JP2006157122A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus the convenience of which is enhanced in the case of revising various settings in the image processing apparatus by remote control from an information processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the image processing apparatus configured to include: an image processing means 5 for performing an image processing job; a job management means 10 for managing image processing jobs; a management information storage means 12 for storing management information managed by the job management means 10; and a management information setting means 11 for revising the settings of the management information stored in the management information storage means 12 on the basis of a management information setting revision request from an operation section or an external device 8 connected to a network, the management information setting means 11 is configured such that when receiving the management information setting revision request from the external device 8, the management information setting means 11 stores the management information setting revision request during the performance of the image processing job by the image processing means 5 and performs the management information setting revision request after the end of the image processing job. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that can be connected to an information processing apparatus.

  Recent image processing apparatuses including printers, copiers, facsimile machines, and multi-function machines are provided with a local user interface (local UI) and a remote user interface (remote UI), so that operations from the image processing apparatus main body can be performed. Of course, by remote operation from the information processing apparatus (host PC), in addition to image output itself, initial settings such as output image density setting, priority magnification setting, or output paper selection, change of user settings, department management information Management is possible.

  In particular, as means for performing a remote operation, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a CPU that can control image formation of the image forming apparatus main body based on input data, a CPU necessary for image formation, and the like. A first memory storing data, an operation unit provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus, a second memory storing the same data as the data stored in the first memory, and a CPU. An image processing unit, and a workstation that can take in data from the second memory and is connected to the operation unit via the image processing unit, and between the workstation and the image processing unit, and the image Data communication can be performed between the processing unit and the operation unit, and is generated by the operation of the workstation. Is that so as to perform the setting-change control of the data into the first memory based on decrees.

  As a method for changing the setting of the information processing apparatus, as in Patent Document 2, a server computer connected to a network performs a hardware setting program for setting hardware, and when this hardware setting program is executed, A step of preparing a dynamic link module for hardware setting to be used and a small program for executing the hardware setting program; a step of accessing a server computer by a computer for setting the hardware; A step of executing the small program on the server computer, and the small program sets the hardware link dynamic link module to the hardware configuration. And the small program executes the hardware setting program on the memory for setting the hardware while the program itself remains on the server computer side. There are things to do with steps.

  However, in an image processing apparatus having a remote UI and a local UI, when another user interface is operated while one user interface is being operated, the information actually set in the image processing apparatus by each user is displayed. There was a problem that could not be accurately grasped.

Therefore, as disclosed in Patent Document 3, an image processing apparatus that can be connected to an information processing apparatus, and authentication information from the information processing apparatus for authenticating the request in response to a request from the information processing apparatus Authentication processing means for performing authentication processing based on the information processing apparatus, and when a request from the information processing apparatus is approved based on an authentication result by the authentication processing means, information relating to the image processing apparatus is indicated. The display information describing the screen content for performing the authentication is authenticated by the display information transmitting means for transmitting the image processing apparatus to the information processing apparatus, and the authentication information input from the operation unit or the card reader of the image processing apparatus. Second authentication processing means for performing processing, and while a request from the operation unit is recognized based on an authentication result by the second authentication processing means, There is a request for operating the image processing apparatus from the broadcast processing unit has are not allowed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-36364 JP 2000-259396 A JP 2002-359718 A

  As described above, when various settings are changed by remote operation from the information processing apparatus, control is performed such that the operation is permitted only when the operation from the main body of the image processing apparatus is not performed or is not being executed. Once it is not permitted, it waits for the next permitted timing, which is inconvenient. Particularly in remote operation from an information processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus is often remotely operated remotely, and the execution state of the image processing apparatus cannot be directly checked. It was difficult and very inconvenient.

