JP2011124914A - Information device, image processing apparatus, information processing apparatus communicable with information device, and information processing system including them - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display a touch panel display screen of an MFP without delay in a computer for remotely controlling the MFP. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU of an MFP, which communicates with a computer for remotely controlling the MFP, performs a program including the steps of: calculating a communication time T from transmission of a packet to reception of a reply (S3040); calculating a difference data amount D between preceding screen data and next screen data (S3110) if the communication time T is long (S3060:YES); creating transmission screen data constituted of only an alteration portion (S3130) if the difference data amount D is small (S3120:YES); and transmitting the transmission screen data to the computer (S3150). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is an information device that can be operated remotely by another information processing device, and in particular, information displayed on a display unit provided as a user interface by many information devices is displayed on another information processing device, The present invention relates to an information device capable of remotely operating an information device without delay in accordance with a request of a user who is operated by the information processing apparatus. The present invention also relates to an image processing apparatus that is one type of such information equipment, an information processing apparatus (computer) that can communicate with such information equipment, and an information processing system including them.

  As one type of image processing apparatus that is an information device, an image forming apparatus (typically a copier) that forms an image on a recording sheet is introduced in many offices (company, office, etc.). In such offices, there are many cases where an image forming apparatus having a printer function or a copy function is connected to a network, and these are used (shared) by a plurality of users. In addition, a multifunction peripheral (MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)), which is one type of such an image forming apparatus, has a copy mode, a facsimile mode (hereinafter, a facsimile is sometimes referred to as “FAX” or “fax”), and a network compatible printer. A plurality of basic modes such as a mode and a scanner mode are provided.

  In this way, when a copier that is a representative of the image forming apparatus is shared by a plurality of users, when a certain user wants to use the copier, and another user (previous user) is using the copier, A certain user waits for the work by the previous user to end before using it. In a general copier, a user at a remote location cannot know whether or not the copier is free, so a user who uses the copier is lined up beside the copier and works for the previous user. I have to wait for it to finish.

  Also, when using a copying machine equipped with an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that automatically transports a large number of documents to the operation unit, select a copy mode when executing a large number of copies in the same copy mode. After the original is set on the ADF and the start key is pressed, the user normally does not need to do anything until all copying is completed. Therefore, the user can leave the copier and perform another work while the copy is being executed. However, when a trouble such as the recording paper jam occurs or when the recording paper is used up, an operation by the user is required. Further, if the user is at a position away from the copying machine, it is impossible to know whether or not the copying has been normally completed. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to return to the copying machine from time to time to check the operation status. For such a user, there is a demand for grasping the status of the copying machine that is executing copying at a remote location.

  Furthermore, when performing maintenance work on such a copier, the maintenance work can be performed even if the service person does not actually go to the place where the copier is installed by remotely operating the copier from the customer center where the service person resides. The trouble can be solved by doing. Further, by remotely operating the copying machine in this way, the actual operation panel display can be changed and the operation method of the copying machine can be conveyed to the user. There is a demand for such a serviceman to remotely operate a user's copier installed at a remote location.

  In response to such demands, techniques for remotely monitoring a copying machine have been proposed. In such a monitoring apparatus, if the content of information (characters, icons, marks, etc.) displayed on the monitoring apparatus or the display layout is different from the display on the operation panel of the copying machine, the user can remotely On the other hand, when realizing the same display on the operation panel of the copying machine on the monitoring device, there is a problem that the monitoring device must execute a complicated and time-consuming display program. It was. On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-122424 (Patent Document 1) brings the display on the monitoring device closer to the display content on the operation panel of the copying machine, and also develops and manufactures the copying machine information display on the monitoring device. Disclosed is a remote monitoring system for office equipment that can suppress an increase in cost.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a remote monitoring system including an office device (copier) having a display unit, a remote monitoring unit (personal computer) having a display unit, and an information communication path connecting at least one office device and the remote monitoring unit. Is disclosed. The office device includes a first image storage unit that holds display information indicating the state of the office device as two-dimensional image information, and a first image that displays the two-dimensional image information stored in the first image storage unit. A bitmap display unit and a control unit that outputs two-dimensional image information held in the first image storage unit to the information communication path in response to a predetermined instruction. The remote monitoring unit is configured to input and store the two-dimensional image information appearing on the information communication path, and to display the second image storage information stored in the second image storage unit. A bitmap display unit is provided.

  According to this remote monitoring system, the information displayed on the operation unit on the office equipment is in the form of image information, and this information is sent to the remote monitoring unit and displayed as it is. And the display on the remote monitoring unit are substantially the same. The display process on the remote monitoring unit is simply writing image information to the entire display memory, and this process is a very simple operation that is not affected by the contents of the display information. There is no need to prepare a program.

JP-A-5-122424

  In the remote monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when the copy start button is pressed, a copy execution screen is displayed on the copy mode setting screen. This screen is the same as the previous copy mode setting screen except that the start button display is reversed in black and white. In such a case, only the information of the start button area is transferred to the monitoring apparatus together with the position information. Even with such information alone, the monitoring apparatus can reproduce the same display screen as the console of the copying machine, and the amount of data to be transferred can be reduced, so that the data transfer time can be shortened. Similarly, after copying is started, normally only the number of copies completed changes, so only that information is transferred from the copier to the monitoring device. Thus, the coordinate data of the screen is transferred so that only the image information in a partial area of the screen can be transferred. Specifically, the image data of the area is set to the horizontal transfer start coordinate of the screen, the vertical transfer start coordinate of the screen, the length of the horizontal transfer area of the screen, and the length of the vertical transfer area of the screen. The added information block is transferred.

  However, the remote monitoring system disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not consider the state of communication traffic (information amount in the network) in the information communication path for transferring data between the remote monitoring unit and the office equipment, and This does not take into account the size of the changed screen data amount. For this reason, depending on the state of communication traffic or the size of the area changed on the screen, it is faster to switch the monitoring screen by transferring one screen of data than transferring the changed area partially. Cases can occur. For example, if there is a lot of communication traffic and the communication time is long, and there are many changes in the screen, it is better to send one screen at a time than to partially transfer the changed area. The communication time may be shortened.

  In particular, the information block in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a coordinate value (vertical direction, horizontal direction) indicating the transfer area and the length (vertical direction, horizontal direction) of the transfer area, so that one transfer is performed. The amount of data is larger than that of image information alone. For reasons including this, there is a case where the screen is switched more quickly because the communication time is shortened when the entire area is transmitted than when the changed area is partially transferred.

  As described above, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, there are cases where the remote operation screen cannot be switched without delay.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention is a remotely operated information device having a communication function for communicating with other devices and an operation function for realizing a user interface, and is adapted to the communication environment, To provide an information device (image processing device), an information processing device capable of communicating with an information device, and an information processing system including them, capable of realizing a good response in remote operation without increasing communication load It is.

  An information device according to an aspect of the present invention is remotely operated by another device. The information device includes a display unit for displaying information, a transmission unit for transmitting communication data corresponding to the information to another device, and a communication time for calculating the communication unit with the other device. Communication time calculation means and creation means for creating communication data from information. The creation means includes means for creating communication data having a different data amount depending on the communication time.

