JPH1098575A - Composite system, data processing method for composite system and storage medium storing program read by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a state of a system resource to a related device when each function is selected. SOLUTION: When a CPU 8 detects a change in a system state based on each function processing by an image processing unit and an external device, the CPU 8 discriminates whether or not a change in the system state is a change to be informed to the external device. Then detection information attended with the system state to be detected followed to relating equipment objects according to relation information stored in a memory 9 based on the result of discrimination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite system which has a plurality of interfaces to a digital copying apparatus and can execute various complex image processing while communicating with external equipment, a data processing method of the composite system, and The present invention relates to a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a complex system of this type has a reader unit and a printer unit constituting a digital copying apparatus as a core of the system, and further has interfaces (computer interface, facsimile interface) with a plurality of external devices, and prints. Processing function, copy processing function,
It is configured to perform complex image processing including a facsimile processing function and the like.

[0003] In this case, when a function such as printing or copying is selected through the main body operation unit or the computer interface, the status of the device possessed by the selected function is acquired to notify the user of the status of the device. Is configured.

[0004]

However, the state of a device which each function can acquire as a complex system is mainly related to a part mainly used by the function, and for a part which is not, very detailed information is acquired. could not.

[0005] For example, when the facsimile function is selected, the information of the device relating to the facsimile transmission such as the communication status can be obtained in detail. Only very limited information was obtained.

[0006] Therefore, especially in a mode in which the complex system is used from a remote place through a computer interface, the printing status of the device itself cannot be viewed.
There is a problem that the information of each function that can be obtained at the present time becomes extremely insufficient for the processing of other functions, so that detailed information on the system state cannot be obtained.

[0007] Further, even if the information itself for each function can be obtained by selecting another function, it is often unclear which function should be selected, and the function for obtaining information can be controlled. However, there is a problem that a new part must be newly created and the system configuration becomes expensive.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to ninth inventions according to the present invention is to provide a function combined with an external device and an image processing apparatus. In a complex system that can execute processing, when each function processing is selected, the system status is notified to the relevant device target, and each device can refer to the system information that the notified system state should share with all devices , A system capable of notifying the related devices of the status of system resources to each device when each function is selected, and having excellent operability capable of referring to the system status shared by each device at any time, a data processing method of the complex system, and a computer To provide a storage medium that stores a program readable by the program.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image processing apparatus for performing predetermined image processing communicates with a plurality of external devices via a predetermined communication medium to perform a plurality of image processing. In a combined system, at the time of an input system status acquisition request, storage means for storing relationship information between mutual related devices required for each functional process executed in combination with the image processing apparatus and the external device. Detecting means for detecting a change in a system state based on each function processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device; and whether the change in the system state detected by the detecting means is a change accompanied by notification to the external device. Determining means for determining a condition of a related device based on the related information stored in the storage means based on a determination result of the determining means. The information is intended and a notifying means for notifying broadcast.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, each function processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device is any one of facsimile transmission / reception processing, copy processing, print processing, and scanner processing. .

In a third aspect according to the present invention, the input system status acquisition request can be input from an image processing apparatus or the external device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the detected information notified by the notifying means is reference information to be shared with selectable related equipment objects, and Holding means for holding, as the reference information, the detection information determined to be the reference information to be provided.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the external device or the image processing apparatus can read out the reference information held in the holding means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a data processing method for a complex system in which an image processing apparatus for performing predetermined image processing communicates with a plurality of external devices via a predetermined communication medium to perform a plurality of image processing. A detecting step of detecting a change in a system state based on each function processing performed by the image processing apparatus and the external device at the time of an input system state acquisition request, and notifying the external device of the detected change in the system state A determination step of determining whether the change is accompanied by a change, and based on the determination result, a mutual related device object required for each function process executed in combination by the image processing apparatus and the external device. Notification step of broadcasting detection information according to the detected system state.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determining step of determining whether the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with selectable related device objects, and the reference information to be shared. A registration step of registering the detected information determined as the above in the memory as the reference information.

