Communication system

• US 20060143286A1
• Filed: 11/07/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Miyazawa, Masafumi, Yanagi, Satoru, Kokubo, Masatoshi, Matsuda, Makoto, Ohara, Kiyotaka, Aoki, Kazuma
• Granted Patent: US 8,169,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1293 Printer information exchange with computer
• 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 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• 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 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00344 with a management, maintenance, service or repair apparatus monitoring H04N1/00002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00472 using a pop-up window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00474 outputting a plurality of functional options, e.g. scan, copy or print
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00798 Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device or according to a measured quantity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00931 Synchronising different operations or sub-apparatus, e.g. controlling on-times taking into account different warm-up times
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00933 Timing control or synchronising H04N1/00928, H04N1/00931, H04N1/00954 and H04N1/0096 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00954 Scheduling operations or managing resources H04N1/0096 takes precedence; program initiating or switching G06F9/48; allocation of computer resources G06F9/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00973 from a remote device, e.g. receiving via the internet instructions input to a computer terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32122 in a separate device, e.g. in a memory or on a display separate from image data
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3212 of data relating to a job, e.g. communication, capture or filing of an image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 : of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3223 : of type information, e.g. reception or copy job

Abstract

An image processing device is configured to provide a service relating to at least one of (1) the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and (2) image data representing the image to be formed, in response to a request from the image processing device. The image processing device may include a parameter designating unit, a service request unit, and a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit. The service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit provided to the image processing device.

Claims

1. An image processing system, comprising:

an image processing device having at least one of an image reading function to scan an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data; and

a service providing device adapted to provide a service in response to a request from the image processing device, the service relating to at least one of the image data generated by the function of the image processing device and image data representing the image to be formed,

wherein the image processing device includes;

a parameter designating unit that is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter, which is required for receiving a service from the service providing device, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device;

a service request unit that is adapted to request the service providing device for a service; and

a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit.

2. The image processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the image processing device is provided with a designation request unit, which is adapted to request the image processing device to designate the service providing parameter, and

wherein the parameter designating unit is adapted to allow the user to designate the function parameter as the service providing parameter depending on the functions provided to the image processing device when the designation request unit of the service providing device requests the parameter designating unit to designate the service providing parameter.

3. The image processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the parameter designating unit is adapted to display on a display unit of the image processing device a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to the image processing device when the service providing device requests the parameter designating unit to designate the function parameter, and allow the user to designate the function parameter, which is to be the service providing parameter, among the function parameters registered in the parameter list.

4. The image processing system according to claim 3,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a first list generating unit, which is adapted to generate the parameter list, the designation request unit being adapted to transmit a designation request command for the service providing parameter to the image processing device along with the parameter list generated by the first list generating unit, and

wherein the parameter designating unit is adapted to display the parameter list on the display unit when the parameter designating unit receives the designation request command and the parameter list from the designation request unit, and to allow the user to designate the function parameter, which is to be the service providing parameter, among the function parameters registered in the parameter list.

5. The image processing system according to claim 4,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a device-side setting notification unit, which is adapted to notify the image processing system of a settable parameter settable,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a service-end parameter storage unit, which is adapted to store in a storage unit the settable parameter corresponding to the image processing device,

wherein the first list generating unit is adapted to generate a parameter list wherein the function parameter is designated based on the settable parameter corresponding to the image processing device.

6. The image processing system according to claim 4,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a first notification request unit, which is adapted to request the image processing device to indicate a settable parameter that is to designate the function parameter concerning the function provided to the image processing device, the settable parameter being designated to the function provided to the image processing device,

the first list generating unit being adapted to generate a parameter wherein the function parameter is registered, the function parameter being designated by the settable parameter, which is indicated by the image processing system as being requested by the first notification request unit,

the image processing device being provided with a device-side setting notification unit, which is adapted to indicate the settable parameter to the service providing device, and

the parameter designating unit being adapted to display the parameter list on the display unit when the parameter designating unit receives the designation request command and the parameter list transmitted from the designation request unit.

