JP4532810B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing apparatus control method, program, and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having, for example, a scanner, a printer, a network interface, a user interface, a file system, a control method for the image processing apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A multifunction product (MFP) that combines various image input / output functions based on a copier, a fax machine, a printer, and the like achieves a wide variety of image processing functions by an embedded application incorporated in the system of the apparatus.
[0003]
On the other hand, a user who uses a function is specified by inputting a department ID code or inserting an ID card. Or you can display several keys on the operation screen of the function, register the operation parameter settings for each key, and select the mode memory or one-touch so that you can call up the settings you want to use frequently for each user by pressing the key once. Some functions provide keys.
[0004]
There has also been proposed a device whose function can be expanded by adding an embedded application.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional example has the following problems. In other words, the function of the MFP can be expanded by providing a built-in application addition mechanism. However, when a wide variety of built-in applications are added, the application that the user wants to start from a large number of built-in one MFP is selected. Selection may be difficult. Therefore, since not all users need all applications, it is easy to select an application if it is configured to display application options registered by the user for each user who operates the device. Since the information is closed inside one MFP, in the environment where the user uses a plurality of MFPs connected to the network, the above information must be individually registered in a large number of MFPs. There was no other choice but to force operation.
[0006]
Similarly, when various types of embedded applications are incorporated, it is desirable to be able to register operation parameters reflecting the user's preferences for each of a large number incorporated in one MFP. However, in an environment where a user uses a plurality of MFPs connected to a network, the above information must be individually registered in a large number of MFPs, forcing the user to perform complicated operations.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. In an image processing apparatus that is connected to and used in a network environment and adds functions by an embedded application, the application is set for each user and set for each user. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible to easily register an operation parameter setting of the application for another image processing apparatus simply by registering it for one image processing apparatus.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, a user specifying means for specifying a user who executes the embedded application, and the plurality of embedded applications Storage means for storing information indicating a correspondence between at least one embedded application among the applications and the user, and the user specifying means specified by the user specifying means among the plurality of embedded applications based on the information stored in the storage means Information relating to the correspondence between the embedded application and the user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network and display means for displaying the embedded application corresponding to the user in an identifiable manner is displayed in the other image processing apparatus. Recipients requesting and receiving And updating the information stored in the storage means to synchronize the information stored in the storage means and the information stored in the other image processing device based on the information received by the receiving means. And updating means for performing the processing.
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, wherein at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications and a user. The storage means for storing information indicating correspondence, the update means for updating the information stored in the storage means in accordance with an instruction from the user, and the information stored in the storage means being updated by the update means Accordingly, in order to update the information indicating the correspondence between the embedded application and the user stored in the other image processing apparatus connected via the network so as to be synchronized with the information stored in the storage unit, Notification means for notifying other image processing apparatus of information related to the contents of update by the update means Characterized by comprising a.
The image processing apparatus control method of the present invention is an image processing apparatus control method capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, and a user who specifies a user who executes the embedded application. Based on a specific procedure, a storage procedure for storing information indicating a correspondence between at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications and a user, and the information stored in the storage device, the plurality of embedded applications A display procedure for displaying an embedded application corresponding to the user specified in the user specifying procedure among the applications in an identifiable manner, and an embedded application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network. Other image processing information about correspondence In order to synchronize the information stored in the storage device and the information stored in the other image processing device based on the information received and received in the reception procedure And an update procedure for updating information stored in the storage device.
The image processing apparatus control method according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus control method capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, wherein at least one of the plurality of embedded applications. A storage procedure for storing information indicating the correspondence between the embedded application and the user in the storage device, an update procedure for updating the information stored in the storage device in accordance with an instruction from the user, and a storage procedure stored in the storage device The information indicating the correspondence between the embedded application and the user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via the network in response to the updated information is synchronized with the information stored in the storage device In order to update the content of the update procedure in the update procedure, And having a notification procedure for notifying that information.
