Network scanner and multifunction machine incorporated with a network scanner

• US 20050046893A1
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakadaira, Hidemi, Hirosawa, Takayuki
• Granted Patent: US 7,522,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00413 using menus, i.e. presenting the user with a plurality of selectable options H04N1/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00424 using a list of graphical elements, e.g. icons or icon bar
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00427 using a menu list H04N1/00421, H04N1/00424, H04N1/00429 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00466 displaying finishing information, e.g. position of punch holes or staple or orientation references
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network

Abstract

In a network scanner for reading an original document and forwarding read data to a designated terminal connected to a network, an operating panel provided on the network scanner allows a destination and other image data processing conditions to be entered from the scanner. Therefore, an operator can determine the various processing conditions as well as the destination of the transmission data from the scanner so that the operator is not required to travel back and forth between the scanner and terminal and the work efficiency can be improved.

Claims

1. A network scanner for reading an original document and forwarding read data to a designated terminal connected to a network, comprising:

an operating panel including input means and display means; and

control means for acquiring information on a processing condition by controlling the operating panel so as to allow an operator to carry out a prescribed input operation via the operating panel, and executing the processes of reading an original document, generating transmission data and forwarding the transmission data to a designated terminal according to the acquired processing condition.

2. A network scanner according to claim 1, further comprising transmission data composing means that can generate transmission data in any one of a plurality of file formats, the control means allowing an operator to designate one of the file formats for the transmission data as a processing condition from the operating panel.

3. A network scanner according to claim 2, wherein the control means displays an icon indicating a selected one of the file formats on the display means.

4. A network scanner according to claim 1, wherein the control means allows an operator to select a file name for the transmission data from the operating panel as a processing condition.

5. A network scanner according to claim 4, wherein the input means of the operating panel comprises keys that allow entry of characters, and the control means allows an operator to enter a file name consisting of a string of characters by operating the keys.

6. A network scanner according to claim 5, wherein the control means allows an operator to select one of a standard file name stored in a memory unit and an arbitrary file name that can be entered from the input means.

7. A network scanner according to claim 5, wherein the operating panel includes a touch panel that serves as both the input means and display means, and the control means displays a keyboard containing a plurality of keys for entering characters when an entry of a file name is invited on a screen for designating a processing condition.

8. A network scanner according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit for printing said read data.

9. A network scanner for reading an original document and forwarding read data to a designated terminal connected to a network, comprising:

a reading unit for reading an original document by scanning and generating corresponding image data;

a transmission data composing unit for processing said image data into transmission data;

a network control unit for forwarding said transmission data to a plurality of terminals connected to said network;

an operating panel including a display unit and a plurality of input keys; and

a control unit for controlling actions of said reading unit, transmission data composing unit, network control unit and operating panel;

wherein said display unit is adapted to list choices of said terminals and image processing conditions while said input keys are adapted to allow selection of said terminals and image processing conditions under control of said control unit.

10. A network scanner according to claim 9, wherein said display unit comprises a touch panel that provides at least one of said input keys.

11. A network scanner according to claim 9, wherein said image processing conditions include at least one of a member of group consisting of a file name, file format, resolution power, density, original document size, copy size and image processing method for said image data.

12. A network scanner according to claim 9, wherein said transmission data is transmitted as electronic mail.

13. A network scanner according to claim 9, wherein said network scanner is incorporated with a function of a facsimile machine.

14. A network scanner according to claim 9, further comprising a recording unit for printing said image data.

15. A network scanner according to claim 14, wherein said network scanner is incorporated with a function of a copier.