JP2016021253A - Image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify an operation at the time of operating an image processor from an information processor such as a PC.SOLUTION: There is provided an image processing system in which an image processor 1 having a print engine and an information processor 2 (client) are connected with each other via a network. The information processor comprises: storage means having one or more folders with which setting for making the image processor execute printout based on a stored file is associated; detection means detecting that a file is stored in the one or more folders; generation means generating a print job based on the file according to the setting associated with the folder storing the file of the one or more folders when the detection means detects that the file is stored; and transmission means transmitting the print job generated by the generation means via the network to the image processor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing system.

  In recent years, there has been a tendency to digitize information, and image processing apparatuses such as printers and facsimiles used for outputting digitized information and scanners used for digitizing documents have become indispensable devices. Such an image processing apparatus is often configured as a multifunction machine that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, or a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.

  Among such image processing apparatuses, in a printer used to output digitized information, a driver program for operating a specific printer is installed in an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer). Therefore, it is necessary to transmit a print job to the printer via the driver program (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the case of a conventional method as disclosed in Patent Document 1, when using a plurality of printers, it is necessary to install a driver program for each printer, and it is necessary to use a different driver program for each printer. was there. In the case of the above-described multi-function device, it is necessary to set a driver program for each function such as a printer, a facsimile, and file storage.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it simplifies an operation when an image processing apparatus is operated from an information processing apparatus such as a PC.

  In order to solve the above problem, an aspect of the present invention is an image processing system in which an image processing apparatus having a print engine and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network, the information processing apparatus including a file A storage unit including at least one folder associated with a setting for causing the image processing apparatus to perform a print output based on a file stored in the folder, and the storage unit And detecting means for detecting that a file is stored in one or more folders, and when the detecting means detects that the file is stored, it associates with the folder in which the file is stored among the one or more folders. Generating means for generating a print job based on the file according to the set setting, and generating by the generating means via the network Transmitting means for transmitting the received print job to the image processing apparatus, wherein the image processing apparatus receives the print job from the information processing apparatus via the network; and the receiving means And a control means for executing print output from the print engine based on the print job received in step (1).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to simplify an operation when operating an image processing apparatus from an information processing apparatus such as a PC.

It is a figure which shows the operation | use form of the system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the IT box which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folder structural example of the network folder which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the folder management table which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the aspect of user operation which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IT box which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the folder production | generation operation | movement which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the update example of the folder structure of the network folder which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of an update of the folder management table which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the display panel which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the image processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as an example of an image forming system, a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) network folder, that is, an image processing apparatus provided with a shared folder, can also communicate with the TCP / IP network. A system including an information processing terminal such as a personal computer (PC) will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation mode of a system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system according to the present embodiment is configured by connecting an image processing apparatus 1 and a client terminal 2 via a network.

  The image processing apparatus 1 is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) that can be used as a printer, a facsimile, a scanner, and a copier by providing an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1 executes processes such as print output, fax transmission, and file storage in accordance with document files and image files stored in a network folder provided therein.

  In addition, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment provides the MFP 1a for realizing the conventional image processing function and the function of the network folder, and generates an instruction for causing the MFP 1a to execute the image processing function. (Information Technology) box 1b. That is, the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured by the MFP 1a functioning as an image processing unit and the IT box 1b functioning as an image processing control unit. This will be described in detail later.

  In a conventional image processing system, for example, when a document file stored in the client terminal 2 is printed out by the image processing apparatus 1, a print job is generated by a driver program installed in the client terminal 2 based on the document file. Then, the print output is executed by transmitting to the image processing apparatus 1.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the client terminal 2 refers to the shared folder of the image processing apparatus 1 and stores the document file or image file to be printed out in the shared folder, so that the print output or the like is performed. Is input to the image processing apparatus 1. The image processing apparatus 1 executes processing such as print output based on the file stored in the shared folder.

  With such a configuration, the function of the image processing apparatus 1 can be used without installing a driver program as long as the PC can access a network folder using a TCP / IP network. The client terminal 2 is an information processing terminal operated by a user, and is realized by an information processing apparatus such as a PC (Personal Computer). In the present embodiment, the user operates the client terminal 2 to store files to be processed such as print output, FAX transmission, and storage accumulation in a network folder provided in the image processing apparatus 1.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 and the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image processing apparatus 1 includes an engine for realizing a scanner, a printer, and the like in addition to the hardware configuration shown in FIG. In the image processing apparatus 1, each of the MFP 1a and the IT box 1b described above has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. In the following description, the hardware configuration of the IT box 1b of the image processing apparatus 1 will be described as an example, but the same applies to the MFPa and the client terminal 2.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the IT box 1b according to the present embodiment includes the same configuration as that of a general server or PC. That is, the IT box 1b according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 40, and an I / F 50. Connected through. Further, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 60 and an operation unit 70 are connected to the I / F 50.

