JP2019175198A - Image forming device and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming device and a terminal device capable of easily selecting an optimum output destination from group-set external output devices.SOLUTION: Provided are a group acceptance unit 111 configured to accept external output devices to be set as a group, a function acquisition unit 112 configured to acquire each of functions of the external output devices accepted by the group acceptance unit 111, a function selection screen generation unit 113 configured to generate a function selection screen for selecting the functions acquired by the function acquisition unit 112, an operation unit 12 configured to display the function selection screen generated by the function selection screen generation unit 113 and accept selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen, and a device selection unit 114 configured to specify a plurality of candidates from the group based on the function accepted by the operation unit 12, generate an output selection screen that accepts selection of an output destination from the plurality of candidates, and cause the operation unit 12 to display the output selection screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a terminal device connected to another image forming apparatus via a network.

  In the conventional image forming apparatus, the function that can be selected from the operation unit has a configuration limited to contents specific to the model. An image forming apparatus having high functions is often used as a center machine in an office. When using the high functions, the user needs to move to the place where the center machine is installed and perform necessary operations. there were.

  Therefore, in recent years, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus capable of executing a function desired to be used in another image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an external output apparatus) connected to a network such as a LAN (for example, a patent). Reference 1). In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the function of an external output device connected to a network such as a LAN is acquired, and an external output device that can be executed is searched based on the input of the function to be executed.

JP 2007-67718 A

  However, in the related art, when there is no external output device capable of executing a combination of functions to be executed, the user is prompted to change the function by displaying an error. For this reason, it is necessary for the user to select a function to be executed, but it is difficult to determine what combination should be used, and a complicated operation is required to change the function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a terminal device that can easily select an optimum output destination from among grouped external output devices. The purpose is to provide.

An image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus that can use another image forming apparatus connected via a network as an external output apparatus, and a group receiving unit that receives the external output apparatus set as a group; A function acquisition unit that acquires each of the functions of the external output device received by the group reception unit; a function selection screen generation unit that generates a function selection screen that selects a function acquired by the function acquisition unit; A display unit that displays a function selection screen generated by the function selection screen generation unit; an input unit that receives a selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen; a function received by the input unit and the priority information; The external output device that identifies a plurality of candidates from the group based on the output and uses the plurality of candidates as an output destination Characterized by comprising a device selection unit for displaying on the display unit and generates an output selection screen for receiving a selection, the.
The terminal device of the present invention is a terminal device that can use an image forming apparatus connected via a network as an external output device, the group receiving unit receiving the external output device set as a group, and the group A function acquisition unit that acquires each of the functions of the external output device received by the reception unit, a function selection screen generation unit that generates a function selection screen for selecting the function acquired by the function acquisition unit, and the function selection Based on a display unit that displays a function selection screen generated by the screen generation unit, an input unit that receives selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen, a function received by the input unit, and the priority information Identify a plurality of candidates from the group and select the external output device as the output destination from the plurality of candidates Characterized in that it comprises a and a device selection unit for displaying on the display unit and generates an output selection screen for accepting.

  According to the present invention, the user can select an output destination from among a plurality of candidates specified based on the function to be executed, so that the optimum output destination can be easily selected from the grouped external output devices. There is an effect that it can be selected.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of priority information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the group information example shown in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a group setting operation in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a group output operation in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a function selection screen produced | generated by the function selection screen production | generation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an output selection screen produced | generated by the apparatus selection part shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are given to configurations showing similar functions.

  In the image forming system of this embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 and a terminal device 30 are connected via a network 50 such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The image forming apparatus 10 is a copying machine or a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions including a printing function. Referring to FIG. 1, a control unit 11, an operation unit 12, a document reading unit 13, a storage unit 14, An image processing unit 15, a printing unit 16, and a communication unit 17 are provided. FIG. 1 shows an example in which six image forming apparatuses 10 are connected to a network 50, and different apparatus names (MFPs 10a to 10f) are assigned to the six image forming apparatuses 10, respectively. Yes.

  Note that the image forming apparatus 10 operated by the user is referred to as a self apparatus, and the image forming apparatuses 10 other than the self apparatus connected to the network 50 are referred to as external output apparatuses. Hereinafter, the MFP 10a will be described as its own device, and the five MFPs 10b to 10f will be described as external output devices.

