JP2007006022A - Image-forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-forming device that can be maintained easily. <P>SOLUTION: The image-forming device comprises an integrated application where two functions are integrated into one, and an application management part for managing a state where the integrated application expresses its own property, the propriety of the shift of the state, and processing in accordance with the shift. The application management part comprises a setting means for managing an initial setting in the image-forming device, and a setting to various pieces of setting information in maintenance; an application configuration management means for managing the configuration of the application for executing a prescribed function; a setting information holding means for holding information set by the setting means; and a power switching function that manages the status of power in the image-forming device, and has a power state for indicating the use of current power. In this case, a power state changing with a change in a state for setting by the setting means, and a holding state are determined uniquely. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions such as a copy, a scanner, a printer, and a fax machine.

  In recent years, copying machines have been made more complex due to the digitalization of copying machines. For example, a method of writing image data on a photosensitive drum with a laser beam is exactly the same as a writing method of a laser printer. Therefore, if both controllers are installed, the functions of the copier and the printer can be integrated, that is, combined.

  Also, by combining the functions of fax and scanner in the same way, these functions can be combined. With the advent of such multi-function machines, copiers, printers, fax machines, and scanners, each of which has been a single-function office machine, have been combined into a single device, leading to a reduction in total office costs.

  In recent years, copying machines are not only combined but also networked. For example, digitalization has allowed multifunction devices to connect to office networks, and they have worked with computers and servers.

  Furthermore, the multifunction peripheral itself has evolved to include a memory and a hard disk drive (HDD), and has almost the same function as a personal computer. As described above, the copier has evolved into a network multifunction peripheral, and has become a center machine in the office, which can meet a wide variety of user needs.

  Conventionally, the above-described operation control of the multifunction device is performed by a computer mounted on the multifunction device, and the computer executes a program for operation control to thereby execute a RAM (Random Access Memory) in the computer. ), An application layer and a service layer can be constructed as shown in the program (P ′) in FIG.

  Of these, the application layer possesses a plurality of applications (AP1 to AP4) such as copy, scanner, and fax, so that the computer can realize the functions of the applications (AP1 to AP4).

  Similarly, the service layer possesses multiple device control services (SV1 to SV6) such as scanner control and plotter control, and the computer can realize the functions of the services (SV1 to SV6). It becomes.

  However, each application (AP1 to AP4) uses a service (SV1 to SV6) necessary for processing among various services (SV1 to SV6) in the lower service layer. For example, the copy application (AP1) uses a scanner control service (SV) and a plotter control service (SV) in order to perform a copy process.

  The fax application (AP2) uses a scanner control service (SV) and a fax transmission control service (SV) in order to perform a fax transmission process. In this way, each application (AP1 to AP4) uses a large number of services (SV1 to SV6) according to the type of processing, so many usage relationships are established from the application layer to the service layer as shown in FIG. However, there is a problem that the design of the program (P ′) becomes very complicated.

  Each service (SV1 to SV6) provides functions to multiple applications (AP1 to AP4), so even if you want to change the design of some of the applications (AP1 to AP4), all applications The design change of (AP1 to AP4) was forced, and there was a problem that the design change required a lot of time and money.

  Therefore, at present, even if it is desired to change the design of a part of an application, an object-oriented design that requires a part of the design change has been performed. This object-oriented design is a programming technique in which a program is described as a combination of objects, in which data and procedures for manipulating the data are integrated as a single unit called an object.

In this way, if you want to change the design of a part of the application by describing the program with multiple objects, you can change the design of only the specific object related to it and also partially reuse the program Is also possible.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-201986

  However, object-oriented design differs greatly from the conventional procedural programming world in terms and terms used, so designers with traditional procedural programming techniques can It can be said that acquiring skills to write practical programs based on orientation is as difficult as acquiring new foreign languages and customs.

  In particular, since object orientation considers the subject and the object separately, there is a cultural difference from the Oriental philosophy that does not separate the subject and the object. Therefore, object orientation is said to be difficult for Japanese people.

