JP2003101768A - Image forming apparatus and application exchange system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new application which can operate on an image forming apparatus having a platform of software and, as a result, to relieve a labor accompanying the repair of an existing application. SOLUTION: A letter enlarging successive copying application, etc., can be separately added as an application which can operate on a composite machine having a platform 1020 while existing printer application 1011, copy application 1012, etc., are not repaired.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to mount a plurality of applications that perform unique processing on each user service related to image forming processing, and provides user services by interposing between the applications and hardware resources. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of hardware resources commonly required by at least two applications, and an application exchange system for performing an exchange service for the applications.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a "multifunction machine") having functions such as a printer, a copy machine, and a facsimile machine housed in one housing.
A display unit, a printing unit, an image pickup unit, and the like are provided in one housing, and three types of software corresponding to the printer, the copy, and the facsimile machine are provided, and the device is switched to the printer, the copy or the facsimile machine by switching the software. It was operating as a device.

However, if the software (including the dedicated OS) corresponding to the printer, the copying machine, and the facsimile machine is separately provided in such a complex machine, it takes a lot of time to develop each software.
For this reason, in recent multifunction devices, common processing parts of a printer application, a copy application, and a fax application are grouped together as a platform, and a multifunction device that executes each application on this platform has also appeared.

[0004]

However, even if a multi-function peripheral having such a platform is used, if the software that frequently adds new functions to the copy application is frequently modified, the copy application will eventually become There is a problem that it becomes bloated and the development efficiency of software decreases. This problem is common to other applications besides the copy application.

For example, in a recent copying machine, for example, an A4 size original or an A4 size described in a page description language is used.
There is a so-called enlargement continuous shooting function that enlarges print data of a size to four A4 size sheets and divides the print data into four A4 size print sheets for printing. However, since the input target is limited to the manuscript and the print data described in the page description language, it is not possible to easily enlarge and shoot a character string with a conventional copying machine, and even if it is a simple character string. A complicated process of once printing with a printer and then enlarging and continuous-shooting this is required. In such cases,
If the copy application is modified to cope with enlarged continuous shooting of character strings, it will take a lot of time to modify the copy application.

Similarly, when only the edge of the character string is not printed or when it is desired to print a calendar, it is not efficient to modify the application such as the copy application each time.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and provides a new application that operates on an image forming apparatus having a software platform, so that the existing application can be repaired. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an application exchange system that reduce the labor involved.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the object, the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 can be equipped with a plurality of applications that perform processing unique to each user service related to the image forming processing, and between the applications and the hardware resources. An image forming apparatus provided with a platform for performing management, execution control and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the applications when interposing the user service. A character for enlarging a character string input from the operation unit of the above, dividing the expanded character string into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other, and printing each divided element on a plurality of printing sheets. An enlarged continuous shooting application is installed as one of the plurality of applications. .

According to the invention of claim 1, the character string input from the predetermined operation unit is enlarged, and the enlarged character string is divided into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other, and the division is performed. Since a character enlargement continuous shooting application that prints each of these elements on multiple sheets of printing paper is provided, it is possible to efficiently perform continuous enlargement of character strings without modifying the existing application of the image forming apparatus. it can.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention can mount a plurality of applications that perform processing unique to each user service related to the image forming processing, and intervenes between the applications and the hardware resources. However, an image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the applications when providing the user service, An edge printing application for extracting an edge of a character string input from the operation unit and printing the extracted edge is installed as one of the plurality of applications.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the edge printing application for extracting the edge of the character string input from the predetermined operation unit and printing the extracted edge is provided. Therefore, the existing image forming apparatus is provided. It is possible to print the edge of the character string efficiently without modifying the application.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 3, in the invention of claim 2, the density setting application for setting the density of the edge to be printed by the edge printing application is further defined as one of the plurality of applications. It is equipped with a feature.

According to the invention of claim 3, since the density setting application for setting the density of the edge to be printed by the edge printing application is provided,
You can freely change the shade of the printed edge.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 4 is capable of mounting a plurality of applications for carrying out processing unique to each user service relating to the image forming processing, and intervenes between the applications and the hardware resources. However, an image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the applications when providing the user service, A calendar printing application for printing a calendar of the year and month input from the operation unit is installed as one of the plurality of applications.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the calendar printing application for printing the calendar of the year and month inputted from the predetermined operation unit is provided, the existing application of the image forming apparatus is not modified. , The desired calendar can be printed immediately.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is capable of mounting a plurality of applications that perform processing unique to each user service related to the image forming processing, and intervenes between the applications and the hardware resources. However, an image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the applications when providing the user service, A calendar that enlarges the calendar of the year and month input from the operation unit, divides the enlarged calendar into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other, and prints each of the divided elements on a plurality of printing sheets. Expanded continuous shooting application installed as one of the above multiple applications Characterized in that was.

According to the invention of claim 5, the calendar of the year and month input from the predetermined operation unit is enlarged, and the enlarged calendar is divided into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other. Since the calendar enlarged continuous shooting application for printing each divided element on each of a plurality of printing sheets is provided, the calendar enlarged continuous shooting can be performed without modifying the existing application of the image forming apparatus.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fifth aspects of the invention, the application is described in a script language interpretable by the image forming apparatus, and the application is transmitted by file transfer. It is characterized in that it accepts and puts it into a state in which it can perform its functions.

According to the invention of claim 6, the application is described in a script language that can be interpreted and executed by the image forming apparatus, and the application is accepted by file transfer and brought into a function enabling state. Various applications can be sent and received via the network.

In the application exchange system according to the invention of claim 7, it is possible to install a plurality of applications for performing processing unique to each user service related to image forming processing, and to interpose between the applications and hardware resources. However, at the time of providing the user service, a service for exchanging each application of an image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the applications. Is a system for exchanging applications via the Internet, wherein a plurality of terminal devices each having a web browser capable of browsing a home page on the Internet, and an internet connection of applications related to the image forming apparatus between the plurality of terminal devices are provided. And HTTP server for exchange service through the door with a website, and further comprising a.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the exchange of the application related to the image forming apparatus on the Internet between the plurality of terminal devices each having the web browser capable of browsing the home page on the Internet is performed by the HTT.
Since it is decided to perform it via the home page of the P server, it is possible to effectively utilize the new application.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of an image forming apparatus and an application exchange system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a multi-function peripheral that provides a printer service, a copy service, a facsimile service, and the like will be described.

