Patent Application
20210297540
Embodiments described herein related generally to an image processing apparatus, an image processing system, and a method performed thereby.
In recent years, a technology for enabling access to functions of an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) from wireless terminals, such as smartphones, has been developed due to the widespread use of wireless terminals. With such a technology, a user can, for example, transmit data to be printed from a wireless terminal directly to an MFP for printing. In such a case, the wireless terminal may display a list of MFPs to which the wireless terminal can be wirelessly connected to directly to allow the user to select one of the MFPs from the list for printing. The wireless terminal transmits data (referred to as “print data” in this context) to the selected MFP and instructs the printing of the transmitted data (print data).
However, there are cases where insufficient information is presented to the user of the wireless terminal to permit the user to select an appropriate MFP from the listed MFPs. Therefore, in some instances, the user may select an inappropriate or incorrect MFP from among the listed MFPs for printing.
In one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes a printing unit, a network interface, a memory, and a processor configured to, in response to a request for performing a function received from an external device via the network interface, control the printing unit to perform the function. The memory stores a plurality of images each indicating an optional component attachable to the image processing apparatus. Upon receipt of a request for apparatus information from the external device via the network interface, the processor retrieves one or more of the images corresponding to the optional component(s) attached to the image processing apparatus, combines the retrieved images to form a representative image of the image processing apparatus, and controls the network interface to transmit the representative image to the external device.
As one example of such MFP functions, the MFP system 1 in which the printer function of the MFP 3 is made available from the wireless terminal 2 is shown in
However, the user may not always accurately remember or memorize the apparatus information of the MFP that he or she wants to use. Therefore, it is generally difficult for a user to determine a desired MFP based only on the apparatus information illustrated in
The MFP system 1 of the first embodiment allows a user to appropriately select an MFP to be used from among the MFPs listed.
The processor 311, the memory 312, and the auxiliary storage device 313 are not limited to any specific type or types as long as they can operate to cause the MFP 3 to function as an information processing apparatus for providing the MFP function(s). For example, the processor 311 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 311 may also include a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Further, for example, the memory 312 is a random access memory (RAM). The memory 312 may also include a read only memory (ROM). The auxiliary storage device 313 is a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device (also referred to as a solid-state storage device).
All or a part of the functions of the MFP 3 may be performed by hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program executed may be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, or the like, a storage device such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer system, or the like. The program may be transmitted over a telecommunications line in some examples.
As described above, the processor 311, the memory 312, and the auxiliary storage device 313 together function to serve as a controller for allowing the MFP 3 to provide MFP functions. Therefore, in the following description, the processor 311, the memory 312, and the auxiliary storage device 313 are sometimes collectively referred to as “controller 31.” The controller 31 has a function of transmitting the apparatus information of its own apparatus to the wireless terminal 2 in response to the request of the wireless terminal 2. The controller 31 has a function of executing the designated MFP function in response to a request from the wireless terminal 2. The controller 31 stores various setting information necessary for performing these functions in the auxiliary storage device 313.
The configuration of the controller 31 is not limited to a specific configuration as long as it can cause the MFP 3 to provide the MFP functions by executing the program.
The auxiliary storage device 313 stores various pieces of setting information necessary for realizing functions of the controller 31. More specifically, the auxiliary storage device 313 stores information necessary for the controller 31 to generate apparatus information of its own device as setting information.
The communication unit 32 is a communication interface configured to connect the MFP 3 and the wireless terminal 2 to communicate with each other. Here, the communication unit 32 includes a wireless communication interface circuit 321 and a wired communication interface circuit 322. As a result, the MFP 3 can directly or indirectly communicate with the wireless terminal 2.
The input device 33 is an input device, such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard. The input device 33 receives input of various operations to the MFP 3, and outputs the input information to the processor 311. The processor 311 executes processing according to the input information, whereby various MFP functions are executed in the MFP 3.
The display 34 is a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like. The display 34 displays various kinds of information related to the operation of the MFP 3. For example, information to be displayed by the display 34 is output from the processor 311.
The printer 35 can form an image on a sheet based on scan data generated by the scanner 36 or scan data received via a communication path. For example, the printer 35 includes an image forming unit for forming a desired image on a sheet, a sheet accommodating unit for storing sheets, and the like. The image forming unit forms an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum according to the generated or received scan data, and the electrostatic latent image is developed by using a developer, then the developed image is transferred to a sheet. The developer is, for example, a toner. The toner may be a decolorable toner which can be decolorized at or above a predetermined temperature. The image forming unit fixes the developed image (e.g., toner image) to the sheet by heating and pressing the sheet in a fixing unit. The sheets that are printed may be a sheet storage in a sheet accommodating unit or a sheet that has been manually inserted.
