JP7202873B2 - Image processing device and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of downloading and executing an application from an external device.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various cloud services have been provided along with the development of communication technology and the establishment of a communication environment. For those cloud services, service providers define procedures (also called application interfaces or APIs) for users to access and use the cloud services and open them to users.
For example, when printing data stored on a cloud service or storing scanned data on a cloud service, the image processing device that executes print processing or scan processing accesses the cloud service. It is necessary to perform exchanges according to the API.

However, which cloud service to use depends on the user. Furthermore, when accessing a cloud service, user authentication is usually performed first. In user authentication, user-specific information such as a user ID and password is sent from the user side, that is, the image processing apparatus side, to the cloud service. There is a need to.
From the point of view of the manufacturer of the image processing apparatus, it is redundant to incorporate processing related to APIs of all cloud services into the control program in advance and store it in the image processing apparatus. In addition, it is troublesome to deal with additions and updates of cloud services or their APIs one by one.
An image processing apparatus has been proposed in which processing related to an interface with a cloud service as described above can be installed as an application after the fact and can be updated (for example, see Patent Document 1).

An image processing apparatus according to Patent Document 1 receives an electronic document file from an external information source such as a personal computer. Electronic document files include program files and form data. The text of the electronic document file includes a description of the program file and a form for inputting information necessary for executing the program file. Here, form data is data including information necessary for executing the program file. The data relates to, for example, "key code" and "user setting". A form is for the user to enter the information necessary to execute a file, and standard user interfaces such as text boxes, radio buttons, and check boxes can be set in the text. A control means of the image processing apparatus extracts a program file and form data from the received electronic document file, and executes the program file according to information of the extracted form data.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-225581

For example, in the image processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, a user accesses a website distributing application software from his/her personal computer. Then, for electronic document files related to the application software you want to use, form data such as "key code" required for user authentication and "user settings" for optimizing various operations of application software for each user are posted on the website. Set in advance. That is, display the aforementioned input form on one's personal computer, set form data on the website, and edit the electronic document file to be downloaded. After that, the edited electronic document file is transferred (downloaded) to the image processing apparatus.
That is, setting of form data is performed on the website that distributes the application software. When updating the settings, after updating the settings on the website, the updated electronic document file is downloaded to the image processing apparatus.

However, as the number of application software to be used increases, the user will have to access various websites that store the corresponding electronic document files in order to make those settings. In addition, there are generally many items for setting related to image processing, and in order to perform desired settings, the user should access a website distributing application software or access a setting menu on the side of the image processing apparatus. It is also possible to get lost in the judgment of
Even for settings related to application software, it would be convenient for the user if settings and management could be centrally performed on the image processing apparatus side.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances described above, and proposes a method of storing and managing data acquired from the outside and required for an application executed by the image processing apparatus on the side of the image processing apparatus. It provides.

The present invention provides an interface circuit for transferring data from an external device, a data storage device for storing data, a program file of an application related to image processing via the interface circuit, and a data structure description related to the application. an application acquisition processing unit that acquires and prepares a storage area for data based on the data structure description in the data storage device; and a screen for setting the data stored in the data storage device, and the user sets the data. and an application processing unit that refers to the data and executes the application.