(Hardware Configuration and Operation of Multifunction Peripheral) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the multi function peripheral according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in this multifunction device, the controller 101 and the engine unit 110 are connected to the PCI 109.
It will be connected by. The controller 101 is a controller that controls the entire printer and controls drawing, communication, and input from the operation unit 111. The engine unit 110 is P
A printer engine or a scanner engine that can be connected to the CI bus, such as a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner or a fax unit. This engine part 110
In addition to the so-called engine part such as plotter,
It includes image processing parts such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

The controller 101 includes a CPU 102 and
North bridge (NB) 103 and system memory (M
EM-P) 104 and South Bridge (SB) 105
, Local memory (MEM-C) 107, and ASIC
108, an operation unit 111, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 112, the north bridge (NB) 1
03 and ASIC108 between AGP (Accelerated Gr
The configuration is such that an aphics port) 106 is used for connection.

The CPU 102 controls the printer as a whole, and has a chip set including an NB 103, a MEM-P 104, and an SB 105. here,
The interface of this CPU is not open to the public, and other devices are to be connected via a chipset.

The NB 103 has a CPU 102 and a MEM-P.
104, SB 105, AGP 106, and MEM-P 104 is a system memory used as a drawing memory of the printer, SB
Reference numeral 105 is a bridge for connecting the NB 103 to the ROM, PCI device, and peripheral device.

The MEM-C 107 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer,
The ASIC 108 is an IC for image processing applications having a hardware element for image processing.
It also has a role of a bridge that connects the CI 109, the HDD 112, and the MEM-C 107, respectively.

The operation unit 111 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the user and performs a display for the user. The HDD 112 stores image data, programs, font data, and forms. For storage.

The AGP 106 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for accelerating graphic processing, and by directly accessing the system memory with high throughput,
It speeds up graphics accelerator cards.

The AGP 106 is originally used to smoothly display a 3D (three-dimensional) image on the display, but in the present embodiment, the AGP 1 is used.
The NB 103 and the ASIC 108 are connected via 06. In other words, if the two are connected using a low-speed PCI bus, the performance will drop.
That is, P106 is extendedly used.

Next, the configuration of the ASIC 108 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. FIG. 2 shows the ASIC 10 shown in FIG.
8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of No. 8. As shown in the figure,
This ASIC 108 includes an AGP unit 201, a CONFIG register 202, and a master (MASTER).
Unit 203 and target (TARGET) unit 20
4, the internal register 205, the DMA controller (DM
AC) 206, RAM controller (RAMC) 207,
CONFIG register 209 and master (MAST
It has an ER) unit 210, a target (TARGET) unit 211, and a PCI unit 212.

The AGP unit 201 is a unit (chipset interface section) that executes the bus protocol of the AGP bus 106 connected to the NB 103, and the CO
The NFIG 202 is a PCI configuration register for the AGP bus 106. The master 203 is the AGP bus 1
The target 204 is a unit that executes the bus master function of the AGP bus 106.
Is a unit that executes the target function of.

The internal register 205 is a register that is required when each part of the ASIC 108 exerts its function.
The DMA controller 206 has a local memory MEM-
A DMA controller for performing DMA transfer to C107.

The RAM controller 207 is a memory controller for controlling the local memory MEM-C 107, the config 209 is a PCI config register for the PCI bus 109, and the master 210 is
The target 204 is a unit that executes the bus master function of the PCI 109, and the target 204 is a P included in the PCI 109.
It is a unit that executes the target function of the CI. PC
The I unit 212 is a unit (engine interface unit) that executes the bus protocol of the PCI 109.

Next, the CONFIG (CONFIG) shown in FIG.
The internal structure of 202 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the internal structure of the config 202 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a config 202 which is a config register on the AGP bus 106 side of the ASIC 108 has two base address registers BAR 202a and BAR 202b.

The BAR 202a is a local memory MEM.
-A base address register for mapping C107, the BAR 202b is an internal register 205,
It is a base address register for mapping the PCI memory space and PCI I / O space.

Next, the space base register for the DMAC provided on the internal register 205 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the space base register for DMAC provided on the internal register 205 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the internal register 20
5 includes AGPMEMBASE register 205a and LOCALMEM
There is a BASE register 205b. The AGPMEMBASE register 205a is a register for setting a base address to which the AGP space of the NB 103 is mapped, and is provided to notify the DMAC 206 of the access destination. The LOCALMEMBASE register 205b is the ASIC1
A register for setting a base address to which 08 memory space is mapped is provided to notify the DMAC 206 of the access destination.

Next, the mutual relationship of the memory maps of the PCI 109, ASIC 108 and CPU 102 will be described. FIG. 5 shows PCI 109, ASIC 108 and C.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a mutual relationship of memory maps of PU 102.

The PCI I / O space 501 shown in FIG.
The PUII / O space of the ASIC 108 visible to the PU 102, the PCIMEM space 502 is the PCIMEM space of the ASIC 108 visible to the CPU 102, and the internal register space 503 is the ASIC1 visible to the CPU 102.
08 internal register space. In addition, AGP504
Is a memory space that can be accessed by the AGP bus protocol managed in the NB 103, and is a MEM-P50.
Reference numeral 5 is a memory space managed by the NB 103.

The PCI I / O space 506 has an ASI
PCIIIO space of C108, PCIMEM space 507 is PCIMEM space of ASIC108,
The internal register space 508 is an internal register space of the ASIC 108. In addition, AGP509 is ASIC10
8 is a memory space accessible from the AGP bus protocol, and the MEM-C 510 is a memory space managed by the ASIC 108. The base 511 is M
The start address of the EM-C510 and the base 512
Is the start address of the AGP space.

