JP4154285B2 - Image output device system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image output device system in which help texts are placed in advance on a network to which a plurality of image output devices are connected, accessed as necessary, and displayed for download, and more particularly to other image output devices on a network. In contrast, the present invention relates to an image output apparatus system capable of preventing wasteful consumption of network resources by enabling operation of help data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, image output devices have become more sophisticated and complex, and the operation system has become much more complex than monochrome copiers, and the complexity is increasing year by year. Under such circumstances, there are often cases where the user gets lost in the operation method. Previously, in such a case, there was only a method for a user to refer to a paper product manual. However, in recent years, a method for directly referring to a help text on a display panel attached to an image output apparatus has become widespread (hereinafter referred to as a manual). This method is called electronic text help).
However, in this electronic text help system, the storage capacity of the main body is always a problem. In other words, if the product is equipped with a storage area that can store all help data, the cost of the main body will be greatly increased, which is not practical. Also, when trying to store only a part of help data, what kind of help data is required varies depending on the user environment, and it is also necessary depending on the installation location, installation department, operation method, etc. Since the help is different, the choice was difficult. For example, even when installed in Japan, there may be cases where help in other languages is required. Under such circumstances, necessary help is determined in advance at the time of shipment from the factory, and only the help data cannot be stored in the main body.
To solve this problem, the conventional technology avoids problems caused by the storage capacity on the image output device by placing help texts on the network in advance, accessing them as needed, and displaying them as downloaded. Trying to.
[0003]
As a prior art, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-31462 (analysis of an operation manual request code received from a digital copying machine retrieves a requested operation method information from a storage medium, Configuration for downloading method information to a requesting digital copier), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-016749 (Connecting an image forming apparatus to the Internet via a server apparatus and displaying display data corresponding to an event occurring in the apparatus to the Internet Created in a description format suitable for the environment, stored in either the storage means in the image forming apparatus or the storage means of the server computer of the manufacturer on the Internet, and from the type and / or degree of the event that occurred Determine the storage location of the corresponding display data, read it, and display it on the user interface Whereby, without burdening of increased memory capacity in the apparatus, provided as always the latest information intelligible operation guidance information in details), and the like.
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-31462 A [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-016749
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional example, it seems to function effectively in many situations under the LAN connection environment, but when there are a plurality of image output devices, the image output devices individually perform network access. . For this reason, for example, in an environment where a plurality of the same model is introduced, there may be a case where the same help data is downloaded from individual image output devices, which may waste network resources. .
An object of the present invention is to provide an image output apparatus system capable of preventing wasteful consumption of network resources by enabling operation of help information for other image output apparatuses on a network.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image output devices and a help server are connected on a network, and each of the image output devices and the help server stores help data. An image output apparatus system having a storage means, wherein an image output apparatus requesting necessary help data inquires about the presence or absence of the help data from another image output apparatus on the network. If the help data is present in the image output device, the help data is transferred from the other image output device to the image output device requesting the necessary help data, and the help data is transferred to the other image output device. When the data does not exist, the help server is requested to transfer the help data .
Therefore, the help information can be manipulated for other devices on the network, so that a network distributed online help method can be provided.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus system according to the first aspect, the help data operation includes at least one of reading, writing, and erasing of the help data. To do.
Accordingly, the help information such as reading, writing, and erasing of the help data can be operated for other devices on the network, so that a network distributed online help method can be provided .
[0006]
The invention of claim 3, wherein, in the image output system according to claim 1, wherein the help data, characterized in that it comprises a moving image object.
Therefore, since the moving image object is included as the help data, a more easily understood online help method can be provided.
The invention of claim 4, wherein, in the image output system according to claim 1, wherein the help data, characterized in that it comprises voice data.
Therefore, since the voice data is included as the help data, a more easily understood online help method can be provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, a plurality of image output apparatuses and a help server are connected on a network, and the image output apparatus and In the image output apparatus system in which the help server has storage means for storing the help data, respectively, the result of comparing the help data stored in the image output apparatus with the help data on the help server, When the help data stored in the image output device is old, the help data on the help server is downloaded to the image output device, and the old help data is updated.
Therefore, since the stored help data is compared with the help data on the server, it is possible to provide an online help method that can always keep the information updated.
