JP7190601B1 - Program for MFP System, Function Expansion Method, and MFP System - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 A highly convenient program is provided that allows an existing multi-function machine system to execute an extended function without changing the physical configuration of the device. A composite document comprising reading means 1 for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data, transmission means 2 for transmitting the image document data to an external device, and an updatable control program p1. a start step in which the MFP system MS transitions to a special processing state for performing special processing based on an extended function, triggered by reading of the starter image si by the reading means 1 for the MFP system MS; a processing step in which each image document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read while is in a special processing state is treated as processing standby document data by the multifunction device system MS, and special processing is performed on the processing standby document data; and an end step for ending the special processing state based on an input from the outside. [Selection drawing] Fig. 6

Description

The present invention relates to a program and function expansion method applied to a multifunction machine system, and to the multifunction machine system itself.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, scanners, facsimiles, printers, etc., and multifunction machine systems called MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) combining these have been essential items in offices.

Although there is always a demand to add new functions to these multifunction printer systems, physically changing the existing control panel is both time-consuming and costly. Proposed.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a multi-function terminal device having a plurality of functions is provided with control means for interlocking and controlling standard operation display means that is installed as standard and extended operation display means that is installed when functions are expanded. A multifunction terminal device characterized by the following is disclosed.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when a network menu is displayed on a panel and a function is selected on the panel of the multifunction device, the selected function is executed on the multifunction device if it is implemented on the multifunction device, and is implemented on the network menu server. A method is disclosed in which a function is executed by cooperation between a network menu server and a multi-function device.

JP-A-6-253084 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-198113

However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 is also time-consuming because it is necessary to physically attach the extended operation display means when function extension is required.

In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 2, due to its characteristics, requires frequent communication with the server. It is assumed that there will be a situation in which work cannot be performed at all due to lack of connectivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a highly convenient program that allows an existing multifunction machine system to execute extended functions without changing the physical configuration of the machine. The task is to provide

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention
reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
for a multifunction machine system comprising an updatable control program,
a start step in which the MFP system transitions to a special processing state for performing special processing based on an extended function, triggered by the reading of the starter image by the reading means;
While the multifunction device system is in the special processing state, each image document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read by the reading means is set as processing standby document data, and the multifunction device system processes the processing standby document data. a processing step of performing the special processing for
and an end step of ending the special processing state based on an input from the outside.

According to the present invention, the extended function added by updating the control program can be executed by the multifunction device system when the reading means reads the starter image, so that the physical configuration of the device can be changed. Existing MFP systems can be made to perform extended functions without additions.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end step causes the multifunction machine system to end the special processing state when the closer image is read by the reading means.

By adopting such a configuration, the user can call and end the extended functions by reading the starter image and the closer image even in a multifunction machine system that does not have a stop button or similar buttons on the control panel. can be executed.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the starting step transitions the MFP system to the special processing state corresponding to the starter image based on the type of the starter image.

With such a configuration, the user can easily select and change the type of special processing to be performed on the document data waiting to be processed by the multifunction machine system by changing the type of starter image.

The special processing includes storage processing of storing the processing standby document data in a predetermined folder in a storage connected to the multifunction machine system in terms of data.

With such a configuration, even when a large amount of paper documents are digitized, the user can organize and store a large amount of digitized image document data in a predetermined folder.

In addition, the present invention
reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
A function expansion method for adding an expansion function to a multi-function device system comprising an updatable control program,
an updating step of updating the control program corresponding to the addition of the extended function;
a start step of transitioning the multi-function machine system to a special processing state for performing special processing based on the extended function, triggered by causing the reading unit to read the starter image;
each image document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read by the reading means while the multifunction device system is in the special processing state as processing awaiting document data, and providing the processing awaiting document data to the multifunction device system a processing step of performing the special processing for
and an end step of causing the multifunction machine system to end the special processing state.

According to the present invention, by updating the control program corresponding to the addition of the extended function, the existing multifunction machine system is equipped with the extended function, and the reading means reads the starter image. Since the extended function can be executed, the user can have the existing multifunction machine system execute the extended function without changing the physical configuration of the device.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the update step updates the control program by remote control.

With such a configuration, the distributor of the MFP system can update the program of the existing device using the remote maintenance function, etc., so the user of the MFP system does not have to perform any special operation. , it becomes possible to use the extended functions of the existing multifunction machine system.

