Patent Publication Number: US-2009238364-A1

Title: Image scanner

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-023633 filed on Feb. 4, 2008. The entire subject matter of the application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to an image scanner capable of transmitting scan data to external devices and computer-accessible recording medium containing program for the image scanner. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Image scanners having a function of transmitting scan data to external devices have been known. An example of such an image scanner is disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2006-311344 (hereinafter, referred to as &#39;344 publication). An image scanner disclosed in &#39;344 publication is configured to scan an image to generate scan data and store the generated scan data in a predetermined storage, which is connected to a network. Further, the image scanner is capable of creating an e-mail message, in which a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the predetermined storage is indicated, and transmitting the same to external devices. Then, a user of each of the external devices can access the predetermined storage based on the URL indicated in the e-mail message to download the scan data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     As described above, the image scanner disclosed in &#39;344 publication is capable of transmitting location identifying information (e.g., the URL in the above example) which indicates a location, where the scan data is stored, to external devices. 
     According to such a configuration, there is a possibility that the location identifying information might be sneaked out by a third person when the location identifying information is transmitted from the image scanner to the external devices. Once the location identifying information is sneaked out, the scan data itself might be sneaked out easily. 
     The present invention, which has been made in consideration of the above problem, is advantageous in that there is provided a scanner, which includes a scanning unit configured to scan an object to generate scan data, a scan data storage configured to store the scan data generated by the scanning unit, a location information transmitting unit configured to transmit location identifying information indicative of a location where the scan data is stored to an external device, a device-location storage configured to store device-location information including device identifying information used for identifying a device with which the scan data generated by the scanning unit is transmitted and the location identifying information in a associated manner, a reception unit configured to receive combination information representing a combination of the device identifying information and the location identifying information, and a scan data transmitting unit configured to transmit the scan data stored at a location identified by the location identifying information to the device identified by the device identifying information on condition that the combination represented by the combination information received by the reception unit is stored in the device-location storage. 
     The external device to which the scan data is transmitted may be determined by the user per every scanning operation. Alternatively, the scan data may be transmitted to a predetermined device. Further alternatively, the device may be determined according to other methods. Examples of such a device may include a personal computer, a server, a printer, a mobile terminal (a cell phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant)) and the like. The location identifying information should be interpreted in the broadest manner and may include any information that is used for identifying the location where the scan data is stored. Examples of the location information may include a URI (Uniform Resource Identifiers), a URL, a folder name, a file name and the like. 
     Further, the device identifying information should be interpreted in the broadest manner and may include any information used for identifying a device. Examples of the device identifying information may be the URI, URL, IP address, MAC address and the like. 
     The act of “receiving a combination” needs not be limited to receive each components of the combination simultaneously. Rather, one or more components of the combination may be received at different timings. 
     According to another aspects of the invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium containing computer-executable instructions which cause a computer implemented in a scanner to execute the steps of scanning an object to generate scan data, storing the scan data generated in the step of scanning, transmitting location identifying information indicative of a location where the scan data is stored to an external device, storing device-location information including device identifying information used for identifying a device to which the scan data generated by the scanning unit is transmitted and the location identifying information in an associated manner, receiving combination information representing a combination of device identifying information and the location identifying information, and transmitting the scan data stored at a location identified by the location identifying information to the device identified by the device identifying information on condition that the combination represented by the combination information received in the step of receiving is stored in the step of storing device-location information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image scanner system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  schematically shows contents stored in URL storing area. 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows a configuration of a scan data storing area. 
         FIG. 4  schematically shows a configuration of a corresponding information storing area. 
         FIGS. 5-8  show a flowchart illustrating a “SCAN-TO” process according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  show a flowchart illustrating a “SCAN DATA PROVIDING” process according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  shows a flowchart illustrating a “CANCELLATION” process according to the embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the accompanying drawings, a description will be given in detail of an image scanning system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image scanning system  2  according to the embodiment. The image scanning system  2  includes an image scanner  10  and a PC (Personal Computer)  40 . It should be noted that, although only one PC  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 , the image scanning system  2  could include more than one PC  40 . The image scanner  10  and one or more PC&#39;s  40  are interconnected through communication lines  36  such as communication lines of a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet or the like so that the devices (i.e., the image scanner  10  and one or more PCs  40 ) can be communicate with each other. 
     &lt;Configuration of Image Scanner&gt; 
     The image scanner  10  includes an operation unit  12 , a display unit  14 , a scan unit  16 , an original tray  18 , a control unit  20 , a storage unit  22  and a network interface  32 . 
     The operation unit  12  has a plurality of keys to be operated by a user. By operating the operation unit  12 , the user can input various pieces of information and commands in the image scanner  10 . The display unit  14  is configured to display various pieces of information. The scan unit  16  scans the original placed on the original tray  18  to generate scan data. The control unit  20  executes various processes in accordance with programs stored in the storage unit  22 . The processes executed by the control unit  20  will be described in detail later. 
     The storage unit  22  includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable ROM), a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The storage unit  22  is provided with a URL storing area  24 , a scan data storing area  26 , a corresponding information storing area  28  and a non-classified storing area  30 . Information stored in each of the storing areas  24 ,  26  and  28  will be described hereinafter. 
     &lt;URL Storing Area  24 &gt; 
     The URL storing area  24  stores information indicating devices to which the scan data is to be transmitted.  FIG. 2  schematically shows a configuration of the URL storing area  24 . The URL storing area  24  is configured to store a plurality of sets of data  70 ,  72 , . . . as shown in  FIG. 2 . Each of the sets of data  70 ,  72 , . . . includes, as shown in  FIG. 2 , a name  60 , a URL of a shared folder  62  and encryption information  66 , which are associated with each other. The URL of the shared folder  62  represents a URL of a shared folder set to the PC  40 . It should be noted that, in the specification, the term “shared folder” means a folder which can be accessed from external devices. That is, if a device has a “shared folder,” files stored in the shared folder can be accessed from outside and/or new files can be stored by external devices. 
     According to the embodiment, the URL of the shared folder includes an IP address of the device (PC  40 ) in which the shared folder is defined. For example, a shared folder URL  62  of the set of data  70  is &lt;192.168.0.2/common&gt;, which includes an IP address &lt;192.168.0.2&gt;. It should be noted that, in the description, a scheme character string (e.g., file://) is omitted in  FIG. 2  for brevity. Similarly, in the following description, the scheme character string will be omitted occasionally. Encryption flag  66  indicates whether a password, which will be described later, is to be generated. 
