JP2013157040A - Schedule generation apparatus, image processing apparatus, computer system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To present an operation schedule of a plurality of control programs for controlling an apparatus while indicating a control program incompatible with an operation of other control programs.SOLUTION: In a terminal apparatus 20, an operation receiving part 27 receives a user operation and a transmission part 25 transmits an instruction for sending a schedule table. In an image processing apparatus 10, a receiving part 16 receives the instruction for sending the schedule table, an execution date information management part 12 reads execution date information from an execution date information storage part 11, a schedule information management part 14 generates a schedule table on the basis of the execution date information and stores the schedule table in a schedule information storage part 13, a script analysis part 17 determines competition between scripts and adds a determined result to the schedule table, and a transmission part 15 transmits the schedule table. In the terminal apparatus 20, a receiving part 26 receives the schedule table, and a display part 28 displays the schedule table.

Description

  The present invention relates to a schedule generation device, an image processing device, a computer system, and a program.

  There is known an information processing apparatus that displays processing statuses of a plurality of information processing resources in conjunction with each other (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this patent document 1, a job to be executed using a resource is received, a task related to the job is assigned to each resource and executed, and the task is scheduled for each resource based on the remaining processing time of the task estimated for each resource. In addition, the resource schedules are displayed in correspondence with each other in time.

JP 2006-254075 A

  An object of the present invention is to present an operation schedule of a plurality of control programs for controlling an apparatus in a form in which a control program incompatible with other control programs is clearly specified, and to avoid a state in which the operations are incompatible To present the program code.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing operation time information in which each of a plurality of control programs that operate to control the device itself is associated with the operation time, and the storage means that stores the operation time information. Based on the operation time information, generating means for generating schedule information representing the operation schedule of the plurality of control programs, and based on the operation time information stored in the storage means, the operation of the plurality of control programs Determining means for determining a combination of control programs incompatible with each other, and a program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one of the plurality of control programs. Conversion code, which is a program code that describes the operation to avoid the situation where the operation and the operation are incompatible For adding to the schedule information an indicator that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the schedule information generated by the generating means, the schedule information generated by the generating means, and the control program determined by the determining means The schedule generation apparatus further includes output means for outputting additional information and further outputting the conversion code extracted by the extraction means.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the determining means determines the combination of the control programs further based on information for specifying resources used by each of the plurality of control programs. It is a schedule production | generation apparatus of description.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the first operation time information associating the first control program already installed in the own apparatus among the plurality of control programs and the operation time thereof is acquired from the storage means. Acquisition means for externally acquiring second operation time information that associates the second control program newly specified to be incorporated into the apparatus and its operation time, and the first acquired by the acquisition means Determination means for determining whether the operation of the second control program is restricted based on the operation time information and the second operation time information, and the output means is determined by the determination means The schedule generation device according to claim 1, further outputting a result.
The invention according to claim 4 is further based on the information for identifying the resource used by the first control program and the information for identifying the resource used by the second control program. 4. The schedule generation device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the operation of the second control program is restricted.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the output unit determines that the operation of the second control program is restricted by the determination unit, the output unit releases the restriction on the operation of the second control program. 4. The schedule generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a program code predetermined as the output is output.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power management means for managing power on / off of the apparatus itself, an image processing means for performing image processing based on image data input from the outside, and the power management means. Storage means for storing operation time information in which each of a plurality of control programs including a control program that operates to control the image processing means and a control program that operates to control the image processing means is associated with the operation time; Generating means for generating schedule information representing operation schedules of the plurality of control programs based on the operation time information stored in the means; and the plurality of operations based on the operation time information stored in the storage means. A determining means for determining a combination of control programs in which operations of the control programs are not compatible; and among the plurality of control programs A conversion code that is a program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one control program and that describes an operation for avoiding a state where the operation is incompatible with the one control program. In order to add to the schedule information a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the extracting means to extract, the schedule information generated by the generating means, and the control program determined by the determining means And an output means for outputting the conversion code extracted by the extraction means.
The invention according to claim 7 includes a program execution device that executes a plurality of control programs that operate to control the device itself, and a program transmission device that transmits the plurality of control programs to the program execution device, The program execution device includes a storage unit that stores operation time information in which each of the plurality of control programs is associated with an operation time thereof, and the plurality of controls based on the operation time information stored in the storage unit. Determination of determining a combination of control programs in which operations of the plurality of control programs are incompatible, based on the operation time information stored in the storage unit, and generation means for generating schedule information representing an operation schedule of the program And the operation of the control program and one of the plurality of control programs are not compatible with each other An extraction means for extracting a conversion code, which is a program code for converting a control program and is a program code describing an operation for avoiding a state in which the operation is incompatible with the one control program, and generated by the generation means Transmitting the schedule information and additional information for adding to the schedule information a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the control programs determined by the determining means. The computer system further comprises a transmission unit that transmits the conversion code extracted by the extraction unit to the program transmission device.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the program transmission device includes a first operation time in which a first control program already incorporated in the program execution device of the plurality of control programs and an operation time thereof are associated with each other. A receiving unit that receives information from the program execution device, and a second operation time information that associates the second control program that is newly specified to be incorporated into the program execution device and its operation time. Whether or not the operation of the second control program is restricted based on the first operation time information received by the receiving means and the second operation time information received by the receiving means 8. The coordinator according to claim 7, further comprising: a determination unit that determines whether or not the display unit displays a determination result obtained by the determination unit. It is a computer system.
According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the operation time information is stored in the computer from the storage device that stores the operation time information in which each of a plurality of control programs that operate to control the device is associated with the operation time. A function of reading, a function of generating schedule information representing an operation schedule of the plurality of control programs based on the read operation time information, and a plurality of controls based on the read operation time information. A program code for converting a control program combination that is incompatible with the operation of the program and another control program that is incompatible with the operation of one of the plurality of control programs. Program code that describes the operation to avoid a situation where the operation is incompatible with one control program A function for extracting a conversion code to be generated, the generated schedule information, and additional information for adding to the schedule information a label that specifies at least one control program included in the determined combination of the control programs A program for realizing a function of outputting and further outputting the extracted conversion code.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation schedules of a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus are presented in a form clearly indicating the control programs whose operations are not compatible with other control programs, and further, the state where the operations are not compatible is avoided. Program code can be presented.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation schedules of a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus can be presented in a form that clearly shows a control program that is incompatible with other control programs from the viewpoint of resources to be used.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a control program is newly incorporated in the apparatus, it can be checked whether the operation of the control program is restricted by the control program already incorporated in the apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when a control program is newly incorporated into the apparatus, it is possible to check whether the operation of the control program is restricted by the control program already incorporated in the apparatus from the viewpoint of resources to be used.
According to the invention of claim 5, when it is found that the operation of the control program is restricted by the control program already incorporated in the apparatus when the control program is newly incorporated in the apparatus, the program for releasing the restriction A code can be presented.
According to the invention of claim 6, the operation schedules of a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus are presented in a form that clearly indicates a control program whose operation is incompatible with other control programs, and further, a state where the operation is incompatible is avoided. Program code can be presented.
According to the invention of claim 7, the operation schedule of a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus is presented in a form clearly indicating a control program whose operation is incompatible with other control programs, and further, a state where the operation is incompatible is avoided. Program code can be presented.
According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, when a control program is newly incorporated in the apparatus, it can be checked whether the operation of the control program is restricted by the control program already incorporated in the apparatus.
According to the invention of claim 9, the operation schedule of a plurality of control programs for controlling the apparatus is presented in a form clearly indicating a control program that is incompatible with other control programs, and a state in which the operation is incompatible is avoided. Program code can be presented.