An eighth invention according to the present invention provides a detecting step for detecting a change in a system state based on each function processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device at the time of the input system state acquisition request, A determining step of determining whether the detected change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device, and various functional processes executed in combination by the image processing apparatus and the external device based on the determination result And a notification step of notifying detection information according to the detected system state to the mutually-related equipment objects required for each time. The computer-readable program is stored in a storage medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discriminating step of discriminating whether or not the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with selectable related equipment objects, and the reference information to be shared. And a registration step of registering, in the memory, the detected information determined to be the reference information as the reference information, a computer-readable program is stored in a storage medium.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a complex system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming unit;
To generate print data that can be printed. 2 is a control unit, C
A PU 8, a memory 9, and the like are provided, and comprehensively control the composite image processing based on a control program (version upgradable) stored in the memory 9 or an external storage medium (not shown).

Reference numeral 3 denotes a printing unit which prints an image on a recording medium based on image information formed by the image forming unit 1. A scanner unit 4 reads a document image based on the set reading conditions, and prints image information via the image forming unit 1 or the facsimile interface (Fax I / F) 6 and the computer interface (I / F) 7. 3 or an external device (facsimile machine, host computer).

Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation unit which includes a display comprising various keys and an LCD, etc., and displays a system state of the multifunction device and performs a selection process of multifunction processing.

It should be noted that a computer connected via the computer interface 7 is configured to be communicable with a predetermined protocol. The control unit 2
Comprises a CPU 8, a memory 9, peripheral circuits (not shown), and the like, and are connected by an internal interface.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between the present embodiment and each of the first to fifth aspects of the invention and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

As described above, the composite system to which the present invention can be applied is composed of an image processing device (scanner unit 4 and image output unit (image forming unit 1, control unit 2, printing unit 3, etc.) for performing predetermined image processing. )) To a predetermined communication medium (computer interface 7, facsimile interface 6)
And a plurality of external devices (a facsimile machine, a computer as an information processing device) through the device, and can perform a plurality of image processings. The input system status acquisition request can be input from the image processing device or the external device), and is required for each functional process executed in combination with the image processing device and the external device when the system status acquisition request is input Storage means (in this embodiment, secured in a work area (not shown) of the memory 9) for storing information on the relationship between the two related devices, and various functional processes (second As an invention of
Each of the functional processes by the image processing apparatus and the external device is a detection unit (the CPU 8 stores the data in the memory 9) for detecting a change in the system state based on a facsimile transmission / reception process, a copy process, a print process, or a scanner process. Executing a control program stored or loaded from an external storage medium (not shown) to execute detection (including detection from various sensor inputs (not shown) (including, for example, detecting errors such as paper size, out of paper, jam, etc.)) and Determining means for determining whether a change in the system state detected by the detecting means is a change accompanied by notification to the external device (CPU 8
Is determined by executing a control program stored in the memory 9 or loaded from an external storage medium (not shown))
And a notifying unit that broadcasts detection information according to a system state detected to a related device target according to the relation information stored in the storage unit based on a determination result of the determination unit (the CPU stores the detection information in the memory 9). When the CPU 8 detects a change in the system state based on each functional process by the image processing apparatus and the external device, the notification is performed by executing a control program that has been executed or loaded from an external storage medium (not shown). It is determined whether the change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device, and detection information according to the system state detected for the related device target according to the related information stored in the memory 9 based on the determination result. To notify the individual functions of the multifunction device or the information obtained by the devices that make up the system that may affect the processing of other devices. If the paper size that can be selected is changed, the paper size is notified to the device that handles the paper size, and the status of each device in the system related to each function process is recognized. Is possible.

As a fourth invention, the first invention
Further, it is determined whether the detection information notified by the notification unit is reference information to be shared with selectable related device targets (in the present embodiment, the information type is “dynamic” or “static” (CP)
U8 is determined by executing a control program stored in the memory 9 or loaded from an external storage medium (not shown)), and is determined to be reference information to be shared by the determination means (when the information type is "dynamic", Holding means (secured in the work area of the memory 9) for holding the detected information as the reference information when it is determined that the detected information is present. The reference information can be read from any device and referenced (as a fifth invention, each device includes the external device or the image processing device, etc.).

Hereinafter, the data processing method of the complex system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a first example of the complex system according to the present invention.
5 is a flowchart showing a data processing method of FIG. In addition,
(1) to (14) show each step.

