JP5068987B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program for transmitting an image scanned by a scanning unit to an information processing apparatus connected to a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image processing apparatuses such as a scanner that can scan a document with a scanner unit and transmit a scanned image to an information processing apparatus connected to a network, a multifunction peripheral including a scanner function, and the like are generally known. . In such an image processing apparatus, the scanned image is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus by file transfer using a protocol such as e-mail or FTP (File Transfer Protocol) (for example, see Patent Document 1). .

  In such an image processing apparatus, a local user who manages user information dedicated to the image processing apparatus normally managed by the image processing apparatus is used as a database for managing destinations such as e-mail addresses and IP addresses for transmitting scanned images. Database, user information as a destination managed by a distribution server on the network, a distribution user database temporarily acquired and stored on the image processing apparatus side, and stored in an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server on the network An LDAP user database or the like that temporarily acquires and stores user information as a destination is provided.

  Then, the information processing apparatus that receives the scanned image converts the scanned image into a data format corresponding to an application for displaying, editing, or printing a document or image, and displays, edits, or prints the converted data by the application. It is supposed to be.

JP 2005-244411 A

  Incidentally, in recent years, there has been proposed an OS (Operating System) that allows an application to use arbitrary data for an external device even if driver software is not installed. In an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer) in which such an OS is installed, it is possible to use an image processing apparatus on a network without installing driver software for the image processing apparatus such as a scanner apparatus. Is provided in the OS.

  In such an OS, a registration request for an application executed on the information processing apparatus side in which the OS is installed is transmitted to the image processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus receives the data corresponding to the application registered in the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus, so that the application can execute the data without installing the driver software of the image processing apparatus.

  When applied to image processing, the information processing apparatus on which such an OS is installed does not install the driver software of the image processing apparatus, and the destination for the OS is the transmission destination of the scanned image on the image processing apparatus side. It is desired to implement a function capable of managing the image processing apparatus in the image processing apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and realizes a process for the application and a registration process of the application performed to realize the process even if driver software is not installed in the information processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program that improve user-friendliness by inhibiting the user's operation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that includes at least a scanning unit and processes an image scanned by the scanning unit, and is connected to a network. Application destination in which an application is installed and application identification information unique to the application of the information processing apparatus that requests registration of the application to the image processing apparatus is associated with an application display name that is a display name of the application A storage unit that stores information, a reception unit that receives the registration request including the application identification information and the application display name from the information processing apparatus, and a predetermined timing that does not use the application destination information. Timing judgment means for judging whether or not the timing judgment means The application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the receiving means, and the extracted application identification information and the application display name are associated with each other. Updating means for updating the storage means as application destination information.

  The invention according to claim 2 is installed in the information processing apparatus with respect to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing detection unit in the invention according to claim 1. The information processing apparatus further includes transmission means for transmitting inquiry information for requesting transmission of an application registration request, and the receiving means sends the registration request from the information processing apparatus in accordance with the inquiry information transmitted by the transmission means. Receiving.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the update memory according to the first aspect, wherein the application identification information and the application display name included in the registration request received by the receiving means are stored in association with each other. And the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the receiving means, and the extracted application identification information and the application display name are associated with each other and stored in the update storage means Management means, and the update means, when the timing determination means determines that the predetermined timing, the application identification information and the application display name stored in the update storage means. Obtaining the application identification information and the application display name in association with each other, and updating the storage unit as the application destination information. That.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination means for determining whether or not to use the application destination information stored in the storage means, and the determination Deleting means for deleting the application destination information when the means determines that the application destination information is not used.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit is configured such that an application that uses the application destination information becomes invalid because a setting related to the application destination information is changed. , When the network cannot be used because the network setting of the image processing apparatus has been changed, when the application stops using the application destination information, when the user logs out from the image processing apparatus, When a user who can use an application that uses application destination information logs out, or when the image processing apparatus shifts to an energy saving state, it is determined that the application destination information is not used.

  The invention according to claim 6 is an image processing apparatus that includes at least a scanning unit and processes an image scanned by the scanning unit. The image processing apparatus is connected to a network and an application is installed. First storage means for storing first application destination information in which application identification information unique to the application of the information processing apparatus that requests registration of the application is associated with an application display name that is a display name of the application And the second storage means for storing the second application destination information in which the application identification information and the application display name are associated with each other, and the registration including the application identification information and the application display name from the information processing apparatus A receiving means for receiving a request and an internal application included in the image processing apparatus include the first storage device. The application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the receiving means, and the extracted application identification information Timing determination for determining whether it is a predetermined timing when the user does not use the internal application and the management unit that associates the application display name with the second application destination information and stores the second application destination information in the second storage unit And the second storage from the first application destination information stored in the first storage means when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination means and the timing determination means. Switching means for switching to the second application destination information stored in the means.

  The invention according to a seventh aspect is the invention according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the timing determination unit is configured to perform a setting related to the application destination information when receiving an update request from a user. Is changed, when a network setting of the image processing apparatus is changed, when an application that uses the application destination information is started, when a user logs in to the image processing apparatus, When the user who can use the application that uses the destination information logs in, or when the image processing apparatus returns from the energy saving state to the normal state, the predetermined timing is determined.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the display processing means for displaying the updated application destination information after the update process is performed by the update means in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7. And further comprising.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the display processing means uses an application that can use the application destination information among the internal applications provided in the image processing apparatus. If the application destination information is present, the application destination information is displayed.

The invention according to claim 10 is an image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit, and the image processing apparatus is installed in the image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing application destination information in which application identification information unique to the application of the information processing apparatus that makes a registration request for the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application are associated with each other. from the connected information processing apparatus, wherein a receiving step of receiving a registration request, determines whether it is a predetermined timing that does not use the application destination information including the application identification information, and said application display name Timing determination step, and the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step. If it, as the said application identification information from the registration request and the extracting and application display name, the application destination information in association extracted the application identification information and the application display name received by the receiving step An update step for updating the storage means.

  The invention according to claim 11 is installed in the information processing apparatus with respect to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing detection step in the invention according to claim 10. The information processing apparatus further includes a transmission step of transmitting inquiry information for requesting transmission of an application registration request, wherein the reception step receives the registration request from the information processing apparatus in accordance with the inquiry information transmitted in the transmission step. Is received.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the receiving means, and the extracted application identification information A management step of storing the application display name in association with the storage unit for update, and the update step is performed when the timing determination unit determines that the predetermined timing has been reached. The application identification information and the application display name stored in the application are acquired, and the storage unit is updated as the application destination information in association with the acquired application identification information and the application display name. .

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit , connected to a network, installed with an application, and installed in the image processing apparatus. Receiving the registration request including application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application from an information processing apparatus that makes a registration request for the application; and the image processing apparatus When the internal application of the first application destination information stored in the first storage means and associated with the application identification information and the application display name is used, the registration request received from the reception step is used. The application identification information and the application display name are extracted, and the extracted A storing step of storing pre-identification information and the application display name in association with each other in the second storage unit as a second application destination information, and determining whether or not a predetermined timing when the user is not using the internal application And when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the usage target of the application is determined from the first application destination information stored in the first storage means. And a switching step of switching to the second application destination information stored in the second storage means.

The invention according to claim 14 is an image processing program executed by a computer that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit, and the computer requests the computer to register an installed application. a unique application identification information to the application of the information processing device that includes a storage means for storing the application display name is a display name of the application, the application destination information that associates the information processing that is connected to a network from the device, and the application identification information, a receiving step of receiving the registration request including said application display name, and a timing determination step of determining whether a predetermined timing not using the application destination information, The predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step. If it is determined, wherein the application identification information from the registration request and extracts said application display name, the application destination information in association extracted the application identification information and the application display name received by the receiving step And updating the storage means to be executed by the computer.

  The invention according to claim 15 is installed in the information processing apparatus with respect to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing detection step in the invention according to claim 14. A transmission step for transmitting inquiry information for requesting transmission of an application registration request is further executed by the computer, and the reception step is performed by the information processing apparatus according to the inquiry information transmitted in the transmission step. The registration request is received.

  The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the receiving means, and the extracted application identification information A management step of associating and storing the application display name in the update storage means, and causing the computer to execute the update step when the timing determination means determines the predetermined timing. Acquiring the application identification information and the application display name stored in storage means, and associating the acquired application identification information with the application display name to update the storage means as the application destination information. And

The invention according to claim 17 is an image processing program executed by a computer for processing an image scanned by a scanning unit , connected to a network, installed with an application, and installed on the computer . A receiving step of receiving the registration request including application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application from an information processing apparatus that performs the registration request; and an internal application of the computer includes: When the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit and associated with the application identification information and the application display name is used, the application identification information and the application identification information are obtained from the registration request received in the reception step. App display name and extracted A storage step of storing the application identification information and the application display name in association with each other in the second storage unit, and whether or not a predetermined timing when the user is not using the internal application A timing determination step for determining, and when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the use target of the application is determined based on the first application destination information stored in the first storage means, a switching step of switching to said second application destination information stored in the second storage means, and wherein causing the computer to perform.

  According to the present invention, since the application destination information can be used without being hindered in operation, the operability is improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the application destination information can be used without being hindered from being operated, and the application destination information can be updated quickly, so that the operability is improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, the first application destination information and the second application destination information can be quickly switched, so that the operability is improved.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a network configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment and a main configuration of the multifunction peripheral. The image processing system according to the first embodiment includes a multifunction peripheral 100 serving as an image processing apparatus in which functions related to image processing such as copying, scanners, facsimiles, and printers are contained in a single housing, and an information processing apparatus. A plurality of PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 are connected to a network 150 such as the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network).

