JP2010081359A - Mobile communication apparatus, image processing apparatus, image processing system, mobile communication program, and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile communication apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, a mobile communication program, and an image processing program, capable of reducing the number of operations when a function of the image processing apparatus is added and modified in cooperation of the mobile communication apparatus and the image processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The mobile communication apparatus 100 acquires functions related information on addition and modification of a function from the image processing apparatus 102, determines whether or not the transfer of an additional function acquired from a server 104 to the image processing apparatus 102 based on the function-related information, and transfers the additional function determined to be transferred to the image processing apparatus 102. The image processing apparatus 102 executes the additional function transferred from the mobile communication apparatus 100. The server 104 retains the additional function and transfers the additional function to the mobile communication apparatus 100 in response to a request by the mobile communication apparatus 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication device, an image processing device, an image processing system, a mobile communication program, and an image processing program.

  In recent years, there has been proposed a technique for improving convenience by adding functions to a multifunction machine or a copying machine having functions such as a scanner, a printing apparatus, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine. For example, in Patent Document 1 below, when an individual image processing program is added or updated, the presence or absence of processing means (hardware) that enables the operation of the individual image processing program is determined, and based on the determination result An image processing apparatus that determines whether an individual image processing program can be added or updated is disclosed.

JP 2002-207606 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a portable communication device, an image processing device, and an image processing system that can reduce the number of operations when adding / changing the functions of the image processing device in cooperation with the portable communication device and the image processing device. Another object is to provide a portable communication program and an image processing program.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of the portable communication device according to claim 1 is based on the function related information acquisition means for acquiring function related information regarding addition / change of the function to the image processing apparatus, and the function related information. An additional function acquisition unit that acquires an additional function from the additional function providing device, a transfer availability determination unit that determines whether transfer of the acquired additional function to the image processing device is based on the function related information, and a transfer Transfer means for transferring the additional function determined to be acceptable to the image processing apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the invention according to the first aspect further comprises a simulation operation means for displaying the additional function acquired by the additional function acquisition means on a display screen and operating it on the display screen in a simulated manner. Features.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information relating to addition / change of a function to a mobile communication device, and the mobile communication device determines that transfer is possible based on the function-related information. An additional function receiving means for receiving the added function from the portable communication device; and an additional function starting means for starting the received additional function.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the input / display screen is not displayed or the display is fixed while the additional function is being executed.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing system according to claim 5, wherein function-related information acquisition means for acquiring function-related information relating to addition / change of a function to the image processing apparatus, and an additional function providing device based on the function-related information An additional function acquisition means for acquiring a function, a transfer availability determination means for determining whether the acquired additional function can be transferred to the image processing apparatus based on the function related information, and an additional function determined to be transferable. A portable communication device comprising: transfer means for transferring to the image processing device; function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information relating to addition / change of a function to the portable communication device; and portable communication device based on the function-related information An additional function receiving unit that receives from the portable communication device an additional function that is determined to be transferable by the mobile communication device, and an additional function starting unit that starts the received additional function. Characterized in that it has a physical device.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, the portable communication device transfers display definition information of an input / display screen to the image processing device, and the image processing device inputs based on the display definition information. -Controls the display content of the display screen.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein when the mobile communication device requests the additional function, usage permission information is received from the additional function providing device, and the image processing device The function-related information is transferred to the mobile communication device by including a criterion for determining whether or not the additional function can be transferred according to the use permission information.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the image processing device deletes the added function after execution based on a predetermined condition. And

  The portable communication program invention according to claim 9 is a function related information acquisition means for acquiring function related information relating to addition / change of a function to an image processing apparatus, and an additional function providing device based on the function related information. An additional function acquisition unit that acquires an additional function from the transfer function, a transfer capability determination unit that determines whether the acquired additional function can be transferred to the image processing apparatus based on the function related information, and an additional function that is determined to be transferable. It is characterized by functioning as transfer means for transferring to an image processing apparatus.

  The invention of the image processing program according to claim 10 is a function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information relating to addition / change of a function to the portable communication device, and the portable communication device can transfer based on the function-related information. And an additional function receiving unit that receives the determined additional function from the portable communication device, and an additional function starting unit that starts the received additional function.

  According to the first and ninth aspects of the invention, when the function of the image processing apparatus is added / changed in cooperation with the portable communication apparatus and the image processing apparatus, the number of operations can be reduced. And a mobile communication program.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation of the additional function of the image processing apparatus can be confirmed on the screen of the portable communication apparatus.