  In view of the above-described conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that improves convenience when changing various settings in the image processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus by remote operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first characteristic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an image processing means for executing an image processing job as described in claim 1 of the document, and the image. Job management means for managing image processing jobs executed by the processing means, management information storage means for storing management information managed by the job management means, and management information stored in the management information storage means Management information setting means for changing settings based on a management information setting change request input from a management unit or a management information setting change request from an external device connected to a network, the image processing apparatus comprising: The information setting means manages the external device during the execution of the image processing job by the image processing means or the management information setting change operation from the operation unit. When the information setting change request is made, the management information setting change request is accumulated, and the management information setting change request is executed after the management information setting changing operation from the image processing job or the operation unit is completed. There is in point.

  According to the configuration described above, when the image processing apparatus is requested to change the setting of management information during job execution, the setting information is temporarily accumulated by the management information setting unit and managed immediately after the image processing job is completed. Since the information setting change is executed, the user can reliably change the management information setting regardless of the operation state of the image processing apparatus. In addition, since the image processing apparatus does not change the settings in the image processing during the execution of the image processing job, the image processing job can be reliably continued based on the initial settings. It is.

  The second characteristic configuration is that, as described in claim 2, the management information is account management information.

  According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to reliably perform department or user management.

  The third characteristic configuration is that, as described in claim 3, the management information is a default value of a job execution mode set in the operation unit.

  The fourth characteristic configuration is that, as described in claim 4, the management information is a language type displayed on the operation unit.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus with improved convenience when various settings in the image processing apparatus are changed by remote operation from the information processing apparatus.

  Embodiments of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the entire configuration of the image processing system according to the present invention is such that a digital copying machine 1 as an image processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus 8 (external device) having a remote UI are network transmission means such as a LAN 9. Connected by.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the digital copying machine 1 stores operation display means 7 having a local UI, image information input means 2 for inputting image information, and image information input by the image information input means 2. The storage device 3 that performs the processing, the image processing means 5 that executes predetermined processing based on the image information read from the storage device 3, and the processing for writing or reading the image information with respect to the storage device 3 In addition, each functional block of the file management unit 4 that deletes the image information after the processing by the image processing unit is completed, and a system control unit 6 that performs overall control of the functional blocks are provided.

  Here, a control board including a microcomputer, ROM, RAM, an output driver circuit, an input buffer circuit, and the like is mounted on each functional block, and system control means 6 including the microcomputer, ROM, RAM, etc. Are communicably connected. The system control unit 6 is connected to the information processing apparatus 8 including the remote UI via the LUN 9.

  The image information input means 2 includes an automatic document feeder 2b disposed on the contact glass 2a, an exposure lamp 2c for reading and scanning the document fed on the contact glass 2a by the automatic document feeder 2b, A first slider 2A having a first mirror 2d for reflecting the reflected light, and a second slider having second and third mirrors 2e and 2f for guiding the light reflected by the first mirror 2d to the condenser lens 2g. A solid-state image sensor 2h that converts light information from the slider 2B, the condenser lens 2g into an electrical signal, a quantization process that converts an output signal of the solid-state image sensor 2h into digital data as image information, a noise removal process, and a compression An input image processing unit 2i that performs processing and the like is configured.

  The image processing unit 5 includes an image forming unit and a recording paper transport unit, and the image forming unit rotates around a photosensitive drum 5a that is driven to rotate in the direction of an arrow by a main drive motor (not shown). In order of direction, a charger 5b for charging the photosensitive layer on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5a, a developing device 5c for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive layer as a toner visible image, and formed on the photosensitive layer. The transfer discharger 5d for transferring the developed toner image onto the recording paper, the separation discharger 5e for separating the recording paper from the photosensitive drum 5a, and the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 5a after transfer are removed. The cleaning device 5f and the static eliminator 5g for removing the charge on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5a are arranged, and the photosensitive layer uniformly charged by the charger 5b is read from the storage device 3 and expanded. An electrostatic latent image laser light is irradiated output from the laser unit 5h is formed on the basis of the image information expanded after the sense in the bit map memory 5i, a toner image is formed by the developing device 5c.

