JP4922836B2 - Image forming apparatus and application construction method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an application construction method capable of simplifying the customizing, extension or the like of a function. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device has one or more input sections inputting data to be image-processed and one or more of output sections outputting the result of an image processing. The image forming device further has a filter controlling the input processing of the data from the input sections in response to the input sections and a filter controlling outputs to the output sections in response to the output sections, and constructs an application by connecting the filters, the filters being connected by a transmission means transmitting the data between the filters, and the device has a decision means deciding the transmission means capable of connecting the filters on the basis of information indicating the transmission means usable by the filter contained in each of the filters. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an application construction method, and more particularly to image formation including a plurality of types of input units that input data to be subjected to image processing and a plurality of types of output units that output the results of the image processing. The present invention relates to a device and an application construction method.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, scanners, facsimiles, or multifunction peripherals that realize these functions in a single housing have severe restrictions on memory and the like. Each function is realized by application control.

For example, the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a function that is commonly used by each application as a platform, and the application can be implemented using the API of the platform. According to such an image forming apparatus, since a function that is commonly used is provided as a platform, it is possible to avoid the duplication of a function for each application and to improve the development efficiency of the entire application.
Japanese Patent No. 3679349

  However, in general, for platforms with commonly used APIs, if the granularity of the functions or interfaces provided by the platform is not designed appropriately, the improvement in application development efficiency will exceed expectations. It may not be possible.

  For example, if the granularity is too small, many API calls are required even though the application provides a simple service, and the source code becomes complicated.

  On the other hand, if the granularity is too large, if you want to implement an application that provides a service that changes some of the functions provided by a certain interface, you must modify the platform, and the development man-hours It can lead to an increase. In particular, when the dependence of each module in the platform is strong, not only a new function is added to the platform but also a modification of an existing part may be required, and the situation becomes more complicated.

  In addition, if you want to implement an application that changes a part of the service provided by an existing application (for example, image input processing), you can call an existing application for other parts. Absent. Therefore, a new application must be implemented by rewriting the source code.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus and an application construction method capable of simplifying customization or expansion of functions.

  Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes one or more input units that input data to be subjected to image processing, and one or more output units that output the results of the image processing. A filter that controls input processing of data from the input unit according to the unit and a filter that controls output to the output unit according to the output unit, and an application is constructed by connecting the filters In the image forming apparatus, the filters are connected by a transmission unit that transmits data between the filters, and based on the information indicating the transmission unit that can be used by the filter included in each filter, It has a determination means which determines the said transmission means which can connect between filters.

  In such an image forming apparatus or function, customization or expansion of functions can be simplified.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an application construction method capable of simplifying customization or expansion of functions.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the multifunction peripheral refers to an image forming apparatus that realizes a plurality of functions such as a printer, a copy, a scanner, or a FAX in a single casing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the software in the multifunction device 1 includes a user interface layer 10, a control layer 20, an application logic layer 30, a device service layer 40, a device control layer 50, and the like. In addition, the vertical relationship of each layer in the drawing is based on the calling relationship between layers. That is, basically, the upper layer in the figure calls the lower layer.

  The user interface layer 10 is a part on which a function for receiving an execution request for a function (for example, copy, print, scan, FAX transmission) is implemented, and includes, for example, the communication server unit 11 and the local UI unit 12. It is. For example, the communication server unit 11 receives a request from a client PC (Personal Computer) (not shown) via a network. For example, the local UI unit 12 receives a request input via an operation panel (not shown). The request accepted by the user interface layer 10 is transmitted to the control layer 20.

  The control layer 20 is a part on which a function for controlling processing for realizing the requested function is mounted. Specifically, each filter in the application logic layer 30 is connected according to the requested function, and the execution of the function is controlled based on the connected filter. In the present embodiment, the “function of the multifunction device 1” refers to a service in a single unit (until a request is input and a final output is obtained) provided to the user by the multifunction device 1. Synonymous with software, it is synonymous with an application that provides a single unit of service.

  The application logic layer 30 is a part on which a group of components that implement some of the functions provided in the multifunction device 1 is mounted. That is, one function is realized by combining components in the application logic layer 30. In the present embodiment, each component is referred to as a “filter”. This is because the software architecture of the multifunction device 1 is based on a concept called “pipe & filter”.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the pipe and filter. In FIG. 2, “F” indicates a filter, and “P” indicates a pipe. As shown in the figure, each filter is connected by a pipe. The filter converts the input data and outputs the result. The pipe transmits the data output from the filter to the next filter.