First, when any of the copy function, print function, and facsimile function is received through the operation unit 5 or the computer interface 7, a request for acquiring device information is received (1). Is selected (2), and information on the selected category is obtained (3). Next, if any of the acquired information needs to be notified to other functions,
The CPU 8 determines (4), and if yes, the CPU 8 determines the functions of the complex system in the memory 9 and the scanner unit 4,
Referring to a table (table TB1 shown in FIG. 4 stored in the memory 9) associated with the functional components of the complex system such as the printing unit 3 (5), the function of the function related to the information acquired in step (3) is referred to. A list is created in a predetermined area of the memory 9 (6).

Subsequently, a function to be notified is selected from the relation list created in step (6) (7), a notification message is created by the CPU 8 (8), and the notification message is assigned to the function selected in step (7). Then, the message created in step (8) is notified (9). Then, steps (7) to (9) are repeated (10) until the device that performs all the related functions is notified.

Then, it is determined whether or not the notified information is information to be registered in a shared area that can be referred to from all functions of the complex system on the memory 9 (11). If No, the process proceeds to step (14). If the determination is Yes, attributes such as an information acquirer, dynamic information or static information are added to the information acquired in step (2) (12), and the memory 9
Is registered as a reference table TB2 shown in FIG. 5, for example, in a shared area that can be referred to from all functions of the complex system (13).

Subsequently, in this function that has received the processing, it is determined whether or not information on all obtainable categories has been obtained (14). If the determination is Yes, the processing ends. Return to (2).

FIG. 3 shows the first system of the complex system shown in FIG.
10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of determining whether or not it is necessary to notify a related function in the data processing. Note that (1) to (11) indicate each step.

First, the CPU 8 determines whether or not the information acquired in step (3) shown in FIG. 2 indicates that an error has occurred (1). If the determination is Yes, the step shown in FIG. The status of the information acquired in (3) is changed to “notification required” (10), and if No, the reference table shown in FIG. Referring to TB2, the current registration status is acquired (2), and the status of the acquired information is changed to "registration required" (3).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the information acquired in step (3) shown in FIG. 2 is "dynamic information" (4), and when it is determined that the information is "dynamic information" Compares with the acquired registration information to determine whether or not there has been a change (6). If the determination is Yes, the status of the information acquired in step (3) shown in FIG. Add (7), if No, end the process. On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the information is not “dynamic information”,
It is determined whether or not the information acquired in step (3) shown in FIG. 2 is “static information” (5).
If it is determined that there is a change, it is compared with the registration information in the information obtained in step (3) shown in FIG. 2 and it is determined whether or not there has been a change (8). "Notification unnecessary" is added to the status of the information acquired in step (3) shown in (2) (9), and the process ends.

On the other hand, in step (5), "static information"
If not, "notification unnecessary" is added to the status of the information acquired in step (3) shown in FIG. 2 (11), and the process ends.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the sixth to ninth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus (a scanner unit 4 and an image output unit (including an image forming unit 1, a control unit 2, a printing unit 3, etc.) for performing predetermined image processing). In a data processing method of a complex system that performs a plurality of image processes by communicating with a plurality of external devices (a facsimile device and a computer as an information processing device) via predetermined communication media (a computer interface 7 and a facsimile interface 6), A detection step (steps (1) to (3) in FIG. 2) for detecting a change in the system state based on each functional processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device when the system state acquisition request is issued. A determining step of determining whether a change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device (step (4) in FIG. 2), and based on the determination result A notification step of broadcasting detection information in accordance with the detected system state to the mutually-related apparatus target required for each function processing executed in combination by the image processing apparatus and the external apparatus (FIG. 2) (5) to (9)), the CPU 8 shown in FIG. 1 executes the control program (according to the flowchart in FIG. 2) loaded from the memory 9 or an external storage medium (not shown), and If the individual functions of the device or the information obtained by the devices that make up the system affect the processing of other devices, if the selectable paper size is changed, the paper size is changed to It is possible to notify a device having a function of performing processing to recognize the status of each device of the system related to each function process.

As a seventh invention, a discrimination step (step (1) in FIG. 2) for discriminating whether or not the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with selectable related device objects is performed.
1)) and a registration step (steps (12) to (14) in FIG. 2) of registering the detection information determined to be the reference information to be shared in the memory as the reference information. For example, when the CPU 8 shown in FIG. 1 executes a control program (according to the flowchart in FIG. 2) loaded from the memory 9 or an external storage medium (not shown), and if there is a system state acquisition request, the reference information held in the memory 9 is referred to. It can be read from any device and referenced.