  According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, the number of operations can be reduced when the function of the image processing device is added / changed in cooperation with the portable communication device and the image processing device. And an image processing program can be provided.

  According to invention of Claim 4, use of another user can be restrict | limited during execution of an additional function.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of reducing the number of operations when adding / changing the functions of the image processing device in cooperation with the portable communication device and the image processing device.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the screen display of the image processing apparatus can be set for each user.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, the use of the additional function can be controlled by the use permission information issued by the server for the billing process.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the added function after use can be easily and reliably deleted.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing system according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, the image processing system includes a mobile communication device 100, an image processing device 102, and a server 104.

  The mobile communication device 100 is configured by a mobile phone device or the like, acquires function-related information regarding addition / change of a function from the image processing device 102, and adds an additional function acquired from the server 104 based on the function-related information. Whether transfer to 102 is possible or not is determined, and additional functions that can be transferred are transferred to the image processing apparatus 102. The image processing apparatus 102 includes a copier, a printing apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, or a multifunction machine having functions such as a scanner, a printing apparatus, a copier, and a facsimile, and transfers function-related information to the mobile communication apparatus 100. At the same time, the additional function transferred from the mobile communication device 100 is executed. The server 104 holds the additional function and transfers the additional function to the mobile communication device 100 in response to a request from the mobile communication device 100. The portable communication device 100, the image processing device 102, and the server 104 are connected via an appropriate communication unit 106.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the mobile communication device 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, a portable communication device 100 includes a central processing unit (for example, a CPU such as a microprocessor may be used) 10, a random access memory (RAM) 12, a storage device 14, a communication device 16, an input device 18, and a display device 20. It is comprised including. These components are connected to each other by a bus 22. The storage device 14 is connected to the bus 22 via the interface 14a, the communication device 16 via the interface 16a, the input device 18 via the interface 18a, and the display device 20 via the interface 20a. It is connected.

  The CPU 10 controls the operation of each unit described below based on a control program stored in the RAM 12 or the storage device 14. The RAM 12 mainly functions as a work area for the CPU 10.

  The storage device 14 is configured by a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, a hard disk device, or the like, and stores a control program and other data used by the CPU 10.

  The communication device 16 performs radio communication with a base station using radio waves to realize a function as a mobile phone, and also via a network such as the Internet or a non-contact communication such as a non-contact IC card or infrared communication. To communicate with the image processing apparatus 102.

  The input device 18 is used by a user to input various information using an input button or the like. In addition, it may comprise integrally with the display apparatus 20 mentioned later, and may be comprised so that input and a display of information may be performed by a touchscreen system etc.

  The display device 20 is configured by a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or the like, and displays authentication information, additional function information, and other information described later.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile communication device 100 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 3, the mobile communication device 100 includes a communication processing unit 24, a function related information acquisition unit 26, an additional function acquisition unit 28, a transfer enable / disable determination unit 30, an additional function transfer unit 32, an authentication information transfer unit 34, an input unit 36, and The simulation operation unit 38 is included. These functions are realized by, for example, the CPU 10 and a program for controlling the processing operation of the CPU 10.

  The communication processing unit 24 performs telephone communication via the communication device 16 and exchanges various types of information with the image processing device 102 via the Internet or non-contact communication.

  The function-related information acquisition unit 26 acquires function-related information regarding addition / change of functions to the image processing apparatus 102 from the image processing apparatus 102 via the communication processing unit 24. Here, the function-related information includes configuration information of the image processing apparatus 102, connection information to the server 104 that holds additional functions, and the like. The configuration information of the image processing apparatus 102 includes, for example, a function list, a hardware configuration, various setting values, and the like. The function-related information may include a criterion for determining whether or not the additional function can be transferred according to a use ticket issued by the server 104 when the mobile communication device 100 requests the additional function. This use ticket is used for, for example, billing processing by the server 104.

  The additional function acquisition unit 28 generates acquisition request information of an additional function to be added to the image processing apparatus 102 based on the function related information, and transfers the acquisition request information to the server 104 via the communication processing unit 24 to transmit the acquisition request information. Get additional features from.

