Image processing device, program, and system

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables appropriate control of a managed image processing device from an information processing device connected to a network in a system where multiple image processing devices are connected to a network. [Solution] Each printer connected to PC1 via network 200 can operate in two modes: an initial mode in which it discards the received control command when it receives a control command transmitted by the application program 22 of PC1, and an acceptance mode in which it stores command information based on the received control command in memory. When operating in initial mode, the printer transitions from initial mode to acceptance mode in response to receiving an operation to start acceptance mode. When operating in acceptance mode, if each printer receives a control command, it enters an input code waiting state, and in the waiting state, in response to receiving an input code, it executes processing corresponding to the control command based on the command information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field disclosed in this specification relates to an image processing apparatus, a program capable of controlling the image processing apparatus, and a system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technique for selecting and controlling an image processing apparatus to be controlled from a management apparatus in a state where a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected to the management apparatus. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a printer marked by operating a button on an operation panel is marked and displayed on a screen provided by a utility that is an application program of an information processing apparatus.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a plurality of image processing apparatuses are connected, it may be unclear which one is the control target among the image processing apparatuses listed on the screen of the information processing apparatus. According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, it can be expected that the control target will be easily identified by being marked and displayed. However, for example, when two people, administrator A and administrator B, manage different image processing apparatuses connected to the same network using their respective information processing apparatuses, the image processing apparatus managed by administrator A that has been marked by administrator A will be marked and displayed on the information processing apparatus of administrator B. Therefore, there may be a case where administrator B instructs the transmission of a control command to the image processing apparatus managed by administrator A.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An image processing device developed to solve this problem is an image processing device comprising a user interface and a communication interface, wherein the image processing device is capable of operating in at least two modes: a first mode in which, upon receiving a control command transmitted by a program of an information processing device via the communication interface, the received control command is discarded; and a second mode in which, upon receiving the control command via the communication interface, command information based on the received control command is stored in memory. The image processing device is further configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving a first operation via the user interface while operating in the first mode; further, upon receiving the control command via the communication interface while operating in the second mode, the image processing device waits for the acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions of a specific process corresponding to the received control command; and upon receiving the control command via the communication interface while operating in the first mode, the image processing device does not wait for the acceptance of a second operation. Furthermore, while waiting for the acceptance of a second operation, upon receiving the second operation via the user interface, the image processing device executes the specific process corresponding to the control command based on the command information stored in memory.

[0006] The image processing apparatus disclosed herein, upon receiving a control command while operating in second mode, enters a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation, and upon receiving a second operation from the user, executes a specific process corresponding to the control command. Furthermore, when the program of the information processing apparatus sends a control command, the user performs a first operation on the image processing apparatus to be controlled, thereby transitioning that image processing apparatus from first mode to second mode. In other words, even if the user does not identify the image processing apparatus to be controlled in the information processing apparatus, the specific process corresponding to the control command is executed on the image processing apparatus on which the first and second operations have been performed by the user. On the other hand, an image processing apparatus on which the first operation has not been performed is not operating in second mode, so even if a control command is sent, the control command is discarded, and the apparatus does not enter a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation. Therefore, the specific process is not executed on an image processing apparatus that is not the target of control.

[0007] The program made to solve this problem is an executable program by an information processing device, which causes the information processing device to perform an instruction reception process to receive a transmission instruction for a control command via the user interface of the information processing device, and further causes the information processing device to perform a decision process to determine the execution conditions for a specific process corresponding to the control command in response to receiving the transmission instruction, and a transmission process to transmit the control command to a plurality of image processing devices via the communication interface of the information processing device, which includes a first mode in which the received control command is discarded when a control command is received, and a second mode in which the received control command is received The image processing device is capable of operating in at least two modes, the first mode being a second mode in which command information based on the received control command is stored in memory, and the image processing device transitions from the first mode to the second mode by accepting a first operation, wherein when the control command is received while operating in the second mode, the device enters a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions, and when the control command is received while operating in the first mode, the device does not enter a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation, and in response to the second operation occurring while waiting for acceptance of a second operation, the control command is transmitted to the image processing device in which the specific processing corresponding to the control command is executed based on the command information stored in memory.

[0008] The program disclosed herein causes an information processing device to execute a process that determines the execution conditions for a specific process and sends control commands to multiple image processing devices in response to user instructions. If the image processing device is in the first mode, the transmitted control commands are discarded, and if it is in the second mode, the command information is stored in memory. Therefore, even if the user does not specify the image processing device to be controlled in the information processing device, the specific process will not be executed on an image processing device that is not the target of control.