  That is, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, each function is regarded as a series of “conversions” for documents (data). Each function of the multi-function peripheral can be generalized as being configured by document input, processing, and output. Therefore, “input”, “processing”, and “output” are regarded as “conversion”, and a software component that realizes one “conversion” is configured as a filter. A filter that realizes input is particularly called an “input filter”. A filter that realizes processing is particularly referred to as a “conversion filter”. Further, a filter that realizes output is particularly referred to as an “output filter”. Each filter is independent, and basically there is no dependency relationship (call relationship) between the filters. Therefore, addition (installation) or deletion (uninstallation) is possible in units of filters.

  In FIG. 1, the application logic layer 30 includes a read filter 301, a stored document read filter 302, a mail reception filter 303, a FAX reception filter 304, a PC document reception filter 305, a report filter 306, and the like as input filters. .

  The reading filter 301 controls reading of image data by the scanner and outputs the read image data. The stored document read filter 302 reads document data (image data) stored in the storage device of the multifunction device 1 and outputs the read data. The mail reception filter 303 receives an email and outputs data included in the email. The FAX reception filter 304 controls FAX reception and outputs received data. The PC document reception filter 305 receives print data from a client PC (not shown) and outputs the received print data. The report filter 306 outputs setting information, history information, and the like of the multifunction device 1 as data formatted in, for example, a table format.

  Further, the conversion filters include a document processing filter 311 and a document conversion filter 312. The document processing filter 311 performs predetermined image conversion processing (aggregation, enlargement, reduction, etc.) on the input data and outputs it. The document conversion filter 312 executes a rendering process. That is, the input PostScript data is converted into bitmap data and output.

  The output filters include a print filter 321, a stored document registration filter 322, a mail transmission filter 323, a FAX transmission filter 324, a PC document transmission filter 325, a preview filter 326, and the like.

  The print filter 321 causes the plotter to output (print) the input data. The stored document registration filter 322 stores the input data in the hard disk in the multifunction device 1. The mail transmission filter 323 transmits the input data attached to the e-mail. The FAX transmission filter 324 transmits the input data by FAX. The PC document transmission filter 325 transmits the input data to the client PC. The preview filter 326 displays the input data on the operation panel of the multifunction device 1 as a preview.

  The device service layer 40 is a portion in which lower functions commonly used by the filters in the application logic layer 30 are mounted, and includes, for example, an image pipe 41 and a data management unit 42. The image pipe 41 realizes the above-described pipe function. That is, output data from a certain filter is transmitted to the next filter. The data management unit 42 represents various databases. For example, it corresponds to a database in which user information is registered, a database in which documents or image data are stored, and the like.

  The device control layer 50 is a part in which a program module group called a driver that controls a device (hardware) is mounted. For example, a scanner control unit 51, a plotter control unit 52, a memory control unit 53, a Tel line control unit. 54, a network control unit 55, and the like. Each control unit controls a device attached to the name of the control unit.

  The filter will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the components of the filter. As shown in FIG. 3, each filter includes a filter setting UI, filter logic, a filter-specific lower service, permanent storage area information, and the like. Among these, the filter setting UI, the filter-specific lower service, and the permanent storage area information are not necessarily included in the constituent elements by the filter.

  The filter setting UI is a program for displaying a screen for setting filter execution conditions and the like on an operation panel or the like. For example, the reading filter 301 corresponds to a screen for setting resolution, density, image type, and the like. In view of the fact that the operation panel can be displayed based on HTML data or a script, the filter setting UI may be HTML data or a script.

  The filter logic is a program in which logic is implemented to realize a filter function. That is, the filter function is realized according to the execution condition set via the filter setting UI by using the filter-specific lower-level service, the device service layer 40, the device control layer 50, or the like as a component of the filter. . For example, in the case of the reading filter 301, the logic for reading control of the document by the scanner corresponds.

