JP7765966B2 - Information processing device, communication control method for information processing device, and communication control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a communication control method for an information processing device, and a communication control program, and in particular to an information processing device, a communication control method for an information processing device, and a communication control program that have the function of communicating with an external device.

An example of this type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when communication begins, the communication protocol is determined from the header portion of the transmitted and received data, and a communication driver corresponding to that communication protocol is loaded into memory and activated. If the communication driver in memory is not activated within a predetermined period of time, the communication driver is unloaded from memory. This reduces unnecessary memory occupation by the communication driver when communication is not taking place, and ensures effective memory utilization.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-101941

In so-called software-embedded information processing devices, in which various operations, including communications with external devices, are controlled by firmware (embedded software), it is necessary to modify the firmware when communicating with a new external device, specifically an external device that uses a communication format that cannot be handled by the firmware. However, modifying firmware requires considerable effort and expense, is extremely inefficient, and lacks flexibility.

The present invention therefore aims to provide a novel information processing device, a communication control method for an information processing device, and a communication control program that enable communication with an external device that uses a communication format that cannot be supported by firmware without modifying the firmware.

To achieve this objective, the present invention includes a first invention relating to an information processing device, a second invention relating to a communication control method for an information processing device, and a third invention relating to a communication control program for an information processing device.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an information processing device that includes first and second communication means. The first communication means is configured by firmware and communicates with a specified external device. The second communication means is configured by application software different from the firmware and communicates with another external device that uses a communication format that is incompatible with the first communication means, i.e., incompatible with the firmware.

Here , image data , particularly scanned image data, is transmitted by the communication in the first aspect of the invention.

That is , in the first aspect of the present invention, an image reading unit is further provided . The image reading unit reads an image of a document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the document. The read image data is transmitted by communication.

Additionally , the first invention includes an image storage means and an image reading means . The image storage means stores the scanned image data generated by the image reading means. The image reading means reads the scanned image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means. The first communication means and the second communication means each transmit the scanned image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via communication .

In the first aspect of the present invention, a data conversion means may be provided. The data conversion means may be configured by firmware. The data conversion means converts the data format of the scanned image data into a data format conforming to the communication format adopted by the other external device. The scanned image data converted by the data conversion means may be transmitted by communication via the second communication means.

A communication control method for an information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a first communication procedure , a second communication procedure, and an image reading procedure . The information processing device includes an image reading unit and an image storage unit. The image reading unit reads an image of a document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the document. The image storage unit stores the read image data generated by the image reading unit. Then, in the first communication procedure, communication is performed with a predetermined external device via a first communication unit configured by firmware. Then, in the second communication procedure, communication is performed with another external device using a communication format incompatible with the first communication unit, i.e., incompatible with the firmware, via a second communication unit configured by application software different from the firmware. In the image reading procedure, the image reading unit configured by firmware reads the read image data stored in the image storage unit from the image storage unit. Furthermore, each of the first communication unit and the second communication unit transmits the read image data read from the image storage unit by the image reading unit via communication.

A communication control program for an information processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer of the information processing device to function as a second communication means. The information processing device includes an image reading means, an image storage means, an image reading means, and a first communication means. The image reading means reads an image of a document and generates scanned image data corresponding to the image of the document. The image storage means stores the scanned image data generated by the image reading means. The image reading means is configured by firmware and reads the scanned image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means. The first communication means is configured by firmware and communicates with a predetermined external device. The second communication means then communicates with another external device that employs a communication format that is incompatible with the first communication means, i.e., incompatible with the firmware. The communication control program according to the third aspect of the present invention constitutes application software different from firmware. Furthermore, each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the scanned image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via communication.

According to the present invention, when communicating with an external device that uses a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware, such communication can be carried out without modifying the firmware, allowing for flexible and efficient handling.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cloud cooperation function in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing the cloud collaboration function in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of operation of the configuration of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication format for each cloud service in the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing another configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing the cloud cooperation function in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram specifically showing the configuration of FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the multifunction peripheral in the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing a cloud cooperation function in a second embodiment of the present invention.

