JPH1139165A - Device function change method, network connection device, and device management server - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To reduce the burden on client terminals by changing functions without replacing ROM in the device,
Enables effective use of equipment. SOLUTION: In a device management server 21 connected to a network 20, and a network connection device such as a scanner 22, a printer 23, a facsimile device 24, etc., a function or a destination is displayed on a display unit 52 of the network connection device.
The user selects a data and a function by the input unit 51, and downloads a processing program, a printer driver 71, a data format conversion program 72, a mail transmission application 73, and the like according to the user's usage form from the device management server 21, and It is configured to be stored in the storage unit 55 of the connected device. Thus, the function can be changed without replacing the ROM in the device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device function changing method capable of changing the function of a device, a network connection device, and a device management server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, OA devices such as scanners, printers, and facsimile machines have been used by connecting them to networks. FIG. 3 shows a conventional method of using a network connection device such as a scanner, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

As shown in FIG. 3, a scanner 2, a printer 3, a facsimile machine 4, and a client terminal 5 (personal computer) are connected to a network 1. In FIG. 3, when image data read by the scanner 2 is printed by the printer 3, first, the client terminal 5 acquires scanning data from the scanner 2 using the image processing application 7 and the scanner driver 10. Thereafter, printing is performed on the printer 3.

[0006] When the scanning data output from the scanner 2 is attached to an e-mail and transmitted to the mail server 13, stored in the file server 14, or transmitted to the facsimile machine 4, an application is selected by the client terminal 5. And run. When the printer 3 is used, the data is changed to print data using the printer driver 11 for the printer, and printing is executed.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional method, the client terminal 5 must be executed using an application suitable for the use form of the device. Therefore, the load on the client terminal 5 is large,
Since the data passes through the client terminal 5, the processing becomes slow. In addition, only fixed processing programs can be used from the beginning on the device.
M had to be replaced.

[0006] The present invention provides a device function changing method and a network connection device that reduce the burden on a client terminal by changing the function of the device without replacing the ROM in the device and enable the device to be used effectively. And a device management server.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a processing program is downloaded from a device management server to a network-connected device such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile machine, or the like, according to a user's usage pattern.
Functions of scanners, printers, and facsimile machines can be changed.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A device function changing method characterized in that a processing program according to a usage pattern of a user of each device is downloaded from a device management server to a terminal such as a scanner, a printer, or a facsimile device connected to a network. ROM storing the processing program of
The function of the device can be easily changed without replacing the device.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention provides a device function by downloading from a device management server connected to a network to a scanner connected to the network, a processing program adapted to the usage form of the user of each device. When the printer is selected as the destination of the scanning data by the scanner, the printer driver of the selected printer is downloaded from the device management server to the scanner, and the original is read by the scanner. This is a method of changing device functions, which converts scanned data into printer data using a downloaded printer driver and transfers the data to a printer. With this configuration, the scanner can directly transmit print data to a target printer. Can be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a device management server connected to a network downloads a processing program corresponding to a use form of a user of each device to a scanner connected to the network. In the state where a file server is selected as a destination of scanning data by a scanner, a file format to be stored in the selected file server is selected, and a data format conversion process to the selected file format is performed. Scanning data obtained by downloading the program from the device management server to the scanner and scanning the original with the scanner is
Convert to the selected file format using the downloaded data format conversion program,
This is a device function changing method characterized by transferring data to a file server. With this configuration, it is possible to directly transfer and save a desired file format from the scanner to the file server.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a device management server connected to a network downloads a processing program corresponding to a usage form of a user of each device to a scanner connected to the network. When the mail server is selected as the destination of the scanning data by the scanner, a mail transmission program to be transmitted to the selected mail server is downloaded from the device management server to the scanner, and the original is scanned by the scanner. This is a device function changing method characterized in that scanning data obtained by reading a document is transferred to a mail server using a downloaded mail transmission program. With this configuration, scanning data is directly transmitted from a scanner as mail. Becomes possible.