From a different point of view, the present invention provides a step in which a processor of an image processing apparatus acquires a program file of an application related to image processing and a data structure description related to the application from an external device via an interface circuit; preparing a storage area for data based on the structure description on a data storage device; generating a setting screen for the data stored in the data storage device; receiving user settings for the data; and executing the application with reference to the obtained data.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes an application acquisition processing unit that acquires a program file and a data structure description related to the application, prepares a data storage area based on the data structure description, and a setting screen that generates the data structure description. Since the image processing apparatus includes a setting management unit that accepts user settings, the image processing apparatus can store and manage data acquired from an external device and required for an application executed by the image processing apparatus.
The image processing method according to the present invention also has similar effects.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which an image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is connected to an external device via communication; FIG. (Embodiment 1) 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an application installation screen in this embodiment; (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the process which an application acquisition process part performs. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of generating a system setting page by the setting management unit in this embodiment; (Embodiment 1) 10 is a flow chart showing processing for generating a system setting page by the setting management unit in this embodiment. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure description in this embodiment; (Embodiment 1) It is an example of Japanese language data corresponding to the data structure description shown in FIG. It is an example of English language data corresponding to the data structure description shown in FIG. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the language data of FIG. 9A is reflected in the data structure description of FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a system setting page generated by a control unit based on the JSON text of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing elements of data corresponding to the JSON text shown in FIG. 10; FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram showing a description in JSON format corresponding to FIG. 12A; FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which data values are set on the system setting page shown in FIG. 11; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user authentication screen related to an application in this embodiment; (Embodiment 1) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a scan setting screen in this embodiment; (Embodiment 1) In this embodiment, it is a flow chart which shows the processing which a control part performs. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure description in which setting values of a pre-update version can be reflected in this embodiment; (Embodiment 2) 4 is a flow chart showing processing for generating a system setting page according to the capabilities of the image processing apparatus in this embodiment. (Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of device capability information according to this embodiment; (Embodiment 3) FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure description in this embodiment; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure description organized based on device capability information in this embodiment;

The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
(Embodiment 1)
<<Image processing device and system configuration>>
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a system in which an image processing apparatus according to this embodiment is connected via communication with a personal computer as an external device and an external service providing server.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a digital multi-function peripheral, which is one aspect of the image processing apparatus according to this embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital MFP shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 100 is connected to an external personal computer 101 and an external service providing server 103 via a communication network so that data can be transmitted and received. In this embodiment, the external service providing server 103 provides cloud services. Various specific contents of the cloud service are conceivable, but in this embodiment, the creation of documents and the provision of a storage location (storage space) for files are included.
As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 10, a display unit 12, a printing unit 13, a scanner unit 15, a paper feed tray 17a, a manual feed tray 17b and discharge trays 18a, 18b and 18c. A USB connector 14u for connecting a USB memory or the like is provided on the front surface of the image processing apparatus 100 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the image processing apparatus 100 includes an interface circuit 14, a control section 21 and a data storage device 23. FIG.
The interface circuit 14 includes a communication interface circuit 14c and an external device interface circuit 14t. As one of the inputs to the external device interface circuit 14t, a USB connector 14u for connecting a USB memory or the like is provided as described with reference to FIG.
The control unit 21 includes an application acquisition processing unit 21a, a setting management unit 21c, and an application processing unit 21e.
The control unit 21 includes hardware resources such as a processor (CPU or MPU), a ROM, a RAM, an input/output interface circuit, a timer circuit, and the like. At least part of the ROM may be a rewritable nonvolatile memory.

The data storage device 23 is rewritable and preferably non-volatile data storage means.
The control unit 21 reads the control program stored in the ROM or the data storage device 23 and expands it in the RAM as appropriate. Then, it executes processing according to the control program developed in the RAM. Control of the image processing apparatus 100 is realized by the processing.
The control unit 21 causes the display unit 12 to display a display related to the user interface according to the control program. Then, an operation input performed by the user on the operation unit 10 is accepted. Further, according to the control program, hardware control of the image processing apparatus 100 is performed to realize functions such as print processing.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 21 provides a web page to an external personal computer 101. FIG. When the user accesses the web page of the image processing apparatus 100 using the browser 33 of the personal computer 101 , the control unit 21 sends HTML to the personal computer 101 in response. Then, the web page of the multifunction peripheral is displayed on the screen of the web browser of the personal computer 101 . The web page includes a screen for setting data stored in the data storage device 23 (hereinafter also referred to as a system setting page).
Upon receiving an instruction from the user on the system setting page of the browser 33, the control unit 21 downloads the application package 31 in response to the instruction and executes processing related to the application.
In this embodiment, the application package 31 is stored on the external service providing server 103 . When the user operating the personal computer 101 designates the location of the application package stored in the external service providing server 103, the application package can be downloaded. As shown in FIG. 1, the application package 31 includes an application program file 31p and a data structure description 31d relating to the application.
The personal computer 101 accesses the external service providing server 103 and executes applications such as document creation. Thus, the image processing apparatus 100 is instructed to print the created document. The image processing apparatus 100 that has received the instruction accesses the external service providing server 103, acquires a file to be printed, and performs printing processing.

