JP3771923B2 - Digital computing device and external device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital computing device and an external device.

  Conventionally, in a digital computer such as a multifunction machine having a plurality of applications, a user may be managed by collecting information (log information) regarding log recording of the multifunction machine. Such digital computers are known in which collected log information is stored in the memory of the main body of the digital computer and is read out as necessary.

  Also, as an example of a prior invention similar to the present invention in the technical field, there is “an image forming apparatus and its control method” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-341212. This has a function of accepting a plurality of jobs, displays its execution history, and reads the last history information in response to an inquiry from the network.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-341212

  However, since the collected log information is stored in the memory in the main body as it is in the above-described conventional example, if logging including information on the manuscript using all the operations performed by the user is enormous, the amount of cost, etc. Considering real problems, it was impossible. Further, if the recording of log information is uniformly restricted in order to suppress the stored information, there is a possibility that even the log information to be recorded is not recorded.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and while the necessary log information is securely stored, the amount of data is too large and does not affect various operations such as storage. It is an object to provide a digital computing device and an external device capable of efficient logging.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is operation information executed by a plurality of applications capable of handling image data, and can be set according to the application. Log information recording means for recording log information, which is operation information corresponding to the recording level, network communication means for communicating with an external device connected to a network, and the log from the external device via the network communication means As a transmission request for log information recorded in the information recording means, a receiving means for receiving data described in an extensible markup language (eXtensible Markup Language) by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and a result of the transmission request the data to which the recording level corresponding to generate the data described in the extended mark-up language, to produce In which according to the digital computing apparatus characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting by the SOAP to the external device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital computing device according to the first aspect, the transmission means includes, as data described in the extended markup language, information relating to an authentication / use restriction state or information relating to charging. The generated data is generated, and the generated data is transmitted to the external device by the SOAP .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital computing device according to the first or second aspect , the receiving means is a SOAP listener, and the transmitting means is a SOAP proxy.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the digital computing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the recording level can be set according to the operation content of the application. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the digital computing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the recording level can be set by selecting the application.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the digital computing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the recording level can be set according to an operation mode of the application. And

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the digital computer according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the recording apparatus further comprises recording level setting means capable of setting the recording level.

The invention according to claim 8 is log information that is operation information executed by a plurality of applications capable of handling image data and that corresponds to a recording level that can be set according to the application. Network communication means for communicating via a network to a digital computing device having log information recording means for recording, and an extension mark as a transmission request for log information recorded in the log information recording means to the digital computing device Generating data described in eXtensible Markup Language, transmitting means for transmitting the generated data by SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol), and the recording level as a result of the transmission request from the digital computing device the data described in the extensible mark-up language in correspondence with, the SOAP And receiving means for more receiving,
The present invention relates to an external device characterized by comprising:

The invention according to claim 9 is the external device according to claim 8 , wherein the reception unit is a SOAP listener and the transmission unit is a SOAP proxy.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform efficient logging while reliably storing necessary information but without affecting the various operations such as storage because the amount of data becomes too large. There is an effect.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible for devices on an unspecified number of networks to transmit and receive processing result information based on standard specifications, and processing result information generated by one digital computing device can be transmitted on the network. There is an effect that it can be easily used for a desired application at any place.

  Next, a digital computing device and an external device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1-1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the multifunction peripheral system according to the present invention includes a multifunction peripheral 1 and a personal computer (PC) 2, and each is connected to the Internet I.

  Each part shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated below. The multi-function device 1 has a document tray 1b for setting a document, a scanner 1c that scans the set document to acquire image data, receives image data from an external device, transmits image data acquired by the scanner 1c, or This is a digital multi-function peripheral provided with a communication unit (shown in FIG. 2) that receives other image data and one or more printers 1d that print the image data. In the multifunction device 1, the scanner 1c and the printer 1d are combined to operate as a copier. Further, the communication unit and the printer 1d are combined to operate as a printer, the printer 1d and the communication unit are combined, or the scanner unit 1c is further combined to operate as a facsimile.

  The multifunction device 1 described above has dedicated applications for a plurality of functions such as copying, printing, faxing, and scanning. A scanner engine 104 that drives the scanner and a plotter engine 105 that prints an image are provided. Since the scanner engine 104 and the plotter engine 105 are well-known configurations included in a general image forming apparatus, further explanation and illustration are omitted.