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

an information managing unit, which is adapted to store the settable parameter in a storage unit; and

at least one of the service providing devices,

wherein the service providing device is provided with a second notification request unit, which is adapted to request the information managing unit to indicate the settable parameter of the image processing device,

wherein the first list generating unit is adapted to generate a parameter list wherein the function parameter is registered, the function parameter being designated by the settable parameter, which is indicated by the image managing unit as being requested by the second notification request unit, and

wherein the information managing unit is provided with a manager-side setting notification unit, which is adapted to indicate the settable parameter to the service providing device in accordance with a request from the service providing device.

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

a device-side setting notification unit, which is adapted to indicate to the information managing unit a settable parameter settable to the image processing system,

wherein the information managing unit is provided with a manager-side parameter storage unit, which is adapted to store the settable parameter corresponding to the image processing device, and

wherein the manager-side parameter storage unit is adapted to indicate the settable parameter stored in the manager-side parameter storage unit, the settable parameter corresponding to the image processing device to provide the service to the service providing device in accordance with the request from the service providing device.

9. The image processing system according to claim 5,

wherein the device-side setting notification unit is adapted to indicate the settable parameter in a predetermined timing after the image processing device is activated.

10. The image processing system according to claim 5,

wherein the device-side setting notification unit is adapted to indicate the settable parameter to the service providing device when the settable parameter settable to the image processing device is modified.

11. The image processing system according to claim 5,

wherein the device-side setting notification unit is adapted to indicate the settable parameter to the service providing device when the image processing device is activated.

12. The image processing system according to claim 3,

wherein the image processing device is provided with a second list generating unit, which is adapted to generate a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to the image processing device when the designation request unit of the service providing device requests the image processing device to designate the service providing parameter,

wherein the parameter designation unit is adapted to display the parameter list generated by the second list generating unit on the display unit of the image processing device, and allow the user to designate the function parameter, which is to be the service providing parameter, among the function parameters registered in the parameter list.

13. The image processing system according to claim 12,

wherein the parameter list is generated by registering the function parameter concerning the functions provided to the image processing device to a format list,

wherein the designation request unit is adapted to transmit to the image processing device a designation request command for the service providing parameter, along with the format list and listing information indicating a registering method of the function parameter to the format list, and

wherein the second list generating unit is adapted to generate the parameter list based on the format list and the registered method when the second list generating unit receives the designation request command from the designation request unit.

14. The image processing system according to claim 1,

wherein the function parameter is at least one of:

(1) a parameter corresponding to the reading function, the function parameter being adapted to include at least one of a resolution of the image forming function and a number of colors of the reading function; and

(2) a parameter corresponding to the image forming function, the function parameter being adapted to include at least one of a resolution of the image forming function and a number of colors of the image forming function.

15. An image processing device, comprising at least one of a reading function to capture an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data,

wherein a parameter designation unit is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter, which is required for receiving a service from a server, the server providing the service concerning at least one of image data generated by a function provided to the image processing device and image data representing an image to be formed, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device,

wherein a service request unit is adapted to request the server for the service,

wherein a function implementation unit is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit when the service is being provided by the server being requested from the service request unit.

16. A server comprising:

a first list generating unit, which is adapted to generate a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to an image processing device;

a designation request unit, which is adapted to transmit a designation request command for a service providing parameter to be designated to the image processing device along with the parameter list generated by the first list generating unit, the service providing parameter for receiving the service from the server; and

a service provision executing unit, which is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device by implementing the function provided to the image processing device based on the designation request command and the service providing parameter designated by a user among the function parameters in the parameter list.

17. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as an image processing system,

the image processing system including:

an image processing device having at least one of a reading function to capture an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data; and

a service providing device adapted to provide a service concerning at least one of the image data generated by the function provided to the image processing device and the image data representing the image to be formed in response to a request from the image processing device,

wherein the image processing device includes;

a parameter designating unit that is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter for receiving the service from the service providing device, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device;

a service request unit that is adapted to request the service providing device for the service; and

a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit, and

wherein the service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit.

18. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as an image processing device,

the image processing device having at least one of a reading function to capture an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data,

wherein a parameter designation unit is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter, which is required for receiving a service from a server, the server providing the service concerning at least one of image data generated by a function provided to the image processing device and image data representing an image to be formed, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device,

wherein a service request unit is adapted to request the server for the service,

wherein a function implementation unit is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit when the service is being provided by the server being requested from the service request unit.

19. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as a server,

the server including:

a first list generating unit, which is adapted to generate a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to a image processing device;

a designation request unit, which is adapted to transmit a designation request command for a service providing parameter to be designated to the image processing device along with the parameter list generated by the first list generating unit, the service providing parameter for receiving the service from the server; and

a service provision executing unit, which is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device by implementing the function provided to the image processing device based on the designation request command and the service providing parameter designated by a user among the function parameters in the parameter list.

20. A communication system, comprising:

a server that is adapted to provide a plurality of services; and

a client device that is adapted to have a communication unit to communicate with the server and to receive the services provided by the server by communicating with the server,

wherein the server is provided with a receiving unit, which is adapted to receive an inquiry signal concerning the services transmitted from the client device, and a replying unit, which is adapted to generate reply information concerning a service when the receiving unit receives the inquiry signal and to transmit a response signal including reply information to the client device, based on identifying information included in the inquiry signal,

wherein the client device includes;

a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the client device among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;

a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;

an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server; and

a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the client device in response to the inquiry signal,

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

21. The communication system according to claim 20,

wherein the storage unit is adapted to store inquiry timing information, which indicates a next time to inquire for each service and immediate inquiry information, which indicates necessity of an immediate inquiry,

the timing judging unit includes:

a first judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an inquiry time to inquire the server for each service based on the inquiry timing information;

a second judging unit, which is adapted to judge whether the immediate inquiry is required for each service provided from the server based on the immediate inquiry information; and

a third judging unit, which is adapted to judge whether a predetermined extension period to transmit the inquiry signal to the server has expired,

wherein the communication system determines that the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal to the server for all the services provided by the server to the client device has not occurred, in at least one of cases when the first judging unit has judged that no service is at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal to the server, and when the second judging unit has judged that no service is required for the immediate inquiry and the predetermined extension period is in process, and

wherein the communication system determines that the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal to the server for all the services provided by the server to the client device has occurred, in at least one of cases when the first judging unit has judged that a service is at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal to the server and the second judging unit has judged that a service is required for the immediate inquiry, and the predetermined extension period to transmit the inquiry signal to the server is judged to be expired.

22. The communication system according to claim 20,

wherein the storage unit is adapted to store a value for a parameter indicating a content of the inquiry associated with the inquiry time of the service provided by the server, and

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to store the value of the parameter stored in the storage unit associated with the identifying information of the service to be inquired along with the identifying information.

23. The communication system according to claim 22,

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate the converged inquiry information in which identifying information of the services to be inquired is described based on the identifying information of a group of services, each of which includes an identical value for the parameter stored in the storage unit and the group of the identifying information with the identical value of the parameter associated with the value of the parameter is described, when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals.

24. The communication system according to claim 20,

wherein the client device including a plurality of input/output units is adapted to receive the service from the server by utilizing the communication unit and at least one of the plurality of input/output units,

wherein the inquiring unit is provided with a device operation judging unit, which is adapted to judge whether the at least one of the plurality of input/output units is required to be driven to receive the service for each service that is judged to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal by the timing judging unit, and

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to selectively include the identifying information of the service wherein the input/output units to receive the service are motionless to the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired, and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server when a service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals based on a result from the device operation judging unit exists, and the input/output units required to be driven to receive the service are motionless.

25. The communication system according to claim 20,

wherein the replying unit is adapted to judge whether the server is ready to provide the service inquired by the client device, to generate reply information when the server is determined to be ready, and to include the reply information in a response signal,

wherein the client device is provided with a readiness judging unit, which is adapted to judge, based on the response signal from the replying unit, whether the service indicated in the reply information in the response signal is the service that is ready to be provided by the server, and

wherein the client device is adapted to execute a process required to receive the service, which is judged to be ready by the readiness judging unit, when the server judges the service is ready to be provided.