  The operation unit 12 includes a touch panel, various operation keys such as a numeric keypad, a reset key, a stop key, and a start key, and is a user interface that functions as a display unit and an input unit.

  The document reading unit 13 irradiates light on a document fed by a document feeder (not shown) or a document placed on a platen glass, and receives the reflected light to read a document image. It is.

  The storage unit 14 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores document data read by the document reading unit 13 and document data received by the communication unit 17. The storage unit 14 stores priority information 141 and group information 142.

  The priority information 141 is information indicating the priority order of the external output device. The priority information 141 is set according to the distance from the own device, the ease of access from the own device, the user's preference, and the like. In the priority information 141 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that priorities are set in the order of the distance from the own device.

  The group information 142 is information indicating the functions of the own device and external output device set as a group and the priority order based on the performance. FIG. 3 shows an example in which six MFPs 10a to 10f are set as a group. According to FIG. 3, the group information 142 indicates the functions A to G included in the MFPs 10 a to 10 f and the priority order based on the performance of each function A to G. Examples of the functions A to G include functions related to printing (monochrome printing, color printing, aggregate printing, etc.) and functions related to post-processing (punch, staple, sort, stack, etc.).

  The image processing unit 15 is a unit that performs predetermined image processing on document data. For example, image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, density adjustment, and gradation adjustment is performed.

  The printing unit 16 is a printing unit that prints a document image based on the image data read by the document reading unit 13, the document data stored in the storage unit 14, and the document data received by the communication unit 17.

  The communication unit 17 has a function of transmitting and receiving various data to and from the terminal device 30 via a network 50 such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The control unit 11 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 10. The CPU of the control unit 11 controls the entire apparatus by reading a control program stored in the ROM and developing the control program in the RAM. The control unit 11 also functions as a group reception unit 111, a function acquisition unit 112, a function selection screen generation unit 113, and a device selection unit 114.

Next, the group setting operation in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit 11 functions as the group reception unit 111, displays a list of external output devices connected to the network 50 on the operation unit 12 (step S <b> 101), and sets the external output devices to be set as a group. The selection is accepted (step S102).

  Next, the control unit 11 functions as the function acquisition unit 112, and transmits to each of the external output devices selected in step S102, a function request for inquiring about the function possessed and its performance (step S103). .

  Next, the function acquisition unit 112 waits for a response (a notification of the function and its performance) from all external output devices that have transmitted the function request (step S104), and a predetermined time set in advance from the transmission of the function request. Is waited for (step S105).

  In step S104, upon receiving responses from all external output devices (notification of functions and their performance), the function acquisition unit 112 sets the priority order based on the performance of each function of the local device and the external output device that are set in the group. Determination is made (step S106). Then, the function acquisition unit 112 generates group information 142 indicating the priority based on the functions and performance of the group-set own device and external output device (step S107), and ends the group setting operation.

  When a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed from the transmission of the function request in step S105, the function acquisition unit 112 extracts an external output device that has not received a response (step S108). That is, not all of the image forming apparatuses 10 connected to the network 50 have a function of responding to a function request. Therefore, the time from the transmission of the function request to the reception of the response is limited, and the external output device having the function of responding to the function request is extracted.

  Next, the function acquisition unit 112 inquires of the user whether or not to delete the external output device extracted in step S108 from the group (step S109).

  In the case of deleting from the group in step S109, the function acquisition unit 112 reaches step S106 and determines the priority order based on the performance for each function of the local device and the external output device set in the group.

  If not deleted from the group in step S109, the function acquisition unit 112 manually receives the function and performance of the external output device extracted in step S108 by the operation unit 12 (step S110), and then reaches step S106. The priority based on the performance of each function of the set own device and the external output device is determined.

Next, the group output operation in the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
When group output is instructed by the operation unit 12 (step S201), the control unit 11 functions as the function selection screen generation unit 113. For example, when printing document data with group output, the user designates document data to be printed, and the group output is instructed by the operation unit 12.

  Based on the group information 142, the function selection screen generation unit 113 generates a function selection screen 60 for selecting the functions of the group-set own device and the external output device and displays the function selection screen 60 on the operation unit 12 (step S202).

