JP3052846B2 - Multifunctional peripheral device and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral device having a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of an information processing apparatus and capable of executing a plurality of functions simultaneously by multitask processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunctional peripheral devices having a plurality of functions such as a printer and a scanner as peripheral devices of an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and capable of simultaneously operating a plurality of functions by multitask processing have been actively developed. It is being done.

[0003] By connecting such a multifunctional peripheral device to a personal computer so that data can be transmitted and received, a scanner function and a printer function provided in the multifunctional peripheral device can be used from the personal computer side. .

In some cases, the multifunction peripheral device has a normal port and an expansion port as connection ports to the information processing device. In such a multifunctional peripheral device, a LAN is connected to the information processing device via an expansion port.
When data of (local area network) is input as print data and LAN data is printed out by the printer function of the multifunctional peripheral device, a normal port is switched from the information processing device by a user operation. When other print data is input via the printer, the two printer data described above are supplied to the printer function, and it may not be possible to normally print out the respective printer data.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the multifunction peripheral manages data transmitted and received through the two connection ports, and one of the two connection ports is used. In such a case, a method of prohibiting the use of the other connection port is adopted.

[0006]

In the method of using the connection port as described above, for example, data of an image read by a scanner function of the multi-function peripheral device is transmitted to the information processing device through a normal port. Even if it is set, reception of LAN data as printer data via the expansion port is prohibited. At this time, since the print function of the multi-function peripheral device is not used, the printer receives LAN data as printer data from the information processing device via the expansion port and prints out the data using the printer function. Data cannot be recorded. Conversely, even when LAN data is received via the expansion port, for example, the scanner function cannot be used despite the fact that the scanner function of the multi-function peripheral device can be used. In other words, among the functions provided in the multi-function peripheral device, even the functions that can be used simultaneously can not be used simultaneously, and the functions provided in the multi-function peripheral device cannot be effectively used.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and manages and controls a plurality of connection ports provided in a multi-function peripheral device, and provides a plurality of connection ports provided in the multi-function peripheral device. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-function peripheral device that can utilize functions more effectively.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a multifunctional peripheral device according to the present invention has a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of an information processing device, and has a plurality of functions by multitask processing. A multi-function peripheral device capable of simultaneously executing functions, wherein the plurality of transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the information processing apparatus, and the data transmitted / received by the plurality of transmission / reception means include the plurality of functions. Function determining means for determining whether the data pertains to any one of the functions, and the remaining transmitting / receiving means when data is transmitted / received by some of the plurality of transmitting / receiving means. Transmission / reception data selection means for prohibiting transmission / reception of data relating to functions which cannot be operated simultaneously with the function determined by the function determination means.

[0009] The multi-function peripheral device is capable of transmitting data transmitted from the information processing device and data transmitted to the information processing device to any of various functions provided in the multi-function peripheral device. It is determined whether the data is such data, and based on the result of the determination, data that can be transmitted and received and data that cannot be transmitted and received are selected. That is, even if data is transmitted / received in a part of the transmission / reception means, if the data is related to a function that can be operated simultaneously, the remaining transmission / reception means performs information processing with the multifunctional peripheral device. Data can be transmitted to and received from the device. Therefore, a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction peripheral device can be effectively used.

As the information processing apparatus, a personal computer or the like can be considered. As the multifunctional peripheral device, a device having a built-in fax modem and having a scanner function, a printer function, a PC fax function, and the like can be considered. Here, the PC fax function means that the fax data received by the multi-function peripheral device is received by the hard disk device of the information processing device connected to the multi-function peripheral device in the memory, or the data created in the information processing device is used. Is transmitted to the partner terminal. Note that the connection between the information processing device and the multi-function peripheral device may be a wired method or a wireless method. The transmission / reception means is realized by a normal port for parallel transmission, an expansion port for serial transmission, and the like. The function determining means and the transmitted / received data selecting means can be realized by operating a CPU or a microprocessor based on a predetermined program.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multifunctional peripheral device according to the first aspect, wherein the plurality of functions as a peripheral device of the information processing apparatus include a print function. This print function can be operated simultaneously with any other function, and the two sending / receiving means are provided, one sending / receiving means sends / receives data relating to all of the plurality of functions, and the other sending / receiving means Only the data relating to the print function is transmitted / received, and the transmitted / received data selection means inhibits the transmission / reception of data by the other transmission / reception means when the data relating to the print function is transmitted / received by the one transmission / reception means. Things.

