Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in which processing time of cooperative operations of a web application and a web server is reduced.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment has a storage and a processor. The storage stores a built-in application that executes a predetermined function, and web server software that is assigned to the built-in application. The processor executes the built-in application and web server software. The processor starts up the web server software before starting up the built-in application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Since MFPs (multi-function peripherals) have multiple functions, some have multiple built-in applications installed. Below, applications may be simply referred to as apps. Some built-in applications run on web server software. Below, web server software may be simply referred to as web servers. Furthermore, built-in applications running on web servers may be referred to as web applications. One web server is assigned to one built-in application. Conventionally, an MFP only launches a web server when it receives a web application launch request from an operator.

[0003] Furthermore, as the number of running web applications increases, the number of running web servers also increases, which increases memory usage. To avoid this, a limit is set on the number of web servers that can be running simultaneously, and when that limit is exceeded, the oldest web servers are shut down in order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-149026 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that reduces the processing time for the cooperative operation between a Web application and a Web server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a storage device and a processor. The storage device stores built-in applications that execute predetermined functions and web server software assigned to the built-in applications. The processor executes the built-in applications and the web server software. The processor launches the web server software before launching the built-in applications. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow of an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Image forming device) First, an image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to an embodiment.

[0009] The image forming device 10 is, for example, an MFP (multifunction peripheral). The image forming device 10 has a printing function, a scanning function, a copying function, etc. The printing function is a function for forming a toner image on paper. The scanning function is a function for reading an image from a document or the like on which an image has been formed. The copying function is a function for printing an image read from a document or the like using the scanning function onto paper using the printing function.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a document feeder 11, a scanner 12, a printer 13, a paper transporter 14, a paper feeder 15, a control unit 21, an operation panel 25, a communication device 26, and a system bus 27.

[0011] The document feeder 11 is, for example, an ADF (auto document feeder), etc. The document feeder 11 sends documents placed on a document tray to the scanner 12.

[0012] The scanner 12 reads an image from a document. The scanner 12 has, for example, a document glass and a reading module. The reading module reads an image from a document placed on the document glass or a document sent to the document glass by the document feeder 11. The reading module irradiates the document to be read with illumination light, receives the reflected light with an image sensor, and converts it into a digital signal. In this way, the reading module reads an image from the document. To read an image from the back side of the document, another reading module may be provided in the document feeder 11.

[0013] The paper feeder 15 supplies paper to the paper transport device 14. For example, the paper feeder 15 has one or more paper feed cassettes that store paper on which images are to be printed. The paper feeder 15 also has a manual feed tray for manually feeding paper. The paper feeder 15 selectively takes out paper from either the paper feed cassette or the manual feed tray using a paper feed roller and supplies it to the paper transport device 14.

[0014] The paper transport device 14 transports paper sheets supplied from the paper feed device 15 through the printing device 13. The paper transport device 14 has, for example, a duplex unit that enables the printing device 13 to print on both sides of the paper sheets. The duplex unit flips the paper sheets over by switching them back, and transports them through the printing device 13. The paper transport device 14 also has a paper output tray that receives the paper sheets on which images have been printed by the printing device 13.

[0015] Based on the image data supplied, the printing device 13 prints an image on paper transported by the paper transport device 14. The image data used for printing is, for example, image data read from an original by the scanner 12. Alternatively, the image data is image data supplied to the image forming device 10 from an external device separate from the image forming device 10.

[0016] For example, the printing device 13 prints an image on paper by forming a toner image on a transfer belt and transferring the toner image to paper. Alternatively, the printing device 13 prints an image on paper by ejecting ink onto paper using an inkjet head. However, the printing device 13 is not limited to these methods and may print an image on paper using other methods.

[0017] The operation panel 25 is a man-machine interface that inputs and outputs information between the image forming apparatus 10 and the operator of the image forming apparatus 10. The operation panel 25 includes, for example, a touch panel and an input device.

[0018] The touch panel is a stack of a display, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and a pointing device that accepts touch input. The touch panel displays a screen that notifies the operator of the image forming apparatus 10 of various information. The touch panel also accepts touch operations by the operator. In other words, the touch panel is an input / output device.