Further, the MEM-C 513 is a memory space of the MEM-C 107 accessible from the engine unit 110, the AGP 514 is an AGP space accessible from the engine unit 110, and the PCIMEM space 515.
Is a PCIMEM space actually accessed by the CPU 102 via the ASIC 108, and a PCI I / O space 516 is a PCI II / O space actually accessed by the CPU 102 via the ASIC 108.

As shown in the figure, the PCI I / O space 51
6, PCI I / O space 506 and PCI I / O space 5
01 is associated with each other, and PCIMEM space 515,
The PCIMEM space 507 and the PCIMEM space 502 are associated with each other. Further, the internal register space 508 and the internal register space 503 are associated with each other.

Furthermore, AGP514, AGP509, A
GP504 is associated with each other, MEM-C513,
The MEM-C510 and the MEM-P505 are associated with each other. A detailed description of mapping will be given later.

Next, (1) initialization operation, (2) printer operation, and (3) copy operation, which are the basic operations of the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1, will be described respectively.

(1) Initialization operation When the multifunction peripheral is powered on, the CPU 102 starts booting from the BIOS ahead of the SB 105 (not shown)
Initialization of B103 and SB105 is performed. Then, during this initialization, the config 202 of the ASIC 108 is accessed via the AGP 106, and the configuration shown in FIG.
The BAR 202a and the BAR 202b shown in 1 are set, and the initialization of the ASIC 108 as an AGP device is completed.

In this way, the AGP of the ASIC 108 is
When initialization as a device is completed, the ASIC 108
Can access the internal register 205. Specifically, the AGPMEMBASE register 205a of the internal register 205 is set to which address in the ASIC 108 the AGP space is mapped.
The SE register 205b is set to where the local memory MEM-C107 directly managed by the ASIC 108 is mapped.

That is, the address of the base 512 is set in the AGPMEMBASE register 205a shown in FIG.
The address of the base 511 is set in the LMEMBASE register 205b. Then, when the mapping is performed, the memory map shown in FIG. 5 is obtained.

As a result, when viewed from the CPU 102,
The system memory exists at the location of the MEM-P 505, and the AGP space 504 is mapped thereon. The setting of the AGP space 504 is set in the register of the NB 103. Therefore, the register mapped in the PCI space can be seen at the upper address.

The internal register space 503, PCIMEM space 502 and PCI I / O space 501 are the CO of PCI.
It is set by the BAR 202a of the NFIG202. ASIC1
08 memory under control MEM-C107BAR20
2b and can be accessed from the CPU 102 via PCI.

The base address set in the BAR 202a means the beginning of the internal register 508, and the PCI address
The MEM space 507 and the PCI I / O space 506 are fixedly defined by an offset with respect to the base address.

When the CPU 102 accesses the PCIMEM space 507, the write access is posted, and the CP
U102 will be released and ready for the next task. The write access is written in the PCIMEM space 515 at the same address of the PCI 109. PCII /
Similarly, the write access to the O space 506 is PCI1.
It is written to the PCI I / O space 16 of 09.

In addition, the CPU 102 uses the PCIMEM space 5
When 02 is read access, the access is NB10
Converted to AGP access in 3 and PC of ASIC108
Read access to the IMEM space 507.

The ASIC 108 is a PCI of the PCI 109.
Accessing the MEM space 515 takes time until the data is read, so a retry is once returned to the AGP access from the CPU 102. NB1
Upon receiving the retry signal, 03 repeats the read access. When the ASIC 108 reads the data from the PCI 109 and prepares the data, the data is transferred to the NB 10
Return to 3. The NB 103 transfers data with the CPU 102, and the transaction is completed.

Engine unit 11 connected to PCI 109
0 has a config register, and its base address is mapped to somewhere in the PCIMEM space 515, so that the engine PC of the engine unit 110 shown in FIG.
The I register 602 can be accessed. In addition,
The PCIMEM space 601 shown in the figure is a PCIMEM that the CPU 102 can access via the ASIC 108.
The engine PCI 602 is a space, and is an engine PCI register mapped to a PCIMEM space that the CPU 102 can access via the ASIC.

A configuration register 209 also exists on the PCI 109 side of the ASIC 108 for access from the engine unit 110. Specifically, A of NB103
A base register for accessing the GP space 504,
A base register for accessing the memory MEM-C510 under the control of the ASIC 108, a base register for setting the input address of the image input DMAC of the ASIC 108, and a base register for setting the output address of the image output DMAC of the ASIC 108. and so on. All such work is performed in the initialization process.

When the mapping is completed, a memory map as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained, so that the CPU 102 can access according to this memory map. Further, the engine unit 110 can access the memory according to the memory map as shown in FIG. The engine unit 110 also performs self-diagnosis after power-on and waits for mapping by the CPU 102. Therefore, when the initialization is completed, the engine unit 11
0 can also communicate with the CPU 102.

When the initialization of the software is completed, the controller 101 notifies the operation unit 111 of a message indicating that printing is possible, and enters a standby state in preparation for receiving data from the host.

(2) Printer Operation The ASIC 108 uses the network, IEEE1394,
It has an interface for connecting to a host such as a USB, and when the reception of data starts, the transmission data is sequentially interpreted and drawing is started on the MEM-P 104. And
When the drawing is completed, a command is transmitted to the engine unit 110, and an instruction is issued to fetch the drawn picture.

The CPU 102 operates the internal register of the NB 103 in order to make the data of the MEM-P 104 look like the space of the AGP 504, rewrites the table on the memory, and sets it so that the engine unit 110 can see it in the AGP space 514. The engine unit 110 receives the start address of the buffer with the drawn picture, activates the DMAC inside the engine unit 110, and executes the MEM through the AGP 514.
-Read out the picture on P505. At this time, the ASIC 108
Performs target operation for PCI109, and AG
For P106, it operates as a master. The engine unit 110 reads out a picture according to the internally generated timing.

