JP2008010993A - Electronic apparatus, application executing system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology that relieves load in a shared device, such as MFP, without having to implement simple system resource increase. <P>SOLUTION: The MFP 4 and a remote computer 6 are connected to a network 2. The MFP 4 has basic functions 10, such as printing, scanning, and faxing functions. An additional application 16, providing an added value to the basic functions 10, is arranged to the remote computer 6, together with its performance environment 18. When a user operates a display/operation section 14, this event is transferred through a combined path of relay units 22, 24, to the remote computer 6 which accordingly executes the additional application 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device used in a network environment, a system for executing an application, a program for operating the electronic device and the system on a network, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a technique that uses a network environment to distribute hardware loads required for data processing and the like to reduce loads on individual hardware. For example, as a prior art related to a network printer, there is a network system including a client printer and a server device (see Patent Document 1).

In this prior art, a server device is requested to process print data to be printed by a client printer, and the server device that receives the request takes over the data processing. In this case, the client printer does not need to perform data processing, and only needs to receive the processed data from the server and perform printing. Therefore, it is considered that the load on the hardware is reduced accordingly.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175295 (page 4-5, FIG. 1)

  In the above-described prior art, when the server device that has received the data processing request does not have the necessary data processing program, the program is downloaded from the client printer or another device to perform the data processing. Yes.

  However, although the client printer does not need to perform data processing, in order for the client printer to respond to a program transmission request from the server device, it is necessary to perform advanced communication processing accordingly. Such processing is nothing but an extra load for a client printer that originally has no high processing capability, and that load becomes a new burden on the client printer.

  Similarly, in recent years, various application execution environments are built in shared devices (digital multifunction peripherals, etc.) used in a network environment in advance, and various applications developed according to user needs are added to the shared devices. Examples of customization, such as adapting its functions to user needs, are increasing.

  However, system resources (such as CPU power and memory capacity) originally owned by this type of shared device are often designed within the scope of basic shared services such as original printing and scanning. For this reason, there is a concern that the execution of an additional application by the shared device may have a serious impact on the system resources. Furthermore, the operation of such an application that consumes a large amount of system resources may not only destabilize the original system state of the shared device, but may cause a system stop in an extreme case. In addition, under the condition that there is no room for the system resources owned by the shared device, the added application may be limited in its original performance and functions to be provided.

  The method of trying to solve these problems by simply increasing resources is contrary to the technical orientation of individual resource reduction accompanying the construction of a load balancing environment, and is not a welcome method.

  Therefore, the present invention does not seek a solution by simply increasing system resources, but intends to reduce the load by a different approach.

The present invention solves the problem by the following configuration.
First, the present invention provides an electronic device that is connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected and can provide a service for sharing suitable for sharing in the network environment.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present invention includes a basic function execution unit that executes a shared service as a basic function, and an operation unit that receives a user operation when using the shared service and outputs an operation signal based on the operation. And a display unit for displaying information on the use of the service for common use.

  Also, the electronic device of the present invention includes a transmission unit, which is an additional device that exists separately via the network and adds another function to the shared service along with its execution environment. A relay unit for performing communication between them, and a function of transmitting an operation signal output from the operation unit from the relay unit to an external device through the network.

  In addition to the transmission means, the electronic device of the present invention includes a reception means for receiving information on an execution result by a relay unit via a network in accordance with execution of an additional application by an external device in response to transmission of an operation signal, and a relay. Display updating means for updating the display content by the display unit based on the information regarding the execution result received by the unit.

  With such a configuration, even if the electronic device itself does not have an additional application and a hardware environment for executing the additional application, the electronic device can use the additional application held by a remote device on the network. For this reason, without expanding the resources of the electronic device itself, an application can be added in cooperation with an external device, and the function and added value of the service for common use can be improved.

  Further, the electronic device can receive and display the information regarding the result of executing the additional application. For this reason, it is possible to give the user who uses the electronic device as if the electronic device has an additional application and is executing it. For this reason, the convenience of an electronic device can be improved, without impairing a user's natural feeling of use.

  Secondly, the present invention provides an electronic device having a separate configuration. This electronic device is also connected to a network to which a plurality of devices are connected, and can provide a sharing service suitable for sharing in this network environment.

