JP2009272817A - Image processing system, image processing apparatus, transmitting apparatus, transmission program, and reception program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system which can transmit or receive applications which are predicted for use, beforehand, and to provide an image processing apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, a transmission program, and a reception program. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system is comprised of an image processor to include: a transmitter which is provided with an application to be used in an image processor, a first memory means for correlating the number of times of use of the application with the use time and store them and a transmitting means for transmitting the application stored by the first memory means; and an image processor which is provided with a determination means for determining applications that are predicted for use with a lapse of specified hours, based on the number of times of use that the first memory means stores, by correlating the present time and a time with a lapse of a specified period of time, and a receiving means for receiving the applications which are determined by the determination means. Thus, the applications predicted for use, based on the time is received, in advance, so that there is no need for designating the target application in the image processor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, a transmission apparatus, a transmission program, and a reception program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a system is known in which a user can use the same application in the same operation environment even when the user uses different multifunction devices connected to a network (for example, Patent Document 1).

  This system includes a user identification information management unit that manages information used to authenticate a user who uses a multifunction device, a user environment information management unit that manages a user's usage environment, and a program that manages a program used by the user. An information management unit, a usage environment managed by the user environment information management unit for a user authenticated by the user identification information management unit, and a unit for downloading and executing a program managed by the program information management unit It is characterized by.

JP 2006-202020 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, a transmission apparatus, a transmission program, and a reception program that can transmit or receive an application predicted to be used in advance.

The image processing system according to the present invention transmits an application used in the image processing apparatus, a first storage unit that stores the number of times and a use time of the application in association with each other, and an application stored in the first storage unit. A transmission device comprising:
Based on the number of uses stored in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time by the first storage means, a determination means for determining an application predicted to be used after the predetermined time, and an application determined by the determination means are received And an image processing apparatus including a receiving unit.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means includes any one or more of a predetermined day, a predetermined day of the week, and a predetermined time zone, and any one of a predetermined day, a predetermined day of the week, and a predetermined time zone. The number of times the application has been used is stored in association with the above, and the determining unit stores the first storage unit in association with any one or more of a day, a day of the week, and a time period after a predetermined time from the current time. Based on the number of times, it is possible to adopt a configuration that determines an application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means stores the user of the image processing apparatus, the application used by the user, and the application used next by the user in association with each other, and the image processing apparatus stores the user. Authentication means for authentication is further provided, and the determination means is predicted to be used next based on the user authenticated by the authentication means and the application stored in the first storage means in association with the application currently used by the user. A configuration that determines the application to be used can be adopted.

  In the above configuration, the first storage unit stores the application, the image processing apparatus that executes the application, and the number of times the application is used in the image processing apparatus in association with each other, and the first storage unit stores the image processing apparatus. And calculating means for calculating for each application an index value obtained by weighting the number of times the application is used and the number of times the application is used in the image processing apparatus. The determining means is predicted to be used based on the index calculated by the calculating means. A configuration that determines the application to be used can be adopted.

  In the above-described configuration, the image processing apparatus can employ a configuration in which a process that represents an execution procedure by an application that is currently used by a user is executed in preference to a process that is executed in order to realize a receiving unit.

  In the above configuration, the image processing apparatus deletes, from the second storage unit, the second storage unit that stores the application received by the reception unit and the application that is not predicted to be used based on the index value calculated by the calculation unit. It is possible to employ a configuration further including a deleting unit.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means stores the application and the function that the image processing apparatus needs to realize in order to realize the function of the application, and the determination means is the apparatus configuration of the image processing apparatus. The structure which determines the application which a 1st memory | storage means memorize | stores in association with the function realizable using can be employ | adopted.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means stores the application, the location of the image processing apparatus that transmits the application, the image processing apparatus that transmitted the application, and the transmission time required for transmitting the application in association with each other. The transmission device searches for the location of the image processing apparatus that has transmitted the application stored in the first storage means at a predetermined distance from the image processing device based on the location of the image processing device that transmits the application. Searching means is further provided, wherein the transmitting means transmits the location searched by the first searching means to the image processing apparatus, and the receiving means has a predetermined transmission time stored in the storage means in association with the application determined by the determining means. If the time is exceeded, the location searched by the first search means is received, and the image processing apparatus receives the location received by the reception means. Can be adopted further comprises constituting a notifying means for notifying the standing.

  In the above configuration, the transmission device searches for the application transmitted to the image processing device stored in the first storage device based on the image processing device located at the location searched by the first search device. The determining means prioritizes an application that has not been searched over an application searched by the second searching means, among applications whose difference in index values calculated by the calculating means falls within a predetermined range. Can be adopted.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means stores the application, the natural language displayed in the application, the language information used by the application to display the natural language, and the number of times the natural language is used in the application, The determining unit determines a natural language that is predicted to be displayed on an application that is predicted to be used, based on the index value calculated by the calculating unit and the number of times the natural language is stored in the first storage unit. The receiving means can adopt a configuration for receiving the language information stored in the first storage means used for the application to display the natural language predicted by the prediction means.

  In the above configuration, the first storage means stores the language information and the information amount of the language information in association with each other, the second storage means stores the language information received by the reception means, and the determination means includes the first information A configuration in which a natural language is determined based on the information amount of information that can be additionally stored by the two storage units and the information amount of language information stored by the first storage unit can be employed.

  The transmission apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores an application used in the image processing apparatus, the number of times the application is used, and a use time in association with each other, and the first storage unit stores a predetermined time from the current time. Based on the number of uses stored in association with a later time, a determination unit that determines an application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time, and the determined application is transmitted to an image processing apparatus that uses the application determined by the determination unit. And a transmission means.

  The receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: an application for processing an image; a first storage unit that stores the number of uses and a use time of the application in association with each other; and a time at which the first storage unit is a predetermined time after the current time. And determining means for determining an application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time, and receiving means for receiving the application determined by the determining means.

  The transmission program according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores an application in an image processing apparatus in association with the number of uses and a time of use of the computer, and the first storage unit stores the current time. Determining means for determining an application predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of uses stored in association with a time after a predetermined time, and the determined application to the image processing apparatus using the application determined by the determining means It is characterized by functioning as a transmission means for transmitting.

  The reception program according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores an application that processes an image, the number of times the application is used, and a use time, and the first storage unit stores a predetermined time from the current time. Based on the number of uses stored in association with a later time, a determination unit that determines an application predicted to be used after a predetermined time, and a reception unit that receives the application determined by the determination unit are provided.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, since an application expected to be used based on the time is received in advance, it is not necessary to designate the application used by the user as the image processing apparatus, and the convenience of the image processing apparatus is improved. To do.

  According to the configuration of claim 2, since the application to be used is predicted based on the number of times the application is used on any one or more of a predetermined day, a predetermined day of the week, and a predetermined time period, the prediction accuracy is improved. .

  According to the configuration of claim 3, since the user of the image processing apparatus predicts the next application to be used by the user based on the order in which the application was used in the past, the prediction accuracy is improved.

  According to the configuration of claim 4, in order to predict an application to be used using not only the number of times of use in the image processing apparatus but also the number of times of use in an apparatus other than the image processing apparatus, not only the prediction accuracy is improved, but also the use Since the application is predicted by weighting the number of times, it can be flexibly predicted.

  According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, since the application can be received while preventing the execution load of the application, the convenience of the image processing apparatus is improved.

  According to the configuration of the sixth aspect, the amount of application information stored in the system can be reduced.

  According to the configuration of the seventh aspect, since an application having a function that can be realized based on the device configuration is determined and received, the convenience of the image processing device is improved.

  According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, since the application can be used using the image processing apparatus notified of the location without waiting for the elapse of the transmission time, the convenience of the image processing system is improved.

  According to the configuration of the ninth aspect, since the application that has not been transmitted to the image processing device within the predetermined range is preferentially received, the convenience of the image processing system is improved.

  According to the configuration of the tenth aspect, the language information used for the application to display the predicted language can be received, so that it is not necessary to designate the language used by the user to the image processing apparatus, and the convenience of the image processing apparatus. Will improve.

  According to the configuration of the eleventh aspect, since the language information to be received and stored is determined according to the amount of information that can be stored, the language information can be received efficiently.

  According to the configuration of the twelfth aspect, since an application expected to be used based on time is transmitted to the image processing apparatus in advance, it is not necessary to designate the application used by the user to the image processing apparatus. Convenience is improved.

  According to the configuration of the thirteenth aspect, since an application that is expected to be used based on time is received in advance, there is no need to designate the application used by the user as the image processing apparatus, and the convenience of the image processing apparatus is improved. To do.

  According to the configuration of the fourteenth aspect, since an application that is expected to be used based on the time is transmitted in advance to the image processing apparatus, it is not necessary to designate the application to be used by the user for the image processing apparatus. Convenience is improved.

