JP4164521B2 - Data processing apparatus, control method thereof, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing device that can be connected to an information processing terminal such as a personal computer and can be connected to a device that can be a peripheral device, and operates the peripheral device in accordance with an instruction from the information processing terminal. The present invention relates to a control method and a storage medium.

  Conventionally, it has been proposed to incorporate a printer for a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) into a facsimile apparatus and use it as a facsimile printer.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a conventional system configuration in this case.
In FIG. 13, reference numeral 30 denotes a facsimile apparatus main body, which includes a printer unit that performs processing for image printing and a fax unit that performs processing other than printing. The printer unit is an existing PC printer.

First, the configuration of the fax unit will be described.
A fax control unit 31 controls the entire fax unit, and performs control according to a control program stored in the fax ROM 32. A RAM 33 is used as a work area for the fax control unit 31 and stores various data. A reading unit 34 reads an image on a document and generates one-pixel binary or multi-value image data corresponding to the image. Reference numeral 35 denotes a MODEM that modulates and demodulates data for facsimile transmission / reception, and 36 denotes an NCU that controls an interface with a public line network such as the telephone line network 44, and is connected to the telephone line network 44 via a connector 42. 37 is connected via the connector 41 and the cable 45 by the I / F protocol by a predetermined I / F such as a Centronics interface conforming to, for example, IEEE1284, etc., in order to treat the facsimile apparatus 2 as a peripheral device of the PC. It is an I / F controller for exchanging data with a PC. A buffer memory 38 stores data and the like used in facsimile communication. Reference numeral 39 denotes an I / F controller for transferring data (received data and read data) from the fax unit to the printer unit using an I / F protocol similar to that of the I / F controller 37 so that the printer unit can print. The I / F controller 39 operates as if data is directly transferred from the host (PC) to the printer unit (behaves as a host PC). Reference numeral 40 denotes a system bus for connecting each unit in the fax unit. 43 is an I / F signal line for transferring data from the PC and data from the fax unit to the printer unit, and 46 is an I / F for exchanging control information such as status information between the fax unit and the printer unit. F signal line. 47 and 48 are switches for switching whether data to be transferred to the printer unit is from the PC or the fax unit, and are controlled by control signals from the fax control unit 31 via the signal lines 49 and 50. .

Next, the configuration of the printer unit will be described.
A printer control unit 61 controls the entire printer unit and performs control according to a control program stored in the printer ROM 62. A RAM 63 is used as a work area for the printer control unit, and stores various data. A recording control unit 64 controls image processing of recording data and recording operations in accordance with instructions from the printer control unit 61. Reference numeral 65 denotes a recording head for inkjet recording, which is controlled by the recording control unit 64 and prints an image based on input data on recording paper. Reference numeral 66 denotes an I / F controller for receiving data transmitted according to an I / F protocol compliant with, for example, IEEE1284. Reference numeral 67 denotes a system bus for connecting each unit in the printer unit.

  With the above configuration, normally, in order to set a facsimile mode in which each part of the fax unit can be controlled from the PC, the switch 47 is on the I / F controller 37 side and the switch 48 is on the I / F controller 39 side. A command that can be interpreted by the fax control unit 31 is input from the PC, and the fax control unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the fax unit according to the command. On the other hand, in order to print data from the PC, the fax control unit 31 of the facsimile apparatus 2 sets a printer mode that operates as an existing printer. The switch 48 is set to the I / F controller 66 side. Print instruction data to be given to an existing printer is input from the PC, and the printer control unit 61 controls the printing operation according to the print instruction data.

  In this way, an existing printer can be used and an existing printer driver can be used on the PC side.

  However, conventionally, when data from a PC is printed, it is set to operate as an existing printer, so that the I / F signal line 46 is notified that printing of data from the PC has been completed. Until the main control right of the facsimile apparatus is transferred from the printer control unit to the fax control unit, it is impossible to receive an instruction for other processing using the fax unit from the PC and execute the processing operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can execute processing according to another application when operating a peripheral device based on an instruction sent from an information processing terminal such as a personal computer. It is another object of the present invention to provide an existing peripheral device, a data processing apparatus that can easily use a peripheral device driver, a control method thereof, and a storage medium.

