Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program Number:7,412,498 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and storage medium storing computer-readable program

Abstract: In order to easily verify the details including a use state of devices of a network each time function processing is to be executed, a CPU sequentially acquires log information of each function of each device notified from another PC, when each device is to be operated in accordance with the function set by the other PC, and sequentially stores the log information of each acquired function and manages the stored log information. In response to a request for the log information of each function from the other PC, the corresponding log information among the managed log information is notified to the other PC via the network.

Patent Number: 7,412,498 Issued on 08/12/2008 to Machida

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Inventors:	Machida; Haruo (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee:	Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Tokyo, JP)
Appl. No.:	10/767,626
Filed:	January 30, 2004

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Related U.S. Patent Documents

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	Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
	09560969	Apr., 2000	6718378

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Apr 30, 1999 [JP]			11-124828

Current U.S. Class:	709/220 ; 709/221
Current International Class:	G06F 15/177 (20060101); G06F 12/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	709/220,221,226,229,249 715/810,843

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

4864516	September 1989	Gaither et al.
5164770	November 1992	Furuichi et al.
5452416	September 1995	Hilton et al.
5481335	January 1996	Furuichi et al.
5537550	July 1996	Russell et al.
5548722	August 1996	Jalalian et al.
6076106	June 2000	Hamner et al.
6091508	July 2000	Love et al.
6219701	April 2001	Hirata et al.
6392665	May 2002	Argabright et al.
6411974	June 2002	Graham et al.
6421385	July 2002	Uenoyama et al.
6597469	July 2003	Kuroyanagi
6642943	November 2003	Machida
7002702	February 2006	Machida
7119920	October 2006	Takahashi

Foreign Patent Documents

	08-235097		Sep., 1996		JP

Primary Examiner: Maung; Zarni
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fitzpatrick, Cella, Harper & Scinto

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Parent Case Text

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This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/560,969, filed Apr. 28, 2000, allowed.

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Claims

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What is claimed is:

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying a first device and a second device; indication means for indicating the first device and the second device displayed by said display means so as to execute a combined image formation process by the indicated first and second devices; specifying means for specifying an image formation process to be executed by a set of the first device and the second device indicated by said indication means; and obtaining means for obtaining log information showing the number of executions of the image formation process specified by said specifying means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said display means displays the first device and the second device by using icons, and said obtaining means obtains the log information in response to that said indication means selects and indicates the first device and the second device.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in said indication means the first device and the second device are selected by executing a drag-and-drop process to the displayed icon.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first device is an image output device, the second device is an image input device, and the image formation process specified by said specifying means is an image copying process.

5. An information processing method comprising: a display step of displaying a first device and a second device; an indication step of indicating the first device and the second device displayed in said display step so as to execute a combined image formation process by the indicated first and second devices; a specifying step of specifying an image formation process to be executed by a set of the first device and the second device indicated in said indication step; and an obtaining step of obtaining log information showing the number of executions of the image formation process specified in said specifying step.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein in said display step, the first device and the second device are displayed by using icons, and in said obtaining step, the log information is obtained in response to that the first device and the second device are selected and indicated in said indication step.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein in said indication step the first device and the second device are selected by executing a drag-and-drop process to the displayed icon.

8. A method according to claim 5, wherein the first device is an image output device, the second device is an image input device, and the image formation process specified in said specifying step is an image copying process.

9. A computer-readable storage medium which stores a program to execute an information processing method comprising: a display step of displaying a first device and a second device; an indication step of indicating the first device and the second device displayed in said display step so as to execute a combined image formation process by the indicated first and second devices; a specifying step of specifying an image formation process to be executed by a set of the first device and the second device indicated in said indication step; and an obtaining step of obtaining log information showing the number of executions of the image formation process specified in said specifying step.

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Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus capable of data communications with various apparatuses connected to a communications medium, a data processing method, a storage medium storing a computer-readable program, and the like.

2. Related Background Art

Devices such as personal computers (PC), printers, scanners, digital copiers and digital cameras are now widely used and networks such as LAN's are prevailing. Under such circumstances, needs of sharing a printer, a modem or an image reader on a network are increasing. By sharing devices such as printers and scanners on the network, the environment that various devices can be used on the network has been established.

However, a method of combining devices to realize a particular function such as a copy function to be realized by a combination of a scanner and a printer or a combination of a digital copier and a scanner, is not available in some cases. Even if such a method is made available, specific devices are required or only devices of a particular kind can be used. Devices capable of being applied to general use are not known.

Conventional log information of devices such as printers and scanners connected to a network, such as the number of use frequencies of each printer or scanner, is managed independently for each device. Log information of each function of a device selected by a user has not been managed by a network administrator or the user. Such a management method has not been considered as yet.

Therefore, for example, when a user starts executing a desired function or the user requests a log for verification, the user cannot verify a necessary function log. A user cannot confirm and verify the details, from various viewpoints and in wide field, of the use state and the like of various devices shared in a network environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to solve the above-described problems and provide a data processing apparatus and method, and a storage medium storing computer-readable program.