  By the way, the setting function, the power switching function, and the operation unit usage right management function that the image forming apparatus has have the common characteristics of expressing the properties of each application software that realizes a certain function. Although there was a relationship between them, there was a problem that maintenance was not easy because each had to be set individually.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus that can be easily maintained.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an integrated application in which at least two functions of a copy function, a document box function, a fax function, and a scanner function are integrated into one, and the integrated application expresses its properties. An application management unit that manages state information, whether or not the state transition is possible, and processing associated with the transition, and the application management unit manages initial settings in the image forming apparatus and settings for various setting information during maintenance. A setting unit for managing the configuration of an application that executes a predetermined function, a setting information holding unit for holding setting information set by the setting unit, and power in the image forming apparatus Power off with a power state that indicates the current power usage status Management function and the right to use the operation screen of the image forming apparatus, and the operation unit use right management function having a possession state indicating whether or not the user has the operation unit use right to use the operation unit. The power state and the possessed state that change with the state change for the setting by the setting unit are uniquely determined.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention is configured such that the setting unit is set by a device setting function for managing settings for the entire device, an application setting function for managing settings different for each application, and the application. And a setting information management function for managing the setting information.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides that the application configuration management means includes a single application function indicating an application in the lowest layer of a plurality of hierarchical applications, and an application under its own application. And a composite application function indicating an application to be included.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides the setting information holding unit that includes an UP information holding function that handles setting of a program that operates for a user, and an SP that handles setting of a program related to maintenance of the image forming apparatus. And an information holding function.

  According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus that can be easily maintained can be provided.

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

  FIG. 2 shows a connection example between the image forming apparatus and other devices in the embodiment of the present invention. 2 shows an image forming apparatus 500, client PCs 502 and 505, an SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server 503, an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server 504, a distribution server 506, a modem 507, and a fax 508. , And a network 510 connecting them.

  The image forming apparatus 500 is equipped with a hard disk 501. Client PCs 502 and 505 are clients of the servers and the image forming apparatus 500 shown in the figure. The distribution server 506 distributes documents and the like.

  Since the SMTP server 503, the FTP server 504, the modem 507, and the fax 508 are well known, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. A bundle of documents placed on a document table 2 with an image surface facing up in an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 1 is placed on the bottom document when a print key on an operation unit described later is pressed. Are fed to a predetermined position on the contact glass 6 by the feeding roller 3 and the feeding belt 4.

  It has a counting function for counting up the number of originals upon completion of feeding one original. After the fed original is read by the reading unit 50 on the image data of the original on the contact glass 6, the original that has been read is discharged by the feeding belt 4 and the discharge roller 5.

  Further, when it is detected by the document set detection 7 that the next document is present on the document table 2, the document is fed onto the contact glass 6 in the same manner as the previous document. The feed roller 3, the feed belt 4, and the discharge roller 5 are driven by a transport motor (not shown). The transfer papers stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first paper feeding device 11, the second paper feeding device 12, and the third paper feeding device 13, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 14 is transported to a position where it abuts on the photoreceptor 15.

  The image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser from the writing unit 57 and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the toner image on the photoconductor 15 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 16 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 15. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 17 and discharged to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus by the paper discharge unit 18.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge roller (not shown) of the main body in the normal paper discharge roller 102 direction and the staple processing unit direction. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103.

  Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, the switching plate 101 can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper jogger 109 every time one sheet is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of partial copying. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and backward for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and sorts copy paper that is simply discharged.

  When forming an image on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branch claw 112 for switching the path is used. By setting it on the upper side, it is once stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111.

  Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked on the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 is re-fed from the double-sided paper feeding unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 15 again, and the branching claw 112 for switching the path. Is set on the lower side and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, the duplex feeding unit 111 is used when creating images on both sides of the transfer sheet.

  The photoconductor 15, the transport belt 16, the fixing unit 17, the paper discharge unit 18, and the development unit 27 are driven by a main motor, and each of the paper feeding devices 11 to 13 is driven by a paper feeding clutch (not shown). Driven by transmission. The vertical transport unit 14 is driven to transmit the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

  The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which an original is placed and an optical scanning system. The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, a CCD image sensor 54, and the like. Yes.

  The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown). When reading a document image, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically operated at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change.

  This optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown). The document image is read by the CCD image sensor 54, converted into an electrical signal, and processed. The writing unit 57 is composed of a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a polygon mirror (polygon mirror) that rotates at a constant high speed by a laser diode and a motor as a laser light source. ).

