JP5176806B2 - Image forming apparatus, information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

  In recent years, office equipment such as image forming apparatuses and FAX apparatuses are frequently used in offices, and work efficiency is improved. When office equipment is introduced, people working in the office (office equipment users) register information related to their PCs and make settings (customization) related to the functions they want to the office equipment. As a result, business efficiency can be improved.

  Such setting can be performed via the operation panel of the office device. However, unlike the setting on the PC, the operation on the operation panel of each office device is complicated and complicated. Further, when there are a plurality of office devices to be used, it is necessary to repeat the same operation for each office device.

Thus, conventionally, a technique has been proposed in which each office device downloads setting data set on a PC (for example, Patent Document 1). According to such a technique, settings relating to office equipment can be relatively easily performed on a PC.
JP 2004-234617 A

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the downloaded setting data is commonly applied to all users who use the device. Therefore, each user has to accept a common setting, and in order to realize the individual setting, it is necessary to perform the setting again on the operation panel of each office device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and information that can appropriately realize execution of a function according to a setting desired by each user An object is to provide a processing method and a program.

  Accordingly, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus, function identification information for identifying a function that an application included in an information processing apparatus connected via a network requests the image forming apparatus to execute. And application information receiving means for receiving application information including user identification information for identifying a user associated with the application from the information processing apparatus and recording it in the application information management means, and an operator of the image forming apparatus A list of application information related to user identification information is acquired from the application information management means and displayed on a display device, and at least a function related to the function identification information included in the application information selected in the list Setting information reception for receiving setting information from the information processing apparatus And having a stage, and a function execution controlling unit to execute based on the functions according to the function identification information in the setting information.

  In such an image forming apparatus, it is possible to appropriately realize the execution of the function according to the setting desired by each user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of appropriately realizing the execution of functions according to settings desired by each user. .

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration in the first embodiment. In the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 and the client PC 20 are connected via a network 30 (whether wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine that implements functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and FAX transmission / reception with a single casing. However, an apparatus (printer, scanner, copier, facsimile, etc.) that realizes any one of the functions may be used as the image forming apparatus 10. In FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes software such as a server application 12 and an application platform 13.

  The server application 12 is an application program that operates in cooperation with an application program (a client application 22 described later) in the client PC 20, and includes a client application registration unit 121, a UI control unit 122, a client application detection unit 123, and a service control unit 124. A function control unit 125, a client application cooperation unit 126, a client application management table 127, and the like.

  The client application detection unit 123 automatically detects the presence of the client application 22 via the network 30. The client application registration unit 121 acquires information about the client application 22 detected by the client application detection unit 123 (hereinafter referred to as “client application information”) from the client application 22, and stores the client application information in the client application management table. 127 is registered (recorded). The client registration unit 121 also deletes the client application information whose expiration date has expired from the client application management table 127.

  The UI control unit 122 displays a screen for using the client application 22 on the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the UI control unit 122 displays a list (client application list) of client applications 22 in which client application information is registered in the client application management table 127, and causes the user to select the client application 22 to be executed. That is, the execution instruction of the client application 22 is input on the image forming apparatus 10 side. The service control unit 124 controls the execution of a service that the client application 22 that is the execution target requests the image forming apparatus 10 to execute. Identification information (service ID) of a service that the client application 22 requests the image forming apparatus 10 to execute is included in the client application information. Note that “service” here means execution of a function realized using hardware resources unique to the image forming apparatus 10 and provision of the execution result of the function. Examples of services include execution of a scan function and provision of image data as a scan result, execution of a print function, provision of a print result, and the like. The client application cooperation unit 126 communicates with the client application 22 in response to an instruction from the service control unit 124. The client application cooperation unit 126 receives setting information (for example, scan setting information (execution condition), etc., hereinafter referred to as “service setting information”) necessary for service execution or a service (function) through the communication. The execution result (for example, scanned image data) is transmitted. The function control unit 125 exists for each function (scanning function, printing function, etc.) of the image forming apparatus 10 and performs processing control corresponding to each function.

  The application platform 13 is software that provides an execution environment for the server application 12, and includes an OS (Operating System) and driver programs for various hardware resources of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The client PC 20 is a general PC (Personal Computer). For example, a plurality of client PCs 20 are arranged for each user. Each client PC 20 has software such as a client application 22 and an application platform 23.

  The client application 22 is an application program that realizes business logic (workflow or the like) implemented in the client application 22 in cooperation with the server application 12, and exists for each business logic. Each client application 22 includes an automatic detection response unit 221, a UI control unit 222, a Web service execution unit 223, a server application cooperation unit 224, an external application execution unit 225, a setting information management file 226, and the like.

  The automatic detection response unit 221 responds to a message for detection of the client application 22 issued (transmitted) by the client application detection unit 123. The automatic detection response unit 221 also returns client application information in response to a request from the client application registration unit 121. In response to a request from the client application cooperation unit 126, the server application cooperation unit 224 transmits service setting information or receives information related to a service execution result. The service setting information is registered in the setting information management file 226. The Web service execution unit 223 uses a service execution result (for example, scanned image data) to realize a function linked to a Web service (not shown). The external application execution unit 225 realizes a function that cooperates with an external application (other application in the client PC 20) (not shown) by using the execution result of the service. Note that the Web service execution unit 223 and the external application execution unit 225 may not include the client application 22 that does not require external cooperation.

