JP2008109498A - Image forming apparatus and interface api program for image formation control - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a memory area used by a system controller from being oppressed even if a plurality of APL (application programming interface) programs are executed. <P>SOLUTION: In this image forming apparatus, the system controller 9 controls a hardware resources having an image reading part, an image forming part and a display part. The system controller 9 has a storage function 15 for registering an additional service IF table 13 for registering programs to be dynamically linked to an API program, and "program data (ProgramData)" to be executed in common by a library program registered in the additional service IF table 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an interface API (application programming interface) program for controlling image formation, and is suitable for use in, for example, a copying machine, a scanner, or a multi function peripheral (MFP) thereof. The present invention relates to a forming apparatus and an interface API program for image formation control.

  In general, in order to execute a reading job for reading an original image, a printing job for printing the read image data on a sheet, and the like, an image forming apparatus is loaded with a plurality of software that realizes these typical jobs in advance. Yes.

  However, there are many cases where the user using the image forming apparatus wants to realize a unique function in addition to a typical job.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, for example, the basic software is installed at the time of manufacturing the apparatus, while the original function desired by the user is individually installed with the unique API software. For example, as shown in FIG. The API software can be executed from the software by a dynamic link.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, API software (file name: api_data) created externally is appropriately downloaded to the image forming apparatus, and a compact flash memory (registered trademark: CompactFlash) or hard disk (from a system controller built in the apparatus). When the API program (api_data) is registered and stored as a library in the HDD), the API program of the compact flash memory or hard disk is executed using the dynamic link from the system controller to realize individual unique functions. ing.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-80017 (Patent Document 1) is also a digital copying machine that executes API software, accepts XML data including a processing request related to image processing from an external personal computer, and receives it as an API of the control layer. The external API application, which has the function of converting the command to the control layer and passing it to the control layer, is provided at the same layer as the application layer application when viewed from the control layer, and almost changes existing application programs. It is possible to expand the function without any problem.
JP 2005-80017 A

  However, in the conventional configuration described above, when a plurality of API programs created externally are downloaded to the image forming apparatus and executed, if the same library processing exists in the API program, the same API program is used for each API program. Such a processing function must be provided.

  Therefore, if the code capacity occupied by this processing function or the data that realizes it increases, the ratio of the system controller memory or external memory capacity also increases, and the shared memory area that can be used by the system controller is reduced. May cause instability.

  Further, Patent Document 1 described above relates to an API program that accepts an external request and has a similar problem.

  Therefore, as a result of studying the function of the system controller, in particular, the dynamic link function, the present inventor executes any API program if there is information for executing the API program by the dynamic link from the system controller. The present invention has been completed by paying attention to the points that can be achieved.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an image forming apparatus and an image forming control interface that do not increase the proportion of a memory area occupied when executing an API program and can easily execute the program stably. The purpose is to provide an API program.

  In order to solve such a problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a hardware resource having at least one of an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a display unit, and a system controller that controls the hardware resource. The system controller is registered with a program table in which a program designated by a downloaded API program is registered, and program data to be executed by a library program registered in the program table. It is said.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the program table may be an interface API program downloaded to the system controller.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the program data executed by the library program can be commonly executed by the API program.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the program data executed by the library program may be stored in a semiconductor memory.

  An interface API program for image formation control according to the present invention is an interface API program for image formation control registered in a system controller that controls hardware resources having at least one of an image forming unit, an image reading unit, and a display unit. The program specified by the API program registered in the system controller is registered in the library, and the program data specified in the program is controlled to be executed when the program registered in the library is executed. Yes.

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a program in which a program designated by a downloaded API program is registered in a system controller that controls a hardware resource having an image reading unit, an image forming unit, or a display unit. Since the table and the program data executed by the library program registered in the program table are registered, the program data is executed by the dynamic link from the API program through various library API programs, and the program data is If the common program is used, the proportion of the memory area is not increased, and the operation is stable.

  In the present invention, in the configuration in which the program table is an interface API program downloaded to the system controller, since the program table specification published is used, it is easy to develop a library program.

  In the present invention, the configuration in which the program data executed by the library program is commonly executed by the API program does not occupy a large memory area of the system controller, and the operation is stable even when a plurality of API programs are executed. It is.

  In the present invention, the configuration in which the program data executed by the library program is stored in the semiconductor memory is useful without increasing the memory capacity.

  In the interface API program for image formation control according to the present invention, the program specified by the API program registered in the system controller is registered in the library, and the program specified in the program when executing the program registered in the library Since the execution control of the data is performed, the same effect as that of the image forming apparatus can be obtained when mounted on the image forming apparatus.

  Embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

  1, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a hardware resource 7 having an image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 3, and an operation display unit 5, and a system controller 9 for controlling the hardware resource 7. It is configured.

  The image reading unit 1 is a known unit that is controlled by the hardware resource 7 and optically scans an image document to be read to acquire electronic image data, and outputs it to a storage unit (not shown), for example.

  The image forming unit 3 is a known unit that is controlled by the hardware resource 7 and forms the output image data into, for example, page-by-page image data. The formed image data is printed on a printing sheet by a printing unit (not shown). The image is transferred and fixed on the image and printed in color or monochrome, or transmitted by facsimile.

  The operation display unit 5 is a touch switch type operation panel that also serves as a liquid crystal display panel disposed in the apparatus main body (not shown). Under the control of the hardware resource 7, a read job, a print job, and a display job are displayed. In addition to functioning as a display unit, it is an operation unit that inputs instructions for executing read jobs, print jobs, display jobs, changing setting items, and the like.

