JP2000298561A - Image formation system, controlling method and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a certain operator to easily operate a multifunction device even in a state customizing the device by a different operator. SOLUTION: When an operator rewrites a program file allowed to be operated by the multifunction device and customizes the device, the ID number of the operator himself (or herself) is added to the program file and stored in a file server. When the device is driven thereafter (S1), the ID number of the operator is recognized (S3), the program file corresponding to the ID number is read out from the file server (S4) and downloaded to the device, which executes the program file (S5).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming system, a control method, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to an apparatus such as a computer or a file server and a multifunction apparatus such as a digital copying machine which can be connected to a network. The present invention relates to an image forming system, a control method applied to the image forming system, and a storage medium storing a program for executing the control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming system in which devices such as a computer and a file server are connected to a multifunction device such as a digital copying machine which can be connected to a network, all programs conventionally operable on the multifunction device are known. The file has been initially stored in a storage means such as a memory or a hard disk inside the multifunction device.

When updating such a program file, a dedicated terminal is directly connected to the multifunction device, and the program file is downloaded from the dedicated terminal before updating.

[0004]

However, in a conventional multi-function device, if an operator personally rewrites and customizes a program file, another operator who uses the multi-function device next has to
To use the program file before customization, it was necessary to download and rewrite the program file again. Thus, there is a problem that it takes time and effort to download and the like, and the usability is not good.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image processing system, a control method, and an image processing method that enable different operators to easily operate a multifunction device in a customized state. It is intended to provide a storage medium.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer connected to a network for creating application software, and a computer connected to the network for creating application software. The identification number of the application software and the creator of the application software is transmitted from and stored in a file server, a multifunction device connected to the network and operating according to the application software, and an operator operating the multifunction device. Identification number identification means for identifying an identification number; selection means for selecting, from the file server, application software with the identification number recognized by the identification number recognition means; and the application software selected by the selection means The and having a downloading means for downloading to the multifunction device.

According to the invention of claim 5, a computer connected to a network for creating application software, and a computer connected to the network and receiving the application software and the creator of the application software from the computer. In a control method applied to an image forming system including a file server to which an identification number is transmitted and stored, and a multifunction device connected to the network and operating according to application software, an operator operating the multifunction device An identification number identifying step of identifying an identification number of the application server; a selecting step of selecting, from the file server, application software with the identification number recognized in the identification number identifying step; And having a downloading step of downloading the application software which is on the multifunction device.

Further, according to the invention of claim 8, the computer is connected to a network and creates application software, and the computer is connected to the network and the computer is connected to the network by the application software and the creator of the application software. A control method applied to an image forming system including a file server to which an identification number is transmitted and stored and a multi-function device connected to the network and operating according to application software are stored as a program, and can be read by a computer. In the storage medium, the control method may include an identification number recognition step for identifying an identification number of an operator operating the multifunction device, and an identification number recognized in the identification number recognition step from the file server. A selection step of selecting the application software with, and having a downloading step of downloading the application software selected by the selecting step in the multi-function device.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numeral 101 denotes a communication network such as the Internet. Reference numeral 102 denotes a web server, and the Internet 10
1 to provide specific services to Internet users. An electronic money server 103 performs settlement processing between a financial institution and a consumer client, and is connected to the Internet 101. Reference numeral 104 denotes a service provider that performs connection processing between the terminal of the individual user and the Internet 101. A firewall 105 connects the inside of the LAN network to an external communication network such as the Internet 101, and performs security management and the like. Reference numeral 106 denotes a device management server that manages devices connected to the LAN network, user management, and data such as billing information. Reference numeral 107 denotes a file server that manages advertisement data and outputs the advertisement data to the multifunction device 108 and the printer 109 as needed. The description of the multifunction device 108 will be described later. A printer 109 includes a host computer 110 and a file server 10.
7 can be printed on a recording medium. Reference numeral 110 denotes a host computer connected as a terminal device, which can browse information provided from the web server 102 connected to the Internet 101 and output image data to the multifunction device 108 and the printer 109. A search server 111 stores a web server address to be accessed first when the multifunction device 108 is started up or initialized. In addition, Firewall 1
The configuration of the part connected to the LAN from 05 may be under an individual user connected to the Internet 101 via the service provider 104.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the multifunction device 108 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 201 denotes an operation unit for the user to operate, and is composed of keys (not shown), an LED, and an LCD. Reference numeral 202 denotes the operation unit 201 and the host computer 1
An image scanner 203 for inputting an image according to an instruction from the printer 10 is a printer that prints data from the file server 107 or the host computer 110. 204, a device controller;
The scanner 202, the printer 203, the memory 205, the hard disk 206, and the input / output of image data among the host computer 110 are controlled based on instructions from the host computer 110 and the host computer 110. The device controller 204 stores the image data read from the scanner 202 into the memory 205 or the hard disk 206, for example.
If necessary, the data can be stored in the host computer 11.
0 or printing by the printer 203. The multi-function device 108 can perform various image processing on the document image as well as simply print the document image read by the scanner 202 with the printer 203. For example, various processes such as a negative / positive reversal process for reversing the black and white of the document, a trimming process for extracting only a part of the document, and a reduced layout process for reducing a plurality of documents and combining them on one output sheet are performed.

