CN1898661A - Electronic apparatus system, its electronic apparatus, control method and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic apparatus is adapted to execute an operation using an application, and is provided with an communicating part for communicating with an external apparatus via a communication line, and a controlling part for executing an operation using an application within the external apparatus by communicating with the external apparatus by the communicating part.

Description

Electronic device, electronic device system, control method, and computer-readable storage medium

technical field

The present invention generally relates to an electronic device system, an electronic device therefor, a control method and a computer-readable storage medium, and more particularly relates to devices such as image processing devices (such as scanner devices, digital copying devices, printers, facsimile devices, digital image reading devices such as composite devices or digital multifunction peripherals), electronic device systems provided with external devices connected to such electronic devices via communication lines, control methods for such electronic devices, and A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as such an electronic device.

Background technique

Recently, image forming apparatuses having multiple functions (or facilities), such as digital composite apparatuses or digital multifunction peripherals (MFPs), have become popular among users. An image forming apparatus having multiple functions combines an image forming section (plotter section), an image reading section (scanner section), a facsimile (FAX) communication section, an image processing section (controller), etc., so as to allow functions such as copying, Free selection of functions of facilities of printer function, scanner function and facsimile function.

Conventionally, an image forming apparatus having multiple functions is generally designed based on a copying apparatus, and operates as a printer or a scanner by using all or a part of its functions, and is used as a facsimile apparatus by adding a facsimile communication part.

In order to allow free selection and execution of each of such functions, it is necessary to provide an application (application) for each of such functions in order to realize such function.

"Application" means application software or applications. The application is a part that forms the user interface, and realizes functions to be provided to the user. Examples of applications include an application for realizing a copy function (copy application), an application for realizing a printer function (printer application), an application for realizing a scanner function (scanner application), and an application for realizing a fax function (fax application).

However, in the image forming apparatus having various functions described above, if all the applications for realizing the functions to be utilized are implemented, the cost of the image forming apparatus increases. In addition, as the number of applications implemented in the image forming apparatus increases, the number of times service personnel have to perform operations to update versions of applications (functions) increases.

Contents of the invention

A general object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device system, an electronic device therefor, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium in which the above-mentioned problems are suppressed.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device system, an electronic device used therefor, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium, which can reduce the time required for implementing a plurality of functions in an electronic device such as an image forming device. cost, and reduce the number of operations required to update application versions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device for performing an operation using an application, which includes: a communication part for communicating with an external device via a communication line; and a control part for communicating with an external device by using the communication part. The device communicates with the application in the external device to perform the operation. According to the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost when implementing a plurality of functions in the electronic device, and to reduce the operation of updating an application version because a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of electronic devices.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device system in which an electronic device and an external device are communicably coupled via a communication line, wherein the electronic device is used to perform an operation using an application, and includes : communication means for communicating with an external device via a communication line; control means for performing an operation using an application in the external device by communicating with the external device using the communication means; device start notification sending means for using the communication means sending an activation notification of the electronic device to the external device; and application information registration means for registering to be added when an application availability notification from an external application is received by the communication means in response to the activation notification sent by the device activation notification sending means information related to the available application in the application availability notification, and wherein the external device includes: an application storage part; other communication part for communicating with the electronic device via a communication line; and an application availability notification sending part for other When the communication means receives the activation notification from the electronic device, it adds information related to the available application and stored in the application storage part to the application availability notification before the application availability notification is transmitted to the electronic device by the other communication means. According to the electronic device system of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost when implementing a plurality of functions in the electronic device, and to reduce the operation of updating the version of the application because the common application can be commonly used among the plurality of electronic devices.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control method for an electronic device performing an operation using an application, including: communicating with an external device via a communication line; and performing an operation using the application within the external device. According to the control method of the present invention, it is possible to reduce costs when implementing a plurality of functions in an electronic device, and to reduce operations for updating application versions because a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of electronic devices.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer of an electronic device to perform an operation using an application, the program including a process for causing the computer to realize the following functions: communication function, using for communicating with the external device via a communication line; and a control function for performing operations using an application within the external device by communicating with the external device using the communication function. According to the computer-readable storage medium of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost when implementing a plurality of functions in an electronic device, and to reduce the operation of updating an application version because a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of electronic devices .

Other objects and other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram generally showing an example of network connections of an image forming system;

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing the hardware structure of the MFP shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing the functional structure of important parts of the MFP shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing the hardware structure of the external server shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a system block diagram showing the functional configuration of important parts of the MFP and the external server shown in FIG. 1;

6 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between the MFP shown in FIG. 3 and an external application when the MFP is started;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a command exchanged between the MFP shown in FIG. 3 and an external application;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of an application management table;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the MFP shown in FIG. 3 and an external application when the MFP is started to allow execution of the application;

10 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between an external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

11 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between an external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining information related to an image processing apparatus, the information including a device identification number stored in a device information storage section shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining more detailed information related to the image processing apparatus stored in the device information storage section shown in FIG. 5;

14 is a diagram showing a third example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 3 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed on the operation portion shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying a user of an image processing device used by an external application shown in FIG. 3;

17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a list of information related to image processing apparatuses connected to a network;

FIG. 18 is a system block diagram showing another functional structure of an important part of the MFP shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a system block diagram showing another functional structure of an important part of the MFP shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 20 is a system block diagram showing the functional configuration of important parts of the MFP of the second embodiment;

21 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between an external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a command structure exchanged between the MFP shown in FIG. 20 and an external application;

23 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application;

24 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU in the controller of the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is received from an external application;

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an application management table stored in the application information storage section shown in FIG. 20;

26 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between an external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

27 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

28 is a diagram showing a third example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application;

29 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU in the controller of the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is acquired from an external application;

30 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of an application selection screen displayed on the operation section shown in FIG. 20;

32 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a communication sequence between the external application and the MFP shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application;

FIG. 33 is a system block diagram showing another functional structure of an important part of the MFP of the second embodiment; and

Fig. 34 is a system block diagram showing another functional structure of an important part of the MFP of the second embodiment.

Detailed ways

A description will be given of embodiments of an electronic device system, an electronic device used therefor, a control method, and a computer-readable storage medium according to the present invention by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[first embodiment]

First, a description will be given of a first embodiment of an electronic device system according to the present invention forming an image forming system.

FIG. 1 is a diagram generally showing an example of network connections of an image forming system.

The image forming system shown in FIG. 1 includes various image processing devices including: a digital composite device (hereinafter also referred to as a multifunction peripheral or MFP) 10 as an electronic device having a communication function; and two external servers 20 ( 20 a , 20 b ) as external devices communicably connected (communicatively connected) via a network 1 such as a local area network (LAN). For example, the MFP 10 and the external server 20 can communicate in a 1:N (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) relationship (or a "1:many" relationship) via the network 1. However, by connecting the MFP 10 and the external server 20 via a communication line such as USB or IEEE1394 (IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), the MFP 10 and the external server 20 can communicate in a 1:1 relationship. The number of external servers 20 is not limited to two, and only one or more than two external servers 20 may be provided.

Next, a description will be given of the hardware structure of the MFP 10 by referring to FIG. 2 .

Fig. 2 is a system block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 10 shown in Fig. 1 .

The MFP 10 shown in FIG. 2 is an image forming apparatus capable of realizing various functions (or facilities) including functions of a digital copying apparatus, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, and a scanner apparatus, that is, a copying function, a printer function, Fax function and scanner function. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes a controller 11, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 12, an engine interface (I/F) 13, an engine 14, and the like. These components of the MFP 10 form hardware resources for performing image processing such as document reading, printing (image formation), and image data transfer.

The controller 11 uses an application that will be described later, and centrally controls the various parts of the MFP 10 (in response to an operation request from the application). The various functions are realized by the control of the controller 11 .

The FCU 12 controls communication between the MFP 10 and external devices such as image forming devices via a public line. The image forming device may be a facsimile device, a digital copying device with a modem function (facsimile communication function), and other MFPs (digital composite devices).

The engine I/F 13 forms an interface for connecting the engine 14 to a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus.

The engine 14 corresponds to the following hardware devices, for example: a scanner (image reading means) for reading an image of a document (document image); a plotter (image forming means) for Data received from an external device for forming (printing) an image on a recording medium such as paper; an automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding a document to an image reading position of a scanner; and after-processing ) apparatus for performing post-processing such as sorting, punching, and stapling of recording media on which images have been formed (printed) by a plotter.

The controller 11 includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 102, SDRAM 103, ROM 104, NVRAM 105, hard disk drive (HDD) 106, operation section 107, modem 108, universal serial bus (USB) 109, IEEE1394 interface (I/ F) 110, Media Access Controller Interface (MACI/F) 111, etc. Actually, in this embodiment, the operation section 107 is arranged outside the controller 11 .

The CPU 101 forms arithmetic (or calculation) processing means for data processing (control of various functions) via the ASIC 102 .

The ASIC 102 is a multifunctional device board, which includes a CPU interface, an SDRAM interface, a local bus interface, a PCI interface, an HDD interface, and the like. From an architectural point of view, the ASIC 102 allows sharing of devices that are control targets of the CPU 101, and supports efficient development of applications and the like.

An operation section 107 that receives an operation command of the engine 14 and the like is directly connected to the ASIC 102. Modem 108 is also directly connected to ASIC 102. USB I/F 109, IEEE1394 I/F 110, MAC I/F 111, FCU 12, and engine I/F 13 are connected to ASIC 102 via PCI bus 112.

The SDRAM 103 forms a main memory used as a program memory for storing various programs, a work memory used by the CPU 101 when the CPU 101 performs data processing, and the like. Of course, instead of SDRAM 103, DRAM or SRAM could be used.

The ROM 104 forms a fixed memory for storing programs including various applications (two in this particular case) and fixed data.

The NVRAM 105 forms a nonvolatile memory for storing data such as various parameters that can be changed or changed, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. A nonvolatile memory such as a nonvolatile RAM in which a RAM and a backup circuit using a battery are integrated can be used for the NVRAM 105 .

The HDD 106 forms a storage device (recording medium) for storing data regardless of whether the power is on or off. HDD 106 can also be used to store data in SDRAM 103 and/or data in NVRAM 105.

The operation section 107 forms an operation member including: various operation keys (operation switches or operation buttons) for inputting information (data) such as operation commands on the engine 14 or the external server 20; and a display device (or character displays), such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and cathode ray tubes (CRTs).

The modem 108 forms a modulation and demodulation (modem) section for: when transmitting data to an external device (not shown) via the public line, modulating the data into a form suitable for transmission on the public line; When received by the external device, the data is demodulated.

The USB I/F 109 and the IEEE1394 I/F 110 form interfaces (direct interfaces) conforming to the USB standard and the IEEE1394 standard, respectively, for communicating by directly connecting to external devices (peripheral devices).

The MAC I/F 111 forms a network interface for communicating with external devices including the external server 20 via the network 1 such as a LAN.

Of course, direct interfaces other than the USB I/F 109 and IEEE1394 I/F 110 may be additionally provided in the controller 11.

Next, a description will be given of an important functional structure of the MFP 10 by referring to FIG. 3 .

FIG. 3 is a system block diagram showing the functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment.

Controller 11 of MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 includes functions of communication processing section 121, application selection section 122, application information storage section 123, and control section 124. When the CPU shown in Figure 2

101 implements these functions of the controller 11 while operating according to the program and using the MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109, and IEEE1394I/F 110 as needed.

The communication processing section 121 forms communication means for communicating with applications (hereinafter referred to as "external applications") 231 and 232 implemented in the two external servers 20 (20a, 20b) connected to the network 1. communication; and communication with external devices directly connected to the MFP 10. External applications 231 and 232 can be directly connected to the MFP 10 to communicate therewith.

