JP4280311B2 - Image processing composite apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention various processing regarding line planted image processing complex apparatus and control method thereof by the function of the multiple.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, it is known that a function board for realizing a facsimile function or a computer interface function is set in a digital copying machine to enable various processing. The function board stores firmware or software program data for controlling functions to be realized by the board. When it is desired to increase the function or change the function, it is replaced with a new function board, or new program data is rewritten by an operation by a service person or the like.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described conventional example, there is a problem that if another board is used for adding or changing functions, the cost is wasted.
[0004]
In addition, when rewriting program data for realizing a function, a service person needs to be sent each time, which causes a problem that it takes much time and effort.
[0005]
In addition, when there are a plurality of devices to which the program data is to be rewritten, the labor is greatly increased.
[0006]
Further, when the program data is rewritten, if the amount of data is large, there arises a problem that the apparatus cannot be used for a long time during the rewriting.
[0007]
The present invention has thus been made such under circumstances, additional features, to provide the images treated composite apparatus and a control method Ru can be performed efficiently at the timing set changes It is the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention for achieving the above object, the following the images treated composite device (1) as - (8), constituting the control method as described next (9).
(1) An image processing composite apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Interface means for connecting to an external device via a network;
A plurality of processing means for executing a program corresponding to each of the plurality of functions;
Setting means for setting setting information including timing for updating a program executed by the plurality of processing means for each of the plurality of processing means;
Receiving means for receiving the update program of the processing means that has reached the timing set by the setting means from the external device via the interface means;
An image processing composite apparatus comprising: an updating unit that updates a program executed by a corresponding processing unit with the update program received by the receiving unit.
(2) The image processing composite apparatus according to (1), wherein the program received by the receiving unit includes identification data for identifying a version of the program.
(3) The image processing composite apparatus according to (1) or (2), further including a processing stop unit that stops processing by the processing unit related to the program received by the receiving unit when the updating unit updates the program. .
(4) The image processing composite apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), further including a unit that stores setting information set by the setting unit in a storage unit.
(5) The image processing composite apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the timing set by the setting unit is related to date and time.
(6) The image processing composite apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the timing set by the setting unit is related to an operation state.
(7) The image processing composite apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), further including means for outputting the contents set by the setting means.
(8) Furthermore, it has a printing means for printing an image based on the image data on paper,
One of the plurality of processing means corresponds to a printing function for executing processing using the printing means,
The image processing composite apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the update of the program of the processing unit corresponding to the printing function is performed when the power of the printing unit is OFF.
( 9 ) An image processing composite apparatus comprising interface means for connecting to an external device via a network and a plurality of processing means for executing a program corresponding to each of the plurality of functions, wherein the plurality of functions can be executed. A control method,
A setting step for setting setting information including timing for updating a program executed by the plurality of processing units for each of the plurality of processing units;
A receiving step of receiving an update program of the processing means that has reached the timing set in the setting step from the external device via the interface means;
A control method comprising: an update step of updating a program executed by a corresponding processing unit with the update program received in the reception step.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an “image processing composite apparatus”.
[0032]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an “image processing composite apparatus” according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs data corresponding to the image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 is connected to the reader unit 1 and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network interface unit 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, a core unit 10, and the like. Each of the units 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 in the image input / output control unit 3 is provided with a part necessary for realizing each function on one board. Further, only the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 can be operated as a local digital copying machine without connecting the image input / output control unit 3.
[0033]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, and compresses and compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10. Image data is transmitted via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the factory unit 4, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored.
[0034]
A magneto-optical disk drive unit 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses image data transferred from the core unit 10, and a magneto-optical disk drive unit together with a keyword for retrieving the image data. And stored in the magneto-optical disk set to 6. Further, the file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred through the core unit 10, reads the retrieved compressed image data, decompresses it, and decompresses it. The image data is transferred to the core unit 10.
