JP2001356890A - Image input device, image output device, operation device, image input / output system, control method of image input device, control method of image output device, control method of operation device, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an excellent operation environment whose inter-different device connectivity is improved for allowing a picture inputting device side to display the appearance of a picture outputting device even when a new picture outputting device which is not preliminarily provided with any appearance bit map is integrated into the picture inputting device. SOLUTION: A CPU 2001 requests the transfer of a bit map indicating the appearance of the other picture inputting and outputting device, and the bit map indicating the appearance transferred from the other picture inputting and outputting device in response to the transfer request from the requesting means is displayed at the display part of an operating part 2012, and the operation setting of the other picture inputting and outputting device is operated by the operating part 2012 by referring to the displayed bit map indicating the appearance of the other picture inputting and outputting device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device, an image output device, an operation device, an image input / output system, and a method of controlling an image input device, which can set and operate a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium. The present invention also relates to a method for controlling an image output device, a method for controlling an operation device, and a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an image input / output system in which an image input device and a plurality of image output devices are connected by a transmission medium such as a network via an image control device. There is known an image input / output system in which an image input device and a plurality of image output devices are connected by a transmission medium.

[0003]

However, the conventional image input / output system presupposes a predetermined combination of an image input device and an image output device. Is not considered.

[0004] In particular, the operation setting section displays the external appearance of an image output system connected for setting the paper feed stage and displaying the operation status. A bitmap representing this external appearance is stored on the image input device. When the unknown image output device is installed in the system, the external appearance of the image output device cannot be displayed on the operation setting unit, and it is very difficult for the user to use the image output device. there were.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first invention to the twenty-second invention according to the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus for an image output apparatus.
Requesting transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device, displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device on a display unit in response to the transfer request, and displaying the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device. By performing the operation setting of the image output device while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance,
Even if a new image output device that does not have its appearance bitmap in the image input device is previously incorporated in the system, connectivity between different devices that allows the image output device to display the appearance of the image output device on the image input device side INPUT DEVICE, IMAGE OUTPUT DEVICE, OPERATION DEVICE, IMAGE INPUT / OUTPUT SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE INPUT DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE OUTPUT DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD OF OPERATION DEVICE, AND STORAGE Is to provide a medium.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus capable of communicating with a plurality of image output apparatuses via a predetermined communication medium. Request means for requesting the transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output apparatus (CPU 200 shown in FIG. 2).
1 performs a request process based on a program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown)), and a bitmap representing an appearance transferred from the image output apparatus in response to a transfer request from the request unit. Display means (CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 shows a bitmap representing the appearance based on a program stored in M2003, HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown) in LCD display unit 2013 shown in FIG.
(Display processing is performed like the bitmap 3401 shown in FIG.
And an operation setting unit (operation unit 201 shown in FIG. 2) for performing operation setting of the image output device with reference to a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device displayed by the display unit.
2).

In a second aspect according to the present invention, the requesting means designates a predetermined state of the image output device, and the designated state (for example, the default first sheet feeding stage is highlighted) Requesting the transfer of the bitmap representing the state) to each of the image output devices.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the requesting means includes a bitmap (for example, a color bitmap if a color display is possible, a monochrome bitmap if a monochrome display device is used, a display on a display unit) A bitmap of a size that matches the area, a bitmap of a resolution that matches the resolution of the display unit, and a set of multiple bitmaps when the display unit can display an animation that displays multiple bitmaps at regular intervals. Is requested to the image output device.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, the requesting means designates a predetermined bitmap size (size corresponding to a display area of an LCD display unit) and transmits a bitmap of the designated size. This is a request for each of the image output devices.

In a fifth aspect according to the present invention, the requesting means designates color or monochrome (for example, color if color display is possible, monochrome if only monochrome display is possible), and specifies the color or monochrome bitmap. The transfer is requested to each of the image output devices.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the display means performs animation display in which bitmaps representing a plurality of appearances transferred simultaneously from the respective image output devices are sequentially displayed at predetermined time intervals. It is.

A seventh invention according to the present invention relates to an image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of other image input devices via a predetermined communication medium. Request means for requesting the transfer of a bitmap representing the external appearance of the apparatus (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
Request processing based on a program stored in the storage device 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown)), and displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image input device in response to the transfer request of the requesting unit. Display means (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
3. A bitmap representing the appearance is displayed on the LCD display unit 2013 shown in FIG. 4 based on a program stored in the HDD 2004 or another storage medium (not shown)), and an image input device displayed by the display means And operation setting means for making operation settings (the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG. 2) of the image input device with reference to a bitmap representing the appearance of the image input device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices,
Transfer means for transferring a bitmap representing the appearance of the device to the image input device (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
003, the HDD 2004, or a transfer process based on a program stored in another storage medium (not shown))
It has.

A ninth invention according to the present invention is directed to an image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of said image input devices. And a transfer means for transferring a bitmap representing the appearance of the apparatus to the image input apparatus (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG. 2 performs a transfer process based on a program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown)). Things.

In a tenth aspect according to the present invention, the transfer means includes a state of a device designated by a bitmap transfer request from any one of the image input devices (for example, a case where a default first sheet feeding stage is inverted). A bitmap representing the appearance of the device according to the displayed state) is transferred to the image input device.

