JP5664025B2 - Image processing system, image processing apparatus, image processing method, and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

  In the present invention, an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and an image processing apparatus serving as a slave unit are communicably connected, and the image processing device serving as the master unit and the image processing device serving as the slave unit cooperate with each other. The present invention relates to an image processing system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  Conventionally, there has been known an image processing system in which a plurality of devices connected via a network or the like operate in cooperation with each other. In this image processing system, when the master unit checks the software version of the slave unit before the master unit and slave unit operate in cooperation, the software version of the slave unit is lower than the software version of the master unit In addition, there is a technology for upgrading the software of the slave unit to the same software version as that of the master unit.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that acquires and updates firmware when there is a mismatch between the printer driver and the firmware for the purpose of appropriately performing version adjustment between the firmware and a printer driver that creates a print job. Is described.

  In the above-described conventional image processing system, the software version changed for the cooperative operation is maintained even after the cooperative operation is finished, and as a result, the software version unintended by the system administrator has been changed. Thus, there is a problem that the conventional software execution environment is lost.

  The present invention has been made to solve this problem in view of the above circumstances, and image processing that can maintain a conventional software version in an operable state even when the software version is changed during a cooperative operation. It is an object to provide a system, an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.

In the present invention, an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and an image processing apparatus serving as a slave unit are communicably connected, and the image processing device serving as the master unit and the image processing device serving as the slave unit cooperate with each other. In this case, the image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit includes a normal job control unit that executes a single job executed by the single image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit, and the normal job. A collaborative job control unit that executes a collaborative job that can be executed in parallel with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit, and an image processing apparatus that serves as the master unit; a detection means for detecting the version of the difference in the function module for executing the cooperative job by the image processing unit and serving as the slave unit has respectively, when said difference is detected, it executes the cooperative job An introduction means for introducing a functional module of a version, a management module for managing the function module introduced by the introduction means, and the functional module previously installed by the introduction means so that they can operate independently. , determining means for determining whether to execute the cooperative job by either the functional module having before being introduced by the introducing means and the introduced functional module by the introducing means, by said introducing means after execution of the cooperative job Invalidating means for invalidating the introduced function module.

The present invention is an image processing apparatus that is communicably connected to an image processing apparatus serving as a parent device and executes a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device, and is executed by the image processing apparatus alone A normal job control unit that executes a single job to be executed, and a parallel job that can be executed in parallel with the normal job control unit and that is executed in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device a cooperative job control means for an image processing apparatus serving as the master unit, a detection unit configured image processing apparatus and to be the slave unit detects the version of the difference in the function module for executing the cooperative job, each having, when the difference is detected, the introducing means for introducing a functional module versions that can execute the cooperative job, and functional module introduced by the introducing means, the introduction A management unit that manages the function modules that have been installed before being installed by the stage so that they can operate independently, a function module that has been installed by the introduction unit, and a function module that has been installed by the introduction unit, a judgment means for either by determining whether to execute the cooperative job, and a disabling means for disabling the function module introduced by the introducing means after execution of the cooperative job.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the function module introduced by the introduction unit is stored in a storage area of the image processing apparatus, and the invalidation unit is the function introduced by the introduction unit. The module is deleted from the storage area to invalidate the functional module.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the function module introduced by the introduction unit is stored in a storage area of the image processing apparatus, and the invalidation unit is the function introduced by the introduction unit. The module is inactivated and held in the storage area.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the introducing unit introduces the functional module by activating the deactivated functional module held in the storage area.

The image processing apparatus of the present invention is connected to a functional module management server in which functional modules are stored, and the introduction unit acquires a functional module for executing the cooperative job from the functional module management server. Introduce.

In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, the introduction unit acquires and installs a functional module for executing the cooperative job from the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention further includes display means for displaying a list of the deactivated functional modules held in the storage area.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the management unit updates the version of the deactivated functional module held in the storage area.

In the present invention, an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and an image processing apparatus serving as a slave unit are communicably connected, and the image processing device serving as the master unit and the image processing device serving as the slave unit cooperate with each other. And a normal job control procedure for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus as a slave unit by the image processing apparatus as the slave unit, A linked job control procedure for executing a linked job that can be executed in parallel with the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device, and can be executed in parallel with the normal job control procedure; and an image processing apparatus, a detection procedure for the image processing apparatus and to be the slave unit detects the version of the difference in the function module for executing the cooperative job having respectively, when said difference is detected, the And installation procedure for introducing a versioning module capable of performing mobile job, the function module that is introduced in the installation procedure, a function module having before being introduced in the introduction procedure, so they can operate independently of each other A management procedure to be managed; a determination procedure for determining whether to execute the linkage job by a functional module introduced in the introduction procedure or a functional module previously installed in the introduction procedure; and execution of the linkage job And a disabling procedure for disabling the functional module introduced later in the introducing procedure.

