JP4079722B2 - Image forming apparatus that cooperates between apparatuses via a network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to output image data input by a user, such as an image input / output device that inputs and outputs images such as copies and faxes connected via a network, and a printer. An image output apparatus, an image storage apparatus such as a file server or various databases, or an image forming apparatus that cooperates between apparatuses via a network such as an image processing apparatus and an image input / output apparatus that transmits the image processing apparatus. It is to provide. In addition, an image forming method for performing processing in such an apparatus is provided.
[0002]
Also, a network such as an image processing apparatus and an image input / output apparatus that outputs an image based on image data received from another image processing apparatus or an image input / output apparatus, executes predetermined image processing, or stores the image data. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that cooperates between apparatuses via a network. In addition, an image forming method for performing processing in such an apparatus is provided.
[0003]
[Prior art]
As a conventional technique for performing processing relating to image data to an image processing apparatus or an image input / output apparatus connected via a network, for example, an invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-6696 is known. The present invention provides an image processing apparatus that can be connected to an information output apparatus via a network so that the output image quality is not impaired when output from all devices on the network. For this purpose, correction data for image processing is acquired via a network, image correction optimal for output is performed, and the data is output to a device connected to the network.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an image processing apparatus or image input apparatus that can be connected to an image input / output apparatus via a network, when output from any apparatus on the network, the function differs depending on the apparatus of the output apparatus, Due to the features, there has been a problem that user operations and image processing differ.
[0005]
For example, if you have a high-function copy machine with a sorter or stapler at the network destination, and another model copy machine or scanner that has only a single function at hand, use the "Scan To Print" function to copy the network destination copy machine. However, the finisher and stapler at the network destination cannot be used in the same way as normal usage.
[0006]
Further, in the case of image input for the purpose of secondary use such as OCR or the like, in addition to paper output, the image is stored in another server or database, and there is a demand for higher accuracy in order to achieve each purpose. In order to increase the accuracy in this way, it is necessary to change the image processing. Furthermore, it is necessary to prepare a user interface for setting and inputting information necessary for the purpose. It is impossible to prepare a user interface that satisfies all these needs in the image input device, and it is also difficult to customize the interface according to the needs.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image that can unify a user interface when operating from any device on the network when using the device on the network. It is to provide a forming method.
[0008]
Another object is that it is not necessary to change the image processing, and it is not necessary to prepare a user interface for setting or inputting necessary information, so that various requests for image input / output can be easily met. An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a first image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus can communicate with each other via a network. Displays the first option information indicating a plurality of first function options related to the first function of the hardware resource including the scanner or plotter provided in its own device on the first operation panel, and sets the first option set by the user's operation. An image forming apparatus that forms an image by using the scanner or plotter of its own apparatus according to a setting parameter, and is based on the first option information. A first operation screen generating means for generating a first operation screen enabling setting of two or more first function options, and the first operation screen generating means. First operation screen control means for controlling display of the generated first operation screen on the first operation panel, and second operation screen generation means different from the first operation screen generation means from the second image forming apparatus. Receive the screen generation program to be realized and the second option information different from the first option information.By executing the screen generation programThe first operation screen generating means and the first option information relating to the image forming apparatus of the own apparatusThe second operation screen generation means and the second option informationReplacement means, and the replacement meansTheFrom the second operation screen of the second image forming apparatus displayed on the first operation panel by the first operation screen control unit using the replaced second operation screen generation unit and the second option information, the user Setting parameter transmission means for requesting image formation in the second image forming apparatus based on the first setting parameter by transmitting the set first setting parameter to the second image forming apparatus, The second image forming apparatus displays, on the second operation panel, second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to the second function of the hardware resource including the scanner or plotter provided in the apparatus, and is operated by a user operation. An image forming apparatus that forms an image using the scanner or plotter according to the set second setting parameter, wherein the second option Second operation screen generating means for generating a second operation screen that allows a user to set one or more function options desired from the plurality of second function options based on the application information; The second operation screen control means for controlling the display of the second operation screen generated by the two operation screen generation means on the second operation panel, and the second operation screen generation means for the first image forming apparatus are realized. Transfer means for transferring the screen generation program and the second option information, and the second option information transferred to the first operation panel of the first image forming apparatus. Reception of receiving first setting parameters operated and set by a user from a displayed screen instead of the first option information related to image formation using a plotter And stage configured to have a process control means for controlling the image forming using the above hardware resources based on the first setting parameter received in place of the second setting parameter.
[0010]
According to the present invention, the second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to the second function of the hardware resource including the scanner or the plotter provided in the apparatus is displayed on the second operation panel. An image forming apparatus that forms an image using the scanner or plotter according to a second setting parameter set by a user operation, wherein the plurality of second functions are based on the second option information. A second operation screen generating means for generating a second operation screen that allows the user to set one or more second function options desired by the user; and a second operation screen generated by the second operation screen generating means. The second operation screen control means for controlling the display of the operation screen on the second operation panel and the second image display device capable of communicating via the network Transfer means for transferring the screen generation program for realizing the screen creation means and the second option information; and the second option information transferred to the first operation panel of the first image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving first setting parameters operated and set by the user from a displayed screen instead of the first option information relating to image formation using the scanner or plotter of the apparatus, instead of the second setting parameters And processing control means for controlling the image formation using the hardware resources based on the received first setting parameter.
[0011]
  In such an image forming apparatus, since the screen generation program and option information of the own apparatus are transferred to the apparatus used by the user via the network, the user uses the screen of the image forming apparatus on the apparatus. Desired function options can be set. Also, the user can move from the device to the image forming device.Image formationCan be performed. Therefore, in order to use the processing in the image forming apparatus, the apparatus does not need to have a screen generation program that provides a screen similar to that of the image forming apparatus in advance. Further, it is not necessary to provide the apparatus with a predetermined process provided by the image forming apparatus.
[0012]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the processing control unit includes the image data received together with the first setting parameter based on the first setting parameter received from the first image forming apparatus. On the other hand, the image formation can be controlled using a plotter as the hardware resource.
[0013]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the above-described image forming apparatus according to claim 6 from the first image forming apparatus.Image formationIn response to a request for confirming whether or not the image forming apparatus is possible, the image forming apparatus is configured to have a response unit that responds by apparatus identification information including an apparatus address that identifies the apparatus on the network and an apparatus name. Can do.
[0014]
In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to notify an apparatus connected via a network that it is in a state where the required predetermined processing can be performed. The apparatus can know an image forming apparatus on a network that can be processed.
[0015]
  The present invention also includes claims.7As described aboveSecond operationAs a screen generation means,
  Multiple input function options for image input processingOn the basis of the,Input that allows the user to setprocessingscreenTheGenerate inputprocessingScreen generation means;
  Multiple image processing function options for image processingOn the basis of the,Image processing screen that allows user settingsTheImage processing screen generation means for generating;
  Multiple output function options for image output processingOn the basis of the,Output that can be set by the userprocessingscreenTheOutput to generateprocessingIt can comprise so that it may have at least 1 of a screen production | generation means.
[0016]
In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to generate at least one of input screen information, image processing screen information, and output screen information for displaying a screen on the display unit of the image forming apparatus itself.
[0017]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.8As described above, as the processing control means, input control means for controlling input processing of an image to generate input image data, and generating image output data for performing image processing on the input image data and outputting it And at least one of output control means for controlling output processing for forming and outputting an image on a medium based on the image output data.
[0018]
In such an image forming apparatus, at least one of input processing, image processing, and output processing can be performed in response to a request from a user who uses the image forming apparatus or a device connected via a network. .
[0019]
  The present invention also includes claims.11The transfer means as described inAn input screen generation program for realizing the input processing screen generation means and the transfer of the input option information, an image processing screen generation program for realizing the image processing screen generation means and a transfer of the image processing option information, the output processing screen Output processing screen generation program realizing generation means and transfer of output option informationAt least one ofPossibleCan be configured to.
[0020]
In such an image forming apparatus, a program that can display an input screen, an image processing screen, an output screen, or a document list screen of the image forming apparatus on a display unit of the apparatus connected via a network is stored in the apparatus. Can be transferred.
[0021]
  Further, according to the present invention, the first option information indicating a plurality of first function options related to the first function of the hardware resource including the scanner or the plotter provided in the apparatus is displayed on the first operation panel. And an image forming apparatus that forms an image using the scanner or plotter of the apparatus according to a first setting parameter that is set by a user's operation. A first operation screen generating means for generating a first operation screen that enables setting of one or more first function options desired by the user from a plurality of first function options; and the first operation screen generating means A second image form that can communicate via a network with first operation screen control means for controlling display of the generated first operation screen on the first operation panel. From the device receiving the said first operation screen generating unit different from the second operation screen frame forming program for realizing the generation means and the first option information different from the second option informationBy executing the screen generation programThe first operation screen generating means and the first option information relating to the image forming apparatus of the own apparatusThe second operation screen generation means and the second option informationReplacement means, and the replacement meansTheFrom the second operation screen of the second image forming apparatus displayed on the first operation panel by the first operation screen control unit using the replaced second operation screen generation unit and the second option information, the user A setting parameter transmitting means for requesting image formation in the second image forming apparatus based on the first setting parameter by transmitting the set first setting parameter to the second image forming apparatus. can do.
[0022]
In such an image forming apparatus, the screen generation program received from the apparatus connected via the network and the option information can be replaced with the existing image generation means, so the screen provided by the apparatus is used as the display unit. Can be displayed.
[0023]
  The present invention also includes claims.14As described aboveFirst operationAs a screen generation means,PictureMultiple input function options for image input processingBased on the above userInput that allows settingprocessingscreenTheGenerate inputprocessingScreen generation means;PictureMultiple image processing function options for image processingBased on the above userImage processing screen that can be setTheImage processing screen generation means for generating;PictureMultiple output function options for image output processingBased on the above userOutput that can be setprocessingscreenTheOutput to generateprocessingIt can comprise so that it may have at least 1 of a screen production | generation means.
[0024]
In such an image forming apparatus, at least one of input screen information, image processing screen information, and output screen information to be displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus itself can be generated.
[0025]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.15As described aboveSetting parameter transmissionAs a means,Performed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screenInput processingForInput setting parameterSecond image formationBy sending to the deviceBased on the input setting parameterTheSecond image formationapparatusInInput requesting input processingSetting parameter transmissionMeans and abovePerformed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screenImage processingForSet the image processing setting parameter toSecond image formationBy sending to the deviceBased on the image processing setting parameterTheSecond image formationapparatusInImage processing that requires image processingSetting parameter transmissionMeans and abovePerformed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screenOutput processingForSet the output setting parameter toSecond image formationBy sending to the deviceBased on the image processing setting parameterTheSecond image formationapparatusInOutput requesting the output processSetting parameter transmissionIt can be configured to have at least one of the means.
[0026]
In such an image forming apparatus, a processing request can be made by transmitting at least one of an input setting parameter, an image processing request parameter, an output setting parameter, and document identification information to a device connected via a network. .
