JP4859241B2 - Composite apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a composite apparatus, an information processing method, and a program .

  There is known a digital multi-function peripheral having an image reading unit such as a scanner and an image forming unit such as a printer and handling image information from the image reading unit as digital information. Such a digital multi-function peripheral has a function of connecting to a network in addition to a basic document copying function, and a print processing function for print data received via the network and image information read by an image reading unit. It has a function to transmit via a network. Among such digital multi-function peripherals, there is also a digital multi-function peripheral having a function of performing facsimile communication by connecting to a public telephone line.

  In addition, the above-described digital multi-function peripheral generally includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display having a certain degree of resolution, and a configuration that allows a user to execute application programs for using various functions. It has become.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a digital multi-function peripheral that can install a program received via a network and execute processing according to the program to improve and improve functions, add functions, and the like. Has been.

  Patent Document 2 discloses not only installing a program in a digital multifunction peripheral but also performing operations such as starting, stopping, and uninstalling the installed program via a network.

JP 2000-122853 A JP 2002-287990 A

  However, in the conventional technique, for example, when there are a plurality of applications that process digital image data obtained by scanning, the user repeats the same scanning operation every time the user wants to use all the applications. There was a need.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that, in an apparatus in which a plurality of applications are installed, the plurality of applications execute a common process in conjunction with each other.

In order to solve the above problems, the present onset Ming has a printing unit and a scanning unit, and a composite apparatus for managing an application, the application can be accepted job type, and in conjunction with the application the definition file that defines the processable applications, and storage means for storing for each application that manages a generation detecting means for detecting that the copy job or any one job scan job, is generated and Search means for searching for a definition file capable of accepting the detected job from definition files stored in the storage means based on job type information of the job detected by the generation detection means; and the search Based on the definition file searched by means, the application corresponding to the definition file is Displayed on the presentation screen as an available application, and further, a display means for displaying on the presentation screen a connected application that can be connected and processed after processing of the application selected on the presentation screen is displayed on the display means and characterized in that it has, and activation means for activating the connecting application selected by said presentation screen to start the selected application, the selected application is to process continues to jobs processed by the presentation screen To do.

  According to the present invention, in a device in which a plurality of applications are installed, the plurality of applications can be linked to execute a common process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a digital multi-function peripheral (computer). In FIG. 1, an image forming unit 101 executes a series of image forming processes such as paper handling and image transfer / fixing to form an image on a recording medium such as recording paper. The image forming unit 101 includes, for example, an ink jet printer or an electrophotographic image forming unit.

  The image reading unit 102 includes a scanner or the like, and optically reads a document image and converts it into digital image information. Further, the image reading unit 102 outputs the digital image information to the image forming unit 101 to form an image, or passes the digital image information to the fax unit 104, the network interface unit 107, etc., and transmits it via a line.

  The digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 controls the operations of the image forming unit 101 and the image reading unit 102, for example, controls the image forming unit 101 to copy document information read by the image reading unit 102. The digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 includes a network interface 07, a print processing unit 106, a fax unit 104, and an operation unit control unit 105, and controls the exchange of information among these units.

  The fax unit 104 transmits / receives facsimile images, that is, transmits digital image information read by the image reading unit 102, and conversely decodes received facsimile signals and records them in the image forming unit 101. Execute the process.

  The operation unit control unit 105 generates a signal corresponding to a user operation using the operation panel of the operation unit, and displays various data and messages on the operation unit (or display unit). (Display control). The print processing unit 106 performs control such as processing print data input via the network interface unit 107, outputting the processed data to the image forming unit 101, and printing. The network interface unit 107 controls data transmission / reception with other communication terminals via a communication line.

  A virtual machine (Virtual Machine) 108 is positioned above the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103, and is configured to be able to control the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 from the virtual machine 108.

  The network interface unit 107 can be directly used by both the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 and the virtual machine 108, and can access an external network independently.

  Furthermore, applications A to D described in a programming language corresponding to an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the virtual machine 108 exist above the virtual machine 108. These applications can indirectly act on the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 via the virtual machine 108, and can operate the image forming unit 101 and the image reading unit 102.

