Information processing device, communication control method for information processing device, and communication control program

Abstract

To enable communication to be performed without modifying firmware in a case of performing communication with an external device that adopts a communication style that cannot be supported by the firmware.SOLUTION: A compound machine 10 as an information processing device according to the present invention comprises: an image transmission unit 104 which is constituted by firmware 100; and an image transmission unit 202 which is constituted by an incorporated application 200 for scan image transmission being application software different from the firmware 100. The image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100 uploads reading image data to a cloud service 50. The image transmission unit 202 of the incorporated application 200 for scan image transmission uploads the reading image data to a new cloud service 50a that adopts a communication style that cannot be supported by the firmware 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a communication control method for the information processing device, and a communication control program, and more particularly to an information processing device, a communication control method for the information processing device, and a communication control program, which have a function of communicating with an external device. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of this type of technology is disclosed in Patent Document 1. According to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when communication starts, the communication protocol is determined from the header portion of the transmitted and received data, and a communication driver corresponding to the communication protocol is loaded into memory and started. If the communication driver in memory is not started within a predetermined period of time, the communication driver is unloaded from memory. This reduces unnecessary memory occupation by the communication driver when communication is not taking place, thereby enabling more efficient memory use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-101941 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a so-called software-embedded information processing device, in which various operations, including communications with external devices, are controlled by firmware (embedded software), when communicating with a new external device, specifically an external device that uses a communication format that cannot be handled by the firmware, the firmware must be modified. However, modifying the firmware requires considerable effort and expense, is extremely inefficient, and lacks flexibility.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel information processing device, a communication control method for an information processing device, and a communication control program that enable communication with an external device that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by firmware without modifying the firmware. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve this object, the present invention includes a first invention relating to an information processing device, a second invention relating to a communication control method for the information processing device, and a third invention relating to a communication control program for the information processing device.

[0007] A first invention of the present invention, which relates to an information processing device, comprises first and second communication means. The first communication means is configured by firmware and communicates with a predetermined external device. The second communication means is configured by application software different from the firmware and communicates with another external device that employs a communication format that is incompatible with the first communication means, i.e., incompatible with the firmware.

[0008] where , by the communication in this first invention , painting Image data is transmitted In particular, the scanned image data is transmitted. do.

[0009] That is, In the first aspect of the present invention, an image reading means is further provided. R The image reading means reads an image of a document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the document. The read image data is transmitted by communication. R .

[0010] In addition In the first aspect of the present invention, image storage means and image reading means is provided Picture The image storage means stores the read image data generated by the image reading means. The image reading means reads out the scanned image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means. And the first communicationEach of the means and the second communication means By image reading means Image storage means was read from Scanned image data Subject to transmission by communication .

[0011] In addition In the first aspect of the present invention, a data conversion means may be provided. This data conversion means is configured by firmware. The data conversion means converts the data format of the scanned image data into a data format that conforms to the communication format adopted by the other external device. After conversion by this data conversion means, Read The image data may be transmitted by communication via the second communication means.

[0012] A communication control method for an information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a first communication procedure 、 Second communication procedure and image readout procedure Includes. Here, the information processing device includes an image reading unit and an image storage unit. The image reading unit reads an image of a document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the document. The image storage unit stores the read image data generated by the image reading unit. In the first communication procedure, communication is performed with a predetermined external device by a first communication means configured by firmware, and in the second communication procedure, communication is performed with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be handled by the first communication means, i.e., cannot be handled by firmware, by a second communication means configured by application software different from firmware. In the image reading procedure, the image reading means configured by firmware reads the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means. Furthermore, each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via communication.

[0013] A communication control program for an information processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer of the information processing device to function as a second communication means. Image reading means, image storage means, image reading means, and A first communication means is provided. The image reading means reads an image of a document and generates read image data corresponding to the image of the document. The image storage means stores the read image data generated by the image reading means. The image reading means is configured by firmware and reads the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means. And, The first communication means is configured by firmware and communicates with a predetermined external device. The second communication means then communicates with another external device that employs a communication format that is incompatible with the first communication means, i.e., the firmware. Such a communication control program according to the third aspect of the present invention constitutes application software that is different from firmware. Furthermore, each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means as a target for communication. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, when communication is performed with an external device that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by firmware, the communication can be performed without modifying the firmware, which means that the situation can be handled flexibly and efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the cloud cooperation function in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing the cloud collaboration function in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of operation of the configuration of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication format for each cloud service in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing another configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing the cloud cooperation function in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram specifically showing the configuration of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of the multifunction peripheral in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a multifunction peripheral for realizing a cloud cooperation function in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] [First Example] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described using a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an example.

