JP2014154058A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable appropriate processing adapted to characteristics of a request source by determining whether the request source is a specific device even in a request to a common interface.SOLUTION: An image processor provided with an operation part that is directly operated by a user, and a body part to be operated on the basis of a request from the operation part includes specification means for specifying a device that has issued a processing request when a common interface of the body part receives the processing request from the operation part or an external terminal device, and processing means for changing processing contents in accordance with characteristics of the specified device to execute processing.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling an image processing apparatus.

  As an image processing device such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral, Multi Function Printer), a common interface (Web API) that can use the functions of the image processing device to a terminal device such as an external PC (Personal Computer) is provided. There is something.

  On the other hand, as an image processing apparatus, it is considered that a part for performing screen display or key input operation is made independent from the main body as an operation unit so that the operation response is not lowered even when the load on the main body is high. The operating unit is equipped with an independent OS (Operating System) such as Android OS and operates independently of the main unit.

  In this case, it is efficient that the operation unit uses the function of the main body through the above-described common interface.

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus separated into the main unit and the operation unit, it is efficient to use the function of the main unit from the operation unit through the common interface provided by the main unit. The same processing is performed for the same request, and there is a problem that the processing cannot be changed according to the characteristics of the terminal device such as an external PC and the operation unit.

  For example, external terminal devices are connected to the main unit via a network such as the Internet, whereas the operation unit is often connected to the main unit via a dedicated line, so the amount of data that can be transmitted and received is also different. There is. In addition, users of external terminal devices are often operated away from the image processing device, whereas users of the operation unit are operating in front of the image processing device and ask the user for some measures. Or the meaning of providing some information to the user is different.

  Although it is conceivable that a common interface is provided separately for the external terminal device and the operation unit, the significance of the common interface is diminished in the first place, and the common interface needs to be significantly modified, and the burden of subsequent maintenance also increases. .

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of measuring a distance between two time points when an instruction is given from a mobile terminal to an image processing apparatus, and switching processing according to the distance. For example, when printing instructions are being approached, there is a high possibility that paper will be picked up, so processing such as outputting printed matter is performed.

  However, Patent Document 1 is not intended for an image processing apparatus in which a main body and an operation unit are independent, and cannot solve the above-described problems.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to determine whether a request source is a specific device even if it is a request for a common interface. Thus, it is possible to perform appropriate processing in accordance with the characteristics of the request source.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, an image processing apparatus including an operation unit that is directly operated by a user, and a main body unit that operates based on a request from the operation unit, When the common interface of the main unit receives a processing request from the operation unit or an external terminal device, the specifying means for specifying the device that issued the processing request and the processing contents are changed according to the characteristics of the specified device And processing means for executing the processing.

  In the present invention, even if the request is for the common interface, it is possible to perform appropriate processing according to the characteristics of the request source by determining whether the request source is a specific device.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the image processing apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of application operation data in case the operation part or the application of a terminal device utilizes the function of a main-body part. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a main-body part controller and an operation part controller. It is a sequence diagram (the 1) which shows the process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example at the time of a scan. It is a sequence diagram (the 2) which shows the process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example at the time of an error notification. It is a sequence diagram (the 3) which shows the process example of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process example at the time of a printing start.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 1 includes a main body 2 and an operation unit 3, and the main body 2 and the operation unit 3 are connected by a cable 4. The main unit 2 and the operation unit 3 are connected by wire at a physically very close distance, so that high-speed data communication is possible. The main body 2 and the operation unit 3 may be connected by wireless (including infrared rays) instead of wired connection by the cable 4.

  The main body 2 includes a main body controller 21 that controls the operation of the main body 2, a scanner device 22 that reads a document, and a plotter device 23 that prints on paper.

  The main unit 2 can accept access from a terminal device 6 such as a PC (Personal Computer) via a network 5 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), and the Internet, and a wireless access point 7. It is possible to accept access from a terminal device 8 such as a smartphone or a tablet via the. You may make it access the main-body part 2 directly from the terminal device 8 using near field radio | wireless, such as Bluetooth (trademark).

  The operation unit 3 includes an operation unit controller 31 that controls the operation of the operation unit 3, a hard key 32 that is operated by a user, a liquid crystal touch panel 33 that displays a screen and receives an operation input, and an external memory card or the like that can be attached or detached. And a storage device 34.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of application operation data when the application of the operation unit 3 or the terminal devices 6 and 8 uses the function of the main body unit 2.