[0014] Further, an operation of transferring an image read by the scanner 202 to a computer via a LAN network, and outputting a document created by a word processor or the like on the computer to the printer 203 via the LAN network are also performed. Reference numeral 207 denotes a memory card I / F in which a memory card storing an ID number or the like for identifying an operator who operates the multifunction device 108 is mounted. As the memory card, for example, an IC card is used.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the device controller 204 shown in FIG.

Reference numeral 301 denotes the multifunction device 108
It is a CPU that controls the entire system, and sequentially reads and executes programs from a flash memory 303 that stores control procedures (control programs) for the main body. The CPU 301 is connected to an address bus and a data bus via a bus driver / address decoder 302, and devices 303 to 308 and 310 are connected to the address bus and the data bus. Reference numeral 304 denotes a random access memory (RAM), which is a main storage device used for storing input data, a work storage area, and the like. Reference numerals 305, 306, and 307 denote dual-port RAMs, which are used for communication between the CPUs of the operation unit 201, the scanner 202, and the printer 203 and the CPU 301, and for exchanging data among them. Data can be written and read asynchronously with each other. A LAN controller 308 controls communication with each device connected to the LAN network. As will be described later, this L
The application software is acquired from the file server 102 via the AN network, and the flash memory 30
3 or stored in the RAM 304.

On the other hand, image data read by the scanner 202 is binarized by a binarization circuit 309 of, for example, an error diffusion system, and is input to a memory control circuit 310. The memory control circuit 310 has, for example, D
The data transfer to the memory 205 constituted by a RAM and the hard disk 206 is controlled. The image data input to the memory control circuit 310 is sent to the compression / decompression circuit 311, and is stored in the hard disk 206 after being compressed by, for example, a known LZ method. The image data stored in the hard disk 206 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 311 and sent to the memory control circuit 310, and temporarily stored in the memory 205 for output to the printer 203.
Is stored in The CPU 301 reads the image data stored in the memory 205, converts the binary data into, for example, 8-bit multivalued data, and performs various image processing such as scaling processing, filter processing, and γ conversion processing. The image data processed by the CPU 301 is binarized and then temporarily stored in the memory 205 for output to the printer 203. The image data read from the memory 205 is input to a smoothing circuit 312 for reducing jaggies in the image via a memory control circuit 310, subjected to smoothing processing, and then output to the printer 203.

Next, the operation of the multifunction device 108 for acquiring and executing application software will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration when a program operable on the multi-function device 108 according to the present invention is registered in the file server 107 connected to the network.

The multifunction device 108 is connected to a local area network (LAN) via a LAN interface such as 10BaseT having RJ45. In addition, a plurality of host computers such as the host computer 110 and a plurality of servers such as the file server 107 for managing access to files stored in a recording device such as a hard disk are also LAN.
, And can communicate with the multi-function device 108.

When the host computer 110 creates (customizes) a program file operable on the multifunction device 108, the host computer 110 transfers the created program file to the file server 107 via the LAN together with the creator's ID number ( ). The program file created by the host computer 110 preferably conforms to an Internet application language such as HTML or Java.

In the file server 107, the program file transmitted from the host computer 110 and the ID number of the creator are stored in the recording device. Further, the host computer 110 notifies the search server 111 of the storage location information of the program file transferred to the file server 107. The storage location information is preferably HTTP
According to the URL format used in the protocol, for example, the address of the file server 107 is “www.pipit.canon.c
o.jp ”, the path indicating the storage location of the program file inside the storage device of the file server 111 is“ pmfp / jap
an ”and the program file name is“ index.html ”
Is stored in the search server 111 ().

The path indicating the storage location of the program file also serves as an identifier of the multifunction device 108 on which the program file can operate, and the search server 111 uses the program storage destination information notified from the host computer 110 to efficiently store the program storage destination information. It operates in response to an inquiry about a program file storage location requested from the multifunction device 108 or the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration when the multifunction device 108 according to the present invention searches for a program file stored in a recording device of the file server 107 connected to the network.

When the storage location of a program file operable on the multifunction device 108 is unknown, such as when the multifunction device 108 is powered on or initialized, the local area network (L)
AN) to send a packet inquiring about the storage location of the program file. This packet includes the device identifier of the transmission source, and is transmitted as an unspecified destination packet by the broadcast or multicast method ().