It is another object of the invention to provide a data processing apparatus capable of allowing a user to confirm and verify the details of the use state of a system having various types of devices and supporting flexible management and configuration of the system, a data processing method and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

The other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a system of network devices including a data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a client structure in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining a structure of a digital copying machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control structure of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a first network connection structure displayed on a CRT (cathode-ray tube) shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a combination judgment data structure stored in a data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a copying function setting screen displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an error message displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of device driver information managed by a data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a second network connection structure displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a virtual operation panel displayed on the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a view showing an example of the virtual operation panel displayed on the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of the virtual operation panel displayed on the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a first window displayed, in case of amusement setting, on the virtual operation panel of the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 16 is a view showing an example of a second window displayed, in case of amusement setting, on the virtual operation panel of the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of a property screen displayed, according to icon instructions, on the virtual operation panel of the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a resource file of device driver information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a view showing an example of a button editing screen displayed on the virtual operation panels shown in FIGS. 12 to 14;

FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of log information managed by a data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of the log information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of the log information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a view showing an example of the log information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a view showing an example of the log information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a view showing an example of the log information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a view showing relation between a data processing apparatus registered as a management server and a client device, in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a view for explaining management server device information shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28A is a view for explaining in detail PC (personal computer) information shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 28B is a view for explaining in detail printer information shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29A is a view for explaining in detail scanner information shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29B is a view for explaining in detail FAX (facsimile) board information shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a view for explaining server device information shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 31 is a view for explaining client device information shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a view showing an example of a copying function execution screen of a data processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a flow chart showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a view showing an example of a warning message displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 37 is a view showing an example of an output format selection window displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart showing an example of a fifth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a view showing an example of the warning message displayed on the CRT shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing an example of a sixth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a flow chart showing an example of a seventh data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a view showing an example of a virtual operation panel displayed on the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 43 is a view showing an example of a combination document selection window displayed according to icon instructions corresponding to buttons displayed on the virtual operation panel of the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 44 is a view showing an example of a combination image data selection window displayed according to the icon instructions corresponding to the buttons displayed on the virtual operation panel of the CRT of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 45 is a flow chart showing an example of an eighth data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium in which various data processing programs readable by the data processing apparatus according to the present invention are stored;

FIG. 47 is a view showing an example of a display screen of a CRT of the data processing apparatus; and

FIGS. 48A and 48B are views showing examples of a display screen of a CRT of the data processing apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[First Embodiment]

<Explanation of Apparatus>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of a system of network devices including a data processing apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a printer 102 which has open-system architecture is connected with a network through an NB (network board) 101. The NB 101 is connected with LAN's 100, 120 and 130 through a local area network interface such as an Ethernet interface 10BASE2 having a coaxial connector, an Ethernet interface 10BASE-T having an RJ-45, or the like.

Plural PC's (personal computers) 103, 104, 111 and 112 are also connected with the LAN's 100 and 130, whereby these PC's can communicate with the NB 101 under the control of a network operating system.

Therefore, one of the PC's (e.g., the PC 103) can be used as the PC for network device management. Further, a printer 105 may be locally connected with the PC 104 as a local printer.

Further, since a PC 106 which functions as a file server is connected with the LAN 100, the PC 106 manages accessing to files stored in a large-capacity (e.g., 10,000,000,000 bytes) network disk 107.

The PC 104 which functions as a printer server manages printing of the printer such as the locally connected printer 105, the remotely located printer 102 or the like.

Similarly, a PC 115 which functions as a printer server manages printing of the printer such as a locally connected printer 116, the remotely located printer 102 or the like.

Further, the PC 115 can be functioned as a scanner server to manage the scanner such as a remotely located scanner 110 or the like. The scanner 110 is connected with the LAN 100 through the network board or the like. Further, a digital copying machine 118 provides printer and scanner functions under the management and control of an image processing unit 119.

In order to effectively perform communication among various network members, Network software such as Novell, UNIX or the like can be used for the network shown in FIG. 1. For example, software such as commercially available NetWare (trademark of Novell) can be used. Since the details of this software package are described in the on-line documentation included in the NetWare package, the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Each of the PC's 103 and 104 is a general PC which can generate a data file, transmit the generated data file to the LAN 100, receive a file from the LAN 100, display these files, and/or process these files.

In FIG. 1, although the personal computer devices (PC's) are illustrated, other computer devices suitable for executing the network software may be used. For example, when UNIX software is used, a UNIX workstation may be connected with the network. In this case, the connected UNIX workstation is used together with the illustrated PC's.

Ordinarily, the LAN 100 provides services to a relatively local user group, e.g., a user group in one floor or plural consecutive floors in one building.

On the other hand, when plural users are located at positions away from others (e.g., different buildings, different prefectures or the like), a WAN (wide area network) may be constructed.

