JP5360524B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user's convenience by performing management so as to execute a job by utilizing information set to an executed job as a processing condition for the job to be executed. <P>SOLUTION: Setting information of an executed job is managed as execution information and when trying processing, execution information selected by a user from the list of execution information being managed is utilized. Prior to executing processing, it is checked whether a job can be executed at a present time point on the same processing condition (S102). When IP-FAX transmission using a SIP server is selected, a connection with the SIP server can not be performed as the execution information and the result of the check indicates that the job cannot be executed, the user is instructed to input the IP address of a destination (S105), and setting can be changed for directly connecting with a destination terminal (S107), so that useless processing is prevented from being performed, and the convenience is improved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

The present invention includes an operation unit image forming apparatus for executing a job according to the command inputted from a facsimile, a printer, an information processing apparatus including a complex machine or the like, and more particularly, is set to the job executing function processing and management procedures and process conditions such as operation parameters that are set in the device as the execution information, the information processing apparatus capable of utilizing the execution of the job, an information processing method, and the information processing method program, and recording medium .

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices such as an image forming apparatus, a facsimile machine, a printer, and a multifunction machine are known as information processing apparatuses that execute jobs in response to commands input through an operation unit. These devices require an input operation to select and set appropriate conditions from multiple processing conditions in order to use the devices under conditions that adapt to the processing results desired by the user. As the network becomes available, operations for using these networks are added, which makes it more difficult to make settings for obtaining optimum processing results.

  Taking a facsimile connected to a network (hereinafter referred to as “FAX”) as an example, in recent years, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol, RFC (Request For Comment) 3261 which is a call connection specification of VoIP (Voice over IP). IP-FAX that performs real-time FAX communication on an IP (Internet Protocol) network using the Internet. In IP-FAX, when connecting to a partner device by SIP, a method of using a SIP server in which terminal information of IP-FAX is registered and a method of directly connecting to the partner device without using a SIP server are used. it can. Which of these two methods is selected is set in the IP-FAX and is performed according to stored switch (soft switch) information.

In such an IP-FAX, when selecting a connection method in the setting, the destination specified when going through the SIP server is a FAX number (for example, “1234”) registered in the SIP server. The destination specified when not going through is the host name or IP address of the other party's IP-FAX.
Therefore, if the destination IP-FAX host name or IP address is specified as the destination to be specified via the SIP server, connection cannot be established. Further, if a FAX number is designated as a destination designated when not passing through the SIP server, connection cannot be made in this case.

By the way, the operation procedure at the time of FAX transmission is stored in association with the key of the operation unit, and then the operation according to the stored operation procedure is performed by pressing this key when performing the transmission command input operation. A method of performing complicated transmission function setting by simple input by using a so-called program key to be executed has been proposed in the past, and can be exemplified by the following Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent No. 2694435). .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-67875 discloses a function of a device that executes a job and a setting content (job recording) when the function is executed, and the management device wants to execute the job. There has been proposed a method in which a device downloads a job record stored from a management device, displays a list of job records, and can execute a job selected by the user.
Japanese Patent No. 2694435 JP 2007-67875 A

However, the upper Kitoku Patent Document 1, it is possible to store the operation procedure as a key to refer to when performing an operation in accordance with the operation procedure, as described above the switch information for determining the FAX connection method In addition, information set for the device to select an operation independently is not stored together with the job record. Therefore, when the setting information of such a device is changed after storing the operation procedure in the key, there arises a problem that the operation according to the operation procedure stored in the key cannot be executed.

Further, since the upper Kitoku patent document 2, it displays a list of job records, but can execute a job selected by the user from among them, it is impossible to change the job record downloaded from the management device, When the information set for the device to select the operation uniquely, such as the above switch information for determining the FAX connection method, is different from the job recording, the operation is different from the job recording. Arise.
Further, both of the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 have a procedure for changing the setting so that the connection can be made when one method cannot be used in an environment where a FAX connection method can be selected from a plurality of methods. Multiple connection methods are not used effectively. In addition, there is no way to use the setting information of the job executed by the plug-in so that the job can be executed. If the plug-in is uninstalled, it will be requested using the setting information. There is a problem that job processing cannot be executed.

The present invention, without causing a problem in the prior art, the information set as the processing conditions jobs performed, using the job to be executed to manage to run the process required by the user Thus, improvement of user convenience is an issue to be solved.