In an eleventh aspect according to the present invention, the transfer means includes a bitmap (for example, a color map) corresponding to a display specification of the image input device specified in a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. Color bitmap if specified, monochrome bitmap if monochrome specified, bitmap with specified size, bitmap with specified resolution, multiple bitmaps if specified to transfer bitmaps as a set of multiple bitmaps Are transferred to the image input device.

In a twelfth aspect according to the present invention, the transfer means transfers a bitmap corresponding to a bitmap size specified in a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices to the image input device. Is what you do.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the transfer means transfers a color or monochrome bitmap specified in a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices to the image input device. It is.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the transfer means transfers the plurality of bitmaps to the image input device simultaneously in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. It has.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium, a bitmap representing the appearance of the device is transferred to any one of the devices. Request means (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
And a display means for displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request from the requesting means. CP shown in FIG.
U2001 displays a bitmap representing the appearance on LCD display 2013 shown in FIG. 4 as bitmap 3401 shown in FIG. 9 based on a program stored in ROM 2003, HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown). Operating means for operating the device while referring to a bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed by the display means (an operating unit 201 shown in FIG. 2)
2).

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image input / output system in which the image input device and the image output device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the image input device comprises:
Display means for displaying the appearance of the image output device (LCD display unit 2013 shown in FIG. 4); and, for the image output device, the appearance of the image output device is displayed in a predetermined area of the display means. Requesting means for requesting drawing (the CPU 2001 shown in FIG.
04, or a request process based on a program stored in another storage medium (not shown)), and the image output device responds to a request from the image input device. Drawing means (shown in FIG. 2) for drawing the appearance by a drawing command (point, line, circle, rectangle, free line, fill) in a predetermined area of the display means of the image input device via the communication medium. CP
U2001 performs a transfer process based on a program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown)).

A seventeenth invention according to the present invention relates to a control method of an image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein said image output device is provided with one of said image output devices. Requesting step for requesting transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance of the output device (step S2 in FIG. 11A)
02), a display step of displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device in response to the transfer request on the display unit (step S204 of FIG. 11A), and a display step of displaying on the display unit. And an operation setting step (step S205 in FIG. 11A) of setting the operation of the image output device while referring to a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device.

An eighteenth invention according to the present invention relates to a method for controlling an image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a bitmap transfer request from any one of the image input devices is provided. (Steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 11 (b)) for transferring a bitmap representing the appearance of the apparatus to the image input apparatus according to.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control method of the operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium, a bit representing the appearance of the device is provided for any one of the devices. A requesting step for requesting the transfer of the map (step S202 in FIG. 11A), and a display step for displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request on the display unit (FIG. 11).
(A) (step S204) and an operation step (step S205 in FIG. 11 (a)) of operating the device while referring to a bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed on the display unit. is there.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, an image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium is provided. A requesting step for requesting the transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance (step S202 in FIG. 11A), and displaying the bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device on the display unit in response to the transfer request. Display process (FIG. 11)
(A) (step S204) and an operation setting step of performing an operation setting of the image output device while referring to a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device displayed on the display unit (step S205 of FIG. 11 (a)). ) Is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner.

A twenty-first invention according to the present invention is directed to an image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. A program for executing a transfer step (steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 11B) for transferring a bitmap representing the appearance of the apparatus to the image input apparatus is stored in a storage medium in a computer-readable manner. is there.

According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, an operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium includes:
A requesting step for requesting any of the devices to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the device (FIG. 11)
(Step S202 of (a)), and in response to the transfer request,
A display step of displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device on a display unit (step S in FIG. 11A);
204) and an operation step (step S205 in FIG. 11A) of operating the device while referring to a bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed on the display unit. In a computer readable form.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] Hereinafter, a first embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image input / output system to which an image input device and an image output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In the figure, reference numeral 200 denotes an image input / output device,
A scanner 2070 as an image input device, a printer 2095 as an image output device, an image input / output device 200
Controller unit (Contr) that controls the entire system
and an operation unit 2012 as a user interface.

The scanner 2070, the printer 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are respectively
0, and the controller unit 2000
N2011 (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark))
Etc. are connected to the network transmission means.

The LAN 2011 has another image input / output device 2 having the same device configuration as the image input / output device 200.
20, an image input / output device 230 is connected.

The image input / output device 220 is, similarly to the image input / output device 200, a scanner 22 which is an image input device.
70, a printer 2295 serving as an image output device, a controller unit (Controller Unit) 2200 for controlling the entire image input / output device 220, and an operation unit 2212 serving as a user interface.
Scanner 2270, Printer 2295, Operation Unit 2212
Are connected to the controller unit 2200, respectively.

Similarly, the image input / output device 230 has a scanner 2370 serving as an image input device, a printer 2395 serving as an image output device, and a controller unit (Controlle) for controlling the entire image input / output device 230.
r Unit) 2300 and an operation unit 2312 as a user interface. The scanner 2370, the printer 2395, and the operation unit 2312 are connected to the controller unit 2300, respectively.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the image input device and the image output device of the present invention will be described using the image input / output device 200, but the image input / output device 220 and the image input / output device 230 have the same configuration. .