  According to the configuration of the fifteenth aspect, since an application expected to be used based on the time is received in advance, it is not necessary to designate the application used by the user as the image processing apparatus, and the convenience of the image processing apparatus is improved. To do.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system of the present invention.

  The image processing system 1 includes a transmission device 10 and image processing devices 20 to 40. The transmission device 10 and the image processing devices 20 to 40 are connected to each other via a communication network so that they can communicate with each other. The communication network includes, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), or a public line network.

  The transmission device 10 is configured by a computer, for example, and is connected to the image processing devices 20 to 40. The transmission apparatus 10 stores an application program (hereinafter simply referred to as an application) used by the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 and transmits the application to the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the transmitter 10 is demonstrated based on a function. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission device 10.

  The transmission device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a reception unit 12a, a transmission unit 12b, and a determination unit 13. The storage unit 11 and the determination unit 13 are connected so that information can be exchanged between them. The functions of the storage unit 11 to the determination unit 13 are realized by software control executed by the transmission device 10.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the transmission apparatus 10 used for executing software control will be described. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission apparatus 10.

  The transmission device 10 includes, for example, an arithmetic device 10a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a user interface device 10b composed of a liquid crystal panel and a keyboard, a communication device 10c composed of a network card, and an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only). Read-only memory such as memory (EEPROM) or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or volatile memory such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or SRAM (Static RAM) and non-volatile memory such as NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM) The storage device 10f is composed of a hard disk and the auxiliary storage device 10g is composed of a hard disk or the like. The arithmetic device 10a, the user interface device 10b, the communication device 10c, the storage device 10f, and the auxiliary storage device 10g are connected to each other by a bus 10z.

  Software control is realized by the arithmetic device 10a reading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 10g and performing an operation according to the read program. Note that the calculation executed by the calculation unit 10a includes a calculation represented by a program instructed by the user via the user interface device 10b. The storage device 10f stores calculation result data, and the calculation result stored in the storage device 10f is displayed to the user via the user interface device. Furthermore, the calculation target or the calculation result is communicated with a device connected via the communication device 10c.

  Here, returning to FIG. 2, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 10 will be described.

  The storage unit 11 is composed of, for example, an auxiliary storage device 10g. The storage unit 11 stores applications used by the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40, application usage frequency information, weighting values of the usage frequency information, and various types of information described below.

  The usage frequency information is information indicating the frequency of using the application. The usage frequency information includes, for example, information that associates an application with the use time and the number of uses of the application. The usage frequency information includes information associating the number of times the application is used with the application on a predetermined day, a predetermined day of the week, or a predetermined time period.

  Here, the usage frequency information stored in the storage unit 11 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of usage frequency information stored in the storage unit 11.

  FIG. 4 shows an application name field, a language field, a user name field, a usage count field in the multifunction device A, a usage count field in server management, a usage count field of day of the week & specified time, and a usage count field within a specified time. , Essential function fields, and application fields to be used next.

  The application name field stores a name for identifying an application stored in the storage unit 11. The language field stores the language used by the application whose name is stored on the same line. The user name field stores a name for identifying a user (that is, a user) who uses an application having a name stored in the same line.

  The number-of-uses field in the multi-function device A is an application whose name is saved in the same row by a user who is saved in the same row in the multi-function device A (in this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 20 is described as being) Save the number of times you used. The number-of-use field in the server management indicates that an application having a name stored in the same line is stored by the user having the name stored in the same line in the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 in which the transmission apparatus 10 serving as the server manages the number of times the application is used. Save the number of times used.

  The number of times of use of day of the week & specified time field stores the number of times that a user whose name is stored in the same row uses an application whose name is stored in the same row on a predetermined day of the week and in a predetermined time zone. Similarly, the number of times of use within the specified time field stores the number of times of use within a predetermined time period.

  The essential function field stores essential function information representing a function that the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 must realize in order to realize a function of an application having a name stored in the same line. The application field to be used next stores the name of the application used after the user having the name stored on the same line uses the application having the name stored on the same line and the number of times of use.

  Specifically, referring to the first line, the user “Taro” uses the application “XXX” “10” times on the multi-function device A, and then uses the application “YYY” “5” times. Represents that Note that the usage frequency information includes not only information stored in the number-of-uses field in the multifunction device A but also information representing the number of times of use in the multifunction devices B and C, which are the image processing apparatuses 30 and 40.

  The weighting value of the usage frequency information is a value that relatively represents the degree to which the usage frequency information affects the index value that represents the usage probability of the application. Specifically, the usage count stored in the usage count field within the specified time is “1.6” as an index value representing the usage probability of the application compared to the usage count stored in the usage count field in the multi-function peripheral A. Double effect (ie, “8/5” times).

  The usage frequency represented by the number of times the application is used in a certain multifunction device is referred to as multifunction device usage frequency information. Specifically, the usage frequency information (hereinafter also referred to as MFP A information) of the MFP A of the application “XXX” is information stored in the usage count field of the MFP A in the first row.

  Further, the usage frequency represented by the number of times the user (user) uses the application is referred to as user usage frequency information. Specifically, the usage frequency information of the user “Taro” in the application “XXX” is stored in the usage count field within the specified time from the usage count field in the multi-function device A in the row where “Taro” is stored in the user name field. Information.

  Here, returning to FIG. 2, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 10 will be described.

  The receiving unit 12a is realized, for example, when the communication device 10c executes an actual reception process described later. The receiving unit 12a receives information to be described later.

  The transmission unit 12b is realized, for example, when the communication device 10c executes an actual transmission process described later. The transmission unit 12 b transmits the program stored in the storage unit 11, usage frequency information, and the following various types of information from the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40.

  The determination unit 13 determines whether to transmit a program from the image processing apparatus 20 to 40 by executing a determination process described later. As a specific example, the determination unit 13 includes a serial number for identifying an image processing device transmitted by the image processing devices 20 to 40, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a MAC address (Media Access Control Address), a machine name, and the like. When the associated domain name or the like, or the ID and password for identifying the user, and the information stored in the storage unit 11 in advance match, it is determined that the program is to be transmitted. Otherwise, it is determined that the program is not to be transmitted. .

  Here, with reference to FIG. 5, the transmission process performed by the transmission apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 10.

  First, the transmission apparatus 10 determines whether the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40, which are multifunction peripherals, transmitted a request for transmission of usage frequency information (step S01). Since the request for transmitting the usage frequency information can be said to be a request for the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 to acquire the usage frequency information as a result, it will be simply referred to as a usage frequency information acquisition request hereinafter. Further, this process corresponds to, for example, a process that the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 consider as having transmitted a use frequency information acquisition request when the receiving unit 12a outputs some received signal. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that it is the image processing device 20 that exchanges information with the transmission device 10.

  Next, the transmission apparatus 10 receives a use frequency information acquisition request from the image processing apparatus 20 that is the multifunction peripheral A (step S01a). Thereafter, the transmission device 10 retrieves the multifunction peripheral A information from the entire information stored in the storage unit 11 (step S02).

  Next, the transmission device 10 transmits usage frequency information including usage frequency information of the multifunction device A to the image processing device 20 that is the multifunction device A (step S02a). Note that the transmission device 10 may transmit the weighting value at the same time. Thereafter, the transmission device 10 receives the application transfer request (step S02b). The application transfer request is a request for requesting that an application stored and managed by the transmission apparatus 10 be transferred to the image processing apparatus 20 and transmitted.

  Thereafter, the transmission device 10 determines whether or not to permit transfer (illustrated as load permission OK) (step S03). The transmitting apparatus 10 executes the process of step S04 when determining that the transfer is permitted, and executes the process of step S05 otherwise.

  If it is determined in step S03 that the application is to be transferred, the transmission apparatus 10 transfers the application requested to be transferred by the application transfer request to the image processing apparatus 20 for transmission (step S04). Thereafter, the transmitting apparatus 10 returns to step S01 and repeats the above processing.

  If it is determined in step S03 that the transfer is not to be performed, the transmission device 10 transmits a notification to the effect that the application transfer request is rejected to the image processing device 20 (step S05). Thereafter, the transmitting apparatus 10 returns to step S01 and repeats the above processing.

  Steps S01a and S02b correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 12a, steps S02a, S04, and S05 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 12b, and step S03 is a determination unit. 13 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the process No. 13.

  Next, returning to FIG. 1, the configuration of the image processing system 1 will be described.

  Each of the image processing apparatuses 20 to 40 has the same connection, configuration, and function. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 20 will be mainly described below, and the description of the image processing apparatuses 30 and 40 will be omitted.