  The transfer possibility determination unit 30 determines whether the additional function acquired by the additional function acquisition unit 28 from the server 104 can be transferred to the image processing apparatus 102 based on the function related information. For example, the transfer permission / inhibition determination unit 30 determines whether the transfer operation determination unit 30 simulates an additional function on the display device 20 based on the result of the simulation operation unit 38 described later based on the configuration information of the image processing device 102 included in the function related information. It is determined whether or not the additional function can be operated in the configuration of the processing apparatus 102. When it is determined that operation is possible, it is determined that transfer is possible, and when it is determined that operation is impossible, it is determined that transfer is not possible. In the configuration in which the server 104 issues a use ticket, whether transfer is possible may be determined based on the above-described criteria based on the use ticket. A configuration in which the contents of the use ticket can be confirmed as voice information or text information by the mobile communication device 100 is preferable. The determination of whether transfer is possible based on the use ticket may be performed not on the transfer permission determination unit 30 but on the image processing apparatus 102 side. In this case, an additional function that can be used according to the use ticket can be displayed on the display / input device 56 of the image processing apparatus 102, and the user can confirm the display and determine whether transfer is possible. Further, the function-related information may include an operation rule of the image processing apparatus 102, and only an additional function permitted to be executed according to the operation rule may be determined to be transferable.

  The additional function transfer unit 32 transfers the additional function, a display definition described later, and the like to the image processing apparatus 102 via the communication processing unit 24.

  The authentication information transfer unit 34 transfers authentication information for authenticating the mobile communication device 100 to the image processing device 102 via the communication processing unit 24.

  The input unit 36 receives information input via the input device 18 and is used by the CPU 10 for various processes.

  The simulated operation unit 38 displays the content of the additional function acquired by the additional function acquisition unit 28 on the display device 20, and on the simulated operation environment in which the additional function is generated based on the configuration information included in the function related information. Simulate it.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 102 according to the embodiment. 4, the image processing apparatus 102 includes a CPU 40, a RAM 42, a ROM 44, a communication device 46, an image acquisition device 48, a printing device 50, a facsimile device 52, a hard disk device (HDD) 54, and a display / input device 56. ing. These components are connected to each other by a bus 58. The communication device 46 is connected via the interface 46a, the image acquisition device 48 is connected via the interface 48a, the printing device 50 is connected via the interface 50a, the facsimile device 52 is connected via the interface 52a, and the hard disk device 54 is connected. The display / input device 56 is connected to the bus 58 via the interface 56a.

  The CPU 40 controls the operation of each unit described later based on a control program stored in the RAM 42 or the ROM 44. The RAM 42 mainly functions as a work area for the CPU 40, and the ROM 44 stores a control program such as BIOS and other data used by the CPU 40.

  The communication device 46 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, a network port, a non-contact type IC card, an interface capable of non-contact communication by infrared communication, and other appropriate communication interfaces. It is used for exchanging data with an external device via an appropriate communication means 106 such as non-contact communication.

  The image acquisition device 48 is configured by a scanner or the like and reads an image on paper or another medium and outputs image data.

  The printing apparatus 50 includes a printer engine that forms an image using consumables and prints printing data. As the printer engine, for example, a laser printer engine that forms an image by an electrophotographic process is used. An ink jet printer engine that forms an image using ink and paper may also be used.

  The facsimile device 52 is a device that transmits and receives image data acquired by the communication device 46, the image acquisition device 48, and the like using a telephone line or the like.

  Further, the hard disk device 54 stores various data necessary for processing to be described later. Instead of the hard disk device 54, a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM may be used.

  The display / input device 56 includes a touch panel or the like, displays an operation instruction input screen of the image processing apparatus 102, and is used by a user to input an operation instruction.

  FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the image processing apparatus 102 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 5, the image processing apparatus 102 includes a function related information transfer unit 60, an additional function receiving unit 62, an additional function starting unit 64, an authentication unit 66, a communication unit 68, and an additional function deleting unit 70. These functions are realized by, for example, the CPU 40 and a program for controlling the processing operation of the CPU 40.

  The function related information transfer unit 60 transfers the function related information regarding addition / change of the function of the image processing apparatus 102 to the mobile communication device 100 via the communication unit 68.

  The additional function receiving unit 62 receives from the portable communication device 100 an additional function that the portable communication device 100 determines to be transferable.

