Non-transitory computer-readable medium storing programs for information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

A medium stores computer-executable programs. The programs cause an information processing apparatus including a communication unit communicable with a scanner to perform: displaying a first window including a first icon which causes the scanner to execute a scanning process; judging whether a selection operation to the first icon is performed; transmitting a scan command to the scanner in a case that the information processing apparatus judges that the selection operation to the first icon is performed; receiving scan data from the scanner via the communication unit as a response to the scan instruction; and displaying a second window, on a display unit, which displays an image based on the scan data received from the scanner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-074321 filed on Mar. 31, 2014 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a control program and the like which can be read by a computer of an information processing apparatus including a display unit and a communication unit capable of communication with a scanning device.

2. Description of the Related Art

An information processing apparatus, which includes a display unit and a communication unit capable of communication with a scanning device, acquires scan data from the scanning device and displays images based on the acquired scan data on a display screen of a display unit. By virtue of this, it is possible for a user to confirm the images based on the scan data. Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-166767 discloses one example of such kind of information processing apparatus.

SUMMARY

According to the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-166767, it is possible for the user to carry out confirmation, correction and the like of the images based on the scan data. However, with the information processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2011-166767, when acquiring new scan data different from the scan data of the images displayed previously, the images displayed previously are no longer displayed whereas the images based on the newly acquired scan data are displayed on the display screen. However, for example, there is a poor operability for the user who desires to view and compare the images displayed previously and the images based on the scan data newly acquired. Accordingly, the present teaching is made in view of such kind of situation, and an object thereof is to improve the operability in a scanning process.

According to a first aspect of the present teaching, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable programs that, when executed by a processor, cause an information processing apparatus including: a display unit; an operation unit configured to output a signal depending on a user operation; and a communication unit configure to communicate with a scanner, to perform: displaying a first window on the display unit, the first window including a first icon which causes the scanner to execute scanning process; judging whether a selection operation to the first icon is performed based on the signal outputted from the operation unit; in a case that the information processing apparatus judges that the selection operation to the first icon is performed, transmitting a scan instruction to the scanner via the communication unit; receiving scan data from the scanner via the communication unit as a response to the scan instruction; and displaying a second window on the display unit, the second window displaying an image based on the scan data received from the scanner, wherein in a case that the information processing apparatus judges that second selection operation to the first icon is performed after displaying the second window on the display unit, the programs cause the information processing apparatus to display another second window on the display unit together with the second window which has been displayed on the display unit, the another second window displaying another image based on another scan data generated by the scanning process executed after the second selection operation to the first icon.

According to a second aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an information processing apparatus including: a display unit; an operation unit configured to output a signal depending on a user operation; a communication unit configure to communicate with a scanner; and a controller configured to: display a first window on the display unit, the first window including a first icon which causes the scanner to execute scanning process; judge whether a selection operation to the first icon is performed based on the signal outputted from the operation unit; in a case that the controller judges that the selection operation to the first icon is performed, transmit a scan instruction to the scanner via the communication unit; receive scan data from the scanner via the communication unit as a response to the scan instruction; and display a second window on the display unit, the second window displaying an image based on the scan data received from the scanner, wherein in a case that the controller judges that second selection operation to the first icon is performed after displaying the second window on the display unit, the controller is configured to display another second window on the display unit together with the second window which has been displayed on the display unit, the another second window displaying another image based on another scan data generated by the scanning process executed after the second selection operation to the first icon.

According to a third aspect of the present teaching, there is provided an information processing method to be executed by an information processing apparatus provided with: a display unit; an operation unit configured to output a signal depending on a user operation; and a communication unit configure to communicate with a scanner, the method including: displaying a first window on the display unit, the first window including a first icon which causes the scanner to execute scanning process; judging whether a selection operation to the first icon is performed based on the signal outputted from the operation unit; in a case that the information processing apparatus judges that the selection operation to the first icon is performed, transmitting a scan instruction to the scanner via the communication unit; receiving scan data from the scanner via the communication unit as a response to the scan instruction; and displaying a second window on the display unit, the second window displaying an image based on the scan data received from the scanner, wherein in a case that the information processing apparatus judges that second selection operation to the first icon is performed after displaying the second window on the display unit, the information processing apparatus displays another second window on the display unit together with the second window which has been displayed on the display unit, the another second window displaying another image based on another scan data generated by the scanning process executed after the second selection operation to the first icon.