  The image processing apparatus 20 is composed of, for example, a multifunction machine having a reading (scanning) function, a printing (printing) function, a copying (copying) function, and the like. The image processing device 20 is connected to the transmission device 10. The image processing apparatus 20 executes a reception process described later, thereby predicting an application to be used after a predetermined time from the current system time, and receiving the predicted application from the transmission apparatus 10.

  Here, a configuration example based on the function of the image processing apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image processing apparatus 20.

  The image processing apparatus 20 includes a reading unit 21a, a printing unit 21b, a storage unit 22, a receiving unit 23a, a transmitting unit 23b, a priority setting unit 24, a calculating unit 25, a determining unit 26, and a determining unit 27. The reading unit 21a to the determination unit 27 are connected so as to be able to exchange information with each other. The functions of the reading unit 21 a to the determination unit 27 are realized by software control executed by the image processing apparatus 20.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 7, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 20 used for executing the software control will be described. FIG. 7 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image processing apparatus 20.

  Similar to the transmission device 10, the image processing device 20 includes an arithmetic device 20a, a user interface device 20b, a communication device 20c, a storage device 20f, and an auxiliary storage device 20g. Since these devices have substantially the same configuration and function as the devices that constitute the transmission device 10, the following mainly describes the differences. The image processing device 20 further includes an input device 20d and an output device 20e. The computing device 20a to the auxiliary output device 20e are connected to each other via a bus 20z.

  The auxiliary storage device 20g mainly stores an application used for image processing and an image to be subjected to image processing. Software control is realized by the arithmetic device 20a reading an application stored in the auxiliary storage device 20g and performing an operation according to the read application.

  The input device 20d is composed of, for example, an IIT (Image Input Terminal). The input device 20d reads an image described in a document to be subjected to image processing, and then inputs the read image to the auxiliary storage device 20g.

  The output device 20e is composed of, for example, an IOT (Image Output Terminal). The output device 20e prints out an image to be subjected to image processing stored in the auxiliary storage device 20g.

  Here, returning to FIG. 6, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 20 will be described.

  The reading unit 21a is configured by, for example, an input device 20d. The reading unit 21 a optically reads an image to be subjected to image processing, for example, from a document, and then stores the read image in the storage unit 22. That is, the reading unit 21a provides a reading (scanning) function.

  The printing unit 21b is configured by, for example, an output device 20e. The printing unit 21b prints out an image to be subjected to image processing stored in the storage unit 22 on, for example, printing paper. That is, the printing unit 21b provides a printing function.

  The image processing apparatus 20 provides a copy (copy) function by providing a print (print) function by the printing unit 21b after providing a read (scan) function by the reading unit 21a.

  The storage unit 22 is composed of, for example, an auxiliary storage device 20g. The storage unit 22 stores an application received from the transmission device 10 and various types of information described below. In particular, the storage unit 22 stores stored application information, load application selection criterion information, and composite operation device information.

  The stored application information is information representing the name of the application stored and stored in the storage unit 22. The load application selection criterion information is information indicating a criterion for selecting an application to be received and downloaded. Specifically, a standard for selecting an application having a file size equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, a standard for selecting an application whose upgrade time is a predetermined date or later, and a version of the OS that causes the image processing apparatus 20 to function. Includes criteria for selecting operable applications. The composite operation device information is information indicating the device device and the device configuration that constitute the multifunction device.

  In particular, the storage unit 22 stores device functions that can be realized using the device configuration of the image processing device 20 represented by the composite operation device information. Specifically, when the image processing apparatus 20 has a stapler, a booklet function can be realized. In addition, the device functions include a duplex printing function, a power saving function, and the like.

  The receiving unit 23a is realized, for example, when the communication device 20c executes an actual reception process described later. The reception unit 23a receives the application determined by the determination unit 26 and the following various types of information from the transmission device 10.

  The transmission unit 23b is realized, for example, when the communication device 20c executes an actual transmission process described later. The transmission unit 23b transmits the following various types of information to the transmission device 10.

  The priority setting unit 24 executes the process representing the execution procedure of the application currently used by the user who uses the image processing device 20 in preference to the actual reception process executed to implement the receiving unit 23a. Set the execution environment. Specifically, the priority setting unit 24 sets the execution order of the process that executes the actual reception process managed by the OS (Operating System) to be lower than the execution order of the process that executes the application used by the user. Configuration can be adopted.

  The calculation unit 25 is realized by the image processing apparatus 20 executing a calculation process described later. The calculation unit 25 calculates, for each application, an index value obtained by weighting the usage frequency information of the application stored in the transmission device 10. This index value is an index that quantitatively represents the possibility that the application is used. Therefore, an application with a larger index value is more likely to be used.

  Here, an example of the index value calculated by the calculation unit 25 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 again.

  The calculation unit 25 calculates the index value by calculating the sum of values obtained by multiplying the value of the usage frequency information including the MFP A information by the weighting value. Specifically, for the applications “XXX”, “YYY”, and “ZZZ” shown in the first to third lines shown in FIG. 4, the following formula using the usage frequency information stored in the first to third lines: The index value is calculated by In the following example, the application “YYY” is most likely to be used.

10 × 5 + 32 × 3 + 6 × 7 + 8 × 8 = 252 ... XXX
18 × 5 + 48 × 3 + 3 × 7 + 4 × 8 = 863 ... YYY
6 × 5 + 22 × 3 + 10 × 7 + 5 × 8 = 206 ... ZZZ

  That is, the calculation unit 25 uses the number of times the application is stored (the number of times used within the server jurisdiction) stored in the transmitting device 10 and the number of times the application is used in the image processing device 20 (the number of times used in the multifunction device A: that is, the multifunction device). It can be said that an index value obtained by weighting A usage frequency information) is calculated for each application. The calculation for calculating the index value is called weighting calculation.

  If the time after a predetermined time from the current system time does not belong to the predetermined time zone, the calculation unit 25 assigns a weight of the predetermined number of times of use included in the usage frequency information to, for example, a value “0”. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which weighting calculation is performed by changing to Similarly, when the time after the predetermined time does not belong to the predetermined time zone of the predetermined day of the week, the calculation unit 25 weights the number of times of use of the day of the week & the specified time included in the usage frequency information, for example, the value “ Change to "0" to perform weighting calculation.

  Here, returning to FIG. 6, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 20 will be described.

  The determination unit 26 determines an application that is predicted to be used based on the index value calculated by the calculation unit 25 and that is received (that is, downloaded) by the reception unit 23a. Specifically, it is determined that an application that is not stored in the storage unit 22 is an application that downloads an application that has a large index value. The determination unit 26 selects an application that satisfies the criteria represented by the stored application information, and then determines the selected application as a download target.

  The determination unit 27 is realized, for example, when the image processing apparatus 20 executes a determination process described later. The determination unit 27 determines whether to receive the application determined by the determination unit 26 based on the information amount of information that can be additionally stored by the storage unit 22. Specifically, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which, after detecting the disk capacity and usage amount of the storage unit 22, it is determined that the application is not received when the disk usage rate exceeds a predetermined threshold.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 again, a reception process executed by the image processing apparatus 20 will be described.

  First, the image processing apparatus 20 acquires the device function stored in the storage unit 22 (step S11). Next, the image processing apparatus 20 transmits a use frequency information acquisition request to the transmission apparatus 10 (step S11a). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 20 receives the usage frequency information (step S11b). When the image processing apparatus 20 does not store the weighting value, the weighting value may be received from the transmitting apparatus 10 at the same time.

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 20 performs weighting calculation for calculating an index value using the usage frequency information (step S12). Next, the image processing apparatus 20 determines an application to be loaded based on the index value (step S13). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 20 transmits an application transfer request to the transmission apparatus 10 (step S13a). Note that the image processing apparatus 20 may simultaneously transmit information used by the transmission apparatus 10 to determine whether to permit application transfer.

  Thereafter, when the transmission apparatus 10 permits the transfer of the application, the image processing apparatus 20 receives the application (step S13b). Next, the image processing apparatus 20 stores the received application in the storage unit 22 (step S14).

  Thereafter, when the transmission apparatus 10 does not permit the transfer of the application, the image processing apparatus 20 receives a notification that the transfer is rejected (step S14a).

  After executing step S14 or step S14a, the image processing apparatus 20 determines whether or not the capacity for storing another application to be loaded remains in the storage unit 22 (step S15). If the image processing apparatus 20 determines that the capacity remains, the process returns to step S13 and repeats the above processing. If not, the image processing apparatus 20 waits for the user's operation and follows the user's operation.

