JP4670874B2 - Information processing device, terminal device, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is an information processing apparatus that executes processing for realizing any one of one or more functions in response to an external command, and is used in a state in which data communication with the information processing apparatus is connected The present invention relates to a terminal device to be used, and a program usable in these.

  Conventionally, an information processing apparatus having one or more functions such as a printer function and a scanner function has been used, and such an information processing apparatus normally implements each function in response to a command from the terminal device side. It is configured.

  As described above, in order to use each function of the information processing apparatus, application software for providing a user interface for using each function and dedicated software for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus itself are used. It is necessary to incorporate a device driver on the terminal device side. When the application software is activated and an operation corresponding to a function to be used is performed, the operation of the information processing apparatus is controlled via the device driver, thereby making it possible to use each function.

  Incidentally, in recent years, various techniques for improving the usability (user interface) of this type of information processing apparatus have been proposed.

For example, the terminal device (personal computer PC) includes a recording unit (RAM 12) that can be recognized as an external recording device connected to the terminal device itself, and processes the data when the terminal device records data in the recording unit. This is an information processing apparatus (facsimile apparatus A) that allows a user to select a function to be used at that time and processes data using the selected function (see Patent Document 1). In this information processing apparatus, after a user selects a function, a command to use the selected function is sent to the information processing apparatus via a device driver (driver program) incorporated on the terminal device side. It is done.
JP 2001-282694 A (see paragraphs [0022] to [0024], [0034], [0035], [0037] and [0038])

  However, even in the information processing apparatus as described above, in order to use each function of the information processing apparatus from the terminal apparatus, commands are directly exchanged between the terminal apparatus and the information processing apparatus via a dedicated device driver. There must be.

The device driver is generally an OS (operating system) incorporated in the terminal device side.
If the device driver itself is not upgraded along with the OS upgrade, the information processing apparatus may not be able to operate normally. Such work related to version upgrade is very troublesome work, and it can be said that the work burden on the user is large. In addition, for the side that develops and provides the information processing apparatus, a large development cost is required to develop and upgrade the device driver for each OS and each version upgrade of the OS.

  For these reasons, in recent years, there has been a demand for a technique for making it possible to use each function of an information processing apparatus without using a device driver.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for making it possible to use each function of an information processing apparatus without using a device driver.

In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions including a printer function , and is capable of recording various data and capable of data communication with the information processing apparatus. connected terminal devices, recognizable and processing side recording unit, a function for commanding the realization of any of the functions to the information processing apparatus among the plurality of functions as a connected external recording device to the terminal device When the command data is recorded in the processing-side recording means, the function specifying means for specifying the function commanded by the function command data from the plurality of functions, and the function specified by the function specifying means serial but when a printer function for printing on a print medium by the printing means an image represented by the image data, to the processing side recording means together with the function command data indicating the printer function Is, the recording of the image data is instructed print executes processing performed by the printing means, functions specified by the function specifying unit, if not the print function requires the setting contents related to the identified function When the command data is recorded in the processing-side recording means, content notification data indicating setting contents of the specified function is generated and recorded in the processing-side recording means, while being recorded in the processing-side recording means If the specified command data is not command data for requesting setting contents, it is regarded as command data for requesting the start of execution of the specified function, and a function realizing means for executing processing for realizing the specified function And.

According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, when the function command data is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, the function specifying unit specifies the function commanded by the function command data, and is specified by the function specifying unit. If the function is a printer function that prints the image indicated by the image data on the printing medium by the printing means, it is recorded on the processing side recording means together with the function command data, and the recording of the image data instructed to print is recorded by the printing means. If the function specified by the function specifying means is not a print function, or if command data requesting setting contents related to the specified function is recorded in the processing-side recording means , the specified function is specified. The content notification data indicating the setting contents of the function is generated and recorded in the processing-side recording means, while the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is the setting contents If not requested instruction data, regarded as command data requesting the execution start for the specified function, the process for implementing the specified function is executed. If the specified function is a print function, the function command data and the image data for which printing has been commanded are recorded in the processing-side recording means, whereby the image data is printed. Here, directive data, the processing side recording means contents notification data is recorded indicating the setting contents related to the specified function, the external recording device connected to the terminal device to the information processing apparatus, connected to the terminal device itself That is, it is recognized as a recording area that can be accessed (data recording and deletion) via a function (file system) provided as a standard in an OS (operating system). Therefore, in the terminal device, the operation of the information processing apparatus can be controlled only by recording the command data on the processing-side recording means via the OS, and a dedicated device driver is required to control the operation of the information processing apparatus. Absent. Further, if the print function, the image data is instructed to print the function directive data that are recorded, the image data printing is executed.

  In this way, the terminal device side has a function for generating command data (for example, a program that provides a user interface for generating command data is incorporated). The functions of the information processing apparatus can be used regardless of the device driver. Therefore, the troublesome work associated with incorporating the device driver is not necessary, and the work load to be performed by the user in order to use the information processing apparatus can be greatly reduced.

Furthermore, since the operation of the information processing apparatus can be controlled by the functions provided as standard in the OS as described above, it is only necessary for the side developing and providing the information processing apparatus to develop and provide only the function of generating command data. In addition, the development cost related to the device driver can be reduced.

In particular, for some OSs with few users, a dedicated device driver and a function for generating command data have not been developed and provided from the viewpoint of development cost. In some cases, the functions of the information processing apparatus cannot be used from a terminal apparatus in which the OS is incorporated. However, as described above, with the reduction in development costs, it becomes possible to develop and provide a function for generating command data even for some OSs with a small number of users. It is expected that the functions of the information processing apparatus can be used from the terminal device.