The image processing apparatus 100 also receives an instruction from the user to scan a document and store the read image data in the storage space of the external service providing server 103 . An instruction from the user may be received from the personal computer 101 via the communication interface circuit 14c, or may be received from the operation unit 10. FIG. The image processing apparatus having received the instruction scans the document set by the user, and the external service providing server 103 stores the image data of the scanned document as a file in the designated storage space of the external service providing server 103. .
The print and scan processing procedures executed by the image processing apparatus 100 for the external service as described above are downloaded to the image processing apparatus 100 as the application package 31 afterward.
Although it has been described that the application package 31 is obtained from the personal computer 101, this is merely an example. As a different aspect, it may be obtained from the external service providing server 103 . Further, as a different aspect, the data may be obtained from an information device such as a USB memory or a smart phone connected to the USB connector 14u on the front surface.

The description of the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 will be continued.
The operation unit 10 includes a plurality of operation buttons for receiving user's operations, a touch panel arranged on the display surface of the display unit 12, which will be described later, and the like. The control section 21 recognizes a signal indicating an input operation on the operation unit 10 .

The display unit 12 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device. The display unit 12 displays various information, images, etc. based on the input received by the operation unit 10 . The control unit 21 generates and updates content to be displayed on the display unit 12 .
The scanner unit 15 reads an original under the control of the control unit 21, and performs image reading processing in copying, facsimile, and scanner jobs. That is, the document image is read and converted into an image signal to generate image data.

The paper feed tray 17a is composed of a plurality of trays that individually accommodate sheets of various sizes.
The manual feed tray 17b is a tray capable of feeding sheets of various sizes and types.
A paper feeding mechanism (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) feeds paper in a specified paper feeding tray into the printing apparatus and conveys it to the printing unit 13 under the control of the control unit 21.
Under the control of the control section 21, the printing unit 13 prints designated image data on paper fed from the paper feed tray 17a or the manual feed tray 17b.
A paper discharge mechanism (not shown in FIG. 2) discharges the paper printed by the printing unit 13 to one of the discharge trays 18a, 18b, and 18c.

≪Obtaining the application package and generating the system settings page≫
Next, procedures for obtaining the application package 31 and generating the system setting page will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 13. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a screen related to application installation (application installation screen) of the system setting page 35 in this embodiment. The screen in FIG. 4 is one of the screens displayed when the user accesses a web page provided by the image processing apparatus 100 using the browser 33 of the personal computer 101 .

On the application installation screen of FIG. 4, when the user operates the "Browse" button 35a to select a file related to the desired application package and operates the "Execute" button 35b, the selected application package 31 is installed in the image processing apparatus. 100 installed.
Although it has been described that the application package resides in the external service providing server 103, as a different aspect, a USB memory in which the application package is stored may be connected to the USB connector 14u and the application package may be obtained from the USB memory. obtain. As another aspect, the application package may reside in the personal computer 101 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing executed by the application acquisition processing unit 21a in this embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure of processing for generating a system setting page and accepting settings by the control unit 21 as the setting management unit 21c in this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process of generating a system setting page by the control section 21 as the setting management section 21c in this embodiment.
8, 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the data structure description 31d included in the application package 31 in this embodiment. FIG. 8 is an example of a data structure description 31d regarding connection and transmission to the external service providing server 103. FIG. FIG. 9A is an example of Japanese language data corresponding to the data structure description shown in FIG. FIG. 9B is an example of English language data corresponding to the data structure description shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 21 as the application acquisition processing unit 21a accesses the external service providing server 103 and acquires the application package 31 in the storage space designated on the application installation screen of FIG.
Specifically, the control unit 21 downloads the program file 31p from the external service providing server 103 (step S11). The download destination may be anywhere as long as the application processing unit 21e can refer to it and execute the program file. For example, it may be the data storage device 23 . Alternatively, it may be a ROM provided in the control unit 21 (limited to a rewritable storage area).