Here, the operation timing of the engine section 110 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A sheet size 701 shown in the figure is a sheet size determined by main scanning and sub-scanning, FGATE 702 is a signal indicating the effective range of the sub-scanning of the sheet, and LGATE 703 is a signal indicating the effective range of the main scanning of the sheet. And LSYNC 704
Is a synchronization signal that is asserted at the beginning of main scanning.

As described above, the engine unit 110, according to the output paper size 701, the effective area F in the sub-scanning direction.
GATE 702 and effective area LGATE7 in the main scanning direction
03 and an LSYNC 704 that represents the start of each main scanning line.

When the engine section 110 receives the print command, the paper is conveyed and at the same time an FGATE 702 is created, and the number LS at which the FGATE 702 is asserted.
Start transfer to read the picture into the internal buffer 704 hours before YNC.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the basic timing signal for PCI transfer. In the figure, LSY
The NC 801 is a line sync, the DREQ 802 is a data request, the DATA 803 is a data transfer for one line, the XREQ 804 is a bus request signal of the PCI bus, the XGNT 805 is a bus grant signal of the PCI bus, and the TRANZ 806 is a PCI. It is a bus transaction for a bus.

PCICLK807 is the basic clock of PCI, and XFRAME808 is the FRA of PCI.
ME signal, XDEVSEL809 is PCI DE
VIR signal, XIRDY810 is the IR of PCI
DY signal, XTRDY811 is PCI TRDY
AD [31: 0] 812 is a PCI address / data bus signal, and CBE [3: 0] 813 is a PCI command / byte enable signal.

As shown in the figure, the data transfer request DREQ 802 is generated at the rising timing of LSYNC 801.
Is asserted, and the transfer of DATA 803 for one line is completed. Data for one line is transferred in synchronization with each LSYNC 801.

XREQ 804 is asserted on the PCI 109, XGNT 805 is asserted when the use of the bus is permitted, and one PCI transaction 806 is performed. Repeat the PCI transaction 1
The data transfer for the line is completed. The PCI transaction 806 is a burst transfer.

The PCI signal is synchronized with the rising edge of PCICLK807. When the bus use permission is obtained, the engine unit 110, which is the bus master, is XFRAME80.
8 is asserted, and at the same time, the address AD [31: 0] 81
2 and the command CBE [3: 0] 813. AS
The IC 108 uses the address AD [31: 0] issued by the engine unit 110 in the base address register of its own CONFIG.
When 812 hits, XDEVSEL 809 is asserted.

If the engine unit 110 can receive the data, after confirming the assertion of the XDEVSEL 809, the XIRDY 810 is asserted and the target of receiving the data is ASI.
Teach C108. The ASIC 108 uses the command CBE
If data is prepared for [3: 0] 813,
Assert XTRDY811 to put data on the bus.

Then, in synchronization with PCICLK807,
If there is data, one data is continuously transferred per clock. One clock before the last data, the engine unit 110, which is the bus master, negates the XFRAME 808, indicating that the next data is the last data of this transaction. After data transfer is completed, ASIC108
Negates XDEVSEL 809 and XTRDY811. The engine unit 110 negates XTRDY811 to complete the transaction.

(3) Copy operation When the multifunction machine shown in FIG. 1 performs a copy operation,
To read a document image, the user first sets the document on the scanner unit of the engine unit 110 of the multifunction peripheral.

When a copy condition is instructed from the operation unit 111 and the start key is pressed, the scanning operation is started. Controller 1 that received an instruction to start copying
01 instructs the scanner unit of the engine unit 110 via the PCI 109 to start scanning.

Now, the engine section 110 will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the engine unit 110 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the engine unit 110 includes a CCD 901, an image processing unit 902, an image shift unit 903, a scaling unit 904, an encoder 905, a PCI unit 906, a drawing unit 907, and
An image processing unit 908, an image shift unit 909,
It consists of a decoder 910.

The CCD 901 is an optical device for reading an image, and the image processing unit 902 is a C device.
It is a unit that converts an analog signal read from the CD 901 into a digital signal and performs shading correction, MTF correction, γ correction, and the like. Image shift unit 903
Is a unit for shifting or clipping an image, a scaling unit 904 is a unit for enlarging / reducing an image, and an encoder 905 is a unit for converting a multi-valued image into a code. The CCD 901, the image processing unit 902, the image shift unit 903, the scaling unit 904, and the encoder 905 correspond to the scanner section.

The PCI unit 906 is composed of a portion for executing a PCI bus protocol and a DMAC, and is a unit for transferring image data to the controller 101 and transmitting a command from the controller 101 to each unit in the engine section 110. Drawing unit 907
Is a unit that emits a laser to draw on a drum, an image processing unit 908 is a unit that performs γ correction for output, and an image shift unit 909.
Is a unit that shifts an image when outputting an image, and the decoder 910 is a unit that decodes a code to restore the original image data. The paper transport mechanism and the like are omitted.

Then, the image of the original is read by the CCD 901, the read analog signal level is A / D-converted, and then the image processing unit 1202 for input is used.
The image shift unit 903 performs shift processing in the main scanning direction, and the image is converted into a code by the encoder 905 via the scaling processing unit 904 that performs scaling processing at the magnification specified by the user. Via the ASIC 108 of the controller 101, the MEM-C
It is stored in 107.

When printing is performed, the ME
When the reading of the image to the M-C 107 is completed, the controller 101 issues an instruction to output to the engine 110. The engine 110 follows the instruction and the PCI
The unit 1206 reads image data from the controller 101 via the PCI bus 109.

Specifically, the engine 110 generates a PCI read transaction and issues a read request to the ASIC 109. The ASIC 109 reads out the image data from the MEM-C 107 in response to the read request and passes it to the engine 110.

When the PCI unit 906 of the engine 110 receives the image data from the controller 101, the decoder 910 decompresses the code, the image shift unit 909 performs shift processing for image output, and the output image processing unit 908. The image data is output to the drawing unit 907 via the image data, and the final stage image data is transferred to the laser driver board for drawing on the photoconductor to transfer, develop,
It is fixed, printed on paper, and output to the output tray.