  The PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 include a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an external storage device such as an HDD and a CD drive device. A display device such as a display device and an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse are provided, and a hardware configuration using a normal computer is employed.

  Various applications such as an OS (Operating System) and a document application and a spreadsheet application that operate on the OS are installed in the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, and the PC-C 162.

  The PC-A 160 and the PC-B 161 are installed with an operating system (OS: Operating System) and various information processing applications (hereinafter referred to as “information processing application”) such as a document application and a spreadsheet application operating on the OS. Has been.

  This OS issues a request for registration of an information processing application, which will be described later, to the multifunction device 100 in order to execute the multifunction device 100 without receiving the driver software of the multifunction device 100 and receive data generated by the multifunction device 100. (Hereinafter, this OS is referred to as “image processing control OS”). For this reason, the driver software for the multifunction peripheral 100 is not installed in the PC-A 160 and the PC-B 161. Then, the PC-A 160 and the PC-B 161 make a registration request for the installed information processing application to the multifunction peripheral 100 on the network by the function of the image processing control OS.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the data structure of a registration request. The registration request includes a plurality of combinations of an application ID unique to an application operating on the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162 and an application display name that is a display name of the application, and the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-A 162. The MFP 100 requests the multifunction peripheral 100 to register an application operating on each PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-A 162. In practice, the registration request shown in FIG. 2 is composed of data in XML (eXtended Markup Language) format, and the application ID, application display name, device ID, etc. are represented in a notation structured by tags. It is described in.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the registration request includes an expiration date. If the MFP 100 does not receive a new registration request for an application for which the expiration date is set within the expiration date, the multifunction peripheral 100 deletes information about the application from the information processing application destination DB 140 described later.

  The information processing application refers to an application that operates on the image processing control OS of the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162. Then, when the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 make a registration request for the information processing application, it is possible to use an external device such as the multifunction peripheral 100 without installing the driver software. Then, the multifunction peripheral 100 can output data to the information processing application by receiving the registration request.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes a scanner application 114 that performs scanner processing, a setting application 117, other applications 143, a UCS (User Control Service) 129, an NCS (Network Control Service) 128, and information processing. An application destination database 140, a network setting management database 141, a user related information management DB 142, and an operation panel 170 are mainly provided.

  Then, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 receives a registration request from the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162, performs registration processing of information processing application destination information, which will be described later, and the like. A response is transmitted to PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162 that has received the request.

  The information processing application destination database 140 is a database in which information related to applications installed in an information processing apparatus capable of communicating via a network is registered as a destination to which an image scanned by the scanner application 114 is transmitted. An information processing apparatus capable of communication in this embodiment is a PC-A 160, a PC-B 161, or a PC-C 162. The applications installed in the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162 are registered in the information processing application destination database 140.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table structure of the information processing application destination database 140. As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing application destination database 140 includes an application ID, an application display name, a PC-A 160, a PC-B 161, or an application ID included in the registration request received from the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162. A plurality of information processing application destination information in which a device ID for identifying the PC-C 162 is associated with an expiration date are registered.

  Here, the expiration date indicates the final expiration date when the information processing application destination information can be effectively used as the destination. Therefore, when this expiration date has passed, the information processing application destination information in which the expiration date is set cannot be used as the destination of the scanned image.

  The network setting management database 141 is a database that manages settings for connecting the multifunction peripheral 100 to a network. The network setting management database 141 includes a flag indicating whether or not to enable the network, a flag indicating whether or not to enable the port of the image processing control OS, and the MFP 100 as information to be connected to the network. It manages information such as IP addresses to be identified.

  The information processing application related information management database 142 manages information related to the information processing application. For example, the information processing application related information management database 142 manages a flag indicating whether or not an information processing application destination is used, the number of information processing application destinations that can be registered, and the like.

  The NCS (network control service) 128 operates as a processing process for performing processing for reception as reception means or processing for transmission as transmission means. Then, the NCS 128 receives the registration request transmitted from the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162 as a receiving unit.

  In addition, the NCS 128 sends an inquiry request indicating that a registration request is to be transmitted as a transmission unit when the information processing application destination DB 140 is updated by the UCS 129 described later, as a PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or Processing to transmit to the PC-C 162 is performed. Further, the NCS 128 performs processing for transmitting a response to the registration request and scan data to the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162.

  The NCS 128 is a process for providing a service that can be used in common to applications such as the scanner application 114 and other applications 143 on the multifunction peripheral 100 that require network I / O. It distributes the data received by the protocol to each application, and mediates when sending data from the application to the network side.

  A UCS (User Control Service) 129 operates as a process for performing a process of determining timing as a timing determination unit described later, a process of updating as an update unit, and the like.

  Further, the UCS 129 performs, as a timing determination unit, a detection process of timing when the user does not operate an application such as the scanner application 114 from the operation panel 170 described later, and the detected timing is stored in the information processing application destination DB 140. Judged as the update timing.

  Further, the UCS 129 updates the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination database 140 in accordance with the registration request as an updating unit.

  In addition, the UCS 129 performs a process of transmitting an update start notification and an update completion notification regarding the update of the information processing application destination DB 140 to an application operating on the multifunction peripheral 100 such as the scanner application 114 by inter-process communication.

  In addition, the UCS 129 determines whether or not to end the use of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB as a determination unit. Further, when the UCS 129 determines that the use is to be terminated, the UCS 129 performs processing for initializing the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB, in other words, for deleting.

  In addition, the UCS 129 manages user information for using the multifunction peripheral 100 by a user database (not shown) or the like, and determines a storage device that stores user information according to a request, and determines the determined storage. Processing for obtaining user information from the apparatus and supplying it to each application is also performed.

  The setting application 117 provides information related to the information processing application related information management DB 142, for example, a flag indicating whether or not the information processing application destination is used, the number of information processing application destinations that can be registered, and the like. It is an application that registers.

  The operation panel 170 includes a liquid crystal display unit that displays various screens so that touch input is possible, and an operation unit that allows input of operations from the user, and allows the user to display and operate various screens. It is.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation panel 170 of the multifunction peripheral 100. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 170 includes an initial setting key 401, a copy key 402, a printer key 403, a scanner key 404, a FAX key 405, a numeric key 406, a clear / stop key 407, a start key 408, a preheating key. 409, a reset key 410, and a liquid crystal touch panel 420.

  When the initial setting key 401 is touched, a menu for initial setting is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420, and in this menu, a paper size to be stored can be set. Further, it is possible to move from the initial setting menu to a setting menu for using the function of the image processing control OS of the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial setting menu screen for using the function of the image processing control OS installed in the network connection destination PC. The initial setting menu screen shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 of the operation panel 170.

  Among the screen examples shown in (1) of FIG. 5A, in “use of distribution from connected PC”, image processing installed in a PC (for example, PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162). Whether to use the function of the control OS is set. In “automatic update of the distribution destination of the connection destination PC”, whether or not to automatically update the information processing application destination information according to the application registration request transmitted from the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, or PC-C 162 is determined. Set. In the process described later, the description will be made assuming that these settings are valid.

  Further, in the screen example shown in FIG. 5A (1), when the pressing of the change button 501 for setting the automatic update timing is accepted, the screen example shown in FIG. 5A (2) is displayed. .

  In the screen example shown in (2) of FIG. 5A, the timing for updating the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 is set. In the screen example shown in (2) of FIG. 5-1, for “information processing application related setting change”, “network related setting change”, “application switching”, “personal login”, and “power recovery”, respectively. You can set whether to update automatically.

  That is, the destination information of the application may be displayed or hidden depending on the state of the network. In addition, frequent updating in this manner increases the load on the memory and the network. In this case, there may be a user who needs to update only when a transmission error occurs, rather than always displaying an accurate destination. Therefore, by performing the setting described above, it is possible to set the update timing according to the user's request. As a result, the load on the memory and the network can be reduced, and an environment according to the user's request can be constructed.

  Further, the initial setting menu screen is not limited to the screen example shown in FIG. 5A, and the screen example shown in FIG. 5B may be used. FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating a modification of the initial setting menu screen for using the functions of the image processing control OS installed in the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, and the PC-C 162. In the screen example illustrated in FIG. 5B, it is possible to set whether to use the function of the image processing control OS, and it is possible to set the number of information processing application destinations that can be registered.

  Returning to FIG. 4 of the first embodiment, the copy key 402 is used for copying, the printer key 403 is used for operating the printer, and the scanner key 404 is used for scanning. When the user wants to perform a fax operation, touch the FAX key 405 to display a menu corresponding to the liquid crystal touch panel 420.

  Next, the overall configuration of the multifunction machine 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 101, a color line printer (Color LP) 102, a hard disk device (HDD) 103, a scanner, a facsimile, a memory, a network interface, and the like. The hardware resource 104 and the software group 110 are configured. The software group 110 is configured to include a platform 120 and an application 130.

  The platform 120 interprets a processing request from the application 130 and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and a system resource that manages one or more hardware resources and arbitrates the acquisition request from the control service A manager (hereinafter referred to as SRM) 123 and an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) 121 are configured.

  The control service includes a system control service (hereinafter referred to as SCS) 122, an engine control service (hereinafter referred to as ECS) 124, a memory control service (hereinafter referred to as MCS) 125, an operation panel control service (hereinafter referred to as OCS) 126, a fax. It is configured to have one or more service modules such as a control service (hereinafter referred to as FCS) 127, an NCS (network control service) 128, and a UCS (user information management service) 129.