[0035]
The network interface unit 7 is connected to a LAN (local area network) cable 13, and a personal computer or workstation (PC / WS) 11 and file server 14 that are also connected to the LAN cable 13 and a core unit. It plays the role of an interface with 10.
[0036]
The formatter unit 8 develops code data representing an image transferred from the PC / WS 11 into image data that can be recorded by the printer unit 2. The image memory unit 9 temporarily stores the data transferred from the PC / WS 11. To remember.
[0037]
Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data among the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network interface unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. To do.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2.
[0039]
The document feeder 101 of the reader unit 1 feeds the document one by one onto the platen glass 102 sequentially from the last page of the document, reads the document, and discharges the document on the platen glass 102 after the document reading operation is completed. is there. When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on, and the scanner unit 104 is started to perform exposure scanning. Reflected light from the original at this time is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as CCD) 109 by mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. The image of the document scanned in this way is read by the CCD 109, and the image data output from the CCD 109 is transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 after being subjected to predetermined processing. The
[0040]
The laser driver 221 of the printer unit 2 drives the laser light emitting unit 201 and causes the laser light emitting unit 201 to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 202, and a latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202. A developer is attached to the latent image portion of the photosensitive drum 202 by the developing unit 203. Then, at the timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, the recording paper is fed from either the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and conveyed to the transfer unit 206, and the developer attached to the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred to the recording paper. To do. The recording paper on which the developer is placed is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the developer is fixed on the recording paper by the heat and pressure of the fixing unit 207. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. The sorter 220 stores the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is transported to the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path by the flapper 209. If multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 guides the recording sheet to the refeed conveyance path so that the recording sheet is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208. The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path is fed to the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0041]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the reader unit 1.
[0042]
The image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110 and shading correction. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 through the image processing unit 111 and is also transferred to the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 through the interface 113. . The CPU 114 controls the image processing unit 111 and the interface 113 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing at the operation unit 115 is set, the trimming processing is performed by the image processing unit 111 and transferred to the printer unit 2. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the control data corresponding to the image data and the set mode is transferred from the interface 113 to the core unit 10. Such a control program of the CPU 114 is stored in the memory 116, and the CPU 114 performs control while referring to the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.
[0043]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the core unit 10.
[0044]
Image data from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and a control command from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing. The image data transferred from the reader unit 1 to the data processing unit 121 corresponds to the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. Then, the data is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7 through the interface 120. The code data representing the image input via the network interface unit 7 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. This image data is stored in the data processing unit. After being transferred to 121, it is transferred to the facsimile unit 4 and the printer unit 2.
[0045]
Image data from the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, and the network interface unit 7. The image data from the file unit 5 is transferred to the data processing unit 121, and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, and network interface unit 7.
[0046]
The CPU 123 performs the above-described control according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123. As described above, processing that combines functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer can be performed with the core unit 10 as a center. .
[0047]
Further, settings such as the timing of updating (adding) the control program for each option board can be made to the memory 124 from the operation unit 115, the facsimile unit 4 or the network interface unit 7.
[0048]
Details of the information set here are shown in FIG. Items to be set here are an option board name 501, start date 502, time 503, interval 504, number of times 505, and current version 506. Each item of the option board name 501 does not need to be input / set by the operator, and when the core unit 10 detects that each option board is mounted, the name of each option board is automatically listed. As the start date 502, the start date of the upgrade cycle performed at the repetition interval is input. In time 503, the time for version upgrade is input. An interval 504 is an item for setting a cycle of version upgrade. When performing a single upgrade, “None” is set. When performing multiple upgrades, a unit such as day, week, or month is set. I do. The number of times 505 sets how many times the version upgrade is performed at the interval set at 504 as the repetition interval. If “None” is selected at 504, the value automatically becomes 0. Otherwise, the number of repetitions is input. If the number of times is not particularly defined, select “continuous”. If the date / time of version upgrade is exactly the same or the time is approaching, it is appropriately processed according to the priority set in advance during the actual version upgrade. Further, when upgrading a plurality of option boards in conjunction with each other, the timing with a higher priority set in advance is followed. The current version 506 is a currently stored version of the program. This item does not require input / setting by the operator, and the version of the program is automatically set when the latest program is downloaded. Note that the information shown in FIG. 5 can be displayed on the operation unit 115 by a predetermined operation or output to the outside. In addition, the start date and time of version upgrade may be set according to the operating state of the apparatus.