The present invention is an image processing program that is communicably connected to an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and that is executed by an image processing apparatus that executes a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit. In the image processing apparatus, a normal job control step for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus alone, and processing can be executed in parallel with the normal job control step, and the image serving as the master unit A linked job control step for executing a linked job executed in cooperation with a processing device, an image processing device serving as the parent device, and an image processing device serving as the child device each for executing the linked job a detection step of detecting a version of differences in the functional module, when the difference is detected, introduce functional module versions that can execute the cooperative job Management step for managing the function module introduced in the introduction step and the functional module that has been installed in the introduction step so that they can operate independently, and introduced in the introduction step. A determination step for determining whether to execute the linkage job by using a function module that has been executed or a function module that has been installed before the introduction step; and the function module that has been introduced in the introduction step after the execution of the linkage job And an invalidation step for invalidating.

  According to the present invention, even when the software version is changed during the cooperative operation, the conventional software version can be held in an operable state.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the image processing system of 1st embodiment, and the hardware configuration of the apparatus which comprises an image processing system. It is a figure explaining the functional structure of the apparatus which comprises the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the version management table of 1st embodiment. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus serving as a master in the image processing system according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus serving as a slave in the image processing system according to the first embodiment. It is a 1st sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a 2nd sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of the image processing system of 1st embodiment. It is a 1st sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment. It is a 2nd sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 2nd embodiment. It is a sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 3rd embodiment. It is a 1st sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 4th embodiment. It is a 2nd sequence diagram explaining operation | movement of the image processing system of 4th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the operation screen in the image processing apparatus of 5th embodiment. It is a figure explaining rewriting of the version management table in a 5th embodiment.

  In the present invention, when the software version is different between the parent machine that is the linkage source and the slave machine that is the linkage destination during the linkage operation, the slave unit can maintain the conventional software of the slave unit and can be matched with the software of the parent machine. Temporarily install a new version of the software.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment and a hardware configuration of devices that configure the image processing system.

  In the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment, image processing apparatuses 200 and 300 and a functional module management server 400 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network). In the following description of the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 200 will be described as a parent device serving as a cooperation source, and the image processing device 300 will be described as a child device serving as a cooperation destination.

  The image processing apparatus 200 serving as a master unit controls a linked job performed by linking a plurality of image processing apparatuses, and the image processing apparatus 300 is included in the linked job with respect to the image processing apparatus 300 serving as a slave unit. Request processing to be performed. The image processing apparatus 300 serving as a slave unit executes processing corresponding to the slave unit of the cooperation job requested from the image processing device 200 serving as the master unit. In the image processing system 100 according to the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 200 is configured such that when the version of the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300 is different from that of the image processing apparatus 200 when executing the cooperation job, the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300 is used. Change the version of the job and execute the linked job.

  The hardware configuration of the devices that constitute the image processing system 100 will be described below. In the present embodiment, since the image processing apparatuses 200 and 300 have the same hardware configuration, the image processing apparatus 200 will be described as an example.

  The image processing apparatus 200 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a random access memory (RAM) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 23, a hard disk drive (HDD) 24, a network communication control unit 25, and an operation unit 26. Are connected via a data bus B.

  The CPU 21 performs control calculations for the entire image processing apparatus 200. The RAM 22 is used as a temporary storage location. The ROM 23 stores programs, fonts, and other static data. The HDD 24 stores nonvolatile data. The scanner 25 reads a document. The network communication control unit 25 is connected to a network such as a LAN, and enables communication with an external device or server. The operation unit 26 provides a user interface for the user to operate the image processing apparatus 200 such as a button or text input.

  The image processing program of the present invention is a part of a program for operating the image processing apparatus 200. The image processing program of the present invention is stored in, for example, the ROM 23, and the CPU 21 reads out the image processing program, develops it in the RAM 22, and executes it to operate the image processing apparatus 200. The image processing program may be downloaded via the network by the network communication control unit 25. The image processing program may be recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the image processing apparatus 200 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or an optical disk, and may be read from the recording medium and stored in the ROM 23.

  The CPU 31, RAM 32, ROM 33, HDD 34, network communication control unit 35, and operation unit 36 included in the image processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment have the same functional configuration as the image processing apparatus 200, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the image processing apparatuses 200 and 300 of the present embodiment may be realized by an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral. When the image processing devices 200 and 300 are image processing devices, the image processing devices 200 and 300 preferably include a scanner and a plotter.