[First Example]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described using a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

The multifunction device 10 according to this first embodiment has multiple functions, including an image scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and a fax function. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 includes a control unit 12. Connected to the control unit 12 via a bus 14 are an image reading unit 16, an automatic document feeder 18, an image forming unit 20, a paper feeding unit 22, an operation unit 24, an auxiliary memory unit 26, a communication unit 28, and the like. Note that elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from FIG. 1.

The control unit 12 is an example of a control means that is responsible for the overall control of the multifunction device 10. For this reason, the control unit 12 has a computer, such as a CPU 12a, as a control execution means. The control unit 12 also has a main memory unit 12b as a main memory means. The main memory unit 12b includes ROM and RAM (not shown). The ROM stores firmware 100 (see Figure 3, etc.), which includes a control program for controlling the operation of the CPU 12a. The RAM, on the other hand, provides a working area and buffer area when the CPU 12a executes the control program and application programs (described below). Note that the firmware 100 may be updated. For this reason, the ROM includes a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM.

Image reading unit 16 is an example of an image reading means. That is, image reading unit 16 performs image reading processing, reading an image of an original document (not shown) and generating two-dimensional scanned image data corresponding to the image of the original document. To this end, image reading unit 16 has a document table (not shown) on which the original document is placed (set). This document table is formed of a transparent material such as glass in a roughly rectangular flat plate. Under the document table are provided an image reading unit having a light source (not shown), appropriate optical components such as mirrors and lenses, a line sensor, etc., as well as a drive mechanism for moving the image reading unit. Above the document table is provided a document pressing cover for pressing down on the original document placed on the document table; in this case, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 18 is provided, which also serves as the document pressing cover.

The automatic document feeder 18 has a document tray (not shown). Sheet-like documents, particularly multiple documents, can be placed in a stack on the document tray. The automatic document feeder 18 then automatically sends the documents placed on the document tray one by one (one by one) to the image reading unit 16, thereby subjecting them to image reading processing by the image reading unit 16. Note that the automatic document feeder 18 is an optional device; if it is not provided, the aforementioned document pressing cover will be provided.

Image forming unit 20 is an example of an image forming means. That is, image forming unit 20 performs image formation processing, i.e., printing, on paper serving as a sheet-like image recording medium (not shown) based on appropriate image data, such as the scanned image data described above. This image formation processing is performed, for example, using a known electrophotographic method. For this reason, image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum, charging device, exposure device, developing device, transfer device, fixing device, cleaning device, and static elimination device (not shown). After image formation processing by image forming unit 20, the paper (i.e., the printed matter) is discharged to a paper output tray (not shown). Note that image forming unit 20 can handle both black-and-white and color image formation processing. Furthermore, image forming unit 20 is not limited to electrophotographic processing, and may also perform image formation processing using, for example, inkjet processing.

The paper feed unit 22 is an example of a paper feed means. That is, the paper feed unit 22 has one or more paper feed cassettes (not shown). Each paper feed cassette stores paper of an appropriate size. The paper feed unit 22 also has a manual feed tray (not shown) which is an auxiliary paper feed tray. The paper feed unit 22 uses one of the paper feed cassettes or manual feed trays as the paper feed source, and feeds paper one sheet at a time from that paper feed source to the image forming unit 20, thereby providing the paper for image formation processing by the image forming unit 20.

The operation unit 24 is one of the user interfaces and includes a display 24b with a touch panel 24a. The display 24b with a touch panel 24a is an integral component consisting of a display 24b with a rectangular display surface and a sheet-like touch panel 24a that overlays the display surface of the display 24b. The touch panel 24a is an example of an operation reception device that can receive touch operations from a user (not shown) using the multifunction device 10, and is, for example, a projected capacitive panel. The display 24b is an example of a display device that displays various screens, such as the operation screen 300 described below, on its display surface, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). Note that the touch panel 24a is not limited to a projected capacitive panel, but may also be a surface capacitive panel, electromagnetic induction panel, resistive film panel, infrared panel, or other type of panel. The display 24b is also not limited to an LCD display, and may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, for example. Furthermore, the operation unit 24 has appropriate hardware switches such as push button switches in addition to the touch panel 24a. In addition, the operation unit 24 has appropriate light-emitting means such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in addition to the display 24b.

