JP2000047771A - System and method for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make actualizable a network copying function through an easy operation similar to that of an integrated type copying machine by allowing a management server to determine a function which can be constituted by the combination of an information supply device and an information output device according to equipment information and inform a user of the function which can be constituted on the system. SOLUTION: The management server 103 includes an equipment information storage means which stores equipment information characteristic to the information supply device and information output device in a data base, a determining means determining the function which can be constituted by the combination of the information supply device and information output device according to the equipment information, and a notification means notifying the user of the function which can be constituted on the system according to the determined function of the function determining means. This management server 103 is normally actualized by introducing server software in a personal computer and a work station. The management server 103 is equipped with a network interface 101 and connected to respective devices through a network.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing method including a management server for managing systems connected to each other via a communication medium, an information supply device, and an information output device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an information processing system including a management server for managing systems connected to each other via a communication medium, an information supply device, and an information output device, for example, an input device such as a scanner or a digital camera as an information supply device And an output device such as a printer or a facsimile device as an information output device, connected to each other by a network serving as a communication medium, and a multifunction device system (hereinafter referred to as “M”).
A number of methods have been implemented to form an "FP system".

In this type of system, a client server is a file server for temporarily storing data on a network and a client host which is a management server for instructing reading of data from an input device and transmission of data to an output device. Is sometimes required).

A method of realizing a copying function by combining a scanner as an input device and a printer as an output device will be described.

A user goes to a place where a scanner is located and sets a document to be copied. Thereafter, the user goes to a location where the client host is located, instructs the scanner to read the original, and causes the scanner to read the copied original. Thereafter, there is a first control method for realizing a copying function by designating output to a printer.

Alternatively, there has been a second control method for realizing a copy function by designating a destination of read data using an operation panel of a scanner and printing the data by a printer which is a destination.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional control method, the user has to move to a place where the client host is located in order to realize the copying function.
It was necessary to start up the scanner application and execute scanning from the scanner. Following this control, a viewer application for opening an image file for printing must be started, and printing must be specified.

[0008] As described above, copying is time-consuming and inconvenient compared to copying with an integrated copying machine.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned problems, and has, for example, the following arrangement as one means for solving the above-mentioned problems.

That is, in an information processing system including a management server for managing systems connected to each other via a communication medium, an information supply device, and an information output device, the management server includes the information supply device and the information output device. Device information storage means for storing device information unique to a database, function determining means for determining a function that can be configured by a combination of the information supply device and information output device from the device information, and determination function of the function determination device And a function notifying unit for notifying the system user of a function that can be configured by the system according to the present invention.

[0011] For example, the management server further comprises:
The apparatus further includes a device information acquisition unit that acquires device information unique to the information supply device and the information output device and obtains data to be stored in the device information storage unit.

[0012] For example, the management server further includes function information storage means for storing the function determined by the function determination means in a database, and the function notification means reads out the function stored by the function information storage means and reads the function. It is characterized by notifying the user of the system.

Further, for example, at least one of the constituent devices of the information processing system acquires a function executable by the system from the management server via the function notifying unit, and the function acquiring unit acquires the function. A function display means for displaying a function executable by the system, and an execution means for checking a display of the function display means and selecting and executing a function to be executed by the system.

[0014]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a position invention according to the present invention.

[First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system configuration of an embodiment of the first invention according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a network using a known technique for connecting devices, and in this embodiment, it is assumed that Ethernet using TCP / IP protocol is used.

Reference numeral 102 denotes a network scanner capable of optically reading a document image or the like, having a network interface, and connected to each device via the network 101.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a network scanner 102 and a network printer (2095, 2902, 290).
The configuration information (hereinafter, referred to as “transfer path profile”) when configuring a virtual MFP (multifunction device) by the combination of 3) is stored, and the transfer path profile is provided at the request of the input device and the output device. It is a management server. The management server 103 is generally realized by installing server software on a personal computer or a workstation. Management server 103
Has a network interface,
Each device is connected via a network 101.

