JP2006135695A - Image processing system, image processor, server, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system capable of being adapted to an environment wherein services are daily disorderly increased/decreased. <P>SOLUTION: A composite machine displays a service selection menu (s116) on the basis of service definition information about which the composite machine inquires of a directory service so as to allow a user to designate services for requesting provision of the services from a function server. Since the composite machine can grasp services providable by the function server by receiving the service definition information from the directory server in this way, the load imposed on the composite machine can be suppressed even under the environment wherein services are daily disorderly increased/decreased. Further, since the service selection menu indicates services of a plurality of different directory servers in a way that the same services of the same categories in a plurality of the different directory servers are deleted and the same services are not displayed as choices and no unnecessary confusion is caused onto the user. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system for performing processing relating to an image, an image processing apparatus and a server constituting the image processing system, and a program for realizing the processing of the server.

Conventionally, a system has been proposed in which a function not provided in a digital copying machine is provided in a host computer connected via a network (see Patent Document 1).
That is, in this system, bit data such as a control command code and image density data is transmitted from the digital copying machine to the host computer, and the host computer analyzes the content of the received control command code to generate an image. Image processing is performed by an image editing function designated for the data. The image data processed by the host computer is sent back to the digital copying machine and printed by the digital copying machine.

In this system, when a new function is added to the host computer, the contents of the new function are transmitted from the host computer to the digital copying machine, and the digital copying machine selects the new function to be registered in the digital copying machine to the user. Let That is, in this system, a new function that the user wants to use is registered in the digital copying machine, so that the function can be used.
JP-A-9-238215

However, the above-described system has a problem that it is not suitable for an environment in which services are randomly increased or decreased like a general server on the Internet.
That is, in the above system, when a new function is added to the host computer, it can be used by registering the function in the digital copying machine. For example, various services such as general servers on the Internet are available. In an environment where the number of times is frequently increased or decreased, work for frequently registering digital copiers occurs, and the amount of information to be registered becomes enormous.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system that can be adapted to an environment in which services are randomly increased or decreased like a general server on the Internet.

  In order to solve the above problem, an image processing system according to claim 1 has at least one of a function of reading an image and generating image data representing the image and a function of printing an image represented by the image data. A service providing means for providing a service related to at least one of image data generated by a function of the image processing apparatus and image data indicating an image to be printed in response to a request from the image processing apparatus; Each of the image processing systems includes a plurality of specific information notifying means capable of notifying the image processing apparatus of services that can be provided by the service providing means. The specific information notifying means includes information notifying means for notifying the image processing apparatus of service specifying information capable of specifying a service that can be provided by the service providing means. In addition, in the image processing apparatus, based on the service specifying information notified by the information notifying unit included in the specifying information notifying unit, a list creating unit that creates a service list of the service specified by the service specifying information, the list Of the services in the service list displayed by the list display means for displaying the service list created by the creation means on the display unit provided in the image processing apparatus, the service providing means should be requested to provide Service specifying means for allowing a user to specify a service, provision requesting means for requesting the service providing means to provide a service specified by the service specifying means, and a function of the image processing apparatus, the provision requesting means Service provision by the service providing means received by the A function realizing means for realizing undergoing, is provided. Further, the service providing means includes provision executing means for executing processing for providing a service to the image processing apparatus when receiving a request from the provision requesting means provided in the image processing apparatus. .

  In the image processing system configured as described above, the image processing apparatus is based on service identification information (information that can identify a service that can be provided by the service providing unit) notified by the information notification unit included in the specific information notification unit. The service requested by the service providing means is determined (the user is allowed to specify). As a result, according to the present image processing system, it is possible to adapt to an environment in which services are increased or decreased day by day like a general server on the Internet.

  If the configuration is such that information corresponding to service specific information is registered in the image processing apparatus as in the conventional configuration, the information must be registered each time in an environment where the number of services increases and decreases randomly. Therefore, the burden on the image processing apparatus increases, which is not desirable. On the other hand, in this image processing system, the service specific information is notified from the specific information notification means, so that the services that can be provided by the service providing means can be grasped on the image processing apparatus side. Even in an environment of increasing or decreasing, the burden on the image processing apparatus can be suppressed.

  Further, in this configuration, a list of services (service list) specified by each of the service specifying information notified from each of the plurality of specific information notifying units is created, and the service providing unit is requested to provide based on the list. The user can specify the service to be performed. Therefore, the user can easily specify a service based on this list.

  In this configuration, the list creation means included in the image processing apparatus is means for creating a service list of the service specified by the service specification information based on the service specification information notified from the specification information notification means. The content of the specific service list to be created is not particularly limited.

  However, when this list creation means is configured to create a service list based on service specific information notified from each of a plurality of specific information notification means, for example, among the services indicated by each of the plurality of service specific information If the same service is included, when they are converted into a service list, a list is created that looks as if different services are registered even though they are the same service. Therefore, when such a service list is displayed, if a plurality of the same services are displayed at the same time, even though they are the same service, they misunderstand that they are different services. There is a risk of causing unnecessary confusion. In this case, if the display unit included in the image processing apparatus does not have a sufficient display area, a plurality of different services are displayed when a plurality of the same services are displayed in such a narrow display area. An unnecessary operation burden (for example, scrolling the screen) is generated.

  For this reason, it is desirable not to include a plurality of the same services in the service list. For this purpose, for example, as described in claim 2, the list creation unit includes the specific information notification unit. Based on the service specifying information notified by the information notification means, it is preferable to create a service list including only different services among all the services specified by the service specifying information.

  With this configuration, the service list created by the list creation unit is in a state where only different services are registered, and therefore, the same service is not registered. Therefore, when such a service list is displayed, a plurality of the same services are not displayed at the same time, and there is no possibility of causing unnecessary confusion to the user. In addition, since the same service is not registered, even when a service list is displayed on a display unit that does not have a sufficient display area, the same service is displayed in such a narrow area. As a result, there is no unnecessary operation burden.

  Further, when the list creation means creates the service list, the services specified by the service specification information notified from the specific information notification means may be randomly arranged, but the services are arranged according to a predetermined rule. It is good.

  In this latter case, for example, as described in claim 3, the list creation unit is identified by the service identification information based on the service identification information notified by the information notification unit included in the identification information notification unit. What is necessary is just to comprise so that the service list which rearranges the service performed according to a predetermined rule may be produced.

  With this configuration, since the service list created by the list creation unit is rearranged according to a predetermined rule, depending on the rule, the user can have good visibility. The operability when specifying a service can also be improved.

  The “predetermined rule” here may be any rule, but in order to make it easy for the user to see, for example, in addition to rules such as alphabetical order or service order, A rule such as rearranging for each service content can be considered.

  In addition, the above-described list creation means is configured to create a service list based only on the service specific information notified from the specific specific information notification means among the service specific information notified from each of the plurality of specific information notification means. In this case, for example, as described in claim 4, the list creation unit includes the specific information notification unit that satisfies a predetermined creation condition among the plurality of specific information notification units. A service list of services specified by the service specifying information may be created based on the service specifying information notified by the information notification means.

  According to this configuration, the service list is created based on the service specifying information notified by the information notifying unit included in the specifying information notifying unit that satisfies the predetermined generation condition. Only the specific information notification means can be used as the acquisition source of the service specific information.

  “Creation conditions” in this configuration are, for example, specific information notification notified from a specific specific information notification means registered on the image processing apparatus side, and being able to authenticate with the image processing apparatus according to a predetermined authentication procedure. It is conceivable that a notification has been received from the means. As another condition, it may be specified information notifying means that has a good communication status with the image processing apparatus.

  For this latter case, for example, in the image processing apparatus, the list creation unit is a closest network distance among the plurality of specific information notification units. The specific information notifying unit is configured to create a service list of the service specified by the service specifying information based on the service specifying information notified by the information notifying unit included in the specific information notifying unit. Good.

  With this configuration, since the service list is created based on the service specifying information notified by the information notifying unit included in the specifying information notifying unit having the shortest network distance, the network distance Only the specific information notifying means that is estimated to have the best communication status due to the closeness can be used as the acquisition source of the service specific information.

Further, in this configuration, as a configuration for specifying the specific information notifying unit having the shortest network distance, for example, the configuration described in claim 6 can be considered.
The image processing system according to claim 6, in the image processing apparatus, estimates a network-like distance for each of the specific information notification means from service specific information respectively notified by the information notification means included in the specific information notification means. A first distance estimating unit; and the list creating unit is configured to identify the service notified by the specific information notifying unit having a network-like distance estimated by the first distance estimating unit. Based on the information, a service list of the service specified by the service specifying information is created.

  With this configuration, the image processing apparatus side estimates the network distance of the specific information notification means based on each of the service specific information notified from the plurality of specific information notification means, and the most network distance It is possible to create a service list of services identified by the service identification information notified from the identification information notifying means estimated to be close.

  In this configuration, the method for estimating the network distance by the first distance estimating means is not particularly limited. For example, the TTL (Time To included in the header of the service specifying information notified from the specifying information notifying means is used. Live) etc. can be estimated. This TTL is subtracted when the information transmitted from the specific information notifying means passes through a relay device (for example, a router) until it reaches the image processing device, so that it corresponds to the value of this TTL. Therefore, it can be estimated that the network distance is short. In addition, as the above-mentioned “network distance”, for example, after an echo request by ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) is transmitted to the specific information notification unit, an echo reply is returned from the specific information notification unit. Depending on the time, it may be estimated that the network distance is long.

  By the way, the notification of the service specific information by the specific information notification unit described above may be configured to be performed at the convenience of the specific information notification unit side, for example, periodically, but the image processing apparatus (or the user of the image processing apparatus) ) May be configured for convenience.

  For the latter, the image processing apparatus may be configured to request notification of service specific information. As a specific configuration, for example, in the image processing apparatus, as described in claim 7, And a notification requesting unit that requests the specific information notification unit to notify the service specific information. In the specific information notification unit, the information notification unit includes a notification request unit included in the image processing apparatus. What is necessary is just to comprise so that the said service specific information may be notified to the said image processing apparatus, when a request | requirement is received.

  If comprised in this way, in the image processing apparatus, the notification of a service specific information from a specific information notification means can be received at the timing which the notification request means requested | required the notification of service specific information to a specific information notification means.

  The specific information notifying means in this configuration may be configured to make a request when specific processing is performed on the image processing apparatus side, but may be configured to receive an operation by the user. In the latter case, the user can receive notification of service specific information at an arbitrary timing.

  Further, the request by the specific information notification unit may be configured to be performed for all the specific information notification units, but may be configured to be performed only for the specific specific information notification unit. For this purpose, for example, it may be configured to request the notification of the service specific information to the specific information notification means that satisfies the specific request condition.

  In addition, as described in claim 8, the notification requesting unit is based on a notification unit list in which one or more specific information notification units are registered, and has the highest priority registered in the notification unit list. A configuration may be considered in which the service specific information notification is requested to the high specific information notification means.

  With this configuration, since the service list is created based on the service specifying information notified from the specific information notifying means registered as the highest priority in the notifying means list, priority is given to the notifying means list. The specific information notification means having a higher rank can be used as the acquisition source of the service specific information.

  The “priority order” in this configuration may be registered in advance in the notification means list, but may be changed as needed according to a predetermined condition. As a condition referred to here, for example, it is conceivable that the specific information notifying unit having a better communication status with the image processing apparatus has a higher priority. For this purpose, for example, as described in claim 9, in the image processing apparatus, a network-like distance for each of the specific information notification means is estimated through data communication with the plurality of specific information notification means. The second distance estimating means and the specific information notifying means having the shortest network distance estimated by the second distance estimating means are the specific information notifying means having the highest priority. And a first order changing means for changing the priority order of the specific information notifying means registered in the notifying means list.

  With this configuration, since the priority is changed in the notification means list of the specific information notification means having the closest network distance, the network distance is close as described above. This makes it possible to request service specific information from the specific information notification means that is estimated to have the best communication status. Thereby, the specific information notifying means that is estimated to have the best communication status due to the short network distance can be used as the acquisition source of the service specific information.

  The second distance estimation means in this configuration is a means for estimating a network distance for each of the specific information notification means through data communication with a plurality of specific information notification means. As this estimation method, for example, A method of estimating that the network-like distance is long according to the time from when the echo request by ICMP is transmitted to the specific information notifying unit until the echo reply is returned from the specific information notifying unit is conceivable.

  Further, in such a configuration in which the service specific information is requested to the specific information notifying unit having a high priority, the specific information notifying unit having such a high priority normally notifies the service specific information for some reason. Since it can be assumed that this is not the case, as a countermeasure in this case, for example, a configuration as described in claim 10 is conceivable.

  The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein, in the image processing apparatus, the notification requesting unit normally receives the service specifying information from an information notifying unit included in the specifying information notifying unit that has requested notification of the service specifying information. When not notified, the specific information notifying unit other than the specific information notifying unit is requested to notify the service specific information.

  With this configuration, even when the high-priority specific information notification means does not normally notify the service specific information for some reason, the service specific information can be acquired from another specific information notification means. Can do.

  In addition, the above-mentioned “in the case where the service specific information has not been normally notified” means that the specific information is not notified because the function for notifying the service specific information is stopped on the specific information notification means side. For example, when the notification is not made because the service specifying information is not stored (managed) on the notification means side.