  In order to achieve the above object, a data processing apparatus of the present invention comprises the following arrangement.

  That is, a peripheral device driver for controlling a predetermined peripheral device, a first connection means for connecting to an information processing terminal having an application for executing processing different from the peripheral device driver, and the peripheral device driver A data processing apparatus having a second connection means for connecting to a peripheral device that can be controlled by the receiving means, and a receiving means for receiving an instruction sent from the information processing apparatus via the first connection means; A conversion means for removing data generated by the application from an instruction received by the reception means and including an instruction generated by the peripheral device driver and data generated by the application; and Connected via the second connection means according to the instruction that the data generated by the application has been removed And a processing unit for operating the edge equipment.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the data processing apparatus that operates the peripheral device connected to the other according to the instruction from the connected information processing terminal, the data generated by the peripheral device driver and other applications Since the processing is performed so that the peripheral device is operated by removing the data generated by the application from the instruction including the generated data, it is possible to divert the existing device as the peripheral device and the peripheral device driver, and to other applications. It is possible to execute the processing according to the above.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 has a fax unit and a printer unit using an existing printer, like the facsimile device 2 shown in FIG. Components having the same reference numerals as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. 13 perform the same functions, and description thereof is omitted here.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a fax control unit that controls the entire fax unit according to the present embodiment, and controls each operation based on a control program stored in the fax ROM 12 for performing processing as described below.

  Unlike the fax unit of the facsimile apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 13, the fax unit according to the present embodiment is not provided with a switch for switching the information sent from the PC to be directly transferred to the printer unit.

  Reference numeral 21 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire printer unit in this embodiment, and controls each operation based on a control program stored in the printer ROM 22. The printer unit of the facsimile apparatus 1 executes a printing operation according to an existing printer command.

  A command for the fax control unit 11 is sent from the PC, and the fax control unit 11 interprets the command from the PC and issues an operation command to each unit. However, as a command for printing data from the PC, a command in a format in which a command for the fax control unit 11 is added to an existing printer command is received from the PC, and the fax control unit 11 is an image based on the data from the PC. Is interpreted as a command (recording command) for printing, the command part for the fax control unit 11 added to the received command is removed and converted into an existing printer command, and then the printer unit Are transferred to the printer control unit 21.

  In addition to commands for causing the printer unit to print an image based on data from the PC in this way, commands indicating various instructions are sent from the PC.

  When it is interpreted that a scan command has been sent from the PC, the image on the original is read by the reading unit 34, and image data corresponding to the image is generated and stored in the buffer memory 38.

  If it is interpreted that an upload command has been sent from the PC, the data stored in the buffer memory 38 (image data from the reading unit 34, data received by facsimile communication via the telephone line network 44, etc.) are The data is transferred to the PC via the F controller 37.

When it is interpreted that a monitor command is sent from the PC, the state of each part of the facsimile apparatus 1 is notified to the PC via the I / F controller 37.
Details of these operations will be described later.

  In addition to these, various commands are sent from the PC, such as sending data from the PC to a destination designated by the PC via the telephone line network 44, and the facsimile apparatus 1 operates based on the command. However, the description here is omitted.

  Further, the facsimile machine 1 can operate in the same manner as an existing stand-alone facsimile machine even if there is no instruction from the PC or it is not connected to the PC.

  That is, the image on the original is read by the reading unit 34 based on an instruction from the operation panel by the operation of the operator of the facsimile apparatus 1, and binary image data corresponding to the image is modulated by the MODEM 35 through the telephone line network 44. An image based on the image data which is transmitted from the operation panel to a designated destination by facsimile, received via the telephone line network 44, demodulated by the MODEM 35, and converted to the resolution used when the fax control unit 11 prints it by the printer unit. Can be recorded and output on the recording paper by the printer unit, or an image based on the image data from the reading unit 34 can be recorded and output on the recording paper by the printer unit based on a copy instruction from the operation panel by the operator's operation. It is.

