JP3679349B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, image forming program, and application program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having hardware resources used in image forming processing such as a display unit, a printing unit, and an imaging unit, and providing a user service related to image forming processing such as a printer, a copy, or a facsimile, and an image Forming method, Image forming program and application programIn particular, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of efficiently developing each software (application) corresponding to a printer, a copy and a facsimile apparatus, and improving the productivity of the entire apparatus, Image forming program and application programAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  Conventionally, printers, copiers, and facsimiles are generally arranged as separate cases, but recently, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “composite”) in which the functions of these devices are housed in a single case. Is known).
[0003]
  This multifunction device is provided with a display unit, a printing unit, an imaging unit, and the like in one casing, and three types of software corresponding to a printer, a copy unit, and a facsimile device, respectively. Operates as a printer, copy or factory device.
[0004]
  By using such a multifunction device, it is not necessary to provide a printer, a copy, and a facsimile separately in the room, so that total cost reduction and space saving can be achieved.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, if software (including a dedicated OS) corresponding to a printer, a copy, and a facsimile apparatus is separately provided in such a multifunction machine, it takes a lot of time to develop each software.
[0006]
  In other words, such a conventional multi-function machine is simply a single case, and printer software, copy software, and facsimile software must be separately developed as in the conventional case.
[0007]
  Originally, the printer software, copy software, and facsimile software can share algorithms in various aspects due to the nature of handling the same kind of images. There is also a problem that causes a cumulative increase.
[0008]
  Therefore, recently, a general-purpose OS such as UNIX is often used in such a multi-function peripheral in order to eliminate duplication processing when three types of dedicated OSs are separately provided, but the OS part is simply shared. So, software development efficiency cannot be improved so much.
[0009]
  Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-79368 discloses a document service architecture including an application layer composed of server dialogs and distributed applications, a functional layer composed of a font manager and a network manager, and a control layer composed of an operating system. An electronic printing system is disclosed, but this prior art is only a part of functions such as fonts, and does not increase the development efficiency of each software.
[0010]
  A personal computer connected to a multifunction peripheral or printer can be equipped with a plurality of applications, but this personal computer does not manage hardware resources related to the multifunction peripheral. The present invention relates not to a personal computer itself but to an image forming apparatus itself such as a multifunction peripheral to which the personal computer is connected.
[0011]
  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and efficiently develops each software (application) corresponding to a printer, a copy and a facsimile apparatus, and the productivity of the entire apparatus. Forming apparatus and image forming method, Image forming program and application programThe purpose is to provide.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 includes:It has a printing unit or imaging unit, and multiple applications related to image formation processing can be installed.An image forming apparatus,An operating system, a program that operates on the operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing commonly used by the plurality of applications;It is provided with.
[0013]
  According to the invention of claim 1,It has a printing unit or imaging unit, and multiple applications related to image formation processing can be installed.An image forming apparatus,An operating system and a program that operates on the operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applicationsWhen creating an application for each user service,programIt is sufficient to create a part other than.
[0014]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention.programHas an application program interface that makes it possible to receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function.
[0015]
  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an application program interface capable of receiving a processing request from an application by a predefined function.programSo that the application andprogramCan maintain a smooth cooperation.
[0016]
  Also,An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the above invention.The platform interprets a processing request from the application, generates a request for acquiring the hardware resource, and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources, and acquires the acquisition from the control service. And a system resource manager that arbitrates requests.
[0017]
  thisAccording to the invention, a control service for interpreting a processing request from an application and generating a hardware resource acquisition request in the platform, and managing one or a plurality of hardware resources, and an acquisition request from the control service. Since the system resource manager that arbitrates the system resources is provided, the use of hardware resources by each application can be performed smoothly.
[0018]
  Claims3An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is1 or 2In the invention ofprogramMultiplemoduleIt is formed by these.
[0019]
  This claim3According to the invention ofprogramMultiplemoduleAt the module levelprogramIt is possible to realize function expansion and function change.
[0020]
  Also,According to another aspect of the present inventionThe image forming apparatusthe aboveIn the present invention, the service module controls an engine control service for controlling an engine, a memory control service for controlling a memory and a hard disk, an operation panel control service for controlling an operation panel, a fax control service for controlling fax communication, or a network communication. It is formed by any two or more modules of the network control service.