(Regarding the Software Configuration of the Multi Function Peripheral) Next, the software configuration of the multi function peripheral will be described.
FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the software configuration of the multi-function peripheral according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the multi-function peripheral 1000 is a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 1
001, color line printer (Color LP) 1002,
In addition to having other hardware resources 1003, the software group 1010 is
20 and an application 1030.

The platform 1020 interprets a processing request from the application 1030 and manages one or a plurality of hardware resources, which is shown below, for generating a hardware resource acquisition request and managing one or a plurality of hardware resources. System resource manager (SRM) that arbitrates acquisition requests
ource Manager) 1023) and a general-purpose OS 1021.

This control service is formed by a plurality of service modules. Specifically, the SCS
(System Control Service) 1022 and ECS (Engi
ne Control Service) 1024 and MCS (Memory Con
Control Service) 1025 and OCS (Operation panel)
Control Service) 1026 and FCS (FAX Control S)
ervice) 1027 and NCS (Network Control Servic
e) There is 1028. In addition, this platform 10
Reference numeral 20 has an application program interface capable of receiving a processing request from the application by a predefined function.

The general-purpose OS 1021 is a general-purpose operating system such as UNIX (registered trademark), and executes each software of the platform 1020 and the application 1030 as processes in parallel. By using the open source UNIX, the security of the program can be secured, the network can be supported, and the source code can be easily obtained. Further, royalties of OS and TCP / IP are not required, and outsourcing becomes easy.

The SRM 1023, together with the SCS 1022, controls the system and manages resources. The engine unit such as a scanner or plotter, memory, HDD file, host I / O (Centro I / F,
Network I / F, IEEE1394 I / F, RS2
32C I / F, etc.) performs arbitration according to a request from an upper layer that uses a hardware resource, and controls execution.

Specifically, the SRM 1023 judges whether the requested hardware resource is available (whether it is not used by another request), and if it is available, the requested hardware resource is available. Tell upper layers that wear resources are available. In addition, hardware resource utilization scheduling may be performed in response to a request from an upper layer, and the request content (for example, paper conveyance and image forming operation by the printer engine, memory reservation, file generation, etc.) may be directly executed. .

The SCS 1022 includes (1) application management,
(2) Operation unit control, (3) system screen display (job list screen, counter display screen, etc.), (4) LED display, (5) resource management, and (6) interrupt application control. Specifically, in (1) application management, processing of registering an application and notifying other applications of the information is performed. With respect to the registered application, the state of the engine unit is notified according to the system setting and the request setting from the application. In addition, the registered applications are inquired as to whether or not the system is in a state transition such as a power mode transition inquiry and an interrupt mode.

In (2) operation unit control, exclusive control of the operation unit use right of the application is performed. Then, the key information from the operation unit driver (OCS) is exclusively notified to the application having the right to use the operation unit. This key information performs mask control for temporarily stopping the notification in response to a system state transition such as application switching.

Further, in (3) system screen display, a warning screen corresponding to the state of the engine unit is displayed in accordance with the content of the request from the application having the operation unit use right. Among these, there is one that turns on / off the warning display according to the state of the application such as the user restriction screen. In addition to the state of the engine section, display control of a job list screen for displaying the reservation / execution status of jobs, a counter screen for displaying total counters, and a screen indicating that CSS is being notified is performed. Regarding these system screen displays,
Drawing is performed as a system screen that covers the application screen without requesting the application to release the right to use the operation unit.

In addition, (4) LED display shows a warning LE.
It controls the display of system LEDs such as D and application keys. The LED unique to the application is directly controlled by the application using the display driver.

In the resource management (5), the application (ECS) provides a service for exclusive control of engine resources (scanner, staple, etc.) that must be excluded when executing the job, and (6)
In the interrupt application control, control and service are performed to prioritize the operation of a specific application.

The ECS 1024 is a monochrome line printer (B & W LP) 1001 and a color line printer (Color L).
P) 1002 and other hardware resources 1003 for controlling the engine unit, and performs image reading and printing operations, status notification, jam recovery, and the like.

Specifically, a series of copy / scan / print operations are realized by sequentially issuing print requests to the SRM 1023 according to the job mode designation received from the application 1030. This ECS10
The job to be handled by 24 is assumed to have a scanner (SCANNER) specified for the image input device or a plotter (PLOTTER) specified for the image output device.

For example, in the case of a copy operation, "SCANNE
“R → PLOTTER” is specified, “SCANNER → MEMORY” is specified for file accumulation, and “SCANNER → FAX-IN” is specified for facsimile transmission. When printing a stored file or printing from the printer application 1211, "MEMORY → PLOTTER" is specified, and when receiving a facsimile, "FAX-OUT → PLOTTE" is specified.
R "is designated.

Although the definition of the job differs depending on the application, the processing operation for one set of images handled by the user is defined as one job here. For example, in the case of the copy ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) mode, one job is to read one set of documents placed on the platen, and the platen mode is one job to read the final document. . Further, in the case of the copy application 1012, the operation of copying a bundle of originals is one job, and in the case of the fax application 1013, the operation of transmitting one document or the operation of receiving one document is one job, and the operation of the printer application is performed. In this case, one document print operation is one job.

The MCS 105 performs memory control, and specifically, acquires and releases the image memory,
It uses a hard disk drive (HDD) and compresses and decompresses image data.

Here, the functions necessary for managing the information required as an image data file stored in the hard disk drive are (1) file access (generation / generation
Delete / Open / Close) function (including exclusive processing),
(2) File name / ID management (file / user) /
Various file attribute management such as password management / accumulation time management / page number / data format (compression method etc.) / Access restriction / creating application / printing condition management (management of image data file of physical page unit)
(3) Join / insert / on a file basis and page basis
Disconnection function, (4) file sorting function (accumulation time order / user ID order, etc.), (5) notification of all file information (for display / search), (6) recovery function (corrupted file / page discard), (7) There is an automatic file deletion function.

Further, the functions for holding and accessing the image data to the memory such as the RAM are (1) the function of acquiring the file and page / band attribute information from the application 1230, and (2) the application 1
030 image data area allocation, release, read (Re
ad), write (Write) function.