The application selection section 122 receives data such as a command (operation execution request) received from an application including a program stored in the ROM 104 shown in FIG. applications (hereinafter referred to as internal applications) 131 and 132 , and external applications 231 and 232 . In addition, when data such as a command (operation instruction) is received from the control section 124 , the application selection section 122 distributes the data to the internal applications 131 and 132 and the external applications 231 and 232 . In other words, the application selection section 122 decides a transmission destination (application) to which data is to be transmitted, and transmits received data to this transmission destination (application).

The application information storage section 123 stores information related to applications usable in the MFP 10 in the form of an application management table. Therefore, applications usable in the MFP 10 can be registered. The application information storage section 123 may be formed of the SDRAM 103, NVRAM 105, or HDD 106 shown in FIG. 2, and is changed (updated) every time the information is changed (changed). Therefore, the application information storage section 123 functions as application information registration means.

The control section 124 collectively controls the respective sections of the controller 11 including the communication processing section 121 , the application selection section 122 , the operation section 107 , the application information storage section 123 , and the engine 14 . The control section 124 functions as a control section, device start notification sending section, transfer allowing section (connection allowing section), and device availability notification sending section (connection allowing notification sending section).

Thus, the control section 124 can realize a large number of functions because it is possible to use the external applications in addition to the internal applications 131 and 132 by communicating with the external applications 231 and 232 via the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121, and the network 1 231 and 232.

Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the external server 20 by referring to FIG. 4 .

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the external server 20 shown in FIG. 1 .

The external server 20 shown in FIG. 4 is formed by an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), and includes a CPU 201, ASIC 202, SDRAM 203, ROM 204, NVRAM 205, HDD 206, operation section 207, modem 208, USB I/F 209, IEEE1394 I/F 210, MAC I/F 211, PCI bus 212, etc.

Since the structure of the external server 20 is similar to the structure of the controller 11 described above in connection with FIG. 2 , description will be given only to parts of the external server 20 that are different from the controller 11 .

The operation section 207 includes: an input device, such as a keyboard and a mouse, for inputting information (data) such as an operation command on the MFP 10 ; and a display device, such as an LCD and a CRT. For example, a touch pad may be provided on the surface of the display device.

Next, a description will be given of the functional structure of important parts of the external server 20 by referring to FIG. 5 .

Fig. 5 is a system block diagram showing the functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 and the external server 20a shown in Fig. 1 . For convenience, FIG. 5 shows a case in which an application communication processing section 241 and the like to be described later are provided in the external application 231 .

The external server 20 a includes functions of an application communication processing section 241 , an application control section 242 and a device information storage section 243 . These of the external server 20a are realized when the CPU 201 shown in FIG. Function.

The application communication processing section 241 forms communication means for: communicating with an image processing device including the MFP 10 connected to the network 1; and communicating with an image processing device directly connected to the external server 20a. The application communication processing section 241 can also communicate with an image processing device such as the MFP 10 directly connected thereto.

The application control section 242 controls the application communication processing section 241 and the device information storage section 243, and functions as an application availability notification sending section, an operation execution request sending section, a connection request sending section, a function interval (function interval) section, and a device selection section.

The device information storage section 243 forms application storage means for storing information related to image processing apparatuses usable by the external server 20a. Therefore, it is possible to register an image processing device usable by the external server 20a. The device information storage section 243 may be formed of the SDRAM 203, NVRAM 205, or HDD 206 shown in FIG. 4, and is changed (updated) every time the information is changed (changed).

The functional structure of the important part of the other external server 20b is substantially the same as that of the above-mentioned external server 20a, and, thus, description and explanation thereof will be omitted. In addition, the processing of the applications in the external servers 20 (20a, 20b), that is, the internal applications 131 and 132 is actually performed by the corresponding CPU 201 operating according to the internal applications 131 and 132, but in the following description, for convenience, It is described as if the internal applications 131 and 132 execute the processing.

The internal applications 131 and 132 and the external applications 231 and 232 implement various functions. For example, the internal application 131 is a copy application for realizing the copy function, the internal application 132 is a printer application for realizing the printer function, the external application 231 is a scanner application for realizing the scanner function, and the external application 232 is a A fax application that implements fax functions. Certainly, the internal application 131 may be an application for implementing basic (low version) copying functions and printer functions, the internal application 132 may be an application for implementing basic scanner functions and fax functions, and the external application 231 may be an application for implementing high-level version copy function and printer function, and the external application 232 may be an application for implementing a higher version scanner function and fax function. In this case, the lower version functions have simpler and/or fewer functions than the higher version functions. In any case, the internal applications 131 and 132 and the external applications 231 and 232 are not limited to specific applications.

The copying function is for performing a copying operation including: reading an image of a document by a scanner to obtain image data of the document; and sending the image data to a plotter to be printed on a recording medium such as paper by the plotter Image data is formed.

The printer function is for performing a printing operation including: transmitting image data received from the external server 20 to a plotter as it is or after processing the image data; and forming the image data on a recording medium such as paper by the plotter. image data.

The scanner function is for performing a scanning operation including: reading an image of a document by the scanner to obtain image data; and storing the image data in a memory (SDRAM 103, NVRAM 105, or HDD 106).

The facsimile function is used to perform a facsimile transmission operation and a facsimile reception operation. The facsimile sending operation includes: reading an image of a document by a scanner to obtain image data; and sending the image data to an external device by the FCU 12 . On the other hand, the facsimile receiving operation includes: receiving image data from an external device by the FCU 12; and sending the image data to a plotter to form the image data on a recording medium such as paper.

In this first embodiment, image processing apparatuses other than the MFP 10, such as other MFPs, printers, and scanners not shown, are connected to the external server 20 directly or via the network 1. However, it is of course possible to connect other image processing apparatuses such as digital copying apparatuses and facsimile apparatuses to the external server 20 similarly directly or via the network 1 . These image processing apparatuses other than the MFP 10 include a controller (not shown) having a structure similar to that of the MFP 10, and are capable of performing processing of the present invention described later.

Next, a description will be given of the control (processing) of the present invention in the first embodiment of the image forming system described above by referring to FIGS. 6 to 16 . For the sake of convenience, the description of the processing about the internal applications 131 and 132 will be omitted.

First, a first example of a communication sequence between the image processing apparatus such as the MFP 10 and the external application 231 (or 232) at the time of starting the image processing apparatus (case of successful authentication) will be given by referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 description of.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the external application 231 (or 232) at the time of starting the MFP 10.

When the MFP 10 is started (power is turned on), the control section 124 of the MFP 10 issues a start notification command for pre-registered usable applications (indicated by information in the application management table stored in the application information storage section 123). In other words, the start notification command is sent to the external applications 231 and 232 of the external server 20 (20a, 20b) via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S102 to S104). Application identification numbers for identifying the external applications 231 and 232 are respectively added to the start notification commands for the external applications 231 and 232, and this can be acquired from the application information storage section 123 shown in FIG. An identification number is applied (step S101).

A description will be given of the structure of commands exchanged between the MFP 10 and the external applications 231 and 232 of the external server 20 (20a, 20b) by referring to FIG. 7 .

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the structure of commands exchanged between the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 and the external applications 231 and 232.

The command shown in FIG. 7 includes application identification information, command type, command (body of the command), command additional information, and flags (SOF, EOF) indicating the start and end of the command.

The application identification information is associated with the application and is used to identify the application.

The command type is information related to a command, and is used to indicate the types of various commands such as a command to control a plotter and a command to control a scanner.

The command additional information indicates the parameters used when executing the command. For example, in the case of a command related to a scanner, parameters used when executing this command include information on main scan length, sub scan length, read density, and the like.

Next, a description will be given of the application management table (information related to the application) including the application identification number stored in the application information storage section 123 shown in FIG. 3 by referring to FIG. 8 . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the contents of an application management table.

As shown in Figure 8, for each application (internal applications 131 and 132, external applications 231 and 232), the application management table includes application name (type), application identification number (application ID number), application implementation location (IP address, etc. ), and information indicating whether the application is available (application availability).

Returning now to the description of FIG. 6, if the external servers 20a and 20b have been started and the external applications 231 and 232 receive a start notification command (device start notification command) from the MFP 10, the external applications 231 and 232 send their commands to the MFP 10. The availability notification command is applied to respond (step S105). The above-mentioned application identification number added to the device activation notification command is added to the application availability notification command for the MFP 10, and thus, the MFP 10 can identify the application from which the application availability notification command was received from this application identification number.

The application availability notification command issued from the external application 231 or 232 is sent to the MFP 10 via the network 1, and is also sent to the control section 124 via the communication processing section 121 and the application selection section 122 inside this MFP 10 (steps S105 to S107 ).

When the application availability notification command is received by the control section 124, the control section 124 may determine the application availability based on the application identification information added to the application availability notification command. Thus, by setting the corresponding information (application availability) indicating whether the application is available or not in the application management table stored in the application information storage section 123 to "Yes (YES)", the control section 124 can register the available application (step S108). Applications that are not pre-registered in the application information storage section 123 are not regarded as available.

In addition, the application availability notification command is not received from the external application of the external server whose power is not turned on, and, thereby, the control section 124 will indicate whether the application is available or not in the application management table stored in the application information storage section 123 The corresponding information (Application Availability) of is set to "NO".

Figure 9 shows the communication sequence for this case.

More specifically, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 and an external application when the MFP 10 is started up to allow execution of the application. As described above in connection with FIG. 6 , actually, a command is sent from the control section 124 to the application selection section 122 and then to the communication processing section 121 . However, since the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 simply follow instructions from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 are illustrated as a single block in FIG. 9 for convenience.

Next, when an application connection request command (connection request) is issued from the external application 231 (or 232), an explanation will be given by referring to FIGS. A description of the communication sequence between the first and second examples.

FIG. 10 is a first example showing a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 (executable A graph of the requested application operation). FIG. 11 is a second example (not executable) showing a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232). A graph of the requested application operation). As described above in conjunction with FIG. 6 , actually, a command is sent from the control section 124 to the application selection section 122 and then to the communication processing section 121 . However, since the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 simply follow instructions from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 are illustrated as a single block in FIGS. 10 and 11 for convenience. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining information (device unique information) related to the image processing apparatus including the device identification number stored in the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 .

When some kind of trigger is generated to make a connection to the image processing apparatus, the application control section 242 of the external application 231 issues a message (indicated by information stored in the device information storage section 243 ) including the MFP 10 registered in advance. ) application connection request command for each of the image processing devices. For example, the trigger may be the moment when the external application 231 is started, or an input operation is subsequently performed by the user from the operation section 207 shown in FIG. 4 to use the initial function of the image processing apparatus. In other words, an application connection request command is sent to each image processing device by the application communication processing section 241 (steps S112 and S113). Add a device identification number for identifying the image processing apparatus to the application connection request command, and acquire this device identification number from the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 together with information indicating the device installation position of the image processing apparatus (step S111).

For example, the above-mentioned triggers include: case (a), wherein the external application 231 is started by turning on the power of the external server 20 (20a); After the external application 231, the user performs an input operation from the operation section 207 to use the initial function of the image processing apparatus (in a state where a connection with the image processing apparatus is not formed).

A description will be given of the information (device unique information) related to the image processing apparatus including the device identification number stored in the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 by referring to FIG. 12 .

As shown in FIG. 12, for each type of image processing apparatus, the apparatus information storage section 243 stores, as apparatus unique information, an apparatus identification number of each image processing apparatus, an apparatus installation location, and information indicating whether the apparatus is usable (device availability).

