JP2010045781A - Information processor, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To preferably change a response time until image information related to a scan is transmitted after starting the scan in accordance with a model of a complex machine to be simulated or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In a complex machine emulator as this information processor, a model configuration setting part 45 sets a model configuration possessed by a complex machine to be simulated; a device initial value setting part 44 sets an initial value of a device possessed by the complex machine to be simulated; a job setting part 43 sets a job having a processing content; a scan operation control part 46 calculates an image transmission wait time based on the model configuration, the initial value of the device and a reading time, and simulatively executes the scan of the job by using the model configuration and the initial value of the device; and a communication part 29 can transmit image information of a first page related to the job to another information processor after the image transmission wait time elapses after starting the scan. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program, and in particular, an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus that can change the transmission timing of image information related to a scanned document that is scanned imitatively. Regarding the program.

  In recent years, external I / Fs for coordinating a multifunction peripheral with various systems have been proposed. A linkage system including a multifunction peripheral provides an environment in which functions of the multifunction peripheral can be used from external software on an information processing apparatus existing outside the multifunction peripheral and data recorded by the multifunction peripheral can be referred to. A developer who develops a linkage system that cooperates with a multifunction peripheral develops external software on an information processing apparatus existing outside the multifunction peripheral, and debugs the external software developed by the developer as necessary. However, if the developer develops external software and uses an actual multifunction device, the multifunction device is expensive even if it is a single case, which increases development costs. Therefore, in order to reduce the development cost of external software, a developer can use a multi-function peripheral and software that mimics the external I / F of the multi-function peripheral or an information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a “multi-function peripheral emulator”). To develop external software.

  The following technique is known as a technique related to a multifunction peripheral emulator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the technique proposed in Patent Document 1, a development program for causing a computer to function as a means for developing a built-in program incorporated in an actual machine that performs a predetermined operation, which is an embedded program instead of a device driver of the actual machine A pseudo device driver that transmits and receives commands to and from the computer can be made to function on the computer, and an emulator that transmits and receives commands to and from the pseudo device driver can be made to function on the computer instead of the functions of the actual device. As a result, quality assurance can be performed with high accuracy during the development of embedded software.

JP 2008-217574 A

  The multi-function device emulator imitates scanning of a job set on the job setting screen by the multi-function device emulator, and transmits image information (image file) related to the job to an external information processing apparatus via the network. However, even if the MFP emulator sends the same image information (image file) related to a job with the same processing content to an external information processing apparatus, the MFP model or MFP that the MFP emulator imitates Depending on the performance of the hardware, there is a difference in response time from when the multifunction peripheral emulator starts scanning until image information is transmitted to an external information processing apparatus. If the processing contents of the job executed by the MFP emulator are different, there will be a difference in the response time from when the MFP emulator starts scanning until image information is transmitted to an external information processing apparatus.