[0027]
  The present invention also includes claims.16As described inSecond option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to hardware resources including a scanner or plotter provided in the own apparatus is displayed on the second operation panel, and the scanner or the second option information is set by the user's operation. An image forming apparatus for forming an image using a plotter, wherein the second screen is generated by a second screen generation program for generating a second operation screen to be displayed on the second operation panel.Based on option informationThe second operation screen is generated so as to indicate the plurality of second function options, and from the first image forming apparatus including the scanner or plotter connected via the network and from the second operation panel of the own apparatus. When each request by the user can be received and the request is from the first screen forming device, the second option information and the second option information for processing relating to image formation are used.Screen generator andProvided as the first processing result,If the request is from the second operation panel, a request indicating the setting parameter set by the user is issued internally from the second operation screen.Screen web service provision processing means for performingFirst image formationapparatusIn the first operation panel, the second option information for the processing relating to the image formation and the second screen generation program include the first option information for the processing relating to the image formation of the first image forming apparatus and the second option information. The second operation screen that is used and displayed instead of the one-screen generation programOrEtuserBySettingWasSetting parametersOr a request indicating a setting parameter issued by the screen Web service providing processing meansIs received based on the setting parameter.Related to image formationFor processingthe aboveUsing hardware resourcesTheIt can be configured to have processing Web service provision processing means for controlling the processing and providing the result as the second processing result.
[0028]
In such an image forming apparatus, as a Web service, a screen generation program and option information are provided to an apparatus connected via a network, and predetermined processing is performed in response to reception of a setting parameter from the apparatus. Processing results can be provided.
[0029]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.17And a control service for controlling the use of the hardware resource in response to a use request from the processing Web service providing processing means and the screen Web service providing Each of the processing means and the processing Web service providing processing means and an operating system for controlling the control service can be provided.
[0030]
Such an image forming apparatus has a function as a computer apparatus and can directly control hardware resources used for image formation as a Web service.
[0031]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.18The processing request is received from the apparatus having the Web browser connected via the network, and the screen Web service providing processing means or the processing Web service providing processing means is received according to the processing request. Web server means for transmitting a processing response indicating the information provided by the server to the apparatus can be provided.
[0032]
In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to control a processing request and a processing response (for example, an HTTP request and an HTTP response).
[0033]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.19As described inRecordThe processing is input control processing for inputting an image and generating input image data, image processing for performing image processing on the input image data to generate output image data, or output control processing for outputting the output image data to a medium. It can be configured to be.
[0034]
  Further, according to the present invention, the processing Web service providing processing means, as described in claim 20, dispatcher means for extracting the setting parameter and the data file attached to the processing request from the processing request; Based on the setting parameters retrieved by the dispatcher means, the data file isProcessing related to image formationThe process execution means for executing
[0035]
In such an image forming apparatus, a setting parameter and a data file (for example, input image data or output image data) can be received simultaneously.
[0036]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.21As described above, the processing execution means can be configured to have a queuing means for queuing the setting parameter and the data file retrieved by the dispatcher means.
[0037]
In such an image forming apparatus, when the processing execution unit is processing, it is possible to queue and hold the setting parameter and data file relating to the next processing request.
[0038]
  The present invention also includes claims.22The message set in the processing request and the processing response is processed in a predetermined description format in accordance with a predetermined message exchange protocol that can be shared by the screen Web service providing processing unit and the processing Web service providing processing unit. Message exchanging means.
[0039]
In such an image forming apparatus, messages can be exchanged without depending on the hardware and operating system of an apparatus connected via a network according to a predetermined message exchange protocol (for example, SOAP).
[0040]
  Furthermore, the present invention provides the claims.23As described in the above, the screen Web service providing processor incorporates the screen generation program into a format conversion file for converting the predetermined description format into a predetermined display format in which the option information can be displayed by the Web browser. The above-described image generation program can be provided.
[0041]
In such an image forming apparatus, a screen generation program is provided by, for example, XSL. Therefore, in a device connected via a network, option information and the screen generation program can be operated by, for example, a Web browser in the XSL. , HTML).
[0042]
  The present invention also provides,Web server means for controlling requests and responses with devices and internal processing means connected via a network, and the request is issued by a user input, and the response received from the Web server means is displayed on a display unit. Web browser means, and Web service client means for transmitting the request from the Web server means to the device according to a predetermined message exchange protocol and receiving the response to the request from the device according to a predetermined message exchange protocol Can be configured.
[0043]
Since such an image forming apparatus includes a Web server unit, a Web browser unit, and a Web service client unit, requests and responses from the Web browser and the internal processing unit, and requests from an apparatus connected via the network And responses can be processed.
[0044]
Further, as a means for solving the above-described problems, the present invention can also use an image forming method for processing in the image forming apparatus.
[0045]
Furthermore, as means for solving the above-described problems, the present invention may be a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the image forming apparatus.
[0046]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as a fusion machine) that fuses various image forming functions has a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 1, for example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function apparatus that fuses various image forming functions according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0047]
In FIG. 1, the MFP 1200 includes a plotter 1321 that is a hardware resource for performing printer processing, a scanner 1324 that is a hardware resource for performing scanner processing, other hardware resources 1203, and the like. Software 1210 including an application 1220 and an application 1230 and an activation unit 1240 are provided.
[0048]
The activation unit 1240 is executed first when the MFP 1200 is turned on, and activates the platform 1220 and the application 1230.
[0049]
An API (Application Program Interface) 1205 provides an interface between the application 1230 and the platform 1220. The platform 1220 interprets a processing request from the application 1230 notified via the API 1205 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources. , A system resource manager (SRM (System Resource Manager) 1223) that arbitrates acquisition requests from the control service 1250, and an OS 1221.
[0050]
The control service 1250 is formed by a plurality of service modules. Specifically, an SCS (System Control Service) 1222, an ECS (Engine Control Service) 1224, an MCS (Memory Control Service) 1225, and an OCS (Operation panel). Control Service) 1226, FCS (FAX Control Service) 1227, NCS (Network Control Service) 1228, and IMH (Imaging Memory Handler) 1229.
[0051]
The OS 1221 is an operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 1220 and the application 1230 in parallel as processes. By using open source UNIX (registered trademark), the safety of the program can be secured, 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.
[0052]
The SRM 1223 controls the system and manages resources together with the SCS 1222, and includes engine units such as the scanner 1324 and the plotter 1321, memory, HDD file, host I / O (centro I / F, network I / F, IEEE 1394 I / F). (F, RS232CI / F, etc.) arbitration is performed according to a request from an upper layer using hardware resources, and execution control is performed.
[0053]
Specifically, the SRM 1223 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request). If it is available, the requested hardware resource is Tell the upper layer that it is available. Also, use of hardware resources is scheduled 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 (plotter 1321), memory reservation, file generation, etc.) are directly executed. It may be.
[0054]
The SCS 1222 includes application management (function 1), operation unit control (function 2), system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.) (function 3), LED display (function 4), resource management (function 5), A plurality of functions such as interrupt application control (function 6) are performed. Specifically, in application management (function 1), application registration and processing for notifying other applications of the information are performed. In the operation unit control (function 2), exclusive control of the operation unit use right of the application is performed. In the system screen display (function 3), a warning screen corresponding to the state of the engine unit is displayed according to the request content from the application having the operation unit usage right. In LED display (function 4), display control of system LEDs such as warning LEDs and application keys is performed. Resource management (function 5) provides services for exclusive control of engine resources (scanners, staples, etc.) that must be excluded when an application (ECS) executes a job. In the interrupt application control (function 6), control and service for preferential operation of a specific application are performed.
[0055]
The ECS 1224 controls engine units such as a plotter 1321, a scanner 1324, and other hardware resources 1203, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like.
[0056]
The MCS 1225 performs memory control. Specifically, the MCS 1225 acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like.
[0057]
The OCS 1226 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.
[0058]
The FCS 1227 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 1205 is provided.
[0059]
The NCS 1228 is a module group for providing a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. The NCS 1228 distributes data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, and distributes data from the application. Mediates when sending to the network side. The NCS 1228 is, for example, at least an httpd (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon) 2 for communicating with a device connected via a network, and an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) for transferring a file related to an image input / output interface. 3.
[0060]
The IMH 1229 maps the image data from the virtual memory area to the physical memory area. In response to the process activation, a system call is performed to map a virtual memory area for the process, or to release the mapped virtual memory area when the process ends.
[0061]
The application 1230 includes a printer application 1211 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 1212 that is a copy application, and a fax application 1213 that is a facsimile application. A scanner application 1214 that is a scanner application, a net file application 1215 that is a net file application, an image input / output application 1216 that is an application that controls image input / output, and a transfer application 1217 that transfers an image input / output interface file. And a document list application 1218 that provides a list of managed documents. Since each application 1211 to 1218 can execute an operation by using each process on the platform 1220, 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 via the network connected by the NCS 1228. Each application can be added or deleted for each application.
[0062]
As described above, the MFP 1200 centrally processes the processing that is commonly required for each application by the platform 1220.
[0063]
Next, the hardware configuration of the MFP 1200 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 1200 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 1200 includes an operation panel 1310, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 1330, an IEEE1394 1340, a plotter 1321, a scanner 1324, an ASIC 1301 of the controller 1300, and a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus 1309. Connected configuration.
[0064]
The controller 1300 connects a MEM-C 1302, HD (Hard Disk) 1303, and the like to the ASIC 1301, and connects the ASIC 1301 and the CPU 1304 via the NB 1305 of the CPU chipset. Thus, the reason for connecting via the NB 1305 is that the interface of the CPU 1304 itself is not disclosed.
[0065]
Here, the ASIC 1301 and the NB 1305 are not connected via the PCI, but are connected via the AGP 1308. The reason for the connection via the AGP 1308 is that the MFP 1200 executes and controls a plurality of processes forming the platform 1220 and the application 1230 shown in FIG. This is because performance decreases.
[0066]
The CPU 1304 performs overall control of the MFP 1200. Specifically, the SCS 1222, the SRM 1223, the ECS 1224, the MCS 1225, the OCS 1226, the FCS 1227, the NCS 1228, and the IMH 1229 that form the platform 1220 on the OS 1221 are started as processes. At the same time, the printer application 1211, the copy application 1212, the fax application 1213, the scanner application 1214, the net file application 1215, the image input / output application 1216 and the transfer application 1217 that form the application 1230 are activated and executed. The OS 1221 controls hardware resources such as the scanner 1324, the plotter 1321, and other hardware resources 1203.
[0067]
The OS 1221 of the image forming apparatus 1200 is different from an operating system such as a personal computer (PC) in that it directly controls each hardware resource used for image processing. This is because, usually, a PC can control an image forming apparatus such as a connected scanner or printer, but cannot control hardware resources in the image forming apparatus.
[0068]
The NB 1305 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 1304 to the MEM-P 1306, SB 1307, and ASIC 1301, and the MEM-P 1306 is a system memory used as a drawing memory for the MFP, and the SB 1307 is an NB 1305, ROM, and PCI device. This is a bridge for connecting peripheral devices. The MEM-C 1302 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and the ASIC 1301 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing.
[0069]
The HD 1303 is a storage for accumulating image data, accumulating programs, accumulating font data, and accumulating forms. The operation panel 1310 accepts input operations from an operator and displays them for the operator. It is an operation unit.
[0070]
Therefore, the ASIC 1301 is provided with a RAM interface for connecting the MEM-C 1302 and a hard disk interface for connecting the HD 1303. When inputting / outputting image data to / from these storage units, the input / output The destination is switched to the RAM interface or the hard disk interface.
[0071]
The AGP 1308 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing, and makes the graphics accelerator card faster by directly accessing the system memory with high throughput.
[0072]
Hereinafter, input processing, image processing, and output processing that can be provided by the MFP 1200 having the functional configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and the hardware configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 are described below from other devices connected via a network. A functional configuration example of the image input / output application 1216 and the transfer application 1217 that can be used will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image input / output application and the transfer application. In FIG. 3, the image input / output application 1216 mainly controls the processing flow control module 450 that controls the processing flow of input processing, image processing, and output processing, and the flow of the screen displayed on the operation panel 1302 via the OCS 1226. And a UIF (User InterFace) control module 430.