  Further, the CPU 41, RAM 42, ROM 43, HDD 44, and network communication control unit 45 included in the functional module management server 400 of the present embodiment have the same functional configuration as the image processing apparatus 200, and thus description thereof is omitted. The functional module management server 400 of this embodiment is realized by, for example, a general computer.

  Next, the functional configuration of the devices that constitute the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the devices that constitute the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  First, the image processing apparatus 200 that is a master unit will be described. The image processing apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment includes a job control unit 210, a communication unit 220, and an operation function module version management unit 230.

  The job control unit 210 has an operation version and controls jobs. The communication unit 220 performs communication between image processing apparatuses. The operation function module version management unit 230 manages the version of the function module possessed by itself.

  Next, the image processing apparatus 300 as a slave will be described. The image processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes a function module version difference detection unit 310, a function module version introduction unit 320, an operation function module version management unit 330, an operation function module version determination unit 340, a change function module version invalidation unit 350, A communication unit 360, a linked job control unit 370, a normal job control unit 375, an inactivation function module confirmation unit 380, and an inactivation function module deletion unit 390 are included.

  The functional module version difference detection unit 310 detects a version difference between image processing apparatuses when performing a cooperative operation. Further, when a difference in version is detected, the functional module version difference detection unit 310 determines whether or not a cooperative operation is possible due to the version change. The functional module version introducing unit 320 introduces the functional module into the own device.

  The operation function module version management unit 330 uses different function modules of the same function depending on the type of job, and manages them by operating them simultaneously. Further, the operation function module version management unit 330 manages the function modules possessed by itself. Details of the function module management by the operation function module version management unit 330 will be described later.

  The operation function module version determination unit 340 determines which of the version introduced for the cooperative operation and the original version operates. The changed function module version invalidating unit 350 disables the version introduced for the cooperative operation after the cooperative operation is completed.

  The communication unit 360 communicates between image processing apparatuses. The cooperative job control unit 370 has a version for cooperative operation and controls a job for cooperative operation. The normal job control unit 375 has a version for normal operation, and controls a job for normal operation. The normal operation indicates an operation performed by the child device itself.

  The inactivation function module confirmation unit 380 confirms a module held in an inactive state in the storage area of the image processing apparatus 300. The inactivation function module deletion unit 390 deletes the inactive module. The inactivated state indicates an unusable state.

  Next, the functional module management server 400 of this embodiment will be described. The functional module management server 400 of this embodiment includes a storage area 510 and a communication unit 420. The storage area 510 holds functional modules having different versions. A communication unit 420 communicates with the image processing apparatuses 200 and 300.

  The operation function module version management unit 330 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a version management table according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment 330, the version of the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300 is managed by the version management table 30.

  In the version management table 30, an application that is a functional module is associated with an operation state, version, and function that can be executed by the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300. For example, a copy application that realizes a copy function operates with version Ver1.2 when the image processing apparatus 300 performs a responsible operation. When the image processing apparatus 300 performs a cooperative operation, it operates with version Ver1.4. The single operation is an operation in which a job input to the image processing apparatus 300 is executed only by the image processing apparatus 300 itself.

  The operation function module version management unit 330 according to the present embodiment selects the version in the cooperation operation when a cooperation job for performing the cooperation operation is input, and the version in the normal operation when the job for the normal operation is input. Select.

  The operation of the image processing system 100 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus serving as a master in the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  When receiving the instruction for executing the cooperative operation, the image processing apparatus 200 serving as the master unit inquires of the image processing apparatus 300 serving as the slave unit whether or not the cooperative job can be executed (step S401). When the cooperation job can be executed in the image processing apparatus 300 (step S402), the image processing apparatus 200 instructs the image processing apparatus 300 to execute the cooperation job (step S403). When the execution of the cooperation job is completed in the image processing apparatus 300 (step S404), the image processing apparatus 200 ends the process.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image processing apparatus as a slave in the image processing system of the first embodiment.

  Upon receiving an inquiry from the image processing apparatus 200 that is the parent device whether or not the cooperation job can be executed, the image processing apparatus 300 that is the child device in the image processing system 100 determines whether or not the operation setting of the own device has been completed. Is determined (step S501). When the operation setting is completed in step S501, the image processing apparatus 300 determines from the detection result by the functional module version difference detection unit 310 whether or not the cooperation job can be executed by changing the functional module version (step S502).

  For example, the functional module version difference detection unit 310 of the present embodiment refers to the version management table 30 for the version of the functional module necessary for execution of the linked job that has been inquired and the version of the functional module during normal operation of the own device. And compare. If there is a difference between the two versions, the functional module version difference detection unit 310 determines whether or not the cooperation job can be executed with the version of the version management table 30 during the cooperation operation. The functional module version difference detection unit 310 determines that the cooperation job can be executed if the version at the time of the cooperation operation and the version necessary for the execution of the cooperation job correspond to each other. Judge that it is possible.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the cooperative job cannot be executed, the image processing apparatus 300 notifies the image processing apparatus 200 that the cooperative job cannot be executed (step S503), and the process ends.