  Steps S11b, S13b, and S14a correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 23a, steps S11a and S13a correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 23b, and step S12 is a calculation unit. Step S13 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 26, and step S15 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 27.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 11 corresponds to a first storage unit, the transmission unit 12b corresponds to a transmission unit, the storage unit 22 corresponds to a second storage unit, and the reception unit 23a corresponds to a reception unit. The calculating unit 25 corresponds to a calculating unit, and the determining unit 26 corresponds to a determining unit.

  In the present embodiment, the transmission apparatus 10 is configured from the storage unit 11 to the determination unit 13, and the image processing apparatus 20 is configured from the reading unit 21a to the determination unit 27. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, the transmission device 10 may include a calculation unit 25 and a determination unit 26 as well as the determination unit 13 from the storage unit 11, and the image processing device 20 may employ a configuration that lacks the calculation unit 25 and the determination unit 26.

  In this configuration, the storage unit 11 included in the transmission device 10 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 12b corresponds to the transmission unit, and the determination unit 26 corresponds to the determination unit.

  Further, for example, the storage unit 11 of the transmission device 10 can store an application but does not store the usage frequency information. Instead, the storage unit 22 of the image processing device 20 can store the usage frequency information.

  In this configuration, the image processing devices 20 to 40 correspond to reception devices, the storage unit 22 corresponds to first storage means, the reception unit 23b corresponds to reception means, and the determination unit 26 corresponds to determination means. .

  In the second embodiment, an image processing system for transmitting and receiving an application used for image processing predicted to be used by the user next will be described.

  Note that the image processing system 2 described in the second embodiment includes the transmission device 110 and the image processing devices 120 to 140 as in the first embodiment. Since the connection, configuration, and functions of the image processing system 2 are substantially the same as those of the image processing system 1 described in the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below.

  The transmission device 110 includes a storage unit 111, a reception unit 112a, a transmission unit 112b, and a determination unit 113. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the storage unit 111 to the determination unit 113 are substantially the same as the connection from the storage unit 11 to the determination unit 13 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, transmission processing executed by the transmission apparatus 110 in the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission processing executed by the transmission apparatus 110 in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission processing executed by the transmission apparatus 110 in the second embodiment. The other part.

  First, the transmission apparatus 110 performs the process of step S21 (step S21). Since the process of step S21 is the same as the process of step S01 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the transmission apparatus 110 receives a use frequency information acquisition request from the image processing apparatus 120 that is the multifunction peripheral A (step S21a). Further, the transmission device 110 receives a user ID that identifies a user who uses the image processing device 120. Thereafter, the transmission device 110 extracts the usage frequency information including the usage frequency information of the multifunction peripheral A and the user usage frequency information from the information stored in the storage unit 11 (step S22). Next, the transmission device 110 transmits the usage frequency information, user usage frequency information, and the like of the multifunction device A to the image processing device 120 that is the multifunction device A (step S22a).

  Thereafter, the transmission device 110 executes the processing from step S22b to S25 (step S22b to S25). Since the processing from step S22b to S25 is the same as the processing from step S02b to S05 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Steps S21a and S22b correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 112a, steps S22a, S24, and A25 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 112b, and step S23 is a determination unit. This corresponds to the determination process for realizing 113.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing apparatus 120 will be described based on functions with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image processing apparatus 120 according to the second embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 120 includes an authentication unit in addition to the reading unit 121a, the printing unit 121b, the storage unit 122, the reception unit 123a, the transmission unit 123b, the priority setting unit 124, the calculation unit 125, the determination unit 126, and the determination unit 127. 128 and the deletion unit 129 are different from the first embodiment.

  The storage unit 122 stores the user of the image processing apparatuses 120 to 140 in association with the application used by the user and the application used next by the user. Specifically, as described with reference to FIG. 4, the storage unit 122 is used (used) after the used application name, the user name that is the name of the user, and the used application. Store the application name in association with it.

  The calculation unit 125 calculates an index by changing the weight of the application stored in the transmission apparatus 10 in association with the user authenticated by the authentication unit 128 and the application currently used by the user.

  Here, referring to FIG. 4 again, an example of a calculation process executed by the calculation unit 125 in the second embodiment will be described.

  The calculation unit 125 acquires a user ID for identifying the user from the authentication unit 128. Next, based on the name of the application currently used by the user and the user ID, the application name and the number of uses stored in the application field to be used next are searched. Thereafter, the calculation unit 125 changes the weighting value of the searched application with the name to a larger value.

Next, when calculating the index value of the application with the searched name, the calculation unit 125 calculates the index value using the changed weighting value, and when calculating the index value of the application with the non-searched name. The index value is calculated using the weighting value before change (that is, normal).
The changed weighting value may be a predetermined value or a value determined based on the number of times the application searched next after the currently used application is used.

  For example, the calculation unit 125 calculates “YYY” after the applications “YYY” and “XXX” that have been used in the past after the application “XXX” currently used by the user “Taro”. Search for the number of uses used. Next, the calculation unit 125 changes the weighting value based on the searched use count. Thereafter, the calculation unit 125 calculates the index value of the application “YYY” from the usage frequency information including the user usage frequency information of the user “Taro” and the usage frequency information of the multifunction peripheral A using the changed weighting value. To do. On the other hand, the calculation unit 125 calculates the index value of the application “ZZZ” using the weighting value stored in the transmission device 110 as it is.

  Based on the index calculated by the calculation unit 125, the determination unit 126 determines an application that is predicted to be used next. Specifically, the determination unit 126 performs the following operation based on the user authenticated by the authentication unit 128 and the name stored in the application field used next by the transmission device 110 in association with the application currently used by the user. Determine which applications are expected to be used.

  The authentication unit 128 is realized, for example, when the image processing apparatus 120 executes an authentication process described later. The authentication unit 128 authenticates a user who uses the image processing apparatus 120 as a user. Specifically, when the user information acquired via the interface device 20b matches the user information stored in advance in the storage unit 122, it is determined that the user has authority to use the image processing device 120. The user information is information including a user ID and a password.

  The deletion unit 129 is realized, for example, when the image processing apparatus 120 executes a deletion process described later. The deletion unit 129 deletes, from the storage unit 122, applications that are not predicted to be used based on the index value calculated by the calculation unit 125. Specifically, an application whose index value calculated by the calculation unit 125 is lower than a predetermined threshold is deleted from the storage unit 122.

  Here, referring to FIG. 8 again, a reception process executed by the image processing apparatus 120 in the second embodiment will be described.

  First, the image processing apparatus 120 determines whether there is a user operation (step S31). If it is determined that there is a user operation, the image processing apparatus 120 executes the process of step S32, and otherwise repeats the process of step S31.

  If it is determined in step S31 that a user operation has been performed, the image processing apparatus 120 acquires user information (step S32). Next, the image processing apparatus 120 transmits a user usage frequency information acquisition request and user information to the transmission apparatus 110 (step S32a). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 120 receives the usage frequency information of the multifunction peripheral A, the user usage frequency information, and the like from the transmission device 110 (step S32b).

  Next, the image processing apparatus 120 calculates an index value by weighting the user usage frequency information, the usage frequency information of the multifunction peripheral A, and the like (step S33). As described above, when the image processing apparatus 120 executes this process, the weighting value is changed between the application that has been used next to the application currently used by the user and the application that is not so. To calculate an index value.

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 120 determines that an application with a high index value is an application that is predicted to be used, and then determines that an application that is not stored in the storage unit 122 is downloaded as an application (step). S34).

  Next, the image processing apparatus 120 determines that an application with a low index value is an application to be deleted because it is an application that is not predicted to be used (step S35). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 120 deletes the application determined in step S35 from the storage unit 122 (step S36).

  Next, the image processing apparatus 120 executes the processes of steps S36a to S38 (steps S36a to S38). Steps S36a to S38 are the same as the processing of steps S13a to S15 described in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Note that steps S32b, S36b, and S37a correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 123a, steps S32a and S36a correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 123b, and step S33 is a calculation unit. 125 corresponds to a calculation process for realizing 125, step S34 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 126, step S38 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 127, and steps S31 and 32 are performed. Corresponds to authentication processing for realizing the authentication unit 128, and steps S35 and S36 correspond to determination processing for realizing the deletion unit 129.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 111 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 112b corresponds to the transmission unit, the storage unit 122 corresponds to the second storage unit, and the reception unit 123a corresponds to the reception unit. The calculation unit 125 corresponds to the calculation unit, the determination unit 126 corresponds to the determination unit, the authentication unit 128 corresponds to the authentication unit, the deletion unit 129 corresponds to the deletion unit, and is received by the image processing apparatuses 120 to 140. It corresponds to a device.

  In the third embodiment, an image processing system that selectively transmits and receives an application having a function that can be realized by the image processing apparatus will be described.

  The image processing system 3 described in the third embodiment includes a transmission device 210 and image processing devices 220 to 240 as in the first embodiment. Since the connection, configuration, and functions of the image processing system 3 are substantially the same as those of the image processing system 1 described in the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below.