  The external storage device control unit 109 converts the image read by the image reading unit 102 into a data format that can be stored in the external storage device by the image forming unit 101, and stores the data in the external storage device. Also, the external storage device control unit 109 reads data stored in the external storage device, performs print processing via the image forming unit 101, and transmits the data to the outside via the network interface unit 107.

  The application manager 110 manages the applications A to D, accepts activation, termination, installation, and uninstallation of each application, and receives information on the device generated from the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 to control each application.

  The application management system according to the present embodiment includes a digital multifunction peripheral described above and an application installer 204 (described later) that is communicably connected to the digital multifunction peripheral.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the application management system for explaining the application manager 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the application management system includes a virtual machine 108, an application installer 204, an application manager 110, an external storage device control unit 109, and an external storage device 111. Here, the application manager 110 manages applications as described above. The external storage device (storage medium) 111 stores an installed program.

The application installer 204 may be configured so that an application can be installed and controlled from a remote environment as a Web browser connected to the digital multi-function peripheral using the HTTP protocol. In addition, the application installer 204 may be configured so that an application can be installed and controlled in a local environment from an operation unit (or display unit) provided in the digital multifunction peripheral.
As shown in FIG. 2, the application manager 110 includes an application management unit 201, an application control unit 202, and an installation manager 203.

  The application management unit 201 stores a name of an installed application, path information in which a program file of the application is stored, and an application definition file in pairs. The installation manager 203 accepts installation of an application from the external application installer 204 and start / stop of the application. The application control unit 202 receives information generated from the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103, information generated from the application installer 204, and the like, and controls each application.

  Here, the install manager 203 may be configured as a Servlet format that operates on an HTTP server, and may be configured to accept application installation and control from a remote environment via the Web. Further, the install manager 203 may be configured to install and control an application in the local environment from an operation unit (or display unit) equipped in the digital multifunction peripheral as an Applet format.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the application management unit 201. As described above, the application management unit 201 stores the name of the installed application, the path information in which the application program file is stored, and the application definition file in pairs.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of each application definition file 401 stored in the application management unit 201. As shown in FIG. 4, the application definition file 401 includes a definition file version, an application name, an application description, a job type that can be accepted by the application, and a job type that is output by executing the application. It is. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the application definition file 401 includes resource information used such as memory capacity and permanent storage capacity used by the application, application manufacturer name, application version, and the like.

  Here, the job is a management unit of digital image data generated in the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 by the function of the digital multifunction peripheral. For example, a digital multifunction device is a copy job when using the copy function, a scan job when using the scan function, a fax job when receiving a facsimile, a job stored in an external storage device connected to the digital multifunction device is a saved job, etc. Generate multiple types of jobs.

  Depending on the job management method of the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103, a method having only a single type is possible. In this case, no description of the job type is required in the application definition file. Conversely, depending on the job management method of the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103, it is possible to define a job type depending on the job status. Here, the job status is managed, for example, in a job status managed in a data format that can be directly interpreted by the print processing unit 106, or in a state in which digital data is compressed for storage in an external storage device. The status of the job that is running. When a job type is defined according to the job status, the job type is described in a subdivided unit in the application definition file.

  Next, an example of application installation processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an application installation process. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an application installation screen.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the installation manager 203 transmits an installation form to the application installer 204 based on a request from the application installer 204 (sequence S501). Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the installation form includes a field 601 for inputting an application name, a field 602 for inputting a path on the application installer 204 side of application program data, and a transfer button 603. Is done.

  In the application installer 204, the user inputs the application name and the program path on the application installer side in the installation form, and presses the transfer button 603 (sequence S502). Then, the application installer 204 transfers the name of the application to be installed and the program data of the application to the installation manager 203 as an installation instruction according to the specifications of the specified installation form (sequence S503). At this time, the application definition file 401 is included in the program data of the application.

