JP2000032203A - Parameter sharing method and system for image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the parameter sharing method and system of an image processor capable of easily setting the parameters of input/output conditions or the like and sharing the parameters by plural devices connected to a network. SOLUTION: The image processor of composite machines 1-1 and 1-2 or the like obtains a parameter setting file registered in a parameter setting file server 2 through the network 10 and caches it to the inside of the composite machines 1-1 and 1-2 and the cached parameter setting file is used instead of manually performed parameter setting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a system for sharing parameters of an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus capable of sharing parameters between a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network and setting parameters easily. The present invention relates to an apparatus parameter sharing method and system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In image processing apparatuses such as copiers, facsimile machines, printers, scanners, etc., it is necessary to set image input / output conditions (scan conditions, print conditions, transmission conditions, etc.) before executing a job. The input / output conditions must be set for each execution of a job (excluding jobs that are executed continuously), and must be set for each time even if the same input / output conditions are used each time. Despite the use of the same input / output conditions, setting each time is a complicated operation, and an erroneous operation may cause an incorrect setting.

For this reason, a copier or the like uses a technique called a job memory in which a user's standard operation is registered, and the registered standard operation is called, so that the same setting can be easily repeated. I have. Also, the registered job memory can be used only by the device that has registered it, and cannot be used by other devices. A technology has been developed that allows the same input / output conditions to be easily and repeatedly set.

On the other hand, in a scanner device, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
JP-A-284448 discloses a network scanner device in which a scan condition file is registered in a scanner device in advance, and a scan condition file can be selected from its operation unit or a host connected via a network to execute a scan. And JP-A-9-204.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 515, a scan condition file is transmitted from a client terminal to the scanner in advance, a list of these is displayed on the operation panel of the scanner that has received the scan condition file, and scanning is performed under the condition selected from the display. A network scanner device capable of transferring an image obtained by the above to an original client terminal is described.

[0005]

However, in a copying machine or the like using the above-described job memory card, a card is always required for performing an operation, and all devices (such as a copying machine)
It is also costly to install a card reader on the
There was a problem that it was difficult to duplicate the registered contents of the card, and it was difficult to share it with many people.

In the network scanner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-284448, scan conditions can be registered only by a host, and a scan condition file registered in another device cannot be used. As a result, when devices are connected to a plurality of networks, it is inconvenient to perform a registration operation for each device.

Further, the network scanner described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-204515 requires time and effort to send the scanning conditions from the client terminal in advance, the image data destination cannot be freely changed, and the client terminal operates. This technique cannot be used unless the scanning is performed, that is, the technique mainly uses the client terminal as an operation. When a plurality of scanners share scanning conditions, a problem occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a parameter sharing method for an image processing apparatus, which facilitates setting of parameters such as input / output conditions and allows parameters to be shared by a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network. The purpose is to provide a system.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image processing system having a server connected to a network and at least one image processing apparatus, the server comprises: At least one parameter serving as an operation condition of the image processing apparatus is stored in advance, and the image processing apparatus acquires and stores and retains some or all of the parameters stored in the server from the server, and executes a job. The job is executed by referring to a desired parameter among the stored parameters.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the acquisition is periodically performed at a predetermined interval.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the acquisition is performed in at least one of a state when the image processing job is not executed and a time when the network is lightly loaded. It is characterized by being performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the acquisition is performed only for parameters changed from the parameters stored and held by the image processing apparatus in the previous acquisition. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the parameter has at least an identifier indicating a type of the parameter, and the acquisition includes only a parameter having an identifier designated by a user. It is characterized by being performed as an object.

[0014] In the invention of claim 6, at least one
One image processing apparatus, a server storing at least one parameter serving as an operating condition of the image processing apparatus, and a network connecting at least the image processing apparatus and the server. A parameter obtaining unit that obtains a part or all of the parameters stored in the server from a server, a parameter storing unit that stores and holds the parameters obtained by the parameter obtaining unit, and a parameter that is stored and held in the parameter storing unit. Job execution means for executing a job by referring to parameters desired by the user from the parameters.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the parameter obtaining means periodically obtains parameters from the server at predetermined intervals.

