Image forming apparatus, image processing system, method of processing a job, method of controlling a job, and computer readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions

• US 20050105129A1
• Filed: 11/10/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Takahashi, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 8,264,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.150
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1204 resulting in reduced user or operator actions, e.g. presetting, automatic actions, using hardware token storing data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1205 resulting in increased flexibility in print job configuration, e.g. job settings, print requirements, job tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1206 resulting in increased flexibility in input data format or job format or job type
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/126 Job scheduling, e.g. queuing, determine appropriate device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1285 Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00244 with a server, e.g. an internet server fax-servers or the like for store and forward H04N1/324
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00432 using tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00435 arranged in a predetermined sequence, e.g. using next and previous buttons
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00464 using browsers, i.e. interfaces based on mark-up languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00482 outputting a plurality of job set-up options, e.g. number of copies, paper size or resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00639 Binding, stapling, folding or perforating, e.g. punching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32502 in systems having a plurality of input or output devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3255 Hybrid jobs, i.e. performing different parts of the same job on different devices, e.g. colour and B/W pages on different devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0039 Connection via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 : Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

In an image processing system including an image forming apparatus and one or more service providers connected to the Internet, functions available in the image forming apparatus of a user and functions provided by the service providers on the Internet are displayed on an operation control screen such that the user can select an arbitrary function and specify operation conditions of the selected function via the operation unit. A controller of the image forming apparatus acquires information indicating the functions provided by the service providers, and selectively displays first-type functions indicated by the acquired information and/or second-type functions executable by the image forming apparatus.

Claims

1. An image processing system including an image forming apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a plurality of processing functions, the image processing system comprising:

an acquisition unit for the image forming apparatus to acquire information associated with at least one processing function provided by the at least one service provider; and

a controller for controlling the image forming apparatus to provide a notification of first function information acquired by the acquisition unit and indicating at least one processing function provided by the at least one service provider and second function information indicating at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus, the notification being in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to distinguish the first function information from the second function information.

2. An image processing system including an image reading apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a particular image processing service, the image processing system comprising:

an acquisition controller for controlling the image forming apparatus to acquire information associated with at least one image processing function provided by the at least one service provider; and

a controller for controlling an operation unit of the image reading apparatus so that when a document image is read by the image reading apparatus, at least one first-type image processing function indicated by the information acquired by the acquisition controller and at least one second-type image processing function executable by the image reading apparatus are selectively displayed on the operation unit.

3. An image processing system including an image reading apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a particular image processing service, the image processing system comprising:

an acquisition controller for controlling the image forming apparatus to acquire first information associated with at least one image processing function provided by the at least one service provider; and

a controller for controlling an operation unit of the image reading apparatus so that when image processing is performed on image data stored in a particular storage area managed by a data processing apparatus connectable to the network, first information acquired by the acquisition controller identifying at least one first-type image processing function and second information identifying at least one second-type image processing function executable by the image reading apparatus are selectively displayed on the operation unit.

4. An image processing system including an image forming apparatus connectable via a network to a service provider that provides a plurality of processing functions, the image processing system comprising:

a storage controller for storing image data in a storage unit included in the image forming apparatus;

an acquisition unit for the image forming apparatus to acquire information associated with at least one processing function provided by the service provider; and

a controller for controlling an operation unit of the image forming apparatus so that when image data stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is output, first function information acquired by the acquisition unit and indicating at least one processing function provided by the service provider and second function information indicating at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to distinguish the first function information from the second function information.

5. An image processing system according to claim 4, wherein

the imaqe forming apparatus is connectable to a plurality of service providers via a network;

and

the controller controls the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that the first function information indicating at least one processing function provided by each of the service providers and the second function information indicating the at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows the first function information to be distinguished from the second function information.

6. An image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the controller controls the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that processing functions of a logical OR of the first processing functions indicated by the first function information acquired by the acquisition unit and the second processing functions executable by the image forming apparatus indicated by the second function information are displayed on the operation unit.

7. An image processing system according to claim 4, further comprising:

a function setting unit for defining settings of a specified processing function selected from processing functions displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus; and

an operation controller for controlling the service provider so as to provide a service in which the specified processing function set by the function setting unit is reflected.

8. An image processing system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a determination unit for determining whether the specified processing function set by the function setting unit is executable by the image forming apparatus; and

an order unit for submitting a process order to the service provider to execute the specified processing function set by the function setting unit when the determination unit determines that the specified processing function is not executable by the image forming apparatus.