[0073]
The processing flow control module 450 includes an input control module 410 that controls a scanner 1324 as an image reading apparatus that inputs an image, an output control module 420 that controls a plotter 1321 as an image forming apparatus that outputs an image, and input image data. An image processing module 440 that performs image processing on the image 601 and generates output image data 602. The processing flow of each input processing, image processing, and output processing performed by each module 410, 440, and 420, or those Control a series of processing flow as a whole. For example, when the MFP 1200 continuously performs input processing, image processing, and output processing, the processing flow control module 450 performs control so that each processing is performed according to a predetermined processing flow. As will be described later, in the case of only the requested processing, the processing flow control module 450 controls the corresponding module so that only the requested processing is performed according to the predetermined processing flow.
[0074]
The UIF control module 430 includes an input UIF 460 for providing an input screen, an output UIF 470 for providing an output screen, and an image processing UIF 480 for providing an image processing screen, and a predetermined screen according to a display flow. Are displayed on the operation panel 1302 via the OCS 1226, the UIFs 460, 470, and 480 are controlled.
[0075]
In FIG. 3, first, a mechanism in which the UIF control module 430 displays an input screen, an image processing screen, and an output screen on the operation panel 1302 of the MFP 1200 will be described.
[0076]
When the MFP 1200 is activated, the input control module 410 confirms functions that can be provided from the scanner 1324, such as a document feeder function and a double-sided document reading function, and acquires them as input option information 433. Based on the input option information 433 acquired by the input control module 410, the input UIF 460 of the UIF control module 430 generates input screen information for displaying functions for input processing that can be provided by the scanner 1324. The input screen information generated by the input UIF 460 is notified to the OCS 1226 by the UIF control module 430, and is displayed as an input screen on the operation panel 1302 by the OCS 1226 based on the input screen information. When the user sets a desired function from the input screen displayed on the operation panel 1302, the input UIF 460 of the UIF control module 430 is notified via the OCS 1226.
[0077]
The input UIF 460 notifies the function set by the user to the input control module 410 as an input setting parameter 434 and instructs image input. The input control module 410 executes the scanner application 1214 based on the input setting parameter 434 to control the scanner 1324, reads the input image 600, and causes the input image 600 to execute a function set by the user. Input image data 601 is generated as a result of execution by the scanner 1324 under the control of the input control module 410.
[0078]
Further, the image processing module 440 performs image processing functions as image processing option information 435 using image processing functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200, such as an aggregate printing function or a copy function, a frame erasing function, a reverse function, and a stamp function. Notify UIF 480. The image processing UIF 480 of the UIF control module 430 displays image processing screen information for displaying image processing functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 based on the image processing option information 435 notified from the image processing control module 440. Generate. The image processing screen information generated by the image processing UIF 480 is notified to the OCS 1226 by the UIF control module 430, and is displayed as an image processing screen on the operation panel 1302 by the OCS 1226 based on the image processing screen information.
[0079]
When the user sets a desired function from the image processing screen displayed on the operation panel 1302, the image processing UIF 480 of the UIF control module 430 is notified via the OCS 1226. The image processing UIF 480 notifies the image processing control module 440 of the function set by the user as the image processing setting parameter 424 and instructs the image processing. The image processing control module 440 performs image processing on the input image data 601 generated by the input control module 410, and generates output image data 602 as a result.
[0080]
Similarly, when the MFP 1200 is activated, the output control module 420 can provide functions that can be provided from the plotter 1321, for example, a finisher function such as a punch function and a staple function, a sort function, a stack function, and a print number setting function. Then, the type of the paper tray, the double-sided paper feed function, etc. are confirmed, and these are acquired as output option information 431. Based on the output option information 431 acquired by the output control module 410, the output UIF 470 of the UIF control module 430 generates output screen information for displaying functions for output processing that can be provided by the plotter 1321. The output screen information generated by the output UIF 460 is notified to the OCS 1226 by the UIF control module 430, and is displayed as an output screen on the operation panel 1302 by the OCS 1226 based on the output screen information. When the user sets a desired function from the output screen displayed on the operation panel 1302, the output UIF 470 of the UIF control module 430 is notified via the OCS 1226.
[0081]
The output UIF 470 notifies the output control module 420 of the function set by the user as the output setting parameter 432 and instructs image output. The output control module 420 controls the plotter 1321 using the printer application 1211 based on the output setting parameter 432, and the plotter as an output image 603 in which the output image data 602 generated by the image processing module 440 is formed on paper or the like. It is output from 1321.
[0082]
For example, when the image processing screen is displayed on the operation panel 1302, the UIF control module 430 is controlled so as to display a screen for setting a frame width for frame deletion or when displaying an output screen on the operation panel 1302. It includes changing the flow control of the screen so as to display a screen showing the position to staple. The input option information 433, the image processing option information 435, and the output option information 431 also include a program for controlling the operation panel 1302. The input option information 433 and the output option information 431 as described above are scanner operation information including paper document information, and also include information related to the operation (control) of an ADF (automatic document feeder). . Since the output option information 431 is information relating to the finisher of the printing paper, it is the same when the copy process is used in addition to the printer process.
[0083]
When taking a normal copy, from the input screen displayed on the operation panel 1302, input settings related to image input, for example, settings such as a single-sided original or double-sided original, and image processing settings related to image processing, such as Then, settings such as frame erasure and output settings relating to image output, such as stapling settings and paper tray settings, are made, and copying is started with a copy start button.
[0084]
With the start of copying, the input control module 410 receives the input setting parameter 434 and starts inputting the input image 600 according to the input setting parameter 434. The input image 600 that has been input is taken into the multi-functional apparatus 1200 as input image data 601, and the input image data 601 that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing module 440 in accordance with the image processing setting parameter 436 is output as output image data 602. Passed to. The output image data 602 is output as an output image 603 to the plotter 1321 by the output control module 420 according to the output setting parameter 432.
[0085]
In order to make the functions of input processing, image processing, and output processing that can be provided by the MFP 1200 available to other devices connected via a network, the transfer application 1217 can display a UIF program from the other devices. In response to the request, each UIF program is transferred by FTP3 of NCS 1228.
[0086]
When the transfer application 1217 receives a request for an input UIF program from another device connected via the network, the transfer application 1217 simultaneously receives the input UIF program 461 for realizing the input UIF 460 and the input option information 433 acquired by the input control module 410 at the time of activation. The file is transferred to the other device by FTP3. Similarly, when the transfer application 1217 receives a request for the image processing UIF program or the output UIF program from another device connected via the network, the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 435 or the output UIF program 471. And the output option information 431 are simultaneously transferred to the other device by FTP3.
[0087]
By downloading and executing each UIF program transferred in this way by another device, a user using the other device can select a plurality of functions provided by the MFP 1200 from the other device. Become. In addition, the setting parameter indicating the function set by the user is transmitted to the multi-function apparatus 1200. The MFP 1200 uses other devices in the MFP 1200 by replacing the received setting parameters with corresponding setting parameters among the input setting parameters 434, the image processing setting parameters 436, and the output setting parameters 432 of the MFP 1200. It becomes possible to perform processing according to the setting of the user who is doing.
[0088]
In the functional configuration example of the image input / output application 1216 shown in FIG. 3, the input control module 410, the image processing module 440, the output control module 420, and the UIF control module 430 may be realized by, for example, a Java (registered trademark) program. good. In this case, a Java (registered trademark) VM (Virtual Memory) 450 capable of executing the Java (registered trademark) program indicated by the dotted line may be provided. An input UIF program 461, an image processing UIF program 481, and an output UIF program 471 are also provided by a Java (registered trademark) program. If the Java (registered trademark) program can be executed in another device connected to the MFP 1200 via the network, the input UIF program 461, the image processing UIF program 481, and the like can be used without depending on the hardware of the other device. An output UIF program 471 can be provided.
[0089]
For example, when a device connected to the MFP 1200 via a network is a device having a function lower than that of the MFP 1200 or having only one type of function (hereinafter referred to as a single function image processing apparatus), The functional image processing apparatus downloads and executes the input UIF program 461, the image processing UIF program 481, or the output UIF program 471 of the MFP 1200, thereby providing the user with the high functions provided by the MFP 1200. it can. A processing pattern in which the high function of the MFP 1200 is used in the single function image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing pattern when the function of the multi-function peripheral is used. Assuming that the user uses, that is, the display processing side is a single-function image processing device, the input processing, image processing, and output processing are performed on the single-function image processing device side or the MFP 1200 side. A processing pattern is shown.
[0090]
First, a processing pattern in which input processing is performed by the single function image processing apparatus, image processing is performed by the multi-functional apparatus 1200, and output processing is performed by the single function image processing apparatus is referred to as processing pattern 1. For example, as a situation in which this processing pattern 1 is performed, it is desired to use the frame erasing function of the multi-function apparatus 1200 as an image processing function, but there is a multi-function apparatus 1200 far from the user's position and a single function image processing apparatus nearby. In such a case, a case where the MFP 1200 is being used by another user is conceivable.
[0091]
Next, let the processing pattern 2 be a processing pattern in which input processing is performed by the MFP 1200, image processing is performed by the MFP 1200 or a single-function image processing apparatus, and output processing is performed by the MFP 1200. For example, when the processing pattern 2 is performed, when an ADF (Automatic Document Feeding Device) that is not included in the single-function image processing apparatus but is provided in the MFP 1200 is used as an input processing function, It is conceivable that the stapling function of the machine 1200 is desired to be used as an output processing function. Further, there is a case where image processing is performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200 when it is desired to use a frame erasing function that is not provided in the single-function image processing apparatus but can be provided by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0092]
A processing pattern in which input processing is performed by the single function image processing device, image processing is performed by the multifunction device 1200 or the single function image processing device, and output processing is performed by the multifunction device 1200 is referred to as a processing pattern 3. For example, as a situation in which the processing pattern 3 is performed, there may be a case where input processing is performed by a single function image processing apparatus and the staple function of the MFP 1200 is desired to be used as output processing. Further, there is a case where image processing is performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200 when it is desired to use a frame erasing function that is not provided in the single-function image processing apparatus but can be provided by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0093]
Furthermore, a processing pattern in which input processing is performed by the multifunction device 1200, image processing is performed by the multifunction device 1200 or the single function image processing device, and output processing is performed by the single function image processing device is referred to as a processing pattern 4. For example, as a situation where the processing pattern 4 is performed, there is a case where the ADF provided in the multi-function apparatus 1200 is not used in the single function image processing apparatus but is desired to be used as an input processing function. Further, there is a case where image processing is performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200 when it is desired to use a frame erasing function that is not provided in the single-function image processing apparatus but can be provided by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0094]
In the same manner as described above, when the display process is performed by the MFP 1200 and other combinations are naturally conceivable, the object of the present invention can be sufficiently shown by explaining the above four process patterns.
[0095]
An example of a screen for displaying the function of the MFP 1200 on the operation panel of the single function image processing apparatus as indicated by these processing patterns 1 to 4 and a processing flow will be described. In the following description, a copier is assumed as the single function image processing apparatus. For convenience of explanation, an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus will be described. However, the UIF programs 461, 471, and 481 for display are provided from the MFP 1200. The same display is possible on the operation panel 1302 of 1200.
[0096]
First, an example of an input screen based on the input UIF program 461 and the input option information 433 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen. In FIG. 5, an input screen G600 exists on the network, a button 61 for designating a device for performing input processing, a button 62 for designating a device for performing image processing, a button 63 for designating a device for performing output processing, and the like. A display area 610 that can be selected by the user indicating a list of devices, and a display area 620 that can be selected by the user indicating functions that can be processed by the device selected by the user from the display area 610 are provided.