  The communication data corresponding to the information displayed on the display means of the information device that is the remote operation target is transmitted to the other device and displayed on the other device, so that the operation state of the information device can be checked on the other device. Can be monitored. In this case, when the communication time between the information device and another device is short (when the communication traffic is low), even if the amount of communication data is large, the information displayed on the display means of the information device Communication data can be transmitted in a communication time that is sufficiently compatible with switching. As a result, the user can monitor the operating state of the information device in real time with another device. On the other hand, when the communication time between the information device and another device is long (when there is a large amount of communication traffic), if the amount of data for communication is large, the information displayed on the display means of the information device cannot be switched. May take a long time to communicate. In such a case, communication data having a different data amount according to the communication time is created (communication data is created so that the data amount decreases when the communication time is long) and transmitted to another device. To do. In this way, even when there is a lot of communication traffic and a long communication time, the communication data with a small amount of data is transmitted, so that other devices can quickly receive the necessary information. For this reason, the user can monitor the operating state of the information device in real time with another device. As a result, it is possible to realize a good response in remote operation in accordance with the communication environment.

  The creation means in the information device can be configured to include means for creating communication data with a reduced data amount when the communication time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. In this case, the threshold value can be configured so as to correspond to a communication time of a length that causes the display of information in another device to delay the remote operation.

  In this way, if the display of information on the other device is longer than the communication time length that delays the remote operation (if there is a large amount of communication traffic), communication data with a small amount of data is transmitted. Therefore, other devices can promptly receive necessary information. Thereby, the user can monitor the operation state of the information device in real time with another device.

  The information device can be configured to further include means for transmitting the first signal to the other device and receiving the second signal in response to the first signal from the other device. In this case, the communication time calculating means can be configured to include means for calculating the communication time based on the time from when the first signal is transmitted until the second signal is received. .

  In this way, when the information device and another device are connected to the network, the time from when the first signal (packet) is transmitted until the second signal (reply in response to the packet) is received. The communication time can be calculated by measuring This communication time is an index representing the degree of communication traffic in the network. By using this, communication data having different data amounts is created, so that a good response in remote operation can be realized in correspondence with the communication environment.

  An information device according to another aspect of the present invention is also remotely operated by another device, similarly to the information device described above. The information device includes a display unit for displaying information, a transmission unit for transmitting communication data corresponding to the information to another device, and the first information displayed on the display unit is the second information. The information amount calculating means for calculating the changed information amount and the creating means for creating the communication data from the information are included. The creation means includes means for creating communication data having different data amounts according to the information amount.

  The communication data corresponding to the information displayed on the display means of the information device that is the remote operation target is transmitted to the other device and displayed on the other device, so that the operation state of the information device can be checked on the other device. Can be monitored. In this case, if the information displayed by the display means of the information device is changed, it is necessary to reflect the change on the display of another device. At this time, if only the trivial part is changed from the first information to the changed second information, communication data with a small amount of data corresponding to only the changed part is created. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in communication traffic. For this reason, the user can monitor the operation state of the information device in real time with another device. On the other hand, when there are more changed parts (when the amount of information increases), the number of changed parts increases, and the communication screen data composed of the changed parts extracted and changed. Is generated and transmitted (if divided and transmitted to the same number of communication screen data as the number of changed portions), the communication screen data is generated from the second information and transmitted later. In this case, communication data corresponding to the second information is generated, which has a larger data amount than the communication data corresponding to only the changed portion, but can be transmitted faster as a result. As described above, by using communication data having a different data amount according to the changed information amount, it is possible to realize a good response in the remote operation.

  When the changed information amount is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the information device creating means uses the changed information from the first information to create communication data. It can be configured to include means. Further, the information device creation means includes means for creating communication data using the second information when the changed amount of information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Can be configured. In such a case, this threshold value is the time from the start of creation of communication data using the information of the portion changed from the first information until the communication data is received by another device. However, it can be configured to cope with a time shorter than the time from the start of creation of communication data using the second information until the communication data is received by another device.

  In this case, the communication data (part of the screen) using the information of the portion changed from the first information is different from the communication data (one screen) using the second information. When the data can be received quickly, communication data using information of a portion changed from the first information is used. If this is not the case (if the communication data using the information of the part changed from the first information is received later by the other device than the communication data using the second information) The communication data using the second information is used. As a result, when there are a large number of changed parts, the communication data for the changed part is transmitted, which is slower than the transmission of the communication data for the second information. Can be avoided.

  The information amount calculation means in the information device can be configured to include means for calculating the information amount based on difference data between the first information and the second information.

  When the difference information between the first information and the second information displayed on the display means of the information device is calculated, and the first information is changed to the second information based on the difference amount, The changed amount of information can be calculated accurately.

  The information device creation means can be configured to include means for creating communication data with a reduced data amount by changing the display mode of the display means. In this case, this display mode can be configured to be either the number of display colors or the display size.

  When transmitting communication data corresponding to all of the information displayed on the display means or communication data corresponding to the changed portion, the data amount is reduced by changing the color to monochrome or reducing the display size. Create reduced communication data. As a result, communication data can be quickly received by another device, and an increase in communication traffic can be suppressed.

  An image processing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention further includes means for processing image data in addition to the above-described information device means.

  When an image processing apparatus or an image forming apparatus that is an example of an image processing apparatus is remotely operated, when information displayed on a display unit included in the apparatus is switched, the communication environment or the amount of information changed Based on this, communication data having different data amounts are transmitted to other devices. As described above, the data amount of the communication data varies according to the communication environment or the changed amount of information, so that the image processing device (image) by another device can be obtained with a good response without increasing the communication load. Remote operation of the forming apparatus).

  An information processing apparatus according to still another aspect of the present invention communicates with an information device including a communication unit and a display unit to remotely operate the information device. The information processing apparatus includes a communication unit for communicating with the information device, a unit for receiving communication data corresponding to the information displayed on the display unit from the information device, and the received communication data. In response to receiving the first signal, display means for displaying remote information corresponding to the information, means for receiving the first signal transmitted from the information equipment, Means for transmitting two signals. The amount of data for the communication data varies depending on the communication time from when the information device transmits the first signal until it receives the second signal.

  According to this information processing apparatus, even when there is a lot of communication traffic and a long communication time, the communication data with a small data amount is transmitted, so that necessary information can be received promptly. As a result, the user can monitor the operating state of the information device in real time using the information processing apparatus.

  The display unit of the information device can be configured with a touch panel display. In this case, the display means of the information processing apparatus can be configured to include means for displaying remote information corresponding to the information displayed on the touch panel display based on the communication data. Means for detecting a remote command corresponding to the software button displayed on the touch panel display based on a user's operation of viewing the remote information, and means for transmitting data corresponding to the remote command to the information device Can be further included.

  In this manner, in this information processing apparatus, it is possible to monitor the operation state of the information device in real time, and it is possible to select the software button displayed on the touch panel display with the information processing apparatus. Thereby, the user can remotely operate the information device in real time.

  An information processing system according to still another aspect of the present invention includes any one of the above-described information device and image processing apparatus, and the above-described information processing apparatus.

  According to this information processing system, when an information device or an image processing device (image forming device) is operated remotely, the communication environment or changes are made when information displayed on a display unit included in the information device is switched. Based on the information amount, communication data having a different data amount is transmitted to the information processing apparatus. As described above, since the data amount of communication data varies according to the communication environment or the changed information amount, the information device or the image processing by the information processing apparatus can be performed with a good response without increasing the communication load. Remote operation of the apparatus (image forming apparatus) can be realized.

  According to the information device (image processing device), the information processing device capable of communicating with the information device, and the information processing system including the information device according to the present invention, a communication function for communicating with other devices, an operation function for realizing a user interface, By transferring data whose transfer data amount has changed according to the communication environment and / or the transfer data amount, the information device can be remotely connected with good response without increasing the communication load. Can be operated.