Reference numerals 2095, 2902, and 2903 each include a network interface, receive print data and image data transmitted through the network interface, and use a known printing technique such as electrophotography to record data on a recording medium such as recording paper. This is a network printer that actually performs printing on (media). Network printer 20
95, 2902, and 2903 are also connected to each device via the network 101. Here, reference numeral 2095 denotes a black and white digital multifunction peripheral, 2902 denotes a color laser printer, and 2903 denotes a black and white laser beam printer.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the image data returned from the network scanner 102 can be immediately printed by a network printer (2095, 2902, 2903). A description of conversion to “PDL” is omitted.

The detailed configuration of the network scanner 102 shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a scanner engine using a known optical reading technique, and 202 denotes, for example, R
A CPU 203 that controls the overall operation of the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment according to a control procedure stored in the OM 204. The CPU 203 temporarily stores image data read by the scanner engine 201, or stores work storage information. A stored RAM 203 is a ROM in which a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 202 is stored.

A network interface 205 controls an interface with the network 101.
Reference numeral 206 denotes a device profile supply unit that transmits “device information” of the network scanner 102 to the management server 103 that manages the device information. Reference numeral 207 denotes a transfer path profile that acquires a transfer path profile from the management server 103 and stores the information in the RAM 203. It is an acquisition unit.

An operation panel 208 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an LED and a plurality of operation buttons to provide a user interface. The digital multifunction peripheral 2095 is also equipped with a network scanner having a similar configuration.

The network printer 2903 shown in FIG.
Will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the network printer 2903 in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a printer engine using a known printing technique such as electrophotography or ink-jet, and 302 denotes a network printer according to the present embodiment according to a control procedure stored in a ROM 304, for example.
The CPU 903 controls the entire operation of the CPU 903.

Reference numeral 303 denotes a RAM for temporarily storing image data to be printed by the printer engine 301 and storage of work storage information, and 303 denotes a ROM for storing a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 302 and the like. .
Reference numeral 305 denotes a network interface that controls an interface with the network 101.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a device profile supply unit for transmitting device information of the network printer 2903 to the management server 103; 307, a transfer path profile acquisition unit for acquiring a transfer path profile from the management server and storing the information in the RAM 303; Is an operation panel including a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an LED and a plurality of operation buttons.

The basic configuration of the network printers 2095 and 2902 connected to the same network is the same as that of the above-described network printer 2903, and detailed description is omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, a detailed configuration of the management server 103 shown in FIG. 1 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows FIG.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a management server 103 according to the embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a RAM 40, for example.
A CPU that controls the operation of the entire management server 103 according to the present embodiment according to the control procedure stored in
Reference numeral 402 denotes a RAM for storing working storage information and a program for controlling the operation of the CPU 401.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a device profile database for storing device profiles of devices connected to the network, reference numeral 405 denotes a transfer path profile database for storing transfer path profiles generated from the device profiles, and reference numeral 406 denotes network 1
01 is a network I / F that controls an interface with the network interface 01.

A device profile acquisition unit 407 acquires a device profile from a device connected to the network and stores the device profile in the device profile database 404. A device 408 reads a transfer path profile from the transfer path profile database 405 in response to a request from the device. A transfer path profile supply unit 409 that supplies the transfer path profile to the device via the network is a transfer path profile generation unit that generates a transfer path profile from the device information written in the device profile database 402 and writes the transfer path profile into the transfer path profile database 405.

Next, a description will be given of a device profile in the management server 103 of the present embodiment having the above configuration.

The device profile in the present embodiment is data indicating the performance and characteristics of each device necessary for configuring the virtual MFP, and is composed of, for example, text data shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device profile in the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 5, "Device-Type
"e" indicates the type of device, and in the example of FIG. 5, indicates that the device is an input device and a scanner. "D
"device-Id" indicates the model name of the device. In the example of FIG. 5, "ScannerXXX" indicates that the specific device model name is used.