Further, when the specified function is a printer function, printing of the image by the printing unit is started when the function command data and the image data are recorded in the processing side recording unit. For this reason, the terminal device can use the printer function by controlling the operation of the printing means provided in the information processing apparatus simply by causing the processing side recording means to record the function command data and the image data via the OS.

In this configuration, the function command data and the image data only need to be different data. However, for example, a part or all of the function command data is image data. It may be.

As the “ plurality of functions” of the information processing apparatus described above, there is a remote setting (so-called remote setup) function that changes the setting contents of each function by an external command without directly operating the information processing apparatus. In this case, the configuration described in claim 3 is sufficient.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of functions include a remote setup function for changing a setting content related to each function in response to a command from the outside, and the function command data recorded in the processing-side recording unit is remote. In the case of data specifying the setup function, the function specifying means specifies the remote setup function from a plurality of functions, and the function realization means records command data for requesting notification of setting contents of the plurality of functions on the processing side. If recorded in the means, content notification data indicating the setting contents of the plurality of functions is generated and recorded in the processing-side recording means, while the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is set in the plurality of functions. if an instruction data for requesting the notification of the content is regarded as change command data for commanding the updating of the settings for any of functions of the plurality of functions, Update settings related commanded functions updated with change command data.

According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, when command data for requesting notification of setting contents of a plurality of functions is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, content notification data indicating the setting contents of the plurality of functions is stored. Generated and recorded in the processing-side recording means, while the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is recorded.
Is not command data requesting notification of setting contents of a plurality of functions, it is regarded as change command data for instructing update of setting contents of any of the plurality of functions. Update the settings related to the function for which update is commanded. That is, when change command data is recorded in the processing-side recording means, settings relating to a specific function are updated based on the change command data. Therefore, in the terminal device, the remote setting function can be used by recording the change command data in the processing recording unit via the OS.
In the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , when the print function is executed and the printing is completed, the function realizing unit records the completion notification data indicating that the printing is completed in the processing-side recording unit. According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, the end notification data indicating that the printing has ended is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, so that the end of printing is recognized from the terminal device side and used for notification. Can do.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of functions include a scanner function for reading a predetermined image as image data by a reading unit, and the function command data recorded in the processing-side recording unit is the scanner function. The function specifying means specifies the scanner function from among the plurality of functions, and the function realizing means is configured to receive command data for requesting setting contents relating to the scanner function. If it is recorded on the means, the scanner function content notification data is generated and recorded on the processing side recording means, while the command data recorded on the processing side recording means requests the setting contents of the scanner function. if an instruction data that is regarded as the command data requesting the execution start for the scanner function, reads the start of the image to said reading means finger To.
According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, when the function command data is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, the scanner function is specified by the function specifying unit from among a plurality of functions. Then, when the command data requesting the setting content related to the scanner function is recorded in the processing-side recording unit , the function realizing unit generates and records the scanner function content notification data in the processing-side recording unit, If the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is not command data requesting the setting contents of the scanner function, it is regarded as command data requesting the start of execution of the scanner function, and the reading means is instructed to start image reading. . Therefore, the terminal device controls the operation of the reading means provided in the information processing apparatus only by causing the processing side recording means to record the function command data for specifying the scanner function and the command data for requesting the start of execution via the OS. The scanner function can be used.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the function realization unit executes a scanner function and records the read image data in the processing side recording unit. According to the information processing apparatus configured as described above, the image data read by the reading unit can be recorded in the processing-side recording unit, and thereby the image data can be freely accessed from the terminal device side. can do.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with examples.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a multifunction peripheral 100 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 200 connected via a communication cable 300 so that data communication is possible.

The multi-function device 100 has a telephone function for realizing a voice call via the telephone line network 400, a FAX function for transmitting and receiving an image signal via the telephone line network 400, a call destination and a transmission destination (identification number; In this embodiment, in addition to a number registration function for registering a telephone number), as a plurality of types of functions that can be realized by a function realization process (FIG. 8) described later, a scanner function that reads an image on paper as image data, and image data A printer function for printing the displayed image on paper, a setting content notification function for notifying the setting content for each function, and a remote setup for changing the setting content for each function in response to an external command without being operated on the operation panel 120 It has functions.

  In order to realize the above functions, the multi-function device 100 includes a handset 112, a display panel 114, an operation panel 120, a CPU 132, a ROM 134, a RAM 140, a scanner unit 152, a modem 154, a printer unit 156, an audio input / output unit 160, and a PC. An interface unit (hereinafter referred to as PCI / F) 172, a line control unit 174, a media drive 180, and the like are provided.

  Among these, the handset 112 is a handset that is used by being detached from the main body of the multifunction device 100.

  The display panel 114 displays various information in response to a command from the CPU 132.

  The operation panel 120 includes a plurality of input buttons that can input characters, numbers, and symbols.

  Further, the CPU 132 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 100 by sending commands (control signals) to each component of the multifunction device 100 via the bus 190 in accordance with the processing procedure indicated by the program recorded in the ROM 134.

The RAM 140 is a shared area in which a part of the recording area can be recognized as an external recording device (virtual drive) connected to the PC 200 itself by the PC 200 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100. As a result, the PC 200 can recognize this shared area as a recording area that can be accessed (data recording and deletion) by a file system that is a partial function provided as a standard in an OS (operating system). The RAM 140 stores setting content data indicating the setting content related to each function described above, and the CPU 132 performs processing for realizing each function based on the setting content indicated by the setting content data. Execute. The shared area has a tree-type folder (also called “directory”) structure, and is configured to classify and store data files in the folder. Tree-type folder (also called “directory”)
Further, the scanner unit 152 receives an instruction from the CPU 132 in a function realization process (FIG. 8) to be described later, reads an image from a sheet set at a predetermined reading position (not shown), and image data of the image. Is generated. The image data is encoded and modulated by the modem 154 to be converted into an image signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 400, and then output to the telephone line network 400 via the line control unit 174.