It is the figure which showed the structure of the system with which embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a figure showing an example of functional composition of an image processing device and a terminal unit in an embodiment of the invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the execution date information used by embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the use resource information used by embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the example of the code conversion information used by embodiment of this invention. It is the sequence diagram which showed the flow of the information exchange between the image processing apparatus and terminal device in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the schedule table | surface displayed by embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the schedule table | surface displayed by embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the screen for performing the script analysis and the instruction | indication of upload displayed by embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the competition determination part in embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the operation example of the conversion code extraction part in embodiment of this invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the computer which can implement | achieve embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a computer system to which this embodiment is applied.
As shown in the figure, this computer system is configured by connecting an image processing apparatus 10 and a terminal apparatus 20 via a network 80.

  Among these, the image processing device 10 performs image processing based on information input from the terminal device 20 via the network 80 or information obtained by directly inserting media or scanning a paper document. It is a device to perform. For example, a printer, which can be regarded as an image forming apparatus from this viewpoint. Further, it may be a scanner, and from this point of view, it can also be regarded as an image reading apparatus. Further, it may be a facsimile, and from this point of view, it can also be regarded as an image transmission device or an image reception device.

The terminal device 20 is a device that instructs the image processing device 10 to print a document, send a document by facsimile, and the like, and is exemplified by a PC (Personal Computer). In addition, the terminal device 20 can also have a web browser, and in that case, various settings of the image processing apparatus 10 can be performed from the web browser.
Further, the network 80 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet.

  By the way, in recent years, a script for using the image processing apparatus 10 can be created externally like the terminal apparatus 20 and installed in the image processing apparatus 10. The script created externally is described in a general script language, and the function can be used by describing an interface for using the function of the image processing apparatus 10 in a simple language. .

The script can be automatically executed at a predetermined date and time. In this case, a state in which a plurality of scripts try to use limited resources of the image processing apparatus 10 (hereinafter referred to as “resource conflict”) may occur. Further, for example, the script creator X creates and registers a script that is expected to operate at 1:30 on the image processing apparatus 10, but the script creator Y shuts down the image processing apparatus 10 at 0:00 and 6:00 You may create and register a script that starts automatically. When such a script is created and registered, a state in which the script registered by the script creator X does not operate due to the execution date and time (hereinafter referred to as “date and time conflict”) occurs.
On the other hand, since the script is created using a general script language, the code written by the user may be able to avoid resource contention depending on the description method.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a schedule table is automatically created from the script installed in the image processing apparatus 10 and its execution date and presented to the user.
Further, it is checked whether or not resource contention occurs when a script is installed from the terminal device 20 to the image processing device 10.
Furthermore, a script that does not operate due to resource conflict is detected and notified to the user.
Furthermore, if resource contention can be avoided by the way the code is written, the user is prompted to perform code conversion using a code template prepared in advance when the script is installed.