In the invention according to claim 8, in the invention according to claim 6 or 7, the parameter acquisition means acquires the parameter from the server when the image processing job is not executed and when the network is lightly loaded. It is performed in at least one state of time.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the parameter obtaining means obtains only parameters changed from the parameters stored and held in the parameter storage means by the previous parameter obtaining. It is characterized by doing.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect of the present invention, the parameter has at least an identifier indicating a type of the parameter, and the parameter obtaining means has a parameter having an identifier designated by a user. It is characterized by acquiring only

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a method and a system for sharing parameters of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a parameter sharing system of the image processing apparatus. In FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 1 (1-1 and 1-2), a parameter setting file server 2, a file server 3, and client terminals 4-1 and 4-2 are connected to a network 10. This system can be constructed by using an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral 1 (other than a copier, a printer, a facsimile, etc.), and one or more parameter setting file servers 2 and 3 respectively. The file server 3 may be configured in the same device), and in order to share parameters, it is necessary to connect the MFP 1 or a plurality of other image processing devices.

The multifunction machine 1 includes a copier, a scanner, a printer,
A multifunction machine such as a facsimile machine, a parameter setting file in which parameters as image input / output conditions of the image processing apparatus such as the multifunction machine 1 are registered in the parameter setting file server 2, and image data and the like are registered in the file server 3. File is saved.

In the system shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 1 (1-
Scan conditions (when operating as a scanner), copying conditions (when operating as a copier), transmission conditions (when operating as a facsimile),
Parameter setting file server 2 including printing conditions (when operating as a printer) and the like as parameter setting files
Must be registered in advance. The parameter setting file can be registered in the parameter setting file server 2 as well as the multifunction device 1 and the client terminal 4.
(4-1, 4-2) can also be performed. The registered parameter setting file can be deleted or edited at any time from these devices.

In addition, when registering, deleting, and editing a parameter setting file from the multifunction device 1, the user interface is used. However, when registering, deleting, and editing from the parameter setting file server 2 or the client terminal 4, Various types of software can be used, such as software that displays and edits parameters in a list or table format, or software that simulates the user interface of the multifunction peripheral 1.

When a job is executed by the multifunction device 1, by obtaining a desired parameter setting file from the parameter setting file server 2, parameter setting (scan condition setting, etc.) can be replaced by key operation.
The image read by executing the job with the acquired parameters is transmitted to the file server 3, and the file server 3 stores the image.

Here, FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the multifunction device 1. The MFP 1 includes a CPU 22 and a RAM 23, a storage unit 24, a system control unit 25, an image reading unit 26, an image processing unit 27, an image forming unit 28, an operation display unit 29, a transmission / reception unit 30, a network interface (Net I / F). 31 are connected to each other via a system bus 21.

The system control unit 25 stores control software. Based on the control software, C
The PU 22 operates each unit. The RAM 23 is a work memory area for temporarily storing control software, image data, and the like, and the storage unit 24 stores image data, destination information,
This is a memory area for storing a replica of a parameter setting file to be described later. The image reading unit 26 reads an image from a document or the like and outputs it as image data, the image processing unit 27 edits / processes the image data (code decoding, enlargement / reduction, compression / expansion, etc.), and the image formation unit 28 Is printed on recording paper or the like. The operation display unit 29 includes an input device such as a keyboard and a touch panel for the user to input instructions and information, and a display device such as an LED and an LCD for displaying various information. The transmission / reception unit 30 is connected to the telephone line 11 and transmits and receives facsimile data via the telephone line 11, and the Net I / F 31 is connected to the network 1
0, and transmits and receives image data and parameter setting files via the network 10.

The multifunction device 1 acquires a parameter setting file from the parameter setting file server 2 via the network 10 and the Net I / F 31, and caches the acquired parameter setting file (replica) in the storage unit 24. It operates by referring to this parameter setting file.

Although not described here, another image processing apparatus (a scanner, a copier, a facsimile, a printer, or a multifunction machine having only a part thereof) applicable to the present invention.
Is almost the same as that of the image reading unit 26, the image processing unit 27, the image forming unit 28, and the transmitting and receiving unit 30 except for unnecessary ones.