[0009] This specification further describes a system in which an information processing device and a plurality of image processing devices are connected via a network, wherein each of the plurality of image processing devices is capable of operating in at least two modes: a first mode in which, upon receiving a control command transmitted by a program of the information processing device via the communication interface of the image processing device, the received control command is discarded; and a second mode in which, upon receiving a control command via the communication interface of the image processing device, command information based on the received control command is stored in memory; and while operating in the first mode, the image processing device transitions from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving a first operation via the user interface of the image processing device, and the information processing device is capable of receiving instructions to send control commands to the image processing device via the user interface of the information processing device. Also disclosed is a system configured such that, upon receiving the transmission instruction, the information processing device transmits the control command to at least one of the plurality of image processing devices using the communication interface of the information processing device, and when each of the plurality of image processing devices is operating in the second mode and receives the control command via the communication interface of the image processing device, it enters a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions of a specific process corresponding to the received control command, and when it is operating in the first mode and receives the control command via the communication interface of the image processing device, it does not enter a waiting state for acceptance of a second operation, and when it is waiting for acceptance of a second operation, it executes the specific process corresponding to the control command based on the command information stored in the memory, upon receiving the second operation via the user interface of the image processing device.

[0010] The program incorporated into the above-mentioned image processing device, the storage medium readable by the computer storing the program, the control method for realizing the program's functions, and the system including the image processing device and the information processing device are also novel and useful. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The technology disclosed herein enables a system in which multiple image processing devices are connected to a network, in which an information processing device connected to the network can appropriately control the image processing device being managed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the system's schematic configuration. [Figure 2] This is a sequence diagram showing an example of the application procedure. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a list view screen. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status notification screen. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a status notification screen. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the application process procedure in a printer. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of how the printer's state changes when it receives multiple control commands. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The system of the embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. This specification discloses a system including a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") and a plurality of printers.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the system 100 of this embodiment includes a configuration in which a PC 1 and multiple printers are connected via a network 200. The PC 1 is an example of an information processing device, and each of the multiple printers is an example of an image processing device.

[0015] The system 100 in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes printer A31, printer B32, and printer C33, which are of the same model "Model XX", and further includes printer D34 of "Model YY" and printer E35 of "Model ZZ". Each printer may be a printer dedicated to cut paper, a printer capable of printing on continuous paper, or a label printer dedicated to label paper. In this figure, only five printers are shown, but the system 100 may further include a larger number of printers, for example, dozens of printers. Also, the image processing device included in the system 100 may be not limited to a printer, but may also be a scanner, a copier, a multifunction device, or a facsimile device.

[0016] Each printer included in the system 100 includes a user interface (hereinafter referred to as "user IF"), a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication IF"), and a memory. The communication IF of each printer includes hardware capable of wireless communication with the network 200 via Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), etc.

[0017] The user IF of each printer includes at least hardware capable of receiving operations by the user. The user IF of each printer may include hardware for displaying a screen for notifying the user of information. The user IF of each printer includes, for example, at least one of hardware keys (hereinafter referred to as "hard keys") such as a start key and a cancel key, a keyboard capable of receiving input of letters and numbers, and a liquid crystal display with a touch panel (hereinafter referred to as "touch panel").

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 1, printer A31 includes a user IF311 including a touch panel 311t, a communication IF312, and a memory 313. Printer B32 includes a user IF321 including a touch panel 321t, a communication IF322, and a memory 323. Printer C33 includes a user IF331 including a touch panel 331t, a communication IF332, and a memory 333. Printer D34 includes a user IF341 including a keyboard 341k, a communication IF342, and a memory 343. Printer E35 includes a user IF351 including a hard key 351h, a communication IF352, and a memory 353.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the PC1 included in the system 100 includes a controller 10 including a CPU 11 and a memory 12. Further, the PC1 includes a user IF13 and a communication IF14, and these are electrically connected to the controller 10. Note that the controller 10 in FIG. 1 is a general term for the hardware and software used for the control of the PC1, and does not necessarily represent a single hardware actually existing in the PC1.

[0020] The CPU 11 executes various processes according to the program read from the memory 12 and based on the user's operations. The memory 12 stores various programs and various data including an operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS") 21 and an application program 22. The application program 22 is an example of a program. The memory 12 is also used as a work area when various processes are executed. Note that the CPU 11 may read the application program 22 from a storage medium readable by the CPU 11. The PC1 can use, for example, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a USB memory, etc. as a storage medium readable by the CPU 11.

[0021] User interface 13 includes hardware for displaying a screen to inform the user of information and hardware for receiving user input. Communication interface 14 includes hardware for wireless communication with each printer via network 200. PC1 may have multiple communication interfaces 14 that support multiple communication standards.

[0022] Next, the application procedure for controlling multiple printers using application program 22 will be explained with reference to the sequence diagram in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows the application procedure for a user managing PC1 to apply the same settings to printers A31 and B32, which are of the same model, using application program 22.

[0023] Each printer is powered on and starts up, entering its initial mode (Q01), before the start of this application procedure. The initial mode is an example of the first mode. In the initial mode, each printer is capable of receiving user input and performing actions based on user input. Furthermore, each printer is connected to network 200 before the start of this application procedure. In other words, before the start of this application procedure, each printer is capable of receiving user input and performing actions based on user input, and is also capable of communicating with PC1, etc., via network 200.