In the invention described in claim 6 , a plurality of image output devices, a local help server, and a global help server are connected on a network, and each of the image output devices and the server has storage means for storing help data. An image output device system, wherein the image output device requesting the necessary help data makes an inquiry to the local help server on the network about the presence or absence of the help data. As a result, the help data exists in the local help server. If the help data is transferred from the local help server to the image output device that requests the necessary help data, and the help data does not exist in the local help server, the global help server and characterized in that to request the transfer of the help data Te That.
Accordingly, the help information can be manipulated for other servers on the network, so that a network distributed online help method can be provided.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image output apparatus system according to a first embodiment (when no local help server exists) according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, in this image output apparatus system, a plurality of MFPs (image output apparatuses) 3 and a help server 5 are connected via a network 1 such as a LAN or the Internet. The MFP 3 exists on the LAN, and the help server 5 exists on the Internet, and both are connected via a gateway.
Hereinafter, in order to distinguish the help server, the help server existing on the Internet is called a global help server, and the help server existing on the LAN is called a local help server.
[0008]
Next, the configuration of the MFP 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 3 is necessary for an information processing unit (CPU) 11 that controls information processing and overall operation, and an information storage unit (system OS, copy, FAX, printer process for storing data). Various control programs, printer PLD processing system, ROM containing system initial setting values, RAM for work memory, etc.) 13, document reading unit (scanner, ADF) 15, and communication control unit for performing communication processing 17, an engine controller 19, and an I / O controller 21 are connected to the internal bus 23. A print engine 25 and a paper supply / discharge unit 27 are connected to the engine controller 19, and the I / O controller 21 is connected to the I / O controller 21. A display / input device unit (touch panel, buttons, switches, etc.) 29 and a NIC 31 are connected.
Here, the hardware itself constituting the MFP is not much different from a general MFP. The cache device that characterizes the present invention, the URL to the help server 5, etc. are all in the information storage unit 13. The information storage unit 13 includes a hard disk (HDD), a flash memory, and the like in addition to the RAM and ROM. The RAM, HDD, and the like are detachable. As a cache device, there is a memory with battery backup or a memory developed on a hard disk.
The cache control is preferably implemented as an independent process running on the system OS. Data that does not exist on the cache device is requested to the help server 5 and the help data is accumulated as long as there is space in the cache device. When the free space decreases, unnecessary cache data is automatically deleted, Accumulate new help data. Further, since the help data exists as a file, the date and size can be easily checked.
[0009]
Next, the configuration of the help server 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
The help server 5 is both a global help server and a local help server, and the entity is a computer, and only the connection destination network is different. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the help server 5 includes a display 33, a keyboard 35, a data reading device (specifically, FDD or the like) 37, a FAX modem 39, an arithmetic processing device 41, and the like.
The arithmetic processing unit 41 communicates with a CPU 43 that can execute various commands, a memory (RAM, ROM) 45, a DISK (which means a fixed disk) 47 that is a mass storage device, and a device on the network. A network interface card (NIC) 49 is provided, and an I / O controller (equipped with a USB, SCSI port, etc.) 51 for exchanging information with peripheral devices is provided.
The DISK in the figure stores an OS (Operating System), a help data program, a web server program, and the like. Here, the type of the OS does not have to be a specific one, and similarly, the web server program may be a general-purpose program such as Apache.
Communication processing programs such as a web server program are read when the OS is activated and operate in the background. The entire system including the MFP may be configured so that a single help server can support a plurality of MFP models as long as the capacity of the DISK device permits and the amount of traffic to the server allows. . Conversely, a plurality of help servers may be used to provide help for a certain MFP model for the purpose of reducing the load factor of the server.
With this configuration, necessary help can be transmitted in accordance with a request from the MFP 3. As a secondary merit, an access log output by the web server program can be automatically obtained. That is, a help item having a relatively large number of accesses indirectly indicates that the user has a high probability of getting lost. This information is an important clue to the user interface designer of the MFP 3 when improving the product.
[0010]
Next, the operation of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
Here, in the prior art, when help is required on the MFP, the MFP first checks the data existing in the device itself, and if the corresponding help data does not exist in the MFP, Immediately access the global help server. In this case, a pointer (URL) corresponding to a specific help is read from the inside of the MFP, and the MFP itself accesses the help server using the URL, and the help data received from the server is stored in the MFP. Displayed on the panel.
