30 causes the real image data to be transmitted from the MFP 10 to the mobile phone 30 based on the thumbnail image data and the required transmission time by pressing the real image reception selection key 104. Alternatively, by pressing the storage selection key 105 to the server, it is possible to select whether the actual image data is transmitted to the external server 20 and then transmitted from the external server 20 to the mobile phone 30. This selection can be instructed from the mobile phone 30 to the MFP 10. In this example, it is assumed that the user presses the actual image reception selection key 104 as indicated by (10) in FIG.

  When the user presses the real image reception selection key 104, the MFP 10 receives an instruction to transmit real image data from the mobile phone 30 via Bluetooth as shown by a broken line arrow (11) in FIG. 5 (in FIG. 6). In step S33). At this time, the actual image transmission time calculation unit 14 calculates the remaining transmission time required until the transmission by Bluetooth is completed. Then, the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 functions as a first control unit, and the MFP 10 transmits the actual image data to the mobile phone 30 by Bluetooth indicated by a dashed arrow (12) in FIG. 6 in step S34), the remaining transmission time is transmitted in real time (step S35 in FIG. 6).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 7B, the display unit 31 of the mobile phone 30 displays the display 106 during the reception of the actual image and the remaining required transmission time 107 until the reception of the actual image data is completed. The

  Therefore, the user who has the mobile phone 30 can know the remaining transmission time 107 until the transmission is completed. Therefore, the user's stress can be further reduced and the convenience can be further improved.

  In addition, when the user presses the storage selection key 105 to the server in step S33 in FIG. 6, the same processing as described with respect to steps S9 to S11 in FIG. 3 is performed. An actual image data transmission completion notice is received from the MFP 10 (steps S9 to S11 in FIG. 6).

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a third embodiment of the scanned image transmission system including the MFP 10. FIG. 10 shows a control flow by the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 according to the third embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the same parts and steps as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 10, the operation of the scan image transmission system is different from that of the first embodiment mainly from the viewpoint of focusing on the operation of the MFP 10, particularly the control by the job management unit 15. explain.

  In this example, after the processing of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 10 (same as the processing of steps S1 to S9 in FIG. 3), the MFP 10 completes transmission of actual image data from the MFP 10 to a predetermined location in the HDD 21. It is determined whether or not (step S10 in FIG. 10). If an error occurs during the transmission and the transmission fails (NO in step S10 in FIG. 10), the job management unit 15 of the MFP 10 works as the second control unit, and the solid line arrow (13 in FIG. 8). ), The real image data transmission failure notification for notifying that the transmission of the real image data has failed through the Ethernet, and the URL that is the storage location information of the real image data in the HDD 12 are sent to the external communication unit 13. To the mobile phone 30 (step S41 in FIG. 10).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 31 of the mobile phone 30 displays a real image data transmission failure notification and a URL that is information on the storage location of the real image data in the HDD 12.

  Therefore, even if the error occurs, the user with the mobile phone 30 transfers the actual image data from the HDD 12 to the mobile phone 30 based on the URL that is information about the location where the actual image data is stored in the HDD 12. Can be sent. As a result, user convenience can be further enhanced.

  In the first embodiment, the mobile phone 30 receives the real image data from the external server 20, attaches the real image data to an e-mail, and transmits it to another terminal 40, but stores the real image data. Another terminal 40 may be able to receive the actual image data directly from the external server 20 by describing the URL of the HDD 21 of the external server 20 that is the destination in an e-mail or the like.

  In the first to third embodiments, the scan instruction is given to scan the document from the mobile phone 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the MFP 10 may be instructed to scan directly.

  In the first to third embodiments, the external server 20 is used. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and data may be stored and may be communicable.

  In the first to third embodiments, the mobile phone 30 is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other terminals having a display unit and a user input unit such as a PC and a PDA (Personal Data Assistance) and capable of communicating with each other. It may be.

  In the first to third embodiments, Bluetooth or Ethernet is used as a communication means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, general short-range wireless communication such as the Internet, public wireless communication network, wireless LAN, and others The communication means may be used.

10 ... MFP
11 ... Image generation unit 12 ... HDD
13 ... External communication unit 14 ... Real image transmission time calculation unit 15 ... Job management unit 20 ... External server 21 ... HDD
30 ... mobile phone 31 ... display unit 32 ... user input unit 40 ... other terminal 101 ... thumbnail image data 102 ... URL
103 ... Time required for transmission 104 ... Real image reception selection key 107 ... Time required for remaining transmission

Claims (9)

A scan image transmission device capable of communicating with an external server that can store data, a user input unit that receives input from a user, and a mobile terminal that includes a display unit that displays data,
An image generation unit that scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a size smaller than the actual image data;
A storage unit for storing the actual image data and the thumbnail image data;
A first control unit configured to transmit the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal and to transmit the actual image data to the external server; And
The related image includes information on a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server. The scanned image transmission device according to claim 1,
When transmitting the real image data to the mobile terminal, a real image transmission time calculation unit that calculates a transmission time required to complete transmission of the real image data from the scan image transmission device to the mobile terminal is provided. ,
The related information includes the time required for transmission. In the scanned image transmission device according to claim 2,
When transmitting the actual image data to the mobile terminal, the actual image transmission time calculation unit calculates a remaining transmission time until the transmission is completed during transmission of the actual image data to the mobile terminal. And the said 1st control part performs control which transmits the said remaining transmission required time to the said portable terminal in real time as said transmission required time, The scan image transmission apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the scanned image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the storage of the actual image data in the storage unit or the external server is completed, the first control unit performs control to transmit a notification that the transmission of the actual image data is completed to the mobile terminal. Scanned image transmitting apparatus characterized by the above. In the scanned image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When an error occurs during transmission of the actual image data to the external server, a notification that the error has occurred and the actual image data is stored in the storage unit, and the actual image data in the storage unit A scan image transmitting apparatus comprising: a second control unit that performs control to transmit information about a location storing the information to the portable terminal. In the scanned image transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A scanned image transmission apparatus comprising: a third control unit that controls the image generation unit to prioritize generation of the thumbnail image data over generation of the actual image data when the document is scanned . An external server capable of storing data;
A portable terminal provided with a user input unit for receiving input by a user and a display unit for displaying data;
The external server, and a scan image transmission device capable of communicating with the mobile terminal,
The scanned image transmission device is
An image generation unit that scans a document to generate actual image data, and generates thumbnail image data having a size smaller than the actual image data;
A storage unit for storing the actual image data and the thumbnail image data;
A first control unit configured to transmit the thumbnail image data corresponding to the actual image data and related information related to the actual image data to the portable terminal and to transmit the actual image data to the external server; And
The scan information transmission system, wherein the related information includes information about a location where the actual image data is stored in the external server. In the scanned image transmission system according to claim 7,
The scan image transmission device includes a real image transmission time calculation unit that calculates a transmission time required to complete transmission of the real image data to the mobile terminal when transmitting the real image data to the mobile terminal. Prepared,
The related information includes the time required for transmission,
When the portable terminal receives the thumbnail image data and the related information from the scan image transmission device under the control of the first control unit, the display unit of the portable terminal displays the thumbnail image data, A scan image transmission system, wherein a transmission required time and an actual image reception selection key for selecting whether to receive the actual image data from the scan image transmission apparatus are displayed. In the scanned image transmission system according to claim 7,
When the portable terminal receives an instruction to transmit an e-mail attached with the thumbnail image data to another terminal through the user input unit, the actual image data corresponding to the thumbnail image data is received from the external server. The scanned image transmission system is characterized in that the actual image data is attached to the e-mail and transmitted.

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