Abstract:
There is disclosed an image forming method for use in an image forming apparatus which includes an image forming unit that generates image data from a manuscript and forms an image, an input unit that inputs a command for operating the image forming apparatus, and a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus by exchanging information with the input unit or an external device, the method includes establishing a communication connection state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of an operating command from the external device, invalidating the control of the image forming apparatus by the operating command from the external device in response to the cancel request from the input unit, and then, switching a current state to a state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of the operating command from the input unit, and forcibly terminating a job being executed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-337351, filed Nov. 22, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method of a multi function peripheral (hereinafter, referred to as MFP) or the like to which an external device such as a personal computer is to be connected.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Conventionally, there has been proposed a MFP comprising functions such as a copy, a facsimile, a printer, and a scanner, and configured to be connectable to a network (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-83712).  
         [0006]     In addition, occasionally, a copy job executed by operating a control panel provided at a MFP and a facsimile job executed by remote control operation via a network are started at the same time. In this case, a proposed MFP controls a job to be executed in a preferential manner (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication Nos. 2004-289480 and 2002-165047).  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus which generates image data from a manuscript and forms an image, the apparatus includes an input unit which inputs a command for operating the image forming apparatus, and a control unit which controls the image forming apparatus by exchanging information with the input unit or an external device, wherein the control unit includes a state establishing unit which establishes a communication connection state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of an operating command from the external device in response to a connection request from the external device, a state cancel unit which invalidates the control of the image forming apparatus by the operating command from the external device in response to the cancel request from the input unit, and then, switches a current state to a state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of the operating command from the input unit, and a forcibly terminating unit which forcibly terminates a job being executed in response to the operating command from the external device.  
         [0008]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for use in an image forming apparatus that includes an image forming unit which generates image data from a manuscript and forms an image, an input unit which inputs a command for operating the image forming apparatus, and a control unit which controls the image forming apparatus by exchanging information with the input unit or an external device, the method includes establishing a communication connection state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of an operating command from the external device in response to a connection request from the external device, invalidating the control of the image forming apparatus by the operating command from the external device in response to the cancel request from the input unit, and then, switching a current state to a state for controlling the image forming apparatus by means of the operating command from the input unit, and forcibly terminating a job being executed in response to the operating command from the external device.  
         [0009]     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus configured to be communication-connectable to an external device, the apparatus includes a reader unit which reads an image of a manuscript, an image forming unit which forms an image based on image data read by the reader unit, an input unit which is provided at the image forming apparatus and commands reading by the reader unit or image forming by the image forming unit to the image forming apparatus, a communication control unit which controls a communication connection between the image forming apparatus and the external device to execute reading by the reader unit or image forming by the image forming unit, based on the command from the external device, a cancel unit which, while executing a reading operation by the reader unit or an image forming operation by the image forming unit based on the command from the external device, commands the image forming apparatus to interrupt or cancel the operation being executed, and an operation control unit which interrupts or cancels the operation being executed based on an interrupting or canceling command from the cancel unit and newly accepts from the input unit a command input for reading by the reader unit or an image forming operation by the image forming unit.  
         [0010]     According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus configured to be communication-connectable to an external device, the apparatus includes a communication control unit which forms a communication state between the external device and the image forming apparatus in response to a request from the external device, an operation executing unit which executes reading of a manuscript or an image forming operation based on image data on the read manuscript, an input unit which is provided at the image forming apparatus to input a command for an operation of the image forming apparatus, and an operation control unit which, in a state in which a communication state with the external device has been established, disconnects the communication state with the external device in response to input contents from the input unit, and then, accepts the input contents from the input unit.  
         [0011]     Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram depicting an MFP according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an external view showing a control panel provided at the MFP;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a display example of a liquid crystal display unit;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a configuration of modules that control operations of the MFP;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between the MFP and an external device;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the display content of a control panel in a “communication connection state”;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between the MFP and the external device; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between the MFP and the external device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     First Embodiment  
       [0021]     Now, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of a MFP  3  according to the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]     This MFP  3  comprises three central processing units (CPUs), i.e., a main CPU  31  in a main control unit  30 ; a scanner CPU  100  of a scanner unit  1 ; and a printer CPU  110  of a printer unit  2 .  