In addition, the present invention
reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
A multi-function device system comprising an updatable control program,
a start step of transitioning to a special processing state for performing special processing based on an extended function, triggered by the reading of the starter image by the reading means;
a processing step of performing the special processing on the document data waiting to be processed, with each image document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read by the reading means while being in the special processing state as document data waiting to be processed;
and a termination step of terminating the special processing state with an input from the outside as a trigger.

According to the present invention, by updating the control program corresponding to the addition of the extended function, the existing multifunction machine system is equipped with the extended function, and the reading means reads the starter image. Since the extended function can be executed, the user can cause the multifunction machine system to execute the extended function without changing the physical configuration of the device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly convenient program that allows an existing multifunction machine system to execute extended functions without changing the physical configuration of the device.

1 is a functional block diagram of an MFP system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of an update step, a start step, a processing step, and an end step in an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of a start step, a processing step, and an end step in an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of a start step, a processing step, and an end step in an embodiment of the present invention; 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing flow of a start step, a processing step, and an end step in an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a conceptual diagram showing how a multi-function machine system is used according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

A program, a function expansion method, and a multi-function machine system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. FIG. The embodiments shown below are examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted.

For example, in the present embodiment, a program for a multifunction machine system, a function expansion method, and the configuration and operation of the multifunction machine system will be described. Also, the program may be stored in a recording medium. By using this recording medium, the program can be installed, for example, in a multifunction machine system or in a computer that cooperates with the multifunction machine. Here, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

In this specification, "multifunction machine system" means a single multifunction machine capable of reading paper documents, transmitting and receiving image document data, controlling its own operation, various types of information processing, etc., and a computer device cooperating with this multifunction machine. It is understood as the whole system including

In this specification, "special processing" refers to special processing that is executed based on the extended functions added to the MFP system, and "special processing state" refers to the paper that is to be subjected to the special processing. It can be understood as a state in which document reading is received and image document data corresponding to the paper document is simply stored as processing standby document data, or a state in which special processing is sequentially performed on the stored image document data.

In this specification, "processing standby document data" is each image document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read by the reading means while the multifunction machine system is in the special processing state, and It is understood as data including information designating special processing to be performed on the image document data.

In this specification, the "starter image" is understood as an image for transitioning to a special processing state for performing special processing based on the extended function when the reading means reads the image. be.
Also, as used herein, a "starter sheet" refers to a sheet or paper document presenting a "starter image."

In this specification, the "closer image" is understood as an image for the multi-function machine system to terminate the special processing state when read by the reading means.
Also, in this specification, a "closer sheet" refers to a sheet or paper document presenting a "closer image".

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the MFP system according to this embodiment. As shown here, the MFP system MS in this embodiment comprises a reading unit 1, a transmission unit 2, a control unit 3, a processing unit 4, a storage unit 5, and a control program p1.

The reading unit 1 is configured to optically read a paper document and convert it into image document data.

The transmission means 2 is configured to be able to transmit image document data to an external device.

The control means 3 is configured to be able to control the behavior of the entire multifunction machine system MS.

The processing means 4 is configured to be capable of executing various types of information processing performed in the multifunction machine system MS.

The storage unit 5 is configured to be able to store each image document data corresponding to the paper document read by the reading unit 1 and other data.

Note that the control means 3, the processing means 4, and the storage means 5 are, of course, those provided in the multifunction machine, and may be arithmetic units such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) and GPUs (Graphics Processing Units). , main storage such as RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), auxiliary storage such as flash memory, various input/output devices including connection means to network NW, etc. It is also possible to use a general computing device or part thereof.

The control program p1 has a basic function execution program p11 for executing the basic functions of the MFP. By updating the program, a starter image recognition program p12, a special processing state start program p13, a first special processing execution program p14a, second special processing execution program p14b, third special processing execution program p14c, . It should be noted that although the frames of programs that can be added by updating are indicated by dotted lines, it is of course possible to add or have programs of types not described here.

The starter image recognition program p12 is a program for causing the multi-function machine system MS to recognize the starter image optically read by the reading means 1 .

The special processing state start program p13 is a program for causing the control means 3 to transition the multifunction device system MS to a special processing state corresponding to the starter image recognized by the multifunction device system MS when the starter image is read. .