     The user can store each of the sets of data  70 ,  72  in the URL storing area  24 . For example, the sets of data  70 ,  72  are stored in the URL storing area  24  when the user operates the operation unit  12 . Alternatively or optionally, the user may input each of the sets of data  70 ,  72  in an external device (i.e., a device other than the scanner  10 ), and make the external device  10  transmit the sets of data  70 ,  72  to the scanner  10 . In such a case, the scanner  10  stores the data  70 ,  72 , which is received from the external device, in the URL storing area  24 . 
     The scan data storage  24  is configured to store the scan data generated by the scanning unit  16 .  FIG. 3  shows an example of stored contents in the scan data storing area  24 . Incidentally,  26   a  in  FIG. 3  denotes a host name of the scanner  10 . The scan data storing area  26  is configured to store the scan data (i.e., scan data files) making use of a hierarchical structure of files and folders. The scan data storing area  26  is capable of storing a plurality of scan data files. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , there are two folders  80  and  90 , which are stored in the scan data storing area  26 . The folder  80  has a folder name  80   a , “scan0001.” The folder  80  stores a scan data file  82 . That is, the scan data file  82  exists in the folder  80 . The scan data file  82  has a file name  82   a  and includes scan data  82   d , which are associated with each other. The file name  82   a  includes a character string  82   b , which represents date and time when the scan data file  82  was generated. In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the character string  82   b  shows that the file was generated at 01:01:00 on Jan. 1, 2008. The file name  82   a  includes a character string  82   c  representing an extension. According to the embodiment, the extension “.bin” is used. Generation of the folder  80  and scan data  82  will be described in detail later. 
     In this embodiment, the folder  90  has a folder name  90   a , “scan0002.” The folder  90  contains three files  92 ,  94  and  96 . Specifically, the folder  90  stores one data type file  92  and a plurality of scan data files  94  and  96 . The data type file  92  has a file name  92   a  and document data  92   d  which are associated with each other. The document data  92   d  is data describing the data type of the scan data. Concrete contents of the document data will be described in detail later. Similar to the scan data file  82  described above, the scan data file  94  has a file name  94   a  and scan data  94   d , which are associated with each other. The file name  94   a  includes a character string  94   b  representing date and time when the scan data file  94  was generated, and a character string  94   c  that represents the extension. The scan data file  96  has a file name  96   a  and scan data  96   b , which are associated with each other. The file name  96   a  includes a character string  92   b  representing the date and time when the scan data file  96  was generated, and another character string  96   c  representing the extension of the file. Generation of the folders  90 , files  92 ,  94  and  96  will be described in detail later. 
       FIG. 4  shows an example of contents stored in the corresponding information storing area  28 . The corresponding information storing area  28  is configured to store a plurality of pieces of corresponding information  110 ,  112 , etc. In  FIG. 4 , each piece of the corresponding information includes an ID  100 , URL  102 , a transmission destination  104  and a password  106 , which are associated with each other. The ID  100  represents information which identifies respective pieces of corresponding information. The URL  102  represents the URL at which the folder containing the scan data is stored. The transmission destination  104  represents the URL of the shared folder and IP address of the device, to which the scan data is transmitted. The password  106  represents the password which is output when the scan data is generated. Incidentally, the corresponding information may not includes a password (see the corresponding information  112  in  FIG. 4 ). Generation of the corresponding information  110 ,  112 , . . . will be described in detail later. 
     The storing area  30  is configured to store information other than information which is to be stored in the storing areas  24 ,  26  and  28  described above. The information to be stored in the storing area  30  will be described later when necessary. 
     The network interface  32  is connected to a communication line  36 . The scanner  10  is capable of communicating with the PC  40  via the network interface  32  and the communication line  36 . 
     &lt;Configuration of PC&gt; 
     The PC  40  includes an operation unit  42 , a display unit  44 , a control unit  46 , a storage  48  and a network interface  54 . The operation unit  42  is provided with a keyboard and a mouse. The user can input various kinds of information/commands into the PC  40  by operating the operation unit  42 . The display unit  44  is configured to display various types of information. The control unit  46  is configured to executed various processes according to programs stored in the storage  48 . 
     The storage  48  includes a ROM, an EEPROM, a RAM and an HDD. The storage  48  is provided with a shared folder  50  and other information storing area  52 . The user can generate the shared folder  50  in the PC  40  by operating the operation unit  42 . The shared folder  50  is a folder which can be accessed externally by other devices. In other words, folders which are not defined as shared folders cannot be accessed by other devices. According to the embodiment, the shared folder URL  62  (192.168.0.2/common) included in the set data  70  corresponds to the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . In the storage area  52 , various types of information can be stored. 
     The network interface  54  is connected to the communication line  36 . The PC  40  is capable of communicating the scanner  10  via the network interface  54  and the communication line  36 . 
     &lt;Scan-To Process&gt; 
     Next, processes executed by the scanner  10  will be described. That is, the processes described hereinafter are executed by the control unit  20  of the scanner  10 . 
       FIGS. 5-8  show a flowchart illustrating a Scan-To process. The user can start the Scan-To process by operation the operation unit  12  of the scanner  10 . The control unit  20  monitors operation of the operation unit  12  and judges whether the user instructs start of the Scan-To process (S 10 ). If the control unit  20  determines that the start of the Scan-To process is instructed (S 10 : YES), the control unit  20  judges whether an original is placed on the original tray  18  (S 12 ). If the original is not placed on the original tray  18  (S 12 : NO), the control unit  20  pauses until the original is placed on the original tray  18 . 
     If the control unit  20  determines that the original is placed on the original tray  18  (S 12 : YES), the control unit  20  awaits until the data type of the scan data and the transmission destination (S 14 ). The user can designate the data type of the scan data by operating the operation unit  12 . Specifically, the user can designates three items regarding the data type of the scan data. 
     Firstly, the user can designate a resolution of scan data. The user can designate a single scanning resolution or multiple scanning resolutions. Secondly, the user can designate color information (color, grayscale or black and white) of the scan data. The user can designate only one piece of color information, or a plurality of pieces of color information. Lastly, the user can designate a file type among PDF, TIFF, JPEG and the like. The user can designate only one file type or a plurality of file types. When each of the three items are designated by the user, the control unit  20  store the scan data in accordance with the designated items in the storing area  30 . 