  The transmission device 210 includes a storage unit 211, a reception unit 212a, a transmission unit 212b, and a determination unit 213. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the storage unit 211 to the determination unit 213 are substantially the same as the connection from the storage unit 11 to the determination unit 13 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  As in the first embodiment, the storage unit 211 stores an application in association with essential functions that the image processing apparatus needs to realize in order to realize the functions of the application.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 210 in the third embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 210 in the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 210 in the third embodiment. The other part.

  First, the transmission device 210 executes the processes of steps S41 and S41a (steps S41 and S41a). Since the processing of steps S41 and S41a is the same as the processing of steps S01 and S01a described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the transmission device 210 extracts the multifunction peripheral A information and the essential function information from the entire information stored in the storage unit 211 (step S42). The essential function information is information stored in the essential function field shown in FIG. Thereafter, the transmission apparatus 210 transmits the usage frequency information and the essential function information including the multifunction peripheral A information to the image processing apparatus 20 (step S42b).

  Next, the transmission apparatus 210 performs the process from step S42b to S45 (step S42b to S45). Since the processing from step S42b to S45 is the same as the processing from step S02b to S05 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Note that steps S41a and S42b correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 212a, steps S42a, S44, and S45 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 112b, and step S43 is a determination unit. This corresponds to determination processing for realizing 213.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 220 will be described. The image processing apparatus 220 includes a reading unit 221a, a printing unit 221b, a storage unit 222, a receiving unit 223a, a transmitting unit 223b, a priority setting unit 224, a calculating unit 225, a determining unit 226, and a determining unit 227. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the reading unit 221a to the determination unit 227 are substantially the same as the connection from the reading unit 21a to the determination unit 27 described in the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described.

  The determining unit 226 determines, among applications predicted to be used, an application that receives an application stored in the transmitting apparatus 210 in association with a function that can be realized using the apparatus configuration of the image processing apparatus 220.

  Next, an example of reception processing executed by the image processing apparatus 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 again.

  First, the image processing apparatus 220 executes the processes of steps S51 and S51a (steps S51 and S51a). Since the processing of steps S51 and S51a is the same as the processing of steps S11 and S11a described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 220 receives essential function information, usage frequency information of the multifunction peripheral A, and the like from the transmission apparatus 210 (step S51b). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 220 performs weighting calculation using the usage frequency information of the multi-function peripheral A and the like (step S52).

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 220 compares the essential function represented by the essential function information with the device function acquired in step S51, and determines to download an application having a realizable function (step S53). Specifically, the image processing apparatus 220 determines to download an application that matches the device function or requires an essential function included in the device function.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 220 determines that an application with a large calculated index value among applications determined to be downloaded is an application that is predicted to be used (step S54).

  Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 220 executes the processing from step S54a to S56 (step S54a to S56). Since the process from step S54a to S56 is the same as the process from step S13a to S15, the description is omitted.

  Note that steps S51b, S54b, and S55a correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 223a, steps S51a and S54a correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 223b, and step S52 is a calculation unit. 225 corresponds to a calculation process for realizing 225, steps S53 and S54 correspond to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 226, and step S56 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 227.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 211 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 212b corresponds to the transmission unit, the storage unit 222 corresponds to the second storage unit, and the reception unit 223a corresponds to the reception unit. The calculation unit 225 corresponds to a calculation unit, the determination unit 226 corresponds to a determination unit, and the image processing devices 220 to 240 correspond to reception devices.

  In the fourth embodiment, an image processing system that predicts a language displayed in an application and transmits / receives language information used by the application to display the predicted language will be described.

  The image processing system 4 described in the fourth embodiment includes a transmission device 310 and image processing devices 320 to 340 as in the first embodiment. Since the connection, configuration, and functions of the image processing system 4 are substantially the same as those of the image processing system 1 described in the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below.

  The transmission device 310 includes a storage unit 311, a reception unit 312 a, a transmission unit 312 b, and a determination unit 313. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the storage unit 311 to the determination unit 313 are substantially the same as the connection from the storage unit 11 to the determination unit 13 described in the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described below.

  The storage unit 311 stores language information used by the application to display a predetermined natural language on the user interface device 10b. For example, the language information may be a text file that is read when the application is started and a file that defines the content of a message output by the application.

  In addition, the storage unit 311 associates the application, the natural language displayed on the application, the language information used by the application to display the natural language, the amount of language information, and the number of times the natural language is used in the application. Remember. Such associated information is hereinafter simply referred to as language information.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 13, the language information etc. which the memory | storage part 311 memorize | stores are demonstrated. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of language information stored in the storage unit 311.

  The table shown in FIG. 13 has an application name field, a language field, a size field, a file name field, and a use count field. The application name field stores the name of the application stored in the storage unit 311. The language field stores the name of the natural language displayed by the application having the name stored on the same line using the language information.

  The size field stores the amount of language information used by an application whose name is stored on the same line to display the language whose name is stored on the same line. The file name field stores the name of a file representing language information used by an application having a name stored on the same line to display a language having a name stored on the same line.

  The number-of-uses field stores the number of times the application having the name stored in the same line uses the language information to display the language having the name stored in the same line.

  Here, with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, transmission processing executed by the transmission device 310 in the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 14 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 310 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by the transmission apparatus 310 according to the third embodiment. The other part.

  First, the transmission device 310 executes the processes of steps S61 and 62 (steps S61 and S61a). Since the processing of steps S61 and S61a is the same as the processing of steps S01 and S01a described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the transmission device 310 extracts the usage frequency information and language information including the MFP A information from the entire information stored in the storage unit 211 (step S62). Note that the transmission device 310 extracts language information related to the natural language displayed by the application whose multifunction machine A information indicates the usage frequency. Thereafter, the transmission device 310 transmits the usage frequency information including the MFP A information, language information, and the like to the image processing device 320 (step S62a).

  Next, the transmission device 310 receives the application transfer request (step S62b). Thereafter, the transmission device 310 determines whether or not to permit transfer (illustrated as load permission OK) (step S63). If it is determined that the transfer is permitted, the transmitting device 310 executes the process of step S64, and otherwise executes the process of step S66.

  If it is determined in step S63 that the data is to be transferred, the transmission device 310 transfers the application requested by the application transfer request to the image processing device 320 for transmission (step S64). Thereafter, the transmission device 310 receives a language information transfer request from the image processing device 320 (step S64a). The language information transfer request is a request for the transmission apparatus 310 to transfer language information or the like. Next, the transmission device 310 transfers the requested language information or the like to the image processing device 320 and transmits it (step S65). Thereafter, the transmission device 310 returns to step S61 and repeats the above processing.

  If it is determined in step S63 that the transfer is not performed, the transmission device 310 transmits a notification to the effect that the application transfer request is rejected to the image processing device 320 (step S66). Thereafter, the transmission device 310 returns to step S61 and repeats the above processing.

  Steps S61a, S62b, and 64a correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 312a, and steps S62a, S64, S65, and S66 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 312b. Step S63 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 313.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 320 will be described. The image processing apparatus 320 includes a reading unit 321a, a printing unit 321b, a storage unit 322, a receiving unit 323a, a transmitting unit 323b, a priority setting unit 324, a calculating unit 325, a determining unit 326, and a determining unit 327. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the reading unit 321a to the determination unit 327 are substantially the same as the connection from the reading unit 21a to the determination unit 27 described in the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described below.

  The determination unit 326 determines the language displayed by the application using the language information received by the reception unit 23a, which is a natural language predicted to be displayed not only on the application to be received but also on the application predicted to be used. . Specifically, the determining unit 326 predicts the display to the application that is predicted to be used based on the index value calculated by the calculating unit 325 and the natural language usage count stored in the transmission device 310. Determine the language. In other words, the determination unit 326 determines an application that downloads a natural language whose number of times the application to be downloaded has been displayed in the past is greater than a predetermined value after an application having a large index value is downloaded.

  Further, the determination unit 326 receives from the transmission device 310 based on the information amount of information that can be additionally stored by the storage unit 322 and the information amount of language information that the transmission device 310 stores in the size field illustrated in FIG. Language information to be determined.

  The receiving unit 323a receives the language information determined by the determining unit 326 from the transmission device 310. The storage unit 322 stores the language information received by the receiving unit 323a.

  Next, an example of reception processing executed by the image processing device 320 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 again.

