JPH10149331A - Control system, control method of control system, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To freely construct an image processing environment capable of uniformly processing various settings for various peripheral devices. SOLUTION: CPU of personal computer 201
Queries the image reading device 202 for first specification information that can be set in the image reading device 202, receives parameter specification data transferred from the image reading device 202,
1a, a command parameter to be set in the image reading device 202 is input from the input unit 201b, the input command parameter is transferred to the image reading device 202, and image reading is performed based on the transferred command parameter. The configuration is such that the CPU of the device 202 performs setting of each unit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium by transferring setting information that can be set by the control device to the peripheral device to the peripheral device. The present invention relates to a control system for setting peripheral devices, a control method for the control system, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a control device such as a personal computer capable of controlling various peripheral devices has all types and settable values of parameters necessary for peripheral devices such as a printer and a scanner connected on the control device side. They have grasped and set parameters for peripheral devices based on their knowledge.

[0003] In addition, the types of parameters necessary for controlling the peripheral devices connected on the control device side are grasped in advance, and each settable value is individually queried to the peripheral devices. On the other hand, each parameter was sequentially set.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional control device is premised on knowledge of the types and numbers of parameters of the peripheral devices to be connected, which allows control by a program on the control device side. The number of devices is limited, and when connecting a device with expanded functions in the future, it is necessary to recreate or repurchase the entire control program, resulting in problems such as an increase in cost.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to eighth inventions according to the present invention is to provide a control device and a peripheral device via a predetermined communication medium. In a control system that can communicate with the peripheral device, query the peripheral device for first specification information that can be set for the peripheral device,
Displaying a list of the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device, inputting second specification information to be set for the first specification information, and transmitting the second specification information to the peripheral device; A control system, a control method of the control system, and a computer-readable program capable of freely constructing an image processing environment capable of uniformly processing various settings for various peripheral devices by transferring and setting each part of the peripheral device Is to provide a storage medium in which is stored.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. Inquiring means for inquiring the peripheral device of specification information, receiving the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device in response to the inquiry of the inquiry means, and listing the received first specification information Display means for displaying; input means for inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information listed by the display means; A control device having first transfer means for transferring second specification information to the peripheral device; and controlling the first specification information that can be set in the peripheral device in response to an inquiry from the control device. Turn to device And a setting unit that receives the second specification information transferred from the control device and sets each unit of the peripheral device based on the received second specification information. And a device.

In a second aspect according to the present invention, the first specification information includes a plurality of specification data of different types.

In a third aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a scanner.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a printer.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a facsimile.

In a sixth aspect according to the present invention, the peripheral device includes a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a control method of a control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the first specification information settable in the peripheral device is stored. An inquiry step of inquiring the peripheral device from the control device, a first transfer step of transferring the first specification information from the peripheral device to the control device in response to an inquiry from the control device, A display step of displaying a list of the first specification information transferred from the device;
An input step of inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information displayed in the list, and transmitting the input second specification information from the control device to the peripheral device. And a setting step of setting each part of the peripheral device based on the second specification information transferred from the control device.

An eighth invention according to the present invention is directed to a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a control system capable of communicating with a control device and a peripheral device via a predetermined communication medium. An inquiry step of inquiring the peripheral device from the control device for first specification information that can be set in the device; and responding to the inquiry from the control device, the first specification information is transmitted from the peripheral device to the control device. A first transfer step of transferring, a display step of displaying a list of the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device, and setting of the list of the first specification information in the peripheral device An input step of inputting the second specification information to be input, a second transfer step of transferring the input second specification information from the control device to the peripheral device, and a second transfer step of transferring the input second specification information from the control device. It is based on the specification information that is stored in a storage medium a program which a computer can read comprising a setting step for setting each part of the peripheral device.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[First Embodiment] An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described below.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, which corresponds to a case where an image reading device as a peripheral device is connected to a personal computer as a control device. I do.

Referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes a personal computer having a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM therein;
Controls the entire system based on a program stored in the ROM, and the RAM is a main memory of the CPU. 201a is a display unit such as a CRT, and 201b is an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse. An image reading apparatus 202 has a CPU, RAM, and ROM therein,
Controls the entire apparatus based on a program stored in the ROM. The RAM is a main memory of the CPU. Further, the image reading device 202 is a personal computer 2
01 and connected to the personal computer 201
Can be controlled from

FIG. 2 shows the image reading apparatus 202 shown in FIG.
Responds to the parameter inquiry from the personal computer 201 as a response to the personal computer 20.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of parameter specification data 100 transmitted to No. 1;

Reference numeral 101 denotes a parameter name, for example, "brightness", "filter", "binarization method", etc. as image processing conditions. A settable value 102 indicates a settable value of each parameter. For example, the value for the "brightness" can be set in the range of "0 to 255", and the "filter" can be selected from "black isolated point elimination", "edge emphasis", and "edge extraction". "Dithering method"
"Error diffusion" or "simple binary" can be selected. 103 indicates the type of each parameter. For example, the value for the “brightness” is “integer”, the selection of the “filter” is “collective selection”, and the selection of the “binarization method” is “exclusive selection”.