  If communication with the PC is possible, the image data obtained by reading the image on the document by the reading unit 34 in accordance with an instruction from the application software for the facsimile apparatus 1 installed in the PC is stored in the buffer memory 38. And once uploaded to a PC via the I / F controller 37, encoded for faxing with an application on the PC, downloaded via the I / F controller 37 and stored again in the buffer memory 38, It is also possible to perform an operation such that the data is sequentially modulated by the MODEM 35 and transmitted to the destination designated by the application software on the PC via the telephone line network 44. The encoding may be performed by the fax control unit 11.

Next, a PC connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the PC 100. The PC 100 is composed of the following.
Reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU for controlling the operation of the entire PC 100.
Reference numeral 102 denotes a volatile RAM for executing an operating system or a user program and using it as a work area.
Reference numeral 103 denotes a ROM that stores a boot program of the PC 100 and the like.
A nonvolatile storage unit 104 holds system data, communication image data, read image data, recorded image data, setting data, various programs, and the like of the PC 100. The setting data area is a non-volatile area for storing a communication mode such as a communication speed of the facsimile apparatus 1, a reading mode such as a reading resolution, a recording mode such as a recording resolution, and the like.
Reference numeral 105 denotes an external interface unit for transmitting and receiving information such as setting data between the facsimile machine 1 and the PC 100.
Reference numeral 106 denotes an operation unit such as a keyboard or a mouse that gives an instruction to the PC 100 by an operator.
Reference numeral 107 denotes a display unit such as a CRT on which the PC 100 displays a list of installation data or displays a setting data editing screen.
A CPU bus 108 connects various components of the PC 100 to each other.
An information transfer interface 109 connects the facsimile apparatus 1 and the PC 100.

Next, the software module configuration installed in the PC 100 will be described.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the module configuration of the PC 100.

  Reference numeral 200 denotes a document creation application for the user to create a document or the like. Usually, a document creation application is installed on an OS (operating system) for controlling basic operations of the PC 100, and a user creates, edits, saves, and prints a document using an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. Can do.

  A printer data generation driver 201 generates a print data including a printer command by converting a document created by the document creation application 200 into a data format that can be analyzed and printed by the printer unit in the facsimile apparatus 1. Normally, this printer data generation driver is specially designed so that the print unit in the facsimile apparatus 1 can normally analyze the data. However, in this embodiment, the printer data generation driver is for an existing printer (equivalent to the printer unit of the facsimile apparatus 1). The printer driver can also be used.

  A command conversion driver 202 includes print data generated by the printer data generation driver 201 and converts the print data into a data format that can be analyzed by the fax unit in the facsimile apparatus 1. This command conversion driver is specially designed so that the fax unit in the facsimile apparatus 1 can normally analyze the data.

  A data transfer driver 203 performs exclusive control with other jobs when the data converted by the command conversion driver 202 is transferred to the facsimile apparatus 1. When a print job is generated by the document creation application 200 according to a print instruction, and a job such as a status acquisition job, a scan job, and a FAX transmission job is already executed, a combination that can be operated simultaneously, for example, print and scan In the case of printing and FAX transmission, a simultaneous job is attempted and a print job is executed. If it is a combination that cannot be simultaneously processed, for example, printing and printing, printing and FAX received image recording, the print job is set in a temporary standby state, and the print job is restarted when another job is completed. The data transfer driver performs exclusive control of this job.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes an external interface that transmits / receives data to / from the facsimile apparatus 1 using a predetermined protocol. This physical external interface may be any of serial transfer, parallel transfer, network transfer, and wireless transfer.

  Next, a flow of data processing when document data created by the PC device 100 is printed by the facsimile device 100 will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of data processing on the PC 100 side in this case. This flowchart is a flow of processing controlled by the CPU 101 based on a program stored in the storage unit 104 or the like including the module group shown in FIG.

  In step S51, the user gives a print instruction to the document file created by the document creation application 200 or the like of the PC 100 using the keyboard or mouse of the operation unit 106.