The auxiliary memory unit 26 is an example of auxiliary storage means, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive or SSD (not shown). This auxiliary memory unit 26 stores various data, such as the scanned image data described above. The auxiliary memory unit 26 also stores embedded application software (hereinafter referred to as "embedded app") 26a that provides appropriate functions to the multifunction device 10. In other words, appropriate application programs included in the embedded app 26a are executed by the CPU 12a to provide appropriate functions to the multifunction device 10.

The communication unit 28 is an example of a communication means. That is, the communication unit 28 performs bidirectional communication with an appropriate external device, such as a cloud service (cloud server) 50 (described below), via a communication network (not shown). Examples of communication networks include LANs, the Internet, and public switched telephone networks. LANs also include wireless LANs, particularly Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction device 10 according to the first embodiment has a cloud linkage function that performs two-way communication with a specified cloud service 50. This cloud linkage function allows, for example, scanned image data generated by the image reading unit 16 to be uploaded (transmitted) to the cloud service 50. The uploading of scanned image data using this cloud linkage function is performed by the communication unit 28 in terms of hardware, but by the firmware 100 in terms of software.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the firmware 100 configures the image reading unit 102 and image transmission unit 104. Here, the scanned image data to be uploaded is generated by the image reading unit 16 and then stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The image reading unit 102 accesses the auxiliary storage unit 26 and reads the scanned image data to be uploaded from the auxiliary storage unit 26. The image transmission unit 104 then uploads the scanned image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102 to the cloud service 50.

Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, suppose scanned image data is to be uploaded to a new cloud service 50a that is separate from cloud service 50. Here, if the new cloud service 50a uses the same communication format as cloud service 50, for example, and the communication format used by the new cloud service 50a is a format that can be supported by firmware 100, the scanned image data can be uploaded to the new cloud service 50a using the configuration shown in FIG. 4. However, if the communication format used by the new cloud service 50a is a format that cannot be supported by firmware 100, the scanned image data cannot be uploaded to the new cloud service 50a using the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

As an example, the communication format adopted by cloud service 50, i.e., the communication format supported by firmware 100, may be the format shown in FIG. 5A, whereas the communication format adopted by new cloud service 50a, i.e., the communication format not supported by firmware 100, may be the format shown in FIG. 5B. Note that in the communication format shown in FIG. 5A, all parameters, including the parameter for specifying the file name and the parameter for specifying whether overwrite mode is on or off, are written together in a single part (the area between two "boundary" character strings), or are otherwise specified to be written in this way. In contrast, in the communication format shown in FIG. 5B, all parameters, including the parameter for specifying the file name and the parameter for specifying whether overwrite mode is on or off, are written separately in separate parts, or are otherwise specified to be written in this way.

To address this situation, it is possible to consider modifying firmware 100, for example. However, modifying firmware 100 requires considerable effort and expense, is extremely inefficient, and lacks flexibility.

In this first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the image transmission unit 104 configured by the firmware 100, an image transmission unit 202 corresponding to the communication format adopted by the new cloud service 50a is configured by an embedded application 200 for sending scanned images, which is part of the embedded application 26a described above (FIG. 1). The embedded application 26a including the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images is downloaded, for example, from an application supply server (not shown), and then stored, i.e., installed, in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The embedded application 26a may also be supplied and installed by other methods, for example, offline via an appropriate recording medium.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a. As described above, the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100 is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the cloud service 50. Note that the scanned image data uploaded to the new cloud service 50a by the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images is also read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102. In other words, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images obtains the scanned image data to be uploaded from the same (common) data source as the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the firmware 100 comprises a main body function unit 110, a web server unit 120, a web API group 130, and an MFP API group 140. The built-in application 200 for sending scanned images comprises a transmission execution unit 210 and an operation reception unit 220.