The invention according to claim 1 is an operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a function set for an executed job, a processing procedure of each process executed for the function, the process conditions including operating parameters that are set in the device, and execution information storage means for storing as execution information, the processing conditions indicated in the selected execution information from the running information stored before SL execution information storage means An information processing apparatus having processing condition setting means for setting a job to be executed and processing means for processing the job in accordance with the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting means, according to the setting of the processing condition setting means Prior to executing the process, it is determined whether or not the same process as when the execution information is stored can be executed based on the set process condition. An execution possibility determining section, when the same processing is determined to not be executed by the execution possibility determining section, to display a message representing a procedure of setting change operation for performing the same processing on the display unit of the operating unit and means, and an information processing apparatus, wherein the performing the same process based on the execution of steps of the setting change operation.
The invention according to claim 2 is an operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a function set for an executed job, a processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and the process conditions including operating parameters that are set in the device, and execution information storage means for storing as execution information, the processing conditions indicated in the selected execution information from the running information stored before SL execution information storage means An information processing apparatus having processing condition setting means for setting a job to be executed and processing means for processing the job in accordance with the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting means, and stored in the execution information storage means and alternative execution information storage means for executing information same processing result as by stores alternate execution information to be obtained, setting of the processing condition setting means Thus prior to executing the process, based on the set processing conditions, and a running permission determination means for the same processing as when the storage to determine whether it is possible execution of the execution information, the execution possibility determining section The information processing apparatus is characterized in that when it is determined that the same process cannot be executed, the process is executed based on the alternative execution information stored in the alternative execution information storage unit.
The invention according to claim 3 is executed by an operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a plug-in management unit for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, and In addition to the processing conditions including the function set for the job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function and the operation parameter set for the device, the identification information of the plug-in required for executing the job is stored as execution information and execution information storage means for, the processing conditions prior SL indicated in execution information selected execution information from being executed information stored in the storage means, and processing condition setting means for setting a job to be executed, the plug-in there but in an information processing apparatus having a plug-executing means for executing the job in accordance with the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting means An execution plug-in presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not there is a plug-in for executing the process prior to executing the process according to the setting of the processing condition setting means based on information managed by the plug-in managing means; A command transmission means for transmitting an acquisition request command for the plug-in to the server when the execution plug-in presence / absence determination means determines that there is no plug-in for executing the processing; An information processing apparatus comprising: a plug-in receiving unit that receives a coming plug-in.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, execution information stored in the execution information storage unit specified by the operation unit is specified by the operation unit. An information processing apparatus comprising: means for outputting to a recording medium, an external device, etc .; and means for inputting execution information of the external device from the recording medium, external device, etc.
The invention according to claim 5 is executed by an operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a plug-in management unit for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, and In addition to the processing conditions including the function set for the job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function and the operation parameter set for the device, the identification information of the plug-in required for executing the job is stored as execution information and execution information storage means for the pre-SL execution information storage means stored processing conditions indicated in the selected execution information from being executed information, a processing condition setting means for setting the job to be executed, said plug there the information processing apparatus having a plug-executing means for executing the job in accordance with the processing conditions set by the processing condition setting means An execution plug-in presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not there is a plug-in for executing the process prior to executing the process according to the setting of the processing condition setting means based on information managed by the plug-in managing means; When the execution plug-in presence / absence determination unit determines that there is no plug-in that executes the process, the plug-in storage device transmits a plug-in acquisition request command to the server. An information processing apparatus comprising: a plug-in acquisition instructing unit for instructing; and a unit for receiving a plug-in acquired and transferred by the plug-in storage device.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, the plug-in stored in the execution information storage unit is stored after execution of processing by the plug-in acquired from the server. An information processing apparatus comprising a means for deleting .
A seventh aspect of the present invention is the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, further comprising a user authentication unit, and for setting a processing condition in the operation unit on condition of authentication by the user authentication unit. It is an information processing apparatus characterized by validating the input.
The invention of claim 8, the function set to the executed job, the processing conditions including the operation parameters set in the procedure and equipment of each processing executed for the function, the execution information storage means as the execution information and execution information storage step of storing, the processing conditions prior SL indicated in execution information selected execution information from being executed information stored in the storage means, and processing condition setting step of setting a job to be executed, the processing conditions an information processing method in an information processing apparatus having a processing step of processing a job according Oite set processing conditions setting step, to perform a processing according to the set processing condition in the processing condition setting step Prior to the execution determination step, it is determined whether or not the same processing as when the execution information is stored can be executed based on the set processing conditions; User when the same process Oite the possibility determining step is determined to not be executed, a message indicating the setting change operation of the procedure for executing the same processing, an input unit and a display unit for setting the processing conditions a display step of displaying on the display unit of the operation means having as an interface, and an information processing method, wherein said executing the same processing based on the execution of steps of the setting change operation.
The invention of claim 9, the function set to the executed job, the processing conditions including the operation parameters set in the procedure and equipment of each processing executed for the function, the execution information storage means as the execution information and execution information storage step of storing, the processing conditions prior SL indicated in execution information selected execution information from being executed information stored in the storage means, and processing condition setting step of setting a job to be executed, the processing conditions a processing step of processing a job according Oite set processing conditions setting step, an information processing method in an information processing apparatus having the same processing result as by running information stored in the execution information storage means follow and the substitute execution information storage step of storing the substitute execution information storage means an alternative execution information obtained, the set processing condition in the processing condition setting step Prior to executing the process, based on the set processing conditions, it has an execution availability determination step of the same process as when the storage to determine whether it is possible execution of the execution information, the execution availability determination step In the information processing method, the process is executed based on the alternative execution information stored in the alternative execution information storage means when it is determined that the same process cannot be executed.
The invention of claim 10 includes a plug-in management process for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, a function set for the executed job, a processing procedure for each process executed for the function, and a device. in addition to the processing conditions including the set operation parameters, and the execution information storage step of storing the execution information storage means identification information of the plug-ins required to execute the job as the execution information is stored before the SL execution information storage means and the process conditions the indicated to the selected execution information from the running information, the processing condition setting step of setting a job to be executed, a job in accordance with the processing conditions the plug-in is Oite set in the processing condition setting step an information processing method in an information processing apparatus having a plug-in execution step of executing, set in the processing condition setting step process Prior to executing the process in accordance with matter, the process of determining whether the plug-in there and running plugin existence determination step of determining based on the plug-in management information, in the execution plug presence determination step of executing the process A command transmission step for transmitting an acquisition request command for the plug-in to the server when it is determined that there is no plug-in for executing, and a plug-in reception step for receiving a plug-in transmitted from the server , An information processing method characterized by comprising :
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plug-in management process for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, a function set for the executed job, a processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and a device. in addition to the processing conditions including the set operation parameters, and the execution information storage step of storing the execution information storage means identification information of the plug-ins required to execute the job as the execution information is stored before the SL execution information storage means and the process conditions the indicated to the selected execution information from the running information, executes the processing condition setting step of setting a job to be executed, a job in accordance with the processing conditions the plug-in is set in the processing condition setting step processing an information processing method, it sets in the processing condition setting process in the information processing apparatus having a plug-in running step, the to Prior to executing the process in accordance with matter, the process of determining whether the plug-in there and running plugin existence determination step of determining based on the plug-in management information, in the execution plug presence determination step of executing the process A plug-in acquisition instruction step for instructing a plug-in storage device to transmit a plug-in acquisition request command to the server when it is determined that there is no plug-in for executing the plug-in, and the plug get in storage device, an information processing method characterized by having the steps of receiving a plug to be transferred.
A twelfth aspect of the invention is a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to any of the eighth to eleventh aspects.
A thirteenth aspect of the invention is a recording medium on which the program according to the twelfth aspect is recorded so as to be readable by a computer.

According to the present invention, the execution information set as processing conditions job executed, in order to use the setting of the job to be executed, along with reducing the burden of the input operation of the user, in response to a user request processing Can be executed reliably.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to an information processing apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
An information processing apparatus according to the following embodiment is an example of a multifunction peripheral that is a component of a base in an IP network. This multifunction device has an IP-FAX function, and can be connected to an information processing apparatus such as a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server constituting another IP network or a multifunction device at another base to exchange information (FIG. 1). ,reference). Here, execution information MFPs accordance with a command input own operating unit or al, an example FAX transmission job to perform the FAX function having as one of the multiple functions, which are managed and management of job execution information An embodiment relating to the use of the system will be described. However, the job is not limited to FAX transmission, and can be similarly applied to a case where various functions are executed according to a command input by a user operation.

  In this embodiment, execution information of a job executed in the multifunction device is managed for each job in the multifunction device. The job execution information to be managed is configured by associating the ID and execution time of the user who requested the job with the processing conditions such as the function set in the executed job, the processing procedure, and the operation parameter set in the device. Information (described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10). The job execution information managed in this way is used not only as a history of processed jobs but also as a processing condition to be set for a job that requires processing thereafter.

One of the features of the present embodiment is that the information set in the multifunction device (for example, setting of a communication mode to be used, which will be described later) is supported as job execution information. By checking the setting error, it is possible to eliminate the problems of the prior art described in the above section [Problems to be solved by the invention], reduce the burden of the user's input operation, and meet the user's request. Make sure that the corresponding process can be executed.
In the following, “embodiment 1” to “embodiment 4” will be described as embodiments employing the above-described method for managing job execution information and the method for setting a job performed using the execution information. “Embodiment 1” and “Embodiment 2” show examples that are implemented only by functions in the multifunction peripheral, and “Embodiment 3” and “Embodiment 4” utilize plug-ins to the multifunction peripheral. An example of implementation will be shown.

“Embodiment 1”
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, a SIP server 2 and a base A and a base B are connected to the IP network 1. The MFP 10, PC 11, IP telephone 12, etc. having the IP-FAX function existing at the base A and the MFP 20, PC 21, IP telephone 22, etc. having the IP-FAX function existing at the base B are mutually connected to the IP network 1. Can be communicated through.
The SIP server 2 receives a connection request based on the registered IP-FAX terminal information (terminal number), and controls the call connection between the multifunction device 10 and the multifunction device 20.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFP 10 and the MFP 20 each having an IP-FAX function.
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 and 20, CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 , a main memory 31, R OM (Read Only Memory ) 32, a clock 33, a bus controller 34, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bridge 35 , Cache memory 36, scanner controller 37, scanner 38, print controller 39, print engine 40, hard disk 41, HD (Hard Disk) controller 42, LCD display controller 43, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 44, LAN (Local Area Network) Controller 45, LAN I / F (Interface) 46, IC card reader 47, antenna 48, key input controller 49, hard key 50, touch panel controller 51, touch panel 52, RTC (Real Time Clock) 53, CPU bus 54, PCI bus 5, X bus having an (internal bus) 56 and the like.

CPU30 may execute the R OM32 in stored control program and OS (Operating System), processing, directly various devices connected by a bus, or by controlling through a controller for distributed control, respectively, the composite The entire machine is integrated and controlled.
The main memory 31 is configured using a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and is used as a work area of the CPU 30. The ROM 32 is an electrically rewritable ROM that does not erase data even when the power is turned off, and various programs for starting up the system when the power is turned on and the functions of the multifunction peripherals 10 and 20 are written in advance. It is. Note that a program for executing a processing flow (see FIG. 8) described later can also be implemented by installing it here.
Further, the R OM32 is referenced during execution of the program, data such as switches and operating parameters for setting the selectable operating conditions, such as the operation mode of the apparatus is also stored.
The clock 33 is composed of a crystal oscillator and a frequency dividing circuit, and generates a clock for controlling the operation timing of the CPU 30 and the bus controller 34.