Furthermore, the control unit 21 as the application acquisition processing unit 21a downloads the data structure description 31d (step S13). Then, based on the acquired data structure description 31d, a data storage area is prepared in the data storage device 23 (step S15). Then, the data value is set in the prepared data storage area (step S17). For data whose initial value is defined in the data structure description 31d, the initial value is set. It also accepts data settings by the user using the system setting page.

8, 9A and 9B show examples of data structure descriptions. These are described in JSON (JavaScript (registered trademark) Object Notations) format, but the data description format is not limited to this.
The JSON text shown in FIG. 8 is roughly classified as a description related to the data structure of two data "connection_settings" and "send_settings". Among them, the descriptions that indicate the existence of data are as follows.
For "connection_settings", the name "server_name" is described as character string data (string).
For "send_settings", the name "file_name" is described as character string data (string), and the name "include_date" is described as binary data (boolean).

The control unit 21 as the setting management unit 21c prepares storage areas corresponding to each element of these data in the data storage device 23 based on the data structure description.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show processing in which the control unit 21 as the setting management unit 21c generates a system setting page related to the acquired application package 31 and sets data.
As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 as the setting management unit 21c refers to the acquired data structure description (step S21). The timing may be when the data structure description is downloaded from the external service providing server 103, that is, when the application package 31 is acquired. When the application package 31 is downloaded for the first time, initial values are set for data whose initial values are not defined in the data structure description.

Another timing may be the timing when the user launches the system setting page after the application package 31 is acquired. In that case, the set data will be changed.
FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure description referred to by the control unit 21 in the process of step S21.

Subsequently, the control unit 21 refers to the language selected in the language setting of the image processing device 100 (step S23). Here, it is assumed that the language setting is set by the user on a system setting page provided in the image processing apparatus 100 in advance. Then, the language data related to the set language is referred to (step S25).
Examples of language data referred to by the control unit 21 in the process of step S25 are shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.
The control unit 21 reflects the language data related to the language selected in the language setting to the acquired data structure description, and generates a system setting page for the data described by the data structure description (step S27). A system setting page shaped according to a predetermined rule is generated so that the user can easily recognize the system setting page and easily set data, and is displayed on the browser 33. - 特許庁The user sets the data on the displayed system setting page.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the language data of FIG. 9A is reflected in the data structure description of FIG. It corresponds to FIGS. 8 and 9B. That is, in the JSON text shown in FIG. 8, "MSG01" is replaced with "connection setting", and "MSG02" is replaced with "server name:". Similarly, "MSG03" is replaced with "Please enter the contracted server name. Please contact the administrator for the server name." Further, "MSG04" is replaced with "transmission setting", "MSG05" is replaced with "file name:", and "MSG06" is replaced with "file name includes date and time".

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the system setting page 35 generated by the control unit 21 based on the JSON text of FIG. FIG. 11 shows some items on the system setting page 35 of the image processing apparatus 100 . The user can set other items related to the image processing apparatus 100 by performing operations such as scrolling and turning pages. An example of other items is shown in FIG. Then, when settings are made on the system setting page 35, the setting values are saved. The control unit 21 may store the setting items in the data storage device 23 in a format such that the setting items can be uniquely identified, as shown in FIG. 10, for example.

FIG. 12A shows an explanatory diagram showing elements of each data prepared in the data storage device 23 by the setting management unit 21c corresponding to the JSON text shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. 10, and examples of data values.
FIG. 12B is a description in JSON format representing data corresponding to FIG. 12A and data values corresponding to each element of the data. That is, it shows the name and value of the structure type data that the setting management unit 21c secures in the data storage device 23 corresponding to the JSON text of FIG. 8 or FIG.

"connection_settings.server_name" corresponds to the character string data "server_name" described above. An example of that data value is "test".
Also, "connection_settings.file_name" corresponds to the character string data "file_name" described above. An example of that data value is "image".
"connection_settings.include_date" corresponds to the binary data "include_date" described above. An example of the data value is "1" (true).