  Further, in the configuration in which the service specific information is requested from the specific information notifying unit having a high priority as described above, the specific information notifying unit having such a high priority normally notifies the service specific information for some reason. If the priority is still high even if there is a possibility that data communication with this specific information notifying means cannot be stably performed, the service specific information is acquired normally thereafter. There is a risk that it will not be possible.

  Therefore, as described in claim 11, in the image processing apparatus, the service specifying information is normally notified from the information notifying unit included in the specific information notifying unit requested of the service specifying information by the notification requesting unit. If not, second order changing means for changing the priority order in the notification means list may be provided so that the priority order of the specific information notification means other than the specific information notification means is higher.

  With this configuration, in the image processing apparatus, when the service specific information is not normally notified, the notification means list is registered so that the priority of the specific information notification means other than the specific information notification means becomes higher. Since the contents are changed, service specific information can be acquired from other specific information notifying means.

  Further, as described above, in the configuration in which the image processing apparatus requests the notification to the specific information notifying means by the notification requesting means, the specific information notifying means can provide a service regardless of the request from any image processing apparatus. The specific information may be configured to be notified. However, in the present image processing system, when there are a plurality of image processing devices, it is possible to restrict the image processing devices that notify the service specific information. This is desirable from the viewpoint.

  Therefore, as described in claim 12, in the specific information notification unit, the information notification unit receives the request from the notification request unit included in the image processing apparatus that satisfies a predetermined notification condition. The information processing apparatus may be configured to notify the image processing apparatus of information.

  With this configuration, the specific information notifying unit does not notify the service specific information unless it is a request from an image processing apparatus that satisfies a predetermined notification condition. Therefore, only a request from a regular image processing apparatus is received. By configuring so that the notification condition is satisfied, for example, it is possible to prevent the service specification information from being notified in response to a request for acquiring the service specification information illegally.

  The “notification condition” in this configuration is, for example, a request from a specific image processing apparatus registered on the specific information notification means side, and authentication with the specific information notification means can be performed according to a predetermined authentication procedure. It may be a request from the image processing apparatus. Another possible condition is that the image processing apparatus has a good communication status with the specific information notification means.

  For this latter case, for example, as in claim 13, in the specific information notification means, the information notification means is a notification provided in the image processing apparatus whose network distance is the shortest distance. It can be considered that the service specifying information is notified to the image processing apparatus when receiving a request by the requesting means.

  With this configuration, the specific information notifying unit notifies the service specifying information when receiving a request from the notification requesting unit included in the image processing apparatus having the shortest network distance. The service specifying information can be notified only to the image processing apparatus that is estimated to have the best communication status due to the short distance.

  Note that the “distance closest to the network” in this configuration is, for example, the communication path between the image processing device and the specific information notification means, or the relay device (for example, a router) existing between the two. It is specified by the number (the number of hops). Here, with regard to the communication path, for example, after transmitting an echo request by ICMP to the image processing apparatus, it is estimated that the network distance is long depending on the time until the echo reply is returned from the image processing apparatus. It is possible. As for the number of hops, for example, it may be estimated that the network distance is close according to the TTL included in the header of the information that is the request received from the image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus according to claim 14 is an image processing apparatus having at least one of a function of reading an image and generating image data representing the image and a function of printing an image represented by the image data. Service specifying information that can specify a service requested to a service providing server that provides a service related to at least one of image data generated by a function of the image processing apparatus and image data indicating an image to be printed. A notification is received from a plurality of information notification servers each capable of notifying the image processing apparatus of the specific information, and a service list of services specified by the service specific information is created based on the notified service specific information. Among the services in the list creation means, the list display means for displaying the service list created by the list creation means on the display unit of the image processing apparatus, and the service list displayed by the list display means, the service provision The user specifies the service that should be requested from the server. The service requesting means for requesting the service providing server to provide the service specified by the service specifying means, and the function of the image processing apparatus received by the requesting means. And a function realization means for realizing the service provided by the service providing server.

According to the image processing apparatus configured as described above, a part (image processing apparatus) of the image processing system according to claim 1 can be configured.
Note that this image processing apparatus can be configured to include all the units included in the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 13. If such a configuration is used, To the image processing apparatus described in any one of 13 to 13 can be obtained.

A server according to a fifteenth aspect of the invention is a server that functions as a service providing unit that constitutes the image processing system according to any of the first to thirteenth aspects.
According to the server configured as described above, a part (service providing unit) of the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.

A server according to a sixteenth aspect is a server characterized by functioning as specific information notifying means constituting the image processing system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects.
According to the server configured as described above, a part of the image processing system (specific information notification unit) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.

  A program according to a seventeenth aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the image processing system according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects to function.

According to a computer system that executes such a program, a part of the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.
A program according to claim 18 is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

According to a computer system that executes such a program, a part (image processing apparatus) of the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.
A program according to a nineteenth aspect is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the service providing means according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects to function.

  According to the computer system that executes such a program, a part (service providing means) of the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.

  A program according to claim 20 is a program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for functioning as the specific information notifying means according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

  According to the computer system that executes such a program, a part (specific information notification means) of the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 can be configured.

  Each program described above consists of an ordered sequence of instructions suitable for processing by a computer. For example, a recording medium such as an FD, a CD-ROM, a memory card, or a communication line network such as the Internet is used. The information is provided to each device (image processing device or server) or a user who uses each device. In addition, as a form for providing these programs to the user, a form in which the programs are preinstalled in a hard disk or a memory of each device may be provided.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
(1) Overall Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system includes a multifunction machine 10, a directory server 20, a function server 30, etc., which are networks (in this embodiment, a wide area network (WAN: Wide Area) such as the Internet. Network) 1 is connected so that data communication is possible.Specifically, the MFP 10, the directory server 20, and the function server 30 are respectively connected via routers (R: well-known broadband routers) 2-6. Connected to network 1.

The multifunction machine 10 includes a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a reading unit 13, a recording unit 14, a communication unit 15, a storage unit 16, a sound input unit 17, a sound output unit 18, and the like.
Among these, the control unit 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and this CPU performs overall control of the entire multifunction machine 10 according to a program stored in the ROM.

  2, the operation unit 12 includes a copy key 41, a scanner key 42, a FAX key 43, a service key 44, a setting key 45, up / down / left / right direction keys 46 to 49, an OK key 50, and a cancel key 51. , A display 52 and the like as a user interface.

  The reading unit 13 is an input device for realizing a function as a scanner, reads an image recorded (for example, printed) on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper, and generates image data representing the image.

The recording unit 14 is an output device for realizing a function as a printer, and prints an image represented by image data on a sheet-like recording medium such as paper.
In addition, the communication unit 15 connects the MFP 10 to the network 1 and performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network 1.

The storage unit 16 includes a nonvolatile RAM (not shown), and is configured to be able to store data in the nonvolatile RAM.
The sound input unit 17 inputs sound from a microphone provided in a handset (receiver) (not shown) provided in the multifunction machine 10 and generates sound data (PCM data) representing the sound.

  The sound output unit 18 outputs the sound represented by the sound data (PCM data) from a speaker provided in a handset (not shown) or a speaker (not shown) provided in the multifunction device main body.

  The directory server 20 includes directory servers A, B, C, and D each including a control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a storage unit 23, and the like (hereinafter, the directory server 20 refers to the directory server A unless otherwise specified). And).

  Among these, the control part 21 is provided with CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and this CPU performs overall control of the directory server 20 according to the program memorize | stored in ROM or RAM.

The communication unit 22 connects the directory server 20 to the network 1 and performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network 1.
The storage unit 23 includes a hard disk (not shown), and stores data in the hard disk. The storage unit 23 is provided with a service definition information storage unit 24 for storing service definition information 25 described later. The service definition information 25 is XML data described in XML (eXtensible Markup Language), and the function server 30 displays a service selection screen (to be described later) according to the description (see FIG. 11A). A list of services that can be provided (type of each service and request destination address (URL: Uniform Resource Locator) can be provided. The definition of each tag in the service definition information 25 is shown in FIG.

The function server 30 includes a control unit 31, a communication unit 32, a storage unit 33, and the like.
Among these, the control part 31 is provided with CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and this CPU performs overall control of the function server 30 according to the program memorize | stored in ROM or RAM. The control unit 31 has a sufficiently high-performance configuration as compared with the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10, and can perform processing that is difficult to execute by the control unit 11 of the multifunction machine 10.

The communication unit 32 connects the function server 30 to the network 1 and performs processing for transmitting and receiving data via the network 1.
And the memory | storage part 33 is provided with the hard disk which is not shown in figure, and memorize | stores data in this hard disk. The storage unit 33 includes a service I / F information storage unit 34 for storing service I / F information 36, which will be described later, and a service software 37 for storing processing for providing different services. And a soft storage unit 35. The service I / F information 36 is XML data described in XML, and a service is provided to the function server 30 by displaying a parameter input screen to be described later according to the description (see FIG. 18). Information for requesting (service contents and request destination address) can be provided. The definition of each tag in the service I / F information 36 is shown in FIG.
(2) Processing by MFP 10 Various processes executed by the control unit 11 of the MFP 10 will be described below.
(2-1) Multifunction Device Processing First, multifunction device processing that is repeatedly executed after the multifunction device 10 is activated will be described with reference to FIG.

When the MFP process is started, first, initialization processing is performed (s102).
After completion of this initialization process, when an external command, for example, an input operation to the operation unit 12 or an input of a command signal via the network 1 occurs (s104), this input changes the operation mode to the service mode. It is checked whether or not the content is to be transferred (s106). Here, if the input by s104 is an operation of pressing the service key 44 of the operation unit 12, it is determined that the content is for shifting to the service mode. The “service mode” is an operation mode for executing a process for requesting the function server 30 to provide a service, as shown in the following process.

  If it is determined in s106 that the content is not for shifting to the service mode (s106: NO), processing for other operation modes (processing in other modes) is performed according to the input content (s108). Return to s104.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in s106 that the content is for shifting to the service mode (s106: YES), the user is allowed to specify a method for specifying the service to be requested to the function server 30 (s110). Here, the method selection screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 52, whether the service is specified from the list (“select from list” in FIG. 6) or the request destination address is specified by direct input (“ Prompt to select "Direct input"). After this selection screen is displayed, the user can use the operation unit 12 to select which one to specify.

  If designation to designate from the list is selected in s110 (s110: YES), the directory server 20 registered (stored) at the head of the directory server list is set as the processing target of the following processing (s111), and the processing is performed. The target directory server 20 is requested to query the service list (s112). As shown in FIG. 7, the “directory server list” is a list that is stored in a state where one or more addresses of the directory server 20 that requests a service list inquiry in s112 are registered. In s112, an HTTP request based on HTTP 1.1 (HTTP: HyperText Transfer Protocol) (hereinafter simply referred to as “HTTP request”) is sent to the address of the directory server 20 to be processed. Request a service list query. The directory server 20 that has received access based on this address returns service definition information 25 as an HTTP response based on HTTP 1.1 (hereinafter simply referred to as “HTTP response”), as will be described later. The “service definition information 25” is used to display a service selection screen that prompts the user to select a service in each category such as “data storage service”, “print service”, and “copy application service” (top service). Definition information 25) and one for displaying a service selection screen that prompts selection of a category (category service definition information 25). In this s112, each service definition information 25 is accessed for each. An HTTP request is transmitted to the address. 8 and 9 show examples of description contents in XML of the top service definition information 25 and the service definition information 25 for prompting selection of each category (FIG. 8 shows directory server A, FIG. 9 shows From directory server B).

  Next, the service definition information 25 is received from the directory server 20 that requested the service list inquiry in s112, and stored (saved) in the service definition information storage memory (s113). Here, a process of registering each piece of information of the received service definition information 25 in a storage area for storing service definition information is performed.

  As a specific example, the case where each of the service definition information 25 shown in FIG. 8 is received from a certain directory server 20 (directory server A) is exemplified. First, the name and top of the directory server 20 that received the service definition information 25 Selection is prompted by the number of menus in the service definition information 25 (see “Menu” in FIG. 10), the language used in the top service definition information 25 (see “Lang” in FIG. 10), and the top service definition information 25. Register each category name. Here, the directory server A is registered as the name of the directory server 20, the value of the “Num_Link” tag is registered as the number of menus, the value of the “Language” tag is registered as the language, and the value of “Link_Title” as the category name. Is registered. Then, an address for receiving service provision in each category is registered in association with each service name. Here, the value of the “Link_Location” tag in the category service definition information 25 is registered as the “SUB-MENU address” in a state in which the value is associated with the value of the “Link_Title” tag (see FIG. 10).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the processing of s112 to s114 for all the directory servers 20 registered in the directory list is completed (s114), and if it is determined that the processing is not completed (s114: NO), the next After the directory server is set as the processing target (s115), the process returns to s112.

  In this way, when processing of s112 to s115 is completed for all the directory servers 20 registered in the directory server list (s114: YES), based on the service definition information 25 stored in the service definition information storage memory at this time. Then, a service selection screen is generated and displayed on the display 52 (s116). Here, a service selection screen is generated by performing a service selection screen generation process described later, and this service selection screen is displayed on the display 52.