  The application platform 23 is software that provides an execution environment for each client application 22 and includes an OS and the like.

  Next, the hardware configuration of each device will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 10 includes hardware such as a controller 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a modem 14, a network interface 15, and an operation panel 16.

  The controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a RAM 112, a ROM 113, an HDD 114, and the like. The ROM 113 stores various programs and data used by the programs. The RAM 112 is used as a storage area for loading a program, a work area for the loaded program, and the like. The CPU 111 realizes various functions by processing a program loaded in the RAM 112. The HDD 114 records programs and various data used by the programs (for example, the client application management table 127).

  The scanner 12 is hardware for reading image data from a document. The printer 13 is hardware for printing image data on printing paper. The modem 14 is hardware for connecting to a telephone line, and is used to execute transmission / reception of image data by FAX communication. The network interface 15 is hardware for connecting to a network (regardless of wired or wireless) such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The operation panel 16 is hardware including a button, a liquid crystal panel, and the like for receiving input from the user and notifying information to the user.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the client PC according to the embodiment of the present invention. The client PC 20 in FIG. 1 includes a drive device 200, an auxiliary storage device 202, a memory device 203, a CPU 204, an interface device 205, a display device 206, and an input device 207, which are connected to each other via a bus B. It is comprised so that it may have.

  A program for realizing processing in the client PC 20 is provided by a recording medium 201 such as a CD-ROM. When the recording medium 201 on which the program is recorded is set in the drive device 200, the program is installed from the recording medium 201 to the auxiliary storage device 202 via the drive device 200. However, it is not always necessary to install the program from the recording medium 201, and the program may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 202 stores the installed program and also stores necessary files and data (for example, the setting information management file 226).

  The memory device 203 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 202 and stores it when there is an instruction to start the program. The CPU 204 implements functions related to the client PC 20 in accordance with programs stored in the memory device 203. The interface device 205 is used as an interface for connecting to a network. The display device 206 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like by a program. The input device 207 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used for inputting various operation instructions.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the system in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when registering client application information.

  In step S <b> 11, the client application detection unit 123 of the server application 12 executes a process (automatic detection process) for detecting the presence of the client application 22 that can be used (activated) on the network 30. The automatic detection process includes, for example, a procedure in which the image forming apparatus 10 automatically detects the client PC 20 connected to the network 30 by broadcasting or the like, and a message for detecting the client application 22 to the detected client PC 20 ( Client application detection message) and a procedure for receiving a response from the automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 in response to the message. Further, the IP address of the client PC 20 to be detected may be registered in advance in the image forming apparatus 10 or may be appropriately input by the user via the operation panel 16. In this case, a procedure for detecting the client PC 20 may be omitted, and a client application detection message may be transmitted to the registered IP address.

  Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 requests the automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 detected by the client application detection unit 123 to transmit client application information (S12). Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 receives the client application information of the client application 22 returned from the automatic detection response unit 221 in response to the request (S13). The client application information is associated with each client application 22 and stored in the auxiliary storage device 202.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of client application information. In the figure, client application information 50 includes management information and presentation information. The management information is information necessary for the server application 12 to execute logic, and includes an application ID, a user ID, a service ID, a client application address, a validity period, and the like. The presentation information is information used as display information, and includes a user display name, a client application display name, and the like.

  The application ID is identification information that uniquely identifies each client application 22. The user ID is user identification information associated with the client application 22. The service ID is the service ID described above. The client application address is identification information for uniquely identifying each client application 22 on the network 30. The validity period is the validity period of the client application information 50, and is used as a determination material when the client application registration unit 121 deletes the client application information 50 from the client application management table 127. The user display name is a character string for displaying the name of the user corresponding to the user ID. The client application display name is a character string for displaying the name of the client application 22.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of client application information. In the figure, client application information 50 a and 50 b are shown as specific examples of the client application information 50.

  The client application information 50a is client application information 50 of a client application 22 called “ScanToMe” (hereinafter referred to as “ScanToMe application”). The ScanToMe application causes the image forming apparatus 10 to execute scanning, and the client application 22 that realizes a function of saving the scanned image data in a predetermined storage area (for example, a predetermined folder) of the auxiliary storage device 202 of the client PC 20. It is. Accordingly, the service ID “scan” indicates the scan function of the image forming apparatus 10. The client application display name is “ScanToMe”. Therefore, the ScanToMe application is represented by the character string “ScanToMe” in the client application list.

  On the other hand, the client application information 50b is client application information 50 of a client application 22 called “MyPrint” (hereinafter referred to as “MyPrint application”). The MyPrint application is a client application 22 that realizes a function of causing the image forming apparatus 10 to print predetermined document data stored in the auxiliary storage device 202 of the client PC 20. Accordingly, the service ID “print” indicates the printing function of the image forming apparatus 10. The client application display name is “MyPrint”. Therefore, the MyPrint application is represented by a character string “MyPrint” in the client application list.

  In the client application information 50a and 50b, the URL assigned to each client application 22 is used as the client application address. However, the client application address is not limited to the URL. Any information that can identify each client application 22 on the network 30 may be used. For example, a combination of an IP address of the client PC 20 and information (for example, a port number) that can identify the client application 22 in the client PC 20. There may be.