  Further, the printer unit 156 receives an instruction from the CPU 132 in a function realization process (FIG. 8) described later, and prints an image indicated by image data on a sheet set at a predetermined paper feed position (not shown). Do. As described above, the image data to be printed is, for example, image data generated by demodulating and decoding the image signal input from the telephone network 400 via the line control unit 174 by the modem 154. Etc.

  The audio input / output unit 160 includes a speaker 162, a microphone 164, and a drive circuit 166 that drives them. In addition to outputting audio based on various audio signals from the speaker 162, the audio input / output unit 160 transmits the speaker 162 and the microphone 164. By functioning as a handset, it can also be used to make a hands-free call.

  The PCI / F 172 is an interface for connecting the multi-function device 100 to the PC 200 via the communication cable 300, and thereby enables data communication between the multi-function device 100 and the PC 200.

  In addition, the line control unit 174 inputs various signals from the telephone line network 400 and outputs signals to the telephone line network 400, and inputs / outputs to / from the telephone line network 400 in response to an instruction from the CPU 132. Set the transmission destination and transmission path of the signal.

  This “transmission destination and transmission path of signals input / output to / from the telephone network 400” is an operation to remove the handset 112 from the main body of the multifunction device 100 as an off-hook operation or a hands-free operation by the operation panel 120. When an operation for starting a call is performed, a path from the line control unit 174 to the handset 112 or the voice input / output unit 160 is set as the above-described transmission path, and this path is in a state in which a voice signal can be transmitted. Become. The transmission path thus set is canceled when an operation for returning the handset 112 to the MFP 100 main body or an operation for terminating the hands-free call is performed as an on-hook operation, and an audio signal is transmitted through this path. It will be in a state that is not.

  Further, when a series of operations (FAX transmission operation) is performed from the input of the identification number of the transmission destination through the operation panel 120 to start transmission with the paper to be read at the reading position set, or When the input of the image signal is started from the telephone line network 400 side, the route toward the modem 154 is set as the above-described transmission route, and the image signal can be transmitted through this route. The set transmission path is canceled when the output of the image signal by the modem 154 is completed or when the input of the image signal from the telephone network 400 is completed, and the image signal is not transmitted through this path. .

  The media drive 180 is a device that is detachably attachable to the memory card 500 and that records and reads data to and from the memory card 500 attached. Here, the “memory card” refers to, for example, a compact flash (registered trademark), a smart media registered trademark, a memory stick (registered trademark), a multimedia card, an SD memory card, and the like.

The PC 200 includes a CPU 212, ROM 214, RAM 216, hard disk (hereinafter referred to as HD) 220, external interface unit (hereinafter referred to as external I / F) 232, network interface unit (hereinafter referred to as network I / F) 234, input Part 240
The display 250 is connected via the bus 260.

Among these, the HD 220 has various application software as well as programs for executing the later-described scanner function use processing (FIG. 2), remote setup function use processing (FIG. 5), and printer function use processing (FIG. 7). A scanner program, a setup program, and a printer program are incorporated.

The external I / F 232 is an interface for connecting the PC 200 to the multi-function device 100 via the communication cable 300, thereby enabling data communication between the PC 200 and the multi-function device 100.

The network I / F 234 is an interface for connecting the PC 200 to a communication network (LAN: Local Area Network in this embodiment) 600.

The input unit 240 is an input device including a keyboard 242 and a mouse 244. ○ Scanner Function Utilization Processing by the CPU 212 of the PC 200 Hereinafter, a processing procedure of scanner function utilization processing executed by the CPU 212 of the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. This scanner function use processing is started when an operation for starting a scanner program is performed by the input unit 240. Note that this scanner function use processing is processing for reading an image of a sheet set at a reading position on the multifunction device 100 side as image data, so that the user reads the sheet on which the image is to be read by the multifunction device 100. The scanner program is started with the position set.

  First, it is checked whether the PC 200 itself is normally connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 (s110). In this process, when the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction device 100 can be accessed, it is determined that the multifunction device 100 is normally connected.

  If the MFP 100 is not normally connected in the process of s110 (s110: NO), a notification that the MFP 100 is not normally connected is given (s120), and then this scanner function use process is performed. finish. In the process of s120, notification is performed by causing the display 250 to display a message indicating that the connection is not normally performed.

  On the other hand, if the MFP 100 is normally connected in the process of s110 (s110: YES), scanner instruction data for acquiring the scanner capability is generated (s130). The scanner instruction data is data for requesting the multifunction device 100 to notify the setting contents regarding the scanner function.

Next, the scanner instruction data generated in the process of s130 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s140). After the scanner instruction data is recorded in the RAM 140, the MFP 100 generates content notification data for notifying the setting content related to the scanner function in a function realization process (FIG. 8) to be described later. To be recorded. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the content notification data includes the number of colors (Color Type), resolution (Resolution), scanning area (Scan Area), brightness (as shown in FIG. 3A). Brightness and Contrast
Is text data indicating parameters such as

  Next, the process waits until content notification data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s150: NO).

  If the content notification data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s150 (s150: YES), the content notification data is read from the shared area (s160).