The OCS 1026 is a module for controlling the operation panel which is a means for transmitting information between the operator and the main body control, and is a process for notifying the main body control of an operator's key operation event, and a library function for each application to construct a GUI. Is provided, processing for managing the constructed GUI information for each application, display reflection processing on the operation panel, and the like are performed.

The OCS 1026 is provided with (1) a library providing function for constructing a GUI, (2) operation unit hardware resource management function, (3) VRAM drawing / LCD display function (hardware display, display application switching, display). Language switching, window dark display, message / icon blink display, message concatenation display), (4) hard key input detection function, (5) touch panel key input detection function,
(6) LED output function and (7) buzzer output function.

The FCS 1027 is used for facsimile transmission / reception from each application layer of the system controller using the PSTN / ISDN network, registration / citation of various facsimile data managed by BKM (backup SRAM), facsimile reading, facsimile reception printing, fusion transmission / reception. It provides an API for performing.

Specifically, this FCS1027 is
(1) PS the document requested to be sent from the application layer
Sending function to send to a facsimile receiver using TN / ISDN network, (2) Fax receiving screen received from PSTN / ISDN network, receiving function to transfer and print various reports to each application layer, (3) Phonebook quotation / registration function for quoting and registering fax management items such as phonebook and group information stored in the fax board, (4) Transmission / reception result history information stored in the BKM mounted on the fax board It has a fax log notification function for notifying an application that requires such information, and (5) an event notification function for notifying an event of an application registered in the FCS when the status of the fax board changes.

The NCS 1028 is a module group for providing services that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. The NCS 1028 distributes data received by each protocol from the network side to each application, and Mediates when data is transmitted from the network to the network side. Specifically, ftpd, httpd, lpd, snmpd, telnetd,
It has a server daemon such as smtpd and a client function of the same protocol.

The application 1030 is a page description language (PDL), PCL and postscript (PDL).
A printer application 1011 which is a printer application having S), a copy application 1012 which is a copy application, a fax application 1013 which is a facsimile application, a scanner application 1014 which is a scanner application, and a net file application. It has a certain net file application 1015 and a process inspection application 1016 which is a process inspection application.

Applications 1011 to 1016
Can be executed by using each process on the platform 1020, and therefore, a screen display control program that performs screen control, key operation control, job generation, and the like is the main component. Note that a new application can be installed via the network via the network connected by the NCS 1028. Further, each application can be added or deleted for each application.

As described above, the multi-function peripheral 1000 does not have a controller board for each function such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile unlike the conventional multi-function peripheral, but simply shares a printer application, a copy application, and a facsimile application. It does not run on the OS. That is, the multi-function peripheral 1000 centrally performs the processing commonly required by each application on the platform 1020, thereby improving the development efficiency of each application and increasing the productivity of the entire apparatus. .

By the way, in the above description, the multifunction machine 1
Basically, only the application of 000 is shown, but in the multifunction peripheral 1000, the common processing is performed by the platform 1020, so that the development of a new application is facilitated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, by generating such a new application, an increase in development cost due to the modification of the existing application is prevented.

(Regarding New Application) As the new applications, the character enlargement continuous shooting application, the edge printing application, the density setting application, the calendar printing application, and the calendar enlargement continuous shooting application will be described below. In addition, since the basic idea of an application that an application is formed separately from an existing application and the input operation of the application are similar, this point is described in detail using the character expansion continuous shooting application as an example. I will explain to you.

(1) About Character Enlarged Continuous Shooting Application This character enlarged continuous shooting application expands a character string input from the operation unit, and overlaps a part of the expanded character string with a plurality of elements. It is an application that divides each of the divided elements into a plurality of printing sheets and prints each divided element. This character expansion continuous shooting application, unlike the conventional expansion continuous shooting, enables expansion continuous shooting of a character string instead of simply performing continuous expansion of a document.

When performing the character enlargement continuous shooting, when the user selects the user menu 1101 from the menus shown in FIG. 11 displayed on the operation unit 111 and presses the button 1102, the character enlargement is performed as shown in FIG. A submenu 1201 for selecting continuous shooting is displayed. A lower triangular circle 1103 is displayed on this button 1102 to display that there is a submenu 1201.

When the character expansion continuous shooting is selected from this submenu 1201, a screen for inputting a character string to be subjected to the character expansion continuous shooting is displayed. )). Although the output size parameter is also designated, the output size is determined to be one character on four A4 sheets.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print result in which a character string "athletic meet" is enlarged and copied. Each character shown in the figure consists of four sheets of A4 paper. As shown in FIG. 14, when the character "luck" is formed on four sheets, the upper and lower margin portions 1401 and the left and right margin portions 1402 overlap each other. Considering that, some of the characters are printed.

FIG. 15 shows the printing result of each sheet when the character "luck" is printed on four A4 sheets.
As shown in the figure, the paper 150 in the upper left portion of the character "luck"
1 is printed up to the edge of the sheet in consideration of the overlap with the upper right sheet 1502 and the lower left sheet 1503. Further, the upper right sheet 1502 is provided with a margin on the left side because the upper left sheet is stuck thereon, and the lower side is printed up to the end face.

Further, since the paper 1501 can be stuck from the upper side to the paper 1403 in the lower left portion, a margin is provided on the upper side, and the right side is printed up to the end face. Further, since the sheets 1502 and 1503 can be attached to the sheet 1504 in the lower right portion from above, a margin is provided on the left side and the upper side.

As described above, by using this character expansion continuous shooting application, it is possible to perform expansion continuous shooting of each character forming a character string. In particular, since the character enlargement continuous shooting application is provided separately from the existing applications such as the copy application and the printer application, it is not necessary to modify the existing application, so that the application development efficiency can be improved.

(2) Other Applications First, the edge print application is an application that extracts the edge of the character string input from the operation unit and prints the extracted edge. That is, depending on the intended use of the printed sheet, it may be desired to apply color later. For example, in a kindergarten, there is a case where a child is given help to work and a working time is set up. At this time, if the inside is made black, the color cannot be painted, so it is desirable to print only the edges. Therefore, in this edge printing application, as shown in FIG. 16A, only the edges of characters are printed. There is.