1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network image forming system including an information processing apparatus (computer) and an image forming apparatus (MFP) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer of FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart (No. 1) showing a control structure of a program executed by the computer and MFP of FIG. 3 is a flowchart (No. 2) showing a control structure of a program executed by the computer and the MFP of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a touch panel display in the maintenance mode of the MFP of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a display example of a touch panel display of the MFP of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a display example of the display of the computer in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of the touch panel display of the MFP in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a second diagram illustrating a display example of the display of the computer in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating a display example of the touch panel display of the MFP in FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a third diagram illustrating a display example of the display of the computer in FIG. 1; FIG. 8 is a diagram (No. 4) illustrating a display example of the touch panel display of the MFP in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a fourth diagram illustrating a display example of the display of the computer in FIG. 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram (No. 5) illustrating a display example of the touch panel display of the MFP in FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a diagram (No. 5) illustrating a display example of the display of the computer in FIG. 1;

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the information device is an image forming apparatus which is a kind of image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is a computer, and a system including these is an image forming system. The image forming apparatus will be described as an MFP. However, the information apparatus according to the present embodiment may be an image processing apparatus other than such an image forming apparatus, or an apparatus other than the image processing apparatus that includes a display unit and an operation unit. I do not care. That is, the information device according to the present embodiment may be an information device provided with a communication function for communicating with other devices and a display function and an operation function that are user interfaces. In many cases, such an information device includes a touch panel display that also serves as a display function and an operation function.

  An information processing apparatus that remotely operates an image forming apparatus that is an information apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described as a general computer. An example of this computer is a personal computer having a communication function, a display function, and an operation function.

  Further, in the following embodiment, a network image forming system including a plurality of MFPs will be described. However, the network image forming system is configured by only one MFP that communicates with the information processing apparatus (computer) described above. It doesn't matter. When the information device is not an MFP, it is not a network image forming system but a network information processing system.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, a network image forming system including a remotely operated computer and an MFP having a communication function and a display function and an operation function (implemented by a touch panel display) for communicating with the computer. As will be described, the present invention is a network information processing system having a more general configuration, that is, an information processing apparatus and an information device having a communication function and a user interface for communicating with the information processing apparatus Good. As an example of such a system, a terminal in a POS (Point Of Sale) system may be used as the information device and / or the information processing apparatus (POS terminals or POS terminals and a computer).

[Overall system configuration]
With reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of a network image forming system (hereinafter referred to as a network print system) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This network print system switches itself to a remote mode based on a remote request signal received from the computer 100 (PC (1), PC (2)) and the computer 100 that remotely operates the MFP, or displays an image on a recording sheet. MFP 300 (MFP (A), MFP (B), MFP (C)) for printing. The plurality of computers 100 and the plurality of MFPs 300 in the network print system are connected so that communication (communication between the computer 100 and the MFP 300) can be performed via a network line 200 compliant with, for example, IEEE 802.3. The computers 100 having the same reference need not be computers having the same function, and the MFP 300 having the same reference need not be an image forming apparatus having the same function.

  The network line 200 may be further connected to the Internet network. When connected to such an Internet network, a service person at a customer center installed at a location remote from the office where the MFP 300 is installed can remotely operate the MFP 300. Further, the computer 100 and the MFP 300 can download various data (application programs) via the Internet network.

  In the network print system according to the present embodiment, the number of computers 100 and MFPs 300 is not limited to the number shown in FIG. In the following, the computer 100 may be simply referred to as a PC in the drawings and the like.

[Hardware configuration]
<Computer 100>
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a computer 100 constituting the network print system according to the present embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a computer 100 includes a bus 190, a CPU 110 connected to the bus 190, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 120 connected to the bus 190, and a RAM (Random) connected to the bus 190. (Access Memory) 130, hard disk (HDD) 140 connected to bus 190, and connected to bus 190, optical disk 182 can be mounted, and information can be written to and read from optical disk 182. An input interface (hereinafter referred to as “input IF”) 150 connected to the optical disc drive 180 and the bus 190 for providing a connection between the mouse 152 and the keyboard 154 and a display connected to the bus 190. 1 A display interface (hereinafter referred to as “display IF”) 160 for providing an interface related to the connection between the network line 2 and the network line 200 by wired or wireless (wired in the present embodiment). Network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network IF”) 170. The computer 100 includes a magnetic disk drive that can be loaded with a magnetic disk and can write information to the magnetic disk and read information from the magnetic disk, instead of / in addition to the optical disk drive 180. It doesn't matter. The network IF 170 may be an interface that connects to the network line 200 wirelessly, including when the computer 100 is a notebook computer.

  The bus 190, the ROM 120, the RAM 130, the hard disk 140, the optical disk drive 180, the input IF 150, the display IF 160, and the network IF 170 all operate in cooperation under the control of the CPU 110, and realize processing by various applications in the computer 100. . These applications include processing for remotely operating the MFP 300 with the computer 100 in addition to processing for causing the computer 100 to function as a general arithmetic device. In this remote operation, a screen corresponding to the display on the touch panel display of MFP 300 is displayed on display 162. When a user operating this computer 100 clicks an icon displayed on display 162 with mouse 152, MFP 300 operates as if the icon (software button) displayed on the touch panel display of MFP 300 is pressed.

  A computer program for causing the computer 100 to perform the above-described remote operation and causing the computer 100 to function as a computer in the network printing system according to the present embodiment is stored in the optical disk 182 inserted into the optical disk drive 180 and further the hard disk 140. Forwarded to Alternatively, the program may be transmitted to the computer 100 through the network line 200 and stored in the hard disk 140. The program is loaded into the RAM 130 at the time of execution. The program may be loaded directly into the RAM 130 from the optical disk 182 or via the network line 200.

  These programs include a plurality of instructions that cause the computer 100 to perform predetermined processing. Some of the basic functions required to perform this operation are provided by operating system (OS) or third party programs running on the computer 100, or modules of various toolkits installed on the computer 100. Therefore, this program does not necessarily include all functions necessary for realizing the system of this embodiment. This program may include only instructions for executing a predetermined process as the above-described computer 100 by calling an appropriate function or “tool” in a controlled manner so as to obtain a desired result. That's fine. Since the general operation of the computer which is the substance of the computer 100 is well known, it will not be repeated here.

<MFP 300>
-MFP configuration-
Referring to FIG. 3, MFP 300 configuring the network print system according to the present embodiment is connected to bus 390, CPU 310 connected to bus 390, ROM 320 connected to bus 390, and bus 390. The RAM 330, the hard disk (HDD) 340 connected to the bus 390, the input IF 350 and the display IF 360 for providing an interface related to the connection with the bus 390 and the touch panel display 380, and the bus 390 are connected. And a network IF 370 that provides a connection to the network line 200 by wire or wireless (wired in the present embodiment).

  The bus 390, the ROM 320, the RAM 330, the hard disk 340, the input IF 350, the display IF 360, and the network IF 370 all operate in cooperation with the control of the CPU 310. In addition, the processing by the application is realized. These processes are executed by the CPU 310 controlling each component constituting the MFP 300 (not shown in FIG. 3). The application includes processing for causing the MFP 300 to operate in the remote mode when a remote request signal is received from the computer 100.

  A computer program for causing MFP 300 to operate as an image forming apparatus in the network print system according to the present embodiment is stored in hard disk 340. Alternatively, the program may be transmitted from a server computer that provides an application through the network line 200 and stored in the hard disk 340. The program is loaded into the RAM 330 at the time of execution. The program may be loaded directly into the RAM 330 via the network line 200.