  The external information processing apparatus connected to the MFP emulator via the network sends a scan start request to the MFP emulator, but sends image information related to the scan within a certain time after sending the scan start request. It is assumed that it is received from the MFP emulator. However, as a result of a difference in response time from when the MFP emulator starts scanning until image information is transmitted to the external information processing apparatus, the external information processing apparatus transmits a scan start request. If the image information related to the scan cannot be received from the multi-function peripheral emulator within a certain period of time, the external software on the external information processing apparatus may freeze due to the recognition that an error has occurred.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and it is possible to suitably change the response time until transmission of image information related to scanning after the start of scanning, depending on the model of the multifunction device to be imitated. It is an object to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a model configuration setting unit that sets a model configuration of a multifunction peripheral that the information processing apparatus mimics, and a device initial value setting that sets an initial value of a device that the multifunction peripheral that the information processing apparatus mimics. A job setting unit for setting a job having processing contents; a reading time for reading image information on the first page of the job based on the job processing contents set by the job setting unit; The image information of the first page from the start of scanning based on the model configuration set by the device, the initial value of the device set by the device initial value setting means, and the reading time via the information processing apparatus and the network Is set by a calculation unit that calculates an image transmission waiting time until transmission to another information processing apparatus to be connected and a model configuration setting unit. Performed by the imitation scan control means for imitating the scan of the job set by the job setting means using the seed configuration and the initial value of the device set by the device initial value setting means, and the imitation scan control means Transmitting means for transmitting image information of the first page related to the job to be transmitted to another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network after an image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. It is characterized by that.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the information processing method of the present invention is a model possessed by a multifunction peripheral imitated by an information processing device in the information processing method of an information processing device in which other information processing devices are connected via a network. A model configuration setting step for setting a configuration, a device initial value setting step for setting an initial value of a device included in a multifunction peripheral imitated by the information processing apparatus, a job setting step for setting a job having processing contents, and a job setting step The image information reading time for the first page of the job is calculated based on the processing content of the job set by the above processing, and is set by the model configuration set by the processing of the model configuration setting step and the device initial value setting means Based on the initial value of the device to be scanned and the reading time, the image information of the first page is obtained after the scan is started. Calculation step for calculating an image transmission waiting time until transmission to another information processing apparatus connected to the processing apparatus via the network, model configuration set by the process of the model configuration setting step, and device initial value setting Using the initial value of the device set by the process of the step, the imitation scan control step for imitating the scan of the job set by the job setting means, and the job related to the job executed by the process of the imitation scan control step A transmission step of transmitting image information of the first page to another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network after an image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. To do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the program of the present invention is a program executed by a computer that controls an information processing apparatus to which another information processing apparatus is connected via a network, and is a composite that the information processing apparatus imitates A model configuration setting step for setting a model configuration possessed by the machine, a device initial value setting step for setting an initial value of a device included in a multifunction peripheral imitated by the information processing apparatus, and a job setting step for setting a job having processing contents The image information reading time for the first page of the job is calculated based on the job processing content set by the job setting step processing, and the model configuration and device initial value set by the model configuration setting step processing are calculated. After starting the scan based on the initial value of the device set by the setting means and the reading time It is set by the calculation step for calculating the image transmission waiting time until the image information of the first page is transmitted to another information processing device connected to the information processing device via the network, and the model configuration setting step. A counterfeit scan control step for imitating a scan of a job set by the job setting means using a model configuration and a device initial value set by the device initial value setting step processing, and a counterfeit scan control step Transmission for transmitting image information of the first page related to a job executed by processing to another information processing apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a network after the image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. And a step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably change the response time from the start of scanning to the transmission of image information related to scanning according to the model of the multifunction device to be imitated.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a multifunction product emulator applicable to the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration that can be executed by a control unit of the multifunction peripheral emulator. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a personal computer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a schematic process between the MFP emulator of FIG. 3 and the personal computer of FIG. 4. FIG. The figure which shows the example of the job setting screen which an output part displays. 6 is a timing chart showing a time-series relationship between a scan start time, a transmission time of a response to a scan start request, and a transmission time of an image transmission wait time.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is a system in which a developer develops external software using a multifunction peripheral emulator 11. The information processing system 1 includes a multi-function peripheral 11 including a multi-function peripheral and software that imitates an external I / F of the multi-function peripheral, a network 12 including a LAN, and a personal that a developer uses to develop external software. A computer 13 is provided. The personal computer 13 can execute external software under development and can use an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) function on the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 to which the personal computer 13 is connected via the network 12.

  FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration of the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 applicable to the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, and a RAM 23. The CPU 21 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 22 or a program loaded from the storage unit 28 to the RAM 23. The RAM 23 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes. The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus 24. An input / output interface 25 is also connected to the bus 24.

  The input / output interface 25 includes an input unit 26 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an output unit 27 including a speaker, and a hard disk. A communication unit 29 including a storage unit 28, a modem, a terminal adapter, and a network interface (all not shown) is connected. The communication unit 29 performs communication processing via the network 12.

  A drive 30 is connected to the input / output interface 25 as necessary, and includes a magnetic disk 31 (including a floppy disk), an optical disk 32 (CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory)), and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). ), A magneto-optical disk 33 (including an MD (Mini-Disk)), a semiconductor memory 34, or the like is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from the disk is installed in the storage unit 28 as necessary.

  FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration that can be executed by the control unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral emulator 11. The control unit 20 includes a main control unit 41, an input control unit 42, a job setting unit 43, a device initial value setting unit 44, a model configuration setting unit 45, a scan operation control unit 46, a command analysis unit 47, and a display control unit 48. Prepare. These configurations are implemented as software that operates on the CPU 21 of the control unit 20. When the control unit 20 has these configurations, the MFP function is realized on the multifunction peripheral emulator 11.

  The main control unit 41 performs overall control of components other than the main control unit 41 in the control unit in order to realize the MFP function on the multifunction peripheral emulator 11. The input control unit 42 receives input information from the input unit 26 and supplies the received input information to the job setting unit 43, the device initial value setting unit 44, and the model configuration setting unit 45. The job setting unit 43 sets information that the multi-function device emulator changes for each scan job. The job setting unit 43 sets information related to image information (image file) of a scanned document to be scanned by the multi-function peripheral emulator 11, information related to a loading position of the scanned document, and the like. The job setting unit 43 supplies job setting information set by the job setting unit 43 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41.

  The device initial value setting unit 44 sets a default value of a scanner parameter related to a scanner included in the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11, a hardware configuration (HW configuration) included in the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11, and the like. . The device initial value setting unit 44 supplies device initial value setting information set by the device initial value setting unit 44 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41. The model configuration setting unit 45 sets a numerical range of scanner parameters related to the scanner included in the multifunction peripheral imitated by the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 and a scanner format related to the scanner included in the multifunction peripheral imitated by the multifunction peripheral emulator 11. The model configuration setting unit 45 supplies model configuration setting information set by the model configuration setting unit 45 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41.

  The scan operation control unit 46 acquires various setting information supplied from the job setting unit 43, the device initial value setting unit 44, and the model configuration setting unit 45 via the main control unit 41, and the acquired various setting information Based on this, the scanning operation in the multifunction device is imitated and executed. The command analysis unit 47 analyzes the command from the personal computer 13 received by the communication unit 29 and supplies the analysis result to the scanner operation control unit 46. The display control unit 48 causes the output unit 27 to display a setting screen for inputting various setting information before the scanning operation executed by the scanner operation control unit 46 according to the control of the main control unit 41.

  FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the personal computer 13. The configuration of the personal computer 13 shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same as the configuration of the multi-function device emulator 11 shown in FIG.

  With reference to FIG. 5, a schematic process between the MFP emulator 11 of FIG. 3 and the personal computer 13 of FIG. 4 will be described.

  In operation 1, the display control unit 48 of the MFP emulator 11 outputs a setting screen for inputting various setting information before the scanning operation executed by the scanner operation control unit 46 according to the control of the main control unit 41. This is displayed on the unit 27. More specifically, the display control unit 48 displays a job setting screen, a device initial value setting screen, and a model configuration setting screen before the scanning operation executed by the scanning operation control unit 46. FIG. 6 shows an example of a job setting screen displayed by the output unit 27. As shown in FIG. 6, the job setting screen has a selection column 101 for selecting a scanning document stacking location and a setting column 102 for setting a path for image information.

  In operation 2, the input control unit 42 accepts various inputs on the job setting screen, the device initial value setting screen, and the model configuration setting screen when the input unit 26 is operated by the developer. Specifically, the input control unit 42 displays, on the model configuration setting screen, the numerical range of the scanner parameters related to the scanner included in the MFP that the MFP emulator 11 imitates, and the scanner included in the MFP that the MFP emulator 11 imitates. Accepts input such as scanner format. The numerical range of the scanner parameter is, for example, a numerical range relating to resolution, a numerical value indicating whether color or monochrome, a numerical range relating to brightness (shading), and a usable paper size range. In the numerical range related to the resolution, the multi-function peripheral 11 accepts an input on the model configuration setting screen that the resolution of the multi-function peripheral imitated by the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 can be up to 600 dpi on a certain job. In the case of the usable paper size range, the multifunction device emulator 11 displays “A4, B5, B4, A3” as the usable paper size range in the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11 on the model configuration setting screen. Etc. are accepted. The scan format includes scan formats such as PDF, TIFF, BMP, and XPS. Of course, this embodiment can also be applied to scan formats other than PDF and TIFF that are not explicitly described.

