JP2016019159A - Information processing system, image processing device, operation terminal device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of a user.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a plurality of image processing devices; and an operation terminal device having a display unit. The image processing device includes notification means that notifies, when detecting a state change, the operation terminal device of state information via radio communication. The operation terminal device includes display control means that causes, when receiving notification of the state information from the image processing device via radio communication, the display unit to display an operation screen of the image processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an image processing device, an operation terminal device, an information processing method, and a program that can improve user operability.

In recent years, with the enhancement of functions of image processing apparatuses, a proposal has been made to adopt a configuration in which the operation unit can be removed (Patent Document 1).
In addition, a proposal has been made to edit an image by enhancing the functionality of an operation unit from which an image processing apparatus can be removed (Patent Document 2).
Furthermore, a technique has been proposed in which a device that is desired to be printed out is selected from a plurality of devices connected thereto from the operation unit of the device, and printing is performed (Patent Document 3).

JP 2009-139772 A JP 2009-101212 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-146731

In the operation unit that can be detached from the image processing apparatus as in the above prior art, it is necessary for the user to select a plurality of apparatuses connected thereto. However, it may be determined that the user does not need to select an image processing apparatus that the user wants to operate as in the related art. As an example, the case where the detachable operation unit is not used and the manuscript is placed on an image processing apparatus to be operated. In this case, it is obvious that the image processing apparatus to be operated is an apparatus on which an original is placed.
Therefore, it is very wasteful for the user to perform an operation of selecting from among a plurality of image devices connected to the operation unit, and there is a problem that the user is not easy to use.

  Therefore, the present invention is an information processing system including a plurality of image processing devices and an operation terminal device having a display unit, and the image processing device detects the state change via wireless communication when detecting a state change. A notification unit configured to notify the terminal device of status information; and when the operation terminal device receives the status information notification from the image processing device via the wireless communication, the operation screen of the image processing device is displayed. Display control means for displaying on the screen.

  According to the present invention, user operability can be improved.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration etc. of an information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions etc. of a 1st image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an operation part. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions etc. of a 2nd image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the information processing of an information processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation screen etc.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system.
The first image processing apparatus 101 has a copy function and a function of receiving and printing print data from a PC via an external interface such as a network interface or a local interface. The hardware configuration of the first image processing apparatus 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The operation unit 102 detachable from the first image processing apparatus 101 is a content that is input when the user uses the first image processing apparatus 101 or when the user performs setting of the first image processing apparatus 101. Confirmation is displayed. Information exchange between the first image processing apparatus 101 and the operation unit 102 in the detached state is performed by wireless communication. The hardware configuration of the operation unit 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Information processing between the first image processing apparatus 101 and the operation unit 102 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The second image processing apparatus 103 is an image processing apparatus having a lower function than the first image processing apparatus 101. The operation unit 102 of the first image processing apparatus 101 can be removed and wireless communication can be performed, whereas the operation unit of the second image processing apparatus 103 is not removable and is connected by wire. Therefore, detailed description of the second image processing apparatus 103 is omitted, and only differences from the first image processing apparatus 101 will be described later.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the first image processing apparatus 101.
The controller unit 201 processes print data received via the network I / F 212 or the local I / F 213. The controller unit 201 includes a CPU 220 and has an ASIC 211 that mainly performs processing for passing print data to the engine unit 202. The controller unit 201 also includes a ROM 218 that stores programs, temporarily stores user data, and the like, and an RAM 219 that is an image development area and a program work area when processing print data. Further, the controller unit 201 communicates the status of the image processing apparatus to the user, and when the operation unit 102 that can perform operation input from the user is removed, the controller unit 201 exchanges operation unit information with the operation unit 102 and the antenna 216. Have The operation unit information is an image or a display command displayed on the LCD display unit 307 of FIG. 3 described later on the operation unit 102, or key operation information input from the key operation unit 306 of FIG. is there. When the operation unit 102 is attached to the first image processing apparatus 101, operation unit information is exchanged with the operation unit 102 via the operation unit interface 217. In that case, the wireless control unit 215 of the first image processing apparatus 101 and the wireless control unit 304 of FIG. 3 to be described later on the operation unit 102 are controlled by the respective CPUs (CPU 220 and CPU 301). You can also turn off the input power.