  The function selection screen 60 shown in FIG. 6 is based on the group information 142 shown in FIG. 3, and function icons 61 a to 61 g for selecting the functions A to G included in the six MFPs 10 a to 10 f set as groups, Detailed setting keys 62a to 62g for performing detailed setting of the functions A to G and an execution key 63 are laid out.

  Next, the control unit 11 functions as the device selection unit 114. The device selection unit 114 accepts selection of a function to be executed by the function icons 61a to 61g on the function selection screen 60 (Step S203). In the function selection screen 60, a plurality of function icons 61a to 61g can be selected. Then, when the detailed setting keys 62a to 62g corresponding to the functions A to G selected by the function icons 61a to 61g are operated, a transition is made to a detailed setting screen (not shown) for receiving the detailed settings of the functions A to G.

  When the execution key 62 of the function selection screen 60 is operated (step S204), the device selection unit 114 extracts devices that can execute all the functions accepted in step S203 from the group (step S205). It is determined whether a device that can execute the function exists in the group (step S206).

  If there is a device that can execute all the functions in step S206, the device selection unit 114 determines whether there are a plurality of devices extracted in step S205 (step S207).

  If there is not a plurality of devices in step S207 but one device, the device selection unit 114 identifies one external output device extracted in step S205 as an output destination (step S208). Then, the device selection unit 114 executes the output by the identified external output device (step S209), displays the external output device that has performed the output on the operation unit 12 and notifies the user (step S210), and the group output operation End. Thereby, when the output destination specified by step S208 is an external output device, an output result can be obtained from the external output device using its own device. Therefore, even when there is no image forming apparatus 10 having an advanced function for obtaining an output result required near the user, a desired output result can be obtained using the image forming apparatus 10 nearby.

  When there are a plurality of devices in step S207, the device selection unit 114 identifies the device with the highest priority among the plurality of devices extracted in step S205 as the first candidate based on the priority information 141 ( Step S211).

  Next, the device selection unit 114 determines whether there is a device having a higher performance of the selected function based on the group information 142 than the first candidate identified in S211 among the plurality of devices extracted in step S205. It is determined whether or not (step S212).

  If there is no device with high performance in step S212, the device selection unit 114 causes output to be executed with the first candidate identified in step S209 as the output destination.

  If there is a device with high performance in step S212, the device selection unit 114 identifies another device with high performance as an alternative candidate (step S213). For example, when functions A, B, and D are selected in step S203, MFP 10b and MFP 10c are extracted in step S205. Then, based on the priority information 141, the MFP 10b is identified as the first candidate in step S211, and based on the group information 142, the MFP 10c whose function D is higher than the MFP 10b is identified as the alternative candidate in step S213.

  Next, the device selection unit 114 displays an output selection screen 70 for selecting an output destination from the first candidate and the alternative candidate on the operation unit 12 (step S214), and accepts the selection of the output destination (step S215). . Then, the device selection unit 114 executes output with the selected first candidate or alternative candidate (step S216), and ends the group output operation.

  In the output selection screen 70 shown in FIG. 7A, either the MFP 10b specified as the first candidate in step S211 or the MFP 10c specified as the alternative candidate in step S213 is selected as an output destination. The reason why the MFP 10b is identified as the first candidate in step S211 (reference information 141 reference) and the reason why the MFP 10c is identified as the alternative candidate in step S213 (the performance of the function D is higher than that of the MFP 10b) are described. ing.

  When there is no device that can execute all the functions in step S206, the device selection unit 114 identifies a device having many functions that can be executed in the group as a next candidate (step S217). For example, when the functions A, B, E, and G are selected in step S203, a device that can execute all the functions A, B, E, and G in the group is not damaged, so that the function A in step S216. , B, and E, and MFP 10e that can execute the functions A, B, and G are specified as candidates for the next point.

  Next, the device selection unit 114 displays an output selection screen 80 for selecting an output destination from the next point candidates on the operation unit 12 (step S218), and accepts selection of the output destination (step S219). Then, the device selection unit 114 executes output with the selected next point candidate (step S220), and ends the group output operation.

  In the output selection screen 80 shown in FIG. 7B, either the MFP 10d or the MFP 10e specified as the next candidate in step S216 is selected as the output destination. In step S216, the MFP 10d and the MFP 10e are the next candidate. The reasons identified as (functions that can be executed and functions that cannot be executed) are respectively described. Thereby, even when there is no external output device that can execute all functions in step S206, the output destination can be selected without re-selecting and setting the functions.