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the data values shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B are set on the system setting page 35 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, "test" is displayed in the server name setting column 35c, and "image" is displayed in the file name setting column 35d as the respective setting values. Furthermore, a check mark is displayed in the check box of the item "include date and time in file name" (date and time addition setting 35e). That is, the setting of this item is "1" (true).
FIG. 13 shows that the setting management unit 21c manages each item of the system setting page 35 in association with the data shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B.
In the system setting page 35 of FIG. 13, when the user performs an operation such as changing the displayed server name or file name or removing the check mark from the check box, the setting management unit 21c accepts the operation and responds. Change the setting value of the data to be used.

14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing an example in which the data set on the system setting page shown in FIG. 13 is used for an application.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user authentication screen displayed by an application when the image processing apparatus 100 uses the external service providing server 103 in this embodiment. On the user authentication screen 37 shown in FIG. 14, the user is requested to enter a predetermined user name, password and server name. Username and password are blank. The user must enter them every time he starts using the external service providing server 103 . This is to ensure security of information stored in the external service providing server 103 .

On the other hand, "test" is displayed as the initial value in the input field for the server name. This initial value is set on the system setting page shown in FIG. 13 and stored in the data storage device 23 . The external service used by the user is a cloud service, and where the user's storage space is secured is determined by the contract between the external service and the user. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 100 or the program file 31p cannot prepare a default server name in advance. Since the server name is determined after the user applies for use of the external service, the user sets the server name using the server name setting field 35c of the system setting page afterwards.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the scan setting screen 39 for storing the image data of the scanned document in the storage space of the external service providing server 103 by the image processing apparatus 100 . As shown in FIG. 15, the user uses the scan setting screen 39 to make settings for storing the image data of the scanned document in the external service providing server 103 . These are the setting of the save destination of the file related to the image data, the setting of the file name attached to the image data to be stored, the setting of the color mode when scanning the document, and the setting of the file format of the image data of the scanned document.
Here, the storage destination is blank, and the user inputs it each time before scanning the document. The file name is displayed with the initial value set. The initial value of the file name is based on the transmission setting of the system setting page 35 shown in FIG.

That is, the leading portion of the file name is based on the setting value "image" of the file name setting column 35d. The subsequent "_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS" part is based on the date and time addition setting 35e. Indicates that the start date and time of scanning the original is added to the file name and its format. YYYY indicates that a 4-digit number representing the Christian year is added to that position. Similarly, MM indicates that a two-digit number representing the month and DD indicates that a two-digit number representing the day is added to each position. HH means hours, MM means minutes, and SS means seconds.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when an application to be executed by the image processing apparatus 100 is installed, a data structure description describing the structure of data necessary for executing the application is obtained together with the program file. . By acquiring the data structure description, even when the application is acquired after the fact, it is possible to prepare the data necessary for executing the application in the image processing apparatus 100 after the fact.
Then, data settings related to applications can be added to a system setting page prepared in advance in the image processing apparatus 100 . The settings of the added data are consistent with the system setting page prepared in advance in the image processing apparatus, and the user does not feel uncomfortable. All data settings related to the image processing apparatus 100 are integrated into the system setting page, and the user can check all setting values including the application and change them as necessary simply by accessing the system setting page.

(Embodiment 2)
In this embodiment, processing for updating the version of an already installed application package will be described. When updating the version, care should be taken that the initial values described in the data structure description of the updated version are overwritten to the already set data values, and the continuity of the setting is not maintained. It is to do so. However, data that is added or removed from the previous version as features are added or changed should not be affected by previous settings.
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing processing executed by the control unit 21 in this embodiment. The processing will be described with reference to FIG.