[0024] The user performing the application procedure starts the application program 22 on PC1 and inputs a command to start printer control (Q11). In response to the command, the application program 22 searches for devices connected to PC1 (Q12). Specifically, the application program 22 broadcasts a search signal via the communication IF 14 of PC1 and attempts to obtain information about each device that sends a response signal (Q13). This allows the application program 22 to extract devices that can be selected as control targets. In the system 100 shown in Figure 1, the application program 22 extracts five printers 31 to 35 as controllable printers.

[0025] The application program 22 displays a list screen 51 showing a list of each extracted printer on the user interface 13 of PC1, for example, as shown in Figure 3 (Q15). The list screen 51 displays, for example, the model name and IP address associated with each printer that can be controlled by the application program 22. The IP address is identification information that identifies each printer. Note that the identification information is not limited to the IP address; it may also be the MAC address or serial number.

[0026] Meanwhile, the user uses user IF311 and 321 respectively to input an instruction to start reception mode for printer A31 and printer B32, which are the printers to be controlled and to which the settings will be applied using this application procedure (Q21). Each printer can operate in at least two modes: initial mode and reception mode. The input operation for instructing to start reception mode is an example of the first operation.

[0027] Each printer may be able to accept instructions to start the acceptance mode by, for example, pressing and holding a designated key, pressing multiple keys simultaneously, or operating multiple keys in a predetermined sequence. Furthermore, if each printer has a dedicated key for accepting input instructions to start the acceptance mode, the user can simply operate that dedicated key. Additionally, printers with a touch panel may be able to accept input instructions to start the acceptance mode by operating a designated button displayed on the touch panel.

[0028] Printers A31 and B32 each enter reception mode in response to the input operation in Q21 (Q22). Reception mode is an example of a second mode. Each printer is capable of receiving control commands transmitted from an external device, and when it receives a control command in reception mode, it stores the command information based on the received control command in memory and enters a waiting state. Details of reception mode and the waiting state will be described later. Printers A31 and B32 may also notify that they have entered reception mode via their respective user interfaces. Note that printers C33, D34, and E35 remain in their initial mode because they have not received the input operation in Q21.

[0029] The user specifies the model to be controlled in the application program 22 (Q31). The application program 22 can accept the selection of the printer to be controlled by specifying, for example, the model name on the displayed list screen 51. In response to the instruction in Q31, the application program 22 selects all printers of the specified model as the printers to be controlled (Q32). If the user selects "Model XX" in Q31, the application program 22 selects printers A31, B32, and C33 as the printers to be controlled.

[0030] Note that application program 22 does not necessarily have a function to select a printer by specifying a model. If application program 22 does not have a function to select a printer by specifying a model, the user does not perform Q31, and application program 22 does not perform Q32. In this case, application program 22 may treat all printers displayed in Q15 as target printers for configuration, or it may accept the user's choice whether or not to include each printer as a target printer for configuration.

[0031] The user specifies information about a specific process to be sent to each printer targeted for control using the application program 22, and inputs a transmission instruction (Q33). The information about the specific process includes one or more commands to be executed by each printer, such as setting commands that include information about items and parameters to change the main unit settings of each printer, and firmware update commands that update the firmware.

[0032] In response to the instructions in Q33, the application program 22 generates an input code (Q35). The input code is information that allows each printer to satisfy the execution conditions for processing based on the configuration information by accepting an input operation; it is an example of condition information and an example of a passcode. Q35 is a process that causes PC1 to determine the input code, and is an example of a determination process.

[0033] The input code is information indicating an operation that can be accepted by the model being controlled. The input code may be information indicating a string or number sequence that can be entered using a keyboard or numeric keypad, or it may be information indicating a specific operation on the printer's hard keys, such as a long press or repeated press of a specific key, simultaneous press of multiple keys, or a specific sequence of operations on multiple keys. It is desirable that the operation to input the input code is different from the operation to initiate the acceptance mode as described above.

[0034] The application program 22 generates a control command by combining the information of the generated input code and the information of the specific processing instructed in Q33, and sends it to all printers selected in Q32 via the communication IF14 of PC1 (Q36). Q36 is an example of the transmission process. In the configuration of Figure 1, if "Model XX" is selected as shown in Figure 3, the application program 22 sends the control command to printers A31, B32, and C33, but does not send it to printers D34 and E35, which are of different models.

[0035] In other words, the application program 22, upon receiving the transmission instruction in Q33, generates control commands to send to each printer and causes PC1 to execute the process of sending them to all printers selected in Q32. The instruction in Q33 is an example of a control command transmission instruction, and Q33 is an example of an instruction reception process. The user may perform the input operation for the start of the reception mode shown in Q21 before the start instruction of the application program 22 in Q11, or before the model specification in Q31, or after Q31 but before the transmission instruction in Q33, etc.