According to the above aspects of the present teaching, the scanner carries out the scanning process in a case that the display unit displays the first window including the first icon for the scanner to carry out the scanning process, and the selection operation to the first icon is performed. Then, the scan data generated through the scanning process is sent to the information processing apparatus, and the display unit displays the second window including the image based on the scan data. Further, in a case that the second selection operation to the first icon is performed in a state that the second window is displayed on the display unit, the scanner carries out another scanning process to transmit, to the information processing apparatus, another scan data generated through the another scanning process. Then, the display unit displays another second window including another image based on the another scan data, together with the second window being already displayed. By virtue of this, it is possible to browse and compare the image being already displayed and the another image based on the newly acquired another scan data, so as to improve the operability for the scanning process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

Configuration of a Communication System

As shown inFIG. 1, a communication system1, which is exemplified as a first embodiment of the present teaching, includes a PC10(the abbreviation of Personal Computer; an example of the information processing apparatus of the present teaching), a scanner30, and a router32.

The PC10primarily includes a CPU12(the abbreviation of Central Processing Unit; an example of the controller and/or computer of the present teaching), a storage unit14, a panel16(an example of the display unit of the present teaching), a mouse18(an example of the operation unit of the present teaching), and a network I/F20(an example of the communication unit of the present teaching). Those components are communicable with one another via an input/output port22.

The network I/F20is configured to communicate with external devices via the router32. In the first embodiment, the network I/F20is connected to the scanner30via the router32. By virtue of this, it is possible for the PC10to transmit and receive various data to and from the scanner30.

The panel16has a screen, and is adapted to display on the screen images and the like based on image data. The mouse18is a device for moving a pointer displayed on the screen of the panel16. The mouse18is adapted to accept users' drag operation, clicks and the like and to output a signal according to an accepted operation.

The CPU12carries out processes according to a control program26in the storage unit14(an example of the control program of the present teaching). The control program26is provided for the scanner30to carry out a scanning process. Hereinafter, the CPU12may also be referred to simply as a program name as to execute the program such as the control program26or the like. For example, the term “the control program26” may mean “the CPU12executing the control program26”.

The storage unit14is constructed by combining a RAM (the abbreviation of Random Access Memory), a ROM (the abbreviation of Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an HDD (the abbreviation of Hard Disk Drive), a buffer included in the CPU12, etc. Further, the storage unit14includes a data storage area28(an example of the storage unit of the present teaching). The data storage area28is adapted to store the scan data acquired from the scanner30, the data needed to execute the control program26, etc.

In the communication system1, the scanner30carries out a scanning process according to a scan command from the PC10, and a scan data is generated through the scanning process and sent to the PC10. On this occasion, if the scanner30collectively scans at least one page of a document, then the scan data of the at least one page of the document is stored in the PC10as one group of scan data (to be referred to below as “scan data group” from time to time). Then, if the user desires to add a new scan data to that scan data group, then the successive scanning process is carried out. That is, for example, after scanning at least one page of a document and letting the PC10store the scan data of the at least one page of the document, if it is desired to store the scan data of a new document together with the scan data of the previously scanned document, then the successive scanning process is carried out. This associates and stores the scan data of the new document and the scan data of the previously scanned document.

As shown inFIG. 2, if the PC10executes the control program26, then a display screen50of the panel16displays a main screen52(an example of the first screen of the present teaching). The main screen52displays a main scan icon54(an example of the first icon of the present teaching), four setting selection buttons56a,56b,56cand56d, and a set value display column58. The main scan icon54is provided for carrying out the scanning process. The setting selection buttons56are provided for selecting a scan setting for the scanning process, and a set value is set to each of the setting selection buttons56for the scanning process. After a mouse operation is carried out to move a pointer60onto the main scan icon54or any of the setting selection buttons56, it is possible for the user to carry out a selecting operation on any of the main scan icon54and setting selection buttons56by way of, for example, a left click of the mouse.

