Patent Publication Number: US-2012026526-A1

Title: Image processing system that causes pc to display preview image, method of controlling the same, and storage medium

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an image processing system in which when an image processing apparatus performs copying, the image processing apparatus causes a first external apparatus to create a preview image which represents a result of the copying, and causes a display unit of a second external apparatus to display the preview image, a method of controlling the image processing system, and a storage medium. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A multifunction printer has a plurality of print functions which can be executed by the multifunction printer alone. Examples of these print functions include an N-in-1 copy function that collectively prints a plurality of original images on one sheet, an insert function that inserts an insert sheet between specified pages and performs printing, and a combining function that combines an original image and a specified image, and prints the combined image. 
     Further, to realize a print function which is not supported by a multifunction printer, there has been proposed a printing system using a server installed on a network, for performing image processing corresponding to the print function, on behalf of the multifunction printer (see e.g. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-288336). For example, in a case where a multifunction printer does not support the N-in-1 copy function, when a user instructs e.g. “2-in-1 copy” from a console panel of the multifunction printer, the multifunction printer transmits a “2-in-1 copy” request and image data of the input original to the server. The server generates image data formed by collecting two images on one sheet in response to the request, and transmits the generated image data to the multifunction printer. The multifunction printer receives the image data transmitted from the server, and performs printing of the image data. 
     In this printing system, the server on the network supports a lot of print functions on behalf of multifunction printers, which makes it unnecessary for the multifunction printers to support the print functions. As a result, it is possible to reduce the costs of the multifunction printers. 
     In the above-described printing system, when using a multifunction printer equipped with a display device that displays a preview image representing a result of image processing by the server, i.e. an image to be printed, it is possible to confirm the printing result in the multifunction printer before printing. When using a multifunction printer which is not equipped with a display device that can display a preview image, however, the user cannot confirm a printing result before printing. Therefore, in the above-described printing system, for a user to confirm a printing result on a multifunction printer before printing, it is necessary to use a multifunction printer including a display unit that can display a preview image, and this limits usable multifunction printers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an image processing system which makes it possible to confirm a processing result in advance even when an image processing apparatus is not equipped with a display unit that can display a preview image, a method of controlling the image processing system, and a storage medium. 
     In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system including an image processing apparatus having a function of reading an original and printing an image obtained by the reading, a first external apparatus including an image processing unit, and a second external apparatus including a display unit, wherein the image processing apparatus, the first external apparatus, and the second external apparatus are connected to each other via a network in a manner capable of communicating with each other, wherein the first external apparatus comprises an image acquisition unit configured to acquire the image read by the image processing apparatus, and a generation unit configured to generate a preview image which represents an image formed by subjecting the image acquired by the image acquisition unit to image processing by the image processing unit, wherein the image processing apparatus comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit storage location information indicative of a location where the preview image generated by the first external apparatus is stored to the second external apparatus, in response to an access from the second external apparatus, and wherein the second external apparatus comprises an acquisition unit configured to acquire the preview image stored in the first external apparatus, based on the storage location information received from the image processing apparatus, and a display unit configured to display the preview image acquired by the acquisition unit. 
     In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image processing system including an image processing apparatus having a function of reading an original and printing an image obtained by the reading, a first external apparatus including an image processing unit, and a second external apparatus including a display unit, wherein the image processing apparatus, the first external apparatus, and the second external apparatus are connected to each other via a network in a manner capable of communicating with each other, wherein the first external apparatus acquires an image read by the image processing apparatus, and generates a preview image which represents an image formed by subjecting the acquired image to image processing by the image processing unit, wherein the image processing apparatus transmits storage location information indicative of a location where a preview image generated by the first external apparatus is stored to the second external apparatus, in response to an access from the second external apparatus, and wherein the second external apparatus acquires the preview image stored in the first external apparatus, based on the storage location information received from the image processing apparatus, and displays the acquired preview image. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus that is capable of communicating with a first external apparatus including an image processing unit, and a second external apparatus including a display unit, comprising a reading unit configured to read an original to generate an image, a first transmission unit configured to transmit the image generated by the reading unit to the first external apparatus, a reception unit configured to receive storage location information indicative of a location where a preview image is stored which represents an image formed by subjecting the image transmitted by the first transmission unit to image processing by the first external apparatus, from the first external apparatus, a second transmission unit configured to transmit the storage location information to the second external apparatus in response to an access from the second external apparatus, and a printing unit configured to execute printing based on the image transmitted from the first external apparatus in response to a print instruction from the second external apparatus. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that is capable of communicating with a first external apparatus including an image processing unit, and a second external apparatus including a display unit, comprising reading an original to generate an image, transmitting the generated image to the first external apparatus, receiving storage location information indicative of a location where a preview image is stored which represents an image formed by subjecting the transmitted image to image processing by the first external apparatus, from the first external apparatus, transmitting the storage location information to the second external apparatus in response to an access from the second external apparatus, and executing printing based on the image transmitted from the first external apparatus in response to a print instruction from the second external apparatus. 