The bus controller 34 controls data transfer on the CPU bus 54 and the X bus 56.
The PCI bridge 35 uses the cache memory 36 to perform data transfer between the PCI bus 53 and the CPU 30. The cache memory 36 is composed of a DRAM and is used by the PCI bridge 35.
The scanner controller 37 controls the document reading operation of the scanner 38. The scanner 38 reads a paper image with a CCD line sensor.
The print controller 39 controls the operation of the print engine 40. The print engine 40 uses a toner to print a color image or a monochrome image on a paper surface.

The hard disk 41 executes image data input from the scanner 38, image data received through communication, a processing procedure for executing a function designated by the user, and execution information such as parameters to be referred to when executing the processing (FIG. 5).
The HD controller 42 has, for example, an IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) interface as an interface with the hard disk 41, and performs high-speed data transfer with the hard disk 41.
The LCD display controller 43 performs D / A (Digital / Analog) conversion of character data, graphic data, and the like, and performs control for displaying these data on the LCD 44.
The LAN controller 45 executes a communication protocol compliant with, for example, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3 standard, and communicates with other devices connected to the Ethernet (registered trademark) via the LAN I / F 46. Control communication. IP-FAX communication, using the Re this.

The IC card reader 47 operates in accordance with the specifications of the FeliCa (registered trademark) technology, which is a non-contact IC card method, generates radio waves with a frequency of 13.56 MHz from the antenna 48, and is transmitted from the IC card 57. The radio waves in the frequency band are received by the antenna 48, and identification data (ID) stored in the IC card 57 is obtained. The IC card reader 47 is attached in the vicinity of the operation unit of the multifunction peripheral 10 or 20 and is used to authenticate a user who can input an operation.
The key input controller 49 performs conversion from serial data input from the hard key 50 to parallel data.
The touch panel controller 51 detects a portion where an object such as a finger contacts on the touch panel 52, and takes in the position information. The touch panel 52 is superimposed on the LCD 44 and provides a GUI (Graphical User Interface) function.
The RTC 53 is a date clock and is backed up by a battery (not shown).

In the following, processing functions related to management of FAX transmission job execution information and job settings performed using the execution information, which the MFPs 10 and 20 have, will be described. The processing function, unless otherwise indicated, CPU 30 is in accordance with the control program stored in the R OM32, performed using the main memory 31 as a work area, for processing.
FIG. 3 is a functional configuration diagram relating to a FAX transmission job of the MFPs 10 and 20 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the image acquisition unit 60 reads an original with the scanner 38 and acquires image data to be transmitted by FAX. The image transmission unit 61 converts the image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 60 into a call connection using SIP stipulated by RFC 3261, an ITU-T recommendation T.264. The IP-FAX protocol defined in 38 is executed and transmitted to the destination MFP (IP-FAX).

The display control unit 62 controls display processing of various screens displayed on the LCD 44. Specifically, the display control unit 62 displays a menu for specifying various functions, a screen for displaying a list of managed job execution information, processing procedures and various operations stored in the hard disk 41 and the like. Controls display processing of a screen or the like that displays execution information such as parameters.
The operation unit 63 controls the operation process from the key data input from the hard key 50 and the coordinate data input from the touch panel 52.
The execution information storage unit 64 stores processing procedures, various operation parameters, and the like of the executed job as execution information when processing by the set function is executed. In this embodiment, the execution information storage unit 64 stores the hard disk 41. Used as a place.
The execution information execution determination unit 65 executes the execution information at the current time when processing conditions are set based on the execution information designated by the user from among the jobs stored in the execution information storage unit 64 for the job to be executed. It is determined whether or not the same processing as that when storing is performed. If the execution information execution determination unit 65 determines that the same processing cannot be performed, the execution information execution determination unit 65 displays a determination result including the reason why the execution cannot be performed.

The SIP server 2 has, on a PC / AT (Personal Computer / Advanced Technology) -based hardware, a registrar server that operates as software and a proxy server function, and client machines (multifunction machines 10 and 20 having an IP-FAX function). In response to a request from), the following operations are performed.
When the MFPs 10 and 20 perform communication using the SIP server 2, terminal information such as the FAX number of the terminal itself is registered in the SIP server 2 in advance. This registration process in the SIP server 2 is performed using a registrar server function. The terminal information registered in the SIP server 2 is information such as a FAX number (numbers 0 to 9) given to the terminal, a transport type of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol), etc. 10 and 20 transmit the FAX number of the own terminal to the SIP server 2 by a REGISTER message.

The SIP server 2 acquires the FAX number of the terminal from the received REGISTER message, and obtains the IP address and transport type (TCP or UDP) of the transmission source terminal from the received packet, and associates these data. To the internal hard disk. The identification information of the terminal registered in the SIP server 2 is not limited to a FAX number composed of numbers 0 to 9, but generally, an IP telephone is a telephone number (numbers 0 to 9), and an IP-FAX is Since a FAX number is used, in this embodiment, it is set to a FAX number composed of numbers 0 to 9.
The MFPs 10 and 20 manage the validity period of the terminal information registered in the SIP server 2, and again transmit the REGISTER message to the SIP server 2 and update the registration of the terminal information before the validity period expires. .

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of the FAX number and IP address of the MFP 10 and the MFP 20 and the IP address of the SIP server 2.
MFP 10 and 20, IP address, the SIP server 2 is stored in the R OM32, if a call connection using SIP server 2, SIP from the FAX number and the IP address of the SIP server 2 Destination Destination A URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) is generated.
For example, when connecting to the multifunction device 20, the SIP URI directed to the SIP server 2 (entered in the To header field of the SIP message) is expressed as “sip: 2000@192.168.50.100”. When the SIP server 2 receives this SIP message “INVITE”, it uses the registrar server function to identify the IP address stored in correspondence with the FAX number “2000” preceding “@” of this SIP URI. The SIP message “INVITE” is transmitted to the IP address, that is, to the multi-function device 20. The multi-function device 20 returns “200 OK” in response to this, and the multi-function device 10 returns “ACK” in response thereto, so that FAX communication is performed between the multi-function device 10 and the multi-function device 20. Is established (see FIG. 9).

Processing when the multi-function device 10 makes a call connection by IP-FAX will be described.
In the multi-function device 10, a communication mode for making a call connection using the SIP server 2 and a communication mode for making a call connection directly to a partner terminal without using the SIP server 2 can be switched by a switch. . Note that the use communication mode that can be selected by switching the switch can be set by an operation from the operation unit 63. Further, the switch information is stored in the R OM32.
Assume that this switch is currently set to a communication mode using the SIP server 2.

When the MFP 10 is in an idle state with no user operation, the MFP 10 displays a password input screen, and authentication is successful when the user inputs a user name and password, or the IC card reader 47 detects the IC card 57. Until the authentication is successful by reading the user ID from the user key input or touch panel input is disabled.
When the user brings the IC card 57 close to the IC card reader 47 provided in the vicinity of the operation unit of the multifunction machine 10, the IC card reader 47 reads the user ID from the IC card 57, and the composite is made according to the read user ID. It is checked whether or not the operation of the machine 10 is permitted. Checking method, a list of user ID is authorized to operate the MFP 10 stores in the hard disk 41, since it is managed, the user ID read from the IC card 57 of the user ID managed in the hard disc 41 Match the list.

