Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program

• US 20040153530A1
• Filed: 12/31/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Machida, Haruo
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0883 Semiautomatic configuration, e.g. proposals from system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

To flexibly configure an operation environment capable of easily and efficiently setting data processing in accordance with settings of expansion functions for a composite function while visually confirming the expansion functions of devices, a system configuration is displayed on a CRT in accordance with function information, connection information and status information of each device acquired via a network. When a user designates a set of icons of devices for realizing desired composite function processing, a CPU operates to display a combination function setting screen for the composite function processing, and displays on this setting screen a configuration image including the designated expansion functions of devices. A combination operation of corresponding devices is controlled in accordance with the settings on the setting screen.

Claims

1. A data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, comprising:

acquirement means for acquiring function information, connection information and status information of each device through communication with the device;

management means for storing and managing the function information, connection information and status information acquired by said acquirement means;

system displaying means for displaying a system configuration on a display unit by using icons, in accordance with the connection information and status information stored and managed by said management means;

designation means for designating a combination of optional icons displayed on the display unit;

function setting screen displaying means for displaying a setting screen for setting a combination function in accordance with the combination designated by said designation means and displaying a configuration image including an expansion function of each device designated by said designation means on the combination function setting screen in accordance with the function information stored and managed by said management means; and

control means for controlling a composite function operation of devices corresponding to the combination function in accordance with an execution designation on the combination function setting screen displayed by said function setting screen displaying means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said function setting screen displaying means displays a setting segment for an executable expansion function of each device on the combination function setting screen, in accordance with the function information of the device designated by said designation means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising editing means for editing and setting display contents on the setting segment for the executable expansion function of each device displayed by said function setting screen displaying means,

wherein said function setting screen displaying means displays the setting segment for the executable function of the device on the combination function setting screen in accordance with an edit result by said editing means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium is connected with plural other data processing apparatuses communicable with the data processing apparatus.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one of the plural data processing apparatuses is used as a management server.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the management server can store and manage an expansion configuration image resource of each device,

wherein said acquirement means acquires the expansion configuration image resource of each device transmitted from the management server each time the expansion configuration image resource of the device including the expansion function of the device and managed by the management server is updated.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

8. A data processing method for a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring function information, connection information and status information of each device through communication with the device;

a management step of storing and managing the function information, connection information and status information acquired in said acquirement step;

a system displaying step of displaying a system configuration on a display unit by using icons, in accordance with the connection information and status information stored and managed in said management step;

a designation step of designating a combination of optional icons displayed on the display unit;

a function setting screen displaying step of displaying a setting screen for setting a combination function in accordance with the combination designated in said designation step and displaying a configuration image including an expansion function of each device designated in said designation step on the combination function setting screen in accordance with the function information stored and managed in said management step; and

a function executing step of executing a composite function operation of devices corresponding to the combination function in accordance with an execution designation on the combination function setting screen displayed in said function setting screen displaying step.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said function setting screen displaying step displays a setting segment for an executable expansion function of each device on the combination function said function setting screen, in accordance with the function information of the device designated in said designation step.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising an editing step for editing and setting display contents on the setting segment for the executable expansion function of each device displayed in said function setting screen displaying step,

wherein said function setting screen displaying step displays the setting segment for the executable function of the device on the combination function setting screen in accordance with an edit result by said editing step.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein a management server is provided which can store and manage an expansion configuration image resource of each device,

wherein said acquirement step acquires the expansion configuration image resource of each device transmitted from the management server each time the expansion configuration image resource of the device including the expansion function of the device and managed by the management server is updated.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

13. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, the program comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring function information, connection information and status information of each device through communication with the device;

a management step of storing and managing the function information, connection information and status information acquired in said acquirement step;

a system displaying step of displaying a system configuration on a display unit by using icons, in accordance with the connection information and status information stored and managed in said management step;

a designation step of designating a combination of optional icons displayed on the display unit;

a function setting screen displaying step of displaying a setting screen for setting a combination function in accordance with the combination designated in said designation step and displaying a configuration image including an expansion function of each device designated in said designation step on the combination function setting screen in accordance with the function information stored and managed in said management step; and

a function executing step of executing a composite function operation of devices corresponding to the combination function in accordance with an execution designation on the combination function setting screen displayed in said function setting screen displaying step.

14. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said function setting screen displaying step displays a setting segment for an executable expansion function of each device on the combination function said function setting screen, in accordance with the function information of the device designated in said designation step.

15. A storage medium according to claim 14, wherein the program further comprises an editing step for editing and setting display contents on the setting segment for the executable expansion function of each device displayed in said function setting screen displaying step,

wherein said function setting screen displaying step displays the setting segment for the executable function of the device on the combination function setting screen in accordance with an edit result by said editing step.

16. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein a management server is provided which can store and manage an expansion configuration image resource of each device,

wherein said acquirement step acquires the expansion configuration image resource of each device transmitted from the management server each time the expansion configuration image resource of the device including the expansion function of the device and managed by the management server is updated.

17. A storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

18. A data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, comprising:

acquirement means for acquiring information for visually expressing an appearance of each device via the data communication path; and

display control means for displaying first image data having image data for visually expressing the appearance of the device on a display screen of a display unit, in accordance with the information acquired by said acquirement means,

wherein the plural devices are independently connectable to an option unit, and

said display control means controls to change a display form of the first image data to be displayed on the display screen, in accordance with whether the option unit is connected or not or in accordance with a type of the connected option unit, even if the plural devices are of a same type having a same function.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the plural devices includes an image forming device for forming an image on a sheet, and the option unit includes at least one of a sheet processing unit and a sheet feed unit.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the information to be acquired by said acquirement means further includes information on an expansion function executable by each device, wherein said display control means displays the first image data in a first area of the display screen and displays a first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the device in a second area of the display screen, in accordance with the information acquired by said acquirement means.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said display control means arranges and displays plural first function buttons corresponding to plural expansion functions in the second area of the display screen, if there are plural expansion functions executable by the device.

22. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said display control means arranges and displays the first function button and a second function button corresponding to a function executable by the data processing apparatus in the second area of the display screen.

23. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the device includes an image forming device for forming an image on sheet and the first function button includes at least a function bottom for designating one of a staple mode, a two-face printing mode, and a page layout mode.

24. A data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, comprising:

acquirement means for acquiring information on an expansion function executable by each device via the data communication path; and

display control means for displaying a first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the device in a first area of a display screen of a display device, in accordance with the information acquired by said acquirement means.

25. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said display control means arranges and displays plural first function buttons corresponding to plural expansion functions in the second area of the display screen, if there are plural expansion functions executable by the device.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, further comprising changing means for changing a layout order of the plural first function buttons in the first area of the display screen.

27. An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising, if there area plural candidates for the expansion function capable of being displayed in the first area of the display screen as first function buttons, selecting means for selecting a candidate to be displayed as the first function button, from the plural candidates.

28. An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said display control means arranges and displays the first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the remotely installed device and a second function button corresponding to a function executable by the data processing apparatus, in the first area of the display screen.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, further comprising changing means for changing a layout order of plural function buttons including the first and second function buttons in the first area of the display screen.

30. A data processing method for a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring information for visually expressing an appearance of each device via the data communication path; and

a display controlling step of displaying first image data having image data for visually expressing the appearance of the device on a display screen of a display unit, in accordance with the information acquired in said acquirement step,

wherein the plural devices are independently connectable to an option unit, and

said display controlling step controls to change a display form of the first image data to be displayed on the display screen, in accordance with whether the option unit is connected or not or in accordance with a type of the connected option unit, even if the plural devices are of a same type having a same function.

31. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing a program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, the program comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring information for visually expressing an appearance of each device via the data communication path; and

a display controlling step of displaying first image data having image data for visually expressing the appearance of the device on a display screen of a display unit, in accordance with the information acquired in said acquirement step,

wherein the plural devices are independently connectable to an option unit, and

said display controlling step controls to change a display form of the first image data to be displayed on the display screen, in accordance with whether the option unit is connected or not or in accordance with a type of the connected option unit, even if the plural devices are of a same type having a same function.

32. A data processing method for a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring information on an expansion function executable by each device via the data communication path; and

a display controlling step of displaying a first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the device in a first area of a display screen of a display device, in accordance with the information acquired in said acquirement step.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein said display controlling step arranges and displays the first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the remotely installed device and a second function button corresponding to a function executable by the data processing apparatus, in the first area of the display screen.

34. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for executing a program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with plural devices of different types installed remotely via a data communication path, the program comprising:

an acquirement step of acquiring information on an expansion function executable by each device via the data communication path; and

a display controlling step of displaying a first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the device in a first area of a display screen of a display device, in accordance with the information acquired in said acquirement step.

35. A storage medium according to claim 34, wherein said display controlling step arranges and displays the first function button corresponding to the expansion function executable by the remotely installed device and a second function button corresponding to a function executable by the data processing apparatus, in the first area of the display screen.

36. A data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, comprising:

first setting means for setting a specific image processing condition for a desired device;

second setting means for setting a specific image processing condition executable by the data processing apparatus;

image processing means for processing image data input from each device to execute a specific image editing processing, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set by one of said first and second setting means; and

control means for outputting the image data processed by said image processing means from one of the devices.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said image processing means executes the specific image editing processing for image data input from each device, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set by said second setting means, the specific image editing processing including an image effect editing processing and stamp addition editing processing.

38. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

39. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said control means outputs the processed image data or image data input from each device from another device.

40. A data processing method for a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, comprising:

a first setting step of setting a specific image processing condition for a desired device;

a second setting step of setting a specific image processing condition executable by the data processing apparatus;

an image processing step of processing image data input from each device to execute a specific image editing processing, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set in one of said first and second setting steps; and

a controlling step of outputting the image data processed by said image processing means from one of the devices.

41. A method according to claim 40, wherein said image processing step executes the specific image editing processing for image data input from each device, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set in said second setting step, the specific image editing processing including image effect editing processing and stamp addition editing processing.

42. A method according to claim 40, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

43. A method according to claim 40, wherein said control step outputs the processed image data or image data input from each device from another device.

44. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various devices connected with a communication medium, the program comprising:

a first setting step of setting a specific image processing condition for a desired device;

a second setting step of setting a specific image processing condition executable by the data processing apparatus;

an image processing step of processing image data input from each device to execute a specific image editing processing, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set in one of said first and second setting steps; and

a controlling step of outputting the image data processed by said image processing means from one of the devices.

45. A storage medium according to claim 44, wherein said image processing step executes the specific image editing processing for image data input from each device, in accordance with the specific image processing condition set in said second setting step, the specific image editing processing including image effect editing processing and stamp addition editing processing.

46. A storage medium according to claim 44, wherein the devices include a printer, a fax machine, a digital copying machine, a scanner, a digital camera, and a modem.

47. A storage medium according to claim 44, wherein said control step outputs the processed image data or image data input from each device from another device.