"Device-address" indicates the network address of the device. In the example of FIG. 5, "172.16.10.2" indicates that the network address of the specific device is used. "Resol
“Ution” indicates the resolution supported by the device. In the example of FIG. 5, the resolution is 400 dpi, 600 dpi.
i, indicates that the resolution of 1200 dpi is supported.

"Media-size" indicates the paper size supported by the device. In the example of FIG. 5, it indicates that the device supports A4, A5, and B4 paper sizes. “Input-feed” indicates a charge when the device is used, and in the example of FIG. 5, A4 is used.
This indicates that if a 16-bit image is fetched, a charge of 8 yen will be charged.

"Document-format" is an image format supported by the device. In the example of FIG. 5, the device supports the output of JPEG and GIF type images and the output of LIPS4 type PDL. Show. Also, “Input-commn
“ad” describes a command for causing the scanner to execute reading from another device. "A4 / REQ A4-S
"CAN" indicates that the command "REQ A4-SCAN" should be transmitted to the network scanner in order to read in A4 size.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device profile of the network printer 2903 in this embodiment.

In FIG. 6, "Device-Type
“e” indicates the type of device, and in the example of FIG. 6, indicates that the device is a laser beam printer that is an output device. “Device-Id” indicates the model name of the device, and in the example of FIG. 6, “LBP-XX”
"X" indicates a specific device model name.

“Device-address” indicates the network address of the device. In the example of FIG. 6, “172.16.10.3” indicates a specific example of the network address of the device. "Resolution
“n” is a resolution supported by the device, and in the example of FIG. 6, indicates that resolutions of 300 dpi and 600 dpi are supported.

“Media-size” indicates the paper size supported by the device. In the example of FIG. 6, the device is “Letter” size and “LetterR”.
Size and "Legal" size are supported. “Cassette” indicates the paper cassette stage that is installed and its paper size. In the example shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the “Letter” size is stored in the upper row and the “Legal” size is stored in the lower row.

"Output-speed" indicates the print speed. In the case of FIG. 6, the output speed is 6 sheets / minute of Letter paper. "Out
"Put-feed" indicates the charge when the device is used. In the example of FIG. 6, when a monochrome image is output in the Letter size, a charge of 10 yen is required.

“Document-format” is an image format supported by the device, and in the example of FIG. 6, indicates that input by LIPS 4, N201, and ESC / P is supported. "Option"
It shows optional device information that can be connected to the printer. In the example of FIG. 6, it indicates that nothing is connected.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a device profile in the network printer 2095 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 7, "Device-Type
"e" indicates the type of device, and in the example of FIG. 7, indicates that the device is a laser beam printer as an output device. “Device-Id” indicates the model name of the device. In the example of FIG. 7, “GP-XXX” indicates that the specific device model name is used.

"Device-address" indicates the network address of the device, and in the example of FIG. 7, "172.16.10.2" indicates that the network address of the device. "Resoluti
"on" is the resolution supported by the device, and indicates that the device supports resolutions of 300 dpi and 600 dpi in the case of FIG.

“Media-size” indicates the paper size supported by the device. In the example of FIG. 7, the device is “Letter” size, “Letter”
"R" size, "Legal" size, "Stateme"
It indicates that each paper size of "nt" size is supported. “Cassette” indicates the paper cassette stage that is installed and its paper size. Here, 1
"LetterR" in the row, "Legal" in the row, 3
It can be seen that the size of “Legal” is stored in the row, the size of “Letter” is stored in 4 rows, the size of “Statement” is stored in 5 rows, and the size of “LegalR” is stored in 6 rows.

"Output-speed" indicates the print speed. In the example of FIG. 7, it indicates that the speed is 32 sheets / minute of "Letter" size paper.
“Output-feed” indicates the amount of billing when the device is used. In the case of FIG. 7, when a monochrome image is output in “Letter” size, a charge of 10 yen is required.