         [0024]     The main CPU  31  performs bi-directional communication via the printer CPU  110  and a shared random access memory (RAM)  35 . The main CPU  31  outputs an operating command, and then, the printer CPU  110  returns a conditional status. The printer CPU  110  and the scanner CPU  100  exchange information in accordance with serial communication. The printer CPU  110  outputs an operating command, and then, the scanner CPU  100  returns a conditional status.  
         [0025]     A control panel  40  includes a liquid crystal display unit  42  having a touch panel, a variety of operating key units  43 , and a panel CPU  41  connected to these units. Then, the panel CPU  41  is connected to the main CPU  31  to exchange information.  
         [0026]     The main control unit  30  includes a main CPU  31 , a read only memory (ROM)  32 , a RAM  33 , a nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM)  34 , a shared RAM  35 , an image processing device  36 , a page memory control unit  37 , a page memory  38 , and a printer font ROM  121 .  
         [0027]     The main CPU  31  integrally controls the MFP  3 . The ROM  32  stores a program that controls an operation of the MFP  3 . The RAM  33  temporarily stores data.  
         [0028]     The NVRAM  34  is a nonvolatile memory backed up in a battery (not shown). Even in the case where power is shut down, the NVRAM  34  holds the stored data.  
         [0029]     The shared RAM  35  is used when a bi-directional communication is made between the main CPU  31  and the printer CPU  110 .  
         [0030]     The page memory control unit  37  controls readout and storage of image information with respect to the page memory  38 . The page memory  38  has a region capable of storing image information for a plurality of pages and can store data produced by compressing the image information from the scanner unit  1  on a page by page basis.  
         [0031]     Font data corresponding to print data is stored in the printer font ROM  121 .  
         [0032]     The scanner unit  1  includes a scanner CPU  100 , a ROM  101 , a RAM  102 , a CCD driver  103 , a scanning motor driver  104 , and an image correction unit  105 .  
         [0033]     The scanner CPU  100  integrally controls the scanner unit  1 . The ROM  101  stores a control program or the like. The RAM  102  stores data. The CCD driver  103  drives a color image sensor. The scanning motor driver  104  controls rotation of a scanning motor.  
         [0034]     The printer unit  2  includes a printer CPU  110 , a ROM  111 , a RAM  112 , a laser driver  113 , a polygon motor driver  114 , a transport control unit  115 , a process control unit  116 , an ink deposition control unit  117 , and an option control unit  118 .  
         [0035]     The printer CPU  110  integrally controls the printer unit  2 . The ROM  111  stores a control program or the like. The RAM  112  stores data. The laser driver  113  drives a semiconductor laser oscillator. The polygon motor driver  114  drives a polygon motor of an exposure device. The transport control unit  115  controls transport of paper by means of a transport mechanism. The process control unit  116  controls processes for carrying out electrification, developing, and transfer. The ink deposition control unit  117  controls an ink deposition device. The option control unit  118  controls an option.  
         [0036]     The image processing device  36 , the page memory  38 , the image correction unit  105 , and the laser driver  113  are connected to each other by means of an image data bus  120 . Further, the image data bus  120  is connected to an external device  122  such as a personal computer.  
         [0037]     In addition, the main CPU  31  of this MFP  3  is connected to the external device  122  such as a personal computer.  
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is an external view showing a control panel  40  provided at the MFP  3 . A configuration of a panel face of the control panel  40  will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  
         [0039]     A liquid crystal display unit  42  and an operating key unit  43  are provided on the control panel  40 .  
         [0040]     The state of the MFP  3 , operating procedures, and a variety of commands assigned to a user or the like are displayed at the liquid crystal display unit  42 . In addition, a touch panel is provided at the liquid crystal display unit  42  so that a user can assign a variety of commands to the MFP  3 .  