Basically, the WAN is composed of the plural LAN's which are connected together through a high-speed digital line such as ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the LAN 100 and the LAN 120 are connected with each other through a backbone 140, the WAN is established. In this case, the devices connected with the LAN's 100, 120 and 130 can access functions of devices connected with other LAN's through the WAN.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a client structure acting as a data processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed that, in the client structure, predetermined devices (including the printer, the scanner, the modem, a multifunctional image processing apparatus, etc.) can communicate with locally connected other data processing apparatus based on a predetermined protocol through a not-shown communication medium (e.g., a LAN according to Ethernet or the like).

In FIG. 2, numeral 1 denotes a system bus to which later-explained units are connected, and numeral 2 denotes a CPU (central processing unit).

Numeral 3 denotes a PMEM (program memory) which appropriately selects and reads a program for the processing, from an HD (hard disk) 10. The read program is executed by the CPU 2. Further, data input from a keyboard 12 is stored as code information in the PMEM 3 also acting as a text memory.

Numeral 4 denotes a communication control unit which controls input and output data of a communication port 5. A signal output from the communication port 5 is transmitted to a communication port 7 of other apparatus on the network through a communication line 6.

A printer and an image reading apparatus (e.g., the scanner) which are shared on the network are controlled through the communication control unit 4. Although the network such as the LAN is used in the present embodiment, it is needless to say that the present invention is applicable to a case where the communication port or the communication line connected with the communication control unit 4 is a general public line.

Numeral 8 denotes an external memory control unit which controls access to a data file disk such as an FD (floppy disk) 9, the HD 10 or the like.

Numeral 11 denotes an input control unit to which input devices such as the keyboard 12, a mouse 13 and the like are connected. A user issues an operation instruction to the system by operating the keyboard 12. Numeral 16 denotes a CRT (cathode-ray tube) on which a PD (pointing device) is used to instruct editing of image information. In the present embodiment, the mouse 13 is used as the PD.

Thus, the user arbitrarily shifts a cursor on the CRT 16 in X and Y directions and selects a command icon on a command menu to instruct the processing. Besides, the user shifts the cursor to indicate an editing target, a drawing position and the like.

Numeral 14 denotes a VRAM (video random-access memory) which acts as a video image memory. Drawing data (bit map data) which is to be displayed on the CRT 16 is expanded in the VRAM 14, the expanded data is appropriately read by a display output control unit 15, and the content of the read data is displayed on the CRT 16. Numeral 17 denotes a printer control unit which controls data outputting to a connected printer 18.

Symbol 1A denotes an image reading device control unit which controls image reading of a connected image reading device 1B. An external device control unit 19 controls the operation of the external device through the printer control unit 17 or the image reading device control unit 1A.

In an image reading server of the present invention necessarily includes the image reading device control unit 1A and the image reading device 1B. Incidentally, as described above, a client-side apparatus can share these units with the server, through the communication control unit 4 and the communication port 5.

Further, in the structure of FIG. 2, even if the image reading device is physically independent of the image reading apparatus, it is assumed that the image reading apparatus has the function of one component including the image reading device.

In the present embodiment, the program which is stored in a ROM (read-only memory) may be stored in the HD 10 or the FD 9 directly connected with the apparatus, or in other apparatus connected with the apparatus through the network. Further, the program according to the present invention can be supplied to the system or the apparatus through the storage medium such as the HD 10, the FD 9 or the like, or through the network.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of the digital copying machine 118 shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, numeral 2080 denotes an ADF (automatic document feeder) which is installed as an option. The ADF 2080 feds an original one by one from a sheaf of originals put on an original feeding board to an original mounting board (platen glass) 200 of the copying machine 118. Numeral 2002 denotes a scanner which is composed of an original illumination lamp 2003, a scanning mirror 2004 and the like. The scanner 2002 is reciprocated by a not-shown motor along a predetermined direction to scan the original. Thus, reflection light from the original is imaged on a CCD (charge-coupled device) in an image sensor unit 2008 through scanning mirrors 2004, 2005 and 2006 and a lens 2007.

The image sensor unit 2008 performs predetermined image processing to an electrical signal obtained by converting the reflection light from the original, to generate an image signal. Numeral 2009 denotes an exposure control unit which is composed of a laser beam generation unit, a polygonal scanner and the like. The exposure control unit 2009 generates a laser beam 2019 which is modulated based on the image signal generated by the image sensor unit 2008, and irradiates a photosensitive drum 2011 with the generated beam 2019.

Numeral 2010 denotes an image formation unit which is composed of the photosensitive drum 2011, a primary charger 2012, a development unit 2013, a transfer charger 2016, a separation charger 2017, a preexposure lamp 2014, a cleaner 2015 and the like. The primary charger 2012, the development unit 2013, the transfer charger 2016, the separation charger 2017, the preexposure lamp 2014 and the cleaner 2015 are disposed around the photosensitive drum 2011.

