CN1898661A - Electronic apparatus system, its electronic apparatus, control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Electronic apparatus system, its electronic apparatus, control method and recording medium Download PDF

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Publication number
CN1898661A
CN1898661A CNA2005800013886A CN200580001388A CN1898661A CN 1898661 A CN1898661 A CN 1898661A CN A2005800013886 A CNA2005800013886 A CN A2005800013886A CN 200580001388 A CN200580001388 A CN 200580001388A CN 1898661 A CN1898661 A CN 1898661A
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China
Prior art keywords
request
function
electronic equipment
application
connection request
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CNA2005800013886A
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Chinese (zh)
Inventor
铃木正宏
杉下悟
杉浦阳子
马场洋
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Publication of CN1898661A publication Critical patent/CN1898661A/en
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Abstract

An electronic apparatus is adapted to execute an operation using an application, and is provided with an communicating part for communicating with an external apparatus via a communication line, and a controlling part for executing an operation using an application within the external apparatus by communicating with the external apparatus by the communicating part.

Description

Electronic equipment, electronic apparatus system, control method and computer-readable recording medium
Technical field
Relate generally to electronic apparatus system of the present invention, the electronic equipment that is used for it, control method and computer-readable recording medium, and relate more specifically to such as image processing equipment (such as scanner device, the numeral copier, printer, facsimile equipment, the image-reading device of digital complex equipment or digital multi peripheral hardware etc.) electronic equipment, be provided with the electronic apparatus system that is connected to the external unit of such electronic equipment via communication line, the control method that is used for such electronic equipment, and storage is used to make computing machine to serve as the computer-readable recording medium of the program of such electronic equipment.
Background technology
Recently, between the user, become general such as image forming apparatus digital complex equipment or digital multi peripheral hardware (MFP), that have multiple function (or facility (facility)).Image forming apparatus combination image with multiple function forms part (plotting apparatus part), image reading section (scanner part), fax (FAX) communications portion, image processing section (controller) etc., so that allow freely selecting such as the function of the facility of copy function, printer function, scanner functions and facsimile function.
Traditionally; image forming apparatus with multiple function designs based on copier usually; and, by use its function all or part of and as the operation of printer or scanner, and be used as facsimile equipment by adding the facsimile service part.
In order to allow each freely the selecting and carrying out in such function, be necessary to be provided for each the application (application) in such function, so that for example realize such function of in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 2002-84383 number, proposing.
" application " is meant application software or application program.Application is the part that forms user interface, and realizes offering user's function.Examples of applications comprises the application (copy application) that is used to realize copy function, the application (printer applications) that is used to realize printer function, the application (scanner application) that is used to realize scanner functions and the application (fax application) that is used to realize facsimile function.
Yet in above-mentioned image forming apparatus with multiple function, if all that implemented to be used to realize the function that will utilize are used, the cost of image forming apparatus increases.In addition, along with the number of the application of implementing in image forming apparatus increases, the attendant must upgrade the number of times increase of operation of the version of applications (function).
Summary of the invention
General objects of the present invention provides a kind of electronic apparatus system, is used for its electronic equipment, control method and computer-readable recording medium, wherein, has suppressed the problems referred to above.
Purpose more specifically of the present invention provides a kind of electronic apparatus system, is used for its electronic equipment, control method and computer-readable recording medium, cost when it can reduce to realize a plurality of function in such as the electronic equipment of image forming apparatus, and reduce the operation of upgrading application version.
Another object of the present invention provide a kind of be used to use should be used for the electronic equipment of executable operations, it comprises: communication component is used for via communication line and external device communication; And control assembly, be used for by utilizing communication component and external device communication, and use the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.According to electronic equipment of the present invention, the cost in the time of might reducing in electronic equipment to realize a plurality of function, and reduce the operation of upgrading application version, this is because can use common application between a plurality of electronic equipments publicly.
A further object of the present invention provides a kind of electronic apparatus system, in this electronic apparatus system, can couple electronic equipment and external unit communicatedly via communication line, wherein, electronic equipment is used for using and should be used for executable operations, and comprise: communication component is used for via communication line and external device communication; Control assembly is used for by utilizing communication component and external device communication, and uses the executable operations that should be used in the external unit; Device initiate notification transmit block is used to utilize communication component that the initiate notification of electronic equipment is sent to external unit; And application message registration means, be used for when receiving application availability notice from applications by communication component in response to the initiate notification that sends by device initiate notification transmit block, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application, and wherein, external unit comprises: the application memory parts; Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And application availability notice transmit block, be used at other communication component when electronic equipment receives initiate notification, before the application availability notice being sent to electronic equipment, add relevant with useful application and information that be stored in the application memory parts to the application availability notice by other communication component.According to electronic apparatus system of the present invention, the cost in the time of might reducing in electronic equipment to realize a plurality of function, and reduce the operation of upgrading application version, this is because can use common application between a plurality of electronic equipments publicly.
Another object of the present invention provides a kind of control method that is used to use the electronic equipment of using executable operations, comprising: via communication line and external device communication; And the use external unit in application and executable operations.According to control method of the present invention, the cost in the time of might reducing in electronic equipment to realize a plurality of function, and reduce the operation of upgrading application version, this is because can use common application between a plurality of electronic equipments publicly.
A further object of the present invention provides a kind of computer-readable recording medium, its storage is used to make the computing machine of electronic equipment to use the program of using executable operations, described program comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization: communication function is used for via communication line and external device communication; And control function, be used for by utilizing communication function and external device communication, and use the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.According to computer-readable recording medium of the present invention, the cost in the time of might reducing in electronic equipment to realize a plurality of function, and reduce the operation of upgrading application version, this is because can use common application between a plurality of electronic equipments publicly.
When read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, according to following detailed description, other purpose of the present invention and further feature will become apparent.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the figure that the example that the network of image formation system connects is shown prevailingly;
Fig. 2 is the system chart that the hardware configuration of the MFP shown in Fig. 1 is shown;
Fig. 3 is the system chart of functional structure that the pith of the MFP shown in Fig. 1 of first embodiment is shown;
Fig. 4 is the system chart that the hardware configuration of the external server shown in Fig. 1 is shown;
Fig. 5 is the system chart of functional structure that the pith of MFP shown in Fig. 1 and external server is shown;
Fig. 6 be illustrated in when starting MFP, the figure of first example of MFP shown in Figure 3 and the communication sequence between the applications;
Fig. 7 is the figure that the structure of the order that exchanges between MFP shown in Figure 3 and the applications is shown;
Fig. 8 is the figure that the content of application management table is shown;
Fig. 9 be illustrated in start MFP so as to allow to carry out when using, the figure of second example of MFP shown in Figure 3 and the communication sequence between the applications;
Figure 10 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Fig. 3 shown in MFP between the figure of first example of communication sequence;
Figure 11 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Fig. 3 shown in MFP between the figure of second example of communication sequence;
Figure 12 is the figure that is used to illustrate the information relevant with image processing equipment, and described information comprises the device identification number in the device information storage area that is stored in shown in Fig. 5;
Figure 13 is used for illustrating the figure that stores the more detailed information device information storage area, relevant with image processing equipment shown in Figure 5;
Figure 14 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Fig. 3 shown in MFP between the figure of the 3rd example of communication sequence;
Figure 15 is the figure that the example that shows the warning screen on the operation part shown in Figure 4 is shown;
Figure 16 illustrates the figure that is used for to the example of the screen of the employed image processing equipment of applications shown in user notification Fig. 3;
Figure 17 is the figure of example that the screen of the tabulation that shows the information relevant with the image processing equipment that is connected to network is shown;
Figure 18 is the system chart of another functional structure that the pith of the MFP shown in Fig. 1 is shown;
Figure 19 is the system chart of another functional structure that the pith of the MFP shown in Fig. 1 is shown;
Figure 20 is the system chart of functional structure of pith that the MFP of second embodiment is shown;
Figure 21 be illustrated in from applications send operation when carrying out request command, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of first example of communication sequence;
Figure 22 is the figure that is illustrated in the imperative structures that exchange between MFP shown in Figure 20 and the applications;
Figure 23 be illustrated in from applications send operation when carrying out request command, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of second example of communication sequence;
Figure 24 is the process flow diagram that is used to illustrate the processing of the CPU in the controller that receives operation when carrying out request command, MFP shown in Figure 20 from applications;
Figure 25 illustrates the figure that is stored in the application management table in the application message storage area shown in Figure 20;
Figure 26 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of first example of communication sequence;
Figure 27 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of second example of communication sequence;
Figure 28 be illustrated in from applications send when using the connection request order, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of the 3rd example of communication sequence;
Figure 29 be used to illustrate obtained from applications when using the connection request order, the process flow diagram of the processing of CPU in the controller of MFP shown in Figure 20;
Figure 30 be illustrated in from applications send operation when carrying out request command, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of the 4th example of communication sequence;
Figure 31 is the figure that the example of the application choice screen that is presented on the operation part shown in Figure 20 is shown;
Figure 32 be illustrated in from applications send operation when carrying out request command, externally use and Figure 20 shown in MFP between the figure of the 5th example of communication sequence;
Figure 33 is the system chart of another functional structure of pith that the MFP of second embodiment is shown; And
Figure 34 is the system chart of another functional structure of pith that the MFP of second embodiment is shown.
Embodiment
To provide description by the reference accompanying drawing to the embodiment of electronic apparatus system according to the present invention, the electronic equipment that is used for it, control method and computer-readable recording medium.
[first embodiment]
At first, with provide to form image formation system, according to the description of first embodiment of electronic apparatus system of the present invention.
Fig. 1 is the figure that the example that the network of image formation system connects is shown prevailingly.
Image formation system shown in Fig. 1 comprises various image processing equipments, comprising: digital complex equipment (hereinafter being also referred to as multifunction peripheral or MFP) 10, as electronic equipment with communication function; And two external servers 20 (20a, 20b), as via such as the network 1 of Local Area Network and connect the external unit of (can connect communicatedly) in the mode that can communicate by letter.For example, MFP 10 and external server 20 can be via network 1 with 1: the relation (or the relation of " 1: many ") of N (N for more than or equal to 2 integer) is communicated by letter.But, by via (IEEE: communication line Institute of Electrical and Electric Engineers) connects MFP 10 and external server 20, and the relation that MFP 10 and external server 20 can 1: 1 is communicated by letter such as USB or IEEE1394.The number of external server 20 is not limited to two, and only can provide one or more than two external servers 20.
Next, will provide description by reference Fig. 2 to the hardware configuration of MFP 10.
Fig. 2 is the system chart that the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 shown in Fig. 1 is shown.
MFP 10 shown in Fig. 2 is the image forming apparatus that can realize various functions (or facility), described function comprises the function of digital copier, printer, facsimile equipment and scanner device, that is, copy function, printer function, facsimile function and scanner functions.As shown in Figure 2, MFP 10 comprises controller 11, fax control module (FCU) 12, engine interface (I/F) 13 and engine 14 etc.These parts of MFP 10 are formed for carrying out reading, printing such as document the hardware resource of the Flame Image Process of (image formation) and view data transmission.
Controller 11 uses the application that will be described later, and the various piece of centralized control MFP 10 (in response to the operation requests of coming self-application).Control by controller 11 realizes described various function.
FCU 12 is controlled at MFP 10 via common line and such as the communication between the external unit of image forming apparatus.Image forming apparatus can be facsimile equipment, have digital copier and other MFP (digital complex equipment) of modem feature (facsimile communication function).
Engine I/F 13 is formed for engine 14 is connected to the interface of periphery component interconnection (PCI) bus.
The corresponding following hardware units of engine 14, for example: scanner (image reading unit spare) is used to read the image (file and picture) of document; Plotting apparatus (image forming part) is used for forming (printing) image based on view data that is read by scanner or the data that receive from external unit on such as the recording medium of paper; Automatic document feeder (ADF) is used for automatically with the image reading position of document feed to scanner; And aftertreatment (after-processing) equipment, be used to carry out such as having carried out the aftertreatment that image forms recording medium ordering, punching and the bookbinding of (printing) by plotting apparatus to it.
Controller 11 comprises uses specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 102, SDRAM 103, ROM 104, NVRAM 105, hard disk drive (HDD) 106, operation part 107, modulator-demodular unit 108, USB (universal serial bus) (USB) 109, IEEE1394 interface (I/F) 110, media access controller interface (MACI/F) 111 etc.In fact, in this embodiment, operation part 107 is disposed in outside the controller 11.
CPU 101 forms computing (or calculating) processing element, is used for carrying out data processing (controls of various functions) via ASIC 102.
ASIC 102 is multi-function device plate (device board), and it comprises cpu i/f, sdram interface, local bus interface, pci interface, HDD interface etc.From the viewpoint of framework, ASIC 102 allows as the sharing of the device of the controlled target of CPU 101, and supports the efficient exploitation of using etc.
The operation part 107 of the operational order of reception engine 14 etc. is directly connected to ASIC 102.Modulator-demodular unit 108 also is directly connected to ASIC 102.USB I/F 109, IEEE1394I/F 110, MAC I/F111, FCU 12 and engine I/F 13 are connected to ASIC 102 via pci bus 112.