         [0041]     A variety of operating buttons for operating the MFP  3  are provided at the operating key unit  43 . A function upgrading (extension) button  43   c , a filing box button  43   d , a scan button  43   e , a copy button  43   f , a fax button  43   g  and the like are allocated as keys for calling a screen for selecting and setting a function. In addition, numeric keys  43   h  or the like for inputting set values and checking information are also allocated.  
         [0042]     The extension button  43   c  is used when a function is upgraded in the future. The filing box button  43   d  is used when stored image data is fetched. The scan button  43   e  is used when a scan function is used. The copy button  43   f  is used when a copy function is used. The fax button  43   g  is used when a fax function is used. Ten numeric keys  43   h  are used when numbers are inputted.  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a view showing a display example of the liquid crystal display unit  42 . At this liquid crystal display unit  42 , a function set at that time point, a selected function, a state of an MFP  3  or the like are displayed by way of message or illustration.  
         [0044]     The liquid crystal display unit  42  includes a message display area  42   a , an index button area  42   b , and a function setting button area  42   c.    
         [0045]     In the message display area  42   a , there are displayed: information such as a magnification, the number of copies, a cassette paper size, date and time or the like together with messages such as a machine state, an operating command, and caution. The index button area  42   b  is equipped with an index button for switching a menu. The type or number of index buttons are different depending on copy, scan, and fax functions. The function setting button area  42   c  is an area in which to select and set a variety of functions.  
         [0046]     Now, an operation of the MFP  3  will be described here.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a view showing a configuration of modules that control the operation of the MFP  3 .  
         [0048]     The MFP  3  is equipped with a job management module  50 , an external connection state management module  51 , a network control module  52 , a control panel control module  53 , a scanner operation control module  54 , an image forming module  55 , and a printer operation control module  56 .  
         [0049]     The job management module  50  manages an operation of a job executed by the MFP  3 . The external connection state management module  51  checks whether or not connection between the external device  122  and the control panel  40  is normal. The network control module  52  is an interface that controls exchange of information between the external device  122  and the MFP  3 .  
         [0050]     The control panel control module  53  receives operating/command information and controls an operation of the control panel  40  that displays a message. The scanner operation control module  54  controls an operation of the scanner unit  1  that reads an image of a manuscript and then generates image data. The image forming module  55  controls an image forming operation of applying processing to the read image data to form an image for printing. The printer operation control module  56  controls an operation of the printer unit  2  that records a formed image in a medium.  
         [0051]      FIG. 5  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between the MFP  3  and the external device  122 . The operation of the MFP  3  described below is achieved by the control modules shown in  FIG. 4  being loaded on the CPUs  31 ,  41 ,  100 , and  110 , and then, cooperating with each unit of the MFP  3 .  
         [0052]     In a client personal computer (PC) serving as the external device  122 , for example, a user starts up driver software for operating the MFP  3 . Then, in step S 01 , the external device  122  transmits a communication connection request to the MFP  3 .  
         [0053]     This communication connection request is made while a job is specified for the MFP  3 . This job includes a remote scan, a remote copy and the like. When the remote scan is specified, the MFP  3  is operated via a network so that a manuscript can be read and stored. When the remote copy is specified, the MFP  3  is operated via a network so that a manuscript can be read and printed.  
         [0054]     In the MFP  3 , upon receiving the communication connection request, as long as the MFP  3  is not executing a job, the main CPU  31  executes a communication connection process in step S 02 . In the communication connection process, for example, a flag is set in a predetermined area of the RAM  33 , and then, a predetermined display or the like is made on the control panel  40 . In accordance with this communication connection process, the current state moves to a state in which the MFP  3  operates in accordance with an operation from the external device  122 . This state is called a “communication connection state” in the following description.  
         [0055]     After completing the communication connection process, in step S 03 , the main CPU  31  returns to the external device  122  a response indicating that the “communication connection state” has been established.  
         [0056]     In the external device  122  having received this response, an operation with respect to the MFP  3  is enabled. The operating contents include, for example, modification of a variety of parameters in a scan job, an operation start command or the like. In step S 04 , operating commands  1 , . . . , n are transmitted to the MFP  3  in response to an operation at the external device  122 . In the MFP  3 , jobs corresponding to the transmitted operating commands  1 , . . . , n are executed.  