Next, functional configurations of the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration example of the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 20.
First, the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 is an example of a program execution apparatus.
As illustrated, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an execution date / time information storage unit 11, an execution date / time information management unit 12, a schedule information storage unit 13, a schedule information management unit 14, and a transmission unit 15. , Receiving unit 16, script analyzing unit 17, script storing unit 18, and script managing unit 19. Among these, the script analysis unit 17 includes a use resource information storage unit 17a, a competition determination unit 17b, a code conversion information storage unit 17c, and a conversion code extraction unit 17d. The image processing apparatus 10 includes a script execution unit 31, a power management unit 32, and an image processing unit 33. Of these, the execution date / time information storage unit 11, the schedule information storage unit 13, the used resource information storage unit 17a, the code conversion information storage unit 17c, and the script storage unit 18 are realized by an HDD, for example. In addition, each function of the execution date / time information management unit 12, the schedule information management unit 14, the transmission unit 15, the reception unit 16, the conflict determination unit 17b, the conversion code extraction unit 17d, the script management unit 19, and the script execution unit 31 is performed by the CPU. This is realized by reading a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it.

The execution date / time information storage unit 11 stores execution date / time information, which is correspondence information between script identification information and script execution date / time. The script identification information may be any information as long as it uniquely identifies the script. In the following description, the script name is used. In the present embodiment, a script is used as an example of the control program, and execution date / time information is used as an example of the operation time information. The execution date / time information storage unit 11 is provided as an example of a storage unit that stores operation time information.
The execution date / time information management unit 12 newly registers execution date / time information in the execution date / time information storage unit 11, updates or reads the execution date / time information stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11. In the present embodiment, an execution date / time information management unit 12 is provided as an example of an acquisition unit that acquires operation time information.

The schedule information storage unit 13 stores a schedule table for automatic execution of all scripts.
The schedule information management unit 14 generates a schedule table, newly registers the generated schedule table in the schedule information storage unit 13, updates and reads the schedule table stored in the schedule information storage unit 13, and the like. In the present embodiment, a schedule table is used as an example of schedule information, and a schedule information management unit 14 is provided as an example of a generation unit that generates schedule information.

The transmission unit 15 transmits the schedule table stored in the schedule information storage unit 13 and the script analysis result by the script analysis unit 17 to the terminal device 20. Here, the schedule table is transmitted in a form to which a mark clearly indicating a script that competes with another script found by the competition determination in the competition determination unit 17b is added. In the present embodiment, a mark is used as an example of a sign that clearly indicates at least one control program included in a combination of control programs that do not have compatible operations, and additional information for adding schedule information and the sign to the schedule information The transmission unit 15 is provided as an example of an output unit that outputs the schedule information and an example of a transmission unit that transmits schedule information and additional information for adding a sign to the schedule information.
The receiving unit 16 receives an upload start message (schedule table sending instruction), a script analysis instruction, and a script installation instruction from the terminal device 20.

The script analysis unit 17 is a function that is virtually realized when the CPU reads a program called a script analysis engine from the programs stored in the ROM and executes the program. Here, the script analysis engine is a program that causes a computer to execute a process of analyzing a script. The script analysis engine also causes the computer to execute a process of developing use resource information and code conversion information described below on, for example, an HDD.
The used resource information storage unit 17a stores used resource information that is correspondence information between the interface described in the script and the resource (resource) of the image processing apparatus 10 used in the interface.
The conflict determination unit 17b detects the occurrence of a date conflict, which is a conflict based on the execution date of the script, or a resource conflict, which is a conflict based on the resource used by the script. Here, the occurrence of date / time conflict or resource conflict may be detected for a script that is already installed and scheduled for automatic execution, or for a script that is to be installed before installation. In the present embodiment, as an example of a determination unit that determines a combination of control programs whose operations are not compatible with each other, and determination for determining whether or not the operation of a control program designated to be newly incorporated into the own device is restricted As an example of the means, a competition determination unit 17b is provided.
The code conversion information storage unit 17c stores code conversion information that is correspondence information between a code created by the user and a code template (conversion code) prepared in advance for converting the code.
The conversion code extraction unit 17d extracts a conversion code for avoiding resource contention from the code conversion information storage unit 17c during script analysis.

The script storage unit 18 stores a script created and installed by the user.
The script management unit 19 newly registers a script in the script storage unit 18 and reads a script stored in the script storage unit 18.

The script execution unit 31 causes the script stored in the script storage unit 18 to operate at a specified date based on the execution date information stored in the execution date information storage unit 11.
The power management unit 32 is a target of control by a script automatically executed by the script execution unit 31, and manages power on / off (turning on and off), shifting to a power saving mode, and the like.
Similar to the power management unit 32, the image processing unit 33 is a target of control by a script automatically executed by the script execution unit 31, and performs image processing based on image data input from the outside. Here, as the image processing, image reading by a scanner, for example, image formation using an electrophotographic method, image transmission or image reception by a facsimile mechanism can be considered.