In the image formation unit 2010, the photosensitive drum 2011 is driven by a not-shown motor and thus rotated in the direction indicated by an arrow A. The primary charger 2012 charges the photosensitive drum 2011 to a predetermined potential. The later beam 2019 generated by the exposure control unit 2009 is irradiated on the photosensitive drum 2011 charged by the primary charger 2012, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed. The development unit 2013 develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2011 to visualize the image on the drum 2011 as a toner image.

Numerals 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively denote first, second, third and fourth cassettes which hold transfer sheets as recording media. The transfer sheet held in the cassette is picked up by a pickup roller 2025, 2026, 2027 or 2028, fed to the copying machine 118 by a pair of sheet feed rollers (simply referred as a sheet feed roller hereinafter) 2029, 2030, 2031 or 2032, and then carried to the image formation unit 2010 by a pair of registration rollers (simply referred as a registration roller hereinafter) 2033.

The transfer charger 2016 transfers the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 2011 to the carried transfer sheet. After the toner image is transferred to the transfer sheet, the cleaner 2015 cleans residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2011. After the residual toner is cleaned by the cleaner 2015, the preexposure lamp 2014 eliminates the residual charges on the photosensitive drum.

The separation charger 2017 separates the transfer sheet on which the toner image was transferred, from the photosensitive drum 2011. Numeral 2034 denotes a carrying belt which carries the transfer sheet separated by the separation charger 2017, to a fixing unit 2035. The fixing unit 2035 presses and heats the transfer sheet to fix the toner image on the transfer sheet. Numeral 2036 denotes a pair of sheet discharge rollers (simply referred as a discharge roller hereinafter) which discharges the transfer sheet on which the toner image was fixed by the fixing unit 2035, outside the copying machine (body) 118.

Numeral 2037 denotes a sheet discharge flapper which changes the sheet transfer path between a carrying path 2038 and a discharge path 2043. Numeral 2040 denotes a lower carrying path which guides, to a sheet refeed path 2041, the transfer sheet carried by the sheet discharge roller 2036 and a pair of reversal rollers (simply referred as a reversal roller hereinafter) 2045 and then reversed through a reversal path 2039.

Numeral 2042 denotes a pair of sheet refeed rollers (simply referred as a sheet refeed roller hereinafter) which refeeds the transfer sheet guided to the sheet refeed path 2041 to the image formation unit 2010. Numeral 2044 denotes a pair of sheet discharge rollers (simply referred as a sheet discharge roller hereinafter) which is disposed in the vicinity of the sheet discharge flapper 2037 and discharges the transfer sheet outside the copying machine 118 when the sheet transfer path is changed to the sheet discharge path 2043 by the flapper 2037.

When the copying machine 118 performs two-face recording (two-face copying), the sheet discharge flapper 2037 is moved upward to guide the transfer sheet to which the copying was performed to the sheet refeed path 2041 through the carrying path 2038, the reversal path 2039 and the lower carrying path 2040. At this time, the reversal roller 2045 completely passes the trailing edge of the transfer sheet through the carrying path 2038 and then carries the sheet to the reversal path 2039 up to the position where the sheet is nipped by the reversal roller 2045. Then the reversal roller 2045 is reversed to carry the sheet to the lower carrying path 2040.

When the transfer sheet is reversed and discharged outside the copying machine (body) 118, the sheet discharge flapper 2037 is moved upward, and the transfer sheet is carried to the reversal path 2039 by the reversal roller 2045 up to the position where the trailing edge of the sheet remains in the carrying path 2038. Then the reversal roller 2045 is reversed to reverse and carry the sheet to the sheet discharge roller 2044.

Numeral 2090 denotes a sheet discharge unit (sorter) which is installed as an option, and flushes and staples the transfer sheets discharged from the copying machine 118. Concretely, the transfer sheets discharged one by one are stacked and flushed on a processing tray 2094 until the discharge of the sheets to which image formation of one copy (one sheaf) ends. Then the sheaf of transfer sheets is stapled by a not-shown stapler of the processing tray 2094, and the stapled sheaf is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 2092 or 2093. Each of the sheet discharge trays 2092 and 2093 is moved upward and downward by a not-shown motor and controlled to reach the position of the processing tray 2094 before an image processing operation is started.

Numeral 2091 denotes a sheet tray on which slipsheets each of which is to be inserted between the two continuous transfer sheets discharged are stacked. Numeral 2095 denotes a Z folder which is installed as an option and folds the discharged transfer sheets into Z shape. Numeral 2096 denotes a bookbinding unit which is installed as an option and performs bookbinding by folding the center of the discharged transfer sheets of one copy and then stapling them. The obtained sheaf of transfer sheets is discharged to a sheet discharge tray 2097.

Further, a paper deck (or a sheet deck) 2050 which can hold, e.g., 4000 transfer sheets is installed as an option in the copying machine (body) 118. A lifter 2051 of the paper deck 2050 ascends according to a quantity of the stacked transfer sheets such that the uppermost sheet is always in contact with a pickup roller 2052, whereby the transfer sheet is fed to the body 118 by a pair of sheet feed rollers (simply referred as a sheet feed roller hereinafter) 2053. Further, a multipurpose manual feeder 2054 which can hold 100 transfer sheets is installed.