If the user can be authenticated by this check, the screen is switched from the password input screen to a screen for selecting a function and performing a setting operation . The user presses the FAX key for selecting the FAX function, sets the FAX transmission document on the scanner 38, sets the read pixel density, and transmits the FAX number to the multi-function device 20. "And press the start key. If there is a default setting such as the read pixel density, the setting operation is not necessary unless the setting needs to be changed.
The multifunction device 10 executes a FAX transmission function and transmits image data to the multifunction device 20. Execution information storage unit 64 of the MFP 10, the processing procedure when running this FAX transmission function, in association with the operating parameters of the switch or the like which is referred to in this process is stored in the R OM32 as execution information.

By the way, an ID is assigned to each process executed by the MFP 10, and the above-described processing procedure is a combination of a plurality of the process IDs. The execution information also includes a classification code “FAX transmission” as a function code, a user ID for authentication, and time information when the execution information is stored.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the execution information managed for the job executed in the above embodiment in a table. As shown in FIG. 5, a user ID and time for specifying a job, a function code (in this example, “FAX transmission”), and an operation set in the device and an ID of each executed process are entered. Parameters are managed as execution information. Note that the SIP server usage mode written in the operation parameter indicates the setting of the usage communication mode that can be selected by switching the switch.

Next, a case where the same processing condition is set for a job to be executed using the execution information managed as described above and processing is attempted will be described.
When the user performs user authentication using the IC card 57 and selects “function history” on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 44, the user authentication is obtained from the execution information stored in the execution information storage unit 64. is displayed as a list to the user ID of also of only a select LCD44 was.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the execution information list displayed on the LCD 44 . This list of execution information basically shows managed execution information (see FIG. 5), but only predetermined keywords other than a meaningful numerical value to be presented to the user such as a read pixel density. Is displayed. The operation of selecting execution information used for a job to be executed from the list by the user is performed by touching the display area of the list. When the display area is touched, the multifunction machine 10 determines that the execution information corresponding to the display area has been selected. When the above FAX transmission is selected, the area that the user must touch is the range indicated by the thick line frame in FIG.

When FAX transmission is selected from the list of execution information, the control processing program of the multifunction peripheral 10 executes processing while referring to the parameters stored as the execution information with respect to the processing procedure stored as the execution information. Here, when the hardware and software configurations of the multifunction machine 10 are the same as when the execution information to be referred to is stored, and when the MFP 10 can be connected to the communicating partner terminal or the SIP server 2, processing according to the execution information is performed. Can be executed in the same manner as when the execution information is stored. That is, the user can fax the image data to the multifunction device 20 simply by setting the fax transmission document on the scanner 38 and selecting “FAX transmission” from the execution information list.
However, when processing is attempted using the execution information, there may be a situation where the SIP server 2 cannot be connected as set in the execution information, as in the case where the SIP server 2 is down.

Next, processing of the multifunction machine 10 in such a case will be described.
The multi-function device 10 manages the validity period of its own terminal information registered in the SIP server 2, and sends a REGISTER message to the SIP server 2 to update the registration of terminal information before the validity period expires. Yes. In RFC 3261, which is a SIP standard, the standard value of this valid period is set to 1 hour.
Accordingly, the multifunction device 10 notifies the SIP server 2 of the terminal information registration valid period set in the Expires header field of the REGISTER message as 1 hour, and within 1 hour, for example, 45 minutes has elapsed since the transmission of this REGISTER message. At that time, a REGISTER message is transmitted again in order to update registration of terminal information.
When the SIP server 2 is down, a response to this REGISTER message is not returned, so the multifunction device 10 has information that its own terminal information is not registered in the SIP server 2.

Therefore, a procedure is prepared based on this information so that a check can be made before the actual processing procedure is performed, and settings can be changed without performing unnecessary processing.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing flow for setting processing conditions at the time of job execution, which has a procedure for checking such processing conditions.
According to the processing flow shown in FIG. 8, first, it is checked whether or not FAX transmission is selected from the execution information list (see FIG. 7) (step S101). Here, when FAX transmission is selected (step S101-). YES), the execution information execution determination unit 65 checks whether the job can be executed under the same processing conditions at the present time before executing the processing shown in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5 (step S102). . Here, when the SIP server use mode of execution information is turned on in the call connection process check by SIP, if the own terminal information is not registered in the SIP server 2, the process according to the execution information If the local terminal information is registered in the SIP server 2, it is determined that the process according to the execution information can be performed.

The result of this determination, when the job execution is possible (step S103-YES), MFPs 10 executes the processing according to the execution information (step S104).
On the other hand, when the job execution is not possible (step S103-NO), the execution information execution determination unit 65 displays the IP address of the destination terminal because the SIP server cannot be used. The display control unit 62 displays this message on the LCD 44 (step S105).

  Next, the display control unit 62 also displays a destination IP address input screen. When the user inputs the IP address of the multifunction device 20 and presses the start key on this input screen (step S106-YES), the multifunction device 10 sets the SIP server use mode in the operation parameter stored as the execution information. From on to off, the destination address is changed from “2000” as the FAX number to “192.168.20.60” as the IP address, and processing according to the execution information is executed (step S107). In this case, in the SIP call connection processing, instead of making a call connection to the SIP server 2, a call connection is made directly to the MFP 20, and after establishing the connection, the image data is faxed to the MFP 20. .

As described above, according to the first embodiment, functions stored by storing and managing job execution information at the time of FAX transmission, and selecting and applying execution information to be managed to a job to be executed thereafter, The same processing can be set according to the processing procedure and operation parameters. At this time, it is checked whether the job can be executed with the same setting. When this check cannot be executed, a procedure for enabling execution of processing procedures and changes to parameters that are not managed as execution information through operation input is provided. Even if the settings are different, it becomes possible to connect to the other terminal, improving convenience and device reliability.
Further, by performing user authentication, security can be protected even when the execution information is used in a device shared by a plurality of users, and reliability is improved.

“Embodiment 2”
In this embodiment, a part of the first embodiment is modified. In the first embodiment, when execution information is selected and applied to a job to be executed so that the same processing can be set, whether or not the job can be executed with the same setting is checked. The processing procedure and parameters are changed by operation input so that they can be executed. In this embodiment, when execution cannot be performed with the settings applied first, as a method for enabling execution, the settings determined to be unexecutable are changed, and the execution information to be applied next (hereinafter referred to as “alternative execution information”). Are stored and managed together with the execution information, and the execution can be executed by automatically changing the setting without performing the operation input as in the first embodiment.

First, processing for storing and managing alternative execution information in advance will be described.
This process is performed in cooperation with the SIP sequence when the multifunction device 10 connects to the multifunction device 20 using the SIP server 2 and transmits image data to the multifunction device 20. The FAX transmission operation will be described next with reference to the SIP sequence shown in FIG.
When making a call connection using the SIP server 2, the multifunction device 10 generates a destination SIP URI from the FAX number of the multifunction device 20 and the IP address of the SIP server 2. Therefore, the MFP 10, the call connection, when performing each step of the "INVITE", "100 Trying", "180 Ringing", "200 OK" is not required to know the IP address of the MFP 20.

However, when the MFP 10 receives the “200 OK” response from the SIP server 2, the SIP message or FAX after ACK is addressed to the IP address (IP address of the MFP 20) included in the Contact header field of this response. Send image data. That is, the MFP 10 performs communication via the SIP server 2 from the transmission of the “INVITE” message to the reception of the “200 OK” response, and thereafter communicates directly with the MFP 20 without passing through the SIP server 2. I do.
In this embodiment, the IP address (IP address of the MFP 20) included in the Contact header field of this “200 OK” response is also executed as alternative execution information for the destination “AD: 2000” instructed to the SIP server 2 It is managed at the storage location of information operating parameters.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the execution information of this embodiment stored through the SIP sequence. In this example, only the destination IP address “192.168.20.60” (the IP address of the multifunction device 20) is added to FIG.