[0097]
When the user selects the button 61 on the input screen G600, a list of devices that can be input on the network is displayed in the display area 610. In the display area 610, for example, a “copy machine” indicating the single-function image processing apparatus itself, and “multi-function machine”, “apparatus 01”, “apparatus 02” indicating the above-described multi-function apparatus 1200 as devices on the network. , “Device 03”, “Device 04”, and the like are displayed. For example, when the user selects “MFP”, the display area 620 displays functions that the “MFP” can provide as input processing.
[0098]
For example, the display area 620 includes “characters” for reading the input image 600 in the character mode, “photos” for reading the input image 600 in the photo mode, and “automatic” for setting the density setting to “merge”. Functions such as “density”, “light” and “dark” for the user to set the density, “single side” for inputting only one side of the input image 600, “double side” for inputting both sides of the input image 600 Is displayed. For example, when the user selects “photograph”, “automatic density”, and “single-sided”, input setting parameters indicating “photograph”, “automatic density”, and “single-sided” are generated and transmitted to the MFP 1200. The MFP 1200 sets the received input setting parameter as the input setting parameter 434, and the input control module 410 reads the input image 600 from the scanner 1324 according to the input setting parameter 434.
[0099]
A processing flow between the MFP 1200 and the single function image processing apparatus performed according to the user operation on the input screen G600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of the input screen of the multi-function peripheral in the single function image device.
[0100]
In FIG. 6, when the user selects a button 61 for designating a device for input processing on the input screen G600 displayed on the operation panel of the single function image processing apparatus (step S11), the single function image processing apparatus is connected via the network. Then, the presence of a device capable of inputting an image among the connected devices is confirmed (step S12). As a confirmation method, all devices existing on the network may be confirmed by broadcasting, or may be confirmed with respect to a specific device set in advance. In response to the presence confirmation from the single-function image processing apparatus, the MFP 1200 existing on the network responds to the single-function image processing apparatus with the device-specific information including the IP address, device name, etc. for identifying the MFP 1200 ( Step S13). When the device-specific information is received from the MFP 1200 and each device on the network, the single function image processing apparatus displays a list of device names of each device in the display area 610 of the input screen G600.
[0101]
When the user selects, for example, the MFP 1200 as a device that performs input processing from the display area 610 displayed (step S14), the single function image processing apparatus requests the input UIF program 461 from the MFP 1200. (Step S15). In response to a request from the single function image processing apparatus, the multi-function apparatus 1200 transmits the input UIF program 461 and the input option information 433 to the single function image processing apparatus by FTP3 (step S16).
[0102]
When the single function image processing apparatus receives the input UIF program 461 and the input option information 433 from the MFP 1200, the single function image processing apparatus executes the input UIF program 461 (step S17). With this execution, the functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 are displayed in the display area 620 of the input screen G600 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus. For example, when the user selects “photograph”, “automatic density”, and “single side” from the display area 620 displaying the function (step S18), the input UIF program 461 causes “photograph”, “automatic density”, and “single side”. ”Is generated and transferred to the MFP 1200 (step S19).
[0103]
The multi-function apparatus 1200 sets the received input setting parameter as the input setting parameter 434, reads the input image 600 from the scanner 1324 according to the input setting parameter 434 by the input control module 410, and generates the input image data 601 (step S20).
[0104]
By setting the input setting parameter received by the multi-function apparatus 1200 as the input setting parameter 434, the input control module 410 can perform input processing as if the user had set the operation panel 1302 of the multi-function apparatus 1200. When completing the input process, the multi-functional apparatus 1200 transmits the input result to the single function image processing apparatus (step S21). The single function image processing apparatus displays the input result received from the MFP 1200 on the operation panel (step S22).
[0105]
With such a processing flow, the user can select a desired function from a list of functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus, and input based on the selection. It is possible to cause the MFP 1200 to perform processing. For example, even when the single-function image processing apparatus does not have a “photo” function, the user can cause the MFP 1200 to perform input processing using the “photo” function as one of input setting options. it can.
[0106]
The processing flow shown in FIG. 6 has been described as being performed by the single-function image processing apparatus and the multi-function apparatus 1200. However, the processing flow can also be realized between two multi-function apparatuses 1200 or two single-function image processing apparatuses. .
[0107]
Next, an example of an image processing screen based on the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 436 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing screen. In FIG. 7, the image processing screen G630 has the same screen configuration as the input screen G600, and thus the same parts as those in FIG. When the user selects the button 62 on the image processing screen G630, the display area 610 displays a list of devices on the network that can perform image processing, as in the input screen G600. When the user selects “MFP”, the display area 620 displays functions for which “MFP” can be set as image processing.
[0108]
For example, in the display area 620, “frame erasure” for erasing shadows around the paper, “reverse” for inverting and copying the image color, “stamp” indicating that the image has been processed, and correcting for smudges in the input image “ “Background dirt removal”, “Same size” for processing at the same size of the image, “Paper specified magnification” for processing the image at a magnification according to the designated paper, “100%” for specifying the magnification of the image by ten key input, display "Display" to specify image processing including "Edit" to process the image repeatedly on one sheet or combine different images into one sheet "Edit", one left and right page one by one Functions such as “divide” to be processed on the sheet are displayed. For example, when the user selects “frame deletion”, “same size”, and “division” as image processing of one left and right page, image processing indicating “frame deletion”, “same size”, and “division” A setting parameter is generated and transmitted to the MFP 1200. The multi-functional apparatus 1200 sets the received image processing setting parameter as the image processing setting parameter 436, and generates output image data 602 obtained by performing image processing on the input image data 601 according to the image processing setting parameter 440 by the image processing control module 440. Is done.
[0109]
A processing flow between the MFP 1200 and the single-function image processing apparatus performed according to the user operation on the image processing screen G630 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of the multifunction peripheral and the input screen in the single function image device.
[0110]
In FIG. 8, when the user selects the button 62 for designating a device that performs image processing on the image processing screen G630 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus (step S51), the single-function image processing apparatus connects the network. The presence of devices capable of image processing among the devices connected via the network is confirmed (step S52). The confirmation method for the broadcast or specific device is the same as that in the processing flow for realizing the display of the input screen described with reference to FIG. In response to the presence confirmation from the single-function image processing apparatus, the MFP 1200 existing on the network responds to the single-function image processing apparatus with the device-specific information including the IP address, device name, etc. for identifying the MFP 1200 ( Step S53). When the device-specific information is received from the MFP 1200 and each device on the network, the single function image processing apparatus displays a list of device names of each device in the display area 610 of the input screen G600.
[0111]
When the user selects, for example, the MFP 1200 as a device that performs image processing from the display area 610 displayed (step S54), the single function image processing apparatus requests the image processing UIF program 481 from the MFP 1200. (Step S55). In response to a request from the single function image processing apparatus, the multi-function apparatus 1200 transmits the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 436 to the single function image processing apparatus by FTP3 (step S56).
[0112]
When the single function image processing apparatus receives the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 436 from the MFP 1200, the single function image processing apparatus executes the image processing UIF program 481 (step S57). By this execution, the functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 are displayed in the display area 620 of the image processing screen G630 displayed on the operation panel of the single function image processing apparatus. For example, when the user selects “frame deletion”, “same size”, and “division” from the display area 620 displaying the function (step S58), the image processing UIF program 481 performs “frame deletion”, “same size”. Then, an image processing setting parameter indicating “division” is generated and transferred to the MFP 1200 (step S59).
[0113]
The multi-functional apparatus 1200 acquires the input image data 601 (step S60). When the input processing is not performed in the MFP 1200, the MFP 1200 acquires the input image data 601 from the single function image processing apparatus. The image input / output application 1216 sets the image processing setting parameter received from the single function image processing apparatus as the image processing setting parameter 436, and the image processing control module 440 performs image processing on the input image data 601 according to the image processing setting parameter 436. Processing is performed to generate output image data 602 (step S61).
[0114]
By setting the image processing setting parameter received by the image input / output application 1216 as the image processing setting parameter 436, the image processing control module 440 performs image processing as if the user set the operation panel 1302 of the MFP 1200. can do. When the image processing is completed, the MFP 1200 transmits the image processing result to the single function image processing apparatus (step S62). The single function image processing apparatus displays the image processing result received from the MFP 1200 on the operation panel (step S63).
[0115]
Although the processing flow shown in FIG. 8 has been described as being performed by the single-function image processing apparatus and the multi-function apparatus 1200, it can also be realized between two multi-function apparatuses 1200 or two single-function image processing apparatuses. . With such a processing flow, the user can select a desired function from a list of functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus, and an image based on the selection. It is possible to cause the MFP 1200 to perform processing.
[0116]
Further, an output screen example by the output processing UIF program 471 and the output option information 431 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen. 9, since the output screen G640 has the same screen configuration as the input screen G600, the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. When the user selects the button 63 on the output screen G640, the display area 610 displays a list of devices that can be output and exist on the network, as in the input screen G600. When the user selects “MFP”, the display area 620 displays functions for which “MFP” can be set as output processing.
[0117]
For example, in the display area 620, “sort” for outputting one copy at a time in page order, “stack” for outputting for each page, “staple” indicating icons for binding four types of staples, and two types of punch holes. A function such as “punch” indicating how to open the icon is displayed. For example, when the user selects one of a plurality of icons indicating the position of the staple displayed in “staple”, an output setting parameter indicating “sort” and the user's desired type of “staple” is automatically generated. And transmitted to the MFP 1200. The image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200 sets the received output setting parameter as the output setting parameter 432, and the output control module 420 outputs the output image data 602 formed on the paper by the plotter 1321 in accordance with the output setting parameter 432. An image 603 is output.
[0118]
A processing flow between the MFP 1200 and the single function image processing apparatus performed according to the user operation on the output screen G600 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow for realizing the display of the multifunction peripheral and the output screen in the single function image device.
[0119]
In FIG. 10, when the user selects the button 63 for designating a device for performing output processing on the output screen G640 displayed on the operation panel of the single function image processing apparatus (step S71), the single function image processing apparatus is connected via the network. Then, the presence of a device capable of outputting an image is confirmed (step S72). The confirmation method for the broadcast or specific device is the same as that in the processing flow for realizing the display of the input screen described with reference to FIG. In response to the presence confirmation from the single-function image processing apparatus, the MFP 1200 existing on the network responds to the single-function image processing apparatus with the device-specific information including the IP address, device name, etc. for identifying the MFP 1200 ( Step S73). When the device-specific information is received from the MFP 1200 and each device on the network, the single function image processing apparatus displays a list of device names of each device in the display area 610 of the output screen G640.
[0120]
When, for example, the MFP 1200 is selected as a device that performs image processing from the displayed display area 610 (step S74), the single function image processing apparatus requests the output UIF program 471 from the MFP 1200. (Step S75). In response to a request from the single function image processing apparatus, the multi-function apparatus 1200 transmits the output UIF program 471 and the output option information 431 to the single function image processing apparatus by FTP3 (step S76).
[0121]
When the single function image processing apparatus receives the output UIF program 471 and the output option information 431 from the MFP 1200, the single function image processing apparatus executes the output UIF program 471 (step S77). With this execution, the functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 are displayed in the display area 620 of the output screen G640 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus. For example, when the user selects one of the icons indicating the position of “staple” from the display area 620 displaying the function (step S78), the output setting indicating “sort” and “staple” by the output UIF program 471. A parameter is generated and transferred to the MFP 1200 (step S79).
