JP2017019121A - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Even if a plurality of users perform operations simultaneously using their respective operation panels, the operations are continued if the functions do not conflict with each other.
A selection management unit that manages a function selected by a user among functions held by the device, and a function that determines whether one function can be operated simultaneously with another function under a predetermined condition. When it is determined that the function selected by the determination unit and the user using one apparatus can be operated simultaneously with the function selected by the user using another apparatus under a predetermined condition, An operation accepting unit that accepts an operation on a function selected by a user using the device, and the operation accepting unit is selected by the user using the other device and the function selected by the user using the one device If it is determined that the function is a function that cannot be operated at the same time under a predetermined condition, an operation for the function selected by the user using the one device is not accepted.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and a program.

  In recent years, when changing or operating setting values of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), a mobile capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus instead of operating the operation panel of the main body A method of operating from a terminal or the like is becoming common. In particular, in recent years, mobile terminals using smartphones as an example have become widespread, and thus all operations are often substituted with mobile terminals.

  In such a case, unlike the case of operating from the operation panel, a plurality of users can operate one image forming apparatus from each mobile terminal, or from the mobile terminal and from the operation panel of the main body. It is conceivable that the operation is performed simultaneously. Therefore, a technique for performing exclusive control when operations from a plurality of users are congested is already known.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for locking an operation screen on an image forming apparatus when receiving an operation related to a job from the mobile terminal in order to prevent a double operation between the mobile terminal and the image forming apparatus.

  However, since the conventional exclusive control technology accepts operations from a specific operation panel at a specific timing and prohibits operations from other operation panels, it takes time to operate from a specific operation panel. In this case, there is a problem that other users cannot operate the operation panel and are kept waiting for a long time.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, exclusive control is performed when a plurality of users operate the operation panel, but the operation screen of the image forming apparatus is locked as exclusive control. There is a problem that only a specific user, that is, a user who has performed an operation from a mobile terminal can operate the image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and even if a plurality of users perform operations simultaneously using the respective operation panels, the operations are performed as long as the functions do not conflict with each other. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of continuing the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a selection management unit that manages a function selected by a user among functions held by the apparatus, and one function is under a predetermined condition with another function. The function determination means for determining whether or not the operation can be performed at the same time, the function selected by the user using one apparatus, the function selected by the user using another apparatus, and the predetermined condition An operation accepting unit that accepts an operation for a function selected by a user using the one device when it is determined that the user can use the one device. When it is determined that the selected function and the function selected by the user using the other device are functions that cannot be operated simultaneously under the predetermined condition, the function selected by the user using the one device is changed to the function selected by the user using the one device. versus Characterized in that it does not accept the operation that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus capable of continuing operations even when a plurality of users perform operations simultaneously using the respective operation panels as long as the functions do not compete with each other.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection between an image forming apparatus and a client apparatus that configure an image forming system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is the same or it corresponds, The duplication description is simplified thru | or abbreviate | omitted suitably. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In the following embodiments, a case where the image forming apparatus is operated using a personal computer or a tablet terminal is described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where the image forming apparatus is operated using another portable terminal such as a smartphone.

  This embodiment relates to processing when an operation is performed from a plurality of operation panels. That is, the selection management unit that manages the operation corresponding to the function currently selected by the user among the functions held by the own device, and the function to be operated are different from other functions under a predetermined condition. And a function determination unit that determines whether or not operation is possible at the same time. Then, the function determination unit determines that the function currently selected by the user using one device and the function selected by the user using another device do not conflict under a predetermined condition. And In this case, the operation accepting unit accepts an operation for the function currently selected by the user who uses one apparatus.

  In addition, the function determination unit is a function in which a function currently selected by a user using one device and a function selected by a user using another device cannot be operated simultaneously under a predetermined condition. Suppose that it is determined. In this case, the operation reception unit does not receive an operation for the function currently selected by the user who uses the one device. The features of the present invention described above will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

  First, an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 and a user I / F (Interface) interface 102 using a display device as an example. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a data communication I / F 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 104, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 105. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a recording medium I / F 106 and a printing apparatus 107 using a plotter as an example. These parts are connected to each other.

  The user I / F 102 includes a hardware key that is an input device and a display that is a display device. The input device is used when the user instructs the image forming apparatus 100 to perform various operations. Further, the display device displays, for example, various information related to the image forming operation.