The development unit 2013 may be a type in which toner is refilled by changing a toner cassette, or may be a type in which toner is directly refilled. Further, the development unit 2013 can detect a residual toner quantity in the unit 2013 itself.

Here, although a structure of a monochromatic copying machine is explained by way of example of the image output apparatus of the present invention, the present invention is applicable to a color copying machine.

In this case, the development unit 2013 is composed of four, i.e., Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) and Bk (black), development parts. Further, the development unit 2013 can independently detect each of residual Y, M, C and Bk toner quantities.

Further, the copying machine 118 can detect a residual transfer sheet quantity in each of the first to fourth cassettes 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and the paper deck 2050. The sheet discharge unit (sorter) 2090 can detect a residual staple quantity in the processing tray 2094. Since the sheet discharge unit (sorter) 2090, the Z folder 2095 and the paper deck 2050 are the options, they are detachably installed in the copying machine (body) 118.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control structure of the copying machine 118 shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, the same parts as those in FIG. 3 are added with the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 4, numeral 3002 denotes an operation unit which is used to perform various setting and instruct various operations for the digital copying machine (body) 118. Numeral 3003 denotes a reader unit which is composed of the elements 2001 to 2009 shown in FIG. 3, reads the original image, and outputs the image data corresponding to the original image to a printer unit 3004 and a control unit 3009. The printer unit 3004 which is composed of the elements 2009 to 2045 shown in FIG. 3 outputs the image according to the image data from the reader unit 3003 and the control unit 3009 onto a recording medium.

The control unit 3009 is connected with the reader unit 3003, a FAX (facsimile) unit 3006, a network I/F (interface) unit 3007 and an HD (hard disk) unit 3008, and entirely controls the copying machine 118.

The FAX unit 3006 decompresses compressed image data received through a telephone line, and transfers the decompressed image data to the control unit 3009. Further, the FAX unit 3006 compresses the image data transferred from the control unit 3009, and transmits the compressed image data through the telephone line. It should be noted that the compressed image data received by the FAX unit 3006 can be temporarily stored in the HD unit 3008.

The network I/F unit 3007 interfaces the LAN 130 (FIG. 3) with the control unit 3009. The network I/F unit 3007 expands or extracts code data (i.e., PDL (page description language) data) representing the image transferred through the LAN 130 to the image data recordable by the printer unit 3004, and then transfers the recordable image data to the control unit 3009.

The recording unit 3009 is composed of a CPU 3011, a ROM 3012, a RAM 3013 and the like. The control unit 3009 controls the data flow among the reader unit 3003, the FAX unit 3006, the network I/F unit 3007 and the HD unit 3008, on the basis of the data stored in the ROM 3012 or data received from other parts.

The HD unit 3008 includes an HD, a page memory and the like all not shown, and can store the plural image data. The plural image data stored in the HD unit 3008 can be output in the order according to an editing mode instructed by the operation unit 3002 of the digital copying machine (body) 118.

The control unit 3009 can notify the residual toner quantity, the residual transfer sheet quantity for each size, the residual staple quantity, the copying machine status (door open status, sheet jam status, etc.), presence/absence of the various options (the sheet discharge unit (sorter) 2090, the Z folder 2095, the paper deck 2050, etc. in FIG. 3) and the like, to the LAN 130 through the network I/F unit 3007, or to each device connected through the WAN composed of the LAN's 130, 100 and 120 in FIG. 1.,

FIG. 5 is a view showing a screen displayed on the CRT 16 of the data processing apparatus, e.g., a PC shown in FIG. 2, and for explaining a first network connection structure.

In FIG. 5, numeral 301 denotes a main window in which a menu, a tool bar, icons representing PC's (including a user's own apparatus and other apparatuses) and peripheral devices (scanners, printers, FAX machines, etc.), and icons 301a to 301f on the tool bar representing functions respectively performed or executed by operating the PC's and the peripheral devices are displayed.

For example, the icon 301a is used to execute a copying function for reading the image data from the selected scanner and outputting the read image data to the selected printer. The icon 301b is used to execute a FAX (facsimile) function.

The icon 301c is used to execute an image data reading function. The icon 301d is used to execute a function for reading the image data and performing OCR (optical character recognition) processing.

The icon 301e is used to execute a function for displaying PC (personal computer) information, and the icon 301f is used to execute a function for displaying each personal tray data. Numeral 302 denotes a system display window.

In the system window 302, symbols 302a to 302z denote icons which respectively represent the PC's and the peripheral devices shared on the network shown in FIG. 1. The displayed icons are changed according to the kind of device (e.g., PC, printer, scanner, FAX modem or the like) or the status (e.g., "in processing", "error occurrence" or the like).

Numeral 302a denotes the root icon, numeral 302b denotes the icon representing a domain by which the user's own apparatus (displayed as "my machine") logs on, and numeral 302c denotes the icon representing own apparatus. The user's own apparatus is a special device and thus displayed independently of other PC's.

