JP5787833B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing system, information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, and a multifunction peripheral, and more particularly to a technique for using an application program installed in an external apparatus.

In general, in an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a scanner, and a multifunction peripheral, various application programs (hereinafter abbreviated as “applications”) are stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk provided in the image processing apparatus. Then, a control device such as a CPU mounted on the image processing device executes various jobs such as print processing, scan processing, and scan transmission processing in accordance with the application.
On the other hand, for example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for downloading an application executed on a mobile terminal from an external server device. In particular, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing the amount of data by downloading an application generated using only a module necessary for a portable terminal.

JP 2006-178912 A

However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, an application is installed in a mobile terminal and executed by the mobile terminal. Therefore, in order to make it possible to execute a plurality of applications in the image processing apparatus using such a technique, it becomes a problem that a storage area for storing the plurality of applications must be secured.
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus capable of executing a job by using an application installed in an external apparatus from the image processing apparatus. To provide a processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a program.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is applied to an image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document. The image processing apparatus includes a remote operation means for transmitting a remote operation signal for setting a job according to an application program in the information processing apparatus connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication network; First control means for receiving setting data for causing the image processing apparatus to execute a job set in accordance with the application program in the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus and executing the job in accordance with the setting data; It has.
According to the present invention, a job can be executed using the application program installed in the information processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus, and it is not necessary to install the application in the image processing apparatus. The storage area to be secured in the image processing apparatus can be reduced.
Further, the image processing apparatus includes a first setting data storage unit that stores and stores the setting data, and the information processing apparatus includes a second setting data storage unit that stores and stores the setting data. It is possible to become. The setting data received from the information processing apparatus is difference data between the setting data stored and stored in the second setting data storage unit and the setting data set by the information processing apparatus, It is conceivable that the first control unit executes the job in accordance with the setting data and the difference data stored and stored in the first setting data storage unit.
As a result, since only the difference data is transmitted and received between the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus that have transmitted and received the setting data in the past, the amount of data communication can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the setting data is always transmitted and received. For example, the communication time can be shortened.
Further, the information processing apparatus may be an image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document. Accordingly, for example, in an image processing system configured by connecting a plurality of image processing apparatuses, it is possible to execute a job using an application installed in another image processing apparatus.

By the way, the present invention can also be understood as an invention of an image processing system including the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus.
That is, the present invention is connected to an image processing apparatus that executes either or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document, and the image processing apparatus via a communication network. It can be understood as an image processing system including an information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus stores a program storage unit storing an application program for setting a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus, and the job according to the application program according to a remote operation from the image processing apparatus. Second control means for setting, and setting data transmission means for transmitting setting data for causing the image processing apparatus to execute the job set by the second control means, to the image processing apparatus. Become. The image processing apparatus includes a remote operation unit that transmits a remote operation signal for setting the job in the information processing apparatus according to the application program to the information processing apparatus, and the setting data received from the information processing apparatus. And a first control means for executing the job according to the above.
In the image processing system, the image processing apparatus includes first setting data storage means for storing and storing the setting data, and the information processing apparatus stores a second setting for storing and storing the setting data. It is conceivable to include data storage means. The setting data transmission means transmits the setting data stored and stored in the second setting data storage means and difference data between the setting data set by the information processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus. The first control unit executes the job in accordance with the setting data stored and stored in the first setting data storage unit and the difference data transmitted by the setting data transmission unit. It is possible that there is.
Further, the information processing apparatus includes identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information of the image processing apparatus, and specification storage means in which specifications of the image processing apparatus corresponding to the identification information are stored. Configuration is conceivable. In this case, it is conceivable that the second control means limits the contents of the job that can be set when the application program is executed according to the specifications of the image processing apparatus corresponding to the identification information. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the job having contents that cannot be executed due to the specifications of the image processing apparatus from being set.

The present invention can also be understood as an invention of the information processing apparatus constituting the image processing system.
That is, the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document via a communication network. A program storage means storing an application program for setting a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus; a second control means for setting a job according to the application program in response to a remote operation from the image processing apparatus; An information processing apparatus comprising: setting data transmission means for transmitting setting data for causing the image processing apparatus to execute a job set by the second control means to the image processing apparatus May be taken as
Furthermore, the present invention can also be understood as a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program is recorded may be regarded as the present invention.