     In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program causing a computer to execute a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that is capable of communicating with a first external apparatus including an image processing unit, and a second external apparatus including a display unit, wherein the method comprises reading an original to generate an image, transmitting the generated image to the first external apparatus, receiving storage location information indicative of a location where a preview image is stored which represents an image formed by subjecting the transmitted image to image processing by the first external apparatus, from the first external apparatus, transmitting the storage location information to the second external apparatus in response to an access from the second external apparatus, and executing printing based on the image transmitted from the first external apparatus in response to a print instruction from the second external apparatus. 
     According to the present invention, even when an image processing apparatus is not equipped with a display unit that can display a preview image, it is possible to confirm a processing result in advance. 
     The features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a multifunction printer appearing in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a PC appearing in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a server appearing in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process executed by the multifunction printer when copying is performed by the multifunction printer in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a process executed by the server when copying is performed by the multifunction printer in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a process executed by the PC when copying is performed by the multifunction printer in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an example of screen information including a link to a URL of a preview image. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a preview image-displaying screen. 
         FIGS. 10A AND 10B  are a flowchart of a process executed by the multifunction printer when copying is performed by the multifunction printer in an image processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  are a flowchart of a process executed by the server when copying is performed by the multifunction printer in the image processing system according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a multifunction printer  20  appearing in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a PC  10  appearing in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a server  30  appearing in  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the image processing system according to the present embodiment includes the multifunction printer  20 , the PC  10 , and the server  30 . The multifunction printer  20 , the PC  10 , and the server  30  are interconnected via a network implemented by the Internet  50  and a LAN (local area network)  40  in a manner capable of communicating with each other. 
     The multifunction printer  20  has a plurality of functions, such as a copy function and a print function, and is connected to the LAN  40 . The PC  10  has a display (display unit)  108 , referred to hereinafter, and is connected to the LAN  40 . The server  30  is connected to the Internet  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the multifunction printer  20  includes a controller  200  including a CPU  201 , a ROM  202 , a RAM  203 , and a network controller  204 . Connected to the controller  200  are a console section  205 , a printer  206  which performs printing, and a scanner  207  which reads an image from an original. 
     The CPU  201  performs processing and control according to instructions input by a user from the console section  205  and instructions received by the network controller  204 , according to programs stored in the ROM  202 . This control includes control of the printer  206  and the scanner  207 . The RAM  203  provides a work area for the CPU  201 , and an area for temporarily storing various items of data, such as print data. 
     The network controller  204  is connected to the LAN  40 , and performs transmitting and receiving data to and from the PC  10  via the LAN  40 , and transmitting and receiving data to and from the server  30  via the LAN  40  and the Internet  50 . 
     The console section  205  includes a plurality of keys (not shown) and a liquid crystal display panel (not shown). The liquid crystal display panel displays a user interface (UI) screen via which the user configures various kinds of settings, such as setting of an operation mode, and contents of the settings. However, the liquid crystal display panel is not configured to have a screen having a resolution high enough and a size large enough to display a preview image of an image to be printed. 