According to this multi-function peripheral device, even when the print function provided in the multi-function peripheral device is operating, a function such as a scanner function operable simultaneously with the print function is operated. An image can be read. Conversely, when a function other than the print function is operating, the print function can be operated to print out desired print data.

The other transmitting / receiving means is, for example, an RS-
This is realized by a serial transmission interface based on the 232C standard, and receives only LAN data to be printed. In this case, the prohibition of data transmission / reception by the other transmission / reception means when the multifunctional peripheral device is receiving printer data by the one transmission / reception means is provided to the information processing apparatus by LAN
This is realized by transmitting a command indicating that data cannot be received, or refusing to receive LAN data transmitted via the serial transmission interface. Further, when data reception is performed via a serial transmission interface in the multi-function peripheral device, the type of data transmitted and received between the information processing device and the multi-function peripheral device is It is possible to recognize that the data is LAN data without making a determination by the function determining means. When the multifunctional peripheral device is receiving printer data by the one transmitting / receiving means, it is not necessary to determine the type of data transmitted from the information processing apparatus by the function determining means. This is because LAN data cannot be printed because the print function is operating, and data related to other functions is prohibited because the one transmitting / receiving means is used. is there.

Further, the storage medium according to the third aspect of the present invention provides a multi-functional peripheral device having a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of an information processing apparatus and capable of executing a plurality of functions simultaneously by multi-task processing. A storage medium storing a program for operating, wherein data transmitted / received by a plurality of transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the information processing apparatus is related to any one of the plurality of functions. A function judging program for judging whether the data is data, and when data transmission / reception is being performed by a part of the plurality of transmission / reception means, the remaining transmission / reception means makes a determination based on the function determination program. That a program that includes the function that has been set and a send / receive data selection program that prohibits data related to the It is a symptom.

According to this storage medium, by operating the CPU of the multi-function peripheral device based on the contents, the effect of the multi-function peripheral device can be enjoyed.

The storage medium may be a ROM or a flexible disk, but is not limited thereto.
-It may be a ROM or the like.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a state in which a multifunctional peripheral device according to the present invention is connected to a personal computer. The personal computer 1 employs a GUI using a so-called multi-window, and can simultaneously activate a plurality of application software. The multifunctional peripheral device (hereinafter, referred to as “MFD”) 2 has a plurality of functions such as a PC facsimile, a printer, and an image scanner. MF
D is an abbreviation for multi-function device.

The personal computer 1 comprises a processor 1
1, EEPROM 12, RAM 13, gate array 1
4, interface 15 for parallel transmission, interface 16 for serial transmission, hard disk drive 1
7, flexible disk drive 18, display unit 19,
An operation unit 20 and a LAN adapter 21 are provided.
The processor 11, the EEPROM 12, the RAM 13, the gate array 14, and the interfaces 15, 16 are mutually connected by a bus line. The bus lines include a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line. Hard disk drive 17, flexible disk drive 18,
Display unit 19, operation unit 20, and LAN adapter 21
Are connected to the gate array 14.

The processor 11 includes a hard disk drive 17
It operates based on programs such as an OS and various application software installed in the PC and performs information processing. The EEPROM 12 stores various registration data and the like. The RAM 13 is used by various application software and stores various data. The gate array 14 functions as an interface between the processor 11 and the hard disk device 17, flexible disk drive 18, display unit 19, operation unit 20, and LAN adapter 21. The interface 15 for parallel transmission controls transmission and reception of data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on, for example, standards such as Centronics. The interface 16 for serial transmission is, for example, an RS-
It controls the transmission and reception of LAN data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on standards such as H.232C. The hard disk device 17 stores various application software programs and the like. The flexible disk drive 18 reads the contents of the flexible disk and writes data to the flexible disk. The display unit 19 includes, for example, an LCD and is controlled by the processor 11 to display characters, graphics, and the like. The operation unit 20 includes, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and outputs an operation signal based on an operation by a user. The LAN adapter 21 functions as an interface between the personal computer 1 and the LAN.

