JP2010187226A - Image processing system and display control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system which effectively uses a hardware resource for improved usability. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing system at least includes a first image processing apparatus (printer PR1) equipped with at least a first information display means (first operation panel 100) that displays information about apparatus itself, a second image processing apparatus (scanner SC1) which is equipped with at least a second information display means (second information panel 200) that displays information about apparatus itself and is connected to the first image processing apparatus, acquiring means (acquiring parts 101 and 201) for acquiring information about display function, selecting means (selecting parts 102 and 202) for selecting a first display means or second display means according to the acquisition result, and control means (control parts 104 and 204) for controlling display of information about apparatus as a display means which shares a first display means or a second display means selected by the selecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system and a display control program.

  Recently, a system that realizes a copy function without using a personal computer by directly connecting a printer to a scanner or connecting to a network and transmitting an image read by the scanner as a copy job to the printer has been proposed.

  In such a system, the model of the printer connected to the scanner is not fixed, and various functions can be connected.

  Since printers connected to the scanner have different functions and specifications that are not determined in advance, functions that can be performed as a system cannot be specified, and the operation contents of the operation panel are also different.

  Both printers and scanners have an operation panel, but the printer operation panel is mainly used for printer settings and information display, and is rarely used by general users, but it can be operated when using a print service. There was a difficult point.

  In general, when a copy operation is instructed, it is often possible to perform a unified operation on the operation screen of the scanner-side GUI panel with relatively good operability, but the printer panel is used. For some users, the operation method is different and there are cases where the user is lost.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-322475 discloses a technique that can be performed in the same manner as the operation of individual devices in connection of devices having different operation methods when a digital camera and a printer are connected.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-84388 discloses a technique for acquiring service and maintenance information in an external storage device and displaying the information on a display device.
JP 2004-322475 A JP 2002-84388 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system and a display control program that can improve the convenience by effectively utilizing hardware resources.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image processing system according to the invention of claim 1 includes one or more first image processing devices including at least first information display means for displaying information about the device itself, and the device itself. One or two or more second image processing apparatuses connected to the first image processing apparatus via communication means, and at least a second information display means for displaying information relating to the first display means And an acquisition means for acquiring information related to the display function of the second display means, a selection means for selecting the first display means or the second display means according to an acquisition result by the acquisition means, and the first As for the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, the first display means selected by the selection means or the second display means is used as a display means that is shared. And at least a control means for controlling display of information on.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the first aspect, the first display means and the second display means have an operation function for operating a function of each device together with a display function. It is characterized by comprising an operation panel provided.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the second aspect, the information relating to the display function is at least one of information relating to the area of the display area, the pixel density, the number of display colors, and the resolution of the operation panel. It is characterized by including one.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing system according to the second or third aspect, the display function information is at least one of device identification information, image graphic information, and display character code information. It is characterized by including one.

  An image processing system according to a fifth aspect of the invention relates to the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the control means Display control and operation control are performed based on emulation information set in advance to emulate an operation system included in the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus.

  An image processing system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the image processing system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the emulation information is stored in a storage means provided in the first image processing apparatus or the second image processing apparatus. It is characterized by.

  An image processing system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the image processing system according to the fifth aspect, wherein the emulation information is stored in an external storage device connected via the communication means.

  An image processing system according to an invention of claim 8 is the display of the first display means and the second display means acquired by the acquisition means for the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Storage means for storing information relating to the function in association with information relating to the acquisition source is further provided.

  An image processing system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the image processing system according to any of the fifth to eighth aspects, wherein the control means is the first display means or the first display means as the shared display means. The information on the operation method of the emulated operation system displayed on the display means of 2 is displayed.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display control program for acquiring information related to display functions of the first display means and the second display means, and a first display according to an acquisition result obtained by the acquisition processing process. Selection processing step for selecting the means or the second display means, and the first display means or the second display selected in the selection processing step for the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus And a control processing step for controlling display of information relating to each device so as to share the means.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, the display of information relating to each device as the display means sharing the first display means or the second display means. Therefore, there is an effect that convenience can be improved by effectively using hardware resources.

