JP2008077234A - Image forming apparatus, control method, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, a control method, a program and a recording medium that can separate processing other than the original processing of the module, from a module comprising the image forming apparatus, to compose a new module and can execute the separated processing in the corresponding module. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has hardware resources and software for executing image forming processing on the hardware resources. The software is divided into a plurality of hierarchical components according to functions. The components execute a plurality of types of processing, and some processing executed by at least part of the components is separated from the corresponding component. The apparatus comprises a weaving means for weaving the processing executed by at least part of the components into the processing executed by the corresponding component at a specified time point, and a processing means for executing the woven processing at the specified time point. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system including a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction peripheral, a PC, a server, a printing apparatus, and the like, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus having a function of a scanner, a copy, a facsimile, a printer, a control method, a program, and a recording medium. .

  In recent years, there has been known an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a multi-function peripheral) in which functions of respective apparatuses such as a printer, a copy, and a facsimile are housed in one casing. As shown in FIG. 1, this multi-function apparatus is configured to include a software group 2, a multi-function apparatus starting unit 3, and hardware resources 4 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The multi-function apparatus 1 can process the processing commonly required for each application by the platform 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 1 is commonly used by a copy application 22, a printer application 21, and a FAX application 23 that generate image information, an engine that forms an image based on the image information, and an application. In addition, it has a platform 6 for interfacing the application and the image forming means with respect to image information.

  The platform 6 allows the application to print only by notifying the operation mode. Further, the notification of the operation mode does not differ depending on the application, but follows a unified rule. Further, when the engine 90 changes, the common platform 6 absorbs the change. In addition, the engine 6 also adjusts the application request so that the waiting state does not occur.

In such a compound machine 1, history information such as operation information and past processing information, in other words, log information is left in each module, that is, each application. This log information is used, for example, for debugging during development, that is, verification / evaluation.
Patent No. 3721151

  In the image forming apparatus described above, each module performs processing other than the original processing in each module. For example, each module is configured to leave history information independently. The history information remaining in each module is used during development or for a predetermined use such as billing.

  In this case, when a change occurs in a process other than the original process in each module, it is necessary to perform the change process individually for each module. For example, when an item to be collected later as history information is to be added, it is necessary to add the item individually to all modules to which the item is to be added.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a new module can be configured by separating processes other than the original process of the module from the modules constituting the image forming apparatus, and the separated process can be executed in the corresponding module. And a control method, a program, and a recording medium.

In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides:
An image forming apparatus having hardware resources and software for executing image forming processing on the hardware resources,
The software is decomposed into a plurality of components having a hierarchical structure according to functions, a plurality of processes are executed by the components, and processes executed by at least some components are separated from corresponding components,
Weaving means for weaving the processing executed by the at least some components at a specified time of the processing executed by the corresponding component;
One of the features is that the processing unit includes the processing unit that executes the woven process at the designated time.

  By configuring in this way, another component can be configured by the process separated from the component, and the separated process can be woven into the process executed by the corresponding component. Further, even when a process that has been separated later is changed, it is possible to change the process without affecting the original process by incorporating the changed process into the corresponding component. For example, it is possible to separate processing required across the system from each component to configure another component, and to incorporate the separated processing into each component.

The control method of the present invention includes:
A control method in an image forming apparatus having hardware resources and software for executing image forming processing on the hardware resources,
The software is decomposed into a plurality of components having a hierarchical structure according to functions, a plurality of processes are executed by the components, and processes executed by at least some components are separated from corresponding components,
Weaving processing performed by the at least some components at a specified point in time of processing performed by the corresponding component;
One of the features is the step of executing the woven process at the designated time.

  By doing so, another component can be configured by the process separated from the component, and the separated process can be woven into the process executed by the corresponding component. Further, even when a process that has been separated later is changed, it is possible to change the process without affecting the original process by incorporating the changed process into the corresponding component. For example, a process required across the system can be separated from each component to configure another component, and the separated process can be woven into the component.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to execute the control method described above.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the above-described program.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to separate a process other than the original process of the module from the module constituting the image forming apparatus to form a new module, and to execute the separated process in the corresponding module. An image forming apparatus, a control method, a program, and a recording medium can be realized.

Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments with reference to the drawings.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for those having the same function, and repeated explanation is omitted.

  A configuration example of a system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a system to which the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied.

In the system, a digital multifunction peripheral 100 as an image forming apparatus, a plurality of personal computers 200 (200 ₁ , 200 ₂ ,..., 200 _n ) (n is an integer) and a server apparatus 300 are connected to a communication network (network). ) 50 is connected. Further, the digital MFP 100, the personal computer 200 ₀ are connected directly such as a serial cable.

The server device 300 provides e-mail collection and distribution services to the personal computers 200 ₁ to 200 _n connected to the communication network 50, for example, a LAN.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 100 scans image information by using various copy functions, reading a document image, and transmitting image data obtained by reading the image data by e-mail, a so-called scan-to-email function, or a facsimile transmission procedure. It has a facsimile function to perform.

  Next, software installed in the digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a component diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of software incorporated in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The software of the digital multi-function peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment is decomposed into a plurality of components having a hierarchical structure according to functions. Here, the component is software that is a unit of compilation, linking, and execution. Therefore, the source file and the execution module are also components. The software includes a user interface (IF) layer 102, a control layer 104, an application logic layer 106, a device service layer 108 and a device layer 110, a user interface layer 102, a control layer 104, an application logic layer 106, and a device service layer 108. And the cross-cut layer 112 that separates processing executed by at least a part of the device layer 110 and executes the separated processing. From the viewpoint of reducing the effort for changing the process, the crosscut layer 112 is a process required across the user interface layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110. Preferably, it is comprised by the component which performs.

  In the present embodiment, the cross cut layer 112 is configured by components that execute processing necessary across the user interface layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110. The case where it will be described.

The user interface layer 102 includes components of a communication server I / F 114 and a local UI (User Interface) 116. The control layer 104 includes parameters 118 and activity 120 components. The application logic layer 106 includes components of an input processing unit 122, a processing processing unit 124, an output processing unit 126, and an information management unit 128. The device service layer 108 includes components of the data management unit 130. The device layer 110 includes each component of the device control units 132 _{1 to} 132 _m (m is an integer of m> 0). The cross cut layer 112 performs processing executed by at least some of the components as the processing means described above. For example, each component as a weaving unit of the history unit 134, the access control unit 136, and the accounting unit 138 is provided. From the viewpoint of reducing labor for changing the process, the cross-cut layer 112 is a process that is necessary across the components as the processing means described above, in other words, a process that is commonly executed by at least two components. It is preferable to be constituted by components as weaving means for executing the above.

  The user interface layer 102 receives an instruction input from outside the device, interprets the content of the instruction, and inputs information indicating the instruction content to the control layer 104. Specifically, the local UI 116 receives an instruction by a user operation through an operation unit attached to the device, for example, an operation panel, and inputs information indicating the content of the instruction to the control layer 104.

  The communication server I / F 114 receives instructions via the network, for example, instructions from the personal computer 200 and the server 300, and inputs information indicating the contents of the instructions to the control layer 104. For example, the communication server I / F 114 receives an instruction input by a user using a personal computer 200 and accessing from a browser via the network 50.

  In the control layer 104, information indicating the instruction content input from the user interface layer 102 is stored in the parameter unit 118. Further, the activity unit 210 selects a component necessary for executing the instruction from the components of the application logic layer 106 based on the information indicating the instruction content input from the user interface layer 102, and selects the selected component. Request execution.

  The application logic layer 106 executes the selected component in accordance with the component execution request input from the control layer 104.

  The application logic layer 106 includes a component group that implements a function for executing a user instruction. The user's request is realized by using a plurality of these components. In the present embodiment, as an example, the case where the application logic layer 106 is configured by the input processing unit 122, the processing processing unit 124, the output processing unit 126, and the information management unit 128 will be described. You may make it add.