  The platform 120 is configured to have an application program interface (hereinafter referred to as API) that can receive a processing request from the application 130 by a predefined function.

  The OS 121 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes the software of the platform 120 and the application 130 in parallel as processes.

  The process of the SRM 123 performs system control and resource management together with the SCS 122. For example, the process of the SRM 123 uses hardware resources of an engine such as a scanner unit and a printer unit, a memory, a hard disk device (HDD) file, and a host I / O (centro interface, network interface, IEEE 1394 interface, RS232C interface, etc.). Arbitration is performed according to the request from the upper layer, and execution control is performed.

  Specifically, the SRM 123 determines whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource can be used. Tell the upper layer to the effect. Further, the SRM 123 performs use scheduling of hardware resources in response to a request from an upper layer, and directly executes requested contents such as paper conveyance and image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, etc. by a printer engine, for example.

  The process of the SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control, system screen display, LED display, resource management, interrupt application control, and the like. Note that specific processing performed by the SCS 122 in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The process of the ECS 124 controls an engine of a hardware resource 104 including a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 101, a color line printer (Color LP) 102, an HDD 103 scanner, a facsimile, and the like.

  The MCS 125 process acquires and releases an image memory, uses a hard disk device (HDD), compresses and decompresses image data, and the like. The process of the OCS 126 controls an operation panel serving as information transmission means between the operator and the main body control.

  The process of FCS127 includes facsimile transmission / reception using PSTN or ISDN network from each application layer of system controller, registration / quotation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, and fusion transmission / reception. Provide an application to do.

  The OCS 126 controls an operation panel (operation panel) 170 serving as information transmission means between the operator (user) and the main body control. The OCS 126 obtains a key press (or touch operation) from the operation panel as a key event, and operates according to a request from the application 130 or the control service and a part of the OCS process that transmits a key event function corresponding to the obtained key to the SCS 122. A drawing function for drawing and outputting various screens on the panel, a function for controlling the operation panel, and the like are composed of pre-registered OCS library portions. The OCS library is mounted by being linked to each module of the application 130 and the control service. The OCS 126 may be configured to operate as a process, or the OCS 126 may be configured as an OCS library. Note that the UCS 129 and the NCS 128 are as described in FIG.

  The application 130 includes a printer application 111 that is a printer application having a page description language (PDL), PCL, and postscript (PS), a copy application 112 that is a copy application, and a fax application that is a facsimile application. 113, a scanner application 114 that is a scanner application, a network file application 115 that is a network file application, a process inspection application 116 that is a process inspection application, and a setting application 117 that performs settings for the multifunction peripheral 100 have.

  Each process of the application 130 and each process of the control service realize user services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles while performing inter-process communication by calling functions, sending return values thereof, and sending and receiving messages. is doing.

  As described above, the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of applications 130 and a plurality of control services, all of which operate as processes. In each of these processes, one or more threads are generated and parallel execution is performed in units of threads. The control service provides a common service to the application 130. For this reason, a large number of these processes perform a parallel operation and a parallel operation of threads to perform inter-process communication with each other. User services related to image forming processing such as copying, printers, scanners, and facsimiles are provided.

  Next, destination information registration display processing by the image processing system according to the first embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating an overall flow of registration display processing of PC application information by the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  Here, it is assumed that a plurality of information processing application destination information for PC-A 160 and PC-B 161 as shown in FIG. 3 are registered in the information processing application destination database 140. In FIG. 7, PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 are simply indicated as PCs. In the subsequent drawings, PC-A160, PC-B161, and PC-C162 are also simply indicated as PC. The application 130 shown below is an application that can use information processing application destination information such as the scanner application 114, for example.

  When the application 130 on the multifunction peripheral 100 such as the scanner application 114 is used by a user, a request to display the screen of the application is made to the operation panel 170 (step S701). In addition, this request includes an application screen generated by the scanner application 114 extracting the application display name, application ID, and the like of the information processing application destination information received from the UCS 129.

  Then, the operation panel 170 displays an application screen in accordance with the display request (step S702). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen example of the application 130 displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 by the operation panel 170. As illustrated in FIG. 8, information processing application destination information registered in the information processing application destination DB 140 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 as an information processing application destination list 802. When these information processing application destinations 802 are selected, the scanned image data is transmitted to the selected information processing application destination 802. Thereby, the scanned image data can be used by an application installed in the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, or the PC-C 162.

  Next, the UCS 129 detects the timing for updating the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S703). Specific timing detection will be described later.

  Then, the UCS 129 notifies the application 130 that the information processing application destination information is to be updated (step S704). Next, the application 130 requests the operation panel 170 to display an update screen (step S705).

  Next, the operation panel 170 displays an update screen (step S706). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a screen example of an update screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 by the operation panel 170. As shown in FIG. 9, it is displayed to the user that updating is in progress. Note that the screen does not necessarily need to be displayed.

  Thereafter, the UCS 129 deletes the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S707).

  Then, the UCS 129 outputs an update to the NCS 128 (step S708). As a result, the NCS 128 notifies the PC of Hello (inquiry) (step S709).

  The Hello notification is a notification for making an inquiry to a communicable information processing apparatus such as the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, or the PC-C 162. Then, the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, or the PC-C 162 receives this notification, determines that the multi-function device 100 requests transmission of a registration request, and transmits an application registration request.

  Thereby, the update process of information processing application destination information is performed (step S710). The update process will be described later.

  Thereafter, the application 130 requests the operation panel 170 to display an application screen using the information processing application destination information stored in the updated information processing application destination DB 140 (step S711).

  Then, the operation panel 170 displays an application screen according to the display request (step S712). FIG. 10 shows a screen example of the application 130 displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 by the operation panel 170. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the information processing application destination information registered in the updated information processing application destination DB 140 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 as the information processing application destination 1001. As for the information processing application destination shown in FIG. 10, it can be confirmed that one application is added from the information processing application destination 802 shown in FIG. When an application is added, the operation panel 170 displays that the destination has been added, as indicated by reference numeral 1002.

  Next, the UCS 129 detects the end of use of the information processing application destination information (step S713). Details of the procedure for detecting the end of use will be described later.

  When the UCS 129 detects the end of use of the information processing application destination information, the UCS 129 notifies the application 130 that the initialization is started (step S714). Next, when the application 130 receives the notification, the application 130 requests the operation panel 170 to display an update screen (step S715).

  Next, the operation panel 170 displays an update screen (step S716). This screen is the same as the screen example of FIG. 9 shown in step S706.

  Thereafter, the UCS 129 deletes the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S717). As a result, initialization has been performed.

  Then, the UCS 129 notifies the application 130 that the initialization has been completed (step S718). Next, when receiving the notification, the application 130 requests the operation panel 170 to display the screen of the application after initialization (step S719).

  Then, the operation panel 170 displays the screen of the application after initialization in accordance with the display request (step S720). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen example of the application 130 after initialization displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 by the operation panel 170. As shown in FIG. 11, it can be confirmed that the information processing application destination is not displayed on the screen of the application 130 after initialization.

  In the processing procedure described above, when the information processing application destination information is used, the information processing application destination information is updated, and when the use is completed, the information processing application destination information is initialized. As a result, unnecessary resources can be released when the information processing application destination information is not used, so that the processing load on the multifunction peripheral 100 can be reduced.

  Next, the update processing of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 shown in step S710 of FIG. 7 will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the PC transmits an application registration request (step S1201). In the present embodiment, the registration request is transmitted in response to the Hello notification received in step S709 in FIG. The registration request is for requesting registration of applications that can be used from the scanner application 114 of the multifunction peripheral 100 among the applications installed in the PC.

  Then, the NCS 128 transfers the received registration request to the UCS 129 (step S1202). Then, the UCS 129 updates the information processing application destination information registered in the information processing application destination database 140 based on the received registration request (step S1203).

  When the update of the information processing application destination database is completed, the UCS 129 transmits a notification of the updated result to the NCS 128 (step S1204). Then, the NCS 128 transfers the received update result notification to the PC (step S1205).

  In addition, the UCS 129 transmits an update completion notification to the application 130 (step S1206). Then, the application 130 that has received the update completion notification transmits an information processing application destination information acquisition request to the UCS 129 in order to use the updated information processing application destination information in the information processing application destination database 140 ( Step S1207). Upon receiving the acquisition request, the UCS 129 accesses the updated information processing application destination database 140 to read the information processing application destination information, and transmits the read information processing application destination information to the application 130 (step S1208). Accordingly, the application 130 can generate an application screen by extracting the application display name, application ID, and the like of the received information processing application destination information.

  Through the processing procedure described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 can newly save the information processing application destination DB 140 data with the latest data.

  Next, a processing procedure for detecting the update timing shown in step S703 of FIG. 7 and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information shown in step S713 ends will be described. In the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of timings are set as the timing for updating and the timing for ending use. Therefore, the timing for updating and the timing for ending use will be described individually.

  A processing procedure when the setting in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment is changed will be described. In the middle of this process, when the setting is changed, the MFP 100 sets the update timing of the information processing application destination information and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information ends. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, it is assumed that the user has pressed the initial setting key 401 on the operation panel 170. Then, when the user performs the setting related to the network connection destination PC from the initial setting menu screen shown in FIG. 5A, the operation panel 170 transmits information indicating the setting to the setting application 117 (step S1). S1301).