  Upon receiving the program data sent from the application installer 204, the installation manager 203 saves the program data as a file in the external storage device 111 (sequence S504). Further, the installation manager 203 registers the path storing the program, the application name, and the application definition file 401 in the application management unit 201 (sequence S505).

  Next, an example of application control processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing application control processing. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an application control screen.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the installation manager 203 transmits a startup setting form (or data related to the startup setting form) to the application installer 204 based on a request from the application installer 204 (sequence S701). Here, as shown in FIG. 8, the activation setting form includes an application name list 801 including application names and check boxes, a start button 802, and a stop button 803.

  In the application installer 204, the user checks the check box of the application to be activated in the application name list 801 of the activation setting form, and presses the activation button 802 (sequence S702). Then, the application installer 204 transfers the name of the application to be activated to the installation manager 203 as a program activation instruction in accordance with the specification of the prescribed activation setting form (sequence S703).

  Upon receiving the name of the application sent from the application installer 204, the installation manager 203 passes the name of the application to be activated as a program activation instruction to the application control unit 202 (sequence S704).

  Upon receiving the name of the application to be activated as an activation instruction from the install manager 203, the application control unit 202 passes a registration confirmation request as to whether or not the application with the name is registered to the application management unit 201 (sequence S705). .

  If the application with the name is not registered, the application management unit 201 ends the control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the application with the name is registered, the application management unit 201 returns information indicating that the application has been registered to the application control unit 202.

  The application control unit 202 that has received the information indicating that it has been registered passes an operation confirmation request as to whether or not the application with the name has stopped operating to the application management unit 201 (sequence S706).

  If the application with the name is in operation, the application management unit 201 ends the control process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the application with the name has stopped operating, the application management unit 201 acquires path information where the program file of the application is stored based on the name. Then, based on the path information, the application management unit 201 loads a program data file from the external storage device 111 and activates the application (sequence S707).

  The digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment includes an application manager 110 that manages the operations of a plurality of applications that operate on the virtual machine 108, and an install manager 203 that operates on the application manager 110. Thus, for example, an application can be installed in the digital multi-function peripheral from the remote application installer 204 or the like, and can be started / stopped. That is, a program can be easily added, operated, or deleted without affecting the execution of other applications executed in an embedded device such as a digital multifunction peripheral.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment using the above-described digital multifunction peripheral will be described using Embodiments 1 to 3.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the application management system according to the first embodiment. In the application management system shown in FIG. 9, a screen control unit 901 is newly included in the application manager 110, compared to the application management system shown in FIG. The screen control unit 901 controls display on the operation panel 112 of the digital multifunction peripheral and receives input from the operation panel 112.

  The operation panel 112 of the digital multifunction peripheral includes an interface for presenting information to the user and an interface for receiving information from the user. That is, the operation panel 112 includes, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal screen and a push button as an input interface.

  The application manager 110 registers a job generation notification to the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 at startup. The registration of the job generation notification is a process for the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 to notify the application manager 110 of the notification information 1001 at the timing when a job as digital data to be processed in the digital multifunction peripheral is generated. It is.

  Here, as the timing at which the job is generated, for example, there is a timing at which the image data read by the image reading unit 102 is converted into digital image information and generated as a scan job by the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103. The timing at which a job is generated includes, for example, a timing at which a facsimile signal received by the fax unit 104 is decoded and a digital job control unit 103 generates a fax job. The timing at which a job is generated includes, for example, the timing at which print data received via the network interface unit 107 is processed and the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 generates a print job.

  The digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 notifies the registered object (application manager 110) of notification information 1001 at the timing when the job is generated. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the notification information 1001 includes a job status indicating a job generation status, a generated job type, and a job handle for managing the job by the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103. And a job identifier for specifying the job. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of notification information notified from the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 when a job is generated.

  Based on the notification information 1001, the application manager 110 detects that a job in a format that can be controlled by the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 is generated. Further, the application manager 110 can control the generated job to the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 using a job handle included in the notification information 1001.