  According to the present invention, an application program installed in an external information processing apparatus can be used from an image processing apparatus to execute a job, and there is no need to install the application in the image processing apparatus. A storage area to be secured in the processing apparatus can be saved.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine Y. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a procedure of job execution processing and job setting processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application selection screen displayed on the operation display unit 4Y of the multifunction peripheral Y. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen of an application displayed on an operation display unit 4Y of the multifunction machine Y. The figure which shows an example of the setting data produced | generated by the job setting process. The figure which shows an example of the difference data produced | generated by a job setting process.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not.

<Schematic configuration of image processing system X>
First, a schematic configuration of an image processing system X according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system X includes multifunction peripherals Y and Y1 and multifunction peripherals Z and Z1 that are communicably connected via a communication network 10 such as the Internet or a LAN. The multifunction machines Y and Y1 and the multifunction machines Z and Z1 are image processing apparatuses that execute one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document. Here, the MFP Y is an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and the MFP Z is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
It is also conceivable as another embodiment that the image processing system X includes an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer that executes the same application program as the multifunction machine Z instead of the multifunction machine Z. Further, the multifunction machine Y and the multifunction machine Z are merely examples of the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and a scanner, a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like are also included in the image processing apparatus and the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. It corresponds to an information processing device. The multifunction device Y1 is configured in the same manner as the multifunction device Y, and the multifunction device Z1 is configured in the same manner as the multifunction device Z.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine Y and the multifunction machine Z include an image reading unit 1, an ADF (automatic document feeder) 2, an image forming unit 3, an operation display unit 4, a control unit 5, and a communication. The image forming apparatus includes a processing unit 6 and a paper feed cassette 7. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the multifunction machine Y and the multifunction machine Z, and FIG. 2B is a view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2A.
The operation display unit 4 is a touch panel used to display various types of information in accordance with control instructions from the control unit 5 or to input various types of information to the control unit 5. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the operation display unit 4 mounted on the multifunction machine Y is referred to as an operation display unit 4Y.
The communication processing unit 6 is a communication modem that enables wired or wireless data communication with an external device through the communication network 10. The paper feed cassette 7 accommodates paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 3, and the paper is supplied to the image forming unit 3 as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 1 is an image reading unit that executes image reading processing for reading image data from a document, and includes a contact glass 11, a reading unit 12, mirrors 13 and 14, an optical lens 15, And a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 16 and the like. The contact glass 11 is provided on the upper surface of the image reading unit 1 and is a transparent document table on which a document P to be image-read is placed.
The reading unit 12 includes an LED light source 121 and a mirror 122, and is configured to be movable in the left-right direction (sub-scanning direction) in FIG. 2A by a moving mechanism (not shown) using a driving motor such as a stepping motor. Has been. When the reading unit 12 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the drive motor, the light irradiated on the contact glass 11 from the LED light source 121 is scanned in the sub-scanning direction.
The LED light source 121 includes a large number of white LEDs arranged along the depth direction (main scanning direction) in FIG. 2A, and a document P at the reading position 12A on the contact glass 11 or a later-described document. A line of white light is emitted toward the document holder 23. Note that the reading position 12A moves in the sub-scanning direction as the reading unit 12 moves in the sub-scanning direction.
The mirror 122 reflects reflected light toward the mirror 13 when light is emitted from the LED light source 121 to the original P at the reading position 12A or the original press 23 described later. The light reflected by the mirror 122 is guided to the optical lens 15 by the mirrors 13 and 14. The optical lens 15 collects incident light and makes it incident on the CCD 16.
The CCD 16 is a photoelectric conversion element that converts received light into an electrical signal (voltage) corresponding to the amount of light and outputs it as image data. Specifically, the CCD 16 reads the image data of the document P based on the light reflected from the document P when light is emitted from the LED light source 121. Image data read by the CCD 16 is input to the control unit 5.

The ADF 2 includes a document setting unit 21, a plurality of conveyance rollers 22, a document pressing unit 23, a paper discharge unit 24, and the like. The ADF 2 drives each of the transport rollers 22 by a motor (not shown), thereby allowing the document P set on the document setting unit 21 to pass through the reading position 52A on the contact glass 51 and the sheet discharge unit 24. Transport to.
The document retainer 23 is provided at a position above the reading position 52A on the contact glass 51 with a space through which the document P can pass. The document retainer 23 has a long shape in the main scanning direction, and a white sheet is attached to the lower surface (the surface on the contact glass 51 side). Then, the image data of the white sheet is read as white reference data and used for well-known shading correction or the like.