  According to invention of Claim 2, compared with the case where it does not have this structure, the 1st display means and the 2nd display means operate the function which each apparatus has with the display function It is possible to improve convenience by effectively using hardware resources.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a display means more suitable for common use than when the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to select a display means more suitable for common use than when the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the operation system provided in the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus is emulated as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, hardware resources are provided. Can be effectively utilized to further improve convenience.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the hardware resources can be effectively utilized and the convenience can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the hardware resources can be effectively utilized and the convenience can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the hardware resources can be effectively utilized and the convenience can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the information regarding the operation method of the emulated operation system is displayed as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, and thus hardware resources are effectively utilized. Therefore, it is possible to further improve convenience by preventing operation mistakes.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided, information relating to each device is displayed as the display means sharing the first display means or the second display means. Therefore, there is an effect that convenience can be improved by effectively using hardware resources.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and duplicate descriptions are omitted. In addition, since description here is the best form by which this invention is implemented, this invention is not limited to the said form.

  An image processing system S1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image processing system S1 includes a first operation panel 100 (first information display means) configured by a touch panel or the like having a function of operating together with a function of displaying information about the apparatus itself. A second operation panel 200 (second example) including a printer PR1 (an example of a first image processing apparatus) including at least a function of displaying information related to the apparatus itself and a function of operating the printer PR1. A scanner SC1 (an example of a second image processing apparatus) connected to the first image processing apparatus PR1 via a network N (an example of a communication means) such as a LAN. A server SA (not shown) that stores emulation information set in advance to emulate an operation system provided in the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1. An example of a parts storage) at least comprises a.

  As for the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1, the illustration and description of the configurations not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, one printer PR1 and one scanner SC1 are connected to the network N. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more printers may be connected.

  Further, the printing method of the printer PR1 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a laser printer, a full color printer, a multifunction machine, an inkjet printer, and the like.

  In addition, the reading method of the scanner SC1 is not particularly limited, and may be any of a Charge Coupled Devices (CCD) method, a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) method, and the like.

  In FIG. 1, a router 300 is provided as a repeater of the network N, but this is not essential in the present invention.

  In addition, the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 are connected not only via the network N but also via a local line (USB cable or the like via a USB interface) 400. However, in the present invention, it is sufficient if they are connected at least one side. .

  Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the second operation panel 200 included in the scanner SC1 has a display area area and pixels that are larger than those of the first operation panel 100 included in the printer PR1. It is assumed to be functionally superior in density, number of display colors, resolution, and the like.

  The superiority or inferiority of the functions or performances of the first operation panel 100 and the second operation panel 200 is obtained by acquiring information such as the area of the display area, the pixel density, the number of display colors, and the resolution as information related to the display function. Or comparison based on information including at least one of device identification information, image graphic information, and display character code information.

  In order to acquire information regarding these display functions via the network N, the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 include acquisition units 101 and 201 (an example of means), respectively.

  In the above example, the case where the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 are provided with a touch panel having a function to be operated in addition to the function to display has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and one display unit of the printer PR1 or the scanner SC1 This includes the case where only segment display such as LED or display by lighting or blinking of LED or the like is included.

  In addition, the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 include selection units 102 and 202 (an example of a selection unit) that select the first operation panel 100 or the second operation panel 200 according to the acquisition results obtained by the acquisition units 101 and 201, respectively. I have.

  The printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 are a microcomputer or the like that controls the display of information about each device, using the first operation panel 100 or the second operation panel 200 selected by the selection units 102 and 202 as a shared display unit. Each of the control units 104 (an example of a control unit) is provided.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the second operation panel 200 is functionally and performance superior to the first operation panel 100, and as a result, the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1. In any case, the second operation panel 200 is used as a common display means.

  Here, when the scanner SC1 displays information on the scanner SC1 on the second operation panel 200, it is the same as the control of the normal operation.