  The laser beam output from the writing unit 57 is applied to the image forming photoconductor 15. Although not shown, a beam sensor for generating a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position where a laser beam near one end of the photoconductor 15 is irradiated.

  Next, the operation unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows the operation unit. The operation unit 30 includes a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a preheat key 35, a reset key 36, an initial setting key 37, a copy key 38, a copy server key 39, a scanner key 41, and a printer key. 45 and a FAX key 46.

  The liquid crystal touch panel 31 displays function keys, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like. By pressing the initial setting key 37, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. For example, it is possible to set the paper size stored in the machine, or to arbitrarily set the state set when the mode clear key of the copy function is pressed.

  Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set.

  When the preheating key 35 is pressed, the machine shifts from the standby state to the power reduction state, and the fixing temperature is lowered or the display on the operation unit is turned off. The preheating state means a low power state as referred to in the International Energy Star Program. In order to cancel the preheating state, the off state / sleep state, and shift to the standby state, the preheating key is pressed again.

  By pressing the copy key 38, the copy function can be used. The copy server key 39 is used to edit existing stored image data (copy mode setting, printing, deleting). Details of this copy server will be described later.

  The scanner key 41 is used when storing a document in a storage device inside the apparatus, when transmitting an input image read from the scanner, stored image data, or the like to the outside. The FAX key 46 is a key that is pressed when used as a FAX.

  Next, a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 of the operation unit 30.

  When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in black. In addition, when it is necessary to specify the details of the function (for example, if it is variable magnification, the variable magnification value, etc.), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display, it is possible to graphically perform the optimal display at that time.

  In FIG. 5, the upper left is a message area 601 for displaying messages such as “Can copy” and “Please wait”. On the right is a copy number display section 602 for displaying the set number of sheets. An automatic paper selection key 603 is a key for automatically selecting a transfer paper. A paper selection key 609 is a key for selecting a paper, indicates a paper feed tray state corresponding to the number of paper feed trays, and displays a key for manually setting a paper feed stage for each paper feed stage. The The sort key 604 is a key for designating processing for arranging copies in order of pages one by one.

  A stack key 605 is a key for designating processing for sorting copies for each page. A staple key 606 is a key for designating a process of binding the sorted parts one by one.

  The same magnification key 607 is a key for setting the magnification to the same magnification. A scaling key 608 is a key for setting a duplex mode for setting an enlargement / reduction magnification. The key group 611 includes a key for inputting a document type, a key for density, and a key for document feeding.

The key group 610 includes a double-sided key, an edit key for setting a binding margin mode, and a cover / interleaf key for setting a cover / interleaf mode. A linked copy key 611 is a linked mode key that prints out a large number of printing operations divided into a plurality of pieces via a network of a digital copying machine. Next, a control device of the image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates a control device with a main controller as a center. The main controller 20 controls the entire image forming apparatus.

  The operation unit 30 performs display for the operator and function setting input control from the operator. An image processing unit (IPU) 49 performs control of the scanner, control of writing a document image into the image memory, control of image formation from the image memory, and the like.

  The main controller 20 is connected to an operation unit 30, an IPU 49, and a distributed control device such as ADF1. The ADF 1 includes a transport motor 26 that transports paper and the document set detection 7 described above.

  Each distributed controller and the main controller 20 exchange machine status and operation commands as necessary. The main controller 20 is also connected with a main motor 25 and various clutches 21, 22, 23, 24 necessary for paper conveyance.

  Next, the IPU 49 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the IPU 49.

  The reflection of light emitted from the exposure lamp 51 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD image sensor 54 and converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 61. The image signal converted into the digital signal is subjected to shading correction 62 and then subjected to MTF correction, γ correction and the like in the image processing unit 63.

  Thereafter, the image data input via the print composition unit 71 is supplied to the scaling circuit 77 or to the image memory controller 65 by switching, and the image signal that has passed through the scaling circuit 77 is matched to the scaling ratio. The image is enlarged / reduced and sent to the writing unit 57. On the other hand, the image memory controller 65 and the selector 64 are configured to be able to input and output image signals in both directions.