  The CPU 10 is a calculation means and controls the operation of the entire IT box 1b. The RAM 20 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 10 processes information. The ROM 30 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The HDD 40 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 50 connects and controls the bus 80 and various hardware and networks. The LCD 60 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the IT box 1b. The operation unit 70 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the IT box 1b. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the charge management server 3 according to the present embodiment is operated as a server. Therefore, user interfaces such as the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 can be omitted.

  In such a hardware configuration, a program stored in a storage medium such as the ROM 30, the HDD 40, or an optical disk (not shown) is read into the RAM 20, and operates according to the control of the CPU 10, thereby configuring a software control unit. A functional block that realizes the functions of the IT box 1b, the MFP 1a, and the client terminal 2 according to the present embodiment is configured by a combination of the software control unit configured as described above and hardware.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the MFP 1a in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 1 a according to the present embodiment includes a controller 100, an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 101, a scanner unit 102, a paper discharge tray 103, a display panel 104, a paper feed table 105, a print An engine 106, a paper discharge tray 107, and a network I / F 108 are included.

  The controller 100 includes a main control unit 110, an engine control unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an operation display control unit 140, an input / output control unit 150, and a document storage unit 160. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 1 a according to the present embodiment is configured as a multifunction machine having a scanner unit 102 and a print engine 106. In FIG. 3, the electrical connection is indicated by a solid arrow, and the flow of a sheet or a document bundle is indicated by a broken arrow.

  The display panel 104 is an output interface that visually displays the state of the MFP 1a, and also serves as an input interface when the user directly operates the MFP 1a or inputs information to the MFP 1a as a touch panel. That is, the display panel 104 includes a function for displaying an image for receiving an operation by the user. The display panel 104 is realized by the LCD 60 and the operation unit 70 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 108 is an interface for the MFP 1a to communicate with the IT box 1b, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 108 can communicate using the TCP / IP protocol, and is realized by the I / F 50 shown in FIG.

  The network I / F 108 also functions as an interface for executing facsimile transmission when the MFP 1a functions as a facsimile. For this reason, the network I / F 108 is also connected to a telephone line.

  The controller 100 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 100 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 100 functions as a control unit that controls the entire MFP 1a.

  The main control unit 110 plays a role of controlling each unit included in the controller 100, and gives a command to each unit of the controller 100. The engine control unit 120 serves as a driving unit that controls or drives the print engine 106, the scanner unit 102, and the like. The image processing unit 130 generates drawing information based on image information to be printed out under the control of the main control unit 110. The drawing information is information for drawing an image to be formed in the image forming operation by the print engine 106 as an image forming unit.

  The image processing unit 130 processes image data input from the scanner unit 102 to generate image data. This image data is information stored in the document storage unit 160 that is a storage area of the image processing apparatus 1 as a result of the scanner operation or transmitted to another device via the network I / F 108.

  The operation display control unit 140 displays information on the display panel 104 or notifies the main control unit 110 of information input via the display panel 104. The input / output control unit 150 inputs information input via the network I / F 108 to the main control unit 110. In addition, the main control unit 110 controls the input / output control unit 150 to access the IT Ib 1b and devices connected to other networks via the network I / F 108 and the network. The document storage unit 160 is realized by a non-volatile storage medium such as the HDD 40, and mainly provides a file storage function in the MFP 1a.

  When the MFP 1a operates as a printer, first, the input / output control unit 150 receives a print job from the IT box 1b via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received print job to the main control unit 110. When receiving a print job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate drawing information based on document information or image information included in the print job.

  When drawing information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120 controls the print engine 106 to form an image on the paper conveyed from the paper feed table 105 based on the generated drawing information. Let it run. That is, the image processing unit 130, the engine control unit 120, and the print engine 106 function as an image formation output unit. As a specific aspect of the print engine 106, an image forming mechanism using an ink jet method, an image forming mechanism using an electrophotographic method, or the like can be used. A document on which image formation has been performed by the print engine 106 is discharged to a discharge tray 107.