  In response to the reception of such client application information 50, the client application registration unit 121 determines whether or not the received client application information 50 is already registered in the client application management table 127 (S14). The client application information 50 may be matched based on the application ID, user ID, and client application address. Even if the client application 22 has the same function (for example, the ScanToMe application), the client application address is different if the installed client PC 20 is different. In addition, the user ID is different for different users. Considering such a point, it is appropriate to identify each client application 22 by a combination of an application ID, a user ID, and a client application address.

  When the client application information 50 is not registered (No in S14), the client application registration unit 121 newly registers the client application information 50 in the client application management table 127 (S15).

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the client application management table. As shown in the figure, the value of each item of the client application information is registered in the client application management table 127 as it is. However, the validity period is replaced with the validity period. That is, the client application registration unit 121 registers the time obtained by adding the validity period to the time at the time of registration in the client application management table 127 as the validity period. Note that the client management table 127 in the figure shows a state in which the client application information 50a and 50b in FIG. 6 are registered.

  Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 transmits a message indicating that the client application information 50 has been registered to the automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 corresponding to the registered client application information 50 (S16). .

  On the other hand, when the received client application information 50 is already registered in the client application management table 127 (Yes in S14), the client application registration unit 121 converts the already registered record into the received client application information 50. (S17). The expiration date is updated (extended) by renewal. Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 transmits a message indicating that the client application information 50 has been updated to the automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 corresponding to the client application information 50 (S18).

  Note that the client registration unit 121 may include information indicating the expiration date of the client application information 50 in the message transmitted in step S16 or step S18. The automatic detection response unit 221 that has received the information may transmit a re-registration request for the client application information 50 to the client application registration unit 121 within the validity period based on the information.

  Further, in accordance with step S16 or step S18, the UI control unit 222 of the client application 22 may cause the display device 206 to pop up a screen indicating that the client application information 22 has been registered or updated. In this case, the message in step S16 or S18 may include identification information (information indicating the device name or arrangement position) of the image forming apparatus 10 that has registered the client application information 50. By doing so, the UI control unit 222 can display the identification information of the registered image forming apparatus 10 together with the client application display name of the client application 22 corresponding to the client application information 22 on the screen. As a result, the user who refers to the screen can recognize which image forming apparatus 10 can use the client application 22.

  Next, a processing procedure when using (executing) the client application 22 will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when the client application is executed.

  For example, when a user (an operator of the image forming apparatus 10) presses a predetermined key (a key corresponding to the server application 12) on the operation panel 16, the UI control unit 122 of the server application 12 displays a login screen for the server application 12. Is displayed (S21). Subsequently, when the user inputs the user ID and password via the login screen, the UI control unit 122 causes the authentication unit (not shown) to perform user authentication (S22). If the authentication is successful, the user is recognized as a login user in the image forming apparatus 10 and the subsequent processing is executed. The operator may be identified using an IC card. That is, the operator may be identified based on information read from the IC card by a card reader connected to the image forming apparatus 10. If the security requirements are low, the user list may be simply displayed on the operation panel 16 so that the user selected in the user list is identified as the operator.

  Subsequently, the UI control unit 122 searches the client application management table 127 for client application information having a user ID that matches the user ID of the login user, and a list of client application display names of the searched client application information (client application) List) is displayed on the operation panel 16 (S23). That is, each user can use only the client application 22 including his / her user ID in the application information.

  Subsequently, the client application 22 to be executed is selected in the client application list, and the start key on the operation panel 16 is pressed (S24). In response to pressing of the start key, the UI control unit 122 notifies the service control unit 124 of the service ID included in the client application information of the selected client application 22 (hereinafter referred to as “current client application”). The service control unit 124 performs processing control according to the notified service ID. That is, the service control unit 124 knows the meaning of the service ID and knows what function should be executed for each service ID. The association between the service ID and the function to be executed may be incorporated as a logic in the service control unit 124 or may be stored in the HDD 114 as a definition file.

  Moreover, it can also be as follows as another form of the process of said S21-S24. Before the operator performs the login process of S22, a list of client application display names of client application information registered in the client application management table is displayed on the operation panel 16 (S231), and a desired client is displayed from the displayed list. When an application is selected, a list of users associated with the selected client application is acquired from the client application management table and displayed on the operation panel 16 (S232), and a user is selected from the list of users displayed on the operation panel 16. Is selected, a login process is executed for the selected user (S22). If the user authentication is successful through the login process, the service control unit is notified of the service ID by pressing the start key on the operation panel 16 (S24).

  For example, when it is necessary to obtain service setting information from the current client application, the service control unit 124 sends service setting information corresponding to the service ID to the client application cooperation unit 126 (for example, if the service ID is “scan”). For example, if the service ID is “print”, the print function setting information is acquired. At this time, the client application address of the current client application is notified to the client application cooperation unit 126. In response to the instruction, the client application cooperation unit 126 requests the current client application 22 to transmit service setting information based on the client application address (S25).

  When the server application cooperation unit 224 of the current client application receives the request, it acquires (reads) the service setting information from the setting information management file 226 corresponding to the current client application, and sends the service setting information to the client application cooperation unit 126. Reply (S26).

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of service setting information. In the figure, 226a is an example of service setting information stored in the setting information management file 226 of the ScanToMe application. 226b is an example of service setting information stored in the setting information management file 226 of the MyPrint application.

  Each service setting information includes server information and client information. The server information is information necessary for the image forming apparatus 10 (server application 12) to execute a service. The client information is information necessary for the client PC 20 (client application 22) to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a service.