When acquiring the updated version of the application package from the external service providing server 103, the control unit 21 refers to the acquired data structure description (step S31).
Subsequently, the control unit 21 refers to the language selected in the language setting of the image processing device 100 (step S33). Then, the language data related to the set language is referred to (step S35).
The processing from step S31 to step S35 described above is substantially the same as the processing from step S21 to step S25 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the control unit 21 performs the following processing for each target data element. The number of target data elements is known in advance with reference to the data structure description.
First, 1 is set as an initial value to a temporary variable i used as a counter for the number of data elements (step S37). In the loop processing (steps S39 to S49) described below, the control unit 21 increments the variable i each time one of the target data elements is processed. Similar processing is repeated for the next target data element until the value of the variable i reaches the number of target data elements. The processing for each data element in the loop is as follows.

The control unit 21 reflects the language data related to the language selected in the language setting to the acquired data structure description, and generates a system setting page related to the target data element described by the data structure description (step S41). . Then, referring to the area storing the data of the pre-update version corresponding to the target data element, it is determined whether or not the setting has already been made (step S43). The area for storing data of the version before update is, for example, a data structure description as shown in FIG.
If the data has already been set in the pre-update version (Yes in step S43), the control unit 21 acquires the data value of the pre-update version and copies it as the set value of the target data element (step S45). .

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S43 that the setting has not already been made (No in step S43), the setting value is not copied.

Then, the control unit 21 increments the variable i (step S47), and if the number of data elements has not been reached, the next data element is processed (steps S49, S39).
In the loop processing described above, after performing the processing of inheriting the setting values for each target data element, the control unit 21 stores the data in the data storage device 23 that stores the data values of the pre-update version. Delete the storage area (step S51).

In this way, the control unit 21 acquires the setting values related to the pre-update version, such as that shown in FIG. 10, stored in the data storage device 23, and reflects the setting values in the post-update setting version.
That is, it searches whether the setting items included in the system setting page as shown in FIG. 11 exist as setting data on the data storage device 23 as shown in FIG. 12A. If the setting data exists, a process of setting data values already set in the previous version as initial values when displaying the system setting page is performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the generated setting page data maintains the setting values even after the version is updated.
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data structure description in which the setting values of the pre-update version can be reflected in this embodiment.
According to this embodiment, when the application is updated, the data values set in the version before the update are reflected. can be used. For the data added by the update, the initial values are set without being affected by the setting values before the update.

(Embodiment 3)
In this embodiment, generation and management of system setting pages according to the processing capability of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described.
In this embodiment, the application package 31 provided by the external service is content common to many users. If an application package customized for each user were to be prepared, it would be a heavy burden on the provider. On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 100 used by each user can be of various models and have various configurations.
Generally, application package providers provide application packages containing various functions. Therefore, depending on the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100, there may be content that cannot be processed.
From the point of view of each user or image processing apparatus, preparing setting data for functions that cannot be processed and generating a system setting page is redundant and wasteful.

In this embodiment, data is retained only for functions that can be processed by the image processing apparatus 100 from among the acquired application packages.
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the process of generating a system setting page according to the capability of the image processing apparatus by the control unit 21 in this embodiment.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a state in which functions that can be processed by the image processing apparatus 100 and functions that cannot be processed by the image processing apparatus 100 are held as device capability information data.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing part of the data structure description 31d included in the application package 31 in this embodiment.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a data structure description 31d organized based on device capability information in this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, when the application package is acquired from the external service providing server 103, the control unit 21 refers to the acquired data structure description (step S61).
Subsequently, the control unit 21 refers to the language selected in the language setting of the image processing device 100 (step S63). Then, the language data related to the set language is referred to (step S65).
The processing from step S61 to step S65 described above is substantially the same as the processing from step S21 to step S25 shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the control unit 21 refers to the device capability information 41 shown in FIG. 19 (step S67). It is assumed that the device capability information 41 is generated by the control unit 21 based on the configuration of the image processing apparatus 100 and stored in advance in the data storage device 23 .
The control unit 21 performs the following processing for each target data element. The number of target data elements is known in advance with reference to the data structure description.
First, 1 is set as an initial value to a temporary variable i used as a counter for the number of data elements (step S69). In the loop processing (steps S71 to S79) described below, the control unit 21 increments the variable i each time one of the target data elements is processed. Similar processing is repeated for the next target data element until the value of the variable i reaches the number of target data elements. The processing for each data element in the loop is as follows.

