JPH1174913A - Digital composite device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital composite device and the control method for monitoring the operation situation of the digital composite device connected to the general-purpose browser of a computer through a network and controlling the operation. SOLUTION: The situations of a main body respective parts sensor 105 and a main body respective parts actuator 106 in the digital composite device are sent from a main body controller 102 to an HTTP(Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server part 101 and are stored in a memory 111. A network interface 114 displays the stored operation situations of the main body respective parts on the general-purpose browser of the client computer 108 on the network 107.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital multifunction peripheral and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a printer mainly used for printing on paper, which is used in an environment in which a plurality of computers are connected by a local area network (LAN). The present invention relates to the efficient operation and management of a digital multifunction peripheral that combines functions and facsimile functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in an environment where a computer network is used, a digital multifunction peripheral corresponding to the network has begun to spread.

[0003] This is a digital multifunction device that is based on a digital copying machine and combines a network connection function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a scanning function, and the like with the efficiency of installation space, maintenance management, and consumables management. This is effective for simplification.

However, since the copying function, the printing function, the facsimile function, and the like play different roles, various settings at the time of installation of the main unit, various settings change after the start of operation, management, and the like are conventionally required. It has been required to operate the operation unit of the multifunction device for each function.

As a further advance, by running software having a setting / management function as utility software of a personal computer on a network, a user or an administrator can remotely perform setting / management work from a place remote from the multifunction apparatus body. A system that can perform the above has also been proposed.

[0006]

However, in the above conventional example, since a plurality of functions are integrated in the multifunction device,
Not only the operation system, but also the setting and management methods are becoming complicated.

[0007] For this reason, it is very difficult to perform various settings and the like from the operation unit provided in the main body of the multifunction apparatus as in the related art because of the physical size of the operation unit and the restrictions on the screen. There was a problem.

In a method of performing various settings and management by remote operation from setting and management software on a personal computer connected via a network, a general GUI (Graphical User I
nterface) can be used to overcome restrictions such as the size of the operation unit and the size of the screen, and realize a system that is easier to understand and operate. However, software for personal computers is usually implemented on a single platform. Because it only works, there is a problem that software must be created for multiple platforms.

Furthermore, since the user interface is different for each platform, there is a problem that an instruction manual and the like must be created for each platform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a digital multifunction peripheral which can monitor the operation status of a digital multifunction peripheral connected via a network with a general-purpose browser of a computer and can control the operation of the multifunction peripheral. It is an object to provide an apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a digital multifunction peripheral connectable to a computer via a network, comprising a storage means for storing an operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral main body. Network connection means for connecting to a computer via a network, and HTTP (Hy
per text transfer protocol)
P server means.

The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a digital multifunction peripheral which can be connected to a computer via a network. The method stores the operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral and generates and processes HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). HTTP server is CGI (Common Gateway I)
The digital multifunction peripheral is controlled by the CGI function based on an operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral main body.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment. As shown in FIG.
TP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) server unit 10
1, a main body controller 102, a main body operation section 103, an image processing section 104, main body section sensors 105, and main body section actuators 106. Normal,
When operating as a stand-alone copying machine, each unit operates according to the flow shown in FIG.

That is, when a user inputs a copy instruction from the main body operation unit 103 to the main body controller 102, the main body controller 102 outputs a read operation instruction signal to each main body actuator 106 (in this case, an image scanner), The original is read by the scanner. At the time of this reading operation, optimal control is performed based on the signal from the sensor 105 of each section of the main body. The read image is processed by the image processing unit 104,
Main body actuator 106 (in this case, printer)
Sent to The main body controller 102 controls the actuators of the various parts of the printer based on the signals from the sensors 105 of the main parts so as to be optimal in the process of being finally output through various image forming stages in the printer.

According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
C of the main body controller 102 and the HTTP server unit 101
The communication with the PU 112 is always performed via the main body interface 115, and various kinds of information processed by the main body controller 102, for example, a signal from the main body part sensor 105 and an operation state of the main body part actuator 106 are HTTP.
It has been taken into the server unit 101. The various types of information are configured to be stored in the memory 111 of the HTTP server unit 101.

The HTTP server 101 stores various information from the main body controller 102 in HTML.
(Hyper Text Markup Language) contains HTML files that can be referenced in a file format.
The HTML file is transmitted to a client computer 108 connected to an external network (LAN) 107 via a network interface 114, and transmitted to a client computer 108.
It is transferred by a network protocol called CP / IP.

On the other hand, the client computer 108 is equipped with a general-purpose browser having a function of communicating with the HTTP server unit 101 of the digital multifunction peripheral and interpreting the transferred HTML file.

Here, when the user runs the above-described general-purpose browser on an arbitrary client computer and connects to the HTTP server unit 101 of the digital multifunction peripheral, various kinds of information processed by the main body controller 102 of the digital multifunction peripheral can be obtained. It can be monitored in real time.

