Abstract:
An information processor, which is configured to be connected communicably with an image reader, includes a display unit, an image receiver configured to receive image data from the image reader, a storage controller configured to store the received image data into a first storage area that is assigned to the storage controller, an acceptor configured to, in response to the storage controller storing the received image data into the first storage area, accept a display instruction to display the received image data, a transfer unit configured to, in response to the acceptor accepting the display instruction, transfer the received image data from the first storage area into a second storage area different from the first storage area, and a display controller configured to display, on the display unit, the received image data stored in the second storage area that is assigned to the display controller.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-082940 filed on Mar. 30, 2009. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The following description relates to one or more techniques to read an image from a document sheet, create image data based on the read image, and display an image based on the created image data. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    An image reading system has been known in which scanned image data is exchanged between a personal computer (PC) and a scanner. In addition, a technique for the image reading system has been proposed, which technique is adapted to prevent information contained in a confidential document from leaking. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    In the image reading system proposed, when a push scan process is performed, a scanned image may be displayed on a monitor of the PC, depending on settings for an application on the PC. It is noted that in the push scan process, when operations for scanning an image and generating image data of the scanned image are performed at the side of the scanner, the image data is, after transmitted to the PC, received by a scanner driver of the PC and then transferred from the scanner driver to the application in the PC. Under such settings that the scanned image is displayed on the monitor of the PC, in a situation where a user is not near the PC, the scanned image displayed on the monitor might be looked at by a third party and it might result in leak of information contained in the scanned image. 
         [0007]    Aspects of the present invention are advantageous to provide one or more improved techniques that make it possible to prevent information, which is contained in a scanned image acquired in a scan process, from leaking to a third party. 
         [0008]    According to aspects of the present invention, an information processor is provided, which is configured to be connected communicably with an image reader. The information processor includes a display unit, an image receiver configured to receive image data from the image reader, a storage controller configured to store the received image data into a first storage area that is assigned to the storage controller, an acceptor configured to, in response to the storage controller storing the received image data into the first storage area, accept a display instruction to display the received image data, a transfer unit configured to, in response to the acceptor accepting the display instruction, transfer the received image data from the first storage area into a second storage area different from the first storage area, and a display controller configured to display, on the display unit, the received image data stored in the second storage area that is assigned to the display controller. 
         [0009]    In some aspects of the present invention, it is possible to control whether to display the received image data on the display unit, based on whether the received image data has been transferred from the first storage area into the second storage area. Therefore, regardless of whether the display controller employs a specific control technique, it is possible to certainly control whether to display the received image data on the display unit. Thus, it is possible to enhance a capability of protecting confidential information contained in the received image data. 
         [0010]    According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is an image reading system, which includes an image reader, and an information processor configured to be connected communicably with the image reader. The image reader includes a start instruction acceptor configured to accept a start instruction to start creating image data, an image data creator configured to, in response to the start instruction acceptor accepting the start instruction, read an image from a document sheet and create image data based on the read image, and an image data transmitter configured to transmit the created image data to the information processor. The information processor includes a processor-side display unit, an image receiver configured to receive the image data transmitted by the image reader, a storage controller configured to store the received image data into a first storage area that is assigned to the storage controller, an acceptor configured to, in response to the storage controller storing the received image data into the first storage area, accept a display instruction to display the received image data, a transfer unit configured to, in response to the acceptor accepting the display instruction, transfer the received image data from the first storage area into a second storage area different from the first storage area, and a display controller configured to display, on the processor-side display unit, the received image data stored in the second storage area that is assigned to the display controller. 
         [0011]    In some aspects of the present invention, the image reading system configured as above can provide the same effects as the aforementioned information processor. 
         [0012]    According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is a computer readable medium having instructions stored thereon. When executed by a processor that is provided with a display unit and configured to be connected communicably with an image reader, the instructions cause the processor to perform an image receiving step of receiving image data from the image reader, a storage controlling step of storing the received image data into a first storage area that is assigned to the storage controlling step, an accepting step of, in response to the received image data being stored into the first storage area in the storage controlling step, accepting a display instruction to display the received image data, a transferring step of, in response to acceptance of the display instruction in the accepting step, transferring the received image data from the first storage area into a second storage area different from the first storage area, and a display controlling step of displaying, on the display unit, the received image data stored in the second storage area that is assigned to the display controlling step. 