[0019] The input device accepts operations by an operator of the image forming apparatus 10. The input device includes a keyboard, a keypad, a touchpad, and the like.

[0020] The communication device 26 includes a communication interface, such as a network interface card, and communicates with the cloud 30. The communication device 26 communicates with the cloud 30 via a wired or wireless network, such as a LAN (Local Area Network). For example, the communication device 26 transmits image data read by the scanner 12 to the cloud 30, and the cloud 30 stores the received image data.

[0021] The system bus 27 is a communication path between the document feeder 11, the scanner 12, the printer 13, the paper transport device 14, the paper feeder 15, the control unit 21, the operation panel 25, and the communication device 26. The document feeder 11, the scanner 12, the printer 13, the paper transport device 14, the paper feeder 15, the control unit 21, the operation panel 25, and the communication device 26 can send and receive information, data, control signals, commands, responses, etc. via the system bus 27.

[0022] The control unit 21 controls the document feeder 11, the scanner 12, the printer 13, the paper transport device 14, the paper feeder 15, the operation panel 25, and the communication device 26 in order to execute various functions of the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 21 has a processor 22, a main memory 23, and an auxiliary memory 24.

[0023] The processor 22 is a computing element that executes arithmetic processing. The processor 22 controls each unit to execute various functions of the image forming apparatus 10 in accordance with an operating system and applications stored in the main memory 23 and auxiliary memory 24. The processor 22 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit).

[0024] The main memory 23 includes, for example, a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0025] ROM is a non-volatile memory. For example, the ROM non-temporarily stores an operating system and applications executed by the processor 22. Hereinafter, for convenience, the operating system and applications are collectively referred to as simply a program. The ROM may also store data necessary for executing the program.

[0026] The RAM is a volatile memory that temporarily stores, for example, programs executed by the processor 22 and data required for executing the programs.

[0027] The auxiliary memory 24 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The auxiliary memory 24 non-temporarily stores programs executed by the processor 22 and data required for executing the programs. The programs stored in the auxiliary memory 24 include, for example, built-in applications that execute predetermined functions of the image forming apparatus 10 and web server software assigned to the built-in applications.

[0028] The processor 22 loads the programs stored in the ROM of the main memory 23 and the auxiliary memory 24, as well as the data required to execute the programs, into the RAM of the main memory 23, and executes the programs to perform various functions of the image forming device 10.

[0029] (Example of operation) Next, an example of operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the example of operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow of the example of operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment. Note that in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, built-in applications are abbreviated as apps.

[0030] For convenience, an example will be described in which an operator of image forming apparatus 10 selects and operates a built-in application via the touch panel of operation panel 25, causing image forming apparatus 10 to execute a desired function.

[0031] To cause the image forming apparatus 10 to execute a desired function, the operator of the image forming apparatus 10 operates the operation panel 25 to select an application that executes the desired function. Hereinafter, for convenience, the application selected and operated by the operator will be referred to as a cooperation source application. Also, for convenience, an application that operates in cooperation with the cooperation source application will be referred to as a cooperation destination application.

[0032] For example, as shown in the top row of Fig. 3, the operator displays a list of coordination source applications on the touch panel of operation panel 25 and selects a desired coordination source application by touch operation. Here, the coordination source application is described as application a that executes a scan function, and the coordination destination application is application b that executes a save function that saves scanned images to cloud 30. The operator selects the icon of coordination source application a displayed on the touch panel of operation panel 25 by touch operation.

[0033] In response to the selection operation of the collaboration source application a, the image forming apparatus 10 starts the collaboration source application a in ACT 11. More specifically, in the control unit 21, the processor 22 starts the collaboration source application a by expanding the collaboration source application a stored in the auxiliary memory 24 into the main memory 23. For example, to indicate that the collaboration source application a is running, an icon of the collaboration source application a or the like is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 25, as shown in the second row of FIG.

