JP2017105100A - Electronic apparatus and application - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus and an application whose functions can be easily extended.SOLUTION: A platform of an MFP which includes a network communication part, a printer, a print application 21, and the platform operating the print application 21 causes the MFP to function as a device operation service 37 of notifying the print application 21 of input to the network communication part (S110), and as an image processing service 38 of making the printer execute output in accordance with the instruction from the print application 21 (S124 and S142). The print application 21 causes the MFP to function as output instruction means of instructing the platform to perform printing by the printer with respect to the printing data (S123 and S141) when there is notification that the printing data is received by the network communication part from the device operation service 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including an application and a platform that operates the application.

  Conventionally, an image forming apparatus including an application and a platform on which the application is operated is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an application that uses the functions provided by the platform is developed. Compared with a configuration that provides all functions realized by executing an application alone. Application development efficiency can be improved.

JP 2002-082806 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, functions beyond the functions provided by the platform cannot be provided by the application. Therefore, in order to expand the functions realized by executing the application, There is a problem that the functionality provided by the platform may need to be extended.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an electronic device and an application whose functions can be easily expanded.

  The electronic apparatus of the present invention is an electronic apparatus including an input device, an output device, an application, and a platform for operating the application, and the platform indicates that the input has been input to the input device. The electronic device is caused to function as an input notification means for notification and an output execution means for causing the output device to execute an output in accordance with an instruction from the application, and the application has a specific input to the input device. When the notification is received from the input notification means, the electronic device is caused to function as output instruction means for instructing the platform to perform a specific output by the output device for the specific input.

  With this configuration, when the electronic device of the present invention notifies the application that a specific input has been made to the input device, the application instructs the platform to perform a specific output. Even if the function is not expanded, the function realized by executing the application can be expanded by changing the content of the specific output that the application instructs to the platform. Therefore, the function of the electronic device of the present invention can be easily expanded.

  In the electronic apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the output device is a printing device, and the output instruction unit prints the print when the input notification unit is notified that print data has been input as the specific input. The printing by the printing device based on the data may be added with printing by the printing device based on the specific data to obtain the specific output.

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention realizes a function of executing printing by adding a printing by a printing device based on specific data in addition to printing by a printing device based on the printing data when printing data is input. can do.

  The application of the present invention is the application executed by an electronic device including an input device, an output device, and a platform for operating the application, and the platform indicates that the input has been input to the input device. The electronic device is caused to function as an input notifying means for notifying the output device and an output executing means for causing the output device to execute an output in accordance with an instruction from the application, and the application has a specific input to the input device. When the information is notified from the input notification means, the electronic device is caused to function as output instruction means for instructing the platform to perform a specific output by the output device for the specific input.

  With this configuration, when the electronic device that executes the application of the present invention notifies the application that the input device has a specific input, the application instructs the platform to output a specific output. Even if the provided function is not expanded, the function realized by the execution of the application can be expanded by changing the content of the specific output that the application instructs to the platform. Therefore, the function of the electronic device that executes the application of the present invention can be easily expanded.

  The electronic device and application of the present invention can be easily expanded in function.

1 is a block diagram of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship between the various applications shown in FIG. 1, and a platform. It is a figure which shows the function of the control part implement | achieved by running the print application shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when print data is received by a network communication unit when a function realized by execution of a print application is not extended. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when print data that cannot be processed by the image processing service is received by a network communication unit when a function realized by executing a print application is not extended. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when print data is received by a network communication unit when a function realized by execution of a print application is extended. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when print data that cannot be processed by the image processing service is received by a network communication unit when a function realized by execution of a print application is extended. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1 when an operation is input to an operation unit when a function realized by executing a display application is not extended. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1 when an operation is input to an operation unit when a function realized by executing a display application is extended. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of an operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 when an operation is input to the operation unit when a function realized by execution of the display application is extended, which is different from the operation shown in FIG. is there.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of MFP 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the MFP 10 is a display device such as an operation unit 11 that is an operation device such as buttons for inputting various operations by a user and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. A display unit 12, a scanner 13 that is a reading device that reads an image from a document, a printer 14 that is a printing device that performs printing on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus (not shown), a public telephone line, and the like A fax communication unit 15 that is a fax device that performs fax communication via a communication line, a network communication unit 16 that is a network communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like. Write the data of To which the semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) storage unit 17 is a nonvolatile storage device such as, and a control unit 18 which controls the entire MFP 10.