  Next, the setting application 117 transfers the received setting information to the UCS 129 (step S1302). The UCS 129 performs a setting process based on the received setting information (step S1303). Then, after the setting process is completed, the UCS 129 notifies the setting application 117 of the setting result (step S1304).

  Then, the setting application 117 issues a setting result display request to the operation panel 170 (step S1305). The display request includes screen information including a setting result. Thereby, the operation panel 170 displays the setting result on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 (step S1306).

  Then, the UCS 129 performs processing for saving the settings related to the information processing application among the processed settings (step S1307). Then, the UCS 129 detects the timing for starting the process of saving the setting as the update timing. That is, the multi-function device 100 accepts a registration request for an application on the PC based on the newly saved setting. Thereby, the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  The UCS 129 stores the setting related to the information processing application in step S1307, and then determines whether the use of the information processing application is valid based on the stored setting (step S1308).

  If the UCS 129 determines that the use of the information processing application is valid (step S1308: Yes), the use state of the information processing application is set to be usable (step S1309).

  If the UCS 129 determines that the use of the information processing application is invalid (step S1308: No), the usage state of the information processing application is set to be not used (step S1310). Then, the UCS 129 detects the timing set as non-use as the timing when the use of the information processing application ends. As a result, the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. In other words, the information processing application destination information is updated as the update timing in step S1307, but the information processing application destination DB 140 is initialized before the user uses it because the use state is set as non-use. Become.

  In accordance with the setting made by the user from the operation panel 170 according to the above-described processing procedure, the update timing of the information processing application destination DB 140 and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 ends. Can be detected.

  Next, a processing procedure when the network setting in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment is changed will be described. An update timing of the information processing application destination information is set when the setting is changed in the middle of the process, and a timing at which the use of the information processing application destination information is ended when the network state becomes invalid. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user performs an operation for displaying a network setting screen from the initial setting menu screen or the like of the operation panel 170. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a network setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 of the operation panel 170. In the example of the network setting screen of FIG. 15, the user performs whether to enable the network, whether to enable a port for which a registration request or the like is made from the image processing control OS, and to set an IP address. Can do.

  When the user sets the network from the network setting screen, the operation panel 170 transmits setting information indicating the setting to the setting application 117 (step S1401).

  Next, the setting application 117 transfers the received setting information to the NCS 128 (step S1402). Then, the NCS 128 performs a setting process based on the received setting information (step S1403). Then, after the setting process is completed, the NCS 128 notifies the setting application 117 of the setting result (step S1404). Thereafter, the NCS 128 performs a storage process for the set network-related setting information (step S1405).

  Then, the setting application 117 requests the operation panel 170 to display a setting result related to the network (step S1406). Note that the display request includes screen information including a network-related setting result. Thereby, the operation panel 170 displays the network setting result on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 (step S1407).

  Next, the setting application 117 notifies the UCS 129 that the network setting has been changed (step S1408).

  The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the notification that the network setting has been changed is received as the update timing. In other words, the multifunction peripheral 100 accepts a registration request for an application of the PC based on the newly changed network setting. Thereby, the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  Then, the UCS 129 determines whether the network is valid after the update (step S1409). If the UCS 129 determines that the network is valid (step S1409: Yes), it is possible to use the PC application registered using the network.

  If the UCS 129 determines that the network is invalid (step S1409: nO), the network status is set as invalid in order to suppress a network use request from each application such as the scanner application 114 (step S1410). The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the network state is set as invalid as the timing when the use of the information processing application ends. As a result, the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. That is, the information processing application destination information is updated as the update timing in step S1408, but the information processing application destination DB 140 is initialized before the user uses it because the network state is set to invalid. .

  According to the above-described processing procedure, the update timing of the information processing application destination DB 140 and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 is ended are detected according to the network setting performed by the user. can do.

  Next, a processing procedure when an application to be used is selected by the user in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the middle of this processing, when the information processing application destination information is selected as an application that can be used in the multifunction peripheral 100, the update timing of the information processing application destination information is selected and the application information is selected as an application that cannot be used. In such a case, a timing for ending use of the information processing application destination information is set. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the user selects an application from the operation panel 170, the operation panel 170 transmits selection information indicating the selection of the application to the SCS 122 (step S1601).

  FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of the scanner application 114 displayed when the scanner key 404 of the operation panel 170 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 17, in the screen example of the scanner application 114, the PC application displayed in the information processing application destination list 1701 can be selected.

  FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen example of the fax application 113 displayed when the FAX key 405 of the operation panel 170 is pressed. As shown in FIG. 18, in the screen example of the fax application 113, a PC application cannot be selected. In this way, if the selected application is an application that can be used by a PC application such as the scanner application 114, the update timing is detected. If the PC application such as the fax application 113 cannot be used, the timing when the use ends is detected.

  Returning to FIG. 16, the SCS 122 that has received the information indicating the selection outputs an application change notification to the application 130 (step S1602). As a result, the application selected by the user is activated.

  Next, the SCS 122 transmits an application change notification to the UCS 129 (step S1603). When the UCS 129 receives the application change notification, the UCS 129 determines whether the change destination application is an application using the information processing application destination information (step S1604).

  When the UCS 129 determines that the change destination application uses the information processing application destination information (step S1604: Yes), it starts processing for using the information processing application destination information (step S1605). Then, the timing at which the information processing application destination information is determined to be used is detected as the update timing, and the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  When the UCS 129 determines that the application to be changed does not use the information processing application destination information (step S1604: No), if the information processing application destination information is being used, a process for ending the use is started ( Step S1606). Then, the timing at which it is determined that the information processing application destination information is not used is detected as the timing when the use ends, and the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  According to the processing procedure described above, the timing at which the application is selected by the user is detected as the update timing of the information processing application destination DB 140 or the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 ends. be able to.

  Next, a processing procedure when the user performs login and logout in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. The update timing of the information processing application destination information is set when the login of the user is authenticated, and the timing at which the use of the information processing application destination information ends when the user logs out is set. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, when the user performs an operation of logging in from the operation panel 170, the operation panel 170 transmits information indicating the login request to the SCS 122 (step S1901). The information indicating the login request includes the user ID and password of the user who performed the login operation.

  FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a transition of a login screen and a logout screen displayed on the operation panel 170. As illustrated in FIG. 20, when the user presses the authentication button 2003 after entering the user ID and password on the login screen 2001, a login request is made.

  Returning to FIG. 19, the SCS 122 that has received the information indicating the login request transmits an account information inquiry request to the UCS 129 (step S 1902). This account information inquiry request includes the user ID and password of the user. Then, the UCS 129 that has received the inquiry request performs user authentication processing using the user ID and password included in the inquiry request and the authentication database held for authentication (step S1903). After the authentication process is completed, the UCS 129 transmits an authentication result to the SCS 122 (step S1904). Then, the SCS 122 determines whether or not to allow the user to log in based on the received authentication result (step S1905).

  Next, when the SCS 122 determines that the login of the user is permitted (step S1905: Yes), it notifies the UCS 129 that the user has logged in (step S1906). The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the notification is received as the update timing, and the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  Then, when an operation for logging out from the operation panel 170 is performed after the user ends the use of the MFP 100, the operation panel 170 transmits information indicating a logout request to the SCS 122 ( Step S1907).

  As shown in FIG. 20, when a logout button 2004 is pressed on a screen 2002 on which an application displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 is displayed, a logout request is made.

  Returning to FIG. 19, when the SCS 122 receives information indicating a logout request, the UCS 129 is notified that the user logs out (step S1908). The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the logout notification is received as the timing when the use ends, and the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  According to the above-described processing procedure, the timing when the user logs in can be detected as the update timing of the information processing application destination DB 140 or the timing when the user logs out as the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information ends.

  In the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, the information processing application destination information can be used by any user who has logged in as shown in the processing procedure of FIG. Whether or not can be used may be set. Therefore, as a modified example, the login and logout processing procedures when it is set whether or not the information processing application destination information can be used according to the user will be described. Also, the update timing of the information processing application destination information during the processing and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information ends will be described. FIG. 21 is a sequence diagram illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present modification.

  First, when the user performs an operation of logging in from the operation panel 170, the operation panel 170 transmits information indicating the login request to the SCS 122 (step S2101). The information indicating the login request includes the user ID and password of the user who performed the login operation.

  And SCS122 which received the information which shows a login request | requirement transmits the inquiry request | requirement of account information with respect to UCS129 (step S2102). This account information inquiry request includes the user ID and password of the user. The UCS 129 that has received the inquiry request performs a user authentication process using the user ID and password included in the inquiry request and the authentication database held for authentication (step S2103). After the authentication process is completed, the UCS 129 transmits an authentication result to the SCS 122 (step S2104). Then, the SCS 122 determines whether or not to allow the user to log in based on the received authentication result (step S2105).

  Next, when the SCS 122 determines that the login of the user is permitted (step S2105: Yes), it notifies the UCS 129 that the user has logged in (step S2106). The UCS 129 determines whether the logged-in user is a user who can use the information processing application destination information (step S2107). When it is determined that the user cannot use the information processing application destination information (step S2107: No), the UCS 129 performs setting so that the logged-in user cannot use the information processing application destination information (step S2109).

  Further, when the UCS 129 determines that the logged-in user is a user who can use the information processing application destination information (step S2107: Yes), the use of the information processing application destination information is permitted, and the information processing application destination information is obtained. The setting necessary for use is performed (step S2108). The timing when the use permission of the information processing application destination information is issued is detected as the update timing of the information processing application destination information, and from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. Is performed.

