JP2004259250A - Multifunctional server apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of lack of means in the conventional technique for creating a macro for a variety of operations of a multifunctional server apparatus easily and effectively. <P>SOLUTION: A provision section 700 executes a desired macro based on an instruction from a macro execution section 600. A command included in the macro can easily be generated in a command registration section 200, using a command template stored in a command template storage section 180. Further, one or more commands generated are simply structured into a macro in a macro registration section 300. Accordingly, the macro is simply created, in which complicated functions of the multifunctional server apparatus are easily combined, from a client terminal, and thus, a variety of services of the multifunctional server apparatus are provided effectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunctional server device.

  With the development of network technology, devices having a function of connecting to a network, such as printers, scanners, faxes, and MFPs (Multi Functional Peripherals) have become widespread. Networking is not limited to a limited area local area network (hereinafter simply referred to as “LAN”) such as in a company or in a building. At present, networking is expanding to a global network, a so-called wide area network (hereinafter simply referred to as "WAN"). With the development of such an infrastructure, e-mail, FTP (File Transfer Protocol), web pages, and the like have been widely used in the business scene, for example.

From such a background, many server devices are now becoming so-called multifunctional server devices that can provide various network services with one device. However, as a result, the setting operation for the multi-function server device tends to be complicated. As a countermeasure against the complexity of the operation of various information devices, the user can combine the front panel key operation procedures in advance into one processing instruction (hereinafter a series of operation instructions are combined into a single operation instruction). Such an operation is collectively referred to as a “macro”.), And these operations are collectively performed by executing the macro once. Alternatively, a method of extracting a unique function of an information device as a command and defining a desired operation using a macro language to improve operability is also used (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-5-103123 JP-A-2000-222100

  The above-described method of simply registering a key operation procedure as a macro targets only a limited number of keys on the front panel, and generally can perform only relatively simple processing. Therefore, this method is not necessarily effective in efficiently performing various settings of a complicated multifunctional server device. Also, programming in a macro language is not preferable because it forces the user to learn the macro language. Further, the multi-function server has a function that can be operated only from the operation screen displayed on the client device. Such features are not available in traditional macros.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for efficiently using various functions of a multifunctional server device.

  One embodiment of the present invention relates to a multifunctional server device. The apparatus includes means for registering, as a macro, a series of operation instructions instructed in the client terminal, means for detecting a macro execution instruction command, and means for executing the macro in which the execution instruction command is detected.

  For example, when a personal computer is a client terminal, this terminal generally has a keyboard and a mouse, and various inputs are easy. On the other hand, a multifunctional server device mainly having a fax or printer function generally has only input means such as a numeric keypad or a small touch panel, and input is not efficient. Therefore, according to the multifunctional server device of the present invention, the registration of the macro can be realized by the efficient user interface of the client terminal, so that the complicated functions of the multifunctional server device can be efficiently exhibited.

  Note that a “series of operation instructions” generally refers to a case configured from a plurality of operation instructions, but here also includes a single operation instruction.

  Further, the apparatus may further include a transmission unit for transmitting the image data, and when the operation command included in the macro requires transmission of the image data, the transmission unit may transmit the image data.

  The apparatus may further include a receiving unit that receives the image data, and an output unit that outputs the image data when an operation command included in the macro requires the output of the image data. For example, when a fax data is received from a predetermined terminal, a macro that prints the content in a predetermined format can be executed. As a result, more automatic processing with less human intervention can be performed.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a multifunctional server device operable via a network. This device includes a means for receiving a series of processing contents via a network, a means for registering the processing contents, and an instruction for executing the processing contents registered in advance via an operation panel provided in the multi-function server device. A receiving unit that receives the request; and an execution unit that executes a process corresponding to the content of the process received by the receiving unit. As a result, complicated processing that cannot be used only with the operation panel can be operated using the operation panel.

  The multi-function server device may further include a unit that reads the document, and the execution unit may execute a process corresponding to the processing content in conjunction with the process of reading the document.

  The processing contents are managed for each user of the multi-function server device, and the reception unit may present a list of processing contents that can be used by a user who is performing a document reading operation in the multi-function server device. Good.

  It is to be noted that any combination of the above-described components and any conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like are also effective as embodiments of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, the server can easily perform various processes via the network by simply registering a series of operation commands of the multi-function server device as a macro from the client terminal.

