JP2010217985A - Image processing system, information processor, and processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing system for improving convenience related with the selection and setting of an image processor. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing system includes: a plurality of image processors connected to an information processor PC1; a storage means (user information storage part 100) for storing information related with a user; an acquisition means (use result acquisition part 101) for acquiring information related with the use result; an analyzing means (analyzing part 102) for analyzing the stored information related with the user and the obtained information related with the use result; an extraction means (function extraction part 103) for extracting a function in which the use result corresponding to the information related with the user exists based on the analytic result; a determination means (determination part 104) for determining whether or not an image processor equipped with the function in which the extracted use result is present exists in connected image processors; and a selection means (printer selection part 106) for selecting the image processor to be used based on the determination result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

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

  In general, in an image processing system that uses a device (image processing device) such as a printer in an information processing device (terminal device) such as a personal computer, it is necessary to install a device driver such as a printer driver in the information processing device. is there.

  When installing such a device driver, when a plurality of devices are installed on a communication means such as a LAN, the installation program searches for a device on the communication means, and if a plurality of devices are detected, A configuration in which these are displayed in a list and allowed to be selected by the user is well known.

  In such a configuration, when the user selects a device, the model name of the device and address information (for example, an IP address) on the communication means must be recognized in advance.

As a related technique, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-92765, position information and attribute information desired by a user are input to a server using map information held by a client apparatus and position information and attribute information held by a device. Then, a technique for detecting a desired device from a database on a server is disclosed.
JP 2001-92765 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a processing program that can improve convenience related to selection and setting of an image processing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an image processing system according to claim 1 stores a plurality of image processing devices connected to an information processing device via communication means, and information related to a user of each image processing device. Storing means for acquiring information relating to the use results of each image processing apparatus, information relating to the user stored in the storage means, and information relating to the use results obtained by the obtaining means. Analyzing means for analyzing, extracting means for extracting a function having a usage record corresponding to information on the user based on an analysis result of the analyzing means, and the usage record extracted by the extracting means exist A determination unit for determining whether or not an image processing apparatus having a function exists in the image processing apparatus connected via the communication unit; and a determination result by the determination unit Based on, characterized in that it comprises selecting means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used.

  An image processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises priority setting means for setting a priority for the function having the usage record extracted by the extraction means, and the selection means includes the priority setting means. The image processing apparatus to be used is selected in consideration of the priority set in (1).

  In an image processing system according to a third aspect of the present invention, at least one of the image processing apparatuses includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and the image forming apparatus stores information relating to the usage record. A storage means is provided.

  The image processing system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the information relating to the usage record includes information relating to printing attributes.

  The image processing system according to a fifth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the information relating to the printing attribute includes any of information relating to a paper size, a color printing function, a duplex printing function, and an optional function.

  The image processing system according to the invention of claim 6 is a calculation means for calculating a use frequency for each user for the function having the usage record extracted by the extraction means, and a use calculated by the calculation means. And a setting unit configured to perform setting for at least one of the image processing apparatuses on the basis of the frequency.

  An information processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is a storage unit that stores information about a user, an acquisition unit that acquires information about a usage record, information about a user stored in the storage unit, and the acquisition Analysis means for analyzing the information on the usage record acquired by the means, an extraction means for extracting a function having a usage record corresponding to the information on the user based on the analysis result of the analysis means, A determination unit that determines whether an image processing apparatus having a function in which the use record extracted by the extraction unit exists is present in the image processing apparatus connected through the communication unit; The image processing apparatus includes at least a selection unit that selects an image processing apparatus to be used based on a determination result by the determination unit.

  The processing program according to the invention of claim 8 includes an information acquisition process regarding a user who acquires information regarding users of a plurality of image processing apparatuses, a use record acquisition process for acquiring information regarding a use record of each image processing apparatus, Based on the analysis process for analyzing the acquired information on the user and the information on the usage record, and the analysis result of the analysis process, the function having the usage record corresponding to the information on the user is extracted. The extraction process is executed by a calculation means.

