JP5659552B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, an image processing method, and an image processing program that are connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses to constitute an image processing system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a system in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected via a network, a technique for directly operating one image processing apparatus and remotely operating another image processing apparatus is known. Hereinafter, an image processing device that is directly operated is referred to as a direct operation device, and an image processing device that is remotely operated is referred to as a remote operation target device.

  In such a system, in order to realize smooth remote operation, it is necessary for the directly operated device to acquire an operation screen from the remotely operated device. In particular, when the operation screen of the remote operation target device does not fit in the display operation unit of the direct operation device, a technique is already known in which the direct operation device reduces the operation screen of the remote operation target device and displays it on the display operation unit. ing.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, when the operation screen of the remote operation target device is displayed in the display mode of the remote operation target device, the operation screen of the remote operation target device is reduced when the operation screen does not directly fit in the display operation unit of the operation device. A configuration for directly displaying on a display / operation unit of an operation device is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 describes that information displayed on the operation panel of the image processing apparatus is also displayed on an external device, and an operation is performed from the external device while viewing the screen.

  However, in the conventional technique, when the operation display unit of the remote operation target device does not fit directly into the operation display unit of the operation device, the operation display unit of the remote operation target device is reduced. For this reason, the operation element directly displayed on the operation display unit of the operation device becomes small, and the operation becomes difficult because the operation becomes difficult.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and an image processing method capable of preventing a decrease in operability when remotely operating an image processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing program.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects another image processing apparatus, a list of functions installed in the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus detected by the detection unit, and the Capability data receiving means for receiving capability data including size information indicating the size of the operation display means of another image processing device, and remotely transmitting the other image processing device based on the capability data received by the capability data receiving means. Selecting means for selecting whether or not to be an operation target, wherein the selection means includes a function to be operated in a list of the functions included in the capability data, and the other image processing apparatus When the size of the operation display means is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus, the other image processing apparatus is selected as a remote operation target.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an operation screen acquisition unit that acquires an operation screen file displayed on the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus selected by the selection unit. And a function cooperation means for linking the other image processing apparatus and the image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention further includes apparatus state data receiving means for receiving apparatus state data indicating the state of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus, and the selecting means includes the apparatus state data. Based on the device status data received by the receiving means, another operable image processing apparatus is selected as a remote operation target.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, when the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus selected as the remote operation target by the selection means is larger than the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus, the selection means The image processing device is different from the image processing device selected as the remote operation target for operating the image processing device selected as the remote operation target, and the size of the operation display means is the size of the image processing device. An image processing apparatus having a size equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display means is selected as an operation screen file acquisition target, and the operation screen acquisition means is configured to select an operation display means of the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus selected as the operation screen file acquisition target. Get the operation screen file to be displayed on the screen.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes an operation screen detection unit that detects whether or not the operation screen file acquired by the operation screen acquisition unit is stored in a storage device, and the operation screen file is stored in the storage device. Storage control means for storing the operation screen file in the storage device when not stored.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the storage unit is provided in an operation screen file server connected to the image processing apparatus, and an acquisition destination that specifies the operation screen file server as an acquisition destination of the operation screen file. Have specific means.

  The present invention is an image processing system configured by connecting a plurality of image processing devices, wherein the image processing device detects other image processing devices other than its own from the plurality of image processing devices. And from the other image processing device detected by the detection means, a list of functions installed in the other image processing device and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing device. Capacity data receiving means for receiving capacity data including, and selection means for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is to be remotely operated based on the capacity data received by the capacity data receiving means, The selection means includes a function to be operated in a list of the functions included in the capability data, and the size of the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus is the corresponding size. If it is less than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus, it selects the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target.

  The present invention is an image processing system configured by connecting a plurality of image processing devices and an operation screen file server storing a plurality of operation screen files displayed on the operation display means of the image processing device, An image processing device detects from the plurality of image processing devices other image processing devices other than its own device, and from the other image processing device detected by the detection means to the other image processing device. Capability data receiving means for receiving capability data including a list of installed functions and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing device, and based on the capability data received by the capability data receiving means Selection means for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is a remote operation target, and information indicating the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus; An operation screen acquisition means for transmitting a function to be operated in the image processing apparatus to the operation screen file server and acquiring an operation screen file from the operation screen file server, and the operation screen file server includes: Operation screen providing means for providing the image processing apparatus with an operation screen file having a size of the operation display means equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus and including a function to be operated in the image processing apparatus. Have.