     The multifunction printer  20  has a remote user interface function (remote UI function) for enabling a Web server of the multifunction printer  20  to be accessed from a Web browser of the PC  10  for configuration of settings of the multifunction printer  20  and confirmation of the details of the settings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the PC  10  includes a controller  100  including a CPU  101 , a ROM  102 , a RAM  103 , an HDD  104 , and a network controller  105 . Connected to the controller  100  are a keyboard  106 , a mouse  107 , and the display  108 . 
     The CPU  101  starts up an OS (operating system) stored in the HDD  104  based on a boot program stored in the ROM  102 . Then, the CPU  101  performs processing according to instructions input by the user from the keyboard  106  and the mouse  107 , and instructions received by the network controller  105 , and performs control for displaying a result of the processing on the display  108 . The RAM  103  provides a work area for the CPU  101 , and an area for temporarily storing various items of data. 
     The network controller  105  is connected to the LAN  40 , for transmitting and receiving data to and from the multifunction printer  20  via the LAN  40 , and transmitting and receiving data to and from the server  30  via the LAN  40  and the Internet  50 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the server  30  includes a CPU  301 , a ROM  302 , a RAM  303 , an HDD  304 , an image processing section  305 , and a network controller  306 . The CPU  301  starts up an OS (operating system) stored in the HDD  304  based on a boot program stored in the ROM  302 . Then, the CPU  301  performs processing according to instructions received by the network controller  306  and so forth. The RAM  303  provides a work area for the CPU  301 , and an area for temporarily storing various items of data. 
     The image processing section  305  performs various kinds of image processing, such as combining of two images, and generates a preview image representing an image to be formed by printing the image subjected to the image processing. The preview image is stored in the HDD  304 . 
     The network controller  306  is connected to the Internet  50 , for transmitting and receiving data to and from the multifunction printer  20  and the PC  10  via the Internet  50  and the LAN  40 . 
     In the present embodiment, when an original is copied by the multifunction printer  20 , processing is performed for displaying a preview image which represents a printing result (copying result) on the display  108  of the PC  10  before printing the image read from the original by the printer  206 . A description will be given of this processing with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 9 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart of a process executed by the multifunction printer  20  when copying is performed by the multifunction printer  20  in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a process executed by the server  30  when copying is performed by the multifunction printer  20  in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  is a flowchart of a process executed by the PC  10  when copying is performed by the multifunction printer  20  in the image processing system shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  illustrates an example of screen information including a link to a URL of a preview image.  FIG. 9  illustrates an example of a preview image-displaying screen. 
     When copying an original by the multifunction printer  20 , the user sets the original on the scanner  207 . Then, the user instructs execution of copying by depressing an associated key of the console section  205 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , upon reception of the instruction of execution of copying input by the user from the console section  205  (step S 101 ), the CPU  201  controls the multifunction printer  20  to read the original by the scanner  207  (step S 102 ). Then, the CPU  201  controls the multifunction printer  20  to transmit the image data read by the scanner  207  to the server  30  via the network controller  204  (step S 103 ). 
     Next, the CPU  201  waits for the network controller  204  to receive an URL (storage location information) indicative of a location in the server  30  where the preview image created thereby based on the image data is stored (step S 104 ). Then, upon reception of the URL of the preview image, the CPU  201  stores the received URL of the preview image in the RAM  203  (step S 105 ). 
     Then, upon reception of an access from the PC  10  (step S 106 ), the CPU  201  creates user interface screen information (UI screen information) including a link to the URL of the preview image (step S 107 ). The UI screen information is transmitted to the PC  10  via the network controller  204 . Note that the UI screen information is information configuring a screen which provides a link to the URL and enables an operation of selecting the URL of the preview image to be received as an operation of accessing the preview image. The UI screen information is described using a predetermined language, e.g. HTML, and is described e.g. as shown in  FIG. 8 . The PC  10  displays the user interface screen (UI screen) on the display  108 , which can receive the operation of selecting the URL of the preview image by the user who operates the PC  10 , based on the UI screen information, as described hereinafter. 