[0036] Furthermore, the application program 22 displays information indicating the input code generated in Q35 and transmitted in Q36 on the user interface 13 of PC1 (Q37). Q37 is an example of the display process. If the input code is text information, the application program 22 displays information indicating that text, for example, as shown in Figure 4. On the other hand, if the input code is information indicating a predetermined operation, the application program 22 displays information indicating that operation. Since the application program 22 displays information indicating the input code, it prevents the user from forgetting the input code and being unable to execute the process corresponding to the control command. Note that the application program 22 may display Q37 before transmitting Q36.

[0037] Each printer can receive control commands via the network 200, and can also receive information about the input codes included in the control commands. Upon receiving a control command, the printer processes the received command according to its mode. Specifically, printers A31 and B32, which are in acceptance mode, store the command information 313c and 323c based on the received control command in their respective memories 313 and 323, respectively (Q41), as shown in Figure 1, and enter a waiting state, which is a state of waiting to receive input codes (Q42). Furthermore, printers A31 and B32 each send a response signal to the application program 22 on PC1, indicating that they have stored the command information and are in a waiting state (Q43).

[0038] The standby state is a state in which the printer is waiting for an input operation for an input code. An input operation for an input code is an example of a second operation. When each printer is in reception mode and enters the standby state, it waits for an input operation for an input code, and even if it receives an operation other than input of an input code, it will not perform the action corresponding to that operation. For example, in the case of printer A31 equipped with a touch panel 311t, as shown in Figure 5, a reception field for receiving input of an input code will be displayed on the touch panel 311t, and other icons will not be displayed. In the case of a printer without an LCD panel, for example, if an operation other than input code is received, it will ignore the operation by, for example, emitting a beep sound. Since each printer restricts the acceptance of other operations when it enters the standby state, it is possible to avoid delays in the start of execution of the process corresponding to the control command due to the execution of the process corresponding to the other operation.

[0039] Each printer has a pre-stored waiting time in memory that allows it to remain in standby mode. If the elapsed time after entering standby mode exceeds this waiting time, the command information stored in memory is erased, the standby mode is canceled, and the printer returns to the initial mode by canceling the acceptance mode. The waiting time is an example of a second time. The waiting time may be the same for all types of printers, or it may differ depending on the model. Each printer may be able to accept the waiting time setting by the user. In addition, instead of being stored in the printer, the waiting time information may be included in the control command, and each printer may obtain the waiting time information from the received control command.

[0040] On the other hand, when the application program 22 receives a response signal from each printer in Q43, it notifies the user interface 13 of PC1 that the printer that sent the response signal is in an input waiting state (Q45). Q45 is an example of an operation waiting notification process. For example, when response signals are received from printer A31 and printer B32, the application program 22 displays a status notification screen 52 on the user interface 13, as shown in Figure 4, indicating that printers A31 and B32 are in an input waiting state, associated with the IP address of each printer.

[0041] Furthermore, the application program 22 may, for example, display time information indicating the validity period of the transmitted input code on the user IF 13, as shown in Figure 4. The application program 22 may start measuring the remaining time in response to the completion of transmission of Q36, or in response to receiving a response signal transmitted from the printer in Q43. If the application program 22 can obtain the remaining standby time for each printer, it may display the remaining time information for each printer. Also, the displayed time information is not limited to information indicating the remaining time; for example, it may also be information indicating the elapsed time since the transmission of the control command. In addition, the standby time information for each printer may be stored in advance by the application program 22, or it may be transmitted from each printer along with the response signal.

[0042] In other words, the application program 22 notifies the user on the status notification screen 52 that there is a printer in standby mode, and further displays the remaining time until the user can input an input code. This is expected to encourage the user to input an input code.

[0043] In response to the notification from Q45, the user enters the input code displayed in Q37 into each printer that is in standby mode (Q51). Specifically, the user enters the input code into printer A31 and printer B32, which are the printers to be controlled, using their respective user interfaces.

[0044] Printers A31 and B32, upon receiving an input code, read command information stored in their own memory and execute the process specified by the control command included in the command information (Q52). If the control command includes a setting command containing information on items or parameters that change the main unit settings, each printer applies the settings indicated in that setting command to itself. In addition, if the control command includes a firmware update command that updates the firmware, each printer updates the firmware and restarts. The process of applying the settings indicated in the setting command to itself and the process of updating the firmware and restarting are examples of specific processes.

[0045] If the input code entered does not match the input code information included in the command information, each printer may accept the input code to be re-entered, or it may erase the command information and return to the initial mode without performing the Q52 process. Alternatively, each printer may erase the command information if it receives an input code that does not match the input code information included in the command information a predetermined number of times.

[0046] When each printer has completed all processing corresponding to a control command, it sends a completion signal to PC1 to indicate the completion of processing (Q53). Furthermore, each printer erases the command information stored in its memory (Q54), cancels the acceptance mode, and returns to the initial mode (Q55). Since each printer automatically returns to the initial mode after executing all processing corresponding to a control command, the user does not need to change the mode. Note that the acceptance mode may be canceled by user operation or when a cancellation command is received from PC1. After restarting, each printer automatically returns to the initial mode and the command information is erased.