Next, a setting process according to this embodiment in which the setting can be changed by the alternative execution information through the procedure for checking the processing conditions to be set based on the execution information will be described below.
When the user performs user authentication using the IC card 57 and selects “function history” on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 44, the user authentication is obtained from the execution information stored in the execution information storage unit 64. is displayed as a list to the user ID of also of only a select LCD44 was.
Thereafter, when a function to be used is selected from the list of execution information, a flow for setting a job to be executed is started. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing flow of this embodiment.

According to the processing flow shown in FIG. 11, first, a list or et FAX transmission of the execution information is checked whether it has been selected (step S201). Here, when it is selected (Step S201-YES), the execution information execution determiner 65, before performing the processing shown in the processing procedure shown in FIG. 10, currently, the job is executed in the same processing conditions It is checked whether or not it is possible (step S202). Here, when the SIP server use mode of execution information is turned on in the call connection process check by SIP, if the own terminal information is not registered in the SIP server 2, the process according to the execution information If the local terminal information is registered in the SIP server 2, it is determined that the process according to the execution information can be performed.

If it is determined that the job can be executed (YES in step S203), the MFP 10 receives the determination from the execution information execution determination unit 65, and executes the process according to the execution information (step S204). .
On the other hand, if the job cannot be executed (step S203-NO), the processing is switched from the call connection using the SIP server 2 to the direct call connection to the destination IP address (the IP address of the multifunction device 20). . In other words, the SIP server usage mode in the parameters stored as execution information is changed from on to off, and the destination address is replaced with “192.168.20.60” of the IP address managed as execution information from the fax number “2000”. Then, the process according to the alternative execution information is executed (step S205).

In this case, the call processing operation by SIP does not make a call connection to the SIP server 2 but directly makes a call connection to the multi-function device 20, establishes the connection, and then transmits image data to the multi-function device 20 by FAX. To do.
If there is information that the local terminal information is not registered in the SIP server 2 in the SIP call connection processing check, the destination IP address (multifunction device 20) is changed from the call connection using the SIP server 2. A message as to whether or not to switch the process to direct call connection to the IP address) is displayed on the LCD 44, and after the user performs a confirmation operation, the process according to the alternative execution information is executed. May be.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the function stored by storing and managing the execution information of the job at the time of FAX transmission, and selecting and applying the execution information to be managed to the job to be executed thereafter, The same processing can be set according to the processing procedure and operation parameters. At this time, it is checked whether the job can be executed with the same setting. When the execution information is memorized by providing a procedure to automatically execute the change to the processing procedure and parameters managed as alternative execution information when the check cannot be executed. Even if the switch settings are different, it becomes possible to connect to the other terminal, and the convenience can be further improved.

“Embodiment 3”
This embodiment is implemented in that it has means for storing and managing job execution information, and adopting a processing condition setting method of selecting and applying execution information to be managed to a job to be executed thereafter. Basically the same as Forms 1 and 2, but it is added as a component to make it possible to use programs plugged into job processing and to share execution information between MFPs. The
In this embodiment, plug-performing the functions are provided from a server via the IP network, also perform information storage medium (SD card), or devices with portable storage unit such as a mobile phone (hereinafter, An example of using “storage device”) will be shown.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a network configuration according to this embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the SIP server 2, the plug-in management server 70, the base B, the base C, and the base D are connected to the IP network 1. The MFPs 20, 80, 90, PCs 21, 81, 91 and IP telephones 22, 82, 92 having IP-FAX functions respectively present at the bases B, C, D can communicate with each other via the IP network 1. It has become.
The SIP server 2 receives a connection request based on the registered IP-FAX terminal information (terminal number), and supports outgoing connection between the MFPs 20, 80, and 90.
Plug-in management server 70 provides a plug-(program) that perform the functions on the MFP 20,80,90 like.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multi-function devices 80 and 90 each having an IP-FAX function. In this embodiment, the MFP 20 at the site B has the configuration of FIG. 2 shown in the first and second embodiments, but may have the same configuration as that of FIG. Further, in the hardware configuration of FIG. 13 shown in this embodiment and the hardware configuration of FIG. 2 shown in the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description is omitted ( the description of FIG. 2 is omitted). See )
In the configuration of FIG. 13, elements added to the configuration of FIG. 2 are a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) 100, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module 101, an antenna 102, a mobile phone 110, an SD (Secure Digital) card controller 103, SD card slot 104 and SD card 111.
The UART 100 is an interface that transmits and receives serial data between the CPU 30 and the Bluetooth module 101, and includes a first in-first out (FIFO), a shift register, and the like.
The Bluetooth module 101 includes an RF unit and a baseband unit, and executes wireless communication in conformity with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Further, since the mobile phone 110 has a Bluetooth communication function, data can be exchanged with the multi-function devices 80 and 90.

Figure 14 shows a functional configuration according to the FAX transmission job of the MFP 80 and 90 of the present embodiment. In addition, in the functional configuration of FIG. 14 shown in this embodiment and the functional configuration of FIG. 3 shown in the first and second embodiments, the same components are assigned the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted ( see the description of FIG. 3). )
In the configuration shown in FIG. 14, elements added to the configuration in FIG. 3 are a plug-in management unit 120, a SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) command transmission unit 121, a plug-in reception unit 122, a Bluetooth data communication unit 123, an SD card. This is a writing / reading unit 124.
The plug-in management unit 120 stores and manages the plug-in IDs and file names existing in the MFPs 80 and 90 in the hard disk 41 in association with each other, and also installs and uninstalls (deletes) plug-ins. Run.

The SOAP command transmission unit 121 transmits a plug-in acquisition request command to the plug-in management server 70 using a SOAP command using an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) protocol.
The plug-in receiving unit 122 receives plug-in data attached to the SOAP message from the plug-in management server 70 in accordance with the “SOAP Messages with Attachments” specification.
The Bluetooth data communication unit 123 transmits execution information to an external device having a Bluetooth communication function (here, the mobile phone 110) in accordance with the Bluetooth standard, and also stores an execution information in this device (here, the mobile phone 110). , The execution information is received from the mobile phone 110).
The SD card writing / reading unit 124 writes execution information to the SD card and reads execution information from the SD card.

In the multi-function devices 80 and 90, one or a plurality of plug-ins execute a function designated by the user. Therefore, an OSGi (Open Services Gateway Initiative) framework is used as a plug-in execution platform. This OSGi framework specification is created by the OSGi Alliance.
In the OSGi Alliance, plug-ins are called bundles. The IP-FAX function is a GUI bundle that provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for FAX, an image reading bundle that reads FAX transmission images from the scanner 38, time designation and connection. FAX communication management bundle that executes scheduling for re-calling when there is not, SIP and ITU-T recommendation T.264 This is realized by a protocol execution bundle that executes 38 protocols and a print bundle that prints received image data.

Among these bundles, the image reading bundle and the print bundle are also used for functions other than IP-FAX, such as a copy function. Bundle IDs are assigned to all bundles used in the multifunction devices 80 and 90, and the bundle IDs existing in the multifunction devices 80 and 90 are managed by the plug-in management unit 120.
The bundle file that can be acquired by the plug-in is stored and managed in the plug-in management server 70 in association with the bundle ID, and the MFPs 80 and 90 download the bundle file from the plug-in management server 70 as needed. Can also be installed.

Next, the FAX transmission operation performed using the IP-FAX transmission function acquired by the plug-in in the above-described network configuration (FIG. 12 ) will be described.
Now, all the bundles necessary for IP-FAX transmission are installed in the multi-function device 80, but in the multi-function device 90, a FAX GUI bundle, a FAX communication management bundle, and a protocol execution bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission are installed. Suppose that is not installed.
The multi-function devices 80 and 90 can pass execution information obtained when executing a function designated by the user to an external device via Bluetooth communication or an SD card, and receive execution information from the external device. it can.