Further, simply the left click on a button or the like may be used to refer to the mouse operation of first moving the pointer60onto an image such as the main scan icon54or the like displayed on the panel16, and then carrying out the left click. Further, the set value display column58displays the set value currently set for the scanning process. That is, if the left click is carried out on any one of the four setting selection buttons56ato56d, then the set value display column58displays the set value set according to the operated button.

In the main screen52, if the left click is carried out on the main scan icon54, then a scan command is sent from the PC10to the scanner30. On this occasion, the scan command is sent to the scanner30together with the set value according to the selected button among the four setting selection buttons56ato56d. That is, the PC10transmits the scan command according to a predetermined set value to the scanner30. Further, at least one sheet of a document is set on an ADF (the abbreviation of Auto Document Feeder; not shown) or a flat head (not shown) of the scanner30.

On receiving the scan command designating a predetermined set value, the scanner30carries out the scanning process according to the set value, and then transmits to the PC10the scan data generated through the scanning process. On receiving the scan data, the PC10lets the data storage area28store the received scan data as a scan data group. In particular, if the scan data is in JPEG format, then because a plurality of pages of a document are scanned to form a plurality of data in JPEG format, those plurality of data in JPEG format are stored collectively in one folder as the scan data group. Further, if the scan data is in PDF format, then because the plurality of pages of the document are scanned to form one data in PDF format to bring together a plurality of scan data, that one data in PDF format is stored as the scan data group.

Further, on receiving the scan data from the scanner30, the PC10displays a preview screen70(an example of the second screen of the present teaching) adjacent to the main screen52of the display screen50of the panel16as shown inFIG. 3. The preview screen70displays therein images76based on the received scan data. The preview screen70inFIG. 3displays four images76a,76b,76cand76d. Further, the preview screen70also displays a successive scan icon72(an example of the second icon of the present teaching). The successive scan icon72is provided for carrying out the successive scanning process.

As described earlier on, the successive scanning process is carried out when it is desired to store the scan data of a new document together with the scan data group based on the scanning process carried out previously (to be referred to below as “existing scan data” from time to time). After the document to be added is set on the ADF (the abbreviation of Auto Document Feeder; not shown) or the flat head (not shown) of the scanner30, if the left click is carried out on the successive scan icon72in the preview screen70, then the scan command is sent from the PC10to the scanner30. On this occasion, while a set value for the scanning process is also sent together with the scan command, the set value for the scanning process is set to correspond to the preview screen70.

In detail, when the images are displayed on the preview screen70, the preview screen70is associated with the set value for the scanning process to generate the scan data of the latest images displayed on the preview screen70, to let the data storage area28store the both. That is, for example, the scan data of the images76, which are the latest displayed on the preview screen70shown inFIG. 3, is generated through the scanning process carried out by operating the main scan icon54ofFIG. 2, and the set value for the scanning process is set according to the setting selection button56selected in the main screen52ofFIG. 2. Therefore, when the images76are displayed in the preview screen70, the preview screen70is associated with the set value according to the setting selection button56selected in the main screen52ofFIG. 2, and then the data storage area28stores the both. Then, if the left click is carried out on the successive scan icon72of the preview screen70, then the set value associated and stored with the preview screen70is extracted from the data storage area28. Then, the extracted set value is sent to the scanner30together with the scan command. By virtue of this, without settings and the like for the successive scanning process, it is still possible to carry out the scanning process for an additional document at the same set value as that for the existing scan data.

On receiving the scan command according to a predetermined set value, the scanner30carries out the scanning process according to the set value, and then transmits the scan data generated through the scanning process to the PC10. On receiving the scan data, the PC10associates the scan data (to be referred to below as “successive scan data” from time to time) with the existing scan data, that is, the scan data of the images76displayed in the preview screen70, and then lets the data storage area28store the both as a group of scan data. In particular, if the scan data is in JPEG format, then the successive scan data is stored in the folder storing the existing scan data. By virtue of this, the data in the folder are stored as a scan data group. Further, if the scan data is in PDF format, then the existing scan data is coupled with the successive scan data, and the one data in PDF format is stored as a scan data group.

