JP3527055B2 - Server device and network distributed image processing system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention distributes and connects one or a plurality of client devices and server devices to an information transmission line such as a communication network, and in particular, incorporates the latest data from the client device into the corresponding server device. The present invention relates to a server device and a network-distributed image processing system that obtains and imports possible software modules (plug-ins) and updates the functions of a plurality of distributed devices and internal software.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, the following system has been disclosed as a system for connecting a plurality of printers to a network and controlling the plurality of printers to enable efficient printing and device management. JP-A-7-1545
In the "Image processing system" of Japanese Patent Publication No. 71, a daisy-chain type print request is sent to a plurality of printing devices, a device that matches the request is selected, and print data is sent, whereby a device that is in operation or has a fault. We are trying to reduce the time by bypassing. In addition, changes in the device configuration are handled by changing the daisy chain.

Further, in "Print instruction system and method" of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-152507, a usable combination of a plurality of functions (for example, double-sided printing, aggregate printing, etc.) that the printer has in advance is referred to as a virtual printer. By considering and naming each,
Printer instructions have been simplified.

[0004]

However, in the conventional technique as described above, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-15
In the case of the "image processing system" of Japanese Patent No. 4571, it takes time to reconnect the daisy chain as the number of devices increases, which is a problem that it is not efficient.
Further, in the case of the "print instruction system and method" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-152507, if the number of functions increases,
Since the number of combinations increases, it is not practical, and there is a problem that a large number of new virtual printers must be defined so that they can be presented to the user as management when adding a new function.

Further, in the above two systems, the functions and operations of the devices connected to the network cannot be dynamically changed when the client application is executed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an administrator or an end user can dynamically obtain an optimum image processing object from a client device installed in a remote place to a server device. By making it possible, it is an object to improve the efficiency of the processing of adding a new function and to construct the server device and the image processing system of the latest function.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the network distributed image processing system according to claim 1, information is transmitted based on a predetermined communication protocol such as a communication network. In a network distributed image processing system in which one or a plurality of client devices and server devices are distributed / connected on a transmission line, the client device is an image processing object which is a program module for processing by the server device. On the other hand, request input means for receiving the input of the image processing request from the client, object storage means for storing the image processing object corresponding to the server device, and image processing request for the selected image processing object by middleware. The server It includes a request transmission means for transferring the location, wherein the server device includes a request receiving means for receiving image processing request inputted by using a predetermined middleware via a communication network from said client device, based on the image processing request And this
A plug-in management unit that selects a new image processing object that can be executed by the constituent devices in the server device, and manages registration, deletion, and execution of plug-ins; and an image processing unit that executes predetermined image processing. Object storage means for storing image processing objects for causing the image processing means to execute image processing in response to input of an image processing request.

That is, of the plurality of server devices distributed and connected to the communication network, when the device configuration of the corresponding server device is changed or the internal software is updated,
The server device executes the image processing object most suitable for the server device in response to the request from the client device, whereby the latest functions and performances can be obtained and the system can be easily upgraded.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to claim 2, the client device is a plug-in registration for registering an image processing object in the object storage means of the server device by the request input means. The request transmitting unit has a function of receiving the request and transferring the plug-in registration request to the server device by a predetermined middleware, and the server device is configured to request the plug-in registration request when the plug-in registration request is input. Registration / deletion using the image processing object indicated by
The request receiving unit receives the plug-in management request input from the client device via the communication network by using predetermined middleware, the plug-in management unit performing management such as execution.

That is, among the plurality of server devices distributed and connected to the communication network, when the device configuration of the corresponding server device is changed or the internal software is updated,
In addition to claim 1, the client device checks the plug-in of the server device, and the client device registers the optimum plug-in with the plug-in registration request to the server device and then executes the plug-in. It becomes possible to do.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the third aspect, when the client device executes a process by combining the image processing operations of the plurality of server devices, each of the client devices has its own operation. The image processing operation is executed after transmitting a plug-in registration request for registering / changing a predetermined plug-in to the server device.

