JP2006072538A - Data processing system and data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data processing system and a data processor capable of data communication by selecting either of a plurality of communication methods. <P>SOLUTION: The data processing system includes a mobile terminal (data storage device) 40 for storing data and a complex machine (data processor) 1 for processing the data. The complex machine 1 is provided with an I/F part 11 capable of data communication using the plurality of communication methods and a control part 8 selects either of the plurality of communication methods. The I/F part 11 performs data communication using the communication method selected by the control part 8. Either the data that the I/F part 11 receives from the mobile terminal 40 is processed or the data processed is sent from the I/F part 11 to the mobile terminal 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing system including a data storage device that stores data and a data processing device that processes data, and a data processing device that processes data.

As a data processing apparatus that processes data, there is an image processing apparatus that processes image data. For example, there are image processing apparatuses such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine. There is also an image processing apparatus that performs print processing of print data transmitted from an external device by performing data communication with an external device provided outside (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 9-193509 A

  However, there are a plurality of types of communication methods for performing data communication between the external device and the image processing device. The communication method in which the external device performs data communication and the communication method in which the image processing device performs data communication are different. In this case, there is a problem that data communication cannot be performed between the external apparatus and the image processing apparatus. As a method for solving this problem, it is conceivable to provide the image processing apparatus and / or the external apparatus with a communication unit that can perform data communication using a plurality of communication methods. However, when data communication can be performed using a plurality of communication methods, there is a problem that a communication method to be used needs to be selected. In addition, there is a problem that it is necessary to appropriately select a communication method to be used.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods, and a selection unit that selects any of the plurality of communication methods. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing system and a data processing apparatus that can perform data communication by selecting one of a plurality of communication methods.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a data processing apparatus including a determining unit that determines a communication method in which the data storage device can perform data communication, and selecting a communication method based on a determination result of the determining unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing system capable of performing data communication with various data storage devices.

  In addition, the present invention provides a data processing system in which a data storage device includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication using a plurality of communication methods, so that a more appropriate communication method can be selected. For other purposes.

  Further, the present invention is configured to select a communication method in which both the communication unit of the data processing device and the data storage device can perform data communication, thereby enabling data communication between the data processing device and the data storage device. Another object is to provide a data processing system that can be reliably performed.

  According to the present invention, the data storage device includes an acquisition unit that acquires the remaining battery level of the data storage device, and the communication method is selected based on the remaining battery level acquired by the acquisition unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing system capable of extending the life of the battery.

  In addition, the present invention provides a data processing system capable of transmitting / receiving large data in a short time by adopting a configuration in which a communication method is selected based on the size of data to be received from a data storage device. For other purposes.

  In addition, the present invention is configured to select a communication method based on the type of data to be received from the data storage device, thereby enabling data processing capable of transmitting and receiving large-sized data such as image data in a short time. Another object is to provide a system.

  Further, the present invention can improve the security when important data is transmitted / received by adopting a configuration in which the communication method is selected based on the importance set in the data to be received from the data storage device. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing system that can be used.

  Further, the present invention provides a data processing apparatus that includes an image forming unit that forms an image based on image data on a sheet, so that the data processing apparatus forms a scanned image on a sheet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a data processing system capable of operating as an image processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a printer formed on a sheet.

  A data processing system according to the present invention is a data processing system comprising a data storage device for storing data and a data processing device for processing data, wherein the data processing device can perform data communication by a plurality of communication methods. A communication unit capable of selecting one of the plurality of communication methods, the communication unit performs data communication using the communication method selected by the selection unit, and the communication unit receives data received from the data storage device. The processing or the processed data is configured to be transmitted from the communication unit to the data storage device.

  The data processing system according to the present invention includes a determination unit that determines a communication method in which the data storage device can perform data communication, and the selection unit selects a communication method based on a determination result of the determination unit. It is configured as described above.

  The data processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the data storage device includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods.

  The data processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the selecting means is configured to select a communication method in which both the communication unit of the data processing device and the data storage device can perform data communication. To do.

  In the data processing system according to the present invention, the data storage device includes a battery, the data processing device includes acquisition means for acquiring a remaining battery level of the data storage device, and the selection means is further acquired by the acquisition means. The communication system is configured to be selected based on the remaining battery level.

  The data processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the selecting means is further configured to select a communication method based on the size of data to be received from the data storage device.