As an eighth invention, a detection step (step (1) in FIG. 2) for detecting a change in the system state based on each functional processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device at the time of the input system state acquisition request. ) To (3)), a determination step (step (4) in FIG. 2) of determining whether the detected change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device, and based on the determination result. A notification step of broadcasting detection information in accordance with the detected system state to mutually related equipment targets necessary for each function processing executed in combination with the image processing apparatus and the external equipment (step in FIG. 2) A computer-readable program including (5) to (9)) is stored in a storage medium. That is, the embodiment of the present invention also includes an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 2 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 8 reads out and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code. Included.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a discriminating step (step (11) in FIG. 2) for discriminating whether the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with selectable related device objects. A registration step (steps (12) to (14) in FIG. 2) of registering the detection information determined to be the reference information to be shared in the memory as the reference information. The program is stored in a storage medium. That is, the embodiment of the present invention also includes an embodiment in which a program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 2 is stored in an external storage medium or an internal storage resource described later, and the CPU 8 reads out and executes the program code from the storage medium storing the program code. Included.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a table indicating the correspondence between the functional components required for each function constituting the complex system and the processing contents stored in the memory 9 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, a table TB1 indicating the correspondence between the functional components necessary for each function constituting the complex system and the processing contents includes a printing unit, an image forming unit, a scanner unit, a facsimile interface (Fax I). /
F), a flag is set for a functional process (facsimile transmission, facsimile reception, copy, print, scanner, etc.) that can be executed on the functional component of the computer interface (I / F).

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of a reference table indicating the state of each device of the complex system stored on the memory 9 shown in FIG.

As shown in this figure, the reference table TB2 showing the state of each device of the complex system has a state, information type, registrant, etc. for a category (eg, sorter, cassette 1, 2, stapler, status). Is set.

As a result, without specifying a device or a function that can obtain information that the user wants to know in the complex system,
If the information obtained by the individual functions of the complex system or the devices that make up the system affects the processing of other functions, all related functions and devices are notified, so which device in the complex system From the functions, it is possible to obtain the maximum necessary information that can be acquired by the complex system as long as it is in the device of the complex system.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 2 shown in FIG.
Is a scanner unit 4, a printing unit 3, an image forming unit 1, a computer interface 7, a facsimile interface 6,
Although the description has been given of the case of an example of a complex system that controls input or output from the operation unit 5 as a whole, a complex system in which a plurality of devices having a single function and a computer are connected via a network. It can also be applied. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the configuration of a composite system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 601 denotes a CPU, a RAM,
It is a server computer including a ROM, a secondary storage device of a hard disk, a display device, and an input device, and has a memory 606 as a processing queue of devices in the system. 60
Reference numeral 2 denotes a printer, 603 denotes a facsimile modem (Fax modem), 604 denotes a client computer including a CPU, RAM, ROM, a secondary storage device of a hard disk, a display device, and an input device, and 605 denotes a scanner. In addition, each of 601 to 605 is connected to a predetermined network NET, and is configured to be able to communicate with each other based on a predetermined protocol.

In the composite system configured as described above, the copy function is performed by the scanner 605, the printer 602, and the F
The ax transmission can be realized by operating each device (network resource) in combination according to instructions from the scanner 602, the fax modem 603, and the server computer 601.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the data processing procedure of the complex system shown in FIG. In addition,
(1) to (8) show each step.

First, a processing request input from the client computer 604 or the operation unit of each device is received (1). Subsequently, device information is obtained (2), and it is determined whether the obtained information needs to be notified to a related function (3). If the determination is No, step (6)
Then, if the determination is Yes, a notification message is selected from a message table prepared in the device (4), and a request is sent to the server computer 601 to notify the related device (5).

Next, it is determined whether or not the information acquired in step (2) is information to be registered in a shared area that exists on the server computer 601 and that can be referred to from all devices constituting the system (6). If the determination is Yes, the information acquired in step (2) is added with attributes such as an information acquirer, dynamic information or static information (7), and the system A request is made to register in a shared area that can be referenced from all devices (8), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if the determination in step (6) is No, the process ends.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure of a notification request to a related device in the server computer 601 shown in FIG. 6, in which a request for notification to a related device is sent from a device constituting the system. Corresponds to processing. Note that (1) to (6) indicate each step.

