JP7318269B2 - Image processing device, information processing device, time application method, time application program, information processing method, information processing program, and image processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device, an information processing device, a time application method in an image processing device, a time application program installed in a computer of the image processing device, an information processing method in the information processing device, and a computer installed in the information processing device. The present invention relates to an information processing program and an image processing system.

2. Description of the Related Art In an environment where an image processing apparatus such as a printer that executes print processing is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network), for example, a print job is transmitted from a personal computer (PC) to the image processing apparatus via the LAN. When a print job is accepted by the image processing apparatus, the image processing apparatus executes print processing related to the print job, and prints an image related to the print job on paper.

JP 2016-185667 A

By the way, the functions of the image processing apparatus include a function of storing in a memory a log associated with the execution date and time of a print job, the file name of an image related to the print job, and the like, and a function of periodically executing a cleaning operation. Accurate time information is required for those functions. However, if an image processing apparatus does not have an RTC (Real Time Clock), or if it does have an RTC but the backup battery runs out, accurate time information will not be generated and the time will not be displayed. You may not be able to perform various functions that you use.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, a time application method, a time application program, an information processing method, and an image processing system capable of executing functions that use time even when accurate time information is not generated. is to provide

To achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention provides an image processing unit including at least one of a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet and a reading unit that reads an image from the sheet; and a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the image processing unit and executes image processing related to the job in response to the communication unit receiving a job transmitted from an external device. Then, in response to receiving the preceding command sent from the external device prior to the job transmission to the communication unit, the time information included in the preceding command is acquired, and the time use function that uses the time receives from the preceding command Execute time application processing to apply the time based on the acquired time information.

According to this configuration, the prior command including the time information is transmitted from the external device to the image processing device prior to transmission of the job from the external device to the image processing device. In the image processing apparatus, when the preceding command is received by the communication unit, the time information included in the preceding command is acquired by the control unit, and the time based on the time information is applied to the function using the time. As a result, even when accurate time information is not generated, the time use function that uses the time can be executed.

An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention includes a communication section that communicates with an image processing apparatus that executes image processing, a reception section that receives an instruction to transmit a job related to image processing in the image processing apparatus, a control section, and the control unit performs a preceding command generation process for generating a preceding command related to the job and including time information in response to the receiving unit having received a job transmission instruction, and transmitting the preceding command to the communication unit. and a job transmission process of transmitting the job to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit after the transmission of the preceding command.

By combining the information processing device and the image processing device, the following image processing system can be obtained. The image processing system includes an image processing device and an information processing device, wherein the image processing device includes at least one of a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet and a reading unit that reads an image from the sheet. an image processing unit including an image processing unit, a first communication unit, and a first control unit. and a second control unit communicatively connected to the second communication unit, and the second control unit is a preceding command related to the job in response to the acceptance of the job transmission instruction by the reception unit. a preceding command generation process for generating a preceding command including time information through the second communication unit; a preceding command transmission process for transmitting the preceding command to the image processing apparatus via the second communication unit; and a job transmission process for transmitting the job via the communication unit, and the first control unit controls the image processing unit in response to the job transmitted from the information processing device being received by the first communication unit. executing image processing related to a job, acquiring time information included in the preceding command in response to receiving a preceding command transmitted from the information processing device prior to transmission of the job to the first communication unit, and obtaining the time Applies the time based on the time information obtained from the preceding command to functions that use .

The present invention can be implemented not only in the form of an image processing apparatus, but also in the form of a time application method executed by the image processing apparatus and a program installed in a computer of the image processing apparatus.

Further, the present invention can be implemented not only in the form of an information processing apparatus, but also in the form of an information processing method executed by the information processing apparatus and a program installed in the computer of the information processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, functions that use the time can be executed even when accurate time information is not generated.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of job transmission processing executed by a PC; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the content of preceding commands and print data transmitted from the PC to the MFP; 4 is a flow chart showing the flow of log generation processing executed by the MFP; FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining job transmission processing according to another embodiment, and shows a part of the flow of the job transmission processing; FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of log generation processing according to another embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Image processing system>
The image processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) 2 , a PC (Personal Computer) 3 and an SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) server 4 .