  The present invention relates to an image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses to constitute an image processing system, wherein an image processing apparatus other than the own apparatus is selected from the plurality of image processing apparatuses. From the detection procedure to be detected, the list of functions installed in the other image processing device, and the size of the operation display means of the other image processing device from the other image processing device detected in the detection procedure A capability data receiving procedure for receiving capability data including size information, and a selection procedure for selecting whether or not the other image processing device is to be remotely operated based on the capability data received in the capability data receiving procedure; The selection procedure includes a function to be operated in a list of the functions included in the capability data, and the operation of the other image processing apparatus. The size of the display unit is equal to or less than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus, selects the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target.

  The present invention is an image processing program that is executed by an image processing apparatus that is connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses and constitutes an image processing system. A detection step for detecting another image processing device, a list of functions installed in the other image processing device from the other image processing device detected in the detection step, and operations of the other image processing device A capability data receiving step for receiving capability data including size information indicating the size of the display means, and whether or not the other image processing device is to be remotely controlled based on the capability data received in the capability data receiving step. A selection step for selecting, and the selection step performs an operation on a list of the functions included in the capability data. And when the size of the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus, the other image processing apparatus is set as a remote operation target. Select.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in operability when the image processing apparatus is remotely operated.

It is a figure explaining the system configuration of the image processing system of a first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of an image processing system. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure explaining the functional composition of the image processing device of a first embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the selection part of the image processing apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the image processing system of 3rd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 3rd embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the selection part of the image processing apparatus of 3rd embodiment. It is a figure explaining the example of the system configuration | structure of the image processing system of 4th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of 100 A of image processing systems of 4th embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function structure of the image processing apparatus of 4th embodiment, and an operation screen file server. It is a sequence diagram explaining the process which makes an operation screen file permanent in an operation screen file server. It is a sequence diagram explaining the operation | movement which an operation screen file server provides an operation screen file.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the system configuration of the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  The image processing system 100 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting image processing apparatuses 200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, and 200E via a network N. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 200A is an image processing apparatus that is directly operated by a user, and the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E are image processing apparatuses that are targets of remote operation by the image processing apparatus 200A. In the following description of the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 200A that is directly operated by the user is referred to as a direct operation device 200A. The image processing apparatus 200A cooperates with any of the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E. The image processing apparatus that is the cooperation destination is a target of remote operation by the image processing apparatus 200A. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus that is a target for remote operation is referred to as a remote operation target device.

  Next, an overview of the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the image processing system.

  In the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment, the direct operation device (image processing device) 200A selects any one of the cooperation candidate image processing devices 200B to 200E as a remote operation target device, and functions directly with the direct operation device 200A. Link. The cooperation in the present embodiment means that one function is realized by a plurality of image processing apparatuses.

  For example, consider a case where it is desired to use a FAX (facsimile) function in the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment. Since the direct operation device 200A is not equipped with a FAX function, the direct operation device 200A cannot perform FAX transmission. Therefore, the direct operation device 200A selects the image processing devices 200C, 200D, and 200E equipped with the FAX function from the image processing devices 200B to 200E. Then, the direct operation device 200A selects, as the remote operation target device 200C, the image processing device 200C in which the size of the operation panel matches the size of its own operation panel in the selected three image processing devices.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, if an image processing apparatus whose operation panel size directly matches the operation device 200A is a remote operation target device, the operation screen displayed on the operation panel of the remote operation target device is not reduced. Even better. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the fall of operativity at the time of performing remote operation can be suppressed.

  The image processing apparatus 200A according to the present embodiment will be described below. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E of the present embodiment also have the same hardware configuration as the image processing apparatus 200A.

  The image processing apparatus 200A according to the present embodiment includes an input device 21, an output device 22, a drive device 23, an auxiliary storage device 24, a nonvolatile memory device 25, an arithmetic processing device 26, and an interface device that are connected to each other via a bus B. 27 and an operation panel 28.

  The input device 21 is a device for inputting image data, and is realized by, for example, a scanning device. The output device 22 is a device for outputting image data, and is realized by, for example, a plotter device. The auxiliary storage device 24 is a large-capacity memory device and is realized by, for example, a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HDD). The nonvolatile memory device 25 is realized by, for example, NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM).