  In step S52, the printer data generation driver 201 generates data that can be analyzed and printed by the printer unit in the facsimile apparatus 1 for the document file for which printing has been instructed, and stores the data in the temporary storage area RAM 102 or the storage unit 104.

  In step S53, the print data generated in step S52 and stored in the temporary storage area is processed, converted into a data format that can be analyzed by the fax unit in the facsimile apparatus 1, and again stored in the temporary storage area RAM 102 or the storage unit 104. Remember. The processing at this time may be simply adding a header command to the print data, adding a footer command, or performing compression processing or conversion processing on the print data itself.

  In step S54, the data transfer driver 203 determines whether or not data can be transmitted to the fax machine 1 while performing exclusive control with other jobs. If the data can be transmitted, proceed to the next step. If the data cannot be transmitted, the process returns to S54 and the determination is repeated.

  In step S55, the data converted in step S53 and stored in the temporary storage area is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 1 using the external interface 204.

  Next, processing on the facsimile apparatus 1 side when printing data from the PC 100 by the printer unit will be briefly described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the facsimile apparatus 1 for explaining the data flow path in this case.

  When the fax control unit 11 receives a command from the PC via the I / F controller 37, the fax control unit 11 interprets the command. If a recording instruction command is included, the fax control unit 11 issues an instruction via the I / F controller 39. The controller 66 is activated to activate the printer unit. At the same time, the data sent from the PC 100 via the I / F controller 37 is stored in the buffer memory 38. Then, the part for the facsimile control unit 11 is removed or processed from the data including the recording instruction received from the PC 100 (data created as shown in FIG. 4), and converted (restored) into a format interpretable by the printer control unit 21. The data is transferred to the printer unit and printed according to the command generated by the printer data creation driver.

  That is, the facsimile control unit 11 removes the data added for the facsimile control unit 11 or restores the processed data to the original (the format output from the printer data generation driver 201) as existing print data. This is passed to the printer unit.

  In this way, the printer unit only needs to operate as if it is printing data sent directly from the PC 100 like an existing printer.

  In this case, the general flow of data in the facsimile machine 1 is as shown by the arrows shown in the block diagram of FIG.

  Next, the flow of data processing between the PC 100 and the facsimile apparatus 1 and the processing flow of the fax unit based on an instruction from the PC 100 will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  These flowcharts show the flow of processing controlled by the fax control unit 11 based on the control program stored in the fax ROM 12, and the control program is divided into various tasks. Data from the printer control unit 22 is received from the printer unit based on a control program stored in the printer ROM 22. Then, application software for transferring fax unit command data including an existing printer unit driver from the PC 100 to the facsimile apparatus 1 and performing various processes for the facsimile apparatus 1 is installed. It receives data and passes data to this application software.

  FIG. 6 shows a monitor task for notifying the PC of the state of the facsimile apparatus 1. When a monitor command is received from the PC 100 via the I / F controller 37 in step S101, the current state (standby state) is received in step S102. The printer unit notifies the PC 100 as a response to the command via the I / F controller 37 that the printer unit is recording, reading the document by the reading unit 34, receiving a fax, and the like. This operation is repeated at predetermined intervals, and the PC 100 side gives instructions (commands) for executing various tasks to the facsimile apparatus 1 while monitoring the status of the facsimile apparatus 1. Further, the status information to be notified to the PC 100 is set by changing the status flag status provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 33 based on the notification from each task and the investigation of the status of each unit. It is notified by reading with the monitor command.

  FIG. 7 shows a command task for receiving a command for operating each part of the facsimile apparatus 1 in response to an instruction from the PC 100. Here, three operations of scanning, uploading, and recording will be described.

When a command from the PC 100 is received in step S201, the contents of the command are analyzed.
As a result of this analysis, if it is determined in step S202 that the scan command is for causing the reading unit 34 to read the document, the process proceeds to step S203, and a scan task described later is started.

  If it is determined in step S204 that the data is the upload command for transferring the data stored in the buffer memory 38 of the facsimile apparatus 1 to the PC 100, the process proceeds to step S205, and an upload control task described later is started.