<MFP>
The MFP 2 is an example of an image processing apparatus, and includes a reading engine 11 (an example of an image processing section and a reading section), a print engine 12 (an example of an image processing section and a printing section), an operation panel 13 and a network interface (I/F). 14.

The reading engine 11 is a mechanism that reads a document with an image sensor and generates image data of the document. The reading method may be a method of reading a document passing over the contact glass, or a method of reading a document stationary on the contact glass. Examples of image sensors include CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) and CISs (Contact Image Sensors).

The print engine 12 is a mechanism for forming an image based on image data on paper. The printing method may be an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or a thermal method.

The operation panel 13 is provided so that it can be operated and visually recognized by the user. The operation panel 13 includes an operation unit operated by a user and a display unit for displaying information, and is configured by, for example, a touch panel. Various settings can be made by operating the operation unit, and the setting contents can be displayed on the display unit.

The network interface 14 (a communication unit, an example of a second communication unit) is an interface for communication via a computer network.

The MFP 2 also includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 15 , a memory 16 and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 17 . The reading engine 11, the printing engine 12, the operation panel 13, the network interface 14, the CPU 15, the memory 16 and the RTC 17 are connected via a bus 18 so as to be capable of data communication.

The memory 16 includes rewritable nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and E2PROM, and volatile memory such as SDRAM. Control programs for various controls are stored in the non-volatile memory, and the control programs are executed by the CPU 15 (an example of a control unit, a first control unit). The volatile memory is used as a work area when the CPU 15 executes the control program, and also provides a data storage area for storing various data.

The RTC 17 is an integrated circuit for clock functions and is an example of a clock unit that generates time information. A battery 19 accompanies the RTC 17, and the RTC 17 continues to operate by being backed up by the power of the battery 19 even while the power of the MFP 2 is off.

<PC>
The PC 3 is a terminal operated by the user and is an external device from the MFP 2 . The PC 3 includes a main body 21 (an example of a reception unit) and peripheral devices such as a display 22 and a keyboard 23 connected to the main body 21 . The main body 21 incorporates a CPU 24, a memory 25, an RTC 26 and a network interface 27. FIG.

The memory 25 includes non-volatile memory such as hard disk and flash memory, and volatile memory such as SDRAM. The non-volatile memory stores an OS (Operating System) and control programs for various controls, and the CPU 24 (an example of a control unit and a second control unit) executes the OS and control programs. The OS read from the nonvolatile memory is written to the volatile memory when the PC is started. The volatile memory is used as a work area when the CPU 24 executes the control program, and also provides a data storage area for storing various data.

The RTC 26 is an integrated circuit for clock functions and is an example of a clock unit that generates time information. A battery 28 accompanies the RTC 26, and the RTC 26 is backed up by the power of the battery 28 and continues to operate even while the power of the PC 3 is off.

A network interface 27 (an example of a communication unit, a second communication unit) is an interface for communication via a computer network.

By operating the PC 3 by the user, a job such as a print job can be transmitted from the PC 3 to the MFP 2 via the computer network. A print job is a job for printing an image related to image data on paper in the MFP 2 .

<server>
The SNTP server 4 is a server that provides time information to each device such as the MFP 2 and the PC 3 connected to the computer network under a protocol for synchronizing the time of each device. An NTP (Network Time Protocol) server may be included in the image processing system 1 instead of the SNTP server 4 .

<Processing when sending a job>
In the PC 3, the CPU 24 executes the job transmission processing shown in FIG.

In the job transmission process, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the main body 21 has received a print instruction (S11). A print instruction is input by the user, for example, by operating the keyboard 23 or the mouse, and received by the main body 21 . The CPU 24 does not advance the job transmission process until a print instruction is input (S11: NO).

When the CPU 24 determines that the main body 21 has received the print instruction (S11: YES), it adds a preparatory operation command to the preceding command (S12). A preceding command is a command sent prior to sending a job to the MFP2. The preparation operation command is a command for instructing the MFP 2 to start preparing for a job.