     Further, the user can designate at least one set data from among a plurality of pieces of set data  70 ,  72 , . . . stored in the device URL storing area  24  (see  FIG. 2 ) by operating the operation unit  12 . As the set data is designated, the transmission destination of the scan data is designated. The control unit  20  stores the set data (i.e., the information regarding the transmission destination) designated by the user in the storing area  30 . When the data type and transmission destination of the scan data are designated, the process proceeds to S 16 . 
     The user is capable of start scanning by operating the operation unit  12 . In Si  6 , the control unit  20  monitors the operation of the operation unit  12  to judge whether the user input a command to start scanning. If the user operates the operation unit  12  to start scanning (S 16 : YES), the control unit  20  judges whether the encryption flag  66  included in the set data designated in S 14  is set to “YES” (S 18 ). In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the encryption flag  66  of the set data  70  is “YES.” Therefore, if the set data designated in S 14  is the set data  40 , the process judges that the encryption flag  66  is set to “YES” in S 18 , and the process proceeds to S 20 . Further, in the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the encryption flag  66  of the set data  72  is “NO.” Therefore, if the set data designated in S 14  is the set data  72 , the judgment in S 18  is “NO” and the process skips S 20 . 
     In S 20 , the control unit  20  generates a password and displays the same. For example, the control unit  20  may select one number among a plurality of numbers and generate a password including the thus selected number. Alternatively, the control unit  20  may increment the number which was generated in S 20  as a password to generate a new password. The control unit  20  displays the generated password on the display unit  14 . Thus, the user can recognize the newly generated password. It should be noted that the password may be notified to the user in a different way. For example, the newly generated password may be notified by speech output, printing matter or may be transmitted to another device (e.g., a cell phone of the user). The password newly generated in S 20  is stored in the storing area  30  by the control unit  20 . 
     Next, the control unit  20  creates a folder in the scan data storing area  26  and a name of the folder (S 22 ). According to the embodiment, the folder name includes a character string “scan” followed by a four-digit number. In S 22 , the control unit  20  adds 1 (one) to the four-digit number of the folder name previously generated in S 22 . For example, if the previously generated folder name is “scan0002,” which is the name of the folder  90   a  in  FIG. 3 , then the newly generated folder name is “scan0003.” Thereafter, the process proceeds to S 24 . 
     In S 24 , the control unit  20  creates a file in the folder generated in S 22  and a name of the file. The file name is used as the file name of the scan data. Specifically, the control unit  20  generates the file name by including a character string representing a current date and time and a character string representing the extension (i.e., “.bin”) as files  82   a ,  94   a  and  96   a  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Incidentally, when the process executes S 24 , the scan data has not yet been generated. 
     Next, the control unit  20  judges whether the original is placed on the original tray  18  (S 26 ). If the original is placed on the original tray  18  (S 26 : YES), the control unit  20  drives the scanning unit  16  to scan a sheet of the original (S 28 ). The control unit  20  determines a method of scanning based on the data type designated in S 14 . For example, if the data type designated in S 14  represents “150 dpi” in resolution, “color” in color information and “PDF” in file format, the control unit  20  executes the color scanning at the resolution of 150 dpi. Further, the control unit  20  generates the scan data file in the PDF file format in S 32 . It should be noted that, the extension “.bin” is used as the extension of the file name generated in S 24 . If multiple resolutions and/or multiple pieces of color information and/or multiple files are designated in S 114 , the control unit  20  generates the scan data which is used as base data for generating scan data of the combinations of all the designated items. That is, the control unit  20  generates scan data which can be converted into any one of the combinations. For example, if the user designates multiple resolutions, the number of which is L, multiple pieces of color information, the number of which is M and multiple file types, the number of which is N, the control unit  20  generates basic scan data which can be used to generate all the L×M×N combinations of scan data. If multiple pieces of color information are designated, the control unit  20  generates the scan data according to the highest number of colors. If the user designates the “color,” “grayscale” and “black and white,” the control unit  20  executes the color scanning. If the user designates multiple file types, the control unit  20  generates a scan data file having a file type which can be converted to any one of the designated file types. 
     The user can insert a separator sheet among a plurality of sheets of the original subjected to scanning. The separator sheet can be of any type if it can be distinguished from the sheet to be scanned. According to the embodiment, a black sheet of which the entire surface is black is used as the separator sheet. In S 30 , the control unit  20  judges whether a sheet subjected to scanning (hereinafter, referred to a target sheet) is the separator sheet or not based on the scan data obtained in S 28 . If the target sheet is not the separator sheet (S 30 : NO), the control unit  20  stores the scan data obtained in S 28  in the scan data storing area  26  (S 32 ). The control unit  20  makes the scan data with the file name created in S 24 . After execution of S 32 , the control unit  20  returns to S 26 , and judges whether there is a next sheet to be scanned. If there is next sheet to be scanned (S 26 : YES), the control unit  20  scans the next sheet (S 28 ). If the sheet is not the separator sheet (S 30 : NO), the control unit  20  stores the scan data obtained in S 28  in the scan data storing area  26  (S 32 ). At this time, the scan data is stored subsequent to the scan data which was stored in previous execution of S 32 . Thus, according to the embodiment, a single scan data file can include scan data of a plurality of sheets of the original. 
     In S 30 , if the control unit  20  judges that the target sheet is the separator sheet (S 30 : YES), the control unit  20  close the scan data file generated in S 24  (S 34 ). In this case, the control unit  20  returns to S 24  and creates an new file under the folder created in S 22 . That is, if the process executes S 24  after execution of S 34 , a plurality of scan data files are generated under a single folder. For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the folder  90  includes a plurality of scan data files  94  and  96 . This means that the process executed S 24  after execution of S 34 . In other words, if S 24  is not executed after execution of S 24 , only a single scan data file exists under the folder. For example, in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the folder  80  contains only one scan data file  82 . This means, S 24  has not been executed after S 34  was executed. 
     When all the sheets of the original placed on the original tray  18  have been scanned, the judgment of the control unit  20  at S 26  is “NO.” In such a case, the control unit  20  closes the scan data file created in S 24  (S 36 ). Then, the process proceeds to S 50  (see  FIG. 6 ). In S 50 , the process judges whether HTTPS can be used. When the user intends to use the HTTPS, the user registers the setting therefor with the scanner  10  in advance. In this case, the judgment of the control unit  20  in S 50  is “NO.” In this case, the process proceeds to S 80  of  FIG. 7 . 