  The data processing system according to the present invention is characterized in that the selecting means is further configured to select a communication method based on the type of data to be received from the data storage device.

  In the data processing system according to the present invention, data in which importance is set is stored in the data storage device, and the selection means is further set to data to be received from the data storage device. The communication system is configured to be selected based on the degree.

  In the data processing system according to the present invention, image data is stored in the data storage device, and the data processing device includes image forming means for forming an image based on the image data on a sheet, and processes the image data. It is comprised so that it may perform.

  A data processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods, and a selection unit that selects any one of the plurality of communication methods, and the communication unit selects the communication unit. The data communication is performed using the communication method described above, and the data received by the communication unit is processed or the processed data is transmitted from the communication unit.

  In the present invention, the data processing system and the data processing apparatus include a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods, and selects any of the plurality of communication methods by a selection unit. The communication unit includes a plurality of communication means having different communication methods, for example. The communication unit performs data communication by the communication method selected by the selection unit, and the communication unit processes data received from the data storage device or transmits the processed data from the communication unit to the data storage device. The data processing apparatus can perform data communication by selecting one of a plurality of communication methods.

  In the present invention, the determination unit determines a communication method in which the data storage device can perform data communication, and the communication unit is selected by the selection unit based on the determination result. For example, the selection unit selects a communication method in which the data storage device can perform data communication from a plurality of communication methods in which the data processing device can perform data communication. Thereby, the data processing device can perform data communication with various data storage devices.

  In the present invention, the data storage device includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods. Therefore, the data storage device can perform data communication with various data processing devices. In addition, when each of a plurality of communication methods in which the data storage device can perform data communication is included in a plurality of communication methods in which the data processing device can perform data communication, a plurality of usable communication methods A communication method can be selected from among communication methods, and a more appropriate communication method can be selected.

  In the present invention, the selection unit selects a communication method in which both the communication unit of the data processing device and the data storage device can perform data communication. For example, it is included in both of a plurality of communication methods in which the communication unit of the data processing device can perform data communication and a plurality of communication methods in which the communication unit of the data storage device can perform data communication. It is possible to select a communication method. Thus, data communication between the data processing device and the data storage device can be performed reliably.

  In the present invention, the data storage device includes a battery, and power is supplied by the battery. The data processing device acquires the remaining battery level of the data storage device by the acquisition unit, and the selection unit further selects a communication method based on the acquired remaining battery level. Among communication methods, there are communication methods with high power consumption and communication methods with low power consumption. The selection unit selects a communication method with low power consumption from among selectable communication methods when the remaining battery of the data storage device is low. Thereby, the life of the battery of the data storage device can be extended.

  In the present invention, the selecting means further selects a communication method based on the size of data to be received from the data storage device. Some communication methods have a high data transfer rate, while others have a low data transfer rate. When the size of data to be received is large, the selection unit selects a communication method having a high data transfer rate from selectable communication methods. Thereby, large data can be transmitted and received in a short time.

  In the present invention, the selecting means further selects a communication method based on the type of data to be received from the data storage device. The data types include small data such as text data and large data such as image data. When the data to be received is image data, the selection unit selects a communication method having a high data transfer rate from selectable communication methods. Thereby, large data such as image data can be transmitted and received in a short time.

  In the present invention, data set with importance is stored in the data storage device. The selection means further selects a communication method based on the importance set in the data to be received from the data storage device. Among communication methods, there are communication methods with high security and communication methods with low security. When the importance set in the data to be received is high, the selection unit selects a communication method with high security from selectable communication methods. Thereby, the security in the case of transmitting and receiving important data with high confidentiality can be improved.

  In the present invention, image data is stored in the data storage device, and the data processing device includes image forming means for forming an image based on the image data on a sheet, and processes the image data. Therefore, the data processing apparatus can operate as an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine that forms an image obtained by reading a document on a sheet, a facsimile machine that forms a received image on a sheet, or a printer. The image data can be received from an image reading apparatus such as an image scanner that reads an image of a document, or can be received from a computer connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

  According to the present invention, data communication can be performed by selecting one of a plurality of communication methods.

  According to the present invention, the data processing device can perform data communication with various data storage devices.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select a more appropriate communication method.

  According to the present invention, data communication between the data processing device and the data storage device can be reliably performed.

  According to the present invention, the battery life of the data storage device can be extended.

  According to the present invention, large data can be transmitted and received in a short time.