SDRAM 103 forms the primary memory that is used as the program storage that is used to store various programs, the working storage of being used by CPU 101 etc. when CPU 101 carries out data processing.Certainly, can use DRAM or SRAM to substitute SDRAM 103.
ROM 104 is formed for storage and comprises the program of various application (being two kinds under this particular case) and the read-only storage of fixed data.
NVRAM 105 is formed for storing such as can changing or the nonvolatile memory of the data of variable various parameters, and, even when power cutoff, also keep the content of being stored.Such as integrated therein RAM with use the nonvolatile memory of non-volatile ram of the stand-by circuit of battery to can be used for NVRAM 105.
HDD 106 is formed for power supply and drives or close the memory device (recording medium) of storing data.HDD 106 also can be used to store data in the SDRAM 103 and/or the data in the NVRAM 105.
Operation part 107 forms such functional unit, and it comprises: various operating keys (operating switch or action button) are used to import such as the information (data) about the operational order of engine 14 or external server 20; And display device (or alphanumeric display), for example LCD (LCD) and cathode ray tube (CRT).
Modulator-demodular unit 108 forms modulation and demodulation (modulator-demodular unit) parts, and it is used for: when data are sent to the external unit (not shown) via common line, be the form that is suitable for transmitting on common line with data-modulated; And when when external unit receives, these data of demodulation.
USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394 I/F 110 form the interface (direct interface) of following USB standard and IEEE1394 standard respectively, are used for communicating by being directly connected to external unit (peripherals).
MAC I/F 111 is formed for the network interface that communicates via such as the network 1 of LAN and with the external unit that comprises external server 20.
Certainly, can in controller 11, additionally provide direct interface except USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394 I/F 110.
Next, will provide the description of the critical function structure of MFP 10 by reference Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is the system chart of functional structure that the pith of the MFP 10 shown in Fig. 1 of first embodiment is shown.
The controller 11 of MFP 10 shown in Fig. 3 comprises the function of communication process part 121, application choice part 122, application message storage area 123 and control section 124.As the CPU shown in Fig. 2
101 according to procedure operation and when using MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394I/F 110 when needed, realizes these functions of controller 11.
Communication process part 121 forms communication component, and described communication component is used for: communicate with the application (hereinafter being called " applications ") 231 and 232 that realizes at two external servers 20 (20a, 20b) that are connected to network 1; And communicate with the external unit that is directly connected to MFP 10.Applications 231 and 232 can be directly connected to MFP 10, so that communicate with it.
Application choice part 122 receives the data such as the order that receives from application (request is carried out in operation), and the data that received are sent (transmissions) arrive control section 124, wherein said application comprises the application (hereinafter being called internal application) 131 that is stored among the ROM shown in Figure 2 104 and 132 and applications 231 and 232.In addition, when for example receiving the data of order (operational order) from control section 124, application choice part 122 with this data distribution to internal application 131 and 132 and applications 231 and 232.In other words, application choice part 122 is judged the transmission destination (application) that will send data to it, and the data that received are sent to this transmission destination (application).
Application message storage area 123 is with the form storage and the relevant information of application that can use in MFP 10 of application management table.Therefore, can register the application that in MFP 10, to use.Application message storage area 123 can be formed by SDRAM shown in Figure 2 103, NVRAM 105 or HDD 106, and each information all is changed (renewal) when changing (variation).Therefore, application message storage area 123 serves as the application message registration means.
Control section 124 centralized control comprise the various piece of the controller 11 of communication process part 121, application choice part 122, operation part 107, application message storage area 123 and engine 14.Control section 124 serves as control assembly, device initiate notification transmit block, transmits permission parts (connecting the permission parts) and device notice of availability transmit block (connecting permission notice transmit block).
Thereby, control section 124 can be realized a large amount of functions, this is because might pass through to communicate by letter with 232 with applications 231 via application choice part 122, communication process part 121 and network 1, and also uses applications 231 and 232 except internal application 131 and 132.
Next, will provide description by reference Fig. 4 to the hardware configuration of external server 20.
Fig. 4 is the system chart that the hardware configuration of the external server 20 shown in Fig. 1 is shown.
External server 20 shown in Fig. 4 is formed by the messaging device such as personal computer (PC), and comprises CPU 201, ASIC 202, SDRAM 203, ROM 204, NVRAM 205, HDD 206, operation part 207, modulator-demodular unit 208, USB I/F 209, IEEE1394 I/F 210, MAC I/F 211, pci bus 212 etc.
Because the similar of external server 20 is in the structure of the top controller of describing in conjunction with Fig. 2 11, therefore will be only the part of the external server 20 different with controller 11 be provided description.
Operation part 207 comprises: input media, and for example keyboard and mouse are used to import such as the information (data) about the operational order of MFP10; And display device, for example LCD and CRT.For example, can on the surface of display device, provide touch pad.
Next, will provide description by reference Fig. 5 to the functional structure of the pith of external server 20.
Fig. 5 is the system chart of functional structure that the pith of MFP 10 shown in Fig. 1 and external server 20a is shown.For simplicity, Fig. 5 shows such situation, wherein, externally uses application communication processing section 241 that will be described later etc. is provided in 231.
External server 20a comprises the function of application communication processing section 241, application controls part 242 and device information storage area 243.When the CPU shown in Fig. 4 201 operates, when also using MAC I/F 211, USB I/F 209 and IEEE1394I/F 210 when needed, realizes these functions of external server 20a according to the applications 231 that is stored among the ROM 104.
Application communication processing section 241 forms communication component, and this communication component is used for: communicate with the image processing equipment that comprises the MFP 10 that is connected to network 1; And communicate with the image processing equipment that is directly connected to external server 20a.Application communication processing section 241 also can with directly connected, communicate by letter such as the image processing equipment of MFP 10.
Application controls part 242 control application communication processing section 241 and device information storage areas 243, and serve as application availability notice transmit block, operation execution request transmit block, connection request transmit block, function (function interval) parts and device alternative pack at interval.
Device information storage area 243 be formed for storing with can be by the image processing equipment that external server 20a uses the application memory parts of relevant information.Therefore, can register can be by the image processing equipment of external server 20a use.Device information storage area 243 can be formed by the SDRAM shown in Fig. 4 203, NVRAM 205 or HDD 206, and each information all is changed (renewal) when changing (variation).
The functional structure of the pith of the functional structure of the pith of other external server 20b and said external server 20a is roughly the same, and, thus, with the description and the explanation of omitting to it.In addition, in fact carry out application in the external servers 20 (20a, 20b), be the processing of internal application 131 and 132 by corresponding CPU 201 according to internal application 131 and 132 operations, but in the following description, for simplicity, also it is described as carrying out described processing as internal application 131 and 132.
Internal application 131 and 132 and applications 231 and 232 realize various functions.For example, internal application 131 is the copy application that are used to realize copy function, internal application 132 is the printer applications that are used to realize printer function, and applications 231 is the scanner application that are used to realize scanner functions, and applications 232 is the fax application that are used to realize facsimile function.Certainly, internal application 131 can be the application that is used for realizing basic (lowest version) copy function and printer function, internal application 132 can be the application that is used to realize basic scanner functions and facsimile function, applications 231 can be the application that is used to realize highest version copy function and printer function, and applications 232 can be the application that is used to realize highest version scanner functions and facsimile function.In the case, the lowest version function has function simpler than high-version functions and/or that lack.Under any circumstance, internal application 131 and 132 and applications 231 and 232 be not limited to application-specific.
Copy function is used to carry out copying operation, and described copying operation comprises: read the image of document by scanner, to obtain the view data of document; And with image data transmission to plotting apparatus, so that on recording medium, form view data such as paper by plotting apparatus.
Printer function is used to print operation, and described printing comprises: will in statu quo or after handling this view data send to plotting apparatus from the view data that external server 20 receives; And on recording medium, form this view data such as paper by plotting apparatus.
Scanner functions is used to carry out scan operation, and described scan operation comprises: read the image of document by scanner, to obtain view data; And with this image data storage in storer (SDRAM 103, NVRAM 105 or HDD 106).
Facsimile function is used to carry out facsimile transmission operation and facsimile reception operation.Facsimile transmission operation comprises: read the image of document by scanner, to obtain view data; And by FCU 12 with this image data transmission to external unit.On the other hand, the facsimile reception operation comprises: receive view data by FCU 12 from external unit; And with this image data transmission to plotting apparatus, so that on such as the recording medium of paper, form this view data.
In this first embodiment, the image processing equipment except MFP 10, for example unshowned other MFP, printer and scanner directly or via network 1 are connected to external server 20.Yet, certainly will directly or via network 1 be connected to external server 20 similarly such as other image processing equipment of digital copier and facsimile equipment.These image processing equipments except MFP 10 comprise the controller (not shown) of the structure with the structure that is similar to MFP 10, and can carry out the processing of the present invention described later.
Next, will provide description by reference Fig. 6 to 16 to the control of the present invention (processing) among first embodiment of above-mentioned image formation system.For simplicity, will omit description about the processing of internal application 131 and 132.
At first, will provide when starting image processing equipment, by reference Fig. 6 to 8 in description such as first example (situation about being proved to be successful) of the image processing equipment of MFP10 and the communication sequence between the applications 231 (or 232).
Fig. 6 be illustrated in when starting MFP 10, the figure of first example of MFP 10 shown in Figure 3 and the communication sequence between the applications 231 (or 232).
When starting MFP 10 (energized), the control section 124 of MFP 10 sends for (being indicated by the information in the application management table that is stored in the application message storage area 123) the initiate notification order of the useful application of registration in advance.In other words, the initiate notification order is sent to the applications 231 and 232 (step S102 to S104) of external server 20 (20a, 20b) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121.To add the application identities number that is used to identify applications 231 and 232 respectively for the initiate notification order of applications 231 and 232, and, can obtain this application identities number (step S101) from application message storage area 123 shown in Figure 3 with the information of indication application implementation position.
To provide the description of structure by reference Fig. 7 to the order of exchange between the applications 231 and 232 of MFP 10 and external server 20 (20a, 20b).
Fig. 7 is the figure that is illustrated in the structure of the order of exchange between MFP shown in Figure 3 10 and applications 231 and 232.
Order shown in Fig. 7 comprises application identification information, command type, order (main body of order), order additional information and the beginning of directive command and the mark (SOF, EOF) of end.
Application identification information is relevant with application, and is used for the sign application.
Command type is and the relevant information of order, and is used to indicate the type such as the various command of the order of the order of controlling plotting apparatus and gated sweep instrument.
The parameter that the indication of order additional information is used when fill order.For example, under the situation of the order relevant with scanner, the parameter of using when carrying out this order comprises with main sweep length, subscan length, reads relevant information such as density.
Next, will provide being stored in the description of application management table in the application message storage area 123 shown in Figure 3, that comprise application identities number (with using relevant information) by reference Fig. 8.Fig. 8 is the figure that the content of application management table is shown.
As shown in Figure 8, for each application ( internal application 131 and 132, applications 231 and 232), application management table comprises that whether apply names (kind), application identities number (using ID number), application implementation position (IP address etc.) and indication use information available (application availability).
Return the description of Fig. 6 now, if external server 20a and 20b have started and applications 231 and 232 receives initiate notification order (device initiate notification order) from MFP 10, then applications 231 and 232 is by sending its application availability notification command for MFP 10 respond (step S105).To adding the above-mentioned application identities that is added to the order of device initiate notification number for the application availability notification command of MFP 10, and thus, MFP 10 can number discern the application that receives the application availability notification command from it according to this application identities.
To send to MFP 10 via network 1 from the application availability notification command that applications 231 or 232 is sent, and also it be sent to control section 124 (step S105 to S107) through communication process part 121 and application choice part 122 in the MFP 10 thus.
When receiving the application availability notification command by control section 124, control section 124 can be judged application availability according to the application identification information that is added in the application availability notification command.Thus, by in the application management table in being stored in application message storage area 123, will indicate and use whether available corresponding informance (application availability) is made as " being (YES) ", control section 124 can be registered available application (step S108).The application of registration in advance is not regarded as available in application message storage area 123.
In addition, the applications of the external server that is not switched on from its power supply does not receive the application availability notification command, and, thus, in the application management table of control section 124 in being stored in application message storage area 123, indication is used whether available corresponding informance (application availability) is made as " not (NO) ".
Fig. 9 shows the communication sequence that is used for this situation.
More particularly, Fig. 9 is illustrated in to start MFP 10 so that permission is carried out when using, the figure of second example of the communication sequence between MFP shown in Figure 3 10 and applications.As above in conjunction with Figure 6, in fact, will order from control section 124 and send to application choice part 122, and send to communication process part 121 subsequently.But,, therefore, for simplicity, in Fig. 9, application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are illustrated as single because application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are followed the instruction from control section 124 simply.
Next, will provide sending when using connection request order (connection request) from applications 231 (or 232), externally using 231 (or 232) and by reference Figure 10 to 12 such as the description of first and second examples of the communication sequence between the image processing equipment of MFP 10.