  The arithmetic processing device 26 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and implements the function of the image processing device 200A by executing a program stored in the nonvolatile memory device 25 or the like. The interface device 27 includes a modem, a LAN card, and the like, and is used to connect the image processing device 200A to a network or the like. The operation panel 28 is a device for operating the image processing apparatus 200A, and is realized by, for example, an operation panel having a display function.

  The image processing program of the present invention is at least a part of various programs for controlling the image processing apparatus 200A. Various programs including the image processing program are provided by, for example, distribution of the recording medium 29 or downloading from the network. The recording medium 29 on which the image processing program is recorded is information such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, etc., a recording medium for recording information optically, electrically or magnetically, a ROM, a flash memory, etc. Various types of recording media, such as a semiconductor memory that electrically records data, can be used.

  When the recording medium 29 on which the image processing program is recorded is set in the drive device 23, the image processing program is installed from the recording medium 29 to the auxiliary storage device 24 via the drive device 23. The image processing program downloaded from the network is installed in the auxiliary storage device 24 via the interface device 27.

  The auxiliary storage device 24 stores the installed image processing program as well as necessary files, data, and the like. The arithmetic processing unit 26 implements various processes as will be described later in accordance with an image processing program stored in the auxiliary storage device 24.

  Next, the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 200A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E have the same functional configuration as the image processing apparatus 200A.

  The image processing apparatus 200A of the present embodiment includes a detection unit 210A, a capability data transfer unit 220A, a device state data transfer unit 230A, an operation screen acquisition unit 240A, a device linkage unit 250A, an operation screen detection unit 260A, a selection unit 270A, and a perpetuation. Part 280A.

  The detection unit 210A detects the image processing devices 200B to 200E connected to the image processing device 200A via the network N. When receiving a request from the other image processing devices 200B to 200E, the capability data transfer unit 220A provides the capability data of the image processing device 200A to the request source. When the image processing device 200A is the request source, the capability data of the image processing device that is the request destination is supplied to the capability data transfer unit 220A. The capability data exchanged between the image processing apparatuses in the present embodiment is, for example, size information of the operation panel, a list of functions (services) provided by the device, and the like.

  The device status data exchanging unit 230A has a function of exchanging device status data of the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E. The device status data exchanging unit 230A provides device status data of the image processing device 200A to the request source when receiving a request from the other image processing devices 200B to 200E. When the image processing apparatus 200A is the request source, the apparatus status data transfer unit 230A is supplied with the apparatus status data of the image processing apparatus that is the request destination. Note that the device status data of the present embodiment is information indicating whether the device is available / not available, such as a normal state / failure state of the image processing apparatus.

  The operation screen acquisition unit 240A acquires operation screen files from the other image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E. The operation screen file may be expressed in, for example, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) or may be expressed in Flash.

  The device cooperation unit 250A implements a function using the resources (devices, resources) of the other image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E from the direct operation device 200A.

  The operation screen detection unit 260A detects whether or not an operation screen file for realizing the function requested by the own device exists.

  The selection unit 270A selects an image processing apparatus to be a remote operation target device based on information exchanged by each exchange unit. The persistence unit 280A is for persisting information in the image processing apparatus 200A. Specifically, the persistence unit 280A is a storage control unit that stores information in a nonvolatile memory or the like included in the image processing apparatus 200A.

  The operation of the image processing system 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of the operation when the image processing apparatus 200A, which is a direct operation device, selects the image forming apparatus 200C as a remote operation target device.

  The image processing apparatus 200A executes multicast for the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E connected to the network N in accordance with the operation of the operator, and detects the image processing apparatus 200C by the detection unit 210A (steps S501 and 502). . Note that the detection unit 210A of the present embodiment may be realized by a known technique such as NetBIOS (Network Basic Input Output System) or WSD (Device Profile for Web Service). The detection unit 210A notifies the capability data transfer unit 220A that the image processing apparatus 200C has been detected (step S503).

  Next, the image processing apparatus 200A exchanges capability data between the image processing apparatus 200A and the image processing apparatus 200C by the capability data transfer unit 220A. The capability data transfer unit 220A requests the image processing apparatus 200C to provide capability data (step S504). In response to this request, the capability data exchange unit (not shown) of the image processing device 200C provides the capability data of the image processing device 200C to the image processing device 200A (step S505). The capability data of the image processing apparatus 200C provided to the capability data transfer unit 220A is as described above.

