Patent Publication Number: US-7725474-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for information processing in network system

Description:
This application is based on application No. JP2003-143275 filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to an apparatus and method for information processing in a network system. 
   2. Prior Art 
   A multi-function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as an “MFP”) having printer, facsimile, and scanner functions is widely used as an input/output device of information processing apparatuses (personal computers). Connecting a plurality of personal computers and MFP to a network for information processing use is also widely practiced. An approach in relation to this is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid Open Patent Publication JP2000-092121. 
   In such a network system, a plurality of personal computers connected to the network share data. Each of personal computers is able to perform information processing such as reading shared data from folder, or transmitting shared data to store into folder via network. 
   Files in which such data has been stored are sorted and arranged in subdirectories which are called folders. A folder that is shared across a plurality of personal computers via the network so that the users can access the data stored in the folder is called a “shared folder.” In the following description of the present invention, the term “shared folder” is used in this sense. 
   In a network system where a plurality of personal computers are connected to a network, taking advantage of shared folders, when, for example, an MFP attempts to transmit data to a particular personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a destination personal computer), it may happen that at the present time, data transmission is unsuccessful while the destination personal computer is in a power-off state, although at the last time, data transmission was successful when the destination personal computer was in a power-on state. Or, it may happen that at the present time, data transmission is unsuccessful while the destination personal computer is disconnected from the network, although at the last time, data transmission was successful when the destination personal computer was connected to the network and was in the power-on state. 
   Like this, a disadvantage with the above network system is that, when the destination personal computer is in the power-off state or disconnected from the network, that personal computer cannot be selected as the destination to transmit data to. 
   Another disadvantage with the above network system is that, when a plurality of destination personal computers are registered in advance and configured to be displayed so that a selection from them is made when data transmission is performed, it cannot be determined whether or not each of these destination personal computers is in a data receivable state. 
   This invention is aimed to solve the foregoing problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   1. It is a primary object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for information processing in a network system that can provide information to identify information processing apparatuses (personal computers) which are capable or not of transmitting and receiving data among a plurality of information processing apparatuses interconnected via a network. 
   2. It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for information processing in a network system that can provide information to determine whether or not data can be transmitted to and received from shared folders which are shared among a plurality of information processing apparatuses interconnected via a network, based on the states of each information processing apparatus. 
   3. It is yet another object of this invention to provide an apparatus and method for information processing in a network system that can provide information to determine whether or not data can be transmitted to and received from shared folders which are shared among a plurality of information processing apparatuses interconnected via a network, together with information on the states of each information processing apparatus. 
   4. Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing a network information processing system according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bock diagram showing the configuration of a multi-function peripheral (MFP) of the preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart to explain how the MFP registers and deletes management data into/from a shared folder management table. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart to explain details of registering new management data into the shared folder management table. 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart to explain details of deleting inactive management data from the shared folder management table. 
       FIG. 6  shows an example of the shared folder management table. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   This invention now is described more fully by way of its preferred embodiment.  FIG. 1  is a block diagram describing a network information processing system (hereinafter referred to as a network system) according to a preferred embodiment of this invention. The network system is composed of a multi-function peripheral (hereinafter referred to as an “MFP”)  11  with a scanner  12  to read image information and a plurality of personal computers connected to the MFP  11  via a network formed by a communications line (such as a LAN). In this network system, three personal computers (PC 15 , PC 16 , and PC 17 ) are connected to the MFP  11  via a communication line; however, the number of personal computers connected to the MFP is not so limited. The MFP is an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functions such as printer, facsimile, and scanner functions. 
   The above personal computers may include ordinary personal computers and personal computers functioning as printer servers, besides the MFP  11 . The communications line may be embodied in any of the following: a wire circuit, a wireless channel, or a communications means using infrared rays. 