  According to the present invention, large data such as image data can be transmitted and received in a short time.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the security at the time of transmitting / receiving important data with high confidentiality can be improved.

  According to the present invention, the data processing apparatus can operate as an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine that forms an image obtained by reading a document on a sheet, a facsimile machine that forms a received image on a sheet, or a printer.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication network (data processing system) including a multifunction peripheral (data processing apparatus) according to the present invention. The communication network includes an internal network N1 such as an in-house LAN (Local Area Network) and an external network N2 such as the Internet. A multifunction device 1 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer) 32 are connected to the internal network N1. An Internet fax machine (hereinafter referred to as iFAX machine) 34 and a personal computer 32 are connected to the external network N2.

  The multifunction device 1 has a copy function for reading an image of a document and printing (image formation) on a sheet (recording paper), a printer function for printing image data received from the outside on a sheet, and a network scanner function for transmitting image data to the outside. And a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving facsimile data to / from an external facsimile apparatus. The multifunction device 1 has a function of storing the read image data or the received image data in a recording medium such as a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as a hard disk), and prints the stored image data on a sheet or externally. It is possible to send.

  The multifunction device 1 stores an image reading unit 2 that reads an image of a document, an operation unit 4 having an input unit 4 a and a display unit 4 b, a hard disk 12, an image forming unit 6 that forms an image on a sheet, and a hard disk 12. An erasing unit 16 that invalidates the data that has been stored, a communication unit 10 that performs communication control with the internal network N1 and the external network N2, and an I / F (interface) unit 11 that performs communication control with the mobile terminal 40 A management unit 14 that stores a control program and setting information, and a control unit 8 that controls the components 2, 4, 6, 10, 11, 12, 14, and 16 according to the control program and setting information.

  The management unit 14 is connected to the control unit 8 and stores ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program executed by the control unit 8 and setting information regarding the operation of each component of the device 1. RAM. However, the RAM may be a rewritable nonvolatile storage medium such as a flash memory or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM).

  The control unit 8 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and in accordance with a control program and setting information stored in the management unit 14, the image reading unit 2, the operation unit 4, the image forming unit 6, the communication unit 10, I The operation of each component of the multifunction device 1 such as the / F unit 11, the hard disk 12, and the erasing unit 16 is controlled.

  The input unit 4a of the operation unit 4 has a key group arranged adjacent to the display unit 4b. For example, a start key for instructing the start of copying, a cancel key for instructing to cancel the processing being executed, a numeric key for instructing the number of copies, a mode switching key for switching the operation mode of the apparatus (copy mode) Key, printer mode key, scan mode key, fax mode key). The input unit 4 a is connected to the control unit 8 and gives an operation signal or the like for each key to the control unit 8.

  The display unit 4b of the operation unit 4 has a dot matrix type liquid crystal panel, and displays necessary information to the user. A transparent touch panel is provided on the screen of the liquid crystal panel, and various instructions can be input by operating the touch panel in accordance with information displayed on the liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel has an input unit 4a. Act as part of The display unit 4 b is connected to the control unit 8, receives a display control signal from the control unit 8, and gives an operation signal for the touch panel to the control unit 8.

  The image forming unit 6 is connected to the image reading unit 2 and the hard disk 12, and is connected to the communication unit 10 and the I / F unit 11 via the control unit 8. The image forming unit 6 includes a memory 6a such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) that stores image data, and a printing unit (LSU: Laser Scanning Unit, which forms an image based on the image data received from the memory 6a on a sheet). Means) 6b, an encryption unit 6c that encrypts image data transferred from the memory 6a to the hard disk 12, and a decryption unit 6d that decrypts encrypted image data transferred from the hard disk 12 to the memory 6a. . The memory 6 a stores image data received from the image reading unit 2 and image data received from the hard disk 12, the communication unit 10, and the I / F unit 11 under the control of the control unit 8. The image data stored in the memory 6 a can be sent to the hard disk 12, the communication unit 10, and the I / F unit 11 under the control of the control unit 8. In the present embodiment, the printing unit 6b is configured by an LSU (laser scanning unit), but it may be a printer device such as an ink jet system.

  The image reading unit 2 is connected to the image forming unit 6 and reads an image of a document by an optical image reading unit such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 2a. Under the control of the control unit 8, the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 2 is stored in the memory 6a in units of pages (unit of one original), and the number of read originals (number of pages) is stored in the management unit 14. Remembered. Further, the image reading unit 2 includes a document sensor 2 b that sends a detection signal of a read document to the control unit 8.