“Document-format” is an image format supported by the device, and in the example of FIG. 7, indicates that input by LIPS 4, N201, and ESC / P is supported. "Option"
This indicates information on optional devices that can be connected to the printer. In the example of FIG. 7, nothing is connected.

The device profile of the device is obtained by the device profile obtaining unit of the management server 103.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device profile acquisition unit 407 of the management server 103 in this embodiment. The device profile acquisition unit 407 of the management server 103 is started when the management server 103 is started, and operates until the system ends.

First, at step 701, a device profile acquisition command is issued to a device connected to the network only once at the time of startup. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of a device profile acquisition command in the present embodiment.

In FIG. 9, “REQ” is a transfer request,
"DEVICE-PROFILE" indicates a device profile, and indicates that the request is a device profile request. This device profile acquisition command is broadcast to the network in the form of a UDP packet in TCP / IP.

Subsequently, in step 702, it is confirmed whether or not a device profile transfer command has arrived. If the device profile transfer command has not arrived, the process returns to step 702 to execute an endless loop waiting for the device profile transfer command to arrive.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a device profile transfer command in this embodiment. FIG.
In the first line, “SEND” is transfer, “DEVIC”
“E-PROFILE” indicates a device profile, and indicates that the device profile is to be transferred.

The following lines indicate the contents of the device profile as in the example shown in FIG.
_PROFILE "ends.

When the device profile is transferred, the device profile acquisition unit 407 receives the device profile at step 70 in FIG.
In step 2, it is confirmed that the device profile transfer command has been received, and the flow advances to step 703. In step 703, the device profile is registered in the device profile database 704, and the process returns to step 702 to wait for the next device profile transfer command.

Next, control for transferring a device profile from the device side in this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the device profile supply unit on the device side in this embodiment. The device profile supply unit is 306 in FIG. 3 for the network scanner 102, and 4 in FIG. 4 for the network printer 2903.
07, all of which perform the control shown in FIG.

The device profile supply unit is called when the device is started, and continues processing until the device is turned off.

In FIG. 11, first, at step 901, the device executes the transfer of the device profile to the management server 103 only once at the time of startup. If the management server 10
If the device profile 3 has been activated, the device profile transfer command is received in the process shown in step 702 of FIG.

On the other hand, if the management server 103 is not activated when the device is activated and the transfer of the device profile in step 901 is not received, the device profile transfer instruction here is transmitted to the device profile of the management server 103. It is not reflected in the database 404.

Subsequently, in step 902, it is checked whether or not a device profile transfer request command has arrived. If the device profile transfer request command has not arrived, the process returns to step 902 to monitor the arrival of the device profile transfer request command.

On the other hand, if the device profile transfer request command is sent from the management server 103 in step 902, the process proceeds to step 903, and a device profile transfer command is issued to the management server 103 as in step 901. Then, the process returns to step 902.

The process of step 903 is a means for reflecting the device information in the device profile database 404 when the management server 103 is activated in a follow-up state while the device is activated. The unit 407 issues a device profile transfer request command at the time of startup in step 701 of FIG. 8 to assure that the management server 103 has always acquired the device profiles of all devices connected to the network. is there.

In the management server 103, the transfer path profile generator 409 generates a transfer path profile based on the device information written in the device profile database 404, and stores the generated transfer path profile in the transfer path profile database 405.

That is, the transfer path profile generation unit 409
Extracts a function that can be configured by a combination of various input / output devices connected to a network from the device information, determines a function, generates a transfer path profile indicating an executable function, and generates a transfer path profile database 4
05.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a transfer path profile used in this embodiment.

In FIG. 12, "Description"
The line “n” indicates a character string displayed on the panel of the device when a transfer path is selected. In this transfer path, "sca
nnnXXXtoLBP-XXX ".