The image forming unit 3 performs an image forming process (printing process) based on image data read by the image reading unit 1 or image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer. This is an image forming unit of the type.
Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a developing device 33, a toner container 34, a transfer roller 35, a static eliminating device 36, a fixing roller 37, a pressure roller 38, and the like. In the image forming unit 3, an image is formed on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 7 according to the following procedure.
First, the photosensitive drum 31 is uniformly charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 32. Next, light based on image data is irradiated on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 by a laser scanner unit (LSU) (not shown). As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed (visualized) as a toner image by the developing device 33. The developing device 33 is supplied with toner (developer) from the toner container 34. Subsequently, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is transferred onto a sheet by the transfer roller 35. Thereafter, the toner image transferred to the paper is heated and fused by the fixing roller 37 when the paper passes between the fixing roller 37 and the pressure roller 38 and is discharged. The potential of the photosensitive drum 31 is neutralized by the neutralization device 36.

Next, the control unit 5 mounted on the multifunction machine Y and the multifunction machine Z will be described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 5 of the multifunction device Y includes a CPU 511, a RAM 512, an EEPROM 513, and the like, and controls the multifunction device Y in an integrated manner. The CPU 511 is an example of a computer that executes various control programs stored in the EEPROM 513 while expanding them on the RAM 512.
Specifically, the EEPROM 513 stores a job execution program 514 in advance. Then, the CPU 511 executes a job execution process (see the flowchart of FIG. 3) described later in accordance with the job execution program 514 stored in the EEPROM 513. The job execution program 514 is read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, or downloaded via the Internet or the like, and is installed in the multifunction device Y by the CPU 511. Of course, the job execution program 514 may be stored in the EEPROM 513 in advance when the multifunction device Y is manufactured. The EEPROM 513 is also used for storing and storing setting data in a job execution process to be described later executed by the CPU 511.

On the other hand, the control unit 5 of the multifunction device Z includes a CPU 521, a RAM 522, an EEPROM 523, and the like, and controls the multifunction device Z in an integrated manner. The CPU 521 is an example of a computer that executes various control programs stored in the EEPROM 523 while expanding them on the RAM 522.
Specifically, the EEPROM 523 stores a job setting program 524 in advance. Then, the CPU 521 executes a job setting process described later (see the flowchart of FIG. 3) according to the job setting program 524 stored in the EEPROM 523. The job setting program 524 is read from a recording medium such as a CD or DVD, or downloaded through the Internet or the like, and is installed in the multi-function device Z by the CPU 521. Of course, the job setting program 524 may be stored in advance in the EEPROM 523 when the multi-function device Z is manufactured. The EEPROM 523 is also used for storing and storing setting data in a job setting process (to be described later) executed by the CPU 521.

Further, an application program 525 (hereinafter abbreviated as “application 525”) for setting the contents of a job to be executed by the multifunction device Y is stored in the EEPROM 523 of the multifunction device Z. In other words, the multifunction device Z differs from the multifunction device Y in that the application 525 is installed. Here, the EEPROM 523 is an example of a program storage means. The application 525 is read from a recording medium such as a CD or a DVD, or downloaded through the Internet or the like, and is installed in the multifunction device Z by the CPU 521. Of course, the application 525 may be stored in the EEPROM 523 in advance when the multifunction device Z is manufactured.
The application 525 is a program for setting various job contents such as image reading processing, image forming processing, facsimile transmission processing, and scan transmission processing in the multi-function peripheral Y. For example, the contents of the job include information such as the document size, number of copies, resolution, presence / absence of double-sided printing, 2 in 1 (4 in 1), paper feed cassette, facsimile transmission destination, data transmission destination, and the like.
Hereinafter, in this exemplary embodiment, the application 525 transmits image data read by the image reading unit 1 to an external device via the communication network 10 by the communication processing unit 6 (an example of a job). An example of the case of a program for setting the contents will be described. Specifically, the contents of the scan transmission process include information such as the size of the original to be read, the resolution of the read image data, and the transmission destination of the image data.

<Job execution processing and job setting processing>
Hereinafter, an example of a job execution process and a job setting process executed by the CPU 511 of the multifunction peripheral Y and the CPU 521 of the multifunction peripheral Z in the image processing system X will be described with reference to FIG. Here, S11, S12,... Are processing procedure (step) numbers of the job execution processing executed by the CPU 511, and S21, S22,... Are processing procedures of the job setting processing executed by the CPU 521. (Step) represents a number.