[0122]
The compound machine 1200 acquires the output image data 602 (step S80). When the output process is not performed in the MFP 1200, the MFP 1200 acquires the output image data 602 from the single function image processing apparatus (step S81). The output setting parameter received from the single function image processing apparatus is set as the output setting parameter 431, and the output image data 602 is output by the output control module 420 as the output image 603 formed on the sheet according to the output setting parameter 431 (step S82). ). By setting the received output setting parameter as the output setting parameter 431, the output control module 420 can perform an output process as if the user set the operation panel 1302 of the multi-function apparatus 1200. When completing the output process, the multi-functional apparatus 1200 transmits the image processing result to the single function image processing apparatus (step S83). The single-function image processing apparatus displays the output result received from the MFP 1200 on the operation panel (step S84).
[0123]
The processing flow shown in FIG. 10 has been described as being performed by the single-function image processing apparatus and the multi-function apparatus 1200. However, the processing flow can be realized between two multi-function apparatuses 1200 or two single-function image processing apparatuses. . With such a processing flow, the user can select a desired function from a list of functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus, and output based on the selection. It is possible to cause the MFP 1200 to perform processing.
[0124]
Next, an example of a document list screen provided by the document list application 1218 of the MFP 1200 will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document list screen. 11, since the document list screen G660 has the same screen configuration as the input screen G600, the same parts as those in FIG. The document list screen G660 includes a button 651 for designating a device for displaying a document list, instead of the button 61 for designating a device for performing input processing on the input screen G600. When the user selects the button 651 on the document list screen G660, a list of devices that can store documents existing on the network is displayed in the display area 610, as in the input screen G600. When the user selects “MFP”, a list of documents accumulated by “MFP” is displayed in the display area 620.
[0125]
For example, in the display area 620, document names such as “Document 01”, “Document 02”, “Document 03”, and the like are displayed as documents stored and managed by the MFP 1200. Here, for example, when the user selects “document 02” and then selects the button 62 and the button 63, the image processing and the output processing can be performed by each desired device.
[0126]
A processing flow between the MFP 1200 and the single function image processing apparatus performed according to the user operation on the document list screen G660 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of the multifunction peripheral and the output screen in the single function image device. Note that the document list application 1218 has the same functional configuration as the image output application, and is stored in the HD 1303 and a UIF control module that controls the display flow of the document list UIF that creates screen information constituting the screen of the document list. And a control module for acquiring bibliographic information and the like for specifying the document being read.
[0127]
In FIG. 12, when the user selects a button 651 for specifying a device that is managing a document on the document list screen G660 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus (step S91), the single-function image processing apparatus The presence of a device capable of document management among the devices connected via the network is confirmed (step S92). The confirmation method for the broadcast or specific device is the same as that in the processing flow for realizing the display of the input screen described with reference to FIG. In response to the presence confirmation from the single-function image processing apparatus, the MFP 1200 existing on the network responds to the single-function image processing apparatus with the device-specific information including the IP address, device name, etc. for identifying the MFP 1200 ( Step S93). When the device-specific information is received from the MFP 1200 and each device on the network, the single function image processing apparatus displays a list of device names of each device in the display area 610 of the document list screen G660.
[0128]
For example, when the MFP 1200 is selected as a device that performs image processing from the display area 610 displayed (step S94), the single function image processing apparatus requests the MFP 1200 for a document list UIF program. (Step S95). The transfer application 1217 of the MFP 1200 transmits the document list UIF program and the document list option information to the single function image processing apparatus by FTP3 in response to a request from the single function image processing apparatus (step S96).
[0129]
When the single function image processing apparatus receives the document list UIF program and the document list option information from the MFP 1200, the single function image processing apparatus executes the document list UIF program (step S97). As a result of this execution, functions that can be provided by the MFP 1200 are displayed in the display area 620 of the document list screen G640 displayed on the operation panel of the single-function image processing apparatus. For example, when the user selects “document 02” from the display area 620 displaying the function (step S98), a document list setting parameter indicating “document 02” is generated by the document list UIF program and transferred to the MFP 1200. (Step S99).
[0130]
The multi-functional apparatus 1200 acquires the document list image data 602 (step S100). The document list setting parameter received from the single-function image processing apparatus is set as the document list setting parameter in the MFP 1200, and bibliographic information is acquired from the HD 1303 by the control module according to the document list setting parameter (step S101). By setting the received document list setting parameter as the document list setting parameter generated by the MFP 1200, the control module performs document list processing as if the user had set the operation panel 1302 of the MFP 1200. Can do. The multi-functional apparatus 1200 transmits the document acquisition result to the single function image processing apparatus (step S102). The single-function image processing apparatus displays the document acquisition result received from the MFP 1200 on the operation panel (step S103).
[0131]
The processing flow shown in FIG. 12 has been described as being performed by the single-function image processing apparatus and the multi-function apparatus 1200. However, the processing flow can also be realized between two multi-function apparatuses 1200 or two single-function image processing apparatuses. . With such a processing flow, the user can select a desired document from a list of documents stored in the MFP 1200 displayed on the operation panel of the single function image processing apparatus, and based on the selection. The image processing or output processing can be performed by the MFP 1200.
[0132]
The processing pattern by the combination of the input processing, the image processing and the output processing shown in FIG. 4 using the screen and the user interface realized by the processing flow as described in FIGS. 6 to 12 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Describe. A single function image processing apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 13 to 16 is, for example, a single copy machine that provides only a copy function, and includes, for example, an input processing unit 102 that reads an input image 600 formed on a sheet, An image processing unit 104 that performs image processing on input image data generated by reading the input image 600, and an output that forms output image data subjected to the image processing on a sheet and outputs it as an output image 603 The processing unit 106, an operation panel 120 operated by a user, and an operation control unit 116 that controls display on the operation panel 120 are provided.
[0133]
The operation control unit 110 also provides the operation UI 120 with an input UIF 112 that provides screen information for displaying the input screen G600 as shown in FIG. 5 and an image processing screen G630 as shown in FIG. The image processing UIF 113 that provides screen information for displaying the image, the output processing UIF 114 that provides screen information for displaying the output screen G640 as shown in FIG. 9, and the screen information of each user interface 112 to 114 And at least an OCS 116 for controlling the operation panel 120.
[0134]
Further, the operation control unit 110 includes a Java (registered trademark) VM 118 when the user interface program for realizing the user interfaces 112 to 114 is a Java (registered trademark) program. On the other hand, in the single-function image processing apparatus 100, by configuring each processing unit of the operation control unit 110 to be realized by a Java (registered trademark) program, even when the OCS 116 is not provided, the compatibility with the MFP 1200 is improved. It becomes possible to keep.
[0135]
In FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, portions indicated by dotted lines except for the Java (registered trademark) VM 450 and the Java (registered trademark) VM 118 are provided as components, but are not used in the example of the processing pattern. A portion indicated by a double line indicates a portion replaced with a data file transmitted from the MFP 1200 or the single function image processing apparatus 100.
・ Processing pattern 1
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing pattern 1 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 13, display processing, input processing, and output processing are performed by a single-function image processing apparatus, and only image processing is performed by the MFP 1200.
[0136]
First, when the user selects the single function image processing apparatus 100 itself as an apparatus for performing input processing from the operation panel 120, the single function image processing apparatus 100 can be provided by the input UIF 112 originally provided in the single function image processing apparatus 100. The input processing function is displayed on the operation panel 120. When the user selects a function, the input UIF 112 generates an input setting parameter (not shown) indicating the function set by the user. The input processing unit 102 reads the input image 600 according to an input setting parameter (not shown) indicating the function set by the user generated by the input UIF 112 and generates input image data 601.
[0137]
  Next, when the user selects the MFP 1200 from the operation panel 120 as a device that performs image processing, an existing image processing UIF (not shown) is acquired from the MFP 1200 according to the processing flow shown in FIG. It is replaced with the image processing UIF 480 of the multi-functional apparatus 1200 realized by the UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 435. Image processing UIF483Displays an image processing function that can be provided by the MFP 1200 on the operation panel 120 via the OCS 116. When the user selects a function, the image processing UIF483Generates an image processing setting parameter 136 indicating the function set by the user. The single-function image processing apparatus 100 transfers the image processing setting parameter 136 and the input image data 601 generated by the input processing unit 102 to the MFP 1200 as a file. The input image data 601 may be transferred in response to a request from the image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200.
[0138]
The image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200 replaces the image processing setting parameter 436 with the image processing setting parameter 136 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100. Then, the image processing module 440 performs image processing on the input image data 601 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100 based on the image processing setting parameter 436, and generates output image data 602 as a result. The output image data 602 is transferred to the single function image processing apparatus 100 as a file. The output image data 602 may be transferred in response to a request from the single function image processing apparatus 100.
[0139]
Further, when the user selects the single-function image processing apparatus 100 itself as an apparatus for performing output processing from the operation panel 120, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 can be provided by the output UIF 114 originally provided in the single-function image processing apparatus 100. The output processing function is displayed on the operation panel 120. When the user selects a function, the output UIF 114 generates an output setting parameter (not shown) indicating the function set by the user. The output processing unit 106 forms output image data 602 on a sheet or the like according to an output setting parameter (not shown) indicating a function set by the user generated by the output UIF 114, and outputs it as an output image 603.
[0140]
In this way, the user can cause only the image processing to be performed by the MFP 1200 connected via the network 15.
・ Processing pattern 2
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing pattern 2 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 14, only the display process is performed by the single function image processing apparatus, and the input process, the image process, and the output process are performed by the MFP 1200.
[0141]
In FIG. 14, when the user selects the multi-function apparatus 1200 as a device that performs input processing, image processing, and output processing from the operation panel 120 of the single-function image processing apparatus 100, an existing input UIF (not shown) is displayed according to the processing flow of FIG. Are replaced with the input UIF 460 of the MFP 1200 realized by the input UIF program 461 and the input option information 433 acquired from the MFP 1200. The input UIF 460 displays functions of input processing that can be provided by the MFP 1200 on the operation panel 120 via the OCS 116. Thereafter, the input setting parameter 134 generated by the input UIF 461 indicating the function set by the user is transmitted to the multi-function apparatus 1200 and is replaced as the input setting parameter 434 of the image input / output application 1218. The input control module 410 reads the input image 600 and the input image data 601 is generated by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0142]
Similarly, in accordance with the processing flow of FIG. 8, the user can start from the image processing screen of the MFP 1200 displayed by the image processing UIF 480 in which the existing image processing UIF (not shown) is replaced in the single function image processing apparatus 100. The image processing setting parameter 436 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 is replaced by the image processing setting parameter 136 indicating the image processing function set by. In accordance with the replaced image processing setting parameter 436, the image processing module 440 generates output image data 602.
[0143]
Further, similarly, according to the processing flow of FIG. 10, the user sets from the output screen of the MFP 1200 displayed by the output UIF 470 in which the existing output UIF (not shown) is replaced in the single function image processing apparatus 100. The output process setting parameter 432 of the MFP 1200 is replaced by the output process setting parameter 132 indicating the function of the output process. In accordance with the replaced output setting parameter 432, the output processing module 420 outputs an output image 603.
[0144]
In this way, the user can cause the MFP 1200 connected via the network 15 to perform all input processing, image processing, and output processing. Further, the image processing may be performed by the single function image processing 100. In that case, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 acquires the input image data 601 from the multi-function apparatus 1200 and transmits the output image data 602 obtained by performing image processing on the input image data 601 to the multi-function apparatus 1200 together with the output setting parameter 132. Configured to do.