That is, when the client device executes the processing by combining the image processing operations of the plurality of server devices, the client device dynamically sets the necessary / optimal plug-in to the server device before executing the processing. As a result, even if the image processing object capable of responding to the request from the client device is not registered in the server device, it is possible to automatically update the configuration by the download function and respond.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the fourth aspect, when the image processing operations of the plurality of server devices are combined to perform the processing, the corresponding server device has a function related to the image processing means. After exchanging information with each other and registering / changing a predetermined plug-in by each server device itself, the image processing operation is executed.

That is, when the image processing operations of a plurality of server devices are combined to execute the processing, the server devices which have received the image processing request from the client devices exchange the functional information regarding the image processing means with each other, and the respective server devices are operated. By executing the image processing operation after registering / changing a predetermined plug-in by itself, it becomes possible to automatically update the configuration by the download function of the image processing object.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to claim 5, the request receiving means for receiving a plug-in search request using a predetermined middleware via the communication network, and the server device Through an image processing object that holds an image processing object for executing a processing operation and searches for a predetermined image processing object in response to the plug-in search request, and an image processing object searched by the plug-in storage means A plug-in database device having request transmitting means for transmitting the plug-in search request to the server device using a predetermined middleware, and the server device connects the plug-in database device to the communication network via the communication network. For plug-in database device Te is obtained with a request transmission means for transmitting the plug search request using a predetermined middleware.

That is, when the image processing request from the client device is sent to the corresponding server device, the image processing of the server device is performed by taking the plug-in not owned by itself to the plug-in database device. Maintenance such as periodic version upgrade of objects becomes easy.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the sixth aspect, the plug-in management means of the server device detects addition / deletion / change of the configuration of the image processing means, and the plug-in. This is to generate a plug-in request request for requesting a predetermined image processing object to the database device.

That is, when the device configuration of the server device is changed, the plug-in is automatically downloaded from the plug-in database device, so that the server device that is required even when the plug-in is updated or changed can be plugged into the server device at any time. It will be possible to send the inn and perform necessary maintenance easily.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to claim 7, the server device periodically sends the list of the image processing means and the image processing object to the plug-in database device. Then, the plug-in database device generates a plug-in registration request for returning a predetermined plug-in according to the configuration of the image processing means to the server device,
It is something to send.

That is, the server device periodically sends a partial or complete list of its own device configuration and plug-in configuration to the plug-in database device, and the plug-in database device is the optimum plug-in for the server device configuration. By downloading, the server device can be easily changed due to the upgrade of the plug-in database device.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the eighth aspect, the plug-in database device holds the history information of the plug-in registration request received from the server device, and holds the history information. When a plug-in is added / changed, a plug-in registration request is transmitted so as to register a new plug-in in the server device.

That is, the plug-in database device holds the request history from the server device, and when a new plug-in is registered on the plug-in database device side, a plug for registering the new plug-in to the server device. By issuing the in-registration request, the server device can be easily changed due to the upgrade of the plug-in database device.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the ninth aspect, the client device acquires information regarding the image processing means and the plug-in of the server device by an image processing request, and based on the information. And executes a predetermined plug-in.

That is, the client device obtains the information about the image processing means and the plug-in of the server device by the image processing request, determines the optimum image processing object according to the application, and executes it, thereby realizing the hardware of the device. It is possible to quickly respond to changes and operating conditions.

Further, in the network distributed image processing system according to the tenth aspect, resources such as font data and overlay used in the image processing means are downloaded as a plug-in.

That is, by downloading resources such as font data and overlay used in the image processing means as a plug-in, resource data can be easily updated and changed, and the device must hold all resources. Since this eliminates the need for a memory device, downsizing and simplification of the storage device can be realized. Moreover, in claim 11.
In such a server device, a place such as a communication network
Information transmission that transmits information based on a fixed communication protocol.
One or more client devices via the transmission path
A server device connected to the client device.
Image processing request from the device via the communication network
Request receiving means for receiving the image processing request
Based on the est,
Selectable and new image processing object and plug
Plug-in pipe that manages registration, deletion, execution, etc.
Processing means, image processing means for executing predetermined image processing,
In response to the input of the image processing request, the image processing means
Describes the image processing object for executing image processing.
The object storage means is stored.
With this server device, the effect of claim 1 can be obtained.
It

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A network distributed image processing system of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[System Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a theoretical structure and a request flow of a client device and a server device according to the present invention. In the figure, 100 is a client device such as a personal computer (PC) or workstation (WS), 110
Are printers, image scanners, facsimile machines, multi-function copying machines (digital copying machines), digital cameras, image filing systems, video recorders, etc. that can be connected to a communication network such as a LAN (local area network). It is a server device.