Returning now to the description of FIG. 10, when an application connection request command from an external application 231 is received via the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122 of the MFP 10 determines the external application 231 that issued this application connection request, and by adding a command such as an external application Information related to the external application 231 of the application implementation location (IP address, etc.) of 231, a registration command indicating registration of this external application 231 is sent to the control section 124 (step S114).

When receiving the registration command, the control section 124 writes the information related to the external application 231 and added to the received registration command into the free application identification information area of the application management table stored in the application information storage section 123 ( "Yes" is written in the corresponding information (application availability) indicating whether the application is available or not, so as to register the available external application 231 (step S115 ). Applications that are not pre-registered in the application information storage section 123 are not regarded as available.

When the writing (registration) to the free application identification information area of the application management table is completed, the application information storage section 123 responds by sending this application identification information to the control section 124 (step S116).

When receiving a response including the application identification information from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 issues a device availability notification command of the MFP 10 to the external application 231. In other words, the device availability notification command is sent to the external application 231 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S117 and S118). A device identification number is added to the device availability notification command for the external application 231, which is added to the application connection request command that has been received from the external application 231, so that the external application 231 can identify the MFP 10 based on the device identification number. middle.

When receiving a device availability notification command from the MFP 10 via the application communication processing part 241, the application control part 242 of the external application 231 can determine the availability of the MFP 10 based on the device identification information added to this device availability notification command. Thus, the application control section 242 of the external application 231 writes "Yes" in the corresponding information (device availability) indicating whether the device is available, so as to register the available MFP 10 (steps S119 and S120).

When an image processing device other than the MFP 10 receives an application connection request command from the external application 231, this image processing device can perform processing similar to the above-described MFP 10.

Subsequently, when a function (for example, a scanner function) of an available image processing apparatus such as the MFP 10 is to be used, the application control section 242 of the external application 231 issues a corresponding operation execution request command for the MFP 10 (step S121).

The operation execution request command issued from the external application 231 is sent to the MFP 10, and is also sent to the control section 124 via the communication processing section 121 and the application selection section 122 inside the MFP 10 (steps S122 to S123).

When an operation execution request command is received, the control section 124 sends an instruction to the application information storage section 123 together with information related to the external application 231 added to this operation execution request command, so as to request the operation execution request command by this operation. Check the execution authority of the application operation (reference) (step S124). Only operation execution request commands from available applications are accepted.

In response to this instruction from control section 124 , application information storage section 123 refers to the execution authority (corresponding application availability) of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command in the application management table based on information related to external application 231 . If the requested application operation is executable (the corresponding application availability is "Yes"), the application information storage section 123 sends a response indicating the executableability of the requested application operation to the control section 124 (step S125).

When receiving a response from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 executes the application operation (such as copy operation, printer operation, scanner operation, facsimile transmission operation, and facsimile reception operation) requested by the received operation execution request command. image processing operation, or a part of such image processing operation), and issues a command (execution response command) for sending a response indicating the result of executing the application operation to the external application 231 . In other words, the execution response command from the control section 124 is sent to the external application 231 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S126 and S127).

On the other hand, it is assumed that an operation execution request command from an external application 232 (an application not regarded as available) is sent to the MFP 10, and this operation execution request command is transmitted via the communication processing section 121 and the application selection section 122 inside the MFP 10 Instead, it is sent to the control section 124 (steps S122 and S123). In FIG. 11 , those steps that are the same as those corresponding steps in FIG. 10 are designated with the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted. In this case, the control section 124 and the application information storage section 123 perform the following processing.

When receiving an operation execution request command from the external application 232, the control section 124 transmits an instruction to the application information storage section 123 together with information related to the external application 232 added to this operation execution request command, so as to The operation execution request command checks the execution authority of the requested application operation (step S124). Only operation execution request commands from available applications are accepted.

In response to this instruction from control section 124 , application information storage section 123 refers to the execution authority (corresponding application availability) of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command in the application management table based on information related to external application 232 . If the requested application operation is not executable (the corresponding application availability is "No"), the application information storage section 123 sends a response indicating the unexecutability of the requested application operation to the control section 124 (step S125-1 ).

When receiving a response from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 does not execute the application operation requested by the received operation execution request command, and issues a command (do not execute a response command) to the external application 232, which command uses to send a response indicating the result of not performing the application operation. In other words, the non-execution response command from the control section 124 is sent to the external application 232 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S126-1 and S127-1).

For example, more detailed information shown in FIG. 13 may be stored in the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 as device unique information (information related to the image processing apparatus).

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining more detailed information related to the image processing apparatus stored in the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 13 , in addition to the device unique information shown in FIG. 12 , the device unique information additionally includes information related to the existence of a duplex printing function and a bookbinding function of each image processing apparatus.

When the device unique information shown in FIG. 13 is to be stored in the device information storage section 243 within the external application 231 (or 232), for example, the device unique information can be stored by the following steps: (1) For each image The processing device stores the detailed information in the device information storage section 243 of the external application 231; or (2) when the external application 231 uses the detailed information related to each image processing device, inquires each image processing device of the presence of function.

In case (1), since there is no inquiry process, the processing time is shorter. However, it is necessary to provide storage capacity in the external application 231 for storing detailed information related to each image processing device. On the other hand, in case (2), the processing time is longer than that of case (1), but it is not necessary to store detailed information on each image processing device in the external application 231 .

In case (1), the detailed information shown in FIG. 13 is stored in the device information storage section 243 as device unique information (information related to each image processing apparatus). For example, such device unique information can be obtained by the external application 231 through the following method (1-a) or (1-b).

According to the method (1-a), similar to the device installation location, the external application 231 knows device unique information in advance.

According to method (1-b), when the external application 231 sends a connection request notification command to the MFP 10 (or another image processing device), the MFP 10 (or other image processing device) notifies the device availability by adding its detailed information to the MFP 10 (or another image processing device). command, and its device availability notification command is sent to the external application 231 as a response to the connection request notification command. When receiving a device availability notification command from the MFP 10 (or other image processing apparatus), the external application 231 writes "Yes" to the existence of the corresponding double-sided printing function and the binding function, and writes "Yes" to the device information storage section 243. "Yes" is written for the device availability of , so that the available MFP 10 (or other image processing apparatus) is registered in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 10 .

On the other hand, in case (2), after the external application 231 and each image processing apparatus (indicated by the information stored in the device information storage section 243) perform the communication process (sequence of processes) described above in conjunction with FIG. 10 , The external application 231 transmits a function inquiry command that inquires about the existence of a function to be used (a desired function that the user desires to use) for all available image processing apparatuses. For example, the communication procedure after this process of sending a function inquiry command (function inquiry process) becomes as shown in FIG. 14 .

Now, an explanation of the communication procedure between the external application 231 and each image processing apparatus when the external application 231 forming the function inquiry section inquires each image processing apparatus of the existence of a function will be given by referring to FIGS. 14 to 17 description of.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a third example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 3 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232). As described above in connection with FIG. 6 , actually, a command is sent from the control section 124 to the application selection section 122 and then to the communication processing section 121 . However, since the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 simply follow instructions from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 are illustrated as a single block in FIG. 14 for convenience.

The application control section 242 of the external application 231 performs the communication process described above in connection with FIG. 10 with each image processing device including the MFP 10, and registers available image processing devices (including the MFP 10). When the user then performs an input operation from the operation section 207 to use the function of the image processing apparatus (in this particular case, when the user designates a desired function that the user desires to use), the application control section 242 A device function inquiry command is issued to inquire about the existence of a function to be used (desired function). In other words, a device function inquiry command is sent to each image processing apparatus via the application communication processing section 241 (steps S132 and S133). A device identification number for identifying the image processing apparatus is added to the device function inquiry command. Together with the device installation location, this device identification number is acquired from the device information storage section 243 shown in FIG. 5 (step S131).

When the device function inquiry command is received via the communication processing section 121 and the application selection section 122 (step S134), the control section 124 of the MFP 10 sends the instruction together with the information related to the external application 231 added to this device function inquiry command. It is sent to the application information storage section 123 to refer to the execution authority of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command from the external application 231 (step S135). Only operation execution request commands from available applications are accepted.

In response to this instruction from the control section 124, the application information storage section 123 refers to the execution authority of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command in the application management table based on the information related to the external application 231. If the requested application operation is executable (the corresponding application availability is "Yes"), the application information storage section 123 transmits a response indicating the executableability of the requested application operation to the control section 124 (step S136). On the other hand, if the requested application operation is not executable (the corresponding application availability is "No"), the application information storage section 123 sends a response indicating the impossibility of the requested application operation to the control section 124 .

When receiving a response from the application information storage section 123 indicating the executableability of the requested application operation, the control section 124 checks the existence of the function specified by the received device function inquiry command, and for the external application 231 A command for sending a response indicating the result of checking the function (device function response command) is issued. In other words, the device function response command from the control section 124 is sent to the external application 231 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S137 and S138). The device identification information added to the device function inquiry command which has been received from the external application 231 is added to the device function response command transmitted to the external application 231 .

On the other hand, when receiving a response from the application information storage section 123 indicating the non-executability of the requested application operation, the control section 124 issues a command (not executable) to the external application 231 indicating that the requested application operation cannot be executed. response command).

When an image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 receives a device function inquiry command from the external application 231, this image processing apparatus can perform processing similar to the above-described MFP 10.

The application control section 242 of the external application 231 receives the device function response command from each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 via the application communication processing section 241 (step S139). If it is recognized from the device function response command that no image processing apparatus having the function specified by the input operation of the operation section 207 (desired function that the user desires to use) is found, a warning screen such as that shown in FIG. 15 is displayed in FIG. 4 shown on the operation portion 207 (display means) in order to notify the user that the designated function cannot be used and to urge the user to designate another function (change function setting). FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed on the operation section 207 shown in FIG. 4 .

On the other hand, if an image processing apparatus found to have a function specified by an input operation of the operation section 207 (desired function desired by the user) is recognized from the device function response command, processing to select the image processing apparatus is performed.

For example, the process of selecting an image processing device can be performed by method (A) or method (B).

According to the method (A), an image processing device (searched image processing device) having a function specified by the operation of the operation section 207 is automatically selected, and the selected and used image processing device is notified to the user.

According to the method (B), a list of information related to the searched image processing devices is displayed on the operation section 207 so as to urge the user to select an image processing device.

When a plurality of image processing apparatuses having specified functions are discovered, for example, the order in which the image processing apparatuses are discovered, the order of the proximity of the discovered image processing apparatuses to the external application 231, or the order of the discovered image processing apparatuses may be followed. The automatic selection of the image processing device according to the method (A) is performed in order of the rapidity of the printing speed (image forming speed) of the processing device. In this case, the application control section 242 of the external application 231 needs to additionally know the physical location of the image processing apparatus, printing speed, etc. similarly to other device information (information related to the image processing apparatus). For example, by displaying the screen shown in FIG. 16 on the operation section 207, the user can be notified of the image processing apparatus that is automatically selected and used. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for notifying the user of the image processing device used by the external application 241 shown in FIG. 3 .

For example, a screen as shown in FIG. 17 may be displayed on the operation section 207 when a list of information related to searched image processing apparatuses is displayed to urge the user to make a selection. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a list of information related to image processing apparatuses connected to a network.

After the process of selecting an image processing device having the designated function, the application control section 242 of the external application 231 issues a corresponding operation execution request command for the selected image processing device in order to use (implement) the designated function (step S140) . The communication sequence of subsequent steps S141 to S146 is the same as that of steps S122 to S127 shown in FIG. 10 , and description thereof will be omitted.

In the above case (1), based on the device unique information shown in FIG. 13 in the device information storage section 243, a search for an image processing apparatus having a designated function is performed. On the other hand, in the above case (2), a search for an image processing apparatus having a specified function is performed by sending a function inquiry command inquiring about the existence of the specified function to all available image processing apparatuses.

