JP2001322340A - Image processing system and its message displaying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance convenience while enhancing efficiency of developing an image processing system by using an operating screen being displayed at the display section of a host unit, e.g. a PC, also as an operating screen on the image processing apparatus side, and to display a message matching with each apparatus and each machine type while providing all apparatus with the same data. SOLUTION: A copy machine 20 transfers the data of operating screen stored in a storing section 23 to each host PC 10A-10C. Each host PC can provide a designation to the copy machine 20 by receiving the data transferred from the copy machine 20, displaying the operating screen at the display section of its own apparatus and operating an operator on the operating screen. When an existing format is employed in the display formatter at an operating section 21 and a software corresponding to the relevant format is installed in each host PC, the need for preparing display data of each host PC for each machine type can be eliminated by transferring the same display data to the operating section 21 and each host PC.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for displaying a message on an operation unit of an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a copier, a scanner, and a multifunction peripheral.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In printers, copiers, scanners, multifunction machines, and the like, a display section is often provided in an operation section. The display unit displays information such as a currently selected paper size and a paper tray, various messages indicating that an error such as a paper jam has occurred, and a toner cassette replacement time. The message displayed on the display unit varies depending on the type of device such as a printer or a copying machine, or the same type of device depending on the model. Conventionally, this type of message has been uniquely designed at the development stage according to the function of each device and the display form of the operation unit for each device such as printers and copiers, and each model has its own message data. Had been created. This required considerable effort and expense for message design and data creation. In recent years, one or more personal computers (hereinafter, referred to as PCs) have been connected to one or more image processing devices such as printers and multifunction devices via a network, and image processing has been performed from the PCs via the network. Various processes can now be performed by giving instructions to devices. For example, it has become possible to accumulate read documents in a multifunction peripheral body and to perform post-processing and other operations in accordance with instructions from a PC and to print the documents. Along with this, in order to be able to operate various image processing devices on the PC, operation screens and message data tailored to the environment of the PC are separately provided for each device and each model separately from the operation unit of each image processing device. It has to be created, which requires much more labor and cost for designing operation screens and messages and creating data than when using an image processing device such as a copying machine alone. .

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to eliminate the trouble of creating and holding message data for an operation section for each device and each model, and to make the same for all devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide a message display method capable of displaying a message suitable for each device and each model while having data. Another object of the present invention is to improve the development efficiency and ease of use of an image processing system by sharing an operation screen displayed on a display unit of a host device such as a PC with an operation screen of an image processing device.

[0004]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus in which a plurality of message data to be displayed on a message display section of an operation section of an image processing apparatus are stored in a storage section of the apparatus. In a message display method of storing and storing message data according to the state of the device from the storage unit and displaying the message data on the message display unit of the operation unit, each of the message data is stored so as to correspond to the operation unit of a plurality of different devices. Prepare a plurality of message data to be displayed on the message display unit of the operation unit of the device, store the prepared data in storage units in a plurality of different devices, and store the data of the message corresponding to the own device for each device. Is read from the storage unit and displayed on the message display unit. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: a display unit for displaying an operation screen for operating the own device; and a storage unit for storing data of the operation screen displayed on the display unit. In the image processing system, which is connected to the apparatuses so as to be able to communicate with each other, the host apparatus gives an instruction to the image processing apparatus so that various processing can be performed, and the image processing apparatus is stored in the storage unit. A function of transferring the data of the operation screen that has been performed to the host device, the host device receiving data transmitted from the image processing device, and displaying the operation screen on a display unit of the own device. And a function of giving an instruction to the image processing device by operating an operation element on an operation screen displayed on the display unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the second aspect, the image processing apparatus transmits the data for displaying an operation element actually arranged near a display unit of the image processing apparatus. The host device has a function of transferring the data to the host device together with the data of the operation screen. The host device receives the data transmitted from the image processing device, and the operation actually arranged on the image processing device together with the operation screen. It has a function of displaying a child on a display unit of the own device, and a function of giving an instruction to the image processing device by operating an operator displayed on the display unit. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the second or third aspect, a format common to a plurality of different devices or models is used as a display data format in a display unit of the image processing device. Features.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. 1A and 1B show examples of display screens on the operation unit of the copying machine. FIG. 1A shows an example in which the display unit is small and can display only alphanumeric characters. FIG. 1 (b)
Shows an example in which the display unit is large and can display Chinese characters. A portion indicated by a circle in the drawing is a portion for displaying a message (message display portion), and both examples indicate that the remaining toner is small. Conventionally, this type of message has been uniquely designed at the development stage according to the function of each device and the display form of the operation unit for each device such as printers and copiers, and each model. Had been created. This required considerable effort and expense for message design and data creation. Therefore, in the present invention, a plurality of message data to be displayed on the message display unit of the operation unit of each device is prepared so as to correspond to the operation units of a plurality of different devices, and the prepared data is stored in a plurality of different devices. The message data corresponding to the own device is read from the storage unit for each device and displayed on the message display unit.
As a result, it becomes possible to install common software for displaying messages and the like on a plurality of devices having different operation units,
Equipment development efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a system configuration in which a copying machine and a host PC are connected. As shown, the copier 20
Is configured to include an operation unit 21, a scanner unit 22, a storage unit 23, a printer unit 24, and a control unit 25. The operation unit 21 includes various operation buttons (hard keys) for the user to give various instructions to the copier 20 and make settings, information on a currently selected paper size and a paper tray, and paper jam. And a display unit for displaying various messages for notifying that an error such as the occurrence of an error has occurred and the timing of replacing the toner cassette. The display mode on the display unit varies depending on the device and model, and is shown in FIGS.
Are just a few of them. The storage unit 23 is a work area for accumulating print data and performing an expansion process, and a storage for storing data of an operation screen and a message to be displayed on a message display unit of the operation unit 21. It is also a department. The message data stored here is data created to correspond to the operation units of a plurality of different devices as described above, and includes data unnecessary for the copying machine 20. Control unit 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a functional block that processes data sent from the host PC 10 and controls the entire copying machine 20. When receiving the print data from the host PC 10 and performing print processing, the control unit 25 develops the print data sent from the host PC 10 into the storage unit 23 as image data (bitmap) according to an instruction from the host PC 10, To the unit 24. When printing an image read by the scanner unit 22, the operation unit 2
1 or in accordance with an instruction from the host PC 10, the image data from the scanner unit 22 is image-developed (bit-mapped) in the storage unit 23 and supplied to the printer unit 24.
The printer unit 24 prints out the image on a sheet according to the image data from the control unit 25.