  The MFP 300 includes, as operation devices, an operation panel (not shown in FIG. 3) provided with a hardware key (start button or the like) that is a numeric keypad and other various operation buttons, and a touch panel display 380. It is often composed of Assume that MFP 300 according to the present embodiment does not include hardware keys, and an operation device is configured only by software keys displayed on touch panel display 380.

  The touch panel display 380 includes a button for selecting a mode in the MFP 300, a button for selecting a menu in each mode, special buttons such as a numeric keypad and a start key (buttons realized with conventional hardware keys), The current status, destination designation status, job processing status, etc. are displayed. Such a selection button (software key) is displayed on the display area of the touch panel display 380. When the area where the selection button is displayed is pressed with a finger, the touch panel detects the pressed position. By collating the display position of the selection button with the position where the touch panel is pressed on the program, it is possible to select a mode or the like of the MFP 300 or to instruct an operation. The touch panel display 380 includes a color liquid crystal panel and a touch panel.

  The MFP 300 that has shifted to the remote mode identifies the remote command based on the screen data transmitted to the computer 100 that remotely controls itself and the coordinate data received from the computer 100, and the touch panel display 380 is actually operated. Although not performed, it operates as if the touch panel display 380 was operated.

-Image forming unit in MFP-
The MFP 300 includes, for example, a document reading unit, an image forming unit, a paper feeding unit, and a paper discharge processing device. In MFP 300, image data received from another apparatus or image data of a document read by the document reading unit is subjected to various image processing by CPU 310, and the image data is output to the image forming unit. . The MFP 300 has a so-called laser type (electrophotographic type) printing function that uses laser light for photosensitivity. However, another type of printing function may be provided.

  The image forming unit prints an image indicated by image data on a recording sheet, and includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser scanning unit, a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, a fixing device, and a charge eliminating device. Etc. For example, the image forming unit is provided with a conveyance path, and the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit is conveyed along the conveyance path. The paper feeding unit pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and sends the recording paper to the conveyance path of the image forming unit.

  While the recording paper is being transported along the transport path of the image forming unit, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum and the transfer device, and further passes through the fixing device, and printing on the recording paper is performed. .

  The photosensitive drum rotates in one direction, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device and a static eliminator and then uniformly charged by a charging device. The laser scanning unit modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction with this laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. To do. The developing device supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

  The transfer device transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device and the photosensitive drum. The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the recording paper and a pressure roller for pressing the recording paper. The recording paper is heated by the heating roller and is pressed by the pressure roller, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper discharged (printed) from the fixing device is discharged to a paper discharge tray. In the paper discharge processing apparatus, there are cases in which a plurality of recording papers are sorted into each paper discharge tray and discharged, a process of punching each recording paper, and a process of stapling a bundle of recording papers. For example, when creating multiple copies of printed matter, each recording sheet is sorted and discharged to each discharge tray so that a portion of the printed matter is assigned to each discharge tray. Punching processing or stapling processing is performed on a bundle of recording paper on the paper discharge tray to create a printed material. Such various processes are performed under the control of the CPU 310. The punching process may be performed for each recording sheet.

-Basic functions (modes) of MFP-
The MFP 300 uses such a printing function to realize a printer mode in which print data is received from a computer connected to the network line 200 via the network line 200 and an image is formed on a recording sheet.

  Further, the MFP 300 realizes a copy mode in which an original is read as image data by an original reading unit and an image is formed on a recording sheet based on the image data.

  Further, the MFP 300 realizes a facsimile transmission mode in which an original is read as image data by an original reading unit and the image data is transmitted to another apparatus. The MFP 300 also realizes a facsimile reception mode in which an image is formed on a recording sheet based on image data received from another device. On the touch panel display 380 of the MFP 300, the facsimile transmission mode is displayed as a fax / image transmission mode.

  Further, the MFP 300 implements a document filing mode in which an original is read as image data by the original reading unit and the image data is stored in the hard disk 340. It may be stored in another device (computer, external storage unit) via the network line 200 instead of the hard disk 340 of the MFP 300. In this case, SMB (Server Message Block), which is a protocol for realizing file sharing or printer sharing via a network, may be used. Using this protocol, scanned image data can be transferred to a shared folder shared on the network. This function may be called a scan to folder or a scan to shared folder.

  As described above, the MFP 300 includes a copy mode, a fax / image transmission mode, a document filing, and a printer mode as basic functions (modes). In the printer mode, when print data is received from a personal computer connected to the network line 200, the MFP 300 automatically switches to the printer mode and forms an image on a recording sheet based on the print data. For this reason, the screen for selecting the printer mode is not displayed on the touch panel display 380 of the MFP 300.

Software configuration
Computer 100 configuring the network print system according to the present embodiment transmits a remote request signal to MFP 300, and MFP 300 shifts to the remote mode when receiving the remote request signal from computer 100. In this case, the MFP 300 calculates the communication time in the network line 200 when shifting to the remote mode, and changes the screen data amount (for example, between the previous screen and the next screen) each time the screen of the touch panel display 380 is switched. Difference data amount) is calculated. Based on the calculated communication time and the calculated difference data amount, MFP 300 executes a program described below on CPU 310 so that the screen switching in computer 100 is executed without delay. The computer 100 constituting the network print system executes a program described below by the CPU 110.

  With reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the control structure of the computer program executed by the computer 100 and the MFP 300 will be described.

  In parallel with such a computer program, the computer 100 executes a program that realizes a general function as an arithmetic device, and the MFP 300 executes a program that realizes a general function as an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine). Execute. However, the program is not directly related to the essential part of the present invention, and details thereof will not be described here.

  The program shown on the right side of FIGS. 4 and 5 is executed by CPU 110 of computer 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as “CPU 110”). In step (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as S) 1000, CPU 110 determines whether or not a remote operation program activation request has been detected. At this time, for example, when the shortcut icon of the remote operation program displayed on the display 162 is double-clicked with the mouse 152 by a general user, an administrator, or a service person performing maintenance work, the CPU 110 requests to start the remote operation program. Is determined to have been detected. Any of these general users, managers, or service persons performing maintenance work operates the computer 100 at a location remote from the installation location of the remote MFP 300. If it is determined that the activation request for the remote operation program has been detected (YES in S1000), the process proceeds to S1010. If not (NO in S1000), the process returns to S1000 and waits until it is determined that a remote operation program activation request has been detected.

  In S1010, CPU 110 activates a remote operation program stored in hard disk 140 so as to be executable. It is assumed that the remote target MFP 300 is set in advance by the computer 100.

  In S1020, CPU 110 transmits a remote request signal to remote target MFP 300. At this time, CPU 100 also transmits information (for example, an IP address) for identifying itself on the network to MFP 300.

  In S1030, CPU 110 determines whether a packet is received from remote target MFP 300 or not. This packet is short data transmitted by the MFP 300 to determine the state of communication traffic on the network line 200. If it is determined that a packet is received from remote target MFP 300 (YES in S1030), the process proceeds to S1040. If not (NO in S1030), the process proceeds to S1050.

  In S1040, CPU 110 transmits a reply to remote target MFP 300 (MFP 300 that has transmitted the packet). The MFP 300 that has received the reply calculates a communication time T from when the packet is transmitted to when the reply is received, and determines the state of communication traffic in the network line 200 based on the communication time T.