On the other hand, the image output apparatus system according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 achieves a cooperative help system by operating as follows. The cooperative help system operation will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. 4 and the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS.
[0011]
First, as shown in FIG. 5, when help is required on the first MFP 3, the presence / absence of help data is inquired to another MFP 3 existing on the LAN (step 101 in FIG. 4). 103). Here, if a corresponding help data cache exists in the second MFP 3, the help data is transferred from the second MFP 3 to the first MFP 3, as shown in FIG. Display is performed on one MFP 3 (step 105 in FIG. 4).
If there is no corresponding help data on the LAN, as shown in FIG. 7, it requests data transfer to the global help server 5 on the Internet, receives the help data, and similarly displays it on the MFP 1. (Steps 107 and 109 in FIG. 4).
In this way, when help data is fetched from outside the LAN as necessary, the cache data of the MFP gradually increases. Although old data may be deleted sequentially, an MFP equipped with a large-capacity storage device (HDD or the like) in the LAN (hereinafter referred to as a large MFP, and for convenience of explanation, the third MFP 3 is referred to as a large MFP. In the case where there is “Yes”, cache data is not stored in individual MFPs, and unified management of help data can be performed on a large MFP.
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, after help data is displayed on the first MFP 3, a help data storage / registration request is sent to the third MFP 3, which is a large MFP. If the registration is successful, the cache data in the first MFP 3 is self-erased (step 111 in FIG. 4). In this way, the storage area inside the large MFP can be effectively shared by a plurality of MFPs, and the cache area on each MFP can be saved.
[0012]
In the above description, the cached help data is assumed to be the same as long as the cache area does not disappear. However, the cached help data may be actively rewritten. For example, each MFP 3 randomly determines the time once a month, inquires and compares the new and old data cached in the global help server 5, and the cached help data is out of date (the data stored on the global help server is old). If it is updated and new), the cached help data is updated. In this way, even when the help data is upgraded, the automatically cached help data can be automatically kept up-to-date. Further, since a download request is executed from the MFP side in the LAN, the operation is possible even if a firewall is interposed.
The help data in the above description is not necessarily limited to Japanese. Moreover, it is not restricted only to character data. For example, moving image data in GIF format, a moving image object expressed by a JAVA (registered trademark) applet, or the like may be used. If necessary, audio data may be used in combination. However, since the normal MFP 3 cannot handle audio output, in this case, a speaker, an amplifier, an audio D / A converter, etc. are prepared in advance in the MFP 3 main body, and the help server 5 provides a part of the help data as This can be realized by preparing compressed audio data.
The communication protocol between devices on the LAN in the above description is not limited to a specific one. An original protocol may be employed, or an existing protocol such as UPnP or JINI may be employed.
[0013]
FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of the second embodiment (when a local help server exists) of the image output apparatus system according to the present invention. A difference in configuration of the second embodiment of FIG. 9 from the first embodiment of FIG. 1 is that a local help server 7 is installed on the LAN. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, this image output apparatus system includes a plurality of MFPs (image output apparatuses) 3, a local help server 7, and a global help server 5 via a network 1 such as a LAN or the Internet. It is connected. The MFP 3 and the local help server 7 exist on the LAN, and the global help server 5 exists on the Internet, and both are connected via a gateway.
The local help server 7 has a role of providing help data instead of the global help server 5 to the MFP 3 installed on the LAN.
[0014]
The cooperative help system operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. 10 and the operation explanatory diagrams of FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 11, when help is needed on the first MFP 3, the local help server 7 is inquired for the presence or absence of help data using a pointer (step 201 in FIG. 10). 203). If the corresponding help data cache exists in the local help server 7, the help data is transferred from the local help server 7 to the first MFP 3 and displayed on the first MFP 3. (Step 205 in FIG. 10).
If the corresponding help data does not exist on the local help server 7, as shown in FIG. 12, the global help server 5 on the Internet is requested to transfer data, the help data is received, and the first help data is similarly received. Display is performed on the MFP 3 (steps 207 and 209 in FIG. 10).
Then, as shown in FIG. 13, a request for saving / registering the help data is made to the local help server 7, and when the registration is successful, the cache data in the first MFP 3 is self-erased (FIG. 10). Step 211).
