JP2006053905A - Image forming device and image forming method, and program for controlling image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device utilizing a web browser on a control screen of an apparatus and simplifying input operation, and to provide an image forming method and a program for controlling the image forming device. <P>SOLUTION: In a composite machine 100 connected to a data base server 200 via a network 300, readout instruction of set page data for controlling the composite machine is sent to the data base server 200, the set page data sent from the data base server 200 according to the readout instruction is received, the received set page data is displayed on the web browser of the display 300, and setting for controlling the composite machine 100 is input on the set page data displayed on the web browser. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of setting control contents on a web browser.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including an operation unit that can display a web browser is known. In this type of image forming apparatus, a web browser is displayed on the operation unit, and browsing and net surfing can be performed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-122279 A

  However, the image forming apparatus can only display content independently of the various functions provided in the image forming apparatus, and further cannot control the operation of the various functions provided in the image forming apparatus while the web browser is displayed. There was a problem.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming apparatus control program capable of simplifying an input operation by using a web browser as a device control screen.

  To achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, in the image forming apparatus connected to the server via a network, transmits an instruction to read setting page data for control of the image forming apparatus to the server. Transmitting means, receiving means for receiving the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction, display means for displaying the received setting page data on a web browser, and display on the web browser Input means for inputting a setting for controlling the image forming apparatus on the set page data.

  The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, a storage unit that stores setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus, a read instruction input unit that inputs a read instruction for the setting page data, and a web browser that stores the setting page data. Display means for displaying on the display means, control means for displaying the setting page data on the web browser of the display means based on the input readout instruction, and the image formation on the setting page data displayed on the web browser And a setting input means for inputting settings for controlling the apparatus.

  7. The image forming method according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is applied to an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network, and an instruction to read setting page data for control of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the server. Transmitting step, receiving step for receiving the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction, displaying step for displaying the received setting page data on a web browser, and displaying on the web browser And an input step for inputting a setting for controlling the image forming apparatus on the set page data.

  The image forming method according to claim 7 is an image applied to an image forming apparatus comprising storage means for storing setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus and display means for displaying the setting page data on a web browser. In the forming method, a read instruction input step for inputting a read instruction for the setting page data, a control step for displaying the setting page data on a web browser of the display means based on the input read instruction, and the web A setting input step of inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on a browser.

  The image forming apparatus control program according to claim 8 is an image forming apparatus control program executed by an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network, and reads setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus. A transmission module that transmits an instruction to the server, a reception module that receives the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction, and a display module that displays the received setting page data on a web browser; And an input module for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser.

  The image forming apparatus control program according to claim 9 is executed by an image forming apparatus including a storage unit that stores setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus and a display unit that displays the setting page data on a web browser. In the image forming apparatus control program, the setting page data is displayed on the web browser of the display unit based on the reading instruction input module for inputting the setting page data reading instruction and the input reading instruction. And a setting input module for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser.

  According to the present invention, setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus is displayed, and various settings for controlling the image forming apparatus can be set on the web browser by displaying the setting page data. It can be used for the control screen of the forming apparatus to simplify the input operation. In addition, a variety of screens that cannot be expressed on a native screen can be displayed on a web browser. In addition, since the visibility of the input operation is improved, the input operation can be simplified.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a multifunction peripheral 100, and the system includes the multifunction peripheral 100 and a database server 200 connected to a network 300.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a network connection unit 110 (transmission unit, reception unit), a web browser display unit 120, a display unit 130 (display unit), a display switching unit 140, a multifunction device controller 150 (control unit), and a key input unit 160 ( Input unit, read instruction input unit, setting input unit), scanner 170, printer 180, and native screen display unit 190.

  The network connection unit 110 is connected to the network 300 and exchanges data between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the network 300. The web browser display unit 120 displays data from the network 300 on the display unit 130 via the display switching unit 140. The display unit 130 can switch what is displayed by the display switching unit 140, displays data from the web browser display unit 120, or displays data of the MFP controller 150 via the native screen display unit 190.

  The multi-function device controller 150 controls the overall operation of the multi-function device 100, and executes setting of the multi-function device 100 and an operation start instruction in response to an input from the key input unit 160. Further, in response to an input from the key input unit 160, the multifunction device controller 150 transmits display data of the multifunction device to the native screen display unit 190 for display, reception of scan information from the scanner 170, and printer 180. Send print data to the.

  The key input unit 160 includes a numeric keypad, a touch panel, and the like, and receives data input from the user. The scanner 170 scans an image to create image input data, and the printer 180 prints the image output data on output paper. The native screen display unit 190 displays an operation screen of the multifunction device 100 in accordance with an instruction from the controller 150. The multifunction device 100 includes a facsimile unit (not shown) and can execute facsimile communication.