  In S1050, CPU 110 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the remote request signal was transmitted to MFP 300 as a remote target (whether or not a communication timeout has occurred). If it is determined that the communication has timed out (YES in S1050), the process proceeds to S1120 in FIG. If not (NO in S1050), the process returns to S1030 and waits until a packet is received from the remote target MFP 300.

  In S1060, CPU 110 determines whether or not screen data has been received from remote target MFP 300. If it is determined that screen data has been received from remote target MFP 300 (YES in S1060), the process proceeds to S1070 in FIG. If not (NO in S1060), the process returns to S1060 and waits until screen data is received from the remote target MFP 300.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in S <b> 1070, CPU 110 displays the screen of MFP 300 on display 162 based on the screen data received from MFP 300.

  In S1080, CPU 110 determines whether an end request for the remote operation program has been detected. At this time, for example, when “Close (C)” of “File (F)” on the menu bar displayed on the display 162 is clicked with the mouse 152 when the remote operation program is executed, the CPU 110 performs the remote operation. It is determined that a program termination request has been detected. If it is determined that the remote operation program termination request has been detected (YES in S1080), the process proceeds to S1090. Otherwise (NO at S1080), the process proceeds to S1100.

  In S1090, CPU 110 transmits a remote operation end request signal to remote target MFP 300. Thereafter, this process ends.

  In S1100, CPU 110 determines whether or not a command input is detected in the remote operation program being executed. At this time, the CPU 110 displays, for example, an icon displayed on the display 162 by executing a remote operation program (the form and display position of this icon is the same as the display on the touch panel display 380 of the MFP 300, When the “icon” is clicked with the mouse 152, it is determined that the input of a command (command to shift to “special function”) is detected. If it is determined that command input is detected (YES in S1100), the process proceeds to S1110. Otherwise (NO at S1100), the process returns to S1080.

  In S1110, CPU 110 transmits coordinate data corresponding to the input command to MFP 300 as a remote target. The MFP 300 that has received the coordinate data recognizes the image data transmitted to the computer 100 and also recognizes the remote operation screen size in the computer 100, so that the command input by the computer 100 can be determined. it can. Thereafter, the process returns to S1060 in FIG.

  In S1120, CPU 110 displays on display 162 that a communication error has occurred. After the user recognizes the communication error display (after continuing the error display for a predetermined time or after detecting that the user has pressed the confirmation button), the process ends.

  The program shown on the left side of FIGS. 4 and 5 is executed by CPU 310 of MFP 300 (hereinafter simply referred to as “CPU 310”). In S3000, CPU 310 determines whether or not a remote request signal has been received from computer 100 that executes the remote operation. This process corresponds to the process of S1020 described above. If it is determined that a remote request signal has been received from computer 100 that executes the remote operation (YES in S3000), the process proceeds to S3010. If not (NO in S3000), the process returns to S3000 and waits until a remote request signal transmitted from the computer 100 is received.

  In step S3010, the CPU 310 shifts to a remote mode that is remotely operated by the computer 100. At this time, it is also preferable that CPU 310 displays on touch panel display 380 that it is operating in the remote mode.

  In S3020, CPU 310 transmits the packet to computer 100 that remotely operates itself (computer 100 that has transmitted the remote request signal).

  In S3030, CPU 310 determines whether or not a reply (data transmitted by computer 100 in response to a packet) has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself. This process corresponds to the process of S1040 described above. If it is determined that a reply has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself (YES in S3030), the process proceeds to S3040. If not (NO in S3030), the process proceeds to S3050.

  In S3040, CPU 310 calculates communication time T from when the packet is transmitted to when the reply transmitted from computer 100 responding to the transmitted packet is received. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3060.

  In S3050, CPU 310 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the packet was transmitted to computer 100 that remotely operates itself (whether or not it is a communication timeout). If it is determined that a communication timeout has occurred (YES in S3050), the process proceeds to S3220 in FIG. If not (NO in S3050), the process returns to S3030 and waits until a reply is received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself.

  In S3060, CPU 310 determines whether or not communication time T is equal to or greater than threshold value (1). This threshold value (1) is a time that is appropriately set according to the state of communication traffic on the network line 200. It is determined that the required network communication takes time. As described above, when the communication time T is equal to or greater than the threshold value (1), switching of the display on the display 162 of the computer 100 is slow, and the remote operation is delayed. If it is determined that communication time T is equal to or greater than threshold value (1) (YES in S3060), the process proceeds to S3070. If not (NO in S3060), the process proceeds to S3080.

  In S3070, CPU 310 sets “0” in the transfer mode flag. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3090. In S3080, CPU 310 sets “1” in the transfer mode flag. The transfer mode flag is stored in the RAM 130 or the hard disk 140.

  In S3090, CPU 310 creates data for the next screen to be displayed on touch panel display 380. At this time, the CPU 310 creates data for the next screen when the MFP 300 is continuously operated remotely by the computer 100, and data for the initial screen of the MFP 300 immediately after shifting to the remote mode. If the remote operation is continued, it is necessary to calculate the amount of difference data described later. Therefore, the created screen data is stored in the RAM 130 or the hard disk 140 until at least the next screen data is transmitted to the computer 100. Is remembered.

  In S3100, CPU 310 determines whether or not the transfer mode flag is “0”. If it is determined that the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), the process proceeds to S3110. If not (NO in S3100), the process proceeds to S3140.

  In S3110, CPU 310 calculates a difference data amount D between the previous screen data and the next screen data. In the case immediately after shifting to the remote mode, the previous screen data is null (blank value), and the next screen data is data of the initial screen of the MFP 300.

  In S3120, CPU 310 determines whether or not difference data amount D is equal to or smaller than threshold value (2). This threshold value (2) is appropriately set according to the amount of screen data displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. If the difference data amount D is equal to or smaller than the threshold value (2), the difference between the previous screen and the next screen switched in the MFP 300 is small (the screen has been switched but the changed portion is small), so the screen of only the changed portion Data is transmitted from the MFP 300 to the computer 100. When the difference data amount D is equal to or less than the threshold value (2) (when there are few changed parts), the creation of screen data for transmission based only on the screen data of the changed part from the previous screen to the next screen is started. The time until the transmission screen data is received by the computer 100 is longer than the time from the start of generation of the transmission screen data based on the screen data of the next screen until the transmission screen data is received by the computer 100. It will be short. When there are few changed parts (when the difference data amount is less than or equal to the threshold value (2)), even if there are multiple changed parts, the changed part is extracted and used for communication consisting only of the changed parts Creating and sending screen data is faster than creating and sending screen data for communication composed of one screen of the next screen. When the number of changed parts increases (when the difference data amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value (2)), the number of changed parts increases, and the changed part is extracted and configured only from the changed part. Creating and transmitting communication screen data is slower than creating and transmitting communication screen data composed of one screen of the next screen. If it is determined that difference data amount D is equal to or smaller than threshold value (2) (YES in S3120), the process proceeds to S3130. If not (NO in S3120), the process proceeds to S3140.

  In S3130, CPU 310 creates transmission screen data including only the changed portion from the previous screen to the next screen. At this time, based on the screen size or screen color of the remote operation setting preset as the system setting, the CPU 310 reduces the data amount by reducing the size from the data of only the changed portion or the screen data for transmission or Screen data for transmission with a reduced amount of data is created by making the color screen monochrome. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S3150.