  When the MFP 1a operates as a facsimile, the input / output control unit 150 first receives a FAX job via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received FAX job to the main control unit 110. When receiving the FAX job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to generate information for FAX transmission (hereinafter referred to as FAX transmission information) based on the document information or image information included in the FAX job. To do.

  When the FAX transmission information is generated by the image processing unit 130, the main control unit 110 controls the input / output control unit 150 based on the FAX job, and the generated FAX transmission information is designated via the network I / F 108. Fax to the destination.

  When the MFP 1 a operates as a file storage, first, the input / output control unit 150 receives a file storage job via the network I / F 108. The input / output control unit 150 transfers the received file storage job to the main control unit 110. When receiving the file storage job, the main control unit 110 controls the image processing unit 130 to convert document information or image information included in the file storage job into an information format specified in the job. When the format of the file to be accumulated is converted by the image processing unit, the main control unit 110 causes the document storage unit 160 to store the converted information.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the IT box 1b in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the IT box 1b according to the present embodiment includes a controller 200, an MFP I / F 201, and a network I / F 202. The controller 200 includes an MFP communication control unit 210, an output module 220, a dedicated application 230, an OS 240, and an input / output control unit 250.

  The MFP I / F 201 is an interface for the IT box 1b to communicate with the MFP 1a, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network I / F 202 is an interface for the IT box 1b to communicate with other devices such as the client terminal 2 via the network, and uses an Ethernet (registered trademark) or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface.

  The controller 200 is configured by a combination of software and hardware. Specifically, a program stored in a nonvolatile storage medium such as the ROM 30 and the nonvolatile memory and the HDD 40 and the optical disk is loaded into a volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as a memory) such as the RAM 20, and the CPU 10 performs an operation according to the program. The controller 200 is configured by a software control unit configured by performing and hardware such as an integrated circuit. The controller 200 functions as a control unit that controls the entire IT box 1b.

  The MFP communication control unit 210 controls communication with the MFP 1 a via the MFP I / F 201. The input / output control unit 250 also controls network communication via the network I / F 202. The output module 220 is a module configured by a software program for operating an image processing function that can be realized in the MFP 1a. Since the MFP 1a according to the present embodiment includes a printer, a facsimile, and a storage function, the output module 220 includes a printer driver, a FAX driver, and a file storage module. That is, the output module 220 functions as an instruction generation unit that generates and outputs a job that is an instruction for operating the MFP 1a.

  The OS 240 is basic software that provides a general information processing function such as Windows (registered trademark), and includes a file system 241 and a callback API 242. The file system 241 is a module that realizes a folder and file management function in a storage medium such as the HDD 40 provided in the IT box 1b. That is, the file system 241 functions as a storage area management unit. A network folder by the TCP / IP network is realized by a folder management function by the file system 241 and a communication function by the input / output control unit 250.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an aspect of a network folder provided in the file system 241 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the file system 241 according to the present embodiment, a network folder is generated for each function provided in the MFP 1a, such as “printer”, “FAX”, and “file storage”. Furthermore, folders corresponding to the settings for executing the printer function are generated below the respective folders.

  For example, a “monochrome” folder corresponding to monochrome print output and a “color” folder corresponding to color print output are provided below the “printer” folder. In addition, folders corresponding to various destinations are provided below the “FAX” folder. Below the “file accumulation” folder, folders such as “PDF”, “PNG”, and “JPG” corresponding to the data format used when accumulating documents and images are provided.

  The callback API 242 is a module that monitors changes in folders and files in the file system 241. The callback API 242 according to the present embodiment grasps the state of the network folder in real time by referring to the index of the file system 241. When a new file is stored in the network folder provided by the file system 241, the callback API 242 detects it.

  The dedicated application 230 is configured by the CPU 10 performing calculations according to a software program, and provides functions according to the gist of the present embodiment. The dedicated application 230 mainly operates the output module 220 based on a file when a document file or an image file is stored in a network folder provided by the file system 241.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the dedicated application 230 includes an output control module 231, a detection module 232, a folder creation module 233, and a folder management module 234. The output control module 231 passes the file stored in the network folder provided by the file system 241 to the output module 220 and operates the output module 220. At this time, the output control module 231 performs parameter setting for the module to be operated among the output modules 220. That is, the output control module 231 functions as an output control unit.

  The detection module 232 detects the storage of the file in the network folder provided by the file system 241 in real time based on the function of the callback API 242. That is, the detection module 232 functions as an information storage detection unit. Therefore, when the user operates the client terminal 2 and a file to be processed is stored in the network folder provided by the file system 241, the detection module 232 detects it according to the function of the callback API 242, The output control module 231 executes the above process.