The search server 111 connected to the network receives the packet transmitted from the multifunction device 108, and stores the source device identifier contained in the packet and the search server 111 described with reference to FIG. The storage location of the program file requested by the multi-function device 108 is inquired based on the program file storage location information, and the result is notified to the multi-function device 108 via the LAN ().

In the example shown in FIG. 5, the multi-function device 108 uses DeviceType: = pmfp,
Sends a packet containing try: = Japan on the LAN, and the search server 111 searches for a program file that matches the device identifiers pmfp and Japan. If there is data that matches, the search server stores the program file. Address (URL) data indicating the destination is transmitted to the multifunction device 108.

FIG. 6 shows a program operable on the multifunction device 108 according to the present invention obtained from the file server 107 connected to the network.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration in a case of executing the network.

In the recording device of the file server 107,
A program file operable on the multi-function device 108 is stored, and is stored in the multi-function device 10 according to the procedure described with reference to FIG.
The information on the storage location of the program file is obtained by an operation from the operation unit 201 or the like in the computer 8. Then, a packet is sent to the file server 107 based on the program file storage location information, and a program file acquisition request is made ().

In the example shown in FIG. 6, "ht" is included in the request packet.
tp: //www.pipit.canon.co.jp/pmfp/japan/index.html ”
Describes the address of the file server 107 and the storage location of the program file in the storage device. The file server 107 transmits a program file (index.html in the example) from the storage device according to the content of the acquisition request packet received from the multifunction device 108.

In the multi-function device 108, the program file transferred from the file server 107 is compared with the CP in the multi-function device 108.
The translation process is executed by the U301 or the program file interpreter stored in the flash memory 303 (). Preferably, the program file obtained from the file server 107 is described in an HTML format. In addition, the program file can be associated (linked) with another program file. For example, by storing the storage location information of the subprogram in the program file, the program file is stored when the subprogram becomes necessary. Control such as acquiring a program according to the destination information is realized.

Next, a detailed operation of the image forming system of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a detailed operation of the image forming system of the present invention.

First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the power is turned on to the multi-function device 108 of the image forming system according to whether or not the CPU 201 has been started. When the power is turned on, in step S2, the search server 111 uses the method described with reference to FIG.
The storage location of the application software to be downloaded to the multifunction device 108 is acquired. Next, in step S3, an ID number for identifying an operator stored in advance is read from a memory card connected to the operation unit 201 in the multifunction device 108. I
Instead of reading the D number from the memory card, the ID number may be input on the initial screen of the operation unit 201 when the power is turned on, and the ID number may be used.

After reading the ID number, in step S4, the application software to which the value of the ID number has been added is transferred to the file server 1 by the method described with reference to FIG.
07 and downloaded to the multi-function device 108. Next, in step S5, the acquired application software program is executed, and the operation unit 20 is executed.
1 is switched to the setting screen display of the multifunction device 108. For example, when the ID number is 00000123, a display screen as shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 201 when the ID number is 00000123.

In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes an extended function key.
Pressing this key enters a mode such as double-sided copying, multiple copying, moving, binding margin setting, frame erasing setting, and the like. 6
An image mode key 02 enters a setting mode for shading, shading, trimming, and masking a copied image. Reference numeral 603 denotes a user mode key, which can register a mode memory and set a standard mode screen for each user. Reference numeral 604 denotes an advanced zoom key.
The mode enters a mode in which the magnification is independently changed in the direction and the Y direction, and a mode of a zoom program in which the magnification is calculated from the document size and the copy size. 605, 606, 607 are M1 key, M2
Key and M3 key, which are pressed when each mode memory is called. A call key 608 is depressed when calling the copy mode set last time. Reference numeral 609 denotes an option key for setting optional functions such as a film projector for directly copying from a film. 61
Reference numeral 0 denotes a sorter key, which is used to sort the sorter and set modes such as groups. Reference numeral 611 denotes a document mixed key.
A4 size and A3 size or B5 size in the document feeder
Press this button to set both size and B4 size originals together. A same-size key 612 is pressed to set the copy magnification to 100%. Reference numerals 614 and 615 denote a reduction key and an enlargement key, respectively, which are pressed when reducing or enlarging a fixed form. 616
Is a zoom key, which is pressed when performing irregular reduction and enlargement in 1% steps. A paper selection key 613 is depressed when selecting a copy paper. Reference numerals 618 and 620 denote density keys. Each time the density key 618 is pressed, the density is copied, and each time the density key 620 is pressed, the density is copied. Reference numeral 617 denotes a density display unit, and when a density key 618 or 620 is pressed, the cursor display changes right and left. Reference numeral 619 denotes an AE key which is pressed when an original having a dark background such as a newspaper is automatically adjusted in density and copied. Reference numeral 621 denotes a HiFi key, which is depressed when copying a document having a high halftone density such as a photo document. Reference numeral 622 denotes a character emphasis key, which is depressed when characters are to be emphasized in copying a character original. Reference numeral 623 denotes a guide key, and when pressed when the function of the key is not understood, the description of the key is displayed. A copy mode key 624 is pressed when copying is performed. A fax key 625 is pressed to perform faxing. Reference numeral 626 denotes a file key which is pressed when the user wants to output file data. A printer key 627 is pressed when the user wants to print out image data from an external device such as a computer.