  The communication unit 10 is connected to the control unit 8 and is connected to the personal computer 32 of the internal network N1 and the external network N2 through, for example, a LAN cable, and performs data communication with the external device, for example, an image Send and receive data.

  The I / F unit (communication unit) 11 is connected to the control unit 8 and performs optical communication such as infrared communication with the mobile terminal 40 such as a mobile phone. When performing infrared communication, the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 and an I / F unit described later included in the mobile terminal 40 need to face each other. Note that the communication unit 10 of the multifunction device 1 and the personal computer 32 of the internal network N1 communicate with each other through a wired connection, and thus do not need to face each other. In addition, when the I / F unit 11 performs wireless communication using radio waves, the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 and the I / F unit described later included in the mobile terminal 40 do not need to be particularly opposed to each other.

  The hard disk 12 is connected to the image forming unit 6 and the control unit 8, and is input from the image reading unit 2, the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11, and image data to be printed (image formation) by the image forming unit 6, and The image data transmitted from the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11 to the outside is stored.

  The erasure unit 16 is connected to the hard disk 12 and the control unit 8, and when printing or transmission of the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is completed and becomes erasable, the image made erasable by the control of the control unit 8. Overwrite the data with random data and invalidate it. Therefore, in the multifunction device 1 of the present invention, the security of the image data is ensured. The memory 6a and the hard disk 12 can also store various data other than image data.

  The control unit 8 performs data processing such as image processing by controlling each component according to the operation of the input unit 4a or the display unit 4b of the operation unit 4, and also relates to the state of the multifunction device 1 on the display unit 4b. Information and information to be notified to the user are output. The control unit 8 also controls input of image data from the image reading unit 2, input control of image data from the outside via the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11, and memory of input image data. Control of input / output to the 6a and the hard disk 12, output control of image data from the image forming unit 6, the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11 is performed.

  When the multifunction device 1 is operated as a copying machine by accepting selection of a copy mode by the operation unit 4 or the like, the original set on the image reading unit 2 is electronically read and read by the control of the control unit 8. After the data is stored in the memory 6a, it is stored in the hard disk 12. If there are a plurality of documents, the same processing is repeated. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 8, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is sequentially sent to the memory 6a at an appropriate timing, and the image data is sent from the memory 6a to the printing unit 6b in accordance with the printing timing of the printing unit 6b. Printing is performed. When printing a plurality of image data, the image data is repeatedly sent to the printing unit 6b by the number of output copies.

  When the MFP 1 is operated as a printer by receiving data to be printed by the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11, for example, image data transmitted from the personal computer 32 connected to the internal network N 1 is the communication unit 10. And sent to the memory 6a and stored in units of pages, and then stored in the hard disk 12 under the control of the control unit 8. Thereafter, under the control of the control unit 8, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is sent to the memory 6a, and sent to the printing unit 6b and printed in the same manner as when used as a copying machine described above.

  When the multifunction device 1 is operated as a network scanner by accepting selection of a scan mode by the operation unit 4 or the like, the original set on the image reading unit 2 is electronically read and read by the control of the control unit 8 Are stored in the memory 6 a and then stored in the hard disk 12. Thereafter, the image data stored in the hard disk 12 is transmitted to the memory 6 a under the control of the control unit 8, and transmitted from the communication unit 10 or the I / F unit 11 to the transmission destination received by the operation unit 4. As the transmission destination of the image data, it is possible to designate the personal computer 32 in the internal network N1, the personal computer 32 in the external network N2, or the portable terminal 40. In the fax mode, almost the same processing as that in the scan mode is performed, but the iFAX machine 34 can be designated as the transmission destination of the image data.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the mobile terminal (data storage device) 40. The mobile terminal 40 is, for example, a mobile phone, and includes a display unit 43 having a liquid crystal display panel, an operation unit 44 having numeric keys and a call key, a communication unit 45 that performs communication such as a call using radio waves, For example, an I / F unit (communication unit) 46 that performs data communication using infrared rays, a storage unit 42 that stores data, an imaging unit 47 that includes a CCD, and a control unit that controls each of the units 42 to 47. 41.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of data stored in the storage unit 42 of the mobile terminal 40. The storage unit 42 stores terminal information, owner information, authentication information, document information, telephone information, mail information, and the like. The terminal information is information representing a service person who performs maintenance of the multifunction device 1, a clerk at a store where the multifunction device 1 is installed, a general user who uses the multifunction device 1, or the like. The owner information is information such as a name or a company name. The authentication information is code information such as ID (identification). The document information is information such as a data name, importance (general or important), affiliation (internal, external, or individual), color (color or black and white) related to document data stored in the storage unit 42. is there. The telephone information includes a name and a telephone number, and the mail information includes a name and an e-mail address. The storage unit 42 also stores data such as image data captured by the imaging unit 47, image data or document data received by the communication unit 45 or the I / F unit 46, and document data input from the operation unit 44. Yes.