Next, based on the content notification data read out in the process of s160, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as user I / F) image for using the scanner function is displayed on the display 2.
50 is displayed (s170). In this process, as shown in FIG. 4, a setting area a for designating each setting content by the scanner function, a start button (Start) b for starting reading image data as an image by the scanner function, A user I in a display mode in which a save button (Save) c for recording image data read by the MFP 100 in the process, a cancel button (Cancel) d for interrupting the scanner function use process, and the like are displayed. The / F screen is displayed on the display 250. The setting area a in the user I / F screen is based on the number of colors (Color Type) a1, resolution (Resolution) a2, scanning area (Scan Area) a3, brightness (Brightness) a4, contrast (Contrast) a5, and the like. Thus, the setting content indicated by the content notification data read in the processing of s160 is designated in each setting region a (in the reading region a3, the region indicated by the content notification data is indicated by a broken line. Will be surrounded).

After the user I / F screen is displayed, the user performs an operation of changing (specifying) the setting contents of each setting area a by the input unit 240, and then selecting (clicking) the start button b. Or an operation for selecting the cancel button d can be performed.

  Next, the content notification data read in the process of s160 is deleted from the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s180).

Next, it is checked whether or not an operation for selecting the start button b on the user I / F screen has been performed (s190).

  If an operation for selecting the start button b is not performed in the process of s190 (s190: NO), it is checked whether an operation for selecting the cancel button d is performed (s200).

  If the operation for selecting the cancel button d is not performed in the process of s200 (s200: NO), the process returns to the process of s190.

  If an operation for selecting the start button b is performed in the process of s190 (s190: YES), scanner command data for starting reading is generated (s210). The scanner instruction data is data for starting reading of an image by the scanner function, and the parameter (change contents) of the scanner function is set in the same manner as the content notification data read from the shared area in the process of s160. Text data (see FIG. 3A).

  Next, the scanner instruction data generated in the process of s210 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s220). After the scanner instruction data is recorded in the RAM 140, the multifunction peripheral 100 reads the image data of the paper set at the reading position in a function realizing process (FIG. 8) described later, and the image thus read. Data is recorded in a shared area in the RAM 140.

  Next, the process waits until image data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s230: NO).

  If image data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s230 (s230: YES), the image data is read from the shared area (s240).

Next, the content indicated by the image data read in the process of s240 is displayed on the display 250 (s250). In this process, the content indicated by the image data read in the process of s240 is displayed in the reading area a3 on the user I / F screen described above. After the content indicated by the image data is displayed, the user can perform an operation of selecting (clicking) the save button c or the cancel button d using the input unit 240.

Next, it is checked whether or not an operation for selecting the save button c on the user I / F screen has been performed (s260).

  If an operation for selecting the save button c is not performed in the process of s260 (s260: NO), it is checked whether an operation for selecting the cancel button d is performed (s270).

  If an operation for selecting the cancel button d is not performed in the process of s270 (s270: NO), the process returns to the process of s260.

If an operation for selecting the save button c is performed in the process of s260 (s260: YES), the image data read out in the process of s240 is stored (s280). In this process, as in the case of saving data by using known application software, the user inputs the file name and saves it using the input unit 240 (HD 220, memory card 500).
The image data read out in the process of s240 is recorded by designating the recording area).

  After the process of s280 is completed or when an operation for selecting the cancel button d is performed in the process of s270 (s270: YES), the image data read out in the process of s240 is stored in the RAM 140 of the multi-function peripheral 100. Is deleted from the shared area at (s290).

Then, after the process of s290 is completed or when an operation for selecting the cancel button d is performed in the process of s200 (s200: YES), the user I / F screen displayed on the display 250 by the process of s170 Is erased (s300), the scanner function use processing is terminated.
○ Remote Setup Function Utilization Processing by CPU 212 of PC 200 Hereinafter, a processing procedure of remote setup function utilization processing executed by CPU 212 of PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. This remote setup function utilization processing is started when an operation for starting the setup program is performed by the input unit 240.

  First, it is checked whether or not the PC 200 itself is normally connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 (s310). This process is the same as the process of s110 in FIG.

  In the process of s310, if the MFP 100 is not normally connected (s310: NO), a notification that the MFP 100 is not normally connected is given (s320), and then this remote setup function use process Exit. The process of s320 is the same as the process of s120 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the MFP 100 is normally connected in the process of s310 (s310: YES), setup instruction data for acquiring the current setting contents is generated (s330). The setup instruction data is data for requesting the multifunction device 100 to notify the setting contents of each function of the multifunction device 100. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, the setting contents relating to the scanner function (Scanner) include the number of colors (Color Type), resolution (Resolution), reading area (Scan Area), and brightness (Brightness). ) And contrast (Contrast), etc., the settings related to the printer function (Printer), such as print quality (QUALITY) and contrast (CONTRAST), etc., and registered as settings related to the phone number registration function (Set Auto Dial) The text data indicates the number, the number type indicating whether the number is a telephone number (TEL) or a fax number (FAX), and the name (XXX, YYY, ZZZ).

  Next, the setup instruction data generated in the process of s330 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s340). When the setup instruction data is recorded in the RAM 140, the multifunction peripheral 100 generates content notification data for notifying the setting content of each function in a function realizing process (FIG. 8) described later (FIG. 3B). See), and is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140.

  Next, the process waits until content notification data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s350: NO).

  If the content notification data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s350 (s350: YES), the content notification data is read from the shared area (s360).

Next, based on the content notification data read in the process of s360, a user I / F image for changing the setting content of each function of the multifunction peripheral 100 is displayed on the display 250 (s370). In this process, as shown in FIG. 6, each function is displayed in a directory structure e, and an input field f for inputting setting items relating to each function, and a determination button (OK) for ending the input of setting items. G) Display a user I / F screen in a display mode on which a cancel button (Cancel) h for interrupting the remote setup function use process is displayed on the display 250. The input field on the user I / F screen is such that an input field f related to the selected function is displayed when an operation for selecting one of the functions is performed by the input unit 240. In this input field f, the contents indicated by the contents notification data read in the process of s360 are entered (FIG. 6 shows the case where the number registration function (Set Auto Dial) is selected). For example).