By the way, the MFP 1 caches the parameter setting file acquired from the parameter setting file server 2 in the storage unit 24. This is to execute the job at high speed and reduce the load on the network. Is going. If you do not want to cache,
A parameter setting file must be obtained each time the job is executed. When the parameter setting file is obtained, if the user correctly stores the file name of the parameter setting file, the parameter setting file can be obtained immediately. However, if the user does not store the file name, FIG. As shown, the parameter setting file list 51 is displayed on the touch panel 50 (part of the operation display unit 29).
Is displayed, and a desired parameter setting file is acquired with reference to the list 51.

In such a case, prior to execution of the job, first, a list of file names is obtained from the parameter setting file server 2, and then the main body of the parameter setting file is obtained. If you do, at least twice the parameter setting file server 2
Access to the network, which increases the network load.

When the parameter setting file is cached, access to the parameter setting file server 2 is basically unnecessary, but actually, the parameter setting file registered in the parameter setting file server 2 is Since the contents may be changed by addition, deletion, editing, or the like, it is necessary to periodically access the parameter setting file server 2 and update the cached parameter setting file to the latest one. The access to the parameter setting file 2 for performing the update is performed by reducing the influence on the load of the network 10 if the job of the MFP 1 is not executed or the load on the network 10 is light. Does not cause a decrease in the performance of the multifunction peripheral 1.

Here, the operation of updating the parameter setting file cached in the storage unit 24 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of obtaining a parameter setting file.

The MFP 1 starts operating (step 101) and measures a predetermined time (not shown, realized by the CPU 22 and the RAM 23 based on control software stored in the system controller 25). If the time is up (YES in step 102), the job is not being executed (NO in step 103), and if the load on the network 10 is light (NO in step 104), the parameter setting file server 2 is accessed. (Step 105) If it can be accessed normally (Step 1)
(YES at 06), a parameter setting file is acquired (step 107), and the parameter setting file cached in the storage unit 24 is updated (step 108). If the parameter setting file is not cached in the storage unit 24, it is newly cached instead of being updated. Subsequently, the timer is reset (step 109), and the MFP 1 ends the cache update operation (step 110).

If the job is being executed (YES in step 103) or the load on the network 10 is heavy (NO in step 104), the access to the parameter setting file server 2 is not performed normally. If (NO in step 106), the timer is reset (step 109), and the process ends (step 110).
It waits for the update of the cached parameter setting file until the next timer expires.

If the job is being executed as shown by the broken line in the figure (YES in step 103),
After the job is completed (NO in step 103), the parameter setting file to be cached may be updated.

In the flow of obtaining the parameter setting file shown in FIG. 4, at predetermined intervals (step 102),
Although the job is not executed (step 103) and the parameter setting file server 2 is accessed in a state where the load on the network 10 is light (step 104), depending on the environment in which this parameter sharing system is used, The access to the parameter setting file server 2 may be performed not only when all of these conditions are satisfied, but also when some conditions are satisfied, for example, only when the load on the network 10 is light.

Further, when the parameter setting file is acquired in step 107, only the difference from the parameter setting file cached in the storage unit 24, that is, the difference is acquired based on the update date and time of the file. You may do so.

The parameter setting files registered in the parameter setting file server 2 include scan conditions, transmission conditions, copy conditions, print conditions, and the like.
When a network scanner (not shown) is connected to the network 10, the parameter setting file required by the network scanner is only the scan conditions. Therefore, in such a case, the network scanner acquires and caches only the parameter setting file of the scan condition. Similarly, not all parameter setting files may be necessary because the connected multifunction peripheral 1 is used only by a specific user.

For this reason, if the multifunction device 1 is provided with a filtering function of selecting a file to be obtained, it is not necessary to obtain and cache unnecessary parameter setting files, and the network load can be further reduced. Resources (the storage unit 24 in this case) can be saved.