     In S 52 , the control unit  20  judges whether multiple scan data files are stored in the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . For example, if the folder  80  of  FIG. 3  is the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 , the judgment of the control unit  20  in S 52  is “NO.” It is because the folder  80  contains only one scan data file  82 . If the judgment in S 52  is “NO,” the control unit  20  generates an HTML file including the URL and thumbnail images (S 54 ). In the flowchart shown in  FIG. 6 , an example of the URL  120  generated in S 54  is indicated. The URL  120  includes a scheme character strings  120   a  representing the communication protocol of the HTTPS, a host name  120   b  of the scanner  10 , the folder name  120   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 , the file name  120   d  generated in S 24  and the data type character string  120   e  representing the data type. The data type character string  120   d  is a character string identifying the data type designated by the user in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . For example, if the data type designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5  implies that the resolution is “150 dpi,” the color information is “color,” and the file type is “PDF,” the control unit  20  generates the data type character string  120   e , “c150.pdf.” 
     As described above, in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , the user can designate multiple resolutions, multiple pieces of color information and/or multiple file formats. In such a case, the control unit  20  generates the URL  120  including the character string  120   e  identifying the data type for each of the combinations of the designated items (i.e., resolutions, color information and file formats). For example, if the number of designated resolutions is L, the number of designated pieces of color information is M and the number of designated file formats is N, the control unit  20  generates L×M×N URL&#39;s  120 . For example, in the data type designated in S 14 , if the resolutions are “150 dpi” and “300 dpi,” the color information is “color” and “grayscale,” and the file format is “PDF,” the control unit  20  generates a URL including “c150.pdf,” a URL including “c300.pdf,” “g150.pdf” and “g300.pdf.” In these URL&#39;s, the other parts (i.e.,  120   a - 120   d ) of the character string are the same. 
     The control unit  20  generates a thumbnail image based on the scan data for the first page included in the scan data file generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5 . The thumbnail image is image data having a resolution which is lower than the resolution of the scan data. The control unit  20  generates the thumbnail image reflecting the data type (i.e., data type representing character string  120   e ) included in the URL  120 . For example, the control unit  20  varies the size of the thumbnail image depending on the resolution value included in the data type representing character string  120   e . Further, the control unit  20  determines the color of the thumbnail image depending on the color information (color, grayscale or black and white) included in the data type representing character string  120   e . Incidentally, as described above, multiple URL&#39;s  120  may be generated. In such a case, the control unit  20  generates a thumbnail image reflecting the data type representing character string  120   e  of the corresponding URL  120  for each of the multiple URL&#39;s  120 . That is, the control unit  20  generates multiple thumbnail images. Then, the control unit  20  generates an HTML file containing the URL(s)  120  generated as above, and the thumbnail image(s). As described above, the HTML file may include multiple URL&#39;s  120  and multiple thumbnail images. The control unit  20  stores the HTML file in the storing area  30 . As is well known in the art, the HTML file does not contain the thumbnail images but URL&#39;s linked to the thumbnail images. In the specification, although the HTML file is configured as above, it is described that the HTML file contains the thumbnail images for brevity. After execution of S 54 , the process proceeds to S 60 . 
     For example, when the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5  is the folder  90  in  FIG. 3 , the judgment by the control unit  20  as S 52  is “YES.” It is because the folder  90  contains multiple scan data files  94  and  96 . When the judgment in S 52  is “YES,”, the control unit  20  generates an HTML file which contains the URL&#39;s but not thumbnail images (S 56 ). In  FIG. 6 , an example of the URL  130  generated in S 56  is shown. The URL  130  includes the scheme character string  130   a  indicating the communication protocol of HTTPS, the host name  130   b  of the scanner  10  and the folder name  130   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . The URL  130  generated in S 56  does not include the file name or data type representing character string, different from the URL  120  generated in S 54 . The control unit  20  generates the HTML file including the URL  130  as generated above. Then, the control unit  20  stores the thus generated HTML file in the storing area  30 . After execution of S 56 , the process proceeds to S 58 . 
     In S 58 , the control unit  20  generates the data type file. The data type file is generated under the folder which is generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 3 , an example of the data type file is shown, which is denoted by  92 . The control unit  20 , then generates a file name “dataformat.doc” (see reference number  92   a  in  FIG. 3 ). Further, the control unit  20  generates document data describing the data type designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5  (see  92   d  in  FIG. 3 ). If only one set of data type was designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , the document data includes a character string indicating the data type as designated. On the other hand, if multiple sets of data types were designated in S 14 , the document data includes multiple character strings respectively indicating the multiple data types. Usage of the data type file(s) will be described in detail later. After execution of S 58 , the process proceeds to S 60 . 
     In S 60 , the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 54  or S 56 , which is transmitted to the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . As described above, the shared folder URL  62  “192.168.0.2/common” included in the set data  70  shown in  FIG. 2  corresponds to the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . Therefore, when the set data  70  is designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 54  or S 56 , and a command instructing that the HTML file is stored in the shared folder  50  to the PC  40  (i.e., the device of which IP address is “192.168.0.2”). With this process, the HTML file is stored in the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . As a result, the user of the PC  40  can now browse the HTML file stored in the shared folder  50 . If the HTML file is one generated in S 54 , the user can view the URL  120  and the thumbnail image. If the HTML file is one generated in S 56 , the user can view the RUL  130 . 
     Next, the control unit  20  updates the stored contents of the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 62 ). Specifically, the control unit stores one piece of the corresponding information in the corresponding information storing area  28 . That is, the control unit  20  stores corresponding information contains the ID  100 , the URL  102  including the folder name generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 , the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5  (i.e., the IP address of the transmission destination to which the HTML file is transmitted), and password  106  which are associated with each other in the corresponding information storing area  28 . Incidentally, the control unit  20  generates the ID  100  by incrementing the ID  100  processed in previous execution of S 62  by one (1). As described above, if the judgment in S 18  of  FIG. 5  is “NO,” no password is stored in S 62 . After execution of S 62 , the Scan-To process is finished. 