  Here, when this s116 is performed for the first time after the start of the MFP processing, for example, as shown in FIG. 11A, the character “directory service” is displayed as the display title (Title) on the display 52. Display of the service selection screen in which the characters “Data storage service”, “Print service”, and “Copy application service” are arranged at the top of the display area and are displayed at the bottom of the display area. Is done. Further, when the process of s116 is performed when returning from the subsequent process (s130), for example, as shown in FIG. 11B and FIG. The characters “Copy Application Service” are arranged in the upper part of the display area, and the characters “Copy with watermark”, “Translation copy”, “Speech-to-speech”, and “Voice text conversion” are displayed in the display area. The service selection screen arranged at the bottom is displayed. In this embodiment, due to display area restrictions, when all items cannot be displayed at once, the arrangement of each item is configured to move up and down by scrolling the screen. FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C show such a state before and after scrolling. In this case, the ID of another service definition information 25 corresponding to the service is assigned as a link destination on the service selection screen (see “Link_Location” in FIGS. 8 and 9). When selected, the function server 30 is requested to provide a service having an ID corresponding to the item.

  In addition, when it is selected that the request destination address is designated by direct input in s110 described above (s110: NO), an address input screen (not shown) for inputting the request destination address is displayed on the display 52. Later (s118), the process proceeds to the next process (s120).

  After the service selection screen or the address input screen is displayed in this way, the user performs an operation of selecting any item (operation of inputting an address) or an operation of terminating the service mode (stop) using the operation unit 12. Operation).

  Next, an input operation to the operation unit 12 by the user is accepted (s120), and it is checked whether the input operation thus performed is an operation for selecting a link (s122). Here, a link is selected when an operation for selecting an item on the service selection screen displayed at s116 or an operation for inputting an address on the address input screen displayed at s118 is performed as an input operation. It is determined that the operation is to be performed.

  If it is determined in s122 that the operation is not to select a link (s122: NO), if the input operation is a stop operation (s124: YES), the process as the service mode is ended by returning to s104. If the input operation is not a stop operation (s124: NO), a rejection sound (such as a buzzer sound) is sounded (s126), and the process returns to s120.

  When it is determined in s122 that the input operation is an operation for selecting a link (s122: YES), the selected link is a link to a service, that is, for requesting the function server 30 to provide a service. It is checked whether it is an ID (s128).

  If it is determined in s128 that the link is not a link to a service, that is, if it is an ID of another service definition information 25 (s128: NO), the directory server 20 is requested to query the service list, and After the service definition information 25 to be received is received (s130), the process returns to s116 to display a service selection screen on the display 52.

If it is determined in s128 that the link is to the service (s128: YES), after performing session processing (FIGS. 14 and 15) described later (s132), the service mode is returned to s104. The process is terminated.
(2-2) Service Selection Screen Generation Processing Next, a detailed processing procedure of the service selection screen generation processing that is s116 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this service selection screen generation process is started, first, a storage area for storing the server address table is secured (s2002), and then registered at the head of the information registered in the service definition information storage memory. The processed information is set as a processing target when the subsequent processing is performed (s2004). The “service definition information storage memory” is information in which the service definition information 25 is registered in s113 in FIG. 5. In this S2004, the name of the directory server 20 is registered among these pieces of information. From the item to the item in which the category name is registered (the item immediately before the name of the next directory server 20 is registered) is the processing target.

  Next, it is checked whether or not “NULL” is set as the name of the directory server 20 in the information to be processed at this time, that is, whether or not the information to be processed is registered. (S2006).

  In this s2006, if “NULL” is not set as the name of the directory server 20, that is, if the name of the directory server 20 is registered (s2006: NO), the name of the directory server 20 is read out, and the display data storage unit (S2008). The display data storage unit is a memory area for storing information to be displayed on the display 52, and the information stored in this area is displayed on the display 52.

  Next, among the information to be processed, the value of the number of menus registered in association with the name of the directory server 20 is read and the value is set to a variable N (N ← Menu number) (s2010). .

  Next, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable N at this time is greater than “0” (N> 0) (s2012). If it is greater than “0” (s2012: YES), the category name is read out from the information to be processed, and the information is stored in the display data storage unit as in s2008 described above (s2014).

  Next, the SUB-MENU address is read from the information to be processed, and the processing target when the following processing is performed on the SUB-MENU address is set as the first SUB-MENU address (s2016).

  Next, the address (value of “Link_Location” in the service) of the SUB-MENU address to be processed in s2016 is read (s2018), and the address must be the same as the other addresses registered in the server address table described above. (S2020: NO), after registering the address in the server address table (s2022), the service name (value of “Link_Title”) of the SUB-MENU address to be processed in s2016 is read and the same as s2008 described above After storing in the display data storage unit (s2024), the process proceeds to the next process (s2026).

  On the other hand, if it is the same as another address registered in the server address table in s2020 (s2020: YES), the process proceeds to the next process (s2026) without performing s2022 and s2024.

  Next, it is checked whether “NULL” is set as the service name of the SUB-MENU address targeted for processing in s2016, that is, whether or not the information to be processed is registered (s2026). If registered (s2026: NO), the process returns to s2018, and thereafter, the processes for all SUB-MENU addresses are performed by repeating s2018 to s20186.

  In this way, when processing for all SUB-MENU addresses has been performed, it is determined that information to be targeted is registered in s2026 (s2026: YES), and then “1” is subtracted from variable N (N = N-1) (s2028), and returns to s2012. Thereafter, by repeating s2012 to s2028, the processing for all the information to be processed among the information registered in the service definition information storage memory is performed. Done.

  When all the information to be processed is processed, it is determined in s2012 that the value of the variable N is equal to or less than “0” (s2102: NO), and then the service definition information Of the information registered in the storage memory, the next registered information is set as a processing target (s2030), and then the process returns to s2006, and thereafter, the process is registered in the service definition information storage memory by repeating s2006 to s2030. Processing is performed for all the information.

After that, when all the information has been processed, it is determined that “NULL” is set as the name of the directory server 20 in s2006 (s2006: YES), and the storage area secured in s2002 is released. (S2032), the service selection screen generation process is terminated. As described above, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 through the service selection screen generation process is a state in which the same service in the same category in a plurality of different directory servers 20 is deleted as shown in FIG. Become a list. In FIG. 13, the newspaper copy of the directory server B and the copy application service watermarked copy in FIG. 10 are deleted because they have the same address as the directory server A.
(2-3) Session Processing Next, a detailed processing procedure of the session processing that is s132 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In this session process, first, a service to be used is selected, and the service is started based on Link_Location (address when an address is directly input) of the service definition information 25 (s202). That is, by transmitting a service activation command to the service address using an HTTP request, the service selected by the user is activated on the function server 30 side. The function server 30 that has received this service activation command returns a session ID as an HTTP response.

  Next, the session ID returned from the function server 30 in response to the service activation command in s204 is received (s204). Unless otherwise specified, the HTTP request and the HTTP response transmitted in the subsequent processing are all transmitted in a state in which the session ID is included, and the function server 30 that has received this HTTP request receives this session. Based on the ID, the communication device is managed (known session management).

  Next, a “multifunction machine command inquiry” for inquiring whether or not there is a command to the multifunction machine 10 is transmitted to the function server 30 by an HTTP request (s206). The function server 30 that has received this “multifunction device command inquiry” indicates the content of a command for the multifunction device 10 (a command indicating “no command” if no command is generated). Is returned as an HTTP response.

  Next, when a command (multifunction device command) returned by the inquiry in s206 is received (s208), it is determined whether or not the command is a job start command (s210). As will be described later, the “job start command” is a command that is generated on the function server 30 side after the service start command is transmitted in s202, and the “UI job”, It is a content that instructs activation of either “input job (scan job or voice job)” or “output job (print job or speaker job)”. The job start command includes the job ID of the job to be started, the job type (UI job, input job (scan job or voice job) or output job (print job or speaker job)), and the communication destination address of the job. Is added.

  If it is determined in s210 that the command is a job activation command (s210: YES), after securing resources necessary for job activation (s212), the job commanded by the job activation command in s252 to s266 shown below Start up.

Below, these s252-s266 are demonstrated based on FIG.
Here, it is first checked whether or not the job commanded by the job start command is a UI job (s252). If it is determined that the job is a UI job (s252: YES), it is added to the job start command. After starting the UI job based on the job ID and the communication destination address (s254), the process proceeds to the next process (s214 in FIG. 14). This UI job is executed in parallel with other processes after being started in the process of s254, and will be described in detail in a “UI job” (FIG. 16) described later.

  If it is determined that the job commanded by the job activation command is not a UI job (s252: NO), the commanded job is a type of input job, ie, a scan job (s256: YES) or a voice job (s256: If NO, s258: YES), an input job is activated based on the job ID and the communication destination address added to the job activation command (s260), and the process proceeds to the next process (s214 in FIG. 14). This input job is executed in parallel with other processes after being started in the process of s260, and will be described in detail in an “input job” (FIG. 19) described later.

  If it is determined that the job commanded by the job start command is not any of the jobs described above (s258: NO), the commanded job is a type of output job (s262: YES) or speaker job If (s262: NO, s264: YES), the output job is started based on the job ID and the communication destination address added to the job start command (s266), and the process proceeds to the next process (s214 in FIG. 14). To do. This output job is started in the process of s266 and then executed in parallel with other processes. This will be described in detail in an “output job” (FIG. 20) described later.

  If it is determined that the job instructed by the job activation instruction is not any of the above-described jobs (s264: NO), the process proceeds to the next process (s214 in FIG. 14) without starting the job.

After starting the job in this way, the process returns to FIG. 14, waits for a predetermined interval (s214), and returns to s206.
If it is determined in s210 described above that the command is not a job start command (s210: NO), it is checked whether or not the command received in s208 is a job end command (s216). As will be described later, the “job end command” is a command issued on the function server 30 side when this job is ended after the job is started in each process in FIG. In addition, the job ID of the completed job is added to this job end command.

  If it is determined in s216 that it is a job end command (s216: YES), the job with the job ID added to the job end command is stopped (end command is passed to the corresponding job), and After releasing the resources secured in S212 before starting the job (s218), the process proceeds to s214.

  If it is determined in s216 that the command is not a job end command (s216: NO), it is checked whether or not it indicates “no command” (s220), and “no command” is indicated. If it does not indicate “no command” (s220: NO), it determines whether it is a session end command (s222). This “session end command” is a process that is generated on the function server 30 side when service provision to the multifunction device 10 is ended.

If it is determined in s222 that the command is a session termination command (s222: YES), the session process is terminated, while the command received in s208 is not any of the commands described above (s222: NO). After performing a process for notifying an error (command error process) (s224), the session process is terminated. In s224, the error is notified by causing the display 52 to display a message indicating an error.
(2-4) UI Job Next, the UI job processing procedure started in s254 in FIG. 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this UI job is started, first, a multifunction device job command inquiry which is a command inquiry to the multifunction device 10 is set in the transmission data storage area (s300). Here, the multifunction device job command inquiry is set in the transmission data storage area by writing the multifunction device command inquiry in the transmission data storage area secured in the RAM of the control unit 11. The information set in this way is transmitted to the function server 30 together with the session ID and job ID in a process (s312) described later. When the “multifunction machine job command inquiry” is transmitted in this way, the function server 30 that has received the transmission data, as will be described later, if a command for this UI job has been generated, indicates a composite indicating the content. A machine command (a multifunction machine command indicating “no command” if no command is generated) is returned as an HTTP response.

Next, it is determined whether or not there is an end instruction from the session processing described above (s302). This end instruction is a command passed from the session process in s218 described above.
If it is determined in s302 that an end instruction has been issued from the session process (s302: YES), the end of the UI job is notified by passing a session end command to the session process (s304). This UI job is terminated. This session end command is received during the processing in s218 described above. In s218, it is determined that the job has been completely stopped by receiving this command, and the subsequent procedure is executed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no termination instruction from the session processing (s302: NO), it is determined whether or not the operation unit 12 is busy (s306). Here, based on the busy flag Fu set so that it stands while each job is activated (“1” is set), if the busy flag Fu is set, it is determined that the busy state is set, and the busy flag Fu is lowered ( If “0” is set, it is determined that the device is not busy.

  If it is determined in s306 that it is in a busy state (s306: YES), after waiting until the busy state of the operation unit 12 is released, that is, until the busy flag Fu is lowered (s308), the process returns to s306. If it is determined that it is not busy (s306: NO), it is assumed that the busy flag Fu is set (s310) and the operation unit 12 is busy by this UI job.

Next, the information stored in the data storage area for transmission is transmitted to the function server 30 as an HTTP request together with the session ID and job ID (s312).
Next, when a multifunction device command returned by an inquiry in s312 is received (s314), it is determined whether or not the command is a parameter request (s316). This “parameter request” is a command generated on the side of the function server 30 that has received the multifunction device job command inquiry, as will be described later, and the service I / F information 36 (see FIG. 17) added to this parameter request. This is a command for requesting the multifunction device 10 to specify a parameter based on the translation copy).

  If it is determined in s316 that the request is a parameter request (s316: YES), a parameter input screen is displayed on the display 52 based on the service I / F information 36 added to the parameter request, and the parameter setting is performed. The user is prompted to perform an input operation (s318).

  Here, how the parameter input screen is displayed will be described by exemplifying the service I / F information 36 corresponding to the translation copy service in the service I / F information 36. The translation copy service is based on the image data read by the reading unit 13 in the multifunction machine 10 and the function server 30 converts the text represented by the image data by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing. It is a service that causes the recording unit 14 of the multifunction device 10 to print an image represented by this image data by recognizing and generating image data representing an image of the contents translated into a predetermined language. .