“IP-FAX transmission (MFP 80 → MFP 20)”
First, when a user at the site C performs an IP-FAX transmission operation from the multifunction device 80 to the FAX number of the multifunction device 20 at the site B, the multifunction device 80 connects to the multifunction device 20 using the SIP server 2. Then, the image data is transmitted to the multifunction device 20. At this time, in addition to operating parameters such as the switch referenced procedure of FAX transmission job executed with this process, in association also bundle ID of bundle running this IP-FAX transmission, R as execution information Store and manage in OM32.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of execution information managed for a FAX transmission job executed using a plug-in. As shown in FIG. 15, bundle IDs of a FAX GUI bundle, an image reading bundle, a FAX communication management bundle, and a protocol execution bundle are added to the execution information as plug-in bundles. This is a difference from the execution information (see FIG. 5).

“Setting up jobs that use execution information of other machines”
There is a user's request that the processing according to the FAX transmission execution information performed at the multifunction device 80 at the site C is also to be executed by the multifunction device 90 at the site D.
In order to realize this request, first, the execution information stored and managed as described above is transferred to the multi-function device 90 having no execution information when the multi-function device 80 performs FAX transmission to the multi-function device 20. There is a need. As the transfer method, copy the execution information stored in the R OM32 of the MFP 80 to the SD card, and a method of reading the execution information stored in the SD card in the MFP 90 bases D, the MFP 80 transfer the execution information stored in the R OM32 to the cellular phone 110 by Bluetooth communication, and a method of this further transferred from the cellular phone 110 to the MFP 90 bases D execution information by Bluetooth communication.
In the embodiment shown in below, an example of the method of using the Bluetooth communication.

When transferring execution information, it is necessary to ensure security, so user authentication is performed according to an authentication procedure. In Bluetooth, a PIN (Personal Id Number) code can be used as an authentication key.
The PIN code of the user who owns the mobile phone 110 is registered in the multi-function device 80 and the multi-function device 90, and the multi-function devices 80 and 90 authenticate the mobile phone 110 by an authentication procedure using the Bluetooth PIN code, Execution of Bluetooth communication with the telephone 110 is permitted.

As an execution information transfer operation, first, when a user who owns the mobile phone 110 goes in front of the multi-function device 80 with the mobile phone 110, the mobile phone 110 and the multi-function device 80 respectively detect Bluetooth radio signals. Then, a communication procedure according to the Bluetooth standard is started.
At the beginning of the communication procedure, the multi-function device 80 acquires the user name from the mobile phone 110 according to the Bluetooth inquiry procedure. Next, the multi-function device 80 authenticates the mobile phone 110 by an authentication procedure using a PIN code, permits execution of Bluetooth communication with the mobile phone 110, and establishes a Bluetooth communication connection.
On the other hand, when the user selects “function history” on the menu screen displayed on the LCD 44 after performing user authentication for the multi-function device 80 using the IC card 57, the execution information storage unit 64 stores the function history. It was select only the even the user ID obtained by the user authentication from the execution information displayed as a list on the LCD 44.

Here, when the user selects transmission to the MFP 20 (see FIG. 15) from the job execution information list, a start key for starting execution of processing according to the execution information, and execution thereof Displays a screen for specifying the information output destination.
As the output destination, the user name of the mobile phone 110 previously acquired by Bluetooth communication is displayed. When the user designates the user name of the mobile phone 110 as an output destination, the multi-function device 80 transfers execution information to the mobile phone 110 using the Bluetooth OBEX (Object Exchange Protocol) protocol.

Next, the execution information of the job executed by the multi-function device 80 is acquired using Bluetooth communication, and the multi-function device 90 performs the same processing as the FAX transmission performed by the multi-function device 80 by the acquired execution information. The procedure of the job setting process will be described.
For the procedure of this processing, refer to FIG. 16 showing a flow of processing for setting processing conditions in accordance with execution information of another device performed using a plug-in.
The user who owns the cellular phone 110 first moves the base D in order to perform the FAX transmission, go before the MFP 90 with the mobile phone 110. At this point, the user does not know that the multifunction device 90 cannot execute the IP-FAX transmission function.
According to the processing flow shown in FIG. 16, the multi-function device 90 detects a Bluetooth radio signal from the mobile phone 110 owned by the user who has moved to the site D (step S301-YES), and performs a communication procedure according to the Bluetooth standard. To start.
Then, in a manner similar to that performed by the MFP 8 0 at location C described above, the MFP 90 is to authenticate the mobile phone 110 by the authentication procedure using the PIN code (step S302), the mobile phone 110 The execution of the Bluetooth communication is permitted, and the Bluetooth communication connection is established.

On the other hand, this user uses the IC card 57 to perform user authentication for the multi-function device 90 (step S303) so that the multi-function device 90 can be operated.
In this embodiment, an input screen for performing an operation for transferring execution information from an external device (here, the mobile phone 110) is prepared. When transitioning to this input screen, the multi-function device 90 displays the user name of the mobile phone 110 acquired by the Bluetooth inquiry procedure.
When the user designates the user name acquired from the mobile phone 110 displayed on the input screen and presses a key for instructing acquisition of execution information (step S304-YES), the multi-function device 90 uses the Bluetooth OBEX protocol. In response to the transfer from the mobile phone 110, the execution information is acquired. Thereafter, the multifunction device 90 displays the acquired execution information on the LCD 44 in the same format as that shown in FIG. 6 for the user (step S305).

Here, when the user sets the transmission document on the scanner 38 and selects the execution information displayed on the LCD 44 (step S306-YES), the execution information execution determination unit 65 is shown in the processing procedure shown in FIG. Before executing the processed processing, it is checked whether or not the job can be executed under the same processing conditions at the present time (step S307).
In this embodiment, the execution information execution determination unit 65 checks whether or not a bundle (see FIG. 15) for executing a job is installed as one of the check items. For this reason, the currently installed bundle ID is acquired from the plug-in management unit 120, checked against the bundle ID of the execution information, and the presence or absence is confirmed.
Here, as described above, since there is currently no plug-in, the bundle IDs of the FAX GUI bundle, the FAX communication management bundle, and the protocol execution bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission are as follows. Judge that there is no.

  As described above, when there is no bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission and the job cannot be executed (step S308-NO), the multi-function device 90 transmits these bundles necessary for IP-FAX transmission to the plug-in management server 70. The process acquired from (step S310) is executed. That is, the SOAP command transmission unit 121 uses the HTTP protocol to send the plug-in management server 70 a plug-in acquisition request command including each bundle ID of the GUI bundle for FAX, the FAX communication management bundle, and the protocol execution bundle. Is transmitted with the SOAP command. In response to this command, the plug-in management server 70, in response to this command, attaches each file of the FAX GUI bundle, FAX communication management bundle, and protocol execution bundle to the SOAP message in accordance with the SOAP Messages with Attachments specification. To 90.

When the multifunction device 90 receives these files from the plug-in management server 70, the plug-in management unit 120 installs each bundle included in these files and activates each bundle. At the same time, the plug-in management unit 120 notifies the execution information execution determination unit 65 that a FAX GUI bundle, a FAX communication management bundle, and a protocol execution bundle have been added.
The execution information execution determination unit 65 that receives this notification determines that the processing shown in the processing procedure shown in the execution information of FIG. 15 can be executed, reads the transmission original from the scanner 38 according to this processing procedure, A process of transmitting the image data to the multi function device 20 is executed (step S311), and the process flow ends.
On the other hand, it is checked in step S308 whether or not the job can be executed. If it is determined that the job can be executed (YES in step S308), the transmission process is immediately executed according to the processing procedure shown in the execution information of FIG. Step S309), the processing flow ends.
Note that after the FAX transmission is complete, the plug-in management unit 120, FAX for GUI bundle installed from plug-in management server 70, FAX communication management bundle, uninstall protocol execution bundle cutting these bundle file removal it may be. In this way, the storage capacity for saving the bundle file can be saved.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, functions stored by storing and managing job execution information at the time of FAX transmission, and selecting and applying the execution information to be managed to a job to be executed thereafter, procedures, and to be able to set the same processing according to the operating parameters, in which to be able to use up Ragui down function, when there is no plug-ins required to execute the job, the plug-in managing server The plug-in can be downloaded and the operation according to the selected execution information can be executed, eliminating the need for the user to re-install the plug-in and using portable storage devices such as SD cards and mobile phones. As a result, execution information can be shared between multifunction devices (terminals), and transmission processing according to the execution information can be executed at any terminal. Because, convenience is improved.