         [0013]    In some aspects of the present invention, the computer readable medium configured as above can provide the same effects as the aforementioned information processor and the image reading system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an image reading system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are flowcharts showing a procedure of a push scan process to be performed by the image reading system in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the push scan process in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a process to be performed in a second embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a procedure of a pull scan process to be performed in a third embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a sequence diagram is a sequence diagram showing the procedure of the pull scan process to be performed in the third embodiment according to one or more aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects of the invention may be implemented in computer software as programs storable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs, ROMs, flash memories, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage, hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like. 
         [0021]    Hereinafter, embodiments according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompany drawings. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , an image reading system  1  of a first embodiment includes a multi-function peripheral (MFP)  10  having various functions (e.g., a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function), and personal computers (PCs)  20   a ,  20   b , and  20   c . The MFP  10  is connected with the PCs  20   a  and  20   b  via a LAN  30 . In addition, the MFP  10  is connected with the PC  20   c  via a USB  40 . 
         [0023]    A detailed configuration of the MFP  10  will be described. The MFP  10  includes a CPU 11 , a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel  12 , an input unit  13 , a scan engine  14 , a USB interface (I/F)  15 , a storage unit  16 , a network interface (I/F)  17 , a print engine  18 , and a RAM  19 . The above elements are interconnected via a bus. The storage unit  16  is configured with a non-volatile storage medium such as a ROM, a hard disk drive, and a flash memory. The storage unit  16  is employed as a storage area to store data to be utilized for realizing each function of the MFP  10 . The CPU  11  performs various processes based on programs stored on the storage unit  16 . The RAM  19  has memory spaces configured such that the CPU  11  writes data thereinto and reads data therefrom. The LCD panel  12  displays various kinds of information. The input unit  13  is configured with a mechanical switch and a touch panel so as to accept an input from a user. The scan engine  14  is configured to, based on a command from the CPU  11 , read an image on a document sheet set in a predetermined reading position and create image data. The USB I/F  15  is configured to perform a communication process for achieving communication with a USB-enabled device (in the first embodiment, the PC  20   c ) based on a USB standard. The network I/F  17  communicates with devices (in the first embodiment, the PCs  20   a  and  20   b ) on the LAN  30 . The print engine  18  prints an image on a printing medium in accordance with a command from the CPU  11 . 
         [0024]    Subsequently, a detailed configuration of the PC  20   a  will be described. The PC  20   a  includes a CPU  21 , a display unit  22 , a keyboard  23 , a mouse  24 , a network I/F  25 , a storage unit  26 , a USB I/F  27 , and a RAM  29 . The above elements are interconnected via a bus. The storage unit  26  stores various kinds of software such as an operating system (OS), various application programs, and device drivers for controlling the MFP  10 . As examples of the application programs, an image display application such as photo processing software, a word-processor application, and a spreadsheet application are cited. Additionally, as examples of the device drivers, a scanner driver for controlling the scan engine  14  and a printer driver for controlling the print engine  18  are cited. The CPU  21  performs processes based on various kinds of software stored on the storage unit  26 . 
         [0025]    The RAM  29  has memory spaces configured such that the CPU  21  writes data thereinto and reads data therefrom. The memory spaces are secured separately in association with each kind of software. For instance, when the scanner driver and the image display application are executed by the CPU  21 , a memory space  29   a  assigned to the scanner driver and a memory space  29   b  assigned to the image display application are secured within the RAM  29 . 
         [0026]    The display unit  22  is configured to display various kinds of information. The keyboard  23  is a known keyboard that accepts an input from the user. The mouse  24  is a known mouse that accepts an input from the user. The network I/F  25  is configured to perform communication with a device (in the first embodiment, the MFP  10 ) on the LAN  30 . The USB I/F  27  is configured to perform a communication process for achieving communication with a USB-enabled device (in the first embodiment, the MFP  10 ) based on the USB standard. It is noted that since configurations of the PCs  20   b  and  20   c  are the same as that of the PCa, explanations about the configurations of the PCs  20   b  and  20   c  will be omitted. 
         [0027]    An explanation will be provided about a push scan process to be performed by the image reading system  1  with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 . In the following description, an example case where image data created by the MFP  10  is transmitted to the PC  20   a  via the LAN  30  will be set forth. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , an explanation will be provided about operations performed after the MFP  10  starts a scanning operation until the PC  20   a  receives the created image data. In S 9 , when the user sets a document sheet on the MFP  10 , and inputs a scan request with selection of the PC  20   a  as a destination of the image data, the CPU  11  accepts the input of the scan request (S 9 ). It is noted that the operations of inputting the scan request and selecting the destination of the image data are performed through the input unit  13 . As an example of the operation of inputting the scan request, a user operation is cited of touching a button “Start Scanning” displayed on the touch panel of the input unit  13  to input the scan request. Further, as an example of the operation of selecting the destination of the image data, a user operation is cited of touching a button to make a selection between the PC  20   a  and the PC  20   c  which button is displayed on the touch panel of the input unit  13 . 