[0049]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of a routine for setting the timing of upgrading the program data. This flowchart shows the flow of processing performed by the CPU 123 based on the program stored in the memory 124. Here, a case where the timing is set via the network interface unit 7 will be described, but the case where the timing is set from the facsimile unit 4 or the operation unit 115 is performed in a substantially similar flow. This routine is executed when a predetermined command is input via the network interface unit 7 or when a predetermined operation is performed by the operation unit 115.
[0050]
In step S <b> 602, selection is made as to whether or not to upgrade the option board via the network interface unit 7 via the network interface unit 7 or from the operation unit 115. If this network upgrade is not to be validated, the network upgrade flag is turned OFF in S603, and this routine is terminated in S604.
[0051]
If the network upgrade is validated in S602, the process proceeds to S605. In S605, whether to upgrade the network immediately is selected from the network interface unit 7 or the operation unit 115. If it is selected to upgrade immediately, the process proceeds to S606, a routine for updating the version is called, version upgrade is performed sequentially according to a predetermined procedure, and the process proceeds to S607. If it is not selected in S605 to upgrade immediately, the process proceeds to S607.
[0052]
In S607, it is selected whether or not to change the setting of the timing for performing the network version upgrade. When changing the setting, items shown in FIG. 5 are set by executing the setting change routine in S608, and the process proceeds to S609. If not changed, the process immediately proceeds to S609.
[0053]
In step S609, the network interface unit 7 or the operation unit 115 is used to select whether to validate the content changed in step S608. If not, the process proceeds to step S604, and if valid, the process proceeds to step S610. Save the settings. In step S611, the network version upgrade flag is turned on, and this routine is ended in step S604.
[0054]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the network version upgrade execution routine, which is a routine that is always executed in the core unit 10 at the same time as the power of the image input / output control unit 3 is turned on. In step S702, the network upgrade flag is determined. If the flag is OFF, the routine ends in step S703. When the flag is ON, the process proceeds to S704, and it is determined whether or not the timing is set as shown in the example of FIG. If there is an option board with the same upgrade timing, the PC / WS 11 or the file server 14 (device holding the upgrade data) on the LAN 13 is notified of the timing arrival, and the process proceeds to S705 and the corresponding option After the board network upgrade is executed by downloading firmware or software program data, this routine is terminated in S703. If there is no option board with the matching timing, the process immediately proceeds to S703 and this routine is terminated.
[0055]
Next, the version update routine of S705 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the version update routine. This flowchart also shows the flow of processing performed by the CPU 123 based on the program stored in the memory 124.
[0056]
First, in step S802, the corresponding option board is analyzed based on the program data to be updated (program data that has reached the set update timing). In step S803, a flag for prohibiting processing related to the option board to be updated is set to ON. Here, for the core unit 10 serving as the main board, for example, if the update is related to the facsimile function, only the processing related to the facsimile function is prohibited, and the other functions are operated. However, when the control program for the entire core unit 10 is updated, the processing of the entire apparatus is prohibited.
[0057]
When it is confirmed that the processing operation of the corresponding option board has stopped normally, in step S804, program data to be updated is input from the PC / WS 11 or the file server 14 on the LAN 13 via the network interface unit 7. . At this time, the corresponding option board is in a standby state for version upgrade. The program data is stored in the memory of each board and updated. The process is repeated until it is determined in step S806 that the process has been completed.
[0058]
When the data update is completed, update information such as version information and update date / time of the data updated in step S807 is stored. In step S808, the prohibition flag turned on in step S803 is turned off, and the process ends in step S809. The version upgrade of the printer unit 2 is performed when the printer engine part is powered off.