The controller unit 201 includes a network I / F 212 and a local I / F 213 that perform data transmission / reception with a PC via an external interface. As the external interface, Ethernet (registered trademark), USB, or the like is assumed. The controller unit 201 also includes an engine I / F 214 that sends the processed print data to the engine unit 202.
Further, the first image processing apparatus 101 includes an engine unit 202 that prints print data from the controller unit 201 on paper.
The controller unit 201 includes a reader I / F 221. The document image data read by the reader unit 222 is subjected to image processing by the ASIC 211, and is output to the engine unit 202 through the engine I / F 214. Alternatively, the image data is output through the network I / F 212 and the local I / F 213.
When the CPU 220 executes processing based on a program stored in the ROM 218 or the RAM 219, the functions and the like of the first image processing apparatus 101 are realized.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the operation unit 102.
In the operation unit 102, a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, and a wireless control unit 304 are connected via a bus 310. An antenna 305 is connected to the wireless control unit 304. The key operation unit 306 and the LCD display unit 307 are connected to the CPU 301. The LCD display unit 307 has a touch panel function, and can detect which place on the LCD display unit 307 is pressed. The ROM 302 stores a program for controlling the entire operation unit 102. The CPU 301 executes this program. The ROM 302 stores display data, settings, and the like of the first image processing apparatus 101 and the second image processing apparatus 103. The CPU 301 performs display on the LCD display unit 307 based on these data and the like.
The key operation unit 306 is used when a user inputs a command when using the first image processing apparatus 101. The LCD display unit 307 performs a content confirmation display when the state of the first image processing apparatus 101 or the user sets the first image processing apparatus 101. The LCD display unit 307 is a touch panel, and operation detection is performed by the key operation unit 306.

The main body connection unit 308 is a wired interface that exchanges information between the first image processing apparatus 101 and the operation unit 102 in a state where the operation unit 102 is mounted on the first image processing apparatus 101. The main body connection unit 308 includes a data signal line, a control signal line, and a power supply line. In a state where the operation unit 102 is attached to the first image processing apparatus 101, power is supplied from the first image processing apparatus 101 to the operation unit 102 through this power supply line. Further, since the communication with the wireless control unit 304 is not performed when the operation unit 102 is attached to the first image processing apparatus 101, the CPU 301 can also stop the power supply to the wireless control unit 304.
The battery 309 is a rechargeable secondary battery that supplies power to the entire operation unit 102. When the operation unit 102 is attached to the first image processing apparatus 101, power is not supplied from the battery 309 and power is supplied from the first image processing apparatus 101 to the operation unit 102 via the main body connection unit 308. Done. In a state where the operation unit 102 is detached from the first image processing apparatus 101, power is supplied from the battery 309 to the operation unit 102.
When the CPU 301 executes processing based on a program stored in the ROM 302 or the like, the function of the operation unit 102 and the processing of the flowchart of the operation unit 102 described later are realized.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the second image processing apparatus 103. The hardware configuration of the second image processing apparatus 103 is substantially the same as the hardware configuration of the first image processing apparatus 101 in FIG. Those having the same last two digits have the same function. For this reason, below, it demonstrates mainly regarding a different part.
Unlike the operation unit 102, the operation unit 423 of the second image processing apparatus 103 is an operation unit with a limited function. The main body connection unit 424 of the second image processing apparatus 103 is a connection unit between the operation unit 423 of the second image processing apparatus 103 and the controller unit 401 of the second image processing apparatus 103. The key operation unit 426 of the second image processing apparatus 103 is controlled through the main body connection unit 424 from the CPU 420 or the like of the second image processing apparatus 103. Similarly, the LCD display unit 425 of the second image processing apparatus 103 that performs display on the second image processing apparatus 103 is also directly controlled from the CPU 420 or the like of the second image processing apparatus 103.
The CPU 420 executes processing based on a program stored in the ROM 418 or the RAM 419, thereby realizing the function of the second image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of information processing of the information processing system. FIG. 5A shows the operation (S501 to S506) of the second image processing apparatus 103 that has detected the document. FIG. 5B shows the operation of the operation unit 102 removed from the first first image processing apparatus 101 (S507 to S518).
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of display on the LCD display unit 307 of the operation unit 102.
When the user places a document on the reader unit 422 in the second image processing apparatus 103, the CPU 420 detects that a document has been placed through the reader I / F 421 in S501.
In step S <b> 502, the CPU 420 notifies the operation unit 102 removed from the first image processing apparatus 101 of document detection data indicating that a document is detected through the wireless communication unit 415 and the antenna 416. The document detection data is an example of status information.