  In addition, the multifunction device 1 includes an operation screen 1a for a user to instruct the multifunction device 1 to operate. Instructions for executing copying, printing, and faxing are input to the multi function device 1 via the operation screen 1a.

  FIG. 1-2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation screen 1a. As illustrated in FIG. 1-2, the operation screen 1a includes an operation touch panel 1aa, various operation buttons, and an operation dial. An operation menu is displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa, and the displayed menu can be operated by the user touching the operation touch panel 1aa. Note that operation buttons and operation dials other than the operation touch panel 1aa on the operation screen 1a may be omitted depending on the application of the multifunction device 1.

  The PC 2 is used to create data necessary for menu display processing and logging (hereinafter, control information) for each user. In the first embodiment, XML is used for the format of the control information.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the MFP 1 and the main parts of the PC 2 according to the first embodiment. The multi-function device 1 includes an operation screen 1a, a main control unit 101, a memory 102, and a communication unit 103. The operation screen 1a, the main control unit 101, the memory 102, and the communication unit 103 are connected to the internal bus 110 and constitute the digital computing device 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In the configuration described above, the operation screen 1a serves as an input unit for inputting at least level information indicating the level and operation information for instructing an operation performed by the multifunction device 1. The scanner 1c, the printer 1d, the scanner engine 104, and the plotter engine 105 are operation execution means for executing an operation based on the operation information. Further, the main control unit 101 extracts the operation to be recorded from the operation of the scanner or the like based on the recording level that indicates the contents of the operation executed by the scanner 1c, printer 1d, scanner engine 104, and plotter engine 105 step by step. . The memory 102 records the history information of the extracted operation. In the present specification, the operation information recorded corresponding to the recording level is hereinafter referred to as log information.

  The main control unit 101 includes a storage device 211 including a CPU (not shown), a ROM, and the like, and controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1. The main control unit 101 operates based on a program stored in the storage device 211. By the operation, operation information (log information) relating to the operation performed by the apparatus is collected and recorded in the memory 102.

  The memory 102 includes a work area of the main control unit 101 or a RAM that stores (stores) recorded log information. The memory 102 stores an OS (operating system) necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 1 and control information created by the PC 2. The communication unit 103 is connected to the Internet and performs communication with the PC 2.

  The PC 2 includes a main control unit 201, an HDD 202, a communication unit 203, a keyboard 204, and a mouse 205. Each of the above components is connected to the internal bus 210. The main control unit 201 has a control device such as a CPU (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the PC 2. The HDD 202 stores an OS necessary for the operation of the PC 2 and log information transmitted from the multifunction device 1.

  The communication unit 203 is connected to the Internet I and communicates with the multifunction device 1. Furthermore, the keyboard 204 and the mouse 205 are input means for the user to input instructions to the PC 2.

  The digital computer 100 and the PC 2 described above operate as shown in FIG. That is, the PC 2 creates data (control information) necessary for menu display processing and logging for each user (step S1). Further, the PC 2 downloads the created control information to the multifunction machine 1 (step S2). The control information is information used to create a menu screen displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa of the operation screen 1a. When the user uses the multifunction device 1, the multifunction device 1 executes processing (menu display processing) for displaying a menu screen on the operation touch panel 1aa using the control information (step S3).

  FIGS. 4-1 to 4-6 are diagrams illustrating menu screens displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa. FIG. 4A is a screen that displays a plurality of group (department) names such as planning, technology, and sales, and shows a state in which the user has opened a tag of a group to which the user belongs from a plurality of groups. As shown in the figure, each group tag has a key indicating the name of a person belonging to the group such as user A or user B. When the user touches a key whose name is shown, the main control unit 101 switches the menu screen to the screen shown in FIG. The name of the person becomes user information together with a password to be described later.

  FIG. 4B is a screen that prompts the user to input a password. The main control unit 101 determines whether or not the input password is an appropriate password that matches the user name. If the input password is an appropriate password, the main control unit 101 switches the menu screen to the screen illustrated in FIG. The screen illustrated in FIG. 4C is a screen that prompts the user to select a purpose for using the multifunction machine 1. Examples of the purpose include a document, a report, and an application. When the purpose is selected, the main control unit 101 next switches the menu screen to the screen shown in FIG. 4-4 that displays the type of the document to be created, such as contract or technical report.

