JPH1065861A - Composite device system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the operability of functions of a composite device by starting the processing of a specified device function by an external data processor, displaying information necessary for the execution of an operation procedure related to the device function, progressing the operation procedure based on the displayed information, and attaining a processing function corresponding to the device processing function. SOLUTION: In the composite device MFP, a data processor interface circuit receives a specific signal from a data processor PC and checks whether the processor PC is driven or not. Then whether a composite device service application is executed in the processor PC or not is checked. When the application is being executed, a usable application sort is inquired to the processor PC. At the time of receiving a response signal to the inquiry from the processor PC, the contents of the response signal are displayed as a table to inform of a usable function. Then operation information is transferred to the processor PC, control information or the like is received from the processor PC and the specified functional operation is executed by repeatedly executing the operation corresponding to the received control information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multifunction device having an image reading function, an image recording function, and a communication function and realizing a plurality of device functions which can be constituted by appropriately combining these functions. The present invention relates to a multifunction device system operated by a device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunction devices having the functions of a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer have come into practical use. The multifunction device can function alone and is connected to a data processing device such as a personal computer, and provides various functions as an external device of the data processing device.

[0003] On the other hand, the functions of facsimile machines and copiers tend to be diversified. In order to easily use the diversified functions, the facsimile machines and copiers provide guidance and display operation procedures. Attempts have been made to improve usability, for example, by providing help information on operation procedures.

[0004]

On the other hand, when a multifunction device is connected to a data processing device and a facsimile function or a copy function of the multifunction device is used, a facsimile application or a copy application is started on the data processing device. It is necessary to operate those applications, and therefore, it is necessary to master the operation of those applications, which has caused a situation in which the usability is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction device system that can improve the usability of the functions of the multifunction device.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a multifunction device having an image reading function, an image recording function, and a communication function and realizing a plurality of device functions which can be constituted by appropriately combining these functions. In a multifunction device system operated by a data processing device, the multifunction device includes an external device interface unit for exchanging data with an external data processing device, a predetermined device function, and various operations related to the specified device function. Operating means for performing the operation, and display means for displaying various information related to the device function designated by the operating means. The external data processing device exchanges data with the multifunction device via the external device interface means. Interface means for, and a processing function for realizing the plurality of device functions, When the device function is designated by the operation means, the external data processing device starts the designated device function process and displays the information necessary for performing the operation procedure relating to the designated device function. On the other hand, the operation procedure is advanced on the basis of the operation information of the operation means to realize the processing function corresponding to the apparatus function processing.

Further, the external device interface means and the interface means can be applied in a form in which they are directly connected to each other.

[0008] The external device interface means and the interface means may be connected via a local area network. In that case, the external data processing device can use an application server device connected to the local area network.

Further, the plurality of device functions include at least a facsimile device function, a copying device function, an image reading function, and an image recording function.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a multifunction peripheral system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral MFP has functions of a facsimile machine, a digital copier, a scanner, a printer, and a telephone, and a data processing device PC is connected to the multifunction peripheral MFP. This is for controlling the functions of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

That is, the data processing apparatus PC stores a control processing program for causing the multifunction peripheral MFP to function as a facsimile apparatus, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer, respectively.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 controls each unit of the multifunction peripheral MFP, data transmission control processing with a data processing apparatus PC, scanner processing, printer processing, copy control processing, and facsimile transmission. The system memory 2 stores a control processing program executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program. The work area of the system control unit 1 is configured, and the parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to the multifunction peripheral MPF.

The scanner 4 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 5 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 6 is provided for the multifunction peripheral MFP. , And comprises various operation keys and various display devices. The encoding / decoding unit 7 encodes and compresses the image signal,
This is for decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.

The group 3 facsimile modem 8 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 8 is a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals, and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.17
34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control unit 9 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a public telephone line network, has an automatic transmission / reception function, and has a telephone 10
Is attached.

Data processing device interface circuit 11
Is for connecting to the data processing device PC,
The data processing device interface control section 12 is for exchanging various data with the data processing device PC connected via the data processing device interface circuit 11.