  The input processing unit 122 performs input processing of document data (input document). For example, input processing of a paper document, an electronic document, and a facsimile reception document is performed. The processing unit 124 obtains an image to be processed and generates document data (user document) including the images to be processed. Also, document data (output document) is generated by shaping the generated document data according to the output destination. For example, the input document data is divided into a predetermined size that can be configured as a page, and an image to be processed is obtained. The output processing unit 126 performs output such as printing, storing, or facsimile transmission on the document data shaped according to the output destination.

  In order to perform processing in common regardless of the input source or output destination, a format is prepared in advance and managed by applying the input document to this format, regardless of the input source or output destination. Can be managed easily, and processing can be easily performed. The information management unit 128 manages the input document based on a format prepared in advance.

  The device service layer 108 hides the device from the layer (layer) above the application logic layer 106, and forms an image according to the output from the application logic layer 106. The formed image is managed by the data management unit 130.

  The device layer 110 is a group of hardware control components necessary for actual processing. The device layer 110 controls connected devices such as a network, a telephone line, and a scanner in accordance with devices included in the device layer 110.

  The cross cut layer 112 is executed by at least some of the components of all the layers, that is, the user I / F layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110. In other words, a component for performing processing other than processing originally performed in each layer is provided. From the viewpoint of reducing the effort for changing the process, the cross-cut layer 112 is a component that executes a process that is necessary across the above-described layers, in other words, a process that is commonly executed by at least two layers. It is preferable to provide.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the case where the crosscut layer 112 includes a history unit 134 that performs history processing, an access control unit 136 that performs access control processing, and a charging unit 138 that performs accounting processing will be described. You may make it provide.

  In the digital multi-function peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment, processing required across the components of the user I / F layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110 is a module (component ) And a new module unit, crosscut, is introduced. For example, it can be realized by applying aspect-oriented programming. Aspect-oriented programming introduces a new modular “aspect” that modularizes processing across classes as multiple layers.

  In object-oriented programming, software is divided and modeled in units called objects. However, the process of traversing multiple objects cannot be encapsulated in a single object, but is encapsulated in each object. On the other hand, in aspect-oriented programming, a new module unit called aspect is introduced in order to separate and describe such processing across multiple objects.

  In this embodiment, each component constituting the user I / F layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110, and processing other than processing originally performed by each component, for example, history The process, the access control process, and the billing process are separated and configured as new components, that is, components constituting the crosscut layer 112, that is, a history unit 134, an access control unit 136, and a billing unit 138. The history unit 134 has information necessary for leaving a history such as a history format, and the access control unit 136 has information necessary for performing access control such as information indicating permission / denial for each user. The unit 138 has information necessary for charging such as charging information for each user.

  As described above, since the crosscut layer 112 is responsible for processing executed by at least some of the components constituting each layer, the processing result can be used for various purposes. Even when the process is changed, it is easy to perform the process only on the crosscut layer 112. Specifically, since the history unit 134 is responsible for the history processing of each component, the history of all components can be used for various purposes. Further, it is easy to make changes such as adding new items later as history information, and the software structure can be made less affected by the entire system. Further, the access control unit 136 can perform access control of all components by taking charge of the access control processing of each component. In addition, it is easy to add or change a user who performs access control later. Further, the charging unit 138 can perform charging processing for all components by taking charge processing for each component. It is also easy to add or change users who will be charged later.

  Next, a hardware configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the digital multifunction peripheral 100 includes a controller board 160, an operation panel 153, an FCU 168, a scanner engine 151, and a plotter engine 152. The FCU 168 includes a G3 standard compatible unit 169 and a G4 standard compatible unit 170.

  The controller board 160 includes a CPU 161, an ASIC 166, an HDD 165, a local memory (MEM-C) 164, a system memory (MEM-P) 163, a north bridge (NB) 162, and a south bridge (SB) 173. A NIC 174 (Network Interface Card), a USB device 175, an IEEE 1394 device 176, and a Centronics device 177.