  The additional function starting unit 64 starts the additional function acquired by the additional function receiving unit 62 and executes the additional function. The additional function activation unit 64 controls the display content of the display / input device 56. In this case, the display content of the display / input device 56 may be controlled based on the display definition transferred from the additional function transfer unit 32 of the mobile communication device 100. Here, the display definition is information for setting or changing the display content of the display / input device 56. For example, a character size, a color, a shape of a figure, and the like can be defined.

  The authentication unit 66 executes an authentication process of the mobile communication device 100 that has transmitted the additional function information.

  The communication unit 68 exchanges authentication information, function-related information, additional functions, and the like with the mobile communication device 100 via the communication device 46. Such exchange of information can be performed through a network such as the Internet, a telephone line, a non-contact communication using a non-contact IC card, infrared communication, or the like.

  The additional function deletion unit 70 deletes the post-execution additional function based on a predetermined condition. Here, the predetermined condition includes, for example, a case where authentication has expired (logged off), or a case where a certain period of time has elapsed after activation of the additional function.

  FIG. 6 shows a flow of an operation example of the image processing system according to the embodiment. In FIG. 6, when the authentication information transfer unit 34 of the mobile communication device 100 transfers the authentication information to the image processing device 102 via the communication processing unit 24 (S 101), the authentication unit 66 of the image processing device 102 causes the mobile communication device 100 to An authentication process is executed (S102). Here, the authentication information may be a user name, a password, identification information of the mobile communication device 100, or the like.

  If the authentication is not successful in S102 (S103), the authentication unit 66 notifies the mobile communication device 100 of the authentication failure via the communication unit 68 (S104), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the authentication is successful in S102 (S103), the function related information transfer unit 60 transfers the function related information to the mobile communication device 100 via the communication unit 68 (S105).

  In the mobile communication device 100, the function related information acquisition unit 26 acquires the function related information transferred from the image processing apparatus 102 (S106). The additional function acquisition unit 28 generates additional function acquisition request information to be added to the image processing apparatus 102 based on an instruction from the user, and this acquisition request information is connection information to the server 104 included in the function related information. Then, the data is transferred to the server 104 via the communication processing unit 24 (S107). Which additional function is requested is determined by the input unit 36 receiving instruction information input from the input device 18 by the user and passing it to the additional function acquisition unit 28.

  The server 104 transfers the requested additional function to the mobile communication device 100 based on the acquisition request information (S108).

  In the mobile communication device 100, the additional function acquisition unit 28 acquires the additional function transferred from the server 104 (S109), and the transfer availability determination unit 30 determines whether the additional function can be transferred to the image processing device 102. . If it is determined that transfer is possible (S110), the additional function transfer unit 32 transfers the additional function to the image processing apparatus 102 via the communication processing unit 24 (S111). In this case, together with the additional function, the display content of the display / input device 56 may be set or changed, and a display definition for customization according to the user may be transferred. If it is determined in S110 that transfer is not possible, a display to that effect is displayed on the display device 20 (S112), and the process ends.

  In the image processing apparatus 102, the additional function receiving unit 62 receives the additional function transferred from the mobile communication device 100 (S113), and the additional function starting unit 64 starts and executes the additional function (S114). At this time, the additional function activation unit 64 also controls the display content of the display / input device 56. The display content of the display / input device 56 can be, for example, display according to the additional function, non-display, fixation of the display content at that time, or the like. Further, display contents may be controlled based on the display definition.

  7A and 7B show examples of display contents of the display device 20 of the mobile communication device 100 and the display / input device 56 of the image processing device 102. FIG. FIG. 7A is a screen during the simulated operation of the additional function displayed on the display device 20 of the mobile communication device 100. FIG. 7B is a screen when the additional function is displayed on the display / input device 56 after being transferred to the image processing apparatus 102. In the example of FIG. 7B, the display / input device 56 is not displayed.

  8A and 8B show other examples of display contents of the display device 20 of the mobile communication device 100 and the display / input device 56 of the image processing device 102. FIG. FIG. 8A is a screen during the simulated operation of the additional function displayed on the display device 20 of the mobile communication device 100. FIG. 8B is a screen when the additional function is displayed on the display / input device 56 based on the display definition after being transferred to the image processing apparatus 102. In the example of the display definition in FIG. 8B, the function button displayed as “Internet search” on the display device 20 of the mobile communication device 100 is changed to the display of “ABC”.