  In S3140, CPU 310 creates transmission screen data with a reduced data amount from the created next screen data. Also at this time, the CPU 310 transmits the screen data for transmission or the screen data for transmission in which the data amount is reduced by reducing the size from the next screen data based on the screen size or screen color of the remote operation setting preset as the system setting. Screen data for transmission with a reduced amount of data is created by making the color screen monochrome.

  In S3150, CPU 310 transmits the transmission screen data to computer 100 that remotely operates itself.

  Note that both the transmission screen data created in S3130 and transmitted in S3150 (only the changed portion) and the transmission screen data created in S3140 and transmitted in S3150 (one screen) are reversibly compressed. Data compression is performed by a method (for example, ZIP format, LZH format, CAB format, etc.).

  Referring to FIG. 5, in S3160, CPU 310 displays a screen on touch panel display 380 based on the created next screen data (not transmission screen data). If the CPU 310 can process the drawing process of the touch panel display 380 and the communication process with the computer 100 in parallel, the processes of S3100 to S3150 and the process of S3160 are performed in parallel after the process of S3090. Executed.

  In S3170, CPU 310 determines whether or not a remote operation end request signal has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself. This process corresponds to the process of S1090 described above. If it is determined that a remote operation end request signal has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself (YES in S3170), the process proceeds to S3180. If not (NO in S3170), the process proceeds to S3190.

  In S3180, CPU 310 ends the remote mode remotely operated by computer 100 and shifts to the normal mode. Thereafter, this process ends.

  In S3190, CPU 310 determines whether or not coordinate data has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself. This process corresponds to the process of S1100 described above. If it is determined that coordinate data has been received from computer 100 that remotely operates itself (YES in S3190), the process proceeds to S3200. Otherwise (NO at S3190), the process returns to S3170.

  In S3200, CPU 310 determines a command input by the user in computer 100 that remotely operates itself from received coordinate data. In S3210, CPU 310 determines the next screen according to the determined input command. Thereafter, this process returns to S3090 in FIG.

  In S3220, CPU 310 causes touch panel display 380 to display that a communication error has occurred. After the user recognizes the communication error display (after continuing the error display for a predetermined time or after detecting that the user has pressed the confirmation button), the process ends.

  Note that the communication error in the present embodiment does not assume a state in which communication between the computer 100 and the MFP 300 is impossible (if so, it is not determined YES in S3000). This communication error is a state in which communication itself is possible but a communication response that can be remotely operated is not obtained. Therefore, the time for determining the timeout in S1050 and S3050 is set longer than the threshold value (1). Further, once it is determined that communication is possible (when no communication timeout is detected), it is not assumed that a communication timeout will occur until the remote operation ends.

[Operation]
An operation of the network print system according to the present embodiment based on the above-described structure and flowchart will be described.

-Remote operation setting operation in MFP-
In MFP 300 that is remotely operated by computer 100, in the maintenance mode of MFP 300, parameters for remote operation are set in advance by a user (including an administrator) or a service person. At this time, the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. This screen is a remote operation setting screen in the system setting in the maintenance mode.

  As shown in FIG. 6, this parameter includes a setting method (“manual” or “automatic”), a remote operation screen size (“400 × 600”, “600 × 800”, or “1600 × 1200”) and a remote screen. There are colors ("color" or "black and white"). Note that other parameters may be used as long as they reduce the amount of screen data transmitted from the MFP 300 to the computer 100.

  When the setting method is set to “automatic”, the communication traffic of the network line 200 (corresponding to the communication time T) and the screen data amount changed between the previous screen data and the next screen data (corresponding to the data difference amount D) The transmission screen data to be transferred between the MFP 300 and the computer 100 is determined based on the above. At this time, if the communication traffic is large (YES in S3100) and the changed screen data amount is small (YES in S3120), the transmission screen data reduced based on the above parameters is created. Thus, when the setting method is set to “automatic”, it is necessary to specify the remote operation screen size and the remote screen color, which are parameters. Using the set remote operation screen size and remote screen color, transmission screen data with a reduced screen data amount is created.

  In the following description of the operation, the user selects the setting method “Auto” on the maintenance screen (FIG. 6) of MFP 300, selects the remote operation screen size “400 × 600”, and sets the remote screen color. “Monochrome” is selected and the “OK” button is pressed.

  It can be understood that the remote screen size has the same meaning as the resolution of the screen displayed on the display 162 when the display 162 of the computer 100 has the same size.

-At the start of remote operation-
When a user who wants to remotely operate MFP 300 double-clicks the shortcut icon of the remote operation program displayed on display 162 of computer 100 with mouse 152, it is determined that a request for starting the remote operation program has been detected (YES in S1000). In response to the user request, the remote operation program is started in the computer 100 (S1010). A remote request signal is transmitted from the computer 100 to the remote target MFP 300 together with an IP address for identifying the computer 100 (S1020).

  In response to such operation of computer 100, MFP 300 receives a remote request signal from computer 100 (YES in S3000). In response to receiving this remote request signal, the MFP 300 shifts to the remote mode (S3010).

  The MFP 300 that has shifted to the remote mode transmits a packet to the computer 100 that remotely operates itself (S3020). In response to the operation of MFP 300, computer 100 receives a packet from MFP 300 (YES in S1030). In response to receiving this packet, the computer 100 transmits a reply (S1040). In the description of this operation, it is assumed that the communication timeout is not determined. That is, YES is determined in S1030 before YES is determined in S1050, and YES is determined in S3030 before YES is determined in S3050.

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives a reply from the computer 100 (YES in S3030). In response to receiving this reply, the MFP 300 calculates the communication time T from when the packet is transmitted until the reply is received as the communication time T (S3040).

  If communication time T is equal to or longer than threshold value (1) (YES in S3060), “0” is set in the transfer mode flag (S3070). At this time, the transfer mode flag means that it takes time for communication between the computer 100 and the MFP 300 via the network line 200.

  On the other hand, if communication time T is not equal to or greater than threshold value (1) (NO in S3060), “1” is set in the transfer mode flag (S3080). At this time, the transfer mode flag means that the communication between the computer 100 and the MFP 300 via the network line 200 does not take time.

  In the following description of the operation, it is assumed that there is no user who operates touch panel display 380 of MFP 300, and MFP 300 is operated only by computer 100 that is executing the remote operation program.

-Remote operation when communication does not take much time-
Hereinafter, the remote operation when “1” is set in the transfer mode flag will be described.

  Immediately after shifting to the remote mode, the initial screen data of the MFP 300 is created as the next screen (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is not “0” (NO in S3100), the screen size set in advance from the created next screen data without calculating the difference data amount D and comparing it with the threshold value (2). Based on (“400 × 600”) and the screen color (“monochrome”), screen data for transmission with a reduced data amount is created by reducing the size and making the color screen monochrome (S3140). This screen data for transmission is for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). In addition, an initial screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, an initial screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. An initial screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070). In the initial screen of the MFP 300, the copy mode is selected by default, and the “copy” button is highlighted. In addition, below, the part currently reversely displayed in the touch panel display 380 and the display 162 is shown with a double frame line. Further, the screen of the touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 7 or the like is color, and the screen of the display 162 shown in FIG. 8 or the like is black and white. Further, the screen in which the screen size of the touch panel display 380 illustrated in FIG. 7 or the like is changed to be small is the screen of the display 162 illustrated in FIG. In this way, the screen data amount for transmission is reduced by making the color screen monochrome or reducing the screen size.