  On the other hand, on the device initial value setting screen, the input control unit 42 has a scanner parameter default value related to a scanner included in the MFP that the MFP emulator 11 imitates, and a hardware configuration that the MFP that the MFP emulator 11 imitates. An input such as (HW configuration) is accepted. The default values of the scanner parameters include at least a numerical value relating to resolution (for example, 200 dpi), a numerical value indicating whether it is color or monochrome, a numerical value relating to brightness (shading), a paper size (for example, A4 size), and the like. The hardware configuration (HW configuration) includes, for example, a configuration related to the presence or absence of ADF. Note that the settings on the device initial setting screen are not changed for each job. However, when the personal computer 13 as a client transmits an instruction to change the setting on the device initial setting screen, the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 may change the setting on the device initial setting screen. .

  The input control unit 42 receives input of image information related to an image file of a scanned original scanned by the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 and information related to a loading position of the scanned original on the job setting screen of FIG. Specifically, the input control unit 42 accepts a selection on the job setting screen selection field 101 as to whether the scanning document is to be placed on the document table or ADF, and on the setting field 102 on the job setting screen. Accepts the setting of the image information path. The image information related to the image file of the scanned document includes various information related to the image information. For example, not only the image information itself but also information related to the scan format, paper size, number of printed sheets, and the like are included. For example, when the number of printed sheets is 10, the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 generates 10 image files related to the scanned document in advance. When the device initial value setting unit 44 sets the hardware configuration as a configuration without ADF, the selection field 101 in the job setting screen in FIG. 6 displays only the document table as the stacking location of the scanned document.

  The input control unit 42 receives input information from the input unit 26 and supplies the received input information to the job setting unit 43, the device initial value setting unit 44, and the model configuration setting unit 45.

  In operation 3, the model configuration setting unit 45 sets the model configuration based on various input information from the input control unit 42. The device initial value setting unit 44 sets a device initial value based on various types of input information from the input control unit 42. Next, the job setting unit 43 sets a job based on various input information from the input control unit 42. In the case of setting the model configuration and device initial value, the developer does not enter and set various information on the model configuration setting screen and device initial value setting screen. The model configuration and device initial values in the multifunction peripheral 11 may be set using the text file. The job setting unit 43 supplies job setting information set by the job setting unit 43 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41. The device initial value setting unit 44 supplies device initial value setting information set by the device initial value setting unit 44 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41. The model configuration setting unit 45 supplies the model configuration setting information set by the model configuration setting unit 45 to the scan operation control unit 46 via the main control unit 41.

  The scan operation control unit 46 acquires various setting information. At this time, based on the job setting information in the setting field 102 from the job setting unit 43, the scanning operation control unit 46 determines a job for which the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 executes the scanning operation. For example, the scan operation control unit 46 uses the default values of the scan parameters set by the device initial value setting unit 44 as a job for the MFP emulator 11 to execute a scan operation, and sets the setting conditions of “A4 10 sheets ADF document PDF format” Determine the job. Note that a job ID is assigned in advance to each job executed by the scan operation control unit 46.

  In operation 4, the scan operation control unit 46 sets not only the image information (image file) itself included in the image information related to the image file of the scanned document set by the job setting unit 43, but also the scan format, image density, and paper size. Based on this, the reading time of the image file of the first page is calculated. In operation 5, the scan operation control unit 46 sets the device initial value and the model configuration, and the scan operation control unit 46 based on the read information of the image file on the first page calculated by the scan operation control unit 46 in operation 4. Calculates the waiting time for image transmission (response time) from the scan start time when the scan is imitated to the transmission time when the image information of the first page is transmitted to the personal computer 13 via the network 12. The device initial value setting includes at least a numerical value relating to resolution, a numerical value indicating whether color or monochrome, a numerical value relating to brightness (shading), a paper size, and a configuration relating to the presence or absence of ADF. included. The English setting over the model includes a numerical range of scanner parameters and a scanner format related to a scanner included in the multifunction peripheral imitated by the multifunction peripheral emulator 11.