The program of the present invention is a program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, and a user specifying process for specifying a user who executes the embedded application A storage process for storing information indicating a correspondence between at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications and a user in the storage device, and a plurality of embedded applications based on the information stored in the storage device. Of these, display processing for displaying an embedded application corresponding to the user specified in the user specifying processing in an identifiable manner, and correspondence between the embedded application and the user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network Information about other images In order to synchronize the information stored in the storage device and the information stored in the other image processing device based on the reception processing requested and received from the processing device and the information received in the reception processing. And causing the computer to execute an update process for updating the information stored in the storage device.
The program of the present invention is a program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications, and at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications. Stored in the storage device in a storage process for storing information indicating the correspondence between the user and the user, an update process for updating information stored in the storage apparatus in accordance with an instruction from the user, and the update process Information indicating the correspondence between a built-in application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network in response to the information being updated is synchronized with the information stored in the storage device Update contents in the update process for the other image processing apparatus to update Characterized in that to execute the notification process for notifying the information about the computer.
A computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention stores the program described above.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system according to the present embodiment. A network 1101 is a network that provides a logical communication circuit between a plurality of image processing apparatuses and information processing apparatuses.
[0012]
The image processing device 1201 is an image processing device whose function can be expanded by adding an embedded application. The preference 13 is information unique to each user stored in the image processing apparatus 1201, and includes a program related to an embedded application used during operation of the image processing apparatus 1201 and data handled by the program.
[0013]
The image processing device 1202 is another image processing device configured in the same manner as the image processing device 1201, and can communicate with the image processing device 1201 via the network 1101. The preference 14 is information unique to each user stored in the image processing apparatus 1202, and includes a program related to an embedded application used during operation of the image processing apparatus 1202 and data handled by the program.
[0014]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the image processing apparatus 1201. As shown in the figure, the image input / output control unit 3 connected to the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 includes a facsimile unit 4, a storage unit 5, a computer interface unit 7, a RIP (raster image).
processor) unit 8, operation unit 9, and core unit 10.
[0015]
The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet.
[0016]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and transmits the image data transferred from the core unit 10 via the telephone line. Is. Image data to be transmitted and received can be temporarily stored in the hard disk 6 connected to the storage unit 5.
[0017]
The storage unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and stores it in the hard disk 6 together with an ID number for retrieving the image data. The storage unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the hard disk 6 based on the code data transferred via the core unit 10 and transfers the searched compressed image data to the core unit 10. is there.
[0018]
The computer interface unit 7 is an interface between the network 1101 and the core unit 10 and exchanges data with client computers and other devices.
[0019]
The RIP unit 8 develops code data (PDL) representing an image transferred from the network 1101 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows an example of specific structures of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2. First, the reader unit 1 will be described. The document feeder 101 feeds documents one by one to the platen glass 102 in order from the top, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the document reading operation is completed. When the original is fed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started to expose and scan the original. The reflected light from the original at this time is guided to the CCD image sensor 109 by the mirrors 105, 106, 107 and the lens 108. Thus, the scanned image of the document is read by the CCD image sensor 109. Image data output from the CCD image sensor 109 is transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing.
[0021]
Next, the printer unit 2 will be described. The laser driver 221 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3. Laser light from the laser emitting unit 201 is scanned on the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer (toner) is attached to the latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser beam irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. . The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is transferred to the fixing unit 207, and the toner image on the recording paper is fixed by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the finisher 220 bundles the discharged recording sheets and sorts the recording sheets, or staples the sorted recording sheets.
[0022]
When double-sided recording is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 208, the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed, and the recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path 210 by the flapper 209 is The paper is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0023]
FIG. 4 shows an appearance of the operation unit 9 of the image processing apparatus 1201 shown in FIG. Reference numeral 2602 denotes a panel on which a liquid crystal display 2601 with a touch panel and a plurality of hard keys are arranged. Reference numeral 2603 denotes an LED (light emitting diode) display unit for displaying a state. Reference numeral 2604 denotes a screen contrast adjustment dial for adjusting the screen contrast.