  In FIG. 2, the operation unit 3 is supplied with a control line and a power line from the main body unit 2 through a cable 4. Application operation data from the application layer of the operation unit 3 is transmitted to the service layer of the main body unit 2 via the cable 4. Application operation data from the application layer of the terminal devices 6 and 8 is transmitted to the service layer of the main unit 2 via the network 5.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the main body controller 21 and the operation unit controller 31.

  3, the main body controller 21 includes an OS 211, modules 212 # 1 to 212 # 4,..., And a common interface (Web API) 213.

  The OS 211 is basic software of the main body controller 21.

  Modules 212 # 1 to 212 # 4,... Are program modules that realize functions such as copying, scanning, FAX, and printer.

  The common interface 213 is configured so that the functions of the modules 212 # 1 to 212 # 4,... Can be used from the outside, and the specifications thereof are open to the public and the operation unit that uses the main body function of the operation unit controller 31. The application 312 # 2, the general application 61 of the terminal device 6, and the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 can be accessed. In this embodiment, when using the common interface (Web API) 213, TCP / IP is used as a protocol and a dedicated IP address is used.

  Although not shown, each of the modules 212 # 1 to 212 # 4 provides not only a general common interface 213 but also a dedicated interface for direct use used only within the image processing apparatus 1. ing.

  The operation unit controller 31 includes an OS 311 and operation unit applications 312 # 1 to 312 # 3,.

  The OS 311 is basic software of the operation unit controller 31.

  The operation unit applications 312 # 1 to 312 # 3,... Are application programs that operate in the operation unit 3. The operation unit applications 312 # 1 to 312 # 3,... Are closely related to the main body controller 21 that uses the main body function with a dedicated interface without going through the common interface 213 (the operation unit application 312 # 1). ), Those using the main body function via the common interface 213 (illustrated as the operation unit application 312 # 2), and those not using the main body function (illustrated as the operation unit application 312 # 3).

  Note that the functions included in the main unit 2 or the operation unit 3 are not necessarily implemented in the main unit 2 or the operation unit 3, and may be realized as functions available on the network.

<Operation>
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating a processing example of the above embodiment. FIG. 4A illustrates a case where the copy function of the main unit 2 is used from the operation unit application 312 of the operation unit 3 via the common interface 213. ) Is a case where the general application 61 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 similarly uses the copy function of the main unit 2 via the common interface 213.

  4A, when the common interface 213 of the main body unit 2 is requested to acquire a scan and a preview image from the operation unit application 312 of the operation unit 3 (step S101), the common interface 213 sends a scan and preview image to the module 212. Acquisition is requested (step S102).

  The module 212 performs scanning after determining whether the request is for the operation unit 3 or the terminal devices 6 and 8 (step S103). Detailed processing at the time of scanning will be described later.

  When the module 212 determines that the operation unit 3 has requested it, the module 212 can transmit image data through a high-speed dedicated line via the cable 4, and high image quality is expected when the user is in front of the image processing apparatus 1. Therefore, the preview image is transmitted to the common interface 213 in a large size, high quality lossless format and a format that can be displayed at any time while being received (step S104). The common interface 213 transfers the preview image to the operation unit application 312 (step S105), and the operation unit application 312 displays the received preview image.

  Thereafter, when printing is requested from the operation unit application 312 to the common interface 213 (step S106), the common interface 213 requests printing to the module 212 (step S107).

  In FIG. 4B, when the common application 213 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 requests the common interface 213 of the main body 2 to obtain a scan and a preview image (step S111), the common interface 213 is a module. 212 is requested to obtain a scan and a preview image (step S112).

  The module 212 performs scanning after determining whether the request is for the operation unit 3 or the terminal devices 6 and 8 (step S113). Detailed processing at the time of scanning will be described later.

  If the module 212 determines that the request is for the terminal devices 6 and 8, the image data cannot be transmitted through the high-speed dedicated line via the cable 4, and therefore a highly compressed preview image in a small lossy format is shared with the common interface. It transmits to 213 (step S114). The common interface 213 transfers the preview image to the operation unit application 312 (step S115), and the operation unit application 312 displays the received preview image.

  Thereafter, when printing is requested from the general applications 61 and 81 to the common interface 213 (step S116), the common interface 213 requests printing to the module 212 (step S117).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing during scanning (steps S103 and S113 in FIG. 4).