  Although not specifically shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the image data input from the reading unit 50, the IPU 49 processes image data supplied from the outside via the I / O port 67, for example, data processing such as a personal computer. It is assumed that a function of selecting input / output of a plurality of data is provided so that data input from the apparatus can be processed.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus is connected to the network via the I / O port 67, and the communication means may be a TCP / IP communication protocol that is widely used as a standard Internet protocol. .

  Also, the network configuration as shown in FIG. 2, machine configuration information and operation status of each image forming apparatus connected to the network, control commands such as remote output commands, setting commands, or external servers and image data and transmission destination addresses Send / receive book data.

  The IPU further includes a CPU 68, ROM 69, RAM 70, NV-RAM 74, and HDD 75. The CPU 68 performs settings for the memory controller 65 and the like, and controls the reading unit 50 and the writing unit 57. The ROM 69, RAM 70, and NV-RAM 74 store programs and data. Further, the CPU 68 can write and read data in the image memory 66 via the memory controller 65.

  The HDD 75 is provided for storing a large amount of image data in addition to the image memory 66. By using the HDD 75, there is a feature that an external power source is unnecessary and an image can be retained permanently. In order to read and hold a plurality of standard documents (format documents) with a scanner, the HDD 75 is generally used.

  Also, when performing a series of operations such as data encoding processing when storing image data read from a scanner to the outside using e-mail, etc., and storage, editing, and deletion of an address book having distribution destination data Also, the HDD 75 is used.

  Note that writing and reading are temporarily stored in the image memory and processed in order to absorb the difference in processing speed with respect to image formation from the main body and image writing from the scanner. When data from the image storage device is sent to the writing unit 57, it is temporarily stored in the image memory 66 and sent to the writing unit 57. In this way, the image controller 66 determines the image path for the image memory 66, HD 75, scanner image, and input / output of the image to be sent to the writing unit.

  As described above, the CPU 68 determines the input and output of the image data, so that the memory controller 65 connected to the CPU can switch the flow of the image.

  An image sent to the memory controller 65 as a document image is sent to the image memory 66 after the image data is compressed by an image compression device in the memory controller. The reason why the image is compressed is that data of 256 gradations corresponding to the maximum image size can be written in the image memory 66 as it is, but the image memory is used very much for one original image. is there. By performing this image compression, a limited image memory can be used effectively.

  Further, since the image memory 66 can store a large amount of original image data at a time, the stored original image data can be output in page order as a sorting function. In this case, when the image is output, the data in the image memory 66 is output while being sequentially expanded by the expansion device in the memory controller 65. Such a function is generally called “electronic sort”.

  Further, by using the function of the image memory, it is possible to sequentially read a plurality of document images into an area obtained by dividing the area of one transfer sheet of the image memory. For example, four original images are sequentially written in an area divided into four equal parts for one transfer paper in the image memory, whereby the four originals are combined into one transfer paper image to obtain a consolidated copy output. It becomes possible.

  Such a function is generally called “aggregate copy”. The image stored in the image memory 66 can be accessed from the CPU 68. For this reason, the contents of the image memory 66 can be processed, and for example, image thinning processing, image clipping processing, and the like can be performed.

  For processing, the image memory can be processed by writing data into the register of the memory controller 65. The processed image is again held in the image memory. The image memory 66 is divided into a plurality of areas depending on the size of the image data to be processed, and the image data can be input / output simultaneously.

  In order to enable input and output of image data to each divided area in parallel, the interface with the memory controller 65 is connected with two sets of address and data lines for reading and writing. As a result, an operation of outputting (reading) an image from the other area while inputting (writing) an image to one area becomes possible.

  Next, a touch panel when using a copy server will be described. When the stored image is edited in the copy server, the copy server key 39 (see FIG. 4) is pressed. At this time, the touch panel 31 is as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a display screen of the copy server application.

  In the display area 150, image information of image data stored in the HDD 75 is displayed. A user ID, a document name, the number of pages, and an accumulation time are displayed as image information for specifying image data.

  Since the user ID is assigned by the printer driver of the personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus, it exists only in the stored image by the printer function. A document name is assigned each time an image is stored. The number of pages is the number of accumulated original images. The accumulation time represents the time when the image is accumulated.

  Note that the image information at this time is held in the nonvolatile memory NV-RAM 74, and the image information continues to be held even when the power is turned off. Although only three pieces of image information are displayed in the display area 150 of FIG. 8, image information that is not displayed can be displayed by pressing the “Previous” key 620 and the “Back” key 621 in FIG. .