  First, the image processing device 320 executes the processes of steps S71 and S71a (steps S71 and S71a). Since the processing of steps S71 and S71a is the same as the processing of steps S11 and S11a described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 320 receives the usage frequency information and language information of the multifunction peripheral A from the transmission apparatus 210 (step S71b). Thereafter, the image processing device 320 executes the processes of steps S72 and S73 (steps S72 and S73). Since the processes of steps S72 and S73 are the same as the processes of steps S12 and S13 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 320 acquires the information amount of information that the storage unit 322 can additionally store (step S74). This process is, for example, a process of acquiring the usage amount of the hard disk that constitutes the storage unit 322. Next, the image processing apparatus 320 determines language information to be received (downloaded) (step S75).

  This process is a process for determining the language information used by the application determined in step S73 and receiving the language information that is included in the language information or the like and has a large number of uses. In addition, this processing is based on the amount of information included in the language information received in step S71b among the language information determined based on the number of times of use, based on the amount of information that can be additionally stored in the storage unit 322 acquired in step S74. This is also processing for determining small language information as language information to be received.

  Next, the image processing device 320 executes the process of step S75a (step S75a). Since the process of step S75a is the same as the process of step S13a described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Thereafter, when the transmission device 310 permits the transfer of the application, the image processing device 320 executes the process of step S75b (step S75b). Since the process of step S75b is the same as the process of step S13b described in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 320 transmits a language information transfer request for transferring the language information determined in step S75 to the transmission apparatus 310 (step S75c). Next, the image processing device 320 receives the requested language information from the transmission device 310 (step S75d). Next, the image processing apparatus 320 stores the received application and language information in the storage unit 322 (step S76).

  Thereafter, the image processing device 320 performs the process of step S77 (step S77). Since the process of step S77 is the same as the process of step S15 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  When the transmission apparatus 310 does not permit application transfer, the image processing apparatus 320 executes the processes of steps S76a and S77 (steps S76a and S77). Since the processes of steps S76a and S77 are the same as the processes of steps S14a and S15 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Steps S71b, S75b, S75d, and S76a correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 323a, and steps S71a, S75a, and S75c correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 323b. Step S72 corresponds to a calculation process for realizing the calculation unit 325, steps S73 to S75 correspond to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 326, and step S77 is a determination process for realizing the determination unit 327. Equivalent to.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 311 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 312b corresponds to the transmission unit, the storage unit 322 corresponds to the second storage unit, and the reception unit 323a corresponds to the reception unit. The calculation unit 325 corresponds to a calculation unit, the determination unit 326 corresponds to a determination unit, and the image processing devices 320 to 340 correspond to reception devices.

  In the fifth embodiment, an image processing system for notifying the location of an image processing apparatus that has already downloaded an application when the predicted download time of the application exceeds a predetermined time will be described.

  Note that the image processing system 5 described in the fifth embodiment includes a transmission device 410 and image processing devices 420 to 440 as in the first embodiment. Since the connection, configuration, and functions of the image processing system 5 are substantially the same as those of the image processing system 1 described in the first embodiment, the differences will be mainly described below.

  First, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 410 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission device 410 according to the fifth embodiment.

  The transmission device 410 is different from the first embodiment in that the transmission device 410 includes not only the storage unit 411, the reception unit 412a, and the transmission unit 412b but also the first search unit 414. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the storage unit 411 to the transmission unit 412b are substantially the same as the connection from the storage unit 11 to the transmission unit 12b described in the first embodiment, differences will be mainly described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the transmitting apparatus 410 in the present embodiment will be described as not having a section corresponding to the determination section 13 described in the first embodiment, but a configuration having it can be adopted.

  The storage unit 411 stores the application, the location of the image processing apparatuses 420 to 440 that transmit the application, the image processing apparatuses 420 to 440 that have already transmitted the application, and the transmission time required to transmit the application in association with each other. To do. Hereinafter, the associated information is simply referred to as location information.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the location information etc. which the memory | storage part 411 memorize | stores in Example 5 are demonstrated. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of location information stored in the storage unit 411 according to the fifth embodiment.

  The table shown in FIG. 17A has an application name field and a transmitted device field. The application name field stores the name of the application stored in the storage unit 411. The transmitted device field stores identification information for identifying the image processing device that has transmitted the application having the name stored in the same row. The identification information for identifying the image processing apparatus includes a configuration such as a serial number of the image processing apparatus, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a MAC address (Media Access Control Address), a machine name, and a domain name associated therewith. Can be adopted.

  The table shown in FIG. 17B has an application name field and an average transmission time field. The application name field stores the name of the application stored in the storage unit 411. The average transmission time field stores the average transmission time required for transmitting the application with the name stored in the same line.

  The table shown in FIG. 17C has a multifunction device field and a location field. The multifunction device field stores identification information for identifying the image processing device 420 or the like that is a multifunction device to which the transmission device 410 transmits an application. The location field stores the location of the image processing apparatus 420 identified by the information stored in the same row. In the present embodiment, the location is described using the floor on which the image processing apparatus 420 and the like are installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the latitude, longitude, address, It is possible to adopt a configuration that uses a building name, a room name, or coordinate values that are uniquely defined.

  The table shown in FIG. 17A and the table shown in FIG. 17B are associated with each other in the application name field. Also, the table shown in FIG. 17A and the table shown in FIG. 17C are associated with each other by the transmitted device field and the multifunction device field.

  Here, returning to FIG. 16, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 410 will be described.

  The first search unit 414 is realized, for example, when the transmission device 410 executes a first search process described later. The first search unit 414 is connected so that information can be exchanged from the storage unit 411 to the transmission unit 412b.

  Based on the location of the image processing device 420 that transmits the application, the first search unit 414 transmits the application stored in the storage unit 411 at a predetermined distance from the image processing device 420 to 440 of the image processing device 430 or 440. Search for whereabouts. In this embodiment, the image processing apparatus 420 at a predetermined distance from a certain image processing apparatus will be described as an image processing apparatus installed directly above and below the floor where the image processing apparatus is installed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration that refers to an image processing apparatus installed in the same administrative district, the same building, or the same room can be employed.

  The transmission unit 412b transmits the location searched by the first search unit 414 to the image processing device 420.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 18, the transmission process which the transmission apparatus 410 performs in Example 5 is demonstrated. FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission processing executed by the transmission device 410 in the fifth embodiment.

  First, the transmission device 410 executes the processing from steps S81 to S84 (steps S81 to S84). Since the processing from step S81 to S84 is the same as the processing from step S01 to S02a, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the transmission device 410 receives a transmission request for transmitting the average transmission time of a predetermined application from the image processing device 420 (step S85). Next, the transmission device 410 searches the table shown in FIG. 17B for the average transmission time stored in association with the name of the application that is transmitted with the average transmission time for which the transmission request requests transmission (step S86). . Thereafter, the transmission device 410 transmits the searched average transmission time to the image processing device 420 (step S87).

  Next, the transmission device 410 determines whether or not there is a transfer request for the application that transmitted the average transmission time (step S88). The transmission device 410 executes the process of step S89 when it is determined that there is a transfer request, and executes the process of step S91 otherwise.

  In step S88, when the transmitting apparatus 410 determines that there is an application transfer request, the transmitting apparatus 410 executes the processes of steps S89 and S90 (steps S89 and S90). Thereafter, the transmission device 410 ends the execution of the transmission process. Note that the processing in steps S89 and S90 is the same as the processing in steps S02b and 04 described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S88, if the transmission apparatus 410 determines that there is no application transfer request, the transmission apparatus 410 acquires identification information of the image processing apparatus 420 (step S91). Next, the transmission device 410 searches for the location of the image processing device 420 in the vicinity of the image processing device 420 (step S92).

  That is, the transmission device 410 searches the table shown in FIG. 17A for the image processing device 430 or 440 that has already transmitted the application that the image processing device 420 requested to transfer. Next, the transmission device 410 searches the location shown in FIG. 17C for the location of the image processing device 420 based on the identification information. Thereafter, the transmission device 410 has already transmitted the application that the image processing device 420 requested to transfer from the table shown in FIG. 17C, and the image processing device 420 is located at a predetermined distance from the location of the image processing device 420. The location of the device 430 or 440 is searched.

  Thereafter, the transmission device 410 transmits the searched location to the image processing device 420 (step S93). Thereafter, the transmission device 410 ends the execution of the transmission process.

  Steps S82, S85, and S89 correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 412a, and steps S84, S87, S90, and S93 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 412b. Step S <b> 92 corresponds to a first search process for realizing the first search unit 414.

  Next, an example of the image processing apparatus 420 according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the image processing device 420 according to the fifth embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 420 includes not only a reading unit 421a, a printing unit 421b, a storage unit 422, a reception unit 423a, a transmission unit 423b, a priority setting unit 424, a calculation unit 425, and a determination unit 426, but also a notification unit 428. The Since the connection, configuration, and function from the reading unit 421a to the determination unit 426 are substantially the same as the connection from the reading unit 21a to the determination unit 26 described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. For convenience of explanation, the image processing apparatus 420 in the present embodiment is described as not having a portion corresponding to the determination unit 27 described in the first embodiment, but a configuration having the same can be adopted.