  Hereinafter, a multi-function server device having a macro registration function, an execution function, and the like will be described by exemplifying a plurality of embodiments.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multi-function server system 10 according to the first embodiment. The multi-function server device 100 provides a service to a plurality of terminals (hereinafter, simply referred to as “clients 14”) such as a first client 14a and a second client 14b connected via the LAN 16. In the present embodiment, the multi-function server device 100 is incorporated into, for example, a device having a fax function, a scanner function, a printer function, a printer server function, a fax server function, a copy function, or an MFP having a plurality of functions. Is also good. The multi-function server device 100 obtains a document file using, for example, the WAN 12 or the LAN 16 using these functions, or directly obtains a document file using the scanner function.

  The “document file” is digital data including, for example, a character string, an image, and a sound, and is an object to be circulated or posted by the multifunctional server device. As described above, the document file includes not only an image file of a conventional paper-based document but also digital data such as a file or an audio file generated by a predetermined application.

  FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the multi-function server device 100 of FIG. Each component of the multi-function server device 100 includes a CPU of an arbitrary computer, a memory, a program loaded into the memory to realize the components of the drawing, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection interface. It is realized mainly by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications in the method and apparatus for realizing the method. Each drawing described below shows a block of a functional unit, not a configuration of a hardware unit.

  The input unit 102 receives a document file via the receiving unit 104 which is an interface with the WAN 12 or the LAN 16 by using any one of functions such as a fax function, a scanner function, an e-mail receiving function, and a file server function. The input unit 102 receives an operation from the client terminal via the receiving unit 104 for macro setting from the client 14. Furthermore, there is a case where an input is directly received from a key of the multi-function server device 100 without going through the receiving unit 104.

  Note that the “keys” referred to here are not only general names of operating means on the front panel of the multi-function server device 100 but also include soft keys displayed on the screen of the multi-function server device 100. The input processing of the input unit 102 described above is merely an example, and the input unit 102 is a block for responding to any input signal to the multi-function server device 100.

  The command registration unit 200 registers a command for executing a service of the multi-function server device 100. Here, the “command” refers to an operation command corresponding to various services provided by the multi-function server apparatus 100, such as facsimile transmission and printing of a document file. For example, in the case of facsimile transmission, it is necessary to customize parameters unique to the command such as a transmission destination and a transmission date and time (hereinafter, referred to as “command parameters”). The command template storage section 180 stores a command template. The command template is a template for inputting command parameters for each command.

  After setting desired command parameters in the command template read from the command template storage unit 180, the command registration unit 200 newly registers the command in the command storage unit 190 (hereinafter, the command is registered in the command storage unit 190). When it is used to emphasize that it is a command, it is particularly called a “registered command”.) Thus, the user can easily create a desired command.

  The macro registration unit 300 collectively registers a set of registration commands registered in the above-described procedure as a macro (hereinafter, the macro is used to emphasize that the macro is a macro registered in the macro storage unit 340). In particular, it is called a “registered macro”). The macro registration unit 300 reads out necessary registration commands from the group of registration commands in the command storage unit 190, and registers them as macros in the macro storage unit 340. As will be described later, since the macro of the multi-function server device 100 can be registered by using the efficient user interface function of the client 14, the convenience for creating the macro for the user is improved.

  The key setting unit 400 associates a key of the multi-function server device 100 with a registered macro in the macro storage unit 340. As a result, a predetermined registered macro can be executed with one touch of a key, so that the convenience in executing the macro is improved.

  The detection unit 500 detects a macro execution instruction. Not only an explicit macro execution instruction from the user but also an implicit event such as a case where the reception of a predetermined document file is detected or a new document is read by the scanner function may be a trigger for executing the macro. . When detecting section 500 detects a macro execution instruction, the process proceeds to macro executing section 600. Macro executing section 600 executes the registered macro instructed to be executed. The macro execution section 600 reads a predetermined registered macro from the macro storage section 340. After that, the macro execution unit 600 reads out the registered command constituting the registered macro from the command storage unit 190 (hereinafter, when the command is used for emphasizing that it is a command constituting a macro among the commands, “ Macro command ”). Further, the macro execution unit 600 reads out a predetermined document file from the document storage unit 420 as needed. After these processes, the macro execution unit 600 provides the service defined in the registered macro via the providing unit 700.

  The providing unit 700 transmits to the client 14 data such as a document file and the contents of a macro configuration command of a registered macro that the multifunction server device 100 has. Further, the providing unit 700 instructs the client 14 to perform a predetermined process indicated by the macro. The providing unit 700 provides the service via the transmitting unit 702 when transmission processing is necessary for executing the macro. When the execution of the macro can be realized only by the main function of the multi-function server device 100, the providing unit 700 provides a predetermined service without passing through the transmitting unit 702.