  The data communication I / F 103 is an interface for connecting the image forming apparatus 100 to a data transmission path outside the image forming apparatus 100 such as a network. Examples of the data transmission path include a local area network (LAN) and a near field communication (NFC), and data input from a plurality of transmission paths is possible.

  In order to control the image forming apparatus 100, a CPU 101, a RAM 104, and a ROM 105 are included. The ROM 105 stores programs executed when the image forming apparatus 100 is started up and various data. The RAM 104 temporarily stores various programs read from the ROM 105, print data, and the like.

  Further, the CPU 101 executes a program temporarily stored in the RAM 104. For example, when print data is received from the data communication I / F 103, a PDL suitable for the print data is selected from PDL (Page Description Language) read from the ROM 105 onto the RAM 104. Then, the CPU 101 executes a PDL suitable for the print data, thereby generating a bitmap image that can be printed by the printing apparatus (plotter) 107 from the print data.

  Next, an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The software of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control layer 211, an image service layer 221, a device service layer 231 and the like. Note that the vertical relationship of each layer in FIG. 2 is basically based on the relationship in which the upper layer calls the lower layer.

  In the present embodiment, the function of the image forming apparatus 100 is synonymous with one unit of service provided to the user by the image forming apparatus 100, and one unit of service in terms of software. Is synonymous with an application that provides One unit provided to the user refers to a period from when a request is input by the user until a final output is obtained.

  The control layer 211 is a part on which a function for controlling processing for realizing a function requested by the user is mounted. For example, the control unit 212 and the like are included. Specifically, the control unit 212 issues an image processing instruction or the like to the image service layer 221 to be described later according to a function requested by the user.

  The operation screen management unit 213 is a module that manages an operation panel that is installed in the image forming apparatus 100 or an operation screen held by the image forming apparatus 100 or the client apparatus. The operation screen management unit 213 includes a selection management unit 2131 and an operation reception unit 2132.

  The selection management unit 2131 is a module that manages a function selected by the user among the functions held by the own apparatus. If the function determination unit 214 determines that the function selected by the user can be operated simultaneously with a function selected by another user and under a predetermined condition by the function determination unit 214, the operation reception unit 2132 Is a module that accepts an operation for the selected function. The client apparatus is installed with application software having the same operability as that of the operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus 100 so that the image forming apparatus 100 can be operated from a remote location.

  The function determination unit 214 manages the types of functions held by the image forming apparatus 100 that is the apparatus itself, and can determine functions that can be used simultaneously under predetermined conditions. For example, the printing function uses only the plotter engine of the image forming apparatus 100, and the scanning function uses only the scanner engine of the image forming apparatus 100.

  Since the printing function and the scanning function do not use the same device, these processes can be executed simultaneously. In the case of the printing function and the facsimile reception function, it is possible to receive the facsimile and store the data in the image forming apparatus 100, but some functions are impossible to print. Whether it can be used can also be judged.

  The image service layer 221 develops the received print data as printable image data by the image processing unit 222. Further, in order to transfer the developed image data according to the control timing of the printing apparatus (plotter) 107, the data management unit 223 manages the data.

  The device service layer 231 is a part on which a group of program modules called a driver that controls a device (hardware) is mounted, and includes, for example, a plotter control unit 232, a memory control unit 233, a communication interface control unit 234, and the like. . Each control unit controls each device attached to the name of the control unit.

  Next, a connection example between the image forming apparatus and the client apparatus that constitute the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a connection example between an image forming apparatus and a client apparatus that constitute an image forming system according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming system 10 according to the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 100 and client devices such as a personal computer (hereinafter also referred to as a PC) 301 and a tablet terminal 302. The client device is connected to the image forming apparatus 100, operates the image forming apparatus 100, transmits print data to the image forming apparatus 100, and receives scan data read by the image forming apparatus 100.

  The connection between the image forming apparatus 100 and the client device includes a wired connection such as a LAN 311 and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Device 312 and a wireless connection such as a wireless LAN 313 and an NFC 314.

  Next, a first operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As an example of this operation, when there is another user who has selected the copy function screen, the user who is going to operate will use the copy function in the same manner. That is, the present invention relates to an operation when a plurality of users select functions that cannot be used simultaneously.