  When the capability data of the image processing device 200C is provided, the capability data transfer unit 220A passes the capability data of the image processing device 200C to the selection unit 270A (step S506). Subsequently, the selection unit 270A selects whether or not the image processing apparatus 200C is a remote operation target device (step S507). Details of selection in the selection unit 270A will be described later.

  When the selection unit 270A selects the image processing apparatus 200C as a remote operation target device, the selection unit 270 makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen acquisition unit 240A (step S508).

  In response to this request, the operation screen acquisition unit 240A acquires the operation screen file of the image processing device 200C from the image processing device 200C (step S509).

  Subsequently, the device cooperation unit 250A makes a function substitution request to the image processing apparatus 200C and cooperates with the image processing apparatus 200C (step S510).

  The function substitution request will be described below. The function substitution request includes three steps. The three steps are an initial screen display step, a setting change response step, and a process execution step. In the initial screen display step, status information acquisition and option information acquisition are performed on the remote operation target device and displayed on the operation panel 28. The status information is, for example, tray information such as the remaining amount of paper, paper size and direction, toner information, etc. if the operation target function is a copy function. The option information is information related to staple setting and punch setting.

  In the setting change response step, an exclusive condition for a setting that cannot be used at the same time or a linked condition for a setting that should be used at the same time is acquired from the remote operation target device, and the screen of the operation panel 28 is updated according to the user's setting. The process execution step instructs the remote operation target device to execute the function based on the setting designated by the user, and displays the progress on the operation panel 28.

  In the present embodiment, a process including the above processes is called a function proxy request.

  The selection by the selection unit 270A of the image processing apparatus 200A of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the selection unit of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  First, selection when the detection unit 210A of the image processing apparatus 200A detects the image processing apparatus 200C will be described.

  In the image processing apparatus 200A of the present embodiment, when the detection unit 210A detects the image processing apparatus 200C, capability data including size information of the operation panel is provided from the image processing apparatus 200C to the capability data transfer unit 220A. Here, the selection unit 270A determines whether or not the size of the operation pal 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A is equal to or larger than the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 200C included in the provided capability data (step S601).

  Since the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A and the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 200C have the same size, the process proceeds to the next step.

  When the condition is satisfied in step S601, the selection unit 270A determines whether the function that is the operation target of the image processing device 200C is selected from the list of functions of the image processing device 200C included in the capability data provided to the capability data transfer unit 220A. It is determined whether or not it is mounted (step S602).

  Since the image processing apparatus 200C is equipped with a FAX function as an operation target function in the image processing apparatus 200A, the process proceeds to the next step.

  If the operation target function is mounted on the image processing apparatus 200C in step S602, the selection unit 270A selects the image processing apparatus 200C as a remote operation target device (cooperation target device) (step S603). The selected image processing apparatus 200C is preferably registered as a cooperation destination apparatus in the image processing apparatus 200A.

  Next, selection when the detection unit 210A of the image processing apparatus 200A detects the image processing apparatus 200E will be described.

  Capability data including the size of the operation panel of the image processing device 200E and a list of functions is provided to the capability data exchange unit 220A of the image processing device 200A. Therefore, the selection unit 270A compares the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 200E with the size of the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A. At this time, the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 200E is larger than the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A. Therefore, the selection unit 270A does not select the image processing device 200E as a remote operation target device.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus that is a direct operation apparatus according to the present embodiment does not select an image processing apparatus having an operation panel larger than the size of its own operation panel as a remote operation target apparatus. In the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus that is a direct operation device selects an image processing device having an operation panel having a size equal to or smaller than the size of its own operation panel as a remote operation target device. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the image processing apparatus that is a direct operation device, the operation screen of the remote operation target device is not reduced and displayed, and the deterioration in operability when the image processing device is remotely operated can be prevented. it can.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that the image processing apparatus that is a direct operation device perpetuates the operation screen file of the image processing device that is a remote operation target device. Therefore, in the following description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are given to those having the same functional configuration as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the image processing system according to the second embodiment.

  The system configuration of the image processing system 100 of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, processing is performed using the perpetuating unit 280A of the image processing apparatus 200A. In the present embodiment, the operation screen file once acquired by the image processing apparatus 200A is stored in the persistence unit 280A.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the second embodiment.

  The processing from step S801 to step S807 in FIG. 8 is the same as the processing from step S501 to step S507 in FIG.

