JP6222058B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that stores an application program necessary for executing a function.

  The image forming apparatus stores an application program corresponding to a mounted function (application). When receiving a function execution instruction, the processing unit (CPU) of the image forming apparatus reads an application program corresponding to the function to be executed, and performs processing for executing the function based on the application program.

  By the way, an image forming apparatus (multifunction machine) equipped with multiple types of functions such as a copy function and a printer function requires multiple application programs corresponding to multiple types of functions, but each application program is developed separately. (Creation) reduces software development efficiency.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a common portion of each application program is bundled as a common program, and the common program is stored in the image forming apparatus. In this way, after creating an application program corresponding to a certain function, when creating an application program corresponding to another function, it is only necessary to create a part other than the common program. It can be done.

JP 2002-84383 A

  Normally, an application program of the image forming apparatus is created in a programming language such as C language or C ++ language. However, since such a programming language has a complicated syntax, it takes time to create the application program. Therefore, even if the application program is separated into a common part and other parts as in Patent Document 1, the software development efficiency is not greatly improved. In addition, if an application program is created in a programming language with a complicated syntax, defects are likely to occur in the application program, leading to a reduction in quality. Furthermore, maintenance is also poor.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of improving software development efficiency, quality, and maintainability.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention stores a program part of an application program necessary for executing a function of the image forming apparatus, a function name of the program part of the application program, and a program part of the application program. External conversion of functional data, which is data indicating the data part of the application program, and a conversion table that associates the addresses on the department with each other, a parsing program for analyzing data created in a predetermined data description language using tags And an acquisition unit that is stored separately from the program part of the application program, and a processing unit that performs a process for executing a function based on the application program. The function data is created in a predetermined data description language and stored in the storage unit without being compiled. In the function data, the function name of the program part of the corresponding application program is defined. When the processing unit performs the process for executing the function, the function unit analyzes the function data based on the syntax analysis program and refers to the conversion table, and the function name of the program part of the application program defined in the function data. The address on the storage unit corresponding to is determined, and the program part of the application program stored at the determined address on the storage unit is read. Note that examples of the predetermined data description language using tags include XML (Extensible Markup Language).

  In the configuration of the present invention, since the conversion table in which the function name (text) of the program part of the application program is associated with the address on the storage part of the program part of the application program is stored in the storage part, Even if the description language of the data part (functional data) of the stored application program is a predetermined data description language, the address on the storage unit of the program part of the application program corresponding to the functional data can be obtained by referring to the conversion table. Can be determined. That is, the program portion of the application program corresponding to the function data can be read. Thus, from the viewpoint of the program creator, it is only necessary to store the function data created in a predetermined data description language in the storage unit as it is for the data portion of the application program (compilation is unnecessary), which is convenient. .

  Here, a predetermined data description language (such as XML) is not as complex as a programming language (such as C language or C ++ language), and the creation of an application program (data portion) in the predetermined data description language is simple ( Just remember how to use tags). As a result, the time taken to create the application program is shortened, and the software development efficiency is improved.

  In addition, since the predetermined data description language does not include control codes (branch, repetition, etc.), it is difficult for the application program (data portion) to be defective and the quality is improved. Furthermore, since the predetermined data description language does not include a control code, the readability of the application program (data portion) is improved. That is, maintainability is improved.

  If the data part of the application program needs to be debugged, it is only necessary to correct the function data and store the corrected function data in the storage unit. There is no need to modify the control code. For this reason, it is difficult for degradation to occur. In addition, since it is not necessary to compile the corrected function data, the number of work steps is reduced.

  As described above, according to the present invention, software development efficiency, quality, and maintainability can be improved.