The main body function unit 110, which is configured by the firmware 100, is an element for realizing each of the original functions of the multifunction device 10, such as the image scanner function of the multifunction device 10. This main body function unit 110 includes the image reading unit 102 and image transmission unit 104 described above. The main body function unit 110 also includes the main body control unit 106 and data conversion unit 108. The main body control unit 106 is responsible for controlling the main body function unit 110 itself. The data conversion unit 108 is an example of a data conversion means that converts the data format of the scanned image data into an appropriate data format. Depending on the upload destination of the scanned image data, it may be required to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a specified data format such as BASE64 format before uploading. In such cases, the data format of the scanned image data to be uploaded is converted by the data conversion unit 108.

The web server unit 120 is an element that acts as a web server in relation to the operation reception unit 220, which acts as a web browser, as described below. This web server unit 120 includes a server control unit 122, which is responsible for controlling the web server unit 120 itself, in other words, the main element of the web server unit 120.

The Web_API group is an element that includes various Web_APIs for the operation reception unit 220, which behaves as a Web browser as described below, and is, in other words, a collection of these Web_APIs. The Web_APIs referred to here include scan API 132, print API 134, copy API 136, and fax API 138. For example, scan API 132 is a Web_API for using the scanner function of the multifunction device 10. Print API 134 is a Web_API for using the printer function of the multifunction device 10. Copy API 136 is a Web_API for using the copy function of the multifunction device 10. Fax API 138 is a Web_API for using the fax function of the multifunction device 10. As described below, when each Web API, such as the scan API 132, receives an instruction from the operation reception unit 220, the instruction is transmitted to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120, and then to the main unit control unit 106 of the main unit function unit 110.

The MFP_API group 140 is an element that includes various APIs for the transmission execution unit 210, as described below, and is, in other words, a collection of such APIs. The APIs referred to here include a data processing API 142 and a data acquisition API 144. For example, the data processing API 142 is an API for reading scanned image data to be uploaded from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102 of the main body function unit 110, or more precisely, for causing the image reading unit 102 to execute that processing. Furthermore, the data processing API 142 also causes the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of scanned image data to be uploaded, if necessary. The data acquisition API 144 is an API for obtaining scanned image data to be uploaded from the main body function unit 110, i.e., scanned image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102, or scanned image data whose data format has been converted by the data conversion unit 108.

The transmission execution unit 210, which is configured by the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images, is the element responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a. This transmission execution unit 210 includes the image transmission unit 202 described above. In addition, the transmission execution unit 210 includes a transmission control unit 204 that is responsible for controlling the transmission execution unit 210 itself.

The operation reception unit 220 is an element that constitutes the user interface for uploading scanned image data using the cloud collaboration function. This operation reception unit 220 includes a user interface (UI) unit 222 and an operation control unit 224. The user interface unit 222 displays the operation screen 300 (described below) on the display 24b of the operation unit 24. The operation control unit 224 is responsible for controlling the operation reception unit 220 itself.

As mentioned above, the operation reception unit 220 behaves as a web browser for the web server unit 120, and so belongs to the web browser area. Strictly speaking, the web server unit 120, which behaves as a web server, and the web server unit 120, web API group 130, MFP API group 140, and transmission execution unit 210 belong to the web server area. The web server unit 120, web API group 130, MFP API group 140, and transmission execution unit 210, which belong to the web server area, and the operation reception unit 220, which belongs to the web browser area, are configured using web programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the operation screen 300 has a plurality of, for example, three, operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 arranged vertically as operators corresponding to multiple cloud services, including the aforementioned cloud service 50 and the new cloud service 50a. Above each of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306, an appropriate text string 308 is displayed, prompting the user to select one of the operation items operated by the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306. Strictly speaking, of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 arranged on the operation screen 300, only the button corresponding to the new cloud service 50a is provided by the user interface unit 222 of the operation reception unit 220, i.e., by the scanned image transmission embedded application 200. The button corresponding to the cloud service 50 among the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306, as well as the text string 308, are provided by the firmware 100.