The line “input-device” indicates the type of the input device. "Output-devi
The line “ce” indicates the type of the output device. "Inp
The “out-address” line indicates the network address of the input device.

The line “output-address” indicates the network address of the output device. "Do
The line of “document-format” indicates the format of the document used in this transfer path.
The line "Copy-default" indicates the number of copies to be used by default.

"Resolution" indicates the resolution used in this transfer path. "Input-co
"mmnad" is information written in the device profile of the input device, and describes a command to cause the input device to read.

The management server 103 usually has one or more transfer path profiles, and supplies a transfer path profile to each device in response to a request from an input device and an output device.

Next, referring to FIG.
The operation of the transfer path profile supply unit 408 will now be described. FIG. 13 shows the management server 1 according to the embodiment.
13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the transfer path profile supply unit 408 of FIG.

The transfer path profile supply unit 408 of the management server 103 is started when the management server 103 is started, and the operation is started. First, in step 1101, the transfer path profile database 405
Is read out, a transfer path profile transfer command is generated, transferred to all devices connected to the network, and notified. This notification is performed by a broadcast notification.

In the following step 1102, it is checked whether or not the transfer path profile database 405 has been changed. Transfer path profile database 405
If there is no change, the process proceeds to step 1104.

On the other hand, if there is a change in the transfer path profile database 405 in step 1102, the flow advances to step 1103 to notify all the devices connected to the network of the changed transfer path profile.
This notification is performed by a broadcast notification. Then, the process proceeds to step 1104.

In step 1104, it is checked whether or not a transfer path profile transfer request command has been received from each device. If no transfer path profile transfer request command has been received from each device, the process returns to step 1102.

On the other hand, if a transfer path profile transfer request command has been received from each device in step 1104, the process proceeds to step 1105, in which all transfer path profiles stored in the transfer path profile database 405 are transferred by the transfer path profile transfer command. Notify the requested device. Then, the process returns to step 1102.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a transfer path profile request command used in the present embodiment. FIG.
, "REQ" is a transfer request, "TRANSMIS"
“SION-PATH-PROFILE” indicates a transfer path profile, and indicates that the request is a transfer path profile.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a transfer path profile transfer command used in this embodiment.

In FIG. 15, "SEND" in the first row
Is transfer, "TRANSMISSION-PATH-PR
“FILE” indicates a transfer path profile, and indicates that the transfer is a transfer path profile.

The second and subsequent lines indicate the contents of the transfer path profile as in FIG.
D_OF_PROFILE "ends.

Next, the operation of the transfer path profile acquisition section in the input device and the output device in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the transfer path profile acquisition unit in the input device and the output device according to the present embodiment.
The transfer path profile acquisition unit is the network scanner 1
2 is 207 in FIG. 2, and in the case of the network printer 2903, it is 307 in FIG.

First, in step 1401, the transfer path profile acquisition unit of the device issues a transfer path profile request command to the management server 103 to acquire a transfer path profile. With this command, the processing shifts to processing when a transfer path profile transfer request command has been received from each device in step 1104 in FIG. 13 described above, and all transfer path profiles stored in the transfer path profile database 405 in step 1105 are transferred. A process of notifying the requesting device by the path profile transfer command is performed.

For this reason, in the following step 1402, it is monitored that a transfer path profile transfer command from the management server 103 arrives. If the transfer path profile is transferred by the transfer path profile transfer command in step 1402, the flow advances to step 1403 to store the received transfer path profile in the RAM (network scanner 10).
203 for 2 and 30 for network printer 2903
It is stored in the predetermined area of 3). As described above, each device acquires the transfer path profile from the management server 103,
They can be stored in the RAMs 203 and 303.

The actual copy control in the system of the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described below.