  When the image processing apparatus 200C is selected as a remote operation target device in step S807, the selection unit 270A makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen detection unit 260A (step S808). In response to this request, the operation screen detection unit 260A makes an operation screen file search request from the persistence unit 280A (step S809). In response to the search request, the persistence unit 280A searches for the corresponding operation screen file (step S810).

  If there is an operation screen file corresponding to the persistence unit 280A in step S810, the operation screen detection unit 260A requests the persistence unit 280A to acquire the operation screen file, and acquires the operation screen file (step S811). ).

  If there is no operation screen file corresponding to the persistence unit 280A in step S810, the operation screen detection unit 260A makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen acquisition unit 240A (step S812). In response to this request, the operation screen acquisition unit 240A acquires an operation screen file from the image processing apparatus 200C (step S813). Next, the operation screen acquisition unit 240A makes a request for persisting the acquired operation screen file to the persistence unit 280A (step S814).

  The persistence unit 280A perpetuates the operation screen file acquired in response to this request (step S815). Subsequently, the device cooperation unit 250A makes a function proxy request to the image processing apparatus 200C (step S816).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the operation screen file acquired directly by the direct operation device is accumulated and made permanent, so that the process of acquiring the operation screen file from the cooperation destination device is omitted at the next cooperation. it can.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The third embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment only in that each image processing apparatus constituting the image processing system has device state data. Therefore, in the following description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are given to those having the same functional configuration as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the image processing system according to the third embodiment. The image processing system 100 of this embodiment has the same system configuration as that of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatuses 200B to 200E have device state data indicating the respective device states. In the example of FIG. 9, the device status data of the image processing devices 200B and 200D is normal, and the device status data of the image processing devices 200C and 200E is faulty.

  The operation of the image processing system 100 in the example of FIG. 9 will be described below. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

  Steps S1001 to S1003 in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes from Step S501 to Step S503 in FIG. In step S1003, when the capability data exchanging unit 220A receives a notification that the image processing apparatus 200C has been detected, the capability data exchanging unit 220A issues a device status data acquisition request to the device status data exchanging unit 230A (step S1004). In response to this request, device status data transfer unit 230A acquires device status data from image processing apparatus 200C (steps S1005 and S1006). Next, the device status data exchanging unit 230A notifies the capability data exchanging unit 220A of the device status data of the image processing apparatus 200C (step S1007).

  The processing from step S1008 to step S1011 is the same as the processing from step S504 to step S507 in FIG.

  The processing from step S1012 to step S1022 is processing when the detection unit 210A detects the image processing apparatus 200D, and is the same as the processing from step S1001 to step S1011.

  In step S1011 and step S1022, the selection unit 270A of the present embodiment selects a remote operation target device and makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen acquisition unit 240A (step S1023). Details of selection by the selection unit 270A in the present embodiment will be described later.

  The operation screen acquisition unit 240A acquires an operation screen file from the image processing apparatus 200C (step S1024). The device cooperation unit 250A sets the image processing apparatus 200D as a remote operation target device and makes a function substitution request (step S1025).

  The selection by the selection unit 270A of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the selection unit of the image processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

  In the image processing apparatus 200A, the selection unit 270A determines whether or not the operation target function is mounted on the detected image processing apparatus based on the capability data provided from the detected image processing apparatus (step S1101). . When the operation target function is installed in step S1101, the selection unit 270A determines whether the size of the operation pal 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A is equal to or larger than the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus included in the provided capability data. It is determined whether or not (step S1102).

  When the size of the operation pal 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A is equal to or larger than the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus included in the provided capability data in step S1102, the selection unit 270A selects the detected image processing apparatus as the operation screen. Registration as a file acquisition target device (step S1103). If the size of the operation pal 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A is smaller than the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus included in the provided capability data in step S1102, the selection unit 270A performs processing without registering the image processing apparatus. finish.

  Next, the selection unit 270A determines whether or not the detected image processing apparatus is operable from the device status data provided to the device status data transfer unit 230A (step S1104). If it is operable in step S1104, the selection unit 270A registers the image processing apparatus as a remote operation target device (step S1105). If the image processing apparatus detected in step S1104 is not operable, the selection unit 270A ends the selection without registering the image processing apparatus.

  For example, when the image processing apparatus 200C is detected in the present embodiment, the selection unit 270A determines whether the FAX function that is the operation target function is installed in the image processing apparatus 200C. Since the image processing apparatus 200C has a FAX function, the selection unit 270A compares the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 200C with the size of the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A. Since both are the same size, the selection unit 270A registers the image processing apparatus 200C as an operation screen file acquisition target device. Next, the selection unit 270A determines whether or not the image processing apparatus 200C is operable. The image processing apparatus 200C has failed according to the device status data. Therefore, the selection unit 270A ends the process without selecting the image processing apparatus 200C.