・ Processing pattern 3
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing pattern 3 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 15, display processing and input processing are performed by a single-function image processing apparatus, and image processing and output processing are performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0145]
In FIG. 15, when the user selects the single function image processing 100 itself as a device that performs input processing from the operation panel 120 of the single function image processing apparatus 100, and selects the MFP 1200 as a device that performs image processing and output processing, In the single function image processing apparatus 100, the input image 600 is read by the input processing unit 102, and the input image data 600 is generated. Thereafter, similar to the processing pattern 1 of FIG. 13, the existing image processing UIF (not shown) is replaced with the image processing UIF 480 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 in the single function image processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, in the image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200, the image processing module 440 generates the output image data 602 according to the image processing setting parameter 436 replaced by the image processing setting parameter 136 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100. To do. Further, similarly to the processing pattern 2 in FIG. 14, the existing output UIF (not shown) is replaced with the output UIF 470 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 in the single function image processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, in the image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200, the output module 420 outputs the output image 603 in accordance with the output setting parameter 432 replaced by the output setting parameter 132 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100.
[0146]
In this way, the user can perform only input processing with the single-function image processing apparatus 100, and can perform image processing and output processing with the MFP 1200 connected via the network 15. Further, the image processing may be performed by the single function image processing 100. In that case, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 is configured to transmit output image data 602 obtained by performing image processing on the input image data 601 generated by the input processing unit 102 to the MFP 1200 together with the output setting parameter 132. Is done.
・ Processing pattern 4
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing pattern 4 illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 16, display processing and output processing are performed by the single function image processing apparatus, and input processing and image processing are performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200.
[0147]
In FIG. 16, when the user selects the single-function image processing apparatus 100 itself as an apparatus that performs input processing and output processing from the operation panel 120 of the single-function image processing apparatus 100, and selects the MFP 1200 as an apparatus that performs image processing. 14, the existing input UIF (not shown) is replaced with the input UIF 460 of the MFP 1200 in the single function image processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, in the image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200, the input control module 410 generates the input image data 601 in accordance with the input setting parameter 434 replaced by the input setting parameter 134 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100. Further, the existing image processing UIF (not shown) is replaced with the image processing UIF 480 of the MFP 1200 in the single function image processing apparatus 100. Thereafter, in the image input / output application 1216 of the MFP 1200, the image processing module 440 generates the output image data 602 according to the image processing setting parameter 436 replaced by the image processing setting parameter 136 received from the single function image processing apparatus 100. To do. Then, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 acquires the output image data 602 from the multi-function apparatus 1200, the output processing is performed by the existing output processing unit 106, and the output image 603 is output.
[0148]
As described above, the user can cause the multifunction device 1200 to perform input processing and image processing from the single function image processing apparatus 100, and can cause the single function image processing apparatus 100 to perform output processing after the image processing. Further, the image processing may be performed by the single function image processing 100. In that case, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 acquires the input image data 601 from the multi-function apparatus 1200 and transmits the output image data 602 obtained by performing image processing on the input image data 601 to the multi-function apparatus 1200 together with the output setting parameter 132. Configured to do.
[0149]
In the processing patterns 1 to 4 described above, the example in which the multi-function apparatus 1200 and the single-function image processing apparatus 100 are connected via the network 15 has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a form in which three or more image processing apparatuses are connected. It is possible to apply.
[0150]
As described above, in the first embodiment, the input image 600 can be input from any image processing apparatus using the options (ADF, double-sided ADF, etc.) attached to the MFP 1200 connected via the network 15. it can. For example, an input image 600 (original) is continuously input from a plurality of double-sided originals using a multi-functional apparatus 1200 with a double-sided ADF 1350 and output to a single function image processing apparatus 100 (copier) having only a pressure plate. It can be operated to.
[0151]
In addition, an output image 603 is obtained by using options (finisher, punch, staple, etc.) attached to the multi-function apparatus 1200 from the arbitrary single-function image processing apparatus 100 on the network 15 to the multi-function apparatus 1200 connected via the network 15. Can be output. For example, it is possible to output an image from a single-function copier or personal computer (PC) using an output option of a full-function, high-function printer or copier. At this time, since the output UIF program and the output setting parameter 432 are acquired via the network 15, it is not necessary to prepare a new user interface in the single function image processing apparatus 100 operated by the user, and the MFP 1200 can be used from anywhere. Can be instructed by the same operation as the provided interface. Even when a device to which a new function is added is connected to the network 15, even if the existing single-function image processing apparatus 100 on the operation side does not know the function, the user can operate the interface of the MFP 1200. Can be used as is.
[0152]
Further, if a high-functional compound machine 1200 exists on the network 15, the input image data 601 is sent to the compound machine 1200, and the output image data 602 is sent to the output-side single-function image processing apparatus 100. Even in the single function image processing apparatus 100 having no functional image processing, an equivalent function can be realized. At this time, even if the function and setting of the image processing are not known by the single-function image processing apparatus 100 on the operation side, processing can be performed from any device by the same operation.
[0153]
In the present embodiment, only the plotter 1321 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 as an output option, the scanner 1324 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 as an input option, and the single function image processing apparatus 100 (copier) as an input / output option are provided on the network 15. Although not provided, it is possible to provide a plurality. All options, for example, devices connected to the network 15 or scanners, printers, copiers, etc. as functions can share functions. Further, the output destination is not limited to printing on paper, but may be electronic data. Even if the document is stored and stored on a server or the like, the input side may be electronic data instead of a paper manuscript at the document management server document management server. In this way, by storing as a document, it is possible to reuse data that already exists as image data. By simply storing frequently used data on the network 15, various output methods using options can be used. Can be used.
[Second Example]
In the second embodiment, a multi-function apparatus that provides processing equivalent to that of the first embodiment as a Web service will be described.
[0154]
The functional configuration and hardware configuration of a multi-function apparatus that provides a Web service related to image processing according to the second embodiment are the functional configuration and hardware of the multi-function apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. Although the configuration is the same, the Web service providing processing units 41, 42, 44, and 244 described below perform processing corresponding to the image input / output Web application 1216. In a second embodiment, an MFP 1200 that provides an input screen, an image processing screen, and an output screen on a Web browser and provides input processing, image processing, and output processing as Web services based on user settings is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS. In the processing examples illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, at least three or more image processing apparatuses, that is, the MFP 1200 and other equivalent image processing apparatuses and the single-function image processing apparatus 100 are connected to the network. Suppose that In this processing example, it is assumed that the input processing is performed by the single function image processing apparatus 100, the image processing is performed by the multi-function apparatus 1200, and the output processing is performed by another image processing apparatus.
[0155]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function peripheral that provides a Web service related to image processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 17, for convenience of explanation, a Web service related to image processing will be described. However, a Web service related to input processing, output processing, and document list processing can be realized with the same configuration.
[0156]
In FIG. 17, the MFP 1200 is connected to an image processing screen Web service provision processing unit 244, an image processing Web service provision processing unit 44 that executes image processing, and an HTTP request and HTTP response according to an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). And a Web server 500 that controls communication with a device connected via the network 15.
[0157]
The Web server 500 includes a distributor 30 that distributes a Web service providing processing unit corresponding to a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) or URL (Uniform Resource Locator) specified by an HTTP request, and data transmission / reception using http (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). And httpd (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Daemon) for communication control. The MFP 1200 includes a SOAP processing unit 70 that analyzes an HTTP request according to SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) and creates an HTTP response, and an XML processing unit 50 that processes a message according to XML (eXtensible Markup Language). These are shared by all the Web service provision processing units 244 and 44. Furthermore, dispatchers 64 and 65 are implemented separately for the image processing UIF 480 and the image processing control module 440 by dividing the parameters and data files in the message.
[0158]
When httpd2 of the MFP 1200 receives an HTTP request in accordance with SOAP indicating a request for an image processing screen UIF program from a device (for example, the single function image processing apparatus 100) connected via the network 15 (step S110), distribution is performed. The request is notified by the imager 30 to the image processing screen Web service providing processing unit 244 (step S111). The image processing screen Web service provision processing unit 244 processes the HTTP request by the SOAP processing unit 70 (step S112), further processes the message described in XML in the SOAP body by the XML processing unit 50, and the dispatcher 64 processes the image. A request for the processing UIF program is notified to the image processing UIF 480 (step S113).
[0159]
The image processing UIF program 481 described based on the Extensible Stylesheet Language Transform (XSLT) provided from the image processing UIF 480 and the image processing option information 435 are notified to the XML processing unit 50 (step S114). The image processing screen Web service provision processing unit 244 creates XML 26 in which the XML processing unit 50 describes the image processing option information 435 in the XML processing unit 50, and the SOAP processing unit 70 uses the XML 26 and the image processing to indicate the image processing option information 435 in the SOAP body. XSL indicating the UIF program 481 is included, and by requesting transmission to httpd2 (step S115), it is transmitted to the single function image processing apparatus 100 as an HTTP response (step S130).
[0160]
After the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 435 are transmitted, when an image processing request is sent from the single function image processing apparatus 100 as an HTTP request, the Web server 500 sends the HTTP request by the distributor 30. The image processing Web service providing unit 44 is notified of the image processing request specified in (Step S121). The image processing Web service providing unit 44 processes an HTTP request for requesting image processing by the SOAP processing unit 70 (step S122), and further processes a message described in XML in the SOAP body by the XML processing unit 50. 64 separates the image processing setting parameter 436 and the attached input image data 601 and notifies the image processing control module 440 of an image processing request (step S123).
[0161]
The image processing control module 440 performs image processing on the input image data 601 in accordance with the image processing setting parameter 436, and the XML processing unit 50 creates XML 26 in which the processing result is described in XML. The output image data 602 is the SOAP processing unit. 70 is attached. Then, the web server 500 transmits the HTTP response as an HTTP response to the single function image processing apparatus 100 (step S130).
[0162]
The processing in the input UIF 460 and the input control module 410, and the output UIF 470 and the output control module 420 are performed in the same processing flow as the image processing screen Web service providing processor 244 and the image processing Web service providing processor 44. The service can be provided to a plurality of devices connected via the network 15. The same applies to the document list processing.
[0163]
Next, a functional configuration example of the single function image processing apparatus 100 connected to the MFP 1200 that provides the Web service via the network 15 will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a functional configuration example of a single function image processing apparatus having a Web browser according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, a portion indicated by a dotted line is a portion that is provided as a component but is not used in the processing example. In FIG. 18, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 mainly provides an input processing unit 102 that inputs an image, an image processing unit 104 that performs image processing, an output processing unit 106 that outputs an image, and input screen data. Input UIF 112, image processing UIF 113 that provides image processing screen data, output UIF 114 that provides output screen data, Web service client 10 having SOAP processing unit 12, Web server 140, Web browser 122, and operation Panel 120.
[0164]
The Web server includes a distributor 124 that distributes processing according to a request input by a user from the Web browser 122, an XML creation unit 13 that creates an XML 28 by describing the request in XML, and an XML 26 based on XSL 25. And an HTML creation unit 502 that creates a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) 24 by being converted by the processor 503.
[0165]
A request for an input UIF from the operation panel 120 by the user selecting, for example, the single-function image processing apparatus 100 itself as a device that performs input processing is notified from the web browser 122 to the distributor 124 of the web server 140 (step S210). ). When the distributor 124 receives a request from the Web browser 122, the distributor 124 determines whether the request is a user interface request or a request to the processing units 102, 104, and 106. In this case, the request from the web browser 122 is determined to be a user interface request, and the request is notified to the XML creation unit 13 of the web server 140 (step S211). The XML creation unit 13 creates an XML 28 in which the request is described in XML. When the XML creation unit 13 determines that the request is for the input UIF to the single function image processing apparatus 100 itself, the Web server 140 notifies the input UIF 112 of the request (step S212).