The MFD 2 includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32, an R
AM 33, EEPROM 34, gate array 35, interface 36 for parallel transmission, interface 37 for serial transmission, scanner 38, printer 39,
A modem 40, an operation unit 41, and a display unit 42 are provided. CPU31, ROM32, RAM33, EEPROM
M34, gate array 35, and interface 3
6, 37 are mutually connected by a bus line. The bus lines include a data bus, an address bus, and a control signal line. A scanner 38, a printer 39, a modem 40, an operation unit 41, and a display unit 42 are connected to the gate array 35. The interface 36 includes a cable 51
The interface 37 is connected to the interface 16 of the personal computer 1 via a cable 52. A LAN 53 is connected to the LAN adapter 21 of the personal computer 1, and a telephone line 54 is connected to the modem 40 of the MFD 2.

The CPU 31 controls the entire MFD 2.
The ROM 32 stores a program for controlling the MFD 2 and the like. The RAM 33 stores various data. The EEPROM 34 stores various flags, registration data, and the like. The gate array 35 includes a CPU 31, a scanner 38, a printer 39, a modem 40, an operation unit 41,
And an interface with the display unit 42. The interface 36 for parallel transmission controls transmission and reception of data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on a standard such as Centronics. The serial transmission interface 37 controls transmission and reception of LAN data between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2 based on a standard such as RS-232C. The scanner 38 reads an image of a document and converts it into an image signal. The printer 39 prints an image based on the image data. When transmitting and receiving facsimile communication, the modem 40 modulates a carrier with transmission data and demodulates a received carrier to extract received data. The operation unit 41 includes a group of key switches and the like, and outputs an operation signal according to an operation by a user. Display section 42
Is composed of an LCD or the like, and performs various displays under the control of the CPU 31.

The hard disk device 17 of the personal computer 1 has the modem 40 of the MFD 2 perform facsimile communication between the personal computer 1 and another facsimile device or the like. The personal computer 1 captures an image signal read out using the scanner 38 or prints out a scanned document or image.
MFD control application software for realizing various functions is installed. This MFD
The control application software inserts the flexible disk into the flexible disk drive 18 and performs a predetermined operation, so that the hard disk drive 17
Installed in The MFD control application software includes software called a FAX driver for performing data conversion such as conversion of text data to bitmap data, software called a log manager for managing and displaying a communication history, and communication between the personal computer 1 and the MFD 2. It is composed of software called a status monitor for managing the transmission and reception of the data.

That is, the interface 3 of the MFD 2
6, 37 realize a plurality of transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the information processing apparatus. The CPU 31 of the MFD 2
A function of operating based on a program stored in the OM 32 to determine whether data transmitted / received by the plurality of transmission / reception units is data relating to any of the plurality of functions A determination unit, and when data transmission / reception is being performed by a part of the plurality of transmission / reception units, the remaining transmission / reception unit cannot operate simultaneously with the function determined by the function determination unit. Transmission / reception data selection means for prohibiting transmission / reception of data relating to the function.

Next, the operation of the multi-functional peripheral device configured as described above will be described. The plurality of functions of the MFD 2 include a scanner function for reading an image, a printer function for printing printer data sent from the personal computer 1 via the interfaces 36 and 37, and a modem 40 demodulating a received carrier wave and extracting it. Sends the received data to the personal computer 1,
A PC facsimile function of modulating data created by the personal computer 1 with the modem 40 and transmitting the modulated data to the partner terminal. When the printer data is received by the parallel transmission interface 36, other functions cannot be operated at the same time, and when the LAN data is received as the printer data via the serial transmission interface 37. The interface 36 for parallel transmission can transmit and receive data other than printer data.

For example, when LAN data is input as printer data via the serial transmission interface 37, data other than printer data can be transmitted / received via the parallel transmission interface 36. That is, an image is read by the scanner 38, and the read image data is transmitted to the personal computer 1 via the interface for parallel transmission 36, or the received data demodulated by the modem 40 and the extracted received data is transmitted to the personal computer 1. The data can be transmitted to the computer 1 or data generated by the personal computer 1 can be modulated by the modem 40 and transmitted to the partner terminal. When printer data is received from the personal computer 1 via the parallel transmission interface 36, transmission and reception of all other data are prohibited.