The icons 302m and 302p respectively represent the peripheral device and the PC which are shared on the network but for which any driver is not installed. Thus, the icons 302m and 302p are displayed in gray.

The icon 302d represents that the scanner is scanning the image now. At the icon 302n, e.g., a numeral "3" representing that three jobs are spooled in the printer is displayed.

The icon 302z represents that the printer in which a driver has been installed can not be used because of some reasons (e.g., breakdown, toner empty, no sheet, etc.). As above, it is possible by using the screen shown in FIG. 5 to graphically recognize the connection statuses and conditions of all the PC's and peripheral devices on the network. In the present embodiment, although all icons are not displayed for the convenience of screen, the user can confirm the connection statuses of all PC's and peripheral devices by using an SB (scroll bar) disposed at the side of the screen.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a combination judgment data structure stored in the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. For example, the combination judgment data structure is stored in the HD 10.

In FIG. 6, numerals 601 and 602 denote header segments. The header segment 601 corresponds to the number of combination functions registered, and the head segment 602 corresponds to a comment.

Each of segments 603a to 603d corresponds to one function data. The segment 603a corresponds to first device data, and the segment 603b corresponds to second device data. In the present embodiment, the first device data represents the scanner, and the second device data represents the printer. Such a combination is effective (or valid) even if opposite. The segment 603c corresponds to a function (a copying function in the present embodiment) which is executable by virtually combining the above plural functions (scanner and printer functions in the present embodiment) with others, and the segment 603d corresponds to a comment. In the present embodiment, N registered functions can be stored as the combination judgment data structure, and the Nth function corresponds to segments 604a to 604d.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a copying function setting screen displayed on the CRT 16 of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. When the scanner icon shown in FIG. 5 is dragged and dropped on the printer icon, if such a combination is judged to be effective, this combination is displayed on the CRT 16.

The reason why the copying function setting screen is displayed will be explained as follows. That is, the devices (i.e., the scanner and the printer in the present embodiment) dragged and dropped on the screen of FIG. 5 are disposed at physically distant locations respectively, but electrically connected with each other through a communication path to be able to perform data communication. The scanner can perform at least image input processing as an executable function, and the printer can perform at least image output processing as an executable function. Namely, although these devices are disposed at the locations physically distant from each other, when the functions of these devices are appropriately combined with each other, it is possible to execute the copying function. Therefore, a screen as in FIG. 7 is displayed such that the user of the data processing apparatus can operate these two peripheral devices as if one device, thereby causing the user to be able to unconsciously use the two peripheral devices as one device. It should be noted that, when the combination of the devices designated by a drag-and-drop operation is changed, the displayed setting screen of FIG. 7 is also changed.

In FIG. 7, numerals 401 and 402 denote magnification setting buttons (simply called buttons). The button 401,is depressed to instruct ordinary same-size output, and the button 402 is depressed to instruct reduction/enlargement output, whereby desired magnification can be designated.

Numerals 403 and 404 denote buttons which function as input and output sheet setting buttons, respectively. When the buttons 403 and 404 are depressed, a dialog box for setting a sheet size, a sheet direction and the like is displayed, whereby the sheet size and the sheet direction can be set. Numeral 405 denotes a button which functions as an input image color mode setting button. By using the button 405, a color mode, a monochrome mode, a gray scale mode and the like can be set.

Numeral 406 denotes a setting content confirmation display area. The setting content (the copying function in the present embodiment) which is based on the functions determined by the combination of the icons are displayed in the area 406. Concretely, the magnification "100% (same size)", the longitudinal input sheet "A4", the longitudinal output sheet "A4", the color copying mode "COLOR" and the like are displayed.

Numeral 407 denotes ten key buttons which are used to set the number of output copies, and numeral 408 denotes a layout adjustment setting button (simply called a button). When the button 408 is depressed, a dialog box by which sheet output position setting, 2-in-1 output setting and the like can be performed is displayed.

Numeral 409 denotes a slider by which a desired density setting can be performed according to user's operation and instruction with the mouse 13. Numeral 410 denotes a slider by which desired image style setting can be performed according to user's operation and instruction with the mouse 13.

Numeral 411 denotes a preview area in which an input size, an output size and an output area (or a image producible area) are displayed. Numeral 412 denotes a button which is used to change input and output devices. When the button 412 is depressed, a dialog box for setting input and output devices different from the input and output devices set by the icons is displayed, whereby the user can select the intended input and output devices. Numeral 413 denotes a button. When the button 413 is depressed, the current copying function setting is reset, and thus predetermined standard copying function setting becomes effective. Numeral 414 denotes a stop button, and numeral 415 denotes a copying execution button.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of an error message displayed on the CRT 16 shown in FIG. 2. When the CPU 2 judges based on stored judgment information that the icons combined by user's mouse operation do not make an effective (or valid) combination, the error message is displayed on the display screen shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 8, numeral 501 denotes an error message dialog box which is displayed when the combination of the icons is not effective.