[0017] A multifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment has multiple functions, such as an image scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and a fax function. As shown in Fig. 1, this multifunction peripheral 10 includes a control unit 12. An image reading unit 16, an automatic document feeder 18, an image forming unit 20, a paper feeding unit 22, an operation unit 24, an auxiliary storage unit 26, a communication unit 28, and the like are connected to the control unit 12 via a bus 14. Note that elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from Fig. 1.

[0018] The control unit 12 is an example of a control means that controls the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral 10. For this purpose, the control unit 12 includes a computer, such as a CPU 12a, as a control execution means. The control unit 12 also includes a main memory unit 12b as a main memory means. The main memory unit 12b includes a ROM and a RAM (not shown). The ROM stores firmware 100 (see FIG. 3, etc.) including a control program for controlling the operation of the CPU 12a. The RAM, on the other hand, provides a working area and a buffer area for the CPU 12a to execute the control program and application programs (described later). The firmware 100 may be updated. For this purpose, the ROM includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM.

[0019] Image reading unit 16 is an example of an image reading means. That is, image reading unit 16 performs image reading processing, which reads an image of an original (not shown) and generates two-dimensional read image data corresponding to the image of the original. To this end, image reading unit 16 has an original table (not shown) on which an original is placed (set). This original table is formed of a transparent material such as glass in a roughly rectangular flat plate shape. Under the original table are provided an image reading unit having a light source, appropriate optical components such as mirrors and lenses, a line sensor, etc., and a drive mechanism for moving the image reading unit. Above the original table is provided an original pressing cover for pressing down an original placed on the original table. In this example, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 18 is provided, which also serves as the original pressing cover.

[0020] The automatic document feeder 18 has a document tray (not shown). Sheet-like documents, particularly multiple documents, can be placed in a stack on the document tray. The automatic document feeder 18 then automatically sends the documents placed on the document tray one by one (one by one) to the image reading unit 16, that is, subjects the documents to image reading processing by the image reading unit 16. Note that the automatic document feeder 18 is an optional device, and if this is not provided, the aforementioned document pressing cover is provided.

[0021] The image forming unit 20 is an example of an image forming unit. That is, the image forming unit 20 performs image formation processing, i.e., printing, on a sheet of paper serving as a sheet-like image recording medium (not shown) based on appropriate image data, such as the scanned image data. This image formation processing is performed, for example, by a known electrophotographic method. Therefore, the image forming unit 20 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, a cleaning device, a static elimination device, and the like (not shown). The paper after image formation processing by the image forming unit 20, i.e., the so-called printed matter, is discharged to a paper output tray (not shown). The image forming unit 20 can perform both black-and-white and color image formation processing. Furthermore, the image forming unit 20 is not limited to electrophotographic processing, and may also perform image formation processing by, for example, inkjet processing.

[0022] The paper feed unit 22 is an example of a paper feed means. That is, the paper feed unit 22 has one or more paper feed cassettes (not shown). Each paper feed cassette stores paper of an appropriate size. The paper feed unit 22 also has a manual feed tray (not shown) which is an auxiliary paper feed tray. The paper feed unit 22 uses one of the paper feed cassettes or the manual feed tray as a paper feed source, and feeds paper one sheet at a time from the paper feed source to the image forming unit 20, that is, the paper is subjected to image formation processing by the image forming unit 20.

[0023] The operation unit 24 is one of the user interfaces and includes a display 24b with a touch panel 24a. The display 24b with the touch panel 24a is a component that integrally combines the display 24b with a rectangular display surface and a sheet-like touch panel 24a that is provided so as to overlap the display surface of the display 24b. The touch panel 24a is an example of an operation receiving unit that can receive touch operations from a user (not shown) using the multifunction peripheral 10, and is, for example, a projected capacitive panel. The display 24b is an example of a display unit that displays various screens, such as an operation screen 300 (described later), on its display surface, and is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). Note that the touch panel 24a is not limited to a projected capacitive panel, but may also be a surface capacitive panel, an electromagnetic induction panel, a resistive film panel, an infrared panel, or another type of panel. The display 24b is not limited to a liquid crystal display, but may also be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display. In addition to the touch panel 24a, the operation unit 24 also includes appropriate hardware switches, such as push button switches. In addition, the operation unit 24 has a suitable light emitting means such as a light emitting diode (LED) in addition to the display 24b.