  In operation 21, the control unit 60 of the personal computer 13 generates a scan start request, and causes the communication unit 69 to transmit the generated scan start request to the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12. The communication unit 29 of the MFP emulator 11 receives a scan start request transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the network 12 and supplies the received scan start request to the control unit 20. In operation 5, the command analysis unit 47 of the control unit 20 acquires a scan start request from the communication unit 29, and analyzes the acquired scan start request. The command analysis unit 47 supplies the analysis result of the scan start request to the scan operation control unit 46. When acquiring the analysis result of the scan start request, the scan operation control unit 46 sets the scan start time for starting the scan, the transmission time for the response to the scan start request, and the transmission time for the image information on the first page.

FIG. 7 shows a time-series relationship between the scan start time, the transmission time of the response to the scan start request, and the transmission time of the image transmission waiting time. As shown in FIG. 7, the MFP emulator 11 receives a scan start request from the personal computer 13 at time t ₁ . Scan operation control unit 46 of the multifunction device emulator 11 obtains the scanning start request from the personal computer 13 to set the scan start time to calculate the image transmission waiting time time t _2, the calculated image transmission waiting time calculating a transmission time t ₅ of the first page image information by adding the scan start time t ₂ a and set. At this time, the scan operation control unit 46 sets a transmission time t ₃ of a response to the scan start request between the scan start time t ₂ and the transmission time t ₅ of the image information of the first page. The scan operation control unit 46 transmits a response to the scan start request to the personal computer 13 via the network 12 until receiving a request for acquiring image information of the first page from the personal computer 13 (see FIG. 7, the transmission time t _{3 of the} response to the scan start request is set in consideration of the time from the time t ₃ to the time t ₄ .

In operation 7, the scan operation control unit 46 starts imitating the scan of the job that the scan operation control unit 46 has determined to execute based on various setting information at the scan start time t ₂ . The multi-function device emulator 11 executes the scanner operation and the transmission processing of the image information to the personal computer 13 in parallel.

In operation 8, the scan operation control unit 46 generates a response to the scan start request from the personal computer 13, and transmits a response to the generated scan start request to the communication unit 29 at the transmission time t ₃ of the response to the scan start request. The data is transmitted to the personal computer 13 via the network 12. The response to the scan start request includes a job ID related to a job for which the scan operation control unit 46 executes a scan. In operation 22, the communication unit 69 of the personal computer 13 receives a response to the scan start request from the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 via the network 12, and supplies the response to the received scan start request to the control unit 60. When acquiring a response to the scan start request, the control unit 60 causes the communication unit 69 to transmit an acquisition request for image information of the first page scanned by the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 to the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 via the network 12.

The communication unit 29 of the MFP emulator 11 receives the acquisition request for the first page of image information transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the network 12, and the control unit 20 receives the received acquisition request for the first page of image information. To supply. In the case of FIG. 7, it is assumed that the communication unit 29 of the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 receives the image information acquisition request for the first page transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the network 12 at time t ₄ . In operation 9, the command analysis unit 47 of the control unit 20 acquires an acquisition request for image information on the first page from the communication unit 29, and analyzes the acquired acquisition request for image information on the first page. The command analysis unit 47 supplies the analysis result of the image information acquisition request for the first page to the scan operation control unit 46. Scan operation control unit 46, the transmission time t ₅ of the first page image information of the first page of the image information personal computer 1 page image information based on the acquisition request to the communication unit 29 via the network 12 of 13 To send to. The communication unit 69 of the personal computer 13 receives the image information of the first page from the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12 and supplies the received image information of the first page to the control unit 60. Accordingly, the personal computer 13 acquires the image information of the first page from the multifunction peripheral emulator 11 via the network 12.

