Patent Publication Number: US-2010123927-A1

Title: Image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus, and storage medium

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, and a storage medium. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     In recent years, a scanner, a printer, and a multifunction peripheral (MFP), and so on have been disposed under a local area network (LAN) environment, and have been shared within a LAN. In the MFP, a scanner contained therein is shared by information processing apparatuses (host computers) on a network, and is used in such a form that image data read with the scanner is stored in any of the host computers on the network. 
     An example of a method for acquiring the image data read with the scanner by the host computer is a method for controlling a scanner in an MFP from a host computer on a network and loading read image data onto the host computer. 
     When the image data read with the scanner is transmitted to the host computer at a destination designated on the side of the scanner, not only an identification (ID) of the host computer at the destination (transmission destination) but also a directory at the destination or an electronic mail address must be correctly input. 
     In not only this case but also a case where an image file stored in a storage of the MFP is transmitted, similar issues occur in terms of designating the destination. 
     Examples of a conventional method for designating a transmission destination of image data read with a scanner include a method for searching a screen of an operation unit in a scanner for destination information required to transmit image data to a host computer, displaying a list of results of the search on the screen of the operation unit, and selecting the result of the search (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-274102). 
     A configuration in which an unnecessary key is not provided on an operation unit in a scanner has also been proposed. There has also been a configuration in which identification information of a user and a directory in which an image read with a scanner, which is previously created for each user, is to be stored are related to each other on a server, and the image is stored in the directory corresponding to the identification information (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-37013). 
     As a method for transferring image data between apparatuses, a mechanism for establishing wireless communication at high speed between apparatuses at a close distance has been devised, as in a method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99236. If such a mechanism is applied, a user can transmit image data read with a scanner in an image processing apparatus to a notebook personal computer (PC), which can be carried, only by placing the notebook PC in the vicinity of a communication unit in the image processing apparatus. 
     In the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-274102, however, a destination must be designated by operating an operation unit on an image processing apparatus, and a mail address, an ID of a host computer (a host name), and a directory of the destination must be designated. 
     In the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99236, identification information of the user and information representing a directory in which the image data read with the scanner is to be stored must be related to each other. When the image processing apparatus is first used, for example, the effect thereof cannot be exhibited. 
     In any case, when high-speed near field communication is established, as in the method discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99236, it is desirable that a desired operation can be intuitively performed only by bringing the apparatuses close to each other. In the sense, it is difficult to say that a storage destination can be intuitively designated. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-99236 does not refer to a specific method for transmitting the image data that has been actually read with the scanner to a desired directory in the notebook PC only by placing the notebook PC in the vicinity of the communication unit in the image processing apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus for performing wireless communication with an image processing apparatus includes a specifying unit configured to designate, out of a plurality of directories stored in the information processing apparatus, an opened directory before performing wireless communication with the image processing apparatus, a receiving unit configured to receive image data from the image processing apparatus by performing the wireless communication, and a control unit configured to control the image data received by the receiving unit to be stored in the directory designated by the specifying unit. 
     Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the appearance of an image processing apparatus. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of an image processing system. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller unit. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates display on a touch panel section in an operation unit. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a job setting screen in the touch panel section. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a send/fax setting screen in the touch panel section. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a screen after selection of near field communication in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a screen on which a desired directory is opened in a notebook PC in a case  1  of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates display of a path of a directory in which image data is to be stored in a touch panel section in the case  1  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows display indicating that image data is stored in a desired directory in a notebook PC in the case  1  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a screen on which a desired folder is selected in a notebook PC in a case  2  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates display of a path of a directory in which image data is to be stored in a touch panel section in the case  2  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  shows display indicating that image data is stored in a desired directory in a notebook PC in the case  2  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates display of a path of a directory in which image data is to be stored in a touch panel section in a case  3  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  shows display indicating that image data is stored in a desired directory in a notebook PC in the case  3  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a screen on which a plurality of desired folders is selected in a notebook PC in a case  4  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates display of options of a path of a directory in which image data is to be stored in a touch panel section in the case  4  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a display screen for searching a touch panel section for a directory hierarchy in a notebook PC in the case  1  of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a flowchart illustrating processing flow in an MFP according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart illustrating processing flow in an MFP according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart illustrating processing flow in a notebook PC according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart illustrating processing flow up to completion of communication connection of near field communication between an MFP and a notebook PC in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a flowchart for transmitting to an MFP information relating to a storage location in a notebook PC. 