Further, on receiving successive scan data from the scanner30, as shown inFIG. 4, the PC10lets the preview screen70display an image76ebased on the successive scan data, together with the images76a,76b,76cand76dbased on the existing scan data. In this manner, on the PC10, by only operating the successive scan icon72displayed in the preview screen70, it is possible to easily add a new scan data to the existing data of the images76displayed in the preview screen70.

Further, in the successive scanning process described above, while the set value in the scanning process for an additional document is the same as the set value for the existing scan data, it is also possible to carry out the scanning process for an additional document with a different set value from that for the existing scan data. In detail, by a mouse operation to move the pointer60onto the successive scan icon72of the preview screen70, and then carry out the right click, as shown inFIG. 5, setting alteration buttons77aand77bare displayed adjacent to the successive scan icon72. The setting alteration buttons77aand77bare provided for changing the set value for the successive scanning process to set the set value for the scanning process according to each of the setting alteration buttons77aand77b. By carrying out the left click on any of the setting alteration buttons77aand77b, the set value for the successive scanning process is changed to the set value according to the operated button. Then, by carrying out the left click on the successive scan icon72, the successive scanning process is carried out according to the changed set value. Further, if the set value for the successive scanning process has been changed, then operating any of the setting alteration buttons77aand77bupdates, to the changed set value, the set value for the successive scanning process stored in association with the preview screen70.

Further, on the PC10, it is possible to store another scan data group as distinguished from the scan data group of the images76displayed in the preview screen70, and to display the images based on the other scan data group in another preview screen than the preview screen70. On such an occasion, the display screen50of the panel16displays the other preview screen, and the preview screen70and main screen52displayed previously.

In particular, when the display screen50of the panel16displays the main screen52and the preview screen70, by carrying out the left click on the main scan icon54of the main screen52, the scan command is sent from the PC10to the scanner30. On this occasion, together with the scan command, the set value according to the selected setting selection button56is also sent to the scanner30. On receiving the predetermined set value and the scan command, the scanner30carries out the scanning process according to that set value, and then transmits the scan data generated through the scanning process to the PC10. On receiving the scan data, the PC10lets the data storage area28store the received scan data as a scan data group. On this occasion, the data storage area28stores the received scan data group as distinguished from the scan data group based on the scanning process carried out previously.

In particular, if the scan data is in JPEG format, then the newly received scan data group is stored in another folder than the folder of storing the scan data group based on the scanning process carried out previously. Further, if the scan data is in PDF format, then the newly received scan data group is one data in PDF format, and is stored as another scan data group than the one data in PDF format based on the scanning process carried out previously.

In this manner, on the PC10, by operating the main scan icon54, it is possible to let the data storage area28store the scan data group based on a new scanning process as another scan data group than that based on the scan data carried out previously. In this manner, it is possible to create a plurality of types of scan data groups through a simple and easy operation.

Further, on receiving a new scan data group from the scanner30, the PC10lets the display screen50of the panel16display a preview screen78(another example of the second screen of the present teaching) to overlap part of the preview screen70as shown inFIG. 6. Further, in order to distinguish the preview screen70from the preview screen78, the preview screen70may be referred to as a first preview screen70, while the preview screen78may be referred to as a second preview screen78. The second preview screen78displays images80based on the received scan data group. The second preview screen78inFIG. 6displays four images80a,80b,80cand80d. In this manner, when the PC10receives each scan data group based on a new scanning process, the display screen50of the panel16displays a preview screen for displaying images based on that scan data group. On such an occasion, the display screen50displays the main screen52and the preview screen displayed previously, together with a new preview screen. By virtue of this, it is possible for the user to easily browse the acquired scan data groups in a plurality of preview screens. Further, because the main screen is displayed on the display screen50of the panel16, it is possible to easily carry out a new scanning process.