FIG. 2 shows the image input / output device 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of 0, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in the figure, a controller unit (Controller Unit) 2000 is connected to a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095.
Image information and device information are input and output by connecting to the AN 2011 or the public line (WAN) 2051.

In the controller unit 2000,
A CPU 2001 controls the entire system based on a program stored in a ROM 2003, a hard disk drive (HDD) 2004, or another storage medium (not shown). Reference numeral 2002 denotes a RAM, which is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001 and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. ROM2
A boot ROM 003 stores a system boot program and the like. Hard disk drive (HD
D) 2004 stores system software, image data, and the like.

Reference numeral 2012 denotes an operation unit.
A user interface unit (UI) for performing various settings of 0. Reference numeral 2006 denotes an operation unit interface (I / F).
Image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012
Or to the CPU 2001 by transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001,
It controls various inputs and outputs of the operation unit 2012.

Reference numeral 2010 denotes a Network I / F, LA
N2011, and inputs / outputs information from / to the LAN 2011. Reference numeral 2050 denotes a Modem, which is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs and outputs information to and from the public line 2051. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 2007.

Reference numeral 2005 denotes an image bus interface (Image Bus I / F).
07 is a bus bridge that connects the image bus 2008 for transferring image data at high speed and converts the data structure. The image bus 2008 is a PCI bus or IEEE1394.
It consists of. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 2008.

Reference numeral 2060 denotes a raster image processor (R
In IP), a page description language (PDL) code is developed into a bitmap image. Reference numeral 2020 denotes a device interface (device I / F unit) that connects the scanner 2070 or the printer 2095 to the controller unit 2000, performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data, and inputs raster image data 2071 from the scanner 2070 and performs raster conversion. Printer 2095 of image data 2096
Output to

Reference numeral 2080 denotes a scanner image processing unit which corrects, processes, and edits input image data. A printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data.

Reference numeral 2030 denotes an image rotation unit for rotating image data. Reference numeral 2040 denotes an image compression unit which performs compression / expansion processing such as JPEG for multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

Note that the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004,
Alternatively, in the other storage medium (not shown) readable by the image input / output device, an appearance bitmap indicating each state of the image input / output device (selection state of each paper feed stage, operation state, various error states such as a paper jam) is stored. It is stored in multiple sizes, large and small, in color / monochrome.

Further, ROM 2003, HDD 2004,
Alternatively, the appearance bitmap stored in another storage medium (not shown) readable by the image input / output device is a set of a plurality of bitmaps that can be animated and displayed by displaying them sequentially at a fixed time interval. There may be.

Referring now to FIG. 3, scanner 2 which is an image input device of image input / output apparatus 200 shown in FIG.
070 and a printer 2095 as an image output device
Will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the image input / output device 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 illustrates a scanner 2070 and a printer 2095. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 2072 denotes a document feeder.
At the time of reading a document, the document sheets set on the tray 2073 are fed one by one.

The printer 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages (here, the first to third stages) so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected. Deck 210
There are three. Reference numeral 2111 denotes a paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper.

The operation of each section will be described below.

Scanner 2070 as an image input device
Illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert the image into raster signal data 2071 (FIG. 2) to an electric signal.

The original sheet is set on the tray 2073 of the original feeder 2072, and when the user of the apparatus instructs reading and activation from the operation unit 2012, the CPU 2001 of the controller unit 2000 shown in FIG.
(2071), the original feeder 2072 feeds the original sheets one by one and performs an operation of reading the original image.

Printer 2095 as an image output device
Is a part for converting raster image data 2096 into an image on paper, which is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ejecting ink from a micro nozzle array to directly form an image on paper. There are an ink jet system, a thermal transfer system, and a sublimation system for printing, but any system may be used.

The printing operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the CPU 2001.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation unit 2012 of the image input apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 shows the image input device 200 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit 2012.

In the figure, reference numeral 2013 denotes an LCD display unit.
A touch panel sheet 2019 is affixed on the LCD to display an operation screen and soft keys of the system, and when a displayed key is pressed, the position information is transmitted to the CPU 2001 as a controller.

Reference numeral 2014 denotes a start key, which is depressed when starting a document image reading operation. Reference numeral 2018 denotes a two-color LED of green and red, which is provided at the center of the start key 2014 and indicates whether the start key 2014 can be used or not according to its color.

Reference numeral 2015 denotes a stop key which is depressed to stop the operation during operation. An ID key 2016 is used to input a user ID of a user. A reset key 2017 is pressed to initialize settings from the operation unit.

The configuration of the operation unit of the image input / output system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 5 shows the image input / output device 20 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of No. 0.

In the image input / output device 200, the CPU 2
001 is a program ROM 2003, an HDD 200
4 or a scanner 20 connected via an image input unit interface, based on a control program or the like stored in a storage medium (not shown).
The input information is read from 70 and an image signal is output as output information to a printer 2095 connected via a printing unit interface.

The program ROM 2003 stores a control program as shown in the flow charts of FIGS. RAM 2002 is
It functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 2001.