9. An image processing system according to claim 4, wherein the processing functions provided by the service provider include at least one of a job order reception, a document reception, a job edit, scanning, job content confirmation, job rasterizing, printing, job post processing, job file storage, job delivery/dispatch, job text recognition, translation, and process management of a work flow including a plurality of process steps.

10. An image processing system including an image forming apparatus capable of performing data communication with an external apparatus, the image processing system comprising:

an operation unit disposed on the image forming apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that identification of first-type processes executable by the image forming apparatus and second-type processes executable by the external apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to select any one of the first-type processes and the second-type processes via the operation unit.

11. An image processing system including an image forming apparatus, the image processing system comprising:

an operation unit disposed on the image forming apparatus; and

a controller for controlling the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that an operator of the image forming apparatus can select either one of a first mode and a second mode via the operation unit, the first mode being a ffode in which a job accepted by the image forming apparatus is executed using the image forming apparatus without needing an operation of any operator other than the operator of the image forming apparatus, and the second mode being a mode in which the job accepted by the image forming apparatus is executed using a device other than the image forming apparatus in conjunction with an operation by an operator other than the operator of the image forming apparatus.

12. An image processing system according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls the image forming apparatus such that when the first mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus executes a process of the job, and when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmits command data to an external apparatus, with which the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication, to request the external apparatus to execute the process of the job.

13. An image processing system according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that when the first mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, identification of a plurality of processes executable by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows the operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the plurality of processes executable by the image forming apparatus, and when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, identification of a plurality of processes executable by the device other than the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows the operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the displayed plurality of processes executable by the device other than the image forming apparatus.

14. An image processing system according to claim 11, wherein the controller controls the image forming apparatus such that when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, job order data indicating a request for processing of the job and operation instruction data identifying what process should be performed on the job by the device other than the image forming apparatus are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus with which the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication.

15. An image processing system according to claim 11, wherein

the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication with a service provider including the device other than the image forming apparatus;

and

the service provider includes a plurality of devices including at least one of a process control manager, an order/document reception manager, a document edit manager, a proof manager, a print manager, a post process manager, a file storage manager, a delivery/dispatch manager, a scanner unit, a color image forming apparatus, a monochrome image forming apparatus, a paper cutting machine, a saddle binder, a case binder, a paper folder, an enclosing machine, and a collator.

16. An image processing system according to claim 15, wherein the controller controls the image forming apparatus such that when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus transmits, to the service provider, command data to request the job accepted by the image forming apparatus to be processed by using the device of the service provider in conjunction with an operation performed by an operator of the service provider.

17. An image processing system according to claim 16, further comprising a service provider operation controller for controlling the device of the service provider to process the job accepted by the image forming apparatus according to the command data.

18. An image processing system according to claim 16, further comprising a service provider notification controller for providing instructions, via a user interface unit, to the operator of the service provider indicating what operation should be performed on the job accepted by the image forming apparatus by the operator of the service provider based on the command data.

19. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image forming apparatus connectable via a network to a service provider that provides a plurality of processing functions, the method comprising:

acquiring information associated with at least one processing function provided by the service provider; and

providing a notification of first function information acquired which indicates at least one processing function provided by the service provider and second function information which indicates at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus, the notification provided in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to distinguish the first function information from the second function information.

20. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 19 are stored.

21. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image forming apparatus connectable via a network to a service provider that provides a plurality of processing functions, the method of processing the job comprising:

storing image data in a storage unit included in the image forming apparatus;

acquiring information associated with at least one processing function provided by the service provider; and

controlling an operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that when image data stored in the storage unit of the image forming apparatus is output, first function information acquired which indicates at least one processing function provided by the service provider and second function information which indicates at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to distinguish the first function information from the second function information.

22. A method of processing a job according to claim 21, wherein

the image forming apparatus is connectable to a plurality of service providers via a network;

and

the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is controlled such that the first function information indicating at least one processing function provided by each of the service providers and the second function information indicating at least one processing function executable by the image forming apparatus are displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows the first function information to be distinguished from the second function information.

23. A method of processing a job according to claim 21, wherein the operation unit of the image forming apparatus is controlled such that processing functions of a logical OR of the processing functions identified by the first function information and the processing functions identified by the second function information are displayed on the operation unit.

24. A method of processing a job according to claim 21, further comprising:

defining settings of a processing function selected from processing functions identified by the first function information displayed on the operation unit of the image forming apparatus; and

controlling the service provider to provide a service based on the processing function selected and the settings defined for the processing function selected.