  Note that the method by which the application manager 110 detects that a job has been generated in the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the application manager 110 may periodically check with the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 whether a job is generated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the application manager 110 allows the user to select whether or not to display available applications to the operation unit control unit 105 via the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103. Control to display 1101. FIG. 11 shows an application display selection screen.

  When the check box 1101 is not checked by the user, the application management method described in the present embodiment is not executed, and the function of a general digital multifunction peripheral operates.

  The application manager 110 or the like may be provided with a function for managing user information so that an application once displayed may not be automatically displayed on the operation panel 112 according to the user. Here, the application manager 110 or the like acquires login information including user information of the user via the operation panel 112, identifies the user, and manages information for identifying the application displayed to the user. Then, the application manager 110 or the like determines whether the application has been displayed once according to the user. Further, the application manager 110 or the like may automatically display the newly installed application on the operation panel 112.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral when the check box 1101 is checked will be described with reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing from job generation detection to application execution in the application manager. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an available application presentation screen. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a connectable application presentation screen.

  First, when the user uses a function provided as a conventional digital multifunction peripheral, for example, a function for copying or transmitting a scanned image by mail, a job is generated in the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103. Then, a job generation notification is sent to the application manager 110 (step S1201).

  The application manager 110 searches for inputable job types described in each application definition file 401 managed by the application management unit 201 based on the notified job type of the notification information 1001 (step S1202).

  Based on the search result, the application manager 110 matches the job type of the notified notification information 1001 with the inputable job type described in the application definition file 401 managed by the application management unit 201. It is determined whether or not there is (step S1203). If the application manager 110 determines that they match (Yes in step S1203), the process proceeds to step S1204. If the application manager 110 determines that they do not match (No in step S1203), the process illustrated in FIG. 12 ends.

  In step S <b> 1204, the application manager 110 uses the job handle in the notification information 1001 to perform copy (copy) control for the generated job, and saves the duplicated job as a saved job in the external storage device 111. At this time, the application manager 110 stores the duplicated job by specifying the job identifier. The job identifier only needs to be unique within the digital multifunction peripheral, and the application manager 110 generates, for example, a UUID (Universal Unique Identifier) and uses it as a job identifier.

  Next, the application manager 110 determines whether or not the user continues to use the functions of the conventional digital multi-function peripheral such as copying and data transmission via the network (step S1205). Here, the application manager 110 determines whether or not to continue the function based on preset information. It should be noted that a check box is provided on the display selection screen shown in FIG. 11, and the application manager 110 determines whether or not to continue to use the function based on whether or not this check box is checked. You may do it.

  If the application manager 110 determines that the function is to be used continuously (Yes in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1207. On the other hand, if the application manager 110 determines not to continue using the function (No in step S1205), the process proceeds to step S1206.

  In step S1206, the application manager 110 performs deletion control on the generated job using the job handle of the notified notification information 1001, and deletes the generated job (step S1206).

  In step S1207, the application manager 110 acquires the job handle of the saved job copied in step S1204 (acquisition of position information). For example, the application manager 110 receives and saves notification information 1001 as a save job generation notification issued from the external storage device 111 when the copy job is saved in step S1204. Then, the application manager 110 specifies the notification information 1001 related to the generation notification of the corresponding duplicate job by collating the job identifier set in the notification information 1001 with the job identifier specified in step S1204. Then, the application manager 110 acquires the job handle of the identified notification information 1001. As described above, the application manager 110 uses this job handle to perform deletion control on the generated job, and deletes the generated job.

  Note that when the application manager 110 duplicates and saves the job in step S1204, the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 may be configured to return the job handle of the saved job to the application manager 110. In such a configuration, the application manager 110 does not necessarily specify a job identifier in step S1204.

  In step S1203, the application manager 110 passes to the screen control unit 901 the application definition file 401 of the application that has been determined that the job type and the inputable job type match. Based on the received application definition file 401, the screen control unit 901 displays the application related to the application definition file 401 as an available application, as shown in FIG. 13 (step S1208). That is, the screen control unit 901 displays application information (application information display) as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the available application presentation screen is displayed on the operation panel 112 and includes an available application name, an area 1301 for presenting an application description, and a selection button 1302 for selecting an application. . The available application presentation screen includes an area 1303 for displaying the name of an application that has already been selected, an execution button 1304 for starting execution of the applications displayed in the area 1303 in sequence, a close button 1305 for canceling the process, including. Here, a display method of the area 1303 on the operation panel 112 will be described later.