  The operation unit 11 is an input device. The display unit 12 and the printer 14 are output devices. The scanner 13, the fax communication unit 15, the network communication unit 16, and the storage unit 17 are not only input devices but also output devices.

  The storage unit 17 records an image read from the document by the scanner 13 and the print application 21 that executes a print function for printing on a recording medium by the printer 14 based on the print data received by the network communication unit 16. A copy application 22 for executing a copy function for printing on a medium, and an authentication authorization function for executing user authentication and authorization for executing various functions for the user based on authentication information input to the operation unit 11 Various applications such as an authentication authorization application 23 to be performed and a display application 24 for executing a display function by the display unit 12 based on an operation on the operation unit 11 are stored. The application may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from an external storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or the MFP 10 from the network. It may be additionally installed.

  The storage unit 17 stores a platform 30 that operates an application. The platform 30 may be installed in the MFP 10 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 10, may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from an external storage medium such as an SD card or a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 10 from the network. May be.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between various applications and the platform 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the platform 30 includes a general-purpose OS (Operating System) 31.

  The platform 30 includes user authentication middleware 32 for authenticating a user, device operation middleware 33 for receiving input from the device and operating the device, and image data printed by the printer 14 (see FIG. 1). Various middleware that operates on the OS 31 are provided, such as an image processing middleware 34 for generation and a network communication middleware 35 for controlling communication via the network.

  The platform 30 includes a platform service IF (Interface) 36 for providing functions provided by various middleware to various applications. For example, the platform service IF 36 receives the input from the device and operates a device operation service 37 for providing various applications with functions provided by necessary middleware such as the device operation middleware 33 for operating the device, and the printer 14. Various services such as an image processing service 38 for providing various applications with functions provided by necessary middleware such as the image processing middleware 34 for printing according to the above are provided.

  1 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data in advance, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. ). The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 17.

  For example, the control unit 18 functions as the device operation service 37 (see FIG. 2) and the image processing service 38 (see FIG. 2) described above by executing the platform 30. The device operation service 37 constitutes an input notification unit that notifies the print application 21 that print data has been input to the network communication unit 16. The image processing service 38 constitutes an output execution unit that causes the printer 14 to execute an output in accordance with an instruction from the print application 21.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 18 (see FIG. 1) executes the print application 21 to indicate that the print data has been input to the network communication unit 16 (see FIG. 1). When notified from the operation service 37 (see FIG. 2), it functions as the output instruction means 21a for instructing the image processing service 38 (see FIG. 2) to print by the printer 14 (see FIG. 1).

  Similarly, by executing each of various applications, the control unit 18 instructs the platform 30 to output by the output device when the device operation service 37 notifies that the input device has a specific input. Functions as an output instruction means.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 10 when print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is not expanded will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is not extended.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the print application 21 is activated, the output instruction unit 21a of the print application 21 requests the device operation service 37 to notify when the print data is received by the network communication unit 16 (S100). ).

  Accordingly, when print data is received by the network communication unit 16, the device operation service 37 notifies the print application 21 that the print data has been received (S110). Here, the device operation service 37 notifies the print application 21 of the identification information of the print data received by the network communication unit 16. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the identification information of the print data received by the network communication unit 16 is indicated as “data 1”.

  When the output instruction means 21a of the print application 21 is notified from the device operation service 37 in S110 that the print data of data 1 has been received, the print data of the data 1 is data that can be processed by the image processing service 38. It is determined whether there is (S120).