If the print density of the edge can be changed, the print result may be used more effectively. For example, there is a case where it is desired to form a color-coded pattern in which lines are not separated by color. For this reason, it is possible to further provide a density setting application for setting the density of the edge to be printed by the edge printing application to reduce the edge density as shown in FIG.

Next, the calendar print application is an application for printing the calendar of the year and month input from the operation unit. That is, this calendar print application is designed to output a monthly calendar as shown in FIG. 17 by selecting a commonly used monthly calendar from the menu. Specifically, the button 1 of the user menu 1101 shown in FIG.
By pressing 102, the submenu 120 shown in FIG.
By displaying 1 and designating a calendar, the calendar printing application can be executed. In the case of a multi-function peripheral capable of color output, the user can select blue for Saturday and red for Sunday. Further, by providing the calendar print application with a magnified continuous shooting function, it is possible to form a calendar magnified continuous shooting application.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, various applications such as the character enlargement continuous shooting application are provided.
It can be created in a script language that can be executed by a multi-function peripheral such as ava) or basic (Basic) language, and can be transferred by ftp (file transfer protocol) using a network. In this case, it is assumed that the multi-function device has the function as the ftp server.

Now, after transferring the file by ftp,
When the user logs out, the MFP can be configured to search the target directory and automatically add a valid file to the menu. In addition, after the user logs out, the multi-function peripheral may search the target directory and delete the corresponding menu if there is no file.

For example, the basic tab 1801 shown in FIG.
If the calendar print application is added when the basic tab of the default menu having the application tab 1802 is displayed, the display contents are changed to those shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Further, when transferring an application, it is possible to prepare a text input screen on a specific page in a web format instead of using ftp, and pour the text of the application into the window. To delete a function, open the page for that function and delete the text in the window in which the text was poured. In this case, it is premised that the multi-function peripheral has a web server function.

A function can be added by sending a mail having the contents of the application in the text to the multifunction peripheral. In this case, for example, "USERFUN
Add an application when a predetermined name such as "CTION_0001" is the title of the email. To delete a function, add "delete" or "remove" to the body. You would write such a command and send it.

The application or function addition result can be returned by mail. The contents of this reply mail are "Addition of USERFUNCTION_0001 completed.", "Addition of USERFUNCTION_0001 failed.
The error content is a syntax error. And so on. In this case, it is premised that the copying machine has the function of a mail server or the function of periodically listening to another mail server connected to the network for the arrival of mail. A general-purpose tool is used to send the email from the user. If the application itself becomes a huge file, this method is not suitable, so it is desirable to do it when the size of the mail is about 8 Kbytes or less. Also, in the case of mail, broadcast communication is possible, so one mail can be used to add the same function to multiple MFPs in a workgroup.

With regard to the function to be added, it is possible to add to the menu common to the work groups possessing the multifunction machine and to the individual menu, and the ID to the individual menu is added.
Is requested and the user menu matched with the ID is displayed, the menu is not complicated and the user can easily use it. Regarding the personal menu, if the personal menu is not used and disappears from the screen after a certain period of time (for example, one minute), it becomes easier for the next user to open the personal menu.

If any user can add a function itself, a conflict of function addition occurs. Therefore, a personal menu is provided to avoid it. If it is an email, it can be managed with the user name of the sender. In the case of ftp, it can be distinguished by the login name. When adding with a web browser, a login screen can be provided to distinguish individuals.

(Replacement of Applications) By the way, in the above description, new applications running on the multi-function peripheral have been described, but if these applications can be exchanged via the Internet, the applications can be used more effectively. Therefore, the exchange of applications will be described below.

The above-mentioned application program is used as free software or shareware software, and a user ID is provided so that only a user using the multi-function peripheral can use the website exchanged by users over the Internet.
By issuing a password and a place for exchanging applications between users, it is possible to promote the development of functions by users and improve business. in this case,
The user ID is issued by the company that sells the multifunction device or the company that is entrusted with the management.

In the case of shareware software, adding a menu to the multi-function peripheral does not incur a charge, and a message is displayed indicating that a fee will be charged for a certain period or trial of a certain number of copies. Piece by piece or 1
The service fee is charged to the job in the form of a value added yen. If the user declines, it will be removed from the menu. The creator of the application, which is shareware software, is paid the usage fee of the shareware software collected from the company that sells the multifunction device or the company that is entrusted with the management.

If the creator selects whether the application is free software or shareware software,
It is registered after a certain examination and given a unique number. In this case, it is desirable that the shareware software is expressed in encrypted text without disclosing the source. However,
It is premised that the multi-function peripheral has the function of decoding the encryption. In the multi-function peripheral, shareware software with a number is managed, and once installed, it is judged whether or not the billing period has come and it is recorded. Even if you reject the billing inquiry, that information will be saved, and if you add the function again after deleting the function, you will be notified that the trial period has ended the next time you select that menu, and you will be charged. The user is informed whether or not to accept.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the existing printer application 10 is used as the application that operates on the multifunction machine having the platform 1020.
11, without modifying the copy application 1012,
Since it is possible to add a character expansion continuous shooting application etc. separately, it is possible to improve the development efficiency of the application.

In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, S
CS1022, SRM1023, ECS1024, MC
S1025, OCS1026, FCS1027, NCS
Although the platform 1020 is formed by 1028, and the existing application 1030 is formed by the printer application 1011, the copy application 1012, the fax application 1013, the scanner application 1014, the net file application 1015, and the process inspection application 1016, the present invention is described. It is not limited to this.