  For example, the server information in the service setting information 226a is a scan execution condition. The client information is the name of the folder in which image data that is the scan execution result should be saved. The server information in the service setting information 226b is a printing execution condition. The client information is the name of a file to be printed.

  Therefore, basically, all the service setting information does not need to be transmitted to the server application 12. It is sufficient that at least server information is transmitted. However, in the case of the MyPrint application, the target file specified in the client information is acquired, and the target file is transmitted to the server application 12 together with the server information. As described above, the positioning of client information (the timing of use, etc.) can vary depending on the client application 22.

  The service setting information received by the client application cooperation unit 126 is notified to the service control unit 124. The service control unit 124 calls the function control unit 125 corresponding to the service ID and notifies the service setting information.

  The service setting information may be transmitted to the client application registration unit 121 together with the client information 50 when the client application 22 is detected and registered in the client application management table 127. In this case, service setting information does not need to be acquired in steps S25 and S26. However, considering that the built-in device such as the image forming apparatus 10 has a small memory capacity, it is preferable that only the client application information 50 is registered in the client application management table 127.

  Subsequently, the called function control unit 125 executes the function (such as a scan function or a print function) based on the service setting information (S27). For example, in the case of the function control unit 125 corresponding to the scan function, the service control unit 125 causes the scanner 12 to scan the document set on the image forming apparatus 10 by the user, and uses the image data obtained as a result as the function execution result. It outputs to 124. Further, in the case of the function control unit 125 corresponding to the printing function, the printer 13 is caused to print the file to be printed received from the client application 22 together with the service setting information, and the result (for example, success or failure of printing) is indicated. Information is output to the service control unit 124 as a function execution result.

  The service control unit 124 instructs the client application cooperation unit 126 to transmit the execution result of the function to the current client application. In response to the instruction, the client application cooperation unit 126 transmits the execution result of the function (service) to the server application cooperation unit 224 (S28).

  When the execution result of the function is received by the server application cooperation unit 224, the current client application executes processing according to the business logic implemented in itself. For example, the current client application stores the image data (scanned) included in the function execution result in the storage destination registered in the client information of the service setting information 226a. Also, the current client application causes the display device 206 to display the print result included in the function execution result. If the current client application is the client application 22 that cooperates with the external application 27, the external application execution unit 225 of the current client application calls the external application 27 and notifies the external application 27 of the function execution result (S29). . The called external application 27 executes a process specific to the external application 27 (S30). The processing by the external application 27 is not limited to a predetermined one, but varies depending on the solution or workflow to be realized. For example, OCR (Optical Character Reader) may be executed on the scanned image, or the scanned image may be registered in a predetermined document management DB.

  When the external application execution unit 225 detects the execution of the process of the external application 27 (S31), the server application linkage unit 224 notifies the client application linkage unit 126 of the end of the current client application process (client process) (S32). ). In response to the reception of the client process notification by the client application cooperation unit 126, the UI control unit 122 displays the end of the process by the current client application on the operation panel 16 (S33).

By the way, the client application 22 detected by the client application detection unit 123 is not always activated. For example, the activation of the client application 22 may be stopped depending on the convenience of the user. The client PC 20 may be turned off. In addition, the client application 22 may be activated after the automatic detection process by the client application detection unit 123 is executed. Therefore, inconsistency may occur between the client application management table 127 and the client application 22 that can actually be used. Then, a situation may occur in which the client application 22 selected in the client application list displayed on the operation panel 16 cannot be executed, or the executable client application 22 is not included in the client application list. The application detection unit 123 may perform automatic detection of the client application 22 periodically (for example, every few seconds, several minutes, or every several hours). By doing so, the client application information 50 of the newly started client application 22 can be appropriately registered in the client application management table 127. In addition, the client application registration unit 121 may periodically execute the process shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of deleting client application information from the client application management table.

  In step S41, the client application registration unit 121 sets the first record among the records registered in the client application management table 127 as a check target. Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 determines whether or not the check has been completed for all the records in the client application management table 127 (S42).

  When the check is completed for all the records (Yes in S42), the process in FIG. 10 ends. When the check has not been completed for all the records (No in S42), the client application registration unit 121 determines whether or not the client application information 50 related to the record to be checked is a deletion target (S43). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the current time has passed the expiration date of the client application information 50.

  When the client application information 50 is to be deleted (when the current time has expired) (Yes in S43), the client application registration unit 121 deletes the client application information 50 from the client application management table 127. (S44). Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 notifies the automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 related to the client application information 50 of the deletion of the client application information 50 (S45). The automatic detection response unit 221 of the client application 22 that has received the notification (that is, the client application 22 that has been unregistered in the client application management table 127 despite being in an executable state) responds to the notification. A request for re-registration of the application information 50 may be transmitted to the client application registration unit 121 again.

  Subsequently, the client application registration unit 121 sets the check target as the next record (S46), and repeats the processing after step S42.

  According to the processing in FIG. 10, the client application information 50 whose expiration date has expired can be deleted from the client application management table 127. Therefore, in combination with the periodic automatic detection processing by the client application detection unit 123, inconsistency between the client application management table 127 and the actually usable client application 22 can be reduced.

  Even if the client application 22 has the application information 50 deleted due to the expiration date, the client application information 50 of the client application 22 is re-stored in the client application management table 127 if detected by the client application detection unit 123 thereafter. be registered. After re-registration, the client application 22 can be executed by the image forming apparatus 10 as described in FIG.