Figure 10 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses first example (can carry out the situation of the application operating of being asked) of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Fig. 3.Figure 11 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses second example (can not carry out the situation of the application operating of being asked) of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Fig. 3.As top in conjunction with Fig. 6 as described in, in fact, will order from control section 124 and send to application choice part 122, and send to communication process part 121 subsequently.But,, therefore, for simplicity, in Figure 10 and 11, application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are illustrated as single because application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are followed the instruction from control section 124 simply.Figure 12 is the figure that is used to illustrate the information relevant with image processing equipment (device unique information), and described information comprises the device identification number in the device information storage area 243 that is stored in shown in Fig. 5.
Trigger thing (trigger) so that when proceeding to the connection of image processing equipment when generating certain, the application controls part 242 of applications 231 is sent the application connection request order for each of (by being stored in information indication in the device information storage area 243) registration in advance, that comprise MFP10 image processing equipment.For example, described triggering thing can be to start applications 231 or carry out the moment of input operation with the Elementary Function of use image processing equipment by the user from the operation part shown in Fig. 4 207 subsequently.In other words, send application connection request order (step S112 and S113) by application communication processing section 241 to each image processing equipment.Add the device identification number that is used for the identification image treatment facility to using the connection request order, and the information that the position is set with the device of indicating image treatment facility is obtained this device identification number (step S111) from the device information storage area 243 shown in Fig. 5.
For example, above-mentioned triggering thing comprises: situation (a) wherein, starts applications 231 by the power supply of connecting external server 20 (20a); And situation (b), wherein, after starting applications 231 by the power supply of connecting external server 20, the user carries out input operation from operation part 207, with the Elementary Function of using image processing equipment (under the state that is connected that does not form with image processing equipment).
To provide being stored in description in the device information storage area 243 shown in Figure 5, information (device unique information) that comprise device identification number, relevant with image processing equipment by reference Figure 12.
As shown in figure 12, for every type image processing equipment, device information storage area 243 is stored each image processing equipment as the device unique information device identification number, device is provided with the position and indicates this whether to install information available (device availability).
Return the description of Figure 10 now, when the application connection request order that receives via communication process part 121 from applications 231, the application choice part 122 of MFP 10 is judged the applications 231 of sending this application connection request, and by adding such as the application implementation position (IP address etc.) of applications 231, relevant with applications 231 information, the registration command of registration that will this outside application 231 of indication sends to control section 124 (step S114).
When receiving registration command, control section 124 will be relevant with applications 231 and the information in the registration command that is received of being added to write the idle application identification information zone (use in whether available corresponding informance (application availability) write "Yes" in indication) of the application management table that is stored in the application message storage area 123 so that register available applications 231 (step S115).The application of registration in advance is not regarded as available in application message storage area 123.
When the idle application identification information zone of having finished application management table write (registration) time, application message storage area 123 is by sending to this application identification information control section 124 respond (step S116).
When application message storage area 123 receives the response that comprises application identification information, control section 124 sends the device notice of availability order for the MFP 10 of applications 231.In other words, will install the notice of availability order and send to applications 231 (step S117 and S118) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121.To device notice of availability order adding set identification number for applications 231, make applications 231 number to discern MFP 10 according to this device identification, wherein said device identification number is added to from the application connection request order that applications 231 receives.
When the device notice of availability order that receives via application communication processing section 241 from MFP 10, the application controls part 242 of applications 231 can be judged the availability of MFP 10 according to being added to device identification information in this device notice of availability order.Thus, whether available the application controls part 242 of applications 231 write "Yes" in indicating device corresponding informance (device availability), so that register available MFP 10 (step S119 and S120).
When the image processing equipment except MFP 10 receives when using the connection request order from applications 231, this image processing equipment can be similar to the processing of above-mentioned MFP 10.
Subsequently, when the function (for example, scanner functions) that will use such as the available image processing equipment of MFP 10, the application controls part 242 of applications 231 is sent for the respective operations of MFP 10 and is carried out request command (step S121).
The operation of sending from applications 231 is carried out request command and is sent to MFP 10, and is sent to control section 124 (step S122 to S123) via the communication process part 121 in the MFP 10 and application choice part 122.
When receiving operation execution request command, control section 124 will instruct to be carried out and to send to application message storage area 123 with the relevant information of applications 231 in request command with being added to this operation, so that the execution authority of the application operating of operation execution request command request is thus consulted (reference) (step S124).Only carrying out request command from the operation of useful application is accepted.
In response to this instruction from control section 124, application message storage area 123 is based on the information relevant with applications 231, consults the execution authority (corresponding application availability) that the application operating that request command asks is carried out in operation in the application management table.If the application operating of being asked is executable (corresponding application availability is a "Yes"), then application message storage area 123 will indicate the response of the enforceability of the application operating of being asked to send to control section 124 (step S125).
When the response that receives from application message storage area 123, control section 124 is carried out by the operation that has received and is carried out the application operating of request command request (such as the image processing operations of copying operation, printer operation, scanner operation, facsimile transmission operation and facsimile reception operation, the part of perhaps such image processing operations), send and for applications 231 and to be used to send the order (execution response command) of response that the result of application operating is carried out in indication.In other words, will send to applications 231 (step S126 and S127) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 from the execution response command of control part 124.
On the other hand, suppose that will carry out request command from the operation of applications 232 (not being regarded as available application) send to MFP 10, and request command is carried out in this operation sent to control section 124 (step S122 and S123) via the communication process part 121 in the MFP 10 and application choice part 122.In Figure 11, with identical reference marker specify with Figure 10 in those identical steps of those corresponding steps, and the descriptions thereof are omitted.In the case, control section 124 and application message storage area 123 carry out following processing.
When receiving when carrying out request command from the operation of applications 232, control section 124 will instruct to be carried out and to send to application message storage area 123 with the relevant information of applications 232 in request command with being added to this operation, so that the execution authority of the application operating of operation execution request command request is thus consulted (step S124).Only carrying out request command from the operation of useful application is accepted.
In response to this instruction from control section 124, application message storage area 123 is based on the information relevant with applications 232, consults the execution authority (corresponding application availability) that the application operating that request command asks is carried out in operation in the application management table.If the application operating of being asked is (corresponding application availability is a "No") that can not carry out, then application message storage area 123 will indicate the response of the unenforceability of the application operating of being asked to send to control section 124 (step S125-1).
When the response that receives from application message storage area 123, control section 124 is not carried out the application operating of being carried out the request command request by the operation that has received, and give an order (not carrying out response command) for applications 232, described order is used to send the response that the result of application operating is not carried out in indication.In other words, will send to applications 232 (step S126-1 and S127-1) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 from the response command of not carrying out of control part 124.
For example, in the device information storage area 243 that can the more detailed information stores shown in Figure 13 is shown in Figure 5, as device unique information (information relevant) with image processing equipment.
Figure 13 is used for illustrating the figure that stores more detailed information device information storage area 243, relevant with image processing equipment shown in Figure 5.As shown in figure 13, except the device unique information shown in Figure 12, this device unique information also comprises and the double side printing function of each image processing equipment and the relevant information of existence of bookbinding function in addition.
When in the device information storage area 243 that the device unique information shown in Figure 13 will be stored in the applications 231 (or 232), for example, can store this device unique information by following steps: (1) is stored in details in the device information storage area 243 of applications 231 for each image processing equipment; Perhaps (2) inquire about the existence of the function that will use to each image processing equipment when applications 231 is used the details relevant with each image processing equipment.
In situation (1), because there is not query script, so the processing time is shorter.Yet being necessary externally to use provides memory capacity in 231, be used to store the details relevant with each image processing equipment.On the other hand, in situation (2), compare with the processing time of situation (1), the processing time is longer, still, will the details relevant with each image processing equipment not be stored in the applications 231.
In situation (1), the details shown in Figure 13 are stored in the device information storage area 243, as device unique information (information relevant) with each image processing equipment.For example, can be by applications 231 (1-a) or (1-b) obtain such device unique information by the following method.
According to method (1-a), be similar to device the position is set, applications 231 is known the device unique information in advance.
According to method (1-b), when applications 231 sends to MFP 10 (or another image processing equipment) with the connection request notification command, MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment) is by adding its details in the order of device notice of availability, and its device notice of availability order is sent to applications 231, as response for the connection request notification command.When the device notice of availability order that receives from MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment), applications 231 writes "Yes" to the double side printing function of correspondence and the existence of bookbinding function, and the device availability in device information storage area 243 writes "Yes", so that to register available MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment) with the similar mode of the mode shown in Figure 10.
On the other hand, in situation (2), externally use 231 and the communication process (process sequence) described in conjunction with Figure 10 above carrying out of each image processing equipment (by the information indication that is stored in the device information storage area 243) afterwards, applications 231 sends the functional inquiry order for the existence of function all usable image treatment facilities, that inquiry will be used (desired function that user expectation is used).For example, this processing of sending function querying command (functional inquiry processing) communication process afterwards becomes as shown in figure 14.
Now, will by reference Figure 14 to 17 provide in the applications 231 that forms the functional inquiry parts during to the existence of each image processing equipment query function, externally use 231 and each image processing equipment between the description of communication process.
Figure 14 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses the 3rd example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Fig. 3.As top combining with Fig. 6 and as described in, in fact, will order from control section 124 and send to application choice part 122, and send to communication process part 121 subsequently.But,, therefore for simplicity, in Figure 14, application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are illustrated as single because application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 are followed the instruction from control section 124 simply.
The application controls part 242 of applications 231 is carried out the top described communication process of Figure 10 that combines with each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10, and registration usable image treatment facility (comprising MFP10).When the user subsequently from operation part 207 carry out input operation when using the function of image processing equipment (under this particular case, when the user specifies the desired function of this user expectation use), application controls part 242 is for each available image processing equipment issue device functional inquiry order, to inquire about the existence of the function (desired function) that will use.In other words, the apparatus function querying command is sent to each image processing equipment (step S132 and S133) via application communication processing section 241.Add the device identification number be used for the identification image treatment facility to the apparatus function querying command.With device the position is set, obtains this device identification number (step S131) from the device information storage area 243 shown in Fig. 5.
When receiving apparatus function querying command (step S134) via communication process part 121 and application choice part 122, the control section 124 of MFP 10 will instruct and send to application message storage area 123 together with the information relevant with applications 231 that is added in this apparatus function querying command, so that to consulting (step S135) by the execution authority of carrying out the application operating of request command request from the operation of applications 231.Only carrying out request command from the operation of useful application is accepted.
In response to this instruction from control section 124, application message storage area 123 is based on the information relevant with applications 231, consults execution authority in the application management table, carried out the application operating of request command request by operation.If the application operating of being asked is executable (corresponding application availability is a "Yes"), then application message storage area 123 will indicate the response of the enforceability of the application operating of being asked to send to control section 124 (step S136).On the other hand, if the application operating of being asked is (corresponding application availability is a "No") that can not carry out, then application message storage area 123 will indicate the response of the unenforceability of the application operating of being asked to send to control section 124.
When the response that receives from enforceability application message storage area 123, the indication application operating of being asked, control section 124 is checked the existence by the function of the apparatus function querying command appointment that has received, and sends for applications 231 and to be used to send the order (apparatus function response command) of response that the result of described function is checked in indication.In other words, will send to applications 231 (step S137 and S138) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 from the apparatus function response command of control part 124.Add to and be sent in the applications 231 apparatus function response commands being added to the device identification information from the apparatus function querying command that applications 231 receives.
On the other hand, when the response that receives from unenforceability application message storage area 123, the indication application operating of being asked, control section 124 sends indication for applications 231 can not carry out the order of the application operating of being asked (can not carry out response command).
When the image processing equipment except MFP 10 when applications 231 receives the apparatus function querying command, this image processing equipment can be similar to the processing of above-mentioned MFP 10.
The application controls part 242 of applications 231 via application communication processing section 241 from comprising each image processing equipment receiving trap function response command (step S139) of MFP 10.If identify the image processing equipment of not finding to have from the apparatus function response command by the function (desired function that user expectation is used) of the input operation appointment of operation part 207, then example is warned as shown in Figure 15 on the screen display operation part shown in Figure 4 207 (display device), so that can not use specified function, and urge the user to specify another function (change function setting) to user notification.Figure 15 is the figure that the example of the warning screen that shows on the operation part shown in Figure 4 207 is shown.
On the other hand, if identify the image processing equipment of finding to have, then be used for selecting the processing of this image processing equipment by the function (desired function that user expectation is used) of the input operation appointment of operation part 207 from the apparatus function response command.
For example, can select the process of image processing equipment by method (A) or method (B).
According to method (A), automatic selection has the image processing equipment (image processing equipment that searches) by the function of the operation appointment of operation part 207, and image processing equipment selected to user notification and that use.
According to method (B), the tabulation of information that will be relevant with the image processing equipment that searches is presented on the operation part 207, so that urge the user to select image processing equipment.