This filtering can be realized by adding an identifier to the parameter setting file.
As the identifier, for example, in addition to the file name shown in FIG. 5, a file type, a group name (a group classified according to a purpose of use, a user, and the like), a machine name (a model name or a nickname), and the like are used. Is added. As an identifier that can be used by all machines, “ALL” may be used for a group name or a machine name, or a machine category name “fruit” may be used. This identifier may be stored in the file as attribute information of the file, or may be displayed by a file name including an extension. The file name including the extension is
For example, in the case of file001 shown in FIG.
e001. s. g001. app ".

In this embodiment, the case where the MFP 1 (1-1, 1-2) is connected to the network 10 has been described. However, the copying machine, the printer, the facsimile,
Note that any of the scanners can be connected to the network 10 to share parameters, and that a plurality of parameter setting file servers 2 and file servers 3 can be set.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral acquires a parameter setting file registered in a parameter setting file server via a network and caches the parameter setting file in the multifunction peripheral. In addition, since the cached parameter setting file is configured to be used in place of the parameter setting that is manually performed, the parameters can be shared by a plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the network, and the network load associated with the sharing of the parameters can be increased. And the job execution time can be prevented from increasing.

Even when the network goes down, it is possible to execute a job that does not require data transfer via the network such as copying.

Further, no trouble occurs even if a change is made to the parameter setting file while referring to the parameter setting file for job execution.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction peripheral 1.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a display example of a touch panel.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of obtaining a parameter setting file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an identifier added to a parameter setting file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1-1, 1-2 MFP 2 Parameter setting file server 3 File server 4, 4-1, 4-2 Client terminal 10 Network 11 Telephone line 21 System bus 22 CPU 23 RAM 24 Storage unit 25 System control unit 26 Image reading unit 27 Image processing unit 28 Image forming unit 29 Operation display unit 30 Transmission / reception unit 31 Net I / F 50 Touch panel 51 Parameter setting file list

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yasuko Iida 134 Kobe-cho, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama-shi, Yokohama, Yokohama Business Park East Tower 13F Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP07 HH03 HJ08 HN05 HN15 HQ17 HR02 HR09 2H027 EJ04 5B050 AA10 CA05 FA03 GA02 5B089 GA14 GA15 GA16 JA05 KA05 KA07 KC30 5C062 AA13 AA35 AB38 AB42 AC22 AF00 BA00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image processing system comprising a server connected to a network and at least one image processing device, wherein the server stores at least one parameter serving as an operation condition of the image processing device in advance, and The processing device acquires and stores and retains some or all of the parameters stored in the server from the server, and refers to a desired parameter among the stored and stored parameters when executing the job, and executes the job. A method for sharing parameters of an image processing apparatus, the method comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition is performed periodically at a predetermined interval. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition is performed in at least one of a state when the image processing job is not executed and a time when the network is lightly loaded. Parameter sharing method. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition is performed only for parameters changed from parameters stored and held by the image processing apparatus in a previous acquisition. . 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the parameter has at least an identifier indicating a type of the parameter, and the acquisition is performed only for a parameter having an identifier designated by a user. A parameter sharing method for an image processing apparatus. 6. An image processing apparatus comprising: at least one image processing apparatus; a server storing at least one parameter serving as an operation condition of the image processing apparatus; and a network connecting at least the image processing apparatus and the server; Parameter acquisition means for the image processing apparatus to acquire part or all of the parameters stored in the server from the server; parameter storage means for storing and holding the parameters acquired by the parameter acquisition means; And a job execution unit for executing a job by referring to a parameter desired by a user from parameters stored and held in the unit. 7. The parameter sharing system for an image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said parameter acquisition unit periodically acquires parameters from said server at predetermined intervals. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the parameter acquisition unit acquires the parameter from the server in at least one of a state when the image processing job is not executed and a time when the network is lightly loaded. Item 8. A parameter sharing system for an image processing apparatus according to item 6 or 7. 9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the parameter acquisition unit acquires only a parameter changed from a parameter stored and held in the parameter storage unit by a previous acquisition of the parameter. Parameter sharing system. 10. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the parameter has at least an identifier indicating a type of the parameter, and the parameter acquiring unit acquires only a parameter having an identifier designated by a user. A parameter sharing system for an image processing device.