  On the other hand, when displaying the information of the printer PR1 using the second operation panel 200 of the scanner SC1, it is necessary to emulate the operation system of the printer PR1 using the display function of the second operation panel 200.

  The second operation panel 200 of the scanner SC1 includes a so-called GUI (Graphical User Interface) in order to emulate the operation system of the printer PR1.

  Here, the GUI refers to a user interface that uses a lot of graphics for displaying information to the user and can perform most basic operations with a pointing device such as a mouse. Note that the touch panel can be operated by pressing a desired display location with a finger, a touch pen (stylus) or the like without using a mouse or the like.

  The control units 104 and 204 perform display control and operation control based on emulation information set in advance to emulate the operation system provided in the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1.

  The emulation information is stored in a storage unit 103 (an example of a storage unit) configured by a hard disk device, a nonvolatile memory, or the like included in the printer PR1 or the scanner SC1, or a server SA (an example of an external storage unit) connected via the network N. Stored in

  Further, the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 obtain information (for example, the printer PR1 or the scanner SC1) about the display function of the first operation panel 100 or the second operation panel 200 acquired by the acquisition units 101 and 201 (for example, the printer PR1 or the scanner SC1). Storage units 105 and 205 (storage means) for storing the information in association with printer name, scanner name, identification information such as IP address, and the like.

  As a result, when the identification information matches with the identification information on the storage units 105 and 205 when the connection is confirmed, the processing speed is improved by not acquiring new information.

  In addition, the control units 104 and 204 can display information on the operation method of the emulated operation system displayed on the first operation panel 100 or the second operation panel 200 as a shared display unit. .

  As a result, the user can operate the emulated operation system with reference to the guide information and the like, so that an operation error is prevented and convenience is further improved.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system S1 having the above configuration will be described.

  In order to simplify the description, the description will be limited to the case where the scanner SC1 side acquires and controls information on the printer PR1 side.

  When the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 are connected by the USB cable 400, the acquisition unit 201 acquires the information of the printer PR1 in the scanner SC1 when both devices confirm the connection.

  When the printer PR1 and the scanner SC1 are connected via the network N, the acquisition unit 201 similarly acquires information when the printer PR1 is specified on the scanner SC1 side and the connection is confirmed.

  Based on the acquired information, it is determined whether or not the printer PR1 is a device having printer operation panel information (an example of information related to the display function of the display means), and further information stored in the storage unit 205 of the scanner SC1. If it is a different device, the process proceeds to an information acquisition process.

  If there is the same printer as that connected in the past, no new information is acquired.

  In the case of a new printer, if the printer has printer operation panel information, the scanner SC1 acquires the printer operation panel information and stores it in the storage unit 205 together with the printer identification information.

  On the other hand, if the printer does not have printer operation panel information, the server SA is accessed, printer operation panel information of the corresponding printer is acquired, and stored in the storage unit 205 together with device identification information.

  Here, the printer operation panel information includes operation panel image graphic information, data to be transmitted at the time of key determination, and display character code table information to be used. (See FIG. 3).

  Next, when the printer connection is recognized, a selection menu as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the second operation panel 200 of the scanner SC1, for example.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, “select scanner panel display”, “select connected printer panel display”, and “select print service” are displayed, and the user (operator) is prompted to select one.

  When the operator selects “printer operation panel display”, the second operation panel 200 of the scanner SC1 displays the image G of the printer operation panel as shown in FIG.

  The printer PR1 is notified that the operation panel display mode has been changed to the scanner SC1 side.

  When the control unit 104 recognizes that the operation of the printer PR1 itself is emulated by the second operation panel 200 of the scanner SC1, the printer PR1 does not accept the key input of the first operation panel 100 of the printer PR1. Perform exclusive control.

  Thereafter, key operation information on the printer image displayed on the scanner SC1 side is notified to the printer PR1 side, and display information on the printer PR1 side is notified to the scanner SC1 side, and the second information on the scanner SC1 side. Is displayed as a printer operation panel display G on the operation panel 200 (see FIG. 5).