[0021]
  This inventionAccording to the service module, the engine control service for controlling the engine, the memory control service for controlling the memory and the hard disk, the operation panel control service for controlling the operation panel, the fax control service for controlling the fax communication, or the network communication control. Since it is formed by any two or more modules of the network control service, engine control, memory control, operation panel control, fax communication control or network communication control can be performed by the platform.
[0022]
  Also,An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the above invention, whereinThe system resource manager manages the one or more hardware resources through the general-purpose operating system.
[0023]
  This inventionAccordingIfSince the system resource manager manages one or a plurality of hardware resources via the general-purpose operating system, the hardware resources can be efficiently managed by executing processes under the general-purpose operating system.
[0024]
An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the above invention.The plurality of applications respectively perform screen control, key operation control, and job generation for each service such as the printer, copying, and facsimile.
[0025]
  This inventionTherefore, each application performs screen control, key operation control, and job generation for each service such as a printer, copy, and facsimile. Therefore, a simple application that performs processing related to the user interface is used. Various processing can be realized.
[0026]
An image forming apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is the above invention.The plurality of applications include at least a printer application, a copy application, a fax application, a scanner application, a net file application, and a process inspection application.
[0027]
  thisAccording to the invention, since the plurality of applications include at least the printer application, the copy application, the fax application, the scanner application, the net file application, and the process inspection application, the user can use the printer, copy, fax, scanner, net file, and Process inspection can be performed.
[0028]
  Claims4The image forming method according toAn image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing. The image forming process commonly used in the plurality of applications is controlled by a program that operates on an operating system and is accessed from the plurality of applications.
[0029]
  This claim4According to the invention ofAn image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing, which operates on an operating system and is accessed by a plurality of the applications To control the image forming process commonly used by a plurality of the applications.So when creating an application for each user service,programIt is sufficient to create a part other than.
[0030]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the fourth aspect, the program includes an application program interface that allows a processing request from the application to be received by a predefined function. The image forming process is controlled using the application program interface.
[0031]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the program includes an application program interface that can receive a processing request from an application using a predefined function, and controls image forming processing using the application program interface. Therefore, when creating an application for each user service, it is sufficient to create parts other than the program.
[0032]
An image forming method according to claim 6 is the image forming method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled by using the plurality of modules. It is characterized by performing.
[0033]
  According to the invention of claim 6,The program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled using the plurality of modules.At module levelprogramIt is possible to realize function expansion and function change.
[0034]
An image forming program according to a seventh aspect is an image forming program that is executed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing. The image forming process commonly used by the plurality of applications is controlled by a program that is operated by the plurality of applications and is accessed from the plurality of applications.
[0035]
  According to the invention of claim 7,An image forming program executed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing, which operates on an operating system and is accessed from a plurality of the applications Since the image forming process commonly used by a plurality of the applications is controlled by the program, it is sufficient to create a part other than the program when creating an application for each user service.
[0036]
An image forming program according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the image forming program according to the seventh aspect, wherein the program includes an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application by a predefined function. The image forming process is controlled using the application program interface.
[0037]
  According to the invention of claim 8,Since the program has an application program interface that allows a processing request from the application to be received by a predefined function, and the image forming process is controlled using the application program interface, each user service When creating this application, it is sufficient to create parts other than the program.
[0038]
An image forming program according to claim 9 is the image forming program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled by using the plurality of modules. It is characterized by performing.
[0039]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the program is formed of a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled using the plurality of modules. Can be realized.
[0040]
  Claims10 is an image forming apparatus that includes a printing unit or an imaging unit and is capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing.Application programs that can be installed inOn a program that is executed on an operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applications.The operation is executed.
[0041]
  This claim10According to the invention, the application program isOn a program that is executed on an operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applications.Because it was supposed to runprogramIt is possible to provide an application program with a light processing using.
[0042]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  With reference to the accompanying drawings, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method according to the present invention will be described below., Image forming program and application programThe preferred embodiment will be described in detail. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine is shown.
[0043]
(Embodiment 1)
  First, the concept of the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the platform shown in FIG.
[0044]
  As shown in FIG. 1A, a conventional printer 100 has a printer application (printer application) mounted on a dedicated OS 101 that performs a drawing / printing function and engine control. In addition, the facsimile and copy are also configured with separate housings. In addition, although a multi-function machine that brings them together in one housing has appeared, it is not efficient to simply provide printer, copy, and facsimile functions independently.