Next, the functional configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described.
As illustrated, the terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission unit 25, a reception unit 26, an operation reception unit 27, and a display unit 28. Each of these functions is realized when the CPU reads a program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it.

The transmission unit 25 transmits an upload start message (schedule table sending instruction), a script analysis instruction, and a script installation instruction to the image processing apparatus 10.
The receiving unit 26 receives a schedule table and script analysis results from the image processing apparatus 10. Here, the schedule table is received in a form to which a mark clearly indicating a script that conflicts with another script is added.
The operation receiving unit 27 receives user operations related to upload start, script analysis, script execution date and time, code change, and upload execution.
The display unit 28 displays the schedule table and script analysis result received by the receiving unit 26 on the display.

Next, the execution date / time information stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11, the used resource information stored in the used resource information storage unit 17a, and the code conversion information stored in the code conversion information storage unit 17c will be described in detail. .
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of execution date information.
As shown in the figure, the execution date / time information associates a script name, a start date / time, an end date / time, and a repetition.
As described above, the script name is an example of identification information that uniquely identifies the script.
The start date and time is the date and time when the script operation starts, and the end date and time is the date and time when the script operation ends. For example, there is a script for continuously maintaining the power saving mode such as “power saving”, and therefore the start date and time and the end date and time are provided. On the other hand, various operations relating to power-on, power-off, and image processing are operations that are specified only to start at a certain moment. Therefore, for a script that performs such an operation, for example, the date and time may be set only for the start date and time, or the same date and time may be set for the start date and time and the end date and time.
In addition, whether the script operates every day or every week is set as the repetition.
The execution date / time information may include information on resources used by each script. In the operation to be described later, when the contention determination unit 17b determines resource contention, information on the resources used by each script is acquired. However, the information may be acquired in advance and stored in the execution date / time information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of used resource information.
As shown in the figure, the used resource information is obtained by associating an interface (indicated as “I / F” in the figure) with a used resource.
The interface is a function for using the functions of the image processing apparatus 10 as described above.
The used resource is a resource of the image processing apparatus 10 that is used when the interface is called.
In the drawing, as an example, the interface “copy” uses the image reading unit and the image forming unit as resources, and the interface “scan” uses the image reading unit as resources.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the code conversion information.
As shown in the figure, the code conversion information is information in which a user-created code and a conversion code are associated with each other.
The user-created code is a code described in a script created by the user first.
The conversion code is a code template prepared in advance to avoid resource contention based on the user-created code.
In the figure, as an example, it is shown that resource contention can be avoided by replacing a code meaning an operation of scanning with a scanner with one of two conversion codes. Of the two conversion codes, the conversion code on the first line is a code that means an operation that waits indefinitely until the scanner is free when the scanner is in use. The conversion code on the second line is: This code means an operation of waiting for 10 minutes until the scanner is free when the scanner is in use.

Next, operations of the image processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 in the present embodiment will be described in detail.
First, the flow of information exchange between the image processing apparatus 10 and the terminal apparatus 20 when the terminal apparatus 20 uploads a script to the image processing apparatus 10 will be described.
FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a flow of information exchange at this time.
In the terminal device 20, first, an operation for starting a procedure for uploading a script created by the user to the image processing apparatus 10 is performed. Then, the operation reception unit 27 receives the operation and notifies the transmission unit 25 (step 201). Then, the transmission unit 25 transmits an upload start message to the image processing apparatus 10 (step 202).

As a result, in the image processing apparatus 10, the receiving unit 16 receives the upload start message and notifies the execution date / time information management unit 12 (step 101). Then, the execution date / time information management unit 12 reads the execution date / time information regarding the already installed script stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11 and passes it to the conflict determination unit 17b and the schedule information management unit 14 (step 102).
Then, the conflict determination unit 17b determines, based on the execution date / time information passed from the execution date / time information management unit 12, whether or not there is a conflict between the scripts for the already installed script. (Step 103). Details of the contention determination process will be described later.
In addition, the schedule information management unit 14 generates a schedule table based on the execution date / time information passed from the execution date / time information management unit 12, and reflects the result of the conflict determination processing by the conflict determination unit 17b to reflect the result of the schedule information storage unit 13 (Step 104). Thereafter, the schedule table is transmitted to the transmission unit 15, and the transmission unit 15 transmits the schedule table to the terminal device 20 (step 105).

  Thereby, in the terminal device 20, the receiving part 26 receives the schedule table in which the result of the competition determination process was reflected (step 203). Then, the display unit 28 displays the schedule table on the display (step 204).

Thereafter, the user uploads the script created by himself / herself while looking at the schedule table and examines whether or not a conflict occurs. However, when only the script name and its execution date and time are displayed in the schedule table, it may not be apparent at first glance whether or not resource conflict will occur by actually uploading the script. Further, even if there is no conflict when considering the installation status of the image processing apparatus 10 at the time when the schedule table is obtained, it is possible that a conflict will occur when the script is actually uploaded due to a change in the subsequent installation status. .
Therefore, in this embodiment, script analysis is performed before the upload to check whether or not there is a conflict between the script that the user intends to upload and the script that is installed in the image processing apparatus 10 at that time. Have to do.