  Further, the client PC 20 notifies the image forming apparatus 10 that the client application 22 has ended, so that the client application information regarding the client PC 20 that has received the notification from the client application management unit regardless of the expiration date of each client application information. May be deleted.

  In the above description, an example in which the server application 12 detects the client application 22 has been described. However, the client application 22 may detect the server application 12 and request registration of its own client application information 50. FIG. 11 shows a system configuration example of such a form.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second system configuration example according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same parts as those in FIG. The server application 12 in the figure does not have the client application detection unit 123. Further, the client application 22 includes a server application detection unit 227 instead of the automatic detection response unit 221.

  In the case of the configuration shown in the figure, the server application detection unit 227 of each client application 22 transmits a detection message (server application detection message) of the server application 12 on the network 30. When receiving the server application detection message, the client application registration unit 121 of each server application 12 transmits a response to the message. The server application detection unit 227 transmits the client application information to the client application registration unit 121 that has transmitted the response. After that, it may be the same as after step S14 in FIG.

  In the server application detection message, the service ID of the service that the client application 22 wants to use (that is, the service ID included in the service setting information related to the client application 22) may be included. Upon receiving the server application detection message including the service ID, the client application registration unit 121 determines whether or not the function corresponding to the service ID can be executed in the image forming apparatus 10 (function control corresponding to the service ID). Whether or not the unit 125 exists) is determined, and when the function can be executed, a response may be transmitted. By doing so, the client application information of the client application 22 is registered only for the image forming apparatus 10 that can execute the service requested by the client application 22. As a result, only the client applications 22 that can be provided by the image forming apparatus 10 can be displayed on the operation panel 16 as a client application list. The determination of whether or not the function corresponding to the service ID can be executed in the image forming apparatus 10 may be performed, for example, by storing a list of executable service IDs in the HDD 114 in advance and based on the list.

  On the other hand, similarly in the case of the configuration of FIG. 1, the client application detection unit 123 may include a list of service IDs of services executable by the image forming apparatus 10 in the client detection message. The automatic detection response unit 221 of each client application 22 that has received the client detection message returns a response if the service ID included in the client detection message is the service ID of the service requested by itself. By doing so, only the client application information of the client application 22 that requests a service regarding a function executable by the image forming apparatus 10 is registered in the client application management table 127.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to execute an arbitrary client application 22 (workflow) incorporating the function of the image forming apparatus 10 from the operation panel 16 of the image forming apparatus 10. is there. At this time, the function of the image forming apparatus 10 holds setting information (service setting information) for each client application 22 associated with the user, so a more personal (specific to each user) workflow is realized. can do.

  Further, the operation for executing each client application 22 is uniform (selection from the client application list and pressing of the start key) even if different functions or workflows are performed. There is no need to learn operations for execution for each workflow.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 10 only needs to provide a simple image input / output function, and additional processing is executed on the client PC 20. For this reason, the complexity of the functions of the image forming apparatus 10 can be avoided, and complex functions can be implemented on the client PC 20 with few restrictions in every sense.

  Each client application 22 is automatically detected and registered in the image forming apparatus 10. Accordingly, it is not necessary for the user to register each client application 22 in the image forming apparatus 10. Further, since the client application 22 on the absent client PC 20 can be excluded from registration targets, it is possible to avoid presenting unnecessary execution candidates when the client application 22 is selected in the image forming apparatus 10. .

  Next, a second embodiment will be described as a modification of the configuration of the client application 22. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of the client PC according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the same parts as those in FIG. A software configuration example of the image forming apparatus 10 may be the same as that shown in FIG.

  The second embodiment is greatly different from the first embodiment in that the client PC 20 has a client application manager 24. The client application manager 24 is a part that performs processing (communication processing or the like) related to cooperation with the server application 12 in an integrated or common manner with respect to the plurality of client applications 22a. In the figure, the client application manager 24 includes an automatic detection response unit 241, a server application cooperation unit 242, a client application registration unit 243, a client application management table 244, a result management unit 245, and the like.

  The functions of the automatic detection response unit 241 and the server application cooperation unit 242 are the same as those of the automatic detection response unit 221 and the server application cooperation unit 242 in FIG. However, the automatic detection response unit 241 and the server application cooperation unit 242 are different in that each function is executed in an integrated manner on behalf of each client application 22a whose client application information is registered in the client application management table 244. The client application registration unit 243 registers the client application information notified from each client application 22a in the client application management table 244. The result management unit 245 manages the execution result of the function received by the server application cooperation unit 242 and transmits it to the client application 22a corresponding to the execution result. The client application manager 24 manages not only the client application 22a that operates on the same client PC 20, but also the client application 22a that operates on another device (for example, the portable terminal 50 capable of wireless communication with the client PC 20). Is possible.

  On the other hand, each client application 22a includes a UI control unit 222, a Web service execution unit 223, an external application execution unit 225, a setting information management file 226, a registration request unit 228, a result acquisition unit 229, and the like. The registration request unit 228 requests the client application registration unit 243 of the client application manager 24 to register the client application information of the client application 22a. The result acquisition unit 229 acquires the execution result of the function managed by the result management unit 245. In the second embodiment, each client application 22a does not have a function corresponding to the automatic detection response unit 221 and the server application cooperation unit 224. This is because the client application manager 24 acts as an agent as described above.

  The processing procedure of the system in the second embodiment will be described below. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram for explaining client application registration processing with respect to the client application manager.