  The reception unit 423a is the image processing device 430 or 440 that has already received the application when the average transmission time stored in the transmission device 410 in association with the application determined to be downloaded by the determination unit 426 exceeds a predetermined time. The transmitting device 410 receives the location of the searched device.

  The notification unit 228 includes, for example, the user interface device 20b such as the liquid crystal panel described in the first embodiment. The notification unit 228 notifies the user of the image processing apparatus 420 of the location received by the reception unit 423a.

  Next, a reception process executed by the image processing apparatus 420 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of reception processing executed by the image processing apparatus 420 in the fifth embodiment.

  First, the image processing apparatus 420 executes the processes of steps S101 to S105 (steps S101 to S105). Since the processing from step S101 to S105 is the same as the processing from step S11 to S13 described in the first embodiment, a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 420 transmits a request for transmitting the average transmission time of the application determined to be loaded to the transmission apparatus 410 (step S106). Next, the image processing apparatus 420 receives the average transmission time (step S107). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 420 determines whether or not the received average transmission time exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S108). The image processing apparatus 420 determines that the received average transmission time exceeds a predetermined threshold. In step S112, the process of step S112 is executed. Otherwise, the process of step S109 is executed.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the average transmission time does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the image processing apparatus 420 executes the processing of steps S109 to 111 (steps S109 to 111). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 420 ends the reception process. Note that the processing from steps S109 to 111 is the same as the processing from steps S13a to S14 described in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  If it is determined in step S108 that the average transmission time exceeds a predetermined threshold, the image processing apparatus 420 is the location of an apparatus that has already received the application determined in step S105 (hereinafter simply referred to as a transmitted apparatus). Is received (step S112). Next, the image processing apparatus 420 notifies the user of the location received in step S112 (step S113). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 420 ends the reception process.

  Steps S103, S107, S110, and S112 correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the receiving unit 423a, and steps S102, S106, and S109 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmitting unit 423b. Step S104 corresponds to a calculation process for realizing the calculation unit 425, step S105 corresponds to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 426, and step S113 corresponds to a notification process for realizing the notification unit 428. .

  In this embodiment, the storage unit 411 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 412b corresponds to the transmission unit, the first search unit 414 corresponds to the first search unit, and the storage unit 422 corresponds to the second storage unit. The receiving unit 423a corresponds to the receiving unit, the calculating unit 425 corresponds to the calculating unit, the determining unit 426 corresponds to the determining unit, the notification unit 428 corresponds to the notification unit, and the image processing apparatus Reference numerals 520 to 540 correspond to receiving apparatuses.

  In the sixth embodiment, an image processing system that preferentially downloads an application that has not yet been downloaded by an image processing apparatus located at a predetermined distance will be described.

  The image processing system 6 described in the sixth embodiment includes a transmission device 510 and image processing devices 520 to 540 as in the fifth embodiment. Since the connection, configuration, and functions of the image processing system 6 are substantially the same as those of the image processing system 5 described in the fifth embodiment, differences will be mainly described below.

  First, the configuration of the transmission apparatus 510 according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the transmission apparatus 510 according to the sixth embodiment.

  The transmission device 510 is different from the fifth embodiment in that the transmission device 510 includes not only the storage unit 511, the reception unit 512a, the transmission unit 512b, and the first search unit 514, but also the second search unit 515. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the storage unit 511 to the first search unit 514 are substantially the same as the connection from the storage unit 411 to the first search unit 414 described in the fifth embodiment, the differences are mainly described below. I do.

  The second search unit 515 is realized, for example, when the transmission device 410 executes a second search process described later. The second search unit 515 is connected so that information can be exchanged from the storage unit 511 to the transmission unit 512b.

  The second search unit 515 searches for the application transmitted to the image processing device 520 or 530 stored in the storage unit 511 based on the image processing device 520 or 530 in the location searched by the first search unit 514.

  Specifically, the second search unit 515 searches the identification information associated with the location searched by the first search unit 514 from the table shown in FIG. 17C, and then shows the information shown in FIG. The application name associated with the retrieved identification information is retrieved from the table.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 22, the transmission process which the transmission apparatus 510 performs in Example 6 is demonstrated. FIG. 22 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of transmission processing executed by the transmission device 510 in the sixth embodiment.

  First, the transmission device 510 executes the processing from steps S121 to S124 (steps S121 to S124). Since the processing from step S121 to S124 is the same as the processing from step S81 to S84, description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the transmission apparatus 510 determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 520 has transmitted a search request for searching for an application that has already been received by an image processing apparatus existing within a predetermined distance (step S125). . The transmitting apparatus 510 executes the process of step S126 when determining that the search request has been transmitted, and executes the process of step S130 otherwise. This process corresponds to, for example, a process in which the image processing apparatus 520 considers that a search request has been transmitted when the reception unit 512a outputs some reception signal.

  If it is determined in step S125 that the image processing apparatus 520 has transmitted a search request, the transmission apparatus 510 receives the search request from the image processing apparatus 520 (step S126). Next, the transmission apparatus 510 searches for an image processing apparatus 530 or 540 adjacent to the image processing apparatus 520 (step S127).

  That is, the transmission apparatus 410 searches the location shown in FIG. 17C for the location of the image processing apparatus 420 based on the identification information. Thereafter, the transmission device 410 searches the location shown in FIG. 17C for the location of the image processing device 420 and the location of the image processing device 430 or 440 located at a predetermined distance.

  Next, the transmission apparatus 510 searches for an application that has not yet been transmitted to the neighboring image processing apparatus searched in step S127 (step S128). That is, the transmission apparatus 410 searches the table shown in FIG. 17C for identification information associated with the location of the image processing apparatus 430 or 440 located at a predetermined distance. Next, the transmission apparatus 410 searches for the application name associated with the searched identification information from the table shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, the transmission device 410 transmits the search result to the image processing device 520 (step S129).

  In step S125, when it is determined that the image processing apparatus 520 has not transmitted the search request, or after executing step S129, the transmission apparatus 510 performs the processes of steps S130 and S131 (steps S130 and S131). Thereafter, the transmission apparatus 510 ends the transmission process. Since the process of steps S130 and S131 is the same as the process of steps S89 and S90, the description thereof is omitted.

  Note that steps S122, S126, and S130 correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 512a, and steps S124, S129, and S131 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 512b, and step S127. Corresponds to a search process for realizing the first search unit 514, and step S128 corresponds to a search process for realizing the second search unit 515.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 520 will be described. The image processing apparatus 520 includes a reading unit 521a, a printing unit 521b, a storage unit 522, a reception unit 523a, a transmission unit 523b, a priority setting unit 524, a calculation unit 525, and a determination unit 526, and corresponds to the notification unit 428. Does not have a part. Since the connection, configuration, and function from the reading unit 521a to the determination unit 526 are substantially the same as the connection from the reading unit 421a to the determination unit 426 described in the fifth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The determination unit 526 is an application searched by the transmission device 510 among the applications in which the difference between the index values calculated by the calculation unit 525 falls within a predetermined range, and the transmission device 510 has already transmitted to a neighboring image processing device. It is determined that priority is given to downloading an untransmitted application (hereinafter simply referred to as an untransmitted application) that has not been searched by the transmitting apparatus 510 over an application.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 23, the reception process executed by the image processing apparatus 520 in the sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an example of reception processing executed by the image processing apparatus 520 in the sixth embodiment.

  First, the image processing apparatus 520 executes the processing of steps S141 to S144 (steps S141 to S144). Since the processing of steps S141 to S144 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S104 described in the fifth embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 520 determines whether or not there is an application in which the difference between the index values calculated in step S144 is smaller than a predetermined threshold (step S145). That is, it is determined whether or not there is an application that is difficult to be used. The image processing apparatus 520 executes the process of step S146 when it is determined that there is an application whose difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold value, and executes the process of step S148 otherwise.

  If it is determined in step S145 that there is an application whose difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold, the image processing apparatus 520 transmits a search request to the transmission apparatus 510 (step S146). Next, the image processing device 520 receives the search result from the transmission device 510 (step S147).

  In step S145, when it is determined that there is no application whose difference is smaller than the predetermined threshold, or after executing step S147, the image processing apparatus 520 determines an application to be received (step S148). In this processing, the image processing apparatus 520 determines that the application having the maximum index value is predicted to be used in principle. However, if the difference from the maximum index value falls within the predetermined range, even if the application is not the maximum index value, if it is an unsent application, the application is determined to be an application that is predicted to be used. .