  If the remaining amount of paper and the remaining amount of toner can be acquired from the group-configured image forming apparatus 10, an image forming apparatus capable of printing to the end based on the data amount to be output and the output setting in the group output operation. 10 may be selected as the output destination.

  Further, in order to cope with troubles that cannot be predicted in advance such as JAM and service calls, in the group output operation, two image forming apparatuses 10 are selected as output destinations, and output data is selected 2 The image may be transmitted simultaneously to the image forming apparatuses 10 on the table.

  In this case, based on the priority information 141, the priority order is set for the output data and transmitted, and the other image forming apparatus 10 is notified. Normally, output is executed from the image forming apparatus 10 with the higher priority, and the image forming apparatus 10 with the lower priority waits for output.

  When the output from the image forming apparatus 10 with the higher priority is successful, the success information is notified to the image forming apparatus 10 with the lower priority, and the output data of the image forming apparatus 10 with the lower priority is deleted. Let

  When the above-mentioned unexpected trouble occurs in the image forming apparatus 10 with higher priority and the output fails, failure information is notified to the image forming apparatus 10 with lower priority, and the image with lower priority is displayed. The output is continued by the forming apparatus 10 to be completed.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the above-described group setting operation and group output operation can be executed also in the terminal device 30 connected to the network 50.

  The terminal device 30 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, and includes a terminal control unit 31, a terminal display unit 32 such as a liquid crystal display, a terminal input unit 33 such as a keyboard, a terminal communication unit 34, and a terminal storage unit 35. And.

  The terminal storage unit 35 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). A printer driver 351 of the image forming apparatus 10 is installed in the terminal storage unit 35 together with various application programs for editing documents including characters, graphics, images, and the like. The terminal storage unit 35 stores priority information 141 and group information 142 as in the storage unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The terminal communication unit 34 has a function of transmitting / receiving various data to / from the image forming apparatus 10 via a network 50 such as a LAN or the Internet.

  The terminal control unit 31 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the terminal device 30. The CPU of the terminal control unit 31 reads out a control program stored in the ROM and develops the control program in the RAM, thereby controlling the entire apparatus.

  Further, the CPU of the terminal control unit 31 reads out the printer driver 351 stored in the terminal storage unit 35 and develops the printer driver 36 in the RAM, so that the group reception is performed in the same manner as the control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10. Functions as a unit 111, a function acquisition unit 112, a function selection screen generation unit 113, and a device selection unit 114.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 10 (MFP 10a) that can use other image forming apparatuses 10 (MFPs 10b to 10f) connected via network 50 as external output apparatuses. A group receiving unit 111 for receiving an external output device to be set as a group, a function acquiring unit 112 for acquiring the functions of the external output device received by the group receiving unit 111, and a function acquired by the function acquiring unit 112. The function selection screen generation unit 113 that generates the function selection screen 60 that selects the function selection screen, and the display unit that displays the function selection screen 60 generated by the function selection screen generation unit 113 and execute based on the function selection screen 60 An operation unit 12 that functions as an input unit that accepts selection of a function to be performed; Based on the received function, a plurality of candidates are identified from the group, and output selection screens 70 and 80 for receiving selection of an external output device as an output destination from the plurality of candidates are generated to generate the operation unit 12. And a device selection unit 114 to be displayed.
With this configuration, the user can select an output destination from among a plurality of candidates specified based on the function to be executed, so that the optimum output destination can be easily selected from the grouped external output devices. be able to.

Furthermore, the present embodiment includes a storage unit 14 that stores the priority order of the external output device as priority information, and the function acquisition unit 112 acquires the performance of the function together with the function of the external output device. The selection unit 114 can execute all the functions accepted by the operation unit 12, can specify the external output device having the highest priority as the first candidate, and can execute all the functions accepted by the operation unit 12, An external output device having higher performance than the first candidate is specified as an alternative candidate.
With this configuration, the user can easily select whether to prioritize priority or performance as an output destination.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, when there is no external output device that can execute all the functions accepted by the operation unit 12, the device selection unit 114 selects an external output device that has many executable functions in the group. Specify as a point candidate.
With this configuration, even when there is no external output device that can execute all functions, the output destination can be selected without re-selecting and setting the functions.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, two external output devices are selected as output destinations, the priority order is set for the output data and transmitted at the same time, the output is executed from the higher priority external output device, The external output device with the lower priority waits for output, and if the output from the external output device with the higher priority succeeds, the output data of the external output device with the lower priority is deleted and given priority. If the output from the higher-order external output device fails, the output is continued on the lower-priority external output device.
With this configuration, it is possible to deal with troubles that cannot be predicted in advance, such as JAM and service calls.