         FIG. 24  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a notebook PC. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the appearance of an image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the present exemplary embodiment, an MFP will be described as an example of the image processing apparatus. 
     An MFP  100  includes a communication unit  10  and a display unit  11 . 
     The communication unit  10  performs wireless communication with an external information processing apparatus such as a digital camera, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a notebook PC. A user brings an information processing apparatus  1000  ( FIG. 2 ) closer to the communication unit  10 , to enable communication between the MFP  100  and the information processing apparatus  1000 . The MFP  100  can establish wireless communication with the information processing apparatus  1000 . Although a case where the information processing apparatus  1000  is a notebook PC will be described, the present invention is not limited to the same. The information processing apparatus  1000  may be a digital camera, a mobile phone, or a PDA. 
     The display unit  11  includes a touch panel section and a liquid crystal display section, and displays an operation screen and accepts an instruction from the user. The display unit  11  displays the state of the MFP  100 . 
     The configuration of an image processing system including the MFP  100  and the information processing apparatus  1000  (hereinafter referred to as the notebook PC) will be then described with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     A controller unit  110  is electrically connected to a reader unit  200  and a printer unit  300 , and receives information from the reader unit  200  and the printer unit  300  and transmits various types of commands to the reader unit  200  and the printer unit  300 . The controller unit  110  is connected to PCs  4001  and  4002  via a network  4000 , and transmits and receives image data and a control command from the PCs  4001  and  4002  via the network  4000 . An example of the network  4000  is Ethernet. 
     The reader unit  200  optically reads a document image, and converts the read document image into image data. The reader unit  200  includes a scanner unit  210  having the function of scanning a document and a document feeding unit  290  for conveying document paper to a position where the scanner unit  210  can scan the document. 
     A scanner controller  210 A controls the document feeding unit  290  and the scanner unit  210  based on an instruction from the controller unit  110 . 
     The printer unit  300  includes a sheet feeding unit  310  accommodating sheets for printing, a marking unit  320  for transferring and fixing image data on the sheets, and a sheet discharge unit  330  for discharging the sheets on which the image data has been printed. The printer unit  300  feeds the sheets from the sheet feeding unit  310  based on the instruction from the controller unit  110 , prints the image data on the fed sheets, and discharges the sheets on which the image data has been printed to the sheet discharge unit  330 . 
     The sheet feeding unit  310  can accommodate a plurality of types of sheets. The sheet discharge unit  330  can sort and staple the sheets on which the image data has been printed. 
     An operation unit  250  corresponds to the display unit  11  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , includes a hard key, a liquid crystal display section, and a touch panel section affixed on the liquid crystal display section, and accepts an instruction from the user via the hard key, the liquid crystal display section, and the touch panel section. The operation unit  250  transmits to the controller unit  110  a command corresponding to the accepted instruction from the user. The controller unit  110  carries out control according to the received command. The operation unit  250  provides display indicating a soft key for accepting the operation of the MFP  100  and the function and the state of the MFP  100  on the liquid crystal display section. 
     A hard disk drive (HDD)  260  stores various types of setting for the MFP  100  and the image data. Furthermore, the HDD  260  stores a program for controlling the operation of the MFP  100 . 
     The MFP  100  executes a copy function, an image data sending function, and a printer function, for example, using the configuration. When the copy function is executed, the controller unit  110  causes the reader unit  200  to read the image data from the document, and causes the printer unit  300  to print the read image data on the sheets. When the image data sending function is executed, the controller unit  110  converts the read image data into code data in the reader unit  200 , and sends the code data to the PCs  4001  and  4002  via the network  4000 . When the printer function is executed, the controller unit  110  analyzes and rasterizes the code data received from the PCs  4001  and  4002  via the network  4000 , converts the code data into the image data, and outputs the image data to the printer unit  300 . The printer unit  300  carries out printing based on the image data received from the controller unit  110 . 