Note that "collective selection" means that a plurality of settable values may be selected, and "exclusive selection" means that only one settable value is always selected.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a parameter input screen displayed on the display unit 201a of the personal computer 201 shown in FIG.
(FIG. 2) is displayed in a list.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes an input area for a parameter for setting “brightness” as a light-dark balance in an image, requesting an input of an integer value from “0” to “255”. 302 is a "filter" as an image processing method
Is set in the input area of the parameter for setting whether or not to use three types of filters ("black isolated point elimination", "edge enhancement", and "edge extraction") (collective selection). Reference numeral 303 denotes an input area for a parameter for setting a “binarization method” as an image processing method. One of three types of methods (“dither”, “error diffusion”, and “simple binary”) is selected. Let me choose (exclusive choice).

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of command parameters sent from the personal computer 201 shown in FIG. 1 to the image reading device 202.

Reference numeral 500 denotes command parameters, which are input on the input screen shown in FIG. 3 based on the specification of each parameter, such as "128", "black isolated point deletion",
These are “edge extraction” and “simple binary”, and are transferred to the image reading device 202 as second specification information to be set in the peripheral device.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the first to third inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIGS.

A first invention provides a control system in which a control device (personal computer 201) and a peripheral device (image reading device 202) can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium. (A CPU in the personal computer 201 executes a program stored in a ROM and shown in a timing chart of FIG. 5 described below) to inquire about the specification information of the peripheral device. The first specification information transferred from the peripheral device according to
(A CPU in the personal computer 201) which receives the parameter specification data 100 shown in FIG. 3 and displays the received first specification information in a list (shown in FIG. 3).
Executes a program shown in a timing chart of FIG. 5 described later stored in the ROM and performs display processing on the display unit 201a). The first specification information listed by the display unit is displayed on the peripheral device. Input means (input section 201b of the personal computer 201) for inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device, and the second specification information (command parameter 500 shown in FIG. 4) input by the input means. A control device having first transfer means (a CPU in the personal computer 201 executes a program stored in a ROM shown in a timing chart of FIG. 5 described later and transfers the data) to the device, and the control device In response to an inquiry from the (personal computer 201), the peripheral device (the image reading device 20)
2) second transfer means (the CPU in the image reading device 202 is a ROM) for transferring the first specification information (parameter specification data 100 shown in FIG.
And executes the program shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5 described later and stored therein, and the second specification information (command parameter 500 shown in FIG. 4) transferred from the control device. Setting means for setting each part of the peripheral device based on the received second specification information (the CPU in the image reading device 202 executes the program shown in the timing chart of FIG. And a peripheral device having an image reading device 20).
Inquiry to the image reading device 202 for the first specification information that can be set to 2, the parameter specification data 100 transferred from the image reading device 202 is received, and the list is displayed on the display unit 201a. A command parameter 500 to be set in the image reading device 202 is input to the image reading device 202 via the input unit 201b, the input command parameter 500 is transferred to the image reading device 202, and an image is generated based on the transferred command parameter 500. Even when the CPU of the reading device 202 sets each part of the image reading device 202 and the control device does not know the specifications of the peripheral device at all, the peripheral device is inquired and the setting for various peripheral devices is performed. It can be performed in a unified manner.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the first specification information (FIG. 2)
(Parameter specification data 100 shown in FIG. 3) includes a plurality of specification data of different types (an integer type parameter “brightness”, a collective selection type parameter “filter”, and an exclusive selection type parameter “binarization method”). In addition, it is possible to collectively set a plurality of specifications having different types of peripheral devices.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a scanner (image reading device 202), and can uniformly set the resolution and the like for inputting image information.

Hereinafter, the control operation of the control system of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the control system according to the present invention. The processes (1) to (3) on the control device side and the processes (11) and (12) on the peripheral device side indicate respective steps.