[Step S11: MFP Y side]
First, in the multifunction device Y, the CPU 511 performs an operation for executing an application installed in an external device such as the multifunction device Z and the multifunction device Z1 on the operation display unit 4Y in step S11. Determine whether it was done. When the operation is performed (Yes side of S11), the CPU 511 moves the process to step S12. When the operation is not performed (No side of S11), the process is performed in step S11. Wait.
FIG. 4 shows a display example of the operation display unit 4Y. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation display unit 4Y displays a selection screen on which operation keys 41A to 41D for selecting an application are arranged. In the multifunction device Y, for example, a shortcut key for accessing an application installed in an external device such as the multifunction device Z by an initial setting process executed by the CPU 511 in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 4Y. Is registered. Accordingly, in the multi-function device Y, the application selection screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the operation display unit 4Y, and the CPU 511 can access the application selected on the selection screen. When the operation key 41C or 41D corresponding to the application 525 mounted on the multifunction device Z or the multifunction device Z1 is operated on the operation display unit 4Y (Yes side of S11), the CPU 511 Then, the process proceeds to step S12.

[Steps S12 to S13: Multifunction peripheral Y side]
Next, in step S12, the CPU 511 transmits the application execution request to the external apparatus in which the application selected in step S11 is installed. At this time, the CPU 511 transmits the execution request with identification information for identifying the multi-function peripheral Y attached to header information or the like.
Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the case where the operation key 41C (see FIG. 4) corresponding to the application 525 installed in the multifunction device Z is operated in the multifunction device Y will be described as an example. Accordingly, in step S12, the CPU 511 transmits an execution request for the application 525 for setting the contents of the scan transmission process to the multi-function device Z.
Thereafter, the CPU 511 waits for reception of an application execution start notification from the multifunction device Z (No side in S13). When the CPU 511 receives the application execution start notification from the multifunction device Z (Yes side in S13), the process proceeds to step S14. To migrate.

[Steps S21 to S24: Multifunction machine Z side]
On the other hand, in the multifunction device Z, the CPU 521 determines whether or not an execution request for the application 525 is received from an external device such as the multifunction device Y in step S21. When the CPU 521 receives the execution request (Yes in S21), the CPU 521 shifts the process to Step S22. When the execution request is not received (No in S21), the CPU 521 executes the process in Step S21. Let's wait.
Next, in step S22, the CPU 521 specifies the transmission source of the execution request determined to have been received in step S21. Specifically, the CPU 521 extracts and acquires the identification information attached to the header information of the execution request and specifies the transmission source of the execution request based on the identification information. Here, the CPU 521 when executing such processing corresponds to identification information acquisition means.
Subsequently, in step S23, the CPU 521 transmits an application execution start notification indicating that execution of the application 525 is started to the transmission source of the execution request specified in step S22. Here, since the execution request is received from the multifunction device Y, the CPU 521 transmits the application execution start notification to the multifunction device Y. As another embodiment, the CPU 521 rejects the execution of the application 525 when the transmission source of the execution request identified in step S22 is not an external device registered in a preset permission list. Conceivable.
In step S24, the CPU 521 executes the application 525 corresponding to the execution request received in step S21, and receives the contents of the job executed by the multifunction device Y from the multifunction device Y, which will be described later. A process for setting according to the signal is executed. As described above, the CPU 521 when executing the process for setting the contents of the job according to the application 525 corresponds to the second control unit. Here, the CPU 521 executes a process for setting the content of the scan transmission process in response to a remote operation by the multifunction peripheral Y. At this time, the CPU 521 executes exclusive control processing for refusing access from an external device other than the multi-function device Y until the setting of the scan transmission processing is completed.
By the way, the EEPROM 523 (an example of a specification storage unit) stores in advance specification information related to the specifications of the image processing apparatus corresponding to the identification information of the transmission source of the execution request specified in step S22. Conceivable. As a result, the CPU 521 can limit the contents of the scan transmission process that can be set when the application 525 is executed in accordance with the specifications of the multifunction peripheral Y indicated by the specification information. Specifically, it is conceivable that, as the specification information regarding the multi-function peripheral Y, a document size and resolution that can be read by the image reading unit 1 of the multi-function peripheral Y are determined. In this case, in step S24, the CPU 521 may display only the document size and resolution that can be selected by the multi-function peripheral Y as setting candidates.