  When the document type is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 4-4, the main control unit 101 displays the contents selected on the screens shown in FIGS. The menu screen is switched to a screen (shown in FIG. 4-5) for displaying a function such as fax. When the user confirms the content selected by the user from the displayed content and selects a function to be used, the menu screen is switched to an operation screen for each function (FIGS. 4-6).

  As described above, when the user, the function used in the multifunction device 1, the purpose of using the multifunction device 1, and the like are input, the main control unit 101 sets the recording level of log information based on the input information. That is, the storage device 211 of the main control unit 101 records passwords of a plurality of users, recording levels of log information of the multifunction device 1 set in multiple stages, and correspondences between passwords and recording levels. Yes. The recording level is set as follows, for example.

Record level 1
Copy Number of copies Printer Number of prints Facsimile Number of facsimiles, destination, date and time of recording Record level 2
Copy Number of copies, single-sided / double-sided, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome printer Number of prints, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome Facsimile Number of facsimiles, destination, transmission date / time, amount of transmitted data
Copy Number of copies, single-sided / double-sided, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome
Copy image (compressed data)
Printer Number of prints, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome
Print image (compressed data)
Facsimile Number of facsimiles, destination, date and time of transmission, amount of transmitted data
Transmission image (compressed data)

  The main control unit 101 reads out the recording level corresponding to the user name and password from among the recording levels as described above, sets the recording level in the multifunction device 1, and records the log information of the multifunction device 1 according to the set recording level. . According to the first embodiment, the log information recording level can be changed for each individual user or group to which the user belongs, and only log information necessary for each user or group can be recorded. Therefore, unnecessary levels of log information are not recorded depending on the user or group, and necessary log information can be reliably ensured while suppressing the data amount of the recorded log information.

  Moreover, the control data used for displaying each menu screen shown in FIG. 4 is shown in FIGS.

  XML is used for the data format of the control information shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, XML will be described.

  XML (eXtensible Mark-up Language) is a language for giving a structure to a document and does not depend on a specific application. If the feature of having this structure is used, the structure of data handled by the program can be described, so this control information uses this XML as a data format.

  An XML document has an XML declaration, a document type declaration, and an XML instance. An XML declaration means one that begins with “xml”, and specifies a version, character code, and the like. When data is described, the document type declaration is unnecessary, and the contents of the data are described using an XML instance.

The elements of the XML instance include a start tag, content, end tag, and an empty element. The beginning of any non-empty XML element is marked up with a start tag. The end of an element that begins with a start tag must be marked up with an end tag. Further, additional information is given to the element as follows according to the attribute.
<Element name attribute name 1 = "attribute value 1" attribute name 2 = "attribute value 2">

An element that explicitly indicates that a document element has no lower elements, that is, no content is called an empty element tag. An empty element tag is written as follows.
<Element name (attribute specification)>
For example, the following two expressions have the same effect.
<Image file = "fig1.jpg"/>
<Image file = "fig1.jpg"/></image>

  Next, description contents of an example of the control information shown in FIGS. The control information includes screen information, page information, and user information, and is configured in such a manner that description portions of the respective information are connected.

  FIG. 5 shows the description part of the first part in XML, the initial screen in the screen information, and the password input screen in the control information. The screen information shown in FIG. 5 describes information about the basic layout of the display screen displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa. Basic layouts are grouped by screen numbers. The user information designates the page number of the screen to be displayed next, and the page information designates the screen number corresponding to the screen of the page number. The main control unit 101 reads a portion corresponding to the designated screen number in the screen information.

  FIG. 6 shows a part of the control information that describes the initial screen in the page information, the password input screen, and the first screen displayed to the user 1. The page information shown in FIG. 6 describes information about each screen to be displayed, and includes a frame key code, display characters displayed in the frame, and a screen number indicating a basic layout to be used. Yes. The information on the screen to be displayed next corresponding to the user information is read by the main control unit 101 from the corresponding page number portion of the page information.

  FIG. 7 shows a description part of an initial screen, a password input screen, and a first screen displayed to the user 1 in a combination of a frame key code as user information and an action for the key code. Screen transition is controlled by user information, and items to be recorded for each user and page information are added to each user information.