Further, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 26 and the time related to the time information received by the network interface 27 from the SNTP server 4 via the computer network are synchronized. is determined (S13: an example of synchronization determination processing). When the CPU 24 determines that the time synchronization state is established (S13: YES), the CPU 24 adds time information to the preceding command (S14: an example of preceding command generation processing). On the other hand, when the CPU 24 determines that the time synchronization state is not established (S13: NO), that is, when the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 26 and the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 are not synchronized, Do not append time information to the preceding command. When time information is added to the preceding command, as shown in FIG. 3, the preceding command includes the preparatory operation command and time information.

After that, the CPU 24 confirms whether or not another job is stored in the data storage area of the memory 25, as shown in FIG. 2 (S15). When the CPU 24 confirms that no other job is stored in the data storage area of the memory 25 (S15: YES), the CPU 24 determines whether communication between the MFP 2 and the PC 3 is possible (S16: connection an example of judgment processing). Then, when the CPU 24 determines that communication between the MFP 2 and the PC 3 is possible (S16: YES), a preceding command (an example of an asynchronous preceding command) containing a preparatory operation command but not containing time information, or , the preceding command including the preparatory operation command and time information is transmitted from the network interface 27 to the MFP 2 (S17: an example of preceding command transmission processing). After transmitting the preceding command, the CPU 24 generates print data related to the print instruction (S18), and transmits a job including the generated print data from the network interface 27 to the MFP 2 (S19: an example of job transmission processing). ), and terminates the job transmission process. As shown in FIG. 3, the print data includes information such as the data format of the image data to be printed, the size and type of paper on which the image data is printed, and the compression format of the image data.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, if another job is stored in the data storage area of the memory 25 (S15: NO), the preceding command including the preparatory operation command, or the preparatory operation command and the time information Delete the preceding command that contains it (S20). In this case, since there is no preceding command due to the deletion of the preceding command, the CPU 24 generates print data related to the print instruction without transmitting the preceding command (S18), and sends the job including the generated print data to the network. The data is transmitted from the interface 27 to the MFP 2 (S19), and the job transmission process ends.

<Log generation processing>
In the MFP 2, the CPU 15 executes log generation processing shown in FIG.

In the log generation process, the CPU 15 determines whether or not the preceding command has been received by the network interface 14 (S31). The CPU 15 does not advance the log generation process until it determines that the preceding command has been received.

The preceding command transmitted from the PC 3 is received by the network interface 14 via the network, and when the CPU 15 determines that the preceding command has been received by the network interface 14 (S31: YES), the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 17 and , it is determined whether or not the clock is synchronized with the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 to the network interface 14 via the computer network (S32: an example of synchronization determination processing).

When the CPU 15 determines that the time synchronization state is established (S32: YES), the CPU 15 generates a log to which the time information generated by the RTC 17 is added (S33: an example of log generation processing), and ends the log generation processing.

On the other hand, when the CPU 15 determines that the time synchronization state is not established (S33: NO), that is, when the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 17 and the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 are not synchronized, It is determined whether or not the preceding command contains time information (S34). If the preceding command contains time information (S43: YES), the CPU 15 acquires the time information contained in the preceding command (S35), and the CPU 15 applies the acquired time information to log generation. (S36: an example of time application processing). Then, the CPU 15 generates a log to which the time information obtained from the preceding command is added (S33), and terminates the log generation process. The generated log is stored in memory 16 .

<Effect>
As described above, in the clock synchronization state in which the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 17 of the PC 3 and the time related to the time information received by the PC 3 from the SNTP server 4 are synchronized, the transmission of a job from the PC 3 to the MFP 2 Prior to this, a preceding command including time information is transmitted from the PC3 to the MFP2. In the MFP 2, when a preceding command including time information is received by the network interface 14, the time information contained in the preceding command is acquired by the CPU 15, and the time based on the time information is an example of a time use function that uses the time. Applies to the generation of certain logs. As a result, even when accurate time information is not generated, it is possible to execute a time use function that uses time, such as generating a log with time added.