For example, suppose a document is placed on the document platen of the image reading unit 16, or on the document tray of the automatic document feeder 18, and then one of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 on the operation screen 300 corresponding to the cloud service 50 is operated. An instruction corresponding to the operation is then given to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110. In response to this, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 16 to execute an image reading process. This generates read image data. The generated read image data is then stored in the auxiliary memory unit 26. The read image data is assigned attribute information, including an ID as individual identification information and size information indicating the size of the read image data.

The main body control unit 106 then controls the image reading unit 102 to read the scanned image data stored in the auxiliary memory unit 26 from the auxiliary memory unit 26. At this time, if it is necessary to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a specific data format, for example, the main body control unit 106 controls the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of the scanned image data. The main body control unit 106 then controls the image transmission unit 104 to upload the scanned image data to the cloud service 50. As a result, the scanned image data is uploaded to the cloud service 50.

In response to this, suppose a document is placed on the document platen of the image reading unit 16 or on the document tray of the automatic document feeder 18, and then one of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 on the operation screen 300 corresponding to the new cloud service 50a is operated. An instruction corresponding to this operation is then provided to the operation control unit 224 of the operation reception unit 220. In response to this, the operation control unit 224 provides an instruction to the scan API 132 of the Web_API group 130 to execute image reading processing by the image reading unit 16. This instruction is transmitted to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120, and ultimately to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110.

Upon receiving this instruction, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 16 to execute image reading processing. As a result, read image data is generated. The generated read image data is then stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26. In this case, the aforementioned attribute information is also attached to the read image data.

The main body control unit 106 then transmits the attribute information attached to the scanned image data to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120. This attribute information is transmitted to the scan API 132 of the Web_API group 130, and ultimately to the operation control unit 224 of the operation reception unit 220.

When the operation control unit 224 receives the attribute information, it instructs the transmission control unit 204 of the transmission execution unit 210 to upload the scanned image data corresponding to the attribute information to the new cloud service 50a. In response to this instruction, the transmission control unit 204 instructs the data processing API 142 of the MFP_API group 140 to read the scanned image data corresponding to the attribute information from the auxiliary storage unit 26. This instruction is transmitted to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110.

Upon receiving this instruction, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 102 to read the scanned image data corresponding to the attribute information related to the instruction from the auxiliary memory unit 26. At this time, for example, if it is necessary to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a predetermined data format, the main body control unit 106 controls the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of the scanned image data.

Once the scanned image data has been read from the auxiliary memory unit 26 by the image reading unit 102, or once the data format of the scanned image data has been converted by the data conversion unit 108, that is, once the scanned image data to be uploaded is ready, the main body control unit 106 notifies the transmission control unit 204 via the data processing API 142. In response to this, the transmission control unit 204 instructs the data acquisition API 144 of the MFP_API group 140 to acquire the scanned image data to be uploaded. In response to this instruction, the data acquisition API 144 acquires the scanned image data to be uploaded from the main body function unit 110 and passes the scanned image data to the image transmission unit 202. The image transmission unit 202 uploads the scanned image data received from the data acquisition API 144 to the new cloud service 50a.

The image transmission unit 202 has a buffer (not shown) for temporarily storing the scanned image data received from the data acquisition API 144, i.e., the scanned image data to be uploaded. The scanned image data to be uploaded is temporarily stored in this buffer of the transmission control unit 204, and then uploaded to the new cloud service 50a. Therefore, if the size of the scanned image data to be uploaded is large, particularly if it is larger than the size of the buffer, the scanned image data is divided into portions (data volume) according to the size of the buffer, and is received sequentially from the data acquisition API 144 and uploaded sequentially to the new cloud service 50a.

The buffer size of the image transmission unit 202 is also changed by the transmission control unit 204 as appropriate, depending on the size of the scanned image data to be uploaded, more specifically, depending on the size information included in the attribute information described above. This allows for efficient use of memory resources to secure the buffer of the image transmission unit 202. In particular, if the data format of the scanned image data to be uploaded is BASE64 format, the scanned image data is handled in 4-byte units, and therefore the buffer size of the image transmission unit 202 is set to a size that is a multiple of 4 bytes.