Therefore, according to the image forming system of the first embodiment, each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 communicates with an external application, and performs operations using the external application. Thereby, the following effects can be obtained. In other words, since a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of image processing devices, each image processing device can be produced at low cost, but can realize multiple functions. In addition, operations for updating the application (function) version can be reduced. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing an image processing device can be improved because it is also possible to use internal applications as they are without modification.

Each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 can also use the external application 231 by allowing the process described above in conjunction with FIG. or the process of 232), and the communication process described above in conjunction with FIG. 232 and use the process of external application 231 or 232), to obtain the following effects.

In other words, it is possible to increase the combination of the constituent parts of the system, and the degree of freedom in combining the constituent parts of the system increases. In addition, even in the case where the image processing device cannot be communicatively connected to the external application 231 or 232 through the process described above in conjunction with FIG. unavailable), the image processing device can still be communicatively connected to the external application 231 or 232 through the communication process described above in conjunction with FIG. 10 or 14 . As a result, the possibility that an operation cannot be performed using the application 231 or 232 can be reduced, and the reliability of the system improves.

Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 18 , the MFP 10 may not be implemented with internal applications in the controller 11, and the MFP 10 may perform application operations using only one or more external applications. FIG. 18 is a system block diagram showing another functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 18 , those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are designated with the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Of course, other image processing apparatuses may have a functional structure similar to that of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 18 .

Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the MFP 10 may not be provided with the application information storage section 123 in the controller 11, and the application information storage section 123 may be provided in the external storage device 30 connected to the MFP 10 via the network 1 . FIG. 19 is a system block diagram showing still another functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 19 , those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are designated with the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this case, the MFP 10 can access the application information storage section 123 by communicating with the external storage device 30, and write or read (acquire) information related to internal applications and external applications. Of course, other image processing apparatuses may have a functional structure similar to that of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 19 .

In addition, the MFP 10 can use the external application 231 or 232 by being communicably connected to the external application 231 or 232 via other interfaces such as the USB I/F 109 and the IEEE1394 I/F 110. Of course, other image processing devices can be communicatively connected to the external application 231 or 232 in a similar manner.

[Second embodiment]

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the electronic device system according to the present invention forming an image forming system. The connection relationship of the image processing apparatus including the MFP and the external server and its hardware configuration forming the image forming system are the same as those described above in connection with FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4, and description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

First, a description will be given of the functional structure of important parts of the MFP 10 by referring to FIG. 20 .

Fig. 20 is a system block diagram showing the functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 20 , those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

In the MFP 10, the authentication section 125 forms an authentication section (first authentication section, second authentication section) for receiving an operation execution request from the external application 231 via the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122, and the control section 124 When executing a command, a verification process is performed to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command. The function of the verification section 125 is realized by the CPU 101 shown in FIG. 2 operating according to the program stored in the ROM 104.

Next, a description will be given of the control in this second embodiment of the image forming system by referring to FIGS. 21 to 32 . For convenience, processing regarding the internal applications 131 and 132 will be omitted.

[First control example]

First, a description will be given of the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) by referring to FIGS. 21 and 22. Description of the first example of the communication sequence (case where authentication succeeds).

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

When one of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network 1 (the MFP 10 in this specific case) is selected (designated) as the image processing apparatus to be used by the operation of the operation section 207, and the function to be used is selected (of course , the function can be selected such that an image processing device capable of executing the selected function is automatically selected), for example, the external application 231 (or 232) issues an operation execution request command requesting the realization of the selected function. The external application 231 (or 232) adds authentication information (application validity information) to this operation execution request command, and transmits the operation execution request command to the MFP 10 as the selected image processing device (step S201). Actually, the application control section 242 transmits an operation execution request command and other commands to the MFP 10 through the application communication processing section 241, similarly to the first embodiment described above. Authentication information is added to the operation execution request command every time the operation execution request command is sent to the MFP 10 .

A description will be given of the structure of commands exchanged between the MFP 10 and the external applications 231 and 232 by referring to FIG. 22 .

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the structure of commands exchanged between the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 and the external applications 231 and 232.

The command shown in FIG. 22 includes application type information, authentication information, command type, command (body of the command), command additional information, and flags (SOF, EOF) indicating the start and end of the command.

The application type information is related to the application, and indicates the type of the application, such as a copy application and a facsimile application.

The authentication information is application validity information used when performing an authentication process in order to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command. The authentication information is formed by a sufficient number of bits so that the authentication information cannot be easily copied, and is used as a password unique to the application.

Other information shown in FIG. 22 such as the command type is the same as the corresponding information shown in FIG. 7, and description thereof will be omitted.

Returning now to the description of FIG. 21, when an operation execution request command is sent from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 receives (acquires) this operation execution request command, and sends this operation execution request command to the application selection section 122 ( Step S202).

The application selection section 122 receives the operation execution request command from the communication processing section 121, and sends this operation execution request command to the control section 124 (step S203).

When an operation execution request command is received from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 extracts authentication information only from the operation execution request command, and sends the authentication request command to the authentication section 125 by adding the authentication information to the authentication request command. (step S204).

When receiving the authentication request command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 sends an application information acquisition request command to the control section 124 (step S205).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the authentication section 125, for example, the control section 124 transmits the application information acquisition request command by adding the IP address (application implementation location information) of the external application 231 to the application information acquisition request command. to the application information storage section 123 to acquire from the application information storage section 123 information related to the external application 231 which is the source of the acquired operation execution request command (step S206).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the control section 124, the application information storage section 123 reads the information related to the external application 231 from the application management table to be described later based on the IP address added to this application information acquisition request command. related information (application information), and issue (generate) an application information notification command including information (application information) related to the external application 231, and send the application information notification command to the control section 124 (step S207).

When receiving (acquiring) the application information notification command from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 sends this application information notification command to the verification section 125 (step S208).

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124 , the verification section 125 performs a verification process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command that has been received by the control section 124 . In other words, the verification section 125 compares the verification information added to the received operation execution request command with the application information added to the application information notification command to determine whether the two match (step S209). If the two compared information match, the verification section 125 judges that the verification is successful (confirms the validity of the operation execution request command), and allows execution (access) of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command acquired by the control section 124 (command processing), and an access permission notification command is issued and sent to the control section 124, and the access permission notification command includes indicating that the verification is successful (the validity of the operation execution request command has been confirmed), and the execution (access) has been permitted. The information of the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command acquired by the controlled section 124 (step S210).

When receiving the access permission notification command from the authentication section 125, the control section 124 executes the application operation requested by the acquired operation execution request command (command processing) (step S211). In addition, the control section 124 issues and transmits a processing result notification command including information indicating the result of executing the application operation to the application selection section 122 (step S212 ).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 sends this processing result notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S213).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 transmits the processing result notification command to the external application 231 (step S214).

When an operation execution command request is issued from the external application 231, an image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 21 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. Description of the second example of the sequence (the case where the authentication was not successful).

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

In FIG. 23 , steps S221 to S228 are the same as those corresponding steps S201 to S208 shown in FIG. 21 described above, and description thereof will be omitted. Thus, a description will be given of the procedure from step S229.

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 of the MFP 10 performs an authentication process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command that has been received by the control section 124. In other words, the verification section 125 compares the verification information added to the received operation execution request command with the application information added to the application information notification command to determine whether they match (step S229). If the two compared information do not match, the verification section 125 judges that the verification is unsuccessful (confirms the invalidity of the operation execution request command), and rejects the execution (access) of the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command , and, a verification invalidation notification command (result notification command) is issued and sent to the control section 124, the verification invalidation notification command includes an indication that the verification is unsuccessful (the invalidity of the operation execution request command has been confirmed), and is issued by the controlled section 124 acquires information that the execution (access) of the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command has been denied (step S230). Although its description is omitted in FIG. 23 , information indicating that an invalid access is made (an invalid operation execution request command is received) is displayed on the operation section 107 of the MFP 10.

When receiving an authentication invalidation notification command from the authentication section 125 , the control section 124 issues an authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231 . In other words, the control section 124 sends the authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 (steps S231 to S233).

When an authentication invalidation notification command is received from the MFP 10, the external application 231 displays information indicating that invalid access has been made to the MFP 10 (an invalid operation execution request command has been issued) on the operation section 207 shown in FIG. 4 .

When an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231, the image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 23 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

Next, a description will be given of an authentication process when the CPU 101 within the controller 11 of the MFP 10 receives an operation execution request command from the external application 231 (or 232) by referring to FIG. 24 . Image processing apparatuses other than the MFP 10 can perform this process similarly to the MFP 10, and thus, description and illustration thereof are omitted.

Fig. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU 101 in the controller 11 of the MFP 10 upon receiving an operation execution request command from the external application 231 (or 232).

When receiving an operation execution request command from the external application 231 (or 232) via the MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109, or IEEE1394 I/F 110, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 starts the processing example shown in FIG. 24 Procedure. First, step S1 acquires an operation execution request command, and step S2 extracts authentication information (application validity information) added (attached) to the acquired operation execution request command. Step S3 acquires corresponding application information (which is pre-registered) from the application information storage section 123, and step S4 performs an authentication process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command. In other words, the previously extracted authentication information is compared with the application information to determine whether the two information match.

Now, a description will be given of authentication information and application information.

As described above, the authentication information is application validity information used when performing the authentication process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command. Thus, the authentication information is desirably identification information (application identification number) unique to the application that issued the source of the operation execution request command. Type information (application type information) indicating the type of application can also be used as authentication information. In this case, authentication information can be deleted from the command having the structure shown in FIG. 22 .

For example, the application management table shown in FIG. 25 is stored in the application information storage section 123 . FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an application management table stored in the application information storage section 123 shown in FIG. 20 .

As shown in FIG. 25, for each application (internal applications 131 and 132, external applications 231 and 232) for realizing operations (functions) executable in the MFP 10, the application management table includes instructions indicating the application name, application identification number (application ID number), application implementation location information (IP address, etc.), and application type information (application information).

Thus, if the authentication information added to the operation execution request command is, for example, an application ID number, the application information compared thereto must also be an application ID number. Alternatively, if, for example, application type information added to an operation execution request command is used as authentication information, the application information compared thereto must also be application type information. In this case, the verification section 125 has to decide the application type information added to the operation execution request command, and, thus, the verification section 125 functions as an application type decision section accordingly.

Returning now to the description of FIG. 24, if the verification information extracted from the operation execution request command matches the application information obtained from the application information storage section 123, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 judges that the verification is successful (confirming the operation execution) in step S5 (Yes). request command validity). In step S6, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 allows execution of the application operation (command processing) requested by the acquired operation execution request command. In step S7, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 executes the application operation requested by the operation execution request command (command processing). Subsequently, in step S8, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 sends the result of executing the application operation (command processing) to the external application 231, and the process ends.

If the authentication information extracted from the operation execution request command and the application information acquired from the application information storage section 123 do not match, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 determines in step S5 (No) that the authentication was unsuccessful (the authentication information is invalid). In step S9, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 rejects the execution (access by the external application) of the application operation (command processing) requested by the received operation execution request command, and will include an instruction indicating that the access of the external application is an invalid access The verification invalidation notification command of the information is issued and sent to the external application 231 . Also, in step S10, information indicating that invalid access has been made is displayed on the operation section 107, and the process ends.

If the application type information added to the received operation execution request command is used as authentication information, this application type information is combined with the application type information acquired from the application information storage section 123 (for realizing the application executable by the MFP 10). type information) for comparison. For example, if the facsimile function (or facility) is not implemented in the MFP 10, and a facsimile operation execution request command is received from the external application 231, the application type information to be added (appended) in the facsimile operation execution request command is the same as that from the application The application type information acquired by the information storage section 123 is compared, however, the two compared information do not match. In this case, it is judged that the authentication is not successful (or failed), and the facsimile operation cannot be performed.