  The portable terminal 40 operates as a data storage device that stores data, and the multifunction device 1 operates as a data processing device that processes data. The I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 operates as a communication unit capable of performing data communication using a plurality of communication methods, and the control unit 8 operates as a selection unit that selects one of the plurality of communication methods. To do. In this description, as shown in FIG. 2, the I / F unit 11 has I / F · A, I / F · B, and I / F · C, which have different communication methods. , I / F · B, or I / F · C to select a communication method. The I / F unit 11 performs data communication using the communication method selected by the control unit 8, and the multifunction device 1 processes the data received by the I / F unit 11 from the portable terminal 40, and processes the processed data as I / F unit 11 transmits to portable terminal 40.

  The I / F unit 46 of the portable terminal 40 operates as a communication unit that can perform data communication using a plurality of communication methods. In the present description, the I / F unit 46 of the mobile terminal 40 has I / F · A and I / F · B having different communication methods. The control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 operates as a determination unit that determines a communication method in which the mobile terminal 40 can perform data communication, and based on the determination result, the communication method (I / F · A, I / F · B or I / F · C). For example, when the mobile terminal 40 performs data communication using one type of communication method (for example, I / F · A), the control unit 8 selects the communication method (for example, I / F · A). Further, the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 selects a communication method in which both the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 and the I / F unit 46 of the portable terminal 40 can perform data communication. In this description, either I / F · A or I / F · B is selected.

  In addition, the mobile terminal 40 includes a battery 49 such as a secondary battery that supplies power to each component in the apparatus, and the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 determines the remaining battery level managed by the control unit 41 of the mobile terminal 40. It operates as an acquisition means for acquiring, and selects a communication method (I / F · A, I / F · B, or I / F · C) based on the acquired remaining battery level. For example, when the remaining battery level is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 selects an I / F · A or I / F · B that can communicate data between the two devices with a low power consumption. .

  Further, the control unit 8 selects a communication method (I / F · A, I / F · B, or I / F · C) based on the size of data to be received from the mobile terminal 40. For example, when the data size is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the control unit 8 of the multi-function peripheral 1 selects the I / F • A or I / F • B capable of data communication between the two devices and having the high data transfer speed. To do. Further, the control unit 8 selects a communication method (I / F · A, I / F · B, or I / F · C) based on the type of data to be received from the mobile terminal 40. For example, when receiving image data, the control unit 8 of the multi-function peripheral 1 selects an I / F · A or I / F · B capable of data communication between the two devices and that has a high data transfer rate.

  The storage unit 42 of the portable terminal 40 stores data in which the importance of the document information shown in FIG. 3 is set, for example, and the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 should receive from the portable terminal 40. A communication method (I / F · A, I / F · B, or I / F · C) is selected based on the importance set in the data. For example, when important data such as data A1 and A2 whose importance is “important” in document information is transmitted / received, the control unit 8 of the multi-function device 1 is an I / F / A or I / F that can communicate data with both devices. -Select a high security item among B.

  Here, the I / F · A performs optical communication such as infrared communication, and the I / F · B performs wireless communication such as IEEE802.11a. In this case, in general, power consumption is lower in I / F · A, and data transfer speed is higher in I / F · B. In addition, communication data propagates over a wide range in wireless communication, but communication data is difficult to propagate around infrared rays, so I / F / A has higher security.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an I / F selection procedure. The control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 accesses the mobile terminal 40 from the I / F unit 11 and determines an I / F included in the mobile terminal 40 (S10). The determination of the I / F included in the mobile terminal 40 can be performed by acquiring I / F information managed by the control unit 41 of the mobile terminal 40, for example. In this description, it is determined that the mobile terminal 40 includes I / F · A and I / F · B. Next, the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 determines the I / F of the portable terminal 40 that can communicate with the I / F unit 11 (S12). The communication I / F can be determined based on, for example, the I / F information of the multifunction machine 1 managed by the management unit 14. In this description, the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 can communicate with both the I / F · A and the I / F · B included in the mobile terminal 40.