  In addition, the multifunction device 100 includes a mode memory (not shown). The mode memory is a memory to which areas are allocated according to modes such as a user setting mode, an original mode, a copy mode, a printer mode, and a facsimile mode. The mode memory area and setting contents can be changed by the user via the key input unit 160 as appropriate.

  On the other hand, the database server 200 includes a network connection unit 210, a server controller 220, a content database 230, and an operation control database 240.

  The network connection unit 210 performs data communication with the database server 200 via the network 300.

  The server controller 220 analyzes the data received via the network connection unit 210 and determines the overall operation of the database server 200. In addition, the server controller 220 accesses the content database 230 and the operation control database 240 to retrieve data, and transmits the data to the multifunction peripheral 100 via the network connection unit 210.

  The content database 230 stores content displayed on the display unit 130 via the web browser display unit 120, reads data requested from the multifunction peripheral 100, and transmits the read data to the web browser display unit 120. To do.

  The operation control database 240 stores control data for the multifunction peripheral 100 and is stored or read by the server controller 220.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction peripheral 100 of FIG.

  1 includes a reader unit 1000 and a printer unit 2000.

  First, the reader unit 1000 includes a document conveying device 1101 that conveys a placed document to the platen glass 102 and a platen glass 1102 that is used when the conveyed document is read.

  Further, the reader unit 1000 includes a lamp 1103 that irradiates a document placed on the platen glass 1102. A scanner unit 1104 that scans the document with light from the lamp 1103, and exposure scanning of the scanner unit 1104. Are provided with mirrors 1105, 1106, 1107 and a lens 1108 for guiding reflected light of the original to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 1109, and a CCD 1109 for converting the reflected light of the original into image data.

  The printer unit 2000 also forms a latent image by being irradiated with laser light, a laser light emitting unit 2201 that emits laser light corresponding to the image data received from the reader unit 1000, a laser driver 2211 that drives the laser light emitting unit 2201, and the like. The photosensitive drum 2202, the developing unit 2203 for attaching the developer to the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2202, the transfer unit 2206 for transferring the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 2202 to the recording paper, and the transfer unit 2206. Are provided with paper feeding cassettes 2204 and 2205 for loading recording paper to be fed.

  The printer unit 2000 includes a printer control unit 2230 that processes image data input from an external device (not shown) via a network. The printer control unit 2230 can drive the laser light emitting unit 2201 to emit light according to the processed image data.

  Further, the printer unit 2000 fixes a recording sheet developer conveyed from the transfer unit 2206 to the recording sheet by heat and pressure, and a discharge roller 2208 that discharges the recording sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 2207 to the outside. A sorter 2220 for storing the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorting the recording paper, a flapper 2209 for guiding the recording paper to the refeed conveyance path 2210 for double-sided recording or multiple recording, and a transfer unit And a re-feed conveyance path 2210 for conveying the recording paper to 2206 again.

  Next, operations of the reader unit 1000 and the printer unit 2000 will be described in detail. The document transport device 1101 of the reader unit 1 transports the placed documents one by one from the last page to the platen glass 1102 and discharges the document on the platen glass 1102 after the document reading operation is completed. At this time, when the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 1102, the lamp 1103 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time reaches the CCD 1109 by the mirrors 1105, 1106, 1107 and the lens 1108. The CCD 1109 reads the reflected light from the document and converts it into image data. Image data output from the CCD 1109 is transmitted to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The laser emission unit 2201 emits laser light corresponding to the image data received from the reader unit 1000. This laser light irradiates the photosensitive drum 2202, and forms a latent image corresponding to the laser light. A developer adheres to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 2202 by the developing device 2203. Then, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the paper feed cassette 2204 or the paper feed cassette 2205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 2206, and the developer adhered to the photosensitive drum 2202. Is transferred to the recording paper. The recording sheet to which the developer has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 2207, and the developer is fixed to the recording sheet by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 2207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 2207 is discharged to the sorter 2220 by a discharge roller 2208.

  The sorter 2220 includes a sample tray 2400 as the uppermost bin, and also includes a tray 2500 on which a large amount of output recording paper can be stacked. A flapper 2600 switches whether the recording paper is discharged to the sample tray 2400 or the tray 2500. The sorter 2220 can staple a plurality of recording sheets discharged according to the setting.

  If double-sided recording is set in advance, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 2208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 2208 is reversed, and the recording sheet is guided to the refeed conveyance path 2210 by the flapper 2209. .

  When multiple recording is set in advance, the recording paper is guided to the refeed conveyance path 2210 by the flapper 2209 so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 2208. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 2210 is fed to the transfer unit 2206 at the timing described above.