     Next, the CPU  201  waits for reception of operation information indicating that the URL of the preview image has been selected by the user who operates the PC  10  via the UI screen displayed on the display  108  thereof (step S 108 ). Then, upon reception of the operation information, the CPU  201  creates information on the preview image-displaying screen (preview image-displaying screen information) via the network controller  204 , and controls the multifunction printer  20  to transmit the created information to the PC  10  via the network controller  204  (step S 109 ). Note that the preview image-displaying screen information is information configuring the preview image-displaying screen denoted by reference numeral  500  as shown in  FIG. 9 , which includes a print correction button  502 , a print execution button  503 , and a print cancel button  504 , but does not include a preview image  501 . The preview image-displaying screen information is described using a predetermined language, e.g. HTML. Further, the preview image  501  is pasted in a predetermined area on the preview image-displaying screen  500  by processing performed by the PC  10 , as described hereinafter. 
     Next, the CPU  201  waits for reception of instruction information indicative of an instruction selected by the user&#39;s operation on the preview image-displaying screen configured by the preview image-displaying screen information on the display  108  of the PC  10  (step S 110 ). At this time, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the preview image-displaying screen has the preview image  501  pasted thereon which is acquired by the PC  10  from the server  30 . Further, the instruction indicated by the instruction information received by the multifunction printer  20  is one of a print execution instruction (given by the print execution button  503 ) and a print cancel instruction (given by the print cancel button  504 ), as described hereinafter. 
     Next, upon reception of the instruction information, the CPU  201  determines whether or not the instruction information indicates the print execution instruction (step S 111 ). If it is determined that the instruction information indicates the print execution instruction, the CPU  201  receives print data transmitted from the server  30  via the network controller  204 , and causes the printer  206  to execute printing of the print data(step S 112 ). 
     Next, when the printing is terminated (step S 113 ), the CPU  201  sends a print termination notification to the server  30  via the network controller  204 , and causes the URL of the preview image to be deleted from the RAM  203  (step S 114 ). Then, the CPU  201  terminates the present process. 
     If it is determined in the step S 111  that the instruction information does not indicate the print execution instruction, it means that the instruction information indicates the print cancel instruction. In this case, the CPU  201  skips over the steps S 112  and S 113  to the step S 114 . Then, the CPU  201  terminates the present process. 
     In the server  30 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , the CPU  301  waits for reception of the image data transmitted from the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  306  (step S 201 ). Then, upon reception of the image data from the multifunction printer  20 , the CPU  301  causes image processing to be performed on the received image data to thereby generate print data (step S 202 ). The generated print data is stored in the HDD  304 . 
     Next, the CPU  301  generates a preview image which indicates a copied image (image to be formed by printing the print data), and stores the preview image in the HDD  304  (step S 203 ). Then, the CPU  301  causes the URL indicative of the area of the HDD  304  where the preview image is stored to be transmitted to the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  306  (step S 204 ). 
     Then, the CPU  301  waits for an operation of accessing the preview image to be performed by the user selecting the URL of the preview image at the PC  10  (step S 205 ). Then, when the operation of accessing the preview image is performed at the PC  10 , the CPU  301  transmits the preview image stored in the HDD  304  to the PC  10  via the network controller  306  (step S 206 ). 
     Next, the CPU  301  determines whether or not the instruction information from the PC  10  received via the network controller  306  indicates a print correction instruction (given by the print correction button  502  in  FIG. 9 ) (step S 207 ). If it is determined that the instruction information indicates the print correction instruction, the CPU  301  causes the image processing section  305  to correct the print data according to the print correction instruction (step S 208 ). The correction of the print data is performed according to a well-known method and procedure, and hence description thereof is omitted. Further, the CPU  301  causes the image processing section  305  to create a preview image which represents an image to be formed by printing the corrected print data. The corrected print data and the preview image are stored in the HDD  304 . Then, the CPU  301  returns to the step S 206 . 
     If it is determined in the step S 207  that the instruction information does not indicate a print correction instruction, the CPU  301  determines whether or not the instruction information indicates a print execution instruction (step S 209 ). If it is determined that the instruction information indicates a print execution instruction, the CPU  301  causes the print data to be transmitted to the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  306  (step S 210 ). 