After the user I / F screen is displayed, the user performs an operation of inputting setting items regarding each function while displaying the input screen f for each function by the input unit 240, and then presses the enter button g. Can be performed, or the cancel button h can be selected.

  Next, the content notification data read in the process of s360 is deleted from the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s380).

Next, it is checked whether or not an operation for selecting the determination button g on the user I / F screen has been performed (s390).

  If an operation for selecting the determination button g is not performed in the processing of s390 (s390: NO), it is checked whether an operation for selecting the cancel button h is performed (s400).

  If an operation for selecting the cancel button h is not performed in the process of s400 (s400: NO), the process returns to the process of s390.

  If an operation for selecting the determination button g is performed in the process of s390 (s390: YES), setup command data for changing the setting contents is generated (s410). This setup instruction data is data for changing the setting contents of each function based on the setting items input to the input screen f on the user I / F screen, and is read from the shared area in the process of s360. Similar to the content notification data, the text data indicates the setting content (change content) in each function.

  Next, the setup instruction data generated in the process of s410 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s420). After the scanner instruction data is recorded in the RAM 140, the multifunction device 100 updates the setting contents of each function based on the setup command data in a function realization process (FIG. 8) described later, and then sets each function. Completion notification data indicating that the content update has been completed is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140.

  Next, the process waits until the end notification data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 (s430: NO).

If the end notification data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s430 (s430: YES), the multifunction peripheral 100 notifies that the update of the setting contents of each function has ended (s440). In the process of s440, notification is performed by causing the display 250 to display a message indicating that the setting content has been updated.

  Next, in step s430, the end notification data recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 is deleted from the shared area (s450).

Then, after the process of s450 is completed or when an operation for selecting the cancel button h is performed in the process of s400 (s400: YES), the user I / F screen displayed on the display 250 by the process of s370 Is deleted (s460), the remote setup function use processing is terminated.
○ Printer Function Utilization Processing by the CPU 212 of the PC 200 Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the printer function utilization processing executed by the CPU 212 of the PC 200 will be described with reference to FIG. This printer function use processing is started when an operation for instructing printing of image data is executed by the input unit 240 by application software incorporated in the HD 220.

  First, it is checked whether or not the PC 200 itself is normally connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 (s510). This process is the same as the process of s110 in FIG.

  If the MFP 100 is not normally connected in the process of s510 (s510: NO), a notification that the MFP 100 is not normally connected is given (s520), and then this printer function use process is performed. finish. The process of s520 is the same as the process of s120 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the MFP 100 is normally connected in the process of s510 (s510: YES), print instruction data is generated (s530). This print instruction data is data for starting printing of image data by the printer function, and is data that can specify image data instructed to be printed by the above-described application software.

  Next, the print instruction data generated in the process of s530 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction peripheral 100 together with the image data instructed to be printed by the above-described application software (s540). After the print instruction data is recorded in the RAM 140, the multi-function device 100 prints the image indicated by the image data on the paper in the function realization process (FIG. 8), which will be described later, and that the printing is finished. End notification data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140.

  Next, the process waits until the end notification data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the MFP 100 (s550: NO).

  If the completion notification data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s550 (s550: YES), the multifunction peripheral 100 notifies that the printing has been completed (s560). In the process of s550, notification is performed by causing the display 250 to display a message indicating that printing has ended.

Then, after the end notification data recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the MFP 100 in the process of s550 is deleted from the shared area (s570), the printer function use process is ended.
○ Function Realization Processing by CPU 132 of Multifunction Device 100 Hereinafter, a processing procedure of function realization processing executed by the CPU 132 provided in the multifunction device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This function realization process is repeatedly executed from when the multifunction peripheral 100 is activated until it is terminated.

  First, it is checked whether scanner command data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s610). This scanner command data is data recorded in the shared area when the PC 200 side performs the process of s140 or s220 in FIG.

  If the scanner command data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s610 (s610: YES), the scanner command data is read from the shared area (s620).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the scanner command data read in the processing of s620 is data requesting notification of setting contents in the scanner function (s630). The scanner command data is recorded in the supply area from the PC 200 side in the process of s140 or s220 in FIG. 2, but the scanner command data recorded in the process of s140 is data that requests notification of setting contents in the scanner function. The scanner command data recorded in the process of s220 is data indicating that image reading by the scanner function is started.

  In the process of s630, if the data is a request for notification of setting contents in the scanner function (s630: YES), contents notification data is generated (s640). In this process, content notification data as shown in FIG. 3A is generated based on the setting content data recorded in the RAM 140.

  Next, the content notification data generated in the process of s640 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s650). This content notification data is data read by the PC 200 in the process of s160 in FIG.

  If the data in the process of s630 indicates that reading of an image by the scanner function is started (s630: NO), the image of the paper set at the reading position is read as image data by the scanner unit 152 (s660). .

Next, the image data read in the process of s660 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s670). This image data is data that is read and deleted by the PC 200 in the processes of s240 and s290 in FIG.

  After the process of s670 is completed or after the process of s650 is completed, the scanner command data recorded in the shared area in the process of s610 is deleted (s680), and the process returns to the process of s610.

  If the scanner command data is not recorded in the shared area in the process of s610 described above (s610: NO), it is checked whether setup command data is recorded in the shared area (s710). This setup command data is data recorded in the shared area when the process of s340 or s420 in FIG. 5 is performed on the PC 200 side.