  The filter-specific lower service is a lower function (library) necessary for realizing the filter logic. That is, although it is a function corresponding to the device service layer 40 or the device control layer 50, those not used by other filters may be implemented as a part of the filter, and the part corresponds to a filter-specific lower service. . For example, the reading filter 301 corresponds to a function for controlling the scanner, but in the present embodiment, it is implemented as the scanner control unit 51 in the device control layer 50. Therefore, it is not always necessary to implement the filter-specific lower service in the reading filter 301.

  The permanent storage area information corresponds to a schema definition of data that needs to be stored in a nonvolatile memory, such as setting information for a filter (for example, default value of execution condition). The schema definition is registered in the data management unit 42 when the filter is installed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of combinations of filters for realizing each function in the multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment.

  For example, the copy function is realized by connecting the reading filter 301 and the print filter 321. This is because the image data read from the original by the reading filter 301 may be printed by the print filter 321. If processing such as aggregation, enlargement, or reduction is required, a document processing filter 311 that realizes these processings is inserted between the two filters.

  The printer function (printing function from the client PC) is realized by connecting the PC document reception filter 305, the document conversion filter 312, and the print filter 321. A scan-to-email function (a function for transferring scanned image data by e-mail) is realized by connecting a reading filter 301 and a mail transmission filter 323. The FAX transmission function is realized by connecting the reading filter 301 and the FAX transmission filter 324. The FAX reception function is realized by connecting the FAX reception filter 304 and the print filter 321. A document box storage function (a function of storing scanned image data in the multifunction machine 1) is realized by connecting the reading filter 301 and the stored document registration filter 322. A document box printing function (a function of printing document data stored in the multifunction device 1) is realized by connecting the stored document reading filter 302 and the print filter 321.

  In FIG. 4, for example, the read filter 301 is used in five functions. Thus, each filter can be used from a plurality of functions, thereby reducing the number of development steps for realizing each function. For example, the user interface for setting the execution conditions for the copy function and the scan function (document box accumulation) is similar. However, when each function is implemented by an application, a user interface has also been individually implemented for each application. However, in this embodiment, in both the copy function and the scan function, setting is performed by the user interface of the reading filter 301, and the user interface can be shared.

  Further, consider the case of realizing a new function. First, let us consider a case where a function 1 for printing print data transmitted from a client PC using a PDL (Page Description Language) (hereinafter referred to as “other PDL”) that is not supported by the multifunction device 1 is realized as the function 1. In this case, the printer function in FIG. 4 can be used as a model. However, in the printer function, it is assumed that the data output by the PC document reception filter 305 is in PostScript format. The document conversion filter 312 can handle it as input data because it is data in PostScript format. However, in the case of function 1, it is data in another PDL format that is received by the PC document reception filter 305 and output from the filter. Accordingly, even if the document conversion filter 312 is transferred as it is, the document conversion filter 312 cannot appropriately execute the process. Therefore, a conversion filter (hereinafter referred to as “other PDL-PS conversion filter”) that performs data conversion from another PDL format to PostScript format is newly implemented, and the filter is a PC document reception filter 305 and a document conversion filter 312. If it is inserted between the two, function 1 can be realized. That is, function 1 is realized by connecting the PC document reception filter 305, another PDL-PS conversion filter, the document conversion filter 312, and the print filter 321.

  Next, as function 2, consider a case where a function for collecting information from a website and printing the collected information (hereinafter referred to as “function 2”) is realized. In this case, there is no filter that collects information from the Web site. Therefore, it is necessary to newly implement an input filter for collecting information from at least a website (hereinafter referred to as “Web collection filter”). In Function 2, since it is desired to finally execute printing, it is appropriate to use the print filter 321 as the output filter. The problem here is how to connect the Web collection filter and the print filter 321. That is, the input data of the print filter 321 needs to be a rendered bitmap, but it is not appropriate to implement the rendering function in the Web collection filter because it takes a lot of man-hours. Therefore, it is conceivable to use the document conversion filter 312 that already realizes the rendering function. However, the input data of the document conversion filter 312 needs to be in the PostScript format. Therefore, if the Web collection filter is mounted so that the collected information is output in the PostScript format, the connection with the document conversion filter 312 becomes possible. By implementing the Web collection filter in this way, the function 2 is realized by connecting the Web collection filter, the document conversion filter 312, the document conversion filter 312, and the print filter 321.