  In other words, the user information is recorded as log information on each display screen and a combination of actions for the used page number on each display screen (specified number of page information to be used) and the frame key code on each display screen. Each item. When the user touches the frame of the display screen displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa, the key code and action of the frame are read, and the next operation is determined based on the read information.

  As described above, the first embodiment describes an example in which the recording level is set based on user information (password). However, the present invention is not limited to such a first embodiment, and the recording level can be set according to the application and engine of the multifunction machine 1 in addition to the user information.

The recording item of the recording level according to the application can be set as follows, for example.
Copy Record level 1: number of copies,
Recording level 2: Number of copies, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome Recording level 3: Number of copies, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome, copy image Printer Recording level 1: Number of prints,
Recording level 2: Number of prints, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome Recording level 3: Number of prints, enlargement / reduction, color / monochrome, print image Facsimile Recording level 1: Number of facsimiles, destination, transmission date / time Recording level 2: Number of facsimiles , Transmission destination, transmission date / time, transmission data volume Recording level 3: number of facsimiles, transmission destination, transmission date / time, transmission data volume
Send image

Alternatively, as described below, the recording level (recording item) may be automatically set by selecting an application.
Copy → Record level 3
Printer → Record level 2
Facsimile → Record level 1

  FIG. 8 shows a description part for setting a combination of a frame key code indicating an application and an action (recording level) corresponding to the key code.

In addition, the recording item of the recording level corresponding to the engine can be set as follows, for example.
Scanner Engine Recording Level 1: Number of Scans Recording Level 2: Number of Scans, Scan Speed Recording Level 3: Number of Scans, Scan Speed, Scanned Image Plotter Engine Recording Level 1: Number of Outputs Recording Level 2: Number of Outputs, Output Time Recording Level 3: Number of output sheets, output time, toner color

Alternatively, as described below, the recording level (recording item) may be automatically set by selecting the engine.
Scanner engine → Recording level 3
Plotter engine → Record level 2

  In addition, the recording level of the present invention can be set according to the operation mode of the application (also referred to as functions such as enlargement and reduction). Furthermore, the recording level can be set according to the combination of the user information and application described above. FIG. 9 shows a description portion for setting a combination of a key code in a frame indicating an operation mode and an action (recording level) for the key code on the operation screen of the multifunction device 1. The control information is formed by connecting the above FIGS. 5 to 8 and FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9 in order. The control information described above is created by the PC 2, downloaded to the MFP 1 by the ftp or the like via the Internet, and stored in the memory 102.

  Next, a basic procedure of menu display processing and information recording (logging) performed by the multifunction device 1 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  The main control unit 101 searches for user information of name = “initial screen” from the user information in the control information (step S11). Next, the main control unit 101 reads the used page number from the description part obtained by the search in step S11 (step S12). Then, from the description part obtained by the search in step S11, the main control unit 101 reads an instruction relating to the log, and determines the read information as the content (collection level) of the log information (step S13). If there is no instruction regarding the log, a preset logging operation is performed.

  Next, the main control unit 101 searches the page information in the control information for the description part of the page number read in step S12 (step S14). Further, the used screen number is read from the description portion of the page number obtained as a result of the search in step S14 (step S15). Further, the main control unit 101 searches the screen information in the control information for a description part of the used screen number read in step S15 (step S16).

  Next, the main control unit 101 creates a menu display screen based on the page information obtained as a result of the search in steps S14 and S16 and the corresponding description portion of the screen information, and displays it on the operation touch panel 1aa (step S17). . When the key code corresponding to the frame input (touched) by the user on the operation touch panel 1aa is read from the user information, the main control unit 101 stores the input key code in which program (multifunction device is stored in advance). A processing table including information on what processing is to be performed using the program (step S18).

  Next, the main control unit 101 determines whether or not the user has input a key code using the operation touch panel 1aa (step S19). When the user does not input with the operation touch panel 1aa (step S19: NO), the user enters a standby state until there is an input. When the user inputs (step S19: YES), the input operation performed by the user is logged (step S20). Then, an action corresponding to the key code of the input frame is selected from the user information (step S21), and the same processing is repeated from step S12 based on the selected action (user information).