  If setup command data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s710 (s710: YES), the setup command data is read from the shared area (s720).

Next, it is checked whether or not the setup command data read in the processing of s720 is data requesting notification of the setting contents in each function (s730). The setup command data is recorded in the supply area from the PC 200 side in the process of s340 or s420 in FIG. 5, but the setup command data recorded in the process of s340 is data indicating that notification of setting contents in each function is requested. The setup command data recorded in the process of s420 is data indicating that a change in setting contents in each function is requested.

  In the process of s730, when the data is a request for notification of setting contents in each function (s730: YES), contents notification data is generated (s740). In this process, content notification data as shown in FIG. 3B is generated based on the setting content data recorded in the RAM 140.

  Next, the content notification data generated in the process of s740 is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s750). This content notification data is data read by the PC 200 in the process of s360 in FIG.

  Also, in the process of s730, if the data is a request to change the setting contents in each function (s730: NO), the setting contents in each function based on the setup command data recorded in the shared area in the process of s710 Is changed (s760). In this process, each parameter indicated by the setting content data recorded in the RAM 140 is modified to each parameter indicated by the setup command data, thereby changing the setting content in each function. The identification number among the parameters indicated by the setting content data is re-registered as the identification number among the parameters indicated by the setup command data.

  Next, end notification data for notifying that the change of the setting contents has been completed is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s770). This end notification data is data that is read and deleted by the PC 200 in the processes of s430 and s450 in FIG.

  Then, after finishing the process of s770 or after finishing the process of s750, the setup command data recorded in the shared area in the process of s710 is deleted (s780), and the process returns to the process of s610.

If the scanner command data and the setup command data are not recorded in the shared area in the process of s610 described above (s610: NO, s710: NO), it is checked whether print command data is recorded in the shared area. (S810). This print command data is data recorded in the shared area when the process of s540 in FIG. 7 is performed on the PC 200 side.

  If print command data is recorded in the shared area in the process of s810 (s810: YES), the print command data is read from the shared area (s820).

  Next, based on the print command data read in the process of s820, the printer unit 156 prints an image indicated by the image data on a sheet (s830). As described above, since the print command data is data that can specify the image data recorded in the shared area together with the print command data, the image data specified by the print command data is read from the shared area. Is printed on a sheet by the printer unit 156.

Next, end notification data for notifying that printing has ended is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 (s840). This end notification data is the s550, s5 in FIG.
Data that is read and deleted by the PC 200 in the process 70.

  After the process of s840 is completed, the print command data and the image data recorded in the shared area in the process of s810 are deleted (s850), and the process returns to s610.

If none of the scanner command data, setup command data, and print command data is recorded in the shared area in the above-described processing of s610 (s610: NO, s710: NO, s810: NO), the processing returns to s610. .

[effect]
According to the multi-function device 100 constituting the communication system 1, when command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, processing for realizing the function commanded by this command data is performed by the function realization processing of FIG. Execute. Here, the shared area of the RAM 140 in which the command data is recorded can be recognized as a recording area that can be accessed by the file system, which is a function provided as a standard in the OS, by the PC 200 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100. Therefore, on the PC 200 side, it is possible to control the operation of the multifunction device 100 simply by recording the command data in the shared area via the OS (see FIGS. 2, 5, and 7). No special device driver is required to do this.

  Therefore, on the PC 200 side, it is possible to use the functions of the multi-function peripheral 100 regardless of the device driver, simply by incorporating a program for executing the processes shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7. Therefore, the troublesome work associated with incorporating the device driver is not required, and the work load that the user should perform in order to use the multifunction peripheral 100 can be greatly reduced.

  Furthermore, since the operation of the multifunction device 100 can be controlled by the functions provided as standard in the OS as described above, only the above-described programs need be developed and provided for the developer and provider of the multifunction device 100. Development costs associated with device drivers can also be reduced.

In particular, for some OSs that have few users, a dedicated device driver and a function for generating command data as described above have been developed due to the difficulty of collecting development costs. In some cases, the functions of the multifunction peripheral 100 cannot be used from a PC in which such an OS is installed. However, as the development costs are reduced, the above-mentioned programs can be developed and provided even for some OSs with few users, etc., and even from a PC in which such an OS is incorporated. It can be expected that the functions of the machine 100 can be used.

Further, in the function realization process of FIG. 8, when each function is executed, the command data that causes the execution of this function is deleted from the shared area of the RAM 140 (s680, s7).
80, s850 processing). In this function realization processing, when command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, the command data is recorded as it is in the shared area in order to execute processing for realizing the function commanded by this command data. If the same command data is used, the same processing may be executed carelessly and repeatedly. However, it is possible to prevent the same processing from being repeatedly executed with the same command data by deleting the command data that causes the function to be executed as described above. Further, since the command data itself is deleted from the shared area, there is no fear that the RAM 140 is occupied by unnecessary data, and the recording area of the RAM 140 can be used effectively.

  Further, after the scanner command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, reading of an image as image data is started by the process of s660 in FIG. Therefore, the PC 200 uses the scanner function by controlling the operation of the scanner unit 152 included in the multi-function peripheral 100 only by recording the scanner command data in the shared area of the RAM 140 via the OS in the process of s220 in FIG. can do.

  Further, in the process of s670 in FIG. 8, by recording the image data read in the process of s660 in the shared area of the RAM 140, the PC 200 can be freely accessed.

  Further, when the print command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, the image indicated by the image data recorded in the shared area together with the print command data can be printed on the paper by the process of s830 in FIG. Therefore, on the PC 200 side, it is possible to use the printer function by controlling the operation of the printer unit 156 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 only by recording the print command data in the shared area of the RAM 140 via the OS.