  When each image information 622 displayed in the display area 150 is pressed, the image information display portion is inverted to black. This is called a selected state. A plurality of pieces of image information can be designated as the selected state. As editing functions for stored images, there are a “delete from list”, “print condition change” and “document print” functions. When a document is selected and the “Delete from list” key 623 is pressed, the selected document is deleted. By selecting a document, pressing the “print condition” key 624, setting the print condition on the displayed screen, and pressing the print key 34, an accumulated image corresponding to the selected document is displayed according to the designated print condition. Print out. Document reading key 625 is a key that is pressed when documents are stored in memory.

  Next, the touch panel 31 in the case of transmitting image data read by a scanner or accumulated image data to the outside will be described. When the scanner key 41 is pressed in FIG. 4, the touch panel 31 performs the display shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the scanner application.

  On the touch panel 31 at this time, a reading condition key 86, a reading condition display field 80, a registered user display field 81, an accumulated document key 82, a transmission information key 83, and an accumulation key 84 are displayed.

  When the reading condition key 86 is pressed, the display is switched as shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen for setting reading conditions. For reading a document from the scanner, the user can set a document type, resolution, document size, and density from this screen.

  The reading conditions set here are displayed in the reading condition display field 80. The transmission destination designates the user displayed in the registered user display field 81. Alternatively, a destination can be literally input directly by pressing a direct input key and using a software keyboard.

  In this state, when the document is set on the scanner and the print key is pressed, the document can be read and sent as an electronic image to a desired destination.

  Further, when the stored document key 82 is pressed, the display is switched as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a list of accumulated documents. Here, a list of accumulated documents is displayed. Then, as shown in the document list 630, the user name, document name, date, number of pages, and status of the document are displayed.

  When a plurality of documents are selected on this screen and the distribution key 87 is pressed, the scanner distribution basic screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. When the destination is set there, the previously selected document can be transmitted to the outside. In addition, the stored document can be deleted using the delete key 88.

  Next, the internal configuration of the software in the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the program (P) in the present embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an integrated application AP0, a printer AP4, a scanner control SV1, a plotter control SV2, a storage control SV3, a distribution / mail transmission / reception control SV4, a FAX transmission / reception control SV5, and a network communication control SV6. Has been.

  The integrated application AP0 is an application that integrates copy, scanner, and fax, excluding the printer, among applications related to image formation. The printer AP4 is a printer application.

  The scanner control SV1 controls the scanner. The plotter control SV2 controls the plotter. The accumulation control SV3 performs processing relating to accumulation of image data. The distribution / mail transmission / reception control SV4 distributes image data to the outside and transmits / receives mail. The FAX transmission / reception control SV5 performs control related to fax transmission / reception. The network communication control SV6 performs processing related to the network.

  When the computer executes these programs (P), the application layer 640 and the service layer 641 shown in FIG. 13 are constructed in part of the storage area of the RAM 70 in the image forming apparatus.

  Among these, the service layer 641 provides operation control of devices such as a scanner and a plotter included in the image forming apparatus in units that the integrated application AP0 can use in common. An application layer 640 located above the service layer 641 provides services such as copying, scanner distribution, and FAX transmission in order to satisfy the user's request. The application layer 640 includes an operation system GRP1, a management system GRP2, and an execution system GRP3.

  Among these, the operation system GRP1 interprets the user's request, and provides the service in consideration of the quality, cost, and delivery date. The operation system GRP1 entrusts the actual processing to the management system GRP2 and the execution system GRP3 according to the contents of the service to be provided. The operation system GRP1 holds a state for determining the behavior of the integrated application, and includes an application management unit SS1 that is responsible for determining whether the state can be transferred, and performing processing associated with the transfer, and an operation control unit SS2. Yes.

  The management system GRP2 monitors the device status of the image forming apparatus, grasps the optional configuration (finisher, billing apparatus, authentication apparatus, etc.), services necessary for the entire image forming apparatus, such as data management (address book, stored document, etc.) Will be provided.

  The management system GRP2 receives inquiries from the operation system GRP1 and the execution system GRP3, and provides device information, device configuration information such as a charging device and an authentication device, address information, and stored document information to the operation system GRP1 and the execution system GRP3.