First, in step (1), the personal computer 201 sends a parameter inquiry command to the image reading device 202. Then, in step (11), the image reading apparatus 202 responds to the inquiry by inputting the parameter name and the settable value (FIG. 2).
Is returned. Next, in step (2), based on the parameter specification data 100 passed in step (11), the input screen shown in FIG. 3 is created and displayed on the display unit 201a to prompt the operator to input parameters. For example, the operator selects “128” for “brightness”, “black isolated point elimination” and “edge extraction” for “filter”, and “simple binary” for “binarization method”.
Enter

Next, in step (3), the parameters input by the operator through the input unit 201b in step (2) are converted into command parameters 500 (shown in FIG. 4).
Is transferred to the image reading device 202.

Next, in step (12), the image reading apparatus 202 sets each section based on the command parameters 500 transferred from the personal computer 201 in step (3).

Thus, the image reading apparatus 202 can provide the function requested by the operator when transferring the image data to the personal computer 201.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each step of the seventh and eighth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a seventh aspect, in the control method of the control system in which the control device and the peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the first specification information which can be set in the peripheral device is transmitted from the control device. An inquiry step (step (1) in FIG. 5) for inquiring of the peripheral device, and a first transfer for transferring the first specification information from the peripheral device to the control device in response to an inquiry from the control device. Step (step (11) in FIG. 5) and the first
A display step (step (2) in FIG. 5) for displaying a list of the specification information items, and an input for inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the list of the first specification information items A step (step (2) in FIG. 5), a second transfer step (step (3) in FIG. 5) for transferring the input second specification information from the control device to the peripheral device, and the control A setting step (step (12) in FIG. 5) of setting each part of the peripheral device based on the second specification information transferred from the device, and executing a specification related to the setting of the peripheral device on the control device side. Even when the user does not recognize the device at all, it is possible to inquire about the peripheral device and perform the setting for various peripheral devices in a unified manner.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in a storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a control system capable of communicating with a control device and a peripheral device via a predetermined communication medium, the program can be set in the peripheral device. An inquiry step (step (1) in FIG. 5) for inquiring of the first specification information from the control device to the peripheral device; and, in response to an inquiry from the control device, transmitting the first specification information to the peripheral device. A first transfer step (step (11) in FIG. 5) for transferring from the peripheral device to the control device, and a display step (step (2) in FIG. 5) for displaying a list of the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device. Inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information displayed in the list (step (2) in FIG. 5); 2 specification information A second transfer step (step (3) in FIG. 5) for transferring from the control device to the peripheral device, and setting of each unit of the peripheral device based on second specification information transferred from the control device. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program including a setting step (step (12) in FIG. 5). That is, FIG. 5 shows a storage medium or an internal storage resource described later.
The program code corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 1 is stored, and the CPU of the personal computer 201, the CPU of the image reading device 202, and the image reading device 401 shown in FIG. A mode in which the CPU, the CPU of the facsimile machine 402, and the CPU of the printing apparatus 403 read and execute the data are also included in the embodiment of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where various settings of the peripheral device such as the image reading device 202 having no operation unit are performed from the control device such as the personal computer 201 has been described. The embodiment of the present invention also includes a case where various settings are made from the personal computer 201 to the image reading device 202 in which various settings of the image reading device 202 can be made from the operation unit.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the personal computer 201 as a control device is used.
Reading device 202 as a peripheral device directly connected to
Has been described, but the control device may be configured to control peripheral devices via a network. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system to which a control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In the case where the control device is an image reading device and the peripheral devices are a facsimile and a printing device. Corresponding to

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes an image reading device as a control device, which internally has a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM.
The CPU controls the entire system based on a program stored in the ROM, and the RAM is a main memory of the CPU.
An operation panel 401a includes an LCD, various buttons, and the like. 402 is a facsimile, and C
It has a PU, a RAM, and a ROM, and the CPU controls the entire apparatus based on a program stored in the ROM. Also,
RAM is the main memory of the CPU.

Reference numeral 403 denotes a printing apparatus, in which a CPU, RA
M and a ROM, and the CPU controls the entire apparatus based on a program stored in the ROM. RAM is C
This is the main memory of the PU. In addition, the image reading device 401
A facsimile machine 402 as a peripheral device and a printing device 40 via a network cable (network) 404
3 is connected.

FIG. 7 shows the facsimile machine 402 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of parameter specification data 700 transmitted to the image reading device 401 in response to a parameter inquiry from the image reading device 401.

In the figure, reference numeral 701 denotes a parameter name, for example, a "telephone number" for operating the facsimile machine 402. 702 is a settable value, “10
703 is a parameter type, which is a “numerical string”.

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the control method of the control system of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. This embodiment corresponds to a process in which the image reading apparatus 401 shown in FIG. 6 outputs read image data to a telephone line via a facsimile 402.

