JP3434984B2 - Multifunction device system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite device having an image reading function, an image recording function, and a communication function, which realizes a plurality of device functions that can be configured by appropriately combining these functions with external data processing. The present invention relates to a composite device system that functions by a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a composite apparatus having functions of a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer has come into practical use. This composite device can function as a single unit and is connected to a data processing device such as a personal computer to provide various functions as an external device of the data processing device.

On the other hand, the functions of facsimile machines and copiers tend to be diversified, and in order to easily utilize the diversified functions, the facsimile machines and copiers display operational procedures as guidance. Attempts have been made to improve usability by providing help information on operating procedures.

[0004]

On the other hand, when the multifunction device is connected to the data processing device to utilize the facsimile function or the copying function of the multifunction device, the data processing device activates the facsimile application or the copying application, It is necessary to operate those applications, and therefore it is necessary to be familiar with the operation of those applications, resulting in a situation in which usability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compound device system capable of improving the usability of the function of the compound device.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a composite apparatus having an image reading function, an image recording function, and a communication function, which realizes a plurality of apparatus functions which can be configured by appropriately combining these functions. In a composite device system that is caused to function by a data processing device, the composite device specifies an external device interface means for exchanging data with an external data processing device, a predetermined device function, and various operations related to the specified device function. An operation unit for performing the operation and a display unit for displaying various kinds of information on the device function designated by the operation unit are provided, and the external data processing device exchanges data with the composite device via the external device interface unit. Interface means for processing, and a processing function for realizing the plurality of device functions, When the device function is specified by the operation means, the external data processing device starts the specified device function process and displays the information necessary for performing the operation procedure related to the specified device function. While displaying on the means, the operation procedure is advanced based on the operation information of the operation means, and the corresponding processing function of the device function processing is realized.

The external device interface means and the interface means may be directly connected to each other.

As the external device interface means and the interface means, those connected via a local area network can be applied. In that case, the external data processing device can use an application server device connected to the local area network.

The plurality of device functions include a facsimile device function and a copying device function.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a composite device system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral MFP has functions of a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a printer, and a telephone, and a data processing device PC is connected to the multifunction peripheral MFP. This is for controlling the functions of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

That is, the data processing apparatus PC stores a control processing program for causing the multifunction peripheral MFP to function as a facsimile apparatus, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

In the figure, the system control unit 1 controls the respective units of the multifunction peripheral MFP, controls data transmission to and from the data processing device PC, scanner process, printer process, copy control process, and facsimile transmission. The system memory 2 stores a control processing program executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program. The parameter memory 3 constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1 and stores various information unique to the multi-function peripheral MPF.

The scanner 4 is for reading an original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 6 is the multifunction peripheral MFP. It is for operating the and comprises various operation keys and various display devices. The encoding / decoding unit 7 encodes and compresses the image signal, and
This is for decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.

The group 3 facsimile modem 8 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and has a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging a transmission procedure signal and mainly exchanging image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.17)
34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 9 is for connecting the facsimile device to a public telephone line network, has an automatic call originating / receiving function, and has a telephone set 10 for making a call.
Is attached.

Data processing device interface circuit 11
Is for connecting to the data processing device PC,
The data processing device interface control section 12 is for exchanging various data with the data processing device PC connected via the data processing device interface circuit 11.

The local area network interface circuit 13 is for connecting to a local area network, and the local area network communication control section 14 uses the local area network for communication.
It is for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices. In the case of FIG. 1, the data processing device PC and the data processing device interface circuit 11
And the data processing device P.
Data is exchanged with C.

These control unit 1, system memory 2,
The parameter memory 3, the scanner 4, the plotter 5, the operation display unit 6, the encoding / decoding unit 7, the group 3 facsimile modem 8, the network control device 9, the external device interface control unit 12, and the local area network communication control unit 14 are , And is connected to the internal bus 15, and data is exchanged between these respective elements mainly via the internal bus 15.

Data is exchanged directly between the network control device 9 and the group 3 facsimile modem 8.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation display unit 6.

In the figure, a start key 6a is for instructing the start of transmission / reception operation of a facsimile function, a copying operation, etc., and a stop key 6b is for stopping the operation being executed. , Numeric keypad 6c
Is for inputting numerical values such as a destination telephone number and the number of copies, the liquid crystal display 6d is for displaying various information such as operation guidance, and the PC expansion key 6e is, for example, For example, the telephone book or broadcast communication in the facsimile function, or the sort in the copy function,
These keys are operated when requesting execution of various extended functions.

With the above configuration, the normal facsimile transmission / reception operation and the copy operation with the number of copies designated can be performed by the multifunction peripheral MFP alone or by directly operating the multifunction peripheral MFP.

When the facsimile function, the scanner function, and the printer function of the multifunction peripheral MFP are used from an appropriate application of the data processing device PC, the functions of the data processing device PC can be used directly.