[Step S14: MFP Y side]
On the other hand, in the multifunction device Y, the CPU 511 transmits an operation signal (an example of a remote operation signal) to the multifunction device Z in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 4Y in step S14. Specifically, the CPU 511 receives display screen data for setting the content of the scan transmission process from the multi-function device Z, and sets the scan transmission process in the operation display unit 4Y based on the display screen data. Display the screen. The CPU 511 transmits an operation signal for setting the content of the scan transmission process to the multi-function device Z in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 4Y. In this way, the CPU 511 when transmitting the operation signal for setting the job contents to the multifunction device Z in the job setting processing executed by the CPU 521 in accordance with the application 525 in the multifunction device Z is remote. It corresponds to the operating means.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the operation display unit 4Y. The operation display unit 4Y shown in FIG. 5 displays a selection screen for selecting a document size and resolution when reading image data to be transmitted. When any of the operation keys 42A to 42D for selecting the document size is operated on the selection screen and any of the operation keys 43A to 43D for selecting the resolution is operated, the CPU 511 The operation signal is transmitted to the multi-function device Z. Thus, in the multifunction device Z, the CPU 521 sets the document size and the resolution according to the operation signal received from the multifunction device Y, and the CPU 521 transmits the data of the subsequent setting screen to the multifunction device Y. (Step S24).

[Steps S25 to S26: Multifunction machine Z side]
Thereafter, in step S25, the CPU 521 determines whether or not a job execution operation has been performed in the multifunction peripheral Y. Specifically, when the CPU 521 receives an operation signal corresponding to the job execution operation from the multifunction peripheral Y, the CPU 521 determines that the job execution has been performed. When the CPU 521 determines that the job execution operation has been performed (Yes in S25), the process proceeds to step S26, and until the job execution operation is performed (No in S25), The process returns to step S24.
In subsequent step S26, the CPU 521 generates setting data for causing the multi-function peripheral Y to execute the job set in step S24. FIG. 6 shows an example of the setting data. The setting data shown in FIG. 6 is expressed in the XML format, but is not limited thereto.
The setting data is, for example, data indicating a job type (print, copy, scan to send, etc.), document size (A3, A5, B4, etc.), and resolution (200 × 400 dpi, 400 × 400 dpi, 200 × 100 dpi, etc.). is there. In other words, the setting data is not an application program for causing the CPU 511 to execute a job in the multi-function device Y, but indicates only setting contents of a job executed by the CPU 511 in the multi-function device Y.

[Step S27: MFP Z side]
Next, in step S <b> 27, the CPU 521 determines whether or not setting data previously transmitted to the multifunction device Y is stored in the EEPROM 523. If the CPU 521 determines that the setting data is stored (Yes in S27), the CPU 521 shifts the process to Step S28, and determines that the setting data is not stored (No in S27). Side), the process proceeds to step S29.
In step S28, the CPU 521 generates difference data between the setting data generated in step S26 and the past setting data stored in the EEPROM 523. FIG. 7 shows an example of the difference data. The difference data is information including only data relating to a portion different from the past setting data stored in the EEPROM 523 among the setting data generated in step S26. The difference data shown in FIG. 7 is expressed in the XML format, but is not limited to this.
In step S29, the CPU 521 transmits the setting data generated in step S26 or the difference data generated in step S28 to the multifunction device Y. Here, the CPU 521 when executing the transmission processing corresponds to setting data transmission means. Specifically, the CPU 521 transmits the difference data to the multi-function device Y when the difference data is generated in the step S28, and transmits the setting data when the difference data is not generated. Send to MFP Y.
Thereafter, in step S30, the CPU 521 accumulates and stores the setting data generated in step S26 in the EEPROM 523. Here, the EEPROM 523 is an example of second setting data storage means. At this time, it is conceivable that the CPU 521 accumulates and stores the setting data in the EEPROM 523, and erases the setting data in order from the oldest setting data when a preset storage capacity is reached. It is also conceivable that only the latest setting data for each transmission destination of the setting data is stored in the EEPROM 523, that is, overwritten and saved.