[0045]
  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 2B, a conventional dedicated OS 101 is formed by a general-purpose OS portion 111 and an engine control portion 112, which are connected by an engine interface (I / F) and on the general-purpose OS 111. A device configuration in which a printer application 113, a copy application 114, and various applications 115 are installed has been adopted.
[0046]
  Since the MFP 110 employs a general-purpose OS such as UNIX, for example, the printer application 113, the copy application 114, and the various applications 115 can be easily executed in parallel as processes.
[0047]
  However, since the printer application 113, the copy application 114, and the various applications 115 also need to be independently developed for the multifunction machine 110, the development burden of each software cannot be alleviated.
[0048]
  Therefore, in the MFP 120 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1C, common portions of each application are bundled as a common system service 121, and a platform 122 is formed by the common system service 121 and the general-purpose OS 111. To do.
[0049]
  Since the printer application 123, the copy application 124, and the various applications 125 are installed on the platform 122, it is possible to reduce the development effort of each application and to make the application slim.
[0050]
  For example, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), if the copy application consists of 130,000 steps, the fax application consists of 125,000 steps, and the printer application consists of 100,000 steps, if these are formed as separate applications, a total of 130,000 + 125, 000 + 100,000 = 355,000 steps of code are required.
[0051]
  Here, if the portion that can be commonly used for each application is 180,000 steps, productivity is improved by consolidating this portion as a platform.
[0052]
  For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, if a copy application can be formed with 40,000 steps, a fax application with 100,000 steps, a printer application with 35,000 steps, and a platform with 90,000 steps, a total of 40,000 + 100,000 + 35,000 + 90 , 000 = 265,000 steps, improving the productivity of the entire device by 134% (355,000 / 265,000).
[0053]
  Considering the platform part, productivity is improved by 200% (180,000 / 90,000), and the development efficiency of copy application, fax application and printer application is greatly improved.
[0054]
  As described above, the MFP 120 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the printer application 123, the copy application 124, and the various applications 125 are mounted on the platform 122 including the common system service 121 and the general-purpose OS 111. The productivity of the entire device can be increased, and the development efficiency of each application can be increased.
[0055]
  Next, the software configuration of the multifunction machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a specific software configuration of the multifunction peripheral 120 shown in FIG.
[0056]
  As shown in the figure, the MFP 120 includes a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 301, a color line printer (Color LP) 302, other hardware resources 303, and the like. It consists of an application 330.
[0057]
  The platform 320 interprets a processing request from the application 330 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request as shown below, and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources, and receives an acquisition request from the control service. It has a system resource manager (SRM (System Resource Manager) 323) that performs arbitration and a general-purpose OS 321.
[0058]
  This control service is formed by a plurality of service modules. Specifically, an SCS (System Control Service) 322, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 324, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 325, and an OCS (Operation Panel Control). Service) 326, FCS (FAX Control Service) 327, and NCS (Network Control Service) 328. The platform 320 has an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function.
[0059]
  The general-purpose OS 321 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX, and executes the software of the platform 320 and the application 330 in parallel as processes. By using open source UNIX, the safety of the program can be ensured, the network can be supported, and the source code can be easily obtained. Furthermore, OS and TCP / IP royalties are unnecessary, and outsourcing is easy.
[0060]
  The SRM 323 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 322, and includes engines such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, memory, HDD files, host I / O (Centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F). , RS232CI / F, etc.) arbitration is performed according to a request from an upper layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.
[0061]
  Specifically, the SRM 323 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is Tell the upper layer that it is available. Also, hardware resource usage scheduling may be performed in response to a request from an upper layer, and the requested contents (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory allocation, file generation, etc.) may be directly executed. .
[0062]
  The SCS 322 includes (1) application management, (2) operation unit control, (3) system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.), (4) LED display, (5) resource management, and (6) interrupt application. Take control. Specifically, in (1) application management, processing for registering an application and notifying other applications of the information is performed. For the registered application, the engine state is notified according to the system setting or the request setting from the application. For registered applications, an inquiry about whether or not to change the state of the system, such as an inquiry about power mode transition and an interrupt mode, is made.
[0063]
  In (2) operation unit control, exclusive control of the operation unit usage right of the application is performed. Then, the key information from the operation unit driver (OCS) is exclusively notified to the application having the right to use the operation unit. This key information performs mask control for temporarily stopping notification according to system state transition such as during application switching.