  First, in accordance with the service I / F information 36 (XML description) as shown in FIG. 17, as shown in FIG. 18A, the characters “translation copy” are arranged at the top of the display area as a display title (Title). Below that, a word “language selection” is arranged as an input item (Disp_Name), and further below that, an item (Disp_Select) representing parameters that can be selected for the input item “language selection” is “English → Japanese”. And a parameter input screen on which characters “Japanese → English” are arranged. Here, input items (Disp_Name) related to “translation copy” include “scanner setting”, “print setting”, and “comment” in addition to the “language selection” displayed above. Only the input items for "Language selection" are displayed. This is simply due to the limitation of the size of the display 52. By pressing the left and right direction keys 48 and 49 (switching operation described later) from this state, the input items displayed at the bottom of the display area are displayed as “scanner”. There are four types including “setting”, “print setting”, and “comment”.

  The parameters that can be selected for these input items will be described. As the items (Disp_Select) representing the parameters that can be selected for “scanner setting”, “normal characters” and “fine characters” are displayed ( (Refer FIG.18 (b)). Here, “ordinary characters” means that the resolution (reading resolution) that is a parameter of the reading unit 13 is set to 300 × 300 dpi, and “fine characters” sets the resolution to 600 × 600 dpi. Means that.

  In addition, as items (Disp_Select) representing parameters that can be selected for “print setting”, characters of “print speed priority”, “normal”, and “high definition” are displayed. Note that due to the size limitation of the display 52, “high definition” is not initially displayed (see FIG. 18C), but is displayed by scrolling the screen (see FIG. 18D). ). “Print speed priority” here means that the resolution (print resolution) that is a parameter of the recording unit 14 is set to 200 × 200 dpi, and “normal” means that the resolution is set to 300 × 300 dpi. “High definition” means that the resolution is set to 600 × 600 dpi.

  For “comment”, a comment input field is displayed below the character “comment”, and a set character string (Default_String) is input (see FIG. 18E). Thus, the character string input as a comment in the input field is used, for example, in the form of being described in the header or footer of the print image.

  Thus, after the parameter input screen is displayed on the display 52, the user performs a switching operation (pressing the left and right direction keys 48 and 49) to switch the display contents to another item that cannot be displayed due to the limitation of the display area on the display 52. To switch to the (n−1) th and (n + 1) th items), a designation operation for designating a parameter (designating a parameter designated by depressing the up and down direction keys 46 and 47 (see the wavy line in FIG. 18)), Scroll operation for displaying other parameters that cannot be displayed on the display 52 (displaying a parameter that is not displayed by continuing the specifying operation and specifying the parameter), and completing the parameter setting By performing a completion operation (pressing the OK key 50) or the like, It is possible to specify the parameters.

  After the parameter input screen is displayed in s318, if the user performs a completion operation for completing the parameter setting, the parameters of all items are set in the transmission data storage area (s320), and then in s310. The busy flag Fu raised is lowered (s322), and the process returns to s302. These parameters are then transmitted to the function server 30 in the process of s312 when there is no termination instruction from the session (s302: NO) and the operation panel is not busy (s306: NO). In the present embodiment, the service I / F information 36 having the contents corresponding to the input / output device of the multifunction device 10 is transmitted together with the parameter request in the process described later. At this time, the multifunction device 10 When the function server 30 cannot receive the service only with the input / output device of FIG. 18, an error message as shown in FIG. 18 (f) is displayed on the display 52, and the process proceeds to s322 without performing s320. Return.

  If it is determined that the multifunction device command returned by the inquiry in s312 is not a parameter request (s316: NO), whether the multifunction device command received in s314 is service state information or not. Is determined (s324). This “service status information” is a command generated on the function server 30 side that has received the multifunction device job command inquiry or the multifunction device status information transmitted in the subsequent processing (s330), as will be described later. This is a command for notifying that processing related to the service is being executed without any problem and that there is a problem and the service is to be stopped.

  If it is determined in s324 that the service status information is present (s324: YES), the display based on the service status information is displayed on the display 52 (s326), and a service status information request for requesting service operating status information is issued. After setting in the data storage area for transmission (s327), the process proceeds to S322.

  If it is determined in s324 that it is not service status information (s324: NO), it is checked whether the MFP command received in s314 is a status information request (s328). The “status information request” is a command for requesting transmission of information related to the status of the multifunction machine 10 as will be described later.

  If it is determined in s328 that the request is a status information request (s328: YES), the MFP status information, which is information relating to the status of the MFP 10, is transmitted to the function server 30 as an HTTP request (s330), and the process proceeds to s322. To do. In this case, information indicating no paper, cover open, etc. is transmitted to the function server 30 as multifunction device status information.

  If it is determined in s328 that the request is not a status information request (s328: NO), it is checked whether the MFP command received in S314 is a server reception status (s332). This “server reception status” is a command transmitted to notify whether or not the function server 30 has successfully received information from the multifunction machine 10 as will be described later.

  If it is determined in s332 that the server reception status is present (s332: YES), if the contents of the server reception status indicate abnormal reception (NG) (s334: YES), the server reception status is transmitted. After setting the triggered information in the transmission data storage area again (s336), the process proceeds to s322, but if it does not indicate an abnormal receipt (NG) (s334: NO), request information on the service operating status After the service status information request, which is a command to be transmitted, is set in the transmission data storage area (s337), the process proceeds to s322.

If it is determined in s332 that the server reception status is not received (s332: NO), it is checked whether the MFP command received in S314 indicates “no command” (s338), and “no command” is displayed. If it is shown (s338: YES), similarly to s300, the MFP job command inquiry is set in the transmission data storage area (s339), and the process proceeds to s322. On the other hand, if it does not indicate “no command” (s338: NO), error processing (specification error processing) is performed (s340), and, similar to s300, the MFP job command inquiry is set in the transmission data storage area. Later (s345), the process proceeds to s322.
(2-5) Input Job Next, the processing procedure of the input job activated in s260 in FIG. 15 will be described based on FIG. This input job is a process that operates in parallel with the above-described session process and UI job.

  When this input job is started, it is first determined whether or not the input device is busy (s402). Here, based on the busy flag Fi set to stand when the input device is busy ("1" is set), if the busy flag Fi is set, it is determined to be busy, and the busy flag Fi is set. If it is down (“0” is set), it is determined that it is not busy. The “input device” here refers to the reading unit 13 when receiving a service related to the image data generated by the reading unit 13, and refers to a service related to the sound data generated by the sound input unit 17. If it is received, it means the sound input unit 17.

  If it is determined in s402 that the input device is busy (s402: YES), after waiting for the input device to be released (s404), the process returns to the process of s402, while the input device Is determined not to be busy (s402: NO), the busy flag Fi is set (s406).

  Next, the MFP status information, which is information related to the status of the MFP 10, is transmitted to the function server 30 by the HTTP request together with the job ID passed in s260 in the session processing (s408). The function server 30 that has received this MFP status information sets the parameters that have been set in the transmission data storage area in s320 in FIG. 16 and then transmitted to the function server 30 in FIG. The MFP parameter which is the information based on the HTTP response is returned.

  Next, when the MFP parameter is returned to the MFP state information transmitted in s408 (s410), it is determined whether or not an end instruction is passed from the session process (whether there is an end instruction from the session). (S412). This end instruction is an instruction passed from the session process to the input job when the job to be ended in step s218 in FIG. 14 is an input job.

  If it is determined in s412 that an end instruction has not been passed from the session process (s412: NO), if the MFP parameters returned in s410 have not been received normally (s414: NO) , The reception status of the multifunction peripheral for notifying that the information from the function server 30 cannot be normally received (indicating that it is abnormal reception (NG)), together with the job ID passed in s260 in the session processing, and HTTP The request is transmitted to the function server 30 (s416). As will be described later, the function server 30 that has received this multifunction device reception status returns the multifunction device parameter as an HTTP response again, and returns to s410 after this s416.

  On the other hand, if the MFP parameters can be normally received in s410 (s414: YES), the fact that the information from the function server 30 has been normally received (notice that it is normal reception (OK)) is notified. The MFP reception status is transmitted to the function server 30 by the HTTP request together with the job ID passed in s260 in the session processing (s418). The function server 30 that has received the reception status of the multifunction peripheral returns an input data request for requesting transmission of data to be processed on the function server 30 side, as will be described later.

  Next, when an input data request is returned from the function server 30 that has received the MFP reception status (s420), it is determined whether an end instruction is passed from the session process (s422), as in s412.

  If it is determined in s422 that an end instruction has not been passed from the session process (s422: NO), the input data request returned in s420 has not been normally received (s424: NO). In the same manner as in s416, the MFP receiving status for notifying that it is an abnormal receiving (NG) is transmitted to the function server 30 (s426). The function server 30 that has received the reception status of the multi-function device returns an input data request again as described later, and returns to s420 after s426.

  On the other hand, if the input data request returned in s420 has been normally received (s424: YES), the input data to be processed on the function server 30 side is combined with the job ID passed in s260 in the session processing. Then, the HTTP request is transmitted to the function server 30 (s428). Here, first, after changing the setting value of the input device to the parameter indicated by the MFP parameter received in s410, a data input screen for prompting input of data to be processed on the function server 30 side is displayed on the display 52. The display prompts the user to perform an operation for inputting data to the multifunction machine 10. Thereafter, the data (input data) acquired by the user performing an operation for inputting data is transmitted to the function server 30 by the HTTP request together with the job ID passed in s260 in the session processing. As a specific example, for example, a message such as “Please set the manuscript and press the OK key”, “Please pick up the handset and input the voice” is displayed on the display 52, and then the reading unit 13 Alternatively, data acquired by the sound input unit 17 is sequentially transmitted to the function server 30. It can be considered that the function server 30 that has received the input data returns service status information for notifying whether or not the data processing based on the input data has been normally completed.

  The data acquisition method in this process may be a method of reading from a memory card set in a memory card slot (not shown) or reading from a specific storage area in the storage unit 16, in which case A message for designating a storage area from which data is acquired may be displayed on the display 52.

  Thus, after the input data is transmitted to the function server 30, the setting value of the input device changed in the process of s428 is restored (s430), and then the service status information returned from the function server 30 is received (s432). ).

Then, after receiving the service information at s432, or when it is determined that an end instruction is passed from the session processing at s412 and s422 (s412: YES, s422: YES), the service information is set at s406. After the busy flag Fi is lowered (s434), the end of the input job is notified to the session process together with the job ID passed in s260 in the session process (s436), and this input job is terminated. The notification of the completion of the input job is received during the processing in s218 described above. Within s218, it is determined that the job has been completely stopped by receiving this command, and the subsequent procedure is executed.
(2-6) Output Job Finally, the processing procedure of the output job activated in s266 in FIG. 15 will be described based on FIG. This input job is a process that operates in parallel with the above-described session process and UI job.

  When this output job is started, it is first determined whether or not the output device is busy (s502). Here, based on the busy flag Fo set to stand when the output device is busy ("1" is set), it is determined that the busy flag Fo is set when the busy flag Fo is set. If it is down (“0” is set), it is determined that it is not busy. Here, the “output device” is the recording unit 14 when receiving the service related to the image data to be printed by the recording unit 14, and provides the service related to the sound data output from the sound output unit 18. If it is received, it means the sound output unit 18.

  If it is determined in s502 that the output device is busy (s502: YES), the process waits until the output device is released (s504), and then returns to the processing in s502, while the output device Is determined not to be busy (s502: NO), the busy flag Fo is set (s506).

  Next, the MFP status information, which is information related to the status of the MFP 10, is transmitted to the function server 30 by the HTTP request together with the job ID passed in s266 in the session processing (s508). The function server 30 that has received this MFP status information sets the parameters that have been set in the transmission data storage area in s320 in FIG. 16 and then transmitted to the function server 30 in FIG. The MFP parameter which is the information based on the HTTP response is returned.

  Next, when the MFP parameter is returned to the MFP state information transmitted in s508 (s510), it is determined whether or not an end instruction is passed from the session process (whether there is an end instruction from the session). (S512). This end instruction is an instruction passed from the session process to the present output job when the job to be ended in s218 in FIG. 14 is an output job.

  If it is determined in s512 that an end instruction has not been passed from the session process (s512: NO), if the MFP parameter returned in s510 has not been received normally (s514: NO) The MFP receiving status for notifying that information from the function server 30 cannot be received normally (abnormal receiving (NG)), together with the job ID passed in s266 in the session processing, is displayed in HTTP. The request is transmitted to the function server 30 (s516). The function server 30 that has received the MFP reception status returns the MFP parameters again as will be described later, and returns to s510 after s516.

  On the other hand, if the MFP parameters can be normally received in s510 (s514: YES), the fact that the information from the function server 30 has been normally received (notice that it is normal reception (OK)) is notified. The MFP reception status is transmitted to the function server 30 by the HTTP request together with the job ID passed in s266 in the session processing (s518). The function server 30 that has received the reception status of the multifunction device returns data (output data) processed based on the input data transmitted in s428 in FIG. 19, as will be described later.

  Next, when output data is returned from the function server 30 that has received the reception status of the multi-function peripheral (s520), it is determined whether or not an end instruction has been passed from the session processing (s522), as in s512.