  If it is determined in step S502 that the cooperative job can be executed, the image processing apparatus 300 determines whether a cooperative job execution instruction is received from the image processing apparatus 200 (step S504).

  When the execution instruction is received in step S504, the image processing apparatus 300 determines whether or not the function module version needs to be changed in order to execute the cooperative job (step S505). If it is determined in step S505 that a version change is necessary, the functional module version introduction unit 320 introduces a component whose version has been changed (step S506). If it is determined in step S505 that no version change is necessary, the process proceeds to step S508 described later.

  Following step S506, the operation function module version management unit 330 activates the component whose version has been changed (step S507). At this time, the function modules before the version change are retained and are operating simultaneously. Subsequently, the image processing apparatus 300 determines whether or not to execute a cooperative job with a function module after version change (hereinafter, version change function module) (step S508).

  When it is determined in step S508 that the cooperation job is to be executed, the operation function module version determination unit 340 executes the cooperation job in the version change function module (step S509). If it is determined in step S508 that the cooperation job is not to be executed, the operation function module version determination unit 340 executes the cooperation job in the functional module before the version change (step S510).

  When the execution of the cooperation job is completed (step S511), the image processing apparatus 300 determines whether a version change function module is present (step S512). If there is a version change function module in step S512, the change function module version invalidating unit 350 disables the version change function module (step S513) and ends the process. If there is no version change function module in step S512, the image processing apparatus 300 ends the process.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when the version of the functional module is changed, the functional module before the version change is also operated. Then, the function module whose version has been changed after executing the cooperation job by either version of the function module is disabled.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the exchange of each unit of the image processing apparatuses 200 and 300 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a first sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing system according to the first embodiment.

  In the image processing system 100 of the present embodiment, when the user instructs the execution of the cooperation job by the image processing apparatuses 200 and 300, the job control unit 210 of the image processing apparatus 200 is instructed to execute the cooperation (step S601). ). Upon receiving this instruction, the job control unit 210 issues a cooperative execution instruction to the image processing apparatus 300 via the communication unit 220. The version information of the image processing apparatus 200 is transferred to the image processing apparatus 300 simultaneously with this cooperation instruction.

  In the image processing apparatus 300, a function module acquisition request is transmitted to the operation function module version management unit 330 via the communication unit 360 (steps S603 and S604). The operation function module version management unit 330 passes the version information transmitted simultaneously with the function module acquisition request to the function module version difference detection unit 310 (step S605).

  The functional module version difference detection unit 310 notifies the communication unit 360 whether or not the cooperation job can be executed from the passed version information (step S606). In the present embodiment, the cooperation job can be executed. This notification is transmitted to the job control unit 210 of the image processing apparatus 200 via the communication unit 360 and the communication unit 220 (steps S607 and 608).

  A case where the functional module version difference detection unit 310 detects that the functional module versions are different will be described below.

  In the image processing apparatus 300, when the functional module version difference detection unit 310 detects that there is a difference in function module version, the operation function module version management unit 330 is notified of this (step S609). The operation function module version management unit 330 receives this notification and makes a version change request to the function module version introduction unit 320 (step S610). At this time, the operation function module version management unit 330 also passes the changed version information to the function module version introduction unit 320.

  The functional module version introduction unit 320 performs an introduction process of functional modules having different versions (step S611). Subsequently, the functional module version introduction unit 320 sends a version change request to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S612). In response to this request, the operation function module version management unit 330 performs version change processing of the corresponding function module (step S613). The version change process is to save a version to be changed in a storage medium (RAM 32 or HDD 34) in the image processing apparatus 300 so that the version to be changed can be used for processing.

  Subsequently, the operation function module version management unit 330 confirms the version used for execution of the cooperation job with respect to the operation function module version determination unit 340 (step S614). The operation function module version determination unit 340 returns the confirmation result to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S615).

  Subsequently, the operation function module version management unit 330 instructs the cooperation job control unit 370 to execute the cooperation job (step S616). When the execution of the cooperation job is completed, the cooperation job control unit 370 requests post-processing after completion of the execution to the change function module version invalidation unit 350 (step S617). The completion of execution of the cooperating machine job is also notified to the image processing apparatus 200.