  The recording paper transport unit feeds the recording paper in the paper feed cassette 5n, and transports the recording paper sent by the paper feed roller 5j to the photosensitive drum 5a at a predetermined timing. A conveyance belt 5l is provided which conveys the recording paper onto which the toner image formed on the registration roller 5k and the photosensitive drum 5a is transferred and peeled from the photosensitive drum 5a to the fixing roller 5m. The recording paper fixed by the fixing roller 5m is discharged onto a discharge tray via a discharge mechanism (not shown).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the system control means 6 issues a control command to each functional block described above, receives a report from each functional block, and controls so that a predetermined image forming operation is normally performed.

  The system control means 6 includes a management information setting means 11 for setting and changing management information, a management information storage means 12 for storing the management information, and reports from each functional block by transmitting control commands to the functional blocks described above. Management means 10 for controlling the image forming operation so that a predetermined image forming operation is normally performed, management information recording means 13 for recording the execution status of the job management means 10 based on the management information, and the operation display A message display unit 14 for displaying a message on the unit 07 or the information processing apparatus 8.

  The job management means 10 takes in the operation mode such as the recording paper size, magnification, and density set and input from the operation display means 7 or the information processing apparatus 8 arranged on the upper surface of the main body as an operation report, and operates the print switch. When the signal is input as an operation report, the image information input means 2 issues a document read command to read the document information, and the storage device 3 issues a write command to be read by the image information input means 2. The image information is stored, and a print command is issued to the image processing unit 5 to supply a corresponding size of recording paper to the image forming unit. Further, a read command is issued to the storage device 3 to supply the stored image information to the laser unit 5h, thereby copying the original image on the recording paper. When the discharge report from the image processing means confirms that the recording sheet has been discharged to the discharge tray, the storage device 3 issues a delete command to delete the stored image information.

  The management information setting unit 11 executes the execution state of the job management unit 10 in response to a management information setting change requested from the operation display unit 7 or the information processing apparatus 8 in an interactive manner via the message display unit 14. And stored in the management information storage means 12 based on the above.

  The management information setting change by the management information setting means 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Change of setting of management information such as account management information, default value of job execution mode, language display type displayed on the operation display unit 7 or the information processing device 8 from the operation display unit 7 or the information processing device 8 When there is a request (S1), the management information setting means 11 sequentially checks the setting change contents of the management information in an interactive format (S2), and temporarily stores the setting change contents of the management information in the management information setting means 11 itself. (S3).

  For example, when the user selects management information setting change by the operation display means 7 or the information processing apparatus 8, the operation display means 7 or the information processing apparatus 8 is shown in FIG. ) Account management information setting selection keys such as “Department management”, “Hard disk management”, “Report output”, “Counter confirmation”, etc., and “Copy initial setting”, “Machine initial setting”, “Original size” A default value setting selection key for job execution mode such as “registration” and a function setting selection key such as “language switching” are displayed, and the setting of each management information can be changed.

  In the “department management”, it is possible to set the authority to use the image processing apparatus for each department or user. The “hard disk management” can check the free capacity of an optional hard disk and erase invalid data. The “report output” can output initial values such as copy initial setting items and machine initial setting items. The “counter confirmation” can refer to the total number of copies for each department, user, or clear the counter. The “copy initial setting” is for initial setting of the image processing apparatus. For example, manual / automatic selection of copy density, gradation number of copy density, document image quality, paper selection, priority magnification, etc. are set. It is possible. The “machine initial setting” includes a time for automatically turning off the power after the job is executed, a time for automatically entering the low power mode after the job is executed, a touch panel sound setting on the operation display means 7, a date setting, and the like. Settings can be made. The “language switching” can set the display language displayed on the operation display means 7 or the information processing device 8.

