Patent ID: 6782402
Filing Date: 2004-08-24
Classification: H04N,Y10S

Abstract:
A network copy file management system comprising a copy system and a terminal which are interconnected through a network, such that said copy system and said terminal are in direct communication with one another via said network,(A) said copy system comprising: a scanner for reading information from an original as image data; a printer for printing; an operation panel which accepts a first execution command for a copy process to cause said printer to print the image data read out by said scanner; a control unit for executing said copy process; an image data converter which converts the image data read out by said scanner into an image file; a storage portion for storing said image file, wherein said operation panel further accepts a second execution command for an image-file storing process, in accordance with which said control unit causes said image data converter to convert the image data into the image file, and then stores the image file into said storage portion; a management information responding portion, wherein when said terminal requests management information for one or more image files within a predetermined range stored in said storage portion, said management information responding portion sends the requested management information for each image file within the predetermined range to said terminal, the management information including a plurality of data items associated with a particular image file; and an image file transmitting portion, wherein when said terminal requests the image files corresponding to one or more of the data items of the management information transmitted to said terminal, said image file transmitting portion reads out said requested image files from said storage portion and sends said readout image files to said terminal; and (B) said terminal comprising: a management information request portion for requesting said copy system to send the management information for image files within a predetermined range; a display portion for displaying the data items of the management information that said copy system sends in response to the request; an input portion which accepts selection data input by an operator, said selection data specifying the image files corresponding to the data items of the management information displayed on said display portion; and an image file request portion for requesting the image files specified by the selection data accepted by said input portion from said copy system.