The fifth aspect of the present invention is the first aspect of the present invention.
The method according to claim 1, wherein when a printer is connected to a network, a printer language of the printer is selected, and a processing program of the selected printer language is downloaded from a device management server to the printer. This is a device function changing method. With this configuration, a printer language processed by the printer can be easily changed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a device program is changed from a device management server connected to a network to a facsimile device connected to the network by downloading a processing program according to a user's usage pattern. This configuration makes it possible to use the facsimile apparatus as a single-function apparatus such as a scanner or a printer.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a device which can be connected to a network together with a device management server, performs means for operating a device, means for displaying operation details, and a user interface processing program adapted to a function. A network connection device comprising means for downloading from a device management server. With this configuration, it is possible to save memory for a user interface processing program in the device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a device management server which is connectable to a network together with a network connection device and has means for downloading address data adapted to a transmission destination to the network connection device. With this configuration, the memory for address data in the device can be saved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention according to claims 1 to 9 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a device management server and a network (LA) according to this embodiment.
FIG. Reference numeral 20 denotes a network (LAN) laid on the premises. Reference numeral 21 denotes a device management server, which is connected to the network 20. The device management server 21 has information on each device and a processing program.
22 is a scanner, 23 is a printer, and 24 is a facsimile machine. 25 is a file server and 26 is a mail server. The scanner 22, printer 23, facsimile machine 24, file server 25, and mail server 26 are connected to a network 20.
Hereinafter, the scanner 22, the printer 23, the facsimile machine 24, the file server 25, and the mail server 26 are collectively referred to as network connection devices.

FIG. 2 shows an internal configuration diagram of a network connection device such as a scanner 22, a printer 23, and a facsimile machine 24. In FIG. 2, an input unit 51 allows a user to input operation procedures and data. Reference numeral 52 denotes a display unit, which is displayed on the display unit 52 when a process or the like that can be performed by the user is displayed. Reference numeral 53 denotes a control unit, which also determines the type of data, operation, and the like. 54 is a processing unit for processing data and the like, and 55 is a storage unit for storing programs and data. A communication unit 56 transmits and receives data through a new medium such as a network or a general public line.

The display unit 52 displays each possible process and available devices. Based on the display, the user inputs a process to be executed using the input unit 51, or when the information of the process to be executed transmitted from the network 20 is received, the control unit 53 determines the content.

The control unit 53, which has determined the processing content, determines whether a necessary processing program exists in the device. If there is no necessary processing program or the processing program is not optimal, the control unit 53 sends a request to download the necessary processing program from the communication unit 56 to the network 20.
To the device management server 21 through

The device management server 21 has a configuration capable of internally managing a processing program and the like.
The requested processing program is transmitted to the device that issued the request. The communication unit 56 notifies the control unit 53 that data has been received from the network.

When the control unit 53 receives the notification, determines that the received data content is the requested processing program, the control unit 53 stores the processing program in the storage unit 55, and notifies the processing unit 54 to execute the processing. I do. The processing unit 54 that has received the notification can execute the processing program and perform data conversion and necessary processing.

(Embodiment 2) The scanner 22 connected to the network will be described below. The display unit 52 of the scanner 22 can display a plurality of terminals connected to the network 20 as transmission destinations of the read image data. Here, the terminal selected as the transmission destination is the printer 23.

The user selects the printer 23 as a destination printer by using the input unit 51 from among the plurality of displayed printers. When the controller 53 determines that the selected device is the printer 23, the controller 53 determines whether a printer driver required for the printer 23 is installed in the device. If the printer driver 71 for the printer 23 is not present in the scanner 22, a request to download the printer driver for the printer 23 is sent to the control unit 53.
Do. The communication unit 56 that has received the request notifies the device management server 21 of the printer driver 71 for the printer 23.
Send a message to download.

Device management server 21 receiving the message
Transmits a printer driver 71 for the printer 23 to the scanner 22. Printer driver 7 for printer 23
In the scanner 22 to which 1 has been downloaded, the processing unit 54 executes the printer driver 71 for the downloaded printer 23. The processing unit 54 converts the scanning data read by the scanner 22 into printer data using the printer driver 71 for the printer 23.
When this conversion process ends, the processing unit 54 notifies the control unit 53 that the conversion process has ended.

The control unit 53 that has received the notification requests the communication unit 56 to transmit the converted data to the printer 23. The communication unit 56 that has received the request can directly transmit the converted data to the printer 23 that is the destination. This makes it possible to transmit the scanned data to the printer 23 without using a PC (personal computer) and print it directly.