[0064]
  In (3) system screen display, a warning screen corresponding to the engine state is displayed according to the content of a request from an application having an operation unit usage right. Some of them turn on / off warning display according to the state of the application such as a user restriction screen. In a state other than the engine state, display control of a job list screen for displaying job reservation / execution status, a counter screen for displaying total counters, and a screen indicating that CSS is being reported is performed. With respect to these system screen displays, drawing is performed as a system screen that covers the application screen without requesting the application to release the operation unit usage right.
[0065]
  In (4) LED display, display control of system LEDs such as warning LEDs and application keys is performed. The application-specific LED is directly controlled by the application using a display driver.
[0066]
  In (5) resource management, a service for exclusive control of engine resources (scanners, staples, etc.) that must be exclusive when an application (ECS) executes a job is provided. (6) In interrupt application control, Control and service to make certain applications have priority operation.
[0067]
  The ECS 324 controls engines such as a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 301, a color line printer (Color LP) 302, and other hardware resources 303, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like. .
[0068]
  Specifically, a series of copy / scan / print operations are realized by sequentially issuing print requests to the SRM 323 in accordance with the job mode designation received from the application 330. In the job to be handled by the ECS 324, it is assumed that a scanner (SCANNER) is designated as the image input device or a plotter (PLOTTER) is designated as the image output device.
[0069]
  For example, “SCANNER → PLOTTER” is specified for a copy operation, “SCANNER → MEMORY” is specified for file storage, and “SCANNER → FAX_IN” is specified for facsimile transmission. In addition, “MEMORY → PLOTTER” is designated for stored file printing or printing from the printer application 311, and “FAX_OUT → PLOTTER” is designated for facsimile reception.
[0070]
  Although the definition of the job varies depending on the application, here, the processing operation for one set of image groups handled by the user is defined as one job. For example, in the case of a copy ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) mode, an operation for reading one set of documents placed on the document table is one job, and in the pressure plate mode, a reading operation until the final document is determined is one job. . In the case of the copy application 312, the operation of copying a bundle of documents is one job, and in the case of the fax application 313, the transmission operation of one document or the reception operation of one document is one job. In this case, the printing operation for one document is one job.
[0071]
  The MCS 325 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 325 acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.
[0072]
  Here, as functions necessary for managing information necessary as image data files stored in the hard disk device, (1) file access (generation / deletion / open / close) function (including exclusive processing), ( 2) Various file attribute management such as file name / ID management (file / user) / password management / accumulation time management / number of pages / data format (compression method, etc.) / Access restriction / creation application / print condition management (physical (3) Management of image data in units of pages as a file), (3) Combine / insert / disconnect function in units of files and pages, (4) File sort function (accumulation time order / user ID order etc.), (5) All File information notification (for display / search), (6) Recovery function (file / page discard of damaged file), (7) Automatic deletion function of Airu, and the like.
[0073]
  The functions for holding and accessing image data to a memory such as a RAM include (1) a function for acquiring file and page / band attribute information from the application 330, and (2) an image data area from the application 330. There are secure, release, read, and write functions.
[0074]
  The OCS 326 is a module that controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control, and provides a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Processing, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed.
[0075]
  The OCS 326 includes (1) a library providing function for GUI construction, (2) an operation unit hardware resource management function, (3) a VRAM drawing / LCD display function (hardware display, display application switching, display language switching, Window dark color display, message / icon blink display, message connection display), (4) hard key input detection function, (5) touch panel key input detection function, (6) LED output function, (7) buzzer output function, etc. .
[0076]
  The FCS 327 performs facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN / ISDN network from each application layer of the system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. API is provided.
[0077]
  Specifically, the FCS 327 includes (1) a transmission function for transmitting a document requested to be transmitted from the application layer to a facsimile receiver using the PSTN / ISDN network, and (2) a facsimile reception received from the PSTN / ISDN network. Receiving function for transferring and printing screens and various reports to each application layer, (3) Phonebook quoting / registration function for quoting and registering facsimile management items such as phonebook and group information stored in the fax board (4) Fax log notification function for notifying the application that needs the transmission / reception result history information stored in the BKM installed on the fax board, (5) When the status of the fax board changes, the FCS Has an event notification function that notifies registered applications of events that have changed
[0078]
  The NCS 328 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications requiring network I / O. Data received from the network side according to each protocol is distributed to each application, and data from the application is distributed. Mediates when sending to the network side. Specifically, it has server daemons such as ftpd, httpd, lpd, snmpd, telnetd, and smtpd, and client functions of the same protocol.