         [0029]    In S 11 , the CPU  11  creates a confirmation password and stores the confirmation password on the RAM  19  (S 11 ). The confirmation password is a password offered to the user. Further, it is noted that a different password is newly created each time as the confirmation password. As an example of a method for creating the confirmation password, a method is cited in which a different character string is randomly assigned each time. Thereby, since a different password is created as the confirmation password each time the scan request is input, it is possible to enhance a capability of protecting confidential information. 
         [0030]    In S 13 , the CPU  11  displays the created confirmation password on the LCD panel  12  (S 13 ). In S 15 , the CPU  11  determines whether to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 15 ). Specifically, the CPU  11  determines that the CPU  11  is to finish displaying the confirmation password, in response to a lapse of a predetermined time period or an operation of pressing an “OK” button being detected. When determining not to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 15 : No), the CPU  11  goes back to S 13  to keep displaying the confirmation password. Meanwhile, when determining to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 15 : Yes), the CPU  11  goes to S 17 , in which the CPU  11  finishes displaying the confirmation password (S 17 ). 
         [0031]    In S 19 , the CPU  11  transmits a scan request to the scanner driver of the PC  20   a  via the LAN  30  (S 19 ). In S 21 , the scanner driver receives the scan request from the MFP  10  (S 21 ). In S 23 , the scanner driver launches an application registered in an event (S 23 ). The application has previously been registered in the event, e.g., by the user. In the first embodiment, the following explanation will be provided under an assumption that the image display application is registered in the event. In S 25 , the image display application stored on the storage unit  26  is launched (S 25 ). 
         [0032]    In S 27 , the image display application transmits scan settings to the scanner driver (S 27 ). The scan settings include various settings such as a setting of a resolution of scanned image data and a setting of an image size. In S 29 , the seamier driver transmits, to the MFP  10 , the scan settings which the scanner driver receives from the image display application (S 29 ). In S 31 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  starts the scanning operation based on the scan settings received (S 31 ). In the scanning operation, a document sheet set in the reading position is read, and image data is created. 
         [0033]    In S 33 , the CPU  11  transmits the created confirmation password to the scanner driver of the PC  20   a  (S 33 ). In S 35 , the scanner driver receives the confirmation password from the MFP  10  and stores the confirmation password onto the RAM  29  (S 35 ). 
         [0034]    In S 37 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  transmits the created image data to the scanner driver of the PC  20   a  (S 37 ). In S 45 , the seamier driver receives the image data from the MFP  10 , and then stores the received image data into the memory space  29   a  for the scanner driver that is secured within the RAM  29  and assigned to the scanner driver (S 45 ). 
         [0035]    In S 39 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  terminates the scanning operation. Then, the CPU  11  goes to S 41 , in which the CPU  11  deletes the confirmation password stored on the RAM  19  (S 41 ). 
         [0036]    Subsequently, referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an explanation will be provided about operations to be executed by the PC  20   a  after receipt of the image data. In S 51 , the scanner driver displays a dialog box for entering an input password on the display unit  22  (S 51 ). The input password denotes a password input by the user. In addition, as an example of the dialog box, a dialog box provided with a password entry field and an “OK” button is cited. 
         [0037]    In S 53 , the scanner driver determines whether an operation of entering an input password has completely been performed (S 53 ). The input password may be input, e.g., via the keyboard  23 . The determination as to whether an operation of entering an input password is completely performed may be made, e.g., based on whether the “OK” button has been pressed. When determining that an operation of entering an input password has not completely been performed (S 53 : No), the scanner driver goes back to S 53  and waits for the operation of entering the input password to be completely performed. Meanwhile, when determining that an operation of entering an input password has completely been performed (S 53 : Yes), the seamier driver stores the input password onto the RAM  29 , and then goes to S 55 . 
         [0038]    In S 55 , the scanner driver determines whether the input password input by the user is identical to the confirmation password transmitted by the MFP  10  (S 55 ). Specifically, the scanner driver reads out the confirmation password and the input password from the RAM  29 , and compares the both passwords with each other. When determining that the input password input by the user is not identical to the confirmation password transmitted by the MFP  10  (S 55 : No), the scanner driver goes to S 57 , in which the scanner driver displays on the display unit  22  an error message that the input password is not identical to the confirmation password (S 57 ). Meanwhile, when determining that the input password input by the user is identical to the confirmation password transmitted by the MFP  10  (S 55 : Yes), the scanner driver goes to S 59 , in which the scanner driver closes the dialog box for entering the input password (S 59 ). Thereafter, the scanner driver goes to S 61 . 