First, in step (1) of FIG. 5, a command for inquiring parameters is sent from the image reading apparatus 401 to the facsimile 402. Then, in step (11), the facsimile 402 returns a parameter name and a settable value (the parameter specification data 7 shown in FIG. 7).
00). When operating the facsimile 402, it is necessary to specify a telephone number. Next, in step (2),
The image reading apparatus 401 displays an input screen for a "phone number" as a parameter on the operation panel 401a, and allows the operator to input a telephone number of up to 10 digits.

Next, in step (3), the image reading device 401 sends the parameter (telephone number) input in step (2) to the facsimile 402. Finally, in step (12), the facsimile 402 sets the parameter (telephone number) transferred from the image reading device 401 in step (3) as the destination telephone number.

As a result, after making a call with the facsimile machine 402, the image data read by the image reading device 401 can be sent to the telephone line.

[Third Embodiment] In the second embodiment, the image reading device 401 as the control device is connected to the facsimile machine 40 as the peripheral device via the network 404.
2 has been described, the image data read by the image reading device 401 is transmitted to the telephone line via the facsimile 402. However, the image reading device 401 serving as the control device is connected to the peripheral device via the network 404. The printing device 403 may be controlled so that the image data read by the image reading device 401 is output by the printing device 403. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

The configuration of the system is the same as that of the system shown in FIG. 6, and the printing apparatus 403 is provided with a sorter for sorting printed materials.

FIG. 8 shows that the printing apparatus 403 shown in FIG.
Parameter specification data 8 to be transmitted to the image reading device 401
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of 00.

In the figure, reference numeral 801 denotes a parameter name, for example, a “bin number” for designating which bin to output a printed matter. Reference numeral 802 denotes a settable value, which is a bin number of “1 to 9”, and reference numeral 803 denotes a parameter type, which is “integer”.

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the control method of the control system of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the present embodiment, the image reading apparatus 401 shown in FIG.
03 corresponds to the output control process.

First, in step (1) of FIG. 5, the image reading device 401 sends a command for inquiring of parameters to the printing device 403. In step (11), the printing device 403 can set a parameter name and a parameter name. The parameter specification data 800 (FIG. 8) including the value is returned. Since the printing apparatus 403 has a sorter, this is for specifying which bin to output.

Next, in step (2), an input screen for a “bin number” as a parameter is displayed on the operation panel 401a of the image reading device 401 based on the parameter specification data 800 from the printing device 403, and the operator is prompted to enter a number. Input. And in step (3)
The parameter (bin number) input by the operator in step (2) is sent to the printing device 403. Finally, step (1)
In 2), the printing apparatus 403 transmits the parameter (bin number) transferred from the image reading apparatus 401 in step (3).
Is set as the bin number of the output sorter. Thereafter, when the image data is sent, the printing apparatus 403 outputs the printing result to the designated bin.

If the printing apparatus 403 does not have a sorter, "no parameter" may be returned as a response (parameter specification data) to the parameter inquiry from the image reading apparatus 401. There is no need to detect the presence.

As shown in the second and third embodiments, the image reading apparatus 401, facsimile machine 402, and printing apparatus 403 connected to the same network 404.
The image reading apparatus 401 can control both the facsimile machine 402 and the printing apparatus 403 in the same manner by absorbing the difference between them in the procedure of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the correspondence between this embodiment and each means of the fourth to sixth inventions and the operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a printer (printing device 403), and it is possible to unifiedly set the resolution, sorter, stapler, double-sided printing, etc. relating to image information output.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device is a facsimile (facsimile 402), which makes it possible to unifiedly set a destination and a resolution for transmitting and receiving image information.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the peripheral device includes a scanner (image reading device 202 shown in FIG. 1), a printer (printing device 403), and a facsimile (facsimile 402). Can be unified by one control program.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a program readable by the control system according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various programs readable by the control system according to the present invention.

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

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5 in this embodiment may be executed by the present system by a program installed from the outside. And in that case, CD-ROM, flash memory, FD
The present invention is also applicable to a case where an information group including a program is provided to the system from a storage medium such as the above or from an external storage medium via a network.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments 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 out 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.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and 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 an 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 to 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.