  In addition, the electronic device provided secondly executes the service for common use as a basic function, and also outputs basic function execution means for outputting an operation signal accompanying this execution, and a user when using the service for common use. An operation unit that outputs an operation signal based on this operation, a display unit that displays information on the use of the shared service, and a separate unit for the shared service that exists separately via the network. It has a relay unit for communicating through the network with external devices that have additional functions added to it and its execution environment, and the operation signal output from the operation unit is transferred from the relay unit to the external device through the network. Along with the execution of the additional application by the transmission means for transmission and the external device in response to the transmission of the operation signal Providing means for receiving a provision request for a shared service to be generated via a network, and for providing an additional application executed by an external device via the network based on the received provision request. And a transfer means for transferring the operation signal output by the basic function execution means in accordance with the provision of the shared service based on the provision request to the additional application executed by the external device via the network, and the transfer of the operation signal by the transfer means In response to the execution of an additional application by an external device that responds to the receiving unit, the receiving unit receives information about the execution result via the network at the relay unit, and the display content on the display unit is based on the information about the execution result received at the relay unit. Display updating means for updating.

  With such a configuration, the electronic device provided secondly does not have an additional application and a hardware environment for executing the additional application, but can add an additional application held by a remote external device on the network. Can be used. For this reason, without expanding the resources of the electronic device itself, an application can be added in cooperation with an external device, and the function and added value of the service for common use can be improved.

  In this case, most of the system resources used by the additional application are those of an external device remote from the electronic device. For this reason, resource consumption in electronic devices is restricted when basic function calls are made, so the system operation state instability caused by a shortage of resources as described in the premise of the problem to be solved is surely avoided. can do.

  In addition, even though the additional application is executed by an external device that is separate from the electronic device, the additional application can appropriately call and use the shared service function specific to the electronic device. For this reason, not only new functions can be added to electronic devices by introducing additional applications, but also existing basic functions can be combined, and parameters used in basic functions can be changed. Can be changed, and the display and operation can be changed. Thereby, the purpose of bringing a new convenience to the user by introducing the additional application is easily achieved.

  In the electronic device provided in the first or second, the relay unit functions as a proxy for transmitting the operation signal output from the operation unit through the network, and the proxy acts on a stub that mediates communication in the external device. To transfer the operation signal. The relay unit can also function as a proxy when the receiving unit receives information on the execution result associated with the execution of the additional application by the external device.

  In these cases, it is possible to easily construct a mechanism for exchanging signals, information, etc. relating to operation and display on the network.

  In the second electronic device provided, the providing means functions as a stub for receiving a provision request via the network. The transfer means functions as a proxy for transferring the operation signal to the additional application executed by the external device via the network.

  Also in these cases, it is possible to easily construct a mechanism in which an electronic device executes a service for sharing, which is a basic function, in response to a call from an additional application via a network.

  Thirdly, the present invention provides an application execution system. This system is a network that connects a plurality of devices to each other, an electronic device that is connected to the network and has a shared service suitable for sharing in a network environment as a basic function, and a network that is separate from the electronic device. Connected to the external device that has the function of an additional application that adds another function to the shared service and the electronic device, and accepts the user's operation when using the shared service. Based on the operation unit that outputs the operation signal, the display unit that is provided in the electronic device and displays information on the use of the service for common use, and the electronic device and the external device, respectively, between the electronic device and the external device. The relay unit for communicating with each other via the network and the operation signal output by the operation unit First transmission means for transmitting from the relay unit to the relay unit of the external device through the network, an application execution environment provided in the external device and executing the additional application in response to the transmission of the operation signal, and an additional application by the external device Along with the execution, based on the second transmission means for transmitting the information on the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network, the information on the execution result provided in the electronic device and received by the relay unit And display updating means for updating the display content of the display unit.

  According to this application execution system, even if the electronic device itself does not have an additional application and a hardware environment for executing the additional application, it is possible to utilize the additional application held by a remote device on the network. For this reason, without expanding the resources of the electronic device, an application can be added in cooperation with an external device, and the function and added value of the service for sharing can be enhanced as a whole system.

  Further, the electronic device can receive and display the information regarding the result of executing the additional application. For this reason, a user who uses the system can be given a feeling as if the electronic device has an additional application and is executing it. For this reason, the convenience of an electronic device can be improved, without impairing a user's natural feeling of use.

  Fourth, the application execution system provided by the present invention has a separate configuration. In other words, the application execution system includes a network that connects a plurality of devices to each other, an electronic device that is connected to the network and that has a shared service suitable for sharing in a network environment as a basic function, Separately connected to the network, the external device possesses the function of an additional application that adds another function to the shared service, and the electronic device, and accepts user operations when using the shared service An operation unit that outputs an operation signal based on this operation, a display unit that is provided in the electronic device and displays information on the use of the service for common use, and an electronic device and an external device, respectively. The relay unit for communicating with each other via the network is separate from the relay unit A transmission / reception unit that is provided in each of the electronic device and the external device, and that transmits function information related to the function of the shared service owned by the electronic device to the additional application of the external device via the network, and an operation signal output by the operation unit Is transmitted from the relay unit of the electronic device to the relay unit of the external device through the network, the application execution environment provided in the external device and executing the additional application in response to the transmission of the operation signal, and the external device Along with the execution of the additional application, a request transmission means for transmitting a request for providing a function for shared service from the transmission / reception unit of the external device to the transmission / reception unit of the electronic device through the network, and the electronic device is executed based on the provision request. Additional shared services that are executed by external devices. By a providing means provided to the application, a transfer means for transferring an operation signal output in accordance with provision of the shared service based on the providing request from the transmitting / receiving unit of the electronic device to the transmitting / receiving unit of the external device via the network, and by the external device Along with the execution of the additional application, the second transmission means for transmitting information related to the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network, and the execution result provided in the electronic device and received by the relay unit Display updating means for updating the display content of the display unit based on the information.