  Next, menu display and logging processing operations performed by the multifunction machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 11 to 13 are flowcharts showing the operations of the menu display process and the logging process, and show an operation example when the user 1 uses the multifunction device 1 for the purpose of creating a document. The control information includes the contents shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. The operations of the menu display process and the logging process are based on repeating the basic procedure shown in FIG. 10 described above for each display screen. Therefore, the operation contents common to the basic procedure shown in FIG. Detailed description of the operation steps is omitted.

  First, the main control unit 101 reads control information stored in the memory 102. Then, the user information of the name = “initial screen” is searched from a plurality of user information (step S31), and all the corresponding user information is read (step S32). Thereafter, the main control unit 101 has entered the key code. If there is no key code input (step S33: No), the process waits until there is an input, and if there is a key code input (step S33: Yes), the input key A processing table corresponding to the code is created (step S34).

  Next, the main control unit 101 extracts a used page number from the attributes given to the corresponding user information (step S35). Then, the page information of the corresponding page number is searched (step S36), and all the corresponding page information is read (step S37). Next, the main control unit 101 extracts a use screen number from the attributes given to the corresponding page information (step S38). Then, the screen information of the corresponding screen number is searched (step S39), all the corresponding screen information is read (step S40), and the frame display is performed based on all the frame information of the screen information (step S41). Furthermore, based on all the frame information of the page information, characters are displayed in the frame (step S42). With the above processing, the initial screen is displayed on the operation touch panel 1aa. After displaying the initial screen, the main control unit 101 is in a standby state until a user input is received (step S43).

  When the user inputs in the “User 1” frame, the key code = “2” corresponding to “User 1” is returned. For this reason, the main control unit 101 searches the processing table created in step S34, and determines to which user the next transition is made (step S44). At this time, since the action is “to key code user”, the user information is transferred to “user 1” (step S45). User information of name = “user 1” is searched from the user information (step S46), and all corresponding user information is read (step S47). Then, the process waits until the key code is input (step S48). When the key code is input, a processing table corresponding to the input key code is created (step S49).

  Next, the main control unit 101 extracts a used page number from the attributes given to the corresponding user information (step S50). Then, among the attributes given to the corresponding user information, an instruction regarding the log is read to determine the logging operation. If there is no instruction regarding the log, the already set logging operation is performed (step S51). Next, the main control unit 101 searches for page information of the corresponding page number (step S52), and reads all the corresponding page information (step S53). Then, the used screen number is extracted from the attributes given to the corresponding page information (step S54), the screen information of the corresponding screen number is searched (step S55), and all the corresponding screen information is read (step S56). ). Further, frame display is performed based on all the frame information of the screen information (step S57). Next, the main control unit 101 performs character display in the frame based on all the frame information of the page information (step S58). The password input screen is displayed by the above processing.

  Further, the main control unit 101 enters a standby state until an input from the user is received (step S59). When the user inputs the password and the user touches the “OK” frame, the main control unit 101 logs the user's input operation (input content) (step S60). At this time, since the key code = “6” corresponding to “OK” is returned, the processing table already created in step S49 is searched to determine to which user the next transition is made (step S61). Here, referring to the user information, since the action is “to 1 of user 1”, the user information to be read moves to “1 of user 1”. (Step S62).

  Next, the main control unit 101 searches the user information for user information with name = “user 1 1” (step S63). Then, all corresponding user information is read (step S64), and a standby state is entered until a key code is input (step S65). When a key code is input, a processing table corresponding to the input key code is created (step S66).

  Next, the main control unit 101 extracts the used page number from the attributes given to the corresponding user information (step S67), and searches the page information of the corresponding page number (step S68). Further, all corresponding page information is read (step S69). Then, the used screen number is extracted from the attributes given to the corresponding page information (step S70). The main control unit 101 searches for screen information of the corresponding screen number (step S71). Then, all corresponding screen information is read (step S72), and frame display is performed based on all frame information of the screen information (step S73). Furthermore, based on all the frame information of the page information, characters are displayed in the frame (step S74). Through the above processing, the usage purpose selection screen is displayed.