The local area network interface circuit 13 is for connecting to a local area network, and the local area network communication control section 14 is connected to the local area network via the local area network.
This is for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices. In the case of FIG. 1, the data processing device PC and the data processing device interface circuit 11
And the MFP MFP and the data processing device P
Data is exchanged with C.

These control unit 1, system memory 2,
The parameter memory 3, the scanner 4, the plotter 5, the operation display unit 6, the encoding / decoding unit 7, the group 3 facsimile modem 8, the network control device 9, the external device interface control unit 12, and the local area network communication control unit 14 , Are connected to an internal bus 15, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 15.

Data exchange between the network controller 9 and the group 3 facsimile modem 8 is directly performed.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the operation display unit 6.

In FIG. 1, a start key 6a is for instructing the start of a transmission / reception operation of the facsimile function, a copy operation, and the like, and a stop key 6b is for stopping the operation being executed. , Numeric keypad 6c
Is for inputting numerical values such as a destination telephone number and the number of copies, the liquid crystal display 6d is for displaying various information such as operation guidance, and the PC extension key 6e is, for example, Such as telephone book and broadcast communication in the facsimile function, or sorting in the copy function, etc.
These keys are operated when requesting execution of various extended functions.

With the above configuration, the normal facsimile transmission / reception operation and the copy operation by designating the number of copies can be performed by using the MFP alone or by directly operating the MFP.

When the facsimile function, the scanner function, and the printer function of the multifunction peripheral MFP are used from an appropriate application of the data processing apparatus PC, the functions can be directly performed using the functions of the data processing apparatus PC.

On the other hand, when the user intends to use the extended function, the user turns on the extended PC function 6e of the operation display section 6e. Thereby, the multifunction peripheral MFP checks whether the data processing device PC is operating by checking whether the data processing device interface circuit 11 can receive the specific signal of the data processing device PC. Is operating, the data processing device P
A query is made to C as to whether the MFP service application is running. Here, the multifunction peripheral service application is a multifunction peripheral MFP of the multifunction peripheral MFP.
Is a control processing program for functioning as a facsimile machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, and a printer, respectively.

Thus, in response to the inquiry, the data processing device PC notifies the multifunction peripheral MFP of a response as to whether or not the multifunction peripheral service application has been activated.
Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral MFP inquires of the data processing device PC about the application type that can be used at that time.

Thus, in response to the inquiry, the data processing apparatus PC notifies the multifunction peripheral MFP of the type of the functional application included in the currently activated multifunction peripheral application.

Thus, the multifunction peripheral MFP displays a list of the notified function applications on the liquid crystal display 6d of the operation display unit 6, and provides guidance to the user to select any of the functions.

For example, when the notified function application is “facsimile” or “copy”, guidance is displayed so as to select one of them. On the other hand, when the user selects “copy”, the multifunction peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the content selected by the user.

With respect to the “copy” function notified at this time, the data processing apparatus PC lists information on functions that can be used in the active MFP service application, for example, “sort”, “2 in 1 copy”, and “ "Multi-size copy" or the like is notified to the multifunction peripheral MFP.

Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral MFP displays the notified function list information on the liquid crystal display 6d and allows the user to select one of the functions. For example, when “sort” is selected, the fact is notified to the data processing device PC.

Thus, the data processing apparatus PC notifies the MFP of necessary operation items by the “sort” function notified at that time, and the MFP receives a list of the notified operation items. Is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6d.
For example, in this case, the operation items of the number of documents and the number of copies are displayed. The user inputs necessary information for each operation item by operating the numeric keypad 6c.
Further, the multifunction peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the contents of the user's operation.

Thus, the data processing device PC obtains the number of originals and the number of copies for the selected "sort" function.

In this state, when the user turns on the start key 6a, the multifunction peripheral MFP notifies the data processing device PC of the fact, and accordingly, the data processing device PC
Commands the MFP MFP to perform a predetermined sort operation.