  Then, when an operation for logging out from the operation panel 170 is performed after the user ends the use of the MFP 100, the operation panel 170 transmits information indicating a logout request to the SCS 122 ( Step S2110).

  Next, when the SCS 122 receives information indicating a logout request, it notifies the UCS 129 that the user logs out (step S2111). Next, the UCS 129 determines whether or not the user who logs out is a user who can use the information processing application destination information (step S2112). When the UCS 129 determines that the user cannot use the information processing application destination information (step S2112: No), the UCS 129 performs no particular processing.

  If the UCS determines that the user can use the information processing application destination information (step S2112: Yes), the UCS performs a process for ending use of the information processing application destination information (step S2113). Then, the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. 7 is performed at the timing when the processing for ending use of the information processing application destination information is started.

  According to the processing procedure described above, the timing at which a user who can use the information processing application destination information logs in is set as the update timing of the information processing application destination DB 140, or the timing at which the user logs out is regarded as the end of use of the information processing application destination information. It can be detected as a timing.

  Returning to the first embodiment, the MFP 100 is switched between the normal mode and the energy saving mode by turning on / off the power key. Then, according to the switching timing, the update timing of the information processing application destination information and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information ends are detected. FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of the above-described processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the user presses the power key provided in the multifunction device 100 (step S2201). In that case, the SCS 122 performs processing for returning from the energy saving mode to the normal mode when the power key is pressed (step S2202).

  Next, the SCS 122 notifies the UCS 129 that it has returned from the energy saving mode (step S2203). Then, the UCS 129 detects the timing at which the notification indicating the return from the energy saving mode is received as the update timing of the information processing application destination information, and the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  Then, after the user finishes using the multifunction device 100, the user presses the power key (step S2204). In this case, the SCS performs processing for shifting from the normal mode to the energy saving mode when the power key is pressed (step S2205). Thereafter, the SCS 122 notifies the UCS 129 that it has shifted to the energy saving mode (step S2206). The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the notification indicating the transition to the energy saving mode is received as the timing at which the information processing application destination information ends, and the processing from step S713 to step S720 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  According to the above-described processing procedure, the power key on / off timing of the MFP 100 can be detected as the update timing of the information processing application destination information and the timing when the use of the information processing application destination information ends.

  The multi-function device 100 according to the present embodiment may accept an input as to whether or not to update from the user, and may accept the input as the update timing of the information processing application destination information.

  Thus, the update timing detected when the user presses the update key will be described. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure from when the application in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment displays an application screen until the update timing is detected by pressing the update key of the user.

  First, the application 130 issues a display request for the application screen to the operation panel 170 (step S2301). Then, the operation panel 170 displays the screen of the application on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 (step S2302). For example, the screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed. As shown in FIG. 8, an update button 801 is provided on the screen of the application.

  When the update button 801 is pressed by the user, the operation panel 170 notifies the application 130 that the pressing of the update button 801 has been accepted (step S2303).

  Next, the application 130 notifies the UCS 129 of an update request for information processing application destination information (step S2304). The UCS 129 detects the timing at which the notification of the update request is received as the update timing of the information processing application destination information, and the processing from step S703 to step S710 in FIG. 7 is performed.

  With the processing procedure described above, the timing at which an update request for information processing application destination information is received from the user can be detected as the update timing of the information processing application destination information.

  Then, by performing the update processing of the information processing application destination information at the update timing described above, it is possible to prevent the user from initializing and updating the information processing application destination information while the application of the multifunction peripheral 100 is being used. . Thereby, the operability when operating the multifunction peripheral 100 is improved.

  Then, after the update processing of the information processing application destination information shown in step S710 of FIG. 7 is completed, the multifunction peripheral 100 receives various event notifications regarding the information processing application destination information from the PC, but only accepts registration requests. And FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when the MFP 100 receives an event notification from the PC.

  In addition, the event notification transmitted from the PC is only a registration request, a change request, and a deletion request in the present embodiment, but there may be other types of event notifications. The registration request is a request for registration processing required for an application installed in the PC to realize processing from the multifunction peripheral 100. The change request is a request for changing the setting of the application installed in the registered PC. The deletion request is a request for deletion processing for stopping the processing from the multifunction peripheral 100 for the application installed in the registered PC.

  First, the PC transmits an event notification to the NCS 128 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (step S2401). That is, the PC in which the image processing control OS is installed transmits an event notification at regular intervals. This event notification includes registration deletion and the like in addition to new registration.

  If the NCS 128 receives an event notification, the NCS 128 determines whether the received event notification relates to a new registration (step S2402). If the NCS 128 determines that the registration is not new (step S2402: No), the process ends without performing any particular processing.

  When the NCS 128 determines that the registration is new (step S2402: Yes), the NCS 128 transmits a registration request to the UCS 129 (step S2403). Thereby, the UCS 129 updates or adds a record to the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140.

  That is, the registration request transmitted by the PC in which the image processing control OS is installed needs to update the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 at regular intervals because the expiration date is set. There is. For this purpose, the PC transmits a new registration request or the like at regular intervals. The MFP 100 can update the expiration date of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 by performing the above-described processing procedure. If the registration request from the PC is not received within the expiration date, it is determined that the power of the PC has been turned off, and the corresponding record is deleted from the information processing application destination DB 140.

  In addition, since a new registration is accepted in the processing procedure described above, a new destination may be added during the operation of the application, but the information processing application destination information being operated does not change / delete. That is, it is possible to suppress the disadvantage that the selected destination is not displayed while the user is selecting the destination. Therefore, the user can select an application destination without being affected by the state of the PC.

  In addition, when performing the update, the multi-function device 100 makes a Hello notification to a PC such as the PC-A 160 and receives an event notification. For this reason, the multifunction peripheral 100 does not need to always wait and receive an event notification transmitted from the PC, and may shift to the energy saving mode. For this reason, the multifunction peripheral 100 can reduce the energy used.

  Also, the present invention is not limited to the first embodiment described above, and various modifications as exemplified below are possible.

(Modification 1 of the first embodiment)
In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the update process of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 is automatically performed when the update timing is detected. However, it is not limited to automatically performing the update process. For example, when the update timing is detected, it may be confirmed whether or not to update the user. Therefore, in the first modification according to the first embodiment, an update confirmation is performed with respect to the user. Further, the MFP according to the present modification has the same configuration as that of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, update processing of the information processing application destination database 140 by the UCS 129 of the MFP according to this modification, that is, registration processing of information processing application destination information will be described. FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of information processing application destination information update processing by the UCS 129 of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present modification.

  First, the UCS 129 detects timing for updating the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S2501). The update timing detection method is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Then, the UCS 129 transmits a request to confirm the update of the information processing application destination information to the application 130 (step S2502). Next, the application 130 makes an update confirmation display request to the operation panel 170 (step S2503).

  Next, the operation panel 170 displays an update confirmation screen (step S2504). FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transition from the update confirmation screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 according to the first modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 26, an application screen 2601 is initially displayed. Then, an update confirmation screen 2602 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420 in the display process of step S2504 in FIG. Then, the user presses the “update” button 2611 or the “do not update” button 2612 on the update confirmation screen 2602. Although the update confirmation screen 2602 shows an example in which the network setting is changed, the update confirmation screen 2602 is not limited to such an example.

  Returning to FIG. 25, the operation panel 170 transmits information about the button selected by the user to the application 130 as a selection result (step S2505). Thereafter, the application 130 transfers the received selection result to the UCS 129 (step S2506).

  Next, the UCS 129 determines whether or not to update based on the received selection result (step S2507). If the UCS 129 determines that updating is not necessary, that is, the user has pressed the “do not update” button 2612 (step S2507: No), the process ends without performing the updating process. At this time, as shown in FIG. 26, the operation panel 170 displays the same application screen 2603 as that before the update.

  If the UCS 129 determines that updating is necessary, that is, the user presses the “update” button (step S2507: Yes), the UCS 129 outputs an update to the NCS 128 (step S2508).

  Thereafter, the NCS 128 notifies the PC of Hello (step S2509). Thereby, the update process of information processing application destination information is performed (step S2510). The update process is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 26, after the update process shown in step S2510 is performed, the operation panel 170 performs a display process of the updated application screen 2604. Since the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 has been updated using the network setting thus changed, it can be confirmed that the selectable information processing application destination information has been changed.

(Modification 2 of the first embodiment)
In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the update timing and the end of use of the information processing app destination information are used as timings for reading and writing information processing app destination information stored in the information processing app destination DB 140. The timing to become is detected. On the other hand, in the second modification of the first embodiment, a case where only the update timing is detected will be described. Further, the MFP according to the present modification has the same configuration as that of the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, update processing of the information processing application destination database 140 by the UCS 129 of the MFP according to this modification, that is, registration processing of information processing application destination information will be described. FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of information processing application destination information update processing by the UCS 129 of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present modification.

  First, the UCS 129 detects timing for updating the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S2701). The update timing detection method is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The UCS 129 notifies the application 130 that the initialization is started (step S2702). As a result, the application 130 makes a display request for a screen indicating initialization.

  Next, the UCS 129 deletes the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S2703). As a result, initialization has been performed.

  The UCS 129 notifies the application 130 that the initialization is completed (step S2704). As a result, the application 130 makes a display request indicating that the update of the information processing application destination information has been started.

  Next, the UCS 129 outputs an update to the NCS 128 (step S2705).