In response to the instruction from the controller 31, the scanner 36 reads the appearance of a read object as light and dark signals. For example, the scanner 36 scans the object to be read by using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge coupled device) or a CIS (contact image sensor). The scanner 36 outputs the scanned data to the controller 31.
In general, the processor 211, the memory 212, and the auxiliary storage device 213 are not limited to any specific types as long as together they can cause the wireless terminal 2 to function as an information processing apparatus having a wireless communication function. For example, the processor 211 may be a CPU. The processor 211 may include a GPU. Further, for example, the memory 212 is a RAM. The memory 212 may include a ROM. The auxiliary storage device 213 is a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device.
All or part of the functions of the wireless terminal 2 may be performed by hardware, such as an ASIC, a PLD, an FPGA, or the like. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable, non-transitory recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium is, for example, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, or the like, a storage device such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer system, or the like. The program may be transmitted over a telecommunications line.
The processor 211, the memory 212, and the auxiliary storage device 213 together function as a controller for causing the wireless terminal 2 to function as an information processing apparatus having wireless communication functions. Therefore, in the following description, the processor 211, the memory 212, and the auxiliary storage device 213 in some instances may be collectively referred to as “controller 21.” The controller 21 executes the MFP application and thus has a function of instructing the MFP 3 to execute an MFP function.
Specifically, the controller 21 also has a function of searching for MFPs 3 that can be used in accordance with the user's input operation, and acquiring the apparatus information from each of the MFPs 3 that have been discovered in the searching. The controller 21 has a function of generating a list screen indicating the available MFPs 3 based on the apparatus information acquired from the discovered MFPs 3. The controller 21 also has a function to display the generated list screen on the display 34, and to then instruct the MFP 3 selected from the list screen to execute the designated MFP function.
The wireless communicator 22 is a wireless communication interface configured to connect the wireless terminal 2 and the MFP 3 to communicate with each other. For example, the wireless communication interface is a communication interface that connects to a mobile phone network such as a third generation (3G) or a fourth generation (4G) wireless network. Also, for example, the wireless communication interface may be a wireless LAN communication interface such as Wi-Fi®.
The input device 23 is an input device, such as a touch panel, a mouse, and a keyboard. The input device 23 receives input of various operations to the wireless terminal 2, and outputs input information to the processor 211. The processor 211 instructs the MFP application to execute processing corresponding to the input information, thereby instructing the MFP 3 to execute various MFP functions.
The display 24 is a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, or an organic EL display. The display 24 displays various information related to the operation of the wireless terminal 2. For example, an operation screen of the MFP application is displayed on the display 24. Further, the information to be displayed on the display 24 is output from the processor 211.
In this state, the user inputs an operation for selecting an MFP function to be used for the MFP application. The controller 21 of the wireless terminal 2 performs processing for searching for MFPs 3 available in response to the input of the operation. Specifically, the controller 21 broadcasts a response request for apparatus information over a network (ACT 101, apparatus information request). The apparatus information request is received by each of the MFPs 3 connected to the network.
Subsequently, in each of the MFPs 3, the controller 31 generates the apparatus information to be transmitted to the wireless terminal 2 in response to the apparatus information request (ACT 102). Specifically, the controller 31 generates the apparatus information including an image which schematically shows the appearance of the MFP 3 (hereinafter, referred to as an “icon”) in addition to the conventional character information (hereinafter referred to as “basic information”) shown in the example of
In addition, in some examples, each MFP 3 may store icon data, which schematically indicates its characteristics by appearance in the auxiliary storage device 313. Each MFP 3 may also be configured to generate such icon data in response to a request from the wireless terminal 2.
For example, the correspondence between the above-recited options and the image representing the appearance of each of the options can be stored as first setting information in each of MFPs 3. In addition, second setting information indicating the option configuration of the apparatus itself can be stored in each of MFPs 3. Furthermore, an image depicting the basic casing of the MFP 3 and the image data of its respective options can be stored in each of the MFPs 3. Accordingly, a controller 31 can generate icon data by combining image data corresponding to the option configuration of the apparatus with the image data of the basic casing of the apparatus. Hereinafter, the image data representing an optional appearance or configuration is referred to as “option image data”, and an image formed by the option image data is referred to as an “option image”.
In
Returning to the description of
For example, according to
Moreover, for example, the user can easily judge that the MFP 3 shown in the apparatus information INF3 is provided with the paper feeder 3P-1 and the ADF 3P-2.