Therefore, even when the print function provided in the MFD 2 is operated to print LAN data, the scanner function and the PC facsimile function which can operate simultaneously with the print function are simultaneously operated, and It can read and send and receive fax data. Conversely, when a function other than the print function is operating, the print function can be operated to print LAN data.

Next, a procedure of a process of receiving data from the personal computer 1 of the MFD 2 performing the above operation will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. As described above, the interface 36 for parallel transmission can transmit and receive data other than LAN data, and the interface 37 for serial transmission can only receive LAN data. The interface 36 for parallel transmission cannot simultaneously transmit and receive a plurality of types of data.

First, the CPU 31 of the MFD 2 determines whether or not data has arrived via the interface 36 for parallel transmission (S1). At this time, the fact that the data has been received via the parallel transmission interface 36 means that the data can be transmitted and received at the parallel transmission interface 36, that is, when the data is transmitted from the personal computer 1. ,
This means that data transmission / reception in the interface 36 for parallel transmission has not been performed.

If the CPU 31 determines that data has arrived (S1: YES), it determines whether the data sent from the personal computer 1 is printer data (S2). Specifically, the type of data transmitted, for example, data indicating use of a scanner function, or use of a printer function is determined by the identification data given at the beginning of the data transmitted from the personal computer 1. Printer data to be printed or fax data to be transmitted using the PC facsimile function. Note that the printer data here refers to printer data other than LAN data to be printed using the print function of the MFD 2.

At this time, if the CPU 31 determines that the data sent from the personal computer 1 is printer data (S2: YES), it receives LAN data through the serial transmission interface 37. It is determined whether or not it is (S3). That is, even when data transmitted from the personal computer 1 via the serial transmission interface 37 is being received, the data transmitted from the personal computer 1 via the parallel transmission interface 36 is received. This is because incoming data can be received.

In S3, if the CPU 31 determines that the LAN data transmitted from the personal computer via the serial transmission interface 37 has not been received (S3: NO), the CPU 31
Prohibits transmission / reception of LAN data through the interface 37 for serial transmission (S4). In this step, for example, the value of the flag is set to 1 and the EEPROM 34 of the
When the LAN data is received through the serial transmission interface 37,
This is performed by causing the PU 31 to check the value of the flag stored in the EEPROM 34 and, if the value of the flag is 1, not to receive LAN data.

Subsequently, printer data sent from the personal computer 1 is received (S5), and the CPU
31 determines whether all the printer data sent from the personal computer 1 has been received (S
6).

In S6, when the CPU 31 determines that all the printer data sent from the personal computer 1 has not been received (S6: NO),
Returning to S5, the reception of the printer data is continued.

In S6, when the CPU 31 determines that all the printer data sent from the personal computer 1 has been received (S6: YES), the CPU 31 sends the data from the personal computer 1 via the serial transmission interface 37. Therefore, the CPU 31 rewrites the value of the flag stored in the EEPROM 34 of the MFD 2 to 0, and transmits the LAN data transmitted from the personal computer 1 through the serial transmission interface 37. (S7), and this routine ends.

In S1, if the CPU 31 determines that no data has been received via the parallel transmission interface 36 (S1: NO), this routine ends.

In S2, if the CPU 31 determines that the data sent from the personal computer 1 is not printer data (S2: NO), the CPU 31 receives the data sent from the personal computer 1 (S8). Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the reception of the data sent from the personal computer 1 has been completed (S9), and if the CPU 31 has determined that the reception of the data has not been completed (S9: NO). , And returns to S8 to continue receiving data sent from the personal computer 1. In S9, when the CPU 31 determines that the reception of the data sent from the personal computer 1 has been completed (S9: YES), this routine ends.

In S3, if the CPU 31 determines that LAN data transmitted from the personal computer via the serial transmission interface 37 is being received (S3: YES), the personal computer 1 Without receiving the printer data sent from the PC, a command to the effect that printer data cannot be received is transmitted to the personal computer 1 (S10).
This routine ends.