[0166]
The input UIF 112 processes the request described in XML, and notifies the Web server 140 of XML 26 indicating input screen data described in XML and XSL 25 for converting the XML 26 into HTML (step S213). The Web server 140 notifies the XML creating unit 502 of the XML 26 and XSL 25 received as a response (step S214). The HTML creation unit 502 creates the HTML 24 by the XSL processor 503 based on the notified XML 26 and XSL 25. The created HTML 24 is provided to the Web browser 122 and the input screen of the single function image processing apparatus 100 is displayed on the operation panel 120 (step S125).
[0167]
When the input processing function is set on the input screen displayed by the user, the web server 140 receives a request from the web browser 122 by the distributor 124 (step S210). The distributor 124 determines that the user request is an input process, and notifies the input processing unit 102 of the input setting parameter 434 (step S231). The input processing unit 102 inputs the input image 600 according to the input setting parameter 134 to generate input image data 601, and notifies the Web server 140 of XSL 15 for converting the input processing result to XML 26 and HTML. (Step S232). By performing steps S125 and S126 described above, the input processing result is displayed on the operation panel 120.
[0168]
When the user selects the MFP 1200 as a device that performs image processing, the Web browser 122 notifies the distributor 124 of the Web server 140 of a request corresponding to the selection (step S210). The distributor 124 determines that the request is a user interface request and notifies the XML creation unit 13 of the request (step S241). In this case, when the XML creation unit 13 determines that the XML creation unit 13 is a request to a device other than the single-function image processing device 100, the web server 140 notifies the SOAP processing unit 12 of the web service client 10 (step S242). The SOAP processing unit 12 transmits an HTTP request with XML 28 as a message according to SOAP to the MFP 1200 via the network 15 (step S243).
[0169]
When the Web service client 10 receives an HTTP response from the MFP 1200 (step S244), the SOAP processing unit 12 extracts the XML 26 and XSL 25 from the SOAP body and notifies the Web server 140 (step S245). In this case, the XML 26 describes the image processing option information 435, and the XSL 25 includes the image processing UIF program 481, and the image processing UIF program 481 and the image processing option information 435 are generated in the HTML 24 created by converting the XML 26 into HTML. And are included. Similarly to the above, steps S125 and S126 are performed, and the image processing UIF 480 of the MFP 1200 can be realized on the operation panel 120 by the Web browser 122.
[0170]
Similarly, an output UIF of another image processing apparatus connected via the network 15 can also be realized. As described above, the image processing setting parameter 436 and the output installation parameter 432 are transmitted to the MFP 1200 and other image processing apparatuses in steps S241 to S243, and the respective processing results are obtained in steps S244, S245, S125, and S126. It is displayed on the operation panel 120.
[0171]
On the operation panel 120 of such a single function image processing apparatus 100, for example, a screen G650 as shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel by the Web browser. In FIG. 19, a screen G650 displays a display area 651 for specifying a device for performing input processing, a display area 652 for specifying a device for performing image processing, and a display area for specifying a device for performing output processing. 653. As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, each display area 651, 652, and 653 can provide a display area 610 that displays a list of devices that can be processed, and a device selected by the user from the display area 610. A display area 620 for displaying a list of various functions. Each display area 651-653, 610, and 620 is comprised with the flame | frame, for example.
[0172]
In screen G650, the user selects single-function image processing apparatus 100 from display area 610 as a device that performs input processing, and selects a function that single-function image processing apparatus 100 can provide from display area 620. In addition, the user selects the MFP 1200 from the display area 610 as an apparatus for performing image processing, and selects a function that can be provided by the MFP 1200 from the display area 620. Further, the user selects another image processing apparatus from the display area 610 as a device that performs output processing, and selects a function that can be provided by the other image processing apparatus from the display area 620. These selections of the user are transmitted as the input setting parameter 434, the image processing setting parameter 436, and the output setting parameter 432 to the single function image processing apparatus 100, the MFP 1200, and other image processing apparatuses, respectively.
[0173]
According to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the user interface provided by each image processing apparatus can be used even with different user interface models, and the user interface has different original operations such as color and monochrome. However, it can be processed in the same way. In addition, it is possible to easily perform the same processing even when the user interface is different by using an existing Web browser mechanism without developing a special mechanism. In addition, maintenance and improvement for each module is facilitated.
[Third embodiment]
In the second embodiment, an embodiment in which the computer built in the multi-function apparatus 1200 includes a mass storage device such as a hard disk device and can cope with a large amount of image data will be described as a third embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function apparatus that provides a Web service related to image processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 20, the same parts as those of FIG. 17 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In the third embodiment, when the input image data 601 or the output image data 602 is transferred or when the image processing setting parameter 436 or the output setting parameter 432 is received in the Web server 500 of the MFP 1200, the image processing is performed. In some cases, the module 440 or the output control module 420 cannot be processed immediately because it is in use. Therefore, queues 441 and 421 are prepared for each.
[0174]
When the image processing module 440 is processing, the input image data 601 and the image processing setting parameter 436 are stored together in the queue 441 as a request. When the output control module 420 is processing, the output image data 602 and the output setting parameter 432 are collectively stored in the queue 421 as a request. When the processing is completed, the image processing module 440 and the output control module 420 retrieve requests from the queues 441 and 421, and perform processing for each request.
[0175]
In the first to third embodiments, it can be configured as follows. The MFP 1200 is provided with an image data storage function to the HD 1303 or an image data transfer function to another image processing apparatus. At this time, the formats, compression formats, resolutions, gradations, and the like of the input image data 601 and the output image data 602 vary depending on the subsequent usage by the user. Therefore, by handling the characteristics of the input image data 601 and the output image data 602 as the image processing option information 435 and the output option information 431, it is possible to perform processing according to the usage of the user. The image processing module 440 and the output control module 420 convert the input image data 601 and the output image data 602 according to the image processing setting parameter 436 and the output setting parameter 432, and store the input image data 601 and the output image data 602. Transfer to the image processing device.
[0176]
Further, when a device capable of storing images in the HD 1303 is a multi-function apparatus 1200 that performs input processing, the data stored in the HD 1303 of the multi-function apparatus 1200 is selected and output from the single-function image processing apparatus 100 that performs output processing. Can do. At this time, the output-side single-function image processing apparatus 100 displays the input operation interface of the MFP 1200 without knowing the double-side designation method of the ADF 1350 and the means for selecting the image stored in the HD 1303. Processing can be performed.
[0177]
Further, the image processing module 440 such as gamma correction and color space correction according to the engine characteristics at the time of image output is transferred to the single function image processing apparatus 100 by the same processing flow as the image processing UIF 480, and the single function image processing apparatus 100 A high-quality image can be output by performing processing in place of the image processing unit 104. Further, if processing such as background stain removal is set as image correction, clean output image data 602 can be created even if the quality of the input image 600 or the input image data 601 is poor. Further, since image output varies depending on engine characteristics, gamma correction and color correction are required at the time of image input, but by acquiring the image processing module 440 itself of the MFP 1200 that performs output processing, the MFP 1200 Various corrections can be performed by the single-function image processing apparatus 100 that performs input processing according to engine characteristics, and a high-quality image can be output.
[0178]
When the device that performs image processing is different from the device that performs input processing and output processing, the input image data 601 that has been input is temporarily transferred to the device for image processing, and then transferred to the device on the output side after processing. A series of work can be advanced by doing. Therefore, it is possible to dynamically add a function without mounting an equivalent image processing function on the device side that performs input processing.
[0179]
Further, in the second embodiment, a Web browser is started on a PC connected to the network 15, the Web server of each device that performs input processing, image processing, and output processing is accessed, and the display unit of the PC is connected to the display unit. By displaying the Web content provided by the Web server, it is possible to perform an operation relating to image processing even if no function relating to image processing is implemented on the PC side.
[0180]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, each user interface for performing input processing, image processing, and output processing, and option information indicating functions executable in each processing are transmitted via the network to other information. It can be provided to an image processing apparatus. Therefore, when using an image processing apparatus on the network, the user interface can be unified and processed when operating from any image processing apparatus on the network. In addition, since the function set by the user can be received as a setting parameter via the network, the user can perform processing according to the setting parameter from another image processing apparatus on the network.
[0181]
In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to select an input-side image processing device that inputs image data and an output-side image processing device that outputs image data from among a plurality of image processing devices on a Web browser. Image data can be transferred from the input side image processing apparatus to the output side image processing apparatus and output. Therefore, even if the user is a personal computer or the like that does not have an image processing function, the user does not need to implement the image processing function and does not need to prepare a special user interface for setting or inputting necessary information. Therefore, various requests for image input / output can be easily performed via the network.
[0182]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-functional apparatus that fuses various image forming functions according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the MFP 1200 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of an image input / output application and a transfer application.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a processing pattern when using the function of the multi-function peripheral.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input screen.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of the multifunction peripheral and an input screen in the single function image device.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image processing screen.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow for realizing display of a multifunction peripheral and an input screen in a single function image device.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output screen.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of an output screen with a multifunction peripheral in a single function image device.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a document list screen.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow for realizing display of a multifunction peripheral and a document list screen in a single function image device.
13 is a diagram showing an example of a processing pattern 1 shown in FIG.
14 is a diagram showing an example of a processing pattern 2 shown in FIG.
15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing pattern 3 illustrated in FIG.