The CPU 2001 has a touch panel 201
9. Receiving user input from hard keys 2014 to 2017, input port 20 in operation input unit I / F 2006
061, the operation contents are acquired, display screen data is generated based on the acquired operation contents and the above-described control program, and output to the output port 20062.

An output port 20062 is an output device controller for controlling a screen output device.
01 based on the display screen data input from
Screen output device 2 such as 2013 or CRT (not shown)
013 and output the CPU 2001
On / off data of LED input from
The on / off state of the LED 2018 is controlled.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to an LCD.
The operation screen displayed on the display surface 2013 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 shows the LCD display unit 201 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the screen 3, which is an initial screen in the image input apparatus of the present embodiment or a standard screen returned after setting each image forming function.

In the figure, reference numeral 3101 denotes an equal-size key (Dir)
(Ect key) is a soft key for setting the same-magnification output without using the scaling function in image formation, and 3102 is a soft key for setting the scaling function.

Reference numeral 3103 denotes a media selection key (Paper)
(Select key) is a soft key for setting the output paper size. Reference numeral 3104 denotes an output device selection key (Select Output Device key).
And an image output device (printer 2095 or LAN
These are soft keys for setting remote image output devices (image input / output devices 220 and 230) connected in 2011. Note that outputting to a remote image output device connected via the LAN 2011 is hereinafter referred to as remote copy, and outputting an image to the own device is referred to as local copy.

Reference numeral 3106 denotes a two-sided output key (Two-Sid)
ed Copy key) is a soft key for setting double-sided output. Reference numeral 3107 denotes a discharge setting key (Finish
ing key) is a soft key for setting the output paper sorting. 3109 is an application function key (Specia
l Features key) is a soft key for setting other applied functions.

The above-mentioned zoom key (Zoom key) 31
02, media selection key (Paper Select key) 3103, output device setting key (Select
(Output Device key) 3104, two-sided output key (Two-Sided Copy key) 3106, paper ejection setting key (Finishing key) 3107, application function key (Special Features key) 3
Reference numeral 109 switches to a display screen for more detailed settings after being pressed.

Reference numeral 3105 denotes a display area for displaying various settings by the above-mentioned keys. A density setting key group 3108 is a soft key group for setting an image output density.

In the image input / output apparatus of this embodiment, remote copy and cascade copy can be performed, but local copy is set as an initial state.

The setting state of the image output device selection whether to perform local copy, remote copy, or cascade copy is displayed in the display area 3105.

FIG. 7 shows the LCD display unit 201 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on an output device setting key (Select Ou) shown in FIG.
This is a remote copy setting screen displayed after the user presses (output Device key) 3104 to easily perform remote copy settings.

In the figure, reference numeral 3201 denotes a selectable image output device list, which displays a list of selectable image output device names, small appearance icons, states, and output specifications. The image output devices displayed in the list are registered separately (registration method is not described in detail). Here, the local output device 3202 (own device), the remote image forming apparatus 3203, the remote color image output apparatus 3
204 is displayed. Also, this list can be directly selected by touch panel input, and the selected image output device is highlighted.

Further, reference numeral 3206 denotes a cascade key. By pressing this key, a plurality of items in the list can be selected, and a check mark is displayed in the leftmost field of the selected image output device. 320
Reference numeral 5 denotes an automatic setting key (Auto key) for automatically setting an output destination remote image device in accordance with a set function.

Reference numeral 3207 denotes a setting confirmation key (Done key)
By pressing this key, the setting of remote copy using the image output device selected on the selectable image output device list 3201 is completed.

Note that selectable image output device list 3
In 201, the inversion selection can be canceled by pressing the combination selected and displayed again. When the cascade copy is not set by the cascade key 3206, when another device is pressed and selected in a state where a certain device is reversely selected, the former reverse selection is canceled and the latter is reversely selected.

FIG. 8 shows the LCD display unit 201 shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the screen 3, and corresponds to a standard screen on which remote copy setting is performed on the remote copy setting screen illustrated in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 3301 denotes an output device appearance small icon, which shows an overview of a device to which remote copy is set. Reference numeral 3302 denotes a selected image output device name, which indicates the name of a device set for remote copy. By displaying the output device appearance small icon 3301 and the selected image output device name 3302, the user can easily recognize the device for which the remote copy is set.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a remote paper selection screen in the image input device of the present invention. When the remote image output device is selected, a media selection key is displayed on the standard screen shown in FIG. (Paper Select
Key) 3103 corresponds to a screen displayed after pressing the key.

In the figure, reference numeral 3401 denotes a bitmap representing the external appearance of the remote image output device, which is transferred from the selected remote image output device via the LAN 2011 and displayed. 3404 is an auto paper key (Auto
Press this key to specify automatic selection of paper for the remote image output device. 3403 is a manual feed designation key (S
Press this key to specify manual feed to the remote image output device using the “tack bypass key”. Reference numeral 3402 denotes a manual feed size designation key (Stack BypassSize).
(Entry key) is pressed to specify the size of manual feed paper in the remote image output apparatus.