[Steps S15 to S18: Multifunction machine Y side]
On the other hand, the CPU 511 is waiting for reception of the setting data and the difference data (No side of S15, No side of S18). If the setting data is received (Yes in S15), the CPU 511 shifts the process to Step S16. If the difference data is received (Yes in S18), the CPU 511 performs the process in Step S19. To migrate.
In step S <b> 16, the CPU 511 executes a job according to the setting data received from the multifunction machine Z. Here, the CPU 511 when executing the scan transmission process (job) in accordance with the setting data received from the multifunction machine Z corresponds to a first control unit. Thereby, in the multi-function device Y, the job indicated by the setting data generated in step S26 in the multi-function device Z is executed. Specifically, if the content of the setting data indicates a scan transmission process with the document size “A3” and the resolution “200 × 200 dpi”, the CPU 511 causes the image reading unit 1 to set the document size “A3” and A scan transmission process is executed in which image data is read from a document with a resolution of “200 × 200 dpi”, and the image processing unit 6 transmits the image data to a predetermined transmission destination.
Thereafter, in step S17, the CPU 511 accumulates and stores the setting data received in step S15 in the EEPROM 513. The EEPROM 513 is an example of first setting data storage means. At this time, it is conceivable that the CPU 511 accumulates and stores the setting data in the EEPROM 513 and deletes the setting data in order from the oldest setting data when a preset storage capacity is reached. It is also conceivable that only the latest setting data for each transmission source of the setting data is stored in the EEPROM 513, that is, overwritten and saved.

[Steps S19 to S20: MFP Y side]
On the other hand, when the difference data is received (Yes side of S18), in the subsequent step S19, the CPU 511 reads the past setting data corresponding to the difference data from the EEPROM 513. Specifically, when the difference data is received from the multifunction device Z, the CPU 511 reads setting data received in the past from the multifunction device Z among the setting data stored in the EEPROM 513.
In step S20, the CPU 511 executes a job according to the difference data and the past setting data read from the EEPROM 513. Here, the CPU 511 when executing the job in accordance with the difference data received from the multifunction peripheral Z and the past setting data corresponds to a first control unit. Specifically, the CPU 511 restores the setting data generated in step S26 in the multi-function device Z based on the difference data and the past setting data, and executes a job based on the setting data. That is, in the multifunction device Y, a job according to the setting data generated in step S26 in the multifunction device Z is executed.

  As described above, in the image processing system X, the multifunction device Y can execute a job using an application installed in an external device such as the multifunction device Z. There is no need to install the application. Therefore, the storage area to be secured in the multifunction device Y can be reduced compared to the case where an application is installed in the multifunction device Y. In particular, since only the difference data is transmitted / received between the multifunction peripheral Y and the multifunction peripheral Z that have transmitted / received the setting data in the past, the amount of data communication can be reduced compared to a configuration in which the setting data is always transmitted / received. For example, the communication time can be shortened.

In the multi-function device Z, a configuration in which the specification information regarding the contents of the job that can be executed by the multi-function device Y is not stored in the storage unit such as the EEPROM 523 is also conceivable. In this case, in the multi-function peripheral Y, the CPU 511 determines whether the setting data can be executed in the multi-function peripheral Y, and when it is not executable, re-executes job setting by the application 525. It is possible to do.
In the multifunction device Y, when the CPU 511 receives the difference data and the setting data corresponding to the difference data is not stored in the EEPROM 513, the CPU 511 transmits the setting data to the multifunction device Z. It is conceivable to request transmission of. Further, when the job according to the difference data and the past setting data stored in the EEPROM 513 is not a normal job, the CPU 511 may request the MFP Z to transmit the setting data. Conceivable. Specifically, when the content of the setting data restored based on the difference data and the past setting data violates a predetermined prohibition condition, the CPU 511 Request transmission of the setting data. When the CPU 521 of the multi-function peripheral Z receives the setting data transmission request in this way, the CPU 521 transmits the setting data generated in step S26 to the multi-function peripheral Y. As a result, in the multi-function device Y, the CPU 511 can normally execute the job according to the setting data.