     Next, the process when the judgment in S 50  of  FIG. 6  is “NO” will be described. When the judgment in S 50  is “NO,” the HTTPS cannot be used, and therefore, the HTTP is used. When the judgment in S 50  is “NO,” the process proceeds to S 80  of  FIG. 7 . In S 80 , the control unit  20  judges whether the multiple scan data files are stored in the folder that is generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . This step is similar to S 52  of  FIG. 6 . For example, if the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5  is the folder  80  shown in  FIG. 3 , the judgment of the control unit in S 80  is “NO.” In this case, the control unit  20  judges whether the password is generated in S 20  of  FIG. 5  (S 82 ). If the judgment in S 18  is “NO,” S 20  of  FIG. 5  is skipped and thus the password is not generated. In such a case, the judgment in S 82  is “NO,” and the process proceeds to S 84 . If the judgment in S 18  of  FIG. 5  is “YES,” S 20  of  FIG. 5  is executed and the password is generated. Then, the judgment in S 82  is “YES” and the process proceeds to S 86 . 
     In S 84 , the control unit  20  generates the HTML file containing the URL and thumbnail image. In the flowchart shown in  FIG. 7 , an example of the URL  140  generated in S 84  is shown. In this example, the URL  140  includes the scheme character string  140   a  indicating the communication protocol of HTTP, the host name  140   b  of the scanner  10 , the folder name  140   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 , the file name  140   d  generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5  and the data type representing character string  140   e  representing the data type. The data type representing character string  140   e  is a character string identifying the data type designated by the user in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , and is generated in a manner similar to that generated in S 54  of  FIG. 6 . The control unit  20  stores the HTML file in the storing area  30 . After execution of S 84 , the process proceeds to S 60  of  FIG. 6 . That is, the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 84  to the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . Further, the control unit  20  updates the contents of the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 62 ). 
     In S 86 , the control unit  20  generates a zip file based on the scan data file that was generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5 . When the zip file is generated, the control unit  20  uses the password generated in S 20  of  FIG. 5  as an encryption key. For example, if one data type was designated in S 14 , the control unit  20  converts the scan data file generated in S 24  into the zip file. If multiple data types were designated in S 14 , the control unit generates multiple zip files corresponding to the designated multiple data types. For example, if the data types designated in S 14  includes resolutions of “150 dpi” and “300 dpi,” color information of “color” and “grayscale,” and file format of “PDF,” the control unit  20  converts the scan data included in scan data file generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5  to generates a (color, 150 dpi) PDF file, a (color, 300 dpi) PDF file, a (grayscale, 150 dpi) PDF file and a (grayscale, 300 dpi) PDF file. Then, the control unit  20  generates the ZIP files from the thus generated PDF files, respectively. Thus, in the above example, four PDF files are generated. The name of the ZIP files includes a character string (e.g., “.pdf.zip”) indicating that they are ZIP files of the files having the file formats designated in S 14 . The control unit  20  stores the ZIP files generated in S 86  under the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Next, the control unit  20  generates the HTML file including the URL and the thumbnail image (S 88 ). In the flowchart shown in  FIG. 7 , an example of the URL  150  generated in S 88  is indicated. The URL  150  includes the scheme character string  150   a  indicating the HTTP communication protocol, the host file name  150   d  of the scanner, the folder name  150   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 , the file name  150   d  generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5  and the data type representing character string  150   e . The data type representing character string  150   e  is a character string representing the data type designated by the user in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , and is generated in a manner similar to that generated in S 54  of  FIG. 6 . It should be noted that, the data type representing character string  150   e  also includes the character string  150   f  representing the extension of the ZIP file, different from a case in S 64 . Further, the control unit  20  generates the thumbnail image in a manner similar to that generated in S 54  of  FIG. 6 . Then, the control unit  20  stores the HTML file in the storing area  30 . After execution of S 88 , the process proceeds to S 60  of  FIG. 6 . That is, the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 88  to the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . Further, the control unit  20  updates the contents of the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 62 ). 
     If, for example, the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5  is the folder  90  shown in  FIG. 3 , the judgment of the control unit  20  in S 80  is “YES.” In this case, the process proceeds to S 100  of  FIG. 8 . In S 100 , the control unit  20  judges whether the password was generated in S 20  of  FIG. 5 . If the password was not generated (S 100 : NO), the process proceeds to S 102 . If the password was generated (S 100 : YES), the process proceeds to S 106 . 
     In S 102 , the control unit  20  generates the HTML file which contains the URL but not the thumbnail image. An example of the URL  160  generated in S 102  is indicated in the flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . The URL  160  includes the scheme character string  160   a  indicating the HTTP communication protocol, the host name  160   b  of the scanner  10  and the folder name  160   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . The URL  160  generated in S 102  does not include the file name or the data type representing character string. The control unit  20  generates the HTML file including the URL  160  as generated above. Then, the control unit  20  stores the HTML file in the storing area  30 . After execution of S 102 , the control unit  20  generates the data type representing file (S 104 ). This step is similar to S 58  of  FIG. 6 . After execution of S 104 , the process proceeds to S 60  of  FIG. 6 . That is, the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 102  to the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . Further, the control unit  20  updates the contents of the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 62 ). 
     In S 106 , the control unit  20  generates ZIP files based on the multiple scan data files generated in S 24  of  FIG. 5 , using the password generated in S 20  of  FIG. 5  as the encryption key. If one data type was designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , and there area two scan data files  94  and  96  (see  FIG. 3 ), the two scan data files  94  and  96  are converted to the ZIP files, respectively. If multiple data types were designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , the ZIP files are generated for each of the multiple data types. For example, if four data types were designated in S 114  of  FIG. 5 , and two scan data files  94  and  96  are generated as shown in  FIG. 3 , eight ZIP files are generated. The file name of each of the ZIP files includes a character string (e.g., “.tiff.zip”) indicating that the ZIP file is converted form the file format designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . The control unit  20  then stores the ZIP files generated in S 106  under the folder generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Next, the control unit  20  generates the HTML file containing the URL but not the thumbnail image (S 108 ). An example of the URL  170  generated in S 108  is indicated in a flowchart shown in  FIG. 8 . The URL  170  includes the scheme character string  170   a  indicating the HTTP communication protocol, the host name  170   b  of the scanner  10  and the folder name  170   c  generated in S 22  of  FIG. 5 . The control unit  20  then generates the HTML file including the URL  170  generated as above, and stores the HTML file in the storing area  30 . After execution of S 108 , the control unit  20  generates the data type representing file (S 110 ). The step S 110  is similar to the step S 57  of  FIG. 6 . After execution of S 110 , the process proceeds to S 60  of  FIG. 6 . That is, the control unit  20  transmits the HTML file generated in S 108  to the transmission destination designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . Further, the control unit  20  updates the contents of the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 62 ). 