When finding to have a plurality of image processing equipment of specified function, for example, can carry out automatic selection according to the order of finding image processing equipment, the image processing equipment found order with respect to the rapid degree of the print speed (image formation speed) of the order of the degree of closeness of the position of applications 231 or the image processing equipment found according to the image processing equipment of method (A).In the case, be similar to other device information (information relevant with image processing equipment), the application controls part 242 of applications 231 need be known physical location, print speed of image processing equipment etc. extraly.For example, can by with the screen display shown in Figure 16 on operation part 207, and to user notification by the image processing equipment of selecting automatically and using.Figure 16 illustrates the figure that is used for to the example of the screen of the applications 241 employed image processing equipments shown in user notification Fig. 3.
For example, when the tabulation that shows the information relevant, when urging the user to select with the image processing equipment that searches, can be on operation part 207 with as shown in figure 17 screen display.Figure 17 is the figure of example that the screen of the tabulation that shows the information relevant with the image processing equipment that is connected to network is shown.
After the process of the image processing equipment of selecting to have specified function, the application controls part 242 of applications 231 is sent for the respective operations of selected image processing equipment and is carried out request command, so that use (realization) specified function (step S140).The communication sequence of subsequent step S141 to S146 is identical with the communication sequence of the step S122 to S127 shown in Figure 10, and with the descriptions thereof are omitted.
In above-mentioned situation (1),, carry out search to image processing equipment with specified function based on device unique information in the device information storage area 243, shown in Figure 13.On the other hand, in above-mentioned situation (2), the functional inquiry order of the existence by will inquiring about specified function sends to all usable image treatment facilities, carries out the search to the image processing equipment with specified function.
Therefore,, comprise that each image processing equipment of MFP 10 is communicated by letter with applications, and use applications to come executable operations according to the image formation system of first embodiment.Thus, can obtain following effect.In other words, owing to can use common application between a plurality of image processing equipments publicly, so each image processing equipment can produce with low cost, but can realize a plurality of functions.In addition, can reduce the operation of upgrading application (function) version.In addition, can improve the degree of freedom of designed image treatment facility, this is not need to make amendment because also might in statu quo use internal application.
Each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 also can (utilize the initiate notification of image processing equipment in conjunction with the described process of Fig. 6 above allowing, by can communicatedly image processing equipment being connected to the process that applications 231 or 232 is used applications 231 or 232), and to carry out selectively toply (be used to connection request from applications 231 or 232 in conjunction with Figure 10 or 14 described communication processs, by can communicatedly image processing equipment being connected to the process that applications 231 or 232 is used applications 231 or 232), obtain following effect.
In other words, might increase the combination of the building block of system, and the degree of freedom of the building block of combined system improves.In addition, even can not can be connected to communicatedly by the top described process in conjunction with Fig. 6 at image processing equipment under the situation (comprising that situation or network that the power supply of the external server of applications 231 or 232 is not opened connect disabled situation) of applications 231 or 232, image processing equipment also still can be by top in conjunction with Figure 10 or 14 described communication processs and can be connected to applications 231 or 232 communicatedly.As a result, can reduce to use the possibility of using 231 or 232 executable operations, and the reliability of system improves.
In addition, for example, as shown in figure 18, can not utilize the internal application in the controller 11 to implement MFP 10, and MFP 10 only use one or more applications to carry out application operating.Figure 18 is the system chart of another functional structure that the pith of MFP shown in Figure 1 10 is shown.In Figure 18, specify and those identical parts of those counterparts among Fig. 3 with identical reference marker, and will the descriptions thereof are omitted.Certainly, other image processing equipment can have the functional structure of the functional structure of the MFP 10 that is similar to shown in Figure 18.
In addition, for example, as shown in figure 19, MFP 10 can not be provided with the application message storage area 123 in the controller 11, and can provide application message storage area 123 in the External memory equipment 30 that is connected to MFP 10 via network 1.Figure 19 is the system chart of a functional structure again that the pith of MFP shown in Figure 1 10 is shown.In Figure 19, specify and those identical parts of those counterparts among Fig. 3 with identical reference marker, and will the descriptions thereof are omitted.In the case, MFP 10 can conduct interviews to using information storage part 123 by communicating by letter with External memory equipment 30 with, and writes or read (obtaining) information relevant with internal application and applications.Certainly, other image processing equipment can have the functional structure of the functional structure of the MFP 10 that is similar to shown in Figure 19.
In addition, MFP 10 can use applications 231 or 232 by via such as other interface of USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394 I/F 110 and can be connected to applications 231 or 232 communicatedly.Certainly, other image processing equipment can be connected to applications 231 or 232 communicatedly with similar mode.
[second embodiment]
Next, with provide to form image formation system, according to the description of second embodiment of electronic apparatus system of the present invention.Form the annexation of image processing equipment image formation system, that comprise MFP and external server and hardware configuration thereof with top in conjunction with Fig. 1,2 and 4 described those are identical, and will omit description and explanation to it.
At first, will provide description by reference Figure 20 to the functional structure of the pith of MFP 10.
Figure 20 is the system chart of functional structure of pith that the MFP 10 of second embodiment is shown.In Figure 20, with the indication of identical reference marker and those identical parts of those counterparts among Fig. 3, and the general the descriptions thereof are omitted.
In MFP 10, verification portion 125 forms verification component (first verification component, second verification component), be used for receiving operation when carrying out request command from applications 231, carry out and confirm that operation carries out the proof procedure of the validity of request command via communication process part 121, application choice part 122 and control section 124.Realize the function of verification portion 125 by CPU 101 shown in Figure 2, that the basis program among the ROM 104 that is stored in is operated.
Next, will provide description by reference Figure 21 to 32 to the control among this second embodiment of image formation system.For simplicity, with the processing of omitting about internal application 131 and 132.
[the first control example]
At first, will provide sending operation when carrying out request command from applications 231 (or 232), externally using 231 (or 232) and comprise the description of first example (situation about being proved to be successful) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 21 and 22.
Figure 21 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send operation when carrying out request command, externally use the figure of first example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
When one of image processing equipment that will be connected to network 1 by the operation of operation part 207 (being MFP 10 under this particular case) selection (appointment) is the image processing equipment that will use and has selected the function that will use (certainly, described function can be selected as making automatic selection can carry out the image processing equipment of selected function) time, for example, applications 231 (or 232) request of sending realizes the operation execution request command of selected function.Applications 231 (or 232) is carried out request command to this operation and is added authorization information (using validity information), and will operate the execution request command and send to MFP10 (step S201) as selected image processing equipment.In fact, be similar to above-mentioned first embodiment, application controls part 242 will operate the execution request command by application communication processing section 241 and other order sends to MFP 10.To operate when carrying out request command and sending to MFP 10 at every turn, and all carry out request command and add authorization information to operation.
To provide the description of structure by reference Figure 22 to the order of exchange between MFP 10 and applications 231 and 232.
Figure 22 is the figure that the structure of the order of exchange between MFP shown in Figure 20 10 and applications 231 and 232 is shown.
Order shown in Figure 22 comprises application type information, authorization information, command type, order (main body of order), order additional information and the beginning of directive command and the mark (SOF, EOF) of end.
Application type information is relevant with application, and the type of indication application, for example copy application and fax application.
Authorization information is the application validity information of using when carrying out the validity of proof procedure operation execution for confirmation request command.Position by enough numbers forms authorization information, makes authorization information can easily do not duplicated, and is used as unique password for using.
Out of Memory shown in Figure 22 such as command type is identical with corresponding informance shown in Figure 7, and with the descriptions thereof are omitted.
Return the description of Figure 21 now, when from applications 231 transmit operations execution request command, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 receives (obtaining) this operation and carries out request command, and this operation execution request command is sent to application choice part 122 (step S202).
Application choice part 122 receives operation from communication process part 121 and carries out request command, and this operation execution request command is sent to control section 124 (step S203).
When receiving operation execution request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 is only carried out request command from this operation and is extracted authorization information, and will verify that by this authorization information being added in the checking request command request command sends to verification portion 125 (step S204).
When receiving the checking request command from control section 124, verification portion 125 is obtained request command with application message and is sent to control section 124 (step S205).
When receiving application message from verification portion 125 when obtaining request command, for example, control section 124 obtains request command by adding the IP address (application implementation positional information) of applications 231 to application message, and being obtained request command, this application message sends to application message storage area 123, so that obtain the information relevant with applications 231 from application message storage area 123, wherein said applications 231 is to send the source (step S206) that request command is carried out in the operation that has been acquired.
When receiving application message from control section 124 when obtaining request command, application message storage area 123 obtains IP address in the request command based on being added to this application message, from the application management table that will be described later, read the information (application message) relevant with applications 231, and send the application message notification command that (generation) comprises the information (application message) relevant with applications 231, and this application message notification command is sent to control section 124 (step S207).
When receiving (obtaining) application message notification command from application message storage area 123, control section 124 sends to verification portion 125 (step S208) with this application message notification command.
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, verification portion 125 is carried out proof procedure, carries out the validity of request command to confirm the operation that has been received by control section 124.In other words, the authorization information that verification portion 125 will be added in the operation execution request command that has received compares with the application message that is added in the application message notification command, whether mates (step S209) to determine these two.If these two information matches that compared, then verification portion 125 decision verifications success (confirming the validity of operation execution request command), and allow to carry out the application operating (command process) of the operation execution request command request that (visit) obtained by Be Controlled part 124, and, to visit the permission notification command and send and send to control section 124, described visit allows notification command to comprise that indication is proved to be successful (validity of operation execution request command is identified), and the information (step S210) of the application operating (command process) of request command request is carried out in the operation that has allowed execution (visit) to be obtained by Be Controlled part 124.
When receiving visit permission notification command from verification portion 125, control section 124 is carried out the application operating (command process) (step S211) of being carried out the request command request by the operation of having obtained.In addition, control section 124 will comprise that indication carries out the result's of application operating information processing result notification order and send and send to application choice part 122 (step S212).
When control section 124 receives the result notification command, application choice part 122 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to communication process part 121 (step S213).
When application choice part 122 receives the result notification command, communication process part 121 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to applications 231 (step S214).
When sending the request of operation fill order from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 21.
Next, will provide sending operation when carrying out request command from applications 231 (or 232), externally using 231 (or 232) and comprise the description of second example (verifying unsuccessful situation) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 23.
Figure 23 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send operation when carrying out request command, externally use the figure of second example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
In Figure 23, step S221 to S228 is identical with those the corresponding step S201 to S208 shown in above-mentioned Figure 21, and with the descriptions thereof are omitted.Thus, will provide from the description of the process of step S229.
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, the verification portion 125 of MFP 10 is carried out proof procedure, carries out the validity of request command to confirm the operation that has been received by control section 124.In other words, the authorization information that verification portion 125 will be added in the operation execution request command that has received is compared with the application message in being added to the application message notification command, whether mates (step S229) to determine the two.If these two information that compared do not match, verification portion 125 decision verifications unsuccessful (confirm that operation carry out the ineffectivity of request command) then, and refusal is carried out the execution (visit) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by operation, and, to verify that Notice Of Nonavailability order (result notification order) sends and send to control section 124, the order of described checking Notice Of Nonavailability comprises indication checking unsuccessful (operation carry out request command ineffectivity be identified), and carry out the unaccepted information of execution (visit) (step S230) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by the operation that Be Controlled part 124 is obtained.Although omitted the explanation to it in Figure 23, the information that ineffective access (receive invalid operation and carry out request command) made in indication is displayed on the operation part 107 of MFP 10.
When receiving the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability from verification portion 125, control section 124 sends the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability for applications 231.In other words, control section 124 will verify that the Notice Of Nonavailability order sends to applications 231 (step S231 to S233) via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121.
When receiving checking Notice Of Nonavailability order from MFP 10, applications 231 will indicate the information of having made ineffective access (having sent invalid operation execution request command) for MFP10 to be presented on the operation part shown in Figure 4 207.
When having sent operation execution request command from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 23.
Next, will provide by reference Figure 24 the CPU 101 in the controller 11 of MFP 10 will be received the description of the proof procedure of operation when carrying out request command from applications 231 (or 232).Image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to MFP 10 and carry out this process, and thus, omission is to its description and explanation.
Figure 24 is the process flow diagram that is used for the processing of the CPU 101 in the controller 11 of explanation when receiving operation execution request command from applications 231 (or 232), at MFP 10.
When receive when carrying out request command the CPU 101 beginnings processing routine shown in Figure 24 of MFP 10 via MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109 or IEEE1394 I/F 110 from the operation of applications 231 (or 232).At first, step S1 obtains operation and carries out request command, and step S2 extracts and is added (add) and carries out authorization information (application validity information) in the request command to the operation of being obtained.Step S3 obtains corresponding application message (it is registered in advance) from application message storage area 123, and step S4 carries out proof procedure to confirm the validity of operation execution request command.In other words, authorization information and the application message before extracted are compared, whether mate to determine these two information.
Now, with the description that provides authorization information and application message.
As mentioned above, authorization information is the application validity information of using when proof procedure is operated the validity of carrying out request command with affirmation carrying out.Thus, authorization information is to carry out identification information unique the application in source of request command (application identities number) for sending operation ideally.The type information (application type information) of indication application type can also be used as authorization information.In the case, can from order, delete authorization information with the structure shown in Figure 22.