[0034] Next, in ACT 12, the image forming apparatus 10 acquires information on cooperation destination applications that can cooperate with the cooperation source application a. For example, information on cooperation destination applications that can cooperate with each cooperation source application a is pre-stored in the auxiliary memory 24 of the control unit 21, and the processor 22 acquires the information by reading it from the auxiliary memory 24 to the main memory 23.

[0035] Next, in ACT13, image forming apparatus 10 displays a list of link destination applications on the touch panel of operation panel 25, for example, as shown in the third row of Fig. 3, and waits for the operator to select a desired link destination application by touch operation. The operator selects the icon of link destination application b displayed on the touch panel of operation panel 25 by touch operation.

[0036] In response to the selection operation of the link destination application b, the image forming apparatus 10 starts the web server assigned to the link destination application b in ACT 14. More specifically, in the control unit 21, the processor 22 starts the web server assigned to the link destination application b stored in the auxiliary memory 24 by expanding the web server in the main memory 23. That is, the processor 22 starts the web server before starting the link destination application b.

[0037] Furthermore, in response to the selection operation of the coordination destination application b, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the processing of the coordination source application a in ACT 15. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 executes the scan function. For example, to indicate that the processing of the coordination source application a is being executed, an icon of the coordination source application a or the like is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 25, as shown in the fourth row of FIG.

[0038] After the web server is started, in ACT 16, the image forming apparatus 10 starts the link destination application b. More specifically, in the control unit 21, the processor 22 loads the link destination application b stored in the auxiliary memory 24 into the main memory 23, thereby starting the link destination application b. For example, to indicate that the link destination application b is running, an icon of the link destination application b or the like is displayed on the touch panel of the operation panel 25, as shown in the bottom row of FIG.

[0039] After the processing of the cooperation source application a is completed, i.e., after the execution of the scan function is completed, the image forming device 10 stops the cooperation source application a in ACT 17. Next, the image forming device 10 executes the processing of the cooperation destination application b. As a result, the image forming device 10 executes the save function of saving the scanned image to the cloud 30.

[0040] Here, an example has been described in which an operator selects and operates a source application to cause image forming device 10 to execute a function to be executed by the source application. However, of course, instead of selecting and operating a source application, the operator may instruct image forming device 10 to execute a desired function by instructing execution of the desired function on operation panel 25.

[0041] (effect) In the image forming device 10 according to the embodiment, the processor 22 executes a cooperation source application and a cooperation destination application in cooperation with each other. This enables the image forming device 10 to execute functions that are not available on its own. For example, by executing a cooperation source application a and a cooperation destination application b in cooperation with each other, the image forming device 10 can execute a scan function to scan a document, and then execute a save function to save the scanned image in the cloud 30.

[0042] Furthermore, the image forming device 10 according to the embodiment starts the Web server software assigned to a built-in application before starting the built-in application that executes a desired function, thereby reducing the processing time required for the collaboration between the built-in application and the Web server software.

[0043] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 10...image forming device, 11...document feeder, 12...scanner, 13...printing device, 14...paper transport device, 15...paper feeder, 21...control unit, 22...processor, 23...main memory, 24...auxiliary memory, 25...operation panel, 26...communication device, 27...system bus, 30...cloud.

Claims

1. a storage device storing built-in applications that execute predetermined functions and web server software assigned to the built-in applications; a processor that executes the embedded application and the web server software; the processor launches the web server software before launching the embedded application; Image forming device.

2. The processor: Executing a first function by executing a first built-in application and first web server software assigned to the first built-in application; a second built-in application that can operate in cooperation with the first built-in application and a second web server software that is assigned to the second built-in application, thereby performing a second function; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. further comprising a man-machine interface for inputting and outputting information; The processor: displaying a list of the second built-in applications on the man-machine interface; waiting for a selection operation of any one of the second pre-installed applications via the man-machine interface; before starting the selected second built-in application, starting the second web server software assigned to the selected second built-in application; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. the processor starts the second built-in application selected and stops the first built-in application; The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. further comprising a man-machine interface for inputting and outputting information; The processor: displaying a list of the built-in applications on the man-machine interface; waiting for a selection operation of one of the built-in applications via the man-machine interface; before starting the selected built-in application, starting the web server software assigned to the selected built-in application; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

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