Reference numeral 3405 denotes a sheet-supply-stage first-stage designation key, which is pressed when the remote image output apparatus is to be fed from the first stage. Note that the sheet feeder first stage designation key 3405 is input from the selected remote image output device to the LAN 2011
Is displayed, the paper size stored in the first paper feed stage transferred via the.

Reference numeral 3406 denotes a sheet-supply-stage second-stage designation key, which is depressed when the remote image output apparatus is to be fed from the second-stage sheet-supply stage. Note that the sheet feeder second-stage designation key 3406 is input from the selected remote image output device to the LAN 2011
Is displayed, the paper size stored in the second paper feed stage transferred via the.

Reference numeral 3407 denotes a sheet-supply-stage third-stage designation key, which is depressed when the remote image output apparatus is to be fed from the third sheet-supply stage. In addition, the user can select the LAN 2011 from the selected remote image output device
Is displayed, the paper size stored in the third paper feed stage transferred via the.

Reference numeral 3408 denotes a setting confirmation key (Done key)
By pressing this key, the remote paper selection of the remote image output device is completed.

The control procedure of the image input apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure of an image input / output system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied.
The display of the display unit 2013 can be performed by inputting data from the touch panel 2019 of the LCD display unit 2013 or using the hard keys 2014 to 2017.
This is equivalent to a basic algorithm for updating in response to device events such as input, jam, or no output paper.
CPU based on a control program stored in M2003, HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown)
2001 shall be executed. Note that S101 to S1
03 indicates each step.

First, in step S101, it is determined whether there is a touch key input, a hard key input, or a device event input. If it is determined that there is no touch key input, hard key input, or device event input, Repeats the determination processing of step S101.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that there is a touch input, a hard key input, or a device event input, a necessary process is determined in step S102 according to the input event content.

Next, in step S103, the processing content determined in step S102 is executed. For details,
In accordance with the event that has occurred, the bit map stored in the ROM 2003 is transferred and displayed on the LCD display unit 2013, and the setting content is stored in the RAM 2002. After performing the process for each soft key in step S103, the process returns to step S101 again.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a second control processing procedure of the image input / output system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied. The remote output paper setting screen shown in FIG. Is equivalent to that shown in more detail than the flowchart of FIG. 10, and is executed by the CPU 2001 based on a control program stored in the ROM 2003, the HDD 2004, or another storage medium (not shown). I do.
In addition, S201 to S205 and S301 to 302 indicate each step.

Here, the machine for setting the remote output, that is, the machine for remotely outputting the image input / output device A, for example, the image input / output device 200 as the image input device of the present invention, ie, the machine for the present invention, As an output device, an image input / output device B, for example, the image input / output device 220 will be described as an example.
(A) The programs shown in both flowcharts are mounted on a single machine, and the image input / output device A and the image input / output device B can be switched.

First, in the image input / output device A, step S
At 201, a media selection key (Paper Se)
Select key (3103) is pressed (pressed) is the media selection key (Paper Select key) 310
3 is determined, and the media selection key (Pape)
If it is determined that the selected key is not (r Select key) 3103, the determination processing of step S201 is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the media selection key (Paper Select key) 3103 has been pressed (pressed), in step S202, the remote image output device (image output device B)
In response to the request, a transfer request for the appearance bitmap in which the default paper feed tray is highlighted. This transfer request is sent to the LAN 20
11 is notified to the image output apparatus B.

Next, in step S203, a loop for waiting for the appearance bitmap from the image output device B is entered. If it is determined in step S203 that the appearance bitmap from the image output device B has arrived, the process proceeds to step S2.
At 04, an external appearance bitmap 3401 (the remote paper selection screen shown in FIG. 9) is displayed on the LCD display unit 2013. Note that, at this time, a paper feed stage first to third stage designation key 3405 displayed on the remote paper selection screen shown in FIG.
3407, the default paper feed tray, for example, the first paper feed tray 3405 is highlighted.

Next, in step S205, keys (3402 to 3402) on the remote paper selection screen shown in FIG.
407) Wait for input. Here, when a paper feed tray other than the default paper feed tray is selected, a transfer request of the appearance bitmap in which the selected paper feed tray is highlighted is again sent to the remote image output device. Is displayed on the LCD display unit 2013.

On the other hand, in the image input / output device B, step S
In 301, it is determined whether or not there is a remote appearance bitmap transfer request, and if it is determined that there is no bitmap transfer request, the determination processing of step S301 is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S301, it is determined whether or not there is a remote request to transfer the appearance bitmap.
If it is determined that there is a bitmap transfer request, in step S302, the appearance bitmap specified in the remote state is stored in the ROM 2003 or the HDD 200.
4 or another storage medium (not shown), and transfers the searched appearance bitmap to the request source. When the transfer is completed, the process returns to step S301.

Since the device options such as the finisher and the paper deck are different depending on the case, the bitmap of the device option may be managed as a bitmap different from the bitmap of the main body of the device.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
When the remote paper selection screen is displayed, a request is made to transfer the appearance bitmap to the selected remote image output device, and upon receiving this request, the appearance bitmap transmitted (returned) from the remote image output device is displayed. Although the case has been described, when displaying the operation status and error status of the device in addition to the remote paper selection screen, an appearance bitmap (for example, a bitmap indicating that a printing operation is being performed, the door is opened) A request is made to the remote image output device to transfer a bitmap representing the state and a bitmap representing the state where the paper is jammed at the position of the actual paper jam, and the remote image output device transfers (returns) the request. By using the appearance bitmap to be displayed, it may be configured to display the operation status and error status of the remote image output device. There.