  Hereinafter, a process of creating a macro to be used as a standard for a document file of general business information by a user will be specifically described. When the user requests the multifunction server apparatus 100 to create a new macro from the client terminal, various setting screens shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures are displayed on the client terminal. At this time, the multi-function server device 100 may transmit the image of the user interface screen itself, or the multi-function server device 100 transmits only the setting data, and the client terminal constructs the image of the user interface screen. Is also good.

  FIG. 3 shows a command template setting screen 202 displayed on the client 14 in FIG. On the command template setting screen 202, the user can select a desired command template. The command template list area 206 displays command templates corresponding to services that the multi-function server device 100 can provide. The user selects a desired command template using the command template list area 206 and the command template selection button 208. In the example shown in the figure, the fax transmission command is selected. When a command template is selected, the contents of simple command processing may be displayed.

  FIG. 4 shows a command parameter setting screen 222 displayed when any command template in the command template list area 206 on the command template setting screen 202 is selected. On the command parameter setting screen 222, the user can create a desired command by setting necessary command parameters for a predetermined command template. The figure shows a command parameter setting screen 222 when a command for “send fax” is created. The command name setting area 224 receives an input of a command name. In the figure, the name "sales information branch distribution" is given as a command name.

  The fax destination setting area 226 is an input field for a destination of fax transmission. A plurality of destinations may be specified. The fax transmission date / time setting area 228 specifies the date / time of transmission. In the case where transmission is performed immediately upon receipt of an instruction to execute a fax transmission command, it is not necessary to specify a date and time, and such an area may not require an indispensable input. The fax subject setting area 230 specifies the subject of the fax. In the figure, when a facsimile transmission command named “sales information branch distribution” is executed, the subject is automatically set to “sales information”. The fax standard message setting area 232 specifies a standard message to be displayed on a transmitted fax in advance.

  After all settings are completed, the user presses a command registration button 234 to register the command in the command storage unit 190 with the name specified in the command name setting area 224. By the above operation, a fax transmission command named “sales information branch distribution” in which command parameters are defined in a desired form is newly registered.

  FIG. 5 shows a macro creation screen 302 displayed on the client 14 of FIG. This macro creation screen 302 is displayed when a user creates a macro based on the registration command created above. Also, when a user edits a macro after registering it, the macro may be displayed in an equivalent format.

  The registered command list area 304 is a list of registered commands created on the command parameter setting screen 222 in FIG. The user selects a registration command necessary for creating a macro from here. The command type icon area 306 displays an icon corresponding to the type of the command. The registered command name display area 308 displays a list of registered command names. In the figure, a registration command named “business information circulation” is selected. When the registration command is selected, a brief description of the registration command may be displayed.

  The macro configuration command display area 312 displays a macro configuration command of a newly created macro. The user can add or delete a macro configuration command by using the registration command input / output button 310. The macro configuration command execution order display area 314 indicates the execution order of the macro configuration commands. The macro configuration command name display area 316 displays the name of the macro configuration command. In the figure, the macro is being configured so that the registration command “sales information circulation” is executed after the execution of the registration command “sales information scan”. The execution order of the macro configuration commands selected in the macro configuration command display area 312 may be switched up and down by the macro configuration command execution order change button 318.

  The macro name setting area 320 is used to input a registered name of the macro. An arbitrary name can be set as the registered name of the macro. In the figure, the created macro is named “sales information standard processing”. The key assignment setting button 324 associates a key of the multi-function server device 100 with the macro. The document file setting button 326 associates a predetermined document with the macro. As a result, the processing of the macro is set for the specified document file. Of course, after selecting a document file, the user interface may be associated with a necessary registration macro. Some macros may control a plurality of document files in an integrated manner.

  When the creation of the macro is completed, the user presses a macro registration button 328 to register a new macro. By the above operation, a macro named “business information standard processing” in which the macro configuration command is defined in a desired form is newly registered.

  FIG. 6 shows a key assignment setting screen 330 called when the key assignment setting button 324 is pressed on the macro creation screen 302. A key assignment button 332 assigns a registration macro to a key of the multi-function server device 100. As a result, a predetermined macro can be executed by a one-touch operation on the key to which the registered macro is assigned. At this time, the key setting unit 400 may re-assign a key to which a registered macro has already been assigned, or may newly assign a macro to a key to which no registered macro has been assigned. The key assignment button 332 corresponding to the already assigned key may be marked with some kind of mark such as inversion of color. Also, a macro may be assigned to a combination of key operations. By performing the key operation with one touch or more, it is possible to take measures to prevent important registration macros from being easily executed.