(Embodiment 3) Also, from among the terminals shown on the display unit 52 of the scanner 22, the user inputs
When the file server 25 is selected in step 1, the control unit 53 displays on the display unit 52 which data format the scanning data is to be stored in the file server 25. The user selects a data format format from the data format format displayed on the display unit 52 using the input unit 51, or sets a data format format for reading and saving information on the data format format to be saved obtained through the network 20. decide.

When the file server 25 for storing data and the data format to be stored in the file server 25 are selected, the control unit 53 determines whether or not the device has a conversion program for converting the data format. If there is no conversion program for converting the data format, or if it is not the optimum conversion processing program, the control unit 53 makes a request to download the data format conversion processing program 72 required for data conversion.

The communication unit 56 that has received the request transmits a message from the scanner 22 to transmit the data format conversion processing program 72 to the device management server 21. At the same time, a message is transmitted so as to acquire the directory information of the selected file server 25. The device management server 21 that has received the message transmits the necessary data format conversion processing program 72 to the scanner 22. The directory information of the file server 25 is also transmitted to the scanner 22.

Data format conversion processing program 7
In the scanner 22 to which the directory information of the file server 25 and the directory information of the file server 25 have been downloaded, the processing unit 54 executes the downloaded data format conversion processing program 73.

The processing section 54 converts the scanning data from the scanner 22 into a data format conversion processing program 72.
Is used to convert to the selected data format. When this conversion process is completed, the processing unit 54
Is notified that the conversion process has been completed. At this time, the obtained directory information is displayed to the user using the display unit 52, and the user uses the input unit 51 to select in which directory the scanning data is to be stored from the display list.

The control unit 53 receives the notification indicating which directory of the file server 25 is to be stored and the notification that the conversion process has been completed, and requests the communication of the converted scanning data to the selected file server 25. To the communication unit 56. The communication unit 56 that has received the transmission request attaches the scanning data whose data format has been converted and information indicating where to save the data to the file server 25 and transmits the data to the file server 25 as the transmission destination. Thus, the scanning data can be directly stored in a desired directory in the file server 25 in a desired data format.

(Embodiment 4) Indicator 52 of scanner 22
The user can select the mail server 26 by using the input unit 51 from the devices shown in FIG. When the mail server 26 is selected, the control unit 53 performs a request process for downloading the mail transmission application 73 to the device management server 21. Upon receiving this request, the communication unit 56 transmits a message from the scanner 22 to download the mail transmission application 73 to the device management server 21. The device management server 21 that has received the message transmits the mail transmission application 73 to the scanner 22.
In the scanner 22 to which the mail transmission application 73 has been downloaded, the processing unit 54 executes the downloaded mail transmission application 73.

When the mail transmission application 73 is executed, the mail address book is expanded on the display unit 52.
The user uses the input unit 51 to select a destination address from the address list on the display unit 52. When the control unit 53 determines that the transmission destination is specified, the scanning data is attached to the mail, and the specified destination address information is added to the mail. When this process ends, the control unit 53 notifies the communication unit 56 to send an e-mail. The communication unit 56 that has received the notification transmits the mail to the designated destination. This makes it possible to directly send the scanning data to a desired destination using an electronic mail.

(Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, the printer 23 connected to the network will be described. When the print data is transmitted or when the printer language is specified by the user, the controller 53 determines the type of the print data and the type of the printer language selected by the input unit 51, and determines the necessary A request process for downloading the printer language processing program (printer driver) 74 is performed.

Upon receiving this request, the communication unit 56 transmits a message from the printer 23 to the device management server 21 so as to download the necessary printer language processing program 74. The device management server 21 having received the message transmits the printer language processing program 74 specified by the printer 23 to the printer 25. In the printer 23 to which the printer language processing program has been downloaded, the processing unit 54 executes the downloaded printer language processing program 74. This makes it possible for one printer to process print data described in various printer languages.

(Embodiment 6) Hereinafter, a facsimile machine 24 connected to a network will be described.
The display unit 52 of the facsimile machine 24 displays a scanner function and a printer function in addition to a general facsimile machine function.

When the user selects the scanner function using the input unit 51, the control unit 53 determines the selected item,
The control unit 53 performs a request process for downloading the scanner processing program 75 using the communication unit 56. The communication unit 56 that has received the notification of the request processing transmits a message so as to download the scanner processing program 75 to the device management server 21.