By doing so, the help data downloaded once can be stored as a cache on the local help server 7, so that the second and subsequent help downloads can be executed at high speed, and each MFP can be downloaded on each MFP. Cache area can be saved.
[0015]
In the above description, the cached help data is assumed to be the same as long as the cache area does not disappear. However, the cached help data may be actively rewritten. For example, the local help server 7 randomly determines the time once a month, inquires and compares the old and new data cached in the global help server 5, and checks the old cache (the data stored in the global help server 5 If there is a new one), the cached data can be downloaded and updated.
In this way, even when the help data is upgraded, the automatically cached help data can always be kept up-to-date. Further, since the download request is executed from the local help server 7 side in the LAN, the operation can be executed even if a firewall is interposed.
The help data in the above description is not necessarily limited to Japanese. Moreover, it is not restricted only to character data. For example, moving image data in GIF format or a moving image object expressed by a JAVA (registered trademark) applet may be used.
If necessary, audio data may be used together. However, a normal MFP cannot handle audio output. In this case, a speaker, an amplifier, an audio D / A converter, etc. are prepared in advance in the MFP body, and the help server compresses it as part of the help data. This can be realized by preparing audio data.
The communication protocol between devices on the LAN in the above description is not limited to a specific one. An original protocol may be employed, or an existing protocol such as UPnP or JINI may be employed.
[0016]
【The invention's effect】
As can be understood from the above description, according to the present invention, since help information can be operated for devices on other networks, a network distributed online help method can be provided.
Further, according to the present invention, before the help is downloaded, the presence / absence of help information on another device is confirmed in advance, so that a more efficient online help method can be provided.
Further, according to the present invention, since the moving image object is included as the help data, it is possible to provide a more easily understood online help method.
Further, according to the present invention, since the voice data is included as the help data, an on-line help method that is easier to understand can be provided.
Further, according to the present invention , the help information can be operated for other servers on the network, so that a network distributed online help method can be provided.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image output apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the present invention (when no local help server exists).
2 is an internal configuration diagram of MFP 3 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of help servers 5 and 7 shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the first embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1;
6 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of an image output apparatus system according to a second embodiment (when a local help server exists) according to the present invention.
10 is an operation flowchart of the second embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 9;
11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 9. FIG.
12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 9. FIG.
13 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second embodiment of the image output apparatus system shown in FIG. 9;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network, 3 ... MFP, 5 ... Global help server, 7 ... Local help server, 11 ... Information processing part, 13 ... Information storage part, 15 ... Document reading part, 17 ... Communication control part, 19 ... Engine controller, 21 ... I / O controller, 23 ... internal bus, 25 ... print engine, 27 ... feed / discharge unit, 29 ... display / input unit, 31 ... NIC, 33 ... display, 35 ... keyboard, 37 ... data reading device, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 39 ... FAX modem, 41 ... Arithmetic processing unit, 43 ... CPU, 45 ... Memory, 47 ... DISK, 49 ... NIC, 51 ... I / O controller

Claims (6)

A plurality of image output devices and a help server are connected on a network, and each of the image output devices and the help server has storage means for storing help data, respectively,
As a result of the image output device requesting the necessary help data inquiring about the presence or absence of the help data from another image output device on the network, when the help data exists in the other image output device, When the help data is transferred from the other image output device to the image output device requesting the necessary help data, and the help data does not exist in the other image output device, the help server An image output apparatus system that requests transfer of help data .   The image output apparatus system according to claim 1, wherein the help data operation includes at least one of reading, writing, and erasing of the help data. The image output apparatus system according to claim 1 , wherein the help data includes a moving image object. The image output apparatus system according to claim 1 , wherein the help data includes audio data. 5. The image output apparatus system according to claim 1 , wherein a result of comparing the help data stored in the image output apparatus with the help data stored in the help server, as a result of comparing the help data stored in the help server. When the help data stored in is old, the help data on the help server is downloaded to the image output device, and the old help data is updated. A plurality of image output devices, a local help server, and a global help server are connected on a network, and each of the image output devices and the server has a storage unit for storing help data,
If the help data is present in the local help server as a result of the image output device requesting the necessary help data inquiring the local help server on the network for the presence of the help data, the local help server The help data is transferred to the image output device that requests the necessary help data, and if the help data does not exist in the local help server, the global help server is requested to transfer the help data. An image output apparatus system.

Images