         [0039]    In S 61 , the scanner driver transmits the image data to the image display application (S 61 ). In S 67 , the image display application receives the image data from the scanner driver (S 67 ). Thereby, the image data is completely transferred from the scanner driver to the image display application. Specifically, the transfer of the image data is carried out by copying the image data, which is stored in the memory space  29   a  for the scanner driver within the RAM  29 , into the memory space  29   b  for the image display application within the RAM  29 . It is noted that instead of being copied, the image data may be moved from the memory space  29   a  for the scanner driver into the memory space  29   b  for the image display application. The image display application cannot display the image data on the display unit  22  until (a copy of) the image data is stored into the memory space  29   b  for the image display application. 
         [0040]    In S 69 , the image display application displays the received image data on the display unit  22  (S 69 ). Then, the image display application terminates the scanning operation. 
         [0041]    Meanwhile, the scanner driver deletes the confirmation password from the RAM  29  (S 63 ). Then, the scanner driver goes to S 65 , in which the scanner driver terminates the scanning operation (S 65 ). 
         [0042]    According to the image reading system  1  of the first embodiment, it is possible to control whether to display image data on the display unit  22  based on whether the image data has been transmitted by the scanner driver to the image display application. Therefore, regardless of whether the image display application has a specific function for controlling whether to display the image data, it is possible to make the scanner driver certainly control whether to display the image data. Thereby, it is possible to enhance a capability of protecting confidential information contained in the image data. 
         [0043]    Further, according to the image reading system  1  of the first embodiment, only one or more limited users, who know a predetermined confirmation password, are permitted to display an image read by the MFP  10  on the display unit  22  of the PC  20   a . Hence, even though a user leaves the PC  20   a  to retrieve from the MFP  10  a document sheet that has completely scanned, it is possible to prevent the created image data from being looked at by a third party while the user is leaving the PC  20   a . Additionally, since the user can wait by the MFP  10  until a scanning operation is completely performed, it is possible to prevent a scanned document sheet from being looked at by a third party. Accordingly, it is possible to further enhance a capability of protecting confidential information contained in the scanned image. 
         [0044]    Next, a second embodiment according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . In the aforementioned first embodiment, a display instruction to display the image data on the display unit  22  is issued in response to the input password being input (see S 51  to S 55 ). In the second embodiment, the display instruction is issued based on a selection between “Yes” and “No.” Further, in the second embodiment, a flowchart shown in  FIG. 5  is employed instead of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 3  in the first embodiment. It is noted that since the configuration of the image reading system  1  shown in  FIG. 1  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 2  are common to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, detailed explanations about the configuration of the image reading system  1  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 2  will be omitted. 
         [0045]    In S 71 , the scanner driver shows a display permission dialog box on the display unit  22  (S 71 ). The display permission dialog box includes a confirmation message to see whether to display on the display unit  22  the image data created by the MFP  10  and Yes/No buttons. 
         [0046]    In S 73 , the scanner driver determines whether the “Yes” button has been pressed (S 73 ). The “Yes” button may be pressed, e.g., through the mouse  24  or the keyboard  23 . When determining that the “Yes” button has been pressed (S 73 : Yes), the scanner driver goes to S 75 . 
         [0047]    In S 75 , the scanner driver closes the display permission dialog box (S 75 ). In S 77 , the scanner driver transmits the image data to the image display application (S 77 ). Then, in S 91 , the image display application receives the image data from the scanner driver (S 91 ). Thereby, operations of transmitting/receiving the image data are completed. In S 93 , the image display application displays the received image data on the display unit  22  (S 93 ). Then, the image display application terminates the scanning operation. 
         [0048]    Meanwhile, when determining in S 73  that the “Yes” button has not been pressed (S 73 : No), the scanner driver goes to S 79 . In S 79 , the scanner driver determines whether the “No” button has been pressed (S 79 ). When determining that the “No” button has not been pressed (S 79 : No), the scanner driver goes back to S 73  to wait for any of the “Yes” button and the “No” button to be pressed. When determining that the “No” button has been pressed (S 79 : Yes), the scanner driver goes to S 81 . 