   The MFP  11  stores image data generated by reading information with the scanner  12  into shared folders provided in a storage device of MFP  11  and creates a shared folder management table in which management data (bibliographic information, attributes, etc.) is registered. The MFP itself and the personal computers PC 15 , PC 16 , and PC 17  have shared folders respectively and can access image data stored in the shared folders on other personal computers via the network. 
   As will be described later, because the management data of bibliographic information, attributes, etc. is registered in the shared folder management table, when a user is accessing image data stored in a shared folder, the user can know the bibliographic information, attributes, etc. of the target image data by referring to the shared folder management table on the MFP  11 . 
     FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP  11  of the preferred embodiment. The MFP  11  is composed of a system controller  21 , an image processing controller  22 , an image processor  23 , a clock  24 , a scanner controller  25 , a storage device  26 , a memory  27 , a communications controller  28 , an operation key and display unit  29 , etc. The system controller  21 , image processing controller  22 , image processor  23 , clock  24 , and scanner controller  25  are shown as the function blocks performed by the CPU of the MFP  11 . The storage device  26 , memory  27 , communications controller  28 , operation key and display unit  29  are the components which are managed by the system controller  21 . 
   The system controller  21  executes an overall control of the MFP operations including image processing, shared folder searching, and displaying search results. The clock  24  gives present time by outputting a clock signal as one of control information to the system controller  21 . 
   The scanner controller  25  controls the operation of the scanner  12  connected to the MFP. Image data read by the scanner  12  is processed by the image processor  23  under the control of the image processing controller  22  and the processed image data is transferred to the storage device  26  and stored into a shared folder in the storage device  26 . The image data stored in the shared folder in the storage device  26  can be read from personal computers connected to the network. 
   The memory  27  is used to store and retain the shared folder management table and other information. The communications controller  28  controls communication among personal computers connected to the network. 
   The operation key and display unit  29  consists of an operating device and a display device. The operating device is used for the user to issue instructions about image scan operation to the scanner  12  and other commands and to enter data. The display device is used to display the shared folder management table and other information. 
   Then, shared folder handling that is executed by the system controller  21  of the MFP  11  is discussed. 
   First, the shared folder management table is briefly explained. An example of the shared folder management table is shown in  FIG. 6 . The shared folder management table contains the following information: the IP address and identifier of a personal computer connected to the network; the name of a shared folder of the personal computer; power state (power ON/OFF state) of the personal computer; power off time when the personal computer was powered OFF; and the number of times of image data transmission or number of times of attempting image data transmission (hereinafter referred to as the number of times of image data transmission) to the shared folder. 
   Registration of management data into the shared folder management table is briefly explained. Searching of shared folders is performed at given intervals of time T1 (search interval T1). Upon finishing of each search, the result of the present search is compared with the result of the last search. 
   By the comparison of both results of two successive searches, if it is detected that a shared folder having new image data has been created, the management data is not yet registered in the shared folder management table. Thus, when a new shared folder that was not registered at the last search has been found by the present search, management data about the new shared folder is added to the shared folder management table. The power state of the personal computer having the new shared folder is set to ON, the power off time cleared to 0, and the number of times of image data transmission to the personal computer is cleared to 0. 
   When shared folder having image data that was registered in the shared folder management table at the last search was not found by the present search, the personal computer having the shared folder has been set in the power OFF state, and access to the personal computer via the network is now impossible. Then, the set values about the personal computer registered in the shared folder management table are checked. When the power state of the personal computer is set to ON, it is changed to OFF, and the present time is registered as the power OFF time. 
   When a shared folder that was registered at the last search is found by the present search as well, the personal computer having the shared folder has been set in the power ON state. The set values about the personal computer registered in the shared folder management table are checked. When the power state of the personal computer is set to OFF, it is changed to ON, and the power off time is erased. 
   Next, deletion of management data from the shared folder management table is briefly explained. Searching of shared folders on the personal computers connected to the network is performed at given intervals of time T1. Upon finishing of a search, the result of the present search is compared with that of the last search. 