  The operation panel 153 is connected to the ASIC 166 of the controller board 160. The SB 173, the NIC 174, the USB device 175, the IEEE 1394 device 176, and the Centronics device 177 are connected to the NB 162 via a PCI bus.

  The FCU 168, the scanner engine 151, and the plotter engine 152 are connected to the ASIC 166 of the controller board 160 via a PCI bus.

  The controller board 160 is connected to the ASIC 166 with the local memory 164, the HDD 165, and the like, and the CPU 161 and the ASIC 166 are connected via the NB 162 of the CPU chip set. In this way, if the CPU 161 and the ASIC 166 are connected via the NB 162, it is possible to cope with a case where the interface of the CPU 161 is not disclosed.

  The ASIC 166 and the NB 162 are not connected via a PCI bus, but are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) 167. In this way, in order to control the execution of one or more processes forming the application logic layer 106 and the control layer 104 in FIG. 4, the ASIC 166 and the NB 162 are connected via the AGP 167 instead of the low-speed PCI bus, resulting in performance degradation. Is preventing.

  The CPU 161 performs overall control of the digital multifunction peripheral 100. The CPU 161 starts and executes the parameter 118 and the activity 120 as processes on the OS, and starts the input processing unit 122, the processing processing unit 124, the output processing unit 126, and the information management unit 128 that constitute the application logic layer 106. And let it run.

  The NB 162 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 161, the system memory 163, the SB 173, and the ASIC 166. The system memory 163 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like of the digital multifunction peripheral 100. The local memory 164 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The SB 173 is a bridge for connecting the NB 162 to the PCI bus and peripheral devices.

  The ASIC 166 is an IC for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing. The HDD 165 is a recording device for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, and the like.

  A program for causing the controller board 160 to function as an image forming apparatus is provided in a state of being recorded on a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, or a memory card. The program may be downloaded via the communication network 50. When this recording medium is inserted into an auxiliary storage device of a computer, a program recorded on the recording medium is read. Then, the CPU 161 writes the read program into the RAM or HDD 165 and executes processing according to this program.

  In this case, the program causes the computer to execute processing executed by the components constituting each layer in FIG. For example, a step of weaving processing executed by at least some components at a specified time of processing executed by a corresponding component and a step of executing the weaved processing at a specified time are executed. .

  The operation panel 153 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the user and performs display for the user.

  Next, the operation of the digital multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, processing of the history unit 134 will be described as an example of processing in the components of the cross cut layer 112.

  The cross cut layer 112 includes information indicating a procedure of processing separated from at least a part of components, and information indicating a time when the processing is executed in a corresponding component, that is, a component that executes the processing. For example, the information indicating the time point at which the process is executed is information immediately before, immediately after, and before and after a certain process with respect to a plurality of processes executed by the corresponding component. Further, information indicating a plurality of time points at which the process is executed may be designated.

  Specifically, the history unit 134 includes a history format including items to be stored, a history processing procedure indicating a procedure for collecting each item included in the history format, and a location where the history processing is performed in each component. That is, information indicating the time point is held. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the history format includes a time stamp indicating the time when history information is acquired, a user name indicating a user who has performed (instructed), and a name of an executed process. Composed.

  In addition, the cross-cut layer 112 weaves a process separated from at least some components into a corresponding component, that is, a component that executes the process. For example, the cross cut layer 112 incorporates a process separated from at least a part of the component into a process executed by the corresponding component based on information indicating a time point when the process is executed. “Weaving” here refers to combining a process separated from at least a part of a component with a process executed by a corresponding component based on information indicating a time point when the process is executed.

  Specifically, the history unit 134 incorporates history processing into each component before execution including an operation for which a history is desired to be kept. For example, the history block 134 incorporates history processing for each component, as shown in FIG. Here, weaving means that history processing is combined with processing executed by each component before execution including an operation for which a history is desired to be retained. For example, by applying AspectJ, history processing can be combined with a program that constitutes each component described in an object-oriented manner by a processing system called aspect weaver. This weaving is done at compile time.