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

  That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that convenience regarding selection of the image processing apparatus can be improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the convenience related to the selection of the image processing apparatus can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further improve the convenience related to the selection of the image forming apparatus as the image processing apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the convenience of selecting an image forming apparatus as an image processing apparatus can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the convenience of selecting an image forming apparatus as an image processing apparatus can be further improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience related to the setting of the image processing apparatus as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that convenience regarding selection of the image processing apparatus can be improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that convenience related to selection of the image processing apparatus can be improved as compared with the case where the present configuration is not provided.

  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.

  (First embodiment)

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

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image processing system S 1 includes an information processing device (terminal device) PC 1 constituted by a personal computer connected via a network N such as a LAN, and information via the network N. Printers PR1 to PRn (an example of an image processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus: n is an integer) connected to the processing apparatus PC1 and performing image processing relating to image formation (printing), and a scanner SC1 (image processing apparatus) that reads an image 1) and a server SA1 for storing various types of information.

  2 and 3, the illustration and description of the information processing apparatus PC1 and the printers PR1 to PRn that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the number of connected printers, information processing apparatuses, scanners, and servers is not particularly limited, and any number may be connected.

  The printing method of the printers PR1 to PRn 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.

  The printers PR1 to PRn include a usage record storage unit (print history database unit) 200 (an example of a storage unit) configured by a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk device, or the like that stores a print history database or the like.

  In addition, a usage record transmission module 201 is provided that transmits usage record data read from a print history database or the like to the information processing apparatus PC1 via the network N.

  The information processing apparatus PC1 includes a user information storage unit 100 (an example of a storage unit) configured by a nonvolatile memory, a hard disk device, or the like that stores information about users (users) of the printers PR1 to PRn, and each printer PR1. A usage record acquisition unit 101 (an example of an acquisition unit) that acquires information related to the use record of PRn via the use record storage unit (print history database unit) 200 and the use record transmission module 201 of each printer PR1 to PRn, and the use An analysis unit 102 (an example of an analysis unit) that analyzes information about the user stored in the user information storage unit 100 and information about the usage record acquired by the usage record acquisition unit 101, and an analysis result of the analysis unit 102 On the basis of the function extraction unit 103 (extractor) that extracts a function having a usage record corresponding to information on the user. And a determination unit that determines whether or not a printer having a function having a usage record extracted by the function extraction unit 103 exists in the printers PR1 to PRn connected via the network N. 104 (an example of a determination unit), a printer selection unit 106 (an example of a selection unit) that selects printers PR1 to PRn to be used based on a determination result by the determination unit 104, and a usage record extracted by the function extraction unit 103 A function for which there is a usage record based on the use frequency calculated by the use frequency calculation unit 107 and the use frequency calculation unit 107 that calculates the use frequency for each user. Printer setting unit 108 (an example of setting means) that performs setting for at least one of the printers PR1 to PRn, and a function that has a history of use And a set of Sakido priority setting unit 105 (an example of priority setting).

  The information about the usage record can include information about the printing attribute.

  The information related to the print attribute is not particularly limited, but may include any of information related to any of paper size, color printing function, double-sided printing function, and optional function (for example, stapling function, bookbinding function).

  Further, the information regarding the user can include a printer name, an account name, and an IP address.

  The selection unit 106 may automatically select and set one of the printers PR1 to PRn based on the determination result, or list one or more printers based on the determination result, You may make it display on the display apparatus of information processing apparatus PC1, and let a user select and perform a desired setting.

  This improves convenience related to printer selection and setting.

  As with the printers PR1 to PRn, a plurality of image processing apparatuses such as a scanner and a facsimile apparatus having a usage record storage unit are connected to the network N, and are selected and set by the information processing apparatus PC1. It is also possible.

  Thereby, the convenience regarding selection and setting of the image processing apparatus is improved.

  Further, the user information may be stored in the server SA1 instead of the user information storage unit 100 of the information processing apparatus PC1. Further, information related to the user results stored in the use result storage unit 200 of each printer PR1 to PRn may be stored in the server SA1.

In the information processing apparatus PC1, the usage record acquisition unit 101 can be configured by a track record request module, the analysis unit 102 can be configured by a track record analysis module, the printer selection unit 106 can be configured by a printer specifying module, and the printer setting unit 108 can be configured by an initial setting module. (See FIG. 3).
A module is an individual program.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the print history database.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, print history data regarding each user (A to C) is stored for printing date and time, user name, document name, paper size, aggregate printing, duplex printing, and the like.