  According to this application execution system, the cooperation between the electronic device and the external device enables the user to effectively use the service for sharing and the additional application. The resources required to execute the additional application are shared by the external device, and the electronic device only needs to have sufficient resources to execute the shared service. Absent.

  Even in this case, since the operation of the user who uses the system is performed on the electronic device, the user is not aware of the external device at a remote location, so that the operation becomes complicated or the convenience of the operation is impaired. Never do.

  In the two application execution systems described above, the relay unit of the electronic device functions as a proxy for transmitting the operation signal output from the operation unit to the relay unit of the external device via the network. It functions as a stub for giving the operation signal received via the network to the additional application. In this case, the relay unit of the electronic device also functions as a proxy when receiving information related to the execution result associated with the execution of the additional application by the external device.

  In these cases, it is possible to easily construct a mechanism for exchanging signals, information, etc. relating to operation and display on the network.

  Alternatively, in the fourth application execution system, the transmission / reception unit of the electronic device functions as a stub for receiving a provision request via the network. Further, in this case, the transmission / reception unit of the electronic device also functions as a proxy for transferring the operation signal via the network.

  Also in these cases, it is possible to easily construct a mechanism in which an electronic device executes a service for sharing, which is a basic function, in response to a call from an additional application via a network.

  And fifth, the present invention provides a program. This program is a procedure for causing a computer of an electronic device connected to a network that connects a plurality of devices to each other to execute a shared service suitable for sharing in a network environment as a basic function, In addition, a procedure for causing a computer of an external device connected to a network to execute an additional application in which another function is added to the service for common use, and an electronic device provided in the computer of the electronic device for use of the service for common use A procedure for causing the operation unit to accept a user's operation and outputting an operation signal based on the operation, a procedure for causing the computer of the electronic device to display information on the use of the service for common use on the display unit, and a computer of the electronic device And external devices are equipped with electronic devices and external devices, respectively. The procedure for allowing the electronic device and the external device to communicate with each other via the network using the relay unit, and the operation signal output from the operation unit to the computer of the electronic device from the relay unit of the electronic device to the network Added to the external device's computer, and to the external device's computer, to the external device's computer, in the application execution environment of the external device, to execute the additional application in response to the operation signal transmission, and to the external device's computer Based on the procedure for transmitting information related to the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network when the application is executed, and the information related to the execution result received by the computer of the electronic device at the relay unit To update the display content on the display unit.

  The above program can be installed in a device (electronic device, external device) connected to a network, thereby realizing the electronic device or application execution system of the present invention, and improving its versatility and expandability. .

  The present invention makes it possible to improve convenience by introducing a desired additional application with almost no pressure on system resources inherent in the electronic device. Thereby, the system state at the time of performing a basic function can be stabilized, and the reliability can be maintained over a long period of time.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an application execution system. This application execution system is constructed using a network 2 such as a LAN. A multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter abbreviated as “MFP”) 4, which is an example of an electronic device including a computer, is connected to the network 2, and the user operates the MFP 4 to operate the application execution system. Can do.

  The application execution system described below is realized by a procedure executed by an electronic device (hardware) provided with a computer in accordance with an instruction of a program (software) and a function of the electronic device. The program sends a command to each component of the electronic device to perform the procedure, function, and operation described below. That is, each procedure and operation in the application execution system of the present embodiment is realized by cooperation between the program and the electronic device.

  All or part of the program is provided in a state where it is recorded on, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other computer-readable recording medium. Then, the program read from the recording medium is installed in an electronic device equipped with a computer and executed. The program can also be downloaded to a computer via a communication line without using a recording medium and executed.

  The MFP 4 is a digital multi-function peripheral having, for example, an image forming apparatus as a basic configuration. That is, the MFP 4 has functions as a digital copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, and a scanner. As the hardware configuration of the MFP 4, a publicly known one can be applied. Specifically, a scanner (image reading unit) that reads an image of a document, or an automatic document transport device (a document transport device) that transports a document to an image reading position of the scanner. ADF), a print engine (image forming unit) that transfers an image formed on the basis of image data onto a sheet, a post-processing device that performs post-processing such as sorting, punching, and stapling on the transferred sheet In addition, a control unit for controlling the operation is provided.