1 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which showed an example of the software configuration of the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which showed an example of the function data (XML data) stored in the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which showed an example of the functional data stored in the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention (continuation of FIG. 4) The figure which showed an example of the conversion table referred when performing a function with the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this embodiment 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing when a report function is executed in a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which showed an example of the report printed out by execution of the report function with the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which showed the example of correction of the function data stored in the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention The figure which showed an example of the report printed out by execution of the report function with the multifunctional device by one Embodiment of this invention (the report before functional data correction, and the report after functional data correction)

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described by taking a multifunction peripheral as an example.

[Overall configuration of MFP]
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 (corresponding to an “image forming apparatus”) includes an image reading unit 101, a printing unit 102, and an operation panel 103.

  The image reading unit 101 reads a document and generates image data of the document. For example, image data of a document obtained by reading by the image reading unit 101 is subjected to various processes by the main control unit 110 described later. The image data becomes basic data of a print image and basic data of facsimile data.

  The printing unit 102 includes a paper feeding unit 21, a paper transport unit 22, an image forming unit 23, and a fixing unit 24. The paper feed unit 21 supplies the paper stored in the paper cassette PC to the paper transport path PP. The paper transport unit 22 transports the paper along the paper transport path PP. The image forming unit 23 includes a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2, an exposure device 3, a developing device 4, a transfer roller 5, and a cleaning device 6. Then, the image forming unit 23 forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers the toner image to a sheet. The fixing unit 24 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred onto the paper and fixes the toner image.

  The operation panel 103 includes a liquid crystal display panel 31 with a touch panel. The liquid crystal display panel 31 displays soft keys and messages for accepting various settings. Further, the operation panel 103 is provided with hard keys such as a start key 32 and a numeric keypad 33. For example, the operation panel 103 receives an execution instruction (operation) for a function of the multifunction peripheral 100.

  In addition to the standard functions such as a copy function and a printer function, the multi-function device 100 includes, for example, a function for printing out a report RP (see FIG. 8) indicating the apparatus status, a function for performing maintenance and adjustment, and the like. In addition, an optional device and a function using an optional language are provided.

[Hardware configuration of MFP]
As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 100 includes a main control unit 110. The main control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, an image processing unit 112, and a storage unit 113. The image processing unit 112 includes an ASIC dedicated to image processing, and performs image processing (enlargement / reduction, density conversion, data format conversion, etc.) on the image data. The storage unit 113 includes a ROM 113a and a RAM 113b. The storage unit 113 (ROM 113a) stores control programs and data. In the following description, a control program necessary for executing a function of the multifunction peripheral 100 may be referred to as an application program 100P. The application layer in FIG. 3 is downloaded to the storage unit 113 of the multifunction peripheral 100 by the external device 200 or the external memory 300.

  The main control unit 110 controls the operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 based on the programs and data stored in the storage unit 113. Specifically, the main control unit 110 is connected to the image reading unit 101 and controls the reading operation of the image reading unit 101. The main control unit 110 is connected to the printing unit 102 and controls the printing operation of the printing unit 102. Further, the main control unit 110 is connected to the operation panel 103 and controls the display operation of the operation panel 103 or detects an operation performed on the operation panel 103.

  The multi-function device 100 includes a communication unit 120 and a connection unit 130. The communication unit 120 and the connection unit 130 are connected to the main control unit 110.

  The communication unit 120 is communicably connected to the external device 200 (such as a personal computer or a server). The communication unit 120 receives an instruction from the main control unit 110 and transmits / receives various data such as facsimile data to / from the external device 200.

  The connection unit 130 is an interface for connecting an external memory 300 such as a USB memory. For example, the external memory 300 stores various data such as image data. When the main control unit 110 recognizes the connection of the external memory 300 to the connection unit 130, the main control unit 110 performs a process for acquiring data stored in the external memory 300.

[Software configuration of MFP]
As shown in FIG. 3, the software configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 is such that an application layer is arranged above the platform layer. Application layer programs and data are read from the external device 200 or the external memory 300 and stored in the ROM 113a.

  In the platform layer, a DLL (Dynamic Link Library) file 510 is provided.