In the present embodiment, there is an advantage that the types of the client computer 108 and the operating system are not limited, and almost all generally used at present can be used. This is because a general network protocol and a browser required by the client computer 108 can be used, and special software and hardware for the digital multifunction peripheral are not required.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the network 107 is not added to the client computer 108 without any special software or hardware.
The operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral can be monitored from the client computer 108 above.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail. In the second embodiment, an example in which a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) function is supported will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a logical hierarchical structure of the HTTP server unit 301 of the digital multifunction peripheral. As shown, in the second embodiment, the HTTP server unit 301
Software that operates using the CGI function on
CGI script) 311 is created in advance, and
This CGI script 3 in the HTML file 312
11 is executed, the user can execute the CGI script 311 on the general-purpose browser from the client computer 108.

Also, the HTTP server unit 301 has a CGI
HTTP server software 314 having function 313
, An operating system (OS) 315, and the above-described interface 316, network interface 317, CPU 318, and memory 319.

In the second embodiment, the user can directly control the HTTP server unit 301 from the client computer 108 on the network 107 by using the CGI script 311 created in advance by the designer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when a CGI script for collecting, analyzing, and displaying access history to the HTTP server unit 301 is implemented.

First, when the user uses a general-purpose browser on the client computer 108,
When the TP server unit 301 is accessed (step S10)
1) The HTML file in which the INDEX information is described is accessed, and a page interpreting the HTML file is displayed on the browser (step S102). Here, HTML that includes link information of a CGI script that displays the access history linked on this page
When the file is instructed, a corresponding page is displayed (step S103). When a tag for starting the CGI script is clicked, a start signal of the corresponding CGI script is transmitted to the HTTP server unit 301 through the browser (step S104). CGI script is HT
It is started on the TP server unit 301 (Step S20)
1).

As a result, the CGI script becomes an HTTP
The memory 319 in the server unit 301 is searched, a file storing the access history is read, statistical processing is performed so that the file is organized, and the result is output to the standard output HT.
Output in ML file format (step S202). H
The TTP server software 314 transmits the output result to the client computer 108 (step S2).
03), on the client computer 108 side, the browser receives the output (step S105),
After interpreting the L file, the access history is displayed on the page on the browser (step S106).

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to confirm access histories on virtually all general-purpose platform machines without the need to add dedicated hardware and software for each platform of the client computer. There is an effect that it can be performed in.

In addition, regardless of the LAN or WAN, the access history can be confirmed without any special operation procedure, no matter how far away from the network as long as it is connected to the network.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail. In the third embodiment, a case will be described as an example where the CGI script directly acts on each section of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral.

The configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral is the same as that of the above-described second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of activating the image scanner of the digital multifunction peripheral, reading the original, and displaying the read image data on the browser on the client computer 108.

First, when the user uses a general-purpose browser on the client computer 108, the HT of the digital multifunction peripheral
When the TP server unit 301 is accessed (step S30)
1) The HTML file in which the INDEX information is described is accessed, and a page interpreting the HTML file is displayed on the browser (step S302). Here, H including link information of a CGI script for image scanning linked on this page.
When the user designates the TML file, a corresponding page is displayed (step S303). When a tag for starting the CGI script is clicked here, a start signal of the corresponding CGI script is transmitted to the HTTP server unit 30 through the browser.
1 (step S304), and the CGI script is activated on the HTTP server unit 301 (step S304).
401).

Thus, the CGI script is transmitted to the main controller 102 via the main interface 316.
, An operation command of the image scanner is transmitted to the device (step S402). On the other hand, in response to this command, the main body controller 102 issues an operation command to the actuator 106 of the image scanner, and scans the document image (step S
403). Here, the read image information is processed by the image processing unit 104, sent to the HTTP server unit 301, and stored in the memory 319 in the HTTP server unit 301 (step S404). Next, the CGI script creates an HTML file including link information of the image information stored in the memory 319 of the HTTP server unit 301 (step S405). Then, the HTTP server unit 301 transmits the file in the HTML format to the client computer 108 via the network interface 317 (step S406).

Thus, the client computer 1
08 receives the file in the HTML format (step S305), the file is interpreted.
Since this file contains the link information of the scanned image, a read request is transmitted to the image information in the HTTP server unit 301 following the link information (step S306). HTTP server unit 301
The side retrieves the image information from the memory 319 according to the request (step S407), and transmits it to the browser of the client computer 108 (step S40).
8). As a result, the read document image is displayed on the screen in the browser in accordance with the designation of the HTML file (step S307).

As described above, according to the third embodiment, virtually all of the machines of the general-purpose platform are used to convert the digital multifunction peripheral on the network without the need to add dedicated hardware and software for each platform of the client computer. By operating the document reading device, the read document image can be viewed on a browser on the client computer at hand. At the same time, there is an effect that almost the same operation can be performed regardless of the platform.