  The folder creation module 233 accesses the file system 241 during the POR (Power On Reset) process of the image processing apparatus 1 and generates a network folder on the storage device provided in the IT box 1b. That is, the folder creation module 233 functions as a storage area setting unit. The folder creation module 233 according to the present embodiment generates a network folder based on the network folder information managed by the folder management module 234.

  The folder management module 234 manages a folder for causing the MFP 1 a to execute a function among network folders provided by the file system 241. That is, the folder management module 234 functions as storage area management information. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table (hereinafter referred to as a folder management table) referred to by the folder management module 234 for managing network folders. The table shown in FIG. 6 is stored in a storage medium provided in the IT box 1b such as the HDD 40.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the folder management table according to the present embodiment associates items of “folder path”, “corresponding output module”, “corresponding device”, and “parameter”. In other words, the folder management table associates the storage area of the IT box 1b managed by the file system 241, the information indicating the image processing function corresponding to the storage area, and the parameter setting value when executing the image processing function. Storage area management information. For example, a folder with a path “printer \ monochrome” in the network folder, that is, a “monochrome” folder shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the printer function in the MFP 1a, and the output module 220 corresponds to a printer driver. .

  “Parameter” is a parameter setting value that is set for the output module 220 when a file stored in the “monochrome” folder is transferred to the printer driver of the output module 220, and is for monochrome / color print output. The setting value of is included. Further, as described above, the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder according to the information of “folder path” in the folder management table shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the screen of the LCD 60 in the client terminal 2. As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, when the user operates the client terminal 2, the network folder provided in the image processing apparatus 1 is referred to as illustrated in FIG. In FIG. 7, the “printer” folder in the network folder is referred to.

  Then, the user stores the document file and the image file to be processed in a folder corresponding to a function to be executed by the image processing apparatus 1 among the displayed folders as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 7, the document file to be processed is stored in the “monochrome” folder below the “printer” folder. Thereby, the image processing apparatus 1 executes monochrome printing of the document file shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the IT box 1b in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. As described with reference to FIG. 7, when the file to be processed is stored in the network folder provided by the file system 241, the detection module 232 detects the file based on the function of the callback API 242 (S801 / YES). .

  When the detection module 232 detects the file, the output control module 231 refers to the folder management table shown in FIG. 6 based on the folder path of the folder in which the file is stored, and recognizes the corresponding output module and acquires parameters. Then, parameters are set for the recognized corresponding output module (S802). As shown in FIG. 7, when the document file is stored in the “printer \ monochrome” folder, the output control module 231 recognizes that the corresponding output module is a printer driver, and the printer driver of the output module 220 , The parameter value associated with “printer \ monochrome” is set.

  When the parameter value setting is completed, the output control module 231 inputs the file stored in the network folder and detected in S801 to the module in which the parameter is set in the output module 220 (S803). In the example of FIG. 7, a file is input to the printer driver. As a result, the output module 220 processes the input file and generates information for transfer to the MFP 1a (S804). In the example of FIG. 7, the printer driver generates a print job for printing out the input document file.

  In response to the process of S804, the output module 220 outputs information to the MFP 1a via the MFP communication control unit 210 (S805). As a result, in the MFP 1a, the input / output control unit 150 receives information, and functions such as a printer, FAX, and file storage are executed according to the received information.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the IT box 1b connected to the MFP 1a in the image processing apparatus 1 maintains the information format processed in the client terminal 2, and the file is shared by the TCP / IP network. Get the file to be processed by the function. The IT box 1b determines a function to be executed by the MFP 1a based on a folder, that is, a directory in which a file to be processed is stored, converts the file into a file format that can be processed by the MFP 1a, and inputs the file to the MFP 1a. The information format processed in the client terminal 2 is a format handled in a general information processing apparatus such as text data, document data, and spreadsheet data.

  In other words, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, the functions realized by installing the driver program in each client terminal 2 are provided on the image processing apparatus 1 side by providing the IT box 1b. Realize. For this reason, the client terminal 2 only needs to have a file sharing function installed as a standard in the OS 240 such as Windows (registered trademark), and the image of the MFP 1 can be installed without installing an additional software program such as a printer driver. The processing function can be used.