  The image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 3, and the operation display unit 5 are not essential parts of the present invention. Software for executing a reading job for reading the original image, an image forming job for the read image data, a display job, and the like. Since the wear is not a main part of the present invention, detailed description and illustration are omitted.

  The system controller 9 that controls the hardware resource 7 is operated by basic software and the like, and includes a CPU, a ROM storing the CPU operation software, a readable / writable storage unit, and various interfaces. In particular, the registered programs can be executed by dynamic linking.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the system controller 9 has an API program download processing function 11, an additional service IF (interface) table function 13, and a storage (unit) function 15.

  The API program has published specifications and interfaces. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the [Service IF name] is “Add_api_func”, the [Execution function name] is “Add_api_func_exe”, and a predetermined It has “program data” and is downloaded to the system controller 9 by the basic software described above.

  The download processing function 11 in the system controller 9 processes the downloaded API program, registers [service IF name] in the program table function (shown as “additional service IF table” in the figure) 13 and the registered API. The program data of the program is dynamically linked and stored in the storage function 15, and the function pointer “Add_api_func_exe” is acquired from the [execution function name] and registered in the additional service IF table function 13 in the same manner. It has the function to do.

  The additional service IF table function 13 is a type of interface API program that is downloaded in advance to execute functions not supported by this version in the system controller 9. It has a table function for registering API programs as [service IF name] and [execution function name], for example, “Add_api_func” and “Add_api_func_exe” by the system controller 9.

  Although one API program is registered in FIG. 2, the number of registrations is arbitrary, and a program library of an API program to be executed may be formed.

  The storage function 15 by the storage unit of the system controller 9 is realized by, for example, a flash memory such as a semiconductor memory, and is read and executed when the execution API program registered in the additional service IF table function 13 is executed. ProgramData) ”is stored.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be briefly described.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, an additional service IF table function 13 is downloaded in advance to the system controller 9, and the [service IF name] is “Add_api_func” and “execute” An API program whose function name is “Add_api_func_exe” is registered in the library, and the storage function 15 stores “program data (ProgramData)” used to execute the API program whose [service IF name] is “Add_api_func”. .

  In this case, an API program that needs to execute “Program Data (ProgramData)” related to the API program “Add_api_func_exe” in “Execution Function Name” is described in “Add_api_func”, downloaded to the system controller 9 and executed. The system controller 9 searches the additional service IF table function 13, and the additional service IF table function 13 reads and executes the corresponding “program data (ProgramData)” by the dynamic link, and returns the result to the API program.

  As described above, according to the present invention, if “Add_api_func_exe” of [execution function name] of “program data (ProgramData)” to be executed in common is registered in the additional service IF table function 13 as a library, it can be executed.

  That is, the additional service IF table function 13 of the system controller 9 functions as an interface (IF) program for API programs for executing various jobs, and [service IF name] “Add_api_func” and [ If an API program in which "execution function name" "Add_api_func_exe" is described is executed, the library-like processing functions used in a plurality of API programs are shared or unified by "program data (ProgramData)".

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the hardware resource 7 including the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 3, and the operation display unit 5, and the system controller 9 that controls the hardware resource 7. The system controller 9 includes a program table function (additional service IF table) 13 in which a program designated by the downloaded API program is registered, and a library program registered in the program table function (additional service IF table) 13. It has a storage function 15 in which “program data” to be executed in common is registered.

  Therefore, various API programs from the API program can be executed by the dynamic link of the system controller 9, and if “program data (ProgramData)” executed by the dynamic link is a common program of the API program, the memory required for executing the API program The area ratio does not increase, and the operation is stable even when a plurality of API programs are executed.

  In addition, since the API program discloses the program specifications, the program table function (additional service IF table) 13 can be easily developed.

  Further, since the storage unit 15 is a semiconductor memory, and the semiconductor memory generally has a smaller storage capacity than the hard disk, it is difficult to press the common memory used by the system controller 9, and in particular, the use of an inexpensive semiconductor memory that is stable in operation and inexpensive. Is possible.

  By the way, the hardware resource 7 in the present invention may be at least one of the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 3, and the operation display unit 5, and does not need to include all of them.

  The interface API program for image formation control according to the present invention is registered in the system controller 9 in the hardware resource 7 having the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 3, or the operation display unit 5, and registered in the system controller 9. A program that is dynamically linked from an API program to be executed and registered and executed is registered in the library, and program data specified by the program is executed and controlled when the program registered in the library is executed. When installed, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the image forming apparatus described above, and an API program is particularly preferable.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows embodiment of the system controller of FIG. FIG. 5 is a reference diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure explaining the example of execution of the API program by a dynamic link.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading part 3 Image formation part 5 Operation display part (display part)
7 Hardware resources 9 System controller 11 Download processing function 13 Program table (additional service IF table function)
15 Memory function

Claims (5)

Hardware resources having at least one of an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a display unit;
A system controller that controls this hardware resource;
Comprising
An image characterized in that a program table in which a program designated by a downloaded API program is registered and program data to be executed by a library program registered in the program table are registered in the system controller. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program table is an interface API program downloaded to the system controller. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program data executed by the library program is commonly executed by the API program. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program data executed by the library program is stored in a semiconductor memory. An interface API program for image formation control registered in a system controller that controls hardware resources having at least one of an image reading unit, an image forming unit, and a display unit,
An image forming control characterized in that a program specified by an API program registered in the system controller is registered in a library, and execution of program data specified in the program is executed when the program registered in the library is executed. Interface API program.

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