  The platform layer also includes basic programs such as an operating system (OS) 520.

  The application layer includes a library 530, function data 540, and the like. The library 530 is a group of portions for performing function-specific processing among the program portions of each application program 100P respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of functions. For example, when the report function is executed, a program portion of the application program 100P necessary for executing the report function is read from the library 530. The program part of the application program 100P included in the library 530 can be used in common among a plurality of models.

  The function data 540 is data indicating a data portion of each application program 100P corresponding to each of a plurality of types of functions. In the function data 540, parameters specific to the corresponding function are defined. Taking the report function as an example, the print contents, print position, print font, print size, print color, and the like correspond to the function-specific parameters.

  Here, the program portion of the application program 100P is created in a programming language such as C language or C ++ language. On the other hand, the function data 540 is created in a predetermined data description language using tags. For example, the function data 540 is XML data created in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. The function data 540 is not compiled and stored in the storage unit 113 (ROM 113a) as XML data.

  Hereinafter, the function data 540 (XML data) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 by taking the report function (first block A) as an example.

<Function> function_a </ Function>
This description indicates that “function name (program name)” is “function_a”. A program (function) corresponding to “function_a” is a program part of an application program 100P for printing the contents of “message” described later. That is, the function data 540 (XML data) defines the function name of the program portion of the corresponding application program 100P.

<Message> Job error report </ Message>
This description indicates that a character string “job error report” is printed as a “message”. The character string “job error report” is printed by the application program 100P corresponding to “function_a”.

<Position> 0,0 </ Position>
This description indicates that a character string as “message” is printed at a position of (X coordinate, Y coordinate) = (0, 0).

<Variable></Variable>
This description indicates that there is no variable to refer to. If there is a variable to be referenced, that variable is described.

<Font> MS P Gothic </ Font>
This description indicates that the print font of the character string as the “message” is MSP Gothic.

<FontSize> 16 </ FontSize>
This description indicates that the print size of the character string as the “message” is 16 points.

<FontColor> Blue </ FontColor>
This description indicates that the print color of the character string as the “message” is blue.

<ExtFunction></ExtFunction>
This description indicates that no external function is used. If there is an external function to be used, the external function name is described.

  Although the detailed contents of the second block B to the seventh block G are different from those of the first block A, the basic contents such as how to define tags are the same as those of the first block A.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the application layer is provided with a syntax analysis program 550 called a parser program or the like. The syntax analysis program 550 is a program for analyzing function data (XML data) created in a predetermined data description language and converting a simple text into a collection of data structures that can be handled by the application program 100P. By providing such a syntax analysis program 550, even if the function data is XML data, the contents (such as parameters) defined by the function data can be recognized.

  The application layer includes a conversion table 560. In this conversion table 560, for each application program 100P respectively corresponding to a plurality of types of functions, text data (character string) indicating the function name (program name) of the program part of the application program 100P and the program part of the application program 100P Are associated with addresses on the storage unit 113. The conversion table 560 is set as a set with the library 530 and is compiled.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the conversion table 560 before being compiled is a table in which a function pointer is associated with a function name (text) of a program part of the application program 100P. For example, the function pointer corresponding to the function name “function_a” is “(* function_a) ()”.

  The conversion table 560 is a table in which the address (address) on the storage unit 113 of the program part of the application program 100P is associated with the function name of the program part of the application program 100P by being compiled. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 6, when the conversion table 560 is compiled, the address “1200 address” is associated with the function name “function_a”.

  In addition, when the program part of the application program 100P is rewritten, the address on the storage unit 113 of the program part of the application program 100P may be changed. In this case, by recompiling the conversion table 560, the changed address is associated with the function name of the program part of the application program 100P.

[Process to execute function]
The program part (library 530, conversion table 560, syntax analysis program 550) and function data 540 (XML data) of the application program 100P are stored in the storage unit 113 separately. That is, the function data 540 is not compiled together with the program part of the corresponding application program 100P. Note that the program part (library 530, conversion table 560, syntax analysis program 550) and function data 540 of the application program 100P may be stored in the storage unit 113 before shipping the device, or may be stored as options after shipping the device. It may be stored in the unit 113.