That is, in this case, the data processing apparatus PC sends a guidance message to the user to set a document one page at a time and to turn on the start key 6a.
It is displayed on the liquid crystal display 6d of the FP. Accordingly, the user sets the original of the first page on the scanner of the multifunction peripheral MFP, turns on the start key 6a, and displays on the liquid crystal display 6d that the reading of the original of the first page is completed. The original of the second page is set on the scanner of the MFP, the start key 6a is turned on again, and this operation is repeated for all the originals.

When the user presses the start key 6
Each time the scanner a is turned on, the scanner 4 performs a reading operation, and an image signal obtained by the operation is transmitted to the data processing device interface control section 12 and the data processing device interface circuit 11
To the data processing device PC via the. When the reading operation for one page is completed, a guidance message is displayed to the user to set the next page, and the operation of the user is guided.

The data processing device PC stores the image signal for one page received from the multifunction peripheral MFP in the order of each original. When the storage of the image signals of all the originals is completed, the image signals of all the originals are transferred to the multifunction peripheral MFP in page order, and a print instruction is issued each time the transfer of the image signals of one page is completed. When the print instruction for the document is completed, the same operation is repeated for the designated number of copies.

As a result, the multifunction peripheral MFP records and outputs a specified number of copies of the document of a plurality of pages that have been read, and performs the specified sorting operation.

In the same manner, the operations of "2 in 1 copy" and "magnification copy" are performed. Here, “2 in 1 copy” is a function of editing a document for two pages into a one-page image and copying it. In this case, the data processing device PC scales and rotates the image signals for two pages received from the multifunction peripheral MFP so as to fit within the designated recording paper size, and converts the image signals for one page. The MFP transmits the created image signal recording operation to the multifunction peripheral MFP and issues a print instruction.

The "magnified copy" is a function for reducing or enlarging the read original image at a magnification of 1% specified by the user. In this case, the data processing device PC displays a guidance message for prompting the user to input a magnification, performs scaling processing on the image signal received from the multifunction peripheral MFP at the specified magnification, and combines the image signal after the scaling with the magnification. Machine M
Transfer to FP and instruct print. If the number of copies is specified, the print instruction is repeated for the number of copies.

When the function application selected by the user is “facsimile”, the user can select “facsimile”
And "broadcast". Here, the “phone directory” function is provided in advance by the data processing device P.
This is a function for selecting an arbitrary telephone number from list information of telephone numbers registered in C. At the time of selection, it is also possible to use a search for a telephone number or a name or affiliation registered in relation to the telephone number. The “phone book” function can also be used for a call using the telephone 10 of the MFP.

The "broadcast communication" is a function for transmitting the same document to a plurality of destinations. In this case, a part for selecting a plurality of transmission destinations is designated from the registered telephone number of the data processing device PC. be able to. Here, the specification method is
The same method as in the case of the “phone directory” function described above can be applied. Further, the transmission image information is transferred from the multifunction peripheral MFP to the data processing device PC, and is accumulated using a magnetic disk device or the like of the data processing device PC.

In this case, FIG. 4 shows an example of a schematic operation of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

When the user turns on the PC extension key 6e (the result of determination 101 is YES), the multifunction peripheral MFP receives the specific signal of the data processing device PC by the data processing device interface circuit 11, and the data processing device PC
It is checked whether or not is operating (decision 102).

When the result of the determination 102 is YES, the multifunction peripheral MFP inquires of the data processing apparatus PC whether or not the multifunction peripheral service application is being executed (process 103). On the other hand, when the data processing apparatus PC notifies that the MFP service application is being executed (the result of determination 104 is YE
S), an inquiry is made to the data processing device PC for a usable application type (process 105).

When the inquiry response signal is received from the data processing device PC, the contents are displayed as a list and the available functions are notified to the user (step 106).

Thereafter, the operation information input by the user is transferred to the data processing device PC until the user instructs the end of the function, control information and the like are received from the data processing device PC, and the received information is received. The operation for performing the operation corresponding to the control information is repeatedly performed to execute the specified functional operation (N in Steps 107, 108, 109, and Decision 110).
O loop).

When the result of the judgment 102 is NO when the data processing device PC is not operating, and
If the multifunction device service application is not being executed on the data processing device PC and the result of the determination 104 is NO, the user is informed that the PC extended function cannot be used (process 111), and this operation is performed. To end.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic example of the operation of the data processing device PC at this time.