  On the display 162 of the computer 100 shown in FIG. 8, a menu bar (file (F), edit (E), display (V), etc.) is displayed at the top of the screen. The display 162 displays a pointer 164 that can be moved by the mouse 152 and can input a command. Here, inputting a command is realized by operating the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to a desired icon portion and operating (clicking or double-clicking) the button of the mouse 152.

  It is assumed that the user who viewed the screen shown in FIG. 8 operates the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to the icon indicating “special function” displayed on the display 162 and clicks the mouse button. A command input is detected by such a user operation (YES in S1100). The computer 100 transmits the coordinate data on the display 162 that can be identified by the MFP 300 as to which icon the user has selected (S1110).

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives coordinate data from the computer 100 (YES in S3190). In response to receiving the coordinate data, the MFP 300 determines an input command based on the received coordinate data and the previously transmitted screen data (S3200). At this time, the input command is selected to select “special function”. The next screen according to the input command is determined (S3210), and next screen data is created (S3090).

  At this time, the determined next screen is a screen when the user presses the “special function” button on the screen of touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 7 (actually touch panel display 380 is not operated). This is shown in FIG. In this way, in MFP 300, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

  As described above, as the next screen data, the special function is selected on the initial screen (copy mode selection) of the MFP 300, and data in which the “special function” button is highlighted is created (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is not “0” (NO in S3100), the size is determined based on the preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”) from the created next screen data. Screen data for transmission with a reduced data amount is generated by reducing the image size and making the color screen monochrome (S3140). This screen data for transmission is for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). The next screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, the touch panel display 380 of the MFP 300 displays the screen shown in FIG. 9 (the screen on which the “special function” button is highlighted in the initial screen). The computer 100 that remotely operates the MFP 300 displays the next screen shown in FIG. 10 (the screen corresponding to FIG. 9 and having the “special function” button highlighted on the initial screen) (S1070).

  Such an operation is continued until the remote operation program is terminated (YES in S1080).

-Remote operation when communication takes time-
Hereinafter, the remote operation when “0” is set in the transfer mode flag will be described.

  Immediately after shifting to the remote mode, the initial screen data of the MFP 300 is created as the next screen (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), a difference data amount D between the created next screen data and previous screen data is calculated (S3110). Since the previous screen data is null, difference data amount D is larger than threshold value (2) (NO in S3120). Therefore, from the created next screen data, the data is reduced by reducing the size and making the color screen monochrome based on a preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”). Transmission screen data with a reduced amount is created (S3140). This screen data for transmission is for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). In addition, an initial screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, an initial screen shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. An initial screen shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070). Also on the initial screen of the MFP 300, the copy mode is selected by default and the “copy” button is highlighted, as in the description of the operation described above.

  It is assumed that the user who viewed the screen shown in FIG. 8 operates the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to the icon indicating “special function” displayed on the display 162 and clicks the mouse button. A command input is detected by such a user operation (YES in S1100). The computer 100 transmits the coordinate data on the display 162 that can be identified by the MFP 300 as to which icon the user has selected (S1110).

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives coordinate data from the computer 100 (YES in S3190). In response to receiving the coordinate data, the MFP 300 determines an input command based on the received coordinate data and the previously transmitted screen data (S3200). At this time, the input command is selected to select “special function”. The next screen according to the input command is determined (S3210), and next screen data is created (S3090).

  At this time, the determined next screen is a screen when the “special function” button on the screen of the touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed. This is shown in FIG. In this way, in MFP 300, the screen shown in FIG. 7 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

  As described above, as the next screen data, the special function is selected on the initial screen (copy mode selection) of the MFP 300, and data in which the special function button is highlighted is created (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), a difference data amount D between the created next screen data and previous screen data is calculated (S3110). The difference data amount D between the previous screen data and the next screen data is equal to or less than the threshold value (2) (YES in S3120). For this reason, transmission screen data composed only of a portion changed from the previous screen data in the created next screen data is created. In this case as well, the data size is reduced by reducing the size and converting the color screen to monochrome based on the preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”). Transmission screen data composed only of the changed portion, which is the credit screen data, is created (S3140). This screen data for transmission is not for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). The next screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, an initial screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. The next screen shown in FIG. 10 (the screen corresponding to FIG. 9) is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070).

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the user who viewed the screen shown in FIG. 10 operates the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to the icon indicating the “OK” button displayed on the display 162 and double-clicks the mouse button. A command input is detected by such a user operation (YES in S1100). In this case, it is detected that a command for confirming the “special function” has been input. The computer 100 transmits the coordinate data on the display 162 that can be identified by the MFP 300 as to which icon the user has selected (S1110).

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives coordinate data from the computer 100 (YES in S3190). In response to receiving the coordinate data, the MFP 300 determines an input command based on the received coordinate data and the previously transmitted screen data (S3200). At this time, it is determined that the command is an input command for confirming “special function” and making a transition to the special function list screen. The next screen (special function list screen) according to the input command is determined (S3210), and next screen data is created (S3090).

  At this time, the determined next screen is a screen when the “OK” button on the screen of touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 9 is pressed (actually touch panel display 380 is not operated). This is shown in FIG. In this way, in MFP 300, the screen shown in FIG. 9 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

  In this way, special function list screen data in the MFP 300 is created as the next screen data (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), a difference data amount D between the created next screen data and previous screen data is calculated (S3110). The difference data amount D between the previous screen data and the next screen data is larger than the threshold value (2) (NO in S3120). Therefore, from the created next screen data, the data is reduced by reducing the size and making the color screen monochrome based on a preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”). Transmission screen data with a reduced amount is created (S3140). This screen data for transmission is for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). The next screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, a special function list screen shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. The next screen (screen corresponding to FIG. 11) shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070).

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the user who viewed the screen shown in FIG. 12 operates the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to the icon indicating the “page aggregation” button displayed on the display 162 and clicks the mouse button. A command input is detected by such a user operation (YES in S1100). The computer 100 transmits the coordinate data on the display 162 that can be identified by the MFP 300 as to which icon the user has selected (S1110).

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives coordinate data from the computer 100 (YES in S3190). In response to receiving the coordinate data, the MFP 300 determines an input command based on the received coordinate data and the previously transmitted screen data (S3200). At this time, it is determined that the command is an input command for selecting “page aggregation” in the special function. The next screen according to the input command is determined (S3210), and next screen data is created (S3090).

  At this time, the determined next screen is a screen when the “page aggregation” button on the screen of the touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 11 is pressed (actually, the touch panel display 380 is not operated). This is shown in FIG. Thus, in MFP 300, the screen shown in FIG. 11 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

  As described above, as the next screen data, the page aggregation of the special function in the MFP 300 is selected, and data in which the “page aggregation” button is highlighted is created (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), a difference data amount D between the created next screen data and previous screen data is calculated (S3110). The difference data amount D between the previous screen data and the next screen data is equal to or less than the threshold value (2) (YES in S3120). For this reason, transmission screen data composed only of a portion changed from the previous screen data in the created next screen data is created. In this case as well, the data size is reduced by reducing the size and converting the color screen to monochrome based on the preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”). Transmission screen data composed only of the changed portion, which is the credit screen data, is created (S3140). This screen data for transmission is not for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). The next screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, a special function list screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on touch panel display 380 of MFP 300. The next screen shown in FIG. 14 (screen corresponding to FIG. 13) is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070).