Further, the second preview screen78displays a successive scan icon82(an example of the second icon of the present teaching). The successive scan icon82has an equivalent function to the successive scan icon72described earlier on. That is, by way of the left click on the successive scan icon82, a successive scanning process is carried out for adding a new scan data to the existing scan data of the images80displayed in the second preview screen78. Further, the data storage area28stores a set value associated with the second preview screen78for the scanning process. Therefore, when the successive scanning process is carried out by operating the successive scan icon82, a scanning process is carried out according to the set value for the scanning process stored in association with the second preview screen78. In this manner, on the PC10, by only operating the successive scan icon displayed in the preview screen, it is possible to easily add a new scan data to the existing scan data of the images displayed in that preview screen.

Further, as shown inFIG. 6, when the display screen50displays the second preview screen78to overlap part of the first preview screen70, it does not display the successive scan icon72of the first preview screen70. By virtue of this, it is possible to reduce the number of icons for the display screen50to display, thereby allowing for a better view of the display screen50. However, by letting the first preview screen70be operable, that is, be an active window, the successive scan icon72is displayed in the first preview screen70.

In detail, by carrying out the left click on the first preview screen70being displayed under the second preview screen78, the first preview screen70becomes an active window and, as shown inFIG. 7, the first preview screen70is displayed upon the second preview screen78. On this occasion, the successive scan icon72is displayed again in the first preview screen70. Then, the successive scan icon82of the second preview screen78is no longer displayed. In this manner, if a plurality of preview screens are displayed on the display screen50, then the PC10displays the successive scan icon in only the screen being an active window among the plurality of preview screens. By virtue of this, it is possible to swiftly carry out the successive scanning process in the preview screen being an active window.

Further, in the successive scanning process described above, while the process is carried out via the left click on the successive scan icon, it is also possible to carry out the successive scanning process via a drag operation on the successive scan icon. In detail, as shown inFIG. 8for example, if the second preview screen78is an active window, then the scan command is sent to the scanner30via a mouse operation to move the pointer60onto the successive scan icon82of the second preview screen78and, with the left click being carried on, to further move the pointer60onto the first preview screen70. On this occasion, the set value stored in association with the second preview screen78is adopted as the set value for the scanning process to be sent together with the scan command.

On receiving a predetermined set value and the scan command, the scanner30carries out a scanning process according to that set value, and transmits to the PC10the scan data generated through the scanning process. On receiving the scan data, the PC10lets the data storage area28store the received scan data as a scan data group. On this occasion, the data storage area28stores the received scan data group being associated with the existing scan data of the images displayed in the first preview screen70. In this manner, on the PC10, by carrying out the drag operation on the successive scan icon, it is possible to carry out the successive scanning process on the preview screen of the drag destination. However, in the successive scanning process through the drag operation, the successive scanning process is carried out according to the set value stored in association with the preview screen of the drag origin.

The successive scanning process described above is carried out by letting the CPU12of the PC10execute the control program26. Hereinbelow, usingFIGS. 9A to 9E, an explanation will be made on a flow for the CPU12to execute the control program26. Further, this flow of the program is executed repetitively until an operation is carried out to select an unshown exit button in the main screen52.

If the control program26is executed, then as shown inFIG. 9A, the main screen52is displayed on the display screen50of the panel16of the PC10(step100; the word “step” will be abbreviated as “S”, below). Next, the CPU12determines whether or not the left click is carried out on the main scan icon54of the main screen52(S102). If the left click is not carried out on the main scan icon54(S102: No), then the process of S102is repeated. On the other hand, if the left click is carried out on the main scan icon54(S102: Yes), then the main screen52is disabled (S104).

Subsequently, an image data is created for the preview screen (S106), and an image data for the disabled successive scan icon is added to the formal image data (S108). Then, based on the image data, the preview screen is displayed on the display screen50of the panel16(S110). Subsequently, the scan command is sent to the scanner30(S112). On this occasion, the scan command is sent to the scanner30, together with the set value for the scanning process stored in association with the preview screen.

On transmitting the scan command, the PC10receives a scan data from the scanner30, as the reply to the scan command (S114). Then, the PC10lets the data storage area28store the received scan data as a scan data group (S116), and then lets the preview screen display the images76based on the received scan data (S118). Next, the CPU12determines whether or not the scanning processes are all finished (S120). If the scanning processes are not all finished (S120: No), then the process returns to S114.