The client device 100 is a request input unit 101 as a request input unit for receiving an image processing request from a client for an image processing object, and an object storage unit for storing an image processing object corresponding to the server device 110. Object storage unit 102, a middleware processing unit 103 that executes middleware processing, and a request transmission unit that transfers the image processing request input to the selected image processing object to the server device 110 by the middleware of the middleware processing unit 103. The request transmission unit 104 is provided.

The server device 110 is the client device 1
00, a request receiving unit 111 as a request receiving unit that receives an image processing request input using predetermined middleware via a communication network,
Middleware processing unit 112 that executes middleware processing
And a plug-in management unit 113 as a plug-in management unit that selects an image processing object that can execute an image processing request and manages registration, deletion, and execution of the plug-in, and an input of the image processing request An object storage unit 114 as an object storage unit that stores an image processing object for causing an image processing unit, which will be described later, to execute image processing, and an image processing unit 115 as an image processing unit that executes predetermined image processing. I have it.

The image processing object described above is a program module for performing processing using the server device 110.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network distributed image processing system configuration of a client device and a server device connected to a communication network. Here, an example is shown in which the client device 100 and the server devices 110a and 110b are connected to the communication network 200. Also, the client device 100
Has a client application, virtual objects, and object-oriented middleware, and is a server device 1
10a to 110b have a client application, a device object, and object-oriented middleware.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the client device. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific configuration (shape) of the client device in FIG. In the figure, 301 is a CPU that controls the entire apparatus by a control program, 302 is a bus, 303 is a ROM that stores the control program, 304 is a RAM that stores data during control, 305 is an HDD, 306
Is a floppy disk, 307 is an FDD, 308 is a CD
-ROM, 309 is a CD-ROM drive, 310 is a mouse, 311 is a keyboard, 312 is a display, 3
Reference numeral 13 is an I / F for controlling a communication interface with the communication network 200, 314 is a microphone, and 315 is a speaker.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the server device (composite type copying machine). FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific configuration (shape) of the server device (composite type copying machine) in FIG. In the figure, 501 is a CPU that controls the entire apparatus by a control program, 502
Is a bus and 503 is an RO in which a control program is stored.
M and 504 are RAMs for storing data during control,
505 is an HDD, 506 is an FDD, 507 is an operation panel for inputting various conditions and mode settings in the server device, and 508 is a communication network 200.
I / F for controlling communication interface with 509, modem 509, scanner unit 510 for optically reading image information, converting / outputting to digital image information, and printer unit 511 for printing / outputting image information on recording paper , 512 is an image processing unit for processing image information according to a predetermined instruction, 5
13 is a public line.

[System Operation] Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described by dividing it into operation examples (1) to (10). (1) A system in which a server device determines and executes an image processing software module (plug-in)

Here, the client device 100 checks the device configuration and plug-in of the server device 110, registers the optimum plug-in in the server device 110, and then executes it. That is, a plurality of image processing objects for executing image processing by the image processing unit 115 of the server device 110 are held inside the device, and the client device 1
The optimum image processing object is determined and executed in response to the request from 00. For example, when accessing from an old version printer driver, the client device 10
0 replaces the plug-in in the server device 110 and then executes.

The client device 100 also sends an image processing request or a plug-in registration request from the end user application to the request input unit 10.
Can be received by 1. Client device 1
00 object storage unit 102 is a server device 110.
Holds stubs of image processing objects that can be processed in.

The stub is an object having only the program interface of the image processing object held inside the server device 110. The internal application of the client device 100 is written using a stub, and when the program interface (stub function) of the stub is called during execution of the internal application, the middleware processing unit 103 sends a processing request to the server device 100 and executes it. It

The image processing object is a program module for performing processing using the server device 110. The image processing object registered in the object storage unit 102 of the client device 100 is called a stub as described above, and is executed by sending a processing request to the server device 110 via the middleware processing unit 103. The image processing object registered in the object storage unit 114 of the server device 110 is called a skeleton, and holds a program for actually operating the device of the server device 110 as described above.