<Other embodiments>
In the above-described embodiment, when the clock synchronization state in which the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 26 and the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 are synchronized (S13 in FIG. 2: YES), the preceding command is added to the preceding command (S14), and if it is not in the time synchronization state (S13: NO), the time information is not added to the preceding command.

The processes of steps S101 to S104 shown in FIG. 5 may be executed instead of the processes of steps S13 and S14. That is, the CPU 24 adds a preparatory operation command to the preceding command (S12), and further adds time information generated by the RTC 26 to the preceding command (S101). After that, the CPU 24 determines whether or not the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 26 is synchronized with the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 (S102). Then, when the CPU 24 determines that it is in the time-synchronized state (S102: YES), it adds synchronization information indicating the time-synchronized state to the preceding command as synchronization state information (S103). On the other hand, when the CPU 24 determines that it is not in the time synchronous state (S102: NO), it adds asynchronous information indicating that it is not in the time synchronous state to the preceding command as synchronous state information (S104). When the processes of steps S101 to S104 are executed, the preceding command sent from the PC 3 to the MFP 2 includes a preparatory operation command, time information and synchronization state information.

When the processes of steps S101 to S104 are executed, in the log generation process in the MFP 2, the CPU 15 determines that the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 17 and the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 are not synchronized. If it is determined (S33: NO), instead of determining whether or not time information is included in the preceding command (S34), as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not it is information (S301). Then, if the synchronization state information included in the preceding command is synchronization information (S301: YES), the time information included in the preceding command is acquired (S35), and the CPU 15 applies the acquired time information to log generation. (S36).

Even when the job transmission process shown in FIG. 5 is executed by the PC 3 and the log generation process shown in FIG.

<Modification>
Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can also be implemented in other forms.

For example, in the log generation process shown in FIG. 4, if the time related to the time information generated by the RTC 17 and the time related to the time information received from the SNTP server 4 are not synchronized (S33: NO), the time Although it is determined whether or not information is included, it is determined whether time information can be acquired from the RTC 17 (an example of acquisition determination processing), and when time information can be acquired from the RTC 17 is not determined whether or not time information is included in the preceding command, and if the time information cannot be obtained from the RTC 17 due to a failure of the RTC 17, etc., whether or not the preceding command includes time information is determined. A configuration in which it is determined whether or not may be adopted.

Also, the time use function that uses the time is not limited to log generation, and may be any function that uses the time. may

The MFP 2 is taken as an example of the image processing device, but the image processing device includes a printing device having a single function of printing an image related to image data on paper, and a reading function of reading a document and generating image data. It may be a reading device having a single function.

In addition, various design changes can be made to the above configuration within the scope of the matters described in the claims.

1: Image processing system 2: MFP
4: SNTP server 11: reading engine 12: printing engine 14, 27: network interface 15, 24: CPU
19, 28: Battery 21: Body

Claims (9)