For example, the application management table shown in Figure 25 is stored in the application message storage area 123.Figure 25 is the figure that the application management table in the storage application message storage area 123 shown in Figure 20 is shown.
As shown in figure 25, for each application ( internal application 131 and 132, applications 231 and 232) of the operation (function) that is used for realizing carrying out at MFP 10, application management table comprises the information (application message) of indication apply names, application identities number (using ID number), application implementation positional information (IP address etc.) and application type.
Thereby, if the authorization information that is added in the operation execution request command is for example to use ID number, also must be to use ID number then with its application message relatively.Replacedly, if for example use the application type information that is added in the operation execution request command, also must be application type information then with its application message relatively as authorization information.In the case, verification portion 125 must be judged the application type information that is added in the operation execution request command, and, thereby verification portion 125 is correspondingly served as application type and is judged part.
Return the description of Figure 24 now, if carry out the authorization information of request command extraction and the application message coupling of obtaining from application message storage area 123, the then CPU 101 of MFP 10 decision verification success in step S5 (being) (confirming the validity of operation execution request command) from operation.In step S6, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 allows to be carried out by the operation of having obtained the execution of the application operating (command process) of request command request.In step S7, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carries out the application operating (command process) of being carried out the request command request by operation.Subsequently, in step S8, the result that the CPU 101 of MFP 10 will carry out application operating (command process) sends to applications 231, and this process finishes.
If carry out the authorization information that request command extracts and the application message of obtaining from application message storage area 123 does not match from operation, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 decision verification in step S5 (deny) get nowhere (authorization information is invalid) then.In step S9, CPU 101 refusal of MFP 10 is carried out the execution (visit of being undertaken by applications) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by the operation that has received, and will comprise that the visit of indicating applications is that applications 231 is sent and sent in the checking Notice Of Nonavailability order of the information of ineffective access.In addition, in step S10, the information of indication having been carried out ineffective access is presented on the operation part 107, and this process finishes.
If use to be added to the operation that is received and to carry out application type information in the request command, then this application type information and the application type information of obtaining from application message storage area 123 (be used to realize can by the type information of the application of MFP 10 execution) be compared as authorization information.For example, do not carry out request command if in MFP 10, implement facsimile function (or facility) and receive the fax operation from applications 231, then will be added (adding) compares with the application type information of obtaining from application message storage area 123 to the application type information in the fax operation execution request command, but these two information that compared do not match.In the case, decision verification gets nowhere (or failure) and can not carry out the fax operation.
In addition, if CPU 101 decision verifications of MFP 10 are unsuccessful, the information that then might indication not made ineffective access is presented on the operation part 107, but add this information to ineffective access log information (it is stored shown in figure 2 among NVRAM 105 or the HDD 106), this ineffective access log information can be presented at after making on the operation part 107 or be printed on the recording medium such as paper by plotting apparatus.
In addition, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 24.
, obtain such as the application message of using id information and application type information in conjunction with the described process of Figure 21 to 25 according to top from application message storage area 123.Yet, by with the application message initial storage in verification portion 125, might judge the validity of visit under needn't be to the situation of using information storage part 123 inquiry application messages.
According to this first control example, each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 is by communicating by letter with applications, and by using applications to come executable operations.Thus, owing to can use common application between a plurality of image processing equipments publicly, so each image processing equipment can produce with low cost, but can realize a plurality of functions.In addition, can reduce the operation of upgrading application (function) version.In addition, can improve the degree of freedom of designed image treatment facility, this is needn't make amendment because also can in statu quo use internal application.In addition, because carry out the proof procedure that request command is used for confirming the validity of visiting,, can get rid of ineffective access from applications so carry out request command for each operation for each operation that sends from applications.
Carry out authorization information in the request command if use to use id information (for applications unique identification information) as being added to operation, then can help image processing equipment to realize described application, this is because using id information can manage with the form of admin table, and uses when carrying out proof procedure.
Carry out authorization information in the request command if use application type information (be used for realizing can at the type information of the application of the operation that image processing equipment is carried out) as being added to operation, then can help image processing equipment to realize described application, this is because application type information can be used the format management of admin table, and uses when carrying out proof procedure.
[the second control example]
Next, will provide sending when using the connection request order from applications 231 (or 232), externally use 231 (or 232) and comprising the description of first example (situation about being proved to be successful) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 26.
Figure 26 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses first example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
When one of image processing equipment that will be connected to network 1 by the operation of operation part 207 (being MFP 10 under this particular case) selection (appointment) is the image processing equipment that will use and has selected the function that will use (certainly, this function can be selected as making automatic selection can carry out the image processing equipment of selected function) time, for example, applications 231 (or 232) is sent connection request order (using the connection request order).Applications 231 (or 232) is used connection request order to this and is added authorization information (using validity information), and will use the connection request order and send to MFP 10 (step S301) as selected image processing equipment.
When having sent the order of application connection request from applications 231, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 receives (obtaining), and this uses the connection request order, and this application connection request order is sent to application choice part 122 (step S302).
Application choice part 122 receives from communication process part 121 and uses the connection request order, and this application connection request order is sent to control section 124 (step S303).
When receiving the order of application connection request from application choice part 122, control section 124 is only used the connection request order from this and is extracted authorization information, and will verify that by this authorization information being added in the checking request command request command sends to verification portion 125 (step S304).
When receiving the checking request command from control section 124, verification portion 125 is obtained request command with application message and is sent to control section 124 (step S305).
When receiving application message from verification portion 125 when obtaining request command, for example, control section 124 obtains request command by adding the IP address (use and realize positional information) of applications 231 to application message, and being obtained request command, this application message sends to application message storage area 123, so that obtain the information relevant with applications 231 from application message storage area 123, wherein said applications 231 is the sources (step S306) of sending the application connection request order that has been acquired.
When receiving application message from control section 124 when obtaining request command, application message storage area 123 obtains IP address in the request command based on being added to this application message, read the information (application message) relevant from the application management table shown in Figure 25 with applications 231, and send the application message notification command that (generation) comprises the information (application message) relevant with applications 231, and this application message notification command is sent to control section 124 (step S307).
When receiving (obtaining) application message notification command from application message storage area 123, control section 124 sends to verification portion 125 (step S308) with this application message notification command.
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, verification portion 125 is carried out proof procedure, with the validity of the application connection request order confirming to be received by control section 124.In other words, the authorization information that verification portion 125 will be added in the application connection request order that has received is compared with the application message in being added to the application message notification command, whether mates (step S309) to determine the two.If these two information matches that compared, then verification portion 125 decision verifications success (confirming to use the validity of connection request order), and allow be connected (use of MFP 10) of the MFP 10 of the application connection request command request obtained by Be Controlled part 124 and applications 231, and, to connect permission notification command (or the order of device notice of availability) and send and send to control section 124, wherein said connection allows notification command (or the order of device notice of availability) to comprise that indication is proved to be successful (validity of application connection request order is identified), and the MFP 10 and the information (step S310) that has been allowed to being connected of applications 231 of the application connection request command request of obtaining by Be Controlled part 124.
When receiving connection permission notification command from verification portion 125, control section 124 connects permission notification command with this and sends to application choice part 122 (step S311).
When receiving connection permission notification command from control section 124, application choice part 122 connects permission notification command with this and sends to communication process part 121 (step S312).
When receiving connection permission notification command from application choice part 122, communication process part 121 connects permission notification command with this and sends to applications 231 (step S313).
When receiving connection permission notification command from MFP 10, applications 231 identifies that applications 231 can be connected communicatedly with MFP 10 and MFP 10 has become available (addressable), and will be used to realize that the function operations of having selected carries out request command and send and send to MFP 10 (step S314).
When having sent operation from applications 231 and carry out request command, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 sends to application choice part 122 (step S315) with the operation execution request command that institute receives (obtaining).
When receiving operation execution request command from communication process part 121, application choice part 122 is carried out request command with this operation and is sent to control section 124 (step S316).
When receiving operation execution request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 is carried out operation thus and is carried out the application operating (command process) (step S317) of request command request, and will comprise that indication carries out the result's of application operating information processing result notification order and send and send to application choice part 122 (step S318).
When control section 124 receives the result notification command, application choice part 122 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to communication process part 121 (step S319).
When application choice part 122 receives the result notification command, communication process part 121 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to applications 231 (step S320).
When sending the order of application connection request from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 26.
Next, will provide sending when using the connection request order from applications 231 (or 232), externally use 231 (or 232) and comprising the description of second example (verifying unsuccessful situation) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 27.
Figure 27 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses second example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
In Figure 27, step S321 to S328 is identical with those the corresponding step S301 to S308 shown in above-mentioned Figure 26, and with the descriptions thereof are omitted.Thus, will provide from the description of the process of step S329.
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, the verification portion 125 of MFP 10 is carried out proof procedure, with the validity of the application connection request order confirming to be received by control section 124.In other words, the authorization information that verification portion 125 will be added in the application connection request order that has received is compared with the application message in being added to the application message notification command, whether mates (step S329) to determine the two.If these two information that compared do not match, verification portion 125 decision verifications unsuccessful (confirming to use the ineffectivity of connection request order) then, and will comprise that the checking Notice Of Nonavailability order (result notification order) of the information of indication checking unsuccessful (having confirmed to use the ineffectivity of connection request order) sends and send to control section 124 (step S330).
When receiving the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability from verification portion 125, control section 124 will verify that the Notice Of Nonavailability order sends to application choice part 122 (step S331).
When receiving the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability from control section 124, application choice part 122 sends to communication process part 121 (step S332) with this checking Notice Of Nonavailability order.
When receiving the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability from application choice part 122, communication process part 121 sends to applications 231 (step S333) with this checking Notice Of Nonavailability order.
After the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 will verify that the Notice Of Nonavailability order sends to applications 231, if communication process part 121 receives operation from applications 231 and carries out request command, then communication process part 121 will refuse MFP 10 and refuse to order to the connection of the connection of applications 231 and send to applications 231 (step S334 and S335).
When having sent the order of application connection request from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 27.
According to this second control example, each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 is by communicating by letter with applications, and by using applications to come executable operations.Thus, owing to can use common application between a plurality of image processing equipments publicly, so each image processing equipment can be with low-cost production, but can realize a plurality of functions.In addition, can reduce the operation of upgrading application (function) version.In addition, can improve the degree of freedom of designed image treatment facility, this is needn't make amendment because also can in statu quo use internal application.In addition, because carry out proof procedure to confirm using the validity of connection request order from first of applications transmission, if and be proved to be successful, then allow visit (connection) for this applications, and,, carry out immediately carrying out request command requested operation (visit) by follow-up operation follow-up operation execution request command not being carried out under the situation of this proof procedure, so use the connection request order for each, can get rid of ineffective access from applications.
In above-mentioned proof procedure, confirm operation execution request command or use the validity of connection request order.In other words, confirm to send the validity that operation is carried out request command or used the applications of connection request order.Yet proof procedure can confirm to comprise the validity of the external server of applications.
[the 3rd control example]
Next, will provide sending when using the connection request order from applications 231 (or 232), externally use 231 (or 232) and comprising the description of the 3rd example (situation about being proved to be successful) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 28.
Figure 28 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send the figure that when using the connection request order, externally uses the 3rd example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
When one of image processing equipment that will be connected to network 1 by the operation of operation part 207 (being MFP 10 under this particular case) selection (appointment) is the image processing equipment that will use and has selected the function that will use (certainly, this function can be selected as making automatic selection can carry out the image processing equipment of selected function) time, for example, applications 231 (or 232) is sent connection request order (use connection request order), and will use the connection request order and send to MFP 10 (step S401) as selected image processing equipment.
When having sent the order of application connection request from applications 231, the applications 231 that the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 is sent the source of using the connection request order to conduct sends the password request order (step S402) of asking password.
When receiving the order of (obtaining) password request from MFP 10, the MFP 10 that applications 231 is sent the source of password request order to conduct sends the password transmission order (step S403) that comprises the password of registering (storing among the NVRAM205 or HDD 206 shown in Figure 4) in advance.
Communication sequence from step S401 to step S403 forms the scheduled communication sequence.
When receiving password transmission order from applications 231, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 only transmits order from this password and extracts password, and by this password being added to the checking request command this checking request command is sent to application choice part 122 (step S404).
When receiving the checking request command from communication process part 121, application choice part 122 sends to control section 124 (step S405) with this checking request command.
When receiving the checking request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 sends to verification portion 125 (step S406) with this checking request command.
When receiving checking from control section 124 during request command, verification portion 125 is extracted password (authorization information) from this checking request command, and application message is obtained request command sends to control section 124 (step S407).
When receiving application message from verification portion 125 when obtaining request command, for example, control section 124 obtains in the request command by adding the IP address of applications 231 to this application message, and being obtained request command, this application message sends to application message storage area 123, so that obtain and applications 231 corresponding passwords (step S408) from application message storage area 123.
When receiving application message from control section 124 when obtaining request command, application message storage area 123 obtains IP address in the request command according to being added to this application message, read and applications 231 corresponding passwords from application management table, and will comprise that the application message notification command of this password sends and send to control section 124 (step S409).