  Thereafter, the NCS 128 sends a Hello notification to the PC (step S2706). Thereby, the update process of the information processing application destination information is performed (step S2707). The update process is the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  According to the processing procedure described above, since the information processing application destination DB 140 is initialized before the information processing application destination information is updated, the end of use of the information processing application destination information is performed as in the first embodiment. Timing detection is not necessary.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the first embodiment, the application ID, application display name, and device ID of the application on the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 are associated with each other, and the information processing application destination database 140 is associated. Therefore, the scan image can be easily transmitted to the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 that request registration of the application on the PC, and the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 can be transmitted. The scan processing function of the multifunction device 100 can be realized without installing the driver software of the multifunction device 100 on the side.

  In the image processing system according to the first embodiment, a registration request including an application ID and an application display name is received from the PC-A 160, the PC-B 161, and the PC-C 162, and the application ID is received from the received registration request. And the application display name and the device ID are registered in the information processing application destination database 140, so that scan data can be easily transmitted to the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 that request application registration. In addition, the scan processing function of the MFP 100 can be realized without installing the driver software of the MFP 100 on the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 side.

  In addition, since the MFP 100 performs the process of updating the information processing application destination DB 140 at the update timing described above, it is possible to prevent the user from starting the update while using the application 130, and thus the operability is improved. To do.

(Second Embodiment)
In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment, after detecting the update timing, the registration request is acquired by performing a Hello notification to the PC. In contrast, in the MFP according to the second embodiment, the registration request transmitted from the PC is stored in advance, and when the update timing is detected, the information processing application is used by using the stored registration request. An example in which the destination DB 140 is updated will be described.

  FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction peripheral 2700 according to the second embodiment. The MFP 100 according to the first embodiment described above is different from the MFP 100 in that an update database 2701 is added, and the UCS 129 has a configuration changed to a UCS 2702 different in processing. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The UCS 2702 performs a process of saving the registration request and the deletion request transmitted from the PC in the update database 2701 as a management unit. In addition, the UCS 2702 initializes, that is, deletes the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 when the use of the information processing application destination information is terminated as a deletion unit.

  In addition, the UCS 2702 performs a process of updating the information processing application destination DB 140 using data stored in the update database 2701 when the update timing is detected as an update unit. Other processes are the same as those of the UCS 129 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The update database 2701 temporarily stores registration requests and deletion requests transmitted from the PC. FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the table structure of the update database 2701. As shown by reference numeral 2901 in FIG. 29, statistics of all stored data are held. The update database 2701 stores an expiration date, identification information, determination information, status, detailed information, and the like for each stored data such as a registration request. The identification information is an ID for identifying an application installed in the PC. The determination information is determination information determined on the PC side, and stores a determination result indicating whether or not the registration request transmitted last time has changed. The state stores no addition, deletion or change. The detailed information is information stored as necessary, and stores ClientDisplayName (name displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 420), ClientContext, ClientURI, and the like when the state is added or changed.

  Next, a processing procedure when receiving a registration request or a deletion request transmitted from a PC in the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 30 is a sequence diagram illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the MFP 2700 and the PC according to the present embodiment.

  First, the PC in which the image processing control OS is installed periodically transmits a registration request or a deletion request for the installed application to the multifunction device 2700 (step S3001).

  Then, the NCS 128 transfers a received registration request or a deletion request to the UCS 2702 (step S3002).

  The UCS 2702 performs the update process of the update database 2701 from the transferred registration request or the delete request (step S3003). The detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  The UCS 2702 transmits a result notification to the NCS 128 after the update process is completed (step S3004). Then, the NCS 128 transfers the received notification result of the update process to the PC (step S3005).

  According to the processing procedure described above, an event notification (registration request or deletion request) periodically transmitted from the PC can be stored without interfering with the user's operation.

  Next, a processing procedure for updating the update database 2701 shown in step S3003 of FIG. FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the above-described processing procedure in the UCS 2702 of the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment.

  First, when receiving an event notification (registration request or deletion request), the UCS 2702 performs processing for extracting data stored in the update database 2701 for each record (step S3101).

  Next, the UCS 2702 determines whether or not the identification information stored in the extracted record matches the identification information included in the event notification (step S3102).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the identification information does not match (step S3102: No), the UCS 2702 determines whether there is a record that has not yet been extracted from the update database 2701 (step S3103). When it is determined that there is a record that has not yet been extracted (step S3103: Yes), the process starts from extraction of the record (step S3101).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that there is no record that has not yet been extracted (step S3103: NO), the UCS 2702 determines whether the event notification is a registration request (step S3104). That is, since the update database 2701 does not store the PC application information held by the event notification, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to add to the update database 2701.

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the event notification is not a registration request (step S3104: No), the UCS 2702 determines that it is not necessary to register in the update database 2701 and ends the process.

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the request is a registration request (step S3104: Yes), the UCS 2702 counts up the number of registrations in the update database 2701 (step S3105). Then, the UCS 2702 performs processing for further adding the state “added” to the data included in the registration request in association with the data stored in detail and adding it to the update database 2701 (step S3106).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the identification information of the record extracted from the update database 2701 matches the identification information included in the event notification (step S3102: Yes), whether the event notification is a deletion request or not. Judgment is made (step S3107).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the event notification is a deletion request (step S3107: Yes), the UCS 2702 performs processing to change the state of the corresponding record stored in the update database 2701 to “deleted” (step S3111). .

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the event notification is not a deletion request (step S3107: No), whether the determination information included in the event notification matches the determination information of the record extracted from the update database 2701 or not. Is determined (step S3108). If the UCS 2702 determines that the determination information does not match (step S3108: NO), the UCS 2702 changes the status to the corresponding record in the update database 2701, changes the expiration date, and adds detailed data (step S3109). ).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the determination information matches (step S3108: Yes), the state of the corresponding record is set to “no change” and the expiration date is updated (step S3110).

  Through the processing procedure described above, the information stored in the update database 2701 is updated or added according to the event notification transmitted from the PC.

  Next, update processing of information processing application destination information in the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. FIG. 32 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure of the above-described processing in the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the UCS 2702 detects the update timing of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S3201). Note that the update timing is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  The UCS 2702 performs a deletion check process for the data stored in the update database 2701 (step S3202). The detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  Next, the UCS 2702 notifies the application 130 that the update has been started (step S3203). Then, the application 130 transmits an update screen display request to the operation panel 170 (step S3204). As a result, the operation panel 170 displays that updating is in progress (step S3205).

  The UCS 2702 then updates the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 using the information stored in the update database 2701 (step S3206). The detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  Thereafter, the UCS 2702 notifies the application 130 that the update has been completed (step S3207).

  Then, after receiving the notification, the application 130 transmits a request to stop displaying that updating is being performed to the operation panel 170 (step S3208). As a result, the display indicating that the operation panel 170 is updating is completed.

  Then, the application 130 requests the UCS 2702 to obtain updated information processing application destination information from the updated information processing application destination DB 140 (step S3209). The UCS 2702 transmits the information processing application destination information acquired from the information processing application destination DB 140 to the application 130 (step S3210).

  With the processing procedure described above, the information processing application destination DB 140 can be updated with information stored in the update database 2701 at a timing at which the user does not interfere with the operation.

  Next, the deletion check process for data stored in the update database 2701 shown in step S3202 of FIG. 32 will be described. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the above-described processing procedure in the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the UCS 2702 performs processing for extracting records stored in the update database 2701 one by one (step S3301).

  Next, the UCS 2702 determines whether or not the expiration date included in the extracted record indicates a time before the current time (step S3302).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the expiration date is after the current time (step S3302: No), no particular processing is performed on the extracted record. If it is determined that the expiration date is before the current time (step S3302: YES), the state of the corresponding record stored in the update database 2701 is changed to “deleted” (step S3303).

  Next, the UCS 2702 determines whether or not there is a record in the update database 2701 that has not yet been extracted (step S3304). If the UCS 2702 determines that there is a record that has not yet been extracted (step S3304: YES), it starts from the extraction of the data (step S3301).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that all the records stored in the update database 2701 have been extracted (step S3304: No), the process ends.

  Next, the update process of the information processing application destination information stored in the information processing application destination DB 140 shown in step S3206 of FIG. 32 will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure described above in the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment.

  First, the UCS 2702 performs processing for extracting update data stored in the update database 2701 (step S3401). The update data is a registration request or the like stored in a record of the update database 2701.

  Next, the UCS 2702 determines whether or not the determination information included in the extracted update data is “changed” (step S3402). If it is determined that the determination information is “changed” (step S3402: YES), it is determined whether or not information processing application destination information including the same identification information as the update data is stored in the information processing application destination DB 140. (Step S3403). If the UCS 2702 determines that the information is stored (step S3404), the information processing application destination information matched in the information processing application destination DB 140 is updated using the update data (step S3404).

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the determination information is “no change” (step S3402: NO), the UCS 2702 determines whether the state of the extracted update data is “added” (step S3405). If the UCS 2702 determines that the state is “added” (step S3405: Yes), the UCS 2702 adds the update data to the information processing application destination DB 140 as information processing application destination information (step S3406).

  When the UCS 2702 determines that the status of the update data is not “added” (step S3405: No), the UCS 2702 further determines whether the status of the update data is “deleted” (step S3407). If it is determined that the status of the update data is not “deleted” (step S3407: No), the update processing is not performed on the information processing application destination DB 140 using the update data.

  If the UCS 2702 determines that the status of the update data is “deleted” (step S3407: Yes), the information processing application destination information including the same identification information as the update data is stored in the information processing application destination DB 140. It is determined whether it has been performed (step S3408). If the UCS 2702 determines that the information is stored (step S3408), the information processing application destination information whose identification information matches is deleted from the information processing application destination DB 140 (step S3409).