  When requesting such script analysis, for example, the user performs an operation of selecting script analysis on a screen displayed on the terminal device 20. Then, the operation reception unit 27 receives the operation, and transfers the script and its execution date / time to the transmission unit 25 (step 205). Then, the transmission unit 25 transmits a script and a script analysis instruction with its execution date and time to the image processing apparatus 10 (step 206).

As a result, in the image processing apparatus 10, the receiving unit 16 receives the script analysis instruction and transfers the script and its execution date / time to the execution date / time information management unit 12 (step 106). Then, the execution date / time information management unit 12 reads the execution date / time information from the execution date / time information storage unit 11 and passes the execution date / time information together with the script and the execution date / time information received in Step 106 to the conflict determination unit 17b. Based on the execution date and time information passed from the information management unit 12, a conflict determination process is performed to determine whether or not a conflict has occurred between the script to be installed and the script that has already been installed (step) 107). Details of the contention determination process will be described later.
Thereafter, the conversion code extraction unit 17d performs a conversion code extraction process for extracting a conversion code prepared in advance to convert the user-created code so that the script operates while avoiding resource conflict, and results of the conflict determination and conversion The code is transferred to the transmission unit 15 as a script analysis result (step 108). Details of the conversion code extraction process will also be described later. Then, the transmission unit 15 transmits the script analysis result to the terminal device 20 (step 109).

  Thereby, in the terminal device 20, the receiving unit 26 receives the script analysis result and transfers it to the display unit 28 (step 207). Then, the display unit 28 displays the script analysis result on the display and notifies the script creator (step 208).

  The user sees the script analysis result displayed here, and performs an operation of changing the execution date of the script or an operation of changing the code of the script using the conversion code. Then, the operation reception unit 27 receives the operation (step 209). And when uploading the script after the change and its execution date and time, the user performs an operation of selecting upload on the screen displayed on the terminal device 20, for example. Then, the operation reception unit 27 receives the operation, and passes the changed script and the execution date / time to the transmission unit 25 (step 210). Then, the transmitting unit 25 transmits the script after the change and the script installation instruction with the execution date / time to the image processing apparatus 10 (step 211).

  As a result, in the image processing apparatus 10, the receiving unit 16 receives the script installation instruction, and passes the script to the script management unit 19 and the correspondence between the script name and the execution date / time to the execution date / time information management unit 12 (step 110). ). Then, the script management unit 19 that has received the script stores the script in the script storage unit 18 (step 111). The execution date / time information management unit 12 that has received the correspondence between the script name and the execution date / time stores the correspondence between the script name and the execution date / time as execution date / time information in the execution date / time information storage unit 11 (step 112).

Here, an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 20 in this operation will be described.
FIG. 7 is a first example of the screen displayed in step 204 of FIG.
On this screen, a schedule table showing what operation the scripts A to D perform on the MM month DD date of YYYY is displayed. In the schedule table, the script B is set to the facsimile machine at 3 o'clock even though the script C is set to be turned off at 2 o'clock and the script D is set to be turned on at 6:30. It is set to send. In this case, it is understood that the facsimile transmission does not operate by performing the competition determination process, and therefore a mark 41 indicating that fact is displayed.

FIG. 8 is a second example of the screen displayed in step 204 of FIG.
On this screen, a schedule table is displayed which indicates what operation and what date and time of the MM month in YYYY. In this schedule table, the YYYY image processing apparatus 10 is set to be turned off at 23:00 on the 5th month of YYYY year, and at 6 o'clock on the 7th month of YYYY year. Facsimile transmission is set to be performed at 7 o'clock on the 6th month of the year. In this case, by performing the competition determination process, it can be seen that this facsimile transmission does not operate, so a mark 42 indicating that fact is displayed.

  7 and 8, only the mark is displayed when the date / time conflict occurs, but the mark may be displayed when the resource conflict occurs. In this case, it is preferable to express which resource is causing the conflict by displaying a picture representing the resource in the marks 41 and 42.

FIG. 9 is an example of a screen displayed when the selection operation is performed in step 205 or 210 in FIG.
In this screen, “power saving” is entered in the script name input field 51, and it can be seen that the script for shifting to the power saving mode is being uploaded.
In this screen, the start date / time setting field 52 and the end date / time setting field 53 are set to YYYY year MM month DD day HH hour MM minute. However, if this screen is a screen that is displayed when, for example, the link character string 43 “new” is clicked in the MM month 7 column of YYYY in FIG. The year MM month 7th H1 hour M1 minute is set, and the end date / time setting field 53 is set to YYYY year MM month 7 day H2 hour M2 minute. That is, it is set to perform the operation of maintaining the power saving mode from H1 hour M1 to H2 hour M2 on MM month 7 of YYYY year.
Furthermore, “every day” is set in the repeat setting field 54. This means that regardless of the settings for the start date / time setting field 52 and the end date / time setting field 53, an operation of maintaining the power saving mode from H1 hour M1 to H2 hour M2 every day is performed.