  When the user operates the operation screen of the image forming apparatus 100 or the client device, the image forming apparatus 100 or the client device acquires function screen information operated by the user from the image forming apparatus 100 in the process of step S401. The function screen information here refers to, for example, a copy function when operating on a copy screen, and a print function when operating on a printer screen. The selection management unit 2131 (FIG. 2) acquires and manages an operation screen corresponding to the function selected by the user.

  In the process of step S402, the user selects to use a specific function, and selects an execution process for the specific function. Here, for example, it is assumed that the user has selected execution processing of the copy function. In the process of step S403, the function determination unit 214 determines whether an operation for the same function as the function selected in the process of step S402 (for example, the copy function) is performed by another user.

  When an operation for the same function as the function selected in the process of step S402 (for example, the copy function) is performed by another user (step S403: Yes), the process proceeds to step S404. In the process of step S404, the operation receiving unit 2132 displays to the user who has selected the function in the process of S402 that another user is performing an operation on the same function (for example, the copy function), and the user Locks the screen operated by.

  Even when an operation for the same function as the function selected in the process of step S402 is not performed by another user (step S403: No), the same function (for example, a copy function) is still performed by another user. It may be selected. In that case, for example, the operation reception unit 2132 notifies the user who has selected the function in the process of S402 that the function (for example, the copy function) cannot be used. Thus, a congestion state where the same function is used by a plurality of users can be avoided, and the operation can be continued until the image forming apparatus 100 reaches a state where the operation starts.

  Next, a second operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a second operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. As an example of this operation, there is a case where there is another user who has selected the copy function screen, and the user who is going to operate uses the facsimile function. That is, it relates to an operation when a plurality of users select functions that can be used simultaneously under a predetermined condition.

  Since the processing of step S501 and step S502 in FIG. 5 is the same as the processing of step S401 and step S402 in FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted. Then, in the process of step S502, the user selects to use a specific function, and selects the specific function execution process.

  In the process of step S503, the function determination unit 214 determines whether or not the function selected in the process of step S502 and the function used by another user overlap, that is, a function that can be used simultaneously. It is determined whether or not. In other words, a combination of a function already selected by another user and a function selected in the process of S502 is extracted from, for example, a table representing a list of function overlaps, and the overlapping state of both functions is checked. .

  For example, when the user of S502 selects to use the facsimile function, the copy function is used by another user. At this time, a certain condition is imposed that the user of S502 can use the facsimile reception function but cannot use the function of printing facsimile reception data.

  In the process of step S504, the function determination unit 214 determines whether an operation using the same function as the function selected in the process of step S502 is performed by another user. That is, the copy apparatus used by another user and the facsimile apparatus that the user in S502 intends to use overlap in that the print function is used.

  The function determination unit 214 determines whether another user is operating a function screen that overlaps the function selected by the user in step S502. When another user is operating (step S504: Yes), the process proceeds to step S505. In the process of step S505, the operation reception unit 2132 displays to the user who has selected the function in the process of S502 that another user is performing an operation using the same function, and the user operates Lock the screen that is on.

  Even when another user is not operating a function screen that overlaps the function selected by the user in step S502 (step S504: No), the same function (for example, a copy device) is still selected by the other user. There may be cases. In this case, for example, the operation reception unit 2132 permits the facsimile reception function but does not allow the reception data printing function to the user who has selected the facsimile apparatus in the process of S502 (however, the reception is performed inside the image forming apparatus. To store data).

  Next, a third operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a third operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This is a case in which when a user selects a function and the image forming apparatus is in a state corresponding to the function, an overlap between a function executed by the image forming apparatus and a function used by another user is eliminated. It is about operation. In short, when a function other than the function in which the image forming apparatus is operating does not overlap with a function used by another user, an operation for the function selected by the user is accepted.

  The processing in step S601 and step S602 in FIG. 6 is the same as the processing in step S401 and step S402 in FIG. In the process of step S602, the user selects to use a specific function, and selects the execution process for the specific function.

  In the process of step S603, the function determination unit 214 acquires the function usage state of the image forming apparatus 100 at that time. The usage state of the image forming apparatus 100 corresponds to the function selected in the process of step S602. For example, a usage state such as whether or not a reading document is set in the scanner unit, a usage state such as whether or not communication of a facsimile modem is performed, and the like.