  Next, the main control unit 101 enters a standby state until there is an input from the user (step S75). When the user touches the “document” portion, the user's input operation is logged (step S76). At this time, since the key code = “2” corresponding to “document” is returned, the created processing table is searched to determine to which user the next transition is made (step S77). Here, referring to the user information, since the action is “to user 1 2”, the read user information moves to “user 1 2” (step S78).

  Further, as described above, the present invention is not limited to the one that obtains user information via the operation screen 1a, but the communication unit 103 that is a communication unit that connects the multifunction device 1 and an external information device. The user information may be acquired from the PC 2 or any PC on the network via the network.

  When inputting user information from a PC, the main control unit 110 of the digital computing device 100 converts a signal generated by a mouse or keyboard key of the PC into a key code, and is similar to the processing described in FIGS. Processing shall be performed. That is, a signal input from the PC is converted, and user information is recognized by the converted signal. Then, a menu screen is created according to the attribute of the user information, and transmitted to the PC via the network. The transmitted menu screen is displayed on the display screen of the PC, and the user selects a purpose of use, a document, an application, and the like along the menu screen.

  The information selected by the user is transmitted to the digital computing device 100, and the digital computing device 100 records the log information of the multifunction device 1 made by the user's instruction at the log level corresponding to the user information.

  Next, a process performed for the PC to input user information will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the PC when the digital computing device 100 acquires user information from an arbitrary PC on the network.

  A user who operates the multifunction device 1 from the PC selects a group to which the user belongs from the menu screen displayed on the display screen by using a mouse or a keyboard, and then selects a user name from the tag. The PC determines whether or not a user name has been selected (step S91). If no user name has been selected (step S91: No), the PC waits until a selection is made.

  If the PC determines that the user name has been selected (step S91: Yes), the PC then determines whether the user has entered a password (step S92). When the password is input (step S92: Yes), the input password is transmitted to the digital computer 100 (step S93). Then, it is determined from the response of the digital computing device 100 whether or not the transmitted password matches the group or user name selected by the user (step S94). As a result of the determination, if the password does not match (step S94: No), an error is displayed on the display screen to indicate that the password does not match (step S98).

  On the other hand, when the passwords match (step S94: Yes), information for generating a menu screen is received from the digital computing device 100, and the menu screen is displayed on the display screen. The user inputs the purpose of use of the multifunction device 1 and the type of document to be created on the menu screen. The PC transmits the input usage purpose and document information to the digital computing device 100 (step S95). Similarly, information on the application selected by the user is transmitted (step S96).

  When the above processing is completed, information for creating an operation screen for the selected application is transmitted from the digital computing device 100. The operation screen of the application is displayed on the display screen of the PC according to the information. The PC transmits the operating conditions of the multifunction device 1 designated on the operation screen by the user to the digital computing device 100, and sets the operating conditions in the multifunction device 1 (step S97).

  As described above, even when user information is transmitted from the PC to the digital computer 100 via the network and the recording level is set, the digital computer 100 sets and sets the recording level according to the user information. Log information at the specified recording level is recorded.

  As described in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the setting of the recording level by the user information, application, or engine. For example, the user inputs user information such as a password. Alternatively, the level stored in the main control unit 101 may be input using the operation screen 1a to select the level.

  Further, the user information is not limited to a password, and may be any information that identifies a user or a group to which the user belongs, such as an employee number or an ID code.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment manages the digital computing device according to the first embodiment having a transmission unit that transmits log information to the outside, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected via a network, and transmits the transmitted log information to the network. And an operation information recording system comprising a management device comprising a receiving means for receiving via the network.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a network configuration of the operation information recording system according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the operation information recording system according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a management server 720 and a plurality of sets of multifunction peripherals 701 and 770 are connected by a public network 760. Different multifunction devices 701 and 770 are assigned different IP addresses or URIs.

  The management server 720 is connected to the remote centralized management device 730 via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) 740. In the second embodiment, both the management server 720 and the remote centralized management device 730 are management devices. The MFPs 701 and 770 have the same configuration as that of the MFP 1 according to the first embodiment, and each includes the digital computing device 100 according to the first embodiment. The digital computing device 100 transmits / receives log information to / from a management device via a network. In the second embodiment, log information is transmitted or received based on SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol).