Device management server 21 receiving the message
Transmits the scanner processing program 75 to the facsimile apparatus 2
Send to 4. In the facsimile apparatus 24 to which the scanner processing program 75 has been downloaded, the downloaded scanner processing program 75 is executed by the processing unit 54. When the scanner processing program 75 is executed, only the document data scanning function can be used by using the scanner unit of the facsimile machine 24. Further, the scanned data can be transmitted or stored by using a transmission processing function other than the facsimile apparatus.

The user can input a printer function to the input unit 51.
When the control unit 53 selects the item, the control unit 53 determines the selected item, and the control unit 53 uses the communication unit 56 to perform a request process for downloading the printer processing program. The communication unit 56 that has received the notification of the request processing sets the device management server 21
To download the printer processing program (printer driver) 76.

Device management server 21 receiving the message
Transmits the printer processing program 76 to the facsimile machine 2
Send to 4. In the facsimile machine 24 to which the printer processing program 76 has been downloaded, the downloaded printer processing program 76 is executed by the processing unit 54. When the printer processing program 76 is executed, printer data described in a printer language other than the data format of the facsimile apparatus can be printed using the printing unit of the facsimile apparatus 24.

[0042]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a function processing program including a user interface for each function from a device management server to a device such as a scanner, a printer, a facsimile device and the like, and address data of a transmission destination. Is provided, a server is not required for each device such as a scanner, and the burden on the client terminal can be reduced. Further, a memory for storing each processing program and address data can be saved. Furthermore, since the function can be changed without replacing the ROM of the device, an advantageous effect that the device can be used effectively can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration and a network of a device management server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a network connection device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional network.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 network 21 device management server 22 scanner 23 printer 24 facsimile device 25 file server 26 mail server 51 input unit 52 display unit 53 control unit 54 processing unit 55 storage unit 56 communication unit 71 printer driver 72 data format conversion program 73 mail application 74 printer Language processing program 75 Scanner processing program 76 Printer processing program 77 Facsimile device driver

Claims (10)

[Claims] An apparatus function changing method characterized in that a processing program according to a usage form of a user of each apparatus is downloaded from an apparatus management server to a terminal such as a scanner, a printer, or a facsimile apparatus connected to a network. . 2. A method for changing a device function by downloading a processing program adapted to a use form of a user of each device from a device management server connected to a network to a scanner connected to the network. When the printer is selected as the destination of the scanning data by the scanner, the printer driver of the selected printer is downloaded from the device management server to the scanner, and the scanning data obtained by reading the original by the scanner is downloaded. Converting the data into printer data using the printer driver and transferring the data to the printer. 3. A method of changing a device function by downloading a processing program adapted to a usage form of a user of each device from a device management server connected to a network to a scanner connected to the network. When a file server is selected as a destination of scanning data by the scanner, a file format to be stored in the selected file server is selected, and a data format conversion processing program to the selected file format is sent from the device management server to the scanner. Scanning data obtained by reading the original with the scanner is converted to the selected file format by using the downloaded data format conversion program, and transferred to the file server. And a device function changing method. 4. A method for changing a device function by downloading a processing program adapted to a usage form of a user of each device from a device management server connected to a network to a scanner connected to the network. When the mail server is selected as the destination of the scanning data by the scanner, a mail transmission program to be transmitted to the selected mail server is downloaded from the device management server to the scanner, and the original is read by the scanner. A device function changing method, wherein scanning data is transferred to a mail server using a downloaded mail transmission program. 5. When a printer is connected to a network, a printer language of the printer is selected, and a processing program of the selected printer language is downloaded from a device management server to the printer. 1. The device function changing method according to 1. 6. A device function change, wherein a device function is changed by downloading a processing program according to a user's usage form from a device management server connected to the network to a facsimile machine connected to the network. Method. 7. The apparatus function change according to claim 6, wherein a scanner function processing program is downloaded from the apparatus management server to said facsimile apparatus when a scanner function for using the facsimile apparatus as a scanner is selected. Method. 8. The apparatus function change according to claim 6, wherein a printer function processing program is downloaded from the apparatus management server to said facsimile apparatus when a printer function for using the facsimile apparatus as a printer is selected. Method. 9. A device which can be connected to a network together with the device management server, performs a device operation, displays operation contents, and downloads a user interface processing program corresponding to a function from the device management server. A network connection device comprising: 10. A device management server which is connectable to a network together with a network connection device and has means for downloading address data adapted to a transmission destination to the network connection device.