On the other hand, when the user wants to use the extended function, he / she turns on the PC extended function 6e of the operation display unit 6e. Thereby, the multifunction peripheral MFP checks whether the data processing device PC is operating by checking whether the data processing device interface circuit 11 can receive the specific signal of the data processing device PC, and the data processing device PC is checked. Is operating, the data processing device P
It inquires of C whether the multifunction peripheral service application is running. Here, the multifunction device service application is a multifunction device MFP of the multifunction device MFP.
Is a control processing program for causing the device to function as a facsimile device, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer.

As a result, the data processing device PC notifies the multi-function peripheral MFP of a response to the inquiry regarding whether or not the multi-function peripheral service application is activated.
As a result, the multi-function peripheral MFP inquires of the data processing device PC about the application types that can be used at that time.

In response to the inquiry, the data processing device PC notifies the multifunction peripheral MFP of the type of the functional application included in the multifunction peripheral application activated at that time.

As a result, the multi-function peripheral MFP displays a list of the notified function applications on the liquid crystal display 6d of the operation display unit 6 and displays a guidance for the user to select one of the functions.

For example, when the notified functional application is “facsimile” or “copy”, guidance is displayed to select one of them. On the other hand, when the user selects “copy”, the multifunction peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the content selected by the user.

Regarding the "copy" function notified at this time, the data processing device PC has a list of functions that can be used by the active multi-function peripheral service application, for example, "sort", "2-in-1 copy", and "copy". The “multiplied copy” is notified to the multifunction peripheral MFP.

As a result, the multi-function peripheral MFP displays the notified function list information on the liquid crystal display 6d to select one of the functions. For example, when “sort” is selected, the fact is notified to the data processing device PC.

As a result, the data processing apparatus PC notifies the multifunction peripheral MFP of the necessary operation items by the "sort" function notified at that time, and the multifunction peripheral MFP thereby notifies the notified list of operation items. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6d.
For example, in this case, operation items such as the number of documents and the number of copies are displayed. The user operates the ten keys 6c to input necessary information for each operation item.
Further, the multifunction peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the operation content of the user.

Thereby, the data processing device PC obtains the number of documents and the number of copies for the selected "sort" function.

When the user turns on the start key 6a in this state, the multi-function peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the fact, and thereby the data processing device PC.
Instructs the multifunction peripheral MFP to perform a predetermined sort operation.

That is, in this case, the data processing device PC sends a guidance message to the user to set the document page by page and turn on the start key 6a.
It is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6d of the FP. As a result, the user sets the original of the first page on the scanner of the multifunction peripheral MFP, turns on the start key 6a, and when the liquid crystal display 6d displays that the reading of the original of the first page is completed, The original on the second page is set on the scanner of the multifunction peripheral MFP, the start key 6a is turned on again, and this operation is repeated for all originals.

In the multi-function peripheral MFP, the user presses the start key 6
Each time a is turned on, the scanner 4 is read and the image signal obtained thereby is read by the data processor interface controller 12 and the data processor interface circuit 11.
To the data processing device PC via. When the document reading operation for one page is completed, a guidance message is displayed to the user to set the next page to guide the user's operation.

The data processing device PC stores the image signals for one page received from the multi-function peripheral MFP in the order of the originals. When the storage of the image signals of all the originals is completed, the image signals of all the originals are transferred to the multi-function peripheral MFP in page order, and a print instruction is issued every time the transfer of the image signals of one page is completed. When the print instruction for the original is completed, the same operation is repeated for the designated number of copies.

As a result, from the multifunction peripheral MFP, a designated number of copies of the read originals of a plurality of pages are recorded and output, and the designated sorting operation is performed.

Similarly, the operations of "2 in 1 copy" and "variable copy" are performed. Here, the "2-in-1 copy" is a function of editing an original of two pages into an image of one page and copying it. In this case, the data processing device PC scales and rotates the image signals for two pages received from the multifunction peripheral MFP so that the image signals for one page are accommodated within the designated recording paper size, and outputs the image signals for one page. A print operation of the created image signal is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral MFP to instruct printing.

The "variable copy" is a function of reducing or enlarging a read original image at a magnification of 1% in increments designated by the user. In this case, the data processing device PC displays a guidance message that prompts the user to input a magnification, performs scaling processing on the image signal received from the multifunction peripheral MFP at the designated magnification, and combines the scaled image signal. Machine M
Transfer to FP and instruct printing. If the number of copies is specified, the print instruction is repeated for the number of copies.

When the functional application selected by the user is "facsimile", the user selects "phonebook".
You can select functions such as or "broadcast communication". Here, the “telephone book” function is used in advance for the data processing device P.
It is a function of selecting an arbitrary telephone number from the list information of telephone numbers registered in C. At the time of selection, it is also possible to use a search for a telephone number, a search for a name or a department name registered in association with the telephone number, or the like. Note that this “phonebook” function can also be used during a call using the telephone 10 of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

The "broadcast communication" is a function of transmitting the same document to a plurality of destinations. In this case, a portion for selecting a plurality of transmission destinations is designated from the registered telephone numbers of the data processing device PC. be able to. Here, the specification method is
The same method as in the case of the "phone book" function described above can be applied. Further, the transmission image information is transferred from the multi-function peripheral MFP to the data processing device PC, and is stored using the magnetic disk device or the like of the data processing device PC.