  For this reason, the MFP 701 receives a SOAP request message indicating a processing result request from the PC 700, another MFP 770, and the management server 720, analyzes the contents, and transmits a processing request to the CCS 129. A SOAP proxy that generates a SOAP response message including processing result data from the authentication / usage restriction state file, the accounting file, and the log file and returns the SOAP response message to the destination that sent the SOAP request message is provided internally. Such a multi-function device 701 also has a function as a SOAP server.

  As described above, in the configuration of the second embodiment, log information is generated based on SOAP, and is transmitted and received. Therefore, an unspecified number of multifunction devices, PCs, or management servers on a network are standard. Processing result information can be transmitted and received based on the specifications, and processing result information generated by one MFP 100 can be easily used for a desired application at an arbitrary location on the network.

  A public line network 760 is connected to the multi-channel communication control device 750 connected to the management server 720, and a plurality of sets of multifunction peripherals 701 and 770 are connected via the communication controller 710. In addition, the MFPs 701 and 770 are connected to a PC 700 serving as a printer client via a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) 780. This PC 700 is also provided with a SOAP proxy and a SOAP listener (both not shown) in order to realize data exchange by SOAP.

  The communication controller 710 is connected to a customer's facsimile machine or general telephone, and between the multi-channel communication control device 750 and the communication controller 710 when the facsimile apparatus or general telephone is not in use (line availability). Data communication (off-talk communication method) is possible via the public line network 760.

  The management server 720 constitutes a management apparatus according to the present invention, collects processing result data as a SOAP response message from a plurality of multifunction peripherals 701 and 770, and transmits the SOAP response message to the remote centralized management apparatus 730 via the LAN 208. A channel communication control unit (CCU) 209 is connected to the public line network 760. The management server 720 has a configuration similar to that of a normal computer such as a workstation, and further includes a SOAP proxy 721 and a SOAP listener 722 in order to realize data exchange by SOAP as shown in FIG. It has become.

  That is, a SOAP request message for requesting a processing result is generated by the SOAP proxy 721 and transmitted to the multifunction device 701. On the other hand, the SOAP listener 722 receives a SOAP response message including processing result data from the multi-function device 701, analyzes the content thereof, and transmits it to the remote centralized management apparatus 730.

  The remote centralized management apparatus 730 receives processing result data of a plurality of multifunction peripherals 701 collected by the management server 720 from the management server 720 via the Ethernet (registered trademark) 740 and manages them collectively.

  The processing performed by the operation information recording system described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the operation information recording system, first, a log information reading process is started from any PC on the system (step S81). After startup, the log information reading process secures an area on the shared memory (step S82).

  When the target process is activated (step S83), the log information reading process generates a software interrupt for the target process and transmits a signal from the log information reading process to the target process (step S84). The log information writing process in the target process that has received the software interrupt writes the log information to the shared memory.

  Here, since the shared memory has only a limited area, when the area is used up, it is written back to the beginning of the area.

  When the target process transfers log information to the shared memory, the target process checks whether there is enough free space remaining in the shared memory for the amount of information to be transferred (step S85). Then, a transfer end signal is transmitted to the log information reading process (step S86). When the log information reading process receives a read request signal or a transfer end signal from the log information writing process in the target process, the log information reading process reads the communication content (log information) from the shared memory (step S87), and the read communication content is transferred to the network. To the PC via

  When checking whether the free space for the log information transferred by the target process remains in the shared memory, if the free space is insufficient, a read request signal is transmitted to the log information reading process (step S88), and the shared memory The transfer process is interrupted until a writable signal indicating that it is empty is received from the log information reading process.

  When the log information read process receives a read request signal from the log information transfer process (target process), it immediately reads all the data stored in the shared memory and transfers it to the PC via the network. A writable signal is transmitted (step S89).

  In the second embodiment, the multifunction device and the PC are described as being connected via the Internet. However, as long as the multifunction device and the PC are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as connecting with a wire communication.

  Further, the control information of the present invention may be created by inputting an XML language to the PC by a user using a PC keyboard or mouse. Also, separate software for creating control information may be prepared. That is, the control information by XML may be automatically created when the user inputs only the minimum designated items from the PC.

  In the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention, XML is used as the control information format. However, the language is not limited to this as long as it is a language that can be read by the multifunction peripheral. Format may be used.