[0047] When the application program 22 receives a completion signal from each printer via the communication IF 14, it associates the completion signal with the IP address of the printer that sent it and notifies the PC of the completion of the process (Q56). Q56 is an example of the completion notification process. This allows the user using the application program 22 on the PC1 to recognize that there are printers that have completed processing.

[0048] On the other hand, even if printer C33 is the same model as printers A31 and B32, if it remains in its initial mode and is not in receiving mode, it will receive the control command sent by Q36, but will not store the information of the received control command in memory and will discard it (Q47). In this case, printer C33 will not enter a waiting state and will not send a response signal. Since the application program 22 does not receive a response signal from printer C33, it will not display information indicating the status of printer C33, for example, as shown in Figure 4.

[0049] Printer C33, which does not accept user input to switch to acceptance mode, does not store command information in memory even when it receives control commands, resulting in a low memory load. Furthermore, for example, if the input operation for an input code is similar to the input operation for initiating acceptance mode, and a third party unintentionally performs the input operation for an input code on printer C33 while it is still in initial mode, printer C33 will not execute the processing corresponding to the control command because it does not store the command information. Therefore, the application of control commands to unintended printers is prevented.

[0050] Next, the procedure for the application process performed on each printer will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 7 and the sequence diagram shown in Figure 2. This application process is executed by the CPU of each printer in response to the printer being started up and connected to network 200.

[0051] Each printer connected to network 200 first enters initial mode (S101, Q01 in Figure 2). The printer then determines, via the user interface, whether or not an instruction to start reception mode has been received (S111). Although omitted in the flowchart in Figure 7, each printer can send a response signal when it receives a search signal from the PC. In addition, each printer can perform various image processing operations in response to user operations while in initial mode.

[0052] If the printer determines that it has received an input to start the reception mode (S111: YES, Q21 in Figure 2), it enters reception mode (S112, Q22 in Figure 2) and begins measuring the elapsed time since entering reception mode. Furthermore, the printer determines whether the elapsed time since entering reception mode has exceeded a predetermined reception time (S113). If it determines that the predetermined reception time has not exceeded (S113: NO), the printer determines whether it has received a control command (S121). Following the procedure shown in Figure 2, printers A31 and B32, which received the input to start the reception mode in Q22, enter reception mode and wait for the reception of a control command.

[0053] If the printer determines that it has received a control command (S121: YES, Q36 in Figure 2), it determines whether or not it is in reception mode (S122). If it determines that it has received a control command while in reception mode (S122: YES), the printer stores the command information in memory based on the received control command (S125, Q41 in Figure 2) and enters a waiting state (S126, Q42 in Figure 2). Furthermore, the printer sends a response signal to the PC that sent the control command (S127, Q43 in Figure 2). In the procedure shown in Figure 2, printers A31 and B32, which received the control command, store the command information and enter a waiting state.

[0054] When the printer enters standby mode, it starts measuring the elapsed time since entering standby mode and determines whether or not it has received an input code (S131). If it determines that it has not received an input code (S131: NO), the printer determines whether or not the elapsed time since entering standby mode has exceeded a predetermined waiting time (S132). If it determines that the waiting time has not been exceeded (S132: NO), the printer waits for an input code.

[0055] If the printer determines that it has received an input code (S131: YES, Q51 in Figure 2), it reads the command information stored in S125 and executes the control command processing (S135, Q52 in Figure 2). After completing the control command processing, the printer sends a completion signal to the PC that sent the control command (S136, Q53 in Figure 2). Following the procedure shown in Figure 2, printers A31 and B32 execute the control command processing after receiving an input code.

[0056] Furthermore, if the received input operation does not match the input code of the stored command information, the printer will determine NO in S131. In other words, the printer executes the processing of a control command only if it has received the input code corresponding to that control command. Therefore, even if the printer enters a waiting state after receiving a control command sent by another user, for example, the possibility of that processing being executed unnecessarily is small.

[0057] If, after S136, or if the elapsed time since entering standby mode exceeds a predetermined waiting time (S132: YES), the printer erases the command information stored in memory (S137, Q54 in Figure 2). Then, the printer proceeds to S101 and enters initial mode (Q55 in Figure 2). For example, if the user has entered an input code into printer A31 but has forgotten to perform an operation on printer B32, printer B32 will erase its command information and enter initial mode.

[0058] Since a waiting time is set for the standby state, the possibility of the standby state remaining unnecessarily long is low. Furthermore, once the waiting time has elapsed, the printer automatically returns to its initial mode, after which it can accept operations other than inputting input codes. This eliminates the user's need to manually return from the acceptance mode to the initial mode.