  Such an MFP 4 is installed for the purpose of sharing in an environment where the network 2 is used. That is, the basic functions (functions such as copy, FAX, printer, scanner, etc.) possessed by the MFP 4 can be shared by a large number of users and utilized as necessary, rather than being occupied by each user when performing business. Is reasonable.

  A remote computer 6 serving as another external device is connected to the network 2 with respect to the MFP 4. The remote computer 6 may be a so-called desktop type or notebook type personal computer. In the application execution system, the MFP 4 and the remote computer 6 can communicate with each other through the network infrastructure 2. It should be noted that at least one MFP 4 and one remote computer 6 need only be installed, but the number of installed machines is not particularly limited in the application execution system of this embodiment. The connection mode to the network 2 may be either wireless or wired.

[First Embodiment]
Next, a first embodiment of the application execution system will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the MFP 4 and the remote computer 6. Here, only elements necessary for the operation of the application execution system will be described, and illustration and description of other elements will be omitted as appropriate.

  The MFP 4 has a basic function 10 as a digital multifunction peripheral. The basic function 10 is a set of basic operation applications such as a copy function, a FAX function, a scanner function, a printer function, and a finisher function. Among these, the copy function is a function for transferring the image data read by the scanner to the print engine and transferring the image onto the paper. The FAX function is a function of transmitting image data read by a scanner via a communication line, or conversely transferring an image to a sheet based on received image data. The scanner function is a function for generating image data by reading a document with a scanner. The printer function is a function that activates a print engine based on image data and transfers (prints) an image onto a sheet. These basic functions 10 operate on an OS (Operating System) 12.

  The MFP 4 is equipped with a display / operation unit 14. The display / operation unit 14 includes functions such as operation keys that accept user operations, a touch panel, and a display screen. The basic function 10 described above is executed in response to a user operation on the display / operation unit 14.

  A feature to be noted in the first embodiment is that an additional application 16 to be executed in the MFP 4 is incorporated in the remote computer 6 together with the application execution environment 18. The application execution environment 18 is a system resource for executing the additional application 16, and a hardware device (CPU, memory, hard disk, etc.) included in the remote computer 6 is allocated to the application execution environment 18.

  As the additional application 16, some extended function is added to the basic function 10 of the MFP 4. For example, an application copy function that edits a read original (lays out four originals on one sheet of paper) and outputs the output corresponds to a function of simply copying an original. Alternatively, an application transmission function in which a user specifies a destination number each time and transmits a FAX, and a destination address is searched from a database and specified, and is transmitted to a plurality of destinations. . A plurality of such additional applications 16 can be incorporated into one remote computer 6. Each additional application 16 can operate on the OS 20 of the remote computer 6.

  In order for the user to execute such an additional application 16 from the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4, the relay unit 22 is installed in the MFP 4. The relay unit 22 is connected to the relay unit 24 of the remote computer 6 through the network 2. The relay unit 22 of the MFP 4 functions as a proxy, and the proxy operates as if it is the additional application 16 when viewed from the display / operation unit 14.

  With such a configuration, an operation signal given to the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4 by the user is given to the additional application 16 through a route of the combination of the relay units 22 and 24 (proxy → stub). On the other hand, the relay unit 24 of the remote computer 6 functions as a stub, and a display operation signal from the additional application 16 operating on the remote computer 6 is displayed / operated through a path (stub → proxy) opposite to the previous path. 14 is given. As a result, the additional application 16 recognizes that the stub (relay unit 24) has the same function as the display / operation unit 14. The relay unit 24 having such a stub function can be realized as an independent software component of the remote computer 6 or can be realized as one additional application 16.

  Next, a sequence in the application execution system of the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a sequence showing an application execution procedure in the first embodiment. This sequence example is a procedure from the execution of the additional application 16 incorporated in the remote computer 6 through the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4 until the display / operation unit 14 performs the display operation. Hereinafter, the procedure from step S1 to step S11 will be described. Here, for the sake of simplification, the relationship between the MFP 4 and the corresponding remote computer 6 on the network 2 is considered as one-to-one.

Step S1: A user who uses the application execution system performs necessary key operations on the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4, and the "Start" button is pressed therein.
Step S2: When the “start” button is pressed, the display / operation unit 14 notifies the proxy (relay unit 22) of this as a start key event.
Step S3: The proxy (relay unit 22) transfers the start key event to the stub (relay unit 24) of the remote computer 6 through the network 2.

Step S4: The stub (relay unit 24) notifies the application execution environment 18 of the transferred start key event.
Step S5: Upon notification of the start key event, the application execution environment 18 calls a start process for the additional application 16. As a result, the additional application 16 corresponding to the event is activated.