[0024] The auxiliary storage unit 26 is an example of auxiliary storage means, and includes, for example, a hard disk drive or SSD (not shown). Various data, such as the scanned image data, is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The auxiliary storage unit 26 also stores embedded application software (hereinafter referred to as "embedded application") 26a for providing appropriate functions to the multifunction device 10. That is, appropriate functions are provided to the multifunction device 10 by the CPU 12a executing appropriate application programs included in the embedded application 26a.

[0025] The communication unit 28 is an example of a communication means. That is, the communication unit 28 performs bidirectional communication with an appropriate external device, such as a cloud service (cloud server) 50 (described later), via a communication network (not shown). The communication network referred to here includes a LAN, the Internet, a public switched telephone network, and the like. The LAN also includes a wireless LAN, particularly Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0026] 2, the multifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment has a cloud linking function for performing two-way communication with a predetermined cloud service 50. This cloud linking function allows, for example, scanned image data generated by the image reading unit 16 to be uploaded (transmitted) to the cloud service 50. The uploading of scanned image data by this cloud linking function is performed by the communication unit 28 in terms of hardware, but is performed by the firmware 100 in terms of software.

[0027] 3, the firmware 100 configures an image reading unit 102 and an image transmission unit 104. Here, the scanned image data to be uploaded is generated by the image reading unit 16 and then stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The image reading unit 102 accesses the auxiliary storage unit 26 and reads the scanned image data to be uploaded from the auxiliary storage unit 26. Then, the image transmission unit 104 uploads the scanned image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102 to the cloud service 50.

[0028] Furthermore, for example, suppose scanned image data is to be uploaded to a new cloud service 50a that is different from cloud service 50, as shown in Fig. 4. Here, if new cloud service 50a uses the same communication format as cloud service 50, and the communication format adopted by new cloud service 50a is a format that can be supported by firmware 100, then scanned image data can be uploaded to the new cloud service 50a using the configuration shown in Fig. 4. However, if the communication format adopted by new cloud service 50a is a format that cannot be supported by firmware 100, then scanned image data cannot be uploaded to the new cloud service 50a using the configuration shown in Fig. 4.

[0029] As an example, the communication format adopted by cloud service 50, i.e., the communication format supported by firmware 100, may be the format shown in Fig. 5A, whereas the communication format adopted by new cloud service 50a, i.e., the communication format not supported by firmware 100, may be the format shown in Fig. 5B. In the communication format shown in Fig. 5A, all parameters, including a parameter for specifying a file name and a parameter for specifying whether overwrite mode is on or off, are written together in one part (the area between two "boundary" character strings), i.e., are specified to be written in this way. In contrast, in the communication format shown in Fig. 5B, all parameters, including a parameter for specifying a file name and a parameter for specifying whether overwrite mode is on or off, are written separately in separate parts, i.e., are specified to be written in this way.

[0030] To deal with this situation, it is conceivable to modify, for example, the firmware 100. However, modifying the firmware 100 requires considerable effort and cost, is extremely inefficient, and lacks flexibility.

[0031] Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, in addition to the image transmission unit 104 configured by the firmware 100, an image transmission unit 202 corresponding to the communication format adopted by the new cloud service 50a is configured by an embedded application 200 for sending scanned images, which is part of the embedded application 26a described above (Fig. 1). Note that the embedded application 26a including the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images is downloaded, for example, from an application supply server (not shown), and then stored, that is, installed, in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The embedded application 26a may also be supplied and installed by other methods, for example, offline via an appropriate recording medium.

[0032] 6, the image transmitting unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for transmitting scanned images is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a. As described above, the image transmitting unit 104 of the firmware 100 is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the cloud service 50. Note that the scanned image data uploaded to the new cloud service 50a by the image transmitting unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for transmitting scanned images is also read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102. In other words, the image transmitting unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for transmitting scanned images obtains the scanned image data to be uploaded from the same (common) data source as the image transmitting unit 104 of the firmware 100.

[0033] 7, the firmware 100 includes a main body function unit 110, a Web server unit 120, a Web API group 130, and an MFP API group 140. The embedded application 200 for sending scanned images includes a transmission execution unit 210 and an operation reception unit 220.