  Further, the execution system GRP 3 holds a plurality of requests for copying, etc. received via the operation system GRP 1, performs execution control of the plurality of requests, and manages provision of device information and the like necessary for the execution control. Request to system GRP2.

  Next, using UML, the application management unit SS1 that is a characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described in detail. Prior to this description, classes and instances, which are the basic terms used in object orientation, will be briefly described.

  A class defines a template of an instance that summarizes data and operations that are its operation procedures. By defining this, instances of the same kind can be handled together. A class is schematically represented in UML as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the class has a data possessing unit 650 that is a part for possessing a plurality of data, and performs some processing by reading this data, and writes data obtained as a result of performing some processing. An operation management unit 651 having a plurality of operations is possessed.

  An individual object having specific data for a class is called an “instance”. Data as a program as an actual value based on a class, which is often used in comparison with a class, and sometimes described as a “type” and an instance as an “entity”. It means a set of data that is actually arranged in physical memory, and is a term that captures the substance of data more specifically and directly.

  FIG. 15 is a UML class diagram showing the configuration of the application management unit SS1. The class is a part of software and a part of the program (P). When the program (P) is executed, the class is instantiated in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 70, and a data holding unit is realized using the predetermined storage area of the RAM 70. As a result, the instance can write data to the RAM 70 and read data previously written to the RAM 70. Instances cooperate by exchanging messages with each other.

  The following describes these classes. The application management unit SS1 is mainly composed of a setting unit 701, an application configuration management unit 702, a setting information holding unit 703, a power switching function 704, and an operation unit usage right management function 705.

  The setting unit 701 includes a device setting function 711, an application setting function 712, and a setting information management function 713. The application configuration management unit 702 includes a composite application function 714 and a single application function 715. The setting information holding unit 703 includes an SP (Serviceman Program) setting information holding function 716 and an UP (User Program) setting information holding function 717. These functions are expressed by the following classes. Note that SP is a serviceman program for maintenance, and UP is a program for users.

  The device setting function 711 is expressed as a device class. The device class arbitrates between the power state at the time of setting and the application between the power switching function 704 and the application setting function 712.

  The power switching function 704 is expressed as an energy saving class. The energy saving class knows the current power state of the device, and performs switchability determination and switch processing in response to the power state switch request.

  The application setting function 712 is expressed as an application class. The application class knows the current operation restriction state of the application, and performs arbitration between the determination of applicability of setting for the application and the operation unit usage right management function required at the time of setting.

  The composite application function 714 is expressed as a composite application class. The composite application class has a relationship with a lower layer application class (composite application class or single application class).

  The single application function 715 is expressed as a single application class. A single application class is a minimum application function that does not have an application class in a lower layer.

  The composite application class and the single application class are expressed as classes specialized for the base application class. The app class expresses the common properties of the composite app class and the single app class. What expresses such a property is state information.

  The operation unit usage right management function 705 is expressed as a screen class. The screen class has a possession state of the operation unit usage right for the application to communicate with the user, and performs a switchability determination and a switching process for the switching request of the state.

  The setting information management function 713 is expressed as a setting information class. The setting information class represents information necessary for the application to perform the application operation, and knows the usage state such as whether the current setting information is referenced or set.

  The SP information holding function 716 is expressed as an SP setting information class. The UP information holding function 717 is expressed as an UP setting information class. These classes are extracted as specialized classes for setting information classes in order to distinguish differences in setting information.

  Next, attributes and operations (data) of each class will be described. First, the device class will be described. The attribute (data) of the device class has “state”. The device class possesses a use restriction state as a device, such as whether a function is provided or whether some use restriction is imposed on the device.

  The device class possesses “use application” as an operation. “Application use” is a window that receives a request from a person who wants to set the device class. After receiving the application use request, it is determined whether or not the device class can be used at the granularity of the entire device. The processing for energy saving possessed by the equipment is a judgment material. “Use application” performs processing for an application when it is determined that the device can be used at a granularity of the entire device.

  Next, the energy saving class will be described. The attribute (data) of the energy saving class has “state”. The energy saving class possesses a power state indicating the current power usage state. There are multiple stages in the power state, and the energy savings of each stage are different.