  Step S6: The additional application 16 being executed starts database processing using the existing external system 26. The external system 26 is a system that is external to the internal system of the MFP 4, the additional application 16 being activated, and its execution environment 18 (not shown in FIG. 2). For example, a database operating on the remote computer 6 or a database operating on another remote computer 6 or server connected to the network 2 is applicable.

  The information stored in the external system 26 is, for example, transmission destination information in which a plurality of FAX transmission destinations (FAX numbers) are recorded. In the database processing in step S6, the additional application 16 accesses the database of the external system 26 and reads the transmission destination information.

Step S7: The additional application 16 creates display contents based on the read destination information. The display content created here is, for example, a list in which a destination name (or personal name) and a FAX number are associated with each other.
Step S8: Next, the additional application 16 updates the display for the execution environment 18. However, this display update is not for the display unique to the remote computer 6 but for the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4. Therefore, a specific display format (drawing format) is processed according to the hardware specifications of the display / operation unit 14.
Step S9: The application execution environment 18 passes the display update by the additional application 16 to the stub (relay unit 24).

Step S10: The stub (relay unit 24) transfers the updated display content to the proxy (relay unit 22) of the MFP 4 through the network 2.
Step S11: The proxy (relay unit 24) updates the display of the display / operation unit 14 based on the transferred display content.

  As described above, the execution of the additional application 16 based on the user operation performed on the MFP 4 is performed on the remote computer 6, and the display of the result is returned to the MFP 4. For this reason, the user can feel as if the MFP 4 has the function of the additional application 16, which can greatly contribute to the improvement of convenience based on the high function.

  In the application execution system of the first embodiment, even if the MFP 4 does not have the additional application 16 for the basic function 10, the remote computer 6 connected through the network 2 has the additional application 16 including the application execution environment 18. is doing. Therefore, an excessive load is not put on the system resources of the MFP 4 when the additional application 16 is executed, and the operation guarantee for the original basic function 10 can be made more reliable.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the application execution system will be described.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the MFP 4 and the remote computer 6 used in the application execution system of the second embodiment. As in the case of the first embodiment, only elements necessary for the operation of the application execution system will be described here, and illustration and description of other elements are omitted as appropriate. Moreover, the same code | symbol shall be provided about the matter which is common in 1st Embodiment, and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Similarly in the second embodiment, the additional application 16 to be executed in the MFP 4 is incorporated in the remote computer 6 together with the application execution environment 18. Further, the second embodiment is characterized in that the communication path between the MFP 4 and the remote computer 6 performed via the network 2 is divided into two systems.

  Specifically, the elements listed as the relay units 22 and 24 in the first embodiment are expanded. One communication path of the two systems continues to be configured as relay units 22 and 24 (shown as display / operation relay units in the figure), and these sets of relay units 22 and 24 function as proxies and stubs, respectively. . Such a combination of display / operation stub / proxy is an element when the additional application 16 exchanges signals with the display / operation unit 14 through the application execution environment 18.

  The other communication path is configured as API transmission / reception units 28 and 30. These API transmission / reception units 28 and 30 function as API stubs / proxy, separately from the previous display / operation stub / proxy. That is, when the additional application 16 intends to utilize the basic function 10 of the MFP 4 as it is executed, the basic function 10 is prepared in the API (Application Program Interface) unit (specification) in the application execution environment 18. . For this reason, in the second embodiment, a call to the basic function 10 in API units from the additional application 16 is notified to the MFP 4, while an API transmission / reception unit 28, as an element for returning a result in response to this call to the remote computer 6, Thirty sets are prepared.

  With such a configuration, operation signals (events) made by the user to the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4 and display contents updated by the additional application 16 are relayed by the relay units 22 and 24 (as in the first embodiment). Display / operation proxy / stub). On the other hand, the API call from the additional application 16 and its return are exchanged through the API transmission / reception units 28 and 30 (API proxy / stub) different from the previous route.

  Next, a sequence in the application execution system of the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a sequence showing an application execution procedure in the second embodiment. In this sequence example, the additional application 16 incorporated in the remote computer 6 is executed through the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4, and the additional application 16 uses the basic function 10 of the MFP 4 to transmit a FAX. This is a procedure until the display operation section 14 performs the updated display operation. Hereinafter, the procedure from step S01 to step S020 will be described. Here, for simplification, the relationship between the MFP 4 and the corresponding remote computer 6 on the network 2 is considered as one-to-one.

Step S01: A user who utilizes the application execution system performs necessary key operations on the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4, and the "Start" button is pressed therein.
Step S02: Upon receiving the “start” button being pressed, the display / operation unit 14 notifies the proxy (relay unit 22) of this as a start key event.
Step S03: The proxy (relay unit 22) transfers the start key event to the stub (relay unit 24) of the remote computer 6 through the network 2.