  As described above, in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, an operation when operating the image processing apparatus from an information processing apparatus such as a PC can be simplified. Further, in the image processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the MFP 1a acquires various processing jobs from the IT box 1b via the TCP / IP protocol interface. That is, since it is sufficient to operate in the same manner as a conventional MFP, an existing apparatus can be used as the MFP 1a, and the introduction cost of the MFP 1a can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the folders corresponding to the parameter settings are further provided below the “printer”, “FAX”, and “file storage” folders. The case where the configuration is subdivided has been described as an example. However, this is merely an example, and a configuration in which only folders corresponding to the respective functions are provided, such as “printer”, “FAX”, and “file storage” may be used. In this case, the folder management table shown in FIG. 6 also stores only management information for folders corresponding to the respective functions such as “printer”, “FAX”, and “file storage”. In the “parameter” item, general parameter values for operating each function are set, or blank data is used to use the default parameter values of the output module 220.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the folder creation module 233 has been described as an example in which the network folder is generated according to the item “folder path” of the folder management table illustrated in FIG. 6. In addition, it is also possible for the folder creation module 233 to generate a folder according to the function of the MFP 1a by inquiring the MFP 1a for the function. Such an example will be described below.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation when the folder creation module 233 inquires of the MFP 1a about the function to generate a folder corresponding to the function of the MFP 1a. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the folder creation module 233 transmits a command for inquiring about the function to the MFP 1 a via the MFP communication control unit 210. On the other hand, in the MFP 1a, the main control unit 110 obtains a command via the input / output control unit 150, and generates information describing functions provided in the MFP 1a (hereinafter referred to as function information). Reply to IT box 1b. Thereby, in the IT box 1b, the folder creation module 233 acquires the function information as an inquiry result (S901).

  When the function information is acquired, the folder creation module 233 determines whether there is a printer in the MFP 1a based on the function information (S902). If the MFP 1a has a printer function (S902 / YES), the folder creation module 233 determines whether color printing is possible in the MFP 1a based on the function information (S903).

  When color printing is possible in the MFP 1a (S903 / YES), the folder creation module 233 accesses the file system 241 and, as shown in FIG. 5, the “printer” folder and the “monochrome” and “color” folders below it. The folder path and each item are registered in the folder management table as shown in FIG. 6 for each folder (S904). On the other hand, when color printing is not possible in the MFP 1a (S903 / NO), the folder creation module 233 accesses the file system 241 to generate only the “printer” folder, and registers the folder information in the folder management table. (S905).

  After the processing of S904 and S905 is completed, or when the MFP 1a has no printer function (S902 / NO), the folder creation module 233 next refers to the function information and determines whether the MFP 1a has a FAX function ( S906). If the MFP 1a has a FAX function (S906 / YES), the folder creation module 233 determines whether there is a destination registration in the FAX function of the MFP 1a based on the function information (S907).

  When there is destination registration in the FAX function of the MFP 1a (S907 / YES), as shown in FIG. 5, the folder creation module 233 generates a folder for each registered destination in the “FAX” folder and its lower layer, as shown in FIG. The folder path and each item are registered in the folder management table as shown in FIG. 6 (S908). On the other hand, when there is no destination registration in the FAX function of the MFP 1a (S907 / NO), the folder creation module 233 generates only the “FAX” folder and registers the information of the folder in the folder management table (S909).

  After completing the processing of S908 and S909, or when the MFP 1a does not have a FAX function (S906 / NO), the folder creation module 233 next refers to the function information and determines whether the MFP 1a has a storage function ( S910). If the MFP 1a has a storage function (S910 / YES), the folder creation module 233 next determines whether the storage function of the MFP 1a has a file format conversion function based on the function information (S911).

  When the storage function of the MFP 1a has a file format conversion function (S911 / YES), the folder creation module 233 generates a “storage” folder and a folder for each conversion format below it, as shown in FIG. The folder path and each item are registered in the folder management table as shown in FIG. 6 (S912). On the other hand, if there is no file conversion function in the storage function of the MFP 1a (S911 / NO), the folder creation module 233 generates only the “storage” folder and registers the information of the folder in the folder management table (S913).

  When the processing of S912 and S913 is completed, or when the MFP 1a has no storage function (S910), the folder creation module 233 ends the processing. As described above, the folder creation module 233 communicates with the MFP 1a and acquires information on the functions included in the MFP 1a, thereby generating a network folder more in line with the functions of the MFP 1a.

  In the example of FIG. 9, function information covering all functions of the MFP 1a is acquired in S901, and in the subsequent determination processing, the folder creation module 233 makes a determination with reference to the function information. In addition, the folder creation module 233 may access the MFP 1a each time a determination is made and check whether there is a function.

