Composite machine, server, composite machine-server system, and program recording medium

• US 6,434,343 B1
• Filed: 06/19/1998
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fuji Xerox Company Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kawasaki, Takashi, Murata, Ken, Kobayashi, Sumitake, Ishiguro, Keiji
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KANG, PAUL H
• Application Number:
  US09/100,320
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/202, 709/224, 709/207, 709/201, 399/83, 399/82, 399/87, 399/10, 399/8, 399/11
• US Class Current: 399/8
• 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 1/32496 Changing the task performed, e.g. reading and transmitting, receiving and reproducing, copying facsimile mode changing H04N1/333
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32512 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32529 of different type, e.g. internal and external devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• 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 2201/0013 Arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

It is intended to provide a composite machine-server system which can handle electronic documents more efficiently and can be realized at a low cost. A composite machine-server system is constructed by connecting a plurality of composite machines and a server to a network. Each of the composite machines has a second-kind process function of executing a second-kind process without cooperating with the server when requested to execute the second-kind process, as well as a first-kind process function of sending, when requested to execute a first-kind process, an electronic document necessary for execution of the first-kind process to the server and requesting the server to execute the first-kind process on the electronic document. The server has a function of executing first-kind processes whose execution is requested by the composite machines.

Claims

1. A composite machine that is used in a state that it is connected to a network, comprising:

scanner means for generating image data of a document;

first-kind process executing means for executing first-kind processes each of which uses the image data generated by the scanner means and requires an operation in cooperation via the network with a server executing the first-kind processes;

second-kind process executing means for executing second-kind processes each of which uses the image data generated by the scanner means and does not require an operation in cooperation with the server;

designating means for designating a first-kind process to be executed by the first-kind process executing means or a second-kind process to be executed by the second-kind process executing means;

execution control means for causing the scanner means to generate the image data when a first-kind process or a second-kind process is designated by using the designating means, and for causing the first-kind process executing means or the second-kind process executing means to execute the designated first-kind or second-kind process by using the image data;

status judging means for judging whether a status is such that an operation in cooperation with the server is possible;

designation control means for controlling the designating means so that it cannot designate any of the first-kind processes when the status judging means has judged that the status is such that an operation in cooperation with the server is not possible;

utilization states monitoring means for monitoring utilization states of the first-kind process executing means and the second-kind process executing means;

utilization states storing means for storing utilization states information as a monitoring result of the utilization states monitoring means; and

utilization states transmitting means for transmitting, to the server, the utilization states information stored in the utilization states storing means.

2. The composite machine according to claim 1, wherein the utilization states information storing means is nonvolatile storing means, and the composite machine further comprising:

destruction detecting means for detecting destruction of the utilization states information stored in the utilization states information storing means; and

utilization states information managing means for sending a request for requesting the server to transmit utilization states information relating to the self-composite machine when the destruction detecting means has detected destruction of the utilization states information, and for storing, in the utilization states information storing means, the utilization states information that has been received as a response to the request.

3. A server which is used in such a manner as to be connected to a plurality of composite machines via a network, comprising:

a predetermined number of request processing means each having a function of processing a request from the composite machines that is received via the network;

assigning means for assigning, when receiving a connection establishment request from one of the composite machines via the network, the composite machine that has issued the connection establishment request to one of the predetermined number of request processing means to which no composite machine is assigned if such a request processing means exists, and for sending the composite machine, via the network, an assignment completion notification indicating that an cooperative operation has become possible;

assignment canceling means for canceling assignment of a composite machine to a request processing means that has not received any request from the assigned composite machine for a predetermined time;

utilization states information storing means for storing, on a composite machine basis, utilization states information that is sent from the composite machines; and

utilization states information transmitting means for transmitting, when receiving a utilization states information sending request, the utilization states information stored in the utilization states information storing means to an origination node of the utilization states information sending request.

4. The server according to claim 3, wherein the utilization states information storing means is nonvolatile storing means, the server further comprising:

destruction detecting means for detecting destruction of the utilization states information stored in the utilization states information storing means; and

utilization states information managing means for sending requests for requesting the respective composite machines to transmit utilization states information when the destruction detecting means has detected destruction of the utilization states information, and for storing, in the utilization states information storing means, the utilization states information that has been received as responses to the requests.

6. The server according to claim 3, wherein the utilization states information storing means is nonvolatile storing means, the server further comprising:

destruction detecting means for detecting destruction of the utilization states information stored in the utilization states information storing means; and

utilization states information managing means for sending requests for requesting the respective composite machines to transmit utilization states information when the destruction detecting means has detected destruction of the utilization states information, and for storing, in the utilization states information storing means, the utilization states information that has been received responses to the requests.

5. A server which is used in such a manner as to be connected to a plurality of composite machines via a network, comprising:

a predetermined number of request processing means each having a function of processing a request from the composite machines that is received via the network;

assigning means for assigning, when receiving a connection establishment request from one of the composite machines via the network, the composite machine that has issued the connection establishment request to one of the predetermined number of request processing means to which no composite machine is assigned if such a request processing means exists, and for sending the composite machine, via the network, an assignment completion notification indicating that an cooperative operation has become possible;

assignment canceling means for canceling assignment of a composite machine to a request processing means that has not received any request from the assigned composite machine for a predetermined time;

utilization states information storing means for storing, on a composite machine basis, utilization states information that is sent from the composite machines; and

utilization states information transmitting means for transmitting the utilization states information stored in the utilization states information storing means to an origination node of a utilization states information sending request according to a preset schedule.