In addition, if the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 judges that the authentication is unsuccessful, it is possible not to display information indicating that invalid access has been made on the operation section 107, but to add this information to the invalid access log information (which is stored in FIG. 2 shown in the NVRAM 105 or HDD 106), so that the invalid access log information can be displayed on the operation section 107 later, or printed on a recording medium such as paper by a plotter.

In addition, an image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 24 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

According to the procedures described above in connection with FIGS. 21 to 25 , application information such as application ID information and application type information is acquired from the application information storage section 123 . However, by initially storing the application information in the authentication section 125, it is possible to determine the validity of the access without having to inquire the application information storage section 123 for the application information.

According to this first control example, each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 performs operations by using an external application by communicating with the external application. Thus, since a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of image processing apparatuses, each image processing apparatus can be produced at low cost, but can realize multiple functions. In addition, operations for updating the application (function) version can be reduced. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing an image processing device can be improved because internal applications can also be used as they are without modification. Furthermore, since an authentication process for confirming the validity of access is performed for each operation execution request command sent from an external application, invalid access from an external application can be excluded for each operation execution request command.

If application ID information (identification information unique to an external application) is used as authentication information added to an operation execution request command, it is possible to help the image processing apparatus realize the application because the application ID information is available in the management table. form to manage and use when conducting the verification process.

If application type information (type information of an application for realizing an operation executable in an image processing apparatus) is used as authentication information added to an operation execution request command, it is possible to help the image processing apparatus realize the application, which is Because the application type information can be managed in the form of a management table and used when performing the authentication process.

[Second control example]

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. A description of the first instance of the sequence (the case where the authentication was successful).

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a first example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

When one of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network 1 (the MFP 10 in this specific case) is selected (designated) as the image processing apparatus to be used by the operation of the operation section 207, and the function to be used is selected (of course , the function can be selected such that an image processing device capable of executing the selected function is automatically selected), for example, the external application 231 (or 232) issues a connection request command (application connection request command). The external application 231 (or 232) adds authentication information (application validity information) to this application connection request command, and sends the application connection request command to the MFP 10 as the selected image processing device (step S301).

When an application connection request command is sent from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 receives (acquires) the application connection request command, and sends the application connection request command to the application selection section 122 (step S302).

The application selection section 122 receives the application connection request command from the communication processing section 121, and sends this application connection request command to the control section 124 (step S303).

When an application connection request command is received from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 extracts only authentication information from the application connection request command, and sends the authentication request command to the authentication section 125 by adding the authentication information to the authentication request command. (step S304).

When receiving the authentication request command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 sends an application information acquisition request command to the control section 124 (step S305).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the authentication section 125, for example, the control section 124 transmits the application information acquisition request command by adding the IP address of the external application 231 (application realization location information) to the application information acquisition request command. to the application information storage section 123 to acquire from the application information storage section 123 information related to the external application 231 which is the source of the acquired application connection request command (step S306).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the control section 124, the application information storage section 123 reads the information related to the external application 231 from the application management table shown in FIG. 25 based on the IP address added to this application information acquisition request command. related information (application information), and issue (generate) an application information notification command including information (application information) related to the external application 231, and send the application information notification command to the control section 124 (step S307).

When receiving (acquiring) the application information notification command from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 sends this application information notification command to the verification section 125 (step S308).

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124 , the authentication section 125 performs an authentication process to confirm the validity of the application connection request command that has been received by the control section 124 . In other words, the verification section 125 compares the verification information added to the received application connection request command with the application information added to the application information notification command to determine whether they match (step S309). If the two compared information match, the verification section 125 judges that the verification is successful (confirms the validity of the application connection request command), and allows the MFP 10 and the external application 231 requested by the application connection request command acquired by the control section 124 connection (use of the MFP 10), and a connection permission notification command (or device availability notification command) is issued and sent to the control section 124, wherein the connection permission notification command (or device availability notification command) includes instructions indicating that the authentication is successful ( Validity of the application connection request command has been confirmed), and information that the connection between the MFP 10 and the external application 231 requested by the application connection request command acquired by the controlled part 124 has been permitted (step S310).

When receiving the connection permission notification command from the authentication section 125, the control section 124 sends this connection permission notification command to the application selection section 122 (step S311).

When receiving the connection permission notification command from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 sends this connection permission notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S312).

When receiving the connection permission notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 sends this connection permission notification command to the external application 231 (step S313).

When receiving the connection permission notification command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 recognizes that the external application 231 and the MFP 10 have been communicably connected, and the MFP 10 has become usable (accessible), and will be used to realize the selected An operation execution request command of the function is issued and sent to the MFP 10 (step S314).

When the operation execution request command is transmitted from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 transmits the received (acquired) operation execution request command to the application selection section 122 (step S315).

When receiving the operation execution request command from the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122 sends this operation execution request command to the control section 124 (step S316).

When the operation execution request command is received from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 executes the application operation requested by the operation execution request command (command processing) (step S317), and processes the information including the result of executing the application operation The result notification command is issued and sent to the application selection section 122 (step S318).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 sends this processing result notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S319).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 transmits the processing result notification command to the external application 231 (step S320).

When an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231, an image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 may perform the process shown in FIG. 26 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. Description of the second example of the sequence (the case where the authentication was not successful).

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a second example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

In FIG. 27 , steps S321 to S328 are the same as those corresponding steps S301 to S308 shown in FIG. 26 described above, and description thereof will be omitted. Thus, a description will be given of the procedure from step S329.

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 of the MFP 10 performs an authentication process to confirm the validity of the application connection request command that has been received by the control section 124. In other words, the verification section 125 compares the verification information added to the received application connection request command with the application information added to the application information notification command to determine whether they match (step S329). If the two compared information do not match, the verification section 125 judges that the verification is unsuccessful (validity of the application connection request command is confirmed), and will include information indicating that the verification is unsuccessful (validity of the application connection request command is confirmed). The verification invalidation notification command (result notification command) is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S330).

When receiving the authentication invalidation notification command from the authentication section 125, the control section 124 sends the authentication invalidation notification command to the application selection section 122 (step S331).

When receiving the authentication invalidation notification command from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 sends this authentication invalidation notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S332).

When receiving the authentication invalidation notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 transmits this authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231 (step S333).

After the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 sends the authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231, if the communication processing section 121 receives an operation execution request command from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 will reject communication of the MFP 10 to the external application 231 A connection rejection command for the connection is sent to the external application 231 (steps S334 and S335).

When an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231, the image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 27 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

According to this second control example, each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 performs operations by using the external application by communicating with the external application. Thus, since a common application can be commonly used among a plurality of image processing devices, each image processing device can be produced at low cost, but can realize multiple functions. In addition, operations for updating the application (function) version can be reduced. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in designing an image processing device can be improved because internal applications can also be used as they are without modification. In addition, because the verification process is performed to confirm the validity of the first application connection request command sent from the external application, and if the verification is successful, access (connection) is allowed for the external application, and the request command is not executed for the subsequent operation When this authentication process is performed, the operation (access) requested by the subsequent operation execution request command is performed immediately, so invalid access from an external application can be excluded for each application connection request command.

In the above verification process, the validity of the operation execution request command or the application connection request command is confirmed. In other words, the validity of the external application that issued the operation execution request command or the application connection request command is confirmed. However, the verification process can confirm the validity of the external server including the external application.

[Third control example]

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. A description of the third example of the sequence (the case where authentication succeeds).

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a third example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an application connection request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

When one of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network 1 (the MFP 10 in this specific case) is selected (designated) as the image processing apparatus to be used by the operation of the operation section 207, and the function to be used is selected (of course , this function can be selected so that an image processing device capable of performing the selected function is automatically selected), for example, the external application 231 (or 232) issues a connection request command (application connection request command), and sends the application connection request command to the MFP 10 as the selected image processing device (step S401).

When the application connection request command is transmitted from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 transmits a password request command requesting a password to the external application 231 which is the source of the application connection request command (step S402).

When a password request command is received (acquired) from the MFP 10, the external application 231 transmits a message including a password registered in advance (stored in the NVRAM 205 or HDD 206 shown in FIG. 4 ) to the MFP 10 as a source of issuing the password request command. Password transmission command (step S403).

The communication sequence from step S401 to step S403 forms a predetermined communication sequence.

When receiving a password transmission command from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 extracts only the password from the password transmission command, and sends this authentication request command to the application selection section 122 by adding the password to the authentication request command (step S404).

When receiving the authentication request command from the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122 sends this authentication request command to the control section 124 (step S405).

When receiving the authentication request command from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 sends the authentication request command to the authentication section 125 (step S406).

When receiving the authentication request command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 extracts the password (authentication information) from the authentication request command, and sends the application information acquisition request command to the control section 124 (step S407).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the verification section 125, for example, the control section 124 sends the application information acquisition request command to the application information storage by adding the IP address of the external application 231 to the application information acquisition request command. part 123 to acquire the password corresponding to the external application 231 from the application information storage part 123 (step S408).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the control section 124, the application information storage section 123 reads the password corresponding to the external application 231 from the application management table according to the IP address added to the application information acquisition request command, and An application information notification command including the password is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S409).

When receiving the application information notification command from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 sends this application information notification command to the verification section 125 (step S410).

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124 , the authentication section 125 performs an authentication process to confirm the validity of the application connection request command that has been received by the control section 124 . In other words, the authentication section 125 compares the password added to the received authentication request command with the password added to the application information notification command (step S411). If the two compared passwords match, the verification section 125 determines that the verification is successful (confirms the validity of the application connection request command), and allows the connection of the MFP 10 and the external application 231 (allows the use of the MFP 10), and will include an indication The connection permission notification command (or device availability notification command) of the information of successful authentication is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S412).

The subsequent communication sequence of steps S413 to S422 is the same as that of steps S311 to S320 shown in FIG. 26 , and description thereof will be omitted.

The following process may be performed instead of the process of steps S402 to S411 shown in FIG. 28 .

That is, when the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 receives an application connection request command from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 transmits a password request command including the random number generated by the authentication section 125 to the external application 231. In this case, actually, the communication processing section 121 issues a random number request command requesting a random number, and sends this random number request command to the verification section 125 via the application selection section 122 and the control section 124 . As a result, the verification section 125 generates a random number in response to the random number request command, and sends the random number to the communication processing section 121 via the control section 124 and the application selection section 122 .

When receiving a password request command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 analyzes (or interprets) the random number added to this password request command according to a predetermined (or determined) method to generate a password, and will include the generated password The password transmission command is sent to the MFP 10.

When receiving a password transfer command from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 extracts only the password from the password transfer command, and sends the authentication request command to the application selection section 122 by adding the password to the authentication request command.

When receiving the authentication request command from the communication processing section 121 , the application selection section 122 sends this authentication request command to the control section 124 .

When receiving an authentication request command from the application selection section 122 , the control section 124 sends this authentication request command to the authentication section 125 .

When receiving an authentication request command from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 extracts a password from the authentication request command, and performs an authentication process for confirming the validity of the application connection request command by comparing the password with a generated random number .

Alternatively, the following process may be performed instead of the process of steps S402 to S415 shown in FIG. 28 .

That is, when an application connection request command is received from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 transmits a first personal identification information request requesting first personal identification information (personal identification number, etc.) to the external application 231 Order.

When receiving the first personal identification information request command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 transmits to the MFP 10 a first personal identification information transfer command including predetermined first personal identification information.