[0079]
  The application 330 includes a printer application 311 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and PostScript (PS), a copy application 312 that is a copy application, and a fax application 313 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 314 that is a scanner application, a net file application 315 that is a net file application, and a process inspection application 316 that is a process inspection application. Since each application 311 to 316 can execute an operation by using each process on the platform 320, a screen display control program for performing screen control, key operation control, job generation, and the like is the main component. Note that a new application can also be installed via the network connected by the NCS 328. Each application can be added or deleted for each application.
[0080]
  Next, the copy operation using the copy application 312 shown in FIG. 3, the print operation using the printer application 311, and the scanner operation using the scanner application 314 will be described more specifically.
[0081]
  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a copy operation using the copy application 312 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the copy application 312 has a copy screen / key operation module 312a and a copy job generation module 312b. When a copy condition is designated from the operation panel and the start key is pressed, the copy screen / key operation module 312a transfers the copy condition to the copy job generation module 312b (step S401). The copy conditions include paper size, number of copies, double-sided, sort, and staple.
[0082]
  Thereafter, the copy job generation module 312b calls an engine job generation function to the engine job execution control module 324a using the ECS 324 API and sets the job mode. The job mode is a group of parameters necessary for operating the scanner, plotter, finisher, etc., and is generated from the copy conditions. Further, the copy job generation module 312b uses the ECS 324 API to call the job execution start function to the engine job execution control module 324a to instruct job execution (step S402).
[0083]
  The engine job execution control module 324a calls an image memory reservation function to the image memory handling module 325a using the API of the MCS 325, and instructs to secure the image memory (step S403).
[0084]
  The image memory handling module 325a calls a memory acquisition function to the memory resource management module 323b of the SRM 323 to acquire a memory (step S404). The engine job execution control module 324a calls a resource acquisition function to the engine resource management module of the SRM 323, starts operations of the scanner and plotter, and executes a copy job.
[0085]
  Next, the printing operation using the printer application 311 shown in FIG. 3 will be described more specifically. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a printing operation using the printer application 311 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the printer application 311 includes a RIP processing module 311a, a printer screen / key operation module 311b, a print job generation module 311c, and a print data communication module 311d.
[0086]
  When a print data command is input from a host such as a PC to the host I / O resource management module 323d of the SRM 323 via the Centro I / F, USB I / F, network I / F, etc. (step S501), the host I The / O resource management module 323d transfers the print data to the host communication I / F control module 328a of the NCS 328. Here, the host communication I / F control module 328a analyzes the input print data and determines a destination application. The host communication I / F control module 328a receives data from a plurality of communication protocols or host I / Fs, and arbitrates the destination (step S502).
[0087]
  When the print data is transferred to the print data communication module 311d in the printer application 311 (step S503), the print data is further input to the print job generation module 311c and a new print job is generated (step S504).
[0088]
  The print job generation module 311c transfers the data to the RIP processing module 311a according to the language type of the print data (step S505). The RIP processing module 311a performs the image development of the print data, and then the print job generation module 311a. It returns to 311c (step S506).
[0089]
  The image data generated by the print job generation module 311c is output to the image memory handling module 325a of the MCS 325 (step S507). Since requests from a plurality of applications are generated in the image memory, a memory allocation request is issued to the memory resource management module 323b of the SRM 323 that performs memory resource arbitration, and the image data developed after acquisition is stored in the memory. It is written (step S508).
[0090]
  When the print preparation of the image data is completed, the print job generation module 311c calls the engine job generation function to the engine job execution control module 324a using the ECS 324 API, sets the job mode, and then calls the job start function. The job execution is instructed (step S509).
[0091]
  The engine job execution control module 324a calls an engine resource acquisition function to the engine resource management module 323a of the SRM 323, starts the operation of the plotter, and executes a print job (step S510).
[0092]
  Next, the scanner operation using the scanner application 314 shown in FIG. 3 will be described more specifically. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a scanner operation using the scanner application 314 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the scanner application 314 includes a scanner screen / key operation module 314a, a scanner job generation module 314b, and a scanner data communication module 314c.