  The changed function module version invalidation unit 350 determines a method of invalidating the function module whose version has been changed, disables the version change function module in the RAM 32 or the HDD 34 (step S618), and notifies the cooperative job control unit 370. (Step S619). When the version change function module becomes unusable, the cooperation job control unit 370 notifies the operation function module version management unit 330 of the status after execution of the cooperation job (step S620). In response to this, the operation function module version management unit 330 rewrites the version management table 30. Details of the rewriting of the version management table 30 will be described later.

  Next, a case where no difference is detected in the function module version by the function module version difference detection unit 310 will be described.

  When the functional module version difference detection unit 310 does not detect a version difference (step S621), the operation function module version management unit 330 checks the operation function module version determination unit 340 of the operation use version of the linked job (step S622). ). The operation function module version determination unit 340 returns the confirmation result to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S623).

  Subsequently, the operation function module version management unit 330 instructs the cooperation job control unit 370 to execute the cooperation job (step S624). When the execution of the cooperation job is completed, the completion of the cooperation job is notified to the image processing apparatus 200.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, both the function module of the changed version and the function module of the matched version can be operated in the same image processing apparatus. Furthermore, in this embodiment, two versions of functional modules can be operated simultaneously in the same image processing apparatus. Hereinafter, an example in which two versions of functional modules are simultaneously operated in the image processing apparatus 300 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a second sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing system according to the first embodiment. The processing from step S701 to step S716 in FIG. 7 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S616 in FIG.

  When an execution request for a single job executed by the image processing apparatus 300 alone is input from the user (step S717), the operation function module version management unit 330 receives the job input to the operation function module version determination unit 340. It is notified that the job is a single job, and requests confirmation of the version used when the single job is executed (step S718).

  The operation function module version determination unit 340 returns the confirmation result (version used in the single job) to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S719). The operation function module version management unit 330 requests the normal job control unit 375 to execute a single job (step S720). When the execution of the single job is completed, the normal job control unit 375 notifies the user of the completion of the execution via the operation function module version management unit 330 (steps S721 and 722).

  As described above, in the image processing apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment, since a single job is executed as a normal operation, the single job and the linked job can be executed simultaneously without affecting the execution of the linked job.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a case where a single job of the image processing apparatus 300 is input while the image processing apparatus 200 and the image processing apparatus 300 are executing a cooperative job. At what timing the single job is input. Also good. In the image processing apparatus 300 of this embodiment, the cooperative job is executed by the cooperative job control unit 370, and the single job is executed by the normal job control unit 375. It is assumed that the linked job control unit 370 and the normal job control unit 375 of the present embodiment can execute processing in parallel.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the description has been given of the mode in which the slave unit side determines whether to change the version of the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300 that is the slave unit during the cooperative operation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the function module version change determination may be performed by the image processing apparatus 200 on the parent device side. In this case, it is preferable that a function module version difference detection unit 310 and an operation function module version determination unit 340 are provided in the image processing apparatus 200 that is a master unit.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the image processing system according to the first embodiment. An image processing apparatus 200A that is a master unit of the image processing system 100A illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a function module version difference detection unit 310 and an operation function module version determination unit 340 in addition to the units included in the image processing apparatus 200. . Further, the image processing apparatus 300 that is a slave unit of the image processing system 100A does not include the function module version difference detection unit 310 and the operation function module version determination unit 340.

  With the configuration shown in FIG. 8, whether or not to change the version of the functional module of the image processing apparatus 300 on the slave side can be performed by the image processing apparatus 200 on the master side.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each of the normal job control unit that executes a single job and the cooperative job control unit that executes a cooperative job has both the single job and the cooperative job executed simultaneously. be able to. Further, when the function module version is changed during execution of the cooperation job, the function module whose version has been changed after execution of the cooperation job is disabled. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the software version is changed during the cooperative operation, the conventional software version can be held in an operable state.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment only in post-processing after execution of a cooperative job. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are assigned to those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  FIG. 9 is a first sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 9, the change function module version invalidating unit 350 is disabled by deleting the version change function module.

  The processing from step S901 to step S917 in FIG. 9 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S617 in FIG.

  In step S917, when the cooperative job control unit 370 requests post-execution post-completion processing from the change function module version invalidation unit 350, the change function module version invalidation unit 350 stores the version change function module in the RAM 32 or HDD 34. Is deleted (step S918).

  Then, the changed function module version invalidating unit 350 notifies the linked job control unit 370 that it has been deleted (step S919). The linked job control unit 370 notifies the operation function module version management unit 330 that the version change function module has been deleted (step S920).

  FIG. 10 is a second sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the image processing system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, the change function module version invalidating unit 350 is disabled by inactivating the version change function module.

  The processing from step S1001 to step S1017 in FIG. 10 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S617 in FIG.

