Program storable image forming apparatus, control method, and control program

• US 20030214666A1
• Filed: 04/24/2003
• Published: 11/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Osada, Mamoru
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,253 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• 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 1/32561 using a programmed control device, e.g. a microprocessor
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

An image forming apparatus has a first execution environment that can interpret and execute a first-format instruction for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a second execution environment that can interpret and execute a second-format instruction defined by a format that does not depend on a type of the image forming apparatus, realized in the first execution environment. The image forming apparatus includes control means for controlling processing of starting execution of the first-format instruction from the second execution environment, using a second-format predetermined instruction, recognition means for recognizing, when interpreting the second-format instruction by executing application software in the second execution environment, whether or not an instruction string to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction, and control means for controlling the image forming apparatus by starting and executing the first-format instruction via the second-format predetermined instruction when the recognition means has recognized that the instruction to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction, and for controlling the image forming apparatus so as to execute the second-format predetermined instruction in the second execution environment when the recognition means has recognized that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a first execution environment that can interpret and execute a first-format instruction for controlling said image forming apparatus, and a second execution environment that can interpret and execute a second-format instruction defined by a format that does not depend on a type of said image forming apparatus, realized in the first execution environment, said image forming apparatus comprising:

control means for controlling processing of starting execution of the first-format instruction from the second execution environment, using a second-format predetermined instruction;

recognition means for recognizing, when interpreting the second-format instruction by executing application software in the second execution environment, whether or not an instruction string to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction; and

control means for controlling said image forming apparatus by starting and executing the first-format instruction via the second-format predetermined instruction when said recognition means has recognized that the instruction to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction, and for controlling said image forming apparatus so as to execute the second-format predetermined instruction in the second execution environment when said recognition means has recognized that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction,

wherein said first-format instruction and said second-format instruction are encoded in a byte code form.

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when said recognition means determines that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction, said control means starts and executes an instruction to control a graphical user interface of an operation unit of said image forming apparatus in the second execution environment.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image forming apparatus comprises a printing apparatus having an engine unit, wherein the second-format predetermined instruction is an instruction indicating control of the engine unit, and wherein in response to recognition of the second-format predetermined instruction by said recognition means, said control means controls the engine unit by causing the engine unit to execute the first-format instruction based on the second-format predetermined instruction.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

resource managing means for managing resources, such as a memory and the like, used by the second execution environment,

wherein said resource managing means limits resources that can be used by the second execution environment.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first-format instruction started by said control means controls an external image forming apparatus via a communication network.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when controlling execution of the first-format instruction using the second-format predetermined instruction based on identification information added to the second-format predetermined instruction, said control means determines whether an instruction included in the first instruction string controls a printing processing function within said image forming apparatus, or controls an external image forming apparatus via a communication network.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

first-application-module managing means for managing a first application module operating in the first execution environment,

wherein said first-application-module managing means downloads or uploads the first application module from an outside of said image forming apparatus into said image forming apparatus or from said image forming apparatus to the outside of said image forming apparatus, respectively, or erases or invalidates the first application module.

8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:

second-application-module managing means for managing a second application module operating in the second execution environment, in the second execution environment,

wherein said second-application-module managing means downloads or uploads the second application module from an outside of said image forming apparatus into said image forming apparatus or from said image forming apparatus to the outside of said image forming apparatus, respectively, or erases or invalidates the second application module.

9. A method in an image forming apparatus having a first execution environment that can interpret and execute a first-format instruction for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a second execution environment that can interpret and execute a second-format instruction defined by a format that does not depend on a type of the image forming apparatus, realized in the first execution environment, said method comprising:

a control step of controlling processing of starting execution of the first-format instruction from the second execution environment, using a second-format predetermined instruction; and

a recognition step of recognizing, when interpreting the second-format instruction by executing application software in the second execution environment, whether or not an instruction string to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction,

wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled by starting and executing the first-format instruction via the second-format predetermined instruction when it has been recognized in said recognition step that the instruction to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction, and the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to execute the second-format predetermined instruction in the second execution environment when it has been recognized in said recognition step that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction, and

wherein said first-format instruction and said second-format instruction are encoded in a byte code form.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein, when it is determined in said recognition step that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction, then, in said control step, an instruction to control a graphical user interface of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus is started and executed in the second execution environment.

11. A method according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printing apparatus having an engine unit, wherein the second-format predetermined instruction is an instruction indicating control of the engine unit, and wherein in response to recognition of the second-format predetermined instruction in said recognition step, in said control step, the first-format instruction is executed based on the second-format predetermined instruction, and the engine unit is controlled.

12. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

a resource managing step of managing resources, such as a memory and the like, used by the second execution environment,

wherein in said resource managing step, resources that can be used by the second execution environment are limited.

13. A method according to claim 9, wherein the first-format instruction started in said control step controls an external image forming apparatus via a communication network.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein, in said control step, when controlling execution of the first-format instruction using the second-format predetermined instruction, based on identification information added to the second-format predetermined instruction, it is determined whether an instruction included in the first instruction string controls a printing processing function within the image forming apparatus, or controls an external image forming apparatus via a communication network.

15. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

a first-application-module managing step of managing a first application module operating in the first execution environment,

wherein in said first-application-module managing step, it is performed processing of downloading or uploading the first application module from an outside of the image forming apparatus into the image forming apparatus or from the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus, respectively, or erasing or invalidating the first application module.

16. A method according to claim 9, further comprising:

a second-application-module managing step of managing a second application module operating in the second execution environment, in the second execution environment,

wherein in said second-application-module managing step, it is performed processing of downloading or uploading the second application module from an outside of the image forming apparatus into the image forming apparatus or from the image forming apparatus to the outside of the image forming apparatus, respectively, or erasing or invalidating the second application module.

17. A computer readable storage medium storing a control program to be executed in an image forming apparatus having a first execution environment that can interpret and execute a first-format instruction for controlling the image forming apparatus, and a second execution environment that can interpret and execute a second-format instruction defined by a format that does not depend on a type of the image forming apparatus, realized in the first execution environment, said control program causing a CPU (central processing unit) to execute the following steps comprising:

a control step of controlling processing of starting the first-format instruction from the second execution environment, using a second-format predetermined instruction;

a recognition step of recognizing, when interpreting the second-format instruction by executing application software in the second execution environment, whether or not an instruction string to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction; and

a control step of controlling the image forming apparatus by starting and executing the first-format instruction via the second-format predetermined instruction when, in said recognition step, it has been recognized that the instruction to be executed is the second-format predetermined instruction, and for controlling the image forming apparatus so as to execute the second-format predetermined instruction in the second execution environment when, in said recognition step, it has been recognized that the instruction to be executed is not the second-format predetermined instruction,

wherein said first-format instruction and said second-format instruction are encoded in a byte code form.

18. An image forming apparatus controlled by executing a program comprising:

storage means for storing said program, said program comprising;

a first execution environment;

a control module for controlling an engine executed in said first environment;

a first interface for accessing said control module;

a second execution environment; and

a second interface for accessing said control module in said first execution environment from said second execution environment.

19. An image forming apparatus controlled by executing a program comprising:

storage means for storing said program, said program comprising;

a first execution environment;

a control module for controlling an engine executed in said first execution environment;

a first application module executed in said first execution environment for causing the engine to perform processing by controlling the engine;

a plurality of second application modules, having a first interface for causing said first application module to access said control module, and a second execution environment, executed in said second execution environment; and

a second interface for causing said second application modules to access said control module in said first execution environment,

wherein said first-format instruction and said second-format instruction are encoded in a byte code form.