16 is a diagram showing an example of a processing pattern 4 shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function peripheral that provides a Web service related to image processing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a single function image processing apparatus having a Web browser.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel by the Web browser.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a multi-function peripheral that provides a Web service related to image processing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 single function image processing apparatus
1200 fusion machine, 1210 software group
1216 Image input / output application, 1217 Transfer application
1218 Document list application
1230 application, 1220 platform
1221 OS, 1222 SCS
1223 SRM, 1224 ECS
1225 MCS, 1226 OCS
1227 FCS, 1228 NCS
1229 IMH, 1240 Fusion machine start-up unit
1300 controller, 1301 ASIC
1302 MEM-C, 1303 HD
1304 CPU, 1305 NB
1306 MEM-P, 1307 SB
1308 AGP, 1310 Operation Panel
1320 Fax control unit
1330 USB, 1340 IEEE 1394
1350 Engine part, 1500 Network I / F part
1510 Printer, 1520 Scanner
1530 FAX unit

Claims (26)

In a system in which the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus can communicate via a network,
The first image forming apparatus displays, on the first operation panel, first option information indicating a plurality of first function options related to a first function of a hardware resource including a scanner or a plotter provided in the apparatus, and is operated by a user. An image forming apparatus that forms an image by using the scanner or plotter of the apparatus according to the first setting parameter set by
Based on the first option information, first operation screen generating means for generating a first operation screen that enables setting of one or more first function options desired by the user from the plurality of first function options. When,
First operation screen control means for controlling display of the first operation screen generated by the first operation screen generation means on the first operation panel;
A screen generation program for realizing second operation screen generation means different from the first operation screen generation means and second option information different from the first option information are received from the second image forming apparatus, and the screen generation program is A replacement unit that replaces the first operation screen generation unit and the first option information with the second operation screen generation unit and the second option information according to the image forming apparatus of the apparatus by executing
The second operation of the second image forming apparatus in which the first operation screen control unit displays on the first operation panel by using the second operation screen generating means and the second option information is replaced by the said substituent means Setting parameter transmission means for requesting image formation in the second image forming apparatus based on the first setting parameter by transmitting the first setting parameter set by the user from the screen to the second image forming apparatus. And
The second image forming apparatus displays, on the second operation panel, second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to a second function of a hardware resource including a scanner or a plotter provided in the apparatus, and is operated by a user. An image forming apparatus that forms an image using the scanner or plotter according to the second setting parameter set by
A second operation screen generating means for generating a second operation screen that enables setting of one or more function options desired by the user from the plurality of second function options based on the second option information;
Second operation screen control means for performing display control on the second operation panel of the second operation screen generated by the second operation screen generation means;
Transfer means for transferring the screen generation program for realizing the second operation screen generation means to the first image forming apparatus and the second option information;
The second option information transferred to the first operation panel of the first image forming apparatus is displayed instead of the first option information relating to image formation using the scanner or plotter of the first image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving first setting parameters operated and set by the user from the screen;
And a processing control means for controlling the image formation using the hardware resource based on the received first setting parameter instead of the second setting parameter.   The setting parameter transmission unit of the first image forming apparatus transmits the first setting parameter and the image data generated by the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. The system of claim 1. The image data is data read by the first image forming apparatus with the scanner of its own apparatus,
The processing control unit of the second image forming apparatus controls the image formation based on the first setting parameter received from the first image forming apparatus, using the plotter of the own apparatus as the hardware resource. The system according to claim 2, wherein: Second setting information set by user operation by displaying second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to the second function of the hardware resource including the scanner or plotter provided in the own device on the second operation panel. An image forming apparatus that forms an image using the scanner or plotter,
Based on the second option information, second operation screen generating means for generating a second operation screen that enables setting of one or more second function options desired by the user from the plurality of second function options. When,
Second operation screen control means for controlling display of the second operation screen generated by the second operation screen generation means on the second operation panel;
Transfer means for transferring a screen generation program for realizing the second operation screen generation means and the second option information to a first image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a network;
From the screen in which the second option information transferred to the first operation panel of the first image forming apparatus is displayed instead of the first option information relating to image formation using the scanner or plotter of the first image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving first setting parameters operated and set by a user;
An image forming apparatus having processing control means for controlling the image formation using the hardware resources based on the received first setting parameter instead of the second setting parameter. The processing control means uses the plotter as the hardware resource for the image data received together with the first setting parameter based on the first setting parameter received from the first image forming apparatus. the image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the controlling the formation. In response to a request from the first image forming apparatus to confirm whether or not the image formation is possible, the apparatus identification information including the apparatus address and the apparatus name for specifying the image forming apparatus on the network is used. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising response means for responding. As the second operation screen generation means,
Based on a plurality of input function options related to image input processing, an input processing screen generation means for generating an input processing screen that allows the user to make settings;
Based on a plurality of image processing function options related to image processing, an image processing screen generation unit that generates an image processing screen that allows the user to make settings;
7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising at least one output processing screen generation unit configured to generate an output processing screen that can be set by the user based on a plurality of output function options related to image output processing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. As the processing control means,
Input control means for generating input image data by controlling image input processing;
Image processing control means for generating image output data for performing image processing and outputting the input image data;
Based on the image output data, the image formation according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that at least one of the output control means for controlling an output process of outputting to form an image on a medium apparatus.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the input control unit controls a scanner as the hardware resource for performing the input process.   9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the output control unit controls a plotter as the hardware resource for performing the output process.   The transfer means includes: an input screen generation program for realizing the input processing screen generation means; and transfer of the input option information; an image processing screen generation program for realizing the image processing screen generation means; and transfer of the image processing option information; The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of an output processing screen generation program for realizing an output processing screen generation unit and transfer of the output option information is enabled. A first setting parameter set by a user operation by displaying first option information indicating a plurality of first function options related to a first function of a hardware resource including a scanner or a plotter provided in the own apparatus on the first operation panel. An image forming apparatus that forms an image by using the scanner or plotter of the own apparatus,
Based on the first option information, first operation screen generating means for generating a first operation screen that enables setting of one or more first function options desired by the user from the plurality of first function options. When,
First operation screen control means for controlling display of the first operation screen generated by the first operation screen generation means on the first operation panel;
A screen generation program for realizing second operation screen generation means different from the first operation screen generation means and second option information different from the first option information are received from a second image forming apparatus that can communicate via a network. Replacing the first operation screen generation means and the first option information relating to the image forming apparatus of the apparatus with the second operation screen generation means and the second option information by executing the screen generation program Means,
The second operation of the second image forming apparatus in which the first operation screen control unit displays on the first operation panel by using the second operation screen generating means and the second option information is replaced by the said substituent means Setting parameter transmission means for requesting image formation in the second image forming apparatus based on the first setting parameter by transmitting the first setting parameter set by the user from the screen to the second image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus comprising:   13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the setting parameter transmitting unit transmits the first setting parameter and image data read by a scanner to the second image forming apparatus. As the first operation screen generation means,
Based on a plurality of input function options related to image input processing, an input processing screen generation means for generating an input processing screen that allows the user to make settings;
Based on a plurality of image processing function options related to image processing, an image processing screen generation unit that generates an image processing screen that allows the user to make settings;
14. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising at least one output processing screen generation unit configured to generate an output processing screen that can be set by the user based on a plurality of output function options related to image output processing. Image forming apparatus. As the setting parameter transmission means,
By transmitting, to the second image forming apparatus, input setting parameters for input processing performed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screen, the first setting based on the input setting parameters. Input setting parameter transmission means for requesting input processing in the two-image forming apparatus;
Based on the image processing setting parameter, the image processing setting parameter for image processing performed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screen is transmitted to the second image forming apparatus. Image processing setting parameter transmission means for requesting image processing in the second image forming apparatus;
By transmitting output setting parameters for output processing performed by the second image forming apparatus set by the user from the second operation screen to the second image forming apparatus, the output processing parameters based on the image processing setting parameters are transmitted. 13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising at least one output setting parameter transmission unit that requests the output processing in the second image forming apparatus. Second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to hardware resources including a scanner or plotter provided in the own apparatus is displayed on the second operation panel, and the scanner or the An image forming apparatus that forms an image using a plotter,
The second operation screen is generated so as to indicate the plurality of second function options based on the second option information by a second screen generation program for generating a second operation screen to be displayed on the second operation panel. also provides a can receive a request for each by the user from the second operation panel of the apparatus from a first image forming apparatus including a scanner or plotter is connected via a network, said one section imaging apparatus If the request is from the second operation panel, the second option information for the processing relating to image formation and the second screen generation program are provided as the first processing result, and the request is from the second operation panel. A screen Web service providing processing means for internally issuing a request indicating a setting parameter set by the user from the second operation screen;
The second option information for the processing related to the image formation and the second screen generation program are displayed on the first operation panel of the first image forming device for the processing related to the image formation of the first image forming device. A request indicating a setting parameter set by the user from the second operation screen displayed and used instead of the first option information and the first screen generation program or a setting parameter issued by the screen Web service providing processing means. Upon receipt, processing Web service provision processing means for controlling the processing using the hardware resources for performing processing relating to the image formation based on the setting parameter and providing the result as a second processing result An image forming apparatus comprising: A control service that manages the hardware resources and controls the use of the hardware resources in response to a use request from the processing Web service providing processing means;
17. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising an operating system that controls each of the screen Web service providing processing means and the processing Web service providing processing means and the control service.   A processing request is received from the device having a Web browser connected via the network, and information provided by the screen Web service providing processing means or the processing Web service providing processing means is indicated according to the processing request. 18. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising Web server means for transmitting a processing response to the apparatus.   The above processing includes an input control process for inputting an image and generating input image data, an image process for performing image processing on the input image data to generate output image data, or an output control process for outputting the output image data to a medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The processing Web service providing processing means includes dispatcher means for extracting the setting parameter and the data file attached to the processing request from the processing request;
20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, further comprising: a process execution unit that executes the process related to the image formation on the data file based on the setting parameter extracted by the dispatcher unit. . 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the processing execution unit includes a queuing unit for queuing the setting parameter retrieved by the dispatcher unit and the data file. Message exchange means that can be shared by the screen Web service provision processing means and the processing Web service provision processing means, and that processes messages set in the processing request and the processing response in a predetermined description format according to a predetermined message exchange protocol preparative image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 8 to 21, characterized in that it comprises a.   The screen Web service provision processing unit stores the image generation program incorporated in a format conversion file for converting the screen generation program from the predetermined description format into a predetermined display format that allows the Web browser to display the option information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided. Second setting information set by user operation by displaying second option information indicating a plurality of second function options related to the second function of the hardware resource including the scanner or plotter provided in the own device on the second operation panel. An image forming method for forming an image using the scanner or plotter,
A second operation screen generation procedure for generating a second operation screen that enables setting of one or more function options desired by the user from among the plurality of second function options based on the second option information;
Second operation screen control means for controlling display of the second operation screen generated by the second operation screen generation means on the second operation panel;
A transfer procedure for transferring a screen generation program for realizing the second operation screen generation means and the second option information to a first image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a network;
From the screen in which the second option information transferred to the first operation panel of the first image forming apparatus is displayed instead of the first option information relating to image formation using the scanner or plotter of the first image forming apparatus. Receiving means for receiving first setting parameters operated and set by a user;
And a processing control procedure for controlling the image formation using the hardware resources based on the received first setting parameter instead of the second setting parameter. A first setting parameter set by a user operation by displaying first option information indicating a plurality of first function options related to a first function of a hardware resource including a scanner or a plotter provided in the own apparatus on the first operation panel. An image forming method for forming an image by using the scanner or plotter of the device,
A first operation screen generation procedure for generating a first operation screen that enables setting of one or more function options desired by the user from the plurality of first function options based on the first option information;
First operation screen control means for controlling display of the first operation screen generated by the first operation screen generation means on the first operation panel;
A screen generation program for realizing a second operation screen generation procedure different from the first operation screen generation procedure and second option information different from the first option information are received from a second image forming apparatus capable of communicating via a network. And replacing the first operation screen generation procedure and the first option information related to the image forming apparatus of the own apparatus with the second operation screen generation procedure and the second option information by executing the screen generation program Procedure and
The second operation of the second image forming apparatus in which the first operation screen control procedure is displayed on the first operation panel by using the second operation screen generation step and the second option information is replaced by the above replacement procedure Setting parameter transmission procedure for requesting image formation in the second image forming apparatus based on the first setting parameter by transmitting the first setting parameter set by the user from the screen to the second image forming apparatus. And an image forming method. Second option information indicating a plurality of second function options relating to hardware resources including a scanner or plotter provided in the own apparatus is displayed on the second operation panel, and the scanner or the second option information is set according to a second setting parameter set by a user operation. An image forming method in an image forming apparatus that forms an image using a plotter,
The second operation screen is generated so as to indicate the plurality of second function options based on the second option information by a second screen generation program for generating a second operation screen to be displayed on the second operation panel. In addition, it is possible to receive the respective requests by the user from the first image forming apparatus including the scanner or the plotter connected via the network and from the second operation panel of the own apparatus, and from the first screen forming apparatus If the request is a request from the second operation panel, the second option information and the second screen generation program for the processing relating to image formation are provided as a first processing result. A screen Web service provision processing procedure for internally issuing a request indicating a setting parameter set by the user from the second operation screen;
The second option information for the processing related to the image formation and the second screen generation program are displayed on the first operation panel of the first image forming device for the processing related to the image formation of the first image forming device. A request indicating a setting parameter set by the user from the second operation screen displayed and used instead of the first option information and the first screen generation program or a setting parameter issued by the screen Web service providing processing means. When received, a processing Web service providing processing procedure for controlling the processing using the hardware resources for performing the processing related to the image formation based on the setting parameter and providing the result as a second processing result And an image forming method.

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