[0024]
In addition, the operation unit 9 includes a buzzer (not shown). The button image displayed on the liquid crystal display 2601 functions as a software key in conjunction with the input coordinate calculation of the touch panel. An operation instruction to the image processing apparatus and an operation setting are performed by a user interface.
[0025]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration of the image processing apparatus 1201 core unit 10 shown in FIG. The core unit 10 includes interfaces 120 and 122, a data processing unit 122, a CPU 123, and a memory 124.
[0026]
Image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 122. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing, and compression and decompression of image data, and has a page memory that can store image data equivalent to A4 / Letter size for a plurality of pages. Have.
[0027]
The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 is temporarily stored in the page memory, and then compressed and transferred to the storage unit 5 via the interface 120.
[0028]
Code data (PDL) representing an image input via the computer interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 via the interface 120, temporarily stored in the page memory, and then compressed and stored. Transferred to the unit 5.
[0029]
The image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, temporarily stored in the page memory, and then compressed and transferred to the storage unit 5.
[0030]
Image data from the storage unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, decompressed, temporarily stored in the page memory, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and computer interface unit 7. The storage unit 5 can input and output image data and non-image data via the computer interface unit 7 and can provide a data storage function to an external device.
[0031]
In addition, after inputting various image data to the data processing unit 121 described above and temporarily storing it in the page memory, before transferring the image data to the storage unit 5, the printer unit 2, the facsimile unit 4, and the computer interface unit 7. Can be transferred by switching the internal selector.
[0032]
The CPU 123 performs such control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the operation unit 9. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123.
[0033]
As described above, functions such as reading of a document image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, input / output of data from a computer, etc. through the data processing unit 121 and the storage unit 5 centering on the core unit Can be combined.
[0034]
Next, job control in the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. 6 that logically shows job control units. The unit of job control is input and output processing for a group of image data including a plurality of pages. The jobs to be controlled are roughly divided into input jobs and output jobs.
[0035]
The input job includes an image input job 411 for sequentially recording image data read by the reader unit 1 to the storage unit 5, an image input job 412 for sequentially recording image data developed by the RIP unit 8 to the storage unit 5, and a facsimile. An image input job 413 for sequentially recording image data received by the unit 4 to the storage unit 5 and a data input job 414 for sequentially recording image data or non-image data input from the computer interface unit 7 to the storage unit 5. being classified.
[0036]
The output job includes an image output job 401 that sequentially outputs image data read from the storage unit to the printer unit 2, an image output job 403 that sequentially outputs image data read from the storage unit 5 to the facsimile unit 4, and the storage unit 5. The image data or the non-image data read from the image data is classified into a data output job 404 that is output to the computer interface unit 7 in accordance with the image data.
[0037]
The core unit 10 can realize various image input / output functions such as a copy function, a transmission function, a reception function, and a box function by freely combining the above unit jobs.
[0038]
FIG. 7 is a software hierarchy diagram conceptually showing the hierarchical relationship of software module groups operating on the CPU 123 of the core unit 10. In the figure, the module located at the upper level calls and uses the service of the module located at the lower level.
[0039]
The RTOS 701 is a real-time operating system, and is a software module that schedules various resources used by a software module group such as a CPU and a memory, and provides an operating environment for operating other software module groups operating on the resources. .
[0040]
Reference numerals 721, 722, 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, and 729 are device driver groups that are incorporated in the RTOS 701 and provide an algorithm and a data structure for performing device control within the framework. The printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, storage unit 5, hard disk unit 6, computer interface unit 7, RIP unit 8, and operation unit 9 are controlled.
[0041]
The job / device controller 702 is a software module that controls devices by the above-described device driver group and controls various image input / output jobs.