When receiving the first personal identification information transmission command from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 transmits to the external application 231 a second personal identification information request command requesting two pieces of second personal identification information.

When receiving the second personal identification information request command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 transmits the second personal identification information transmission command including predetermined second personal identification information to the MFP 10 twice by repetition.

When the second personal identification information transmission command is received twice from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 transmits to the external application 231 a third personal identification information request command requesting three third personal identification information.

When receiving the third personal identification information request command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 transmits a third personal identification information transmission command including predetermined third personal identification information to the MFP 10 three times by repetition.

When the third personal identification information transmission command is received from the external application 231 three times, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 judges that the communication sequence conforms to a predetermined protocol and the authentication is successful. Thereby, the communication processing section 121 permits the connection of the MFP 10 and the external application 231, and transmits to the external application 231 a connection permission notification command including information indicating that authentication is successful.

Next, a more detailed description will be given of the processing of the CPU 101 within the controller 11 of the MFP 10 when an application connection request command is acquired from the external application 231 (or 232) by referring to FIG. 29 . Since image processing apparatuses other than the MFP 10 perform processing similar to that of the MFP 10, description and illustration thereof will be omitted.

Fig. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of the CPU 101 in the controller 11 of the MFP 10 shown in Fig. 20 when an application connection request command is acquired from an external application.

When receiving an application connection request command from the external application 231 (or 232) via the MAC I/F 111, USB I/F 109, or IEEE1394 I/F 110, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 starts the processing example shown in FIG. 29 Procedure. First, step S11 acquires an application connection request command, and performs a communication sequence for confirming the validity of this application connection request command according to a predetermined protocol between the MFP 10 and the external application 231.

Then, step S12 performs a verification process through this communication sequence to confirm the validity of the application connection request command. In other words, a determination is made to determine whether the communication sequence is added to the application information acquired from the application information storage section 123 in accordance with the above-mentioned protocol (for example, whether the password added to the password transfer command acquired from the external application 231 matches or not). password). If the communication sequence is in accordance with the above-mentioned protocol (for example, if the two passwords match), then step S13 judges (Yes) that the verification is successful (the protocol is valid, and the validity of the application connection request command is confirmed), and step S14 allows the MFP 10 and the external connection (communication) between the applications 231, and transmits a connection permission notification command including information indicating permission of the connection (communication) to the external application 231.

Thus, step S15 acquires an operation execution request command from the external application 231, and step S16 executes the application operation requested by this operation execution request command (command processing). Step S17 sends the result of executing the application operation to the external application 231 . Step S18 ends the communication of the MFP 10 with the external application 231, and the process ends.

If the communication sequence does not conform to the above-mentioned protocol, step S13 judges (No) that the authentication is not successful (protocol is invalid), and step S19 rejects the execution of the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command (access by the external application 231). ). In addition, step S19 issues and sends to the external application 231 an authentication invalidation notification command including information indicating that the communication protocol is an invalid protocol. Further, step S20 displays a message indicating that invalid access has been made on the operation section 107, and the process ends.

If the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 judges that the authentication is unsuccessful, instead of displaying information indicating that invalid access has been made on the operation section 107, this information may be added to the invalid access log information (which is stored in the NVRAM shown in FIG. 105 or HDD 106), so that the invalid access log information can be displayed on the operation section 107 later, or printed on a recording medium such as paper by a plotter.

When an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231, the image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 29 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

According to this third control example, effects similar to those obtained in the second control example can be obtained. In addition, when an application connection request command is received from an external application, each image processing device including the MFP 10 may perform a process for confirming the validity of the application connection request command according to a predetermined agreement between each image processing device and the external application. A permanent communication sequence in order to perform a verification process for confirming the validity of the application connection request command according to the communication sequence. Thereby, stricter application access management can be realized compared to the case where the authentication process is performed using only the authentication information added to the application connection request command. However, stricter application access management can be achieved when the authentication process is also performed using the authentication information added to the application connection request command.

[Fourth control example]

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. A description of the fourth example of the sequence (the case where authentication succeeds).

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232). For convenience, it is assumed that the verification section 125 includes the functions of the ID decision section 125a and the application type decision section 125b.

When one of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network 1 (the MFP 10 in this specific case) is selected (designated) as the image processing apparatus to be used by the operation of the operation section 207, and the function to be used is selected (of course , the function can be selected so that an image processing device capable of executing the selected function is automatically selected), for example, the external application 231 (or 232) issues an operation execution request command requesting execution of the selected function, and sends the operation execution request command to the MFP 10 as the selected image processing device (step S501). Actually, the application control section 242 transmits an operation execution request command and other commands to the MFP 10 through the application communication processing section 241, similarly to the first embodiment described above.

When an operation execution request command is transmitted from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 receives (acquires) the operation execution request command, and sends the operation execution request command to the application selection section 122 (step S502).

When receiving the operation execution request command from the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122 sends this operation execution request command to the control section 124 (step S503).

When an operation execution request command is received from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 extracts the application ID information only from the operation execution request command, and adds the extracted application ID information to the application ID verification request command. The application ID verification request command is sent to the application ID determination section 125a (step S504).

When receiving the application ID verification request command from the control section 124, the application ID determination section 125a sends an application information acquisition request command to the control section 124 (step S505).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the authentication section 125, for example, the control section 124 sends the application information acquisition request command to the application information storage section 123 by adding the IP address (application implementation location information) of the external application 231, In order to acquire information related to the external application 231 that is the source that issued the received operation execution request command from the application information storage section 123 (step S506).

When receiving the application information acquisition request command from the control section 124, the application information storage section 123 reads information related to the external application 231 (application information ), and an application information notification command including the application information is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S507).

When receiving the application information notification command from the application information storage section 123, the control section 124 sends this application information notification command to the application ID decision section 125a (step S508).

When receiving the application information notification command from the control section 124, the application ID decision section 125a performs a first verification process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command received by the control section 124. In other words, the application ID decision section 125a compares the application ID information added to the received application ID verification request command with the application ID information added to the application information in the application information notification command (step S509). If the two compared application ID information match, the application ID judging section 125a judges that the application ID verification is successful, and permits the execution (access) of the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command acquired by the control section 124. ), and an access permission notification command including information indicating that the application ID verification is successful is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S510).

When receiving the access permission notification command from the application ID determination section 125a, the control section 124 extracts the application type information only from the operation execution request command that has been received from the application selection section, and extracts the application type information from the application information storage section 123 The application type information is extracted from the notification command, so that an application type determination request command including the two extracted application type information is sent to the application type determination section 125b (step S511).

When receiving the application type determination request command from the control section 124, the application type determination section 125b performs a second verification process to confirm the validity of the operation execution request command that has been received by the control section 124. In other words, the application type determination section 125b compares the two pieces of application type information added to the application type determination request command (step S512). If the two compared application type information match, the application type determination section 125b determines that the application type verification is successful (confirms the validity of the operation execution request command), and allows the operation execution request command requested by the control section 124 to be acquired. The application operation (command processing) is executed, and an access permission notification command including information indicating that the application type verification is successful is issued and sent to the control section 124 (step S513).

When the access permission notification command is also received from the application type determination section 125b, the control section 124 executes the application operation requested by the received operation execution request command (command processing) (step S514). In addition, the control section 124 issues and transmits a processing result notification command including information indicating the result of executing the application operation to the application selection section 122 (step S515).

The application selection section 122 receives the processing result notification command from the control section 124, and sends this processing result notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S516).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 transmits the processing result notification command to the external application 231 (step S517).

If the two compared application ID information do not match, the application ID judging section 125a judges that the application ID verification is unsuccessful, and rejects the execution of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command, and will include an instruction indicating that the application ID verification is unsuccessful The verification invalidation notification command (result notification command) of the information is issued and sent to the control section 124. In addition, information indicating that invalid access has been made is displayed on the operation section 107 .

If the two compared application type information do not match, the application type determination section 125b determines that the application type verification is unsuccessful, and rejects the execution of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command, and will include an indication that the application type verification is unsuccessful The verification invalidation notification command of the information is issued and sent to the control section 124 . In addition, information indicating that invalid access has been made is displayed on the operation section 107 .

When receiving an authentication invalidity notification command from the application ID decision section 125 a or the application type decision section 125 b , the control section 124 issues this authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231 . In other words, the control section 124 sends the authentication invalidation notification command to the external application 231 via the application selection section 122 and the communication processing section 121 .

When receiving the authentication invalidation notification command from the MFP 10, the external application 231 displays information indicating that the access to the MFP 10 is an invalid access on the operation section 207 shown in FIG. 4 .

When an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231, the image processing apparatus other than the MFP 10 can perform the process shown in FIG. 30 similarly to the above-described MFP 10.

According to this fourth control example, effects similar to those obtainable in the first control example described above can be obtained. However, when each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 performs the verification process to confirm the validity of each operation execution request command sent from an external application, compared with the first control example described above, it is possible to exclude Invalid access from an external application because these two pieces of authentication information (application ID information, application type information) added to the operation execution request command are used for the authentication process. In other words, stricter application access management can be achieved.

[Fifth control example]

In the case where the MFP 10 (or other image processing apparatus) does not have the authentication section 125 (the application ID determination section 125a or the application type determination section 125b), it can be set and registered in advance (in the application information The application management table in the storage part 123 writes) application ID information or application type information, so that the above-mentioned verification process (application ID verification or application type verification) is performed based on the registered information, wherein the application ID information or application type The information is identification information (application-related information) unique to an application for which access is to be permitted (or denied).

Alternatively, the MFP 10 (or other image processing apparatus) has an application (external applications 231 and 232) that automatically searches the external server 20, and registers an application that responds as an available application (writing information related to the application in the application In the case of the function of the application management table of the information storage section 123), identification information unique to the application to which access is to be permitted (or denied) can be registered in advance, and can be operated by a key from the operation section 107 (MFP The applications that are accessible to the MFP 10 are limited by key operations by an administrator or user of the MFP 10). In this case, for example, the application selection screen shown in FIG. 31 is displayed on the operation section 107 . FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of an application selection screen displayed on the operation section 107 shown in FIG. 20 . For each application, application-related information such as an IP address or application name and application type is displayed in the application selection screen shown in FIG. 31 . Thus, by performing a key operation from the operation section 107 (touching a corresponding key if a touch panel is provided on the display screen) to select (designate) an application for which access is to be permitted (or denied), it is possible to permit (or Deny) access from selected apps only.

According to this fifth control example, effects similar to those obtainable in the first control example described above can be obtained. However, when each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 preliminarily sets (registers) information unique to an application to allow or deny access to this image processing apparatus, and passes the identification to be added to the operation execution request command When the information (authentication information) is compared with the registered identification information unique to the application to perform the authentication process to confirm the validity of each operation execution request command sent from the external application, the image can be used with improved security The device is processed because the application operation is allowed or denied based on whether the two compared identification information match.

[Sixth control example]

Next, the communication between the external application 231 (or 232) and each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232) will be given by referring to FIG. A description of the fifth example of the sequence.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing a fifth example of a communication sequence between the external application 231 (or 232) and the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 20 when an operation execution request command is issued from the external application 231 (or 232).

The control section 124 pre-registers (writes and stores in the NVRAM 105 or the HDD 106 shown in FIG. 2 ) a line indicating the type of communication line to which access is permitted (or denied) by performing a key operation from the operation section 107. Type information, or communication method type information indicating the type of communication method used for communication between the MFP 10 and the external application 231 (or 232).

When one of the image processing apparatuses connected to the network 1 (the MFP 10 in this specific case) is selected (designated) as the image processing apparatus to be used by the operation of the operation section 207, and the function to be used is selected (of course , the function can be selected so that an image processing device capable of executing the selected function is automatically selected), for example, the external application 231 (or 232) issues an operation execution request command requesting execution of the selected function, and sends the operation execution request command to the MFP 10 as the selected image processing device (step S601).