When requesting the remote image output device to transfer the appearance bitmap, the user specifies a bitmap size, requests the remote image output device to transfer a bitmap of the specified size, The remote image output device may be configured to transfer an appearance bitmap corresponding to a requested bitmap size to a request source.

Further, when requesting the remote image output device to transfer the appearance bitmap, color information indicating color or monochrome is designated, and the bitmap transfer of the designated color information (color or monochrome) is performed. To the remote image output device, and the remote image output device may be configured to forward the requested color or monochrome appearance bitmap to the requestor.

When requesting the transfer of the appearance bitmap to the remote image output device, the remote image output device is requested to simultaneously transfer a plurality of bitmaps. The bitmap is simultaneously transferred to the request source, and the image input device of the request source is configured to perform animation display in which a plurality of bitmaps simultaneously transferred from the remote image output device are sequentially displayed at regular time intervals. Is also good.

As described above, the image input device holds and manages the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device used at the time of operation setting on each image output device side, and the image output device responds to the request of the image input device. The image input device displays the transferred appearance bitmap on the display unit.

The operation setting section (operation section 2012) of the image input apparatus for displaying the external appearance of the image output apparatus is also provided.
In order to flexibly cope with devices with new display devices, appearance bitmaps (for example, color bitmaps for color display, monochrome bitmaps for monochrome display devices, display units A bitmap sized to fit the display area of the
A bitmap having a resolution corresponding to the resolution of the display unit, or a bitmap in which a plurality of bitmaps are grouped together when the display unit can display an animation in which a plurality of bitmaps are sequentially displayed at a constant interval. . On the other hand, the image output device returns a bitmap corresponding to the request to the image input device.

As described above, in an image forming system in which an image input device and a plurality of image output devices are connected via a transmission medium such as a network, the appearance bitmap is transferred from a remote output device at the end of the network. The appearance can be displayed even at a remote destination that does not have the appearance bitmap in advance, thereby improving the connectivity between different image forming apparatuses, and particularly improving the operability in the operation setting section when setting an image forming mode or an image forming operation. can do.

In the above-described embodiment, the device selected as the output device is requested to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance, and in response to the transfer request, the bitmap is transferred from the device selected as the output device. The bitmap representing the appearance is L
Although the configuration for displaying on the CD display unit 2013 has been described, the image input device requests the other image input device selected as the input device to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance, and in response to the transfer request, Another image input device may transfer a bitmap representing the appearance to the image input device, and the image input device may display the bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the other image input device on the LCD display unit 2013. Good.

Further, the present invention is not limited to an image input device and an image output device, but may be implemented by a plurality of devices (modem, printer, scanner, CDR, computer, etc.) via a predetermined communication medium (for example, USB, Ethernet, etc.). An operating device (computer) that can communicate with all devices (including measuring instruments, custom-made manufacturing devices, etc.) that are connected to and operated from a computer. Requesting the transfer of a bitmap representing the device, displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request, and referencing the bitmap representing the appearance of the displayed device. Operation may be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the transfer of a bitmap (bitmap data for raster drawing) representing the appearance is requested to another device, and the transfer is performed from the other device in response to the transfer request. Although the configuration for displaying the bitmap representing the appearance to be displayed on the LCD display unit 2013 has been described, the other device is requested to draw an image representing the appearance, and in response to the transfer request, the other device draws the image. A command (point, line, circle, rectangle, free line, fill) may be configured to draw in a predetermined area of the display unit (LCD display unit 2013) of the request source device via a network. .

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, such as version information and creator, is also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, such as a program, is stored. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. Also, if the programs and data to be installed are compressed,
A program for decompressing may also be stored.

The functions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside.
In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, and C
D-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, magnetic tape,
A non-volatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, silicon disk, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0125]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, the request unit requests the transfer of the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device to any of the image output devices, and in response to the transfer request of the request unit,
The display means displays a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output apparatus, and sets the operation setting of the image output apparatus while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output apparatus displayed by the display means. Since the operation setting is performed by the means, the appearance display can be performed even in a remote destination image output device which does not have the appearance bitmap in the image input device in advance, the connectivity between different devices is improved, and particularly when the image forming mode is set. Operability during an image forming operation can be improved.

According to the second aspect, the requesting unit specifies a predetermined state of the image output device, and requests each of the image output devices to transfer a bitmap representing the specified state. Therefore, the appearance can be displayed according to the state of the image output apparatus, and the user can check the state of the image output apparatus at a glance.

According to the third aspect, the requesting unit requests the image output device to transfer a bitmap in accordance with the specification of the display unit, so that the external display according to the specification of the display unit is displayed. It can be carried out.

According to the fourth aspect, the requesting unit specifies a predetermined bitmap size and requests each of the image output devices to transfer a bitmap of the specified size. Can be displayed according to the display size, and the user can easily check the image output device.