Further, the location of the script is set in the script setting field 55 at the upper right of the screen.
Further, the button 56 is a button for referring to the contents of the script, the button 57 is a button for instructing script analysis in step 205, and the button 58 is a button for instructing script upload in step 210.

Next, the operations of Step 103, Step 107, and Step 108 in FIG. 6 will be described in more detail.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the conflict determination process in step 103 or step 107 of FIG. In general, a plurality of interfaces may be described in one script. Here, for simplicity, only one interface is described in one script. In addition, when the operation continues for a certain period of time, such as “power saving”, different dates and times are set for the start date and time and the end date and time. And In other words, for example, only an operation that starts at a certain moment is considered, and the date and time when the operation starts is referred to as “execution date and time”.

  First, the conflict determination unit 17b acquires a target script (hereinafter, referred to as “determination target script”) for determining whether or not it will not operate due to the occurrence of a conflict and its execution date and time (step 121). In the case of step 103 in FIG. 6, one script selected on the basis of some criterion from among a plurality of already installed scripts becomes the determination target script. Specifically, the script stored in the script storage unit 18 is acquired via the script management unit 19, and the execution date / time of the script stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11 is acquired via the execution date / time information management unit 12. get. And what is necessary is just to repeat the operation | movement described from now on about some determination object scripts. In the case of step 107 in FIG. 6, the newly installed script becomes the determination target script. Specifically, the script received by the receiving unit 16 and its execution date and time are acquired via the execution date and time information management unit 12.

Next, the conflict determination unit 17b reads a script to be compared in terms of whether or not a conflict occurs with the determination target script (hereinafter referred to as “comparison target script”), and performs the following conflict determination. .
Here, as described above, the competition includes a date competition and a resource competition. Therefore, the competition determination is also made for these two types of competition.

First, the conflict determination unit 17b determines date / time conflict. Here, only a state in which there is an execution date and time of a script that performs image processing between the execution date and time of a script that turns off the power and the execution date and time of the script that turns on the power is considered as a date and time conflict.
In this case, the contention determination unit 17b first reads a comparison target script in which the execution date and time immediately before the execution date and time of the determination target script is specified (step 122). Specifically, referring to the execution date / time information stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11, the script associated with the execution date / time earlier than the execution date / time of the determination target script is identified, and the script storage unit This script is read out from the script stored in 18.
Next, the contention determination unit 17b analyzes the contents of the comparison target script and determines whether or not an interface representing an operation for turning off the power is described (step 123). As a result, if there is no description of an interface representing the operation of turning off the power, it is further determined whether there is another script to be compared with the previous execution date / time specified (step 124). If there is such a comparison target script, steps 122 to 123 are repeated for the comparison target script. If there is no such script to be compared, the process moves to a resource conflict determination process.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 123 that the interface representing the operation of turning off the power is described, the conflict determination unit 17b selects the comparison target script in which the execution date and time next to the execution date and time of the comparison target script is specified. Read (step 125). Specifically, the execution date / time information stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11 is referred to, and the execution date / time later than the execution date / time of the comparison target script in which the interface representing the operation of turning off the power is described. The associated script is specified, and this script is read out from the scripts stored in the script storage unit 18.

Thereafter, the competition determination unit 17b determines whether or not the execution date and time of the read comparison target script is later than the execution date and time of the determination target script (step 126). If not, the contents of the comparison target script are analyzed, and it is determined whether an interface representing an operation to turn on the power is described (step 127). As a result, if the interface representing the operation to turn on the power is not described, steps 125 to 127 are repeated for the comparison target script for which the next execution date is specified. On the other hand, if an interface representing an operation of turning on the power is described, the process proceeds to a resource conflict determination process.
If it is determined in step 126 that the execution date and time of the comparison target script is later than the execution date and time of the determination target script, the date and time when the power is turned off is set in the competition determination result (step 128), and the process is terminated. To do.

That is, in this date / time conflict determination process, a script to turn off the power is searched retroactively from the execution date / time of the determination target script. If no such script is found, the power is turned on at the execution date / time of the determination target script. Therefore, it is determined that no date / time conflict occurs.
If a script for turning off the power is found, a script for turning on the power is searched for between the execution date and time of the script and the execution date and time of the determination target script. Then, if a script for turning on the power is found, it is turned on after the power is turned off once, and the determination target script operates. Therefore, it is determined that the date / time conflict does not occur. If no script to turn on the power is found, the power is turned off at the execution date and time of the determination target script, so it is determined that a date and time conflict occurs.

Second, the contention determination unit 17b determines resource contention.
In this case, the contention determination unit 17b first reads out the comparison target script in which the execution date / time near the execution date / time of the determination target script is specified (step 129). Specifically, referring to the execution date / time information stored in the execution date / time information storage unit 11, a script associated with execution dates / times within a predetermined time before and after the execution date / time of the determination target script is specified. The script is read from the scripts stored in the script storage unit 18.
Next, the conflict determination unit 17b specifies the resource used for the determination target script (step 130). Specifically, the used resource information storage unit 17a is searched using the interface described in the determination target script as a key, and information on the used resource is acquired. In addition, the competition determination unit 17b identifies the resource used for the comparison target script (step 131). Specifically, the used resource information storage unit 17a is searched using the interface described in the comparison target script as a key, and information on the used resource is acquired.