  Similarly, in operation 23, when the image information of the first page is acquired, the control unit 60 sends an acquisition request for the image information of the next page (second page) scanned by the multi-function peripheral emulator 11 to the communication unit 69. The data is transmitted to the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12. The communication unit 29 of the MFP 11 receives the image information acquisition request for the next page (second page) transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the network 12, and receives the received image information for the next page. The acquisition request is supplied to the control unit 20. In operation 10, the command analysis unit 47 of the control unit 20 acquires an acquisition request for image information on the next page from the communication unit 29, and analyzes the acquired acquisition request for image information on the next page. The command analysis unit 47 supplies the analysis result of the image information acquisition request for the next page to the scan operation control unit 46. The scanning operation control unit 46 causes the communication unit 29 to transmit the image information of the page (second page) based on the image information acquisition request for the next page to the personal computer 13 via the network 12. The communication unit 69 of the personal computer 13 receives the image information of the next page from the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12 and supplies the received image information of the next page to the control unit 60. As a result, the personal computer 13 acquires the image information of the next page (second page) from the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12. When the job for which the MFP emulator 11 executes the scan operation is a job with the setting condition of “A4 10 sheets ADF document PDF format”, the MFP emulator 11 performs the same image in response to an acquisition request from the personal computer 13. The information transmission process is executed for 10 pages.

  In operation 24, when the control unit 60 acquires the image information of the last page in the job, the control unit 60 sends an acquisition request for image information of the next page scanned by the MFP emulator 11 to the communication unit 69 via the network 12. Transmit to the emulator 11. The communication unit 29 of the multifunction peripheral 11 receives the image information acquisition request for the next page transmitted from the personal computer 13 via the network 12, and controls the received image information acquisition request for the next page. To the unit 20. In operation 11, the command analysis unit 47 of the control unit 20 acquires an acquisition request for image information on the next page from the communication unit 29, and analyzes the acquired acquisition request for image information on the next page. The command analysis unit 47 supplies the analysis result of the image information acquisition request for the next page to the scan operation control unit 46. Since the scan operation control unit 46 has transmitted the image information of the last page in the job to the personal computer 13, a response indicating that there is no page image information based on the acquisition request is sent to the communication unit 29 via the network 12. 13 is transmitted. The communication unit 69 of the personal computer 13 receives the response from the MFP emulator 11 (response that there is no page image information based on the acquisition request) via the network 12 and supplies the received response to the control unit 60. To do. As a result, the personal computer 13 acquires a response indicating that there is no image information of the page based on the acquisition request from the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12, and recognizes that all the image information in the first job has been acquired. Can do.

  The multifunction device emulator 11 as the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment sets the model configuration of the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11 and sets the initial values of the devices possessed by the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11. Then, the job having the processing content is set, the reading time of the image information of the first page of the job is calculated based on the processing content of the set job, the set model configuration, the initial value of the device, and the reading Based on the time, image transmission from when scanning is started until image information of the first page is transmitted to the personal computer 13 as another information processing apparatus connected to the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12 Calculates the waiting time and imitates the scan of the set job by using the set model configuration and the initial value of the device. The image information of the first page relating to the job to be executed is transmitted to the personal computer 13 connected to the MFP emulator 11 via the network 12 after the image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. Can do.

  As a result, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment suitably changes the response time until the transmission of image information related to scanning after the start of scanning, according to the model of the multifunction device imitated by the multifunction device emulator 11. The response time can be automatically set according to the type of the multifunction device. As a result, it is possible to prevent the personal computer 13 as an external information processing apparatus from receiving image information related to scanning from the MFP emulator within a certain time after transmitting the scan start request, and to prevent external information The external software on the processing device can prevent the error from occurring and freezing.

  The series of processes described in the present embodiment can be executed by software, but can also be executed by hardware.

  In the present embodiment, the steps of the flowchart show examples of processing performed in time series in the order described, but they are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not necessarily processed in time series. It also includes processing.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 11 ... Multifunction device emulator, 12 ... Network, 13 ... Personal computer, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... CPU, 22 ... ROM, 23 ... RAM, 24 ... Bus, 25 ... I / O interface, 26 ... Input unit 27 ... Output unit 28 ... Storage unit 29 ... Communication unit 30 ... Drive 31 ... Magnetic disk 32 ... Optical disk 33 ... Magnetic disk 34 ... Semiconductor memory 41 ... Main control unit 42 ... Input control unit 43 ... Job setting unit 44 ... Device initial value setting unit 45 ... Model configuration setting unit 46 ... Scanning operation control unit 47 ... Command analysis unit 48 ... Display control unit 60 ... Control unit 61 ... CPU, 62 ... ROM, 63 ... RAM, 64 ... bus, 65 ... input / output interface, 66 ... input unit, 67 ... output unit, 68 ... storage unit, 69 ... communication unit 70 ... drive, 71 ... magnetic disk, 72 ... optical disk, 73 ... optical disk, 74 ... semiconductor memory.