   By the comparison of both results of two successive searches, if a shared folder having a image data has been stored is found, but management data is not registered in the shared folder management table, the personal computer having the shared folder has been set in the power OFF state and access to the personal computer via the network is now impossible. Then, the set values about the personal computer registered in the shared folder management table are checked. When the power state of the personal computer is set to ON, it is changed to OFF, and the present time is registered as the power OFF time. 
   Meanwhile, when the MFP being instructed to transmit image data to a particular personal computer, it performs shared folder searching at intervals of time T2 (search interval T2) that is shorter than time T1 (search interval T1), and transmits the image data thereto. At this time, if the destination personal computer is in the power OFF state, the MFP is unable to access the destination personal computer, but the MFP retries to get access to the destination personal computer. 
   Then, when the number of times to access the destination personal computer to transmit the image data exceeds a predetermined number n, and when time elapsed from time Toff, when the destination personal computer was powered OFF, until the present time Tnow (Tnow−Toff) exceeds predetermined time TE (TE=T2×n), that is, if (Tnow−Toff)&gt;(TE=T2×n), the management data of the destination personal computer is deleted from the shared folder management table. 
   In other words, if the number of times to access the destination personal computer exceeds the predetermined number n, and if the time elapsed from time Toff (power off time of the destination personal computer) until the present time Tnow becomes longer than the predetermined time TE, the MFP stops image data transmission to the destination personal computer and deletes the management data of the personal computer from the shared folder management table. 
   Next, displaying the shared folder management table is discussed. 
   (1) Displaying a list of destination personal computers: The MFP performs shared folder searching at given intervals of time T1 (search interval T1), and outputs the shared folder management table to the display. In the shared folder management table displayed on the display unit  29 , personal computers being in the power ON state are shown in a color different from normal display, for example, in blue. Also, personal computers being in the power OFF state are shown in a color different from normal display, for example, in gray, in the shared folder management table displayed on the display unit  29 . 
   (2) Displaying the list with a personal computer being selected as the destination: Personal computers selected as the destination are displayed in the shared folder management table and memorized. If a personal computer being in the power OFF state is selected, anticipated consequence of continuing operation of data transmission to the personal computer selected as the destination is displayed on the display unit  29 . For example, a message such as “Impossible the data transmission” or “Data transmission will be delayed” is displayed. 
   (3) When the shared folder is searched at intervals of search cycle time T2: The MFP searches the shared folder to look for a personal computer selected as the destination at intervals of time T2 (search interval T2) that is shorter than time T1 (search interval T1) of shared folder searching for updating the shared folder management table. 
   When the destination personal computer is found, and if its power state is set to OFF in the shared folder management table; the MFP executes data transmission and deletes a record of the personal computer selected as the destination in the shared folder management table. 
   When the destination personal computer is found, and if its power state is set to ON in the shared folder management table, the MFP executes data transmission. 
   If the destination personal computer is not found, but its power state is set to ON in the shared folder management table, the MFP displays anticipated consequence of continuing operation of data transmission. For example, a message such as “Data transmission is impossible” or “Data transmission will be delayed” is displayed. 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart to explain the control operation of registration and deletion of management data into/from the shared folder management table executed by the MFP. 
   First, a search interval T1 is set on a timer counting a search interval for searching shared folders on the personal computers connected to the network, and the timer is started (step P 11 ), and waits until the search interval T1 is elapsed (step P 12 ). 
   When search interval T1 has been elapsed, collects management data from the personal computers connected to the network (step P 13 ). 
   A new management data is registered into the shared folder management table (step P 14 ). If a personal computer connected to the network still remains in the power OFF state after a plurality of number of times of searching, deletes the management data of the personal computer from the shared folder management table (step P 15 ). 