  If it is determined in s522 that an end instruction has not been passed from the session process (s522: NO), if the output data returned in s520 has not been received normally (s524: NO), Similarly to s516, the MFP reception status for notifying that it is abnormal reception (NG) is transmitted to the function server 30 (s526). The function server 30 that has received the reception status of the MFP returns the output data again as will be described later, and returns to s520 after s526.

  On the other hand, if the output data returned in s520 has been normally received (s524: YES), this output data is output by the output device (s528). Here, first, after changing the setting value of the output device to the parameter indicated by the MFP parameter received in s510, the output data is output by this output device (for example, printing of an image represented by the image data, sound data) The voice represented by

  In this way, after the output of the output data by the output device is finished, the setting value of the output device changed in s528 is returned to the original value (s530), and the MFP status information, which is information related to the status of the MFP 10, is stored in the session process. Along with the job ID passed in s266, the HTTP request is transmitted to the function server 30 (s532). The function server 30 that has received the MFP status information returns service status information as will be described later.

Then, after receiving the service status information returned from the function server 30 (s534), or when it is determined in s512 and s522 that an end instruction is passed from the session process (s512: YES, s522: (YES), after the busy flag Fo set in s406 is lowered (s536), the end of the input job is notified to the session processing together with the job ID passed in s266 in the session processing (s538), and this input job is completed. To do. The notification of the completion of the input job is received during the processing in s218 described above. Within s218, it is determined that the job has been completely stopped by receiving this command, and the subsequent procedure is executed.
(3) Process by Function Server 30 Hereinafter, various processes executed by the control unit 31 of the function server 30 will be described.
(3-1) Function Server Process First, the process procedure of the function server process performed each time an HTTP request is received will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When this function server process is activated, it is first checked whether or not the received HTTP request is a service activation command (s702). This “service activation command” is transmitted by the multi-function device 10 in s202 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s702 that it is a service activation command (s702: YES), if this service activation command is in a state where a service to be activated due to some abnormality cannot be specified (no designated service) ( (s704: YES), after generating information for error notification (error notification information) (s706), the process proceeds to the next processing (s734). On the other hand, if the service to be activated is not specified (s704: NO), a session ID is generated, transmission data indicating the session ID is generated, and a resource for executing the service is secured. After starting the corresponding process (s708), the process proceeds to the next process (s734). The process activated here is session processing (FIG. 23) described later.

  If it is determined in s702 that the command is not a service activation command (s702: NO), it is checked whether the HTTP request is a service termination command (s710). This “service end command” is transmitted from the multifunction device 10 when an instruction to stop execution of the service is given by an operation such as pressing the cancel key 51 of the multifunction device 10.

  If it is determined in s710 that it is a service end command (s710: YES), the session ID and the resources secured in s708 are released (s712), and the process proceeds to the next process (s716). On the other hand, if it is determined that it is not a service end command (s710: NO), whether or not information on the service (session or job) is included, specifically, the MFP 10 performs session processing or job (UI). It is checked whether or not the HTTP request has been transmitted in (job, input job, output job) (s714).

  If it is determined in s714 that information about the service is included (s714: YES), the process (session process, UI job, input job, or output job) that sent the HTTP request is selected. Specify (s716).

  If the process cannot be specified by this s716 (s718: YES), information for notifying an error (error notification information) is generated (s720), and the process proceeds to the next process (s734).

On the other hand, if the process can be specified by s716 (s718: NO), the information transmitted by the HTTP request is passed to the specified process (s722).
Thus, after s722 is completed or when it is determined in s714 that information related to the service is not included (s714: NO), the storage area of the information corresponding to the session ID or job ID is specified (s724). .

  If the storage area cannot be specified in s724 (s726: YES), the process proceeds to s720, error notification information is generated, and the process proceeds to the next process (s734). On the other hand, if the storage area can be specified (s726: NO), it is checked whether there is information to be returned to the multifunction machine 10 in this storage area (s728).

  If it is determined in s728 that there is no information to be returned (s728: NO), after generating “no command” information (s730), the process proceeds to the next process (s734). If it is determined that there is information to be transmitted (s728: YES), the MFP control command is generated based on the return information (s732), and then the process proceeds to the next process (s734).

  Thus, s708, s712, s720. The information generated in s730 and s732 is returned as an HTTP response to the MFP 10 (s734). Of the HTTP response returned here, the transmission data generated in s708 is received by the multi-function device 10 in s204 in FIG. Further, the transmission data representing the end of service generated in s712 is received by the multi-function device 10 in s208 in FIG. 14, and is determined as “YES” in s222. Further, the error notification information generated in s720 is received by the multi-function device 10 in s208 in FIG. 14, is determined “NO” in s222, and s224 is performed. Further, the “no command” information generated in s730 is received by the multi-function device 10 in s208 in FIG. 14, and determined as “YES” in s220. The multifunction device control command generated in s732 has different contents for each job to be described later, and is received in the corresponding job on the multifunction device 10 side.

Then, when the service control information processing is performed (s736: YES), after setting “transmitted” to the memory address corresponding to the session ID or the job ID (s738), this function server process is terminated while the service control is completed. If the information processing is not performed (s736: NO), the function server process is terminated without setting the memory address. The service control information processing refers to information exchange processing between the multifunction device 10 and the function server 30 described in s714 to s732.
(3-2) Session Process Next, a session process procedure executed in parallel with the function server process will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, session processing for a translation copy service will be described as an example.

When this session processing is started, first, initialization processing is performed (s802).
Next, the service-side UI job is activated (s804). This UI job (UI job 1 or UI job 2) is a process executed in parallel with the session process, and a detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  Next, a UI job start command is output as a multifunction device command (s806). Here, a process of writing a UI job start command together with a job ID and a communication destination address in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated at s732 in FIG. 21, and is transmitted as an activation command to the multifunction device 10 side at s734 in FIG. This activation command is received on the multifunction device 10 side in s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, a UI job is activated on the multifunction device 10 side (s254 in FIG. 14).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the input of parameters from the MFP 10 side has been completed (s808). As described later, the UI job activated in s804 described above is configured to acquire a parameter from the multi-function peripheral 10 and notify the session processing to that effect. Therefore, in step s808, when a parameter acquisition notification is made from this UI job, it is determined that the input of parameters from the MFP 10 side has been completed.

  If it is determined in s808 that the parameter input has not been completed (s808: NO), it is checked whether the UI job is stopped (s810). In the UI job activated in s804 described above, if the parameter acquisition from the MFP 10 side is not normally performed as described later, the UI job itself is stopped (terminated), and a message to that effect is displayed. It is configured to notify the session processing. Therefore, in this s810, when the stop notification is made from this UI job, it is determined that the UI job has stopped.

  If it is determined in s810 that the UI job is not stopped (s810: NO), the process returns to s808, whereas if it is determined that the UI job is stopped (s810: YES), the process proceeds to s848 described later. To do.

  If it is determined in s808 that parameter input has been completed (s808: YES), a scan job, which is a type of service-side input job, is activated (s812). This scan job is a process executed in parallel with the session process, and a detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  Next, a scan (input) job start command is output as a multifunction device command (s814). Here, a process of writing a scan job start command together with a job ID and a communication destination address in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as a start command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This activation command is received by the multifunction device 10 in s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the input job is activated on the multifunction device 10 side.

  Next, it is checked whether preparation of the scanner (reading unit 13) is completed on the multifunction device 10 side (s816). The scan job started in s812 described above is configured to receive notification that the preparation of the scanner has been completed on the multifunction device 10 side and notify this session processing to that effect, as will be described later. Yes. For this reason, in s816, when notification that the scanner preparation is completed from this scan job is made, it is determined that the scanner preparation is completed on the multifunction peripheral 10 side.

  If it is determined in s816 that the scanner has not been prepared on the multifunction device 10 side (s816: NO), it is checked whether the scan job has been stopped (s818). In the scan job started in s812 described above, the scan job itself is stopped (terminated) when the notification that the preparation of the scanner has been completed is not normally received from the multifunction peripheral 10, as will be described later. At the same time, it is configured to notify the session processing to that effect. For this reason, in s818, it is determined that the scan job is stopped when the stop notification is issued from this scan job.

  If it is determined in s818 that the scan job is not stopped (s818: NO), the process returns to s816, while if it is determined that the scan job is stopped (s818: YES), the process proceeds to s844 described later. To do.

  If it is determined in s816 that the scanner is ready (s816: YES), a print job that is a type of service-side output job is activated (s820). This print job is a process executed in parallel with the session process, and a detailed processing procedure will be described later.

  Next, a print (output) job start command is output as a multifunction device command (s822). Here, a process of writing a print job start command together with a job ID and a communication destination address in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as a start command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This activation command is received by the multifunction device 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the output job is activated on the multifunction device 10 side (s266 in FIG. 14).

  Next, it is checked whether preparation for printing (recording unit 14) is completed on the multifunction peripheral 10 side (s824). The print job activated in s820 described above is configured to receive notification that the preparation for printing has been completed on the multifunction peripheral 10 side and notify this session processing to that effect, as will be described later. . For this reason, in s824, when the notification that the print preparation from the print job is completed is made, it is determined that the print preparation is completed on the multifunction peripheral 10 side.

  If it is determined in s824 that the preparation for printing has not been completed on the MFP 10 side (s824: NO), it is checked whether the print job has been stopped (s826). In the print job activated in s820 described above, as described later, when the notification that the preparation for printing has been completed is not normally received from the MFP 10, the print job itself is stopped (terminated). This is configured to notify the session processing to that effect. For this reason, in s826, it is determined that the print job has been stopped when a stop notification is issued from this print job.

  If it is determined in s826 that the print job is not stopped (s826: NO), the process returns to s824, whereas if it is determined that the print job is stopped (s826: YES), the process proceeds to s840 described later. To do.

  If it is determined in s824 that the print preparation is completed (s824: YES), the input data acquired from the multifunction device 10 side is read (s828). The scan job started in s812 described above is configured to acquire image data read by the reading unit 13 of the multifunction machine 10 from the multifunction machine 10 as will be described later. Then, a data area corresponding to one page is read out from the data (input data) acquired in this way and stored in a predetermined storage area.

  Next, image data is generated by performing processing such as OCR, translation, and print layout on the input data read in s828 (s830). Here, first, an OCR process is performed on the input data read in s828 to recognize a text portion included in the image represented by the input data. Next, a translation process is performed on the text part to convert the text part into text expressed in a predetermined language. Note that the translation processing here is performed based on the parameter acquired in the UI job activated in s804 described above, and conversion into the language indicated by this parameter is performed. Then, for the text portion recognized in this way, image data for printing in which a predetermined print layout is set is generated.

  Next, the image data generated in s830 is output (s832). Here, a process of writing the image data generated in s830 together with the job ID and the communication destination address to the storage area to pass the print job is performed. Based on this, a print command suitable for the multifunction device 10 is created in s1120 of FIG.

  Next, in s828, it is checked whether reading of all input data (data areas for all pages) is completed (s834). If not completed (s834: NO), the process returns to s828. If completed (s834: YES), it is checked whether or not the output of the output data (writing to the storage area) in s832 has been completed (s836).

  If the output of the output data is not completed in s836 (s836: NO), the process returns to s828, while if the output of the output data is completed (s836: YES), a print (output) job end command is issued. It is output as a multifunction device command (s838). Here, a process of writing a print job end instruction together with the job ID in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated at s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as an end command to the multifunction device 10 side at s734 in FIG. This termination command is received by the multifunction device 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the output job is stopped (terminated) on the multifunction device 10 side (s218 in FIG. 14).

  In this way, after outputting the print job end instruction or when it is determined that the print job is stopped in s826 described above (s826: YES), the service-side print job started in s820 is ended (s840).

  Next, a scan (input) job end command is output as a multifunction device command (s842). Here, a process of writing a scan job end instruction together with the job ID in a storage area for storing return information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated at s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as an end command to the multifunction device 10 side at s734 in FIG. This termination command is received by the multifunction device 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the input job is stopped (terminated) on the multifunction device 10 side (s218 in FIG. 14).

  In this way, after the scan job end command is output or when it is determined that the scan job is stopped in s818 described above (s818: YES), the service-side scan job started in s812 is ended (s844).

  Next, a UI job end command is output as a multifunction device command (s846). Here, a process of writing a scan job end instruction together with the job ID in a storage area for storing return information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated at s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as an end command to the multifunction device 10 side at s734 in FIG. This termination command is received by the multifunction device 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the UI job is stopped (terminated) on the multifunction device 10 side (s218 in FIG. 14).

Then, after finishing processing such as releasing resources reserved in each job (s850), outputting a service termination command as a multifunction device command (s852), the session processing is terminated. In s848, a process for writing a service end instruction in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated at s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted as an end command to the multifunction device 10 side at s734 in FIG. This termination command is received by the multifunction device 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, the session processing is terminated at the multifunction device 10 side (s222 in FIG. 14).
(3-3) UI Job Next, a UI job processing procedure started in s804 in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this UI job is started, it first waits until a multifunction device job command inquiry is received from the multifunction device 10, and when this multifunction device job command inquiry is received (s902), parameter settings necessary for executing the service are set. A parameter request command for requesting is returned to the multifunction machine 10 as a multifunction machine command (s904). The “multifunction device job command inquiry” received in s902 is an HTTP request transmitted from the multifunction device 10 in s312 in FIG. Further, the MFP command transmitted in s904 is an HTTP response received by the MFP 10 in s314 of the same figure, and service I / F information 36 (for example, corresponding to a translation copy service) is added. It has been done. The multifunction device 10 that has received this multifunction device command sets the parameter in the data storage area for transmission in steps s316 to s320 in the figure, and then transmits this parameter by HTTP request in step s312.