[0042]
The controller API 703 provides a software interface for making it possible to use control functions for jobs and devices executed by the job / device controller 702 from software modules in an application layer located in a higher layer.
[0043]
The native application framework 704 is a framework that provides a framework in which a native application group operates, and has three functions as follows. In other words, the first function is to prevent arbitration and contention for requests to the controller API 703 issued by individual native applications. The second function is that the user interface mechanism such as the screen display and key input of the operation unit 9 is selectively switched to connect to and adjusted by each component group included in the framework. It is to provide a user interface environment that can be virtually occupied for each application group. The third function is to provide an environment in which application groups can be easily localized by combining the changed parts of each application, which varies depending on the destination of the product, and is changed to cope with regionalization.
[0044]
Reference numerals 705 to 708 denote a native application group which is incorporated in the native application framework 704 and is called from the 704 to provide an algorithm and a data structure for realizing various functions. A copy 705 realizes a copy function for printing a copy of image data obtained by reading a document on paper. A transmission 706 provides a transmission function for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document to one or more destinations using various data transfer protocols. A box 707 provides an image database function for accumulating image data input from various image inputs in the storage 5, retrieving image data stored in the storage unit 5, and outputting the image data to various image outputs. The other application 708 is another application group that operates in the native application framework 704. For example, a reception function that manages an image input job group that receives image data asynchronously from various image inputs such as a communication line and a computer interface. There are applications that provide
[0045]
A JVM 709 located on the other side of the RTOS 701 is a known Java® interpreter environment. The Java (R) interpreter environment consists of a set of Java (R) virtual machines and a group of class libraries, and provides an operating environment for software modules written in the Java (R) language that operate on the Java (R) virtual machine. The Java (R) interpreter environment can dynamically read an intermediate representation of an interpreter instruction sequence called a bytecode generated as a result of compiling a program written in the Java (R) language at the time of execution. A Java® interpreter called a Java® virtual machine interprets and executes each read byte code sequentially. The Java (R) byte code is similar to the machine language of a known stack machine type processor, and the Java (R) interpreter operates in the same manner as a stack machine type CPU.
[0046]
Reference numerals 710, 712, and 713 denote a class library group that constitutes a Java® interpreter environment. The controller API 710 is a class library in which the controller API 703 is wrapped so that it can be used from an application group described in Java (R).
[0047]
The connection of JNI 711 indicates communication between the controller API 703 for an application described in a native machine instruction and the controller API 710 for an application described in Java (R), and is a known Java (R) Native It is realized by Interface (JNI). The UI API 712 is a class library used by an application written in Java (R) to interface with a user, and a software interface set such as known AWT or Swing is implemented so as to be compatible with the operation unit 9. Is. The other class library 713 includes a standard class library group defined as a standard in the Java® environment.
[0048]
The Java (R) application framework 714 is a framework that provides a framework for operating an application group described in Java (R), and has the following two functions. That is, the first function is to manage a plurality of Java (R) threads in order to run a plurality of Java (R) applications on the JVM 709 that is only operated on the real-time operating system 701, and to manage the Java (R). Allocating the execution context to the main method of the class that describes the application. The second function is Java that operates in parallel by selectively switching and connecting and adjusting user interface mechanisms such as screen display and key input of the operation unit 9 to each of the component groups included in the framework. (R) To provide a user interface environment that can be virtually occupied by each application group. The latter function cooperates with the second function of the native application framework via the arbitration function of the device driver of the operation unit 9.
[0049]
Applications 715, 716, and 717 are Java (R) application groups. In order to provide various additional functions to the image input / output device, additional installation can be performed dynamically in units of applications after the image input / output device is shipped.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a preference data structure for each user managed by the Java® application framework 714. A user list 801 is an entry point for searching for information for each user. Here, the user list 801 includes records for two people. Each record corresponding to each user includes UID, GID, and APPS values, and represents a user ID, a group ID, and a reference to a user application list, respectively.