  Hereinafter, a processing procedure of the multifunction machine 1 in the present embodiment will be described. 5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining a processing procedure when the multifunction peripheral realizes one function.

  First, an input filter is selected by the user (S101), and an execution condition for the selected input filter is set (S102). Similarly, a conversion filter or an output filter is also selected (S103), a connection between the filters is designated (S104), and an execution condition is set (S105).

  The above operation is performed under the control of the local UI unit 12 via, for example, an operation panel as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of filter selection on the operation panel. In FIG. 7, the operation panel 202 includes a touch panel 511 and a start button 512. The touch panel 511 is hardware (touch operation unit) for inputting by a touch operation and hardware (screen display unit) for obtaining an output by screen display. The start button 512 is hardware for issuing an instruction to start execution of the requested function.

  A request input screen is displayed on the touch panel 511 of FIG. The request input screen includes an input filter selection area 513, a conversion filter selection area 514, an output filter selection area 515, a request display area 516, and the like. The input filter selection area 513 is an area for selecting an input filter, and a button is displayed for each input filter. When any button is selected in the input filter selection area 513, an input filter button corresponding to the selected button is displayed in the request display area 516. In the drawing, for convenience, buttons of a reading filter 301 and a stored document reading filter 513 are displayed.

  The conversion filter selection area 514 is an area for selecting a conversion filter, and a button is displayed for each conversion filter. When any button is selected in the conversion filter selection area 514, a button for the conversion filter corresponding to the selected button is displayed in the request display area 516.

  The output filter selection area 515 is an area for selecting an output filter, and a button is displayed for each output filter. When any button is selected in the output filter selection area 515, an output filter button corresponding to the selected button is displayed in the request display area 516. In the drawing, for convenience, buttons of a print filter 321, a stored document registration filter 322, a mail transmission filter 323, and a FAX transmission filter 324 are displayed.

  In the request display area 516, the buttons of the filters selected in the input filter selection area 513, the conversion filter selection area 514, or the output filter selection area 515 are displayed, and data between the input filter, the conversion filter, and the output filter is displayed. Connected by an arrow indicating the flow or pipe. It is also possible to change the order of filters to be executed by manipulating the arrows. The user can recognize the filter to be used and its flow according to the display contents in the request display area 516. In the request display area 516, a setting button 517 and a delete button 518 are further arranged. The setting button 517 is a button for displaying a filter setting screen when a filter button is selected in the request display area 516. That is, when the setting button 517 is pressed (touched), the setting screen is displayed on the touch panel 511 based on the filter setting UI of the selected filter. The delete button 518 is a button for canceling the use of the filter when the filter button is selected in the request display area 516.

  A plurality of input filters, conversion filters, and output filters can be selected for each function. For example, when the scanned image and the image stored in the multifunction device 1 are combined, printed, and transmitted by FAX, at least two input filters (read filter 301 and stored document read filter 302) And two output filters (print filter 321 and FAX transmission filter 324) are selected.

  When the filter selection is completed (YES in S106) and the start button 512 is pressed, the user interface layer 10 notifies the control layer 20 of the request content.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing the request contents notified from the user interface layer to the control layer. As shown in FIG. 8, the request from the user interface layer 10 includes, for each filter selected in the user interface layer 10, a filter type and setting information for the filter. (In the figure, the arrows connecting the blocks indicate the execution order of the filters).

  Upon receipt of the request content as shown in FIG. 8, the control layer 20 acquires information (hereinafter referred to as “usable pipe information”) indicating a pipe that can be used by the filter from each of the selected filters. Based on the acquired available pipe information, the filters are connected by a pipe.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of usable pipe information. According to the example of FIG. 9, it is shown that the read filter 301 can use a DMA (Direct Memory Access) pipe and a general-purpose memory pipe as an output side pipe. A DMA pipe is a pipe that transfers data at high speed using DMA. A general-purpose memory pipe is a pipe that transfers data using a RAM buffer of a finite size.

  Further, it is shown that the print filter 321 can use a DMA pipe and a general-purpose memory pipe as a pipe on the input side. Further, it is shown that the PC document reception filter 305 can use a spool filter as an output side pipe. The spool pipe is a pipe that uses the HDD, and data output from the left filter is spooled (stored) in the HDD until the right filter reads the data. The document conversion filter 312 indicates that a spool pipe and a general-purpose memory pipe can be used as an input-side pipe, and a spool pipe, a DMA pipe, and a general-purpose memory pipe can be used as an output-side pipe. Has been.