     Next, the CPU  301  waits for reception of the print termination notification from the multifunction printer  20  (step S 211 ), and upon reception of the print termination notification, the CPU  301  causes the preview image and print data stored in the HDD  304  to be deleted (step S 212 ). Then, the CPU  301  terminates the present process. 
     If it is determined in the step S 209  that the instruction information does not indicate a print execution instruction, it means that the instruction information indicates the print cancel instruction. In this case, the CPU  301  skips over the steps S 210  and  211  to the step S 212 . Then, the CPU  301  terminates the present process. 
     When scanning the original by the multifunction printer  20  is terminated, the user moves to the PC  10  e.g. after picking up the original, and operates the PC  10  to confirm the preview image representing the image to be formed by printing the image scanned from the original is copied. 
     In the PC  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the CPU  101  controls the PC  10  to access the multifunction printer  20  using the remote UI function of the multifunction printer  20  (step S 301 ). In this step, in the PC  10 , the user starts up the Web browser, and inputs e.g. an IP address of the multifunction printer  20 . This causes the PC  10  to access the multifunction printer  20 , and the remote UI is started up by the multifunction printer  20 . 
     Then, the CPU  101  receives the screen information (screen information including the link to the URL of the preview image) from the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  105 , and causes the screen configured by the screen information to be displayed on the display  108  (step S 302 ). Then, the CPU  101  controls the PC  10  to access the preview image stored in the server  30  based on the URL of the preview image selected by the user on the screen displayed on the display  108  (step S 303 ). 
     Then, the CPU  101  receives the preview image transmitted from the server  30  in response to the above access, via the network controller  105  (step S 304 ). Then, the CPU  101  receives the preview image-displaying screen information from the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  105 , and causes the preview image-displaying screen (denoted by reference numeral  500  in  FIG. 9 ) to be displayed on the display  108  (step S 305 ). At this time, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the received preview image  501  is pasted and displayed on the preview image-displaying screen  500 . The user confirms the preview image  501  on the preview image-displaying screen  500 , and selects one of the print correction instruction, the print execution instruction, and the print cancel instruction, by depressing an associated one of the print correction button  502 , the print execution button  503 , and the print cancel button  504 . 
     Next, the CPU  101  determines whether or not the user has selected the print correction instruction (the print correction button  502 ) (step S 306 ). In this step, if it is determined that the print correction instruction has been selected, the CPU  101  causes information on details of the correction to be transmitted to the server  30  via the network controller  105  (step S 307 ). Further, the CPU  101  receives a preview image of the print data corrected by the server  30  via the network controller  105 , and controls the PC  10  to display the preview image. Then, the CPU  101  returns to the step  306 . 
     If it is determined in the step S 306  that the print correction instruction has not been selected, the CPU  101  determines whether or not the user has selected the print execution instruction (the print execution button  503 ) (step S 308 ). In this step, if it is determined that the print execution instruction (the print execution button  503 ) has been selected, the CPU  101  controls the PC  10  to transmit instruction information indicative of the print execution instruction to the server  30  and the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  105  (step S 309 ). Then, the CPU  101  terminates the present process. 
     If it is determined in the step S 308  that the print execution instruction has not been selected, it means that the print cancel instruction has been selected. In this case, the CPU  101  controls the PC  10  to transmit instruction information indicative of the print cancel instruction to the server  30  and the multifunction printer  20  via the network controller  105  (step S 310 ). Then, the CPU  101  terminates the present process. 
     As described above, even when the multifunction printer  20  is not equipped with a display device having a resolution high enough to display a preview image of an image to be formed when printed, it is possible to display the preview image on the display  108  of the PC  10 . This enables the user to confirm the image to be printed before printing, and hence it is possible to prevent consumable materials, such as ink or toner, from being wasted due to printing of an image different from one intended by the user. 