  FIG. 5 shows the result of analyzing the usage record for the user A by the analysis unit 102 based on the information of (1), (4) and (5) in the print history database shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the paper size setting function has a record of setting A3 size, A4 size, and postcard size, and the aggregate printing function has a record of setting one page per sheet and two pages per sheet. However, in the double-sided printing function, it is shown that there is a track record of setting double-sided printing with long-edge binding in addition to single-sided printing.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a processing procedure of printer selection processing executed in the image processing system S1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, in step S100, information about the user is acquired from the information processing apparatus PC1.

  Next, after the acquisition, in step S101, the printers PR1 to PRn are requested for information on the usage record.

  The contents information of the print history database is transmitted from the printers PR1 to PRn, and the information processing apparatus PC1 acquires the information in step S102.

  The acquired usage record is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S103, the acquired usage record information is analyzed to extract the function used from the usage record corresponding to the information related to the user and what setting is selected for the function.

  The extracted result is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S104, the printers PR1 to PRn on the network N check whether or not the extracted functions and settings can be set, and in step S105, only the devices that can be set are selected, displayed, and processed. Exit.

  Thereby, the user can easily select a printer having a function to be used, and convenience is improved.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows another example of the analysis result of the user A by the analysis unit 102.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the function used by the user A during printing and the frequency of setting are shown.

  For example, as a usage record, it can be seen that the A4 size designation frequency is the highest at 28 times in the paper size setting function.

  In addition, it is understood that the frequency of designation of one page per sheet is the highest at 30 times in the aggregate printing function.

  In the double-sided printing function, it can be seen that the frequency of designating one side is the highest, 24 times.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing procedure of the printer setting process using the analysis result shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

  First, in step S200, information about the user is acquired from the information processing apparatus PC1.

  Next, after the acquisition, in step S201, the printers PR1 to PRn are requested for information on the usage record.

  The contents information of the print history database is transmitted from the printers PR1 to PRn, and the information processing apparatus PC1 acquires the information in step S202.

  The acquired usage record is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S203, the acquired usage record information is analyzed to extract the function used from the usage record corresponding to the information related to the user and what setting is selected for the function.

  In step S204, the number of times the extracted settings are specified is counted, and settings with a high specified frequency are extracted.

  The extracted result is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In step S205, the printers PR1 to PRn on the network N confirm whether or not the extracted functions and settings can be set, and only the devices that can be set are selected and displayed in step S206.

  When the user selects a printer having a function to be used, the corresponding printer driver is installed in the information processing apparatus PC1. After the installation is completed in step S207, the usage frequency extracted for the printer is used. A high setting is set for each function, and the process ends.

  Accordingly, the user can easily select a printer having a function that the user wants to use, and can easily perform initial setting for a function that is frequently used, thereby improving convenience.

  (Second Embodiment)

  With reference to FIG. 9 to FIG. 11, an image processing system S2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The difference between the image processing system S1 according to the first embodiment and the image processing system S2 according to the second embodiment is that in the image processing system S1, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 3 and FIG. A printing history database unit (usage record storage unit) 200 provided in each of the printers PR1 to PRn is provided in the information processing apparatus PC2 in the image processing system S2.

  Thereby, it is possible to save labor and processing time for requesting the use record for each of the printers PR1 to PRn.

  Here, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, a processing procedure of printer selection processing executed in the image processing system S2 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, in step S300, information about the user is acquired from the information processing apparatus PC1.

  Next, in step S301, the usage record information acquired from the print history database is analyzed, and the function used from the usage record corresponding to the information related to the user and what settings are selected for the function are extracted. Is done.

  The extracted result is displayed as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S302, for each extracted function and each setting, it is confirmed whether or not the printers PR1 to PRn on the network N can set them, and only the devices that can be set are selected and displayed in step S303. Exit.

  As a result, the user can more easily select a printer having a function he / she wants to use, and convenience is improved.

  Next, a processing procedure of printer setting processing using the analysis result will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, in step S400, information about the user is acquired from the information processing apparatus PC1.

  Next, in step S401, the usage record information acquired from the print history database is analyzed, and the function used and the setting selected for the function are extracted from the usage record corresponding to the information related to the user. Is done.