[0093]
  When the scanner application 314 is selected from the operation panel and a scanning condition is input and the start key is pressed, the scanner screen / key operation module 314a transfers the scanner condition to the scanner job generation module 314b (step S601). The job generation module 314b provides a memory to the memory resource management module 323b of the SRM 323 that performs the memory resource arbitration by the image memory handling module 325a of the MCS 325 in order to secure the memory necessary for scanning according to the requested image size. After the securing request is issued and the memory is acquired, the image data is written on the memory (steps S602 to S603).
[0094]
  When the scan preparation of image data is completed, the scanner job generation module 314b calls the engine job generation function to the engine job execution control module 324a using the ECS 324 API, sets the job mode, and then calls the job start function. The scan job execution is instructed (step S604).
[0095]
  The engine job execution control module 324a calls the engine resource acquisition function to the engine resource management module 323a of the SRM 323, starts the scanner operation, and executes the scanner job (step S605).
[0096]
  When the scanner job generation module 314b receives a scan completion event from the ECS 324, the scanner data communication module 314c transfers the read image to an external PC using a host I / O resource other than the network. The address of the transfer destination PC such as URL and the scanned image data (or the address on the memory) are sent to the communication I / F control module 328a (steps S606 to S607). Here, it is assumed that image data communication is controlled by using a protocol function for performing file transfer such as ftp or http.
[0097]
  The host communication I / F control module 328a calls a resource securing function of the host I / O resource management module 323d of the SRM 323 in order to secure host I / O resources such as a network, IEEE1394, USB, and SCSI (step S608). . The host I / O resource management module 323d performs image data communication when the requested host I / O resource becomes available (step S609).
[0098]
  Next, a description will be given of the startup process of the three applications of the copy application 312, the printer application 311, and the scanner application 314, the process of generating and displaying each application screen, and the process when the application screen selection key is pressed. . FIG. 7 illustrates the startup process of the three applications of the copy application 312, the printer application 311, and the scanner application 314, the process of generating and displaying each application screen, and the process when the application screen selection key is pressed. It is explanatory drawing for doing.
[0099]
  Application startup process: At power-on or system reset, the application is started after at least the SCS 322 and OCS 326 are started. The copy application 312, the printer application 311, and the scanner application 314 register that they are activated in the application registration management module 322 b of the SCS 322 (steps S 701 to S 703).
[0100]
  Screen generation processing; OCS 326 has a drawing management function that allows a plurality of applications to have a plurality of virtual screen memories. Therefore, the copy application 312, the printer application 311, and the scanner application 314 can each perform screen generation by the window control library module 326 a (steps S <b> 704 to S <b> 708).
[0101]
  Display processing: One of the plurality of screen memories is drawn on the display panel. A screen obtained by combining the contents of a plurality of screen memories may be displayed. For example, when a fax is received during a copying operation, a message indicating that the fax is being received can be displayed in a screen area common to applications.
[0102]
  Screen switching processing; The screen memory drawn on the display panel is switched by the system screen display control module of the SCS322. For example, when an application selection key on the operation panel is pressed, the application screen selected according to steps S709 to S714 is drawn. Further, since the SCS 322 includes a device status management module 322c that stores device internal hardware and engine status information, it is possible to switch a display screen when there is an error or abnormality such as a jam or no paper.
[0103]
  Next, a fax transmission operation using the fax application 313 or the printer application 311 will be described. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fax transmission operation using the fax application 313 or the printer application 311.
[0104]
  As shown in the figure, in the fax transmission operation using the fax application 313, when the transmission destination number is input on the fax operation screen and the start key is pressed, the fax screen / key operation module 313a is the fax job generation module. The job generation function is called to 313b (step S801), and the fax job generation module 313b calls the transmission start function to the fax job execution control module 327a of the FCS 327 (step S802).
[0105]
  Then, the fax job execution control module 327a calls an engine job generation function to the engine job execution control module 324a using the ECS 324 API, and sets the job mode (step S803). The engine job execution control module 324a uses the API of the MCS 325 to call the image memory securing function to the image memory handling module 325a and instruct to secure the image memory (step S804).
[0106]
  The image memory handling module 325a calls the memory acquisition function to the SRM 323, acquires the memory necessary for scanning the fax document (step S805), and when the memory is secured, the engine job execution control module 324a stores the memory of the SRM 323. A function that requests the engine resource management module 323a to secure the scanner resource is called, and after the function is secured, the scanner operation is started (step S806).