FIG. 3 shows a flow of data processing in the printing processing of the copying machine 20. When print data is received from the host PC 10 and subjected to print processing, the data sent from the host PC 10 is stored in an input buffer by the input control unit, and is sequentially extracted and processed by the conversion processing unit. The conversion processing unit converts the data into an image. In the case of normal printing, the image data output from the conversion processing unit is sent to the printer unit 24 as it is for printing, but the image data sent to the storage device (storage unit) through the job and page control unit is stored in the operation unit. In response to an instruction from the unit 21 or the host PC 10, the data is read from the storage device and sent to the printer unit 24 for printing. On the other hand, the data read by the scanner unit 22 is converted into an image equivalent to that obtained through the conversion processing unit through the reading control unit. In the case of a normal copy, the image data output from the reading control unit is sent to the printer unit 24 as it is and printed, but when it is stored as a document, it is sent to a storage device (storage unit) through a job and page control unit. It is stored. The image data stored in the storage device is read from the storage device in accordance with an instruction from the operation unit 21 or the host PC 10 and sent to the printer unit 24 for printing. Copying machine 20
When a certain message is displayed on the operation unit 21, the control unit 21 stores the data of the message having the same meaning as the storage unit 2.
3 and transfer it to the operation unit 21. For example, if the message prompts you to replenish the toner, transfer all the data with the message STS 19 “Toner Spill” • STS N 29 “Toner is almost exhausted. Please replenish the toner.” Operation unit 21
Then, a message suitable for the display unit of the own device is selected and displayed in a message display area. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, even if the display area, the number of characters, and the code of the message differ depending on the model, the message is displayed in a display mode suitable for each model.

FIG. 4 shows the copying machine 20 and a plurality of hosts P
1 shows a system configuration example in which C10A to C10A are connected. Data a in the figure is data of an operation screen read from the storage unit 23 by the control unit 25 and sent to the operation unit 21, and data b is data of an operation screen sent to each of the host PCs 10A to 10C. Data a and data b are the same data. FIG. 5A shows the operation unit 2 of the copying machine 20.
1, around the display unit of the operation unit 21, in addition to “numeric keys”, function selection keys such as “copy”, “copy server”, and “printer”, and hard keys such as “start key” Is arranged. FIG. 5 (b)
Illustrates an operation screen displayed on the display unit of each of the host PCs 10A to 10C. Panel display of FIG. 5B (51)
Are the same as those displayed on the operation unit 21 of the copying machine 20. The PC key (52) corresponds to the copying machine 20.
Shows a key corresponding to a hard key. As described above, all the data of the operation screen sent from the copying machine 20 is displayed on the display unit of each of the host PCs 10A to 10C, and the hard key operation on the actual machine is also performed by each of the host PCs 10A to 10C.
In C, it can be operated as a soft key. Panel display
Display data (5) combining (51) and PC key (52)
3) The operation unit 21 of the copying machine 20 is also connected to each host PC 10A.
However, the PC key (52) is not displayed on the operation unit 21 of the copying machine 20 because the PC key (52) protrudes from the screen. If the display data format of the operation unit 21 adopts an existing Internet format (HTML, JAVA (registered trademark), etc.) or a format common to the series, and software corresponding to the format is installed in each of the host PCs 10A to 10C. , Operation unit 2
1 and the same data as the display data to be transferred to each host PC1.
0A to 10C, display data for each host PC 10A to 10C is not created for each model, and the operation unit 21 of the actual machine is
The same setting, operation, and execution can be instructed.
In the above-described embodiment, the function of sequentially executing instructions from a plurality of host PCs according to the order of pressing the start key and the level assigned to each job is provided to the copier 20, so that the printer of the copier 20 is provided. It is possible to reduce the idle time of the unit 24 and perform the processing efficiently. Further, by notifying the end of the current job to the operation unit of the copier 20 and sending the same notification to each host PC, the operator of each host PC can display the end of the job requested by the host PC on the host PC. You can know by looking at the section.