         [0057]      FIG. 6  is a view showing the display content of the liquid crystal display unit  42  in the “communication connection state”. The fact that the “communication connection state” with the external device  122  is established is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit  42 . Therefore, in this state, a user cannot make an operational input from the control panel  40 .  
         [0058]     On the other than, a cancel key  42   d  is displayed at the liquid crystal display unit  42 . This cancel key  42   d  is a key for canceling the “communication connection state”. The user can operate the MFP  3  from the control panel  40  by operating the cancel key  42   d.    
         [0059]     While, in the present embodiment, a specific screen indicating that the “communication connection state” is established has been provided, the fact that the above described “communication connection state” is established and the cancel key may be displayed on a screen of the generally displayed control panel  40 , whereby a user operation may be disabled. In addition, in step S 01 , when a connection request has been received from the external device  122 , this fact may be displayed on the control panel  40 .  
         [0060]     When the user operates the cancel key  42   d  from the control panel  40 , the main CPU  31  execute a communication disconnection process in step S 06 . In this communication disconnection process, for example, a flag in a predetermined area of the RAM  33  is reset, thereby enabling an operation from the control panel  40 .  
         [0061]     After the communication disconnection process has been executed, the main CPU  31  notifies the external device  122  that the “communication connection state” has been cancelled in step S 07 . In the external device  122  having received this notification, an operable state relevant to the MFP  3  is terminated. For example, a warning message is displayed on a display device, although is not shown, of the external device  122 . Even after the “communication connection state” has been cancelled, a function of executing communication between the MFP  3  and the external device  122  is effective.  
         [0062]     Subsequently, in the MFP  3 , in step S 08 , the main CPU  31  executes a job deletion process. This job deletion process is a process for quickly terminating a job being executed, and immediately delivering an operating privilege to the MFP  3 . For example, in the case where a scan job is being executed, manuscript reading is stopped, and an operation of storing a scanned image is canceled. In addition, all of the files stored in the page memory  38  are also deleted. In the case where a copy job is being executed, manuscript reading is stopped, and then, data being currently read is deleted. However, in the case where an image is being printed, a print operation for that image is continued.  
         [0063]     Then, after terminating the job deletion process, the main CPU  31  enables an operation from the control panel  40 . In addition, in step S 09 , this main CPU notifies the external device  122  of the fact that the job deletion has been made. In the external device  122  having received this notification, for example, a message indicating that a requested job has been deleted is displayed on a display device, although not shown.  
         [0064]     According to the present embodiment, even if a remote job is being executed, a user can start a direct operation from the control panel  40  immediately.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0065]     A second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a job termination process is executed instead of the job deletion process. Therefore, like constituent elements in the first embodiment are designated by like reference numerals. A detailed description thereof is omitted here.  
         [0066]      FIG. 7  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between an MFP  3  and an external device  122 . In  FIG. 7 , operations from step S 11  to step S 17  are identical to those according to the first embodiment. Thus, a duplicate description thereof is omitted here.  
         [0067]     In step S 18 , in the MFP  3 , a main CPU  31  executes a job termination process. This job termination process is a process for delivering an operational privilege to the MFP  3  after storing a result of a job being executed, unlike the job deletion process described above.  
         [0068]     For example, in the case where a scan job is being executed, manuscript reading is stopped, whereas an operation of storing a scanned image is continued. A file stored in a page memory  38  is not deleted, either. In the case where a copy job is being executed, manuscript reading is stopped, and printing of currently read data is continued.  
         [0069]     Then, after executing the job termination process, the main CPU  31  enables an operation from a control panel  40 . In addition, in step S 19 , this main CPU notifies the external device  122  that the job has been terminated. Further, the main CPU  31  transmits to the external device  122  the image data stored in the page memory  38 .  
         [0070]     The external device  122  displays on a display device, although not shown, for example, a message indicating that a requested job has been forcibly terminated. Further, a message indicating that the read image data has been received is also displayed. Then, in the external device  122 , a received image can be displayed and can also be transmitted to another device while the image is attached to an E-mail.  