<Outline of Operation Unit> The configuration of the operation unit of each device in the above-described embodiment will be described below by taking the operation unit of the network scanner 102 as an example. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel 208 as an operation unit in the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 3001 denotes an LCD display unit, 3002 a start key, 3003 a stop key, 3004 an ID key, and 3005 a reset key.

The LCD display unit 3001 has a structure in which a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD, displays an operation screen of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, informs the CPU of the position information. Start key 300
Reference numeral 2 is used when a reading operation of a document image is started.

At the center of the start key 3002, a two-color LED of green and red is arranged to indicate whether the start key can be used depending on which LEFD emits light (green). When the LED is lit, it indicates that the start key can be used.)

A stop key 3003 functions to stop the operation during operation. An ID key 3004 is used to input a user ID of a user. Also, reset key 300
Reference numeral 5 is used to initialize settings from the operation unit.

<Operation Screen> Next, display control of the display screen of the operation unit in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a copy screen (initial screen) on the LCD display unit 3001 of the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment.

The term "copy" used here means a function of performing a normal document copy using a scanner and a printer of the own apparatus, and a function of copying a document using a scanner of the own apparatus and a printer connected to a network. This is a concept that includes both functions of copying (remote copy).

By pressing the display position of the image path select key 3120 in the copy screen shown in FIG. 18, it is determined that the input is the image path select key 3120, and the transfer path profile is selected. Panel display unit 31 in FIG.
The display of 01 indicates the panel display contents when the image path select key 3120 is pressed once. In this case, the character string on the panel is “Descriptor” shown in FIG.
“COPY Sc” which is a character string shown in “ion”.
"annerXXXtoLBP-XXX" is displayed, indicating that the transfer path profile shown in FIG. 12 is selected.

Here, if the network scanner 102
If multiple transfer path profiles are registered in
By further pressing the image path select key 3120, another transfer path profile is selected, and the panel display unit 3
It is possible to display another transfer path profile as the display of 101.

When the start button 3002 shown in FIG. 17 is pressed and input when the screen shown in FIG. 18 is displayed, the scanner is activated and starts operating, and the selected printer responds to each setting parameter displayed on the screen. The copied object is output.

In the main screen shown in FIG. 18, the image quality (Image) for selecting the character mode and the photo mode is selected.
Quality) select button 3105, select button 3
The image quality (Im) displaying the image quality selected in 105
age quality) display area 3104, a copy parameter display area 3101 for displaying the status of the apparatus, a copy magnification, a paper size, and the number of copies, an enlargement / reduction setting button 3106, 3107, a paper selection button 3108,
It comprises a density indicator, a density setting button 3109, and a numeric keypad 3114.

When the paper selection button 3108 is pressed down on the display screen shown in FIG. 18, a screen shown in FIG. 19 appears. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a paper selection screen on the LCD display unit 3001 of the network scanner 102 according to the present embodiment.

In the paper selection screen shown in FIG. 19, a display is performed based on the "Cassette" information shown in FIG. The paper size stored in the two-stage cassette is displayed, and the size (cassette) can be selected.

Next, a copy screen when a transfer path profile is selected will be described. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example of a copy screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected. The difference from FIG. 18 is that a different transfer path profile is selected.

In FIG. 20, the image path select key 3120
Indicates that the remote copy mode to the printer GP-XXX indicated by 2095 in FIG. 1 is selected. Therefore, the display on the panel is “COPY Scanne
rXXXtoGP-XXX "is displayed.

Compared with the display example of FIG. 18, the printer GP-XXX 2095 shown in FIG.
Since a sorter and a screen copy unit are mounted as options, a sorter setting button 3110 and a duplex copy setting button 3112 are added.

When the paper selection button 3108 is pressed, a screen shown in FIG. 21 appears. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a paper selection screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected.

In FIG. 21, "Cassett" shown in FIG.
e) The display is performed based on the information. That is, the paper sizes stored in the six-stage cassette are displayed, and the size (cassette) can be selected.