  In step S402, the number of times the extracted settings are specified is counted, and settings with a high specified frequency are extracted.

  The extracted result is displayed as shown in FIG.

  In step S403, the printers PR1 to PRn on the network N confirm whether or not the extracted functions and settings can be set. In step S404, only devices that can be set are selected and displayed.

  When the user selects a printer having a function to be used, the corresponding printer driver is installed in the information processing apparatus PC2. After the installation is completed in step S405, the usage frequency extracted for the printer is used. A high setting is set for each function, and the process ends.

  Accordingly, the user can easily select a printer having a function that the user wants to use, and can easily perform initial setting for a function that is frequently used, thereby improving convenience.

  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.

  In the case of using a program, it can be provided via a communication means 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.

  An image processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a processing program according to the present invention are applied to an image processing apparatus such as a copying apparatus, a laser printer, a full-color printer, a multifunction peripheral, a facsimile apparatus, and a scanner, and an image processing system using these apparatuses. be able to.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of image processing system S1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of image processing system S1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of image processing system S1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a table | surface which shows the structural example of a printing history database. It is a table | surface which shows the example of a use performance analysis result. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of printer selection processing. It is a table | surface which shows the other example of a use performance analysis result. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of printer setting processing. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of image processing system S2 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of printer selection processing. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of printer setting processing.

S1, S2 Image processing system PC1, PC2 Information processing devices PR1 to PRn Printer SC1 Scanner SA1 Server N Network 100 User information storage unit 101 Usage record acquisition unit 102 Analysis unit 103 Function extraction unit 104 Determination unit 105 Priority setting unit 106 Printer Selection unit 107 Usage frequency calculation unit 108 Printer setting unit 200 Usage result storage unit 201 Usage result transmission module

Claims (8)

A plurality of image processing apparatuses connected to the information processing apparatus via communication means;
Storage means for storing information about the user of each image processing apparatus;
Obtaining means for obtaining information relating to the use record of each image processing apparatus;
Analysis means for analyzing the information about the user stored in the storage means and the information about the usage record acquired by the acquisition means;
Based on the analysis result of the analysis means, an extraction means for extracting a function having a usage record corresponding to the information about the user;
A determination unit that determines whether or not an image processing apparatus having a function in which the use record extracted by the extraction unit exists is present in the image processing apparatus connected via the communication unit;
Selection means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on a determination result by the determination means;
An image processing system comprising: A priority setting means for setting a priority for the function in which the usage record extracted by the extraction means exists,
The selection means includes
2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein an image processing apparatus to be used is selected in consideration of the priority set by the priority setting means. At least one of the image processing apparatuses includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium,
The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores information regarding the usage record.   The image processing system according to claim 3, wherein the information relating to the usage record includes information relating to a printing attribute.   The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the information related to the print attribute includes any of information related to a paper size, a color printing function, a duplex printing function, and an optional function. A calculation means for calculating a use frequency for each user for the function in which the use results extracted by the extraction means exist;
A setting unit configured to perform setting for at least one of the image processing apparatuses based on the use frequency calculated by the calculation unit;
The image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: Storage means for storing information about the user;
An acquisition means for acquiring information relating to the usage record;
Analysis means for analyzing the information about the user stored in the storage means and the information about the usage record acquired by the acquisition means;
Based on the analysis result of the analysis means, an extraction means for extracting a function having a usage record corresponding to the information about the user;
A determination unit that determines whether or not an image processing apparatus having a function in which the use record extracted by the extraction unit exists is present in the image processing apparatus connected via the communication unit;
Selection means for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on a determination result by the determination means;
An information processing apparatus comprising at least: An information acquisition process related to a user for acquiring information related to a user of a plurality of image processing apparatuses;
A usage record acquisition process for acquiring information on the usage record of each image processing apparatus;
An analysis process for analyzing the acquired information on the user and the information on the usage record;
Based on the analysis result of the analysis process, an extraction process for extracting a function having a usage record corresponding to the information on the user;
A determination step of determining whether or not an image processing apparatus having a function in which the extracted usage record exists is present in an image processing apparatus connected via communication means;
A selection process for selecting an image processing apparatus to be used based on the determination result;
A processing program characterized by causing an arithmetic means to execute.

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