  Furthermore, it is assumed that the user who viewed the screen shown in FIG. 14 operates the mouse 152 to move the pointer 164 to the icon indicating the “OK” button displayed on the display 162 and double-clicks the mouse button. A command input is detected by such a user operation (YES in S1100). In this case, it is detected that a command for confirming “page aggregation” has been input. The computer 100 transmits the coordinate data on the display 162 that can be identified by the MFP 300 as to which icon the user has selected (S1110).

  In response to the operation of the computer 100, the MFP 300 receives coordinate data from the computer 100 (YES in S3190). In response to receiving the coordinate data, the MFP 300 determines an input command based on the received coordinate data and the previously transmitted screen data (S3200). At this time, it is determined that the command is an input command for confirming the “page aggregation” function in the special functions and making a transition to the page aggregation function setting screen. The next screen (page aggregation setting screen) according to the input command is determined (S3210), and next screen data is created (S3090).

  At this time, the determined next screen is a screen when the “OK” button on the screen of touch panel display 380 shown in FIG. 13 is pressed (actually touch panel display 380 is not operated). This is shown in FIG. In this way, in MFP 300, the screen shown in FIG. 13 is switched to the screen shown in FIG.

  In this way, page aggregation setting screen data in the MFP 300 is created as the next screen data (S3090). Since the transfer mode flag is “0” (YES in S3100), a difference data amount D between the created next screen data and previous screen data is calculated (S3110). The difference data amount D between the previous screen data and the next screen data is larger than the threshold value (2) (NO in S3120). Therefore, from the created next screen data, the data is reduced by reducing the size and making the color screen monochrome based on a preset screen size (“400 × 600”) and screen color (“monochrome”). Transmission screen data with a reduced amount is created (S3140). This screen data for transmission is for one screen.

  Such transmission screen data is transmitted to the computer 100 (S3150). The next screen is displayed on the touch panel display 380 (S3160). At this time, the page aggregation setting screen shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the touch panel display 380 of the MFP 300. The next screen shown in FIG. 16 (the screen corresponding to FIG. 15) is displayed on computer 100 that remotely operates MFP 300 (S1070).

  Such an operation is continued until the remote operation program is terminated (YES in S1080).

  As described above, according to the network print system according to the present embodiment, MFP 300 for which remote operation is requested from computer 100 calculates the communication time in the network between computer 100 and MFP 300. If this communication time is long (when there is a lot of network communication traffic and it takes time to transfer screen data), it becomes impossible to display the touch panel display screen on the display of the computer 100 with good response. For this reason, in such a case, communication screen data with a reduced amount of data is created according to the parameters, or communication screen data with a small amount of data composed of screen data of only the changed portion is created. . Further, when the number of changed portions increases, communication screen data for one screen is created instead of communication screen data composed of screen data of only the changed portion. As a result, the communication screen data is created in accordance with the status of network communication traffic and the amount of screen data changed with screen switching, so that the touch panel display screen can be displayed on the display of the computer 100 with good response.

<Modification>
Note that the remote operation setting shown in FIG. 6 may be executed by the computer 100 instead of the MFP 300.

  Further, in the above-described flowchart, whether the communication through the network line 200 is time-consuming or not is determined by the time from when the MFP 300 transmits a packet to the computer 100 that remotely operates itself until the reply is received. Judgment based on. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and it may be determined whether or not the communication via the network line 200 takes a long time by another method. For example, a determination is made based on a reply received by transmitting a packet to an arbitrary computer connected to the network line 200, or a determination based on a network specification and a positional relationship (distance) between the computer 100 and the MFP 300. It is possible to do. Further, the determination as to whether or not the communication via the network line 200 takes a long time is executed only when the MFP 300 is turned on (assumed to be turned on at least once a day). It does not matter.

  Further, even when the communication time through the network line 200 is short, screen data for transmission composed only of the changed part of the touch panel display screen may be generated. In this way, it is possible to suppress an unnecessarily increase in communication traffic.

  Further, only when the communication time through the network line 200 is long, the screen data for transmission in which the screen data amount is reduced by the parameter of the touch panel display screen may be created. In this way, it is possible to suppress the calculation load on the MFP 300.

  In addition, regarding the operation (click, double click) of the mouse button in the computer 100, the “OK” button is distinguished as a double click, and the other buttons are distinguished as a click. However, the present invention is not limited to this method, and any mouse button operation may be performed. Further, instead of the operation using the mouse 162, an operation using the keyboard 154 may be used.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are intended. Including.

100 Client computer 200 Network line 300 MFP
110, 310 CPU
120, 320 ROM
130, 330 RAM
140, 340 HDD
150, 350 input I / F
160, 360 Display I / F
162 Display 380 Touch panel display 170, 370 Network I / F
180 Optical disk drive 190, 390 bus

Claims (15)

An information device remotely operated by another device,
Display means for displaying information;
Transmission means for transmitting communication data corresponding to the information to the other device;
A communication time calculating means for calculating a communication time with the other device by the transmitting means;
Creating means for creating the communication data from the information,
The creation device includes an information device including means for creating communication data having a different data amount according to the communication time.   The information device according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit includes a unit for creating communication data with a reduced data amount when the communication time is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.   The information device according to claim 2, wherein the threshold corresponds to a communication time of a length that the display of the information in the other device delays a remote operation. The information device further includes means for transmitting a first signal to the other device and receiving a second signal in response to the first signal from the other device;
The communication time calculation means includes means for calculating the communication time based on a time from when the first signal is transmitted to when the second signal is received. 4. The information device according to any one of 3. An information device remotely operated by another device,
Display means for displaying information;
Transmission means for transmitting communication data corresponding to the information to the other device;
An information amount calculating means for calculating the changed information amount when the first information displayed on the display means is changed to the second information;
Creating means for creating the communication data from the information,
The creation device includes an information device including means for creating communication data having a different data amount according to the information amount.   The creation means is means for creating communication data using information of a portion changed from the first information when the changed amount of information is not more than a predetermined threshold value. The information device according to claim 5, comprising:   The creation unit includes a unit for creating communication data using the second information when the changed amount of information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. Information equipment described.   The threshold value is the time from when the communication data is received by the other device after the creation of the communication data using the information of the portion changed from the first information, 8. The method according to claim 6, corresponding to a time shorter than a time from the start of creation of communication data using the second information to reception of the communication data by the other device. Information equipment.   The said information amount calculation means includes a means for calculating the information amount based on difference data between the first information and the second information. Information equipment.   The information device according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit includes a unit for creating communication data with a reduced data amount by changing a display mode of the display unit.   The information device according to claim 10, wherein the display mode is one of a display color number and a display size. The information includes information about processing of the image data;
An image processing apparatus further comprising means for processing the image data in addition to the means according to any one of claims 1 to 11. An information processing apparatus that communicates with an information device including a communication unit and a display unit to remotely operate the information device,
A communication means for communicating with the information device;
Means for receiving communication data corresponding to the information displayed on the display unit from the information device;
Display means for displaying remote information corresponding to the information based on the received communication data;
Means for receiving a first signal transmitted from the information device;
Means for transmitting a second signal to the information device in response to receiving the first signal;
An information processing apparatus in which the communication data has a data amount that varies depending on a communication time from when the information device transmits the first signal to when the information device receives the second signal. The display unit includes a touch panel display,
The display means includes means for displaying remote information corresponding to information displayed on the touch panel display based on the communication data,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Means for detecting a remote command corresponding to a software button displayed on the touch panel display, based on an operation of a user who viewed the remote information;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: means for transmitting data corresponding to the remote command to the information device.   An information processing system comprising: the information device according to any one of claims 1 to 11; the image processing apparatus according to claim 12; and the information processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14.

Images