[0059] Even if the printer has not received an input for initiating the reception mode (S111:NO), it will still determine whether or not it has received a control command (S121). If it has not received a control command (S121:NO), the printer will wait for input for initiating the reception mode and for the reception of a control command. For example, in the procedure shown in Figure 2, printers D34 and E35 will wait for input for initiating the reception mode and for the reception of a control command after responding to a device search.

[0060] If a control command is received without having received an input to start reception mode (S121: YES), the printer determines that it is not in reception mode (S122: NO) and discards the received control command (S141: Q47 in Figure 2). Following the procedure shown in Figure 2, printer C33, which has not received an input to start reception mode, receives a control command sent from PC1, but since it remains in the initial mode, it discards the received control command. After S141, the printer proceeds to S101.

[0061] Furthermore, if the printer determines that a predetermined reception time has elapsed after entering reception mode (S113: YES), it proceeds to S101, exits reception mode, and returns to initial mode. The predetermined reception time is an example of the first hour. For example, a printer that is not being controlled may enter reception mode due to user error or by becoming the control target of another user. Even if the printer enters reception mode, if it does not receive a control command and the predetermined reception time has elapsed, it will exit reception mode and return to initial mode, so it does not continue to wait for the reception of a control command.

[0062] Next, we will describe the case where multiple PCs are connected within the communication range of network 200, and the application program 22 is executed on each PC. Specifically, for example, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, we will describe the case where PC2 is connected to the same network 200 as PC1, and PC2 also has the application program 22 installed, just like PC1.

[0063] For example, if the user of PC1 is controlling printers A31 and B32 and executing the aforementioned application procedure, the user of PC1 will put printers A31 and B32 into acceptance mode. On the other hand, if the user of PC2 wants to control printer C33 and execute processing corresponding to different control commands than those used by printers A31 and B32, the user of PC2 will first put printer C33 into acceptance mode. As a result, all three printers—printer A31, printer B32, and printer C33—will be in acceptance mode, as shown in Figure 8(B).

[0064] In this state, when the user of PC1 instructs the application program 22 to send a control command to the "Model XX" printer, each of the three printers receives the control command sent from PC1. As a result, each printer stores the command information in memory and enters a waiting state, as shown in Figure 8(C). Subsequently, when the user of PC2 instructs the application program 22 to send a control command to the "Model XX" printer, each of the three printers receives the control command sent from PC2 and stores the command information in memory, as shown in Figure 8(D).

[0065] The control command received from PC1 contains information about the input code generated on PC1, and the control command received from PC2 contains information about the input code generated on PC2. Each printer can then accept input operations using input codes generated on both PC1 and PC2.

[0066] In this case, the control command received from PC1 is an example of a preceding control command, the command information based on the control command received from PC1 is an example of preceding command information, and the input operation of the input code generated by PC1 is an example of a preceding second operation. Furthermore, the control command received from PC2 is an example of a succeeding control command, the command information based on the control command received from PC2 is an example of succeeding command information, and the input operation of the input code generated by PC2 is an example of a succeeding second operation.

[0067] In this state, printers A31 and B32 accept input codes from the PC1 user, execute processing based on the command information from PC1, and, as shown in Figure 8(E), erase the command information of the control commands received from PC1 from memory and return to the initial mode. After returning to the initial mode, printers A31 and B32 do not accept input codes. In other words, there is no risk of both control commands being applied. Also, the command information of the control commands received from PC2 is erased from memory after a waiting period has elapsed, as shown in Figure 8(F).

[0068] Meanwhile, the user of PC2 inputs an input code generated by PC2 into printer C33, which is in the state shown in Figure 8(D). As a result, printer C33 executes processing based on the command information from PC2, erases the command information of the control command received from PC2 from memory, and returns to the initial mode. In addition, the command information of the control command received from PC1 is erased from printer C33's memory after a waiting period has elapsed.

[0069] Even when multiple users apply their respective control commands to different printers connected to the same network 200, each user only needs to input the input code generated by their application program 22 into the printer they are controlling. Since each user does not input the code into printers they are not controlling, the possibility of incorrect processing being performed on each printer is low.

[0070] Furthermore, if the input codes generated by each PC are different from each other, the possibility of incorrect processing being performed by each printer will be further reduced. To ensure that the input codes generated by each PC are different from each other, for example, the application program 22 may generate input codes that include information indicating the PC to which it is embedded and information indicating the date and time of transmission of the control command. Note that command information for which input codes have not been accepted may be erased from memory by a restart instead of being erased from memory over time.

[0071] As explained in detail above, when sending a control command from the application program 22 on PC1, the user of PC1 issues a command to start the reception mode to the printer to be controlled, causing that printer to switch from initial mode to reception mode. When a printer receives a control command while operating in reception mode, it stores the command information in memory and enters a waiting state. In this waiting state, when an input code is entered, it executes the processing corresponding to the control command. On the other hand, if a control command is received while operating in initial mode, each printer reads the control command and discards it, and does not enter a waiting state. In other words, even if multiple users each issue a command to start reception mode for a different printer to be controlled, the printer will not execute the control command processing unless an input code is entered. Therefore, even when multiple users manage different printers connected to the same network 200 from their respective PCs, it is prevented that control command processing will not be executed on printers that are not the target of control.