Claims (6)

Model configuration setting means for setting the model configuration of the MFP that the information processing apparatus mimics,
A device initial value setting means for setting an initial value of a device included in a multifunction peripheral that the information processing apparatus imitates;
Job setting means for setting a job having processing contents;
Based on the processing contents of the job set by the job setting means, the reading time of the image information of the first page of the job is calculated, the model configuration set by the model configuration setting means, and the device initial Other information for connecting the image information on the first page to the information processing apparatus via the network after starting scanning based on the initial value of the device set by the value setting means and the reading time Calculating means for calculating an image transmission waiting time until transmission to the processing device;
Using the model configuration set by the model configuration setting unit and the initial value of the device set by the device initial value setting unit, the scan of the job set by the job setting unit is imitated. Imitating scan control means,
Transmitting means for transmitting image information of the first page relating to the job executed by the counterfeit scan control means to the other information processing apparatus after the image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning; An information processing apparatus comprising:   The device initial value set by the device initial value setting means includes at least an initial value of a parameter in scanning by the imitation scan control means and an initial value related to a document stacking position. The information processing apparatus according to 1.   2. The information processing according to claim 1, wherein the processing contents of the job set by the job setting means include at least image information, information on a scan format, information on a paper size, and information on the number of printed sheets. apparatus. Receiving means for receiving an image information acquisition request for the first page related to the execution job from the other information processing apparatus via a network;
The transmission unit transmits a response to the scan start request to the other information processing apparatus after the scan is started, and is received by the reception unit between the start of the scan and the elapse of the image transmission waiting time. The image information of the first page related to the job is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus after elapse of the image transmission waiting time from the start of scanning in accordance with the acquisition request. The information processing apparatus described in 1. In an information processing method of an information processing apparatus in which another information processing apparatus is connected via a network,
A model configuration setting step for setting a model configuration of an MFP that the information processing apparatus imitates;
A device initial value setting step for setting an initial value of a device included in a multifunction peripheral that the information processing apparatus imitates;
A job setting step for setting a job having processing contents;
Based on the processing contents of the job set by the processing of the job setting step, the reading time of image information of the first page of the job is calculated, and the model configuration set by the processing of the model configuration setting step Based on the initial value of the device set by the device initial value setting means and the reading time, the image information of the first page is connected to the information processing apparatus via the network after starting scanning. A calculation step for calculating an image transmission waiting time until transmission to another information processing apparatus to perform,
Scanning the job set by the job setting means using the model configuration set by the process of the model configuration setting step and the initial value of the device set by the process of the device initial value setting step. An imitation scan control step that performs imitating;
Transmission for transmitting the image information of the first page related to the job executed by the process of the counterfeit scan control step to the other information processing apparatus after the image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. And an information processing method. A program executed by a computer that controls an information processing apparatus to which another information processing apparatus is connected via a network,
A model configuration setting step for setting a model configuration of an MFP that the information processing apparatus imitates;
A device initial value setting step for setting an initial value of a device included in a multifunction peripheral that the information processing apparatus imitates;
A job setting step for setting a job having processing contents;
Based on the processing contents of the job set by the processing of the job setting step, the reading time of image information of the first page of the job is calculated, and the model configuration set by the processing of the model configuration setting step Based on the initial value of the device set by the device initial value setting means and the reading time, the image information of the first page is connected to the information processing apparatus via the network after starting scanning. A calculation step for calculating an image transmission waiting time until transmission to another information processing apparatus to perform,
Scanning the job set by the job setting means using the model configuration set by the process of the model configuration setting step and the initial value of the device set by the process of the device initial value setting step. An imitation scan control step that performs imitating;
Transmission for transmitting the image information of the first page related to the job executed by the process of the counterfeit scan control step to the other information processing apparatus after the image transmission waiting time has elapsed since the start of scanning. A program comprising steps.

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