In the present embodiment, it is judged whether or not the combination is effective based on the point to which the drag-and-drop operation is performed, and the error message is displayed. However, it is possible to judge the combination based on the point to which the drag operation is performed and then disable the user from performing the drop operation.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the data processing apparatus according to the present invention. The first data processing procedure corresponds to a combination function processing procedure according to system structure display processing.

Initially, in a step S201, the connection information of all the PC's and the peripheral devices of FIG. 1 shared on the network and use conditions and status information of these devices are acquired, and the acquired information is stored in the PMEM 3 of FIG. 2. Next, in a step S202, the device driver information installed in the user's own apparatus is checked and acquired. In a step S203, the screen for simultaneously displaying the system structure and the system status shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the CRT 16 of the user's own apparatus, on the basis of the acquired information.

Next, in a step S204, when execution of each function is instructed, it is judged whether or not such an instruction is effective. For example, on the screen shown in FIG. 5, when the scanner icon 302d is dragged to and dropped on the printer icon 302n by using the mouse to execute the copying function, it is judged whether or not the combination of the scanner and the printer is effective.

If judged that the combination is not effective, the flow advances to a step S205 to display the error message on the CRT 16 as shown in FIG. 8.

Conversely, if judged in the step S204 that the combination is effective, the flow advances to a step S206 to display a corresponding-function window. In the present embodiment, the setting screen for the copying function shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the CRT 16.

Next, it is judged in a step S207 whether or not the copying is to be performed. When the button 414 of the virtual operation panel shown in FIG. 7 is depressed to instruct a copying stop, the processing ends.

When the button 415 is depressed to instruct the copying, the flow advances to a step S208 to perform, the copying according to the setting. Namely, in this case, an original image set in the existential scanner corresponding to the dragged icon on the screen of FIG. 5 is input, the image is transferred through the network to the existential printer corresponding to the icon on which the dragged icon is dropped, and this printer performs the processing based on the input setting on the screen shown in FIG. 7 and forms the image on the sheet.

[Second Embodiment]

In the above-described first embodiment, it was explained the case where the device driver information is acquired from the network by communicating with the network device when each PC on the network is powered, and the device connection information and the operation status of each device are virtual-displayed graphically by using the integrated-shaped icons which are different for the respective devices. However, the devices to be connected with the network are not limited to the printer and the scanner as described in the first embodiment. Namely, the present invention is also applicable to a case where a multifunctional device including the printer and scanner functions or a combination of these functions and other functions (including the FAX function, a database function, etc.) is connected with the network. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be explained.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the device driver information managed by the data processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. For example, it is assumed that, when initialization processing such as a PC power-up operation or the like is performed, or when a later-described icon is depressed, the device driver information of a multifunctional device (e.g., the digital copying machine 118 managed by the respective devices shown in FIG. 1) connected with the network is acquired from the PC on the network, and the acquired information is managed on the PMEM 3 or the HD 10. When a management server for managing the device driver information is connected with the network, the device driver information may be acquired from the management server.

In FIG. 10, numeral 800 denotes acquirement information, and numeral 801 denotes a header segment which is composed of a driver name, version information and a comment.

Numeral 802 denotes a page setting information segment which is composed of page setting information (an original size, an output sheet size, a printing direction, a page layout, magnification, and a stamp). Here, for example, "A4", "A3", "B4" and the like are selectable as the original size and the output sheet size, "longitudinal", "lateral" and the like are selectable as the printing direction, "1 page/sheet", "2-in-1" and the like are selectable as the page layout, "100%", "141%" and the like are selectable as the magnification, and "secret", "confidential" and the like are selectable as the stamp.

Numeral 803 denotes a finish information segment which is composed of a printing method, a binding direction and a sheet discharge method. Here, for example, "ordinary printing", "bookbinding printing", "two-face printing", "OHP printing" and the like are selectable as the printing method, "longitudinal", "lateral" and the like are selectable as the binding direction, and "sorting", "grouping", "rotation sorting" and the like are selectable as the sheet discharge method.

Numeral 804 denotes a sheet feed information segment which is composed of various sheet feed setting information (a sheet feed method, and an OHP printing detail setting). Here, for example, "cassette 1", "manual feed" and the like are selectable as the sheet feed method, and "sheet feed port when OHP printing setting", "intermediate sheet designation", "sheet type" and the like are selectable as the OHP printing detail setting.

Numeral 805 denotes a device setting information segment which is composed of sheet feed option information and sheet discharge option information (a sheet feed option, and a sheet discharge option). Here, for example, "sheet feed option device setting" is selectable as the sheet feed option information and "sheet discharge option device setting" is selectable as the sheet discharge option information.

In the first embodiment, the identical icon is used for the same-type device. However, in the present embodiment, icon information which represents an icon close (or similar) to a rough appearance of an actual product for each maker (or manufacturer) is previously stored and displayed, whereby the user can visually recognize an icon of the same-type device of other maker. As shown in FIG. 11, a maker name and a device name may be displayed nearby the corresponding icon.