In step S503, the CPU 420 waits for a reply indicating that the operation unit 102 can be used through wireless communication from the operation unit 102. If the CPU 420 receives data indicating that the data can be used, the process proceeds to S504. If the CPU 420 receives data indicating that the data cannot be used, the process proceeds to S505.
In S504, CPU 420 operates in accordance with data from operation unit 102. More specifically, when the user operates the operation unit 102 to instruct a copy operation, the CPU 420 receives an instruction from the operation unit 102 to execute the copy operation and causes the engine unit 402 to execute the copy operation. Control etc.
In step S505, the CPU 420 operates the operation unit 423 in the second image processing apparatus 103 as an operation unit, and ends the process of FIG.
In S506, when the CPU 420 receives data indicating that it cannot be used from the operation unit 102, the process of FIG.

S507 and subsequent steps are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the operation unit 102.
In S507, the CPU 301 determines whether or not it has been removed. If the CPU 301 has been removed, the process proceeds to S509. If the CPU 301 has not been removed, the process proceeds to S508.
In step S <b> 508, the CPU 301 operates as an operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101.
On the other hand, in S <b> 509, the CPU 301 confirms that it is not used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101. The CPU 301 monitors and confirms whether it is attached to the first image processing apparatus 101 through the main body connection unit 308 in the operation unit 102. When the CPU 301 is used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101, the process proceeds to S515. When the CPU 301 is not used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101, the process proceeds to S510.
In S510, the CPU 301 confirms whether or not the original detection data of the second image processing apparatus 103 has been received. Here, the CPU 301 always detects reception of document detection data from the second image processing apparatus 103 via the antenna 305 and the wireless control unit 304. If the document detection data has been received, the CPU 301 proceeds to S511, otherwise proceeds to S515.

In step S <b> 511, the CPU 301 transmits use permission data indicating use permission of the operation unit 102 to the second image processing apparatus 103.
Thereafter, in S <b> 512, the CPU 301 operates as an operation unit of the second image processing apparatus 103. More specifically, the CPU 301 reads display data of the second image processing apparatus 103 from the ROM 302, transmits the data to the LCD display unit 307, and controls to perform display (display control). FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of the second image processing apparatus 103.
Further, the CPU 301 detects an input from the key operation unit 306 via an operation screen or the like, and transmits key operation data to the second image processing apparatus 103 through the wireless control unit 304 and the antenna 305. The key operation data is an example of operation data acquired via the operation screen.
In S513, the CPU 301 confirms whether the operation unit 102 has not been operated for a certain period of time. If there is no operation for a certain period of time, the CPU 301 proceeds to S514. If there is an operation, the CPU 301 returns to the process of S512.
In step S <b> 514, the CPU 301 considers that the operation of the second image processing apparatus 103 has ended, and transmits unusable data indicating unusable to the second image processing apparatus 103.