25. A method of processing a job according to claim 24, further comprising:

determining whether the specified processing function set is executable by the image forming apparatus; and

issuing a process order command to the service provider to execute the specified processing function set if it is determined that the specified processing function is not executable by the image forming apparatus.

26. A method of processing a job according to claim 21, wherein the processing functions provided by the service provider include at least one of a job order reception, a document reception, a job edit, scanning, job content confirmation, job rasterizing, printing, job post processing, job file storage, job delivery/dispatch, job text recognition, translation, and process management of a work flow including a plurality of process steps.

27. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 21 are stored.

28. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image reading apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a particular image processing service, the method comprising:

acquiring information associated with at least one image processing function provided by the at least one service provider; and

controlling an operation unit of the image reading apparatus such that when a document image is read by the image reading apparatus, at least one first-type image processing function indicated by the information acquired and at least one second-type image processing function executable by the image reading apparatus are selectively displayed on the operation unit.

29. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 28 are stored.

30. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image reading apparatus connectable via a network to at least one service provider that provides a particular image processing service, the method comprising:

acquiring information associated with at least one image processing function provided by the at least one service provider; and

controlling an operation unit of the image reading apparatus such that when image processing is performed on image data stored in a particular storage area managed by a data processing apparatus connectable to the network, at least one first-type image processing function indicated by the information acquired and at least one second-type image processing function executable by the image reading apparatus are selectively displayed on the operation unit.

31. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 30 are stored.

32. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image forming apparatus capable of performing data communication with an external apparatus, the method comprising:

controlling the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that at least one first-type process executable by the image forming apparatus is displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows an operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the first-type processes; and

controlling the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that at least one second-type process executable by the external apparatus is displayed on the operation unit in a form that allows the operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the second-type processes.

33. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 32 are stored.

34. A method of processing a job in an image processing system including an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

controlling an operation unit of the imaqe forming apparatus such that an operator of the image forming apparatus can select a first mode via the operation unit, the first mode being a mode in which a job accepted by the image forming apparatus is executed using the image forming apparatus without needing an operation of any operator other than the operator of the image forming apparatus; and

controlling the operation unit of the image forming apparatus such that the operator of the image forming apparatus can select a second mode via the operation unit, the second mode being a mode in which the job accepted by the image forming apparatus is executed using an apparatus other than the image forming apparatus in conjunction with an operation by an operator other than the operator of the image forming apparatus.

35. A method of processing a job according to claim 34, further comprising:

executing the process of the job by using the image forming apparatus when the first mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus; and

transmitting command data from the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus with which the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication to request the external apparatus to execute the process of the job when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus.

36. A method of processing a job according to claim 34, further comprising:

when the first mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, displaying first information that identifies a plurality of processes executable by the image forming apparatus on the operation unit in a form that allows the operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the plurality of processes executable by the image forming apparatus from the first information displayed; and

when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, displaying second information that identifies a plurality of processes executable by the device other than the image forming apparatus on the operation unit in a form that allows the operator of the image forming apparatus to select one of the plurality of processes executable by the device other than the image forming apparatus from the second information displayed.

37. A method of processing a job according to claim 34, further comprising when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, transmitting, from the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus with which the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication, job order data indicating a request for processing of the job and operation instruction data indicating what process should be performed on the job by the device other than the image forming apparatus.

38. A method of processing a job according to claim 34, wherein

the image forming apparatus is capable of performing data communication with a service provider including the device other than the image forming apparatus;

and

the service provider includes a plurality of devices including at least one of a process control manager, an order/document reception manager, a document edit manager, a proof manager, a print manager, a post process manager, a file storage manager, a delivery/dispatch manager, a scanner unit, a color image forming apparatus, a monochrome image forming apparatus, a paper cutting machine, a saddle binder, a case binder, a paper folder, an enclosing machine, and a collator.

39. A method of processing a job according to claim 38, further comprising when the second mode is selected via the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, transmitting from the image forming apparatus to the service provider, command data to request the job accepted by the image forming apparatus to be processed by using the device of the service provider in conjunction with an operation performed by an operator of the service provider.

40. A method of processing a job according to claim 39, further comprising controlling the device of the service provider to process the job according to the command data.

41. A method of processing a job according to claim 39, further comprising notifying the operator of the service provider, via a user interface unit, what operation should be performed on the job by the operator of the service provider based on the command data.

42. A computer-readable storage medium on which computer-executable instructions for implementing a job processing method according to claim 34 are stored.