  For example, the function data 540 (XML data) is downloaded from the external device 200. Alternatively, the function data 540 is downloaded from the external memory 300. When the function data 540 is downloaded from the external device 200, the function data 540 is acquired by the communication unit 120 and stored in the storage unit 113. In this case, the communication unit 120 corresponds to an “acquisition unit”. When the function data 540 is downloaded from the external memory 300, the function data 540 is acquired by the connection unit 130 and stored in the storage unit 113. In this case, the connection unit 130 corresponds to an “acquisition unit”.

  Then, the function data is stored in the storage unit 113 as XML data as described above, so that the corresponding function can be executed. That is, no compilation is necessary. Hereinafter, the flow of processing when the function is executed will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7, taking the report function as an example.

  First, at the start of the flowchart of FIG. 7, the program portion (library 530, conversion table 560, syntax analysis program 550) of the application program 100P necessary for executing the report function and function data 540 corresponding to the function to be executed. Assume that (XML data) is downloaded from the external device 200 or the external memory 300 and stored in the storage unit 113. In this state, when a report function execution instruction is received, the flowchart of FIG. 7 starts.

  In step S1, the CPU 111 analyzes the function data 540 based on the syntax analysis program 550 and extracts text between tags. For example, taking block A shown in FIG. 4 as an example, the texts “function_a”, “job error report” “0, 0”, “MS P Gothic”, “16”, and “Blue” are extracted. Then, it is converted into an aggregate of data structures that can be handled by the application program 100P (read out to the RAM 113b).

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 2, the CPU 111 refers to the conversion table 560 and determines an address on the storage unit 113 associated with the extracted function name (here, “function_a”). That is, the CPU 111 determines an address on the storage unit 113 of the application program 100P to be executed.

  Thereafter, in step S3, the CPU 111 reads the program portion of the application program 100P stored at the determined address. Then, the CPU 111 passes an analysis result (such as a parameter defined by the function data 540) by the syntax analysis program 550 to the application program 100P, and performs processing for executing the report function based on the application program 100P. That is, the process for executing the report function reflects the contents defined in the function data 540. As a result, a report RP as shown in FIG. 8 is printed out.

  Here, the printed content of the printed report RP may be different from the intention of the user (device developer or device shipping destination user). In this case, it is necessary to debug so that the print contents of the report RP are correct.

  For example, it is assumed that the message content “job error report” is incorrect and is correctly “error report”. In debugging in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the “job error report” described between the tags <Message> to </ Message> of the function data 540 (XML data) is changed to “error report”. Then, the function data 540 after the change is downloaded, and the function data 540 before the change is rewritten to the function data 540 after the change. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the message content of the report RP is changed from “job error report” to “error report”.

  When debugging, it is not necessary to modify the program part of the application program 100P. That is, it is only necessary to rewrite the function data 540 (XML data), and as a result, no compilation is necessary.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 (image forming apparatus) of the present embodiment includes a program part (a library 530, a conversion table 560) of an application program 100P necessary for executing a function (such as a report function), and XML (predetermined data using tags). The syntactic analysis program 550 for analyzing the data created in the description language) and the function data 540 that is data indicating the data portion of the application program 100P are acquired from the outside and stored in the storage unit 113 separately. (Acquisition part) or connection part 130 (acquisition part), and CPU111 (processing part) which performs the process for performing a function based on the application program 100P. The function data 540 is created in XML and stored in the storage unit 113 without being compiled. In the function data 540, the function name of the program part of the corresponding application program 100P is defined. The storage unit 113 stores a conversion table 560 that associates the function name of the program part of the application program 100P with the address on the storage unit 113 of the program part of the application program 100P. Then, when performing processing for executing the function, the CPU 111 analyzes the function data 540 based on the syntax analysis program 550 and refers to the conversion table 560 to determine the application program 100P defined in the function data 540. The address on the storage unit 113 corresponding to the function name of the program part is determined, and the program part of the application program 100P stored at the determined address on the storage unit 113 is read.