[0132]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a character string input from a predetermined operation unit is enlarged, and a plurality of enlarged character strings are overlapped while partially overlapping each other. Since the character enlargement continuous shooting application for dividing each element into each element and printing each of the divided elements on a plurality of printing sheets is provided, it is possible to efficiently perform the character string conversion without modifying the existing application of the image forming apparatus. An effect is obtained that an image forming apparatus capable of performing enlarged continuous shooting is obtained. In the past, it was necessary to once create a document with a word processor, print it, create a block copy, and then copy it with a copying machine equipped with an enlarged continuous shooting function. You can give instructions right away, which will improve productivity in less time. In addition, the artwork is unnecessary and resources are not wasted.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the edge printing application for extracting the edge of the character string input from the predetermined operation section and printing the extracted edge is provided. An effect is obtained that an image forming apparatus capable of efficiently printing the edge of a character string can be obtained without modifying an existing application. In particular, in environments such as kindergartens, nursery schools, and elementary schools, teachers can make drafts of color letters on signboards without the hassle, which increases productivity.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the density setting application for setting the density of the edge to be printed by the edge printing application is provided, it is possible to freely change the density of the edge to be printed. There is an effect that an image forming apparatus can be obtained. In particular,
In a kindergarten, nursery school, elementary school environment, the teachers do not have to spend time and effort, and it is easy to make a draft of a signboard that the children / students can complete as a task.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, since the calendar print application for printing the calendar of the year and month input from the predetermined operation unit is provided,
An effect is obtained that an image forming apparatus that can immediately print a desired calendar can be obtained without modifying the existing application of the image forming apparatus. In particular, even without using a word processor, you can pull out the calendar whenever you need, which is useful for managing school schedules in a unified format.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the calendar of the year and month input from the predetermined operation unit is enlarged, and the enlarged calendar is divided into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other. Since the calendar enlargement continuous shooting application for printing each of the divided elements on a plurality of printing sheets is provided, it is possible to perform the calendar continuous enlargement shooting without modifying the existing application of the image forming apparatus. There is an effect that a different image forming apparatus can be obtained. In particular, educational institutions require a large calendar to post on a bulletin board, but even in such a case, it can be created without using a word processor, resulting in increased productivity and waste of resources because no artwork is required. Nor.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the application is described in a script language that can be interpreted and executed by the image forming apparatus, and the application is configured to be accepted by file transfer and put into a function-executable state. An effect is obtained that an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting / receiving a new application via a network is obtained.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, between the plurality of terminal devices each having a web browser capable of browsing the home page on the Internet, the exchange of the application related to the image forming apparatus on the Internet is performed by the HT.
Since the configuration is performed via the home page of the TP server, there is an effect that an application exchange system capable of effectively utilizing a new application can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the ASIC shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an internal structure of CONFIG shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a DMA provided on the internal register shown in FIG.
It is an explanatory view for explaining a space base register for C.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a mutual relationship of memory maps of PCI, ASIC, and CPU.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a PCIMEM space of an engine unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation timing of the engine unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a basic timing signal of PCI transfer.

9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an engine unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing a software configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a menu displayed on the operation unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a submenu capable of selecting character expansion continuous shooting.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a character enlarged continuous shooting result of a character string of athletic meet.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a case where the character “luck” of the athletic meet is continuously enlarged in characters on four sheets.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a printing result of each sheet when the characters “luck” of the athletic meet are continuously enlarged in characters on four sheets.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an output result of printing only edges of a character string by an edge printing application.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a calendar printed by a calendar printing application.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a basic menu displayed on the operation unit.

[Explanation of symbols] 101 controller 102 CPU 103 NB (Northbridge) 104 MEM-P (system memory) 105 SB (South Bridge) 106 AGP 107 MEM-C (local memory) 108 ASIC 109 PCI 110 engine 1000 multifunction machine 1001 B & W LP 1002 color LP 1003 Other hardware resources 1010 software group 1011 Printer application 1012 copy app 1013 Fax application 1014 Scanner application 1015 Net File App 1016 Process inspection application 1020 platform 1021 general-purpose OS 1022 SCS 1023 SRM 1024 ECS 1025 MCS 1026 OCS 1027 FCS 1028 NCS 1030 application

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An application capable of carrying out a processing unique to each user service related to image forming processing can be mounted, and the application is provided between the application and hardware resources to provide the user service. An image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the above, and enlarging a character string input from a predetermined operation unit. , A character enlargement continuous shooting application that divides the enlarged character string into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping each other, and prints each of the divided elements on a plurality of printing sheets as one of the plurality of applications. An image forming apparatus characterized by being installed. 2. An application capable of carrying out a processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing can be mounted, and the application is provided between the application and the hardware resource when the user service is provided. An image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the above, and extracting an edge of a character string input from a predetermined operation unit. Then
An image forming apparatus, comprising an edge printing application for printing an extracted edge as one of the plurality of applications. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a density setting application for setting the density of an edge printed by the edge printing application as one of the plurality of applications. 4. An application capable of carrying out a processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing can be mounted, and the application is provided between the application and the hardware resource when the user service is provided. An image forming apparatus having a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the above, and printing a calendar of a year and month input from a predetermined operation unit. An image forming apparatus comprising a calendar printing application as one of the plurality of applications. 5. An application capable of carrying out a processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing can be mounted, and the application is provided between the application and the hardware resource when the user service is provided. An image forming apparatus equipped with a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of the above, and enlarging a calendar of dates input from a predetermined operation unit. One of the plurality of applications is a calendar enlargement continuous shooting application that divides the enlarged calendar into a plurality of elements while partially overlapping them and prints each of the divided elements on a plurality of printing sheets. An image forming apparatus, which is installed as. 6. The application according to claim 1, wherein the application is written in a script language that can be interpreted and executed by the image forming apparatus, and the application is accepted by file transfer and brought into a function-executable state. The image forming apparatus according to one. 7. An application capable of carrying out a processing unique to each user service relating to image forming processing can be mounted, and the application is provided between the application and the hardware resource when the user service is provided. Is an application exchange system for performing an exchange service of each application of an image forming apparatus equipped with a platform for performing management, execution control, and image forming processing of the hardware resources commonly required by at least two of , A plurality of terminal devices each having a web browser capable of browsing a home page on the Internet, and an exchange service of an application related to the image forming apparatus between the plurality of terminal devices via the Internet using the home page App switching system comprising: the clear screen HTTP server, the.