  If it is determined in step S206 that the data from the PC 100 is a recording command for recording processing by the printer unit of the facsimile apparatus 1, the process proceeds to step S207, and a recording control task described later is started.

  If it is determined in step S208 that the original is read by the reading unit 34 and it is a transmission command for FAX transmission to the designated destination, the process proceeds to step S209, and a transmission task described later is activated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, each task can accept an instruction for another process even after accepting a certain process, and can start the task.

  FIG. 8 shows a recording control task for receiving a recording instruction from the PC 100 and controlling data exchange between the printer unit and the PC.

  When the recording control task based on the recording instruction command is activated in S206, the printer unit is initialized in step S301 to prepare for recording. In step S302, data from the PC 100 is transferred to the printer unit, and a recording task to be described later is started to perform recording processing.

  In step S303, image data to be printed (data format handled by the facsimile control unit 11) is received from the PC 100 via the I / F controller 37, and stored in the buffer memory 38 in step S304. The processes in steps S303 to S305 are repeated until it is determined in step S305 that the data has ended.

  If it is determined in step S305 that the image data to be printed has ended, the process waits for the end of the recording task (end of recording operation) in step S306. If it is determined that the recording task has ended, a status flag indicating the end of recording of an image in a predetermined area on the RAM 33 is set in step S307. Thereby, the end of recording is notified to the PC 100 side by the monitor task shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows a recording task for transferring the image data to be recorded stored in the buffer memory 38 of the facsimile apparatus 1 to the printer unit and executing processing for recording output.

  When a recording task activation instruction is received in S302 and the recording task is activated, it is determined in step S401 whether image data to be transferred to the printer unit is stored in the buffer memory 38 or not. If there is image data to be transferred, it is checked in step S402 whether the image data to be recorded can be transferred to the printer unit and whether the printer unit can accept the image data to be recorded. Specifically, the busy signal of the I / F signal line 43 is observed, and if not busy, the process proceeds to step S403, the unique information for the facsimile control unit 11 is removed from the image data to be recorded in the buffer memory 38, and the printer After conversion to recording image data for the control unit 21, the image data is transferred to the printer unit by the I / F controller 39 in step S404.

  Until the end of the image data to be transferred is determined in step S405, the processing of S401 to 405 is repeated to transfer the image data to the printer unit. Under the control of the printer control unit 21, the printer unit operates as if it has received data from an existing printer driver including image data in a format corresponding to the recording head 65 directly from the PC 100, and an image based on the image data is placed on the recording paper. Record output. When the recording task processing is completed, the recording control task is notified.

  FIG. 10 shows a scan task for reading an image of a document by the reading unit 34 of the fax unit based on an instruction from the PC 100.

  When the scan task based on the scan command is activated in S203, conveyance of the original set on the reading unit 34 is started in step S501, and reading of an image on the original is started. When one line is read in step S502, the signal output from the reading sensor in step S503 is A / D converted for each pixel, and multi-value or binary digital data per pixel is designated according to the designation from the PC. To do. In step S504, the data is stored in the buffer memory 38. The processes in steps S502 to S505 are repeated until the reading process for one page or a predetermined reading range is completed. If it is determined in step S505 that the reading process has been completed, a status flag is set in step S506 to indicate the end of document reading in a predetermined area of the RAM 33. Thereby, the end of reading is notified to the PC 100 side by the monitor task shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows a case where there is data to be uploaded to the PC 100 stored in the buffer memory 38 (image data obtained from the reading unit 34 by the scan task, facsimile image data received from the telephone line network 44, etc.) and uploaded to the PC 100. An upload control task for showing.

  When the upload control task based on the upload command is activated in step S205, it is determined in step S601 whether there is data to be uploaded to the PC 100 in the buffer memory 38, and if there is, the number of bytes designated from the PC 100 side in step S602. Data is transferred via the I / F controller 37. In step S603, the end of the data to be uploaded is determined, and when completed, a status flag indicating the end of transfer of the upload data in the predetermined area of the RAM 33 is set in step S604. Thereby, the end of data upload is notified to the PC by the monitor task shown in FIG. If the data transfer is not completed, the process returns to S601 and repeats the processes of S601 to 605. When the designated number of bytes have been transferred from the PC 100 side, the upload control task is temporarily ended until the next upload instruction is received.