In addition, regardless of the LAN and WAN, TCP
The image reading unit of the digital multifunction peripheral can be operated from a remote location to view the original image without any special operation procedure, no matter how far away physically the network is connected by the IP protocol.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) By connecting a digital image forming apparatus to a computer network and providing an HTTP server function for generating and processing HTTP to a digital image forming apparatus controller having a CPU, a memory, and an I / F section, almost all types of digital image forming apparatuses are provided. From an HTTP browser (WWW browser) running on a client computer
It has the effect of being able to access the server. Preparing an HTML file on an HTTP server has the effect of providing various types of information via a platform-independent interface in the form of a so-called homepage. In addition, the operation on the homepage realizes easy-to-understand expressions and simple operations using the GUI There is an effect that can be. (2) Controller unit and HT of image forming apparatus main body
The TP server unit can communicate with each other, and various operation statuses of the controller unit can be recognized by the HTTP server unit, so that the operation status of the image forming apparatus main body can be changed by a computer on the network through the HTTP server unit. Thus, there is an effect that various kinds of information regarding the operation state of the image forming apparatus can be received. (3) Controller unit and HT of image forming apparatus main body
A control command for scanning the image forming apparatus main body is transmitted from a computer on a network through the HTTP server unit by enabling communication with the TP server unit and direct control of the controller unit from the HTTP server unit. There is an effect that can be performed. (4) The HTTP server software that generates the HTTP protocol operating on the controller unit is CGI
By having the (Common Gateway Interface) function, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an environment in which a program operating on an HTTP server can be operated from an HTTP browser of a computer on a network. (5) By using the CGI function, a program for fetching information from various sensors of the image forming apparatus main body and transferring the information to the HTTP server software operates, thereby executing a program operating on the HTTP server unit. The program is started and operated directly from an HTTP browser of a computer on the network, and various information of the image forming apparatus main body is taken into an HTTP server, and the HTTP
There is an effect that various information of the image forming apparatus main body can be processed and displayed on an HTTP browser of a computer on a network through server software. (6) By using the CGI function, a control signal is directly sent to the image forming apparatus main body through the HTTP server software, and the program that controls the image forming apparatus main body operates to execute a program operating on the HTTP server. Thus, there is an effect that it is possible to directly start and operate the program from an HTTP browser of a computer on the network, directly control the image forming apparatus main body, and perform various operations. (7) HTTP server software that realizes the HTTP server function is an API (Application Programming Interface) compatible with a general-purpose platform.
Has the effect that CGI scripts can be described using the same development tools as programs that run on a general platform, increasing development efficiency and enabling rapid upgrades and modifications at low cost. is there.

The present invention can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), and can be applied to a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile). Device).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (CPU or MP) of the system or apparatus.
It goes without saying that U) can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

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

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

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The general-purpose browser of the computer can monitor the operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral connected via the network, and can control the operation.

[0047]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating functions of a digital multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow when operating as a stand-alone copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a logical hierarchical structure of an HTTP server unit 301 of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when a CGI script for collecting, analyzing, and displaying an access history to the HTTP server unit 301 is implemented.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of activating an image scanner unit of the digital multifunction peripheral to read a document, and displaying the read image data on a browser on a client computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 HTTP server unit 102 Main unit controller 103 Main unit operation unit 104 Image processing unit 105 Main unit sensors 106 Main unit actuators 107 Network 108 Client computer 111 Memory 112 CPU 113 I / F 114 Network interface 115 Main unit interface

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A digital multifunction peripheral connectable to a computer via a network, comprising: storage means for storing an operation status of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral; network connection means for connecting to a computer via a network; HTTP (Hyper Te
(xt Transfer Protocol) for generating and processing HTTP server means. 2. The digital multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein said HTTP server means transmits the operation status of the main body stored in said storage means to said computer by said network connection means. 3. The operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral stored in the storage means is HTML (Hyper Text Markup).
3. The digital multifunction peripheral according to claim 2, wherein the multifunction peripheral is dynamically described in a (Language) format. 4. The HTTP server means includes a CGI (Co
2. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising a mmon gateway interface function, wherein the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral main body is controlled by the CGI function. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a CGI script that operates by the CGI function is created, and the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral is controlled by an instruction to execute the CGI script from a general-purpose browser of the computer. Item 5. A digital composite device according to item 4. 6. An instruction to execute the CGI script from a general-purpose browser of the computer is HTML (Hy
6. The digital multifunction peripheral according to claim 5, wherein the digital multifunction peripheral is described in a file in a per text markup language format. 7. The HTTP server means includes HTTP server software and has an API (Application Programming Interface) compatible with a general-purpose platform.
The digital composite device according to claim 1, further comprising e). 8. A method for controlling a digital multifunction peripheral that can be connected to a computer via a network, comprising: an HTTP server that stores an operation status of the digital multifunction peripheral and generates and processes an HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). CGI (Common Gateway Inter
face) a control method of the digital multifunction peripheral, wherein the digital multifunction peripheral is controlled by the CGI function based on an operation state of the main body of the digital multifunction peripheral. 9. A CGI script that operates by the CGI function is created, and the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral is controlled by an instruction to execute the CGI script from a general-purpose browser of the computer. Item 9. A control method for a digital multifunction peripheral according to Item 8. 10. An instruction to execute the CGI script from a general-purpose browser of the computer is HTML.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the control method is described in a file in a (Hyper Text Markup Language) format.