  In addition, the function selected in the process of step S602 and the function acquired in the process of step S603 may not correspond one to one. For example, if a function is selected in the process of step S602, but the image forming apparatus is not yet in a state corresponding to the function in the process of step S603, the two functions do not correspond one-to-one. Further, when the state of the image forming apparatus acquired in the process of step S603 is changed and becomes different from the function selected in the process of step S602, both functions do not correspond one-to-one.

  In the process of step S604, the function determination unit 214 determines whether or not the function acquired in the process of step S603 overlaps with a function that can be used by another user, that is, a function that can use both functions simultaneously. It is determined whether or not. In other words, the combination of the function corresponding to the state of the image forming apparatus acquired in the process of step S603 and the function available to other users is extracted from, for example, a table representing a list of function duplication. Check the overlap of functions.

  For example, it is assumed that the function selected in the process of step S602 is a facsimile function, and the functions acquired in the process of step S603 are a scanner function and a facsimile communication function. In this case, in the process of step S604, it is determined that the function available to other users is a printing function.

  In the process of step S605, the function determination unit 214 determines whether an operation for the same function as the function selected in the process of step S602 is performed by another user. For example, it is assumed that the function selected in the process of step S602 is a facsimile function, but only a scanner device and a facsimile communication device are actually used. In this case, even if another user is operating a screen that uses the printing apparatus, it is determined No in step S605, and the user in step S602 can use the facsimile apparatus.

  In addition, for example, it is assumed that the function selected in the process of step S602 is a facsimile function, and a scanner device, a printing device, and a facsimile communication device are used. In this case, if another user is operating the screen using the printing apparatus, it is determined Yes in step S605. Then, for the user in step S602, the operation reception unit 2132 displays that another user is performing an operation using the same function, and puts the screen operated by the user into a locked state.

  Next, a fourth operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a fourth operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. This is because, when a user selects a function and the image forming apparatus is in a state corresponding to the function, the priority order of functions executed by the image forming apparatus and the priority order of functions used by other users This relates to the operation when judging superiority or inferiority.

  Since the processes in steps S701 and S702 in FIG. 7 are the same as the processes in steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted. In step S702, the user selects to use a specific function, and selects an execution process for the specific function.

  In step S703, the function determination unit 214 acquires the function priority order of the image forming apparatus 100 at that time. The function priority order here refers to a priority order of use of the image forming apparatus 100 that is predetermined for each function, and is determined for functions that the image forming apparatus 100 prioritizes in comparison with other functions. Ranking. For example, when a facsimile printing function and a printer printing function occur simultaneously, the facsimile printing function is preferentially performed.

  In the process of step S704, the function determination unit 214 determines which function is a function that can be used by other users among the functions assigned the priorities acquired in the process of step S703. Of the functions to be preferentially acquired in the process of step S703, a function having a higher priority may be determined as a function that can be used by other users.

  For example, the function selected in the process of step S702 is the printer print function, but the priority acquired in the process of step S703 is the order of the facsimile print function, the scanner function, and the printer print function. . Then, in the process of step S704, it is determined that the functions available to other users are a facsimile printing function and a scanner function.

  In the process of step S705, the function determining unit 214 determines whether an operation for the same function as the function selected in the process of step S702 is being performed by another user. For example, it is assumed that the function selected in the process of step S702 is a printer printing function, and the priority of the facsimile printing function and the scanner function is higher than this function. In this case, if another user is operating the screen using the facsimile printing function, Yes is determined in step S705. Then, for the user in step S702, the operation receiving unit 2132 displays that another user is performing an operation using the same function, and puts the screen operated by the user into a locked state.

  Further, for example, it is assumed that the function selected in the process of step S702 is a facsimile printing function, and the priority order of the scanner function and the printer printing function is lower than this function. In this case, even if another user is operating a screen that uses the scanner function, No is determined in step S705, and the user in step S702 can use the facsimile printing function.

  Each operation of each functional block constituting the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 can be executed by a program on a computer. That is, the CPU 101 of the image forming apparatus 100 loads programs stored in the ROM 105 and the RAM 104, respectively. This is realized by sequentially executing each processing step of the program.

  As described above, in the present exemplary embodiment, even when operations are simultaneously performed on the image forming apparatus using a plurality of operation screens, the operation screen is managed on the image forming apparatus side, and the image forming apparatus The types of functions to be retained are managed. If the functions operated by a plurality of users are functions that do not compete with each other, the operation is continued. As a result, the functions that can be used simultaneously can be executed in order without causing the user to wait.