When a sorter setting button 3110 is pressed and input, a sorter setting screen shown in FIG. 22 is displayed. FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a display example of a sorter setting screen when a transfer path profile is selected in the embodiment.

In FIG. 22, in the present embodiment,
As shown in the “Option” information shown in FIG. 7, a stapleable sorter is set, so that the staple function can be selected. Also, a two-sided copy setting button 311
By pressing and pressing 2, a double-sided copy setting screen shown in FIG. 23 is displayed. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example of a two-sided copy setting screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected. Figure x30
The double-sided copy mode can be selected on the display screen 60.

<Copy Process> Next, the process of actually copying (printing) in this embodiment will be described.

The user stands in front of the network scanner 102, sets a document, and operates the above-described scanning panel of the network scanner 102 to perform copying (printing).

First, a function to be performed is selected by the image path select key 3120. That is, a desired function is selected from the transfer path profile. By pressing the scan execution button 3002, a copy function using this transfer path profile is executed.

According to the transfer path profile shown in FIG. 15, the network scanner 102 outputs “output-a
“172.16.10.3” written in “address” is selected as the output device.

Then, the original is read at a resolution of 600 dpi written in "Resolution". continue,
The read data is referred to as "Document-forma
t ”is converted to LIPS4 format print data,
Send the generated print data. The copy count is "-de
This is performed only the number of times described in “fault” (one time in the above example).

The print data is transferred to the network printer 2903 via the network 101. At this time, the network printer 2903 only performs the print processing of the transferred print data regardless of the transfer path profile.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the management server can obtain device information on input devices and output devices corresponding to the network.
As a result, by creating and registering a transfer path profile storing a multi-function function based on a combination of an input device and an output device in the management server, the transfer path profile can be transferred to a desired device and executed. Can be displayed on the operation panel of the device that forwarded the message.

Therefore, the user can display the functions that can be executed by the system on the display screen of the desired device, and the user can use the virtual device combining the devices on the network without changing the location. You can do it.

That is, facsimile transmission can be performed by a simple operation from a scanner near the user through a facsimile apparatus located far away on the network. Similarly, an image was sent from a scanner at hand to a high-speed printer placed in a copy room, and a bookbinding process was performed.
It is also possible to print a copy with a simple operation.

By using this method, the functions that can be performed by the combination of devices are automatically determined, and only the functions that can be used at that time are displayed on the operation unit, so that the operability can be improved. In addition, since the functions that can be performed by the system are displayed, the user can immediately determine a desired combination to perform.

[0122]

[Other Embodiments] The present invention relates to a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader,
Printer, etc.)
The present invention may be applied to a device including one device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile device, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU) of the system or the apparatus.
And MPU) read and execute the program code stored in the storage medium.

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

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

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

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

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the flowcharts described above.

[0129]

As described above, according to the present invention, for example, the function determining means for determining, in the management server, a function which can be constituted by a combination of input / output devices from each device information unique to the network connection device; By providing a function notifying unit for notifying the system user of a function that can be configured in the system according to the determining function of the function determining unit, the user does not need to go back and forth between a plurality of constituent devices of the system, with a simple operation. A desired function can be executed.

It is possible to acquire device information unique to each device constituting the system, automatically determine a function that can be performed by a combination of each device, and notify a user of only a function that can be used at that time, and easily use the system. Executable functions can be recognized.

[0131]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual schematic diagram illustrating a system configuration according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the network scanner of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the network printer according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a management server according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a device profile in the network scanner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device profile in the network printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device profile in another network printer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a device profile acquisition unit of the management server according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a device profile acquisition command according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a device profile transfer instruction according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a device profile supply unit on the device side according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a structure example of a transfer path profile used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transfer path profile supply unit of the management server 103 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a transfer path profile request command used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a structural example of a transfer path profile transfer command used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transfer path profile acquisition unit in an input device and an output device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel in the network scanner according to the embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates an L of the network scanner according to the embodiment.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of the copy screen in a CD display part.