  Returning to FIG. 6, after the additional function is executed on the image processing apparatus 102, the additional function deletion unit 70 checks whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied (S115). When conditions such as logoff of the mobile communication device 100 and the elapse of a predetermined time after activation are satisfied, the additional function deletion unit 70 deletes the additional function from the image processing apparatus 102 (S116).

  Here, the program for executing each step of FIG. 6 described above can be stored in a recording medium, and the program may be provided by communication means. In that case, for example, the above-described program may be regarded as an invention of a “computer-readable recording medium recording the program”.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the portable communication apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the portable communication apparatus concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the image processing apparatus concerning embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart of the operation example of the image processing system concerning embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the display content of the display apparatus of a portable communication apparatus, and the display / input apparatus of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other example of the display content of the display apparatus of a portable communication apparatus, and the display / input apparatus of an image processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  10, 40 CPU, 12, 42 RAM, 14 storage device, 14a, 16a, 18a, 20a, 46a, 48a, 50a, 52a, 54a, 56a interface, 16, 46 communication device, 18 input device, 20 display device, 22 , 58 bus, 24 communication processing unit, 26 function related information acquisition unit, 28 additional function acquisition unit, 30 transfer enable / disable determination unit, 32 additional function transfer unit, 34 authentication information transfer unit, 36 input unit, 38 simulated operation unit, 44 ROM, 48 image acquisition device, 50 printing device, 52 facsimile device, 54 hard disk device, 56 display / input device, 60 function related information transfer unit, 62 additional function receiving unit, 64 additional function starting unit, 66 authentication unit, 68 communication 70, additional function deletion unit, 100 portable communication device, 102 image processing device, 104 Bas, 106 communication means.

Claims (10)

Function-related information acquisition means for acquiring function-related information regarding addition / change of functions to the image processing apparatus;
Based on the function related information, additional function acquisition means for acquiring an additional function from the additional function providing device;
Transfer enable / disable determining means for determining whether the acquired additional function can be transferred to the image processing apparatus based on the function related information;
Transfer means for transferring the additional function determined to be transferable to the image processing apparatus;
A portable communication device comprising:   2. The mobile communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising simulated operation means for displaying the additional function acquired by the additional function acquisition means on a display screen and operating it on the display screen in a simulated manner. . A function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information regarding addition / change of a function to the mobile communication device;
An additional function receiving means for receiving from the portable communication device an additional function determined by the portable communication device to be transferable based on the function-related information;
Additional function starting means for starting the received additional function;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the input / display screen is not displayed or the display is fixed during execution of the additional function. Function-related information acquisition means for acquiring function-related information regarding addition / change of functions to the image processing apparatus;
Based on the function related information, additional function acquisition means for acquiring an additional function from the additional function providing device;
Transfer enable / disable determining means for determining whether the acquired additional function can be transferred to the image processing apparatus based on the function related information;
Transfer means for transferring the additional function determined to be transferable to the image processing apparatus;
A portable communication device comprising:
A function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information regarding addition / change of a function to the mobile communication device;
An additional function receiving means for receiving from the portable communication device an additional function determined by the portable communication device to be transferable based on the function-related information;
Additional function starting means for starting the received additional function;
An image processing apparatus comprising:
An image processing system comprising:   6. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the portable communication device transfers display definition information of an input / display screen to the image processing device, and the image processing device displays display contents of the input / display screen based on the display definition information. An image processing system characterized by controlling the above.   7. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein when the portable communication device requests the additional function, the portable communication device receives use permission information from the additional function providing device, and the image processing device includes the function-related information. An image processing system comprising: a criterion for determining whether or not the additional function can be transferred according to the use permission information;   8. The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the image processing apparatus deletes the added function after execution based on a predetermined condition. Computer
Function-related information acquisition means for acquiring function-related information regarding addition / change of a function to the image processing apparatus;
Based on the function related information, additional function acquisition means for acquiring an additional function from the additional function providing device;
Transfer enable / disable determining means for determining whether the acquired additional function can be transferred to the image processing apparatus based on the function related information;
Transfer means for transferring an additional function determined to be transferable to the image processing apparatus;
A mobile communication program characterized in that it is functioned as: Computer
A function-related information transfer means for transferring function-related information regarding addition / change of a function to a mobile communication device;
An additional function receiving means for receiving, from the mobile communication device, an additional function that the mobile communication device has determined to be transferable based on the function-related information;
Additional function activation means for activating the received additional function;
An image processing program that functions as an image processing program.

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