  Next, the error count is initialized (s906). Here, as will be described later, a counter for counting the number of times that the parameter itself has not been received normally has occurred is reset ("0" is set).

  Next, the process waits until a parameter is transmitted from the multifunction device 10 that has received the multifunction device command transmitted in s904. When the parameter is received (s908), it is checked whether or not the parameter is normally received. (S910).

When it is determined in s910 that the parameter cannot be normally received (s910: NO), such a situation that the parameter cannot be normally received continuously occurs a predetermined number of times (in this embodiment, twice). Is checked based on the count value based on the error count (s912), and if it does not occur continuously for a predetermined number of times (s912: NO), it means that the parameter could not be received normally (server received NG) The server reception status for notifying abnormal reception) is output (s914), the error count is counted up (s916), and the process returns to s908. In s914, a process of writing the server reception status in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted to the multifunction device 10 side as a server reception status in s734 in FIG. This server reception status is received by the multi-function peripheral 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, parameters are retransmitted at the multi-function peripheral 10 (s334, s336, s312 in FIG. 16).
Also, if a situation in which normal reception is not possible has occurred continuously for a predetermined number of times in s912 (s912: YES), the UI job is notified (stopped) to the session processing (s918), and then this UI job 1 is finished. This notification by s918 is received by the session process at s810 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s910 described above that the parameter has been received normally (s910: YES), the server for notifying that the parameter has been received normally (server reception OK; normal reception) The reception status is output (s920). Here, a process of writing the server reception status in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and transmitted to the multifunction device 10 side as a server reception status in s734 in FIG. This server reception status is received by the multi-function peripheral 10 at s208 in FIG. 14, and based on this, it is confirmed that there is no need to retransmit parameters on the multi-function peripheral 10 side (s334 in FIG. 14).

  Next, it notifies the session processing that the parameter input has been completed (parameter acquisition) (s922). This notification is received by the session process in s808 in FIG.

Then, after this s922 is completed, the process waits until a multifunction device job command inquiry is received from the multifunction device 10, and when this multifunction device job command inquiry is received (s924), service status information is output (s926). Are repeated until the UI job is stopped (terminated) by another process (for example, s846 in FIG. 20). In s926, a process for writing the service status information in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as service status information to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG.
(3-4) Scan Job Next, a scan job processing procedure started in s812 in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this scan job is started, first, it waits until it receives MFP status information from the MFP 10, and when this MFP status information is received (s1002), it initializes an error count in the same manner as s906 in FIG. (S1004), the MFP parameters are output (s1006). The MFP status information received in s1002 is an HTTP request transmitted from the MFP 10 in s408 in FIG. 19, and in response to this, the MFP parameters are returned as an HTTP response in s1006. . The MFP parameter is a parameter corresponding to the MFP 10 that is received in s908 in FIG. 25 and that is the transmission source of the MFP status information received in s1002.

  The multi-function peripheral 10 receiving the multi-function peripheral parameters transmits a multi-function peripheral reception status indicating whether or not the multi-function peripheral parameters have been normally received. In step S1008, it is checked whether the message can be normally received. Specifically, if the content of the MFP reception indicates that it is abnormal reception (NG), it is determined that it has not been received normally, and if the content indicates normal reception (OK), it is normal. It is determined that it can be received.

  If it is determined in s1008 that the MFP 10 cannot normally receive the MFP parameters (s1008: NO), such a situation where the MFP 10 cannot receive normally is determined a predetermined number of times (in the present embodiment). (2 times) It is checked whether or not it has occurred continuously based on the count value by error count (s1010), and if it has not occurred continuously for a predetermined number of times (s1010: NO), the error count is counted up. After (s1012), the process returns to s1006.

  If a situation in which reception is not possible normally has occurred continuously for a predetermined number of times in s1010 (s1010: YES), after the stop (end) of the scan job is notified to the session processing (s1014), an abnormal end is indicated. A notification command for notification is output as service status information (s1016). This notification by s1014 is received by the session processing at s818 in FIG. In s1016, a process for writing a notification command in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as a notification command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This notification command is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side at s432 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s1008 that the multifunction device parameter can be normally received on the multifunction device 10 side (s1008: YES), the multifunction device 10 receives the scanner (reading unit) upon reception of the multifunction device parameter. It is assumed that the preparation of 13) is completed, and the scanner preparation is notified to the session process. This notification is received by the session processing in s816 in FIG.

  Next, an input data request for requesting transmission of data to be processed on the function server 30 side is output (s1018). Here, a process of writing an input data request in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as an input data request to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This input data request is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side in s420 in FIG. 19, whereby input data is transmitted in response to a user operation.

  In this way, when input data is received from the MFP 10 that has received the input data request (s1022), if reception of this input data has been completed normally (s1024: YES), a notification command for notifying normal termination is issued. After outputting the service status information (s1026), the scan job is terminated. In this s1026, the notification command is written in the storage area for storing the return information. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as a notification command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This notification command is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side at s432 in FIG.

On the other hand, if reception of input data does not end normally (s1024: NO), the process proceeds to s1016, and a notification command for notifying abnormal end is output as service state information, and then the scan job is ended.
(3-5) Print Job Next, the processing procedure of the print job activated in s820 in FIG. 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this print job is started, first, it waits until it receives MFP status information from the MFP 10, and when this MFP status information is received (s1102), an error count is initialized in the same manner as s906 in FIG. After that, the MFP parameters are output (s1106). The MFP status information received at s1102 is an HTTP request transmitted from the MFP 10 at s508 in FIG. 20. In response to this, the MFP parameters are returned as an HTTP response at s1106. . This multifunction device parameter is a parameter corresponding to the multifunction device 10 that is received in s908 in FIG. 25 and that is the transmission source of the multifunction device state information received in s1102.

  The multi-function peripheral 10 receiving this multi-function peripheral parameter transmits a multi-function peripheral reception status indicating whether or not this multi-function peripheral parameter has been normally received. Therefore, similar to s1008 in FIG. Based on the above, it is checked whether or not the MFP 10 has received the message normally (s1108).

  When it is determined in s1108 that the multifunction device parameter cannot be normally received on the multifunction device 10 side (s1108: NO), such a situation in which the multifunction device cannot be normally received is a predetermined number of times (in the present embodiment). (2 times) Check whether or not it has occurred continuously based on the count value by error count (s1110), and if it has not occurred continuously for a predetermined number of times (s1110: NO), count up the error count After (s1112), the process returns to s1106.

  If a situation in which reception is not possible normally has occurred continuously for a predetermined number of times in s1110 (s1110: YES), the stop (end) of the print job is notified to the session processing (s1114), and then abnormal termination is performed. A notification command for notification is output as service status information (s1116). This notification by s1114 is received by the session processing at s826 in FIG. In s1116, a process for writing a notification command in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as a notification command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This notification command is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side at s534 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s1108 that the multifunction device parameter is normally received on the multifunction device 10 side (s1108: YES), printing (recording unit) is performed on the multifunction device 10 side upon receipt of the multifunction device parameter. It is assumed that the preparation of 14) has been completed, and the print processing completion is notified to the session process. This notification is received by the session process in s824 in FIG. In the session processing, in response to this notification, s828 to s836 in FIG. 24 are performed, and print data is transmitted.

  Next, a process of writing data obtained by converting the print data generated in the session process (s832 in FIG. 24) into print data that can be processed by the multi-function peripheral 10 in a storage area for storing reply information is performed (s1120). ). Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 21, and is transmitted as a notification command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This notification command is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side at s520 in FIG.

In this way, the MFP 10 that has received the print data to be transmitted transmits the MFP status information by an HTTP request in s532 in FIG.
In this way, when the MFP status information is received from the MFP 10 that has received the print data (s1122), if the reception of the MFP status information has been completed normally (s1124: YES), a notification of normal termination is given. After the notification command is output as the service status information (s1126), the print job is terminated. In step s1126, a process for writing the notification command in a storage area for storing reply information is performed. Based on this, a multifunction device control command is generated in s732 in FIG. 23, and is transmitted as a notification command to the multifunction device 10 side in s734 in FIG. This notification command is received on the multi-function peripheral 10 side at s532 in FIG.

On the other hand, if reception of the MFP status information does not end normally (s1124: NO), the process proceeds to s1116, and a notification command for notifying abnormal end is output as service status information, and then this print job is ended. .
(4) Processing by Directory Server 20 Hereinafter, various processing executed by the control unit 21 of the directory server 20 will be described.
(4-1) Directory Server Processing A processing procedure of directory server processing that is started by receiving an HTTP request after the directory server 20 is started will be described with reference to FIG. The directory server process is started when the directory server 20 receives an HTTP request. The directory server process is originally a process for returning an HTTP response in response to all HTTP requests, but here, the description will be limited to the HTTP request related to the present invention.

  When the HTTP request is received after the directory server process is activated (s602), it is checked whether or not the HTTP request is a service list inquiry request (s604). This service list inquiry request is transmitted by the multi-function device 10 in s112 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s604 that the request is a service list query request (s604: YES), the top service definition information 25 is read from the service definition information storage unit 24 of the storage unit 23 (s606), and then the read service definition is read out. The information 25 is transmitted as an HTTP response to the multifunction machine 10 (s608).

  If it is determined in s604 that the request is not a service list query request (s604: NO), it is checked whether the HTTP request is a service query request (s610). This service inquiry request is transmitted by the multi-function device 10 at s130 in FIG.

  If it is determined in s610 that the request is a service inquiry request (s610: YES), the service definition information 25 specified by the ID or URL is read from the service definition information storage unit 24 of the storage unit 23 (s612), and the process proceeds to s608. Then, the read service definition information 25 is transmitted to the multifunction device 10 as an HTTP response.

If it is determined in s610 that the request is not a service inquiry request (s610: NO), the process proceeds to s608, and an HTTP response corresponding to the request is transmitted to the multifunction device 10.
[Effect of the first embodiment]
In the image processing system configured as described above, the multifunction peripheral 10 side displays a service selection screen on the basis of the service definition information 25 that is inquired by the directory server 20 in s116 in FIG. Based on the service definition information 25 inquired by 20, it is possible to allow the user to specify a service that requests the function server 30 to provide. As a result, according to the present image processing system, it is possible to adapt to an environment in which services are increased or decreased day by day like a general server on the Internet.

  If the configuration corresponding to the service identification information is registered in the multifunction machine 10 as in the conventional configuration, the information must be registered each time in an environment where the service increases and decreases randomly. This is not desirable because it increases the burden on the multifunction machine 10 side. On the other hand, in the present image processing system, the service definition information 25 is notified from the directory server 20, whereby the functions that can be provided by the function server 30 can be grasped on the multifunction peripheral 10 side. Even in an environment where there is an increase or decrease, the burden on the multifunction machine 10 can be suppressed.

  Further, in this configuration, a service selection screen showing a list of services specified by each of the service definition information 25 notified from each of the plurality of directory servers 20 is created and provided after the screen is displayed. The user can specify the service to be requested. Therefore, the user can easily specify a service based on this service selection screen.

  Further, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 in s116 in FIG. 5 is displayed in a state where the same service in the same category in the plurality of different directory servers 20 is deleted in the service selection screen generation processing in FIG. Is done. Therefore, since only different services are displayed as options on the service selection screen, the same services are not simultaneously displayed as options. Therefore, when such a service selection screen is displayed, there is no possibility of causing unnecessary confusion to the user by displaying a plurality of the same services as options. In addition, since the same service is not displayed, even when a service list is displayed on the display 52 that does not have a sufficient display area, a different service is always displayed in such a narrow area, so that an unnecessary operation burden is imposed. It does not occur.

Further, the multifunction device 10 repeats steps s111 to s115 at the timing when the user specifies the method for specifying the service to be requested to the function server 30 in s110 in FIG. 25 notifications can be received.
[Second Embodiment]
The image processing system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing system of the first embodiment, and only the processing procedure of the service selection screen generation process in FIG. 12 is different. Only the processing procedure of a certain service screen generation process will be described.
(1) Service Selection Screen Generation Processing A processing procedure of service selection screen generation processing, which is s116 in FIG. 2, will be described with reference to FIG.

  When this service selection screen generation process is activated, first, after securing the service definition information rearrangement storage area (s2102), as in s2002 in FIG. 12, of the information registered in the service definition information storage memory The information registered at the head is set as a processing target when the subsequent processing is performed (s2104).

  Next, it is checked whether “NULL” is set as the name of the directory server 20 in the information to be processed at this point, that is, whether or not the information to be processed is registered. (S2106).

  If “NULL” is not set as the name of the directory server 20 in s2006 (s2106: NO), the name of the directory server 20 is read and temporarily stored (s2108).

  Next, among the information to be processed, the value of the number of menus registered in association with the name of the directory server 20 is read and set to the variable N (s2110).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the value of the variable N is greater than “0” (N> 0) (s2112), and if it is greater than “0” (s2112: YES), processing is performed. The category name is read from the target information (s2114).