FIG. 19 illustrates an L of the network scanner according to the embodiment.
It is a figure showing the example of a display of the paper selection screen in a CD display part.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a copy screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a paper selection screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a sorter setting screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a two-sided copy setting screen when a transfer path profile according to the present embodiment is selected.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Network 102 Network Scanner 103 Network Printer 201 Scanner Engine 202 CPU 203 RAM 204 ROM 205 Network I / F 206 Device Profile Supply Unit 207 Transfer Path Profile Acquisition Unit 208 Operation Panel 301 Printer Engine 302 CPU 303 RAM 304 ROM 305 Network I / F 306 Device profile supply unit 307 Transfer path profile acquisition unit 308 Operation panel 401 CPU 402 RAM 404 Device profile database 405 Transfer path profile database 406 Network I / F 407 Device profile acquisition unit 408 Transfer path profile supply unit 409 Transfer path profile generation unit 1501 LCD panel 1501 Cross key 1503 Read execution button 1701 LCD panel 1702 Cross key 1703 Print execution button

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/00 107 H04N 1/00 107A (72) Inventor Susumu Muto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Koji Kajita 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Masahito Yamamoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Stocks Inside the company (72) Inventor Akira Negishi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Makoto Takayama 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term in Canon Inc. (Reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AP10 AQ05 AQ06 AR03 CQ05 CQ24 HJ04 HJ07 HK14 HL01 HM07 HN18 HN19 HN20 HR07 5B021 AA01 AA19 BB02 EE04 PP04 5B089 GA13 GA16 GA2 3 GB03 GB09 JB03 JB22 KA01 KC12 KC22 KC44 KC59 LB10 LB17 5C062 AA13 AA35 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB25 AB42 AF00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system including a management server, an information supply device, and an information output device for managing systems connected to each other via a communication medium, wherein the management server includes the information supply device and the information output device. Device information storage means for storing device information specific to a database in a database; function determination means for determining a function that can be configured by a combination of the information supply device and information output device from the device information; and determination function of the function determination device An information processing system including function notifying means for notifying the system user of a function that can be configured by the system according to the information. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the management server further includes a device information obtaining unit that obtains device information unique to the information supply device and the information output device, and obtains data to be stored in the device information storage unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The management server further includes a function information storage unit that stores the function determined by the function determination unit in a database, and the function notification unit reads the function stored by the function information storage unit and reads the function stored in the function information storage unit. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information is notified to a user. 4. A function acquiring unit for acquiring a function executable in the system from the management server via the function notifying unit, and a system acquired by the function acquiring unit. And a function display unit for displaying a function executable by the system, and an execution unit for checking a display of the function display unit and selecting and executing a function to be executed by the system. 3. The information processing system according to any one of 3. 5. An information processing method in an information processing system including a management server for managing systems connected to each other via a communication medium, an information supply device, and an information output device, wherein the information is stored in the management server. A function that can be configured by the combination of the information supply device and the information output device is determined from the device information unique to the information supply device and the information output device, and a function that can be configured in the system is operated according to the determined function. An information processing method characterized in that information can be notified to a system user who performs the information processing. 6. Further, device information unique to the information supply device and the information output device is obtained, data for storage in the management server is generated, and the data is stored in a predetermined storage unit provided in the management server. 6. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The management server according to claim 5, wherein a function that can be configured in a system according to the determined function is stored in a predetermined storage unit provided in the management server. Information processing method. 8. At least one of the constituent devices of the information processing system acquires a function executable in the system from the management server, displays the function executable in the acquired system, confirms the display, and confirms the display. 8. The information processing method according to claim 5, wherein a function to be executed can be selected and executed. 9. A computer-readable storage medium storing a control procedure for realizing the function according to claim 1. Description: 10. A computer program sequence capable of executing a function according to any one of claims 1 to 8 on a computer.