Here, the CPU 301 has been described as proceeding to S515 when it is determined to be YES in S509. However, the CPU 301 may not proceed directly to S515 from S509 but perform the determination as in S510. In other words, when the operation unit 102 is used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101, it may be determined whether or not document detection data is received from the second image processing apparatus 103. When the operation unit 102 is used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101 and receives document detection data from the second image processing apparatus 103, the CPU 301 displays the operation screen illustrated in FIG. May be displayed on the LCD display unit 307. In the operation screen of FIG. 6B, the fact that the document is set in the second image processing apparatus 103 is displayed at 601 as the content of the document detection data. 6B is currently used as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101, the user is prompted to switch it to the operation unit of the second image processing apparatus 103. , A switch button 602 is displayed. The switch button 602 is an example of a switch object.
If it is determined in the above determination that the original detection data has not been received from the second image processing apparatus 103, the CPU 301 may proceed to S515.

In S515, the CPU 301 monitors whether the operation unit 102 has been operated for a certain period of time. The CPU 301 operates as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101 while the operation unit 102 is operated. If the operation unit 102 has not been operated for a certain period of time, the process proceeds to S516.
In S516, the CPU 301 changes the display on the LCD display unit 307 to a selection screen for selecting a device as shown in FIG. 6C.
In step S517, the CPU 301 determines whether the first image processing apparatus 101 has been selected on the selection screen. If the button 603 has been selected, the CPU 301 determines that the first image processing apparatus 101 has been selected, and proceeds to S508. If the button 603 has not been selected, the first image processing apparatus 101 has been selected. It is determined that there is not, and the process proceeds to S518. By proceeding to S508, the operation unit 102 operates as the operation unit of the first image processing apparatus 101.
In S518, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the second image processing apparatus 103 has been selected on the selection screen. If the button 604 is selected, the CPU 301 determines that the second image processing apparatus 103 is selected, and proceeds to S511. If the button 604 is not selected, the second image processing apparatus 103 is selected. It is determined that there is not, and the process returns to S517. By proceeding to S511, the operation unit 102 operates as the operation unit of the second image processing apparatus 103.

When an image processing apparatus is selected on the selection screen, the CPU 301 does not automatically switch the display of the LCD display unit 307 to the operation screen of an image processing apparatus other than the selected image processing apparatus. Good.
Further, when an error occurs, the CPU of the image processing apparatus may transmit state change information indicating that an error has occurred to the operation unit 102. When receiving the information, the CPU 301 of the operation unit 102 may perform display control so that an error message including information for identifying an image processing apparatus in which an error has occurred is displayed on the LCD display unit 307.
In addition, when the CPU of the image processing apparatus receives use permission data from the operation unit 102, the LED or the like in the image processing apparatus is turned on and blinked to clearly indicate that the operation unit 102 is operating. Good.
Further, the CPU 301 of the operation unit 102 may perform display control so that an image read by the second image processing apparatus 103 having no removal operation unit is received through wireless communication and displayed on the LCD display unit 307.
The wireless communication method may be a short-range wireless communication method such as WiFi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), ZigBee, or infrared communication.
Further, the LCD display unit of the operation unit 102 may be different from the key operation unit instead of the touch panel.

In the present embodiment, two image processing apparatuses included in the information processing system have been described as an example. However, the operation unit 102 may be configured to be connected to more image processing apparatuses by wireless communication. Good. Furthermore, a program that performs the same operation as the operation unit 102 can be installed in a device such as a smartphone, and the device can be used in place of the operation unit 102. The operation unit 102, the smartphone, and the like are examples of the operation terminal device.
According to the processing of this embodiment, the panel display of the operation unit 102 is automatically switched to that of the image processing apparatus used by the user, so that convenience for the user is improved. In particular, if there are many image processing apparatuses connected, the operation unit is changed to an image processing apparatus that the user wants to use by inserting a document, which is convenient. Alternatively, it is possible to set the first image processing apparatus 101 and the second image processing apparatus 103 that can be connected to the operation unit 102 by one operation unit 102, so that convenience for the user is improved.
Further, according to the processing of the present embodiment, the user can find the image processing apparatus in which an error has occurred while operating another image processing apparatus on the operation unit 102, so that convenience is improved.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus read and execute the program This process can be realized. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

  As described above, according to the processing of the above-described embodiment, user operability can be improved.