The first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, the third special processing execution program p14c, .
Note that the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, the third special processing execution program p14c, . Increase or decrease.

The closer image recognition program p15 is a program for causing the multifunction device system MS to recognize the closer image optically read by the reading means 1 .

The special processing state end program p16 is a program for causing the control means 3 to end the special processing state of the multi-function machine system MS when the closer image is read.
Instead of reading the closer image, a configuration is also conceivable in which the control unit 3 terminates the special processing state of the multifunction device system MS by pressing a stop button or the like provided in the multifunction device system MS as a trigger.

Note that the above program may be integrated, divided, or changed as long as the effects are not lost.
For example, the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, the third special processing execution program p14c, .

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of an update step, a start step, a processing step, and an end step in an embodiment of a function expansion method for a multifunction machine system of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the function expansion method of the present invention is divided into four steps: an update step sa1, a start step sa2, a processing step sa3, and an end step sa4. Further, the processing flow of the start step sa2, the processing step sa3, and the end step sa4 can also be diverted to the multi-function machine system program of the present invention.
Details of each step will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the updating step sa1, the control program p1 of the MFP system MS is updated in the step sa11, so that the starter image recognition program p12, the special processing state start program p13, the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, third special processing execution program p14c, .
In this embodiment, the control program p1 is updated using the remote maintenance function.

At the start step sa2, steps sa21 and sa22 are performed.

In step sa21, the reading means 1 is caused to read the starter image, thereby causing the multifunction device system MS to recognize the starter image based on the starter image recognition program p12.
In this embodiment, step sa21 is performed by causing the reading unit 1 to read a starter sheet including a starter image.

At step sa22, based on the starter image read by the multifunction device system MS at step sa21 and the special processing state start program p13, the control means 3 shifts the multifunction device system MS to a special processing state corresponding to the starter image.

At processing step sa3, steps sa31 and sa32 are performed.

At step sa31, one or more paper documents to be subjected to special processing are read by the reading means 1, and image document data corresponding to the paper documents are temporarily stored in the storage means 5 as processing standby document data. .

At step sa32, the processing unit 4 sequentially executes special processing on the one or more processing waiting document data temporarily stored in the storage unit 5 at step sa31 based on the first special processing execution program p14a. .
The programs executed at this time are the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, the third special processing execution program p14c, Or another special processing execution program is selected as appropriate.

At the end step sa4, steps sa41 and sa42 are performed.

In step sa41, the reading means 1 is caused to read the closer image, so that the MFP system MS recognizes the closer image based on the closer image recognition program p15.
In the present embodiment, step sa41 is performed by causing the reading unit 1 to read the closer sheet including the closer image, but step sa41 can be replaced by pressing a stop button or the like provided in advance in the multifunction machine. is also assumed.

At step sa42, based on the closer image read by the reading means 1 at step sa41 and the special processing state end program p16, the control means 3 terminates the special processing state of the multifunction machine system MS.

It should be noted that each of the steps described above can change the processing order or perform the processing a plurality of times as long as the effects are not lost.

For example, FIG. 3B shows another example of the processing flow of the start step, the processing step, and the end step in the embodiment of the program for the MFP system and the function expansion method.
Description of steps sb11, sb12, sb21, sb31, and sb33 that perform substantially the same processing as that shown in FIG. 2B will be omitted.

The processing shown in FIG. 3B differs from the processing shown in FIG. 2B in that special processing is collectively executed for one or more processing standby document data upon reading the closer image. different.

More specifically, at step sb32, with the reading of the closer image at step sb31 as a trigger, one or more processing standby document data temporarily stored in the storage means 5 at step sb21 are processed by the first special processing execution program p14a. Based on such, the processing means 4 sequentially executes the special processing.
The programs executed at this time are the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, the third special processing execution program p14c, Or another special processing execution program is selected as appropriate.

Further, FIG. 4B shows another example of the processing flow of the start step, the processing step, and the end step in the embodiment of the program for the MFP system and the function expansion method.
Description of steps sc11 and sc12, which perform almost the same processing as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, will be omitted.

The processing shown in FIG. 4B differs from the processing shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B in that the multifunction machine system MS transitions to a plurality of special processing states in the processing steps. different.