[0107]
  When the original image data is held in the memory from the scanner, the ECS 324 notifies the FCS 327 of a scan completion event, and the fax job execution control module 327a calls the transmission start function of the fax board resource management module 323g. The fax transmission procedure is started using the ISDN line (steps S807 to S808).
[0108]
  Next, in the fax transmission operation using the printer application 311, the print data is input to the host I / O resource management module 323d and is necessary for facsimile transmission such as the transmission destination number at the same time as the normal print operation. Command information including such information is added (step S809).
[0109]
  When the print data for fax transmission is transferred from the host communication I / F control module 328a of the NCS 328 to the print job generation module 311c via the print data communication module 311d of the printer application 311 (steps S810 to S812), new print data is sent. A fax transmission print job is generated.
[0110]
  When the print data is transferred to the RIP processing module 311a and image data is generated, the image data is input to the fax job execution control module 327a of the FCS 327 together with information necessary for facsimile transmission (steps S813 to 815). Thereafter, the same processing as the fax transmission operation is performed (steps S807 to S808).
[0111]
  Instead of performing the RIP process in steps S813 to S814, the print data can be transmitted by a binary data transfer protocol (BFTP: Binary File Transfer Protocol) using a PSTN or ISDN line.
[0112]
  For convenience of explanation, only the transmission operation has been described here. For example, by performing processing in the order of steps S808, S807, S802, S803, S804, S805, and S806, fax reception and printing can be performed. Note that reception and printing of print data using BFTP can be realized by processing in the order of steps S808, S807, S802, S815, S813, S814, S815, S803, S804, S805, and S806.
[0113]
  Next, the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 120 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 120 illustrated in FIG. As shown in the figure, this multifunction machine 120 includes a controller board 900 in which a CPU 902, an SDRAM 903, a flash memory 904, an HD 905, and the like are connected to an ASIC 901, an operation panel 910, a fax control unit (FCU) 920, a USB 930, It consists of IEEE1394940 and printer 950.
[0114]
  The operation panel 910 is directly connected to the ASIC 901, and the FCU 920, USB 930, IEEE1394 940, and printer 950 are connected to the ASIC 901 via the PCI bus.
[0115]
  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ASIC 901 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the ASIC 901 includes a CPU interface (CPU I / F), an SDRAM interface (SDRAM I / F), a local bus interface (Local BUS I / F), a PCI interface (PCI I / F), and 1284. MAC (Media Access Control), I / O, OPE interface (OPE I / F), HD interface (HD I / F), Comp / de-comp, and Rotate.
[0116]
  By adopting such a hardware configuration, it is possible to design at low cost by sharing devices and to facilitate inter-application fusion. In addition, the architecture is scalable from low speed machines to high speed machines, and the hardware / software used by each application is shared, so that development efficiency can be improved. Moreover, it becomes easy to deal with new functions.
[0117]
  As described above, in the first embodiment, a common part of each application is bundled as a common system service 121, a platform 122 is formed by the common system service 121 and the general-purpose OS 111, and a printer application is formed on the platform 122. 123, the copy application 124, and the various applications 125 are installed, so that development effort of each application can be reduced and the application can be slimmed.
[0118]
(Embodiment 2)
  By the way, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment, and the software on the platform 320 and the application 330 can be hierarchized to further increase productivity. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case will be described in which software on the platform 320 and the application 330 is hierarchized. Since the hardware configuration in this case is the same as that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the description thereof is omitted here.
[0119]
  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this multi-function machine, each software element is hierarchized according to the type of monochrome / color and the number of color drums.
[0120]
  Specifically, a device driver 1101, ESC 1102, MCS 1103, SCS 1104, SRM 1105, copy application 1106, and printer application 1107 on the general-purpose OS 1100 are layered in monochrome, 1 dram, and 4 dram, respectively.
[0121]
  The net file application 1108, the net scan application 1109, and the CSS application 1110 are hierarchized in monochrome and color. However, the fax application 1111, OCS 1112, FCS 1113, and NCS 1114 that do not need to be distinguished by monochrome / color are not hierarchized.
[0122]
  As described above, in the second embodiment, each software element is hierarchized according to the monochrome / color type and the number of color drums, so that the productivity of the platform and application can be further increased. it can.