  When the image processing apparatus 200D is detected, the selection unit 270A performs the same process as the above process. The image processing apparatus 200D is equipped with a FAX function, and the size of the operation panel is larger than the size of the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A.

  Therefore, the selection unit 270A proceeds to step S1104 without registering the image processing device 200D as an operation screen file acquisition target device. Since the image processing apparatus 200D is operable, the selection unit 270A selects the image processing apparatus 200D as a cooperation target device.

  In this case, the image processing device 200C is selected as the operation screen file acquisition target device, and the image processing device 200D is selected as the remote operation target device. Therefore, in the image processing apparatus 200A, it is possible to acquire an operation screen file from the image processing apparatus 200C, display the operation screen, and remotely operate the image processing apparatus 200D using this operation screen.

  In other words, in the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment, an image processing apparatus different from the image processing apparatus from which the operation apparatus directly acquires the operation screen file can be selected as the remote operation target apparatus.

  With the above configuration, in this embodiment, an operation screen file that can be displayed without being reduced on the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 200A can be acquired, and an image processing apparatus that operates normally is selected as a remote operation target device. Therefore, it is possible to provide an environment in which user operations can be optimized.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the first embodiment in that the image processing system includes an operation screen file server. Therefore, in the following description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are given to those having the same functional configuration as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of the image processing system according to the fourth embodiment.

  In the image processing system 100A of this embodiment, image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E and an operation screen file server 300 are connected via a network N.

  The outline of the image processing system 100A of the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image processing system 100A according to the fourth embodiment.

  In FIG. 13, the image processing device 201A is a direct operation device, and the image processing devices 201B to 201E are remote operation target devices. In the present embodiment, operation screen files of the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E included in the image processing system 100A are stored in the operation screen file server 300. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 201A that is a direct operation target accesses the operation screen file server 300 and acquires an operation screen file of a remote operation target device.

  The functional configurations of the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E and the operation screen file server 300 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus and operation screen file server according to the fourth embodiment. Since the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E have the same functional configuration, the image processing apparatus 201A will be described as an example in FIG.

  The operation screen file server 300 according to the present embodiment includes a detection unit 310, an operation screen detection unit 320, an operation screen acquisition unit 330, a persistence unit 340, and an operation screen provision unit 350.

  The detection unit 310 according to the present embodiment detects the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E included in the image processing system 100A. The operation screen detection unit 320 detects whether or not the operation screen file server 300 has made the operation screen of the target function and the target panel size permanent. The operation screen acquisition unit 330 acquires operation screen files from the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E. The operation screen file may be expressed in HTML or may be expressed in Flash. The persistence unit 340 persists the operation screen file in the operation screen file server 300.

  The persistence unit 340 of the present embodiment may be, for example, an HDD that the operation screen file server 300 has. In the present embodiment, the operation screen file is made permanent by storing the operation screen file in the persistence unit 340. The operation screen providing unit 350 provides a permanent operation screen file in response to requests from the image processing apparatuses 201A to 201E.

  The image processing apparatus 201A according to the present embodiment includes a capability data transfer unit 221A, a cooperation destination identification unit 231A, an operation screen acquisition unit 241A, a device cooperation unit 251A, and an acquisition destination identification unit 261A.

  The capability data transfer unit 221A has the same function as the capability data transfer unit 220A of the first embodiment. The cooperation destination specifying unit 231A specifies a cooperation destination image processing device that cooperates with the image processing device 201A as a remote operation target device.

  The operation screen acquisition unit 241A acquires an operation screen file from the operation screen file server 300. The device cooperation unit 251A realizes the function from the image processing device 201A, which is a direct operation device, using resources (devices) of other image processing devices. The acquisition destination specifying unit 261A specifies the operation screen file server 300. The cooperation destination specifying unit 231A and the acquisition destination specifying unit 261A of the present embodiment may be realized by, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address input field, a list box selected from a list of IP addresses used in the past, or the like.

  Next, the operation of the image processing system 100A according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram for explaining processing for making an operation screen file permanent in the operation screen file server. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the operation screen file of the image processing apparatus 201B is made permanent.