  Although FIG. 9 is expressed in a table format, this does not indicate that information is stored in the state of the table format. In FIG. 9, it means that the usable pipe information for each row is acquired from each filter. The usable pipe information is included in each filter as a part of the permanent storage area information (see FIG. 3), for example.

  In addition, a portion that is blank in FIG. 9 indicates that a pipe is not used. For example, image data is input to the reading filter 301 from a scanner instead of a pipe.

  The image pipe 41 in FIG. 1 is an abstract representation of a module that provides an interface to the various pipes described above.

  Based on the usable pipe information as shown in FIG. 9, the control layer 20 compares the pipe usable on the output side of one connected filter with the pipe usable on the input side of the other filter. As a result, the pipes that can be connected to each other are determined, and the pipes that are determined to be connectable are searched from available (valid) pipes in the multifunction device 1 (S107). For example, when the read filter 301 and the print filter 321 are to be connected, a pipe that can be used on the output side of the read filter 301 is compared with a pipe that can be used on the input side of the print filter 321, thereby obtaining a DMA pipe. And general-purpose memory pipes are searched as connectable pipes.

  When there is a pipe that can be used in common in both filters, and the pipe is searched from within the multi function device 1 (YES in S108), the control layer 20 connects the filters with the searched pipe (S109).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram conceptually showing information generated by the control layer. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the filters (“F”) are connected by pipes (“P”).

  Note that there may be a plurality of connectable pipes such as a combination of the read filter 301 and the print filter 321. Therefore, in consideration of such a case, a priority order may be provided for the pipes, and a pipe having a higher priority order may be selected. For example, if the priority of a high-speed transfer method such as DMA is increased, a DMA pipe is preferentially selected for general-purpose memory. Further, a screen for selecting a pipe to be used from among a plurality of pipes determined to be connectable may be displayed on the operation panel 202, and the user may be allowed to select on the screen.

  On the other hand, if there is no pipe that can be used in common in both filters, or if there is a pipe that can be connected but the pipe does not exist in the multifunction machine 1 (NO in S109), the selected filter May be notified to the user (displayed on the operation panel 202). For example, when trying to connect the PC received document filter 305 and the print filter 321, only the spool pipe can be used on the output side of the PC received document filter 305, whereas it can be used on the input side of the print filter 321. Since the pipe is a DMA pipe and a general-purpose memory pipe, there is no pipe that can connect both.

  Subsequently, the control layer 20 outputs an execution request to each filter in parallel (S110). That is, the filters are called almost simultaneously for all filters, not in the order of filter connection. This is because the synchronization between the filters is taken by a pipe. That is, in response to an execution request from the control layer, each filter waits until data is input to its input side pipe. However, the input filter has no pipe on the input side. Therefore, the input filter starts processing in response to the execution request.

  First, the input filter inputs data from the input device (S111 in FIG. 6), and outputs the data to a pipe connected to the output side (S112). When data is input in a plurality of times (for example, when a plurality of documents are scanned), data input and output to a pipe are repeated. When the process is completed for all input data (YES in S113), the input filter process ends.

  The conversion filter starts processing when it detects data input to a pipe connected to the input side. First, data is read from the pipe (S121), and image processing is performed on the data (S122). Subsequently, the data as the processing result is output to the pipe connected to the output side (S123). When the processing is completed for all data input to the input side pipe (YES in S124), the conversion filter processing ends.

  The output filter starts processing when it detects data input to the pipe connected to the input side. First, data is read from the pipe (S131). Subsequently, the read data is output using an output device (S132). When the process is completed for all data input to the input side pipe (YES in S133), the output filter process ends.

  By the way, in this Embodiment, although the example in which the pipe which connects between filters was determined based on usable pipe information as shown in FIG. 9 was demonstrated, it connects for every combination of filters beforehand. It is also conceivable to define pipes in advance and manage the definition information in a centralized manner in a table as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence table between filters and pipes. According to the correspondence table 60 of FIG. 11, for example, it is indicated that the reading filter 301 and the print filter 321 and the document conversion filter 312 and the print filter 321 can be connected by a DMA pipe. Further, it is shown that the PC document reception filter 305 and the document conversion filter 312 can be connected by a spool pipe.