[0051]
Reference numerals 802 and 803 denote user application lists of the respective users, which are subsets of system application groups incorporated in the system and describe application groups that the user may use. Each of the records corresponding to each application includes values of PREF, MTIME, and REF. References to application preference data, last update time of application preference data, references to corresponding application records in the system application list, Represents.
[0052]
Reference numerals 804 and 805 denote application preference data, which include operation parameter setting information of the corresponding embedded application according to the preference of the corresponding user.
[0053]
Reference numeral 806 denotes a system application list which describes all applications incorporated in the system. Each record corresponding to each application includes APPLICATION, #REF, and JAR values, and includes an application identifier, a reference counter, and a reference to an application archive file. #REF indicates the number of references in which each record is referenced from the user application list.
[0054]
Reference numeral 807 denotes application archive file data, which is an archive of class file groups describing algorithms and data structures for implementing applications.
[0055]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 2601 with a touch panel of the operation unit 9 and shows a user login screen. The user login screen is displayed to identify the user.
[0056]
Reference numeral 901 denotes a user name input field for inputting identification information uniquely assigned to each user. Reference numeral 902 denotes a password input field for inputting a password character string corresponding to the user name. In both fields, when a coordinate in the field is tapped, a soft keyboard is displayed on the screen (not shown) on the liquid crystal display, and an arbitrary character string can be input using the soft keyboard. The character string input in the password input field 902 is not displayed on the screen.
[0057]
When the OK button 903 is tapped after inputting a correct character string in the field of the user login screen, the user is specified, and the subsequent operations until the user logs out are treated as being executed by the user. When the Cancel button 904 is tapped, the user login screen is exited to return to the previously displayed screen, and subsequent operations are treated as being executed by the default guest user.
[0058]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 2601 with a touch panel of the operation unit 9 and shows an extended application startup screen. The extended application start screen is an operation screen for starting the added embedded application.
[0059]
Reference numerals 1001, 1002, and 1003 denote embedded application activation buttons. Even if there are many embedded applications registered in the system, the user operating this screen registers only three applications according to their preference, and the program for displaying the application startup screen is the data illustrated in FIG. This preference can be detected from the structure and a startup screen optimized for it can be displayed. For this reason, each button can be displayed in a large size, and an easy-to-use user interface for identifying an application is provided.
[0060]
Reference numeral 1004 denotes an application registration button which is tapped when the operating user registers the use of a new application. Reference numeral 1005 denotes an application deletion button which is tapped when the operating user deletes registration of the application. Reference numeral 1006 denotes an application preference edit button, which is tapped when the operating user changes the operation parameter setting of the application. Reference numeral 1007 denotes a synchronization button which is tapped to synchronize the preference data related to the user in operation included in the preference 13 of the image processing apparatus 1201 and the preference 14 of the other image processing apparatus 1202.
[0061]
Reference numeral 1008 denotes another image processing apparatus list editing button, which edits the setting of another image processing apparatus group that can be reached by the network 1101 and that is a partner apparatus for synchronization of preference data. Other image processing devices included in the list may be automatically discovered by writing a broadcast packet instructing a response request to the network 1101 and collecting the response, or manually registered by the user May be added and deleted. Automatic discovery and manual editing may be combined. Reference numeral 1009 denotes a return button. When the return button 1009 is tapped, the extended application activation screen is exited, and for example, the standard application screen as shown in FIG. 4 is restored.
[0062]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a data structure managed by the Java® application framework 714, and is a log that records a series of operations applied to profile data for each user in time series. Each record corresponding to each operation includes MTIME, OPERATION, and OPERAND values, and represents an operation time, an identifier that describes the type of operation, and an operation target. The operation add records an event in which an additional registration process of an application described in the operation target is performed. Operation remove records an event in which registration deletion processing of the application described in the operation target is performed. The operation modify records an event in which the operation parameter setting of the application described in the operation target is changed. The operation sync describes an event in which the synchronization processing of the user's preference data is performed with another image processing apparatus described as the operation target.