  Moreover, it is also possible to combine the aspect of FIG. 9 and the aspect which produces | generates a network folder based on the folder management table shown in FIG. 6 as mentioned above. That is, when the operation of the image processing apparatus 1 is started, the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder according to the operation shown in FIG. 9, and the folder management module 234 receives the function information and folder creation received from the MFP 1a. A folder management table as shown in FIG. 6 is generated according to the folder path of the network folder generated by the module 233. When the image processing apparatus 1 is activated next time, the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder according to the folder management table that has already been generated.

  By such processing, it is not necessary for the user to manually generate a folder management table as shown in FIG. 6, and a network folder corresponding to the function of the MFP 1a is automatically generated. Even when a function is added in the MFP 1a, the network folder is automatically generated in accordance with the added function, so that the operation burden on the user can be reduced.

  In the example of FIG. 9, a case where the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder corresponding to each function by checking each function of “printer”, “FAX”, and “storage” will be described as an example. did. However, functions realized in the MFP 1a may include image processing functions other than “printer”, “FAX”, and “storage”. Further, the detailed setting of each function is not limited to the functions such as color / monochrome, destination, format conversion, and the like described with reference to FIG.

  Therefore, the purpose of the folder generation operation shown in FIG. 9 is to generate a network folder for each function that can be realized in the MFP 1a and for each detailed setting of each function according to the function information received from the MFP 1a. It is not limited to the mode shown. For example, if the function information received from the MFP 1 a describes that the “printer” function can be realized by the MFP 1 a and three types of color settings of color, monochrome, and red and black are possible, the folder creation module 233 The three folders of “monochrome”, “color”, and “red / black” may be generated below the “printer” folder, and the details of the processing are not limited to the modes of S902 to S905.

  In the above embodiment, the detection module 232 detects that a file has been stored in the network folder according to the function of the callback API 242 that is a part of the function of the OS 240. Not limited to this, the detection module 232 may detect the storage of the file in the network folder without using the callback API 242 by referring to the index of the file system 241 at a predetermined interval such as a 10-second interval.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the first embodiment, the configuration in which processing is executed in the MFP 1a by storing the processing target file in the network folder provided by the IT box 1b has been described. According to this embodiment, as described in the first embodiment, there is an effect that it is not necessary to install a driver program on the client terminal 2.

  However, by installing the driver program in the client terminal 2, there is a merit that the user can make detailed settings in the client terminal 2, and the aspect described in the first embodiment cannot receive the merit. . In the present embodiment, a description will be given of an embodiment that can receive the merit when the driver program is installed while maintaining the effects of the configuration of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of the screen of the display panel 104 of the MFP 1a. According to a certain type of MFP 1a, a one-touch button in which an image processing function to be executed by the MFP 1a and various parameter values to be used in executing the image processing function are set in advance, and the user can touch the button by touching the button. The function can be executed with one touch. Such a one-touch button can be arbitrarily set by the user.

  When the user operates the display panel 104 on the screen as shown in FIG. 10 to set parameters for operating the printer and FAX function, and touches the “one-touch registration” button shown in FIG. The display control unit 140 causes the display panel 104 to display an edit screen of a one-touch button display mode as shown in FIG. 11 while holding the selected function and each parameter value in the storage medium.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edit screen for displaying a one-touch button as a display example of the display panel 104. As shown in FIG. 11, the display mode editing screen displays items for designating the display mode of the one-touch button such as “name”, “character font”, “character size”,. Yes. When the user selects and inputs the value of each item and touches the “OK” button, the operation display control unit 140 is set in the setting information held in the screen shown in FIG. 10 and the screen shown in FIG. The display mode is stored in a storage medium such as the HDD 40. Thereafter, when the user operates the display panel 104 to change to a one-touch button display screen, the registered one-touch button is displayed as shown in FIG. The display as shown in FIG. 12 is executed based on the display mode information stored in the HDD 40 by the operation display control unit 140 as described above.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, when a one-touch button is generated in the MFP 1a and the information is stored by the operation display control unit 140, a network folder corresponding to the one-touch button is shown in FIG. As described above, it is generated by the folder creation module 233 of the IT box 1b. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the folder management module 234 registers the data of the folder management table in which the parameter value set by the one-touch button is associated with the folder path of the network folder shown in FIG.