“Embodiment 4”
This embodiment is a modification of part of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, when the execution information is selected and applied to the job to be executed, and the same processing can be set, if there is no plug-in necessary for execution, the multifunction peripheral (terminal) is connected from the plug-in management server. The plug-in can be downloaded, and execution information can be shared between multifunction devices (terminals) using a portable storage device such as a mobile phone. In the present embodiment, a multifunction device (terminal) connected to the network is modified from the third embodiment on the assumption that the plug-in management server can be used, and the plug-in cannot be downloaded from the plug-in management server. ), A configuration that can acquire plug-ins is adopted. As a configuration for acquiring the plug-in, in this embodiment, the portable storage device such as the mobile phone used for transferring the execution information in the third embodiment is also used for transferring the plug-in. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the network and the configuration of the MFP as the network component have the configurations shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 in the third embodiment.

Hereinafter, an operation in which the mobile phone 110 acquires a bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission from the plug-in management server 70 and transfers the bundle to the multifunction device 90 will be described.
User, process execution information stored IP-FAX transmits the R OM32 of the MFP 80 until the transfer to the mobile phone 110 by Bluetooth communication, the same as in Embodiment 3.
When the mobile phone 110 receives the execution information from the multi-function device 80, the plug-in acquisition request including the bundle IDs of the FAX GUI bundle, the image reading bundle, the FAX communication management bundle, and the protocol execution bundle included in the execution information is received. The command is transmitted to the plug-in management server 70 by a SOAP command using the HTTP protocol. When the plug-in management server 70 receives this command, the plug-in management server 70 attaches each file of the designated bundle to a SOAP message according to the SOAP Messages with Attachments specification and transmits the file to the mobile phone 110. The mobile phone 110 associates the received bundle file with the execution information received from the multi-function device 80 and stores it in the built-in storage unit.

Then, the user who owns the cellular phone 110 first moves the base D in order to perform the FAX transmission, go before the MFP 90 with the mobile phone 110. At this point, the user does not know that the multifunction device 90 cannot execute the IP-FAX transmission function.
Here, as in the third embodiment, the multi-function device 90 authenticates the mobile phone 110 by an authentication procedure using a PIN code, permits execution of Bluetooth communication with the mobile phone 110, and establishes a Bluetooth communication connection. Establish.

On the other hand, the user uses the IC card 57 to perform user authentication for the multifunction device 90 so that the multifunction device 90 can be operated. In this embodiment, an input screen for performing an operation for transferring execution information from an external device (here, the mobile phone 110) is prepared. When transitioning to this input screen, the multi-function device 90 displays the user name of the mobile phone 110 acquired by the Bluetooth inquiry procedure.
When the user designates the user name acquired from the mobile phone 110 displayed on the input screen and presses a key for instructing acquisition of execution information, the multi-function device 90 is connected from the mobile phone 110 using the Bluetooth OBEX protocol. Get the execution information by receiving the transfer. Thereafter, the multifunction device 90 displays the acquired execution information on the LCD 44 in the same format as that shown in FIG. 6 for the user.

Here, when the user sets a transmission document on the scanner 38 and selects execution information displayed on the LCD 44, the execution information execution determination unit 65 executes the processing shown in the processing procedure shown in FIG. Before, it is checked whether the job can be executed under the same processing conditions at the present time.
In this embodiment, the execution information execution determination unit 65 checks whether or not a bundle (see FIG. 15) for executing a job is installed as one of the check items. For this reason, the currently installed bundle ID is acquired from the plug-in management unit 120, checked against the bundle ID of the execution information, and the presence or absence is confirmed.
Here, as described above, since there is currently no plug-in, the bundle IDs of the FAX GUI bundle, the FAX communication management bundle, and the protocol execution bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission are as follows. Judge that there is no.

As described above, when there is no bundle necessary for IP-FAX transmission and the job cannot be executed, the multi-function device 90 executes processing for acquiring these bundles necessary for IP-FAX transmission from the mobile phone 110. That is, the multifunction device 90 transmits a plug-in acquisition request command including the bundle IDs of the FAX GUI bundle, the FAX communication management bundle, and the protocol execution bundle to the mobile phone 110 using the Bluetooth OBEX protocol.
In response to this command, the mobile phone 110 that receives this command uses the Bluetooth OBEX protocol for each file of the FAX GUI bundle, FAX communication management bundle, and protocol execution bundle previously stored in the built-in storage unit. To the multifunction device 90.

When the multifunction device 90 receives these files from the mobile phone 110, the plug-in management unit 120 installs each bundle included in these files and activates each bundle. At the same time, the plug-in management unit 120 notifies the execution information execution determination unit 65 that a FAX GUI bundle, a FAX communication management bundle, and a protocol execution bundle have been added.
The execution information execution determination unit 65 that receives this notification determines that the processing shown in the processing procedure shown in the execution information of FIG. 15 can be executed, reads the transmission original from the scanner 38 according to this processing procedure, A process of transmitting the image data to the multifunction device 20 is executed.
When the FAX transmission is completed, the plug-in management unit 120 transfers from the mobile phone 110, uninstalls the installed FAX GUI bundle, FAX communication management bundle, and protocol execution bundle, and deletes these bundle files.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the FAX transmission processing by the plug-in can be set according to the stored execution information, and when there is no plug-in necessary for execution, acquires the plug from the plug-in management server, but this time, the MFP (terminal) in a portable storage device such as a mobile phone to be used to share execution information in each other, the plug-in from the plug-in management server download, then, since to forward the MFPs (terminal), the MFP from the plug-in management server can not download a plug-in directly even (terminal), now the FAX transmission process can be performed, the convenience Improves.
Also, the execution information installed from the plug-in management server via a portable storage device such as a mobile phone is uninstalled when the FAX transmission operation is completed, so the memory of the multifunction peripheral (terminal) can be efficiently used. It can be used and convenience is improved.

It is a figure which shows the network structure which concerns on Embodiment 1, 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the multi-function device (IP-FAX) which comprises the network of FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration related to FAX transmission of the MFP (IP-FAX) in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a table showing an example of a FAX number and an IP address of each MFP and an IP address of a SIP server in a table. It is a figure which shows an example of the execution information managed about the executed job. It is a figure which shows the example of the execution information list displayed to a user. It is a figure which shows the display area (thick line frame) designated when the execution information selected in an execution information list (FIG. 6) is FAX transmission. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when the job to be performed performs the process according to execution information, and when that is not right. It is a figure which shows the sequence of the FAX communication performed via a SIP server. It is a figure which shows an example of the execution information managed about the job which performs the sequence of SIP. It is a figure which shows the flow of another process when the job to execute performs the process according to execution information, and the case where it is not so . It is a figure which shows the network structure which concerns on Embodiment 3, 4 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the multi-function device (IP-FAX) which comprises the network of FIG. It is a figure which shows the function structure which concerns on the FAX transmission of the multifunctional machine (IP-FAX) of FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of execution information managed for a FAX transmission job executed using a plug-in. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process when not obtaining the case where the plug-in which performs a job is acquired .