According to the fifth aspect, the request means designates color or monochrome, and requests each of the image output devices to transfer the designated color or monochrome bitmap. Can be displayed in color or monochrome in accordance with the display form of, and the user can easily check the image output device.

According to the sixth aspect, the display means performs animation display in which bitmaps representing a plurality of appearances transferred simultaneously from the output devices are sequentially displayed at fixed time intervals. The status and operation of the device can be displayed in animation, and the user can display the status
Operation can be easily confirmed.

According to the seventh aspect, the requesting means requests any one of the image input devices to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the image input device, and responds to the transfer request of the requesting means. The display means displays a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image input device, and operates the operation setting of the image input device while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the image input device displayed by the display means. Since the operation is set by the setting unit, the appearance can be displayed on another image output device that does not have the appearance bitmap in the image input device in advance, the connectivity between different devices is improved, and the operability is improved. it can.

According to the eighth aspect, there is provided a transfer means for transferring a bitmap representing the appearance of the device to the image input device in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. Can notify the image input device of its own appearance, and the connectivity between different devices can be improved.

According to the ninth aspect, the transfer means transfers the bitmap representing the appearance of the device to the image input device in response to the bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. The device can be notified of its own appearance, and connectivity between different devices can be improved.

According to the tenth aspect, the transfer means includes:
A bitmap representing the appearance of the device according to the status of the device specified in the bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices is transferred to the image input device. The appearance of the state can be notified.

According to the eleventh aspect, the transfer means includes:
A bitmap corresponding to the display specification of the image input device specified in the bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices is transferred to the image input device. A bitmap according to the specification of the display unit can be transferred.

According to the twelfth aspect, the transfer means includes:
Since a bitmap corresponding to the bitmap size specified in the bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices is transferred to the image input device, a display on the display unit of the image input device is displayed on the image input device. A bitmap according to the size can be transferred.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the transfer means includes:
Since the color or monochrome bitmap specified in the bitmap transfer request from any one of the image input devices is transferred to the image input device, the display mode of the display unit of the image input device is changed with respect to the image input device. Color or monochrome bitmaps can be transferred accordingly.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the transfer means includes:
Since there is a transfer means for simultaneously transferring a plurality of bitmaps to the image input device in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices, the state and operation of the device can be animated to the image input device. Multiple bitmaps can be transferred for display.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the requesting unit requests the transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance of the device to any of the devices, and transfers the bitmap from the device in response to the transfer request of the requesting unit. The display means displays a bitmap representing the appearance to be displayed, and the operation means performs the operation of the device while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed by the display means. The appearance of a device without a bitmap can be displayed, connectivity between different devices can be improved, and remote operation can be easily performed.

According to the sixteenth aspect, in the image input / output system in which the image input device and the image output device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the image input device displays an external appearance of the image output device. And display requesting means for requesting the image output device to render the appearance of the image output device in a predetermined area of the display means. A drawing unit for drawing a vector of the external appearance of the image output device in a predetermined area of the display unit of the image input device by a drawing command via the communication medium in response to a request from the image input device; Therefore, even if a new image output device that does not have image data representing its appearance in the image input device is previously incorporated in the system, the image output device can output images. It is possible to look the display device, it is possible to provide an excellent operating environment with improved connectivity between different devices.

According to the seventeenth and twentieth aspects of the present invention, any one of the image output devices is requested to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device.
A bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device is displayed on the display unit, and the operation setting of the image output device is performed while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device displayed on the display unit. In addition, the appearance display can be performed even in a remote destination image output device that does not have the appearance bitmap in the image input device in advance, the connectivity between different devices is improved, and particularly when the image forming mode is set or the image forming operation is performed. Performance can be improved.

According to the eighteenth and twenty-first aspects, in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices, a bitmap representing the appearance of the device is transferred to the image input device. Can be notified of their own appearance, and the connectivity between different devices can be improved.

The nineteenth and twenty-second inventions request the transfer of a bitmap representing the appearance of the device to any of the devices, and indicate the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request. Displaying the bitmap on the display unit, by operating the device while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed on the display unit,
It is possible to display the appearance of a device that does not have the appearance bitmap in the operation device in advance, improve the connectivity between different devices, and easily perform remote operation.

Therefore, even when a new image output device that does not have the appearance bitmap is previously incorporated in the image input device, the appearance of the image output device can be displayed on the image input device side. It is possible to provide an excellent operation environment in which connectivity between different devices is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image input / output system to which an image input device and an image output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image input / output device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a scanner and a printer of the image input / output device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image input device illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an operation unit of the image input / output device illustrated in FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit shown in FIG.