  If the output instruction means 21a determines in S120 that the print data of data 1 is not data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, the output instruction means 21a instructs the device operation service 37 to display an error on the display unit 12, as shown in FIG. (S131). Therefore, the device operation service 37 displays an error on the display unit 12 (S132).

  On the other hand, when the output instruction unit 21a determines in S120 that the print data of data 1 is data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of data 1 as shown in FIG. Is instructed to the image processing service 38 (S141). Here, the output instruction unit 21a notifies the image processing service 38 of the identification information notified in S110.

  Therefore, the image processing service 38 executes printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 1 (S142).

  As shown in FIG. 4, when print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by execution of the print application 21 is not expanded, the MFP 10 uses the printer 14 based on the received print data. Printing, that is, normal output is performed.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is extended will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is extended.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the MFP 10 executes the processes of S <b> 100 to S <b> 120 in the same manner as the operation illustrated in FIG. 4.

  If the MFP 10 determines in S120 that the print data of data 1 is not data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, the MFP 10 executes the processes of S131 and S132 as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the output instruction means 21a of the print application 21 determines in S120 that the print data of data 1 is data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, the print instruction 21a generates print data for a specific cover as shown in FIG. Then, the generated print data is transferred to the device operation service 37 (S122). Here, the output instruction unit 21a also notifies the device operation service 37 of the identification information of the print data passed in S122. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the identification information of the print data generated in S121 is indicated as “data 2”.

  Next, the output instruction unit 21a instructs the image processing service 38 to perform printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 2 (S123). Here, the output instruction unit 21a notifies the image processing service 38 of the identification information notified to the device operation service 37 in S122.

  Accordingly, the image processing service 38 executes printing by the printer 14 based on the print data 2 of the data 2 passed from the output instruction unit 21a to the device operation service 37 in S122 (S124).

  After the process of S123, the output instruction unit 21a instructs the image processing service 38 to perform printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 1 (S141). Here, the output instruction unit 21a notifies the image processing service 38 of the identification information notified in S110.

  Therefore, the image processing service 38 executes printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 1 (S142).

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the print data is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is extended, the MFP 10 uses the printer 14 based on the received print data. Output is performed by adding printing to the printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of a specific cover.

  In FIG. 6, the function realized by executing the print application 21 is expanded so that a specific cover is always printed at the time of printing based on the received print data. However, the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 may be extended other than printing a specific cover.

  When the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is expanded, the operation of the MFP 10 when the print data is received by the network communication unit 16 is the operation shown in FIG. 7 instead of the operation shown in FIG. May be executed.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when print data that cannot be processed by the image processing service 38 is received by the network communication unit 16 when the function realized by the execution of the print application 21 is extended. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 10 executes the processes of S100 to S120 in the same manner as the operation shown in FIG.

  When the output instruction means 21a of the print application 21 determines in S120 that the print data of data 1 is not data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, the print data of data 1 is converted into print data that can be processed by the image processing service 38. Conversion is performed (S151).

  The output instruction unit 21a instructs the image processing service 38 to perform printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 1 that can be processed by the image processing service 38 after the processing of S151 (S141). Here, the output instruction unit 21a notifies the image processing service 38 of the identification information notified in S110.

  Therefore, the image processing service 38 executes printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 1 (S142).

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is extended, the MFP 10 receives print data that cannot be processed by the image processing service 38 by the network communication unit 16. An error is displayed on the display unit 12, that is, instead of normal output, it is converted into print data that can be processed by the image processing service 38, and printing by the printer 14 is executed.

  In the process shown in FIG. 7, the MFP 10 may execute an output in which printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of a specific cover is added, similarly to the process shown in FIG.

  Next, the operation of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is not expanded will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is not expanded.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the display application 24 is activated, the output instruction means of the display application 24 requests the device operation service 37 for notification when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 (S200).