  Then, when the user operates the client terminal 2 and stores the file to be processed in the network folder shown in FIG. 13, the folder management table registered as shown in FIG. In accordance with the information, a parameter value is set in the output module 220 and a file is input, and processing is executed in the MFP 1a.

  As described above, the mode of generating the network folder according to the registration of the one-touch button can be easily realized by using the mode as described in FIG. That is, when the image processing apparatus 1 is activated and the folder creation module 233 starts operating, the folder creation module 233 requests function information from the MFP 1 a via the MFP communication control unit 210.

  In response to the request for the function information, the MFP 1a, in addition to the information on the function provided in the MFP 1a in advance as described in FIG. 9, information on the one-touch button set by the user and stored by the operation display control unit 140. Is generated and transmitted to the IT box 1b. Then, in the IT box 1b, the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder according to the received function information, and the folder management module 234 generates a folder management table, so as described in FIG. 13 and FIG. A network folder and a folder management table corresponding to the function of the one-touch button are generated.

  Further, not only when the image processing apparatus 1 is activated, the folder creation module 233 acquires registration information of the one-touch button from the MFP 1a via the MFP communication control unit 210 at predetermined intervals, and creates a network folder based on the registration information. It may be generated. Thereby, even when the image processing apparatus 1 is in operation, it is possible to generate a network folder according to the newly set one-touch button.

  Further, when a one-touch button is registered in the MFP 1a by a user operation and information is stored by the operation display control unit 140, the main control unit 110 controls the input / output control unit 150 to control the IT box 1b. Notification may be performed. In this notification, the information of the newly registered one-touch button is transmitted, so that the request by the IT box 1b is not triggered, but the new one-touch button is registered on the MFP 1a side as a trigger. 1b can acquire the information of the one-touch button.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the disadvantage of the driver program not being installed in the client terminal 2 is solved by generating a network folder corresponding to the function of the one-touch button of the MFP 1a. That is, the user registers a one-touch button in which various setting items for executing functions are set in detail in the MFP 1a, and stores a processing target file in a network folder generated in accordance with the one-touch button. It is possible to obtain the same effects as detailed settings by the driver program.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the user registers the one-touch button by operating the display panel 104 has been described as an example. In addition, when the MFP 1a or the IT box 1b realizes the function of the Web server, the one-touch button registration screen of the MFP 1a as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 is displayed on the Web browser installed in the client terminal 2. Anyway.

  Then, in response to the user inputting information for registering the one-touch button via the web browser, the one-touch button setting information is transmitted to the MFP 1a or the IT box 1b via the web browser of the client terminal 2. Similar to the case where the display panel 104 is operated, the information of the one-touch button can be stored in the MFP 1a. Thus, the user does not need to move to the position where the image processing apparatus 1 is installed for registering the one-touch button, and can perform all operations on the client terminal 2. As a result, an operation closer to the state in which the driver program is installed can be realized.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the network folder corresponding to the one-touch button is generated on the assumption that the one-touch button is registered in the MFP 1a has been described as an example. However, in the first place, parameter setting by the driver program is premised on setting once per job. Accordingly, the aspect described in the present embodiment may be operated as a one-time setting without being registered as a one-touch button. Such an embodiment will be described below.

  In this case, the user operates the client terminal 2 to set detailed parameters via the Web server, and then touches a “create folder” button as shown in FIG. The main control unit 110 acquires information on the set parameter setting values (S1601). When the parameter setting value information is acquired, the main control unit 110 temporarily stores the acquired parameter information in the RAM 20 or the HDD 40, and transmits it to the IT box 1b via the input / output control unit 150 (S1602).

  In the IT box 1b, the folder creation module 233 generates a network folder and folder management table by the same processing as in the above embodiment based on the received parameter information (S1603). When the user operates the client terminal 2 and stores the file to be processed in the network folder generated in S1603, the detection module 232 detects it (S1604).

  When the detection module 232 detects a file, the output control module 231 acquires a parameter value from the folder management table and sets the parameter value in the output module 220, and inputs a file to be processed to the output module 220. As a result, the output module 220 processes the file in accordance with the parameter setting value, and outputs it as a job to the MFP 1a via the MFP communication control unit 210 (S1605). When the file output from the IT box to the MFP 1a is completed, the folder management module 234 deletes the network folder generated in S1603 (S1606).