  AspectJ is an aspect-oriented language that is a language extension of Java (registered trademark), and a class can be extended by incorporating a new process into the class by defining the aspect. In this case, each component is unaware of what kind of history is left, and saves the history woven before execution during execution.

  Next, a history processing flow woven into each component will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a flow of history processing for collecting items included in the history format described with reference to FIG. 6 will be described.

  A time stamp is acquired (step S802), a user name is acquired (step S804), a process name is determined (step S806), and a history is saved (step S808).

  Next, a general processing flow of each component will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a case where three processes are performed in the component will be described.

  Processing A is performed (step S902), processing B is performed (step S904), and processing C is performed (step S906).

  As described above, the history unit 134 holds a history processing procedure and information indicating a place where the history processing is incorporated.

  As an example, a case where the history processing described with reference to FIG. 8 is interwoven after processing A (step S902) of each component described with reference to FIG. 9 will be described with reference to FIG. For example, the history process is woven after the process A due to the compilation. As a result, the history process is executed after the process A (step S902), and then the process B (step S904) and the process C (step S906) are executed.

  This will be specifically described.

  Here, as an example, a case will be described in which a process for leaving a history is incorporated in connection with the process of the output processing unit 126 of the component constituting the application logic layer 106. The same applies to the case of being woven into other components.

  An example of processing of the output processing unit 126 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image is read (step S1102), the image is printed (step S1104), the printed sheet is discharged (step S1106), and stapled (step S1108).

  A case where the history unit 134 has information after the stapling (step S1108) as information indicating a place where history processing is incorporated will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the history processing is incorporated after the stapling (step S1108) by performing the compilation. In this case, the output processing unit 126 performs processing for reading an image (step S1102), prints the read image (step S1104), discharges the printed paper (step S1106), and performs stapling (step S1108). ). Thereafter, the time stamp is acquired (step S802), the user name is acquired (step S804), the process name is determined (step S806), and the history is saved (step S808).

  As a result of the above processing, the history information shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the output processing unit 126 corresponding to the history format described with reference to FIG.

  In the history information shown in FIG. 13, as a time stamp, February 25, 2006, 12:05, Matsuda as a user name and staple as a process name are recorded.

  Next, a case where items to be collected in the history process are changed will be described. In this embodiment, as an example, a case where an item to be collected is added will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where an item is deleted.

  As described above, the cross cut layer 112 includes information indicating the procedure of processing separated from at least a part of the components, and information indicating the time when the processing is executed in the corresponding component, that is, the component that executes the processing. Have When the process is changed, the change process is performed on the crosscut layer 112. In order to reflect the changed process, the process separated from at least a part of the component is woven into the corresponding component by compiling.

  For example, “access source” is added as an item to the history format described with reference to FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, in the history format, “access source” is added in addition to the time stamp, the user name, and the process name. Here, “access source” is information indicating where the user has issued an instruction.

  The history processing procedure is changed based on the changed history format. The changed history processing procedure is incorporated into each component by, for example, compiling.

  For example, a case where the changed history process is woven after the stapling (step S1108) in the output processing unit 126 will be described.

  In this case, the same processing as that described with reference to FIG. 12 is performed. However, access source information is collected in the history processing. As a result of the above processing, the history information shown in FIG. The history information shown in FIG. 15 records, as a time stamp, 12:05 on February 25, 2006, Matsuda as a user name, an operation panel as an access source, and staple execution as a process name. Here, the fact that the access source is the operation panel indicates that an instruction to execute stapling has been issued from the operation panel of the local UI 116.

  As described above, even when an item to be saved is newly added, information on the history format including the added item is held in the history unit 134. For this reason, there is no influence on the processing originally possessed by each component. That is, even when the item to be saved is changed, only the history unit 134 needs to be changed. The history process including the changed item is incorporated into each component by, for example, compiling.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the history format is common to each component has been described. The format of the history can be defined differently for each component, or can be unified for all components.