First, when a notification request (request) to a related device from a device constituting the system is detected (1), each device constituting the system, a scanner function, and a printing function are stored in the memory 606 of the server computer 601. With reference to a table (not shown) that associates functions provided by the system such as unit functions (2), a list of devices related to the information detected in step (1) is created (3). Next, a device to be notified is selected from the created related list (4), and a message is notified (5).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the message has been notified to all the related devices listed in step (3) (6). If the determination is Yes, the process is terminated, and if No, step (4) is performed. Return to

As a result, without specifying a device and a function that can obtain the information that the user wants to know in the complex system,
If the information obtained by the individual functions of the networked complex system or the devices that make up the system affects the processing of other functions, all related functions and devices are notified. The maximum necessary information that can be obtained by the complex system can be obtained from any device or function within the complex system.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the complex system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the complex system according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, etc. is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8 in this embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or to an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0071]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the ninth to ninth aspects, when each function process is selected, the system status is notified to the related device target, and the notified system status allows each device to refer to system information to be shared by all devices. Since the status is held, the status of the system resources can be notified to the related devices when each function is selected, and the system status shared by the devices can be referred to at any time.

Accordingly, the individual information acquisition instruction for acquiring the system status related to the function selected by the operator is relaxed, and the effect is that the status of each device related to each function can be easily referred to. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a complex system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first data processing method of the complex system according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of determining whether or not it is necessary to notify a related function in the first data processing of the complex system illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a table indicating correspondence between functional components necessary for each function constituting a complex system and processing contents stored in a memory shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining an example of a reference table indicating the state of each device of the complex system stored on the memory shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of a complex system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure of the complex system illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of a notification request to a related device in the server computer illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the complex system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming part 2 Control part 3 Printing part 4 Scanner part 5 Operation part 6 Facsimile interface 7 Computer interface 8 CPU 9 Memory

Claims (9)

[Claims] An image processing apparatus that performs a predetermined image processing communicates with a plurality of external devices via a predetermined communication medium to perform a plurality of image processing. Storage means for storing information relating to the relationship between mutual related devices required for each function processing executed in combination with the image processing device and the external device, and each function by the image processing device and the external device Detecting means for detecting a change in the system state based on the processing, determining means for determining whether the change in the system state detected by the detecting means is a change accompanied by notification to the external device, and determining results of the determining means Notification means for broadcasting notification of detection information according to a detected system state to a related device target according to the related information stored in the storage means based on the information. A complex system characterized by the following. 2. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the function processes by the image processing apparatus and the external device is any one of a facsimile transmission / reception process, a copy process, a print process, and a scanner process. system. 3. The multifunction system according to claim 1, wherein the input system status acquisition request can be input from an image processing apparatus or the external device. 4. A discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the detected information notified by the notifying means is reference information to be shared with selectable related device targets, and discriminating that the detected information is reference information to be shared by the discriminating means. 2. The composite system according to claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit configured to store the detected information as the reference information. 5. The composite system according to claim 4, wherein said external device or said image processing apparatus is capable of reading said reference information held in said holding means. 6. A data processing method for a multifunction system that performs a plurality of image processes by communicating with a plurality of external devices via a predetermined communication medium to an image processing apparatus that performs a predetermined image process. At the time of a request, a detection step of detecting a change in a system state based on each function processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device, and determining whether the detected change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device. Determination information to be detected, and detection information according to a system state detected for a mutual related device required for each function processing performed in combination with the image processing apparatus and the external device based on the determination result. And a notifying step of notifying the multi-system of the data. 7. A discriminating step of discriminating whether the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with selectable related device targets, and determining the detection information determined to be the reference information to be shared. Registering the reference information in a memory. 8. A detecting step of detecting a change in a system state based on each function processing by the image processing apparatus and the external device at the time of the input system state acquisition request;
A determining step of determining whether the detected change in the system state is a change accompanied by notification to the external device; and various functions executed in combination by the image processing apparatus and the external device based on the determination result A notification step of broadcasting detection information in accordance with a detected system state to a mutually-related apparatus object required for each process, and a computer-readable program. 9. A determining step of determining whether the notified detection information is reference information to be shared with a selectable related device target, and determining the detection information determined to be the reference information to be shared. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, including a registration step of registering the reference information in a memory.