  Next, the control unit 8 of the multifunction device 1 selects an I / F to be used (S14). For example, the control unit 8 first selects I / F · A and I / F · B capable of data communication between the multifunction device 1 and the portable terminal 40. Next, when highly important data A1, A2, etc. are received, I / F * A with high security is selected. In addition, when receiving data with a large data size, such as when receiving image data, I / F • B with high data transfer speed is selected.

  The control unit 8 displays on the display unit 4b a screen for confirming with the user whether the selected I / F is to be used, and accepts the confirmation with the operation unit 4 (for example, “1”: used, “0”: not used). ). Alternatively, a confirmation screen is transmitted from the I / F unit 11 to the portable terminal 40, displayed on the display unit 43 of the portable terminal 40, and the confirmation is accepted by the operation unit 44. When the selected I / F is not used (S16: NO), the control unit 8 selects another I / F (S22) and accepts confirmation again. When using the selected I / F (S16: YES), the control unit 8 displays the selected I / F on the display unit 4b (S18), and performs data communication with the selected I / F (S20). For example, when I / F · A is selected, data communication is performed between the I / F · A of the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction device 1 and the I / F · A of the I / F unit 46 of the portable terminal 40. Done.

  In the above-described embodiment, the I / F unit 11 of the multifunction machine 1 can perform data communication using three types of communication methods, but is not limited to three types, and one or a plurality of arbitrary types of communication. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which data communication is performed using a method. In the above-described embodiment, the I / F unit 46 of the mobile terminal 40 can perform data communication by two types of communication methods, but is not limited to two types, and one or a plurality of arbitrary It is possible to adopt a configuration in which data communication is performed using various types of communication methods. The mobile terminal 40 is not limited to a mobile phone, and any mobile terminal device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a notebook computer can be used. Further, the I / F units 11 and 46 are not limited to infrared communication or IEEE802.11b, and can use any communication method such as Bluetooth or IEEE802.11a. In addition, two types of infrared communication I / Fs having different data transfer rates can be used as the two types of communication methods.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication network including a multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a portable terminal. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of the data memorize | stored in the storage part of a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the selection procedure of I / F.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 MFP 2 Image reading part 4 Operation part 6 Image forming part 8 Control part 10 Communication part 11 I / F part 12 Hard disk 14 Management part 16 Erasing part 32 Personal computer 34 iFAX machine 40 Portable terminal 41 Control part 42 Storage part 43 Display part 44 Operation unit 45 Communication unit 46 I / F unit 47 Imaging unit N1 Internal network N2 External network

Claims (10)

In a data processing system comprising a data storage device for storing data and a data processing device for processing data,
The data processing device includes:
A communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods; and
Selecting means for selecting any of the plurality of communication methods;
The communication unit is configured to perform data communication using the communication method selected by the selection unit, and the communication unit processes data received from the data storage device or transmits the processed data from the communication unit to the data storage device. A data processing system characterized by that. A determination means for determining a communication method in which the data storage device can perform data communication;
The data processing system according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit is configured to select a communication method based on a determination result of the determination unit.   The data processing system according to claim 2, wherein the data storage device includes a communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods.   4. The data processing system according to claim 3, wherein the selecting means is configured to select a communication method in which both the communication unit of the data processing device and the data storage device can perform data communication. . The data storage device comprises a battery;
The data processing device comprises an acquisition means for acquiring the remaining battery capacity of the data storage device,
The data processing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the selection unit is further configured to select a communication method based on a remaining battery level acquired by the acquisition unit.   The data according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the selecting means is further configured to select a communication method based on a size of data to be received from the data storage device. Processing system.   The data according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the selecting means is further configured to select a communication method based on the type of data to be received from the data storage device. Processing system. The data storage device stores data set with importance,
5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the selecting unit is further configured to select a communication method based on importance set for data to be received from the data storage device. The data processing system described in one. Image data is stored in the data storage device,
9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit configured to form an image based on the image data on a sheet, and configured to process the image data. Data processing system. A communication unit capable of performing data communication by a plurality of communication methods; and
Selecting means for selecting any of the plurality of communication methods;
A data processing apparatus characterized in that the communication unit performs data communication by the communication method selected by the selection means and processes the data received by the communication unit or transmits the processed data from the communication unit. .

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