  The operation screen file server 300 detects the image processing apparatus 201B by the detection unit 310, for example, by the operation of the administrator of the operation screen file server 300 (step S1501). The operation screen file server 300 transmits information on the size of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 201B and a list of installed functions from the image processing apparatus 201B to the detection unit 310 (step S1502).

  The detection unit 310 passes information on the size of the operation panel and a list of installed functions to the operation screen detection unit 320 (step S1503). The operation screen detection unit 320 inquires of the persistence unit 340 whether or not the size information of the operation panel and the list of installed functions are persisted (step S1504).

  In step S1504, when the information on the size of the operation panel and the list of installed functions are not made permanent, the operation screen detection unit 320 makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen acquisition unit 330 (step S1505). In response to the request, the operation screen acquisition unit 330 issues an operation screen file acquisition request to the image processing apparatus 201B (step S1506). Then, the operation screen acquisition unit 330 acquires an operation screen file from the image processing apparatus 201B (step S1507).

  The operation screen acquisition unit 330 makes a request for persisting the operation screen file to the persistence unit 340 (step S1508). In response to this request, the persistence unit 340 persists the operation screen file (step S1509).

  In FIG. 15, an example in which the operation screen file of the image processing apparatus 201B is made permanent was introduced. However, the operation screen files of the image processing apparatuses 201A and 201C to 201E can be made permanent by the same processing.

  Next, an operation when the operation screen file server 300 provides an operation screen file will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation in which the operation screen file server provides the operation screen file. FIG. 16 shows a case where the operation screen file server 300 provides an operation screen file to the image processing apparatus 201A.

  In the image processing apparatus 201A, the acquisition destination specifying unit 261A specifies the acquisition destination of the operation screen file (step S1601). Note that the acquisition destination specifying unit 261 of this embodiment may specify the acquisition destination of the operation screen file by designating the IP address of the operation screen file server 300 by the user of the image processing apparatus 201A, for example.

  When the acquisition destination of the operation screen file is specified, the acquisition destination specifying unit 261A notifies the operation screen acquisition unit 241A of the acquisition destination of the operation screen file (step S1602). The operation screen acquisition unit 241A makes an operation screen file acquisition request to the operation screen file server 300 (step S1603). At this time, the operation screen acquisition unit 241A transmits size information of the operation panel of the image processing apparatus 201A and operation target function information indicating the operation target function to the operation screen file server 300.

  The operation screen file server 300 receives the request, the size information, and the operation target function information, and receives the size information and the operation target function information from the operation screen file made permanent in the operation screen file server 300 by the operation screen providing unit 350. Are searched for and transmitted to the operation screen acquisition unit 241A (step S1604). The operation screen file corresponding to the size information and the operation target function information is, for example, an operation screen file in which the size of the operation screen is equal to or smaller than the size indicated in the size information and the operation target function can be operated.

  Subsequently, the cooperation destination specifying unit 231A specifies the image processing apparatus 201C as the cooperation destination (step S1605). The cooperation destination specifying unit 231A of the present embodiment may specify the image processing apparatus 201C by specifying the IP address of the image processing apparatus 201C, for example.

  When the cooperation destination is specified, the cooperation destination specifying unit 231A notifies the capability data transfer unit 221A of the specified device (step S1606). The capability data transfer unit 221A makes a request for receiving capability data to the image processing apparatus 201C according to the notification (step S1607). In response to this request, the image processing apparatus 201C provides capability data including a list of functions of the image processing device 201C to the capability data transfer unit 221A (step S1608). The capability data transfer unit 221A determines whether or not the operation target function is mounted on the image processing apparatus 201C based on the function list (step S1609).

  When the operation target function is not installed in step S1609, the capability data transfer unit 221A notifies the cooperation destination specifying unit 231A of an error (step S1620). The cooperation destination identification unit 231A displays that the cooperation destination is an error on the operation panel 28 of the image processing apparatus 201A (step S1621).