[0059]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the workstation inside the image processing composite apparatus composed of the main board (core section 10) and a plurality of option boards or in the external processing apparatus (image input / output control section 3). A network interface unit 7 connected to the network, a formatter unit 8 that develops code data on a bitmap memory, a facsimile unit 4 that transmits and receives bitmap data or code data through a public line, and other data processing functions. Various data processing means of the core unit 10 that is divided, and a CPU 123 that controls the respective processing means in an integrated manner, and store the latest firmware or software data that operates the various processing means in a server on the network Aside from that, the CPU 123 The data is input via the network interface unit 7 at a set timing, and the CPU 123 upgrades the corresponding option board, etc., so that the device is not being used (for example, at night or on holidays) Therefore, it is possible to automatically upgrade the version without human intervention.
[0060]
Further, if a device similar to the embodiment is connected on the network, the version may be continuously upgraded.
[0061]
The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.) or an apparatus composed of a single device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine). .
[0062]
In order to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment, a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is stored in an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in the system so as to operate the various devices. What is implemented via a network or via a storage medium and by operating a computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus according to the supplied program is also included in the scope of the present invention.
[0063]
For example, the program data stored in the memory 124 can be stored in a detachable storage medium such as a magneto-optical disk, and this data can be supplied to other applicable devices to easily realize the functions of the present invention. .
[0064]
In this case, the program code of the software itself realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, the program code are stored. This storage medium constitutes the present invention.
[0065]
As a storage medium for storing the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0066]
Further, by executing the program code supplied by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS (operating system) in which the program code is running on the computer, or other application software, etc. Needless to say, the program code is also included in the embodiment of the present invention even when the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized in cooperation with the embodiment.
[0067]
Further, after the supplied program code is stored in the function expansion board of the computer or the memory provided in the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or function storage unit based on the instruction of the program code However, it is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing.
[0068]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently add and change functions at a set timing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing composite apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a reader unit. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the core unit. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the setting contents of the upgrade timing. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when setting the upgrade timing via the network. Flowchart showing the flow of processing when upgrading via the interface [Fig. 8] Flowchart showing the flow of processing for upgrading the option board [Explanation of symbols]
4 Facsimile section 7 Network interface section 123 CPU
124 memory

Claims (9)

An image processing composite apparatus capable of executing a plurality of functions,
Interface means for connecting to an external device via a network;
A plurality of processing means for executing a program corresponding to each of the plurality of functions;
Setting means for setting setting information including timing for updating a program executed by the plurality of processing means for each of the plurality of processing means;
Receiving means for receiving the update program of the processing means that has reached the timing set by the setting means from the external device via the interface means;
An image processing composite apparatus comprising: an updating unit that updates a program executed by a corresponding processing unit with the updating program received by the receiving unit.   The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program received by the receiving unit includes identification data for identifying a version of the program.   3. The image processing composite according to claim 1, further comprising a processing stop unit that stops processing by the processing unit related to the program received by the receiving unit when the updating unit updates the program. apparatus.   The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit that stores setting information set by the setting unit.   5. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing set by the setting unit is related to date and time.   The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the timing set by the setting unit is related to an operation state.   7. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for outputting the content set by the setting means. Furthermore, it has a printing means for printing an image based on the image data on paper,
One of the plurality of processing means corresponds to a printing function for executing processing using the printing means,
8. The image processing composite apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the update of the program of the processing unit corresponding to the printing function is performed when the power of the printing unit is OFF. An image processing composite apparatus control method comprising: interface means for connecting to an external device via a network; and a plurality of processing means for executing a program corresponding to each of the plurality of functions. There,
A setting step for setting setting information including timing for updating a program executed by the plurality of processing units for each of the plurality of processing units;
A receiving step of receiving an update program of the processing means that has reached the timing set in the setting step from the external device via the interface means;
A control method comprising: an update step of updating a program executed by a corresponding processing unit with the update program received in the reception step.

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