  The number of paper feed cassettes is not limited to two of the paper feed cassettes 2204 and 2205, and two or more paper feed cassettes can be mounted.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In FIG. 5, the controller unit 2000 is connected to a scanner 170 as an image input device and a printer 180 as an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 2011 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input image information and device information. Output.

  In the controller unit 2000, the CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire multifunction peripheral 100. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for operating the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software, image data, and the like.

  The operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface unit connected to the operation unit 2012 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the user of the system from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001. A network unit 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 and inputs / outputs information. A modem 2050 is connected to a public line (WAN) 2051 and inputs / outputs information. The CPU 2001, RAM 2002, ROM 2003, HDD 2004, operation unit I / F 2006, network unit 2010, and modem 2050 are connected to the system bus 2007.

  An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394.

  A RIP (raster image processor) 2060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. A device I / F unit 2020 connects the scanner 170 and printer 180, which are image input / output devices, to the controller unit 2000, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, or edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like on image data for print output. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 executes compression / decompression processing using multi-valued image data in JPEG and binary image data in JBIG, MMR, or MH.

  The RIP 2060, the device I / F unit 2020, the scanner image processing unit 2080, the printer image processing unit 2090, the image rotation unit 2030, and the image compression unit 2040 are connected to the image bus 2008.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing for displaying data from the native screen display unit 190 or the web browser display unit 120 on the display unit 130. This process is executed by the display switching unit 140.

  First, the display switching unit 140 determines whether the current screen display is set for a native screen or a web browser (step S301).

  As a result of the determination in step S301, if the current screen display is set for the native screen, a display instruction from the native screen display unit 190 is received (step S302), and the native screen display unit is followed according to this display instruction. The data from 190 is displayed on the display unit 130 (step S304), and this process ends.

  As a result of the determination in step S301, if the current screen display is set for the web browser, a display instruction is received from the web browser display unit 120 (step S303), and the web browser display unit is displayed according to the display instruction. The data from 120 is displayed on the display unit 130 (step S304), and this process ends.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a native screen displayed on the display unit 130, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web browser displayed on the display unit 130.

  In the native screen of FIG. 6, a copy mode operation is possible. Since this screen also serves as an initial screen, a simple screen configuration is adopted. When the web browser key 601 in FIG. 6 is pressed, the display is switched to the web browser display as shown in FIG. This web browser can also browse external sites.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the web browser.

  In FIG. 8, the operation screen is displayed entirely on the web browser. Therefore, when there is a key input on the operation screen, contents corresponding to the key input to the database server 200 (specifically, for controlling the MFP 100). A setting page data) read instruction is sent. When there is content corresponding to the key input in the content database 230, the database server 200 reads out the content and transmits it to the multifunction device 100. As a result, the operation screen displayed on the display unit 130 is switched to an operation screen with new contents according to the content transmitted from the database server 200.

  Specifically, when the paper selection key 801 in FIG. 8 is pressed, an instruction to read the content is transmitted to the database server 200, and setting page data corresponding to the “paper selection key” is displayed from the content database 230 on the web browser. The image is displayed on the display unit 130 via the unit 120 (FIG. 9).

  As shown in FIG. 8, the web browser can display various operation screens that cannot be expressed on the native screen. Moreover, since the display area is limited on the native screen, it is difficult to arrange on the screen while ensuring the visibility of a large number of operation keys, but this can be easily done with a web browser. .

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing browser screen display processing. This process is mainly executed by the multi-function device controller 150.

  First, the network connection unit 110 transmits an instruction to read content (specifically, setting page data for control of the MFP 100) to the content database 230 of the database server 200 via the network 300 (step S401). The machine controller 150 determines whether or not there is a response from the database server 200 via the network connection unit 110 (step S402).

  If there is no response as a result of the determination in step S402, the determination is repeated. On the other hand, if there is a response from the database server 200, the read content (specifically, settings for controlling the MFP 100) Page data) is displayed on the display unit 130 via the web browser display unit 120 (step S403).

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a key input from the key input unit 160 (step S404). In step S <b> 404, for the first time when there is a key input, the content of the database server 200 is instructed via the network 300 to read out the content corresponding to the key input (specifically, the setting page data for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100). It transmits to the database 230 (step S405), and it is discriminate | determined whether the response of the content according to key input was received from the database server 200 (step S406).

  As a result of the determination in step S406, if there is a response of the content in response to the key input, the process returns to step S403 in order to display the content on the display unit 130 via the web browser display unit 120. On the other hand, if there is no response to the content in response to the key input, it is determined whether or not control data from the operation control database 240 should be acquired (step S407). The criterion for determining whether or not to acquire control data from the operation control database 240 is configured to be set in the multi-function device controller 150 via the key input unit 160. For example, registration and setting of a mode memory, Alternatively, when setting the copy mode, the control data is set to be acquired from the operation control database 240.