Specifically, in step sc21, one or more paper documents to be subjected to the first special processing are read by the reading unit 1 while the MFP system MS is in the first special processing state. is temporarily stored in the storage means 5 as document data waiting for first processing.

Further, in step sc22, while the multifunction device system MS is in the first special processing state, the second starter image is composited based on the starter image recognition program p12 by causing the reading means 1 to read the second starter image. machine system MS to recognize it.

Further, in step sc23, with the reading of the second starter image as a trigger, one or more pieces of first processing waiting document data temporarily stored in the storage means 5 in step sc21 are processed by the first special processing execution program p14a, etc. , the processing means 4 sequentially executes the first special processing.

At step sc24, based on the second starter image recognized by the multifunction device system MS at step sc22 and the special processing state start program p13, the control means 3 changes the multifunction device system MS from the first special processing state to the second special processing state. Make a direct transition to the processing state.
That is, the second starter image serves two purposes here: as a closer image that terminates the first special processing state and as a starter image that initiates the second special processing state.

Further, in step sc25, while the multifunction device system MS is in the second special processing state, one or more paper documents to be subjected to the second special processing are read by the reading means 1, thereby corresponding to the paper documents. The image document data to be processed is temporarily stored in the storage means 5 as the document data waiting for the second processing.

Further, in step sc31, the closer image is read by the reading means 1, so that the MFP system MS recognizes the closer image based on the closer image recognition program p15.

At step sc32, when the closer image is read, one or more pieces of document data waiting for second processing temporarily stored in the storage means 5 at step sc25 are processed based on the second special processing execution program p14b or the like. Then, the processing means 4 sequentially executes the second special processing.

At step sc33, based on the closer image read by the reading means 1 at step sc31 and the special processing state end program p16, the control means 3 terminates the special processing state of the multifunction machine system MS.

Further, FIG. 5B shows another example of the processing flow of the start step, the processing step, and the end step in the embodiment of the program for the MFP system and the function expansion method.
Descriptions of steps sd11, sd12, sd21, sd22, sd23, sd24, sd31, and sd33 that perform substantially the same processing as shown in FIG. 4B are omitted.

The process shown in FIG. 5B is triggered by the reading of the closer image, and the first special process and the second special process for one or more processing standby document data are collectively executed. The flow differs from that shown.

Specifically, at step sd32, when the closer image is read, one or more pieces of first processing standby document data temporarily stored in the storage means 5 at step sd21 are temporarily stored in the storage means 5 at step sd24. each of the one or more waiting document data for the second processing stored in the processing unit 4 based on the first special processing execution program p14a, the second special processing execution program p14b, etc. are executed sequentially.
Such processing is possible because each document data waiting to be processed is associated in advance with information designating special processing to be performed on the image document data in steps sd21 and sd24.

Note that third special processing, fourth special processing, or other types of special processing may be added based on the flow of processing shown in FIGS. It is also possible to change

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing how the MFP system is used according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Specifically, FIG. 6 shows that a starter sheet sp presenting a starter image si, a plurality of paper documents pda, pdb, pdc, . By doing so, the MFP system MS corresponds to a plurality of paper documents pda, pdb, pdc, . . . in predetermined folders fa, fb, fc, . It shows how image document data da, db, dc, . . . are stored.
Note that the storage ST indicates a data storage location in a cloud or the like where data can be transmitted/received to/from the MFP system MS.
In FIG. 6, a group of paper documents is indicated by a dotted frame, pda is a paper document made up of 5 sheets, pdb is a paper document made up of 3 sheets, and pdc is a paper document made up of 1 sheet. , respectively.

In FIG. 6, the starter image si and the closer image ci are represented by START S and END E, respectively, but any image can be used as long as it is an optically readable image. good. For example, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and other identification codes are preferably used.
A starter image si and a closer image ci are added to the margins of the paper document to be read at the beginning and the end, respectively. It may be a mode of handling.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a code cd designating a storage destination is attached to the margin of the front cover of the paper document, and storage ST is stored according to the read code (A, B, C...) Converted paper documents pda, pdb, pdc, . . . are stored in corresponding folders fa, fb, fc, .
In FIG. 6, the code cd is expressed as A, B, C, etc., but any image may be used as long as it is an optically readable image. For example, barcodes, two-dimensional codes, and other identification codes are preferably used.
Further, the storage destination of the image document data da, db, dc, . . . converted from the respective paper documents pda, pdb, pdc, .