When there is an inquiry from the multifunction peripheral MFP as to whether the multifunction peripheral service application is being executed (result of determination 201 is YES), it is determined whether the multifunction peripheral service application is being executed at that time. Is sent to the multifunction peripheral MFP (process 202).

Next, when an inquiry about an available application type is received from the multifunction peripheral MFP (Process 2)
03), and notifies the MFP of a list of the types of applications available at that time (Process 20).
4).

After that, until the user instructs the end of the function, operation information is input from the multifunction peripheral MFP, a process corresponding to the operation information is executed, and the multifunction peripheral MFP is controlled based on the processing result. The operation of transmitting control information and the like for the operation to the multifunction peripheral MFP is repeatedly performed to execute the specified functional operation (steps 205, 206, 207,
NO loop of decision 208).

As described above, in the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral M
A part of the function processing of the FP is executed by a control program provided in the data processing device PC, and the function operation is performed by:
Because the MFP can be operated from the operation display unit 6 of the multifunction peripheral MFP, the functions of the multifunction peripheral MFP can be operated in an easy-to-understand operation procedure equivalent to that of a facsimile machine or a copier, and the usability of the multifunction peripheral MFP is greatly improved. I do.

The multifunction peripheral MF is installed in the data processing device PC.
Since a part of the function processing of P is shared, the functions can be distributed, the device functions provided in the multifunction peripheral MFP can be reduced, and the device cost of the multifunction peripheral MFP can be reduced.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the multifunction peripheral M
Although the FP is directly connected to the data processing device PC, FIG.
As shown in (1), the MFP may be connected to a local area network LAN, and a part of the function processing of the MFP may be assigned to the server LS of the local area network LAN. That is, in this case, the server device LS functions as an application server for the MFP service application.

In this case, any of the client devices RQ1 to RQn connected to the local area network LAN may share part of the function processing of the multifunction peripheral MFP.

In the above-described embodiment, the facsimile apparatus is described as a group 3 facsimile apparatus using a GSTN (general line network) as a transmission path. However, a group 4 facsimile apparatus using an ISDN as a transmission path is used. It can also be applied.

[0060]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the device function of the multifunction device can be operated using the operation function of the multifunction device, an effect that the usability of the multifunction device is greatly improved is obtained.

Further, since a part of the processing functions of the multifunction device is shared by the data processing device, the effect that the cost of the multifunction device can be reduced can be obtained. In addition, since the connection between the multifunction device and the data processing device can be either direct connection or connection via a local area network, there is an effect that the usability of the multifunction device is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a multifunction peripheral system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation display unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an outline of an operation of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an outline of an operation of the data processing device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a multifunction peripheral system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 system control unit 11 data processing device interface circuit 12 data processing device interface control unit MFP MFP PC data processing device LS server device

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image reading function, an image recording function, and
In a multifunction device system in which a multifunction device having communication functions and realizing a plurality of device functions that can be configured by appropriately combining these functions is operated by an external data processing device, External device interface means for communication, operation means for designating a predetermined device function, and performing various operations relating to the designated device function, and display for displaying various information relating to the device function designated by the operation means The external data processing apparatus comprises: an interface unit for exchanging data with the multifunction peripheral via the external device interface unit; and a processing function for realizing the plurality of device functions. When the device function is specified by the means, the external data processing device The specified device function process is started, and information necessary for performing an operation procedure related to the specified device function is displayed on the display unit, and the operation procedure proceeds based on the operation information of the operation unit. A multifunction device system that realizes a processing function corresponding to the device function process. 2. The multifunction peripheral system according to claim 1, wherein said external device interface means and said interface means are directly connected to each other. 3. The multifunction device system according to claim 1, wherein said external device interface means and said interface means are connected via a local area network. 4. The multifunction peripheral system according to claim 3, wherein said external data processing device is an application server device connected to said local area network. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of apparatus functions include at least a facsimile apparatus function, a copying apparatus function, an image reading function, and an image recording function. The composite device system according to claim 4.