  If the control data from the operation control database 240 is not to be acquired as a result of the determination in step S407, the present process is terminated, while the control data from the operation control database 240 is to be acquired. Then, the control data is acquired from the operation control database 240 via the network 300 (step S408), the MFP controller 150 is controlled using the acquired control data (step S409), and this process is terminated. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the setting page data for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 for registering and setting the mode memory or setting the copy mode is displayed on the web browser, and the setting is made. Since various settings for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 can be performed on the web browser by displaying the page data, the web browser can be used for the control screen of the multifunction peripheral 100 to simplify the input operation. In addition, a variety of screens that cannot be expressed on a native screen can be displayed on a web browser.

  In the above embodiment, the multifunction device 100 and the database server 200 are configured as separate devices. However, the multifunction device 100 includes the server controller 220, the content database 230, and the operation control database 240. The functions of the server 200 may be included. In such a case, an instruction to read setting page data for control of the MFP 100 is input from the key input unit 160, and the MFP controller 150 receives the read instruction and stores it in the content database 230 (storage means). The setting page data for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 is displayed on the display unit 130 via the web browser display unit 120 and the display switching unit 140. As a result, the setting page data for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 is displayed on the web browser. Then, by inputting the setting for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 on the setting page data displayed on the web browser via the key input unit 160 or the display unit 160, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained. it can.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing a program code of software that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

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

  The above-described program only needs to be able to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments by a computer, and the form includes forms such as object code, a program executed by an interpreter, and script data supplied to the OS. But you can.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, MO, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW), magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, other ROM, or the like can be used. Alternatively, the program is supplied by downloading from another computer or database (not shown) connected to the Internet, a commercial network, a local area network, or the like.

1 is a configuration diagram of a system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction machine 100 of FIG. 1. 4 is a flowchart showing processing for displaying data from a native screen display unit 190 or a web browser display unit 120 on a display unit 130. It is a flowchart which shows a browser screen display process. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a native screen displayed on the display unit 130. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a web browser displayed on a display unit 130. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on a web browser. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on a web browser after the paper selection key is pressed.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP 110 Network connection unit 120 Web browser 130 Display unit 140 Display switching unit 150 MFP controller 160 Key input unit 170 Scanner 180 Printer 190 Native screen display unit 200 Database server 210 Network connection unit 220 Server controller 230 Content database 240 Operation control Database 300 network

Claims (9)

In an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
Transmitting means for transmitting an instruction to read setting page data for control of the image forming apparatus to the server;
Receiving means for receiving the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction;
Display means for displaying the received setting page data on a web browser;
An image forming apparatus comprising: input means for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser. Determining means for determining whether or not to control data for the image forming apparatus transmitted from the server in response to an input by the input means;
Obtaining means for obtaining control data for the image forming apparatus from the server when it is determined that the control data for the image forming apparatus should be obtained from the server;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus based on the acquired control data of the image forming apparatus.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display switching unit that switches between the web browser displayed on the display unit and a native screen.   The image forming apparatus is a multifunction machine having a printer function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function, the multifunction machine has a mode memory, and the control data of the image forming apparatus is data related to registration and setting of the mode memory, 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is data relating to setting of a copy mode. Storage means for storing setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus;
A read instruction input means for inputting a read instruction for the setting page data;
Display means for displaying the setting page data on a web browser;
Control means for displaying the setting page data on a web browser of the display means based on the input readout instruction;
An image forming apparatus comprising: setting input means for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser. In an image forming method applied to an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
A transmission step of transmitting an instruction to read setting page data for control of the image forming apparatus to the server;
A receiving step of receiving the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction;
Displaying the received setting page data on a web browser;
An image forming method comprising: an input step of inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser. In an image forming method applied to an image forming apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus; and display means for displaying the setting page data on a web browser.
A read instruction input step for inputting a read instruction for the setting page data;
A control step of causing the web browser of the display means to display the setting page data based on the input readout instruction;
A setting input step of inputting a setting for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser. In an image forming apparatus control program executed by an image forming apparatus connected to a server via a network,
A transmission module that transmits an instruction to read setting page data for control of the image forming apparatus to the server;
A receiving module that receives the setting page data transmitted from the server in response to the read instruction;
A display module for displaying the received setting page data on a web browser;
An image forming apparatus control program comprising: an input module for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser. In an image forming apparatus control program executed by an image forming apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores setting page data for controlling the image forming apparatus; and a display unit that displays the setting page data on a web browser.
A read instruction input module for inputting a read instruction for the setting page data;
A control module for displaying the setting page data on a web browser of the display means based on the input readout instruction;
An image forming apparatus control program comprising: a setting input module for inputting settings for controlling the image forming apparatus on setting page data displayed on the web browser.

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