  When the operation target function is installed in step S1609, the capability data transfer unit 221A notifies the device cooperation unit 251A of the image processing apparatus 201C as a cooperation destination (step S1622). In response to this notification, the device cooperation unit 251A requests the image processing apparatus 201C to perform a function substitution, and causes the image processing apparatus 201C to realize the operation target function (step S1623).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the operation screen file can be provided from the operation screen file server 300 to the image processing apparatus 201A.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

100, 100A Image processing system 200A-200E, 201A-201E Image processing device 210A Detection unit 220A Capability data transfer unit 230A Device status data transfer unit 240A Operation screen acquisition unit 250A Device linkage unit 260A Operation screen detection unit 270A Selection unit 280A Persistence 300 Operation screen file server

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-178064 JP 2009-224963 A

Claims (10)

Detecting means for detecting another image processing apparatus;
A capability including a list of functions installed in the other image processing apparatus and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus detected by the detection means. Ability to receive data, data receiving means,
Selecting means for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is a remote operation target based on the ability data received by the ability data receiving means;
The selecting means is
The function list included in the capability data includes a function to be operated, and the size of the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus. An image processing apparatus that selects the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target. Operation screen acquisition means for acquiring an operation screen file displayed on the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus selected by the selection means;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a function cooperation unit that cooperates the other image processing apparatus with the image processing apparatus. Device status data receiving means for receiving device status data indicating the status of the other image processing device from the other image processing device;
The selecting means is
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein another operable image processing apparatus is selected as a remote operation target based on the apparatus state data received by the apparatus state data receiving unit. When the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus selected as the remote operation target by the selection means is larger than the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus,
The selecting means is
The image processing device is different from the image processing device selected as the remote operation target for operating the image processing device selected as the remote operation target, and the size of the operation display means is the size of the image processing device. Select an image processing device that is smaller than the size of the operation display means as the operation screen file acquisition target
The operation screen acquisition means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an operation screen file to be displayed on an operation display unit of the image processing apparatus is acquired from the image processing apparatus selected as the operation screen file acquisition target. Operation screen detection means for detecting whether or not the operation screen file acquired by the operation screen acquisition means is stored in a storage device;
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage control unit configured to store the operation screen file in the storage device when the operation screen file is not stored in the storage device. The storage device is provided in an operation screen file server connected to the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising an acquisition destination specifying unit that specifies the operation screen file server as an acquisition destination of the operation screen file. An image processing system configured by connecting a plurality of image processing apparatuses,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting an image processing apparatus other than the own apparatus from the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
A capability including a list of functions installed in the other image processing apparatus and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus detected by the detection means. Ability to receive data, data receiving means,
Selecting means for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is a remote operation target based on the ability data received by the ability data receiving means;
The selecting means is
The function list included in the capability data includes a function to be operated, and the size of the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus. And an image processing system for selecting the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target. An image processing system configured by connecting a plurality of image processing devices and an operation screen file server storing a plurality of operation screen files displayed on the operation display means of the image processing device,
The image processing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting an image processing apparatus other than the own apparatus from the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
A capability including a list of functions installed in the other image processing apparatus and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus detected by the detection means. Ability to receive data, data receiving means,
Selecting means for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is to be remotely operated based on the ability data received by the ability data receiving means;
An operation screen for transmitting information indicating the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus and a function to be operated in the image processing apparatus to the operation screen file server, and acquiring an operation screen file from the operation screen file server Obtaining means,
The operation screen file server
Operation screen providing means for providing the image processing apparatus with an operation screen file having a size of the operation display means equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display means of the image processing apparatus and including a function to be operated in the image processing apparatus An image processing system. An image processing method executed by an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses to constitute an image processing system,
A detection procedure for detecting an image processing apparatus other than the own apparatus from the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
A capability including a list of functions installed in the other image processing device and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing device from the other image processing device detected in the detection procedure. Ability to receive data
A selection procedure for selecting whether or not the other image processing apparatus is a remote operation target based on the capability data received in the capability data reception procedure,
The selection procedure is as follows:
The function list included in the capability data includes a function to be operated, and the size of the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus. An image processing method for selecting the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target. An image processing program executed by an image processing apparatus connected to a plurality of image processing apparatuses to constitute an image processing system,
In the image processing apparatus,
A detection step of detecting an image processing apparatus other than the own apparatus from the plurality of image processing apparatuses;
A capability including a list of functions installed in the other image processing apparatus and size information indicating the size of the operation display means of the other image processing apparatus from the other image processing apparatus detected in the detection step. Ability to receive data A data receiving step;
A selection step for selecting whether or not the other image processing device is a remote operation target based on the capability data received in the capability data reception step; and
The selection step includes
The function list included in the capability data includes a function to be operated, and the size of the operation display unit of the other image processing apparatus is equal to or smaller than the size of the operation display unit of the image processing apparatus. An image processing program for selecting the other image processing apparatus as a remote operation target.

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