In this case, FIG. 4 shows an example of the outline of the operation of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

When the user turns on the PC expansion key 6e (the result of the judgment 101 is YES), in the multifunction peripheral MFP, the data processing device interface circuit 11 can receive the specific signal of the data processing device PC and the data processing device PC.
It is checked whether or not is operating (decision 102).

When the result of determination 102 is YES, the multi-function peripheral MFP inquires of the data processing device PC whether the multi-function peripheral service application is being executed (process 103). On the other hand, when the data processing device PC notifies that the multifunction peripheral service application is being executed (the result of the judgment 104 is YE).
S) Inquires the data processing device PC about available application types (process 105).

Then, when the inquiry response signal is received from the data processing device PC, the contents are displayed in a list and the user is notified of usable functions (step 106).

After this, until the user commands the end of the function, the operation information input by the user is transferred to the data processing device PC, the control information and the like are received from the data processing device PC, and the received. The operation of performing the operation corresponding to the control information is repeatedly performed to execute the designated functional operation (process 107, 108, 109, N in decision 110).
O loop).

When the result of judgment 102 is NO when the data processing device PC is not operating, and
When the result of determination 104 is NO when the multi-function peripheral service application is not executed on the data processing device PC, a guidance message indicating that the PC extended function cannot be used is displayed to the user (process 111), and this operation is performed. To finish.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a schematic operation of the data processing device PC at this time.

When an inquiry is made from the MFP as to whether the MFP service application is being executed (YES at step 201), whether the MFP service application is being executed at that time. The response signal is sent to the MFP MFP (process 202).

Next, when an inquiry about an available application type is received from the multifunction peripheral MFP (process 2).
03), and notifies the multifunction peripheral MFP of a list of types of applications that can be used at that time (Process 20).
4).

After this, until the user instructs the end of the function, the operation information is input from the multifunction peripheral MFP, the processing corresponding to the operation information is executed, and the multifunction peripheral MFP is controlled based on the processing result. The operation of sending the control information or the like for operation to the multifunction peripheral MFP is repeatedly performed to execute the designated functional operation (process 205, 206, 207,
NO loop of decision 208).

In this way, in this embodiment, the multifunction machine M
Part of the functional processing of the FP is executed by the control program provided in the data processing device PC, and its functional operation is
Since the operation can be performed from the operation display unit 6 of the multi-function peripheral MFP, the functions of the multi-function peripheral MFP can be operated in the same easy-to-understand operating procedures as those of a facsimile machine or a copying machine, and the usability of the multi-function peripheral MFP is significantly improved. To do.

In addition, the data processing device PC, the multifunction machine MF
Since a part of the P functional processing is shared, the functions can be distributed, the device functions provided in the multifunction peripheral MFP can be reduced, and the device cost of the multifunction peripheral MFP can be reduced.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction machine M
Although the FP is directly connected to the data processing device PC, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to connect the multi-function peripheral MFP to the local area network LAN as shown in FIG. 3 and allow the server device LS of this local area network LAN to share part of the functional processing of the multi-function peripheral MFP. That is, in this case, the server device LS functions as an application server for the multifunction peripheral service application.

Further, in this case, one of the client devices RQ1 to RQn connected to the local area network LAN may be made to share a part of the functional processing of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the part of the facsimile machine is explained as a group 3 facsimile machine which uses GSTN (general line network) as a transmission line, but a group 4 facsimile machine which uses ISDN as a transmission line is described. It can also be applied.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the device function of the composite device can be operated by using the operation function of the composite device, the usability of the composite device is significantly improved.

Further, since a part of the processing function of the composite device is shared by the data processing device, there is an effect that the device cost of the composite device can be reduced. Further, since the form of connection between the multifunction device and the data processing device can be either a direct connection or a connection via a local area network, the usability of the complex device can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a composite device system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation display unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a schematic operation of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a schematic operation of the data processing device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a composite device system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 System control unit 11 Data processing device interface circuit 12 Data processing device interface control unit MFP MFP PC data processor LS server device

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading function, an image recording function, and
In a compound device system that allows an external data processing device to function as a compound device that has a communication function and that realizes a plurality of device functions that can be configured by appropriately combining these functions, the compound device includes an external data processing device and data. External device interface means for exchanging, operating means for designating a predetermined device function and performing various operations relating to the designated device function, and display for displaying various information relating to the device function designated by the operating means Means, the external data processing device comprises interface means for exchanging data with the multifunction device via the external device interface means, and processing functions for realizing the plurality of device functions. When the device function is designated by the means, the external data processing device While starting the designated device function processing, while displaying the information necessary for performing the operating procedure relating to the designated device function on the display means, the operating procedure is advanced based on the operating information of the operating means. A composite device system, which realizes a processing function corresponding to the above device function processing. 2. The composite device system according to claim 1, wherein the external device interface unit and the interface unit are directly connected to each other. 3. The composite device system according to claim 1, wherein the external device interface means and the interface means are connected via a local area network. 4. The composite device system according to claim 3, wherein the external data processing device is an application server device connected to the local area network. 5. The plurality of device functions include a facsimile device function and a copying device function, as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4.
The compound device system described.