Thereafter, the contention determination unit 17b determines whether or not there is an overlapping portion between the use resource specified in Step 130 and the use resource specified in Step 131 (Step 132). As a result, if it is determined that there is no overlapping portion, it is determined whether there is another comparison target script with an execution date / time near the execution date / time of the determination target script (step 133). If there is another script for comparison, steps 129 to 132 are repeated for the script for comparison. If there is no other script to be compared, the process is terminated.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 132 that there is an overlapping portion, the correspondence information between the interface and the used resource is set in the competition determination result (step 134), and the process is terminated.

  That is, in the resource conflict determination process, a script that uses the same resource as the resource used by the determination target script is searched for from among the scripts in which the execution date and time near the execution date and time of the determination target script are specified. If a script that uses the same resource is found, it is determined that resource contention occurs.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing in detail the flow of the conversion code extraction process in step 108 of FIG.
First, the conversion code extraction unit 17d receives a competition determination result from the competition determination unit 17b (step 141). Then, it is determined whether or not information is set in the competition determination result (step 142). If the information is not set, the fact that no competition has occurred is output to the transmission unit 15 (step 143).

If the information is set in the competition determination result, the conversion code extracting unit 17d determines whether the information is correspondence information between the interface set in step 134 of FIG. Step 144).
As a result, if it is the correspondence information between the interface and the resource used, the conversion code extraction unit 17d searches the code conversion information storage unit 17c using the interface as a key, and extracts the conversion code (step 145). For example, in the case of FIG. 5, although not explicitly shown, the interface “scan” is linked to the user-created code, and two types of conversion codes shown in the figure are extracted using the interface “scan” as a key. Then, information indicating that resource conflict has occurred, information on the conflicting resource, and the conversion code are output to the transmission unit 15 (step 146).

  On the other hand, if the information is not the correspondence information between the interface and the resource used, that is, if the power-off date and time set in step 128 of FIG. Are output to the transmitter 15 (step 147).

Thus, the operation of the present embodiment ends.
In the present embodiment, the script analysis is performed by the image processing apparatus 10. However, the script analysis engine may be sent from the image processing apparatus 10 to the terminal apparatus 20 and the terminal apparatus 20 may perform the script analysis. That is, the script analysis unit 17 in FIG. 2 may be realized in the terminal device 20. In this case, the receiving unit 26 is provided as an example of the receiving unit that receives the operation time information, and the operation receiving unit 27 is provided as an example of the receiving unit that receives the operation time information. As an example of a determination unit that determines whether or not the operation of a control program designated as being incorporated into the apparatus is restricted, a competition determination unit is provided, and an example of a display unit that displays a determination result by the determination unit The display unit 28 is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the script is installed in the image processing apparatus 10 from the terminal apparatus 20, and the schedule table generated by the image processing apparatus 10 and the script analysis result in the image processing apparatus 10 are transmitted to the terminal apparatus 20. However, the present invention is not limited to this mode. For example, script installation may be instructed from an operation panel provided in the image processing apparatus 10, and a schedule table and script analysis results may be displayed on a display provided in the image processing apparatus 10.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 10 is configured to send a schedule table when an upload start message is received from the terminal device 20, but the sending timing of the schedule table is not limited to this. For example, when the user completes the installation of a new script, a schedule table may be sent as a completion report. Alternatively, a schedule table may be sent before the execution date and time designated for the script so that the user can change the execution date and time of the script at that time.

Furthermore, the following configuration is also conceivable as a modification of the present embodiment.
First, when the schedule table is displayed on the display of the image processing apparatus 10, the schedule table related to the script registered by the logged-in user is displayed based on login information to the image processing apparatus 10.
Secondly, based on user information when the script is installed in the image processing apparatus 10, when resource conflict occurs in the script, the user is notified.
Thirdly, when the script is likely to cause resource conflict, the fact is displayed in the schedule table. For example, it is conceivable to perform such a display when trying to install a new script.
Fourth, when the script causes resource conflict, the image processing apparatus 10 automatically performs processing for avoiding resource conflict for any script.

In this embodiment, the execution date and time is specified separately from the script, but the execution date and time may be specified in the script. In this case, the execution date / time in the script corresponds to the execution date / time in the above embodiment, and the description of the operation in the script corresponds to the script in the above embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the script has been described as the processing target, but a general program may be the processing target.

In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the image processing apparatus 10 generates and outputs a schedule table and the image processing apparatus 10 or the terminal apparatus 20 performs script analysis. However, the processing performed by the image processing device 10 and the processing performed by the terminal device 20 may be performed by a general-purpose computer.
Therefore, the hardware configuration of the computer 90 will be described assuming that these processes are performed by the computer 90.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the computer 90.
As shown in the figure, the computer 90 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91 as a calculation means, a main memory 92 as a storage means, and a magnetic disk device (HDD: Hard Disk Drive) 93. Here, the CPU 91 executes various types of software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications to realize the above-described functions. The main memory 92 is a storage area for storing various software and data used for execution thereof, and the magnetic disk device 93 is a storage area for storing input data for various software, output data from various software, and the like. .
Further, the computer 90 includes a communication I / F 94 for performing communication with the outside, a display mechanism 95 including a video memory and a display, and an input device 96 such as a keyboard and a mouse.