The plug-in means the server device 110.
It is an image processing object that can be registered / deleted in the internal object storage unit 114. The plug-in is held in the plug-in storage unit of the plug-in database device (see FIG. 10) described later. The plug-in database device searches based on a plug-in search request from the outside, generates a plug-in registration request including the corresponding plug-in, and issues it to the server device 110. Upon receiving the plug-in registration request, the server device 110 registers the corresponding plug-in in the object storage unit 114 inside the server device 110 by the plug-in management unit 113. After that, the processing of the server device 110 is executed using the registered plug-in.

Next, the operation of the client device 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the client device. First, the client device 100
Determines whether a request has been input (S80
1). Here, when it is judged that the request has been input,
Further, it is determined whether the request is an image processing request (S802). If it is determined that the image processing request is not an image processing request, it is further determined whether the image processing request is a plug-in registration request (S80).
3). If it is judged that it is a plug-in registration request,
Using the middleware processing unit 103, a plug-in registration request is transmitted to the server device 100 (S804).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S802 that the request is an image processing request, it is further determined whether or not there is an image processing object corresponding to the object storage unit 102 (S805). When it is determined that the corresponding image processing object exists in the object storage unit 102, the middleware processing unit 103 is used to send an image processing request to the server device 110 (S80).
6). If it is determined that there is no corresponding image processing object in the object storage unit 102, error processing is executed (S807).

Next, the operation of the server device 110 will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal configuration of the server device, and schematically shows an example in which the plug-in is registered in the server device 110. As described above, the device internal application, the image processing object, the unregistered plug-in, and the object-oriented middleware are included. Copy applications, fax applications, print applications, and plug-in management applications are provided as device internal applications. Further, a scanner object, a printer object A, a fax object, an image processing object, and a communication path object are prepared as image processing objects. Furthermore, a printer object B and a printer object C are prepared as unregistered plug-ins.

That is, in the above description, since the printer object A is registered in the image processing object, when the print processing request is received at this time, the processing described in the printer object A is executed. Here, when the server device 110 receives the plug-in registration request for the printer object B from the client device 100, the printer object B or the printer object C is selected from the unregistered plug-ins shown in FIG. It is an unregistered plugin.

Before the server device 110 receives the image processing request from the client device 100 and executes it, it is possible to register an unregistered plug-in and then start the execution, if necessary. In this case, the server device 110 itself replaces the plug-in without receiving the plug-in registration request.

(2) System in which the plug-in can be installed from the client device via the network. Here, the client device 100 is the server device 110.
Check the device configuration and plug-in of the client device 10
0 executes the optimum plug-in after registering the optimum plug-in to the server device 110 by the plug-in registration request.
For example, at the time of access from an old printer driver, the client device 100 transfers the plug-in to the server device 110 and then executes the plug-in.

The client device 100 is the same as that shown in FIG.
By the operation of, the plug-in registration request can be transmitted to the server device 110 by using the middleware processing unit 103. In addition, the server device 110 receiving the plug-in registration request fetches the plug-in in the server device 110 based on the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 9 described below.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device. When the process is started, first, the server device 110 determines whether the request receiving unit 111 has succeeded in receiving (S901). Here, if the request receiving unit 111 determines that the reception is successful, the middleware processing unit 112 determines the request (S902).
It is determined whether the request is an image processing request (S903).

If it is determined in step S903 that the request is not an image processing request, it is further determined whether the request is a plug-in registration request (S904).
If it is determined that the request is a plug-in registration request, the process proceeds to step S908 described below.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S903 that the request is an image processing request,
Further, it is determined whether or not the requested image processing object is available (S905). Here, if it is determined that the image processing object is not available, the plug-in in the server device 110 is searched (S906), and it is determined whether or not there is a plug-in in the server device 110 (S).
907). If there is a plug-in, the plug-in in the server device 110 is installed (S908), and the image processing unit 115 executes the process (S909).