     &lt;Scan Data Providing Process&gt; 
     Next, the Scan Data Providing Process of the scanner  10  will be described.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show a flowchart of the Scan Data Providing Process of the scanner  10 . As described above, in S 60  of  FIG. 6 , the HTML file is transmitted to the transmission destination that is designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 . In the following description, it is assumed that the HTML file has been transmitted to the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . When the HTML file is transmitted, it is stored in the shared folder  50 . Accordingly, the user of the PC  40  can open the HTML file stored in the shared folder  50  by operating the operation unit  50 . As the HTML file is opened, the URL&#39;s (i.e., the URL&#39;s generated in S 54 , S 56 , S 84 , S 88 , S 102  or S 108 ) described in the HTML file are displayed on the display unit  44 . Then, the user can designate the URL&#39;s by operating the operation unit  42 . When one of the URL&#39;s is designated by the user, an access request is transmitted from the PC  40  to the scanner  10 . The access request includes the URL designated by the user and the IP address “192.168.0.2” (see  FIG. 2 ) of the PC  40 . The access request is transmitted using the communication protocol that is identified by the scheme character string (e.g., the character string  120   a  indicated in S 54  of  FIG. 6 ) included in the URL designated by the user. For example, if the URL designated by the user is the URL  120  indicated in S 54  of  FIG. 6 , the access request is transmitted using the HTTPS. For another example, if the URL designated by the user is RUL  140  indicated in S 84  of  FIG. 7 , the access request is transmitted using the HTTP. The control unit  20  of the scanner  10  monitors receipt of the access request transmitted from the PC  40  (S 130 ). When the access request is received (S 130 : YES), the process proceeds to S 132 . 
     The control unit  20  judges whether the URL included in the access request is stored in the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 132 ). If the URL included in the access request is stored in the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 132 : YES), the process proceeds to S 134 . In the following description, the information stored in the corresponding information storing area  28  and meets the URL included in the access request will be referred to as identified information. In S 134 , the control unit  20  judges whether the scheme character string (i.e., http or https) included in the URL  102  of the identified information (see  FIG. 4 ) meets the communication protocol of the access request. If the judgment in S 1134  is “YES,” the control unit  20  further judges whether the transmission destination  104  of the identified information (see  FIG. 4 ) and the IP address included in the access request coincide with each other (S 136 ). If the judgment in S 136  is “YES,” the process proceeds to S 140 . If the judgment in S 132 , S 134  or S 136  is “NO,” the control unit  20  transmits an error response to the PC  40  (S 138 ). 
     In S 140 , the control unit  20  judges whether the communication protocol of the access request is HTTPS. If the communication protocol of the access request is HTTP (S 140 : NO), the process proceeds to S 160 . If the communication protocol of the access request is HTTPS (S 140 : YES), the process proceeds to S 142 , where the control unit  20  judges whether the identified information includes the password  106  (see  FIG. 4 ). If the password  106  is included in the identified information (S 142 : YES), the control unit  20  judges whether the password included in the identified information and the password parameter included in the access request coincide with each other (S 144 ). If the password is not described in the password parameter (S 144 : NO), the control unit  20  transmits password input screen data to the PC  40 . The PC  40  displays the password input screen upon receipt of the password input screen data from the control unit  20 . Then, the user can input the password by operating the operation unit  42  of the PC  40 . When the password is input through the password input screen displayed on the PC  40 , the access request including the password, which has been input by the user, is transmitted to the scanner  10 . It should be noted that the access request also includes the URL designated by the user and the IP address “192.168.0.2” (see  FIG. 2 ) input by the user are included. As a result of the above process, S 144  is executed again after S 130 -S 142  are executed. In S 144 , if the password included in the identified information and the password included in the access request coincide with each other (S 144 : YES), the process proceeds to S 160  of  FIG. 10 . When the judgment in S 142  is “NO,” the process proceeds to S 160 . 
     In S 160 , the control unit  20  judges whether the URL included in the access request is the URL of a folder or the URL of a file. For example, if the URL  120  which has been generated in S 54  of  FIG. 6  is designated by the user of the PC  40 , the access request includes the URL of the file. In such a case, the judgment in S 160  is “NO,” and the process proceeds to S 164 . If the URL  130  generated in S 56  of  FIG. 6  is designated by the user of the PC  40 , the access request includes the URL  130  of the folder. In this case, the judgment in S 160  of  FIG. 10  is “YES” and the process proceeds to S 162 . 
     In S 162 , the control unit  20  identifies a group of files which exist as files under the URL (of the folder) included in the access request. For example, if the URL included in the access request is the URL  90  of the folder  90  shown in  FIG. 3 , the control unit  20  identifies that the data type representing file  92  and the scan data files  94  and  96  as the files of the group. In the following description, the data type representing file identified as the file of the group will be referred to as “identified data type representing file” and the scan data files as identified will be referred to as “identified scan data files.” The control unit  20  generates a URL based on the identified data type representing file and the identified scan data files. 
     The flowchart of  FIG. 10  shows an example of the URL  180  that is generated in S 162 . the URL  180  includes the scheme character string  180   a  included in the URL  102  of the identified information (see  FIG. 4 ), the host name  180   b  included in the URL  102  of the identified information, the folder name  180   c  included in the URL  102  of the identified information, the file name  180   d  of the identified scan data file and the data type character string. The data type character string is generated based on the data type described in the document data (e.g., data  92  of  FIG. 3 ) of the identified data type representing file. For example, if multiple combinations of data types are described in the document data of the data type representing file, the URL&#39;s corresponding to the number of the combinations are generated for one identified scan data file. For example, if the scan data files  94  and  96  shown in  FIG. 3  are the identified scan data files and three combinations of the data types are described in the document data  92   d  of the data type representing file  92 , the control unit  20  generates six URL&#39;s. That is, the control unit  20  generates three URL&#39;s including the file name  94   b  (20080101-010200) of the scan data file  94 , and three URL&#39;s including the file name  96   b  (20080101-010300) of the scan data file  96 . The former three URL&#39;s include different data type character strings, and the latter three URL&#39;s include different data type character strings. It should be noted that multiple ZIP files are generated and multiple URL&#39;s of the ZIP files are generated, respectively, in S 106  of  FIG. 8 . Therefore, if the URL  170 , which was generated in S 1108  of  FIG. 8 , is selected by the user of the PC  40 , it becomes unnecessary for the control nit  20  to generate the URL, and the URL&#39;s of the ZIP files are referred to, respectively. It should be noted that whether the URL included in the access request is the URL  170  of the folder generated in S 1108  of  FIG. 8  or the URL  130 , URL  160  (see S 56  of  FIG. 6 , S 102  of  FIG. 8 ) can be judged based on whether the ZIP files generated in S 106  of  FIG. 8  exist as the files under the URL (i.e., folder) included in the access request. 