[0072]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, in a control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate via a predetermined communication medium, an inquiry unit inquires the peripheral device of first specification information that can be set in the peripheral device, In response to an inquiry from the control device, the second transfer means transfers the first specification information settable to the peripheral device to the control device, and transfers the first specification information from the peripheral device in response to an inquiry from the inquiry device. Said first
Receiving the first specification information, the display means displays the received first specification information in a list, and the second specification to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information listed by the display means. Input by the input means, the first transfer means transfers the second specification information input by the input means to the peripheral device, and transfers the second specification information transferred from the control device. Since the setting unit performs the setting of each part of the peripheral device based on the received second specification information, even if the control device does not recognize the specification etc. related to the setting of the peripheral device at all, the setting of the peripheral device , The settings for various peripheral devices can be unified.

According to the second aspect, since the first specification information includes a plurality of specification data of different types, it is possible to collectively set a plurality of specifications of different types of peripheral devices.

According to the third aspect, since the peripheral device is a scanner, it is possible to uniformly set the resolution and the like for inputting image information.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the peripheral device is a printer, it is possible to unifiedly set the resolution, sorter, stapler, double-sided printing, and the like relating to image information output.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the peripheral device is a facsimile, it is possible to unify the setting of the transmission destination and the resolution for transmitting and receiving image information.

According to the sixth aspect, the peripheral device includes a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile.
Various settings for the scanner, the printer, and the facsimile can be uniformly performed by one control program.

According to the seventh and eighth aspects, in the control method of the control system in which the control device and the peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, the first specification information settable in the peripheral device is provided. From the control device to the peripheral device, and in response to an inquiry from the control device, the peripheral device transfers the first specification information to the control device. Is displayed, and second specification information to be set in the peripheral device is input with respect to the first specification information displayed in the list, and the input second specification information is controlled by the control. Since the settings are transferred from the device to the peripheral device and the respective components of the peripheral device are set based on the second specification information transferred from the control device, the control device side completely recognizes the specifications and the like related to the setting of the peripheral device. Even if not It can be set to various peripheral devices in a unified manner with contact devices.

Therefore, there is an effect that an image processing environment capable of uniformly processing various settings for various peripheral devices can be freely constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of parameter specification data transmitted to the personal computer as a response from the image reading device shown in FIG. 1 to a parameter inquiry from the personal computer.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a parameter input screen displayed on a display unit of the personal computer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of command parameters sent from the personal computer shown in FIG. 1 to the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control system to which a control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

7 is a diagram showing an example of parameter specification data transmitted by the facsimile shown in FIG. 6 to the image reading device in response to a parameter inquiry from the image reading device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of parameter specification data transmitted to the image reading device in response to an inquiry about a parameter from the image reading device by the printing device illustrated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various programs that can be read by the control system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 201 personal computer 201a display unit 201b input unit 202 image reading device

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein: an inquiry means for inquiring the peripheral device of first specification information settable in the peripheral device; Display means for receiving the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device in response to the inquiry of the inquiry means, and displaying a list of the received first specification information; and a list displayed by the display means Input means for inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information, and a first for transferring the second specification information input by the input means to the peripheral device A transfer device that transfers the first specification information that can be set to the peripheral device to the control device in response to an inquiry from the control device; and the control device. Or A peripheral device having setting means for receiving the second specification information transferred from the device and setting each unit of the peripheral device based on the received second specification information. system. 2. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the first specification information includes a plurality of specification data of different types. 3. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a scanner. 4. The control system according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral device is a printer. 5. The control system according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is a facsimile. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device includes a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile.
The control system as described. 7. A control method for a control system in which a control device and a peripheral device can communicate with each other via a predetermined communication medium, wherein first specification information settable in the peripheral device is transmitted from the control device to the peripheral device. An inquiry step of inquiring; a first transfer step of transferring the first specification information from the peripheral device to the control device in response to an inquiry from the control device; and a first transfer process of transferring the first specification information from the peripheral device. A display step of displaying a list of the first specification information, an input step of inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the first specification information displayed in the list, and the input second A second transfer step of transferring the specification information of the peripheral device from the control device to the peripheral device; and a setting step of setting each part of the peripheral device based on the second specification information transferred from the control device. That A control method of a control system characterized by the following. 8. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a control system capable of communicating with a control device and a peripheral device via a predetermined communication medium, wherein a first settable device for the peripheral device is provided. An inquiry step of inquiring specification information from the control device to the peripheral device; and a first transfer step of transferring the first specification information from the peripheral device to the control device in response to an inquiry from the control device. A display step of displaying a list of the first specification information transferred from the peripheral device, and inputting second specification information to be set in the peripheral device with respect to the list of the first specification information An input step, a second transfer step of transferring the input second specification information from the control device to the peripheral device, and a second specification information transferred from the control device. Storage medium characterized by storing a program which a computer can read comprising a setting step for setting each part of the serial peripheral devices.