  In addition, the energy saving class possesses “cancel” as an operation. “Release” performs a process of canceling the energy saving state and returning it to the normal power state where setting can be performed.

  Next, the application class will be described. The attribute (data) of the application class has “state”. The application class possesses an operation restriction state such as whether or not there is a restriction on the operation that the application can currently provide. The functions that an application can provide are limited by factors such as settings.

  Furthermore, the attribute (data) of the application class has “type”. “Type” possesses information such as what is its own application in order to distinguish the own application from other existing applications.

  In addition, the application class possesses “restrict” as an operation. “Restrict” restricts the functions currently provided by the application in advance so that the application operates during the setting and there is no inconsistency in processing, so that the application cannot operate. In addition, “restrict” performs processing for a screen class and a setting information class because it is necessary to use a screen and setting information in order to perform setting.

  Next, the screen class will be described. The attribute (data) of the screen class has “state”. The screen class possesses a state indicating whether or not the operation unit usage right is possessed.

  The screen class possesses “acquire” as an operation. “Acquire” performs processing for acquiring the operation unit use right when the operation unit use right is not possessed.

  Next, the setting information class will be described. The attribute (data) of the setting information class has “state”. “Status” possesses information such as whether the setting information is currently referenced or edited.

  Also, the setting information class possesses “edit” as an operation. “Edit” performs a process for a person who wants to set to edit setting information necessary for application operation.

  Next, the relationship between the classes in FIG. 15 will be described.

  The equipment possesses energy saving. There is always only one device and energy saving in the application management unit SS1, and there is a one-to-one relationship. Furthermore, the device possesses a plurality of zero or more applications and manages them while maintaining consistency among those applications.

  For example, when an application and a printer application exist as an application, the user has two applications when viewed from the device. From the viewpoint of each application, there is always only one device if it is the highest-level app, and there is no relationship with the device if it is a lower-level app.

  Apps have a hierarchical structure. For example, even when one application is a next-generation application from the perspective of the device, there are two next-generation applications, a copy application and a transmission application, which can be handled separately.

  A specific example is shown in FIG. In this example, the device holds two applications, a next-generation application and a printer application. The next generation application indicates that the lower layer is composed of a copy application and a transmission application, and the transmission application further indicates that the lower layer is composed of a normal transmission application and a remote transmission application.

  The application has a screen for managing its own operation unit usage right and has a one-to-one relationship. Furthermore, the application possesses setting information necessary for its own application operation, and is represented as SP setting information and UP setting information.

  The image forming apparatus can perform the processing described in this embodiment by the cooperative operation of the instances. FIG. 17 is an example of a sequence diagram of UML when each instance performs a cooperative operation, and is a sequence diagram of UML showing collaboration between instances when setting for an application is started.

  In this sequence diagram, a device 721, an energy saving 722, an application 723, a screen 724, and setting information 725 are shown as instances.

  In step S1, the device 721 accepts an application use request for the person 720 who wants to set via the operation control unit SS2 of the operation system GRP1. On the other hand, the device 721 knows that the device is not under use restriction and that the state of energy saving must be changed in order to start using the application, and comprehensively considering these conditions, Judgment of app availability as device level granularity.

  First, the device 721 looks at its own state and determines whether or not the use is currently restricted. In particular, if there is no usage restriction on the device, in step S2, a request to cancel the energy saving is issued to the energy saving 722.

  In step S2, the energy saving 722 is requested to perform a release process for releasing the energy saving state from the device in order to use the application. The energy saving 722 refers to the state, and if it is in the energy saving state, performs the return processing to the normal standby state, but if it is already in the normal standby state, there is no particular processing to be performed. When in an energy saving state, it notifies the device whether it has returned to the normal standby state.

  Next, when the device 721 determines that the application can be used at the device level, in step S3, the device 721 requests the application 723 to determine whether or not the operation can be restricted by setting. In step S <b> 3, the application 723 receives a request for processing to limit the application from the device 721 due to the target application function.

  On the other hand, the application 723 transmits the request to the target application function from the hierarchical structure. In the target application function, we know that the application is not under operation restriction, check the state of the screen, and check the state of the setting information in order to restrict it. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the application can be restricted.