[0063]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing preference data synchronization processing performed when the synchronization button 1007 is tapped. The synchronization process is performed between two image processing apparatuses connected to the network. When the synchronization process is activated in one device, a TCP connection is established to a predetermined port of the other device. Thereafter, the same procedure is performed for both.
[0064]
That is, among the log data shown in FIG. 11, the logs after the synchronization process performed recently with the partner machine are exchanged with each other (step S1201). Next, one record is selected in time series from the received log of the partner machine (step S1202). The operation of the selected record is determined (step S1203). If the operation is other than modify, the process proceeds to step S1204. If the operation is modified, the process proceeds to step S1211.
[0065]
In step S1204, it is determined whether the operation of the selected record is “add” or “remove” (step S1204). If true, the process proceeds to step S1205, and if false, the process proceeds to step S1214.
[0066]
In step S1205, both the log received from the partner machine and the log held at the time are searched, and whether the operation add or remove of the selected record is the latest add or remove for the application described in the operand. Is determined (step S1205). If it is the latest registration or deletion processing for the application, the process proceeds to step S1206. If it is not the latest, the process proceeds to step S1214.
[0067]
In step S1206, it is determined whether the operation of the selected record is “add” (that is, whether it is “remove”) (step S1206). If it is “add”, the process proceeds to step S1207, and if it is “remove”, the process proceeds to step S1210.
[0068]
In step S1207, the system application list 806 is searched to determine whether the operand that is the target of the add operation of the selected record is effectively installed in the system (step S1207), and is effectively registered in the system. If there is no application, the process proceeds to step S1208, and if it is a registered application, the process proceeds to step S1209.
[0069]
In step S1208, an application archive acquisition request for the application is issued to the partner machine, the application archive file is downloaded and stored, and the system application list 806 is updated (step S1208).
[0070]
Next, the user application list 802 of the user is updated, the application is registered as an application used by the user, and a log is recorded (step S1209). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1214.
[0071]
On the other hand, in step S1210, if the application described as the operand of the remove operation of the selected record is included in the registration of the application used by the user, the user application list 802 of the user is updated and removed. A log is recorded (step S1210).
[0072]
On the other hand, in step S1211, both the log received from the partner machine and the log held at the time are searched, and whether or not the operation modify of the selected record is the latest modify for the application described in the operand. Is determined (step S1211). If it is the latest application preference update process for the application, the process proceeds to step S1212; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S1214.
[0073]
In step S1212, a request for obtaining application preference data 804 of the application is issued to the partner device, the application preference data is downloaded and stored (step S1212), and the user application list 802 of the user is updated and downloaded. The reference is referred to as a user-specific application operation parameter, and a log is recorded (step S1213).
[0074]
Next, the process proceeds to step S1214, and it is determined whether or not the time series scanning of the log received from the partner machine has been completed (step S1214). If completed, the process proceeds to step S1215, and if an unscanned log remains, step S1202 is performed. Return to and repeat the series of steps.
[0075]
In step S1215, the time-series points for which the synchronization processing with the counterpart device is performed are recorded in a log (step S1215), and the synchronization procedure is terminated.
[0076]
13 and 14 are conceptual diagrams illustrating the processing contents of the synchronization processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 13, (A) shows a log relating to a certain user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1201. (B) shows preference data relating to the same user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1201. (C) shows a log relating to the same user held by the Java® application framework of another image processing apparatus 1202. (D) shows preference data related to the same user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1202.
[0077]
FIG. 14 shows a state after applying the synchronization process to the state shown in FIG. In FIG. 14, (A) shows a log relating to a certain user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1201. (B) shows preference data relating to the same user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1201. (C) shows a log relating to the same user held by the Java® application framework of another image processing apparatus 1202. (D) shows preference data related to the same user held by the Java® application framework of the image processing apparatus 1202.