     Although in the present embodiment, an URL is used as information indicative of a location where a preview image is stored, known location information, such as a unique numerical value, can be used in place thereof. 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the multifunction printer  20  creates preview image-displaying screen information, and the server  30  creates a preview image. Instead of this, the server  30  may create preview image-displaying screen information and a preview image, and transmit both of them to the PC  10 . In this case, the server  30  may transmit preview image-displaying screen information in timing in which the server  30  transmits the preview image to the PC  10 . 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the multifunction printer  20  creates screen information including a link to a URL of a preview image. Instead of this, the server  30  may create screen information including a link to a URL of a preview image, and transmit the created screen information to the multifunction printer  20 , and then the multifunction printer  20  may receive and store the UI screen information. This makes it possible to reduce load of processing for creating the UI screen information on the multifunction printer  20 . 
     Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the present invention with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The present embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except that processes in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  and  11 A and  11 B are slightly different from the corresponding processes of the first embodiment, and hence in the following description, component elements identical to corresponding ones of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. 
     Normally, a plurality of PCs including the PC  10  are connected to the LAN  40 , and if other PCs different from the PC  10  are configured to be capable of accessing the remote UI of the multifunction printer  20 , a preview image stored in the server  30  can be viewed from the other PCs. This is undesirable from the viewpoint of security. 
     To solve this problem, in the present embodiment, accesses from the other PCs to the preview image are restricted so as to prevent the preview image which is stored in the server  30  when the user of the PC  10  copies an original using the multifunction printer  20  from being viewed from the other PCs. 
     This access restriction is performed as follows: 
     First, the PC  10  accesses the remote UI of the multifunction printer  20 , and sets access restriction information indicative of each of PCs which are authorized to access the multifunction printer  20 , such as an IP address, a user name, and a password, in the multifunction printer  20  using the remote UI. The setting of the access restriction information using the remote UI may be performed e.g. before copying by the multifunction printer  20 . Further, the method or procedure of setting the access restriction information using the remote UI is known, and hence description thereof is omitted. 
     When the multifunction printer  20  executes copying (step S 101  in  FIG. 10A ), the multifunction printer  20  scans the original by the scanner  207  (step S 102  in  FIG. 10A ), and transmits the scanned image data and access restriction information set therein together with the image data to the server  30  (step S 103 ′ in  FIG. 10A ). The server  30  receives the access restriction information together with the image data (step S 201 ′ in  FIG. 11A ), and stores both of them (step S 202 ′ in  FIG. 11A ). 
     When the multifunction printer  20  is accessed from the PC  10  (step S 106  in  FIG. 10A ), the multifunction printer  20  determines based on the set access restriction information whether or not the PC  10  is authorized to access the multifunction printer  20  (step S 106 A in  FIG. 10A ). In this example, since the PC  10  is an authorized PC, the multifunction printer  20  proceeds to the step S 107  to execute processing, such as transmitting of the image information including the URL of the preview image, according to the subsequent steps. 
     On the other hand, if the access is from an unauthorized PC (NO to the step S 106 A), the multifunction printer  20  does not permit the access, and returns to the step S 106 . 
     When the PC  10  accesses the preview image (step S 205  in  FIG. 11A ), the server  30  determines based on the stored access restriction information whether or not the PC  10  is an authorized PC (step S 205 A in  FIG. 11A ). In this example, since the PC  10  is an authorized PC, the server  30  executes the steps S 206  et seq. in  FIG. 6 . 
     On the other hand, if the access is from an unauthorized PC (NO to the step S 205 A), the server  30  does not permit the access, and returns to the step S 205 . 
     Although in the present embodiment, the access restriction is performed such that only the access from the PC  10  is permitted, the access restriction may be configured such that out of users who use the PC  10 , only specific users are authorized to access. In this case, authentication information for authenticating the specific users, such as unique information including user names and passwords, may be set as access restriction information. 
     Although in the above-described embodiments, the description has been given of the multifunction printer  20  as an example of the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus may be a printer, a scanner, a copying machine, or the like. Further, although the description has been given of the server  30  and the PC  10  as an example of the information processing apparatuses implementing the first external apparatus and the second external apparatus, other information processing apparatuses, such as a cellular phone, may be employed. 
     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 such modifications and equivalent structures and functions. 
     This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-173624, filed Aug. 2, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.