Step S04: The stub (relay unit 24) notifies the application execution environment 18 of the transferred start key event.
Step S05: When the start key event is notified, the application execution environment 18 calls a start process for the additional application 16. As a result, the additional application 16 corresponding to the event is activated.

  Step S06: The additional application 16 being executed starts database processing using the existing external system 26. This process is a process for acquiring a necessary FAX number from a database held by the external system 26. For example, when the user designates the transmission destination with an abbreviated number, a process of searching for an abbreviated number in the database and acquiring the corresponding FAX number is performed. Alternatively, when the user designates the name of the transmission destination with kana characters or European characters, a process of searching for the corresponding name in the database and acquiring the FAX number is performed.

  Step S07: The additional application 16 instructs the MFP 4 (the basic function 10) to make a FAX call (fax number of the transmission destination). Here, the basic function 10 of the MFP 4 utilized by the additional application 16 is prepared in API units (specifications) in the application execution environment 18 as described above. For example, when Java (registered trademark) is applied to the additional application 16, the API includes a class and an interface, and methods and properties defined by these.

Step S08: The application execution environment 18 notifies the API transmission / reception unit 30 of a FAX call request from the additional application 16.
Step S <b> 09: The API transmission / reception unit 30 communicates with the API transmission / reception unit 28 of the MFP 4 through the network 2 and transfers a FAX call request from the additional application 16. This request corresponds to an API call to the basic function 10 of the MFP 4.

Step S010: The API transmission / reception unit 28 of the MFP 4 notifies the basic function 10 of the received FAX call request.
Step S011: In response to a FAX call request, the basic function 10 of the MFP 4 transmits a FAX. As is apparent from the above description, the subject that instructs the FAX transmission performed here is the additional application 16 executed by the remote computer 6.

Step S012: When the FAX transmission is completed, the basic function 10 of the MFP 4 notifies the API transmission / reception unit 28 that the FAX transmission has been completed.
Step S013: The API transmission / reception unit 28 of the MFP 4 communicates with the API transmission / reception unit 30 of the remote computer 6 through the network 2, and transfers an event indicating the end of FAX transmission. This event is transferred as a return event for the API call made in the previous step S09. This is based on the idea that the end of a series of FAX transmission operations by the basic function 10 exists as one event within the API.

Step S014: The API transmission / reception unit 30 of the remote computer 6 notifies the application execution environment 18 of the received event (FAX end).
Step S015: Based on the received notification, the application execution environment 18 calls the FAX termination process for the additional application 16.

Step S016: The additional application 16 creates display contents through the FAX end process. The display content created here is, for example, information indicating that the FAX transmission is completed together with the name (or personal name) of the transmission destination, or information indicating the number of transmissions.
Step S017: Next, the additional application 16 updates the display for the execution environment 18. As in the case of the first embodiment, this display update is not for the display unique to the remote computer 6 but for the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4.
Step S018: The application execution environment 18 passes the display update by the additional application 16 to the stub (relay unit 24).

Step S019: The stub (relay unit 24) transfers the updated display content to the proxy (relay unit 22) of the MFP 4 through the network 2.
Step S020: The proxy (relay unit 24) updates the display of the display / operation unit 14 based on the transferred display content.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the basic function 10 of the target MFP 4 can be utilized on the remote computer 6 side. At this time, most of the system resources used by the additional application 16 are those of the remote computer 6, and the consumption of the system resources in the MFP 4 is the signal related to the display / operation unit 14 when the API related to the basic function 10 is called. Limited to when this happens. For this reason, the MFP 4 can reliably avoid the instability of the operation state due to the shortage of system resources.

The inventor of the present invention has found the following technical knowledge in the configuration of the second embodiment, and proposes to apply this to the second embodiment.
First, a general known technique may be used for communication between the display / operation or API stub / proxy. However, since the relay units 22 and 24 constituting the display / operation stub / proxy may both start communication (signal transmission), for example, it is a short message transmission specification or asynchronously based on the UDP protocol. It is preferable to use a simple message for operation-related communication and use HTML or HTTP for display-related communication.

  In the second embodiment, for example, SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) can be used as a remote call specification in general. In particular, it is desirable to apply a remote call mechanism having a relationship between an explicit caller and a function provider by SOAP in the part related to API call.

  According to the first and second embodiments described above, a corresponding performance improvement (an improvement in processing speed) can be expected by replacing the remote computer 6 with a higher performance machine without depending on the basic performance of the MFP 4 itself. can do. For this reason, simply looking at the introduction cost alone, the replacement of the remote computer 6 is clearly cheaper than the replacement of the MFP 4.