In this case, it is assumed that, when the device corresponds to color image processing, a CM (color mark: FIG. 11) representing color correspondence is added to the device icon.

The display of the icon is controlled based on the device driver information which is managed on the HD 10 or the PMEM 3.

Since the device driver information uses information which concerns a device mode supported by device driver information, even if a new peripheral device (including an option device) is provided by the maker, the image processing apparatus can quickly cope with the newly provided device only by installing the device driver information thereof.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a system structure status screen displayed on the CRT 16 of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and for explaining a second network connection structure. In FIG. 11, it should be noted that the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are added with same symbols, respectively.

In FIG. 11, symbols 301g to 301j denote icons. When the icon 301g is indicated by the cursor and the mouse 13 is then clicked, the screen display is changed to a not-shown favorite display. Namely, the system display window is divided, and the entire system and the device icons in the system structure which are frequently used for the user in his own apparatus and have been registered as the favorites are displayed in the divided window.

The icon 301h is indicated when the system display window 302 is changed to an editing screen for registering the icons in a favorite window. The icon 301i is indicated when the content of the system display window 302 is updated. The icon 301j is indicated when a program for displaying the system display window 302 is stopped.

Symbols 302g to 302u denote icons which respectively represent other PC's connected with the network. Symbol 302f denotes an icon which represents a multifunctional device such as the digital copying machine 118 shown in FIG. 1. At the icon 302f, e.g., a numeral "3" representing that three jobs are spooled in the copying machine is displayed. It should be noted that, as the icon 302f, an inherent icon different from the icons of the input and output device connected with the network devices and its device name are displayed.

Symbols 303a to 303m denote icons which represent the input and output devices connected with the network devices, respectively. These icons 303a to 303m are the inherent icons,(i.e., the icons of which shapes are extremely close to actual appearances of the bodies to be connected, respectively) which are specified by the device names respectively, and their connection statuses and operation statuses are displayed. Here, "X" (impossibility) mark is now overlaid on the icon 303m, whereby the current device represented by the icon 303m can not be selected due to some troubles. Further, the icons (303a and 303f in this case) representing the devices which have been connected but to which any driver is not installed are displayed in gray.

Each of FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 is a view showing an example of a virtual operation panel displayed on the CRT 16 of the data processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2. When the scanner icon (e.g., 302d, 303c or the like) dragged in the status that an icon 302f shown in FIG. 11 is effectively displayed is dropped on the icon 302f, the virtual operation panel is displayed as the image by which the user can confirm the digital copying machine 118 and the connected option devices, by referring to the device driver information acquired from the digital copying machine 118 corresponding to the icon 302f and managed in the HD 10 or the PMEM 3. Namely, the virtual operation panel to be displayed is changed according to the kind of dragged and dropped icon. In FIGS. 12 to 14, it should be noted that the same parts as those in FIG. 7 are added with same numerals and symbols, respectively.

In FIGS. 12 to 14, symbols B1 to B8 denote buttons. The buttons B1 to B6 are the operation buttons which are inherent for the digital copying machine 118 and substantially equivalent to the content displayed on the operation panel of the digital copying machine 118. Namely, the button B1 is depressed by a cursor operation when the page layout is set. In the page layout, various N-in-1 layout including 2-in-1 layout or layout of outputting one image to every plural sheets is included. In a default status, the output image corresponding to the sheet size "A4" and lateral writing output is displayed.

The button B2 is depressed when the two-face printing is designated, the button B3 is depressed when the bookbinding processing is performed, the button B4 is depressed when the OHP printing is designated, and the button B5 is depressed when the stapling being a sheet discharge option of the digital copying machine 118 is designated. The button B6 is depressed when the stamp output is performed. In the stamp output, the stamp information (image) such as "SECRET" is added to (overlaid on) the output image information, and an obtained composite image is output.

It should be noted that the functions which are set by using the buttons B1 to B6 are the functions which belong to the digital copying machine 118.

The button B7 is depressed when the function which does not belong to the digital copying machine 118 but can be set by the PC side is executed. In the present embodiment, this function is called favorite setting (later described), and two kinds of setting (image effect setting and stamp setting) are prepared as the favorite setting. The button B8 is depressed when the copying mode setting is reset to the standard mode.

Symbols PV1 and PV2 denote preview areas in which effect images selected according to the favorite setting designated by the PC side are displayed. In the present embodiment, a mosaic image is displayed in the preview area PV1, and a secret stamp is displayed on the preview area PV2.

Resolution which is adjusted by a slider 410 is automatically set in 1/2 of the highest resolution of the selected output device side, in consideration of traffic of the image data managed on the network. Further, it is assumed that the resolution which is identical or close to the automatically set resolution is automatically set as the resolution of the input device side.

The highest resolution of the copying machine corresponding to color processing is 600 dpi. Therefore, when the image is input from the color-correspondence scanner, the screen shown in FIG. 12 represents that the input resolution of the scanner side is set to 300 dpi being 1/2 or so of the output resolution of the printer side.

Similarly, it is assu