[0034] The main body function unit 110, which is configured by the firmware 100, is an element for realizing each of the original functions of the multifunction device 10, such as the image scanner function of the multifunction device 10. This main body function unit 110 includes the image reading unit 102 and image transmission unit 104 described above. The main body function unit 110 also includes a main body control unit 106 and a data conversion unit 108. The main body control unit 106 controls the main body function unit 110 itself. The data conversion unit 108 is an example of a data conversion means that converts the data format of the scanned image data into an appropriate data format. Depending on the upload destination of the scanned image data, it may be required to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a predetermined data format, such as BASE64 format, before uploading. In such cases, the data format of the scanned image data to be uploaded is converted by the data conversion unit 108.

[0035] The web server unit 120 is an element that acts as a web server in relation to the operation reception unit 220 that acts as a web browser as will be described later. The web server unit 120 includes a server control unit 122 that controls the web server unit 120 itself, in other words, as the main element of the web server unit 120.

[0036] The Web_API group is an element including various Web_APIs for the operation reception unit 220, which behaves as a Web browser as described below, and is, in other words, a collection of the Web_APIs. The Web_APIs referred to here include a scan API 132, a print API 134, a copy API 136, and a fax API 138. For example, the scan API 132 is a Web_API for using the scanner function of the multifunction device 10. The print API 134 is a Web_API for using the printer function of the multifunction device 10. The copy API 136 is a Web_API for using the copy function of the multifunction device 10. The fax API 138 is a Web_API for using the fax function of the multifunction device 10. As described below, when each Web_API, such as the scan API 132, receives an instruction from the operation reception unit 220, the instruction is transmitted to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120, and then to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110.

[0037] The MFP_API group 140 is an element including various APIs for the transmission execution unit 210, as described below, and is, in other words, a collection of the APIs. The APIs referred to here include a data processing API 142 and a data acquisition API 144. For example, the data processing API 142 is an API for causing the image reading unit 102 of the main body function unit 110 to read scanned image data to be uploaded from the auxiliary storage unit 26, or more precisely, for causing the image reading unit 102 to execute the process. Furthermore, the data processing API 142 causes the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of scanned image data to be uploaded, if necessary, specifically, if the data format of the scanned image data needs to be converted. Furthermore, the data acquisition API 144 is an API for acquiring the scanned image data to be uploaded, that is, the scanned image data read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102, or the scanned image data after the data format has been converted by the data conversion unit 108, from the main body function unit 110.

[0038] The transmission execution unit 210, which is configured by the built-in application 200 for scanned image transmission, is an element responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a. The transmission execution unit 210 includes the image transmission unit 202. The transmission execution unit 210 also includes a transmission control unit 204 that controls the transmission execution unit 210 itself.

[0039] The operation reception unit 220 is an element that constitutes a user interface for uploading scanned image data using the cloud linkage function. This operation reception unit 220 includes a user interface (UI) unit 222 and an operation control unit 224. The user interface unit 222 displays an operation screen 300 (described later) on the display 24b of the operation unit 24. The operation control unit 224 controls the operation reception unit 220 itself.

[0040] As described above, operation reception unit 220 behaves as a web browser for web server unit 120, and so to speak, belongs to a web browser area. Strictly speaking, web server unit 120, which behaves as a web server, belongs to the web server area: web server unit 120, web API group 130, MFP API group 140, and transmission execution unit 210. Web server unit 120, web API group 130, MFP API group 140, and transmission execution unit 210, which belong to the web server area, and operation reception unit 220, which belongs to the web browser area, are configured using programming languages ​​for web construction such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

[0041] 8 , the operation screen 300 has a plurality of (e.g., three) operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 arranged vertically as operators corresponding to a plurality of cloud services, including the aforementioned cloud service 50 and the new cloud service 50a. Appropriate text 308 containing content urging the user to select one of the operation items operated by the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 is arranged above the arrangement of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306. Strictly speaking, of the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 arranged on the operation screen 300, only the button corresponding to the new cloud service 50a is provided by the user interface unit 222 of the operation reception unit 220, i.e., by the scanned image transmission embedded application 200. The button corresponding to the cloud service 50 among the operation buttons 302, 304, and 306, as well as the text 308, are provided by the firmware 100.