[0078]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in an image processing apparatus capable of adding and deleting a Java (R) application incorporated in the apparatus, a login screen for identifying the user is provided, and information on the embedded application is provided for each user. By distinguishing and storing and exchanging and synchronizing information with other devices via a network, user preference settings made by the user in a plurality of image processing devices are common to any image processing device used by the user. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can be used for the above.
[0079]
In FIG. 10, not only synchronization of preference data is performed when the synchronization button 1007 is tapped, but also user-related preference data such as addition or deletion of a user application list or change of application preference data is updated. It may be configured that the synchronization process is automatically performed at this time.
[0080]
Similarly, not only synchronization of preference data is performed when the synchronization button 1007 is tapped, but also a certain condition such as periodically by a timer or when the load on the image processing apparatus is light or the load on the network is light It may be configured to automatically perform the synchronization process when the condition is satisfied.
[0081]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a network configuration according to another embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1201, 1202, and 1203 denote image processing apparatuses. The NFS 1501 is a network file server, and provides a common storage area that is connected to the network and accessible by the image processing apparatus group via the network to realize file sharing among the image processing apparatuses.
[0082]
Reference numeral 15 denotes the preference data described with reference to FIG. 8, which is updated when a write access is performed from any of the image processing apparatuses 1201, 1202, and 1203, and each of the image processing apparatuses requires the preference data. When reading, this data is read.
[0083]
According to the present embodiment, each image processing apparatus exchanges preference data unique to each user with a common network file server, and operates a built-in application according to the preference data acquired from the network file server. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can commonly use user preference settings made by the user in any of the image processing apparatuses.
[0084]
(Other embodiments)
Software program for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment for an apparatus or a computer in the system connected to the various devices so as to operate the various devices to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. What was implemented by supplying the code and operating the various devices in accordance with a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0085]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself constitutes the present invention. As a transmission medium for the program code, a communication medium (wired line or wireless line such as an optical fiber) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave Etc.) can be used.
[0086]
Further, means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, a recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing the program code, for example, a flexible 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.
[0087]
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) or other application software in which the program code is running on the computer. Needless to say, 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 above.
[0088]
Further, after 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, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit based on the instruction of the program code Needless to say, the present invention also includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0089]
It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and these limit the technical scope of the present invention. It should not be interpreted. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus that is connected to and used in a network environment and adds functions by an embedded application, the application added for each user and the application set for each user The operation parameter setting and the like can be easily registered for another image processing apparatus simply by registering for one image processing apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a network system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1201.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a specific structure of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2;
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of an operation unit 9 of the image processing apparatus 1201. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus 1201 core unit 10;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining job control in the image processing apparatus.
7 is a software hierarchy diagram conceptually showing the hierarchical relationship of software module groups operating on the CPU 123 of the core unit 10. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of preferences for each user managed by the Java® application framework 714;
9 is a diagram showing an example of a login screen displayed on a liquid crystal display with a touch panel 2601 of the operation unit 9. FIG.