     Although in the present exemplary embodiment, the image processing apparatus is the MFP  100  having a plurality of functions, it may be a copying machine having only a copy function or a single function peripheral (SFP) having only a printer function. 
     The wireless communication unit  400  is provided in the communication unit  10 , and detects that the notebook PC  1000  is brought closer to the communication unit  10  and transmits and receives control data and image data to and from the notebook PC  1000 . The wireless communication unit  400  may carry out control based on the instruction from the controller unit  110 . Alternatively, the wireless communication unit  400  may include a central processing unit (CPU) by itself, and the CPU may control the wireless communication unit  400 . 
     The configuration of the controller unit  110  will be then described with reference to the block diagram of  FIG. 3 . 
     A main controller  111  is mainly composed of a CPU  112 , a bus controller  113 , and various types of interface (I/F) controller circuits. 
     The CPU  112  and the bus controller  113  control the whole operation of the controller unit  110  in a supervised manner. The CPU  112  performs various types of operations based on a program read from a read-only memory (ROM)  114  via a ROM I/F  115 . For example, the CPU  112  interprets the code data (e.g., a page description language (PDL)) received from the PC  4001  or  4002  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and carries out storage control of a memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)  116  or the hard disk drive (HDD)  260 . 
     The bus controller  113  controls transfer of data input or output from each of the I/Fs, and controls bus arbitration and direct memory access (DMA) data transfer. 
     A dynamic random access memory (DMA)  116  is connected to the main controller  111  by a DRAM I/F  117 , and is used as a work area for the CPU  112  or an area for storing image data. 
     A codec  118  compresses raster image data stored in the DRAM  116  in a method such as MF (Modified Huffman)/MR (Modified Read)/MMR (Modified Modified Read)/JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group)/JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), while conversely expanding code data stored in a compressed state to raster image data. 
     A static random access memory (SRAM)  119  is used as a temporary work region for the codec  118 . The codec  118  is connected to the main controller  111  via an I/F  120 . Data transfer between the codec  118  and the DRAM  116  is the DMA transfer controlled by the bus controller  113 . 
     A graphic processor  135  subjects the raster image data stored in the DRAM  116  to processing such as image rotation, image zooming, color space conversion, and binarization. The SRAM  136  is used as a temporary work region for the graphic processor  135 . The graphic processor  135  is connected to the main controller  111  via an I/F  137 . Data transfer between the graphic processor  135  and the DRAM  116  is the DRA transfer controlled by the bus controller  113 . 
     A network controller  121  is connected to the main controller  111  by an I/F  123 , and is connected to an external network such as the network  4000  by the connector  122 . 
     An expansion connector  124  for connecting an expansion board and an input/output (I/O) control unit  126  are connected to a general-purpose high-speed bus  125 . Examples of the general-purpose high-speed bus  125  include a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus. The I/O control unit  126  is equipped with asynchronous serial communication unit controllers  127  on two channels for transmitting and receiving a control command to a CPU in each of the reader unit  200  and the printer unit  300 . The I/O controller  126  is connected to a scanner I/F  140  and a printer I/F  145  via an I/O bus  128 . 
     A panel I/F  132  delivers data to the operation unit  250  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and transfers to the operation unit  250  image data transferred from a liquid crystal display (LCD) controller  131 . The panel I/F  132  transfers a key input signal accepted via a key such as a hard key or a liquid crystal touch panel key provided in the operation unit  250  to the I/O control unit  126  via a key input I/F  130 . 
     A real time clock module  133  updates and stores the date and time managed within the MFP  100 , and is supplied with power by a backup battery  134 . 
     An enhanced integrated drive electronics (E-IDE) interface (I/F)  161  is used for connecting the HDD  260 . The CPU  112  stores image data in the HDD  260  via the E-IDE I/F  161 , and reads the image data from the HDD  260 . 
     The connector  142  and a connector  147  are respectively connected to the reader unit  200  and the printer unit  300 , and include asynchronous serial I/Fs ( 143 ,  148 ) and video I/Fs ( 144 ,  149 ). 