In the above-described embodiment, data transmission / reception via the serial transmission interface 37 of the MFD 2 can be performed only by LAN data transmission / reception, and data transmission / reception via the parallel transmission interface 36 is not required. Although it was possible to send and receive data other than LAN data,
The interfaces 36 and 37 capable of transmitting and receiving various data including LAN data are connected to the interfaces 15 and 1 capable of transmitting and receiving various data including LAN data of the personal computer 1 using cables 51 and 52 and the like.
6 is also within the scope of the present invention.
In this case, for example, in the MFD 2 having a scanner function, a print function, and a PC facsimile function,
When either facsimile data is transmitted or received using the PC facsimile function, the image is read using the scanner function and the read image data is transmitted to the personal computer 1 or the print function is used. Can be used to print LAN data or other printer data. Further, when the image is read using the scanner function and the read image data is transmitted to the personal computer 1, the transmission or reception of the fax data using the PC facsimile function or the print function is used. To print LAN data or other printer data. If LAN data or other printer data is printed using the print function, an image is read using the scanner function and the read image data is transmitted to the personal computer 1 or a PC facsimile. Fax data can be sent and received using the function.

In the above embodiment, the MFD 2 has the scanner function, the print function, and the PC facsimile function. However, each of the functions is only one embodiment, and the MFD 2 has other functions. Needless to say, there may be.

[0041]

As described above, according to the multifunctional peripheral device of the first aspect of the present invention, even if data transmission / reception is performed in a part of the transmission / reception means,
If the data is related to a function that can be operated simultaneously, the data can be transmitted and received between the multi-function peripheral device and the information processing device by the remaining transmitting and receiving means. Therefore, a plurality of functions provided in the multifunction peripheral device can be effectively used.

Further, according to the multi-function peripheral device of the present invention, even when the print function provided in the multi-function peripheral device is operating, it can be operated simultaneously with the print function. By operating a function such as a scanner function, an image can be read. Conversely, when a function other than the print function is operating, the print function can be operated to print out desired print data.

Further, according to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 3, the CPU of the multi-function peripheral device is determined based on the contents.
By operating the device, the effect of the multifunction peripheral device according to the first aspect can be enjoyed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram illustrating a state in which a multifunction peripheral device according to the present invention is connected to a personal computer.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a data reception process performed by the multi-function peripheral device illustrated in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 MFD 31 CPU 32 ROM 33 RAM 34 EEPROM 35 Gate array 36 Interface (for parallel transmission) 37 Interface (for serial transmission) 38 Scanner 39 Printer 40 Modem 41 Operation part 42 Display part 51 Cable 52 Cable 54 Telephone line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 13/10-13/14 330 B41J 29/38 G06F 3/12

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A multi-function peripheral device having a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of an information processing device and capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of functions by multi-task processing, wherein the multi-function peripheral device transmits and receives data to and from the information processing device. A plurality of transmitting / receiving means for performing; a function determining means for determining whether data transmitted / received by the plurality of transmitting / receiving means is data relating to any of the plurality of functions; and a plurality of transmitting / receiving means When data transmission / reception is being performed by some transmission / reception means of the means, data relating to a function which cannot be operated simultaneously with the function determined by the function determination means is transmitted / received by the remaining transmission / reception means. And a transmission / reception data selection means for prohibiting data transmission. 2. The plurality of functions as a peripheral device of the information processing apparatus include a print function, the print function can operate simultaneously with any other function, and two transmission / reception units are provided. One transmission / reception unit transmits / receives data relating to all of the plurality of functions, the other transmission / reception unit transmits / receives only data relating to the printing function, and the transmission / reception data selection unit relates to the printing function by the one transmission / reception unit. 2. The multifunction peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein when the data transmission / reception is being performed, data transmission / reception by the other transmission / reception unit is prohibited. 3. A storage medium storing a program for operating a multi-function peripheral device having a plurality of functions as a peripheral device of an information processing device and capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of functions by multi-task processing. A function determination program that determines whether data transmitted / received by a plurality of transmission / reception units that transmit / receive data to / from the information processing apparatus is data relating to any one of the plurality of functions, When data transmission / reception is being performed by some of the plurality of transmission / reception units, data relating to a function that cannot be operated simultaneously with the function determined by the function determination program by the remaining transmission / reception unit. And a transmission / reception data selection program for prohibiting transmission / reception of data.