  Since it is the history section 134 that has information on the history format, no matter which format is selected, the processing originally possessed by each component is not affected.

  When the history format is unified for all components, all functions related to the digital multifunction peripheral 100 can be handled as the same history data. This is because the historical data unified in layers having completely different functions such as the user I / F layer 102, the control layer 104, the application logic layer 106, the device service layer 108, and the device layer 110 is left, so that the unit is the same. Can handle. In this way, the person who wants to use the recorded history data can uniformly handle the history data of all components.

  As an example of utilizing history data that can be handled uniformly, it is conceivable to apply the billing to the use of the digital multifunction peripheral 100. In this case, for example, the charge target is the history data extracted according to the search condition.

  Specifically, it is conceivable that the search condition is a specific user name and the processing performed is charged based on the history searched with the user name.

  In this case, since any user, such as a user from a network client or a user who uses a machine locally, can be treated as history data in the same manner, it is possible to search as data uniformly. Since a detailed usage history for each user can be searched, the charge can be switched for each user.

  For example, if user A wants to use all operations for a fee, but user B wants to use the staples for free, a fee table may be prepared for each user as shown in FIG. The total amount of each user can be obtained by comparing the prepared fee table with the usage history for each user extracted from the history data.

  The history unit 134 can also have information on where to store the history that each component leaves. A storage destination such as a storage medium such as an SD card (registered trademark) can be selected inside the digital multifunction peripheral 100 such as the built-in HDD 165, outside the digital multifunction peripheral 100 such as a storage server.

  By using the storage server, history data can be reliably stored even when a failure or the like occurs in the internal HDD. When the data is stored outside the digital multi-function peripheral 100 or in a recording medium such as an SD card, history data can be created in such a way that the data can be brought into another system and used. For example, by selecting a general-purpose data format such as CSV (Comma Separated Values), history data can be brought into a processing environment different from the present system such as a personal computer to process the data.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, the processing necessary across the system is separated from each component, and the block of the crosscut is responsible for the processing necessary across the system, so that it is necessary later on. It is easy to change or add processing, and it is possible to obtain a software configuration with little influence on the entire system.

  In addition, the process of leaving a history is separated from each component so that the history block has information necessary for leaving a history, such as a history format, and the history block is responsible for the history process of each component. By doing so, the history of all components can be used for various purposes, and it is easy to change or add the history later, and obtain a software configuration that has less impact on the entire system. be able to.

  Further, since each component has no knowledge of the format information by having the history format information, even if a history to be left in each component is added, it is not necessary to change each component.

  In addition, since the format can be changed, even if the format is changed, each component does not know the format information, and therefore, there is no need to change each component.

  In addition, by determining the format for each component, it is possible to make the history to be kept different for each component.

  In addition, since the history data becomes uniform by unifying the format for all components, all functions related to the digital multi-function peripheral can be handled as similar history data.

  In addition, since the detailed usage history can be extracted from the history data by searching and charging the history as data, it is possible to flexibly charge all functions.

  In addition, each user has a charge table and can be switched so that different users can be charged at different charges.

  In addition, since the history determines the storage location of the format, each component does not know the storage location, so that even if the storage destination is changed, each component is not affected by the change.

  Further, data can be stored because the storage location is inside the digital multi-function peripheral such as the built-in HDD.

  In addition, since the storage location is outside the digital multi-function peripheral such as a storage server, data can be stored without being lost even if a failure of the internal HDD occurs.

  In addition, when the storage location is a portable recording medium such as an SD card, data can be brought into a processing system different from the present system.

  In addition, by storing data that can be processed in another place, history data can be easily used in another processing system.

  Further, by making the format of data to be saved into a general-purpose format such as CSV, the history data can be easily used in a general-purpose processing system such as a PC.

  The image forming apparatus, the control method, the program, and the recording medium according to the present invention can be applied to a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, and a multifunction machine having these functions.