  First, the application 723 looks at its own state and determines whether the operation is currently restricted. In particular, if there is no operation restriction on the application, in step S5, a request for acquiring the operation unit usage right is issued to the screen 724.

  Since the operation unit usage right is necessary to limit the operation of the application for setting, the screen 724 is requested to perform processing for acquiring the operation unit usage right from the application 723 in step S5.

  The screen 724 refers to its own state, and if the operation unit usage right has not been acquired, the screen 724 starts the acquisition process, but if the operation unit usage right has already been acquired, no particular processing is performed. If the operation unit usage right has not been acquired, the application 723 is notified of whether it has been acquired. The application 723 confirms that the operation unit usage right has been acquired, and shifts to the operation restricted state in step S4.

  Also, in order to limit the application and perform setting, it is necessary to edit the setting information of the application 723. Therefore, the setting information 725 is requested by the application 723 to edit the setting information in step S6. The

  The setting information 725 refers to its own state. If the setting information 725 is not being used by any application, a process for editing the setting information is performed. After that, the setting information 725 notifies the application 723 whether or not editing has been enabled. The application 723 determines whether the application can be edited by comprehensively viewing from all information.

  Thus, there is a relationship between the functions, and it can be seen that the state of each function is uniquely determined as the setting is used. This is shown in FIG. When the setting is used, the power state is normally in a standby state, the operation unit usage right is set, and the application state is in operation restriction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, focusing on the fact that there is a relationship between the functions having the characteristics expressing the properties as an application, it has been set individually by performing object-oriented design so far. Since it has become possible to handle all that had to be done all at once, there is an effect that maintenance becomes easy.

It is a block diagram of the conventional program. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of connection between an image forming apparatus and another device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows an operation part. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of a liquid crystal touch panel. It is a figure which shows the control apparatus of an image forming apparatus. It is a block diagram of the internal structure of IPU. It is a figure which shows the display screen of a copy server application. It is a figure which shows the display screen of a scanner application. It is a figure which shows the display screen of reading condition setting. It is a figure which shows the list | wrist of the accumulate | stored document. It is a figure which shows the structure of the program in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an application layer and a service layer. It is the figure which described the class typically in UML. It is a class diagram of UML. It is a figure which shows a hierarchical structure. It is a sequence diagram of UML which shows the collaboration between instances when the setting with respect to an application is started. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a utilization method and each state.

Explanation of symbols

500 Image forming apparatus 640 Application layer 641 Service layer 650 Data possession unit 651 Processing management unit 701 Setting unit 702 Application configuration management unit 703 Setting information holding unit 704 Power switching function 705 Operation unit usage right management function 711 Device setting function 712 Application setting function 713 Setting information management function 714 Composite application function 715 Single application function 716 SP information holding function 717 UP information holding function 720 Person who wants to set 721 Device 722 Energy saving 723 Application 724 Screen 725 Setting information AP0 Integrated application AP4 Printer SV1 Scanner control SV2 Plotter control SV3 storage control SV4 delivery / mail transmission / reception control SV5 FAX transmission / reception control SV6 network communication control

Claims (4)

An integrated application that integrates at least two of the copy function, document box function, fax function, and scanner function,
State information expressing the nature of the integrated application;
An app management unit that manages whether or not the state transition is possible and processing associated with the transition;
The application management unit
A setting means for managing initial settings in the image forming apparatus and settings for various setting information during maintenance;
Application configuration management means for managing the configuration of an application that executes a predetermined function;
Setting information holding means for holding setting information set by the setting means;
A power switching function that manages a power state in the image forming apparatus and has a power state indicating a current power usage state;
Having an operation unit use right management function having a possessed state indicating whether or not the user has the operation unit use right to use the operation unit, while managing the use right of the operation screen of the image forming apparatus,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the power state and the possessed state that change in accordance with a state change for setting by the setting unit are uniquely determined. The setting means includes
A device setting function that manages settings for the entire device,
Application setting function to manage different settings for each application,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting information management function that manages setting information set by the application. The application configuration management means includes:
A single app function that shows the lowest layer application of multiple applications that are hierarchical,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a composite application function indicating an application having an application under its own. The setting information holding means
UP information holding function for handling settings of programs that operate for users,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an SP information holding function that handles setting of a program related to maintenance of the image forming apparatus.

Images