  From the printer PR1 side, only the remote operation panel is used, and the operation itself does not change.

  In FIG. 5, when the operator switches to the guide display mode, guide display such as usage of the operation panel becomes possible.

  In the guide display mode, when the operator presses a key on the printer operation panel display unit G, the scanner SC1 accesses the server SA to acquire and display the guide information on the printer operation panel.

  FIG. 6 shows a screen display example when the menu button is pressed.

  Thereby, information described in a user manual or the like can be referred to, an operation error is prevented, and convenience is improved.

  When the print service is selected from the selection menu shown in FIG. 4, the complicated operation items can be operated on the first operation panel 100 of the printer PR1 using the GUI.

  FIG. 7 shows a display example when security printing is performed.

  According to this, it becomes possible to input an authentication ID and select a document on one screen.

  When an authentication ID or the like is input on the screen of FIG. 7 and then the print execution button is pressed, the authentication ID and document name are notified to the printer PR1, and processing is performed.

  Next, processing procedures of various processes executed in the image processing system S1 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS.

  First, the connection process executed by the scanner SC1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  In step S10, it is determined whether or not the printer PR1 is connected. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S11.

  In step S11, the printer identification information is requested and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S12, it is determined whether or not the identification information has been acquired. If “No”, the process returns to step S11, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the printer identification information is analyzed, and the process proceeds to step S14.

  In step S14, it is determined whether or not the printer has operation panel information. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S15. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S16 in FIG.

  In step S15, it is determined whether or not the corresponding printer operation panel information is inside the printer. If “Yes”, this process ends. If “No”, the process proceeds to step S17 in FIG. .

  On the other hand, in step S16, after connecting to the server SA, the process proceeds to step S17.

  In step S17, the printer operation panel information is requested. In step S18, it is determined whether or not the acquisition of the printer operation panel information is completed.

  If the determination result is “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S19.

  In step S19, the printer operation panel information is stored in the storage unit 205, and the process ends.

  Next, connection processing executed by the printer PR1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S20, it is determined whether or not the scanner SC1 is connected. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S21.

  In step S21, it is determined whether or not there is an identification information request. If “No”, the process waits. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S22 to transmit the printer identification information to the scanner SC1. The process ends.

  Next, operation processing of the printer PR1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S30, it is determined whether or not there is a request for printer operation panel information. If “No”, the process ends. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S31.

  In step S31, it is determined whether there is printer operation panel information. If “No”, the process ends. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S32.

  In step S32, the printer operation panel information is transmitted to the scanner SC1, and the process ends.

  Next, operation panel display selection menu processing executed by the scanner SC1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S40, it is determined whether or not the scanner panel display has been selected in the operation panel selection menu illustrated in FIG. 4. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S46 to display the print service screen and perform processing. Exit.

  On the other hand, if “No”, the process proceeds to step S41 to determine whether or not the printer panel display is selected. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S42 to display the printer operation panel image. Then, the process proceeds to step S43 to request the printer PR1 to switch the operation panel, and the process is terminated.

  If “No” in step S41, the process proceeds to step S44 to determine whether or not a print service has been selected. If “No”, the process ends. If “Yes”, the process ends. Displays the print service screen and ends the process.

  Thereby, the hardware resources of the image processing system S1 are effectively used to improve convenience.

  Next, printer operation panel display mode processing executed by the scanner SC1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S50, it is determined whether or not there is a key input. If “No”, the process ends. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S51.

  In step S51, it is determined whether or not the display is switched to the guide display. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S52 to switch to the guide display mode and the process ends.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S53, information corresponding to the pressed key is extracted from the operation key information, transmitted to the printer PR1, and the process is terminated.

  Next, the guide display mode process executed by the scanner SC1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S60, it is determined whether or not there is a key input. If “No”, the process ends as it is, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S61.

  In step S61, it is determined whether or not to switch to operation display. If “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S65, and the process ends after switching to the operation display mode.