  Next, if the category name read in s2114 is not the same as the other category names stored in the service definition information rearrangement storage area described above (s2116: NO), the category name is rearranged in the service definition information rearrangement. In addition to storing in the storage area (s2118), the corresponding SUB-MENU address is read out and stored in the service definition information rearrangement storage area (s2120). Here, the category name and the SUB-MENU address are stored in one column as information on a new column in the service definition information rearrangement storage area (see, for example, “data storage service” in FIG. 30).

  On the other hand, if the category name is the same as the other category name stored in the service definition information rearrangement storage area described above (s2116: YES), the corresponding SUB-MENU address is read and the category name determined to be the same (In the same column as the category name) is stored in the service definition information rearrangement storage area (s2122). Here, as information on a new column in the service definition information rearrangement storage area, the SUB-MENU address is stored so as to be connected to the column of the same category name (for example, “print service”, “copy” in FIG. 30). Application service ”).

  Thus, after information is stored in s2120 and s2122, the corresponding directory server name is read, and this directory name is stored in the service definition information rearrangement storage area so as to be in the same column as the information stored in s2120 and s2122. (S2124).

  Then, “1” is subtracted from the variable N (N = N−1) (s2128), and the process returns to s2112. Thereafter, s21212 to s2128 are repeated, so that the information registered in the service definition information storage memory is Processing is performed on all information that is the processing target.

  When all the information is processed in this way, it is determined in s2112 that the value of the variable N is equal to or less than “0” (s2112: NO), and then registered in the service definition information storage memory. After processing the next registered information among the registered information (s2130), the process returns to s2106, and thereafter, by repeating s2106 to s2130, all information registered in the service definition information storage memory Processing is performed.

Thereafter, when processing for all the information is performed, it is determined that “NULL” is set as the name of the directory server 20 in s2106 (s2106: YES), and the service definition information rearrangement storage is performed by the processing so far. After the service selection screen is displayed on the display 52 based on the information stored in the area (s2132), the service selection screen generation process is terminated. In this way, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 through the service selection screen generation process is as shown in FIG. 31, in which the same service in the same category in a plurality of different directory servers is arranged for the same service. This is a list of the fixed states. Further, before the processing of s2122, as described in the first embodiment, it is determined whether there is the same address as the server address of the service, and if there is the same address, it is not stored in the service definition information sort storage area. There may be.
[Effects of Second Embodiment]
In the image processing system configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained in addition to the operations and effects obtained from the same configuration as in the first embodiment.

For example, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 in s116 in FIG. 5 is the same service in the same category in a plurality of different directory servers 20 arranged in the same service in the service selection screen generation processing in FIG. Displayed in a fixed state. For this reason, the service selection screen can be made highly visible to the user, thereby improving the operability when designating the service.
[Third Embodiment]
The image processing system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing system of the first embodiment, and only the processing procedure of the MFP processing in FIG. 5 is different. Only the processing procedure will be described.
(1) Multifunction processing First, when the multifunction processing is started, as shown in FIG. 32, first, processing similar to s102 to s110 in FIG. 5 is performed, and if “YES” is determined in s110. Then, it is checked whether the priority flag is not updated (s2202). This “priority flag” is “0”, that is, an unupdated state when priority (see FIG. 7) is not set for each directory server registered in the directory server list described above. When the degree is set, “1”, that is, an updated state is obtained.

  If it is determined in s2202 that it has not been updated (s2202: YES), after setting priority by a server priority update process described later (s2204), the process proceeds to the next process (s2206) while updating. If it is determined that the process has been completed (s2202: NO), the process proceeds to the next process (s2206) without performing the server priority update process.

  Next, among the directory servers 20 registered in the directory server list, the directory server 20 set with the highest priority (larger value) is set as a processing target for performing the following processing (s2206).

Next, a response request (issue and transmission of a ping command in the present embodiment) is made to the directory server 20 that is the processing target at this time (s2208).
When there is a response to the response request by s2208 (s2210: YES), the directory server 20 that has made the response, that is, the directory server 20 to be processed is selected (s2212), and the directory server thus selected is selected. 20 is requested to inquire about the service list (s2214). Here, an inquiry for a service list is requested by transmitting an HTTP request for requesting transmission of the top service definition information 25 to the directory server 20. The directory server 20 that has received access based on this address returns the top service definition information 25 as an HTTP response.

  Thus, after requesting the service list and receiving the top service definition information 25 returned from the directory server 20 (s2216), the process proceeds to s116, and a service selection screen is displayed based on the service definition information 25. After being displayed in 52, the processing of s120 to s132 in FIG. 5 is performed.

  If there is no response to the response request in s2210 described above (s2210: NO), it is checked whether or not the processing for all the directory servers 20 registered in the directory server list has been completed (s2218). ).

If the processing for all the directory servers 20 is not completed in s2218 (s2218: NO), the directory server 20 having the next highest priority is set as the processing target (s2220), and the process returns to s2208. If the process for 20 has been completed (s2218: YES), an error process for the server selection error is performed (s2222), and the process returns to s104 in FIG.
(2) Server priority update process Next, the process procedure of the server priority update process which is s2204 in FIG. 32 is demonstrated based on FIG.

  When this server priority update process is started, first, among the directory servers 20 registered in the directory server list, the directory server 20 registered at the head is set as a processing target for the subsequent processes (s2302).

Next, a response request (issue and transmission of a ping command in the present embodiment) is made to the directory server 20 that is the processing target at this time (s2304).
When there is a response to the response request by s2304 (s2304: YES), a TTL (Time To Live) value included in the header of the returned information (TCP packet) is extracted, and this TTL value is set. After storing in a state associated with the directory server 20 to be processed (s2308), the process proceeds to the next process (s2312), but there is no response to the response request by s2304 (s2304: NO) The TTL value is set to “0”, the TTL value and the directory server 20 to be processed are stored in association with each other (s2310), and then the process proceeds to processing (s2312).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the processing for all the directory servers 20 registered in the directory server list is completed (s2312). If the processing for all the directory servers 20 is not completed (s2312: NO), After setting the next directory server 20 as a processing target (s2314), the process returns to s2304.

  On the other hand, if the processing for all the directory servers 20 has been completed in s2312, (s2312: YES), the higher the TTL value, the higher the priority order for each directory server 20 registered in the directory server list at this time. The priority order is set so as to be higher and registered (stored) (s2316, see FIG. 7).

Then, after setting the priority flag to update (s2318), the server priority update process is terminated, and the process proceeds to s2206 in FIG.
[Effect of the third embodiment]
In the image processing system configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained in addition to the operations and effects obtained from the same configuration as each of the embodiments described above.

  For example, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 at s116 in FIG. 32 can be created based only on the service definition information 25 notified from the directory server 20 selected at s2206 to s2212. . In s2206 to s2212, the directory server 20 with the highest priority is selected from the directory servers 20 that can respond to the response request. Can be used as the acquisition source of the service definition information 25.

Further, the “priority order” which is a reference for selecting the directory server 20 is determined by s2204 in FIG. 32 (server priority update processing in FIG. 33), and here, in response to the response request in s2304 in FIG. Of the reply information, the larger the TTL included in the header information of this information, the higher the priority is set in FIG. 2116. This TTL is a reference value for estimating a relay device (for example, a router) through which information transmitted from one device reaches the other device. It can be estimated that the number of relays until is small. In this way, if the communication path with a small number of relays, that is, a network distance is close, it is unlikely that information will be lost for some reason, and it can be said that the communication situation is relatively good. Therefore, by setting the priority order according to the TTL as described above, only the directory server 20 estimated to have such a high priority order and a good communication state is used as the acquisition source of the service definition information 25. Can do. Then, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 in s116 in FIG. 32 creates a service list based on the service definition information 25 notified from the directory server 20 that is estimated to have the shortest network distance. be able to.
[Fourth Embodiment]
The image processing system of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the image processing system of the first embodiment, and only the processing procedure of the MFP processing in FIG. 5 is different. Only the processing procedure will be described.
(1) Multifunction device processing When this multifunction device processing is activated, as shown in FIG. 34, first, the same processing as s102 to s112 in FIG. 5 is performed, and then the service definition information 25 requested in this s112. It is checked whether or not an error has occurred in receiving (S2402). Here, when the directory server 20 side does not store the type of service definition information 25 requested in s112 on the directory server 20 side, information for notifying them is transmitted from the directory server 20. Therefore, when this information is received, it is determined that the service definition information 25 has received a reception error.

  If the reception of the service definition information 25 is an error in s2402 (s2402), the address of the other directory server 20 to be redirected to the directory server 20 that requested the service list inquiry in s112. After making an inquiry (requesting an address inquiry) (s2404), the process returns to s112 to request an inquiry of a service list from the directory server 20 inquired in this way. In this embodiment, the directory server 20 stores the address of another directory server 20 to be redirected when the directory server 20 cannot query the service list, and stores the address when receiving the inquiry of s2404. It is configured to notify the address that was sent.

  If the reception of the service definition information 25 is not an error in s2402 described above (s2402: NO), the process proceeds to s113 in FIG. Note that the processing after s113 is the same as that of the MFP processing of FIG.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is configured to return to s112 after inquiring about the address of another directory server 20 to be redirected in s2404, but before s2404, as shown in FIG. The directory server 20 registered in the directory server may be configured to return to s112 after deleting the directory server 20 that requested the service list inquiry in s112 (s2403). In s2403, the directory server 20 that requested the service list inquiry in s112 may be deleted, and the address of the inquired directory server 20 may be newly registered in the directory server list.
[Effect of Fourth Embodiment]
In the image processing system configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained in addition to the operations and effects obtained from the same configuration as each of the embodiments described above.

  For example, when the service definition information 25 cannot be normally acquired from the directory server 20 that requested the inquiry in s112 in FIG. 34, the address of the other directory server 20 to be redirected to the directory server 20 in s2404. The inquiry can be received, and thereafter, the directory server 20 can be requested to inquire about the service list.

  In particular, in FIG. 35, when the service definition information 25 cannot be normally acquired from the directory server 20 that requested the inquiry in s112, the directory server 20 is deleted from the directory server list, and then the directory server in s2404. 20 can receive an inquiry about the address of another directory server 20 to be redirected. In this way, by deleting the directory server 20 from which the required service definition information 25 cannot be acquired from the directory server list, a service list inquiry is requested to the directory server 20 from which the service definition information 25 cannot be acquired normally thereafter. Can be prevented.

[Modification]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various forms can be taken as long as they belong to the technical scope of the present invention. .

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the multifunction machine 10 is applied as the image processing apparatus in the present invention is illustrated. However, if the image processing apparatus can receive the service provided by the function server 30 and realize the function, For example, the present invention can be applied to a printer device, a scanner device, a facsimile device, etc. as a device other than the multifunction device.

  In the present invention, the service I / F information 36 added to the parameter request received in s314 in FIG. 12 and the parameter input screen generated in s360 and s364 in FIG. A configuration corresponding to the list is illustrated. However, the parameter list may be other than those described above.

  Further, in the present invention, an example is shown in which the parameter input screen is generated by the method indicated by s362 and s364 in FIG. 15, but the method for generating the parameter input screen here is described in this method. It is not limited to.

  Further, in the present invention, an example is shown in which the parameter input screen is generated by the method shown by s952 to s964 in FIG. 29. However, the method for generating the parameter input screen here is described in this method. It is not limited to.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the structure which the function server 30 transmits a parameter request | requirement instruction | command with the service I / F information 36 by s904 in FIG.26, FIG.27 was illustrated. However, the process for transmitting the parameter request command and the service I / F information 36 as described above is realized by a device separate from the function server 30 (a single device or a plurality of devices operating in cooperation). It may be configured.

  In the above embodiment, the multi-function device 10 first receives the top service definition information 25 from the plurality of service definition information 25 stored in the service definition information storage unit 24 of the directory server 20 and selects a category. Then, the service definition information 25 corresponding to the selected category is received and the service is selected. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a plurality (for example, all) of service definition information 25 stored in the service definition information storage unit 24 of the directory server 20 may be received at a time.

  Further, the parameters that the service I / F information 36 requests to set are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment (resolution, etc.), and various parameters can be considered according to the contents of the service. For example, monochrome / color selection, toner density (print density), audio volume (volume), and the like can be given.

  Further, in the image processing system of the above embodiment, a configuration including one each of the multifunction machine 10, the directory server 20, and the function server 30 is illustrated, but such a configuration is only for ease of explanation. It is only a configuration example, and the image processing system of the present invention can take various configurations other than this. That is, in the image processing system of the present invention, a plurality of multifunction peripherals 10 may be provided. Specifically, a plurality of MFPs 10 can receive service definition information 25 from a common directory server 20 and request a service from the common function server 30.

  Further, in the image processing system of the present invention, the directory server 20 includes, for example, a directory server 20 that transmits the top service definition information 25 and a directory server 20 that transmits the service definition information 25 of each category as separate servers. A plurality may be provided according to the stored contents such as.