  By referring to such a correspondence table 60, the control layer 20 can also determine a pipe connecting the filters. However, in this case, when it is desired to add a new pipe as a pipe that can be connected between filters, or when a new filter is added to the multi-function peripheral 1 and a connection relationship related to the new filter is desired, The correspondence table 60 must also be updated in accordance with the change in configuration. Such a state may impair the independence between the filters and hinder customization.

  On the other hand, according to the form in which usable pipe information is managed for each filter as in the present embodiment, the pipes connecting the filters are dynamically determined without updating the existing management information. Can do. Therefore, the independence between the filters can be increased, and high customization can be provided.

  Next, taking a specific function as an example, a processing sequence in the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure for realizing the copy function.

  In step S11, the local UI unit 12 receives a copy request input (filter selection) from the user via the operation panel shown in FIG.

  By the way, the user interface that allows the user to select each filter as shown in FIG. 7 can flexibly respond to the user's request, but frequently used functions such as copying are executed by selecting the filter every time. The instruction is complicated for the user. Thus, for example, for a frequently used function, a “copy” button may be displayed, and when the “copy” button is selected, an internally used filter may be selected.

  When a request is input by the user, the local UI unit 12 requests the control layer 20 to execute the input request (selected filter) (S12). The control layer 20 connects the selected filters with a pipe (S13).

  FIG. 13 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a state in which filters related to the copy function are connected by a pipe. In FIG. 13, a reading filter 301 and a print filter 321 are connected by an image pipe 41. In step S13, information indicating such contents is generated. From FIG. 9, the image pipe 41 here corresponds to a DMA pipe or a general-purpose memory pipe.

  Subsequently, the control layer 20 outputs an execution request in parallel to each filter (read filter 301 and print filter 321) to be used (S14).

  First, the reading filter 301 as an input filter instructs the scanner control unit 51 to read an image (S15). Under the control of the scanner control unit 51 according to the instruction, image data is read from the document by the scanner (imaging unit) and output to the reading filter 301. The reading filter 301 outputs the image data to the image pipe 41 (S16). Since the entity of the image pipe 41 is a memory, the image pipe 41 writes the image data into the memory via the memory control unit 53 (S17). Here, DMA transfer is performed.

  On the other hand, the print filter 321 starts processing when the writing of image data to the image pipe 41 connected to the input side is detected. First, the print filter 321 requests the image pipe 41 to read image data (S18). The image pipe 41 reads image data through the memory control unit 53 (S19). The print filter 321 instructs the plotter control unit 52 to print the image data (S20). In response to the instruction, the image data is DMA-transferred from the memory control unit 53 to the plotter control unit 52, and the image data is printed by the plotter (printing unit) under the control of the plotter control unit 52.

  Next, the printer function (print function from the client PC) will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a processing procedure for realizing the printer function.

  In step S21, a print request from the client PC is accepted. The print request is first received by the network control unit 55 and notified to the communication server unit 11. The communication server unit 11 selects a filter necessary for realizing the printer function, and requests the control layer 20 to execute the selected filter (S22). The control layer 20 connects the selected filters with a pipe (S23).

  FIG. 15 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a state in which filters related to the printer function are connected by a pipe. In FIG. 15, a PC document reception filter 305 and a document conversion filter 312 are connected by an image pipe 41. The document conversion filter 312 and the print filter 321 are also connected by an image pipe 41. From FIG. 9, the image pipe 41 between the PC document reception filter 305 and the document conversion filter 312 corresponds to a spool pipe. The image pipe 41 between the document conversion filter 312 and the print filter 321 corresponds to a DMA pipe.

  Subsequently, the control layer 20 outputs an execution request to each of the filters to be used (PC document reception filter 305, document conversion filter 312 and print filter 321) in parallel (S24).

  First, the PC document reception filter 305 as an input filter instructs the network control unit 55 to receive print data (PDL) (S25). When the print data is received, the PC document reception filter 305 outputs the received print data to the image pipe 41 (S26). The image pipe 41 stores the print data in the memory (here, the memory control unit 53). (HDD) (S27).