When application message storage area 123 receives the application message notification command, control section 124 sends to verification portion 125 (step S410) with this application message notification command.
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, verification portion 125 is carried out proof procedure, with the validity of the application connection request order confirming to be received by control section 124.In other words, verification portion 125 will be added to password in the checking request command that has received compare with the password in being added to the application message notification command (step S411).If these two password that is compared couplings, then verification portion 125 decision verifications success (confirming to use the validity of connection request order), and allow be connected (the allowing the use of MFP 10) of MFP10 and applications 231, and, will comprise that the connection of the information that indication is proved to be successful allows notification command (or the order of device notice of availability) to send and send to control section 124 (step S412).
The communication sequence of step S413 to S422 subsequently is identical with the communication sequence of the step S311 to S320 shown in Figure 26, and with the descriptions thereof are omitted.
Can carry out following process and substitute the process of the step S402 to S411 shown in Figure 28.
That is to say that when the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 receives when using the connection request order from applications 231, communication process part 121 sends the password request order that comprises the random number that is generated by verification portion 125 to applications 231.In the case, in fact, communication process part 121 is sent the random number request command of request random number, and this random number request command is sent to verification portion 125 via application choice part 122 and control section 124.As a result, verification portion 125 generates random number in response to this random number request command, and this random number is sent to communication process part 121 via control section 124 and application choice part 122.
When MFP 10 receives the password request order, applications 231 is added to the random number in this password request order according to predetermined (or determining) methods analyst (or explanation), with the generation password, and will comprise that the password transmission order of the password that is generated sends to MFP 10.
When receiving password from applications 231 when transmitting order, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 only transmits order from password and extracts password, and should verify by this password being added to the checking request command that request command sent to application choice part 122.
When receiving the checking request command from communication process part 121, application choice part 122 sends to control section 124 with this checking request command.
When receiving the checking request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 sends to verification portion 125 with this checking request command.
When receiving checking from control section 124 during request command, from then on verification portion 125 verifies that request command extracts password, and is used to confirm use the proof procedure of the validity of connection request order by this password is compared with the random number that has generated.
Replacedly, can carry out the process that following process substitutes the step S402 to S415 shown in Figure 28.
That is to say that when receiving the order of application connection request from applications 231, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 sends first people's requests for identification information order of request first identification information (personal identification number etc.) to applications 231.
When receiving first people's requests for identification information order from MFP 10, applications 231 sends first identification information that comprises the first predetermined identification information to MFP10 and transmits order.
When receiving first identification information transmission order from applications 231, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 sends the second identification information request command of two second identification information of request to applications 231.
When receiving the second identification information request command from MFP 10, applications 231 sends second identification information that comprises the second predetermined identification information by repetition to MFP 10 and transmits twice of order.
When receiving second identification information for twice from applications 231 when transmitting order, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 sends the 3rd identification information request command of three the 3rd identification information of request to applications 231.
When receiving the 3rd identification information request command from MFP 10, applications 231 sends the 3rd identification information that comprises the 3rd predetermined identification information by repetition to MFP 10 and transmits order three times.
When receiving the 3rd identification information for 231 3 times from applications when transmitting order, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 judges that these communication sequences are according to predetermined protocol and be proved to be successful.Thus, communication process part 121 allows being connected of MFP 10 and applications 231, and will comprise that the connection of the information that indication is proved to be successful allows notification command to send to applications 231.
Next, will by reference Figure 29 provide to obtained when using the connection request order from applications 231 (or 232), the more detailed description of the processing of CPU 101 in the controller 11 at MFP 10.Because the image processing equipment except MFP 10 carries out the processing similar to the processing of MFP 10, therefore will omit description and explanation to it.
Figure 29 be used to illustrate obtained from applications when using the connection request order, the process flow diagram of the processing of CPU 101 in the controller 11 of MFP 10 shown in Figure 20.
When the application connection request order that receives via MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109 or IEEE1394 I/F 110 from applications 231 (or 232), the CPU 101 of MFP 10 starts the processing routine shown in Figure 29.At first, step S11 obtains and uses the connection request order, and according to agreement predetermined between MFP 10 and applications 231, is used to confirm that this uses the communication sequence of the validity of connection request order.
Then, step S 12 carries out proof procedure by this communication sequence, uses the validity of connection request order to confirm this.In other words, judge, to determine that whether this communication sequence is according to above-mentioned agreement (for example, whether the password that is added to from the password transmission order that applications 231 is obtained mates the password that is added to from the application message that application message storage area 123 obtains).If this communication sequence according to above-mentioned agreement (for example, if these two password couplings), then step S13 judges that (being) is proved to be successful that (agreement is effective, and the validity of connection request order is used in affirmation), and step S14 allows the connection (communication) between MFP 10 and the applications 231, and will comprise that indication allows the connection of the information of connection (communication) to allow notification command to send to applications 231.
Thereby step S15 obtains operation from applications 231 and carries out request command, and step S16 carries out the application operating (command process) that the request command request is carried out in operation thus.The result that step S17 will carry out application operating sends to applications 231.Step S18 end MFP 10 communicates by letter with applications 231, and this process finishes.
If communication sequence is according to above-mentioned agreement, then step S13 judges (deny) checking unsuccessful (agreement is invalid), and step S19 refusal is by the execution of the application operating (command process) of operation execution request command request (visit of being undertaken by applications 231).In addition, step S19 will comprise that indication communication protocol is that applications 231 is sent and sent in the checking Notice Of Nonavailability order of the information of invalidation protocol.In addition, the information that step S20 has made ineffective access with indication is presented on the operation part 107, and this process finishes.
If CPU 101 decision verifications of MFP 10 are unsuccessful, the information that then can indication not made ineffective access is presented on the operation part 107, but add this information to ineffective access log information (it is stored among NVRAM shown in Figure 2 105 or the HDD 106), this ineffective access log information can be presented at after making on the operation part 107 or be printed on the recording medium such as paper by plotting apparatus.
When having sent operation execution request command from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 29.
According to this 3rd control example, can obtain being similar to the effect of the effect that in the second control example, obtains.In addition, when receiving the order of application connection request from applications, each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 can be used for confirming to use the communication sequence of the validity of connection request order according to agreement predetermined between each image processing equipment and applications, so that be used for confirming to use according to described communication sequence the proof procedure of the validity of connection request order.Thus, compare, can realize stricter application access management with the situation of only using the authorization information that is added in the order of application connection request to carry out proof procedure.Yet, when also using the authorization information that is added in the order of application connection request to carry out proof procedure, can realize stricter application access management.
[the 4th control example]
Next, will provide sending operation when carrying out request command from applications 231 (or 232), externally using 231 (or 232) and comprise the description of the 4th example (situation about being proved to be successful) of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 30.
Figure 30 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send operation when carrying out request command, externally use the figure of the 4th example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.For simplicity, suppose that verification portion 125 comprises that ID judges the function of part 125a and application type judgement part 125b.
When one of image processing equipment that will be connected to network 1 by the operation of operation part 207 (being MFP 10 under this particular case) selection (appointment) is the image processing equipment that will use and has selected the function that will use (certainly, this function can be selected as making automatic selection can carry out the image processing equipment of selected function) time, for example, applications 231 (or 232) request of sending is carried out the operation of selected function and is carried out request command, and will operate the execution request command and send to MFP 10 (step S501) as selected image processing equipment.In fact, be similar to above-mentioned first embodiment, application controls part 242 will operate the execution request command by application communication processing section 241 and other order sends to MFP 10.
When having sent operation execution request command from applications 231, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 receives (obtaining) this operation and carries out request command, and this operation execution request command is sent to application choice part 122 (step S502).
When receiving operation execution request command from communication process part 121, application choice part 122 is carried out request command with this operation and is sent to control section 124 (step S503).
When receiving operation execution request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 is only carried out request command from this operation and is extracted the application id information, and add application ID to by the application id information that will be extracted and verify in the request command, this is used ID checking request command send to application ID judgement part 125a (step S504).
When receiving application ID checking request command from control section 124, use ID and judge that part 125a obtains request command with application message and sends to control section 124 (step S505).
When receiving application message from verification portion 125 when obtaining request command, for example, control section 124 is by adding the IP address (application implementation positional information) of applications 231, send to application message storage area 123 and this application message is obtained request command, so as from application message storage area 123 obtain with as sending the relevant information (step S506) of applications 231 that the source of request command is carried out in the operation that received.
When receiving application message from control section 124 when obtaining request command, application message storage area 123 obtains IP address in the request command based on being added to this application message, read the information (application message) relevant from application management table, and will comprise that the application message notification command of this application message sends and send to control section 124 (step S507) with applications 231.
When application message storage area 123 receives the application message notification command, control section 124 sends to this application message notification command and uses ID and judge part 125a (step S508).
When control section 124 receives the application message notification command, use ID and judge that part 125a carries out first proof procedure, to confirm to carry out the validity of request command by the operation that control section 124 receives.In other words, use ID and judge that part 125a will be added to the interior application id information of application id information and the application message in being added to the application message notification command in the application ID checking request command that has received compare (step S509).If these two application id information couplings that compared, then use ID and judge that part 125a judges that using ID is proved to be successful, and allow to carry out the execution (visit) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by the operation that Be Controlled part 124 is obtained, and, will comprise that the visit of the information that indication application ID is proved to be successful allows notification command to send and send to control section 124 (step S510).
When judging that from application ID part 125a receives visit permission notification command, control section 124 is only carried out from the operation that partly receives from application choice and is extracted application type information the request command, and from from the application message notification command that application message storage area 123 receives, extracting application type information, so that will comprise that the application type decision request order of the application type information of these two extractions sends to application type and judges part 125b (step S511).
When receiving the order of application type decision request from control section 124, application type judges that part 125b carries out second proof procedure, carries out the validity of request command to confirm the operation that has been received by control section 124.In other words, application type is judged part 125b two the application type information in the order of application type decision request of will being added to compare (step S512).If these two application type information matches that compared, then application type judges that part 125b judges that application type is proved to be successful (validity of confirming operation execution request command), and allow to carry out the execution of the application operating (command process) of request command request by the operation that Be Controlled part 124 is obtained, and, will comprise that the visit of the information that the indication application type is proved to be successful allows notification command to send and send to control section 124 (step S513).
When also judging that from application type part 125b receives visit when allowing notification command, control section 124 is carried out the application operating (command process) (step S514) of being carried out the request command request by the operation that has received.In addition, control section 124 will comprise that indication carries out the result's of application operating information processing result notification order and send and send to application choice part 122 (step S515).
Application choice part 122 receives the result notification command from control section 124, and this processing result notification order is sent to communication process part 121 (step S516).
When application choice part 122 receives the result notification command, communication process part 121 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to applications 231 (step S517).
If these two application id informations that compared do not match, then use ID and judge that part 125a judges that using the ID checking gets nowhere, and refusal is carried out the execution of the application operating of request command request by operation, and, will comprise that indication uses ID and verify that the checking Notice Of Nonavailability order (result notification order) of unsuccessful information sends and send to control section 124.In addition, the information of indication having been made ineffective access is presented on the operation part 107.
If these two application type information that compared do not match, then application type judges that part 125b judges that the application type checking is unsuccessful, and refusal is carried out the execution of the application operating of request command request by operation, and, will comprise that the indication application type verifies that the checking Notice Of Nonavailability order of unsuccessful information sends and send to control section 124.In addition, the information of indication having been made ineffective access is presented on the operation part 107.
When judging that from application ID part 125a or application type judge that part 125b receives the order of checking Notice Of Nonavailability, control section 124 sends this checking Notice Of Nonavailability order for applications 231.In other words, control section 124 should verify that the Notice Of Nonavailability order was via application choice part 122 and communication process part 121 and send to applications 231.
When receiving checking Notice Of Nonavailability order from MFP 10, it is on the information demonstration of the ineffective access operation part 207 shown in Figure 4 that applications 231 will indicate visit to MFP 10.
When having sent operation execution request command from applications 231, the image processing equipment except MFP 10 can be similar to above-mentioned MFP 10 and carry out process shown in Figure 30.
According to this 4th control example, can obtain being similar to the effect of the effect that can in the above-mentioned first control example, obtain.Yet, when each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 carry out described proof procedure, to confirm when the validity of request command is carried out in each operation that applications sends, compare with the above-mentioned first control example, can get rid of the ineffective access from applications more for certain, this is because these two authorization informations (using id information, application type information) that are added in the operation execution request command are used to proof procedure.In other words, can realize stricter application access management.
[the 5th control example]
Do not have at MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment) under the situation of verification portion 125 (use ID and judge part 125a or application type judgement part 125b), can be by key operation from operation part 107, set in advance and register (writing in the application management table in application message storage area 123) and use id information or application type information, so that carry out above-mentioned proof procedure (using ID checking or application type checking) according to the information of being registered, wherein said application id information or application type information are for unique identification information (with using relevant information) the application that will allow (or refusal) visit concerning it.