  In FIG. 13, the user presses a selection button 1302 for an application to be used. In step S1209, the screen control unit 901 that has detected that the selection button 1302 has been pressed searches the application definition file 401 based on the output job type of the application definition file 401 of the selected application. That is, the screen control unit 901 searches the application management unit 201 for an application that matches the output job type and has an inputable job type defined in the application definition file 401.

  As illustrated in FIG. 14, the screen control unit 901 displays the application searched in step S1209 as an application that can be connected and processed after the processing of the application selected by the user is completed (step S1210). The connectable application presentation screen shown in FIG. 14 includes a return button 1306 for returning to the available application presentation screen shown in FIG.

  In the available application presentation screen shown in FIG. 13, the user can select a plurality of applications. When the user selects a plurality of applications, the screen control unit 901 presents a connectable application presentation screen shown in FIG. 14 for each selected application.

  When the user finishes a series of operations for selecting an application and presses an execution button 1304 shown in FIG. 13, the selected applications are sequentially executed.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral when the user selects an application and presses the execution button 1304 will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the execution button 1304 is pressed, the screen control unit 901 notifies the application control unit 202 of a plurality of application names selected so far. Upon receiving the notification, the application control unit 202 acquires the path information of the application corresponding to the application name held in the application management unit 201, loads the application from the external storage device 111, and executes it. At that time, the application control unit 202 passes the job handle information of the notification information 1001 notified from the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 as additional information to the application (step S1211).

  Subsequently, the application control unit 202 detects the end of the activated application (detection of the end of the first application). At this time, if the application generates a job, the application control unit 202 receives the job handle of the generated job as a return (step S1212).

  After the application ends, the application control unit 202 determines whether there is an application designated to be linked (step S1213). If the application control unit 202 determines that there is an application designated to be linked (Yes in step S1213), the process proceeds to step S1214. On the other hand, when the application control unit 202 determines that there is no connection-designated application (No in step S1213), the process proceeds to step S1215.

  In step S1214, the application control unit 202 acquires application path information from the application management unit 201 based on the application name specified to be linked. Then, based on the path information, the application control unit 202 activates the application designated to be linked (activation of the second application). In step S1212, the application control unit 202 designates the received job handle and activates the connection designated application.

  In step S1215, the application control unit 202 determines whether there is another application (selected application) for which the selection button 1302 is selected. If the application control unit 202 determines that there is another selected application (Yes in step S1215), the process returns to step S1211. On the other hand, when determining that there is no other selected application (No in step S1215), the application control unit 202 ends the process illustrated in FIG.

  The application control unit 202 continues the processing from step S <b> 1211 to step S <b> 1215 until execution of all the selected or linked applications is completed.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when a plurality of applications are installed in the digital multi-function peripheral, the user can simultaneously execute a plurality of applications that can be executed in a common operation without performing a plurality of operations. Can be used. Therefore, user convenience is improved. Depending on the job type output by the application, a plurality of applications can be linked and used. Therefore, the user's convenience can be further improved. Further, the conventional functions of the digital multi-function peripheral can be continuously operated, and various output results can be obtained by one operation.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily know applications that can be used in conjunction with the operation by operating the digital multi-function peripheral. Further, the user can easily select and execute an application installed in the digital multi-function peripheral.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an application management system according to the second embodiment. The application management system shown in FIG. 15 uses the application manager 110 to install a management application 1501 that manages installed applications in the external storage device 111.

  The management application 1501 can communicate with the application management unit 201 and the application control unit 202 of the application manager 110. The management application 1501 controls display on the operation panel 112 of the digital multi-function peripheral and receives input from the operation panel 112.