  In addition, after the image is printed in the process of s830 in FIG. 8, not only the print command data that causes the image to be printed in the process of s850 but also the image data is deleted from the shared area of the RAM 140. In general, image data has a larger amount of data than simple data such as print command data. Therefore, such data having a large amount of data is used from the shared area after being used for realizing the printer function. Deletion is desirable in order to effectively use the recording area of the RAM 140.

Further, after the setup command data for requesting the notification of the setting content or the scanner command data for requesting the notification of the setting content is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, the processing of s740 and s750 in FIG. Alternatively, the content notification data indicating the parameter of the setting content requested to be notified by the command data can be recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 by the processes of s640 and s650. On the PC 200 side, the setup command data or the scanner command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 via the OS (the process of s140 in FIG. 2 and the process of s340 in FIG. 5), and then the contents recorded in the shared area The contents indicated by the notification data can be displayed as a user I / F screen (processing of s170 and s370). As described above, on the PC 200 side, setup command data or scanner command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 via the OS, and then the content indicated by the content notification data recorded in the shared area is used as the user I / F screen. A function of notifying the setting contents (setting contents notifying function) on the multifunction peripheral 100 side can be used through the procedure of displaying.

  Further, after the setup command data for requesting the change of the setting content is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140, the setting content of the corresponding function is set by the setup command data in the process of s760 in FIG. Can be changed. Therefore, on the PC 200 side, setup command data is recorded in the shared area of the RAM 140 via the OS (the process of s420 in FIG. 5), so that the setting contents related to each function of the multifunction peripheral 100 can be externally operated without direct operation. You can use the remote setup function to change from.

Further, according to the PC 200 constituting the communication system 1 configured as described above, the user's operation is performed by the processes of s130 and s210 in FIG. 2, the processes of s330 and s410 in FIG. 5, and the process of s530 in FIG. And generate command data, s140, s220,
Through the processing of s340, s420, and s540, this command data can be recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction device 100, and each function of the multifunction device 100 can be used.

  Further, when image data is recorded in the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multi-function peripheral 100 in the process of s230 in FIG. 2, the image data can be recorded in the process of s280. Therefore, this image data can be recorded on the PC 200 side without requiring the user to consciously access the image data.

  In the process of s290 in FIG. 2, after the image data recorded on the multifunction device 100 side (shared area of the RAM 140) is recorded on the PC 200 side (HD 220), the image data is deleted from the multifunction device 100 side. Can do. Therefore, there is no risk of occupying a large amount of image data in the recording area on the multifunction peripheral 100 side (RAM 140), and the recording area on the multifunction peripheral 100 side can be used effectively.

In addition, when the user I / F screen is displayed in the process of s170 in FIG. 2 and the process of s370 in FIG. Delete from (shared area of RAM 140). Therefore, there is no fear that unnecessary data will be occupied in the recording area of the multifunction peripheral 100 (RAM 140), and the recording area on the multifunction peripheral 100 side can be used effectively.

[Modification]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to said specific embodiment, It can implement with a various form besides this.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to the multifunction peripheral 100 is illustrated. However, as an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is naturally possible to apply an apparatus other than the multifunction machine 100 as long as the apparatus can realize one or more types of functions.

  In the above-described embodiment, the scanner function use process in FIG. 2 is illustrated as being configured to start when the scanner program is activated by the input unit 240. However, the scanner function use processing may be configured to be started by being called from other application software (for example, image creation software). In this case, after reading the image data in the processing of s240, s250 Instead of the processing from s290 to s290, the image data read out in the processing of s240 may be configured to perform processing of passing to the above-described application software (making it usable by the application software).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the processing illustrated in each flowchart is exemplified as being configured to be executed by a computer system including the CPU 132 included in the multifunction peripheral 100 and the CPU 212 included in the PC 200. However, a part or all of these processes may be executed by another computer system connected to the multifunction peripheral 100 and the PC 200 via a wired / wireless signal transmission path.

  Further, in the MFP 100 of the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing shown in each flowchart is configured to be executed according to a program recorded in the ROM 134 is illustrated. However, the above-described program is recorded in the memory card 500, and the processing shown in each flowchart is executed according to the program recorded in the memory card 500 in a state where the memory card 500 is mounted in the media drive 180. It may be configured.

  Further, in the PC 200 of the above-described embodiment, an example in which the processing shown in each flowchart is configured to be executed according to a program recorded in the HD 220 is illustrated. However, when the PC 200 is configured to be able to input / output data to / from a recording medium such as an FD or a memory card, the processing shown in each flowchart is based on the recording medium on which the above program is recorded. May be configured to be executed.

  In the above embodiment, the telephone line network 400 may be a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or an IP telephone network.

  In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 is configured to transmit and receive image signals (facsimile communication) via the telephone line network 400. However, when the multi-function device 100 is configured to be capable of data communication via the Internet, it may be configured to perform facsimile communication via the Internet.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which various data is exchanged between the multifunction device 100 and the PC 200 using the shared area in the RAM 140 of the multifunction device 100 is illustrated. However, the data exchange may be performed by the memory card 500 mounted on the media drive 180. In this case, the description “shared area in the RAM 140” in the above embodiment is read as “memory card 500 attached to the media drive 180”.