  If “No”, the process proceeds to step S62, the server SA is requested for guide information corresponding to the pressed key, and the process proceeds to step S63.

  In step S63, it is determined whether or not the acquisition of the guide information has been completed. If “No”, the process waits, and if “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S64 to display the guide information and the process ends. To do.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not limited to the disclosed technology. Should not be considered. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications that fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent technology are included.

  When using a program, it can be provided via a network or stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  That is, the predetermined program including the image processing program is not limited to being recorded in a storage device such as a hard disk as a recording medium, and the predetermined program can be provided as follows.

  For example, a predetermined program may be stored in the ROM, and the CPU may load the predetermined program from the ROM to the main storage device and execute it.

  The predetermined program may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD-ROM, a CD-ROM, an MO (magneto-optical disk), a flexible disk, and distributed.

  Further, the image processing apparatus or the like is connected to a server apparatus or a host computer via a communication line (for example, the Internet), and after the predetermined program is downloaded from the server apparatus or the host computer, the predetermined program is executed. You may do it. In this case, examples of the download destination of the predetermined program include a memory such as a RAM and a storage device (recording medium) such as a hard disk.

  The image processing system and the display control program according to the present invention can be applied to a copying machine, a laser printer, a full-color printer, a multifunction machine, a facsimile machine, and the like.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of image processing system S1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of image processing system S1 which concerns on embodiment. 6 is a table illustrating printer operation panel information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of an operation panel selection menu. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a printer operation panel display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of a guide display. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a security print display. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a connection process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a connection process. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of a connection process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of printer operation processing. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the operation panel display selection menu process performed with scanner SC1. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the printer operation panel display mode process performed with the scanner SC1. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the guide display mode process performed with scanner SC1.

S1 image processing system PR1 printer SA server N network 100 first operation panel 101 acquisition unit 102 selection unit 103 storage unit 104 control unit 105 storage unit SC1 scanner 200 second operation panel 201 acquisition unit 202 selection unit 203 storage unit 204 control Unit 205 storage unit 300 router 400 USB cable G printer operation panel display unit

Claims (10)

One or more first image processing devices including at least first information display means for displaying information about the device itself;
One or two or more second image processing devices that include at least a second information display unit that displays information about the device itself, and that are connected to the first image processing device via a communication unit;
Obtaining means for obtaining information on display functions of the first display means and the second display means;
Selection means for selecting the first display means or the second display means according to the acquisition result by the acquisition means;
As for the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, the first display means selected by the selection means or the second display means is used as the display means shared with each other. Control means for controlling the display of
An image processing system comprising:   2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first display unit and the second display unit are configured by an operation panel having an operation function for operating a function of each apparatus together with a display function. .   The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information related to the display function includes at least one of information related to an area of the display area of the operation panel, a pixel density, the number of display colors, and a resolution.   4. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the information related to the display function includes at least one of device identification information, image graphic information, and display character code information. The control means includes
The display control and the operation control are performed based on emulation information set in advance in order to emulate an operation system included in the first image processing device and the second image processing device. Item 5. The image processing system according to any one of Items 4 to 5.   The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the emulation information is stored in a storage unit included in the first image processing apparatus or the second image processing apparatus.   The image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the emulation information is stored in an external storage device connected via the communication unit.   2. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing information relating to display functions of the first display means and the second display means acquired by the acquisition means in association with information relating to an acquisition source. The image processing system according to claim 7. The control means includes
6. The information on the operation method of the emulated operation system displayed on the first display unit or the second display unit as the shared display unit is displayed. The image processing system according to claim 8. An acquisition process for acquiring information relating to the display functions of the first display means and the second display means;
A selection processing step of selecting the first display means or the second display means according to the acquisition result of the acquisition processing step;
For the first image processing device and the second image processing device, display of information regarding each of the devices so as to share the first display means or the second display means selected in the selection process. Control process to control,
A display control program for causing a calculation means to execute the above.

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