  The operation panel 112 of the digital multifunction peripheral includes an interface for presenting information to the user and an interface for receiving information from the user. That is, the operation panel 112 includes, for example, a touch panel type liquid crystal screen and a push button as an input interface.

  The management application 1501 registers a job generation notification to the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 at startup. The registration of the job generation notification is a process for the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 to notify the management application 1501 of the notification information 1001 at a timing when a job as digital data to be processed in the digital multifunction peripheral is generated. It is.

  Here, as the timing at which the job is generated, for example, there is a timing at which the image data read by the image reading unit 102 is converted into digital image information and generated as a scan job by the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103. The timing at which a job is generated includes, for example, a timing at which a facsimile signal received by the fax unit 104 is decoded and a digital job control unit 103 generates a fax job. The timing at which a job is generated includes, for example, the timing at which print data received via the network interface unit 107 is processed and the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 generates a print job.

  The digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 notifies a job generation notification to the registered target (management application 1501) at a timing when the job is generated, and notification information 1001. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the notification information 1001 includes a job status indicating a job generation status, a generated job type, and a job handle for managing the job by the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103. And a job identifier for specifying the job.

  Based on the notification information 1001, the management application 1501 detects that a job in a format that can be controlled by the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103 is generated. Further, the management application 1501 can control the generated job to the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 using a job handle included in the notification information 1001.

  Note that the method for the management application 1501 to detect that a job has been generated in the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 is not limited to the method described above. For example, the management application 1501 may periodically check whether a job is generated with respect to the digital multi-function peripheral control unit 103.

  The management application 1501 can perform the same processing as the application manager 110 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the application management method shown in the first embodiment can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained in the first embodiment, the management application 1501 can be activated, stopped, installed, and uninstalled. That is, the application management method shown in the first embodiment can be executed only when a specific condition or user uses it. This is effective for devices with limited hardware resources such as embedded devices.

  As mentioned above, according to each embodiment mentioned above, in a device in which a plurality of applications are installed, the plurality of applications can execute a common process in conjunction with each other. Moreover, according to each embodiment mentioned above, the effective application which performs a common process in conjunction can be shown to a user.

  Examples of applications include scan data processing applications, document management applications, various image processing applications, mail transmission applications, and the like.

  For example, it is assumed that scanning is performed according to a user instruction. Then, it is assumed that a job is generated in the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 and a job generation notification is made to the application manager 110.

  Then, the application manager 110 duplicates the job based on the job handle notified of the job, and saves it as a saved job in the external storage device 111 (replicated storage). At that time, the application manager 110 stores the copied job by specifying the job identifier.

  When the application manager 110 detects the generation of the stored job, if the job identifier of the generated job matches the job identifier specified earlier, the application manager 110 holds the job handle of the job.

Next, the application manager 110 searches for an application in which the scan job is registered as an inputable job type.
As a result, the scan data processing application is displayed as an available application.

Here, it is assumed that the user has selected a scan data processing application.
Further, it is assumed that the job type output by the scan data processing application is a print job, and the job type that can be input by the document management application is a print job.

Then, a document management application is displayed as an application that can be connected and processed.
When the user selects connection of the document management application and instructs execution of these processes, the screen control unit 901 notifies the application control unit 202 of application names of the applications to be connected.

  The application control unit 202 activates a scan data processing application based on the notified information and passes a job handle. The scan data processing application processes the scan data.

As a result of processing, a print job is generated, and the job handle of the job is returned to the application control unit 202.
Next, the application control unit 202 passes and starts the job handle to the document management application. The document management application uses the handle of the job to register and update a document in a box or the like.

  Although an example of a scan job has been described above, an application capable of inputting and outputting other types of jobs is also possible.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.
As described above, the position information corresponds to, for example, the notification information 1001 described above, a job identifier, a job handle, or the like.