101 image processing apparatus, 102 operation unit, 220 CPU

Claims (15)

An information processing system including a plurality of image processing devices and an operation terminal device having a display unit,
The image processing apparatus includes:
When detecting a change in state, it has a notification means for notifying the operation terminal device of state information via wireless communication,
The operation terminal device
An information processing system comprising: display control means for displaying an operation screen of the image processing apparatus on the display unit when receiving the status information notification from the image processing apparatus via the wireless communication.   When the display control unit displays the operation screen of another image processing apparatus included in the information processing system on the display unit when receiving the notification of the state information from the image processing apparatus, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the state information is displayed on a screen.   When the display control unit displays the operation screen of another image processing apparatus included in the information processing system on the display unit when receiving the notification of the state information from the image processing apparatus, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein a switching object for switching to an operation screen of the image processing apparatus is displayed on a screen.   When the display control unit displays the operation screen of another image processing apparatus included in the information processing system on the display unit when receiving the notification of the state information from the image processing apparatus, The information processing according to claim 1, wherein a selection screen for selecting whether to display an operation screen of a processing device on the display unit or to display an operation screen of the other image processing device on the display unit is displayed on the display unit. system.   5. The notification unit according to claim 1, wherein, when detecting that a document is set, the notification unit notifies the operation terminal device that the document has been set as the status information via wireless communication. 6. Information processing system. Upon detecting the state change, a notification means for notifying the operation terminal device of the state information via wireless communication,
Control means for executing processing in accordance with the operation data when the operation data acquired via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal device is received from the operation terminal device via the wireless communication; ,
An image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the notification unit detects that a document has been set, the notification unit notifies the operation terminal device that the document has been set as the status information via wireless communication. An operation terminal device having a display unit,
Display control means for displaying an operation screen of the image processing device on the display unit upon receiving notification of the status information of the image processing device from the image processing device via wireless communication;
Transmission means for transmitting operation data for the image processing apparatus acquired via the operation screen to the image processing apparatus via the wireless communication;
An operating terminal device.   When the display control means displays an operation screen of another image processing apparatus on the display unit when receiving the notification of the state information from the image processing apparatus, the content of the state information is displayed on the operation screen. The operation terminal device according to claim 8, which is displayed.   When the display control unit displays an operation screen of another image processing apparatus on the display unit when receiving the notification of the state information from the image processing apparatus, the display control unit displays the operation screen of the image processing apparatus on the operation screen. The operation terminal device according to claim 8, wherein a switching object to be switched to the operation screen is displayed.   The display control means displays the operation screen of the image processing apparatus when the operation screen of another image processing apparatus is displayed on the display unit when receiving the notification of the status information from the image processing apparatus. The operation terminal device according to claim 8, wherein a selection screen for selecting whether to display on the display unit or to display the operation screen of the other image processing device on the display unit is displayed on the display unit. An information processing method executed by an image processing apparatus,
When detecting a state change, a notification step of notifying the operation terminal device of the state information via wireless communication;
A control step of executing processing according to the operation data when receiving operation data acquired via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal device from the operation terminal device via the wireless communication; ,
An information processing method including: An information processing method executed by an operation terminal device having a display unit,
When receiving notification of the status information of the image processing device from the image processing device via wireless communication, a display control step for displaying an operation screen of the image processing device on the display unit;
A step of transmitting operation data for the image processing apparatus acquired via the operation screen to the image processing apparatus via the wireless communication;
An information processing method including: On the computer,
When detecting a state change, a notification step of notifying the operation terminal device of the state information via wireless communication;
A control step of executing processing according to the operation data when receiving operation data acquired via the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the operation terminal device from the operation terminal device via the wireless communication; ,
A program for running To a computer having a display unit,
When receiving notification of the status information of the image processing device from the image processing device via wireless communication, a display control step for displaying an operation screen of the image processing device on the display unit;
A step of transmitting operation data for the image processing apparatus acquired via the operation screen to the image processing apparatus via the wireless communication;
A program for running

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