  FIG. 7 shows the data structure of the macro storage unit 340. The macro number column 342 is provided with a number for each registered macro in order to manage the registered macros. The macro correspondence key column 344 shows the correspondence with the key of the multi-function server device 100 specified on the key setting unit 400 of FIG. 2 and the key assignment setting screen 330 of FIG. In the figure, the key "2" is associated with the first macro, but the key is not associated with the second macro.

  The macro name column 346 is a list of registered macro names. The macro configuration command column 348 is a list of macro configuration command contents for each registered macro. In the example shown in the figure, the first registered macro “sales information standard processing” includes four macro configuration commands starting from the “scan” command. The document ID column 350 is a list of document files associated with the macro. In the example shown in the drawing, a registration macro named “sales information standard processing” is associated with the document file of ID 122. That is, when an execution instruction is given to the “business information standard processing” macro, the macro is executed for the document file of ID 122. Alternatively, when a macro execution instruction is detected for a document file having an ID of 122, the “business information standard processing” macro may be executed. In the figure, the document file is not associated with the fourth “business communication” macro. This is because, depending on the macro, there may be a macro that does not use a document file or a macro that retrieves a predetermined document file from the document storage unit 420.

  The macro manager column 352 indicates a macro manager. Only the responsible person may edit a predetermined registered macro, or a member belonging to a specific group may edit the macro.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing from command registration to macro registration in the command registration unit 200 and the macro registration unit 300 in FIG. The command registration unit 200 in FIG. 2 calls a predetermined command template from the command template storage unit 180 (S10). The user sets desired command parameters for the called command template on the command parameter setting screen 222 (S11), assigns a registered command name in the command name setting area 224, and registers the command in the command storage unit 190. (S12). If there are more commands necessary for macro creation, the process returns to calling the command template again (N in S13). When all commands necessary for creating a macro are registered in the command storage unit 190 (Y in S13), a new macro is registered in the macro storage unit 340 based on these registered commands (S14).

  When the key assignment of the multi-function server device 100 is not performed, the registration of the macro is completed as it is (N of S15). When the key assignment of the multi-function server device 100 is performed, the key setting unit 400 performs the assignment process to the macro storage unit 340 (S16), and then the registration of the macro is completed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process from detection of a macro execution instruction to execution of a macro in the detection unit 500 and the macro execution unit 600 in FIG. 2 receives a macro execution instruction from the input unit 102 (S20). If the signal is not an instruction to execute a registered macro, processing corresponding to the signal is performed (N in S21). If the instruction is a registered macro execution instruction (Y in S21), the macro storage unit 340 searches for a registered macro to be subjected to the execution instruction (S22). After searching for a target registered macro, the macro is executed by the macro execution unit 600 (S23).

  As described above, in the embodiment, in registering a macro by combining various functions of the multi-function server device, it is possible to utilize the user interface expression power of the client terminal. Therefore, even for a complicated multifunctional server device, the convenience of the user is greatly improved by effectively setting and combining the functions.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the combination of each component and each processing process, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. .

  As such a modification, a registration macro in the macro storage unit 340 may be set for a key of the client terminal. That is, the key operation of the client terminal may access the multi-function server device 100 and instruct the macro storage unit 340 to execute the corresponding registered macro.

  Alternatively, instead of having the document storage unit 420 in the multifunctional server device 100 itself, the server may search for a desired document file via the LAN 16 or the WAN 12 to provide the same service. Alternatively, it is also possible to register a hierarchical macro that newly configures a macro by further combining macros configured by commands. Alternatively, a single macro may be executed by a plurality of multifunctional server devices 100 working together.

  Further, macros may be managed for each user, group, and category, for example, and may be formed so that they can be used from the operation panel of the multi-function server device 100 according to the attributes of the users. FIG. 10 is an internal configuration diagram of the multi-function server device 100 according to the fourth embodiment. The configuration denoted by the same reference numeral as the already described configuration has substantially the same function and operation as the already described configuration. In each of the drawings described below, a new configuration will be mainly described.