  In FIG. 5, the module 212 performs a scan (step S121), whether or not the request is from a predetermined IP address, that is, the IP address assigned to the operation unit 3, header information of the IP packet indicating the request, etc. (Step S122).

  If it is determined that the request is from a predetermined IP address (Yes in step S122), the image is converted into an image quality priority image in a lossless format (step S123).

  If it is determined that the request is not from a predetermined IP address (No in step S122), it is converted into a small size image in the lossy format (step S124).

  Then, the preview image is returned to the common interface 213 (step S125).

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating another processing example of the above embodiment. FIG. 6A illustrates a case where the printer function of the main unit 2 is used from the operation unit application 312 of the operation unit 3 via the common interface 213. (B) is a case where the printer function of the main unit 2 is similarly used from the general application 61 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 via the common interface 213.

  In FIG. 6A, when the printing start is requested from the operation unit application 312 of the operation unit 3 to the common interface 213 of the main body unit 2 (step S201), the common interface 213 requests the module 212 to start printing (step S202). .

  The module 212 starts printing (step S203), but upon receiving an out-of-paper error notification from the main body system in the middle of printing (step S204), the terminal determines whether the original print request is the operation unit 3 or not. After determining whether the device is the device 6 or 8, the subsequent processing is changed. Detailed processing at the time of error notification will be described later.

  When the module 212 determines that the operation unit 3 has requested the user, the module 212 can estimate that the user is in front of the image processing apparatus 1, and can cause the user to replenish paper or use another size paper. Since it is better to cancel the error by a user operation such as changing it and complete printing correctly, printing is stopped (step S205).

  Then, the module 212 notifies the common interface 213 of a paper out error (Step S206), and the common interface 213 notifies the operation unit application 312 of the paper out error (Step S207).

  In FIG. 6B, when the general application 61 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 requests the common interface 213 of the main body 2 to start printing (step S211), the common interface 213 starts printing to the module 212. Is requested (step S212).

  The module 212 starts printing (step S213), but upon receiving an error notification of out of paper from the main body system in the middle of printing (step S214), the terminal determines whether the original print request is the operation unit 3 or not. After determining whether the device is the device 6 or 8, the subsequent processing is changed. Detailed processing at the time of error notification will be described later.

  If the module 212 determines that the request is for the terminal device 6 or 8, the module 212 can estimate that the user is away from the image processing apparatus 1, cause the user to replenish paper, Since it is difficult to make a response such as changing to a size paper, forced printing is continued by automatic continuation processing (step S215). The automatic continuation processing is, for example, forcibly printing if the printing can be forcibly continued by changing the conditions, and canceling the print job if the printing is impossible.

  When the forced printing is completed, the module 212 notifies the common interface 213 of the completion of forced printing (step S216), and the common interface 213 notifies the operation unit application 312 of the completion of forced printing (step S217).

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing example at the time of error notification (steps S204 to S206 and S214 to S216 in FIG. 6).

  In FIG. 7, when the module 212 detects an error by error notification (step S <b> 221), a request is made as to whether or not the original print processing is a request from a predetermined IP address, that is, an IP address assigned to the operation unit 3. (Step S222).

  If it is determined that the request is from a predetermined IP address (Yes in step S222), printing is stopped (step S223), and an error is notified to the common interface 213 (step S223).

  When it is determined that the request is not from a predetermined IP address (No in step S222), automatic continuation processing is performed (step S225), and the automatic continuation processing result is notified to the common interface 213 (step S226).

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating still another processing example of the embodiment. FIG. 8A illustrates a case where the printer function of the main body unit 2 is used from the operation unit application 312 # 2 of the operation unit 3 via the common interface 213. Control of the signage application (operation unit application 312 # 3) in FIG. 5, (b) also uses the printer function of the main unit 2 from the general application 61 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 via the common interface 213. This is the control of the signage app (operation unit app 312 # 3) when

  In FIG. 8A, when the printing start is requested from the operation unit application 312 # 2 of the operation unit 3 to the common interface 213 of the main body unit 2 (step S301), the common interface 213 requests the module 212 to start printing (step S301). S302).

  The module 212 starts printing (step S303). After determining whether the operation unit 3 or the terminal device 6 or 8 has requested printing, the module 212 is an operation unit application 312 # that is a signage application. 3 is changed to determine whether or not to make a startup request.