[Development to other embodiments]
The above is a description of two preferred embodiments of the application execution system. Furthermore, the application execution system can be expanded to other embodiments with the following modifications or additions.

  In the first embodiment, the relationship between the MFP 4 and the remote computer 6 via the network 2 is 1: 1, but this relationship may be 1: N, N: 1, or N: N (N > 1).

[1 to N relationship]
In this relationship, a plurality of remote computers are assigned to one MFP. First, a large-scale additional application is arranged in each of the plurality of remote computers 6. Then, the user who operates the MFP 4 can call these many additional applications from the display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4 and select and use them appropriately. This makes it possible to operate an additional application group having a scale that cannot be held by the MFP 4 alone.

[N-to-1 relationship]
In this relationship, one remote computer is assigned to a plurality of MFPs.
Conventionally, it is necessary to install each application in every MFP, which is very laborious. In contrast, in the configuration described here, an additional application can be used from each of a plurality of MFPs 4 by arranging the additional application on one remote computer (which may be a certain type of server). In this case, the exclusive control when one MFP 4 is using the additional application can be assigned as a basic function of the server to the remote computer. Similarly, the license control can be made existing.

[N-to-N relationship]
In this relationship, a plurality of remote computers are assigned to a plurality of MFPs. With such an aspect, in addition to the effect obtained from the above-described 1-to-N relationship, the effect obtained from the N-to-1 relationship can be obtained.

  The present invention can be implemented with various modifications and additions without being limited to the above-described embodiments.

  The display / operation unit 14 of the MFP 4 may be disposed alone on the remote computer 6. For example, a mode in which a specific form (shape, key arrangement, display screen, etc.) of the display / operation unit 14 is displayed on a browser on a remote host in HTML or the like via a WEB server built in the MFP 4 can be considered. In the HTML display, the remote host can touch the operation keys on the screen using the pointing device, so that the user's feeling of operation is not impaired.

  The remote host may be the remote computer 6 mentioned in the first or second embodiment. Alternatively, the remote host may be the display / operation unit 14 of another MFP 4.

It is a block diagram of an application execution system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of an MFP and a remote computer in the first embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the application execution procedure in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structural example of MFP in 2nd Embodiment, and a remote computer. It is a sequence diagram which shows the application execution procedure in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

2 Network 4 MFP (electronic equipment)
6 Remote computer (external device)
10 MFP basic functions (shared service)
14 Display / Operation Unit 16 Additional Application 18 Application Execution Environment 22 Relay Unit (Proxy)
24 Relay section (stub)
26 External system 28 API transmission / reception unit (proxy / stub)
30 API transceiver (stub / proxy)

Claims (13)