Further, for example, the user can easily visually determine that the MFP 3 shown in the apparatus information INF4 is provided with the paper feeder 3P-1, the ADF 3P-2, the inner finisher 3P-10, and the inner hole punch unit 3P-11.
Also, for example, the user can easily determine that the MFPs 3 shown in the apparatus information INF2, INF5 and INF6 do not have any optional component.
By facilitating the identification of the MFP 3, the user can appropriately select the desired MFP 3 from the list screen based on the actual image of the MFP 3 that is desired to be used by the user.
In the first embodiment, the basic information of each MFP 3 and icons schematically indicating the characteristics of the appearance of each MFP 3 are displayed as the apparatus information of the MFPs 3 discovered by the search. In this case, the controller 31 of the MFP 3 may be configured to generate an icon further indicating information other than the just the external apparatus appearance of the MFP 1. For example, the controller 31 may generate an icon indicating that color printing can be performed (hereinafter, referred to as “color correspondence display”) by the represented MFP 3.
In the first embodiment, the MFP 3 generates icon data corresponding to its option configuration and then supplies the icon data to the wireless terminal 2. However, the generation of icon data does not necessarily have to be performed by the MFP 3. For example, the wireless terminal 2 may be configured to generate icon data when the wireless terminal 2 acquires the information necessary to generate icon data. For example, it is possible to store image data indicating the basic configuration of the MFP 3 along with option image data for each of the various possible options in the wireless terminal 2. In this case, each listed MFP 3 may be displayed with identifying image data combined from those stored on the wireless terminal 2 based on the first setting information and the second setting information received by the wireless terminal 2.
An MFP system 1 of a second embodiment is different from the MFP system 1 of the first embodiment in that the wireless terminal 2 is capable of displaying various attribute information for each MFP 3 as the apparatus information of the MFP 3 in addition to an icon for each MFP 3. Here, the attribute information is information related to the MFP 3, and may be any information that is not easily represented by basic configuration information or icons related to external appearance.
The wireless terminal 2 in the second embodiment is the same as the controller 21 in the first embodiment except that part of the configuration of the controller 21 is different from that in the first embodiment. In the MFPs 3 in the second embodiment, a part of the configuration of the controller 31 is different from that in the first embodiment, however the rest of the configuration is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the configurations of the wireless terminal 2 and the MFP 3 are substantially the same as those depicted in
In the second embodiment, the controller 31 of the MFP 3 stores third setting information defining attribute information in the auxiliary storage device 313 to be displayed. In response to the request of the wireless terminal 2, the controller 31 transmits the basic information of the MFP apparatus and an icon, in addition to the attribute information for the MFP apparatus, in response to a request from the wireless terminal 2. The controller 21 of the wireless terminal 2 displays the basic information for each discovered MFP 3 in a list screen in association with the respective icons and the attribute information.
Further, for example, the third setting information shown in
Moreover, as long as the attribute information and the icon are displayable in association with each other in some manner, they do not necessarily have to be displayed at the same time. For example, the controller 21 may configure the list screen so that the display of the attribute information and the display of the icon are switched in response to a predetermined input operation, e.g. pressing of a button or the like.
Moreover, it is not always necessary for all of the attribute information items to be displayed simultaneously with respect to an MFP 3. For example, when the attribute information is displayed in the layout as in the example shown in
The switching of the display does not necessarily have to be performed in accordance with the user's operation. For example, the switching of the display may be performed every time a predetermined time elapses.
Thus, the attribute information of each MFP 3 can be displayed in association with the basic information, so that the user can more easily identify the MFP 3 that conforms to his or her preferences from among the MFPs 3 that are listed.
Among the MFP functions, the wireless terminal 2 and the MFP 3 may communicate with each other by a dedicated communication protocol (hereinafter referred to as a “dedicated protocol”). In such a case, the wireless terminal 2 may acquire information specific to the MFP function from the MFP 3 by communication based on the dedicated protocol. Therefore, the wireless terminal 2 may acquire part or all of the apparatus information to be displayed in the list screen by communication based on a dedicated protocol with the MFP 3.
The icon in the aforementioned embodiments is an example of information corresponding to the appearance of the MFP 3. In addition, the attribute information in the embodiments is an example of information corresponding to a feature or device aspect that might not be obvious from the external appearance of the MFP.
“Decolorization” or “decolorable” as used in the present disclosure refers to a specialized toner or ink that can initially be any color (e.g., white, black, red, blue, green, etc.) different from the color of a sheet on which printing is being performed, but which becomes the color (or substantially so) of the sheet or otherwise transparent (or substantially so) upon heating above a threshold temperature or the like.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The embodiments and variations thereof are included within the scope and spirit of the invention as well as the scope of the appended claims.