  This form does not limit the scope of the present invention. The client device may be a selection management unit, an operation reception unit, or a function determination unit, and the image processing apparatus may be a selection management unit, an operation reception unit, or a function determination unit. May be provided. In addition, a plurality of client devices may be included in the image forming system, and any client device may include a selection management unit, an operation reception unit, and a function determination unit. It should be noted that the system configuration in which the image processing apparatus and the client device described in this embodiment are connected is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

  According to the present invention, even when a plurality of users perform operations simultaneously using the respective operation panels, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming apparatus capable of continuing operations as long as the functions do not compete with each other. A program is obtained.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention has been described so far, embodiment of this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. That is, other embodiments, additions, changes, deletions, and the like can be changed within the scope that can be conceived by those skilled in the art, and as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited in any aspect, the scope of the present invention is included. It is included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system 100 Image forming apparatus 101 CPU
102 User I / F (display device)
103 Data communication I / F
104 RAM
105 ROM
106 Recording media I / F
107 Printing device (plotter)
211 Control layer 212 Control unit 213 Operation screen management unit 214 Function determination unit 221 Image service layer 222 Image processing unit 223 Data management unit 231 Device service layer 232 Plotter control unit 233 Memory control unit 234 Communication interface unit 301 Personal computer 302 Tablet terminal 311 LAN
312 USB Device
313 Wireless LAN
314 NFC
2131 Selection management unit 2132 Operation reception unit

JP 2014-141067 A

Claims (8)

A selection management means for managing the function selected by the user among the functions possessed by the device;
Function determination means for determining whether one function can be operated simultaneously with another function under a predetermined condition;
When it is determined that the function selected by the user using one apparatus can be operated simultaneously with the function selected by the user using another apparatus under the predetermined condition, the one apparatus An operation accepting means for accepting an operation on a function selected by a user using
The operation accepting unit determines that the function selected by the user using the one device and the function selected by the user using the other device are functions that cannot be operated simultaneously under the predetermined condition. Then, an operation for a function selected by a user who uses the one apparatus is not accepted.   The predetermined condition includes a function other than a function actually operating in the own apparatus corresponding to a function selected by a user using the one apparatus, and a function selected by a user using the other apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there is no overlap.   In the predetermined condition, the own device having the function selected by the user using the other device has a priority order in the function of the own device of the function selected by the user using the one device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is higher than a priority in function.   The predetermined condition is that a function used redundantly in the functions that can be operated simultaneously is used in a function selected by a user using one apparatus, and used in a function selected by a user using another apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is not.   5. The operation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operation accepting unit locks an operation of a user who uses the one device when an operation for a function selected by the user who uses the one device is not accepted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   In the case where the operation accepting unit has selected a function that cannot be operated at the same time by a user who uses the other device, even if the user who uses the other device has not operated the function that cannot be operated at the same time. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user who uses the one apparatus is notified that the functions that cannot be operated simultaneously cannot be selected. An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a client device that operates the image forming apparatus,
A selection management means for managing the function selected by the user among the functions possessed by the device;
Function determination means for determining whether one function can be operated simultaneously with another function under a predetermined condition;
When it is determined that the function selected by the user using one apparatus can be operated simultaneously with the function selected by the user using another apparatus under the predetermined condition, the one apparatus An operation accepting means for accepting an operation on a function selected by a user using
The operation accepting unit determines that the function selected by the user using the one device and the function selected by the user using the other device are functions that cannot be operated simultaneously under the predetermined condition. Then, an image forming system characterized by not accepting an operation for a function selected by a user using the one apparatus. In the computer of the image forming apparatus,
Among the functions owned by its own device, processing to manage the function selected by the user,
A process for determining whether one function can be operated simultaneously with another function under a predetermined condition;
By the determination process, it is determined that the function selected by the user using one apparatus can be operated simultaneously with the function selected by the user using another apparatus under the predetermined condition. And a process of accepting an operation for a function selected by a user using the one device;
By the determination process, it is determined that the function selected by the user using the one device and the function selected by the user using the other device are functions that cannot be operated simultaneously under the predetermined condition. A process of not accepting an operation for the function selected by the user using the one device;
A program for running

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