The control unit 21 determines whether or not the target data element relates to a processable function in light of the device capability information 41 (step S73).
If it is determined that the function is processable (Yes in step S73), the language data related to the language selected in the language setting is reflected in the acquired data structure description, and is described by the data structure description. A system setting page is generated for the target data element (step S75).
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S73 that the data element does not relate to a processable function (No in step S73), the system setting page related to that data element is not generated. A data storage area corresponding to the target data element is not prepared in the data storage device 23 either.

Then, the control unit 21 increments the variable i (step S77), and if the number of data elements has not been reached, the next data element is processed (steps S79, S71).
In the loop processing described above, it is determined whether or not each target data element is related to a processable function.
In this way, the control unit 21, based on the data structure description of the acquired application package, when generating the system setting page or when securing the storage area for the setting data in the data storage device 23, determines the device capability. Information 41 is referred to. For functions that cannot be processed, generation of the system setting page is omitted, and no setting data storage area is prepared.

As a specific example, assume that the data structure description 31d included in the application package 31 is as shown in FIG. The data structure description 31d shown in FIG. 20 includes a data element corresponding to the radio button display with the name "color_mode" and a data element corresponding to the option display with the name "duplex_mode".
On the other hand, referring to the device capability information 41 shown in FIG. 19, the function related to the color mode cannot be processed. That is, the image processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a monochrome machine. Both sides can be processed.

When acquiring the data structure description 31d shown in FIG. 20, the control unit 21 omits the data structure description 31d related to the color mode that cannot be processed, and rearranges the data structure description 31d into the data structure description shown in FIG.
Then, a system setting page corresponding to the data structure description of FIG. 21 is generated, and a corresponding data storage area is prepared in the data storage device 23 .

As mentioned above,
(i) An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an interface circuit for transferring data from an external device, a data storage device for storing data, and a program file for an application related to image processing via the interface circuit. a data structure description related to an application is acquired; the application acquisition processing unit; a setting management unit that generates a setting screen for the data stored in the data storage device; and an application processing unit that refers to and executes the application.

In the present invention, the interface circuit transfers data from an external device by technical means such as communication. A specific aspect thereof is, for example, a communication interface circuit that performs wired or wireless communication with an external device. However, the transfer means is not limited to communication. For example, the interface circuit may be a USB interface circuit for receiving data transferred from a USB memory serving as an external device, or may be any transfer means between devices.
The data storage device is rewritable and preferably non-volatile data storage means. A specific aspect thereof is, for example, a flash memory. However, it is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a hard disk drive or a RAM. Alternatively, some of these may be combined. A data storage device stores the retrieved program files and data structure descriptions.

Furthermore, the structure description of data (data structure description) of the application may include the data values themselves, but rather refers to the format that indicates the structure of the data. Specifically, for example, it represents a data structure such as a structure or an array. The JSON text in the above embodiment is one aspect of data structure description, but is not limited to this. Any data structure may be defined so that the data storage area to be prepared on the data storage device is uniquely determined. The data structure description may or may not include data values as initial values.
The application acquisition processing unit, setting management unit, and application processing unit are configured around a processor (CPU or MPU) as a hardware resource, and their functions are realized by the processor executing the acquired program files. In other words, those functions are realized by organically combining hardware and software.

Since the application acquisition processing unit prepares a data storage area on the data storage device based on the acquired data structure description, both the execution processing of the application and the location of the data referenced during execution are determined by the image processing device. be.
Furthermore, since the setting management unit generates a setting screen for the data stored in the data storage device and accepts the setting of the data by the user, the processing for setting the stored data is also performed by the image processing device. However, the setting screen generated by the setting management unit may be displayed by the image processing device, but is not limited to this. For example, a setting screen may be displayed on a device such as a personal computer or a smartphone connected via communication. A setting operation performed by the user on the setting screen may be received by the setting management unit via communication, and processing related to data setting may be performed.