When the image transmission unit 202 has finished uploading the scanned image data, the result, for example, information indicating whether the upload was successful, failed, or canceled, is notified from the transmission control unit 204 to the operation control unit 224 of the operation reception unit 220. When the operation control unit 224 receives the result notification from the transmission control unit 204, it passes this result notification to the scan API 132 of the Web_API group 130. This result notification is then passed on to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120, and ultimately to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110. Upon receiving this result notification, the main body control unit 106 manages the result notification and stores it, for example, as history in the auxiliary memory unit 26.

In this way, according to this first embodiment, uploading scanned image data to a new cloud service 50a that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100 is achieved by application software called the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images. In other words, it is possible to upload scanned image data to a new cloud service 50a without modifying the firmware 100, which means that flexible and efficient response is possible.

Furthermore, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images acquires the scanned image data to be uploaded from the same data source as the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100. In other words, the data processing API 142 and data acquisition API 144 of the MFP_API group 140 are provided to make this possible. Here, for example, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images can also be configured to acquire the scanned image data to be uploaded from a data source other than the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100. However, in this case, it is necessary to copy the scanned image data, which is a relatively large data (file), and the processing required takes a considerable amount of time, resulting in a decrease in the performance of the multifunction device 10 as a whole. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, which employs a configuration in which the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images acquires the scanned image data to be uploaded from the same data source as the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100, unnecessary processing is eliminated, and a decrease in the performance of the multifunction device 10 as a whole is suppressed.

Furthermore, according to this first embodiment, when it is necessary to convert the data format of scanned image data uploaded by the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images, the data conversion unit 108 of the firmware 100 converts the data format of the scanned image data. Here, for example, it is also possible to configure the means for handling the process for converting the data format of scanned image data by the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images. However, because the process for converting the data format of scanned image data is a relatively heavy process, configuring the means for handling such a heavy process by the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images would result in a decrease in the performance of the multifunction device 10 as a whole. Therefore, when it is necessary to convert the data format of scanned image data uploaded by the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images, converting the data format of the scanned image data by the data conversion unit 108 of the firmware 100, in other words, adopting such a configuration, reduces the decrease in the performance of the multifunction device 10 as a whole.

Note that the cloud service 50 in this first embodiment is an example of a predetermined external device according to the present invention. The image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100, which is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the cloud service 50, is an example of a first communication means according to the present invention.

Furthermore, the new cloud service 50a in this first embodiment is an example of another external device according to the present invention. And the image transmission unit 202 of the built-in application 200 for sending scanned images, which is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a, is an example of a second communication means according to the present invention.

[Second Example]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the second embodiment, and more specifically, the cloud collaboration function of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to download (receive) appropriate data such as document data from cloud service 50 or new cloud service 50a. This downloaded data is provided to the printer function of multifunction device 10, for example, and is then used for image formation processing by image forming unit 20.

Specifically, the firmware 100 configures a data receiving unit 112 and a data writing unit 114. The data receiving unit 112 supports the communication format used by the cloud service 50, and receives data to be downloaded from the cloud service 50. The data writing unit 114 then stores (writes) the data received by the data receiving unit 112 in the auxiliary storage unit 26. This data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 is provided to, for example, the printer function of the multifunction device 10, as described above.

In addition, separate from the data receiving unit 112 configured by the firmware 100, a data receiving unit 402 compatible with the communication format adopted by the new cloud service 50a is configured by the download embedded application 400, which is part of the embedded application 26a described above (Figure 1). This data receiving unit 402 receives data to be downloaded from the new cloud service 50a. The data received by this data receiving unit 402 is also stored in the auxiliary memory unit 26 by the data writing unit 114 of the firmware 100. The data stored in the auxiliary memory unit 26 is then provided to, for example, the printer function of the multifunction device 10, as described above.

In other words, according to this second embodiment, the data receiving unit 112 of the firmware 100 is responsible for downloading data from the cloud service 50. Furthermore, the data receiving unit 402 of the downloadable embedded application 400 is responsible for downloading data from a new cloud service 50a that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100.