It is a block diagram which shows a compound machine. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relationship between a platform, an application, and an engine. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a system to which an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a partial block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a log | history format. It is explanatory drawing which shows the weaving of the process in the image forming apparatus concerning one Example of this invention. It is a flow figure showing history processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process in each component. It is a flowchart which shows the process in each component in which the history process was woven. It is a flowchart which shows an output process. It is a flowchart which shows the output process in which the history process was woven. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the log | history left. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a log | history format. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the log | history left. It is explanatory drawing which shows the charge table for every user.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fusion machine 2 Software group 3 Fusion machine starting part 4 Hardware resource 5 Application layer 6 Platform 9 Control service layer 10 Handler layer 11 Black-and-white laser printer (B & W LP)
12 Color laser printer (Color LP)
13 Hardware Resource 21 Printer Application 22 Copy Application 23 Fax Application 24 Scanner Application 31 Network Control Service (NCS)
32 Delivery Control Service (DCS)
33 Operation Panel Control Service (OCS)
34 Fax Control Service (FCS)
35 Engine Control Service (ECS)
36 Memory Control Service (MCS)
37 User Information Control Service (UCS)
38 System Control Service (SCS)
39 System Resource Manager (SRM)
40 Fax Control Unit Handler (FCUH)
41 Image memory handler (IMH)
50 Network 54 Engine I / F
90 Engine 100 Digital MFP 102 User Interface (I / F) Layer 104 Control Layer 106 Application Logic Layer 108 Device Service Layer 110 Device Layer 112 Crosscut Layer 114 Communication Server Interface (I / F)
116 Local User Interface (UI)
118 Parameter Unit 120 Activity Unit 122 Input Processing Unit 124 Processing Processing Unit 126 Output Processing Unit 128 Information Management Unit 130 Data Management Unit 132 132 ₁ 132 ₂ 132 ₃ 132 _m Device Control Unit 134 History Unit 136 Access Control Unit 138 Charging Unit 151 Scan Engine 152 Plotter engine 153 Operation panel 160 Controller board 161 CPU
162 North Bridge (NB)
163 System memory (MEM-P)
164 Local memory (MEM-C)
165 Hard disk device (HDD)
166 ASIC
167 AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)
168 Fax Control Unit (FCU)
169 G3
170 G4
173 South Bridge (SB)
174 NIC
175 USB device 176 IEEE 1394 device 177 Centronics 200 200 ₀ 200 ₁ 200 _n Personal computer 300 Server

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus having hardware resources and software for executing image forming processing on the hardware resources,
The software is decomposed into a plurality of components having a hierarchical structure according to functions, a plurality of processes are executed by the components, and processes executed by at least some components are separated from corresponding components,
Weaving means for weaving the processing executed by the at least some components at a specified time of the processing executed by the corresponding component;
An image forming apparatus comprising: processing means for executing the woven process at the designated time. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the process executed by the at least some components is a process of obtaining a history regarding the process executed by the corresponding component. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The process executed by the at least some components is a process of acquiring a history using information of a history format including items to be acquired. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The process executed by at least some of the components is a process of acquiring a history using information on a history format for each component. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
An image forming apparatus comprising charging means for charging based on the acquired history. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
Each user has a price list showing the correspondence between processing and charges,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the charging unit charges each user based on the fee table. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The processing unit records the acquired history in at least one of a storage unit built in the own device, a storage server external to the own device, and a recording medium detachable from the own device. apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the processing unit stores the acquired history in a data format that can be processed in another place. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the data format is CSV. A control method in an image forming apparatus having hardware resources and software for executing image forming processing on the hardware resources,
The software is decomposed into a plurality of components having a hierarchical structure according to functions, a plurality of processes are executed by the components, and processes executed by at least some components are separated from corresponding components,
Weaving processing performed by the at least some components at a specified point in time of processing performed by the corresponding component;
And a step of executing the woven process at the designated time point. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 10. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 11.

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