     The control unit  20  generates the thumbnail image for each of the URL&#39;s generated as above. The thumbnail images are generated as is done in S 54  of  FIG. 6 . Then, the control unit  20  transmits the thus generated URL&#39;s and thumbnail images to the PC  40 . The PC  40  displays the received URL&#39;s and thumbnail images upon receipt of the same. Then, the user of the PC  40  can select desired one of the URL&#39;s by operating the operation unit  42  of the PC  40 . When the URL is selected by the user, the access request including the selected URL is transmitted to the scanner  10 . 
     In S 164 , the control unit  20  judges whether the URL included in the access request is the URL of the ZIP file. This judgment is made by examining whether a character string “.zip” is included in the URL included in the access request. If the URL included in the access request is of the ZIP file (S 164 : YES), the control unit  20  transmits the ZIP file (i.e., the scan data) corresponding to the URL included in the access request and a command instructing to store the ZIP file in the shared folder  50  to the PC  40 . It should be noted that the URL of the shared folder  50  designated by the command is stored in the transmission destination device URL storing area  24  in association with the IP address that is included in the access request. Thus, the control unit  20  can identify the URL of the shared folder  50 . 
     When S 166  is executed, the ZIP files are stored in the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . The user can select one of the ZIP files by operating the operation unit  42  of the PC  40 . When the ZIP file is selected, a password input screen is displayed so that the user can input the password for opening the ZIP file. Then, by inputting the password, the user can open the ZIP file as selected, thereby the user can obtain the scan data. 
     For example, when the user selects the URL generated in S 54  of  FIG. 6  or S 84  of  FIG. 7 , and the URL is included in the access request, the judgment in S 164  is “NO” since the URL does not indicate a ZIP file. Further, as mentioned above, a URL which does not include the character string “.zip” in S 162 . If such a URL is included in the access request, the judgment in S 164  also becomes “NO.” When the judgment in S 164  is “NO,” the control unit  20  judges whether a file corresponding to the URL included in the access request has been generated (S 168 ). If the judgment in S 168  is “NO,” the process proceeds to S 170 . 
     In S 170 , the control unit  20  identifies the data type based on the URL included in the access request. For example, if the URL included in the access request is the URL  180  which is indicated in S 162  (i.e., a character string “c150.pdf” is included), the control unit identifies the data type as “color,” “resolution of 150 dpi” and “PDF file.” In such a case, the control unit  20  converts the scan data file  82  (see  FIG. 3 ) that has the folder name  180   c  and the file name  180  included in the URL  180  into the file having the identified data type, thereby the scan data having the data type selected by the user of the PC  40  is generated (hereinafter, such data will be referred to as converted scan data). Then, the control unit  20  stores the file with which the file name including the file name  180   d  and the character string  180   e  of the URL  180  and the converted scan data are associated in the scan data storing area  26  as a file under the folder  80  (see  FIG. 3 ) having the folder name  180   c.    
     The control unit  20  transmits the file corresponding to the URL included in the access request (i.e., the file generated in S 170 ) and a command instructing to store the file in the shared folder  50  to the PC  40  (S 172 ). Then, the file is stored in the shared folder  50  of the PC  40 . The user can open the file to obtain the scan data. If multiple transmission destinations are designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , when one of the transmission destination accesses the URL, the file corresponding to the URL is generated in S 170 . Thereafter, when another transmission destination accesses the same URL, the file for the URL has already been generated. In such a case, the judgment in S 168  is “YES” and S 170  is skipped. 
     &lt;Cancelling Process&gt; 
     Next, the cancelling process of the scanner  10  will be described.  FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the cancelling process of the scanner  10 . According to the embodiment, the user can input a command to cancel the scan data by operating the operation unit  12  of the scanner  10 . The control unit  20  monitors input of the cancellation command (S 190 ). If the cancellation command is input (S 190 : YES), the control unit  20  displays a list of the corresponding information  110  and  112  (see  FIG. 4 ) stored in the corresponding information storing area  28  on the display unit  14  (S 192 ). It should be noted that when the list is displayed in S 192 , the passwords  106  are not displayed. 
     The user can select one piece of corresponding information from the list displayed on the display unit  14  by operating the operation unit  12 . The control unit  20  monitors selection of the corresponding information (S 194 ). When a piece of corresponding information is selected (S 194 : YES), the control unit  20  judges whether the selected corresponding information includes a password (S 196 ). If the password is not included in the selected corresponding information (S 196 : NO), the process skips S 190 -S 202 . If the password is included in the selected corresponding information (S 196 : YES), the control unit  20  displays the password input screen on the display unit  14  (S 198 ). Then, the user can input the password by operating the operation unit  12 . The control unit  20  monitors input of the password (S 200 ). If the user inputs the password (S 200 : YES), the control unit  20  judges whether the password of the corresponding information selected in S 194  and the password input by the user in S 200  coincide with each other (S 202 ). If the passwords do not coincide (S 202 : NO), the control unit  20  returns to S 198  to display the password input screen on the display unit  14  again. If both the passwords coincide with each other (S 202 : YES), the control unit proceeds to S 204 . 
     In S 204 , the control unit  20  deletes the HTML file including the URL  102  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the corresponding information designated in S 194  from the shared folder  50  of the transmission destination  104  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the corresponding information designated in S 194 . Next, the control unit  20  deletes the folder corresponding to the URL  102  of the corresponding information designated in S 194  and all the files under the folder from the scan data storing area  26  (S 206 ). Then, the control unit  20  deletes the corresponding information designated in S 194  from the corresponding information storing area  28  (S 208 ) to complete the cancellation process. 