When an operation execution request command is transmitted from the external application 231, the communication processing section 121 of the MFP 10 determines the type of the communication line for transmitting the operation execution request command, or the communication for transmitting the operation execution request command from the external application 231 to the MFP 10 The type of the method. In addition, the communication processing section 121 adds line type information or communication method type information indicating the determination result to the operation execution request command before sending the operation execution request command to the application selection section 122 (step S602).

When receiving the operation execution request command from the communication processing section 121, the application selection section 122 sends this operation execution request command to the control section 124 (step S603).

When receiving the operation execution request command from the application selection section 122, the control section 124 sends an authentication request command to the authentication section 125 (step S604).

When an authentication request command is received from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 performs an authentication process to permit or deny the application operation (command processing) requested by the operation execution request command according to the line type information added to the authentication request command. Execute (access) (step S605). For example, the line type information added to the authentication request command is compared with pre-registered line type information, and execution of the requested application operation is permitted or denied depending on whether the two compared line type information match. For example, if the communication line indicated by the line type information is a network for which the access is permitted, execution of the requested application operation is permitted. On the other hand, if the communication line indicated by the line type information is a serial I/F (USB or IEEE1394 I/F) to which the access is denied, execution of the requested application operation is denied.

On the other hand, if the communication method type information is added to the authentication request command received from the control section 124, the authentication section 125 performs an authentication process to allow or deny the communication method type information added to the authentication request command by The operation execution request command executes (accesses) the application operation (command processing) requested (step S605). For example, the communication method type information added to the authentication request command is compared with pre-registered communication method type information, and the requested application operation is permitted or denied depending on whether the two compared communication method type information match. implement. For example, if the communication method indicated by the communication method type information is a communication method using a network that allows the access, execution of the requested application operation is permitted. On the other hand, if the communication method indicated by the communication method type information is a communication method using a serial I/F (USB or IEEE1394 I/F) denying the access, execution of the requested application operation is denied.

Thus, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 functions as a communication line type determination section and/or a communication method type determination section.

After performing the above-described authentication process, the authentication section 125 transmits an authentication result notification command including information indicating the authentication result to the control section 124 (step S606).

When receiving the verification result notification command from the verification part 125, the control part 124 judges the content of the verification result notification command, and if it is recognized that the access is permitted, the control part 124 executes the application operation requested by the received operation execution request command (step S607). Subsequently, the control section 124 issues and sends to the application selection section 122 a processing result notification command including information indicating the result of executing the application operation (step S608 ).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the control section 124, the application selection section 122 sends this processing result notification command to the communication processing section 121 (step S609).

When receiving the processing result notification command from the application selection section 122, the communication processing section 121 transmits this processing result notification command to the external application 231 (step S610).

If the control section 124 recognizes that access is denied from the content of the verification result notification command received from the verification section 125, the control section 124 will include an access denial notification command (processing result notification) indicating that access to the requested application operation has been denied. command) is issued and sent to the application selection section 122.

If an access denial notification command is received from the control section 124 , the application selection section 122 sends this access denial notification command to the communication processing section 121 .

If an access denial notification command is received from the application selection section 122 , the communication processing section 121 transmits this access denial notification command to the external application 231 .

According to this sixth control example, effects similar to those obtainable in the first control example described above can be obtained. However, when each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 receives an operation execution request command from an external application, the type of the communication line transmitting the operation execution request command, or the type of the communication method used therefor is determined, and based on this determination As a result, the execution of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command is permitted or denied. For this reason, invalid access from external applications can be ruled out with greater certainty.

[Seventh control example]

If there is a server of an external application including repeated invalid access (doing some notification), the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 can regard this server as a dangerous server, and reject all requests from this dangerous server including the external application of repeated invalid access. Application access.

As a method of judging a dangerous server, for example, the number of retries of invalid access may be counted, and if the counted number of retries exceeds a predetermined value (a certain limit value), access may be denied.

For example, to avoid danger, a method of denying access from all external applications if invalid access is repeated may be adopted.

As a method of judging that access should be denied, there is a method in which, if invalid access occurs a predetermined number of times or more within a predetermined (constant) time, or if invalid access is received a predetermined number of times or more from a specific server, then the method denies access.

Next, a description will be given of control including determination to determine whether access should be denied.

When receiving an operation execution request command from the external server 20, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 judges whether the operation execution request command is a normal command, and the number of times that the operation execution request command is not a normal command or an abnormal command (invalid access) number of retries) to count. If the counted number of times that the operation execution request command is not a normal command exceeds a predetermined value within a predetermined time, execution of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command is refused. Alternatively, when receiving an operation execution request command from the external server 20, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 determines the source (external server 20) that issued this operation execution request command, and only when the source is a preset specific external server 20 Only when it is determined whether the operation execution request command is a normal command, and the number of times the operation execution request command is not a normal command (the number of retries of invalid access) is counted. In this case, if the counted number of times that the operation execution request command is not a normal command exceeds a predetermined value, the execution of the application operation requested by the operation execution request command is denied. Thus, the CPU 101 functions as execution request judging means for judging whether an operation execution request command is a normal command or an abnormal command, and as an abnormality counting means for counting the number of times an operation execution request command is abnormal (or abnormal).

According to this seventh control example, effects similar to those obtainable in the first control example described above can be obtained. However, when each image processing apparatus including the MFP 10 receives an operation execution request command from an external application, a judgment is made to determine whether this operation execution request command is a normal command, and the number of times this operation execution request command is not a normal command to count. Since the execution of the requested application operation is denied if the counted number of times that the operation execution request command is not a normal command exceeds a predetermined value, stricter application access management can be realized.

[Eighth control example]

The first to seventh control examples can be combined as described below under items (C1) to (C10).

(C1) The first control example (when an operation execution request command is received) and the second control example (when a connection request command is received) may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S301 to S313 shown in FIG. 26 before performing the process of steps S201 to S214 shown in FIG. 21 , and then repeats the process of steps S201 to S214.

(C2) The second control example and the fourth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S301 to S313 shown in FIG. 26 before performing the process of steps S501 to S517 shown in FIG. 30 , and then repeats the process of steps S501 to S517.

(C3) The first control example and the third control example (password) can be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S401 to S415 shown in FIG. 28 before performing the process of steps S201 to S214 shown in FIG. 21 , and then repeats the process of steps S201 to S214.

(C4) The third control example and the fourth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S401 to S415 shown in FIG. 28 before performing the process of steps S501 to S517 shown in FIG. 30 , and then repeats the process of steps S501 to S517.

(C5) The second control example and the fifth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S301 to S313 shown in FIG. 26, and then performs the verification process of the fifth control example every time an operation execution request command is received.

(C6) The third control example and the fifth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S401 to S415 shown in FIG. 28, and then performs the verification process of the fifth control example each time an operation execution request command is received.

(C7) The second control example and the sixth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S301 to S313 shown in FIG. 26 before performing the process of steps S601 to S610 shown in FIG. 32 , and then repeats the process of steps S601 to S610.

(C8) The third control example and the sixth control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S401 to S415 shown in FIG. 28 before performing the process of steps S601 to S610 shown in FIG. 32 , and then repeats the process of steps S601 to S610.

(C9) The second control example and the seventh control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S301 to S313 shown in FIG. 26, and then performs the process of the seventh control example each time an operation execution request command is received.

(C10) The third control example and the seventh control example may be combined.

In this case, the CPU 101 of the MFP 10 performs the process of steps S401 to S415 shown in FIG. 28, and then performs the process of the seventh control example each time an operation execution request command is received.

Actually, the required authentication process differs depending on whether the MFP 10 (or other image processing apparatus) and the external application communicate in a 1:1 relationship or a 1:N (1:many) relationship.

If the MFP 10 and the external application communicate in a 1:1 relationship (ie, via USB, IEEE1394, etc.), the MFP 10 can be controlled according to any one of the first to eighth control examples.

On the other hand, if the MFP 10 and the external application communicate in a 1:N (1:many) relationship (i.e., via a network or the like), the MFP 10 can operate according to any one of the first and fourth to seventh control examples. Control is performed (a process such as a verification process for confirming the validity of each operation execution request command sent from an external application is performed), but it cannot be performed according to the second, third, and eighth control examples.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 33 , the MFP 10 can perform application operations using only an external application by not implementing an internal application in the controller 11 of the MFP 10. FIG. 33 is a system block diagram showing another functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 33 , those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 18 and 20 are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Other image processing apparatuses may have a structure similar to that of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 33 .

Furthermore, for example, the application information storage section 123 may not be provided to the MFP 10 in the controller 11, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 123. Fig. 34 is a system block diagram showing still another functional configuration of important parts of the MFP 10 of the second embodiment. In FIG. 34 , those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIGS. 19 and 20 are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. In this case, the MFP 10 can access the application information storage section 123 by communicating with the external storage device 30, and write or read information related to internal applications or external applications. Other image processing apparatuses may have a structure similar to that of the MFP 10 shown in FIG. 34 .

Furthermore, the MFP 10 can use the external application 231 or 232 by being communicably connected to the external application 231 or 232 via another interface such as the USB I/F 109 and the IEEE1394 I/F 110. Of course, other image processing apparatuses may have a structure similar to that of this MFP 10.

In the embodiments described so far, the present invention is applied to an image forming system (electronic device system) in which an image processing device such as an MFP (digital composite device) having a communication function and an external server are communicably connected. However, the application of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention is also applicable to electronic equipment systems such as network home appliances, vending machines, medical equipment, power supply units, air conditioning systems, measurement systems for gas, water, electricity, etc., audio-visual equipment, and game equipment The communication-capable electronic device is communicatively connected to the external server.

In addition, a computer-readable storage medium (or computer program product) according to the present invention stores at least one program to be executed by a computer (CPU) of an image processing apparatus such as an MFP, and causes the computer to act (or execute) corresponding to the following part): communication part, application information registration part, control part, device start notification sending part, transfer permission part (connection permission part), device availability notification sending part (connection permission notification sending part), authentication part, operation execution permission means, identification information setting means, operation execution permission or denial means, communication line type judging means, communication method type judging means, execution request judging means and abnormality counting means. The effects of the present invention described above can also be obtained by causing a computer to execute such a program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium can be composed of any suitable computer program capable of storing the program in a computer-readable manner. A computer readable storage medium is formed.

The program can be stored in advance in storage means such as ROM and HDD provided in the computer. Alternatively, the program may be provided in a form recorded in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, an SRAM, an EEPROM, and a nonvolatile recording medium (memory) such as a memory card. A program stored in such a recording medium can be installed in a computer and executed by the CPU, or the CPU can be caused to read the program from the recording medium and execute the read program in order to carry out operations related to each of the above-mentioned components. A corresponding process to cause the CPU to realize the function (or facility) corresponding to each of the above-mentioned components.

In addition, the program can be downloaded via a network from an external device provided with a recording medium storing the program, or an external device storing the program in a storage means.

Therefore, the present invention can be suitably applied to electronic devices such as image processing devices, computers of electronic devices, and electronic device systems in which electronic devices and external devices are connected via communication lines, wherein the image processing devices include devices such as scanner devices, Digital copying apparatuses, printers, image reading apparatuses of facsimile apparatuses, and image forming apparatuses such as digital composite apparatuses (MFPs).

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (63)

1, a kind of being used to used the electronic equipment of using executable operations, comprising:

Communication component is used for via communication line and external device communication; And

Control assembly is used for by utilizing communication component and external device communication, and uses the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.

2, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:

Device initiate notification transmit block is used for by communication component the initiate notification of electronic equipment being sent to external unit; And

The application message registration means, be used for when receiving application availability notice from applications in response to the initiate notification that is sent by device initiate notification transmit block by communication component, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.

3, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment was switched on, device initiate notification transmit block sent to external unit with initiate notification.

4, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 wherein, uses in the request of receiving from external unit by communication component should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, and control assembly is carried out this operation.

5, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:

Verification component is used for receiving operation when carrying out request at communication component from external unit, carries out proof procedure, carries out the validity of asking to confirm this operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for verification component, then allows the execution of operating.

6, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 5, wherein, verification component is used and is added to the authorization information in the operation execution request and carries out proof procedure.

7, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And

If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registering in advance, then verification component affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.

8, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein,

Described authorization information is the type information of the type of indication application; And

If the type information and the type information coupling of registering in advance, then verification component affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.

9, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

Described authorization information comprises the type information of the type that identification information unique for using and indication are used; And

If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registration in advance and the type information coupling of the type information and registration in advance, then verification component is confirmed operation execution request effectively.

10, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:

Identification information is provided with parts, is used to be provided with unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal parts, if be used for for using uniquely and be added to operation and carry out the identification information of request and the identification information coupling that parts are provided with is set by identification information, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

11, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:

The circuit types judging part is used to judge that communication component receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal parts, is used for the result of determination according to the circuit types judging part, and permission or refusal are carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

12, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 4 also comprises:

Carry out the request judging part, being used for decision execution request is normal request or unusual request; And

The anomalous counts parts are used for being counted by the number of times of the unusual request of carrying out the judgement of request judging part; And

The refusal parts are carried out in operation, if be used for surpassing predetermined value by the count value of anomalous counts component count, then refuse to be carried out by operation the execution of request requested operation.

13, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1 also comprises:

Device notice of availability transmit block is used at communication component when external unit receives connection request, and the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,

Wherein, in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit by device notice of availability transmit block by communication component the request of receiving from external unit use and should be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, control assembly is carried out this operation.

14, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:

The application message registration means is used for when the connection request that is received by communication component from applications, and registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.

15, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:

Verification component is used at communication component carrying out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of this connection request when external unit receives connection request; And

Transmit and allow parts,, then allow the transmission of notice of availability if verification component confirms that connection request is effective.

16, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 15, wherein, verification component uses the authorization information that is added in the connection request to carry out proof procedure.

17, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 16, wherein,

Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And

If this identification information mates with the identification information of registration in advance, then verification component confirms that connection request is effective.

18, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication component is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this electronic equipment also comprises:

Verification component is used to carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication component; And

Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for verification component.

19, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 18, wherein, if communication sequence according to described agreement, then verification component confirms that connection request is effective.

20, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13 also comprises:

First verification component is used for carrying out first proof procedure at communication component when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request;

Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first verification component;

Second verification component is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability transmit block, communication component from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second verification component, then allows the execution of operating.

21, electronic equipment as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication component is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this electronic equipment also comprises:

First verification component is used to carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication component; And

Transmit and allow parts, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability transmit block dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first verification component;

Second verification component is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability transmit block, communication component from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed parts, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second verification component, then allows the execution of operating.

22, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 2 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:

The application memory parts;

Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And

Application availability notice transmit block, be used at other communication component when electronic equipment receives initiate notification, before the application availability notice being sent to electronic equipment, information relevant with useful application and that be stored in the application memory parts is added in the application availability notice by other communication component.

23, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 4 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:

The application memory parts;

Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And

The request transmit block is carried out in operation, is used for will asking to use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request by other communication component and sends to electronic equipment.

24, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 13 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:

The application memory parts;

Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And

The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment; And

The request transmit block is carried out in operation, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when electronic equipment receives notice of availability, use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request request and send to electronic equipment.

25, electronic apparatus system as claimed in claim 24, wherein, when starting application, the connection request transmit block sends to electronic equipment by other communication component with connection request.

26, electronic apparatus system as claimed in claim 24, wherein, described external unit also comprises functional unit, and the connection request transmit block sends to electronic equipment by other communication component with connection request in response to the operation of functional unit.

27, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 14 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:

The application memory parts;

Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line;

The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment; And

The request transmit block is carried out in operation, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when electronic equipment receives notice of availability, use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request request and send to electronic equipment.

28, a kind of electronic apparatus system wherein, can couple the electronic equipment and the external unit of claim 13 communicatedly via communication line, described external unit comprises:

Functional unit;

The application memory parts;

Other communication component is used for communicating by letter with electronic equipment via communication line; And

The connection request transmit block is used for by other communication component connection request being sent to electronic equipment;

The functional inquiry parts, be used in response to the connection request that sends by the connection request transmit block when available electron equipment receives notice of availability, by other communication component to the existence of electronic equipment inquiry by the function of functional unit appointment;

The device alternative pack is used for when receiving Query Result in response to the inquiry of being made by the functional inquiry parts, selects to realize the electronic equipment of specified function from available electron equipment; And

The request transmit block is carried out in operation, is used for will asking to use the useful application that is stored in the application memory parts to come the operation of executable operations to carry out request by communication component and sends to the electronic equipment of being selected by the device alternative pack.

29, a kind of be used to use should be used for the control method of electronic equipment of executable operations, this method comprises:

Via communication line and external device communication; And

Use application in the external unit and executable operations.

30, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:

The initiate notification of electronic equipment is sent to external unit; And

When receiving from the application availability of applications notice in response to initiate notification, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.

31, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 30 wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment is switched on, sends to external unit with initiate notification.

32, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:

Use in the request of receiving from external unit should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, carry out this operation.

33, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:

When receiving operation execution request from external unit, carry out proof procedure, carry out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And

If proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.

34, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:

Setting is unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And

If unique and be added to operation and carry out identification information and set identification information coupling in the request for using, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of asking requested operation by operation.

35, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:

Judgement receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And

According to the result of determination of judging the communication line type, allow or refuse to carry out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

36, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 32 also comprises:

It is normal request or unusual request that decision is carried out request;

The number of times of judging unusual request is counted; And

If the count value of unusual request surpasses predetermined value, then refuse to carry out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

37, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 29 also comprises:

When external unit receives connection request, the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,

Wherein, use in the request of receiving from external unit in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, carry out this operation.

38, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:

When applications receives connection request, registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.

39, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:

When external unit receives connection request, carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request; And

If proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of notice of availability.

40, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:

When external unit receives connection request, be used for confirming the communication sequence of the validity of connection request according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit;

Carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to described communication sequence; And

If proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability.

41, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:

When receiving connection request, external unit carrying out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request;

If first proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability;

Receiving operation when carrying out request from external unit in response to the device notice of availability, carry out second proof procedure, carry out the validity of request to confirm operation; And

If second proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.

42, the control method that is used for electronic equipment as claimed in claim 37 also comprises:

When external unit receives connection request, be used for confirming the communication sequence of the validity of connection request according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit;

Carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to described communication sequence; And

If first proof procedure confirms that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of device notice of availability;

Receiving operation when carrying out request from external unit in response to the device notice of availability, carry out second proof procedure, carry out the validity of request to confirm operation; And

If second proof procedure is confirmed operation and is carried out request effectively, then allows the execution of operation.

43, a kind of computer-readable recording medium, its storage are used to make the computing machine of electronic equipment to use should to be used for the program of executable operations, and described program comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Communication function is used for via communication line and external device communication; And

Control function is used for by utilizing communication function and external device communication, and uses the executable operations that should be used in the external unit.

44, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Device initiate notification sending function is used to utilize communication function and the initiate notification of electronic equipment is sent to external unit; And

The application message registration function, be used for when receiving application availability notice from applications in response to the initiate notification that is sent by device initiate notification sending function by communication function, registration is added to information in the application availability notice, relevant with useful application.

45, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 44, wherein, when the power supply of electronic equipment was switched on, device initiate notification sending function sent to external unit with initiate notification.

46, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43 wherein, uses in the request of being received from external unit by communication function should to be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, and control function is carried out this operation.

47, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Authentication function is used for receiving operation when carrying out request at communication function from external unit, carries out proof procedure, carries out the validity of request to confirm operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.

48, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 47, wherein, authentication function uses and is added to the authorization information in the operation execution request and carries out proof procedure.

49, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:

Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And

If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registering in advance, then authentication function affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.

50, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:

Described authorization information is the type information of the type of indication application; And

If the type information and the type information coupling of registering in advance, then authentication function affirmation operation is carried out and is asked effectively.

51, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 48, wherein:

Described authorization information comprises the type information of the type that identification information unique for using and indication are used; And

If this identification information and the identification information coupling of registration in advance and the type information coupling of the type information and registration in advance, then authentication function is confirmed operation execution request effectively.

52, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Identification information is provided with function, is used to be provided with unique identification information for using, and wherein for described application, permission or refusal are to the visit of electronic equipment; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal function, if be used for for using uniquely and be added to operation and carry out the identification information of request and the identification information coupling that function setting is set by identification information, then allow or refusal is carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

53, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

The circuit types decision-making function is used to judge that communication function receives the type that the communication line of request is carried out in operation via it; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed or the refusal function, is used for the result of determination according to the circuit types decision-making function, and permission or refusal are carried out the execution of request requested operation by operation.

54, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 46, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Carry out the request decision-making function, being used for decision execution request is normal request or unusual request; And

The anomalous counts function is used for being counted by the number of times of the unusual request of carrying out the judgement of request decision-making function; And

The refusal function is carried out in operation, if be used for surpassing predetermined value by the count value of anomalous counts function counting, then refuses to be carried out by operation the execution of request requested operation.

55, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 43, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Device notice of availability sending function is used at communication function when external unit receives connection request, and the notice of availability of availability that will the indication electronic equipment sends to external unit,

Wherein, in response to the notice of availability that sends to external unit by device notice of availability sending function by communication function the request of receiving from external unit use and should be used for the operation of executable operations when carrying out request the external unit, control function is carried out this operation.

56, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

The application message registration function is used for when the connection request that is received by communication function from applications, and registration is added to information in the connection request, relevant with useful application.

57, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 45, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Authentication function is used at communication function carrying out proof procedure when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request; And

Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow the transmission of notice of availability if be used for authentication function.

58, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 57, wherein, the authentication function use is added to the authorization information in the connection request and carries out proof procedure.

59, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 58, wherein:

Described authorization information is unique identification information for using; And

If this identification information mates with the identification information of registration in advance, then authentication function confirms that connection request is effective.

60, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication function is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

Authentication function is used to carry out proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication function; And

Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for authentication function.

61, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 60, wherein, if communication sequence according to described agreement, then authentication function confirms that connection request is effective.

62, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

First authentication function is used for carrying out first proof procedure at communication function when external unit receives connection request, to confirm the validity of connection request;

Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first authentication function;

Second authentication function is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability sending function, communication function from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.

63, computer-readable recording medium as claimed in claim 55, wherein, when external unit receives connection request, communication function is used for confirming according to agreement predetermined between electronic equipment and external unit the communication sequence of the validity of connection request, and this program also comprises the process that is used to make the following function of computer realization, described function promptly:

First authentication function is used to carry out first proof procedure, to confirm the validity of connection request according to the communication sequence that is undertaken by communication function; And

Transmit and allow function, confirm that connection request is effective, then allow device notice of availability sending function dispensing device notice of availability if be used for first authentication function;

Second authentication function is used for carrying out second proof procedure when receiving operation execution request in response to the device notice of availability that is sent by device notice of availability sending function, communication function from external unit, carries out the validity of asking to confirm operation; And

Operation is carried out and is allowed function, confirms to operate the request of execution effectively if be used for second authentication function, then allows the execution of operating.

Images