     A scanner I/F  140  is connected to the reader unit  200  via the connector  142 , and is connected to the main controller  111  via a scanner bus  141 . The scanner I/F  140  subjects image data received from the reader unit  200  to predetermined processing. The scanner I/F  140  outputs to the scanner bus  141  a control signal generated based on a video control signal fed from the reader unit  200 . The bus controller  113  controls data transfer from the scanner bus  141  to the DRAM  116 . 
     The printer I/F  145  is connected to the printer unit  300  via the connector  147 , and is connected to the main controller  111  via a printer bus  146 . The printer I/F  145  subjects image data output from the main controller  111  to predetermined processing, and outputs the image data to the printer unit  300 . The bus controller  113  controls transfer of raster image data rasterized onto the DRAM  116  to the printer unit  300 . The transfer of the raster image data is DMA transfer to the printer unit  300  via the printer bus  146 , the printer I/F  145 , and the video I/F  149 . 
     An SRAM  151  is a memory that can hold stored contents even if power supplied from the backup battery  134  cuts off power to the whole MFP  100 . The SRAM  151  is connected to the I/O control unit  126  via a bus  150 . 
     An electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM)  152  is also similarly connected to the I/O control unit  126  via the bus  150 . 
     A wireless communication I/F  180  delivers data to the wireless communication unit  400  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The CPU  112  receives data from the wireless communication unit  400  via the wireless communication I/F  180 . The CPU  112  transfers data to the wireless communication unit  400  via the wireless communication I/F  180 . 
     The configuration of the operation unit  250  will be then described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The operation unit  250  includes a touch panel section  401  and a key input section  402 . 
     The touch panel section  401  includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel display composed of a transparent electrode affixed thereon. The touch panel section  401  has the function of accepting various types of setting from the user and the function of indicating information to the user. The CPU  112  performs, when it detects that the user presses a portion corresponding to a display key displayed on the LCD, processing corresponding to the display key. An example of display on a screen displayed on the touch panel section  401  will be described below. 
     The key input section  402  includes an operation unit power switch  403 . When the user presses the operation unit power switch  403 , the CPU  112  selectively switches a stand-by mode (a normal operation state) and a sleep mode (a state where power consumption is suppressed). The CPU  112  accepts an operation by the user of the operation unit power switch  403  with a main power switch (not illustrated) for supplying power to the whole system turned on. 
     A start key  404  is used when an instruction to cause the CPU  112  in the MFP  100  to perform a series of operations such as an operation for scanning a document using the scanner unit  113  and an operation for printing the scanned document is accepted as a print job from the user. The start key  404  is also used when an instruction to cause the CPU  112  in the MFP  100  to perform an operation for transmitting image data stored in the HDD  260  to the exterior via the network I/F  109  is accepted as a data transmission job from the user. 
     A stop key  405  is used for accepting an instruction to interrupt the accepted operations as the print job from the user. 
     A reset key  406  is used for accepting an instruction to invalidate various types of setting made by the user for the print job and return a set value to a default state from the user. 
     A user mode key  407  is used for displaying a screen for making system setting for each user on the touch panel section  401 . 
     A numeric keypad  408  is used for the user to make numeric setting for various types of setting. A clear key  409  is used for deleting an input value such as a user identification (ID) or a password that has been input by the user via the numeric keypad  408 . 
     An example of a job setting screen displayed on the touch panel section  401  will be then described with reference to  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of the setting screen displayed on the touch panel section  401  as a default screen when the power to the MFP  100  is turned on. 
     When a copy key  501  is pressed, the CPU  112  displays a copy job setting screen for making setting relating to a copy job on the touch panel section  401 . The screen illustrated in  FIG. 5  is an example of the copy job setting screen for making the setting relating to the copy job. The CPU  112  accepts the setting of printing conditions such as the number of copies to print, printing paper, and printing magnification via the screen from the user. When the start key  404  is pressed with the setting accepted, the CPU  112  causes the scanner unit  306  to scan a document, and causes the printer unit  305  to carry out printing according to the set printing conditions. 
     When a send/fax key  502  is pressed, the CPU  112  displays a data sending job setting screen for making setting relating to a data sending function or a facsimile function of the MFP  100  on the touch panel section  401 . The data sending function means the function of scanning a document and then converting the scanned document into image data with a predetermined format in the reader unit  200 , and sending the image data to an external information processing apparatus or a server as electronic data or storing the image data in a box, described below. The details of the data sending function in the present exemplary embodiment will be described below. 
     When a box key  503  is pressed, the CPU  112  displays a box function setting screen for making setting relating to a box function of the MFP  100  on the touch panel section  401 . The box function means that the CPU  112  stores image data read with the scanner or image data received from the exterior as a file in a storage region called a box within the HDD  260  and later prints and transmits the image data within the box based on an instruction from the user. The HDD  260  has a plurality of boxes. The user can store the image data by designating the particular one of the plurality of boxes. Alternatively, a password may be allowed to be set in each of the boxes. In the case, the CPU  112  inhibits the image data stored in the box from being displayed and inhibits the image data from being referenced and used until the set password is input to the box. The CPU  112  allows the image data stored in the box to be displayed and allows the image data to be referenced and used if the set password is input. 
       FIG. 24  is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the notebook PC  1000 . 
     A CPU  2501  controls the whole operation of the notebook PC  1000 . A ROM  2502  stores a boot program executed by the CPU  2501 . A HDD  2503  is a file system capable of storing the program executed by the CPU  2501  and further storing various types of user data such as image data in a directory structure. A RAM  2504  is used as a work area for executing the program by the CPU  2501  and an image buffer temporarily storing the image data. An operation unit  2505  issues various types of instructions to the notebook PC  1000 . The operation unit  2505  is also used for the user to designate a desired folder or file from the file system. A display unit  2506  displays an operation screen and a folder or file of stored data for the user. A wireless communication I/F  2507  delivers data to the wireless communication unit  400  in the MFP  100  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Communication of various types of data and commands with each of the units within the notebook PC  1000  is established via a bus  2508 . 
     A series of flows in the image processing system applied to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of  FIGS. 19 and 21 . A procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 19  is stored in a storage medium of any one of the ROM  114 , the DRAM  116 , and the HDD  260  in the controller unit  110 , and is executed by the CPU  112 . A program illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 21  is stored in a storage medium of any one of the ROM  2502 , the HDD  2503 , and the RAM  2504  in the notebook PC  1000 , and is executed by the CPU  2501 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an example of flow in the MFP  100  in a period elapsed since a document was scanned and converted into image data with a predetermined format in the reader format  200  until a storage location of the image data is intuitively designated and the image data is transmitted. A case where the image data is transmitted to the notebook PC  1000  from the MFP  100  is taken as an example. 
     In step S 1900 , the CPU  112  first determines whether the user selects near field communication as a transmission destination in the data sending function.  FIG. 6  illustrates a screen displayed on the touch panel section  401  after the send/fax key  502  is pressed in  FIG. 5 . Examples of transmission destinations in the data sending function and a facsimile include an electronic mail (e-mail), a file server, a box, an I facsimile, and near field communication, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . It is possible to set the file format of image data into which a read image is to be converted in the reader unit  200  by selecting a file format  602 . A file format such as a tagged image file format (TIFF) or a portable document format (PDF) is generally used. 
     If the user selects the transmission destination other than the near field communication (NO in step S 1900 ), then in step S 1909 , normal data transmission processing is performed. On the other hand, if the user selects the near field communication (YES in step S 1900 ), then in step S 1901 , the CPU  112  issues a communication connection request from the wireless communication unit  400  in the MFP  100 , and provides display prompting the user to place a device at the transmission destination (the notebook PC in the present exemplary embodiment) on the touch panel section  401  in the operation unit  250 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel section  401  at this time. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a directory to be a storage location of image data read with the scanner is opened or selected before the notebook PC is placed on the communication unit  10  (the wireless communication unit  400 ). 
     In step S 1902 , the CPU  112  determines whether the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10 . If the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  (YES in step S 1902 ), then in step S 1903 , connection of the near field communication is completed. 
     Transmission and reception of a signal between the MFP  100  and the notebook PC will be described with reference to  FIG. 22 . In step S 2200 , the user first selects near field communication as a data transmission method in the operation unit  250  in the MFP  100 , as in step S 1901 . When the near field communication is selected, the wireless communication unit  400  transmits a connection request at predetermined intervals. The connection request is continued until the notebook PC  1000  at the transmission destination is placed on the wireless communication unit  400  or is brought closer thereto. In step S 2201 , the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  (the wireless communication unit  400 ). When the notebook PC is placed on the communication unit  10 , the notebook PC receives the connection request from the MFP  100 , while conversely transmitting a connection request recognition at this time. Finally, the MFP  100  receives the connection request recognition, and then transmits a connection recognition serving as a final confirmation to the notebook PC. In step S 2202 , connection of the near field communication is completed, as in step S 1903 , after the notebook PC receives the connection recognition. This causes the near field communication to be started between the MFP  100  and the notebook PC. If the near field communication is started in step S 1903 , then in step S 1904 , the MFP  100  acquires information representing a path of a directory that is currently opened or selected in the notebook PC from the notebook PC via wireless communication, and then displays the acquired path of the directory on the touch panel section  401  in the operation unit  250 . 
     In step S 1905 , the CPU  112  determines whether the path of the directory displayed on the touch panel section  401  is set as a transmission destination in the data sending function. If the displayed path of the directory is set as the transmission destination (YES in step S 1905 ), then in step S 1907 , the user actually presses the start key  404 , to start to scan a document. In step S 1907 , the CPU  112  in the MFP  100  converts the read image data into image data with a format selected by the user in the reader unit  200 . In step S 1908 , the MFP  100  then transmits the converted image data and the path information of the directory that has just been acquired from the notebook PC to the notebook PC via the near field communication. 
     On the other hand, a series of processing flows in the notebook PC at this time will be described with reference to  FIG. 21 . In step S 2100 , the user first selects a directory in which image data to be read in the MFP  100  is to be stored, or opens the directory, and places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10 . In step S 2100 , the CPU  2501  in the notebook PC detects that the notebook PC is placed on the communication unit  10  by receiving the connection request from the MFP  100 . When the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10 , the notebook PC transmits the connection request recognition to the MFP  100 . If the notebook PC further receives the connection recognition from the MFP  100 , then in step S 2101 , connection of the near field communication is completed, so that data can be transmitted and received. In step S 2102 , the notebook PC then acquires information representing a path of a directory representing a storage location and image data from the MFP  100 , as illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 23 . In this case, the MFP  100  reads the image data, converts the image data into image data with a predetermined format, and then transmits the converted image data and the information representing the path of the directory to the notebook PC. In step S 2103 , the notebook PC finally stores the received image data in the received path of the directory. At this time, the notebook PC may create and store a new directory. The details thereof will be described below. 
     Although the series of processing flows in the present exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the flowcharts of  FIGS. 19 and 21 , some cases are considered in terms of designating the directory in the notebook PC. Some of the cases will be described as examples. 
     The cases will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 23  and  FIGS. 8 to 17 . A procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 23  is executed by the CPU  2501  according to a program stored in a storage medium of any one of the ROM  2502 , the HDD  2503 , and the RAM  2504 . 
     The flowchart of  FIG. 23  is flow for the wireless communication I/F  2507  to transmit information relating to a storage location of the notebook PC to the MFP  100  by near field communication. When the near field communication is established, this flow is executed. Therefore, a user of the MFP  100  can store an image in a desired storage location of the notebook PC in a simple operation, described below. The CPU  2501  in the notebook PC determines whether a directory is opened in step S 2401  or a folder is selected in step S 2402 , to execute the following cases. 
     &lt;Case  1 &gt; Case where any Folder is not Selected with Directory Opened: 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the state of a display screen in the notebook PC in this case. Although a folder named “storage location” is opened, and the folder includes three folders  802  to  803 , any of the folders is not selected in  FIG. 8 . However, a window of the folder “storage location” is selected, and a tool bar  801  is active. 
     If the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in this state, then in step S 2403 , the notebook PC transmits information representing a path of an opened directory to the MFP  100 . The MFP  100  acquires information representing a path of the folder “storage location” currently opened in the notebook PC. In step S 1904 , the MFP  100  then automatically provides display with a folder having a folder name for the date and time at which image data is to be stored, for example, just below the folder “storage location” as a storage destination.  FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the display on the touch panel section  401  at this time. If a path of a directory illustrated in  FIG. 9  is a desired transmission destination (YES in step S 1905 ), the user presses a YES key  901 , to actually start scanning. 
     In step S 2103 , the notebook PC then receives converted image data and information representing a path of a directory from the MFP  100 , and stores the image data in the path of the directory.  FIG. 10  shows how the image data is stored in the notebook PC. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the notebook PC creates a folder named “2008XXXX” just below the folder “storage location”, and stores the image data in the folder “2008XXXX”. Although the name of the created folder is the date as an example, it may be the date and time. In addition thereto, the name may be uniquely identified. 
     On the other hand, if the path of the directory displayed on the touch panel section  401  is not a desired transmission destination, and therefore the user presses a NO key  902  (NO in step S 1905 ), then in step S 1906 , the user can search the touch panel section  401  for a directory hierarchy (a directory in which image data is to be stored) in the notebook PC.  FIG. 18  illustrates an example of the display on the touch panel section  401  at this time. However, the user who feels that this search work is complicated can also designate a path in which image data is to be stored again by opening or selecting a desired directory in the notebook PC again to place the notebook PC on the communication unit  10 . 
     &lt;Case  2 &gt; Case where any Folder is Selected: 
       FIG. 11  illustrates the state of a display screen in the notebook PC in this case. As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a folder named “storage location” is opened, and a folder  1101  named “map” in the folder is selected. 
     If the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in this state, then in step S 2404 , the notebook PC transmits information representing a path of the selected folder to the MFP  100 . The MFP  100  acquires information representing a path of the folder “map” currently designated in the notebook PC. In step S 1904 , the MFP  100  then provides display with the path of the folder “map” as a storage destination.  FIG. 12  illustrates an example of the display on the touch panel section  401  at this time. If a path of a directory illustrated in  FIG. 12  is a desired transmission destination (YES in step S 1905 ), the user presses a YES key  1201 , to actually start scanning. When the user presses a NO key  1202 , the flow is similar to that in the case  1 . 
     In step S 2103 , the notebook PC then receives converted image data and information representing a path of a directory from the MFP  100 , and stores the image data in the path of the directory.  FIG. 13  shows how the image data is stored in the notebook PC. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the notebook PC stores the image data in the folder “map” designated by the user. 
     &lt;Case  3 &gt; Case where No Directory is Selected: 
     In this case, the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  without designating a desired storage destination of image data. 
     If the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in this state, then in step S 2405 , the notebook PC transmits information representing a path of “desktop” to the MFP  100 . The MFP  100  acquires the path information of “desktop” in the notebook PC. In step S 1904 , the MFP  100  then automatically provides display with a path of a folder having a folder name for the date and time, for example, just below “desktop” as a storage destination.  FIG. 14  illustrates an example of the display on the touch panel section  401  at this time. If a path of a directory illustrated in  FIG. 14  is a desired transmission destination (YES in step S 1905 ), the user presses a YES key  1401 , to actually start scanning. When the user presses a NO key  1402 , the flow is similar to that in the case  1 . 
     In step S 2103 , the notebook PC then receives converted image data and information representing a path of a directory from the MFP  100 , and stores the image data in the path of the directory.  FIG. 15  shows how the image data is stored in the notebook PC. As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the notebook PC creates a folder named “2008XXXX” just below “desktop”. 
     &lt;Case  4 &gt; Case where the User Designates a Plurality of Folders: 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the state of a display screen in the notebook PC in this case. As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , a folder named “storage location” is opened, and two folders  1601  and  1603  respectively named “favorites” and “map” in the folder are selected. 
     If the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in this state, the MFP  100  acquires respective information representing paths of the folders “favorites” and “map” currently selected in the notebook PC. In step S 1904 , the MFP  100  then provides display with the paths of the folders “favorites” and “map” as storage destinations, and causes the user to choose which of the folders stores image data.  FIG. 17  illustrates an example of the display on the touch panel section  401  at this time. Then, the notebook PC stores the image data in the path of the directory selected in  FIG. 17 . 
     When connection of near field communication is thus completed between the notebook PC and the MFP  100 , the notebook PC can simply transmit information relating to a storage location in the notebook PC to the MFP  100  depending on the status of the system being operated by the user. 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the image data read in the MFP  100  is transmitted to the notebook PC  1000 , the user can acquire the information relating to the storage destination in a very simple operation that is easy to intuitively understand. More specifically, the user can transmit the information relating to the storage destination only by opening the desired folder in the notebook PC and placing the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in the MFP  100 . The received image data can be also stored in the desired folder in the notebook PC. On the other hand, the MFP  100  can receive the information relating to the storage destination only by placing the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in the MFP  100 . 
     Although description has been made of an example in which the user places the notebook PC on the communication unit  10  in the MFP  100  so that the near field communication is started, the present invention is not limited to the same. The user may bring the notebook PC closer to the communication unit  10  in the MFP  100  so that the near field communication is started. 
     Although description has been made of an example in which the document placed in the reader unit  200  is scanned and transmitted, the present invention is not limited to the same. The present invention may be applied to a case where an image stored in a box within the HDD  260  is transmitted to the notebook PC using near field communication. In this case, the near field communication is selected with an image file stored in the HDD  260  or the box designated instead of placing the document in the reader unit  200 . From this time on, processing illustrated in  FIG. 19  will be performed. In this case, the document is not read. Therefore, transmitting data is only generated without starting scanning in step S 1907 . 
     Furthermore, although description has been made of an example in which the path information selected in the notebook PC is transmitted to the MFP  100 , the user designates the path information on the MFP  100 , and the image data, together with the path information, is transmitted, as illustrated in  FIG. 23 , the present invention is not limited to the same. When the notebook PC is placed on the communication unit  100  with the path information selected in the notebook PC, the notebook PC may not transmit and receive the path information to and from the MFP  100 . In this case, the processing in step S 1904  to step S 1906  is not performed in the MFP  100 . Similarly, the image data is only transmitted without transmitting and receiving the path information in step S 1908 . On the other hand, the notebook PC that has received the image data via the near field communication determines the storage destination of the image data received according to processing similar to that in the flowchart of  FIG. 23 . More specifically, information representing a path in which image data is to be stored is acquired, and the received image data is stored in the path based on whether a directory is opened or a folder is selected. In this case, the user of the MFP  100  can transmit a desired document to the notebook PC in a simple operation without being conscious of a storage location of the image data in the notebook PC. 
     A hardware configuration in a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is similar to that in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Although the MFP  100  issues the communication connection request at timing at which the near field communication  601  is selected as the transmission destination in the data sending function in the first exemplary embodiment, an example in which a document is actually scanned, data is converted, and a communication connection request is later issued will be described in the second exemplary embodiment. 
     A series of flows in an image processing system applied to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of  FIG. 20 . A procedure illustrated in the flowchart of  FIG. 20  is stored in a storage medium of any one of a ROM  114 , a DRAM  116 , and A HDD  260  in a controller unit  110 , and is executed by a CPU  112 . 
     The difference between the flowchart of  FIG. 19  and the flowchart of  FIG. 20  is only that the MFP  100  issues a communication connection request to the notebook PC after starting scanning to perform data conversion for data transmission. In short, they only differ depending on whether timing at which the notebook PC is placed is before or after the document is scanned. If there are a large number of documents to be scanned, however, the notebook PC must be placed on the wireless communication unit  400  during the scanning in the first exemplary embodiment. It is not desirable that the notebook PC is placed on the wireless communication unit  400  over a longtime because the risks of the notebook PC being stolen and dropping from the wireless communication unit  400  are increased. Therefore, the MFP  100  will actually convert image data into image data with a desired file format, issue a communication connection request to the notebook PC after being ready for transmitting the data, and acquire information representing a path of a desired directory. This causes a period of time during which the notebook PC is placed on the communication unit  10  to be suppressed to the minimum required, thereby enabling an increase in the probability of avoiding various risks. The other processing flow is similar to that in the first exemplary embodiment. 
     Although description has been mainly made of the exemplary embodiments in the near field communication, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the same. The present invention is also applicable in various I/Fs. 
     Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out and executes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps of which are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For this purpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via a network or from a recording medium of various types serving as the memory device (e.g., computer-readable medium). 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions. 
     This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-294597 filed Nov. 18, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.