         [0049]    In S 81 , the scanner driver closes the display permission dialog box (S 81 ). In S 83 , the scanner driver deletes the image data stored in the memory space  29   a  for the scanner driver within the RAM  29  (S 83 ). In S 85 , the scanner driver transmits to the image display application error information about failure in acquisition of the image data (S 85 ). Then, the scanner driver goes to S 87 , in which the scanner driver terminates the scanning operation. 
         [0050]    In S 95 , the image display application receives the error information (about failure in acquisition of the image data) from the scanner driver (S 95 ). In S 97 , the image display application displays on the display unit  22  an error message that the image display application does not display the image data (S 97 ). Then, the image display application terminates the scanning operation. 
         [0051]    As described above, according to the image reading system  1  in the second embodiment, the determination as to whether to display on the display unit  22  the image data created by the MFP  10  can be made based on the selection between the “Yes” button and the “No” button. Thus, it is possible to enhance user-friendliness of the image reading system  1 . 
         [0052]    Subsequently, a third embodiment according to aspects of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . In the aforementioned first embodiment, the push scan process in which a scan request is accepted at the side of the MFP  10  has been described. In the third embodiment, a pull scan process in which a scan request is accepted at the side of the PC  20   a  will be described. Further, in the third embodiment, a flowchart shown in.  FIG. 6  is employed instead of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 2  in the first embodiment. It is noted that since the configuration of the image reading system  1  shown in  FIG. 1  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 3  are common to the first embodiment and the third embodiment, detailed explanations about the configuration of the image reading system  1  and the flowchart shown in  FIG. 3  will be omitted. 
         [0053]    In S 109 , the user inputs a scan request using the image display application, the image display application accepts the input of the scan request (S 109 ). At this time, the image display application transmits scan settings to the scanner driver. 
         [0054]    In S 111 , the scanner diver creates a confirmation password (S 111 ). It is noted that a method for creating the confirmation password is the same as the method in the first embodiment. Therefore, a detailed explanation about the method will be omitted. 
         [0055]    In S 113 , the scanner driver displays the created confirmation password on the display unit  22  (S 113 ). In S 115 , the scanner driver determines whether to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 115 ). When determining not to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 115 : No), the scanner driver goes back to S 113  to keep displaying the confirmation password. Meanwhile, when determining to finish displaying the confirmation password (S 115 : Yes), the scanner driver goes to S 117 , in which the scanner driver finishes displaying the confirmation password on the display unit  22  (S 117 ). 
         [0056]    In S 119 , the scanner driver stores the created confirmation password onto the RAM  29 . In S 129 , the scanner driver transmits to the MFP  10  the scan settings transmitted by the image display application. In S 131 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  starts a scanning operation based on the received scan settings (S 131 ). 
         [0057]    In S 137 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  transmits the created image data to the scanner driver of the PC  20   a  (S 137 ). In S 145 , the scanner driver receives the image data from the MFP  10  and stores the received image data into the memory space  29   a  for the scanner driver within the RAM  29  (S 145 ). Further, in S 139 , the CPU  11  of the MFP  10  terminates the scanning operation. It is noted that the following operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, an explanation about the following operations will be omitted. 
         [0058]    As described above, according to the image reading system  1  in the third embodiment, even in the pull scan process in which a scan request is accepted at the side of the PC  20   a , each time a scan request is input, a different confirmation password is created. Thus, it is possible to further enhance a capability for the image reading system  1  to protect confidential information. 
         [0059]    Hereinabove, the embodiments according to aspects of the present invention have been described. The present invention can be practiced by employing conventional materials, methodology and equipment. Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials, structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the present invention can be practiced without reapportioning to the details specifically set forth. In other instances, well known processing structures have not been described in detail, in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
         [0060]    Only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and but a few examples of their versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein. For example, the following modifications are possible. 
         [0061]    In the aforementioned first embodiment, in S 51 , the dialog box for entering the input password is displayed on the display unit  22 . At this time, for instance, a dialog box may concurrently be displayed to inform that the document sheet should be withdrawn from the MFP  10 . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the document sheet from remaining left on the MFP  10 . Thus, it is possible to further enhance a capability for the image reading system  1  to protect confidential information contained in the document sheet. 
         [0062]    In the aforementioned first embodiment, in S 13 , the created confirmation password is displayed on the LCD panel  12  of the MFP  10 . However, for instance, the created confirmation password may be printed by the MFP  10 . Thereby, the user may not be required to memorize the confirmation password. Thus, it is possible to enhance user-friendliness of the image reading system  1 . It is noted that even though the printed password leaks to a third party, since a different confirmation password is created each time a scan request is input, it is possible to maintain the capability of protecting confidential information.