  Next, the UCS 2702 determines whether or not update data that has not yet been extracted is stored in the update database 2701 (step S3410). If the UCS 2702 determines that there is update data that has not yet been extracted (step S3410: YES), the UCS 2702 restarts from the update data extraction (step S3401). If the UCS 2702 determines that all the update data has been processed (step S3410), the process ends.

  According to the MFP 2700 according to the second embodiment, data necessary for updating has already been stored in the update database. Therefore, the PC-A 160 and PC-B 161 connected after the update timing is detected. In addition, the update process can be quickly performed without making an inquiry to the PC-C 162.

  Further, according to the MFP 2700, event notifications such as registration requests are stored in the update database on the RAM, so that the HDD or the like does not need to be activated, and the PC-A 160, PC-B 161, and PC-C 162 Since the event notification can be stored in the energy saving mode, the energy used can be saved.

  In the first embodiment, registration requests for PCs connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 are concentrated at a time, so that the network load and the processing load for performing the registration process are large. On the other hand, the MFP 2700 according to the present embodiment temporarily stores the event notification transmitted from the PC in the memory, so that the load on the network and the registration process can be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the MFP 2700 according to the second embodiment, the example in which the update processing of the information processing application destination DB 140 is performed using the registration request stored in advance after detecting the update timing has been described. On the other hand, an example in which the multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment holds a plurality of information processing application destination DBs and switches them in accordance with the switching timing will be described.

  FIG. 35 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine 3500 according to the third embodiment. The MFP 2700 according to the second embodiment described above includes a plurality of information processing application destination DBs, ie, a first information processing application destination DB 3501 and a second information processing application destination DB 3502, and UCS 2702 The difference is that the processing is changed to a different UCS 3503. In the following description, the same components as those in the second embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  Each of the first information processing application destination DB 3501 and the second information processing application destination DB 3502 has the same table configuration as the information processing application destination DB 140 according to the second embodiment. When one information processing application destination DB is used by an application, the other information processing application destination DB is updated by the UCS 3503 and holds the latest state.

  The UCS 3503 stores an event notification (for example, a registration request or a deletion request) transmitted from the PC in a database that is not used among the first information processing application destination DB 3501 and the second information processing application destination DB 3502. Process. Further, the UCS 2702 performs processing for switching the information processing application destination DB to be used when the switching timing is detected. Other processes are the same as those of the UCS 129 according to the first embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a processing procedure when receiving a registration request or a deletion request transmitted from a PC in the MFP 3500 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 36 is a sequence diagram illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the MFP 2700 and the PC according to the present embodiment.

  In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 36, the first information processing application destination DB 3501 is used by the application 130, and the UCS 3503 performs update processing on the second information processing application destination DB 3502. .

  First, the PC on which the image processing control OS is installed periodically transmits a registration request or a deletion request for the installed application to the multifunction device 3500 (step S3601).

  Then, the NCS 128 transfers a deletion request or the like from the received registration request to the UCS 3503 (step S3602).

  The UCS 3503 performs the update process of the second information processing application destination DB 3502 from the transferred registration request or the deletion request (step S3603).

  Then, the UCS 3503 transmits a result notification to the NCS 128 after the update process is completed (step S3604). Then, the NCS 128 transfers the received notification result of the update process to the PC (step S3605).

  According to the processing procedure described above, an event notification (registration request or deletion request) periodically transmitted from the PC can be stored without interfering with the user's operation.

  Next, switching processing of the information processing application destination DB to be used in the MFP 3500 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 37 is a sequence diagram illustrating the above-described processing procedure in the MFP 3500 according to the present embodiment.

  In this processing procedure, the first information processing application destination DB 3501 is already used by the application 130, and the second information processing application destination DB 3502 maintains the latest state because the event notification is stored by the UCS 3503. It shall be.

  First, the UCS 3502 detects the switching timing of the information processing application destination DB (step S3701). Note that the switching timing is the same as the update timing of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the UCS 3503 notifies the application 130 that the update has started (step S3702). As a result, the application 130 transmits an update screen display request to the operation panel 170, but the description is omitted as in the above-described embodiment.

  Then, the UCS 3503 performs a process of switching the information processing application destination DB that is used by the application 130 from the first information processing application destination DB 3501 to the second information processing application destination DB 3502 (step S3703).

  Thereafter, the UCS 3503 notifies the application 130 that the update has been completed (step S3704). As a result, the application 130 transmits a request to the display indicating that updating is in progress to the operation panel 170.

  Then, the application 130 requests acquisition of information processing application destination information from the second information processing application destination DB 3502 switched to the UCS 3503 (step S3705). The UCS 3503 transmits the information processing application destination information acquired from the second information processing application destination DB 3502 to the application 130 (step S3706).

  Thereafter, the UCS 3503 performs processing for updating the first information processing application destination DB 3501 using the application information stored in the second information processing application destination DB 3502 (step S3707). As a result, the first information processing application destination DB 3501 is kept in the latest state.

  When the UCS 3503 receives an event notification from now on, the UCS 3503 will update the first information processing application destination DB 3501 that is not used by the application 130. If the switching timing is detected thereafter, the information processing application destination DB is switched again.

  According to the MFP 3500 according to the third embodiment, the application 130 can be updated by simply performing the process of switching between the first information processing application destination DB 3501 and the second information processing application destination DB 3502 at the switching timing. Since information can be used, a further quick update process can be performed.

  Further, since the multifunction device 3500 does not perform processing such as update processing and copy processing when the information processing application destination DB is switched, the processing load at the time of switching can be reduced.

  FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine according to the first to third embodiments. As shown in FIG. 38, this multifunction machine has a configuration in which a controller 3810, an engine 3860, an FCU 3830, a USB 3840, and an IEEE 1394 interface 3850 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 3810 is a controller that controls the entire MFP, drawing, communication, and input from the operation unit 3870. The engine unit 3860 is a printer engine that can be connected to the PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 3860 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 3810 includes a CPU 3811, a north bridge (NB) 3813, a system memory (MEM-P) 3812, a south bridge (SB) 3814, a local memory (MEM-C) 3817, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 3816 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 3818, and the North Bridge (NB) 3813 and the ASIC 3816 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 3815. The MEM-P 3812 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 3812a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3812b.

  The CPU 3811 performs overall control of the multi-function peripheral, has a chip set composed of NB3813, MEM-P3812, and SB3814, and is connected to other devices via this chipset.

  The NB 3813 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 3811 to the MEM-P 3812, SB 3814, and AGP 3815, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing of the MEM-P 3812, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 3812 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing printers, and the like, and includes a ROM 3812a and a RAM 3812b. The ROM 3812a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 3812b is a writable and readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 3814 is a bridge for connecting the NB 3813 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB3814 is connected to the NB3813 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 3816 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 3815, the PCI bus, the HDD 3818, and the MEM-C 3817. The ASIC 3816 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 3816, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 3817, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that rotate image data using hardware logic. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 3860 via the PCI bus. The ASIC 3816 is connected to an FCU (Fax Control Unit) 3830, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 3840, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 3850 via a PCI bus.

  The MEM-C 3817 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 3818 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  AGP3815 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card that has been proposed to speed up graphics processing, and speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing MEM-P3812 with high throughput. .

  Note that the image processing program executed by the MFP according to the first to third embodiments is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image processing program executed by the multifunction peripheral according to the first to third embodiments is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disc).

  Further, the image processing program executed by the MFP according to the first to third embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. In addition, the program executed in the apparatus of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image processing program executed by the MFPs according to the first to third embodiments has a module configuration including the above-described units (UCS, NCS, scanner application, etc.), and CPU ( The processor) reads out and executes the image processing program from the ROM, so that the respective units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the respective units are generated on the main storage device.

  The MFP 100 according to the first to third embodiments has a configuration in which the address information and display name of the PC-A 160 and PC-B 161 are stored in a database different from the information processing application destination database. The information processing application destination database may be configured to store the information processing application destination information in association with the device ID.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus, the image processing method, and the image processing program according to the present invention are useful when using an application installed in a PC, and in particular, the image processing control OS is used as the OS of the PC. In addition, it is suitable when a driver for using the multifunction device 100 is not installed.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a network configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment and a main configuration of a multifunction peripheral. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a registration request. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the table structure of information processing application destination database. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel of a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial setting menu screen for using the function of a network connection destination PC in the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modification of the initial setting menu screen for using the function of the network connection destination PC on the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the whole flow of the registration display process of the application information of PC by the image processing system concerning 1st Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen of the application which the operation panel displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen of the update screen which an operation panel displays on a liquid crystal touch panel. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen of the application 130 which the operation panel displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel. It is the figure which showed the example of a screen of the application after the initialization which the operation panel displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure for an update process of information processing application destination information stored in an information processing application destination DB in a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when settings in the multifunction peripheral are changed. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when network settings are changed in the multifunction peripheral. It is the figure which showed the example of the network setting screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel of an operation panel. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when an application is selected by a user operation in the multifunction peripheral. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen of the scanner application 114 displayed when the scanner key of an operation panel is pressed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen of the fax application displayed when the FAX key of an operation panel is pressed. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when a user in a multifunction peripheral logs in and logs out. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transition of the login screen displayed on an operation panel, and a logout screen. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of login and logout processing when it is set whether or not information processing application destination information can be used according to a user in a multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of switching processing between a normal mode and an energy saving mode by turning on / off a power key in the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure from when an application in a multifunction peripheral displays an application screen until an update timing is detected by a user pressing an update key. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when an event notification is received from a PC in a multifunction peripheral. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the update process of the information processing application destination information by UCS of the multifunctional device concerning the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the transition of the screen displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel when performing update confirmation in the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the update process of the information processing application destination information by UCS of the multifunctional device concerning the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the example of the table structure of the database for update. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when a registration request or a deletion request transmitted from a PC is received in the multifunction peripheral and the PC according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure of the process which updates the update database 2701 in UCS of the multifunctional device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the update process of the information processing application destination information in the multi-functional peripheral according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a deletion check process for data stored in an update database in a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure of the update process of the information processing application destination information stored in information processing application destination DB in the multi-function device concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multifunctional device concerning 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing procedure when a registration request and a deletion request transmitted from a PC are received in a multifunction peripheral and a PC according to a third embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the procedure of the switching process of information processing application destination DB used as the utilization object in the multifunctional peripheral concerning 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