  In steps S51 and S52, the application platform 23 activates the client application manager 24 and each client application 22a in response to a user instruction input or the like. In response to the activation, the registration request unit 228 of the client application 22a requests the client application registration unit 243 to register the client application information of the client application 22a (S53).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of client application information according to the second embodiment. In the figure, client application information 50a is obtained by adding a host address as a component of management information to the client application information 50 (see FIG. 5) in the first embodiment. The host address is the IP address of the client PC 20 in which the client application 22a is installed.

  In response to the request in step S53, the client application manager 24 registers the client application information in the client application management table 24, and notifies the client application 22a of a result acquisition command (S54). Here, the result acquisition command is a command for the client application 22a to inquire the client application 22a of the execution result of the function received from the client application cooperation unit 126 of the server application 12 by the client application manager 24. .

  A modification of FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 15 is a second sequence diagram for explaining the registration process of the client application with respect to the client application manager.

  In step S61, the application platform 23 activates only the client application 22a. In response to the activation, the registration request unit 228 of the client application 22a requests the client application registration unit 243 to register the client application information 50a of the client application 22a (S62). However, since the client application manager 24 is not activated, a response to the request is not returned (S63). Therefore, the client application 22a periodically repeats the registration request in step S62.

  Thereafter, in response to an instruction input from the user, the application platform 23 activates the client application manager 24 (S64). Upon receiving the registration request for the client application information 50a from the client application 22a (S65), the client application manager 24 performs a registration process for the client application information 50a and returns a result acquisition command (S66).

  Next, details of processing executed by the client application manager 24 in response to a registration request for the client application information 50a from the client application 22a will be described with reference to FIG. 13 or FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining client application registration processing by the client application manager.

  When the registration request for the client application information 50a is received (S71), it is determined whether or not the received client application information 50 is already registered in the client application management table 244 (S72). When the client application information 50a is not registered (Yes in S72), the client application information 50a is newly registered in the client application management table 244 (S73).

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client application management table managed by the client manager. As shown in the figure, the value of each item of the client application information is registered in the client application management table 244 as it is. However, the validity period is replaced with the validity period.

  On the other hand, if the client application information 22a requested to be registered is already registered (No in S72), the expiration date of the already registered client application information 22a is updated based on the current time and the validity period (S74). ).

Next, a result acquisition command for the client application 22a is generated (S75). For example, a result acquisition command is generated by applying a corresponding character string within <> of a template character string (model) as follows.
http: // <host address of client application manager 24>: <port number of client application manager 24> / <application ID of client application 22a> + <host address of client application 22a> / result
For example, when the host address of the client application manager 24 is “201.XXX.XXX.XXX” and the port number is “8080”, the client application information 50a corresponding to the first record in FIG. 17 is registered. If this is the case, the following result acquisition command (1) is generated.
http: // 201. XXX. XXX. XXX: 8080 / ap001 / 201. XXX. XXX. XXX / result (1)
Thus, the result acquisition command is a unique URL for each client application 22a.

  Subsequently, the generated result acquisition command is returned to the client application 22a (S76).

  Thereafter, the client application manager 24 uses the client application information 50a registered in the client application management table 244 to perform the processing performed by each client application 22a in FIGS. 4 and 8 of the first embodiment. (Executive execution).

  For example, an automatic detection response unit 241 of the client application manager 24 responds to a client application detection message transmitted from the client application detection unit 123 of the server application 12 and is registered in the client application management table 244. The client application registration unit 121 of the server application 121 is requested to register the existing client application information 50a (FIG. 4: S12 to S14).

  8, the server application cooperation unit 242 of the client application manager 24 receives the service setting information transmission request transmitted from the client application cooperation unit 126 of the server application 22. The server application cooperation unit 242 acquires service setting information from the client application 22a corresponding to the application ID included in the transmission request, and returns the service setting information to the client application cooperation unit 126. The service setting information of each client application 22a may be acquired from each client application 22a at the same timing as the client application information 50a and registered in the client application management table 244.

  8, the execution result of the function transmitted from the client application cooperation unit 126 is received by the server application cooperation unit 242 of the client application manager 24, and the result management unit 245 stores the memory device 203 or auxiliary storage. In the device 202, a different storage area for each client application 22a (for example, a storage area corresponding to the URL of the result acquisition command notified to the client application 22a, such as a folder; hereinafter referred to as “result holding area”). Save it.

  Next, a processing procedure for transmitting the execution result of the function held by the client application manager 24 to the client application 22a corresponding to the execution result will be described.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing procedure of the transmission processing of the function execution result to the client application.

  The result acquisition unit 229 of the client application 22a periodically issues a result acquisition command to the client application manager 24 after registration of the client application information 50a (after execution of FIG. 13 or FIG. 15) (S81). . In response to the result acquisition command, the result management unit 245 of the client application manager 24 executes the following processing.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of processing executed by the result management unit in response to a result acquisition command.

In step S91, a result acquisition command is received (S91). Here, the result acquisition command is configured as follows, for example.
http: // 201. XXX. XXX. XXX: 8080 / ap001 / 201. XXX. XXX. XXX / result? method = GET & apl_id = apl001 & host = 201. XXX. XXX. XXX (2)
In the result acquisition command (2), the part after “?” Is a part added by the result acquisition unit 229 of the client application 22a based on its own client application information (hereinafter referred to as “method information”). Based on grammar like
method = Get & apl_id = <application ID of client application 22a>& host = <host address of client application 22a>
Subsequently, the validity of the issuer of the result acquisition command is determined (S92). Specifically, it is determined whether the issuer of the result acquisition command has acquired the result acquisition command from the client application manager 24. This determination is made based on the method information that should have been added to the result acquisition command. If the application ID and host address of the client application 22a included in the method information match those included before (?) The method information, it is determined that the issuer of the result acquisition command is valid To do. Otherwise, it is determined that the issuer of the result acquisition command is invalid.