  Furthermore, the MFPs according to the first and second embodiments may have a function of rewriting an operation program by incorporating a CD-ROM drive. With the function of rewriting this operation program, the operation according to the first and second embodiments can be executed only by the program. The multifunction machine may have an HDD as a memory. When the MFP has an HDD, it is desirable that the HDD of the PC has a larger storage capacity than the HDD of the MFP. This is to prevent the remaining storage capacity of the HDD of the PC from being insufficient due to log information transmitted from the multifunction peripheral.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system using the multifunctional device with which the digital computer of Embodiment 1 of this invention was incorporated. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation screen. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a digital computing device according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the configuration shown in FIGS. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (screen which displays multiple group (department) names, such as a plan, a technique, and sales) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (screen which prompts input of a password) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (screen which accelerates | stimulates the selection of the objective which uses an MFP) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (screen which displays the classification of a document) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (screen which displays functions, such as a copy of a multifunction machine, a fax) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the menu screen (operation screen of each function) displayed on an operation touch panel. It is a figure which shows the example of description of the first part by XML among the control information of Embodiment 1, the initial screen in screen information, and a password input screen. It is a figure which shows the description part of the initial screen in a page information, the password input screen, and 1 screen of the user 1 among the control information of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the description part of the initial screen of user information, the password input screen, and 1 of user 1 among the control information of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a description portion that sets a combination of a key code of a frame indicating an application and an action (recording level) corresponding thereto in the control information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a description portion for setting a combination of a frame key code indicating an operation mode and an action (recording level) corresponding thereto in the operation screen of the multi-function peripheral in the control information of the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the procedure of a menu display process and logging. It is the first half 1/3 of the flowchart which shows operation | movement of a menu display process and a logging process. It is the middle part 1/3 of the flowchart which shows the operation | movement of a menu display process and a logging process. It is the latter half 1/3 of the flowchart which shows operation | movement of a menu display process and a logging process. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the PC when the digital computing device according to the first embodiment acquires user information from the PC on the network. It is a figure which shows the operation information recording system of Embodiment 2 of this invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing sequence of processing in the operation information recording system of the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1,701,770 MFP 1a Operation screen 1aa Operation touch panel 1b Document tray 1c Scanner 1d Printer 2,700 PC
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Digital computer 101 Main control part 102 Memory 103 Communication part 104 Scanner engine 105 Plotter engine 110 Internal bus 201 Main control part 202 HDD
203 Communication Unit 204 Keyboard 205 Mouse 210 Internal Bus 720 Management Server 730 Remote Centralized Management Device

Claims (9)

Log information recording means for recording log information, which is information on operations executed by a plurality of applications capable of handling image data, and is operation information corresponding to a recording level that can be set according to the application ;
Network communication means for communicating with an external device connected to the network;
Via the network communication means, data described in an extensible markup language (eXtensible Markup Language) is sent as SOAP (Simple Object Access) as a log information transmission request recorded in the log information recording means from the external device. Protocol)
Transmission means for generating data describing the result of the transmission request in the extended markup language corresponding to the recording level, and transmitting the generated data to the external apparatus by the SOAP;
A digital computing device characterized by comprising:   The transmission means generates data including information related to authentication / usage restriction status or information related to charging as data described in the extended markup language, and transmits the generated data to the external apparatus by the SOAP. The digital computing device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving means is a SOAP listener;
The digital calculation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit is a SOAP proxy. The recording level, a digital computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that settable in accordance with the operation content of the application. The recording level, a digital computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that settable by the choice of the application. The recording level, a digital computing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that settable in accordance with the operation mode of the application. Digital computing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a recording level setting means capable of setting the recording level. Digital having log information recording means for recording log information that is operation information executed by a plurality of applications capable of handling image data, and is operation information corresponding to a recording level that can be set according to the application Network communication means for communicating with a computing device via a network;
The digital computing device generates data described in an extensible markup language (eXtensible Markup Language) as a log information transmission request recorded in the log information recording means, and generates the generated data using SOAP (Simple A transmission means for transmitting by (Object Access Protocol),
Receiving means for receiving, by the SOAP, data described in the extended markup language corresponding to the recording level as a result of the transmission request from the digital computing device;
An external device comprising: The receiving means is a SOAP listener;
The external device according to claim 8 , wherein the transmission unit is a SOAP proxy.

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