  It should be noted that the program for realizing the present embodiment may be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, as well as provided by communication means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 11 ... Execution date information storage part, 12 ... Execution date information management part, 13 ... Schedule information storage part, 14 ... Schedule information management part, 15, 25 ... Transmission part, 16, 26 ... Reception part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 ... Script analysis part, 18 ... Script memory | storage part, 19 ... Script management part, 20 ... Terminal device, 27 ... Operation reception part, 28 ... Display part

Claims (9)

Storage means for storing operation time information in which each of a plurality of control programs that operate to control the own device and the operation time thereof are associated;
Generating means for generating schedule information representing operation schedules of the plurality of control programs based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining a combination of control programs in which the operations of the plurality of control programs are not compatible based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one control program of the plurality of control programs, and describing an operation for avoiding a state where the operation is incompatible with the one control program Extracting means for extracting the conversion code that is the program code
The schedule information generated by the generation unit and the additional information for adding a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the control programs determined by the determination unit to the schedule information are output. And a schedule generation apparatus comprising: output means for outputting the conversion code extracted by the extraction means.   The schedule generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a combination of the control programs based further on information specifying a resource used by each of the plurality of control programs. It is assumed that first operation time information in which the first control program already incorporated in the own device among the plurality of control programs is associated with the operation time is obtained from the storage means and newly incorporated into the own device. Acquisition means for acquiring from the outside second operation time information associating the designated second control program and its operation time;
Determination means for determining whether or not the operation of the second control program is restricted based on the first operation time information and the second operation time information acquired by the acquisition unit;
The schedule generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit further outputs a determination result by the determination unit.   The determination means is further configured to perform an operation of the second control program based on information identifying a resource used by the first control program and information identifying a resource used by the second control program. 4. The schedule generation device according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not the restriction is imposed.   The output means, when it is determined by the determination means that the operation of the second control program is restricted, has a program code determined in advance as to release the restriction on the operation of the second control program. The schedule generation apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the schedule generation apparatus outputs the schedule. Power management means for managing power on / off of the device itself;
Image processing means for performing image processing based on image data input from the outside;
Operation time information in which each of a plurality of control programs including a control program that operates to control the power management unit and a control program that operates to control the image processing unit is associated with the operation time is stored. Storage means;
Generating means for generating schedule information representing operation schedules of the plurality of control programs based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining a combination of control programs in which the operations of the plurality of control programs are not compatible based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one control program of the plurality of control programs, and describing an operation for avoiding a state where the operation is incompatible with the one control program Extracting means for extracting the conversion code that is the program code
The schedule information generated by the generation unit and the additional information for adding a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the control programs determined by the determination unit to the schedule information are output. And an output means for outputting the conversion code extracted by the extraction means. A program execution device that executes a plurality of control programs that operate to control the device;
A program transmission device that transmits the plurality of control programs to the program execution device;
The program execution device includes:
Storage means for storing operation time information in which each of the plurality of control programs is associated with the operation time;
Generating means for generating schedule information representing operation schedules of the plurality of control programs based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Determining means for determining a combination of control programs in which the operations of the plurality of control programs are not compatible based on the operation time information stored in the storage means;
Program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one control program of the plurality of control programs, and describing an operation for avoiding a state where the operation is incompatible with the one control program Extracting means for extracting the conversion code that is the program code
The schedule information generated by the generation means, and additional information for adding a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the combination of the control programs determined by the determination means to the schedule information A computer system comprising: a transmission unit that transmits to the program transmission device, and further transmits the conversion code extracted by the extraction unit to the program transmission device. The program transmission device includes:
Receiving means for receiving, from the program execution device, first operation time information associating the operation time with a first control program already incorporated in the program execution device of the plurality of control programs;
Accepting means for accepting from the outside second operation time information in which the second control program designated to be newly incorporated in the program execution device and its operation time are associated;
It is determined whether or not the operation of the second control program is restricted based on the first operation time information received by the receiving unit and the second operation time information received by the receiving unit. A determination means;
8. The computer system according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying a determination result by the determination means. On the computer,
A function of reading the operation time information from the storage device storing the operation time information in which each of the plurality of control programs that operate to control the own device and the operation time are associated;
A function for generating schedule information representing an operation schedule of the plurality of control programs based on the read operation time information;
Based on the read operation time information, a function of determining a combination of control programs in which operations among the plurality of control programs are not compatible,
Program code for converting another control program whose operation is incompatible with one control program of the plurality of control programs, and describing an operation for avoiding a state where the operation is incompatible with the one control program The function to extract the conversion code that is the program code
Outputting the generated schedule information and additional information for adding to the schedule information a label that clearly indicates at least one control program included in the determined combination of the control programs; and the extracted information A program for realizing the function of outputting conversion codes.

Images