  In the image system of the present invention, a plurality of function servers 30 may be provided. Specifically, for example, the function server 30 that transmits the service I / F information 36 and the function server 30 that executes the service may be configured as separate servers. As for the function server 30 that executes the service, for example, the function server 30 that executes the session process and the function server 30 that executes the job process may be configured as separate servers. On the other hand, for a plurality of types of services, for example, a function server 30 that executes service A, a function server 30 that executes services B to D, a function server 30 that executes services E and F, and the like. Can also be configured to execute their own services. In this case, the service I / F information 36 may be such that, for example, the function server 30 that executes the service transmits the service I / F information 36 corresponding to the service. Another function server 30 may transmit.

  Further, the directory server 20 or a part of the directory server 20 and the part of the function server 30 or the function server 30 may be configured as a single device.

  Further, the directory server 20 (or a partial component of the directory server 20) and the function server 30 (or a partial component of the function server 30) may be provided in the multifunction machine 10 constituting the image processing system. Good.

  Further, in the second embodiment, the service selection screen displayed on the display 52 at s116 in FIG. 5 has the same service of the same category in the different directory servers 20 rearranged for the same service. An example is shown that is configured to be a list of states. However, other rules may be adopted for the rearrangement rules by the same processing. For example, rules such as arranging at random, arranging categories or services in alphabetical order or alphabetical order, arranging them for each predetermined service content, and the like can be considered.

  In the third embodiment described above, the directory server 20 is selected on the condition that it can respond to a response request and has the highest priority set. Illustrated. However, another condition can be adopted as the condition for selecting the directory server 20. For example, the directory server 20 is a specific directory server 20 determined in advance, and in accordance with a predetermined authentication procedure with the multifunction machine 10. For example, the directory server 20 can be authenticated.

  In the third embodiment, the TTL value included in the header information of the response to the response request is stored in s2308 in FIG. 33, and the higher the TTL value, the higher the priority order is set. What was comprised was illustrated. However, parameters other than TTL may be used as parameters for setting the priority order. For example, it is conceivable to use a reply time from when an echo request (response request) by ICMP is transmitted to the directory server 20 until an echo reply (response) is returned from the directory server 20. In general, it can be estimated that the shorter the response time is, the better the communication situation between the two is. For this reason, the reply time is stored in s2308 in the figure, a sufficiently large value is stored in s2310 in the figure, and the priority is set higher as the reply time is shorter in s2316 in the figure. Further, the priority order is not limited to the network distance, and for example, the priority order arbitrarily determined by the user may be stored.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 36 and FIG. 37, a combination of the third and fourth embodiments described above, as shown in FIGS. In addition, a configuration may be considered in which when the service definition information 25 is not normally transmitted in response to this request, the address of another directory server 20 that is a redirect destination is inquired.

  According to this configuration, even when the directory server 20 having a high priority does not normally notify the service definition information 25 for some reason, the service definition information 25 is acquired from another directory server 20. Can do. In particular, as shown in FIG. 37, if the configuration is such that the directory server 20 that has not normally notified of the service definition information 25 is deleted from the directory server list, the service definition information 25 is not normally notified. Since the priority order of the directory servers 20 other than the directory server 20 is substantially increased, the service definition information 25 can be acquired from the other directory servers 20 thereafter.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when the directory server 20 is requested to query the service list from the multifunction machine 10, the service definition information is not limited as long as the service definition information 25 related to this request can be transmitted. An example configured to transmit 25 is illustrated. However, in the present image processing system, when there are a plurality of devices corresponding to the multifunction peripheral 10, it can be said that it is desirable from the viewpoint of security that the devices that notify the service definition information 25 can be restricted. Therefore, the directory server 20 may be configured to transmit the service definition information 25 only in response to a request from a directory that satisfies a predetermined notification condition. With this configuration, the directory server 20 does not transmit the service definition information 25 unless it is a request from a device that satisfies a predetermined notification condition. Therefore, only a request from a legitimate device satisfies the notification condition. Such a configuration can prevent, for example, the service definition information 25 from being transmitted in response to a request for obtaining the service definition information 25 illegally.

  The “notification condition” in this configuration is, for example, a request from a specific device registered on the directory server 20 side, or from a device that can be authenticated with the directory server 20 according to a predetermined authentication procedure. It may be a request. As another condition, a device having a good communication status with the directory server 20 may be considered. For the latter, for example, the directory server 20 is configured to transmit the service definition information 25 to the device when receiving a request from the device having the shortest network distance. Can be considered.

  With this configuration, the directory server 20 notifies the service specific definition when receiving a request from a device having the shortest network distance. The service specific information can be notified only to a device that is estimated to be the best.

[Correspondence with the present invention]
In the embodiment described above, the multifunction machine 10 is the image processing apparatus in the present invention, the function server 30 is the service providing unit and the service providing server in the present invention, and the directory server 20 is the specific information notifying unit and information in the present invention. Notification server.

The service definition information 25 is service specifying information in the present invention, and the service selection screen is a service list in the present invention.
Further, s608 in FIG. 28 is information notifying means in the present invention.

  Further, s112 and s130 in FIG. 5 are notification request means in the present invention, s2002 to s2030 in FIG. 12 are list creation means and list display means in the present invention, and s316 to s336 in FIG. S408 in FIG. 19 and s508 in FIG. 20 are provision requesting means in the present invention, s428 in FIG. 19 and 528 in FIG. 20 are function realizing means in the present invention, and in FIG. s2302 to s2318 are the first distance estimating means and the second distance estimating means in the present invention, and s2403 in FIG. 36 is the first rank changing means and the second rank changing means in the present invention.

  26 are s828 to s832, s1018 to s1022 in FIG. 28, and s1118 to s1122 in FIG. 29 are providing execution means in the present invention.

Block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing system Diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit Diagram showing the definition of each tag in service definition information The figure which shows the definition of each tag in service I / F information Flow chart showing MFP processing by MFP Diagram showing method selection screen Figure showing the data structure of the directory server list Diagram showing the data structure of service definition information (1) Diagram showing the data structure of service definition information (2) The figure which shows a mode that information is registered into the storage area for service definition information storage Figure showing the service selection screen (1) A flowchart showing service selection screen generation processing in the first embodiment. Figure showing the service selection screen (2) Flowchart (1/2) showing session processing by MFP Flow chart showing session processing by MFP (2/2) Flow chart showing a UI job by a multifunction machine The figure which shows the data structure of service I / F information Figure showing the parameter input screen Flow chart showing an input job by a multifunction device Flow chart showing an output job by a multifunction device Flow chart showing function server processing by function server (1/2) Flow chart showing function server processing by function server (2/2) Flow chart showing session processing by function server (1/2) Flow chart showing session processing by function server (2/2) Flowchart showing UI job by function server Flow chart showing a scan job by the function server Flow chart showing a print job by the function server Flow chart showing directory server processing by directory server The flowchart which shows the screen generation process for service selection in 2nd Embodiment The figure which shows a mode that information is stored in a service definition information rearrangement storage area Figure showing the service selection screen (3) Flowchart showing MFP processing by MFP in the third embodiment Flowchart showing server priority update processing by the multifunction machine in the third embodiment Flowchart showing MFP processing by MFP in the fourth embodiment Flowchart showing MFP processing by MFP in the fourth embodiment The flowchart which shows the multifunctional device processing by the multifunctional device in another embodiment. The flowchart which shows the multifunctional device processing by the multifunctional device in another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP, 11 ... Control part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Reading part, 14 ... Recording part, 15 ... Communication part, 16 ... Memory | storage part, 17 ... Sound input part, 18 ... Sound output part, 20 ... Directory Server, 21 ... Control unit, 22 ... Communication unit, 23 ... Storage unit, 24 ... Service definition information storage unit, 25 ... Service definition information, 30 ... Function server, 31 ... Control unit, 32 ... Communication unit, 33 ... Storage unit 34 ... Service I / F information storage unit, 35 ... Service software storage unit, 36 ... Service I / F information, 37 ... Service software, 41 ... Copy key, 42 ... Scanner key, 43 ... FAX key, 44 ... Service key 45. Setting key 46 ... Direction key 48 ... Direction key 49 ... Right key 50 ... OK key 51 ... Cancel key 52 ... Display

Claims (20)

An image processing apparatus having at least one of a function of reading an image and generating image data representing the image and a function of printing an image represented by the image data;
Service providing means for providing a service related to at least one of image data generated by a function of the image processing apparatus and image data indicating an image to be printed in response to a request from the image processing apparatus;
A plurality of specific information notification means each capable of notifying the image processing apparatus of services that can be provided by the service providing means;
An image processing system comprising:
In the specific information notification means,
Information notifying means for notifying the image processing apparatus of service specifying information that can specify services that can be provided by the service providing means,
In the image processing apparatus,
A list creating means for creating a service list of the service specified by the service specifying information based on the service specifying information notified by the information notifying means included in the specifying information notifying means;
List display means for displaying the service list created by the list creation means on a display unit included in the image processing apparatus;
Service designation means for allowing a user to designate a service to be requested to be provided to the service providing means among the services in the service list displayed by the list display means;
Providing request means for requesting the service providing means to provide the service specified by the service specifying means;
A function realization unit that realizes the function of the image processing apparatus by receiving a service provided by the service providing unit that has received a request from the provision requesting unit;
In the service providing means,
An image processing system comprising: a provision execution unit that executes a process for providing a service to the image processing apparatus when receiving a request by the provision requesting unit included in the image processing apparatus . In the image processing apparatus,
The list creation unit is configured to create a service list including only different services among all the services specified by the service specification information based on the service specification information respectively notified by the information notification unit included in the specification information notification unit. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is created. In the image processing apparatus,
The list creation means creates a service list obtained by rearranging the services specified by the service specification information according to a predetermined rule based on the service specification information notified by the information notification means included in the specification information notification means. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein: In the image processing apparatus,
The list creation means is specified by the service specification information based on the service specification information notified by the information notification means included in the specific information notification means satisfying a predetermined generation condition among the plurality of specific information notification means. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein a service list of services is created. In the image processing apparatus,
The list creation means is a service notified by the information notification means included in the specific information notification means for the specific information notification means having the shortest network distance among the plurality of specific information notification means. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein a service list of services specified by the service specification information is created based on the specification information. In the image processing apparatus,
First distance estimation means for estimating a network-like distance for each of the specific information notification means from the service specific information respectively notified by the information notification means included in the specific information notification means,
The list creating means is specified by the service specifying information based on the service specifying information notified by the specifying information notifying means having the shortest network distance estimated by the first distance estimating means. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein a service list of services is created. In the image processing apparatus,
Notification request means for requesting notification of the service specific information to the specific information notification means;
In the specific information notification means,
2. The information notifying unit is configured to notify the image processing device of the service specifying information when receiving a request from a notification request unit included in the image processing device. 6. The image processing system according to any one of 1 to 5. In the image processing apparatus,
The notification request unit is configured to provide the service to the specific information notification unit with the highest priority registered in the notification unit list based on a notification unit list in which one or more specific information notification units are registered. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein notification of specific information is requested. In the image processing apparatus,
Second distance estimation means for estimating a network-like distance for each of the specific information notification means through data communication with the plurality of specific information notification means;
The specific information notification means having the shortest network distance estimated by the second distance estimation means is registered in the notification means list so that it becomes the specific information notification means with the highest priority. The image processing system according to claim 8, further comprising: a first order changing unit that changes a priority order of the specific information notifying unit. In the image processing apparatus,
The notification requesting unit is configured to notify the specific information other than the specific information notification unit when the service specific information is not normally notified from the information notification unit included in the specific information notification unit that requested the notification of the service specific information. The image processing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a request for notification of the service specifying information is requested to a means. In the image processing apparatus,
When the service specifying information is not normally notified from the information notifying unit included in the specific information notifying unit requested for the service specifying information by the notification requesting unit, the specific information notifying unit other than the specific information notifying unit The image processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising second order changing means for changing the priority order in the notification means list so that the priority order becomes higher. In the specific information notification means,
The information notifying unit is configured to notify the image processing device of the service specifying information when receiving a request by the notification requesting unit included in the image processing device satisfying a predetermined notification condition. The image processing system according to claim 7, wherein the image processing system is characterized in that: In the specific information notification means,
The information notifying unit notifies the image processing device of the service specifying information when receiving a request from the notification requesting unit included in the image processing device having the shortest network distance. The image processing system according to claim 12, wherein the image processing system is configured. An image processing apparatus having at least one of a function of reading an image and generating image data representing the image and a function of printing an image represented by the image data,
Notification of service specifying information capable of specifying a requested service to a service providing server that provides a service related to at least one of image data generated by a function of the image processing apparatus and image data indicating an image to be printed , Each of which receives the specific information from a plurality of information notification servers capable of notifying the image processing apparatus, and creates a service list for the service specified by the service specific information based on the notified service specific information Means,
List display means for displaying the service list created by the list creation means on a display unit included in the image processing apparatus;
Service designation means for causing a user to designate a service to be provided to the service providing server among services in the service list displayed by the list display means;
Providing request means for requesting the service providing server to provide the service specified by the service specifying means;
An image processing apparatus, comprising: a function realization unit that implements the function of the image processing apparatus by receiving a service provided by the service providing server that has received a request from the provision requesting unit. A server that functions as a service providing unit that configures the image processing system according to claim 1. A server that functions as specific information notifying means constituting the image processing system according to claim 1.   A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to function.   A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to function.   A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for functioning as the service providing means according to any one of claims 1 to 13.   A program for causing a computer system to execute various processing procedures for causing the specific information notifying unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to function.