  In addition, the MFP 1a executes image processing such as print output, FAX output, file storage, and the like based on the job received from the IT box (S1607), and ends the processing. By such processing, it is possible to perform the same detailed setting as when the driver program is installed in the aspect using the network folder as described above, without setting a new one-touch button on the MFP 1a. can do.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the display panel 104 is provided on the MFP 1a side has been described as an example. However, the display panel 104 may be provided on the IT box 1b side. In such a case, the MFP 1a and the IT box 1b receive information input by a user operation on the display panel provided on the IT box 1b side, in addition to the TCP / IP protocol by the network I / F 108 and the MFP I / F 201. They are connected by a serial interface for inputting to the operation display control unit 140 of the controller 100 of the MFP 1a.

  When the display panel is provided on the IT box 1b side, in particular, in the one-touch button registration as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the IT box 1b acquires the setting information of the one-touch button before the MFP 1a. It becomes. In this case, in the IT box 1b, generation of a network folder corresponding to the one-touch button and update of the folder management table can be executed without acquiring the information of the one-touch button from the MFP 1a as in the above embodiment.

1 Image processing apparatus 1a MFP
1b IT box 2 Client terminal 3 Billing management server 10 CPU
20 RAM
30 ROM
40 HDD
50 I / F
60 LCD
70 Operation unit 80 Bus 100 Controller 101 ADF
102 Scanner unit 103 Paper discharge tray 104 Display panel 105 Paper feed table 106 Print engine 107 Paper discharge tray 108 Network I / F
110 Main Control Unit 120 Engine Control Unit 130 Image Processing Unit 140 Operation Display Control Unit 150 Input / Output Control Unit 160 Document Storage Unit 200 Controller 201 MFP I / F
202 Network I / F
210 MFP Communication Control Unit 220 Output Module 230 Dedicated Application 231 Output Control Module 232 Detection Module 233 Folder Creation Module 234 Folder Management Module 240 OS
241 File system 242 Callback API
250 I / O controller

JP 2006-260356 A

Claims (7)

An image processing system in which an image processing apparatus having a print engine and an information processing apparatus are connected via a network,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Storage means comprising one or more folders for storing files, the folder being associated with settings for causing the image processing apparatus to perform print output based on the files stored in the folders;
Detection means for detecting that a file is stored in one or more folders provided in the storage means;
Generating means for generating a print job based on the file according to the setting associated with the folder storing the file among the one or more folders when the detecting means detects that the file is stored;
A transmission unit that transmits the print job generated by the generation unit to the image processing apparatus via the network;
Have
The image processing apparatus includes:
Receiving means for receiving the print job from the information processing apparatus via the network;
Control means for executing print output from the print engine based on the print job received by the receiving means;
An image processing system comprising: The image processing system according to claim 1,
The information processing apparatus includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring function information indicating the function of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus via the network;
Generating means for generating a folder associated with a setting for printing out from the image processing apparatus based on the function information acquired by the acquiring means;
An image processing system comprising: The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The information processing apparatus has a printer driver,
The image processing system, wherein the printer driver includes the generation unit and the transmission unit. The storage means of the information processing apparatus further includes one or more folders associated with a setting for causing the document processing or the image information based on the stored file to be FAX-transmitted from the image processing apparatus,
When the transmission unit of the information processing apparatus detects that a file is stored in the folder associated with the setting for causing the FAX transmission by the detection unit, the setting associated with the folder in which the file is stored In response to this, a command for causing the image processing apparatus to execute document information or image information FAX transmission based on the file is transmitted to the image processing apparatus via the network,
The control unit of the image processing apparatus executes FAX transmission of document information or image information based on the file based on a command received by the receiving unit. The image processing system described. The storage means of the information processing apparatus further includes one or more folders associated with settings for accumulating document information or image information based on a stored file in the image processing apparatus,
When the transmission unit of the information processing apparatus detects that the file is stored in the folder associated with the setting for accumulation in the image processing apparatus by the detection unit, the transmission unit associates the file with the folder in which the file is stored. A command for causing the image processing apparatus to execute accumulation of document information or image information based on the file according to the set setting is transmitted to the image processing apparatus via the network;
The control means of the image processing apparatus stores document information or image information based on the file in a second storage means of the image processing apparatus based on an instruction received by the receiving means. The image processing system according to any one of 1 to 4. An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Storage means for storing set values for print output;
Second transmission means for transmitting the set value of the print output to the information processing apparatus;
Have
The information processing apparatus includes:
An image processing system comprising: a second generation unit configured to generate, in the storage unit, a folder associated with the setting value based on the setting value transmitted from the image processing apparatus.   The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more folders is a directory.

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