Explanation of symbols

1: IP network, 2: SIP server, 10,20,80,90: MFP (IP-FAX), 30: CPU, 31: main memory, 32: R OM, 38: Scanner, 40: print engine 41 : Hard disk, 44: LCD, 46: LAN I / F, 47: IC card reader, 50: Hard key, 52: Touch panel, 60: Image acquisition unit, 61: Image transmission unit, 62: Display control unit, 63: Operation unit 64: execution information storage unit, 65: execution information execution determination unit, 101: Bluetooth module, 110: mobile phone, 111: SD card, 120: plug-in management unit, 121: SOAP command transmission unit, 122: plug-in reception Unit, 123: Bluetooth data communication unit, 124: SD card writing / reading unit.

Claims (13)

An operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a function set for the executed job, a processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and an operation parameter set for the device Processing information storage means for storing the processing conditions including the execution information, and processing for setting the processing conditions indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means to the job to be executed An information processing apparatus comprising: a condition setting unit; and a processing unit that processes a job according to the processing condition set by the processing condition setting unit,
Prior to executing processing according to the setting of the processing condition setting means, based on the set processing conditions, execution feasibility judgment means for judging whether or not the same processing as when storing the execution information can be executed,
Means for displaying a message representing a procedure of a setting change operation for executing the same process on the display unit of the operation unit when the execution determination unit determines that the same process cannot be executed,
An information processing apparatus that performs the same processing based on execution of the procedure of the setting change operation. An operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a function set for the executed job, a processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and an operation parameter set for the device Processing information storage means for storing the processing conditions including the execution information, and processing for setting the processing conditions indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means to the job to be executed An information processing apparatus comprising: a condition setting unit; and a processing unit that processes a job according to the processing condition set by the processing condition setting unit,
Alternative execution information storage means for storing alternative execution information for obtaining the same processing results as in the case of execution information stored in the execution information storage means;
Prior to executing processing according to the setting of the processing condition setting means, execution feasibility judgment means for judging whether or not the same processing as when storing the execution information can be executed based on the set processing conditions. Prepared,
An information processing apparatus that executes a process based on alternative execution information stored in the alternative execution information storage unit when the execution determination unit determines that the same process cannot be executed. An operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a plug-in management unit for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, and a function set for the executed job, Execution information storage means for storing plug-in identification information required for execution of the job as execution information in addition to the processing conditions including the processing procedure of each processing executed for the function and the operation parameters set in the device; The processing condition setting means for setting the processing condition indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means for the job to be executed, and the plug-in is set by the processing condition setting means. An information processing apparatus having plug-in execution means for executing a job according to the processing conditions,
Prior to executing the process according to the setting of the processing condition setting unit, an execution plug-in presence / absence determination unit that determines whether there is a plug-in that executes the process based on information managed by the plug-in management unit;
Command transmitting means for transmitting an acquisition request command for the plug-in to the server when it is determined by the execution plug-in presence / absence determining means that there is no plug-in for executing the processing;
Plug-in receiving means for receiving a plug-in transmitted from the server;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Means for outputting the execution information stored in the execution information storage means specified by the operation means to a recording medium or an external device specified by the operation means;
An information processing apparatus comprising means for inputting execution information of an external device from a recording medium, an external device, or the like. An operation unit having an input unit and a display unit for setting processing conditions as a user interface, a plug-in management unit for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution, and a function set for the executed job, Execution information storage means for storing plug-in identification information required for execution of the job as execution information in addition to the processing conditions including the processing procedure of each processing executed for the function and the operation parameters set in the device; The processing condition setting means for setting the processing condition indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means for the job to be executed, and the plug-in is set by the processing condition setting means. An information processing apparatus having plug-in execution means for executing a job according to the processing conditions,
Prior to executing the process according to the setting of the processing condition setting unit, an execution plug-in presence / absence determination unit that determines whether there is a plug-in that executes the process based on information managed by the plug-in management unit;
When the execution plug-in presence / absence determining unit determines that there is no plug-in that executes the process, the plug-in storage device that transmits the plug-in acquisition request command to the server is instructed to acquire the plug-in. Plug-in acquisition instructing means,
An information processing apparatus comprising means for receiving a plug-in acquired and transferred by the plug-in storage device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
An information processing apparatus comprising: means for deleting the plug-in stored in the execution information storage means after execution of processing by the plug-in acquired from the server. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a user authentication unit, wherein an input for setting a processing condition in the operation unit is validated on condition of authentication by the user authentication unit. An execution information storage step for storing, in the execution information storage means, processing conditions including the function set for the executed job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and the operation parameter set for the device as execution information; , A processing condition setting step for setting a processing condition indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means in a job to be executed, and a processing condition set in the processing condition setting step An information processing method in an information processing apparatus having a processing step of processing a job according to
Prior to executing the process according to the process condition set in the process condition setting step, based on the set process condition, it is determined whether or not the same process as when the execution information is stored can be executed. Process,
When it is determined that the same process cannot be executed in the execution feasibility determination step, a message indicating a setting change operation procedure for executing the same process is displayed, and an input unit and a display unit for setting a processing condition are used by the user. A display step of displaying on the display unit of the operating means having an interface,
An information processing method, wherein the same processing is executed based on execution of the procedure of the setting change operation. An execution information storage step for storing, in the execution information storage means, processing conditions including the function set for the executed job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function, and the operation parameter set for the device as execution information; , A processing condition setting step for setting a processing condition indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means in a job to be executed, and a processing condition set in the processing condition setting step An information processing method in an information processing apparatus having a processing step of processing a job according to
An alternative execution information storage step of storing, in the alternative execution information storage means, alternative execution information for obtaining the same processing result as that obtained by the execution information stored in the execution information storage means;
Prior to executing the process according to the process condition set in the process condition setting step, based on the set process condition, it is determined whether or not the same process as when the execution information is stored can be executed. And having a process
An information processing method comprising: executing processing based on alternative execution information stored in the alternative execution information storage unit when it is determined that the same processing cannot be executed in the execution feasibility determination step. A plug-in management process for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution;
In addition to the processing conditions including the function set for the executed job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function and the operation parameter set for the device, the identification information of the plug-in required for the execution of the job is executed An execution information storage step for storing the information in the execution information storage means, and a processing condition setting for setting the processing conditions indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means to the job to be executed An information processing method in an information processing apparatus, comprising: a process, and a plug-in execution step in which the plug-in executes a job according to the processing condition set in the processing condition setting step,
An execution plug-in presence / absence determination step of determining whether or not there is a plug-in that executes the processing prior to executing the processing according to the processing condition set in the processing condition setting step;
A command transmission step of transmitting an acquisition request command for the plug-in to the server when it is determined that there is no plug-in for executing the processing in the execution plug-in presence determination step;
A plug-in receiving step of receiving a plug-in transmitted from the server;
An information processing method characterized by comprising : A plug-in management process for managing plug-in identification information required for job execution;
In addition to the processing conditions including the function set for the executed job, the processing procedure of each process executed for the function and the operation parameter set for the device, the identification information of the plug-in required for the execution of the job is executed An execution information storage step for storing the information in the execution information storage means, and a processing condition setting for setting the processing conditions indicated in the execution information selected from the execution information stored in the execution information storage means to the job to be executed An information processing method in an information processing apparatus, comprising: a process, and a plug-in execution step in which the plug-in executes a job according to the processing condition set in the processing condition setting step,
An execution plug-in presence / absence determination step of determining whether or not there is a plug-in that executes the processing prior to executing the processing according to the processing condition set in the processing condition setting step;
When it is determined in the execution plug-in presence / absence determination step that there is no plug-in that executes the process, the plug-in storage device that sends a plug-in acquisition request command to the server is instructed to acquire the plug-in Plug-in acquisition instruction process to
Receiving the plug-in acquired and transferred by the plug-in storage device.   The program for making a computer perform each process which the information processing method described in any one of Claims 8 thru | or 11 has. The recording medium which recorded the program described in Claim 12 so that computer reading was possible.

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