  In step S1017, when the cooperative job control unit 370 requests post-execution post-completion processing from the change function module version invalidation unit 350, the change function module version invalidation unit 350 stores the version change function module in the RAM 32 or HDD 34. Is inactivated (step S1018).

  Then, the change function module version invalidation unit 350 notifies the cooperative job control unit 370 that the version change function module has been invalidated (step S1019). The cooperative job control unit 370 notifies the operation function module version management unit 330 that the version change function module has been invalidated (step S1020).

  In the example of FIG. 10, the version change function module is invalidated, but remains in the RAM 32 or the HDD 34 of the image processing apparatus 300 and can be reused.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment of the present invention, only the operation at the time of changing the version of the functional module is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description of the third embodiment, those having the same functional configuration as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted. To do.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the deactivated version change function module is held in the storage medium of the image processing apparatus 300. The case where the deactivated version change function module is held is, for example, the case where the version change function module is deactivated and invalidated after the cooperation job is executed, as described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the third embodiment.

  The processing from step S1101 to step S1109 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S609 in FIG.

  When there is a difference in version in step S1109, the operation function module version management unit 330 makes a version change request to the function module version introduction unit 320 (step S1110). At this time, the operation function module version management unit 330 notifies the function module version introduction unit 320 that the function module whose version is to be changed is held in the device.

  In response, the functional module version introduction unit 320 introduces a functional module whose version is to be changed (step S1111). Then, the function module version introduction unit 320 makes a version change request to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S1112).

  In response to the request, the operation function module version management unit 330 activates the deactivated function module held in the storage medium of the image processing apparatus 300 to make it a version change function module (step S1113).

  The processing from step S1114 to step S1120 in FIG. 11 is the same as the processing from step S614 to step S620 in FIG.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, only the operation at the time of changing the version of the functional module is different from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description of the fourth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are assigned to those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the storage medium of the image processing apparatus 300 does not hold the function module of the version at the time of the cooperative operation. The case where the function module of the version at the time of the cooperation operation is not held is a case where the version change function module is deleted after the execution of the cooperation job, for example, as described in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, an operation when acquiring a version of a functional module at the time of cooperation operation from the functional module management server 400 and an operation when acquiring from the image processing apparatus 200 that is a parent device will be described.

  First, an operation when a version change function module is acquired from the function module management server 400 will be described. FIG. 12 is a first sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the fourth embodiment.

  The processing from step S1201 to step S1209 in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing from step S601 to step S609 in FIG.

  When there is a difference in version in step S1209, the operation function module version management unit 330 makes a version change request to the function module version introduction unit 320 (step S1210). At this time, the operation function module version management unit 330 notifies the function module version introduction unit 320 that the function module whose version is to be changed does not exist in the device.

  In response to this, the functional module version introduction unit 320 introduces a functional module whose version is to be changed (step S1211). Subsequently, the functional module version introduction unit 320 requests the communication unit 360 to acquire a version change functional module (step S1212).

  The communication unit 360 makes an acquisition request for the version change function module to the communication unit 420 of the function module management server 400 (step S1213). The communication unit 420 of the functional module management server 400 passes this acquisition request to the storage area 410 (step S1214), and acquires the version change functional module from the storage area 410 (step S1215). The communication unit 420 passes the acquired version change function module to the function module version introduction unit 320 of the image processing apparatus 300 (step S1216).

  In response to this, the functional module version introduction unit 320 makes a version change request to the operation function module version management unit 330 (step S1217). The operation function module version management unit 330 receives the request and performs version change processing (step S1218).

  The processing from step S1219 to step S1225 in FIG. 12 is the same as the processing from step S614 to step S620 in FIG.

  Next, an operation in the case of acquiring a version change function module from the image processing apparatus 200 that is a parent device will be described. FIG. 13 is a second sequence diagram for explaining the operation of the image processing system according to the fourth embodiment.

  The processing from step S1301 to step S1312 in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing from step S1201 to step S1212 in FIG.

  Upon receiving the version change function module acquisition request in step S1312, the communication unit 360 issues a version change function module acquisition request to the communication unit 220 of the image processing apparatus 200 (step S1313). The communication unit 220 of the image processing apparatus 200 passes this acquisition request to the operation function module version management unit 230 (step S1314), and acquires a version change function module from the operation function module version management unit 230 (step S1315). The communication unit 220 passes the acquired version change function module to the function module version introduction unit 320 of the image processing apparatus 300 (step S1316).

  The processing from step S1217 to step S1325 in FIG. 13 is the same as the processing from step S1217 to step S1225 in FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even if there is no version function module at the time of the cooperative operation in the image processing apparatus 300, it can be acquired from an external device.

(Fifth embodiment)
The fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The fifth embodiment of the present invention has a user interface that displays the status of the functional module version and the like. In the following description of the fifth embodiment, the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment are given to those having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. .