In addition, various kinds of processing other than the storage processing described above are assumed as the special processing performed by the multifunction machine system MS.

For example, it is assumed that image document data corresponding to a plurality of paper documents read between the starter sheet sp and the closer sheet cp are collectively stored as one image document data in a predetermined folder. be.

Further, image document data corresponding to a plurality of paper documents read between the starter sheet sp and the closer sheet cp are retrieved in some/all folders in the storage ST based on the matching degree of each image. Then, a "search process" is assumed in which the found files are displayed in a list on a computer device cooperating with the MFP or MFP system MS.

Further, image document data corresponding to a plurality of paper documents read between the starter sheet sp and the closer sheet cp are retrieved in some/all folders in the storage ST based on the matching degree of each image. Then, a "moving process" is assumed in which the found files are collectively moved to another predetermined folder in the storage ST.

Further, image document data corresponding to a plurality of paper documents read between the starter sheet sp and the closer sheet cp are retrieved in some/all folders in the storage ST based on the matching degree of each image. Then, "delete processing" is assumed to collectively delete the found files.

The ability of the multi-function device system MS to implement and execute such various special processes enables the user to freely handle image document data without any barriers between analog and digital operations.

According to the program of the present invention, when the reading unit 1 reads the starter image si, the starting step for transitioning the multifunction machine system MS to the special processing state and the reading while the multifunction machine system MS is in the special processing state are performed. By causing the multifunction device system MS to execute a processing step of performing special processing on the paper document that has been processed as document data waiting to be processed, and an end step of terminating the special processing state based on the input, the control program is updated and added. Since the extended function can be executed by the multifunction device system MS when the reading means reads the starter image, the existing multifunction device system MS can be extended to the existing multifunction device system MS without changing the physical configuration of the device. can be executed.

Note that the specifications and functions of each configuration shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be changed in various ways based on design requirements and the like.

MS MFP System 1 Reading Means 2 Transmitting Means 3 Control Means 4 Processing Means 5 Storage Means sp Starter Paper si Starter Image cp Closer Paper ci Closer Image

Claims (7)

reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
for a multifunction machine system comprising an updatable control program,
a start step in which the MFP system transitions to a special processing state for performing special processing based on an extended function, triggered by the reading of the starter image by the reading means;
a reading step in which, in the special processing state, the reading means can read one or more paper documents as processing standby document data until a predetermined external input is made;
Triggered by the predetermined external input, the multifunction device system performs the special processing on the processing standby document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read in the reading step ;
and a termination step of terminating the special processing state after the special processing based on the predetermined external input . 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined external input is reading of a closer image by said reading means. 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein said starting step transitions said multifunction machine system to said special processing state corresponding to said starter image based on the type of said starter image. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the special processing includes storage processing of storing the processing standby document data in a predetermined folder in a storage connected to the multifunction machine system in terms of data. any of the programs described. reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
A function expansion method for adding an expansion function to a multi-function device system comprising an updatable control program,
an updating step of updating the control program corresponding to the addition of the extended function;
a start step of transitioning the multi-function machine system to a special processing state for performing special processing based on the extended function, triggered by causing the reading unit to read the starter image;
a reading step of causing the reading means to read one or more paper documents as processing standby document data before a predetermined external input is made in the special processing state;
Triggered by the predetermined external input, a processing step of causing the multifunction machine system to perform the special processing on the processing standby document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read in the reading step ;
and an end step of causing the multi-function machine system to end the special processing state after the special processing based on the predetermined external input . 6. The function expansion method according to claim 5, wherein said updating step updates said control program by remote control. reading means for optically reading a paper document and converting it into image document data;
a transmitting means for transmitting image document data to an external device;
A multi-function device system comprising an updatable control program,
a start step of transitioning to a special processing state for performing special processing based on an extended function, triggered by the reading of the starter image by the reading means;
a reading step in which, in the special processing state, the reading means can read one or more paper documents as processing standby document data until a predetermined external input is made;
Triggered by the predetermined external input, a processing step of performing the special processing on the processing standby document data corresponding to one or more paper documents read in the reading step ;
and a termination step of terminating the special processing state after the special processing based on the predetermined external input .

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