  FIG. 12 shows a transmission control task for executing processing for FAX transmission of the image data to be transmitted stored in the buffer memory 38 of the facsimile apparatus 1 to the designated destination via the MODEM 35 or the like.

  In step S701, the facsimile apparatus 1 receives destination information (telephone number or the like) of the other party to be faxed from the PC 100. At that time, information such as the size and resolution of the data to be transmitted received from the next step is also received.

  In step S702, image data to be faxed is received from the PC 100 via the I / F controller 37, and stored in the buffer memory 38 in step S703. The processing in steps S702 to S704 is repeated until it is determined in step S704 that the data has ended.

  If the data is received until the end of data, in step S705, the line status of the NCU 36 is confirmed to determine whether busy. If the line is busy, the transmission control is set to a temporary standby state and waits until the line is not busy. If the line is not busy, go to the next step.

In step S706, the MODEM 35 and the NCU 36, which are communication units, are initialized in preparation for FAX transmission.
In step S707, a line is used to the destination of the FAX transmission received in step S701, and a call is made to the destination.

In step S708, the image data stored in the buffer memory 38 is fax-transmitted via the telephone line network 44 to the FAX transmission partner with which the call is established.
If it is determined in step S709 that FAX transmission has ended, the call is disconnected.
In step S710, a status flag indicating the end of reading / transmission of a predetermined area of the RAM 33 is set. Thereby, the end of transmission is notified to the PC 100 side by the monitor task shown in FIG.

  According to the control flow as described above, data is exchanged between the PC and the facsimile machine 1, and data print processing from the PC and multitask processing therewith are performed.

  With this configuration, the fax control unit 11 retains the main control right (leading right) even when data from the PC 100 is recorded by the facsimile apparatus 1 using an existing printer (from the fax control unit 11). Print data can be sent to the printer unit (by instruction), and the fax control unit 11 can grasp the status of the printer unit via the I / F controller 39. Further, it is not necessary to provide a special switch between the fax unit and the printer unit for switching the I / F signal according to the operation mode, and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, since the facsimile control unit 11 can perform various operations while having the main control right, while the data from the PC 100 is downloaded and the print processing is performed, another operation can be performed from the PC. Since commands for the facsimile control unit 11 (for example, uploading of data from the reading unit 34 of the facsimile apparatus 1) can be received, parallel processing by alternately performing time-division processing by multitask processing causes the buffer memory 38 to be processed. Easy to use.

  In the above embodiments, the ink jet system is used as the printer unit. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any printer may be used as long as it conforms to the interface for PC peripheral devices and can receive and print data based on this interface. It goes without saying that other recording methods such as a laser beam method may be used.

  In the above description, an example in which an existing printer is used for a facsimile apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, an existing scanner for a PC (having a scanner control unit) is assumed to be a reading unit of a facsimile apparatus, a reading command is acquired from the PC from an existing scanner driver, and it is used for a fax control unit. The command is added to the facsimile apparatus side, and the facsimile control unit of the facsimile apparatus removes the unique part for the facsimile control unit and passes it to the scanner. Then, information including image data obtained by the scanner reading the image on the original is added to the application information on the PC on the fax control unit side and transferred to the PC.

  By doing in this way, the same effect as the above-mentioned printer can be acquired with the system which diverted the existing scanner.

  The device connected to the PC does not need to be a facsimile machine, and can be applied to a copying machine and other various systems as long as the system uses existing peripheral devices.

  Further, it goes without saying that a combination with a method of transferring data based on an existing printer driver as it is to the facsimile apparatus side by switching by a predetermined method as described in FIG.

  The present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, a facsimile unit, etc.), but from a single device (for example, a copier or a facsimile apparatus that can be connected to a PC). You may apply to the apparatus which becomes.