  For example, when new department registration is performed as account management information, detailed setting of management information is sequentially performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or the input screens shown in FIGS. That is, “department management” is selected and executed on the “management information initial setting” screen (FIG. 6A, SS1), and “department edit” is selected and executed on the “department management” screen (FIG. 6B), SS2 ), "New registration" is selected and executed on the "Edit department" screen (Fig. 6 (c) SS3), and the department code is selected on the "New registration" screen and "Set value change" is selected and executed (Fig. 5 (d) ), SS4), enter an arbitrary department code on the "Department Code Input" screen, select and execute "Close" (Fig. 6 (e), SS5), select the display name on the "New Registration" screen again, and click "Settings" "Change value" is selected and executed (Fig. 6 (f), SS6), the registered name is input and set on the "Registered name input" screen, and "End input" is selected and executed (Fig. 6 (g), SS7). If input of the code and registered name is completed (SS8), “Next” is selected and executed on the “New registration” screen (FIG. 6). h), SS9), continue to advance into the management information setting item of usage rights. If it is desired to re-enter the department code and registered name, it is possible to select the department code or registered name again and select and execute “change set value”.

  In addition, the usage authority can be set on the “Usage Restriction” screen, such as copy restrictions. In other words, the copy restriction is selected on the “Usage Restriction” screen and “Setting Change” is selected and executed (FIG. 7A, SS10), and “Use” or “Unusable” is selected on the “Usability Selection” screen. Select and execute (FIG. 7B, SS11), select and execute “Registration” on the “Usage Restriction” screen (FIG. 7C, SS12), and select and execute “Close” on the “Department Edit” screen ( 7D and SS13), it is possible to newly set department registration and use authority.

  When the management information setting change is completed, the management information setting unit 11 checks the status of the job management unit 10 (S4). That is, it is confirmed whether the job management unit 10 is executing the image processing job of the image processing unit 5 or is operated by the operation display unit 7.

  When the image processing job is not being executed and the operation display means 7 is not operating, the management information setting means 11 promptly stores the changed management information in the management information storage means 12 (S5). Further, when the image processing job is being executed or when being operated from the operation display means 7, the management information setting means 11 promptly executes after the image processing job execution ends or after the operation from the operation display means 7 ends. The changed management information is stored in the management information storage means 12.

  After the execution of the image processing job is completed, any timing may be used as long as the image processing job is not being executed. For example, the timing may be performed immediately after the job ends, auto shut off timing, auto clear timing, reset key on timing, or the like. Good. Further, at any timing, the timing can be appropriately changed by setting the management information described above.

  In other words, the job management unit 10 controls each control block based on the management information stored in the management information storage unit 12, but the image processing job is being executed or is being operated from the operation display unit 7. Therefore, the management information storage means 12 is not updated and each control block can be controlled stably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the copying machine has been described as an example of the image processing apparatus. However, the image processing apparatus is not limited to this. Needless to say, it can also be applied to machines.

Explanatory diagram of the overall configuration of the image processing system Explanatory drawing of the main part of the image processing device Functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus Flow chart for changing management information settings Flow chart for new department registration Illustration of the display screen when registering a new department Illustration of the display screen when registering a new department

Explanation of symbols

2: Image information input means 3: Storage device 4: File management means 5: Image processing means 6: System control means 7: Operation display means 8: Information processing apparatus (external device)
9: LUN
10: Job management means 11: Management information setting means 12: Management information storage means 13: Management information recording means 14: Message display means

Claims (4)

Image processing means for executing an image processing job; job management means for managing an image processing job executed by the image processing means; management information storage means for storing management information managed by the job management means; Management information setting means for changing the management information stored in the management information storage means based on a management information setting change request input from the operation unit or a management information setting change request from an external device connected to the network. An image processing apparatus configured as follows:
When the management information setting change request from the external device is made during execution of an image processing job by the image processing means or a management information setting change operation from the operation unit, the management information setting means An image processing apparatus configured to accumulate a setting change request and execute the management information setting change request after completion of the management information setting change operation from the image processing job or the operation unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management information is account management information.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management information is a default value of a job execution mode set by the operation unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the management information is a language type displayed on the operation unit.