Furthermore, the present embodiment is a terminal device 30 that can use other image forming apparatuses 10 (MFPs 10a to 10f) connected via a network 50 as external output devices, and external output devices that are set as a group. A group reception unit 111 to receive, a function acquisition unit 112 that acquires a function of the external output device received by the group reception unit 111, and a function selection screen 60 that selects a function acquired by the function acquisition unit 112 are generated. A function selection screen generation unit 113; a terminal display unit 32 that displays the function selection screen 60 generated by the function selection screen generation unit 113; and a terminal input unit 33 that receives selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen 60. A plurality of candidates from the group based on the function accepted by the terminal input unit 33 Identified, and a device selection section 114 for displaying generated by the operating section 12 outputs the selection screen 70, 80 for receiving a selection of an external output device for the output destination from among a plurality of candidates.
With this configuration, the user can select an output destination from among a plurality of candidates specified based on the function to be executed, so that the optimum output destination can be easily selected from the grouped external output devices. be able to. Accordingly, even when the user is not familiar with the image forming apparatus 10 connected to the network 50, an output destination suitable for the purpose can be easily selected.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be set to a suitable number, position, shape, and the like in practicing the present invention. In each figure, the same numerals are given to the same component.

10 Image forming apparatuses 10a to 10f MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 12 Operation part 13 Document reading part 14 Storage part 15 Image processing part 16 Printing part 17 Communication part 30 Terminal device 31 Terminal control part 32 Terminal display part 33 Terminal input part 34 Terminal communication part 35 Terminal storage part 50 Network 60 Function Selection screen 61a-61g Function icon 62a-62g Detailed setting key 63 Execution key 70, 80 Output selection screen 111 Group reception unit 112 Function acquisition unit 113 Function selection screen generation unit 114 Device selection unit 141 Priority information 142 Group information 351 Printer driver

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus that can use another image forming apparatus connected via a network as an external output apparatus,
A group reception unit for receiving the external output device set as a group;
A function acquisition unit for acquiring each of the functions of the external output device received by the group reception unit;
A function selection screen generation unit that generates a function selection screen for selecting the function acquired by the function acquisition unit;
A display unit for displaying the function selection screen generated by the function selection screen generation unit;
An input unit for receiving selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen;
An output selection screen for identifying a plurality of candidates from the group based on the function received by the input unit and the priority information, and receiving selection of the external output device as an output destination from the plurality of candidates An image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus selection unit that generates and displays the display unit on the display unit. The function acquisition unit acquires the performance of the function together with the function of the external output device,
The device selection unit can execute all functions accepted by the input unit, specifies the external output device having the highest priority as a first candidate, and all functions accepted by the input unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external output device that can be executed and has higher performance than the first candidate is specified as an alternative candidate.   When there is no external output device that can execute all the functions accepted by the input unit, the device selection unit identifies the external output device having many functions that can be executed in the group as a next candidate. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   Select the two external output devices as output destinations, set the priority order for the output data, and send it simultaneously, and execute the output from the external output device with the higher priority order. The external output device waits for output, and when the output from the higher priority output device succeeds, the output data of the lower priority output device is deleted, and the priority 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an output from the higher external output device fails, the output is continued by the external output device having a lower priority. 5. A terminal device capable of using an image forming apparatus connected via a network as an external output device,
A group reception unit for receiving the external output device set as a group;
A function acquisition unit for acquiring each of the functions of the external output device received by the group reception unit;
A function selection screen generation unit that generates a function selection screen for selecting the function acquired by the function acquisition unit;
A display unit for displaying the function selection screen generated by the function selection screen generation unit;
An input unit for receiving selection of a function to be executed based on the function selection screen;
An output selection screen for identifying a plurality of candidates from the group based on the function received by the input unit and the priority information, and receiving selection of the external output device as an output destination from the plurality of candidates And a device selection unit that is generated and displayed on the display unit.

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