an image processing unit including at least one of a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet and a reading unit that reads an image from the sheet;
a communication unit that communicates with an external device;
a clock unit that generates time information;
a control unit;
The communication unit is connected to a network,
The control unit
controlling the image processing unit to execute image processing related to the job in response to the job transmitted from the external device being received by the communication unit;
Acquiring time information included in the preceding command in response to the communication unit receiving a preceding command transmitted from the external device prior to transmission of the job,
executing synchronization determination processing for determining whether or not the time related to the time information generated by the clock unit and the time related to the time information received from the time server through the network to the communication unit are synchronized,
executing a time application process for applying the time based on the time information obtained from the preceding command to a time use function that uses the time when the synchronization determination process determines that the synchronization is not performed;
An image processing apparatus that does not execute the time application process when the synchronization determination process determines that the process is synchronized. The image processing device according to claim 1,
The preceding command includes synchronization state information indicating whether or not the time related to the time information included in the preceding command and the time related to the time information transmitted from the time server to the external device are synchronized. cage,
The control unit
acquiring the synchronization state information included in the preceding command in response to the reception of the preceding command by the communication unit, and determining whether the acquired synchronization state information is synchronization information indicating that the synchronization is synchronized; Determine whether it is asynchronous information that indicates that the
when determining that the synchronization state information is the synchronization information, acquiring time information included in the preceding command;
The image processing apparatus, which does not acquire the time information included in the preceding command when it is determined that the synchronous state information is the asynchronous information. an image processing unit including at least one of a printing unit that prints an image on a sheet and a reading unit that reads an image from the sheet;
a communication unit that communicates with an external device;
a control unit;
the communication unit receives a job transmitted from the external device and a preceding command transmitted from the external device prior to transmission of the job;
The preceding command includes synchronization state information indicating whether or not the time related to the time information included in the preceding command and the time related to the time information transmitted from the time server to the external device are synchronized. cage,
The control unit
controlling the image processing unit to execute image processing related to the job in response to the job transmitted from the external device being received by the communication unit;
Acquiring the synchronization state information included in the preceding command in response to the preceding command being received by the communication unit from the external device, and synchronizing information indicating that the acquired synchronization state information is synchronized or asynchronous information indicating that it is not synchronized,
when determining that the synchronization state information is the synchronization information, acquiring time information included in the preceding command,
executing time application processing for applying the time based on the time information obtained from the preceding command to the time use function that uses the time;
The image processing apparatus, which does not acquire the time information included in the preceding command when it is determined that the synchronous state information is the asynchronous information. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit further executes log generation processing for generating a log related to the job,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the time use function is a function of adding time based on the time information to the log. The image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
a clock unit that generates time information;
a battery for supplying power to the clock unit;
The control unit
executing acquisition determination processing for determining whether or not the time information generated by the clock unit can be acquired;
If the acquisition determination process determines that acquisition is not possible, acquiring the time information included in the preceding command,
The image processing apparatus which does not acquire the time information included in the preceding command when it is determined in the acquisition determination process that the acquisition is possible. a communication unit that communicates with an image processing device that performs image processing;
a reception unit that receives an instruction to send a job related to image processing in the image processing apparatus;
a clock unit that generates time information;
a control unit;
The communication unit is connected to a network,
The control unit, in response to the receiving unit receiving the job transmission instruction,
executing synchronization determination processing for determining whether or not the time related to the time information generated by the clock unit and the time related to the time information received from the time server through the network to the communication unit are synchronized,
executing a preceding command generation process for generating the preceding command, which is a preceding command related to the job and includes time information;
executing preceding command transmission processing for transmitting the preceding command to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit when the synchronization determination processing determines that synchronization is established;
executing a job transmission process of transmitting the job to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit after transmitting the preceding command;
An information processing apparatus that does not execute the preceding command transmission process when the synchronization determination process determines that the synchronization is not performed. The information processing device according to claim 6,
When the control unit determines that synchronization is not performed in the synchronization determination process,
an asynchronous preceding command generation process for generating the asynchronous preceding command related to the job and not including the time information;
and an asynchronous preceding command transmission process of transmitting the asynchronous preceding command to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit prior to the job transmitting process. a communication unit that communicates with an image processing device that performs image processing;
a reception unit that receives an instruction to send a job related to image processing in the image processing apparatus;
a clock unit that generates time information;
a control unit;
The communication unit is connected to a network,
The control unit, in response to the receiving unit receiving the job transmission instruction,
Synchronization determination processing for determining whether or not the time related to the time information generated by the clock unit and the time related to the time information received by the communication unit from the time server through the network are synchronized;
a preceding command generation process for generating the preceding command, which is a preceding command related to the job and includes time information;
a preceding command transmission process for transmitting the preceding command to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit;
a job transmission process of transmitting the job to the image processing apparatus via the communication unit after transmitting the preceding command;
The information processing apparatus, wherein, in the preceding command generating process, the preceding command further including information of the determination result of the synchronization determining process is generated. The information processing device according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The control unit
further executing connection determination processing for determining whether or not the image processing device is communicably connected via the communication unit;
If it is determined in the connection determination process that the connection is communicable, the preceding command transmission process is executed;
An information processing apparatus that does not execute the preceding command transmission process when it is determined in the connection determination process that the connection is not communicably connected.

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