In the above-described embodiment, the PC 200 is configured to provide a function for generating command data by the scanner program, the setup program, and the printer program. However, the configuration for providing the PC 200 with a function for generating command data is not particularly limited. For example, data that can be generated by other application software (for example, a text editor or the like) incorporated in the PC 200 is configured so that the multifunction device 100 can use the data as the above-described command data, and the user can input the input unit 240 of the PC 200. , The command data is generated by the application software and the command data is recorded on the multifunction device 100 side (shared area of the RAM 140). Such a configuration eliminates the need for each of the above-described programs, thereby further reducing development costs.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, it was comprised so that the setting content shown by content notification data might be alert | reported by displaying a user I / F screen by the process of s170 in FIG. 2, and the process of s370 in FIG. The example was illustrated. However, other configurations may be employed to notify the setting content indicated by the content notification data. For example, s170, s37
In the process of 0, a message including the setting contents indicated by the contents notification data is displayed by a dialog box different from the user I / F screen, or the setting contents indicated by the contents notification data are output as sound by the speaker. It is the structure of performing notification.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the same processing is performed by the same command data by deleting the command data that has been triggered to execute each function from the shared area of the RAM 140 in the processing of s680, s780, and s850 in FIG. An example configured to prevent repeated execution inadvertently has been illustrated. However, in order to prevent the same processing from being repeatedly performed inadvertently by the same command data, other configurations can be employed. For example, in the processes of s680, s780, and s850, the command data that has been triggered to execute each function is corrected to a state in which it can be specified that the function has been realized (command data correction command means), and s610 , s710, s810 are configured to check not only whether the command data has been recorded but also whether the function has been realized. In this configuration, “the state in which it is possible to specify that the function has been realized” means, for example, that part of the command data is rewritten with the content indicating that “the function has been realized” or “ In other words, data indicating that it has been realized is added. Even in such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the same processing from being repeated inadvertently by the same command data.

In the above embodiment, the PC 200 is configured to record the print command data and the image data in the RAM 140 as separate data in the process of s540 in FIG. However, in the process of s540, the image data itself is recorded as print command data in the shared area of the RAM 140, and when the multifunction apparatus 100 records the image data in the shared area of the RAM 140 in the process of s810 in FIG. The image data may be regarded as print command data, and the processing after s820 may be performed.

  In the present embodiment, examples of the functions of the multifunction peripheral 100 that can be used on the PC 200 side are the scanner function, printer function, setting content notification function, and remote setup function. However, other functions of the MFP 100 may be made available on the PC 200 side.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system in this embodiment. Flowchart showing processing procedure of scanner function use processing Diagram showing data structure of content notification data Figure showing the user interface screen Flow chart showing processing procedure of remote setup function usage processing Figure showing the user interface screen Flow chart showing processing procedure of printer function use processing Flow chart showing processing procedure of function realization processing

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system 100 ... Multifunction machine 112 ... Handset 114 ... Display panel 120 ... Operation panel 132 ... CPU, 134 ... ROM, 140 ... RAM, 152 ... scanner unit, 154 ... modem, 156 ... printer unit, 160 ... voice input / output unit, 162 ... speaker, 164 ... microphone, 166 ... drive circuit, 172: PC interface unit, 174: Line control unit, 180 ... Media drive, 190 ... Bus, 200 ... Personal computer, 212 ... CPU, 214 ... ROM, 216 ... ..RAM, 220 ... hard disk, 232 ... external interface unit, 234 ... network interface unit, 240 ... input unit, 42 ... keyboard, 244 ... mouse, 250 ... display, 260 ... bus

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions including a printer function ,
Processing-side recording means that can record various data, and a terminal device connected to the information processing device so as to be able to perform data communication can be recognized as an external recording device connected to the terminal device;
The function command data for commanding the realization of any of the functions to the information processing apparatus among the plurality of functions, when it is recorded on the processing side recording unit, the functions instructed by the function command data, A function specifying means for specifying the plurality of functions;
When the function specified by the function specifying unit is a printer function that prints an image indicated by image data on a print medium by a printing unit, the function is recorded in the processing side recording unit together with the function command data indicating the printer function. , Executing a process of recording the image data instructed to be printed by the printing means,
When the function specified by the function specifying unit is not a print function, when command data for requesting setting contents related to the specified function is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, the setting of the specified function is performed. Content notification data indicating the content is generated and recorded in the processing-side recording means, while the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is not command data requesting setting content, the specified function An information processing apparatus, comprising: function realizing means that executes processing for realizing the specified function as command data for requesting to start the operation. The plurality of functions include a remote setup function for changing a setting content related to each function in response to an external command,
When the function command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is data specifying the remote setup function, the function specifying means specifies the remote setup function from the plurality of functions,
When the command data for requesting notification of the setting contents of the plurality of functions is recorded in the processing-side recording means, the function realization means generates content notification data indicating the setting contents of the plurality of functions and performs the processing On the other hand, if the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is not command data requesting notification of setting contents of a plurality of functions, the command-related data recorded in the processing-side recording means relates to any one of the plurality of functions. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is regarded as change command data for instructing update of setting contents , and the setting related to the function instructed to update by the change command data is updated. The function implementing means, the print function is executed, when the printing is completed, any one of claims 1 or 2 end notification data indicating that printing has been completed, characterized in that recorded in the processing side recording means The information processing apparatus described in 1. The plurality of functions include a scanner function for reading a predetermined image as image data by reading means,
When the function command data recorded in the processing-side recording unit is data that specifies the scanner function, the function specifying unit specifies the scanner function from the plurality of functions,
If the command data requesting the setting content related to the scanner function is recorded in the processing-side recording unit, the function realizing unit generates content notification data of the scanner function and records it in the processing-side recording unit, On the other hand, if the command data recorded in the processing-side recording means is not command data requesting the setting contents of the scanner function, it is regarded as command data requesting to start execution of the scanner function, and the reading means reads the image. the information processing apparatus of any one of the commanding starting from claim 1, wherein 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the function realizing unit executes a scanner function and records the read image data in the processing-side recording unit.

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