Information processing system and information processing device suitable to perform process by communicating data among plurality of information processing devices connected to network, process condition setting program stored on a computer readable medium and executed in each of plurality of information processing devices, and process condition setting method

Abstract

In order to easily set a process condition with effective use of a function of each of a plurality of MFPs, an image processing system includes a plurality of MFPs connected to a network. Each of a plurality of MFPs includes a group function information storing unit to store, for each of a plurality of MFPs, function information which defines an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any MFP other than that MFP and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any MFP other than that MFP, a setting screen display unit to read function information of all of a plurality of MFPs to display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of a plurality of MFPs, a process condition reception unit to receive the process condition, and an output unit to output the process condition to any one of a plurality of MFPs.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an entire overview of an image processing system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an overview of MFP.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary hardware configuration of MFP.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an overview of a function of CPU of MFP with information stored in HDD.

FIG. 5 shows exemplary group function information.

FIG. 6 shows a first type of setting screen by way of example.

FIG. 7 shows a second type of setting screen by way of example.

FIG. 8A illustrates a flow of a group function information generation process by way of example.

FIG. 8B illustrates a flow of a group function information reception process by way of example.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process condition setting process by way of example.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network, each of said plurality of information processing devices including: a storage unit to store, for each of said plurality of information processing devices, function information which defines an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any information processing device other than the information processing device and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any of all information processing devices other than the information processing device;a setting screen display unit to read the function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices stored in said storage unit and display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of said plurality of information processing devices;a process condition reception unit to receive said process condition; andan output unit to output said received process condition to any one of said plurality of information processing devices.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, each of said plurality of information processing devices further including: a data designation unit to receive designation of data to be processed; anda destination designation unit to receive designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data among said plurality of information processing devices, whereinsaid setting screen display unit provides display that allows setting of said process condition for performing said individual process and said shared process of said designated destination device and said shared process of all information processing devices other than said destination device that cannot be performed by said destination device.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein said output unit includesa process performing device decision unit to decide on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, anda transmission unit to transmit said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, each of said plurality of information processing devices further including: a data designation unit to receive designation of data to be processed;a performable device display unit to extract and display, if said individual process is included in said received process condition, an information processing device that can perform the individual process from said plurality of information processing devices; anddestination device designation unit to receive designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data from said displayed information processing device.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein said performable device display unit extracts and displays an information processing device that can perform a process subsequent to an image formation process included in said received process condition from said plurality of information processing devices.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein said output unit includes a process performing device decision unit to decide on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, anda transmission unit to transmit said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

7. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one information processing device of said plurality of information processing devices further includes a function information obtaining unit to receive said function information from each of all information processing devices other than the information processing device.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein said at least one information processing device further includes a function information transmission unit to transmit function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to all information processing devices other than the information processing device.

9. A process condition setting program stored on a computer readable medium and executable in one of a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network, said process condition setting program causing said information processing device to execute processing comprising the steps of: storing function information which defines, for each of said plurality of information processing devices, an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any information processing device other than the information processing device and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any of all information processing devices other than the information processing device;reading said stored function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of said plurality of information processing devices;receiving said process condition; andoutputting said received process condition to any one of said plurality of information processing devices.

10. The process condition setting program according to claim 9, wherein said processing further comprising the steps of: receiving designation of data to be processed; andreceiving designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data among said plurality of information processing devices, whereinsaid step of displaying a setting screen includes the step of providing display that allows setting of said process condition for performing said individual process and said shared process of said designated destination device and said shared process of all information processing devices other than said destination device that cannot be performed by said destination device.

11. The process condition setting program according to claim 10, wherein said outputting step includes the steps of deciding on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, andtransmitting said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

12. The process condition setting program according to claim 9, wherein said processing further comprising the steps of: receiving designation of data to be processed;if said individual process is included in said received process condition, extracting and displaying an information processing device that can perform the individual process from said plurality of information processing devices; andreceiving designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data from said displayed information processing device.