In an electronic device that is connected to a network to which multiple devices are connected and can provide services for sharing suitable for sharing in this network environment,
Basic function execution means for executing the shared service as a basic function;
An operation unit that receives a user's operation when using the shared service and outputs an operation signal based on the operation;
A display unit for displaying information relating to the use of the shared service;
There is a relay unit for performing communication through the network with an external device that has an additional application that has another function added to the shared service and has another function added to the shared service. Transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal output by the operation unit from the relay unit to the external device through the network;
With the execution of the additional application by the external device in response to the transmission of the operation signal, receiving means for receiving information on the execution result at the relay unit via the network;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a display update unit configured to update display content on the display unit based on information on an execution result received by the relay unit. In an electronic device that is connected to a network to which multiple devices are connected and can provide services for sharing suitable for sharing in this network environment,
Basic function execution means for executing the shared service as a basic function and outputting an operation signal associated with the execution;
An operation unit that receives a user's operation when using the shared service and outputs an operation signal based on the operation;
A display unit for displaying information relating to the use of the shared service;
There is a relay unit for performing communication through the network with an external device that has an additional application that has another function added to the shared service and has another function added to the shared service. Transmitting means for transmitting the operation signal output by the operation unit from the relay unit to the external device through the network;
While receiving the provision request for the service for common use generated by execution of the additional application by the external device in response to the transmission of the operation signal via the network, the basic function executing means based on the received provision request Providing means for providing the additional application executed by the external device via the network with the function of the service for sharing,
Transfer means for transferring an operation signal output by the basic function execution means in accordance with provision of the shared service based on the provision request to the additional application executed by the external device via the network;
In response to execution of the additional application by the external device in response to the transfer of the operation signal by the transfer means, receiving means for receiving information on the execution result at the relay unit via the network;
An electronic apparatus comprising: a display update unit configured to update display content on the display unit based on information on an execution result received by the relay unit. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2,
The relay unit functions as a proxy for transmitting the operation signal output from the operation unit through the network, and the proxy transfers the operation signal to a stub that mediates communication in the external device. Electronic equipment. The electronic device according to claim 3,
The electronic device, wherein the relay unit functions as a proxy when the receiving unit receives information on an execution result associated with execution of the additional application by the external device. The electronic device according to claim 2,
The electronic device is characterized in that the providing means functions as a stub for receiving the provision request via the network. The electronic device according to claim 5,
The electronic device, wherein the transfer means functions as a proxy for transferring the operation signal to the additional application executed by the external device via the network. A network that connects multiple devices to each other;
An electronic device connected to the network and having a service for sharing suitable for sharing in the network environment as a basic function;
An external device that is connected to the network separately from the electronic device and has a function of an additional application in which another function is added to the shared service;
An operation unit that is provided in the electronic device, accepts a user's operation when using the shared service, and outputs an operation signal based on the operation;
A display unit that is provided in the electronic device and displays information related to the use of the service for sharing;
A relay unit provided in each of the electronic device and the external device, for communicating with each other via the network between the electronic device and the external device;
First transmission means for transmitting the operation signal output by the operation unit from the relay unit of the electronic device to the relay unit of the external device through the network;
An application execution environment provided in the external device and executing the additional application in response to transmission of the operation signal;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit information related to the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network along with the execution of the additional application by the external device;
An application execution system, comprising: a display update unit that is provided in the electronic device and updates display content by the display unit based on information on an execution result received by the relay unit. A network that connects multiple devices to each other;
An electronic device connected to the network and having as a basic function a service for sharing suitable for sharing in the network environment;
An external device that is connected to the network separately from the electronic device and has a function of an additional application in which another function is added to the shared service;
An operation unit that is provided in the electronic device, accepts a user's operation when using the shared service, and outputs an operation signal based on the operation;
A display unit that is provided in the electronic device and displays information related to the use of the service for sharing;
A relay unit provided in each of the electronic device and the external device, for communicating with each other via the network between the electronic device and the external device;
Separately from the relay unit, provided in each of the electronic device and the external device, for transmitting function information regarding the function of the service for sharing possessed by the electronic device to the additional application of the external device via the network Sending and receiving unit,
First transmission means for transmitting the operation signal output by the operation unit from the relay unit of the electronic device to the relay unit of the external device through the network;
An application execution environment provided in the external device and executing the additional application in response to transmission of the operation signal;
With the execution of the additional application by the external device, a request transmission means for transmitting a provision request for the function for the shared service from the transmission / reception unit of the external device to the transmission / reception unit of the electronic device through the network;
Providing means for providing the function of the shared service executed in the electronic device based on the providing request to the additional application executed in the external device;
Transfer means for transferring an operation signal output with provision of the shared service based on the provision request from the transmission / reception unit of the electronic device to the transmission / reception unit of the external device via the network;
A second transmission unit configured to transmit information related to the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network along with the execution of the additional application by the external device;
An application execution system, comprising: a display update unit that is provided in the electronic device and updates display content by the display unit based on information on an execution result received by the relay unit. In the application execution system according to claim 7 or 8,
The relay unit of the electronic device functions as a proxy for transmitting the operation signal output by the operation unit to the relay unit of the external device via the network,
The relay unit of the external device functions as a stub for giving the operation signal received via the network to the additional application. In the application execution system according to claim 9,
The application execution system, wherein the relay unit of the electronic device also functions as a proxy when receiving information related to an execution result associated with execution of the additional application by the external device. The application execution system according to claim 8,
The transmission / reception unit of the electronic device functions as a stub for receiving the provision request via the network. The application execution system according to claim 11,
The transmission / reception unit of the electronic device also functions as a proxy for transferring the operation signal via the network. A procedure for causing a computer of an electronic device connected to a network connecting a plurality of devices to each other to execute a shared service suitable for sharing in the network environment as a basic function;
A procedure for causing a computer of an external device connected to the network separately from the electronic device to execute an additional application in which another function is added to the shared service;
A procedure for causing the computer of the electronic device to accept a user's operation through an operation unit included in the electronic device when using the shared service, and outputting an operation signal based on the operation,
A procedure for causing the computer of the electronic device to display information on the use of the service for sharing on the display unit;
Let the computer of the electronic device and the computer of the external device communicate with each other via the network between the electronic device and the external device by using relay units respectively provided in the electronic device and the external device. Procedure and
A procedure for causing the computer of the electronic device to transmit the operation signal output by the operation unit from the relay unit of the electronic device to the relay unit of the external device through the network;
A procedure for causing the computer of the external device to execute the additional application in response to the transmission of the operation signal in an application execution environment included in the external device;
A procedure for causing the computer of the external device to transmit information related to the execution result from the relay unit of the external device to the relay unit of the electronic device through the network along with the execution of the additional application;
A program for causing a computer of the electronic device to execute a procedure for updating display contents by the display unit based on information on an execution result received by the relay unit.

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