  Next, the image processing apparatus 520 executes the processing of steps S149 to S151 (steps S149 to S151). Thereafter, the image processing apparatus 520 ends the execution of the reception process. In addition, since the process of step S149 to S151 is the same as the process of step S109 to S111, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Note that steps S143, S147, and S150 correspond to actual reception processing for realizing the reception unit 523a, and steps S142, S146, and S149 correspond to actual transmission processing for realizing the transmission unit 523b, and step S144. Corresponds to a calculation process for realizing the calculation unit 525, and steps S145 to S148 correspond to a determination process for realizing the determination unit 526.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 511 corresponds to the first storage unit, the transmission unit 512b corresponds to the transmission unit, the first search unit 514 corresponds to the first search unit, and the second search unit 515 includes the second search unit 515. The storage unit 522 corresponds to the second storage unit, the reception unit 523a corresponds to the reception unit, the calculation unit 425 corresponds to the calculation unit, and the determination unit 426 corresponds to the determination unit. The image processing apparatuses 520 to 540 correspond to receiving apparatuses.

  The transmission devices 10 to 510 and the image processing devices 20 to 540 are realized by the calculation unit executing a program stored in at least one of the ROM and the RAM. Further, this program can be provided by being stored and distributed in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or other recording medium, or distributed via a network.

  Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications, within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, It can be changed.

  In addition, there is no technical obstruction in combining the above Examples 1 to 6.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an image processing system of the present invention. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a hardware block diagram showing the example of 1 structure of a transmitter. It is a figure showing an example of the usage frequency information which a memory | storage part memorize | stores. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission device in the first embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a hardware block diagram showing the example of 1 structure of an image processing apparatus. 10 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission device in the second embodiment. In Example 2, it is the other part of the flowchart showing an example of the transmission process which a transmitter performs. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 12 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission device according to a third embodiment. 10 is another part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission apparatus in the third embodiment. It is a figure showing an example of language information etc. which a storage part memorizes. FIG. 10 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission device in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is another part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission apparatus in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of location information and the like stored in a storage unit in the fifth embodiment. 10 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reception process executed by an image processing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a transmission device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a part of a flowchart illustrating an example of a transmission process executed by a transmission device in Embodiment 6. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reception process executed by an image processing apparatus according to a sixth embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image processing system 10 ... Transmission apparatus
10a: arithmetic device 10b: user interface device
10c: Communication device 10f: Storage device
10g ... Auxiliary storage device 10z ... Bus
11: Storage section (first storage means) 12a: Reception section
12b ... Transmitting section (transmitting means) 13 ... Judging section
20 to 40 Image processing device 20a Arithmetic unit
20b: User interface device 20c: Communication device
20d: Input device 20e: Output device
20f ... Storage device 20g ... Auxiliary storage device
20z ... bus 21a ... reading unit
21b ... Printing section 22 ... Storage section (second storage means)
23a: Reception unit (reception means) 23b: Transmission unit
24 ... Priority setting unit 25 ... Calculation unit (calculation means)
26: Determination unit (determination means) 27 ... Determination unit
120: Image processing apparatus 121a: Printing unit
121a ... Reading unit 122 ... Storage unit (second storage unit)
123a: Reception unit (reception means) 123b: Transmission unit
124: Priority setting unit 125 ... Calculation unit (calculation means)
126: Determination unit (determination means) 127: Determination unit
128: Authentication unit (authentication unit) 129 ... Deletion unit (deletion unit)
410: Transmission device 411: Storage unit (first storage means)
412a: receiving unit 412b: transmitting unit (transmitting means)
414 ... 1st search part (1st search means)
420: Image processing apparatus 421a: Reading unit
421b ... Printing unit 422 ... Storage unit (second storage unit)
423a ... reception unit (reception means) 423b ... transmission unit
424 ... Priority setting unit 425 ... Calculation unit (calculation means)
426 ... determination unit (determination means) 428 ... determination unit
510: Transmitting device 511: Storage unit (first storage means)
512a: Reception unit 512b: Transmission unit (transmission means)
514 ... 1st search part (1st search means)
515 ... 2nd search part (2nd search means)

Claims (15)

First storage means for storing an application used in the image processing apparatus, the number of times of use of the application, and a use time in association with each other;
A transmission device comprising: transmission means for transmitting an application stored in the first storage means;
Determining means for determining the application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of times the first storage means stores in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time;
An image processing system comprising: an image processing apparatus including a reception unit that receives the application determined by the determination unit. The first storage means includes any one or more of a predetermined day, a predetermined day of the week, and a predetermined time zone, and any one of the predetermined day, the predetermined day of the week, and the predetermined time zone. And stores the number of times the application is used in association with the above,
The determining means predicts use after a predetermined time based on the number of uses stored in the first storage means in association with any one or more of a day, a day of the week, and a time zone after a predetermined time from the current time. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the application to be determined is determined. The first storage means stores the user of the image processing apparatus, the application used by the user, and the application used next by the user in association with each other,
The image processing apparatus further includes authentication means for authenticating the user,
The determining means determines an application to be predicted to be used next based on the user authenticated by the authentication means and the application stored in the first storage means in association with the application currently used by the user. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing system is determined. The first storage means stores the application, the image processing device that executes the application, and the number of times the application is used in the image processing device in association with each other,
The image processing apparatus further includes a calculation unit that calculates, for each application, an index value obtained by weighting the use count of the application stored in the first storage unit and the use count of the application in the image processing apparatus. ,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines an application predicted to be used based on the index calculated by the calculation unit.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus executes a process representing an execution procedure of an application currently used by the user in preference to a process executed to realize the receiving unit. The image processing system according to any one of the above. The image processing apparatus includes: a second storage unit that stores an application received by the reception unit;
The image processing system according to claim 4, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes an application whose use is not predicted based on the index value calculated by the calculation unit from the second storage unit. The first storage means stores the application and a function that the image processing apparatus needs to realize in order to realize the function of the application,
7. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the application stored in the first storage unit in association with a function that can be realized using a device configuration of the image processing apparatus. system. The first storage means associates the application, the location of the image processing apparatus that transmits the application, the image processing apparatus that transmitted the application, and the transmission time required to transmit the application. Remember,
The transmission device searches for the location of the image processing device that has transmitted the application stored in the first storage unit at a predetermined distance from the image processing device, based on the location of the image processing device that transmits the application. Further comprising first search means for
The transmission means transmits the location searched by the first search means to the image processing apparatus;
The receiving means receives the location searched by the first search means when the transmission time stored in the storage means in association with the application determined by the determination means exceeds a predetermined time,
The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the image processing apparatus further includes notification means for notifying the location received by the receiving means. The transmission device searches for an application transmitted to the image processing device stored in the first storage device based on the image processing device located at the location searched by the first search device. Further comprising
The determining unit determines, in preference to an application that has not been searched for, an application that has been searched by the second searching unit, among the applications in which the difference between the index values calculated by the calculating unit falls within a predetermined range. The image processing system according to claim 8. The first storage means associates the application, the natural language displayed on the application, language information used by the application to display the natural language, and the number of times the natural language is used in the application. Remember,
The determining means predicts the display to the application that is predicted to be used based on the index value calculated by the calculating means and the number of uses of the natural language stored in the first storage means. Determine the natural language,
The image processing system according to claim 6, wherein the reception unit receives language information stored in the first storage unit used for the application to display the natural language predicted by the prediction unit. . The first storage means stores the language information and the information amount of the language information in association with each other,
The second storage means stores language information received by the receiving means,
The determining unit determines the natural language based on an information amount of information that can be additionally stored by the second storage unit and an information amount of language information stored by the first storage unit. The image processing system according to claim 10. First storage means for storing an application used in the image processing apparatus, the number of times of use of the application, and a use time in association with each other;
Determining means for determining the application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of times the first storage means stores in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time;
A transmission apparatus comprising: transmission means for transmitting the determined application to the image processing apparatus that uses the application determined by the determination means. First storage means for storing an application for processing an image and the number of times and time of use of the application in association with each other;
Determining means for determining the application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of times the first storage means stores in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a receiving unit that receives the application determined by the determining unit. Computer
First storage means for storing an application used in the image processing apparatus, the number of times of use of the application, and a use time in association with each other;
Determining means for determining the application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of times the first storage means stores in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time;
A transmission program that causes the image processing apparatus that uses the application determined by the determination unit to function as a transmission unit that transmits the determined application. Computer
First storage means for storing an application for processing an image and the number of times and time of use of the application in association with each other;
Determining means for determining the application that is predicted to be used after a predetermined time based on the number of times the first storage means stores in association with a time after a predetermined time from the current time;
A receiving program that functions as a receiving unit that receives the application determined by the determining unit.

Images