10 is a diagram showing an example of an extended application startup screen displayed on a liquid crystal display with a touch panel 2601 of the operation unit 9. FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data structure managed by a Java® application framework 714;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing preference data synchronization processing;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of preference data before application of synchronization processing;
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of preference data after application of synchronization processing;
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a network system according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image processing device
4 Facsimile Department
5 Storage department
7 Computer interface
8 RIP Department
9 Operation part
10 Core part
1101 and 1102 networks
1201 to 1203 Image processing apparatus
1501 Network file server

Claims (14)

An image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
A user identification means for identifying a user who executes an embedded application;
Storage means for storing information indicating correspondence between at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
Display means for displaying the embedded application corresponding to the user specified by the user specifying means among the plurality of embedded applications based on the information stored in the storage means;
Receiving means for requesting and receiving information relating to the correspondence between an embedded application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network to the other image processing apparatus;
An update for updating the information stored in the storage means so as to synchronize the information stored in the storage means and the information stored in the other image processing device based on the information received by the receiving means. And an image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the storage unit is information indicating an embedded application that may be used by each user among the plurality of embedded applications.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a start screen for starting an embedded application corresponding to the user specified by the user specifying unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further stores information indicating an operation parameter related to each of the plurality of embedded applications in association with a user. In response to an instruction from a user, the image processing apparatus further includes first requesting means for requesting information to be received by the receiving means from the other image processing apparatus,
5. The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives information transmitted from the other image processing apparatus in response to a request from the first request unit. apparatus. A second requesting unit for periodically requesting information to be received by the receiving unit from the other image processing apparatus;
The image processing according to claim 1, wherein the receiving unit receives information transmitted from the other image processing apparatus in response to a request from the second requesting unit. apparatus. The receiving unit receives update log information of information indicating correspondence between the embedded application and a user, which is stored in the other image processing apparatus;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update unit updates information stored in the storage unit based on the update log information. An image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
Storage means for storing information indicating correspondence between at least one embedded application among the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
Updating means for updating the information stored in the storage means in accordance with an instruction from the user;
In response to the information stored in the storage unit being updated by the update unit, information indicating a correspondence between a built-in application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network, In order to update to synchronize with the information stored in the storage means, the image further comprises a notification means for notifying the other image processing apparatus of information relating to the contents of the update by the update means. Processing equipment. Further comprising setting means for setting a partner device to be notified by the notification means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the notification unit performs the notification to the partner apparatus set by the setting unit. An image processing apparatus control method capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
A user identification procedure for identifying the user executing the embedded application;
A storage procedure for storing, in a storage device, information indicating a correspondence between at least one of the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
Based on the information stored in the storage device, a display procedure for displaying the embedded application corresponding to the user specified in the user specifying procedure among the plurality of embedded applications in an identifiable manner;
A reception procedure for requesting and receiving information relating to the correspondence between the embedded application and the user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via the network to the other image processing apparatus;
Update that updates information stored in the storage device based on the information received in the reception procedure in order to synchronize information stored in the storage device with information stored in the other image processing device A control method for an image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus control method capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
A storage procedure for storing, in a storage device, information indicating a correspondence between at least one of the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
An update procedure for updating information stored in the storage device according to an instruction from the user;
Information indicating a correspondence between a built-in application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network in response to the information stored in the storage device being updated in the update procedure, An image processing apparatus comprising: a notification procedure for notifying the other image processing apparatus of information relating to the contents of the update in the update procedure in order to update the information to be synchronized with information stored in the storage device Control method. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
A user identification process for identifying a user who executes an embedded application;
A storage process for storing, in a storage device, information indicating a correspondence between at least one of the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
Based on the information stored in the storage device, a display process for displaying the embedded application corresponding to the user specified in the user specifying process among the plurality of embedded applications in an identifiable manner;
A reception process for requesting and receiving information related to the correspondence between an embedded application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network to the other image processing apparatus;
An update that updates information stored in the storage device based on the information received in the reception process so that the information stored in the storage device and the information stored in the other image processing device are synchronized. A program that causes a computer to execute processing. A program for controlling an image processing apparatus capable of starting and executing one of a plurality of embedded applications,
A storage process for storing, in a storage device, information indicating a correspondence between at least one of the plurality of embedded applications and a user;
An update process for updating information stored in the storage device in accordance with an instruction from the user;
Information indicating a correspondence between a built-in application and a user stored in another image processing apparatus connected via a network in response to the information stored in the storage device being updated in the update process, In order to update to synchronize with the information stored in the storage device, the computer is caused to execute a notification process for notifying the other image processing apparatus of information regarding the contents of the update in the update process. program.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 12 or 13.

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