   It is determined whether or not a command to finish updating the shared folder management table is issued (step P 16 ). If there is no command to finish the update operation, the control returns to the step P 11  and continues updating the shared folder management table. If a command to finish the update operation is issued, finishes the update operation and returns to a main routine. 
     FIG. 4  is a flowchart to explain details of registration processing of new management data into the shared folder management table, described in step P 14  in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . 
   First, one shared folder is read (step P 21 ). It is determined whether or not management data of a shared folder storing new image data that has been read by the scanner  12  has been registered into the shared folder management table (step P 22 ). If such management data of shared folder has not been registered in the shared folder management table, such a management data of the new shared data is registered into the shared folder management table, and sets the power state to ON, erases the power OFF time, and clears the count value of a counter counting the number of data transmission times to 0 (step P 23 ). The control proceeds to step P 26 . 
   If the above management data of the shared folder has been registered in step P 22 , it is determined whether or not the power state of the personal computer having the shared folder registered in the shared folder management table is OFF (step P 24 ). If the power state is not OFF, the power state is set to ON and the power OFF time is erased (step P 25 ) and the control proceeds to step P 26 . If the power state is OFF as determined in step P 24 , the control immediately proceeds to step P 26 . 
   In step P 26 , it is determined whether or not processing of all shared folders has been completed. If it is not completed, the control returns to step P 21 . If it is completed, the control returns to the main routine. 
     FIG. 5  is a flowchart to explain details of deletion processing of management data from the shared folder management table, described in step P 15  in the flowchart of  FIG. 3 . 
   First, the one shared folder is read (step P 31 ). It is determined whether or not management data of the shared folder has been registered into the shared folder management table (step P 32 ). If it is not registered, it is determined whether or not the power state of the personal computer having shared folder is set to OFF in the shared folder management table (step P 33 ). If power state is not set to OFF, the power state is set to OFF, and the present time is set as the power OFF time (step P 34 ). Then, the control proceeds to step P 38 . If the shared folder management data has been registered into the shared folder management table in step P 32 , the control immediately proceeds to step P 38 . 
   If the power state is set to OFF as determined in step P 33 , time TE (TE=T2×n) is calculated, based on search interval T2, that is predetermined for search the shared folder management table and look for a particular personal computer to which to data transmission, and the count value n of a counter counting the number of data transmission times (step P 35 ). 
   If the count value n exceeds a predetermined number, it is determined whether or not time elapsed from time Toff, when the destination personal computer was powered OFF, until the present time Tnow (Tnow−Toff) exceeds time TE (TE=T2×n) (step P 36 ). If it is so, that is, (Tnow−Toff)&gt;TE (TE=T2×n), the management data of such personal computers is deleted from shared folder management table (step P 37 ). If not so, as determined in step P 36 , the procedure immediately proceeds to step P 38 . 
   In other words, if the number of times the destination to transmit the data exceeds the predetermined number, and if the time elapsed from time Toff, when the destination personal computer was powered OFF, until the present time Tnow becomes longer than the predetermined time TE, data transmission to the destination personal computer is stopped and deletes the management data from the shared folder management table. 
   In step P 38 , it is determined whether or not all shared folders have been checked. If it is not, the control returns to step P 31 . If it is so, the control returns to the main routine. 
   As described in detail hereinbefore, the MFP of the present invention performs searching of shared folders of a plurality of information processing apparatuses (personal computers) connected to the MFP via the network. Upon completion of a search, the result of the present search with the result of the last search are compared, and displays the states of the personal computers associated with the shared folders in a list which is updated, according to the result of the comparison. At given intervals of time, the searching is performed and the comparison result is reviewed. During this interval, the power state of a destination personal computer may change. The displayed list includes information on such power state change and indications as to whether it is possible to transmit data to each personal computer. 
   By referring to the thus displayed information about the personal computers connected to the network, before data transmission, the MFP user can know that data transmission is possible or impossible and information processing across the personal computers connected to the network can be performed efficiently. 
   Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.