  In the present embodiment, the status of the functional modules in the image processing apparatus 300 may be displayed on the operation unit 36 of the image processing apparatus 300 that is a slave.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in the image processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the deactivated function modules are held in the image processing apparatus 300, and a list of the deactivated function modules in the image processing apparatus 300 is displayed on the screen 140. It is displayed in the part 36.

  In this case, the inactivation function module confirmation unit 380 inquires the operation function module version management unit 330 for a list of function modules managed by the version management table 30, and displays the inquiry result as a screen 140 on the operation unit 36. Let On the screen 140, the data managed by the version management table 30 can be confirmed. At this time, the screen 140 may be displayed not on the image processing apparatus 300 but on the operation unit 26 of the image processing apparatus 200. Further, the screen 140 may be displayed by a dedicated application or a web browser provided in another device connected to the image processing apparatus 300.

  In the present embodiment, the version of the functional module can be updated by operating the screen 140. When the “update functional module” button is pressed on the screen 140, the display of the operation unit 36 is switched to the screen 141. On the screen 141, the version of the functional module before the update and the version of the functional module after the update are displayed. The system administrator can check the version of the functional module before and after the update on the screen 141.

  The items displayed on the screen 141 may be data held by the operation function module version management unit 330 or information associated therewith. When the system administrator permits the update, the update of the function module version is started. If the system administrator does not permit the update, the update is not executed and the screen returns to the screen 140 on which the function module list is displayed.

  When the update of the functional module version is completed, a screen 142 for notifying completion is displayed on the operation unit 36, and a list of newly inactivated functional modules is displayed on the screen 143. Since the upgraded functional module is activated, it disappears from the list of deactivated functional modules displayed on the screen 143. FIG. 14 shows a case where version 1.2 of a functional module that executes copying is updated to version 1.4. On the screen 143, it can be seen that the deactivated functional module of version 1.4 has disappeared.

  In this embodiment, the retention period of the deactivated functional module can be set from the state of the screen 140. When a functional module for setting a retention period is selected on the screen 140 and a “set functional module retention period” button is pressed, a functional module retention period setting screen 144 is displayed on the operation unit 36.

  When the input of the retention period of the selected functional module is completed on the setting screen 144, a screen 145 in which an item indicating the retention period of the functional module is added to the screen 140 is displayed. Note that the holding period may be input using, for example, a hardware numeric keypad or software key provided in the operation unit 36. In this embodiment, the holding period is input in the form of inputting the holding date and time. However, the holding period may be input.

  When the setting of the retention period is canceled on the setting screen 144, the setting is not executed and the screen 140 is returned to. In this embodiment, the function module whose retention period has passed is deleted. On the screen 146, it can be seen that the deactivated functional module whose retention period has passed is deleted.

  In the present embodiment, when the version of the functional module is updated (changed) by the operation of the system administrator, the operational function module version management unit 330 rewrites the version management table 30.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining rewriting of the version management table in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a version management table 30A to which the function module retention period item is added.

  In the present embodiment, the functional module whose version is to be updated has an operation state of “single operation”. A functional module whose operation state is “cooperative operation” is a functional module that operates only during the cooperative operation.

  In the present embodiment, by updating the version, the functional module whose operation state is “single operation” is updated to the specified functional module. In this embodiment, since the version 1.2 is instructed to be updated to the version 1.4, the version information of the function module for single operation among the function modules for executing the copy is as shown in the line 51. The operation function module version management unit 330 rewrites it.

  At this time, the program data of the version 1.3 function module stored in the permanent area such as the HDD 34 is deleted from the storage area by the function module version introduction unit 320.

  In the present embodiment, when the functional module retention period is set, the corresponding information in the version management table 30A is rewritten. In the version management table 30 </ b> A of the present embodiment, for example, as indicated by a line 52, the functional module retention period is rewritten to the retention period set on the screen 144.

  The function module program data whose retention period has passed is deleted from the permanent area such as the HDD 34 by the function module version introduction unit 320.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the system administrator can grasp the state of the functional module held in an inactivated state in the image processing apparatus. Further, according to the present embodiment, the version of the functional module can be updated inside the image processing apparatus without acquiring the functional module from the outside. In addition, since the functional module whose retention period has passed in the inactive state can be automatically deleted, the burden on the system administrator can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, although this invention has been demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. With respect to these points, the gist of the present invention can be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing system 200, 300 Image processing apparatus 210 Job control part 220, 360, 420 Communication part 230, 330 Operation function module version management part 310 Function module version difference detection part 320 Function module version introduction part 340 Operation function module version judgment part 350 Change Function Module Version Invalidation Unit 370 Linked Job Control Unit 375 Normal Job Control Unit 380 Deactivation Function Module Confirmation Unit 390 Deactivation Function Module Deletion Unit 400 Function Module Management Server