  When it is determined that the issuer of the result acquisition command is valid (Yes in S92), the function execution result (result data) is held (saved) in the result holding area corresponding to the URL specified by the result acquisition command. ) Is confirmed (S93). When the result data is held, the result data is returned (S94). When the result data is not held, data indicating that there is no result data is returned (S95).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the issuer of the result acquisition command is invalid (No in S92), data indicating that acquisition of the result data cannot be permitted is returned (S96).

  Returning to FIG. When the result data is returned, the client application 22a executes business logic specific to the client application 22a using the result data (for example, a scanned image) (S83).

  Next, processing at the end of the client application 22a will be described. Here, the end time refers to the time when the process or thread of the client application 22 ends (when stopped). FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining a processing procedure when the client application ends.

When the application platform 23 instructs the client application 22a to end in response to an instruction input by the user, the registration request unit 228 of the client application 22a cancels registration using the application ID of the client application 22a as an argument. Is requested to the client application manager 24 (S102). The client application registration unit 243 of the client application manager 24 executes registration cancellation processing of the client application 22a and notifies the client application 22a of the result (S103).
Next, the registration cancellation process of the client application 22a executed by the client application registration unit 243 in FIG. 20 will be described.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining client application deregistration processing by the client application registration unit of the client application manager.

  When a registration cancellation request is received together with the application ID from the registration request unit 228 of the client application 22a (S111), it is determined whether or not a record relating to the application ID exists in the client application management table 244 (S112). When the record exists (Yes in S112), the record (client application information) is deleted (S113), and the registration request unit 228 is returned to the effect that the registration cancellation is completed (S114).

  On the other hand, if the record does not exist (No in S112), the registration request unit 228 is replied to the effect that there is no release target (S115).

  According to the processing in FIG. 21, consistency between the active client application 22a and the client application management table 244 can be appropriately achieved.

  Note that the client registration unit 243 of the client application manager 24 may periodically delete client application information whose expiration date has expired from the client application management table 244. FIG. 22 is a flowchart for explaining deletion processing of expired client application information by the client registration unit of the client application manager.

  In step S121, the first record among the records registered in the client application management table 244 is the check target. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the check is completed for all the records in the client application management table 244 (S122). When the check is completed for all the records (Yes in S122), the process in FIG. 22 ends. When the check has not been completed for all the records (No in S122), it is determined whether or not the client application information 50a related to the record to be checked is a deletion target (S123). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the current time has passed the expiration date of the client application information 50a.

  When the client application information 50a is to be deleted (when the current time has expired) (Yes in S123), the client application information 50a is deleted from the client application management table 244 (S124). Subsequently, the check target is set as the next record (S125), and the processes after step S122 are repeated.

  By periodically performing the processing of FIG. 22 and the processing of FIG. 13 or FIG. 15, even when the processing of FIG. 21 is not performed, the active client application 22a and the client application management table 244 It is possible to properly achieve consistency.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the client application manager 24 communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 in an integrated manner. Therefore, the number of occupied communication ports can be reduced. That is, in the case of the first embodiment, the same communication port cannot be shared between the client applications 22. For this reason, the occupation number of communication ports increases in proportion to the number of client applications 22. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, since a communication module can be shared, it can be operated with a minimum number of ports without being affected by an increase in the number of client applications 22.

  In addition, since some of the functions implemented in each client application 22 in the first embodiment are realized by the client application manager 24 in the second embodiment, the weight of each client application 22a is reduced. Can do. Therefore, the distribution size of each client application 22a can be reduced.

  Further, each client application 22a need not be implemented with respect to the exchange with the image forming apparatus 10. Therefore, development resources can be concentrated on the original functions (business logic, etc.) of the client application 22.

  On the other hand, in the case of the configuration of the client application 22 in the first embodiment, each client application 22 is highly independent, and functions from communication with the image forming apparatus 10 to execution of business logic within one client application 22. It is complete. Therefore, each client application 22 can be installed and used as it is, without presuming the installation of a platform such as the client application manager 24.

  Note that an apparatus capable of implementing a function corresponding to the server application 12 is not limited to an image forming apparatus. Any device that can provide a predetermined service (function) via a network (for example, a device provided with a Web service) can implement a function corresponding to the server application 12.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration example in 1st embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of client PC in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of registration of client application information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of client application information. It is a figure which shows the specific example of client application information. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a client application management table. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of execution of a client application. It is a figure which shows the specific example of service setting information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the deletion process of the client application information from a client application management table. It is a figure which shows the 2nd system configuration example in 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the software structural example of client PC in 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the registration process of the client application with respect to a client application manager. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the client application information in 2nd embodiment. It is a 2nd sequence diagram for demonstrating registration processing of the client application with respect to a client application manager. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the registration process of the client application by a client application manager. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the client application management table managed by a client manager. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence of the transmission process of the execution result of the function to a client application. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process sequence of the process which a result management part performs according to the command for result acquisition. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of completion | finish of a client application. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the registration cancellation process of the client application by the client application registration part of a client application manager. It is a flowchart for demonstrating deletion processing of the expired client application information by the client registration part of a client application manager.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Controller 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Modem 15 Network interface 16 Operation panel 20 Client PC
22 Client application 23 Application platform 24 Client application manager 30 Network 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 ROM
114 HDD
121 client application registration unit 122 UI control unit 123 client application detection unit 124 service control unit 125 function control unit 126 client application linkage unit 127 client application management table 200 drive device 201 recording medium 202 auxiliary storage device 203 memory device 204 CPU
205 Interface Device 206 Display Device 207 Input Device 221 Automatic Detection Response Unit 222 UI Control Unit 223 Web Service Execution Unit 224 Server Application Cooperation Unit 225 External Application Execution Unit 226 Setting Information Management File 227 Server Application Detection Unit 228 Registration Request Unit 229 Result Acquisition Unit 241 automatic detection response unit 242 server application linkage unit 243 client application registration unit 244 client application management table 245 result management unit B bus

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus,
An application including function identification information for identifying a function that an application included in an information processing apparatus connected via a network requests the image forming apparatus to execute, and user identification information for identifying a user associated with the application Application information receiving means for receiving information from the information processing apparatus and recording it in the application information management means;
A display control means for acquiring a list of the application information related to the user identification information of the operator of the image forming apparatus from the application information management means and displaying the list on the display device;
Setting information receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, setting information for a function related to the function identification information included in at least the application information selected in the list;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a function execution control unit that executes a function related to the function identification information based on the setting information. The application information receiving means periodically receives the application information including information indicating a validity period,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a deletion unit that deletes the application information whose expiration date has expired from the application information management unit based on the information indicating the validity period. Based on the validity period included in the application information received by the application information receiving means, the information indicating the expiration date of the received application information managed by the application information management means is updated, and the updated reception The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising an expiration date transmitting unit configured to transmit information indicating an expiration date of the application information to the information processing apparatus. A result transmitting means for transmitting information related to the execution result of the function to the information processing apparatus;
The application information includes application identification information for identifying the application on a network,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the result transmission unit transmits information related to the execution result of the function to a transmission destination based on the application identification information. An information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 4 via a network,
Application information transmitting means for transmitting the application information including the function identification information and the user identification information related to an application included in the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
Setting information transmitting means for transmitting setting information for the function to the image forming apparatus;
A result receiving means for receiving information on the execution result of the function from the image forming apparatus;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the application executes processing using information on the execution result.   The application information transmitting unit retransmits the application information within the expiration date based on information indicating the expiration date of the application information transmitted from the image forming apparatus in response to the transmission of the application information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. Application management means for communicating with the image forming apparatus in an integrated manner with respect to the plurality of applications;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the application management unit includes the application information transmission unit, the setting information transmission unit, and the result reception unit. An information processing system including an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Application information including function identification information for identifying a function that an application of the information processing apparatus requests the image forming apparatus to execute, and user identification information for identifying a user associated with the application. Application information receiving means for receiving from the device and recording in the application information management means;
A display control means for acquiring a list of the application information related to the user identification information of the operator of the image forming apparatus from the application information management means and displaying the list on the display device;
Setting information receiving means for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, setting information for a function related to the function identification information included in at least the application information selected in the list;
Function execution control means for executing a function related to the function identification information based on the setting information;
An information processing system comprising: result transmission means for transmitting information related to the execution result of the function to the information processing apparatus. An information processing method executed by an image forming apparatus,
An application including function identification information for identifying a function that an application included in an information processing apparatus connected via a network requests the image forming apparatus to execute, and user identification information for identifying a user associated with the application An application information reception procedure for receiving information from the information processing apparatus and recording the information in an application information management unit;
A display control procedure for obtaining a list of the application information related to user identification information of an operator of the image forming apparatus from the application information management unit and displaying the list on the display device;
A setting information receiving procedure for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, setting information for a function related to the function identification information included in at least the application information selected in the list;
A function execution control procedure for executing a function related to the function identification information based on the setting information. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 via a network,
An application information transmission procedure for transmitting the application information including the function identification information and the user identification information related to an application included in the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
A setting information transmission procedure for transmitting setting information for the function to the image forming apparatus;
A result receiving procedure for receiving information on the execution result of the function from the image forming apparatus;
The information processing method, wherein the application executes processing using information on the execution result. In the image forming device,
An application including function identification information for identifying a function that an application included in an information processing apparatus connected via a network requests the image forming apparatus to execute, and user identification information for identifying a user associated with the application An application information reception procedure for receiving information from the information processing apparatus and recording the information in an application information management unit;
A display control procedure for obtaining a list of the application information related to user identification information of an operator of the image forming apparatus from the application information management unit and displaying the list on the display device;
A setting information receiving procedure for receiving, from the information processing apparatus, setting information for a function related to the function identification information included in at least the application information selected in the list;
A function execution control procedure for executing a function related to the function identification information based on the setting information;
A program for executing a result transmission procedure for transmitting information related to the execution result of the function to the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 via a network.
An application information transmission procedure for transmitting the application information including the function identification information and the user identification information related to an application included in the information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
A setting information transmission procedure for transmitting setting information for the function to the image forming apparatus;
A result reception procedure for receiving information on the execution result of the function from the image forming apparatus;
The application executes processing using information on the execution result.

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