For example, if the ID number is 00000234
In the case of, the display screen as shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 201 when the ID number is 00000234.

At the time of this ID, 601 to 6 in FIG.
Instead of the setting keys up to 11, a trimming key 628 for extracting an image relating to image processing settings only at a specified portion, a masking key 629 for extracting an image only at a specified portion, and a sharpness key 629 for setting the sharpness of the image are displayed.

As described above, the application software for displaying the operation unit has been described in the above embodiment. However, the same operation can be executed for software for performing image processing such as scaling processing and edge forced processing.

Note that the present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices, or to an apparatus including a single device.

A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by performing a part or all of the processing described above.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It is needless to say that the present invention includes a case where a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0048]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when an operator rewrites and customizes a program file operable on a multi-function device, an ID number of the operator is added to the program file. And store it. Then, when the multifunction device is operated later, the ID number of the operator is recognized, and the corresponding program file is downloaded to the multifunction device.

Accordingly, when another operator uses the multi-function device, the subsequent operator uses the multi-function device in a state that is convenient for him, regardless of the customization of the previous operator. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the multifunction device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the device controller shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration when a program operable on a multifunction device according to the present invention is registered in a file server connected to the network.

FIG. 5 shows a multifunction device according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration when a program file stored in a recording device of a file server connected to a network is searched.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration in a case where a program operable on a multifunction device according to the present invention is acquired from a file server connected to a network and executed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a detailed operation of the image forming system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display screen of the operation unit when the ID number is 00000123.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the display screen of the operation unit when the ID number is 00000234.

[Explanation of symbols]

 110 Host computer 107 File server 108 Multi-function device 111 Search server

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP04 AP07 HJ07 HJ08 HJ10 HK11 HQ05 5B021 AA30 CC05 EE01 PP04 PP06 5B076 AA03 AB17 5B089 GA12 GB03 HA10 JA34 JB07 KA13 KB09 KB13 KC47 KC58 LB14

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A computer connected to a network for creating application software, and a file server connected to the network to transmit and store identification numbers of the application software and the creator of the application software from the computer A multi-function device connected to the network and operating in accordance with application software; an identification number recognizing means for identifying an identification number of an operator operating the multi-function device; and Selecting means for selecting application software with the recognized identification number; and downloading means for downloading the application software selected by the selecting means to the multifunction device. Image forming system characterized by having a. 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the application software is software for performing display processing and operation input processing on the multifunction device. 3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein said identification number recognizing means searches a memory in which an identification number of an operator is stored in advance. 4. The multifunction device includes: a scanner for inputting an image; an image processing unit for performing image processing on the image input by the scanner; and an image output by the image processing unit. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a printer unit that performs the operation. 5. An image forming apparatus for controlling image formation based on an instruction from an operation panel, comprising: an identification unit for identifying input identification information of an operator; Display control means for loading an application program and controlling a display screen corresponding to the identification information to be displayed on the operation panel. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a card reader for inserting a memory card, wherein said identification means identifies identification information read from said memory card by said card reader. 7. The display control unit includes a download unit that transmits the identification information to an external device and downloads, from the external device, an application program searched by the external device based on the identification information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: 8. A computer connected to a network for creating application software, and a file server connected to the network for transmitting and storing the application software and an identification number of a creator of the application software from the computer. When,
A control method applied to an image forming system including a multi-function device connected to the network and operating according to application software; an identification number recognition step of identifying an identification number of an operator operating the multi-function device; A selection step of selecting, from the file server, application software with the identification number recognized in the identification number recognition step; and a download step of downloading the application software selected by the selection step to the multifunction device. A control method comprising: 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the application software is software for performing display processing and operation input processing on the multifunction device. 10. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the identification number recognizing step searches a memory in which an identification number of the operator is stored in advance. 11. A computer connected to a network for creating application software, and a file server connected to the network for transmitting and storing the application software and an identification number of a creator of the application software from the computer. And a computer-readable storage medium storing, as a program, a control method applied to an image forming system including a multi-function device connected to the network and operating in accordance with application software. An identification number recognition step for identifying an identification number of an operator who operates the multi-function device; and an application software having the identification number recognized in the identification number recognition step from the file server. And a download step of downloading the application software selected by the selection step to the multi-function device. 12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said application software is software for performing display processing and operation input processing on said multifunction device. 13. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein said identification number recognizing step searches a memory in which an identification number of an operator is stored in advance.