JP 2009-056608 A

Claims (11)

An image processing apparatus that is a master unit and an image processing apparatus that is a slave unit are connected to be communicable, and the image processing device that is the master unit and the image processing device that is the slave unit cooperate to perform a job. An image processing system to execute,
The image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit is
Normal job control means for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus as a slave unit;
Linked job control means for executing a linked job that can be executed in parallel with the normal job control means and that is executed in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device;
Detecting means for detecting a difference in version of functional modules for executing the cooperative job that each of the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit and the image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit has;
An introduction means for introducing a functional module of a version capable of executing the linkage job when the difference is detected;
Management means for managing the function modules introduced by the introduction means and the function modules that have been installed before the introduction means so that they can operate independently,
Determining means for determining which of the functional module introduced by the introducing means and the functional module possessed before being introduced by the introducing means to execute the linkage job;
An image processing system comprising: invalidating means for invalidating the functional module introduced by the introducing means after execution of the cooperation job. An image processing apparatus that is communicably connected to an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and that executes a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit,
Normal job control means for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus alone;
Linked job control means for executing a linked job that can be executed in parallel with the normal job control means and that is executed in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device;
An image processing apparatus serving as the master unit, a detection unit and the image processing apparatus detects the version of the difference in the function module for executing the cooperative job, each having,
An introduction means for introducing a functional module of a version capable of executing the linkage job when the difference is detected;
Management means for managing the function modules introduced by the introduction means and the function modules that have been installed before the introduction means so that they can operate independently,
Determining means for determining which of the functional module introduced by the introducing means and the functional module possessed before being introduced by the introducing means to execute the linkage job;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an invalidating unit that invalidates the functional module introduced by the introducing unit after execution of the cooperation job. The functional module introduced by the introduction means is
Stored in the storage area of the image processing apparatus,
The invalidation means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the functional module introduced by the introducing unit is deleted from the storage area to invalidate the functional module. The functional module introduced by the introduction means is
Stored in the storage area of the image processing apparatus,
The invalidation means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the function module introduced by the introduction unit is inactivated and held in the storage area. The introducing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the functional module is introduced by activating the deactivated functional module held in the storage area. It is connected to the function module management server that stores the function modules.
The introducing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a functional module for executing the cooperative job is acquired and installed from the functional module management server. The introducing means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a function module for executing the cooperative job is acquired and introduced from the image processing apparatus serving as the parent device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising display means for displaying a list of the deactivated function modules held in the storage area. The management means includes
The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein updating the version of the function module that is inactivated is held in the storage area. An image processing apparatus that is a master unit and an image processing apparatus that is a slave unit are connected to be communicable, and the image processing device that is the master unit and the image processing device that is the slave unit cooperate to perform a job. An image processing method by an image processing system to be executed,
According to the image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit
A normal job control procedure for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus as a slave unit alone;
A collaborative job control procedure for executing a collaborative job that can be executed in parallel with the normal job control procedure and that is executed in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit;
A detection procedure for detecting a difference in version of functional modules for executing the cooperative job that each of the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit and the image processing apparatus serving as the slave unit has;
An introduction procedure for introducing a functional module of a version capable of executing the cooperation job when the difference is detected;
A management procedure for managing the function modules introduced in the introduction procedure and the function modules possessed before being introduced in the introduction procedure so that they can operate independently;
A determination procedure for determining which of the function module introduced in the introduction procedure and the function module possessed before being introduced in the introduction procedure to execute the cooperation job;
An invalidation procedure for invalidating the functional module introduced in the introduction procedure after execution of the cooperation job. An image processing program that is communicably connected to an image processing apparatus serving as a master unit and is executed by an image processing apparatus that executes a job in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit,
In the image processing apparatus,
A normal job control step for executing a single job executed by the image processing apparatus alone;
A collaborative job control step for executing a collaborative job that can be executed in parallel with the normal job control step and that is executed in cooperation with the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit;
A detection step of detecting a version of differences in functional modules for executing the cooperative job and the image processing apparatus serving as the master unit, and a pre-outs image processing apparatus each having,
An introduction step of introducing a functional module of a version capable of executing the cooperation job when the difference is detected;
A management step for managing the function modules introduced in the introduction step and the function modules that have been installed before the introduction step so that they can operate independently;
A determination step of determining which of the functional module introduced in the introduction step and the functional module included before being introduced in the introduction step to execute the cooperation job;
An image processing program that executes an invalidation step of invalidating the functional module introduced in the introduction step after execution of the cooperation job.

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