If it is determined in step S907 that there is no plug-in in the server device 110,
Using the middleware processing unit 112, a plug-in search request is transmitted to a plug-in database device (see FIG. 10) described later (S910).

(3) Dynamic installation of the plug-in by the client device Here, when the client device 100 uses the plurality of devices in combination,
This section describes an example of dynamically setting the optimum plugin and then executing it.

For example, an end user can use a system in which a scanner and a printer are connected and output an image read by the scanner using the printer.
In that case, it may not be possible to combine the devices due to the types of scanner and printer, such as the difference in data transfer protocol or the difference in image data compression method. Therefore,
The client device 100 checks each model, determines an appropriate combination of the scanner object and the printer object, and sends a plug-in registration request for incorporating each to the server device 110.

(4) Dynamic installation of plug-in by negotiation between server devices Here, as in the case of (3) above, in a system that uses a plurality of server devices 110 of a scanner and a printer in combination, a client device is used. The server apparatuses 110 that have received the image processing request from the apparatus 100 exchange configuration information with each other, set necessary / optimal plug-ins, and then execute the plug-ins.

(5) System in which the server device itself can download the plug-in via the network Here, an example of acquiring the plug-in from the plug-in database device when an image processing request from the client device 100 is transmitted Describe.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system example in which a plug-in database device is incorporated between a client device and a server device. In this system, a plug-in database device 1000 is added to the system of FIG. 1 described above, and a request sending unit 100 that sends a plug-in search request to the server device 110 is added.
5 is added.

The plug-in database device 1000 is
A request receiving unit 1001 that receives a plug-in search request using a predetermined middleware via a communication network, and an image processing object for the server device 110 to execute an image processing operation are held, and a plug-in search request is received. A plug-in storage unit 1 as a plug-in storage unit that searches for a predetermined image processing object.
002 and the image processing object searched by the plug-in storage unit 1002 are returned to the server device 110 which issued the plug-in search request, and a plug-in registration request is transmitted using a predetermined middleware through the communication network. A request transmission unit 1003 as a request transmission unit and a middleware processing unit 1004 that executes middleware processing are provided.

In the system configured as described above, when the image processing object is sent from the client device 100 to the server device 110, the server device 1
If there is no suitable plug-in in the server 10, the server device 110 sends a plug-in search request to the plug-in database device 1000 using the middleware processing unit 112, as described in the flowchart of FIG. .

Next, the plug-in database device 100
The operation of 0 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the figure, first, the plug-in database device 1000 determines whether or not the request receiving unit 1001 has succeeded in receiving (S1101). Here, if the request receiving unit 1001 determines that the reception is successful, the middleware processing unit 1004 determines the request (S110).
2) First, it is determined whether the request is a plug-in search request (S1103).

When it is determined that the request is a plug-in search request, the plug-in database held in the plug-in storage unit 1002 is searched (S110).
4), it is determined whether or not there is a plug-in (S110).
5). If it is determined that there is a plug-in, the plug-in registration request is generated by the searched plug-in (S1106), and the plug-in registration request is sent by the plug-in using the middleware processing unit 1004.
10 (S1107).

On the other hand, in step S1105,
If it is determined that there is no plug-in, an empty plug-in generates a plug-in registration request (S1108), and the middleware processing unit 1004 transmits the plug-in registration request to the server device 110 using the plug-in (S1).
107).

In the above operation, the server device 110 itself acquires the plug-in from the plug-in database device 1001 at the time of access from the old printer driver,
This is effective when executing after replacement.

(6) System for automatically downloading with addition / deletion of image processing unit In this system, when the device configuration of the server device 110 is changed, the plug-in database device 1 is automatically
Download the plugin from 000.

That is, in the server device 110, the plug-in management unit 113 detects addition or deletion / change of the configuration of the image processing unit 115 and requests the plug-in database device 1000 for a predetermined image processing object. Generate a search request.

(7) Periodic Maintenance The server device 110 periodically sends a partial or complete list of its own device configuration and plug-in configuration to the plug-in database device 1000, and the plug-in database device 1
000 downloads the optimum plug-in for the device configuration of the server device 110.