100, 2700, 3500 MFP 101 B / W line printer 102 Color line printer 103 Hard disk device 104 Other hardware resources 110 Software group 111 Printer application 112 Copy application 113 Fax application 114 Scanner application 115 Net file application 116 Process inspection application 117 Setting application 120 Platform 121 OS
122 SCS
123 SRM
124 ECS
125 MCS
126 OCS
127 FCS
128 NCS
129 UCS
130 Application 140 Application Destination Database 141 Network Setting Management Database 142 Application Related Information Management Database 143 Other Applications 150 Network 160 PC-A
161 PC-B
162 PC-C
170 Operation Panel 401 Initial Setting Key 402 Copy Key 403 Printer Key 404 Scanner Key 405 FAX Key 406 Ten Key 407 Stop Key 408 Start Key 409 Preheat Key 410 Reset Key 420 LCD Touch Panel 501 Change Button 801 Update Button 802, 1001 Information Processing Application Destination List 1002, 2002, 2601, 2603, 2604 Application screen 2001 Login screen 2003 Authentication button 2004 Logout button 2602 Update confirmation screen 2611 “Update” button 2612 “Do not update” button 2700 Multifunction device 2701 Update database 3501 First application destination DB
3502 Second application destination DB
3810 controller 3811 CPU
3812 MEM-P
3812a ROM
3812b RAM
3813 NB
3814 SB
3815 AGP bus 3816 ASIC
3817 MEM-C
3818 HDD
3830 FCU
3840 USB
3850 IEEE1394 interface 3860 Engine unit 3870 Operation unit

Claims (17)

An image processing apparatus that includes at least a scanning unit and processes an image scanned by the scanning unit,
An application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application are connected to the network, the application is installed, and the image processing apparatus requests registration of the application to the image processing apparatus. Storage means for storing associated application destination information;
Receiving means for receiving the registration request including the application identification information and the application display name from the information processing apparatus;
Timing determination means for determining whether or not the predetermined timing when the application destination information is not used;
When the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination unit, the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the reception unit, and the extracted application identification information and the application Updating means for associating a display name with the application destination information and updating the storage means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: A transmission unit configured to transmit inquiry information for requesting transmission of a registration request for an application installed in the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus when the timing detection unit determines that the predetermined timing is reached; In addition,
The receiving means receives the registration request from the information processing apparatus according to the inquiry information transmitted by the transmitting means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Update storage means for storing the application identification information and the application display name included in the registration request received by the reception means in association with each other;
Management means for extracting the application identification information and the application display name from the registration request received by the receiving means, and storing the extracted application identification information and the application display name in association with each other in the update storage means And further,
The update means acquires the application identification information and the application display name stored in the update storage means when the timing determination means determines the predetermined timing, and the acquired application identification information And updating the storage means as the application destination information in association with the application display name,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. Determining means for determining whether to use the application destination information stored in the storage means;
A deletion unit that deletes the application destination information when the determination unit determines that the application destination information is not used;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus. When the application using the application destination information becomes invalid because the setting related to the application destination information is changed, the determination unit uses the network because the setting of the network of the image processing apparatus is changed. When it becomes impossible, when the application stops using the application destination information, when the user logs out from the image processing apparatus, when the user who can use the application that uses the application destination information logs out, Or determining that the application destination information is not used when the image processing apparatus shifts to an energy saving state;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4. An image processing apparatus that includes at least a scanning unit and processes an image scanned by the scanning unit,
An application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application are connected to the network, the application is installed, and the image processing apparatus requests registration of the application to the image processing apparatus. First storage means for storing associated first application destination information;
Second storage means for storing second application destination information in which application identification information and an application display name are associated with each other;
Receiving means for receiving the registration request including the application identification information and the application display name from the information processing apparatus;
When the internal application of the image processing apparatus uses the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit, the application identification information and the application are obtained from the registration request received by the reception unit. A management unit that extracts a display name, associates the extracted application identification information with the application display name, and stores the second application destination information in the second storage unit; and a user uses the internal application Timing determination means for determining whether or not the predetermined timing is not performed;
When the timing determination unit determines that the predetermined timing is reached, the usage target of the application is stored in the second storage unit from the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit. Switching means for switching to the second application destination information,
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The timing determination unit receives the update request from the user, changes a setting related to the application destination information, changes a network setting of the image processing apparatus, When a user starts using an application to be used, when a user logs in to the image processing apparatus, when a user who can use an application that uses the application destination information logs in, or when the image processing apparatus is in an energy saving state 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus determines that the predetermined timing is reached when the normal state is restored.   The image processing according to claim 1, further comprising: a display processing unit that performs display processing of the updated application destination information after the update processing is performed by the update unit. apparatus. The display processing means performs display processing of the application destination information when a user is using an application that can use the application destination information among the internal applications provided in the image processing apparatus.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8. An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit,
The image processing apparatus includes: application identification information unique to the application of the information processing apparatus that makes a registration request for the installed application to the image processing apparatus; and an application display name that is a display name of the application. Storage means for storing associated application destination information;
From the information processing apparatus connected to the network, and the application identification information, a receiving step of receiving the registration request including said application display name,
A timing determination step for determining whether or not it is a predetermined timing not using the application destination information;
When the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the reception step , and the extracted application identification information and the application An update step of associating a display name with the application destination information and updating the storage means;
An image processing method comprising: A transmission step of transmitting inquiry information for requesting transmission of a registration request for an application installed in the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing detection step; In addition,
The receiving step receives the registration request from the information processing apparatus according to the inquiry information transmitted by the transmitting step;
The image processing method according to claim 10. A management step of extracting the application identification information and the application display name from the registration request received by the receiving unit, and storing the extracted application identification information and the application display name in association with each other in an update storage unit; And further
The update step acquires the application identification information and the application display name stored in the update storage unit when the timing determination unit determines the predetermined timing, and the acquired application identification information And updating the storage means as the application destination information in association with the application display name,
The image processing method according to claim 10. An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit,
An application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application are connected to the network, and the application is installed and the information processing apparatus that requests registration of the application to the image processing apparatus. Receiving the registration request including:
When the internal application of the image processing apparatus uses the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit and associated with the application identification information and the application display name, the reception is received by the reception step A storage step of extracting the application identification information and the application display name from the registration request, and storing the extracted application identification information and the application display name in a second storage unit in association with each other as second application destination information When,
A timing determination step for determining whether it is a predetermined timing when the user is not using the internal application;
When the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the application usage target is stored in the second storage unit from the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit. A switching step for switching to the second application destination information,
An image processing method comprising: An image processing program executed by a computer that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit,
The computer is an application in which application identification information unique to the application of the information processing apparatus that requests registration of the installed application is associated with an application display name that is a display name of the application. Storage means for storing destination information;
From the information processing apparatus connected to the network, and the application identification information, a receiving step of receiving the registration request including said application display name,
A timing determination step for determining whether or not it is a predetermined timing not using the application destination information;
When the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the application identification information and the application display name are extracted from the registration request received by the reception step , and the extracted application identification information and the application An update step of associating a display name with the application destination information and updating the storage means;
An image processing program for causing the computer to execute. A transmission step of transmitting inquiry information for requesting transmission of a registration request for an application installed in the information processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus when the predetermined timing is determined by the timing detection step; And let the computer run,
The receiving step receives the registration request from the information processing apparatus according to the inquiry information transmitted by the transmitting step;
The image processing program according to claim 14. A management step of extracting the application identification information and the application display name from the registration request received by the receiving unit, and storing the extracted application identification information and the application display name in association with each other in an update storage unit; Is further executed on the computer,
The update step acquires the application identification information and the application display name stored in the update storage unit when the timing determination unit determines the predetermined timing, and the acquired application identification information And updating the storage means as the application destination information in association with the application display name,
The image processing program according to claim 14. An image processing program executed by a computer that processes an image scanned by a scanning unit,
An application identification information unique to the application and an application display name that is a display name of the application are included from an information processing apparatus that is connected to the network, has an application installed, and requests registration of the application to the computer Receiving the registration request;
When the internal application of the computer uses the first application destination information stored in the first storage means and associated with the application identification information and the application display name, the registration received in the reception step A step of extracting the application identification information and the application display name from the request, storing the extracted application identification information and the application display name in association with each other in the second storage unit;
A timing determination step for determining whether it is a predetermined timing when the user is not using the internal application;
When the predetermined timing is determined by the timing determination step, the application usage target is stored in the second storage unit from the first application destination information stored in the first storage unit. A switching step for switching to the second application destination information,
An image processing program for causing the computer to execute.

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