In this way, according to this second embodiment, downloading data from a new cloud service 50a that uses a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100 is achieved by application software called the download embedded application 400. In other words, it is possible to download data from a new cloud service 50a without modifying the firmware 100, which means that flexible and efficient handling is possible.

Note that the data receiving unit 112 of the firmware 100 in this second embodiment is an example of the first communication means of the present invention. The data receiving unit 402 of the downloadable embedded application 400 is an example of the second communication means of the present invention. A more specific description of the configuration in Figure 9, including its illustration, will be omitted.

[Other application examples]
The above-described embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can also be applied to aspects other than these embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, if multiple new cloud services 50a that use different communication methods are supported, a built-in application 200 for sending scanned images may be provided for each cloud service 50a. Alternatively, a built-in application 200 for sending scanned images common to two or more or all of the new cloud services 50a may be provided.

Similarly, in the second embodiment, when supporting multiple new cloud services 50a that use different communication methods, a downloadable embedded app 400 may be provided for each cloud service 50a, or a downloadable embedded app 400 common to two or more or all of the new cloud services 50a may be provided.

In addition, in the first embodiment, a configuration modeled on web construction as shown in FIG. 7 was adopted, but this is not limited to this. In other words, as long as the same functions and effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, any appropriate configuration may be adopted, without being limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 7, and in particular without being limited to a configuration modeled on web construction. The same applies to the second embodiment.

In each embodiment, the present invention has been described as being applied to a multifunction device 10, but this is not limited to this. In other words, the present invention can also be applied to information processing devices other than the multifunction device 10, such as dedicated scanners or printers, and more specifically, to information processing devices that have the ability to communicate with external devices.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the form of an information processing device, but can also be provided in the form of a method for controlling communications in an information processing device, or in the form of a program for controlling communications in an information processing device.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium on which a communication control program for an information processing device is non-temporarily (non-transiently) recorded. Examples of recording media include semiconductor media such as SD memory cards and USB memory, and disc media such as CDs and DVDs. These portable storage media are not the only options; built-in (internal) storage media such as ROMs and hard disk drives can also be used as recording media.

10...Multifunction device 12...Control unit 12a...CPU
12b... Main memory unit 16... Image reading unit 18... Automatic document feeder 26... Auxiliary memory unit 26a... Embedded application 28... Communication unit 50... Cloud service 50a... New cloud service 100... Firmware 102... Image reading unit 104... Image transmission unit 108... Data conversion unit 112... Data reception unit 114... Data writing unit 200... Embedded application for transmitting scanned images 202... Image transmission unit 400... Embedded application for download 402... Data reception unit

Claims (4)

a first communication means configured by firmware and configured to communicate with a predetermined external device ;
a second communication means configured by application software different from the firmware, for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be handled by the first communication means ;
an image reading means for reading an image of a document and generating read image data corresponding to the image of the document;
an image storage means for storing the read image data generated by the image reading means; and
image reading means configured by the firmware for reading the scanned image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means ;
The information processing apparatus , wherein each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication . a data conversion unit configured by the firmware and configured to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a data format corresponding to the communication format adopted by the other external device;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second communication means transmits the scanned image data converted by the data conversion means through the communication. A communication control method for an information processing device including an image reading unit that reads an image of an original document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the original document, and an image storage unit that stores the read image data generated by the image reading unit,
a first communication procedure for communicating with a predetermined external device by a first communication means configured by firmware ;
a second communication procedure for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the first communication means, by a second communication means configured by application software different from the firmware ; and
an image reading procedure in which the image reading means configured by the firmware reads out the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means ,
A communication control method , wherein each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication . 1. A communication control program for an information processing device, comprising: an image reading means for reading an image of an original document and generating read image data corresponding to the image of the original document; an image storage means for storing the read image data generated by the image reading means; an image reading means configured by firmware and reading the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means ; and a first communication means configured by the firmware for communicating with a predetermined external device,
configuring application software different from the firmware, and causing the computer of the information processing device to function as a second communication means for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be handled by the first communication means ;
a communication control program in which each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication ;