JP2009069976A - Application change management system and document processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve efficiency in application system development, by defining appropriate architecture. <P>SOLUTION: An application change management system managing change of an application corresponding to a plurality of functions, is provided with: a presentation layer 100 for performing user interface processing; a business layer 110 for recognizing a logic of the application; a data layer 120 for handling input/output to/from a data source; security 140 shared by the layers; operation management 150 for providing a mechanism shared at least by the entire application; and a communication mechanism 160 for performing processing related to communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an application change management system and a document processing apparatus in a document processing apparatus having a complex function such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, so-called multi-function machines having a copier function, a printer function, a facsimile function, and the like in a single apparatus are becoming widespread. Modern multifunction peripherals realize these functions with application programs. That is, as a result of digitization of the copying machine, the copying machine is combined so that a plurality of different functions such as a printer function and a facsimile function can be realized by one apparatus in addition to the copying function. For example, the method of writing image data on a photosensitive drum with laser light is the same mechanism as the writing method of a laser printer. Therefore, if both controllers are installed, the functions of the copier and the printer can be integrated, that is, combined. Also, by combining the functions of facsimile and scanner in the same way, these functions can be combined. In recent years, copying machines are not only combined but also networked. For example, digitalization has allowed multifunction devices to connect to office networks, and they have worked with personal computers (PCs) and servers. Furthermore, the multifunction peripheral itself has a memory and a hard disk drive (HDD), and has almost the same function as a personal computer. As described above, the copier has evolved into a network multifunction peripheral, thereby becoming a center machine in the office and capable of meeting various needs of users.

  Conventionally, the above-described operation control of a multifunction peripheral is performed by a computer mounted on the multifunction peripheral. In such a recent multi-function peripheral, a plurality of applications have enormous functions, and software is becoming larger and more complicated. In addition, it supports not only stand-alone but also a distributed environment, and provides new value in cooperation with WEB (World Wide Web) and other devices.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system that stores one or a plurality of application programs in a storage device and provides a service for printing a document on a mobile computing device on a network such as the Internet has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, a technique for managing the location and function of a download module distributed on a network is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-62889 A JP 2004-355504 A

  When developing an application system in the environment as described above, it is essential to define an appropriate architecture at an early stage of development. However, designing an architecture for an application in a distributed environment can be a daunting task. In other words, architects such as security, transactions, user interfaces, distributed objects, components, data, message rings, naming services, and directories require various knowledge and skills.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to realize an efficient application system development by determining an appropriate architecture.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an application change management system for managing change of an application corresponding to a plurality of functions, including a presentation layer for performing user interface processing, , Providing a business logic layer that understands the logic of the application, a data layer in charge of input / output to / from the data source, a security mechanism that is shared by each layer, and a mechanism that is shared by at least the entire application An operation management mechanism for performing communication, and a communication mechanism for performing processing related to communication.

  According to the present invention, an application change management system that performs application change management corresponding to a plurality of functions includes an architecture including a presentation layer, a business logic layer, a security mechanism, an operation management mechanism, and a communication mechanism. This makes it possible to define an appropriate architecture.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising an image device layer in charge of controlling hardware for performing image processing and converting image information.

  According to the present invention, in claim 1, the hardware associated with the document processing apparatus can be used.

  The invention according to claim 3 is a document processing apparatus that performs document processing corresponding to a plurality of functions by a plurality of applications including at least a document processing application, a presentation layer that performs user interface processing, and logic of the application A business logic layer that understands the data, a data layer that is responsible for input and output to the data source, a security mechanism that is shared by each layer, and an operation management mechanism that provides a mechanism that is shared by at least the entire application. And a communication mechanism that performs processing related to communication.

  According to the present invention, in a document processing apparatus that performs document processing corresponding to a plurality of functions by a plurality of applications including at least a document processing application, a presentation layer, a business logic layer, a security mechanism, an operation management mechanism, a communication By providing an architecture based on a mechanism, an appropriate architecture can be determined.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, further comprising an image device layer in charge of control of hardware for performing image processing and conversion of image information.

  According to the present invention, the hardware associated with the document processing apparatus can be used.

  An application change management system according to the present invention (Claim 1) is an application change management system that performs application change management corresponding to a plurality of functions. In the application change management system, a presentation layer, a business logic layer, a security mechanism, an operation management mechanism, By providing an architecture based on a communication mechanism, it is possible to determine an appropriate architecture, and thus it is possible to improve the efficiency of application system development.

  In addition, the application change management system according to the present invention (Claim 2) has the effect that the hardware associated with the document processing apparatus can be used according to Claim 1.

  A document processing apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 3) includes a presentation layer, a business logic layer, a document processing apparatus that performs document processing corresponding to a plurality of functions by a plurality of applications including at least a document processing application, Providing an architecture with a security mechanism, an operation management mechanism, and a communication mechanism makes it possible to determine an appropriate architecture, thereby achieving an effect of improving the efficiency of application system development.

  The document processing apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 4) is advantageous in that, in Claim 3, hardware associated with the document processing apparatus can be used.

  Exemplary embodiments of an application change management system and a document processing apparatus according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment)
In the embodiment of the present invention, each application program in a multifunction peripheral (document processing apparatus) that realizes a copying function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a network communication function, billing, an IC card system, each management system, etc. by one apparatus Describes the appropriate architecture for development and updating

  First, the electrical connection of the document processing apparatus to which the present invention applies will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a document processing apparatus 50 has a built-in CPU 1 that centrally controls each unit as a main body of a microcomputer system. Connected to the CPU 1 via the image bus 2 are a ROM 3 for storing fixed data such as programs in advance, a RAM 4 for storing various data in a rewritable manner, and an NVRAM 5 which is a nonvolatile RAM for storing the data without erasure. Has been. The image bus 2 includes a communication control unit 7 that is connected to the network 6, an operation panel 9 that has an LCD (liquid crystal) touch panel that controls an interface with the user via the panel control unit 8, and an engine control unit 10. The image data and the control program are stored and stored via the scan / print engine 11 and the disk driver 12 that cause the scanner unit and printer unit to execute input / output of image data (reading of paper originals and printing on transfer paper). A storage device 13 which is an HDD (Hard Disk Drive Device) used in the system and a modem 14 capable of data communication with an external device are connected through a public line.

  The software configuration in the document processing apparatus to which the present invention applies applies an application architecture (NET Architecture) called NET Framework proposed by Microsoft as an implementation platform for hierarchical distributed applications. By applying such an architecture, it becomes possible to provide new value in cooperation with WEB (World Wide Web) and other devices.

  FIG. 2 shows a hierarchical diagram of the document processing apparatus architecture according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a presentation layer 100 responsible for a user interface, a business layer 110 responsible for business logic, a data layer 120 responsible for input / output to a data source, a security 140, an operation management 150, and a communication mechanism 160 I have. The detailed role in each layer can be defined as follows.

  The presentation layer 100 is in charge of a system window through the operation panel 9, a browser, a WEB service, and the like. The business layer 110 is used to grasp the requirements for the system and to realize these requirements. In addition, feedback information from the business layer 110 is presented to the requester. That is, the presentation layer 100 is responsible for the user interface.

  The business layer 110 is in charge of business logic (upper functions) of document processing. Know the logic of the document manipulation application. It presents a workflow to the system user and takes charge of a series of processes necessary for document operations such as operation reception, authentication, document input / output processing, and accounting. For document operations, scheduling is performed to logically change the processing order. Understand the contents of data handled by the document manipulation application and take charge of them in a batch. Data handled by the document operation application includes information such as an account, a stored document, an address book, a device configuration / capability, setting information, and image data. The storage location (local / remote) is known, and data input / output to / from the actual physical device is delegated to the data layer 120. That is, the business layer 110 is in charge of business logic.

  The data layer 120 is responsible for input / output to / from local / remote storage areas. Provides services for accessing local / remote data storage areas. The data layer 120 grasps the status of the device, and schedules processing requests according to the capability of the device. That is, the data layer 120 is in charge of input / output to / from the data source.

  The security 140 is responsible for authentication, access control, encryption, and security log control. Provide a mechanism for applying common security to users, services, data resources, device resources, etc. Also, the security 140 leaves security history information. That is, security 140 is responsible for security principles, authentication, authorization, secure communication profiles, and auditing.

  The operation management 150 is responsible for control of plug-ins, date / time management, memory management, timers, debugging, history, power, and reports. Provide a mechanism to easily add, change, and delete functions. Further, the operation management 150 provides a mechanism that is commonly used by the entire application and other policies. That is, the operation management 150 is in charge of exception communication, monitoring, setting, metadata, service location management, and the like.

  The communication mechanism 160 is responsible for controlling the network, facsimile, and WEB services. The communication mechanism 160 transmits and receives data with an external system according to a communication protocol. That is, the communication mechanism 160 is responsible for communication model selection, synchronization, format, schema, and protocol.

  Thus, the presentation layer 100 accepts a request from the user, the presentation layer 100 uses the business layer 110, and the business layer 110 uses the data layer 120. The security 140, operation management 150, and communication mechanism 160 are used from all layers.

  Therefore, by applying the above architecture to a document processing apparatus, a framework for developing an application system is established, and reusability of existing software components is enhanced. In addition, the system can be easily integrated, and communication between developers can be achieved.

  In addition, by providing a NET architecture for distributed applications to a document processing apparatus that is mainly provided with a stand-alone function, it is possible to provide a document processing apparatus with good compatibility in a distributed environment. In addition, reliability can be ensured by adopting a proven architecture.

  By the way, this NET architecture is basically an architecture for a PC application. Therefore, in a document processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied, a hierarchy “device layer 130” unique to an embedded application for controlling devices is further provided. to add. FIG. 3 shows a hierarchical diagram of the document processing apparatus architecture to which the device layer 130 is added. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functional operations when the NET architecture to which the device layer 130 is added is applied to a document processing apparatus.

  The device layer 130 is responsible for controlling devices that handle images, such as scanners and plotters, for reading originals and printing documents. The device layer 130 is responsible for image information conversion (processing, format conversion, etc.). The device status is grasped, and processing requests are scheduled according to the device capabilities. It is used from the business layer 110 when realizing a document operation.

  In this way, the presentation layer 100 receives a request from the user, the presentation layer 100 uses the business layer 110, and the business layer 110 uses the data layer 120 and the device layer 130. The security 140, operation management 150, and communication mechanism 160 are used from all the above layers.

  Therefore, by adding the device layer 130, each hardware such as a scanner and a plotter attached to the document processing apparatus can be used.

  As described above, the application change management system and the document processing apparatus according to the present invention are useful for a multi-function machine that realizes a plurality of functions such as copying, facsimile, and printer by a single apparatus. Suitable for systems that develop and modify application programs.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the document processing apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hierarchy example (1) of the document processing apparatus architecture concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hierarchy example (2) of the document processing apparatus architecture concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

50 Document Processing Device 100 Presentation Layer 110 Business Layer 120 Data Layer 130 Device Layer 140 Security 150 Operation Management 160 Communication Mechanism

Claims (4)

An application change management system that performs application change management corresponding to multiple functions,
A presentation layer for user interface processing;
A business logic layer for grasping the logic of the application;
A data layer responsible for input and output to the data source;
The security mechanisms shared by each of those layers,
An operation management mechanism that provides a mechanism that is shared by at least the entire application,
A communication mechanism for processing related to communication;
An application change management system comprising:   2. The application change management system according to claim 1, further comprising an image device layer in charge of control of hardware for performing image processing and conversion of image information. A document processing apparatus that performs document processing corresponding to a plurality of functions by a plurality of applications including at least a document processing application,
A presentation layer for user interface processing;
A business logic layer for grasping the logic of the application;
A data layer responsible for input and output to the data source;
The security mechanisms shared by each of those layers,
An operation management mechanism that provides a mechanism that is shared by at least the entire application,
A communication mechanism for processing related to communication;
A document processing apparatus comprising:   The document processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an image device layer in charge of controlling hardware for performing image processing and converting image information.

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