FIG. 2 is a diagram hierarchically illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an application management system for explaining an application manager 110. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an application management unit 201. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of each application definition file 401 stored in an application management unit 201. It is a sequence diagram which shows the installation process of an application. It is a figure which shows the installation screen of an application. It is a sequence diagram which shows the control processing of an application. It is a figure which shows the control screen of an application. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an application management system according to a first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of notification information notified from the digital multifunction peripheral control unit 103 when a job is generated. FIG. It is a figure which shows the display selection screen of an application. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing from job generation detection to application execution in an application manager. It is a figure which shows an available application presentation screen. It is a figure which shows a connectable application presentation screen. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the application management system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Image formation part 102 Image reading part 103 Digital multifunction machine control part 104 Fax part 105 Operation part control part 106 Print processing part 107 Network interface part 108 Virtual machine 109 External storage device control part 110 Application manager 201 Application management part 202 Application control part 203 Installation Manager 204 Application Installer 401 Application Definition File 901 Screen Control Unit 1001 Notification Information 1501 Management Application

Claims (6)

A composite device having a printing unit and a scanning unit and managing an application ,
A storage unit that stores, for each managed application, a job type that can be accepted by the application, and a definition file that defines an application that can be processed in connection with the application;
A generation detecting means copy job or any one job a scan job, it is detected that is generated and
Search means for searching for a definition file capable of accepting the detected job from definition files stored in the storage means, based on job type information of the job detected by the generation detection means ;
Based on the definition file searched by the search means, an application corresponding to the definition file is displayed as a usable application on the presentation screen, and can be further processed by being connected after the processing of the application selected on the presentation screen is completed. Display means for displaying a connected application on the presentation screen;
An activation unit that activates the application selected on the presentation screen displayed on the display unit and activates the linked application selected on the presentation screen to continuously process a job processed by the selected application; ,
Composite apparatus characterized by having a. The display means displays on the presentation screen so that, after an application is selected on the presentation screen, a connected application that can be connected and processed after the processing of the selected application is completed can be selected. 2. The composite device according to 1. The display means presents the relationship between both applications so that the execution order of the application selected on the presentation screen and the linked application that can be linked and processed after the processing of the selected application is completed can be recognized. The composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite apparatus is displayed on a screen . The display means displays a display selection screen that can be selected by the user as to whether or not to display the available application on the presentation screen, and selects that the available application is displayed on the presentation screen on the display selection screen. If it is, based on the definition file searched by the search means, the application corresponding to the definition file is displayed on the presentation screen as an available application, and further connected after the processing of the application selected on the presentation screen is completed. 4. The combined apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a connected application that can be processed is displayed on the presentation screen. An information processing method in a composite apparatus that has a printing unit and a scanning unit and manages applications,
A generation detection step for detecting that any one of a copy job and a scan job is generated;
Based on the job type information of the job detected in the generation detection step, for each application managing a definition file that defines a job type that can be accepted by the application and an application that can be processed in connection with the application. A search step for searching for a definition file capable of accepting the detected job from among the definition files stored in the storage means for storing;
Based on the definition file searched in the search step, the application corresponding to the definition file is displayed as a usable application on the presentation screen, and can be further processed after being connected to the application selected on the presentation screen. A display step of displaying a connected application on the presentation screen;
An activation step of activating the application selected on the presentation screen displayed in the display step, and activating the linked application selected on the presentation screen in order to continuously process a job processed by the selected application; ,
An information processing method comprising: A computer having a printing unit and a scanning unit and managing applications,
A generation detection step for detecting that any one of a copy job and a scan job is generated;
Based on the job type information of the job detected in the generation detection step, for each application managing a definition file that defines a job type that can be accepted by the application and an application that can be processed in connection with the application. A search step for searching for a definition file capable of accepting the detected job from among the definition files stored in the storage means for storing;
Based on the definition file searched in the search step, the application corresponding to the definition file is displayed as a usable application on the presentation screen, and can be further processed after being connected to the application selected on the presentation screen. A display step of displaying a connected application on the presentation screen;
An activation step of activating the application selected on the presentation screen displayed in the display step, and activating the linked application selected on the presentation screen in order to continuously process a job processed by the selected application; ,
A program for running

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