     As above, the scanner system  2  according to the embodiment of the invention has been described in detail. The scanner  10  transmits the URL&#39;s storing the scan data (e.g.,  120   c  of  FIG. 6 ,  130   c  of  FIG. 6 ,  140   c  of  FIG. 7 ,  150   c  of  FIG. 7 ,  160   c  of  FIG. 8  or  170   c  of  FIG. 8 ) to a device to which the scan data is to be transmitted (e.g., the PC  40 ). According to the embodiment, as a result of the transmission, the user of the PC  40  can recognize the location of the scan data and access the URL&#39;s. When the user of the PC  40  attempts to access the URL, a combination of the URL and the IP address of the PC  40  are transmitted to the scanner  10 . The scanner  10  transmits the scan data to the PC  40  on condition that the combination of the URL and the IP address is stored in the corresponding information storing area  28 . 
     There is a possibility that a third person (unauthorized person) secretly looks at the URL. However, according to the embodiment, even if the third person attempts to access the URL using a device other than the PC  40 , the scanner  10  does not transmit the scan data since the combination of the URL and the IP address of the device used by the third person has not been stored in the corresponding information storing area  28 . Therefore, according to the above-configured embodiment, the possibility that the third person steals the scan data can be well suppressed. 
     Further, according to the embodiment, when the Scan-To process is executed, a password can be generated. The third person cannot obtain such a password. Therefore, the possibility that the scan data is stolen by the third person can be well suppressed. 
     The scanner  10  is capable of generating the ZIP file using the password as the encryption key when the HTTP is used as the communication protocol. When the HTTP is used as the communication protocol, the thus generated ZIP file is transmitted. With this configuration, the possibility that the scan data is stolen by the third person can be effectively suppressed. When the HTTPS is used, however, the scanner  10  does not create the ZIP file. It is because, when the HTTPS is used, all the data for communication is encrypted. By omitting the step of generating the ZIP file, the entire process can be executed efficiently. 
     According the above-described embodiment, the scanner transmits location information indicative of a location of the scan data (location information Y) is transmitted to a device which is identified by device information (location information X). As a result, the user of the device can recognize the location information Y of the scan data. The scanner stores the device information X and the location information Y in an associated manner. The user of a device, which is a transmission destination of the location information Y, can access the location information Y making use of the device. In such a case, a combination of the device information X and the location information Y is transmitted from the device, and received by the scanner. As mentioned above, the combination of the information X and information Y is stored in the device-location storage. Therefore, it is confirmed that the scanner can transmit the scan data which corresponds to the location information Y to the device which corresponds to the device information X. 
     If a third person steals the location information Y and accesses the location Y from a device (device information thereof is Z) which is different from the device of which the location information is X, the scanner receives a combination of the location information Y and the device information Z. Such a combination, however, is not stored in the device-location storage. Therefore, even if the third person tries to obtain the scan data, it is securely prevented. 
     There is a possibility that the third person steals the location information Y and tries to access the scan data using the device corresponding to the device information X. To prevent such a problem, the scanner may be provided with an authentication information output unit. It should be noted that the term “output” should be interpreted in the broadest manner and may include “display,” “notify by sound,” “print,” “transmit to another device,” and the like. 
     The scanner can transmit the scan data using an encryption communication protocol or non-encryption communication protocol. 
     The term “encryption communication protocol” should be interpreted in the broadest manner, and may include any protocol which employs the encryption communication. Examples of the encryption communication protocol may include HTTPS, FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS), SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) ant the like. When the encryption communication protocol is used for transmitting the scan data, it may be unnecessary to encrypt the scan data. 
     The term “non-encryption communication protocol” should also be interpreted in the broadest manner, and may include any protocol which does not use encryption communication. Examples of the non-encryption protocol may include HTTP, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), CIFS (Common Internet File System), SMB (Sever Message Block) and the like. 
     As described, various types of scan data could be generated. It should be noted that the term “data type” of the scan data should be interpreted in the broadest manner, and may include any item that characterize the data type of the scan data. Example of the items of data type may include the resolution, color information (i.e., color, grayscale, monochromatic, specified number of colors, etc.), the file format (i.e., PDF, TIFF, JPEG, etc.) and combinations thereof. 
     When multiple data types are designated, multiple pieces of scan data are generated. In such a case, the scanning unit may generate the multiple pieces of scan data based on the multiple data types, respectively. Alternatively, the scanning unit may generate basic scan data which could be converted to generate the multiple pieces of the scan data respectively corresponding to the multiple data types. 
     For example, when two data types (e.g., color data, and black and white data) are required, the scanning unit may generate only the color scan data since the black-and-white scan data can be obtained by converting the color scan data. 
     It should be noted that the foregoing is an only an exemplary embodiment and the invention needs not be limited to the above-described configuration, but can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Examples of such modifications will be described below. 
     (1) The folders and files under the folders stored in the scan data storing area  26  may be deleted when the scan data is transmitted. When multiple transmission destinations are designated in S 14  of  FIG. 5 , the folder(s) and the file(s) under the folder(s) may be deleted when the scan data has been transmitted to all the transmission destinations. 
     (2) The folders and files under the folders stored in the scan data storing area  26  may be deleted when a predetermined time period has elapsed after generation thereof. 
     (3) The folders and files under the folders stored in the scan data storing area  26  may be deleted in a chronological order. In such a case, deletion of the data may be executed when the amount of scan data exceeds a predetermined amount. 
     (4) The folders and files under the folders stored in the scan data storing area  26  may be deleted such that the data transmitted earlier is deleted earlier. 
     (5) Generation of the URL and thumbnail image for each file, which is executed in S 162  of  FIG. 10  may be executed when S 56  ( FIG. 6 ), S 102  ( FIG. 8 ) or S 108  ( FIG. 8 ) is executed. Further, in such a case, S 162  ( FIG. 10 ) may be omitted. 
     It should be noted that technical elements described/illustrated in the specification and drawings may have technical usefulness by themselves or various combinations thereof, which are not confined to the combinations of the claims at the time of application. Further, the technique described/illustrated in the specification/drawings may achieve multiple objects, and to achieve at least one of the objects in itself embraces the technical usefulness.