(8) Maintenance when updating the plug-in database The plug-in database device 1000 is the server device 11
A request history from 0 is held, and a plug-in registration request for registering a new plug-in in the server device 110 is issued when a new plug-in is registered in the plug-in database device 1000 side.

(9) Acquisition of plug-in configuration information of server device and determination of plug-in The client device 100 can acquire the internal configuration information of the image processing unit 115 and the plug-in of the server device 110, depending on the application. Determine and execute the optimal image processing object.

(10) Resource Data Plug-in It is possible to register resources such as form image data and fonts by plug-in.

[Effects of the Embodiment] In the system described above, for example, when remote copying is realized using a scanner and a printer, respective internal software modules (plug-ins) are provided according to the combination of these devices. Can be changed dynamically.

Further, in the above system, the administrator or the end user can obtain the latest functions and performances by acquiring and incorporating the software module from the client device 100 provided at a remote place via the communication network 200. It will be possible. You can also use the object-oriented paradigm,
Since software can be reused and made into parts, development efficiency can be improved.

[0071]

As described above, according to the network distributed image processing system (Claim 1) of the present invention, among the plurality of server devices distributed and connected to the communication network, the corresponding server device is When changing the device configuration or updating the internal software, the server device executes the most suitable image processing object for the server device in response to the request from the client device, so that the latest functions and performances can be obtained. At the same time, the system can be easily upgraded.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (Claim 2), of the plurality of server devices distributed and connected to the communication network, the device configuration of the corresponding server device is changed or the internal configuration is changed. When updating the software, the client device checks the plug-in of the server device, and the client device registers the optimum plug-in with a plug-in registration request to the server device and then executes it. ， The system can be easily managed.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (Claim 3), when the client device executes a process by combining the image processing operations of a plurality of server devices, the client device is the server device. The required / optimal plug-in is dynamically set before execution, so even if the image processing object that can respond to the request from the client device is not registered in the server device, the download function automatically The configuration can be updated and dealt with.

According to the network distributed image processing system (Claim 4) of the present invention, when the processing is executed by combining the image processing operations of a plurality of server devices,
Since the server device receiving the image processing request from the client device exchanges the functional information about the image processing means with each other, and each server device itself performs the image processing operation after registering / changing a predetermined plug-in, It is possible to automatically update the configuration by the processing object download function.

Further, according to the network distributed image processing system (Claim 5) of the present invention, when the image processing request from the client device is transmitted to the corresponding server device, the own device does not have it. Since the plug-in is sent to the plug-in database device, it is possible to easily perform maintenance such as periodical version upgrade of the image processing object of the server device.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (claim 6), the plug-in is automatically downloaded from the plug-in database device when the device configuration of the server device is changed. ， For server devices that are required even when updating / changing plug-ins,
You can easily send necessary plug-ins and perform necessary maintenance easily.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (Claim 7), the server device periodically sends a partial or full list of its own device configuration and plug-in configuration to the plug-in database device. The plug-in database device downloads the optimum plug-in for the device configuration of the server device, so that the server device can be easily changed when the plug-in database device is upgraded.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (claim 8), the plug-in database device holds the request history from the server device, and the new plug-in is registered in the plug-in database device side. When this happens, a plug-in registration request for registering a new plug-in is issued to the server device, so that the server device can be easily changed due to the upgrade of the plug-in database device.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (Claim 9), the client device obtains the information about the image processing means and the plug-in of the server device by the image processing request, and according to the application. Since the optimum image processing object is determined and executed, it is possible to quickly respond to hardware changes and operating conditions of the device.

According to the network distributed image processing system of the present invention (claim 10), resources such as font data and overlay used in the image processing means are downloaded as a plug-in, so that the resource data is updated. And the change process can be easily performed, and the device does not need to hold all the resources, so that the storage device can be downsized and simplified.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a theoretical structure and a request flow of a client device and a server device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network distributed image processing system configuration of a client device and a server device connected to a communication network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a client device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific configuration (shape) of the client device in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a server device (composite type copying machine).