  In the configuration of the present embodiment, a conversion table 560 in which the function name (text) of the program part of the application program 100P is associated with the address on the storage unit 113 of the program part of the application program 100P is stored in the storage unit 113. Therefore, even if the description language of the data portion (functional data 540) of the application program 100P stored in the storage unit 113 is XML, the conversion program 560 is referred to, so that the application program 100P corresponding to the functional data 540 is referred to. The address on the storage unit 113 of the program part can be determined. That is, the program part of the application program 100P corresponding to the function data 540 can be read. As a result, from the viewpoint of the program creator, it is only necessary to store the function data 540 created by XML in the storage unit 113 as it is for the data portion of the application program 100P (compilation is not necessary), which is convenient.

  Here, the XML is not as complex as the C language or the C ++ language, and the application program 100P (data portion) can be created in the XML simply by remembering simple rules (how to use tags, etc.). As a result, the time required to create the application program 100P is shortened, and the software development efficiency is improved.

  In addition, since XML does not include control code (branch, repetition, etc.), it is difficult for the application program 100P (data portion) to be defective, and quality is improved. Furthermore, since XML does not include a control code, the readability of the application program 100P (data portion) is improved. That is, maintainability is improved.

  If the data portion of the application program 100P needs to be debugged, the function data 540 (XML data) need only be corrected and the corrected function data 540 may be stored in the storage unit 113. There is no need to modify the program part of 100P (control code such as branch and iteration). For this reason, it is difficult for degradation to occur. In addition, since it is not necessary to compile the corrected function data 540, the work man-hour is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the program portion of the application program 100P is a program that can be used in common among a plurality of models. With this configuration, after creating the application program 1000P of a certain multifunction device 100, when creating the application program 100P of another multifunction device 100 of a different model, the program portion of the application program 100P has already been created. The program portion of the application program 100P can be used. That is, only the data portion of the application program 100P needs to be created. Thereby, the software development efficiency is further improved.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  For example, a control code (a branch process such as an if statement or a loop process such as a for statement) may be interpreted by a syntax analysis program. As a result, for example, processing such as “print a predetermined text when an optional function is installed and do not print a predetermined text when an optional function is not installed” can be defined in the function data. .

100 MFP (image forming device)
100P application program 111 CPU (processing unit)
113 storage unit 120 communication unit (acquisition unit)
130 Connection unit (acquisition unit)
540 Function data 550 Parsing program 560 Conversion table

Claims (4)

A conversion table that associates a program part of an application program required to execute a function of the image forming apparatus, a function name of the program part of the application program, and an address on a storage unit of the program part of the application program, and a tag A syntax analysis program for analyzing data created in a predetermined data description language using
Obtaining functional data that is data indicating the data part of the application program from the outside, and storing the data separately from the program part of the application program;
A processing unit that performs processing for executing the function based on the application program,
The functional data is created in the predetermined data description language and stored in the storage unit without being compiled,
In the function data, a function name of a program part of the corresponding application program is defined,
When the processing unit performs processing for executing the function, the processing unit analyzes the function data based on the syntax analysis program and refers to the conversion table to determine whether the application program is defined in the function data. An image forming apparatus comprising: determining an address on the storage unit corresponding to a function name of a program part; and reading the program part of the application program stored at the determined address on the storage unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program portion of the application program is a program that can be used in common among a plurality of models.   Before the compilation, the conversion table is a table in which a function pointer is associated with a function name of the program part of the application program, and when compiled, the function name of the program part of the application program is changed to the function name. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a table in which addresses on the storage unit of a program part of an application program are associated with each other.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined data description language is XML.

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