On the other hand, if the scanning processes are all finished (S120: Yes), then the CPU12determines whether or not a set value for the scanning process is set in the successive scan icon (S122). If no set value is set in the successive scan icon (S122: No), then the set value for the scanning process of the latest images displayed in the preview screen is set as the set value of the successive scan icon (S124). Then, the set value set in the successive scan icon is associated with the preview screen being the current active window, and then stored in the data storage area28(S126). Then, the process proceeds to S128. On the other hand, if a set value is set in the successive scan icon (S122: Yes), then the process of S124and S126is skipped to let the process proceed to S128.

In S128, the PC10enables the successive scan icon (S128). Then, the CPU12determines whether or not the left click is carried out on the successive scan icon (S130). If the left click is carried out on the successive scan icon (S130: Yes), then the PC10disables the successive scan icon (S132). Then, the process returns to S112.

Further, if the left click is not carried out on the successive scan icon (S130: No), then the CPU12determines whether or not the successive scan icon is moved to another preview screen through a drag operation (S134). If the successive scan icon is moved to another preview screen through a drag operation (S134: Yes), then the successive scan icon is no longer displayed in the preview screen before the drag (S136). Next, the successive scan icon is displayed again in the preview screen of the drag destination (S138). Subsequently, the place for saving the scan data is changed to that according to the preview screen of the drag destination (S140). Then, the process is carried out from S132.

Further, if the successive scan icon is not moved to another preview screen through a drag operation (S134: No), then the CPU12determines whether or not the right click is carried out on the successive scan icon (S142). If the right click is carried out on the successive scan icon (S142: Yes), then the setting alteration buttons77aand77bare displayed on the display screen50, and the set value of the successive scan icon is changed to the set value according to the selected one of the setting alteration buttons77aand77b(S144). Next, the changed set value is associated with the currently active preview screen, and then stored in the data storage area28(S146). Then, the process is carried out from S130.

Further, if the right click is not carried out on the successive scan icon (S142: No), then the CPU12determines whether or not the left click is carried out on a different preview screen from the currently active preview screen (S148). If the left click is carried out on a different preview screen from the currently active preview screen (S148: Yes), then the successive scan icon in display is no longer displayed (S150). Next, the successive scan icon is displayed in the preview screen on which the click is carried out (S152). Subsequently, the set value, which is stored in association with the preview screen on which the click has been carried out, is set to the successive scan icon (S154). Then, the process is carried out from S130.

Further, if the left click is not carried out on a different preview screen from the currently active preview screen (S148: No), then the CPU12determines whether or not the left click is carried out on the main screen52(S156). If the left click is carried out on the main screen52(S156: Yes), then the PC10enables the main screen52(S158). Then, the process is carried out from S102. On the other hand, if the left click is not carried out on the main screen52(S156: No), then the process is carried out from S130.

Further, the present teaching is not limited to the above embodiment, but is practicable in various forms with various changes and/or improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. In particular, in the above embodiment for example, if the display screen50displays a plurality of preview screens, then the successive scan icon is displayed only in the active preview screen among the plurality of preview screens. However, it is possible to display the successive scan icon in each of the plurality of preview screens.

Further, in the above embodiment, the PC10is adopted as an apparatus for carrying out the successive scanning process. However, it is also possible to adopt a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or the like. Further, the mouse18is adopted as an operation unit for carrying out the operation of selecting the main scan icon54and the like. However, it is possible to adopt a manual operation button, a touch screen, or the like. In such cases, it is possible to carry out the selecting operation by a tap or the like instead of a left click.

Further, while the scan data is saved either in JPEG format or in PDF format in the above embodiment, it may be in other data formats. For example, BMP, TIFF, and the like may be applied. When those data formats are adopted, if a plurality of scan data can be stored in one file, then they may be treated as similar to PDF, whereas if not, then they may be treated as similar to JPEG.

Further, in the above embodiment, the explanation was made with an example for the CPU12to carry out the processes shown inFIGS. 9A to 9E, etc. However, without being limited to the CPU12, either an ASIC or other logic integrated circuits may carry out those processes. Further, a CPU or the like may cooperate with an ASIC or other logic integrated circuits to carry out those processes.