  Accordingly, when an operation is input to the operation unit 11, the device operation service 37 notifies the display application 24 that the operation has been input (S210). Here, the device operation service 37 notifies the display application 24 of the identification information of the key in which the operation is input in the operation unit 11. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the identification information of the key in which the operation is input in the operation unit 11 is indicated as “key 1”.

  When the device operation service 37 is notified in S210 that the operation input to the key 1 has been input, the output instruction means of the display application 24 displays the character or symbol corresponding to the key 1 on the display unit 12. Is instructed to the device operation service 37 (S221). Here, the output instruction means notifies the device operation service 37 of the identification information notified in S210.

  Accordingly, the device operation service 37 executes display on the display unit 12 of characters or symbols corresponding to the key 1 (S222).

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is not expanded, the MFP 10 has a character or symbol corresponding to the key to which the operation is input. Display on the display unit 12, that is, normal output.

  Next, an operation of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when a function realized by execution of the display application 24 is extended will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is extended.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 10 executes the processes of S200 and S210 in the same manner as the operation shown in FIG.

  When the output operation means of the display application 24 is notified from the device operation service 37 in S210 that an operation for the key 1 has been input, the output instruction means determines whether or not the key for which the operation has been input is a specific key. Judgment is made (S211).

  If the output instruction means of the display application 24 determines in S211 that the key to which the operation is input is not a specific key, it executes the process of S221 shown in FIG. Therefore, the device operation service 37 executes the process of S222 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the output instruction means of the display application 24 determines in S211 that the key to which the operation has been input is a specific key, as shown in FIG. 9, the output instruction means instructs the device operation service 37 to perform a specific behavior (S231). .

  Therefore, the device operation service 37 executes the behavior instructed in S231 (S232).

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, when the function realized by executing the display application 24 is expanded, the MFP 10 corresponds to the key in which the operation is input when the key in which the operation is input is a specific key. Display of the character or symbol to be displayed by the display unit 12, that is, not a normal output but a specific behavior corresponding to the key to which the operation is input is executed.

  8 and 9, the device operation service 37 is an input notification unit that notifies the display application 24 that there has been an input to the operation unit 11, and responds to an instruction from the display application 24. It is also an output execution means for causing the display unit 12 to execute output.

  As the operation of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is extended, the operation shown in FIG. 10 is executed instead of the operation shown in FIG. May be.

  FIG. 10 shows an operation sequence of the MFP 10 when an operation is input to the operation unit 11 when the function realized by the execution of the display application 24 is extended, and an operation sequence different from the operation shown in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the MFP 10 executes the processes of S <b> 200 to S <b> 211 in the same manner as the operation shown in FIG.

  If the output instruction means of the display application 24 determines in S211 that the key to which the operation is input is not a specific key, it executes the process of S221 shown in FIG. Therefore, the device operation service 37 executes the process of S222 shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when the output instruction means of the display application 24 determines in S211 that the key to which the operation is input is a specific key, as shown in FIG. 10, the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the MFP 10 and the print counter of the MFP 10 The print data of the report for reporting the status of the MFP 10 such as a value is generated (S241), and the generated print data is passed to the device operation service 37 (S242). Here, the output instruction means of the display application 24 notifies the device operation service 37 of the identification information of the print data passed in S242. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the identification information of the print data generated in S241 is indicated as “data 3”.

  Next, the output instruction unit of the display application 24 instructs the image processing service 38 to perform printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 3 (S243). Here, the output instruction means of the display application 24 notifies the image processing service 38 of the identification information notified to the device operation service 37 in S242.

  Therefore, the image processing service 38 executes printing by the printer 14 based on the print data of the data 3 passed from the output instruction unit of the display application 24 to the device operation service 37 in S242 (S244).

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the function realized by executing the display application 24 is expanded, the MFP 10 corresponds to the key in which the operation is input when the key in which the operation is input is a specific key. Display of the characters or symbols to be displayed by the display unit 12, that is, print the report instead of normal output.