  The document conversion filter 312 starts processing when it is detected that print data is written to the image pipe 41 connected to the input side. First, the document conversion filter 312 requests the image pipe 41 to read print data (S28). The image pipe 41 reads the print data from the HDD via the memory control unit 53 (S29) and outputs it to the document conversion filter 312. The document conversion filter 312 converts the print data into image data (bitmap) (S30), and outputs the image data to the image pipe 41 (S31). Subsequently, the image pipe 41 writes the image data into the memory via the memory control unit 53 (S32).

  The print filter 321 starts processing when image data writing to the image pipe 41 connected to the input side is detected. First, the print filter 321 requests the image pipe 41 to read image data (S33). The image pipe 41 reads the image data via the memory control unit 53 (S34). The print filter 321 instructs the plotter control unit 52 to print the image data (S35). In response to the instruction, the image data is DMA-transferred from the memory control unit 53 to the plotter control unit 52, and the image data is printed by the plotter (printing unit) under the control of the plotter control unit 52.

  Other functions are also realized by the same sequence.

  As described above, according to the multifunction device 1 in the present embodiment, each function is constructed using each filter as a component, so that the function can be easily customized or expanded. In other words, there is no functional dependency between the filters, and independence is maintained. Therefore, new functions (applications) can be easily developed by adding new filters or changing filter combinations. it can. Therefore, when mounting of a new application is requested, and when a part of the processing of the application is not mounted, only a filter that realizes the part of the processing needs to be developed and installed. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the frequency of corrections that occur according to the implementation of a new application for the layers below the control layer 20 and the application logic layer 30, and provide a stable platform.

  In addition, since a user interface for setting execution conditions is implemented for each filter, the user interface of the filter can be used in common between applications realized using a certain filter. Interface development man-hours can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the image pipe 41 corresponds to an example of a transmission unit. The control layer 20 corresponds to an example of a determination unit.

  An example of the hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 1 is shown below. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As hardware of the multifunction machine 1, there are a controller 201, an operation panel 202, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 203, an imaging unit 121, and a printing unit 122.

  The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, ASIC 212, NB221, SB222, MEM-P231, MEM-C232, HDD (hard disk drive) 233, memory card slot 234, NIC (network interface controller) 241, USB device 242, IEEE 1394 device 243, and Centronics device. 244.

  The CPU 211 is an IC for various information processing. The ASIC 212 is an IC for various image processing. The NB 221 is a north bridge of the controller 201. The SB 222 is a south bridge of the controller 201. The MEM-P 231 is a system memory of the multifunction machine 1. The MEM-C 232 is a local memory of the multifunction machine 1. The HDD 233 is a storage of the multifunction device 1. The memory card slot 234 is a slot for setting the memory card 235. The NIC 241 is a controller for network communication using a MAC address. The USB device 242 is a device for providing a USB standard connection terminal. The IEEE 1394 device 243 is a device for providing a connection terminal of the IEEE 1394 standard. The Centronics device 244 is a device for providing a Centronics specification connection terminal. The operation panel 202 is hardware (operation unit) for an operator to input to the multifunction device 1 and hardware (display unit) for an operator to obtain an output from the multifunction device 1.

  Note that the software shown in FIG. 1 is stored in, for example, the MEM-C 232 and processed by the CPU 211 to cause the multifunction device to execute the function.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the specific embodiment which concerns, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation * It can be changed.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration example of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the concept of a pipe & filter. It is a figure for demonstrating the component of a filter. It is a figure which shows the example of the combination of the filter for implement | achieving each function in the multifunctional device of this Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when the multi-function peripheral realizes one function. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing procedure when the multi-function peripheral realizes one function. It is a figure which shows the example of selection of the filter in an operation panel. It is a figure which shows notionally the request | requirement content notified to a control layer from a user interface layer. It is a figure which shows the example of usable pipe information. It is a figure which shows notionally the information produced | generated by the control layer. It is a figure which shows the example of the correspondence table of a filter and a pipe. It is a figure for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of implement | achieving a copy function. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that the filters which concern on a copy function were connected by the pipe. It is a figure for demonstrating the process sequence at the time of implement | achieving a printer function. It is a figure which shows notionally a mode that the filters which concern on a printer function were connected by the pipe. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 10 User Interface Layer 11 Communication Server Unit 12 Local UI Unit 20 Control Layer 30 Application Logic Layer 40 Device Service Layer 41 Image Pipe 42 Data Management Unit 50 Device Control Layer 51 Scanner Control Unit 52 Plotter Control Unit 53 Memory Control Unit 54 Tel line control unit 55 Network control unit 60 Corresponding table 201 Controller 202 Operation panel 203 Facsimile control unit 211 CPU
212 ASIC
221 NB
222 SB
231 MEM-P
232 MEM-C
233 HDD
234 Memory card slot 235 Memory card 241 NIC
242 USB device 243 IEEE 1394 device 244 Centronics device 301 Reading filter 302 Storage document reading filter 303 Mail reception filter 304 FAX reception filter 305 PC document reception filter 306 Report filter 311 Document conversion filter 312 Document conversion filter 321 Print document 322 Storage document registration filter 323 Mail transmission filter 324 FAX transmission filter 325 PC document transmission filter 326 Preview filter