Replacedly, the application (applications 231 and 232) that has automatic search external server 20 at MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment), and under the situation of the function of the application that registration responds as useful application (will with use relevant information be written in the application management table of application message storage area 123), can register in advance for unique identification information the application that will allow (or refusal) visit, and can limit 10 addressable application by key operation (key operation that the keeper of MFP 10 or user carry out) from operation part 107 for MFP concerning it.In the case, for example, with the application choice screen display shown in Figure 31 on operation part 107.Figure 31 is the figure that the example of the application choice screen that is presented on the operation part shown in Figure 20 107 is shown.Use for each, will be presented in the application choice screen shown in Figure 31 such as IP address or apply names and application type, relevant information with application.Thus, by carry out key operation on display screen (if touch pad is provided from operation part 107, then touch corresponding key) and select (appointments) will allow the application of (or refusal) visit to it, can allow (or refusal) only from the visit of selected application.
According to this 5th control example, can obtain being similar to the effect of the effect that can in the above-mentioned first control example, obtain.Yet, when each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 sets in advance (registration) for allowing or refuse unique information concerning the application of the visit of this image processing equipment, and carry out identification information (authorization information) in the request command and compare with this identification information of using peculiar registration and carry out proof procedure by being added to operation, to confirm when the validity of request command is carried out in each operation that applications sends, can use image processing equipment under the situation that improves security, this is to allow or refuse application operating because of whether mating according to these two identification informations that compared.
[the 6th control example]
Next, will provide sending operation when carrying out request command from applications 231 (or 232), externally using 231 (or 232) and comprise the description of the 5th example of the communication sequence between each image processing equipment of MFP 10 by reference Figure 31.
Figure 32 is illustrated in from applications 231 (or 232) to send operation when carrying out request command, externally use the figure of the 5th example of the communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in 231 (or 232) and Figure 20.
Control section 124 is by carrying out key operation from operation part 107, and registration (write and store in NVRAM shown in Figure 2 105 or HDD 106) indication in advance allows the communication means type information of the type of the communication means that (or refusal) be used for the communication between MFP 10 and the applications 231 (or 232) to the circuit types information or the indication of the type of the communication line of its visit.
When one of image processing equipment that will be connected to network 1 by the operation of operation part 207 (being MFP 10 under this particular case) selection (appointment) is the image processing equipment that will use and has selected the function that will use (certainly, this function can be selected as making automatic selection can carry out the image processing equipment of selected function) time, for example, applications 231 (or 232) request of sending is carried out the operation of selected function and is carried out request command, and will operate the execution request command and send to MFP 10 (step S601) as selected image processing equipment.
When having sent operation from applications 231 and carried out request command, the communication process part 121 of MFP 10 judge transfer operations carry out request commands communication line type or be used for request command is sent to the communication means of MFP 10 from applications 231 type is carried out in operation.In addition, communication process part 121 is carried out before request command sends to application choice part 122 will operating, and circuit types information or communication means type information that will the indication result of determination add in this operation execution request command (step S602).
When receiving operation execution request command from communication process part 121, application choice part 122 is carried out request command with this operation and is sent to control section 124 (step S603).
When receiving operation execution request command from application choice part 122, control section 124 will verify that request command sends to verification portion 125 (step S604).
When receiving the checking request command from control section 124, verification portion 125 is carried out proof procedure, with according to the circuit types information that is added in the checking request command, allow or refuse to carry out the execution (visit) (step S605) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by operation.For example, the circuit types information that is added in the checking request command is compared with the circuit types information of registration in advance, and, the execution of the application operating that allows or refuse to be asked whether mated according to these two circuit types information that compared.For example, if be the network that allows described visit, then allow the execution of the application operating of being asked by the communication line of circuit types information indication.On the other hand, if be the serial i/F (USB or IEEE1394 I/F) of the described visit of refusal by the communication line of circuit types information indication, the then execution of the refusal application operating of being asked.
On the other hand, if the communication means type information is added to from the checking request command that control section 124 receives, then verification portion 125 is carried out proof procedure, with according to the communication means type information that is added in the checking request command, allow or refuse to carry out the execution (visit) (step S605) of the application operating (command process) of request command request by operation.For example, the communication means type information that is added in the checking request command is compared with the communication means type information of registration in advance, and whether mate the execution of the application operating that allows or refuse to be asked according to these two communication means type informations that compared.For example, if be to use the communication means of the network that allows described visit, then allow the execution of the application operating of being asked by the communication means of communication means type information indication.On the other hand, if be to use the communication means of the serial i/F (USB or IEEE1394 I/F) of the described visit of refusal by the communication means of communication means type information indication, the then execution of the refusal application operating of being asked.
Thus, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 serves as communication line type decision parts and/or communication means type decision parts.
After carrying out above-mentioned proof procedure, verification portion 125 will comprise that the checking result notification order of indication checking result's information sends to control section 124 (step S606).
When receiving the order of checking result notification from verification portion 125, the content of control section 124 decision verification result notification orders, if and identified the permission visit, then control section 124 would be carried out the application operating (step S607) of being carried out the request command request by the operation that has received.Subsequently, control section 124 will comprise that indication carries out the result's of application operating information processing result notification order and send and send to application choice part 122 (step S608).
When control section 124 receives the result notification command, application choice part 122 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to communication process part 121 (step S609).
When application choice part 122 receives the result notification command, communication process part 121 is handled result notification order with this and is sent to applications 231 (step S610).
If control section 124 goes out access denied according to the content recognition of the checking result notification order that receives from verification portion 125, then control section 124 will comprise that indication sends and send to application choice part 122 to the unaccepted access reject notification command of visit (result notification command) of the application operating of being asked.
If receive the access reject notification command from control section 124, then application choice part 122 sends to communication process part 121 with this visit refusal notification command.
If receive the access reject notification command from application choice part 122, then communication process part 121 sends to applications 231 with this visit refusal notification command.
According to this 6th control example, can obtain being similar to the effect of the effect that can in the above-mentioned first control example, obtain.Yet, when each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 receives operation when carrying out request command from applications, judge transfer operation carry out request command communication line type or be used for the type of its communication means, and allow or refuse to carry out the execution of the application operating of request command request according to the result of this judgement by operation.Owing to this reason, can get rid of ineffective access more for certain from applications.
[the 7th control example]
If there is the server of the applications that comprises repetition ineffective access (carrying out some notice), then the CPU 101 of MFP 10 can be considered as this server dangerous server, and refusal is from the visit of all application applications that comprises the repetition ineffective access, this dangerous server.
As a kind of method of judging dangerous server, for example, can count the retry number of ineffective access, and if the count number of retry surpass predetermined value (certain limit value), then denied access.
For example, for fear of danger, repeat ineffective access then refuse method from the visit of all applications if can adopt.
Answer unaccepted method as judging visit, there is such method, wherein, if ineffective access pre-determined number or more occurred in predetermined (constant) time, if perhaps receive pre-determined number or more ineffective access, then this method denied access from particular server.
Next, will provide comprising the description of the control that is used for judging the judgement of whether answering denied access.
When receiving operation execution request command from external server 20, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 judges that it is normal command that request command is carried out in this operation, and request command is carried out in this operation is not that the normal command or the number of times (the retry number of ineffective access) of unusual order are counted.Do not surpassed predetermined value in the given time if operation execution request command is not the counts of normal command, then refused to carry out the execution of the application operating of request command request by this operation.Replacedly, when receiving operation execution request command from external server 20, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 judges the source (external server 20) that request command is carried out in this operation of sending, and when only being the specific external server of presetting 20 in this source, judge that just it is normal command that request command is carried out in this operation, and the number of times (the retry number of ineffective access) that this operation execution request command is not a normal command is counted.In the case, not that the counts of normal command has surpassed predetermined value if request command is carried out in operation, then refuse to carry out the execution of the application operating of request command request by operation.Thus, CPU 101 serves as and is used for decision and carries out the execution request judging part that request command is normal command or unusual order, and serves as and be used for the anomalous counts parts that the number of times of request command undesired (or unusual) is counted are carried out in operation.
According to this 7th control example, can obtain being similar to the effect of the effect that can in the above-mentioned first control example, obtain.Yet, when each image processing equipment that comprises MFP 10 receives operation when carrying out request command from applications, judging, is normal command to determine that request command is carried out in this operation, and the number of times that this operation execution request command is not a normal command is counted.If because request command is carried out in operation is not that the counts of normal command surpasses predetermined value, then therefore the execution of the application operating that refusal is asked can realize stricter application access management.
[the 8th control example]
Can make up first to the 7th control example at item (C1) to (C10) as described in down according to following.
(C1) can make up the first control example (when receiving operation execution request command) and the second control example (when receiving the connection request order).
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S301 to S313 shown in Figure 26 before the process of carrying out the step S201 to S214 shown in Figure 21, and the process of repeating step S201 to S214 subsequently.
(C2) can make up the second control example and the 4th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S301 to S313 shown in Figure 26 before the process of carrying out the step S501 to S517 shown in Figure 30, and the process of repeating step S501 to S517 subsequently.
(C3) can make up the first control example and the 3rd control example (password).
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S401 to S415 shown in Figure 28 before the process of carrying out the step S201 to S214 shown in Figure 21, and the process of repeating step S201 to S214 subsequently.
(C4) can make up the 3rd control example and the 4th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S401 to S415 shown in Figure 28 before the process of carrying out the step S501 to S517 shown in Figure 30, and the process of repeating step S501 to S517 subsequently.
(C5) can make up the second control example and the 5th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carries out the process of the step S301 to S313 shown in Figure 26, and receives the proof procedure that all carries out the 5th control example when request command is carried out in operation subsequently at every turn.
(C6) can make up the 3rd control example and the 5th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carries out the process of the step S401 to S415 shown in Figure 28, and receives the proof procedure that all carries out the 5th control example when request command is carried out in operation subsequently at every turn.
(C7) can make up the second control example and the 6th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S301 to S313 shown in Figure 26 before the process of carrying out the step S601 to S610 shown in Figure 32, and the process of repeating step S601 to S610 subsequently.
(C8) can make up the 3rd control example and the 6th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carried out the process of the step S401 to S415 shown in Figure 28 before the process of carrying out the step S601 to S610 shown in Figure 32, and the process of repeating step S601 to S610 subsequently.
(C9) can make up the second control example and the 7th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carries out the process of step S301 to S313 shown in Figure 26, and receives the process of all carrying out the 7th control example when request command is carried out in operation subsequently at every turn.
(C10) can make up the 3rd control example and the 7th control example.
In the case, the CPU 101 of MFP 10 carries out the process of step S401 to S415 shown in Figure 28, and receives the process of all carrying out the 7th control example when request command is carried out in operation subsequently at every turn.
In fact, required proof procedure is to concern with 1: 1 relation still 1: N (1: many) to communicate and different according to MFP 10 (or other image processing equipment) and applications.
If MFP 10 communicates (promptly communicating by letter via USB, IEEE1394 etc.) with applications with 1: 1 relation, then MFP 10 can control according to first to the 8th any that control in the example.
On the other hand, if MFP 10 and applications are with 1: N (1: many) relation communicates (promptly via network etc. communicate by letter), then MFP 10 can control according to the first and the 4th to the 7th control any in the example and (carry out such process, for example be used for confirming to carry out the proof procedure of the validity of request command from each operation that applications sends), but can not control according to second, third and the 8th control example.
In addition, as shown in figure 33, MFP 10 can be by the internal application in the controller 11 of not implementing MFP 10, and only uses applications to carry out application operating.Figure 33 is the system chart of another functional structure of pith that the MFP10 of second embodiment is shown.In Figure 33, specify and those identical parts of those counterparts in Figure 18 and 20 with identical reference marker, and will the descriptions thereof are omitted.Other image processing equipment can have the structure with the similar of the MFP 10 shown in Figure 33.
In addition, for example, can in controller 11, not provide application message storage area 123 to MFP 10, and, for example, as shown in figure 34, can in the External memory equipment 30 that is connected to MFP 10 via network 1, provide application message storage area 123.Figure 34 is the system chart of a functional structure again of pith that the MFP 10 of second embodiment is shown.In Figure 34, specify and those identical parts of those counterparts in Figure 19 and 20 with identical reference marker, and will the descriptions thereof are omitted.In the case, MFP 10 can conduct interviews to using information storage part 123 by communicating by letter with External memory equipment 30, and writes or read the information relevant with internal application or applications.Other image processing equipment can have the structure with the similar of the MFP 10 shown in Figure 34.
In addition, MFP 10 can use applications 231 or 232 by via such as another interface of USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394 I/F 110 and can be connected to applications 231 or 232 communicatedly.Certainly, other image processing equipment can have the structure with the structural similarity of this MFP 10.
In the embodiment that describes up to now, the present invention is applied to image formation system (electronic apparatus system), wherein, can connect image processing equipment and external server such as the MFP with communication function (digital complex equipment) communicatedly.Yet application of the present invention is not limited thereto.For example, the present invention also is applicable to such electronic apparatus system, wherein, can be connected to external server communicatedly such as network domestic appliance, vending machine, Medical Devices, power supply unit, air-conditioning system, the electronic equipment that is used for measuring system, audio-visual equipment and the game station of gas, water, electricity etc. with communication function.