[0123]
  In the second embodiment, each software element is hierarchized according to the monochrome / color and the number of color drums. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the platform itself is not limited. It can also be hierarchized. In this case, a part that depends on hardware such as an engine has a lower hierarchy, and a part that does not depend on hardware has a higher hierarchy.
[0124]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the invention of claim 1,It has a printing unit or imaging unit, and multiple applications related to image formation processing can be installed.An image forming apparatus,An operating system and a program that operates on the operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applicationsWhen creating an application for each user service,programIt is sufficient to create a part other than, so that the burden of creating an application can be reduced.
[0125]
  According to the invention of claim 2, an application program interface that enables a processing request from an application to be received by a predefined function is provided.programSo that the application andprogramCan maintain a smooth cooperation.
[0126]
  Claims3According to the invention ofprogramMultiplemoduleAt the module levelprogramIt is possible to realize function expansion and function change.
[0127]
  Claims4According to the invention ofAn image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing, which operates on an operating system and is accessed by a plurality of the applications To control the image forming process commonly used by a plurality of the applications.So when creating an application for each user service,programIt is sufficient to create a part other than.
[0128]
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the program includes an application program interface that can receive a processing request from an application using a predefined function, and controls image forming processing using the application program interface. Therefore, when creating an application for each user service, it is sufficient to create parts other than the program.
[0129]
According to the invention of claim 6, the program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled using the plurality of modules. Function change can be realized.
[0130]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming program that is executed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing on an operating system. Since it is decided to control the image forming process commonly used in a plurality of applications by a program that operates and is accessed from the plurality of applications, when creating an application for each user service, It is sufficient to create parts other than the program.
[0131]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the program includes an application program interface that enables a processing request from the application to be received by a predefined function, and the image forming process is performed using the application program interface. Since it is decided to control, it is sufficient to create a part other than the program when creating an application for each user service.
[0132]
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled by using the plurality of modules. Changes can be realized.
[0133]
  Claims10According to the invention, the application program isOn a program that is executed on an operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applications.Because it was supposed to runprogramIt is possible to provide an application program with a light processing using.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the concept of a multifunction machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the platform shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific software configuration of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1;
4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a copy operation using the copy application shown in FIG. 3; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a printing operation using the printer application shown in FIG. 3;
6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a scanner operation using the scanner application shown in FIG. 3. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining start-up processing of three applications of a copy application, a printer application, and a scanner application, processing for generating and displaying each application screen, and processing when an application screen selection key is pressed. It is explanatory drawing.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fax transmission operation using a fax application or a printer application.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1;
10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the ASIC shown in FIG. 9. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
  100 printer
  101 Dedicated OS
  102 Printer application
  110 MFP
  111 General-purpose OS
  112 Engine control unit
  113 Printer app
  114 Copy application
  115 Various apps
  120 MFP
  121 Common system services
  122 platform
  123 Printer app
  124 Copy application
  125 Apps

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing ,
An operating system,
A program that operates on the operating system, is accessed from a plurality of the applications, and controls the image forming processing commonly used by the plurality of applications;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program includes an application program interface that allows a processing request from the application to be received by a predefined function. The program, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed by a plurality of modules. An image forming method performed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing,
  The image forming process that is commonly used by the plurality of applications is controlled by a program that operates on an operating system and is accessed by the plurality of applications.
  An image forming method. The program includes an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function, and controls the image forming process using the application program interface.
  The image forming method according to claim 4. The program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled using the plurality of modules.
  6. The image forming method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein An image forming program executed by an image forming apparatus having a printing unit or an imaging unit and capable of mounting a plurality of applications related to image forming processing,
  The image forming process that is commonly used by the plurality of applications is controlled by a program that operates on an operating system and is accessed by the plurality of applications.
  An image forming program. The program includes an application program interface that can receive a processing request from the application using a predefined function, and controls the image forming process using the application program interface.
  The image forming program according to claim 7. The program is formed by a plurality of modules, and the image forming process is controlled using the plurality of modules.
  The image forming program according to claim 7 or 8, wherein An application program that has a printing unit or an imaging unit and can be installed in a plurality of image forming apparatuses that can mount a plurality of applications related to image formation processing ,
An application program that is executed on an operating system and that is accessed from a plurality of the applications and that operates on a program that controls the image forming processing that is commonly used by the plurality of applications .

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