8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an operation screen displayed on the LCD display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a remote paper selection screen in the image input device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first control processing procedure of an image input / output system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second control processing procedure of the image input / output system to which the image input device and the image output device of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the image input device and the image output device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2001 CPU 2002 RAM 2003 ROM 2004 HDD 2012 Operation unit 2013 LCD display unit

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (reference) H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 CF term (reference) 2C087 AA15 AB08 BA02 BD41 CB16 DA02 5B021 AA01 BB10 EE03 EE05 PP04 5B089 GA13 JB03 KA03 KB04 LB01 LB12 LB14 5C062 AA05 AB11 AB17 AB20 AB25 AB41 AC08 AC43 AC67 AE03 AF06 AF10 BA00 5E501 AA06 AA07 AC25 BA05 CA04 CB02 CB05 EA05 EA10 EB01 EB05 FA03 FA13 FA24 FB28

Claims (22)

[Claims] An image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a bitmap representing an appearance of the image output device is transferred to any one of the image output devices. Requesting means for requesting, display means for displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device in response to a transfer request from the requesting means, and representing the appearance of the image output device displayed by the display means And an operation setting means for setting an operation of the image output device while referring to a bitmap. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the requesting unit specifies a predetermined state of the image output apparatus, and requests each of the image output apparatuses to transfer a bitmap representing the specified state. Item 2. The image input device according to Item 1. 3. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the request unit requests the image output device to transfer a bitmap according to a specification of the display unit. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request unit specifies a predetermined bitmap size and requests each of the image output devices to transfer a bitmap having the specified size. The image input device according to any one of the above. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request unit specifies color or monochrome and requests each of the image output devices to transfer the specified color or monochrome bitmap. The image input device according to any one of the above. 6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein said display means performs animation display in which bitmaps representing a plurality of appearances transferred simultaneously from said image output devices are sequentially displayed at predetermined time intervals. 6. The image input device according to any one of 5. 7. An image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of other image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a bit map representing an appearance of the image input device is provided for any one of the image input devices. Requesting means for requesting transfer; display means for displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image input device in response to the transfer request from the requesting means; appearance of the image input device displayed by the display means And an operation setting means for setting the operation of the image input device while referring to a bitmap representing the image input device. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer a bitmap representing an appearance of the apparatus to the image input apparatus in response to a bitmap transfer request from one of the image input apparatuses. Image input device. 9. An image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a bitmap representing an external appearance of the device is provided in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. An image output device comprising a transfer unit for transferring the image data to the image input device. 10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit transfers a bitmap representing an appearance of the apparatus according to a state of the apparatus specified in the bitmap transfer request from any of the image input apparatuses to the image input apparatus. 10. The image output device according to claim 9, wherein: 11. The image input device according to claim 11, wherein the transfer unit transfers a bitmap corresponding to a display specification of the image input device specified in a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. Claim 9 or 1
0. An image output device according to claim 1. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer unit transfers a bitmap corresponding to a bitmap size specified in a bitmap transfer request from one of said image input devices to said image input device. 12. The image output device according to any one of 9 to 11. 13. The image input device according to claim 9, wherein the transfer unit transfers a color or monochrome bitmap specified in a bitmap transfer request from any one of the image input devices to the image input device. 13. The image output device according to any one of 12 above. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer unit includes a transfer unit that simultaneously transfers a plurality of bitmaps to the image input device in response to a bitmap transfer request from one of the image input devices. Item 14. The image output device according to any one of Items 9 to 13. 15. An operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium, requesting means for requesting any one of the devices to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the device, Display means for displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request of the request means; and operating the device with reference to the bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed by the display means. Operating means for performing the operation. 16. An image input / output system in which an image input device and an image output device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the image input device includes a display unit for displaying an appearance of the image output device. Requesting means for requesting the image output device to render the appearance of the image output device in a predetermined area of the display means, the image output device comprising: In response to a request from the device, the image output device has drawing means for drawing a vector in a predetermined area of the display means of the image input device by a drawing command via the communication medium in a predetermined area. Image input and output system. 17. A method of controlling an image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a bitmap representing an appearance of the image output device is provided for any one of the image output devices. A requesting step of requesting transfer of the image output device; a display step of displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device on a display unit in response to the transfer request; An operation setting step of making an operation setting of the image output device with reference to a bitmap representing an appearance. 18. A method for controlling an image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the appearance of the device is changed in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. A method for controlling an image output device, comprising a transfer step of transferring a bitmap to be displayed to the image input device. 19. A method for controlling an operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the requesting step requests any one of the devices to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the device. Displaying a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to the transfer request on a display unit; and displaying the bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed on the display unit with reference to the bitmap representing the appearance of the device. And an operation step of performing the above operation. 20. Transfer of a bitmap representing an appearance of the image output device to any one of the image output devices to an image input device capable of communicating with a plurality of image output devices via a predetermined communication medium. Requesting a request, displaying the bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the image output device in response to the transfer request, and displaying the bitmap representing the appearance of the image output device displayed on the display unit. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an operation setting step of performing an operation setting of the image output device while referring to the program. 21. An image output device capable of communicating with a plurality of image input devices via a predetermined communication medium, a bitmap representing an appearance of the device in response to a bitmap transfer request from any of the image input devices. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a transfer step of transferring the program to the image input device. 22. A requesting step of requesting an operating device capable of communicating with a plurality of devices via a predetermined communication medium to transfer any one of the devices to transfer a bitmap representing the appearance of the device. A display step of displaying, on a display unit, a bitmap representing the appearance transferred from the device in response to a transfer request; and operating the device while referring to the bitmap representing the appearance of the device displayed on the display unit. A storage medium in which an operation process to be performed and a program for executing the operation are stored in a computer-readable manner.