In addition, store at least one program according to computer-readable recording medium of the present invention (or computer program), described program will be carried out by the computing machine (CPU) such as the image processing equipment of MFP, and make this computing machine serve as (or carrying out corresponding to the process with lower member): communication component, the application message registration means, control assembly, device initiate notification transmit block, transmit and allow parts (connect and allow parts), device notice of availability transmit block (connect and allow the notice transmit block), verification component, operation is carried out and is allowed parts, identification information is provided with parts, operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal parts, communication line type decision parts, communication means type decision parts, carry out request judging part and anomalous counts parts.Also can carry out this program that is stored in the computer-readable recording medium by making computing machine, obtain the effect of the invention described above, wherein, described computer-readable recording medium can be by forming with the stored program any suitable computer-readable recording medium of computer-readable mode.
Described program can be stored in the memory unit such as ROM and HDD that provides in the computing machine in advance.Replacedly, can provide described program, be about to it and be recorded in such as in the recording medium in the nonvolatile recording medium (storer) of CD-ROM, floppy disk, SRAM, EEPROM and for example storage card with such form.The program in this recording medium of being stored in can be installed in the computing machine and by CPU to be carried out, perhaps can make CPU read this program and carry out the program that is read from recording medium, so that carry out with above-mentioned parts in each corresponding process so that CPU realize with above-mentioned parts in each corresponding function (or facility).
In addition, can be via network download this program from the external unit of the recording medium that is provided with storing said program or with the external unit of described procedure stores memory unit.
Therefore, the present invention suitably can be applied to the computing machine of electronic equipment, electronic equipment and the electronic apparatus system that is connected via communication line of electronic equipment and external unit wherein such as image processing equipment, wherein, image processing equipment comprises such as the image-reading device of scanner device, digital copier, printer, facsimile equipment and the image forming apparatus of digital complex equipment (MFP) for example.
In addition, the invention is not restricted to these embodiment, and under the situation that does not deviate from scope of the present invention, can make variations and modifications.

Claims (63)

1, a kind of being used to used the electronic equipment of using executable operations, comprising:
Communication component is used for via communication line and external device communication; And
Control assembly is used for by utilizing communication component and external device communication, and uses the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.
2, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:
Device initiate notification transmit block is used for by communication component the initiate notification of electronic equipment being sent to external unit; And
The application message registration means, be used for when receiving application availability notice from applications in response to the initiate notification that is sent by device initiate notification transmit block by communication component, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.
3, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment was switched on, device initiate notification transmit block sent to external unit with initiate notification.
4, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein, uses in the request of receiving from external unit by communication component should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, and control assembly is carried out this operation.
5, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:
Verification component is used for receiving operation when carrying out request at communication component from external unit, carries out proof procedure, carries out the validity of asking to confirm this operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for verification component, then allows the execution of operating.
6, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein, verification component is used and is added to the authorization information in the operation execution request and carries out proof procedure.
7, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And
If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registering in advance, then verification component affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.
8, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein,
Described authorization information is the type information of the type of indication application; And
If the type information and the type information coupling of registering in advance, then verification component affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.
9, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
Described authorization information comprises the type information of the type that identification information unique for using and indication are used; And
If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registration in advance and the type information coupling of the type information and registration in advance, then verification component is confirmed operation execution request effectively.
10, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:
Identification information is provided with parts, is used to be provided with unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal parts, if be used for for using uniquely and be added to operation and carry out the identification information of request and the identification information coupling that parts are provided with is set by identification information, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
11, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:
The circuit types judging part is used to judge that communication component receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal parts, is used for the result of determination according to the circuit types judging part, and permission or refusal are carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
12, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:
Carry out the request judging part, being used for decision execution request is normal request or unusual request; And
The anomalous counts parts are used for being counted by the number of times of the unusual request of carrying out the judgement of request judging part; And
The refusal parts are carried out in operation, if be used for surpassing predetermined value by the count value of anomalous counts component count, then refuse to be carried out by operation the execution of request requested operation.
13, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:
Device notice of availability transmit block is used at communication component when external unit receives connection request, and the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,
Wherein, in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit by device notice of availability transmit block by communication component the request of receiving from external unit use and should be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, control assembly is carried out this operation.
14, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:
The application message registration means is used for when the connection request that is received by communication component from applications, and registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.
15, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:
Verification component is used at communication component carrying out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of this connection request when external unit receives connection request; And
Transmit and allow parts,, then allow the transmission of notice of availability if verification component confirms that connection request is effective.
16, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 15, wherein, verification component uses the authorization information that is added in the connection request to carry out proof procedure.
17, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein,
Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And
If this identification information mates with the identification information of registration in advance, then verification component confirms that connection request is effective.
18, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication component is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this electronic equipment also comprises:
Verification component is used to carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication component; And
Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for verification component.
19, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 18, wherein, if communication sequence according to described agreement, then verification component confirms that connection request is effective.
20, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:
First verification component is used for carrying out first proof procedure at communication component when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request;
Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first verification component;
Second verification component is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability transmit block, communication component from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second verification component, then allows the execution of operating.
21, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication component is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this electronic equipment also comprises:
First verification component is used to carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication component; And
Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first verification component;
Second verification component is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability transmit block, communication component from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second verification component, then allows the execution of operating.
22, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 2 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:
The application memory parts;
Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And
Application availability notice transmit block, be used at other communication component when electronic equipment receives initiate notification, before the application availability notice being sent to electronic equipment, information relevant with useful application and that be stored in the application memory parts is added in the application availability notice by other communication component.
23, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 4 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:
The application memory parts;
Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And
The request transmit block is carried out in operation, is used for will asking to use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request by other communication component and sends to electronic equipment.
24, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 13 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:
The application memory parts;
Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And
The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment; And
The request transmit block is carried out in operation, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when electronic equipment receives notice of availability, use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request request and send to electronic equipment.
25, electronic apparatus system as claimed in claim 24, wherein, when starting application, the connection request transmit block sends to electronic equipment by other communication component with connection request.
26, electronic apparatus system as claimed in claim 24, wherein, described external unit also comprises functional unit, and the connection request transmit block sends to electronic equipment by other communication component with connection request in response to the operation of functional unit.
27, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 14 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:
The application memory parts;
Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line;
The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment; And
The request transmit block is carried out in operation, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when electronic equipment receives notice of availability, use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request request and send to electronic equipment.
28, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 13 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:
Functional unit;
The application memory parts;
Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And
The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment;
The functional inquiry parts, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when available electron equipment receives notice of availability, by other communication component to the existence of electronic equipment inquiry by the function of functional unit appointment;
The device alternative pack is used for when receiving Query Result in response to the inquiry of being made by the functional inquiry parts, selects to realize the electronic equipment of specified function from available electron equipment; And
The request transmit block is carried out in operation, is used for will asking to use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request by communication component and sends to the electronic equipment of being selected by the device alternative pack.
29, a kind of be used to use should be used for the control method of electronic equipment of executable operations, this method comprises:
Via communication line and external device communication; And
Use application in the external unit and executable operations.
30, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:
The initiate notification of electronic equipment is sent to external unit; And
When receiving from the application availability of applications notice in response to initiate notification, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.
31, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 30 wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment is switched on, sends to external unit with initiate notification.
32, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:
Use in the request of receiving from external unit should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, carry out this operation.
33, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:
When receiving operation execution request from external unit, carry out proof procedure, carry out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And
If proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.
34, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:
Setting is unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And
If unique and be added to operation and carry out identification information and set identification information coupling in the request for using, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of asking requested operation by operation.
35, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:
Judgement receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And
According to the result of determination of judging the communication line type, allow or refuse to carry out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
36, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:
It is normal request or unusual request that decision is carried out request;
The number of times of judging unusual request is counted; And
If the count value of unusual request surpasses predetermined value, then refuse to carry out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
37, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:
When external unit receives connection request, the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,
Wherein, use in the request of receiving from external unit in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, carry out this operation.
38, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:
When applications receives connection request, registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.
39, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:
When external unit receives connection request, carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request; And
If proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of notice of availability.
40, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:
When external unit receives connection request, be used for confirming the communication sequence of the validity of connection request according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit;
Carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to described communication sequence; And
If proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability.
41, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:
When receiving connection request, external unit carrying out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request;
If first proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability;
Receiving operation when carrying out request from external unit in response to the device notice of availability, carry out second proof procedure, carry out the validity of request to confirm operation; And
If second proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.
42, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:
When external unit receives connection request, be used for confirming the communication sequence of the validity of connection request according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit;
Carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to described communication sequence; And
If first proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability;
Receiving operation when carrying out request from external unit in response to the device notice of availability, carry out second proof procedure, carry out the validity of request to confirm operation; And
If second proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.
43, a kind of computer-readable recording medium, its storage are used to make the computing machine of electronic equipment to use should to be used for the program of executable operations, and described program comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Communication function is used for via communication line and external device communication; And
Control function is used for by utilizing communication function and external device communication, and uses the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.
44, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Device initiate notification sending function is used to utilize communication function and the initiate notification of electronic equipment is sent to external unit; And
The application message registration function, be used for when receiving application availability notice from applications in response to the initiate notification that is sent by device initiate notification sending function by communication function, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.
45, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 44, wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment was switched on, device initiate notification sending function sent to external unit with initiate notification.
46, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43 wherein, uses in the request of being received from external unit by communication function should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, and control function is carried out this operation.
47, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Authentication function is used for receiving operation when carrying out request at communication function from external unit, carries out proof procedure, carries out the validity of request to confirm operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.
48, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 47, wherein, authentication function uses and is added to the authorization information in the operation execution request and carries out proof procedure.
49, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:
Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And
If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registering in advance, then authentication function affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.
50, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:
Described authorization information is the type information of the type of indication application; And
If the type information and the type information coupling of registering in advance, then authentication function affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.
51, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:
Described authorization information comprises the type information of the type that identification information unique for using and indication are used; And
If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registration in advance and the type information coupling of the type information and registration in advance, then authentication function is confirmed operation execution request effectively.
52, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Identification information is provided with function, is used to be provided with unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal function, if be used for for using uniquely and be added to operation and carry out the identification information of request and the identification information coupling that function setting is set by identification information, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
53, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
The circuit types decision-making function is used to judge that communication function receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal function, is used for the result of determination according to the circuit types decision-making function, and permission or refusal are carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.
54, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Carry out the request decision-making function, being used for decision execution request is normal request or unusual request; And
The anomalous counts function is used for being counted by the number of times of the unusual request of carrying out the judgement of request decision-making function; And
The refusal function is carried out in operation, if be used for surpassing predetermined value by the count value of anomalous counts function counting, then refuses to be carried out by operation the execution of request requested operation.
55, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Device notice of availability sending function is used at communication function when external unit receives connection request, and the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,
Wherein, in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit by device notice of availability sending function by communication function the request of receiving from external unit use and should be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, control function is carried out this operation.
56, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
The application message registration function is used for when the connection request that is received by communication function from applications, and registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.
57, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 45, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Authentication function is used at communication function carrying out proof procedure when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request; And
Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of notice of availability if be used for authentication function.
58, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 57, wherein, the authentication function use is added to the authorization information in the connection request and carries out proof procedure.
59, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 58, wherein:
Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And
If this identification information mates with the identification information of registration in advance, then authentication function confirms that connection request is effective.
60, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication function is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
Authentication function is used to carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication function; And
Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for authentication function.
61, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 60, wherein, if communication sequence according to described agreement, then authentication function confirms that connection request is effective.
62, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
First authentication function is used for carrying out first proof procedure at communication function when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request;
Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first authentication function;
Second authentication function is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability sending function, communication function from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.
63, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication function is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:
First authentication function is used to carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication function; And
Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first authentication function;
Second authentication function is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability sending function, communication function from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And
Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.
CNA2005800013886A 2004-09-17 2005-09-12 Electronic apparatus system, its electronic apparatus, control method and recording medium Pending CN1898661A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004272152 2004-09-17
JP272152/2004 2004-09-17
JP253028/2005 2005-09-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN1898661A true CN1898661A (en) 2007-01-17

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Country Link
CN (1) CN1898661A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN103916562A (en) * 2014-03-20 2014-07-09 上海合合信息科技发展有限公司 Image data acquisition device and control device and method thereof
CN107844597A (en) * 2011-02-11 2018-03-27 三星电子株式会社 Game application management method, electronic equipment, computer-readable medium
CN109343805A (en) * 2012-05-25 2019-02-15 夏普株式会社 Image processing apparatus and image processing system

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107844597A (en) * 2011-02-11 2018-03-27 三星电子株式会社 Game application management method, electronic equipment, computer-readable medium
CN107844597B (en) * 2011-02-11 2021-12-21 三星电子株式会社 Game application management method, electronic device and computer readable medium
CN109343805A (en) * 2012-05-25 2019-02-15 夏普株式会社 Image processing apparatus and image processing system
CN103916562A (en) * 2014-03-20 2014-07-09 上海合合信息科技发展有限公司 Image data acquisition device and control device and method thereof

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