Image reading apparatus to set information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control

An image reading apparatus comprising:

• an imaging device to image a medium;
• a communication device to communicate with a plurality of information processing apparatuses;
• a processor to
• acquire a use state of the image reading apparatus,
• set a first information processing apparatus as an information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device when receiving a setting request signal from the first information processing apparatus,
• control the imaging device according to an instruction signal from the first information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, wherein the processor does not release the first information processing apparatus set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device, when imaging by the imaging device has been completed, and
• release the first information processing apparatus set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device, when receiving a release request signal from the first information processing apparatus, wherein
• the processor determines whether to set a second information processing apparatus as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, based on the use state, when receiving a request signal of the imaging control from the second information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control;
• and a medium tray to place the medium, wherein
• the processor acquires a time in which the medium is not placed on the medium tray while the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control by the processor, as the use state, and wherein
• the processor sets the second information processing apparatus as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control when the time is more than a threshold.

A method for controlling an image reading apparatus including a communication device to communicate with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, comprising:

• imaging a medium, by an imaging device;
• acquiring a use state of the image reading apparatus;
• setting a first information processing apparatus as an information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device when receiving a setting request signal from the first information processing apparatus;
• controlling the imaging device according to an instruction signal from the first information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, wherein the first information processing apparatus is not released from the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device when imaging by the imaging device has been completed, and
• releasing the first information processing apparatus from being set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device, when receiving a release request signal from the first information processing apparatus, wherein
• setting a second information processing apparatus as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, is determined based on the use state, when receiving a request signal of the imaging control from the second information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, even when the first information processing apparatus is not released from being set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device.

A computer-readable, non-transitory medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes an image reading apparatus including an imaging device to image a medium, and a communication device to communicate with a plurality of information processing apparatuses, to execute a process, the process comprising:

• acquiring a use state of the image reading apparatus;
• setting a first information processing apparatus as an information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device when receiving a setting request signal from the first information processing apparatus;
• controlling the imaging device according to an instruction signal from the first information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, wherein the first information processing apparatus is not released from the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device when imaging by the imaging device has been completed, and
• releasing the first information processing apparatus from being set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device, when receiving a release request signal from the first information processing apparatus, wherein
• setting a second information processing apparatus as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, is determined based on the use state, when receiving a request signal of the imaging control from the second information processing apparatus in a state where the first information processing apparatus is set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing the imaging control, even when the first information processing apparatus is not released from being set as the information processing apparatus capable of executing imaging control of the imaging device.