         [0071]     According to the present embodiment, while supporting execution of a remote job, a user can start a direct operation from the control panel  40  immediately.  
       Third Embodiment  
       [0072]     A third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a communication disconnection operation is enabled from an external device  122 . Therefore, like constituent elements in the second embodiment are designated by like reference numerals. A detailed description thereof is omitted here.  
         [0073]      FIG. 8  is a signal flow chart showing an operation between an MFP  3  and an external device  122 . In  FIG. 8 , operations from step S 21  to step S 24  are identical to those according to the second embodiment. Thus a duplicate description thereof is omitted here.  
         [0074]     In the external device  122 , there is a case in which an attempt is made to cancel an operation of the MFP  3 . For example, this case corresponds to a case where an attempt is made to carry out another job in the external device  122 , or alternatively, a case in which an attempt is made to cancel an operation because an operation time has been longer than a predetermined limit.  
         [0075]     When a user operates the external device  122 , and then, inputs a communication disconnection, a communication disconnection request is transmitted to the MFP  3  in step S 25 .  
         [0076]     A main CPU  31  having received this communication disconnection request executes a communication disconnection process in step S 26 . In this communication disconnection process, for example, a flag in a predetermined area of a RAM  33  is reset, thereby enabling an operation from a control panel  40 .  
         [0077]     After executing the communication disconnection process, the main CPU  31  notifies the external device  122  that the “communication connection state” has been cancelled in step S 27 . In the external device  122  having received this notification, an operable state relevant to the MFP  3  is terminated. For example, a message indicating that a communication state has been cancelled is displayed on a display device, although not shown.  
         [0078]     In step S 28 , in the MFP  3 , the main CPU  31  executes a job termination process. This job termination process has been already described, and thus, a duplicate description is omitted here.  
         [0079]     Then, after executing the job termination process, the main CPU  31  enables an operation from the control panel  40 . In addition, in step S 29 , this main CPU notifies the external device  122  that a job has been terminated. Further, the main CPU  31  transmits to the external device  122  the image data stored in a page memory  38 .  
         [0080]     The external device  122  displays on a display device, although not shown, for example, a message indicting that a request job has been terminated. Further, a message indicating that read image data has been received is also displayed. Then, the external device  122  can display a received image and can also transmit it to another device while the image is attached to an E-mail.  
         [0081]     According to the present embodiment, the external device  122  can flexibly control execution of a remote job. For example, the remote job can be prevented from being executed for a long period of time. Therefore, a user can start an operation from the control panel  40  smoothly without waiting for long.  
         [0082]     As has been described above, according to the foregoing embodiments of the invention, when the MFP is used, even if the MFP is in a “communication connection state” with an external device, the “communication connection state” with the external device is cancelled, thereby making it possible to prioritize a job for directly operating the MFP. That is, even if the MFP is being operated from the external device, the user&#39;s operability can be improved without making the user wait in front of the MFP by enabling the “communication connection state” of the external device to be cancelled.  
         [0083]     In addition, the MFP according to the foregoing embodiments of the invention is excellent in operability because the “communication connection state” of the MFP with the external device can be cancelled from a control panel of the MFP.  
         [0084]     In addition, the MFP according to the foregoing embodiments of the invention can notify the external device that the “communication connection state” with the external device has been cancelled. Therefore, the current operation can be continued smoothly.  
         [0085]     In addition, by using a combination of the first and second embodiments described above, a user may select in advance which of the job deletion process and the job termination process is operated from the control panel  40 .  
         [0086]     The functions described in the foregoing embodiments may be configured using hardware. In addition, a program having described the functions using software may be packaged by causing a computer to read the program. In addition, the functions each may be configured by properly selecting any of the software and the hardware.  
         [0087]     Further, the functions each can also be packaged by causing a computer to read a program stored in a recording medium, although not shown. Here, the recording medium in the present embodiment may be formed in any recording format, as long as the medium is capable of recording a program and is computer-readable.  
         [0088]     Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.