  In the above, the function expansion realized by the execution of the print application 21 and the function expansion realized by the execution of the display application 24 have been described. The same applies to the expansion of functions realized by executing other applications.

  As described above, when the application is notified from the platform 30 that there is a specific input to the input device, the MFP 10 outputs a specific output different from the normal output by the output device for the specific input to the application. Instructs the platform 30 (S123, S231, or S243), even if the function provided by the platform 30 is not expanded, the content of the specific output that the application instructs the platform 30 is changed, so that the application Functions realized by execution can be extended. That is, the MFP 10 can expand the functions realized by executing the application only by customizing the application without customizing the platform 30. Therefore, the MFP 10 can improve the efficiency of development for expanding the function realized by executing the application. That is, the function of the MFP 10 can be easily expanded.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the MFP 10 realizes a function of executing printing by adding the printing by the printer 14 based on specific data to the printing by the printer 14 based on the printing data when the printing data is input. be able to.

  The device has different input and output information for each type classified by function, such as the operation unit 11, the display unit 12, the scanner 13, the printer 14, the fax communication unit 15, the network communication unit 16, and the storage unit 17. Therefore, the MFP 10 preferably includes the device operation service 37 in units of device types classified by function.

  For example, the operation unit 11 is connected to a software keyboard displayed on the display unit 12, a USB keyboard connected to a USB connector (not shown) of the MFP 10, and a Bluetooth (registered trademark) interface (not shown) of the MFP 10. There are various keyboard configurations such as a Bluetooth keyboard. Similarly, among the units of device types classified by function, there are device types classified by configuration. The device operation service 37 preferably notifies the application only of inputs common to all devices of the same type classified by function and different types classified by configuration. That is, each device operation service 37 provided in units of device types classified by function may have a general-purpose configuration. When the device operation service 37 notifies the application of only the input common to all devices having the same type classified by function and different types classified by configuration, the application is classified by type. It is not necessary to be provided for each device that is the same and has different types classified by configuration. For example, an application need not be provided for each of a software keyboard, a USB keyboard, and a Bluetooth keyboard.

  The electronic apparatus according to the present invention is an MFP in the present embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than the MFP, such as a dedicated printer, or an electronic apparatus other than the image forming apparatus, such as a PC (Personal Computer). There may be.

10 MFP (electronic equipment)
11 Operation unit (input device)
12 Display unit (output device)
13 Scanner (input device, output device)
14 Printer (output device)
15 Fax communication section (input device, output device)
16 Network communication unit (input device, output device)
17 Storage unit (input device, output device)
21 Print application (application)
21a Output instruction means 22 Copy application (application)
23 Authentication Authorization Application (Application)
24 Display application (application)
30 platform 37 device operation service (input notification means, output execution means)
38 Image processing service (output execution means)

Claims (3)

An input device;
An output device;
Application,
An electronic device comprising a platform for operating the application,
The platform is
Input notification means for notifying the application that there is an input to the input device; and
Causing the electronic device to function as output execution means for causing the output device to execute an output in accordance with an instruction from the application;
When the application is notified from the input notification means that the input device has a specific input, the application serves as an output instruction means for instructing the platform to perform a specific output by the output device in response to the specific input. An electronic device characterized by functioning an electronic device. The output device is a printing device;
The output instruction means is based on specific data for printing by the printing device based on the print data when the input notification means is notified that print data has been input as the specific input. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printing by the printing device is added to obtain the specific output. An input device;
An output device;
An application executed by an electronic device comprising a platform for operating the application,
The platform is
Input notification means for notifying the application that there is an input to the input device; and
Causing the electronic device to function as output execution means for causing the output device to execute an output in accordance with an instruction from the application;
When the application is notified from the input notification means that the input device has a specific input, the application serves as an output instruction means for instructing the platform to perform a specific output by the output device in response to the specific input. An application characterized by functioning an electronic device.

Images