[0009]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. In the message display method according to the first aspect, a plurality of message data to be displayed on the message display unit of the operation unit of each device is prepared so as to correspond to the operation units of a plurality of different devices, and the prepared data is stored in the plurality of data. The data is stored in the storage unit of different devices, and the message data corresponding to the own device is read from the storage unit for each device and displayed on the message display unit. It is possible to display a message suitable for each device and each model while eliminating the trouble of creating and storing data of a message for use, and making all devices have the same data. Since the data held in a plurality of different devices can be shared, the development efficiency of an image processing system including a printer, a copying machine, and the like can be improved. Further, in the image processing system according to the second aspect, the image processing device transfers data of its own operation screen to the host device, and the host device receives the data transmitted from the image processing device, and displays the operation screen on its own. Displayed on the display of the device,
Since an instruction can be given to the image processing device by operating an operation element on the operation screen displayed on the display unit, the operation screen displayed on the display unit of the host device can be operated by the image processing device. Can be shared with the screen,
The development efficiency of the image processing system can be improved and the usability can be improved. In the image processing system according to the third aspect, an image of an operation element actually arranged near the display unit of the operation unit is displayed on the display unit of the host device together with the operation screen displayed on the operation unit of the image processing device. In this case, an instruction can be given to the image processing apparatus by operating the operating element displayed on the display unit of the host device. In the image processing system according to the fourth aspect, since a format common to a plurality of different devices or models is used as a display data format on a display unit of the image processing device, software corresponding to the format is installed in the host device. If this is done, the same data as the display data to be transferred to the operation unit is transferred to the host device, so that display data for each host device is not created for each model. The same setting, operation, and execution can be instructed. Therefore, the development efficiency of the image processing system can be improved and the usability can be improved as compared with the second and third aspects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are plan views showing examples of display screens on an operation unit of a copying machine. FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a system configuration in which a copying machine and a host computer are connected.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a flow of data processing in print processing of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration in which a copying machine is connected to a plurality of host computers.

5A is a plan view illustrating an operation unit of the copying machine in FIG. 4; FIG. 5B is a front view illustrating an operation screen displayed on a display unit of the host computer in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Host PC (host device) 10A to 10C: Host PC (host device) 20: Copy machine (image processing device) 21: Operation unit 23: Storage unit 25: Control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of message data to be displayed on a message display unit of an operation unit of an image processing device are stored in a storage unit of the device, and message data corresponding to a state of the device is stored in the storage unit. In the message display method of reading and displaying on the message display unit of the operation unit, a plurality of message data to be displayed on the message display unit of the operation unit of each device are prepared so as to correspond to the operation units of a plurality of different devices. The prepared data is stored in storage units in a plurality of different devices, and for each device, message data corresponding to the own device is read from the storage unit and displayed on the message display unit. Message display method in image processing system. 2. An image processing apparatus including a display unit for displaying an operation screen for operating its own device and a storage unit for storing data of the operation screen displayed on the display unit, and a host device. In an image processing system which is communicably connected and capable of performing various processes by giving instructions to the image processing device from the host device, the image processing device includes an operation screen stored in the storage unit The host device receives data sent from the image processing device, and displays the operation screen on a display unit of the host device. A function of giving an instruction to the image processing device by operating an operator on an operation screen displayed in the image processing system. 3. The image processing apparatus has a function of transferring data for displaying an operator actually arranged near a display unit of the image processing apparatus to the host device together with data of the operation screen. A function of receiving data transmitted from the image processing device and displaying, on the display unit of the device, an operation element actually arranged in the image processing device together with the operation screen; and The image processing system according to claim 2, further comprising a function of giving an instruction to the image processing device by operating an operator displayed on the unit. 4. A display data format on a display unit of the image processing device, wherein a format common to a plurality of different devices or models is used.
Or the image processing system according to 3.