1: Image reading unit 2: ADF
3: Image forming unit 4: Operation display unit 5: Control unit 511, 521: CPU
512, 522: RAM
513, 523: EEPROM
6: Communication processing unit 7: Paper feed cassettes S11, S12,... S20: Processing procedure (step) numbers S21, S22,... S30: Processing procedure (step) numbers X: Image processing system Y, Y1: Composite Machine (an example of an image processing device)
Z, Z1: MFP (an example of information processing device)

Claims (8)

An image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document,
An operation display unit for displaying an operation screen for displaying an operation key for selecting an application program and identification information of a plurality of information processing devices on which the application program corresponding to each of the operation keys is mounted;
The specific information processing apparatus when the operation key corresponding to the identification information indicating the specific information processing apparatus among the plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication network is operated After the execution request for the application program corresponding to the operation key is transmitted, the job setting screen is displayed on the operation display unit based on display screen data received from the specific information processing apparatus, and the setting screen is displayed. and remote control means for transmitting a remote control signal for setting the job to the specific information processing apparatus according to the application program in the specific information processing apparatus according to an operation on,
First executing the job in accordance with the setting data which receives the setting data for executing a job that is set according to the application program in the specific information processing apparatus to the image processing apparatus from the specific information processing apparatus Control means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: The image processing apparatus comprises first setting data storage means for accumulating and storing the setting data received in the past from the specific information processing apparatus ;
The specific information processing apparatus includes second setting data storage means for accumulating and storing the setting data transmitted in the past to the image processing apparatus ;
The setting data newly received from the specific information processing device is stored in the second setting data storage means by the setting data corresponding to the specific information processing device and the specific information processing device. Difference data of the set data set,
The first control means is set by the specific information processing apparatus according to the setting data and the difference data corresponding to the specific information processing apparatus stored and stored in the first setting data storage means The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein setting data is restored, and the job is executed based on the restored setting data . 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific information processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process of reading image data from a document. Image processing device. An image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document; and a plurality of information processing apparatuses connected to the image processing apparatus via a communication network; An image processing system comprising:
Each of the information processing devices
Program storage means storing an application program for setting a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus; and second control means for setting the job according to the application program in response to a remote operation from the image processing apparatus; And setting data transmission means for transmitting the setting data for causing the image processing apparatus to execute the job set by the second control means to the image processing apparatus, and the second control means. However, when the execution request for the application program is received from the image processing device, the display screen data is transmitted to the image processing device and the setting of the job is completed until the job setting ends. It executes exclusive control processing that denies access from the device,
The image processing apparatus is
An operation display unit for displaying an operation screen for displaying operation keys for selecting the application program and identification information of the plurality of information processing devices on which the application program corresponding to each of the operation keys is mounted; When the operation key corresponding to the identification information indicating the specific information processing device among the plurality of information processing devices is operated, the specific information processing device is requested to execute the application program corresponding to the operation key Is transmitted to the operation display unit based on the display screen data received from the specific information processing apparatus , and the specific information processing apparatus responds to an operation on the setting screen . said remote control signal for setting the job in accordance with the application program JP First image processing system comprising a control unit, the executing the remote control means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus, the job according to the setting data received from the specific information processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus comprises first setting data storage means for accumulating and storing the setting data received in the past from the specific information processing apparatus ;
The specific information processing apparatus includes second setting data storage means for accumulating and storing the setting data transmitted in the past to the image processing apparatus ;
The setting data transmitting means stores the setting data corresponding to the specific information processing apparatus accumulated and stored in the second setting data storage means, and difference data of the setting data set by the specific information processing apparatus Is transmitted to the image processing device,
The first control means is transmitted by the setting data corresponding to the specific information processing apparatus stored and stored in the first setting data storage means and the setting data transmission means of the specific information processing apparatus. The image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the setting data set by the specific information processing apparatus is restored according to the difference data , and the job is executed based on the restored setting data . Each of the information processing devices includes an identification information acquisition unit that acquires identification information of the image processing device, and a specification storage unit that stores a specification of the image processing device corresponding to each of the identification information,
The said 2nd control means restrict | limits the content of the said job which can be set at the time of execution of the said application program according to the specification of the said image processing apparatus corresponding to the said identification information. The image processing system described. An information processing apparatus connected to an image processing apparatus that executes one or both of an image forming process based on image data and an image reading process for reading image data from a document via a communication network,
Program storage means storing an application program for setting a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus; second control means for setting a job according to the application program in response to a remote operation from the image processing apparatus; Ri Na and and a setting data transmission means for transmitting to the image processing apparatus setting data for executing a job that is set in the image processing apparatus by the second control means,
When the second control unit receives an execution request for the application program from the image processing apparatus, the second control unit transmits display screen data to the image processing apparatus, and until the job setting is completed, An information processing apparatus that executes exclusive control processing that denies access from an external apparatus other than an image processing apparatus.   The program for functioning a computer as each means in any one of Claims 1-7.