  In addition, in order to operate various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is stored in an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system. What is implemented by operating various devices in accordance with a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus supplied is also included in the scope of the present invention.

  In this case, the software program code itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a storage storing the program code The medium constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code is running on the computer, or other application software, etc. It goes without saying that the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the program.

  Further, the supplied program code is stored in the memory provided in the function expansion board of the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, and then the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of PC which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a module block diagram which shows schematic structure of the module installed in PC which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure which shows the outline of the flow of the data processing of the PC apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data flow at the time of printing the data from PC in the example of embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a monitor task for notifying a PC of a state of a facsimile apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the command task for receiving the operation instruction command from PC. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a recording control task showing processing when receiving print data based on a recording instruction from a PC. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a recording task showing processing when data is transferred from a PC to a printer unit and printed. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a scan task for scanning and reading an image on a document set on a reading unit based on an instruction from a PC. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the upload control task for transferring the data accumulate | stored in the facsimile apparatus to PC. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the transmission control task which transmits the transmission object data from PC to the designated other party based on the instruction | indication from PC. It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration for demonstrating the conventional processing method.

Explanation of symbols

1 Fax machine 11 Fax controller 12 Fax ROM
21 Printer Control Unit 22 Printer ROM
33 RAM (fax part)
34 Reading unit 35 MODEM
36 NCU
37 I / F controller (peripheral)
38 Buffer memory 39 I / F controller (host)
40 System bus (fax)
41 Connector (I / F for PC)
42 Connector (for telephone network)
43 I / F signal line (fax section-printer section)
44 Telephone network 45 Cable (PC I / F)
63 RAM (printer section)
64 recording control unit 65 recording head 66 I / F controller (printer unit)
67 System bus (fax part)
101 CPU
102 RAM (PC)
103 ROM
104 Storage Unit 105 External Interface Unit 106 Operation Unit 107 Display Unit 108 CPU Bus 109 Information Transfer Interface

Claims (6)

First peripheral means for connecting to a peripheral device driver for controlling a predetermined peripheral device and an information processing terminal having an application for executing processing different from that of the peripheral device driver, and controlled by the peripheral device driver In a data processing apparatus having a second connection means for connecting with possible peripheral devices,
Receiving means for receiving an instruction sent from the information processing apparatus via the first connection means;
Conversion means for removing the data generated by the application from the instruction received by the receiving means, including the data generated by the peripheral device driver and the data generated by the application;
A data processing apparatus comprising: processing means for operating a peripheral device connected via the second connection means according to an instruction from which data generated by the application is removed by the conversion means.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a printer that prints an image, and the peripheral device is a printer driver.   The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner that reads an image on a document, and the peripheral device is a scanner driver.   4. The data according to claim 3, further comprising means for adding information to be processed by the application to image data obtained by reading a document by the scanner and transferring the information via the second connection means. Processing equipment. First peripheral means for connecting to a peripheral device driver for controlling a predetermined peripheral device and an information processing terminal having an application for executing processing different from that of the peripheral device driver, and controlled by the peripheral device driver In a control method of a data processing apparatus having a second connection means for connecting to a possible peripheral device,
An accepting step of accepting an instruction sent from the information processing apparatus via the first connecting means;
A conversion step of removing the data generated by the application from the instruction received in the reception step and including the data generated by the peripheral device driver and the data generated by the application;
And a processing step of operating a peripheral device connected via the second connection means according to an instruction from which the data generated by the application has been removed in the conversion step. . First peripheral means for connecting to a peripheral device driver for controlling a predetermined peripheral device and an information processing terminal having an application for executing processing different from that of the peripheral device driver, and controlled by the peripheral device driver A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling a data processing apparatus having a second connection means for connecting to a possible peripheral device,
The program is
An accepting step of accepting an instruction sent from the information processing apparatus via the first connecting means;
A conversion step of removing the data generated by the application from the instruction received in the reception step and including the data generated by the peripheral device driver and the data generated by the application;
And a processing step of operating a peripheral device connected via the second connection means in accordance with an instruction from which the data generated by the application has been removed in the conversion step.

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