Furthermore, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(ii) When acquiring an update of an application that has already been acquired, the application acquisition processing unit may update the application while maintaining the set data if data related to the application has been set by the user. good.
In this way, settings already made by the user are maintained when updating an already acquired application. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the data set by the user is changed to the initial value when the application is updated, and the setting needs to be redone.

(iii) The data storage device pre-stores processable functions based on the configuration of the device, and the application acquisition processing unit determines whether the acquired data structure description includes a part related to the unprocessable functions. may be determined, a data storage area may be prepared by omitting unprocessable portions, and the setting management unit may generate a data setting screen corresponding to the storage area.
In this way, it is possible to prepare a storage area only for necessary data based on the equipment configuration of the image processing apparatus, and furthermore, to generate setting screens only for necessary data and to accept user settings. can be done.

(iv) The application acquisition processing unit acquires language data of multiple languages related to localization together with the program file of the application, and the setting management unit generates a localized setting screen using the acquired language data. good too.
By doing so, it is possible to generate a localized setting screen for the language that the application can support, and to receive the setting by the user.

(v) Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, the processor of the image processing apparatus acquires a program file of an application related to image processing and a data structure description related to the application from an external device via an interface circuit. preparing a data storage area on a data storage device based on the data structure description; generating a screen for setting data stored in the data storage device; and setting the data by a user. and a step of referring to the set data and executing the application.
Preferred aspects of the present invention include combinations of any of the aspects described above.
Various modifications of the present invention are possible in addition to the above-described embodiments. Those modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include all modifications within the scope of the claims, the meaning of equivalents, and the scope.

10: Operation unit 12: Display unit 13: Printing unit 14: Interface circuit 14c: Communication interface circuit 14t: External device interface circuit 14u: USB connector 15: Scanner unit 17a: Paper feed tray 17b: manual feed tray 18a, 18b, 18c: ejection tray 21: control unit 21a: application acquisition processing unit 21c: setting management unit 21e: application processing unit 23: data storage device 31: application package 31d: Data structure description 31p: Program file 33: Browser 35: System setting page 35a: "Browse" button 35b: "Execute" button 35c: Server name setting field 35d: File name setting field 35e: date and time addition setting 37: user authentication screen 39: scan setting screen 41: device capability information 100: image processing apparatus 101: personal computer 103: external service providing server

Claims (4)

an interface circuit for transferring data from an external device;
a data storage device for storing data;
an application acquisition processing unit that acquires a program file of an application related to image processing and a data structure description related to the application via the interface circuit, and prepares a storage area for data based on the data structure description in the data storage device; ,
a setting management unit that generates a setting screen for data corresponding to the storage area and receives setting of the data by a user;
an application processing unit that refers to the data and executes the application;
with
The data storage device pre-stores functions that can be processed based on the configuration of the equipment,
The application acquisition processing unit determines whether or not the acquired data structure description includes a part related to an unprocessable function, omits the unprocessable part, and prepares a data storage area,
The setting management unit is an image processing device that generates a setting screen for data corresponding to the storage area . 2. The application acquisition processing unit according to claim 1, wherein when acquiring an update of an application that has already been acquired, if data related to the application has been set by the user, the application acquisition processing unit updates the application while maintaining the set data. image processing device. The application acquisition processing unit acquires language data of multiple languages related to localization together with a program file of the application,
3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting management section uses the acquired language data to generate a localized setting screen. The processor of the image processing device
a step of acquiring a program file of an application related to image processing and a data structure description related to the application from an external device via an interface circuit;
preparing a storage area for data based on the data structure description on a data storage device;
generating a screen for setting data corresponding to the storage area ;
accepting user configuration of said data;
executing the application with reference to the set data;
with
The data storage device pre-stores functions that can be processed based on the configuration of the equipment,
The step of preparing the storage area on the data storage device includes determining whether or not the acquired data structure description includes a part related to an unprocessable function, and omitting the unprocessable part to reduce the data storage area. prepare,
In the image processing method , the step of generating the setting screen generates a setting screen for data corresponding to the storage area .

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