[0072] This embodiment is merely illustrative and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, the technology disclosed herein can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from its essence. For example, instead of PC1, the information processing device may be, for example, a tablet computer or a smartphone. Furthermore, there may be three or more information processing devices.

[0073] Furthermore, the display screens illustrated in the embodiments are merely examples and are not limited to those shown. For example, the application program 22 does not have to display the status notification screen 52 shown in Figures 4 and 6. Also, for example, each printer does not have to display the standby screen shown in Figure 5.

[0074] Furthermore, although the embodiment states that the application program 22 generates the input code, it may also be possible to accept user specifications.

[0075] Furthermore, for example, there may be no reception time or waiting time. Each printer may, for example, cancel reception mode and return to initial mode upon receiving a predetermined operation. Each printer may, for example, erase the command information stored in memory upon receiving a predetermined operation. Also, each printer may overwrite the command information when it receives a control command while command information is stored in memory.

[0076] Furthermore, in any flowchart disclosed in the embodiments, the execution order of any multiple processes in any multiple steps can be arbitrarily changed or executed in parallel, as long as no inconsistencies arise in the processing content.

[0077] Furthermore, the processes disclosed in the embodiments may be executed by a single CPU, multiple CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Also, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be implemented in various forms, such as a recording medium or method that stores a program for executing the process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1 PC 13 User Interface 31 Printer A 311 User Interface 312 Communication IF 313 memory 32 Printer B 321 User Interface 322 Communication IF 323 memory 100 Systems

Claims

1. User interface and Communication interface, An image processing apparatus comprising, The aforementioned image processing device is When a control command transmitted by the program of the information processing device is received via the aforementioned communication interface, there is a first mode in which the received control command is discarded, A second mode in which, when the control command is received via the communication interface, command information based on the received control command is stored in memory, It can operate in at least two modes, The image processing device further, While operating in the first mode, upon receiving a first operation via the user interface, the system transitions from the first mode to the second mode. The image processing device further, While operating in the second mode, if a control command is received via the communication interface, the system will wait for the acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions for a specific process corresponding to the received control command. When operating in the first mode, if the control command is received via the communication interface, the system does not enter a waiting state for the acceptance of the second operation. The image processing device further, While waiting for the acceptance of the second operation, upon receiving the second operation via the user interface, the system executes the specific processing corresponding to the control command based on the command information stored in the memory. An image processing device configured as follows.

2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is When the control command is received via the aforementioned communication interface, the passcode associated with the control command can also be received. In the second mode, when the control command and the passcode are received, the received passcode is stored in the memory in association with the command information based on the received control command. The image processing device further, When operating in the second mode, if the control command is received via the communication interface, the system will wait for the acceptance of the second operation, specifically for the acceptance of a passcode. The image processing device further, While waiting for the second operation to be accepted, the user interface receives the second operation, which is the same passcode as the received passcode, and in response, the specific processing corresponding to the control command is executed based on the command information stored in the memory. An image processing device configured as follows.

3. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is If, after transitioning to the second mode, a first time elapses without receiving the control command, the system transitions from the second mode to the first mode. An image processing device configured as follows.

4. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is While operating in the second mode, if a second time elapses without receiving the second operation after waiting for the second operation to be received, the command information stored in the memory is erased, and the system transitions from the second mode to the first mode. An image processing device configured as follows.

5. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is While operating in the second mode, after receiving the second operation, if the execution of the specific process corresponding to the control command is completed, the command information stored in the memory is erased, and the system transitions from the second mode to the first mode. An image processing device configured as follows.

6. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is While waiting for the acceptance of the second operation, the acceptance of operations other than the second operation via the user interface is restricted. An image processing device configured as follows.

7. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The aforementioned image processing device is When operating in the second mode, if a preceding control command is received as a control command via the communication interface, the preceding command information, which is the command information based on the preceding control command, is stored in the memory, and the system waits for the acceptance of a preceding second operation, which is the second operation that satisfies the execution conditions of the specific process corresponding to the preceding control command. When operating in the second mode, and while waiting for the preceding second operation to be accepted, if a subsequent control command is received as the control command via the communication interface, the subsequent command information, which is the command information based on the subsequent control command, is stored in the memory, and the system enters a waiting state for both the preceding second operation and the subsequent second operation, which is the second operation that satisfies the execution conditions for the specific processing corresponding to the subsequent control command. The image processing device further, While waiting for both the preceding second operation and the succeeding second operation to be accepted, Upon receiving the preceding second operation via the user interface, the system executes the specific processing corresponding to the preceding control command based on the preceding command information stored in the memory. Upon receiving the subsequent second operation via the user interface, the system executes the specific processing corresponding to the subsequent control command based on the subsequent command information stored in the memory. An image processing device configured as follows.

8. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The user interface includes hardware keys. An image processing device configured as follows.

9. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The user interface includes a keyboard. An image processing device configured as follows.

10. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, The user interface includes a liquid crystal display with a touch panel. An image processing device configured as follows.

11. User interface and Communication interface, An image processing apparatus comprising, The aforementioned image processing device is Upon receiving the first operation via the user interface, the system waits for the reception of a control command transmitted by the program of the information processing device. When waiting to receive the aforementioned control command, upon receiving the control command via the communication interface, command information based on the received control command is stored in memory, and the system enters a state of waiting to receive a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions for a specific process corresponding to the received control command. While waiting for the acceptance of the second operation, upon receiving the second operation via the user interface, the system executes the specific processing corresponding to the control command based on the command information stored in the memory. An image processing device configured as follows.

12. A program that can be executed by an information processing device, The aforementioned information processing device, The information processing device executes an instruction reception process that receives instructions to send control commands via its user interface. The aforementioned information processing device further includes: Upon receiving the aforementioned transmission instruction, A decision process that determines the execution conditions for a specific process corresponding to the aforementioned control command, A transmission process that transmits the control command to multiple image processing devices via the communication interface of the information processing device, associating it with condition information indicating the execution conditions determined in the decision process; Make it run, The transmission process is capable of operating in at least two modes: a first mode in which the received control command is discarded upon receiving the control command, and a second mode in which command information based on the received control command is stored in memory upon receiving the control command. The image processing device transitions from the first mode to the second mode upon receiving a first operation. When operating in the second mode, upon receiving the control command, the device enters a waiting state for the acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions. When operating in the first mode, upon receiving the control command, the device does not enter a waiting state for the acceptance of a second operation, but rather, in response to the second operation occurring while waiting for the acceptance of a second operation, the control command is transmitted to the image processing device in which the specific processing corresponding to the control command is executed based on the command information stored in memory. A program that is structured in such a way.

13. A program according to claim 12, The aforementioned information processing device, The system executes a display process to display the text information indicating the execution conditions determined in the aforementioned decision process on the user interface of the information processing device. A program that is structured in such a way.

14. A program according to claim 12, The aforementioned information processing device, When the information processing device receives a response signal from the image processing device, which is waiting to receive the second operation, via the communication interface of the information processing device, An operation waiting notification process is executed to notify that there is an image processing device waiting to receive the second operation, in association with the identification information of the image processing device that transmitted the response signal. A program that is structured in such a way.

15. A program according to claim 14, In the aforementioned transmission process, The image processing device is capable of operating in at least two modes, a first mode and a second mode, and transitions from the first mode to the second mode upon receiving a first operation, wherein, while operating in the second mode, upon receiving the control command, it enters a waiting state for receiving the second operation, and while operating in the first mode, upon receiving the control command, it does not enter a waiting state for receiving the second operation, and after entering a waiting state for receiving the second operation, if a predetermined time has elapsed without receiving the second operation, the control command is transmitted to the image processing device that transitions from the second mode to the first mode. In the aforementioned operation waiting notification process, The fact that there is an image processing device waiting to receive the second operation is reported in association with the identification information of the image processing device that transmitted the response signal and the time information based on the predetermined time for transitioning from the second mode to the first mode. A program that is structured in such a way.

16. A program according to claim 14, The aforementioned information processing device, When the information processing device receives a completion signal from the image processing device, which indicates that the execution of the specific process corresponding to the control command has been completed, via the communication interface, The system is instructed to perform a completion notification process that indicates, in association with the identification information of the image processing device that transmitted the completion signal, that there is an image processing device for which the execution of the specific process corresponding to the control command has been completed. A program that is structured in such a way.

17. A system in which an information processing device and multiple image processing devices are connected via a network, Each of the aforementioned plurality of image processing devices is: When a control command transmitted by the program of the information processing device is received via the communication interface of the image processing device, there is a first mode in which the received control command is discarded, A second mode in which, when the image processing device receives the control command via the communication interface, the device stores command information based on the received control command in memory, It can operate in at least two modes, While operating in the first mode, the image processing device transitions from the first mode to the second mode in response to receiving a first operation via the user interface of the image processing device. The aforementioned information processing device is The information processing device can receive instructions to send control commands to the image processing device via its user interface. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the control command is transmitted to at least one of the plurality of image processing devices using the communication interface of the information processing device. Each of the aforementioned plurality of image processing devices is: While operating in the second mode, if the image processing device receives the control command via the communication interface, it will wait for the acceptance of a second operation that satisfies the execution conditions for a specific process corresponding to the received control command. When operating in the first mode, if the control command is received via the communication interface of the image processing device, the device does not enter a waiting state for the acceptance of the second operation. While waiting for the second operation to be received, the image processing device, via the user interface, executes the specific processing corresponding to the control command based on the command information stored in the memory, in response to the receipt of the second operation. A system configured in such a way.

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