[0042] For example, suppose that a document is placed on the document table of image reading unit 16 or on the document tray of automatic document feeder 18, and then one of operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 on operation screen 300 corresponding to cloud service 50 is operated. An instruction corresponding to the operation is then provided to main body control unit 106 of main body function unit 110. In response to this instruction, main body control unit 106 controls image reading unit 16 to execute image reading processing. As a result, read image data is generated. The generated read image data is then stored in auxiliary storage unit 26. The read image data is assigned attribute information, including an ID as individual identification information and size information indicating the size of the read image data.

[0043] Then, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 102 to read the scanned image data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 from the auxiliary storage unit 26. At this time, for example, if it is necessary to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a predetermined data format, the main body control unit 106 controls the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of the scanned image data. Then, the main body control unit 106 controls the image transmission unit 104 to upload the scanned image data to the cloud service 50. As a result, the scanned image data is uploaded to the cloud service 50.

[0044] In response to this, suppose that a document is placed on the document platen of image reading unit 16 or on the document tray of automatic document feeder 18, and then a button corresponding to new cloud service 50a among operation buttons 302, 304, and 306 on operation screen 300 is operated. An instruction corresponding to this operation is then provided to operation control unit 224 of operation reception unit 220. In response to this, operation control unit 224 provides an instruction to scan API 132 of Web_API group 130 to execute image reading processing by image reading unit 16. This instruction is transmitted to server control unit 122 of Web server unit 120, and then to main body control unit 106 of main body function unit 110.

[0045] Upon receiving this instruction, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 16 to execute image reading processing by the image reading unit 16. As a result, read image data is generated. The generated read image data is then stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26. In this case as well, the above-mentioned attribute information is attached to the read image data.

[0046] Then, the main body control unit 106 transmits the attribute information attached to the scanned image data to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120. This attribute information is transmitted to the scan API 132 of the Web_API group 130, and further to the operation control unit 224 of the operation reception unit 220.

[0047] When the operation control unit 224 receives the attribute information, it instructs the transmission control unit 204 of the transmission execution unit 210 to upload the scanned image data corresponding to the attribute information to the new cloud service 50a. In response to this instruction, the transmission control unit 204 instructs the data processing API 142 of the MFP_API group 140 to read the scanned image data corresponding to the attribute information from the auxiliary storage unit 26. This instruction is transmitted to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110.

[0048] Upon receiving this instruction, the main body control unit 106 controls the image reading unit 102 to read the read image data corresponding to the attribute information related to the instruction from the auxiliary storage unit 26. At this time, for example, if it is necessary to convert the data format of the read image data into a predetermined data format, the main body control unit 106 controls the data conversion unit 108 to convert the data format of the read image data.

[0049] When the scanned image data is read from the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the image reading unit 102 or when the data format of the scanned image data is converted by the data conversion unit 108, that is, when the scanned image data to be uploaded is prepared, the main body control unit 106 notifies the transmission control unit 204 via the data processing API 142. In response to this, the transmission control unit 204 instructs the data acquisition API 144 of the MFP_API group 140 to acquire the scanned image data to be uploaded. In response to this instruction, the data acquisition API 144 acquires the scanned image data to be uploaded from the main body function unit 110 and passes the scanned image data to the image sending unit 202. The image sending unit 202 uploads the scanned image data received from the data acquisition API 144 to the new cloud service 50a.

[0050] The image transmission unit 202 has a buffer (not shown) for temporarily storing the scanned image data received from the data acquisition API 144, i.e., the scanned image data to be uploaded. The scanned image data to be uploaded is temporarily stored in the buffer of the transmission control unit 204 and then uploaded to the new cloud service 50a. Therefore, if the size of the scanned image data to be uploaded is large, particularly if it is larger than the size of the buffer, the scanned image data is divided into portions (data amount) according to the size of the buffer, and is sequentially received from the data acquisition API 144 and uploaded to the new cloud service 50a.

[0051] Furthermore, the buffer size of the image transmission unit 202 is appropriately changed by the transmission control unit 204 according to the size of the scanned image data to be uploaded, more specifically, according to the size information included in the attribute information described above. This allows for efficient use of memory resources for securing the buffer of the image transmission unit 202. In particular, when the data format of the scanned image data to be uploaded is BASE64 format, the scanned image data is handled in 4-byte units, and therefore the buffer size of the image transmission unit 202 is set to a size that is a multiple of 4 bytes.