  The module 212 can estimate that the user is in front of the image processing apparatus 1 when determining that the request is the operation unit 3, and is considered to have an advertising effect when an advertisement is displayed on the operation unit 3. Therefore, after starting printing, an activation request is issued to the operation unit application 312 # 3, which is a signage application (step S304). In response to this, the operation unit application 312 # 3 displays an advertisement on the liquid crystal touch panel 33 of the operation unit 3.

  When printing is completed, the module 212 notifies the common interface 213 of the completion of printing (step S305), and the common interface 213 notifies the operation unit application 312 # 2 of the completion of printing (step S306).

  In FIG. 8B, when the general application 61 of the terminal device 6 or the general application 81 of the terminal device 8 requests the common interface 213 of the main unit 2 to start printing (step S311), the common interface 213 starts printing to the module 212. Is requested (step S312).

  The module 212 starts printing (step S313). After determining whether the operation unit 3 or the terminal device 6 or 8 has requested printing, the module 212 is an operation unit application 312 # that is a signage application. 3 is changed to determine whether or not to make a startup request.

  When the module 212 determines that the request is for the terminal devices 6 and 8, the user is not in front of the image processing apparatus 1 and thus does not look at the operation unit 3, or a different user uses the operation unit 3. Since there is no advertising effect when an advertisement is displayed on the operation unit 3, no activation request is issued to the operation unit application 312 # 3, which is a signage application, after the start of printing.

  When printing is completed, the module 212 notifies the common interface 213 of the completion of printing (step S314), and the common interface 213 notifies the operation unit application 312 # 2 of the completion of printing (step S315).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the start of printing (steps S303 and S313 in FIG. 8).

  In FIG. 9, when the module 212 starts printing (step S321), whether or not the printing process is a request from a predetermined IP address, that is, an IP address assigned to the operation unit 3, is indicated in the IP packet indicating the request. Judgment is made from the header information or the like (step S322).

  If it is determined that the request is from a predetermined IP address (Yes in step S322), an activation request is made to the signage application (step S323).

  When it is determined that the request is not from a predetermined IP address (No in step S322), no activation request is made to the signage application.

  Thereafter, when printing is completed (step S324), the common interface 213 is notified of printing completion (step S325).

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a request is made to the common interface, it is possible to determine whether the request source is a specific device, and thereby perform appropriate processing according to the characteristics of the request source. It can be performed.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 2 Main part 21 Main part controller 211 OS
212, 212 # 1-212 # 4 Module 213 Common interface 22 Scanner device 23 Plotter device 3 Operation unit 31 Operation unit controller 311 OS
312 and 312 # 1 to 312 # 3 Operation unit application 32 Hard key 33 Liquid crystal touch panel 34 External storage device 4 Cable 5 Network 6 Terminal device 61 General application 7 Wireless access point 8 Terminal device 81 General application

JP 2007-290324 A

Claims (6)

An image processing apparatus including an operation unit that is directly operated by a user and a main body that operates based on a request from the operation unit,
When the common interface of the main unit receives a processing request from the operation unit or an external terminal device, a specifying unit for specifying a device that has issued the processing request;
An image processing apparatus comprising: processing means for executing processing by changing processing contents in accordance with the specified characteristics of the apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies whether the apparatus that issued the processing request is the operation unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The processing means performs processing on the premise that the main unit and the operation unit are connected by high-speed communication when the apparatus that has issued the processing request is identified as the operation unit. An image processing apparatus. In the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs processing assuming that a user is in front of the main body when the apparatus that has issued the processing request is identified as the operation unit. An image processing apparatus including an operation unit directly operated by a user, and a main body that operates based on a request from the operation unit;
When the common interface of the main unit receives a processing request from the operation unit or an external terminal device, a specifying unit for specifying a device that has issued the processing request;
An image processing system comprising: processing means for executing processing by changing processing contents according to the characteristics of the specified device. A computer that constitutes a control unit of an image processing apparatus including an operation unit that a user directly operates and a main body that operates based on a request from the operation unit.
When the common interface of the main body receives a processing request from the operation unit or an external terminal device, a specifying unit that specifies a device that has issued the processing request;
An image processing program that functions as processing means for executing processing by changing processing contents in accordance with characteristics of a specified device.