Claims (10)

One or more input units for inputting data to be subjected to image processing;
One or more output units for outputting the result of the image processing;
A plurality of first filters, which are software components that control input processing of data from the input unit according to the input unit;
A plurality of second filters that are software components that control the output to the output unit according to the output unit;
Construction means for constructing an application by connecting one or more of the first filters and one or more of the second filters selected by the user from a plurality of;
The construction means transmits the data between the first filter and the second filter between the filters, or between the filters including the other filters and the other filters. the connected by transmission means, said based on the filter information indicating the transmission means available that are included in each filter, connectable between said second filter and said first filter said to An image forming apparatus characterized by determining a transmission means. Let the user select one or more of the first filters and one or more of the second filters that construct the application from among the plurality of first filters and the plurality of second filters via a screen. Having a selection means,
The construction unit, according to claim wherein said selection means between said one or more obtained by selecting the first filter and one or more of the second filter, to build more the application to be connected by said transmission means The image forming apparatus according to 1. A third filter that is a software component that executes the image processing according to the type of the image processing;
The construction means connects the first filter and the third filter by the transmission means, and connects the third filter and the second filter by the transmission means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the application is constructed. The construction means selects the transmission means for connecting the filters based on a predetermined priority order when it is determined by the plurality of transmission means that the filters can be connected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The construction means is a screen for selecting the transmission means used for connection between the filters from the plurality of transmission means when it is determined that the connection between the filters is possible by the plurality of transmission means. 5 is displayed on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. One or more input units for inputting data to be subjected to image processing;
One or more output units for outputting the result of the image processing;
A plurality of first filters, which are software components that control input processing of data from the input unit according to the input unit;
An application construction method executed by an image forming apparatus having a plurality of second filters, which are software components that control output to the output unit according to the output unit,
A construction procedure for constructing an application by connecting one or more of the first filters and one or more of the second filters selected by the user from a plurality of;
In the construction procedure, data is transmitted between the first filter and the second filter, and between the filters including the other filters and the other filters. the connected by transmission means, said based on the filter information indicating the transmission means available that are included in each filter, connectable between said second filter and said first filter said to An application construction method characterized by determining a transmission means. Let the user select one or more of the first filters and one or more of the second filters that construct the application from among the plurality of first filters and the plurality of second filters via a screen. Has a selection procedure,
The construction procedure is claim to build more the application that between said selection procedure is one or more of the first filter and one or more of the second, which is selective filter, connected by the transmission means 6 The application construction method described. The image forming apparatus includes a third filter that is a software component that executes the image processing according to the type of the image processing.
In the construction procedure, the first filter and the third filter are connected by the transmission means, and the third filter and the second filter are connected by the transmission means. 8. The application construction method according to claim 6, wherein the application is constructed. The construction procedure selects the transmission means for connecting the filters based on a predetermined priority order when it is determined that a plurality of the transmission means can connect the filters. The application construction method according to claim 6, wherein: In the construction procedure, when it is determined that a connection between the filters is possible by a plurality of the transmission means, a screen for selecting the transmission means used for the connection between the filters from the plurality of the transmission means 10. The application construction method according to claim 6, further comprising: displaying an image on an operation panel of the image forming apparatus.

Images