  The operation unit 110 is an operation panel provided in the multi-function server device 100. The operation unit 110 presents a list of macros that can be used by a user who is operating and inputs information for specifying a macro designated by the user to the input unit 102. Output to The operation unit 110 includes an input device such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a key button, and a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and an LED. The user operates the multi-function server device 100 using these devices.

  The operation unit 110 first receives input of user identification information such as a user ID and a password for specifying a user. Then, operation unit 110 outputs the received user identification information to selection unit 112. The selection unit 112 selects a macro that can be used by the user from the macro storage unit 340, and outputs a list of the selected macros to the operation unit 110. Operation unit 110 displays the list on a display device and accepts selection of a macro to be used.

  When the user selects a macro associated with a password, operation unit 110 accepts a password input from the user. If the password is correct, the operation unit 110 permits the user to execute the macro. As described above, by making it possible to register available macros according to the user, the convenience of the multi-function server device 100 is improved. Further, by restricting the use of the macro with a password or the like, the security of the multi-function server device 100 is improved.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the macro storage unit 341 in FIG. The macro storage unit 341 includes a user column 354 and a password column 356 in addition to the data of the macro storage unit 340 of FIG. The user column 354 holds information for specifying a user who can use the corresponding macro. In the figure, for example, "all" means that the macro is available to all persons. “Group1” means a macro that can be used by users belonging to group 1. Also, “obuchi” means that the macro is available only to the user “obuchi”.

  The password field 356 holds a password as a macro usage restriction. That is, only the user who knows the password can execute the macro. The data stored in the user column 354 and the password column 356 are written by the macro registration unit 300. The registration processing of these data is performed by the macro registration unit 300 of FIG.

  The detection unit 500 may instruct the macro execution unit 600 to execute a macro when a document is read by the scanner function of the multi-function server device 100.

  FIG. 12 is an example of a flowchart of a macro presentation process in the multi-function server device 100 of FIG. The operation unit 110 in FIG. 10 first receives a user ID or the like for identifying a user (S30). Then, the selection unit 112 in FIG. 10 selects a macro associated with the user ID from the macro storage unit 341 (S32), and generates a macro list. Then, the operation unit 110 presents the macro list on the display device (S34).

  As described above, the macro can be executed by operating the operation unit 110 of FIG. 10. Therefore, even if the multifunction server device 100 has only the simple operation unit 110, the user can operate the operation unit 110. A complicated operation can be performed via the.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a multifunction server system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the multi-function server device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command template setting screen displayed on the client in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a command parameter setting screen displayed on the client in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a macro creation screen displayed on the client in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a key assignment setting screen displayed on the client in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a macro storage unit in FIG. 2. 3 is a flowchart of processing from a command registration unit to a macro registration unit in FIG. 2; 3 is a flowchart of a process from a detection unit to a macro execution unit in FIG. 2. FIG. 14 is an internal configuration diagram of a multi-function server device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a macro storage unit in FIG. 10. 11 is an example of a flowchart of a macro presentation process in the multi-function server device of FIG. 10;

Explanation of reference numerals

  10 multifunctional server system, 100 multifunctional server device, 102 input unit, 180 command template storage unit, 190 command storage unit, 200 command registration unit, 300 macro registration unit, 340 macro storage unit, 400 key setting unit, 420 document storage Unit, 500 detecting unit, 600 macro executing unit, 700 providing unit.

Claims (6)

Means for registering a series of operation instructions instructed at the client terminal as a macro,
Means for detecting an instruction to instruct execution of the macro;
Means for executing a macro in which the execution instruction instruction is detected;
A multifunctional server device comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit image data, wherein the image data is transmitted by the transmission unit when an operation command included in the macro requires transmission of the image data. A multifunctional server device as described in the above. Receiving means for receiving image data;
When an operation command included in the macro requires output of image data, an output unit that outputs the image data,
The multifunction server device according to claim 1, further comprising: A multifunctional server device operable via a network,
Means for receiving a series of processing contents via the network,
Means for registering the processing content;
Via an operation panel provided in the multi-function server device, a receiving unit that receives an execution instruction of the processing content registered in advance,
Executing means for executing processing according to the processing content received by the receiving means,
A multifunctional server device comprising: Further comprising means for reading the original,
5. The multi-function server device according to claim 4, wherein the execution unit executes a process according to the content of the process in conjunction with the process of reading the document.   The processing contents are managed for each user of the multi-function server device, and the receiving unit presents a list of processing contents available to a user who is performing a document reading operation in the multi-function server device. The multi-function server device according to claim 5, wherein:

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