26. The communication system according to claim 20,

wherein the replying unit is adapted to generate converged reply information, which collectively describes the reply information of a plurality of services to be inquired when the inquiry signal received by the receiving unit of the server includes identifying information of the plurality of services as the identifying information of the service to be inquired, and to transmit a response signal including the converged reply information to the client device that transmitted the inquiry signal.

27. The communication system according to claim 26,

wherein the converged reply information includes reply information of each service of the services to be inquired, which is associated with identifying information of each of the services to be inquired corresponding to the reply information.

28. The communication system according to claim 26,

wherein the replying unit is adapted to generate the converged reply information in which identifying information of the services to be inquired is described based on the identifying information of a group of services, each of which includes identical reply information and the group of the identifying information with the identical reply information associated with the reply information being described, when identifying information of a plurality of services is included as the identifying information of the service to be inquired in the inquiry signal received by the receiving unit of the server.

29. The communication system according to claim 26,

wherein the replying unit is adapted to judge whether the server is ready to provide the service inquired by the client device, to generate reply information when the server is determined to be ready, and to include the reply information in a response signal,

wherein the client device is provided with a readiness judging unit, which is adapted to judge, based on the response signal from the replying unit, whether the service indicated in the reply information in the response signal is the service that is ready to be provided by the server, and

wherein the client device is adapted to execute a process for receiving the service, which is judged to be ready by the readiness judging unit, when the server judges the service is ready to be provided.

30. The communication system according to claim 26,

wherein the replying unit is adapted to generate the response signal, which includes only reply information that is a predetermined reply concerning the services being stored and transmitted to the client device.

31. The communication system according to claim 29,

wherein the client device is adapted to execute each of a plurality of processes in parallel, the plurality of processes for receiving each of a plurality of services, which are determined to be ready to be provided by the server, when the reply signal received by the receiving unit of the client device includes reply information and the readiness judging unit determines that the plurality of services are ready to be provided by the server.

32. The communication system according to claim 29,

wherein the client device including a plurality of types of input/output units excluding the communication unit is adapted to receive the service from the server by utilizing the communication unit and at least one of the plurality of types of input/output units, and

wherein the response signal received by the client device includes reply information, and a plurality of services that are judged to be ready to be provided by the readiness judging unit exists, the client device is adapted to execute each of a plurality of processes in parallel, the plurality of processes being required to receive each of the plurality of services, which utilizes an input/output unit that is required by one service, and to execute a plurality of processes sequentially, the plurality of processes being required to receive each of the plurality of services, which utilizes an input/output unit that is required by more than one service.

33. The communication system according to claim 24,

wherein the client device is provided with at least two input/output units including at least one image processing device, which is adapted to form an image on a recording medium.

34. The communication system according to claim 32,

wherein the client device is provided with at least two input/output units including at least one image processing device, which is adapted to form an image on a recording medium.

35. A communication system comprising:

a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the communication unit among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;

a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;

an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server; and

a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the communication unit in response to the inquiry signal, and

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

36. A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as a communication system,

the communication system comprising:

a server that is adapted to provide a plurality of types of services; and

a client device that is adapted to have a communication unit communicate with the server and to receive the services provided by the server by communicating with the server,

wherein the server is provided with a receiving unit, which is adapted to receive an inquiry signal concerning the services transmitted from the client device, and a replying unit, which is adapted to generate reply information concerning a service when the receiving unit receives the inquiry signal and to transmit a response signal including reply information to the client device, based on identifying information included in the inquiry signal,

wherein the client device includes;

a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the client device among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;

a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;

an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server; and

a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the client device in response to the inquiry signal,

wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

37. A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions that cause a computer system to function as a communication system,

wherein the communication system includes:

a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the communication unit among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;

a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;

an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server; and

a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the communication unit in response to the inquiry signal, and wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.