6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific configuration (shape) of the server device (composite type copying machine) in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal configuration of a server device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation of the client device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system example in which a plug-in database device is incorporated between a client device and a server device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the plug-in database device.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 client device 101 Request input section 102 object storage 104 Request transmission unit 110 server device 111,1001 Request receiver 113 Plug-in Manager 114 Object storage 115 Image processing unit 200 communication network 1000 plug-in database device 1002 plug-in storage unit 1003, 1005 Request transmission unit

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A network distributed image processing system in which one or a plurality of client devices and server devices are distributed and connected to an information transmission path for transmitting information based on a predetermined communication protocol such as a communication network. The client device includes a request input unit that receives an image processing request from a client with respect to an image processing object that is a program module that is processed by the server device, and the image processing object corresponding to the server device. Object storage means stored, request transmission means for transferring an image processing request for the selected image processing object to the server device by middleware,
A request receiving unit that receives an image processing request input from the client apparatus via a communication network using a predetermined middleware, and the server apparatus based on the image processing request.
A plug-in management unit that selects a new image processing object that can be executed by the constituent devices in the device and manages registration, deletion, and execution of plug-ins; and an image processing unit that executes predetermined image processing. A network distributed image processing system, comprising: an object storage unit that stores an image processing object for causing the image processing unit to execute image processing in response to an input of an image processing request. 2. The client device accepts a plug-in registration request for registering an image processing object in an object storage means of the server device by the request input means, and the request transmission means predetermined the plug-in registration request. Of the middleware of the plug-in registration request, the server device uses the image processing object indicated by the plug-in registration request when the plug-in registration request is input. The plug-in management means for performing management is provided, and the request receiving means receives the plug-in management request input from the client device via the communication network using predetermined middleware. The listed network Network distributed image processing system. 3. When the client device executes a process by combining image processing operations of the plurality of server devices, the client device registers / changes a predetermined plug-in for each server device. The network distributed image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the image processing operation is executed after the plug-in registration request is transmitted. 4. When the processing is executed by combining the image processing operations of the plurality of server devices, the corresponding server devices mutually exchange functional information regarding the image processing means,
Each server device itself registers a specified plug-in
The network distributed image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the image processing operation is executed after the change. 5. A request receiving unit that receives a plug-in search request using a predetermined middleware via the communication network, and an image processing object for the server apparatus to execute an image processing operation, and the plug. A plug-in storage means for searching a predetermined image processing object for an in-search request, and a predetermined middleware through the image processing object searched by the plug-in storage means for using the plug-in search request for the server device. Request transmitting means for transmitting to the plug-in database device connected to the communication network, and the server device uses the predetermined middleware to the plug-in database device via the communication network. Submit search request The network-distributed image processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a request transmitting unit. 6. A plug-in request for requesting a predetermined image processing object to the plug-in database device by detecting addition / deletion / change of the configuration of the image processing means, by the plug-in management means of the server device. The network distributed image processing system according to claim 5, wherein the request is generated. 7. The server device periodically sends a list of the image processing means and the image processing objects to the plug-in database device, and the plug-in database device configures the image processing device. 6. The network distributed image processing system according to claim 5, wherein a plug-in registration request for returning a corresponding plug-in to the server device is generated and transmitted. 8. The plug-in database device holds history information of plug-in registration requests received from the server device, and the held plug-in is added.
The network distributed image processing system according to claim 5, wherein a plug-in registration request is transmitted so as to register a new plug-in in the server device when it is changed. 9. The client device acquires information about an image processing unit or a plug-in of the server device by an image processing request, and executes a predetermined plug-in based on the information. 9. The network distributed image processing system according to any one of 8 to 8. 10. The network distributed image processing system according to claim 1, wherein resources such as font data and overlay used in the image processing means are downloaded as a plug-in. 11. A predetermined communication program such as a communication network.
Through the information transmission line that transmits information based on Tocol
Connected to one or more client devices.
Server device that communicates from the client device
Accepts image processing requests via the network
Request receiving means based on the image processing request.
It can be executed by the component devices in this server device.
Select a standard image processing object and register the plug-in
・ Plug-in management means for managing deletion / execution,
An image processing unit that executes predetermined image processing, and an image processing unit
Image processing to the image processing means in response to the input of the quest
The object that stores the image processing object to be executed
A server device provided with an object storage means.