13. The process condition setting program according to claim 12, wherein said outputting step includes the steps ofdeciding on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, andtransmitting said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

14. The process condition setting program according to claim 9, wherein said processing further comprising the step of receiving said function information of all the other information processing devices of said plurality of information processing devices.

15. The process condition setting program according to claim 14, wherein said processing further comprising the step of transmitting said function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to all the other information processing devices of said plurality of information processing devices.

16. A process condition setting method that can be performed in one of a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network, said process condition setting method comprising the steps of: storing function information which defines, for each of said plurality of information processing devices, an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any information processing device other than the information processing device and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any of all information processing devices other than the information processing device;reading said stored function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of said plurality of information processing devices;receiving said process condition; andoutputting said received process condition to any one of said plurality of information processing devices.

17. The process condition setting method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: receiving designation of data to be processed; andreceiving designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data among said plurality of information processing devices, whereinsaid step of displaying a setting screen includes the step of providing display that allows setting of said process condition for performing said individual process and said shared process of said designated destination device and said shared process of all information processing devices other than said destination device that cannot be performed by said destination device.

18. The process condition setting method according to claim 17, wherein said outputting step includes the steps of deciding on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, andtransmitting said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

19. The process condition setting method according to claim 16, further comprising the steps of: receiving designation of data to be processed;if said individual process is included in said received process condition, extracting and displaying an information processing device that can perform the individual process from said plurality of information processing devices; andreceiving designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data from said displayed information processing device.

20. The process condition setting method according to claim 19, wherein said outputting step includes the steps ofdeciding on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, andtransmitting said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

21. The process condition setting method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of receiving said function information of all the other information processing devices of said plurality of information processing devices.

22. The process condition setting method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of transmitting said function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to all the other information processing devices of said plurality of information processing devices.

23. An information processing device for use in an information processing system comprising a plurality of information processing devices connected to a network, said information processing device comprising: a storage unit to store, for each of said plurality of information processing devices, function information which defines an individual process that does not allow processed data to be output to any information processing device other than the information processing device and a shared process that allows processed data to be output to any of all information processing devices other than the information processing device;a setting screen display unit to read the function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices stored in said storage unit and display a setting screen that allows setting of a process condition for performing a process that can be performed in at least one of said plurality of information processing devices;a process condition reception unit to receive said process condition; andan output unit to output said received process condition to any one of said plurality of information processing devices.

24. The information processing device according to claim 23, further comprising: a data designation unit to receive designation of data to be processed; anda destination designation unit to receive designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data among said plurality of information processing devices, whereinsaid setting screen display unit provides display that allows setting of said process condition for performing said individual process and said shared process of said designated destination device and said shared process of all information processing devices other than said destination device that cannot be performed by said destination device.

25. The information processing device according to claim 24, wherein said output unit includesa process performing device decision unit to decide on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, anda transmission unit to transmit said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

26. The information processing device according to claim 23, further comprising: a data designation unit to receive designation of data to be processed;a performable device display unit to extract and display, if said individual process is included in said received process condition, an information processing device that can perform the individual process from said plurality of information processing devices; anddestination device designation unit to receive designation of a destination device that outputs said designated data from said displayed information processing device.

27. The information processing device according to claim 26, wherein said performable device display unit extracts and displays an information processing device that can perform a process subsequent to an image formation process included in said received process condition from said plurality of information processing devices.

28. The information processing device according to claim 26, wherein said output unit includes a process performing device decision unit to decide on a device that performs a process defined by said process condition among said plurality of information processing devices, anda transmission unit to transmit said designated data, said process condition, and device identifying information for identifying said destination device to said decided device.

29. The information processing device according to claim 23, further comprising a function information obtaining unit to receive said function information from each of all information processing devices other than the information processing device.

30. The information processing device according to claim 29, further comprising a function information transmission unit to transmit function information of all of said plurality of information processing devices to all information processing devices other than the information processing device.