[0052] When the image transmission unit 202 finishes uploading the scanned image data, the result, for example, information indicating whether the upload was successful, failed, or canceled, is notified from the transmission control unit 204 to the operation control unit 224 of the operation reception unit 220. When the operation control unit 224 receives the result notification from the transmission control unit 204, it passes this result notification to the scan API 132 of the Web_API group 130. This result notification is further passed to the server control unit 122 of the Web server unit 120, and eventually to the main body control unit 106 of the main body function unit 110. Upon receiving this result notification, the main body control unit 106 manages the result notification and stores it in the auxiliary storage unit 26, for example, as history.

[0053] As described above, according to the first embodiment, uploading of scanned image data to a new cloud service 50a that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100 is realized by application software called the embedded application 200 for sending scanned images. In other words, it is possible to upload scanned image data to a new cloud service 50a without modifying the firmware 100, which means that flexible and efficient handling is possible.

[0054] Furthermore, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission acquires scanned image data to be uploaded from the same data source as the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100. In other words, the data processing API 142 and the data acquisition API 144 of the MFP_API group 140 are provided to enable this. Here, for example, the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission can be configured to acquire scanned image data to be uploaded from a data source other than the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100. However, in this case, scanned image data, which is a relatively large data (file), needs to be copied, and the processing takes a considerable amount of time, resulting in a degradation of the overall performance of the multifunction peripheral 10. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, which employs a configuration in which the image transmission unit 202 of the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission acquires scanned image data to be uploaded from the same data source as the image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100, unnecessary processing is omitted, and a degradation of the overall performance of the multifunction peripheral 10 is suppressed.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, when it is necessary to convert the data format of scanned image data uploaded by the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission, the data conversion unit 108 of the firmware 100 converts the data format of the scanned image data. Here, for example, it is also possible to configure the means for performing the process of converting the data format of scanned image data by the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission. However, since the process of converting the data format of scanned image data is a relatively heavy process, configuring the means for performing such a heavy process by the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission would reduce the overall performance of the multifunction peripheral 10. Therefore, when it is necessary to convert the data format of scanned image data uploaded by the embedded application 200 for scanned image transmission, converting the data format of the scanned image data by the data conversion unit 108 of the firmware 100, that is, adopting such a configuration, reduces the degradation of the overall performance of the multifunction peripheral 10.

[0056] The cloud service 50 in the first embodiment is an example of a predetermined external device according to the present invention. The image transmission unit 104 of the firmware 100, which is responsible for uploading the scanned image data to the cloud service 50, is an example of a first communication means according to the present invention.

[0057] The new cloud service 50a in the first embodiment is an example of another external device according to the present invention, and the image transmission unit 202 of the built-in application 200 for sending scanned images, which is responsible for uploading scanned image data to the new cloud service 50a, is an example of a second communication unit according to the present invention.

[0058] [Second Example] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0059] According to the second embodiment, more specifically, according to the cloud cooperation function of the second embodiment, it is possible to download (receive) appropriate data such as document data from the cloud service 50 or a new cloud service 50a, as shown in Fig. 9. This downloaded data is provided to the printer function of the multifunction device 10, for example, and is provided to the image forming process by the image forming unit 20.

[0060] Specifically, the firmware 100 configures a data receiving unit 112 and a data writing unit 114. The data receiving unit 112 supports the communication format adopted by the cloud service 50, and receives data to be downloaded from the cloud service 50. The data writing unit 114 then stores (writes) the data received by the data receiving unit 112 in the auxiliary storage unit 26. The data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 is provided to, for example, the printer function of the multifunction device 10, as described above.

[0061] In addition, separate from the data receiving unit 112 configured by the firmware 100, a data receiving unit 402 compatible with the communication format adopted by the new cloud service 50a is configured by the downloadable embedded application 400, which is part of the embedded application 26a described above (FIG. 1). This data receiving unit 402 receives data to be downloaded from the new cloud service 50a. The data received by this data receiving unit 402 is also stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 by the data writing unit 114 of the firmware 100. The data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 26 is then provided to, for example, the printer function of the multifunction device 10, as described above.

[0062] That is, according to the second embodiment, the data receiving unit 112 of the firmware 100 is responsible for downloading data from the cloud service 50. The data receiving unit 402 of the downloadable embedded application 400 is responsible for downloading data from a new cloud service 50a that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100.

[0063] As described above, according to the second embodiment, downloading data from a new cloud service 50a that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the firmware 100 is realized by application software called the embedded download application 400. In other words, it becomes possible to download data from a new cloud service 50a without modifying the firmware 100, which means that flexible and efficient handling is possible.

[0064] The data receiving unit 112 of the firmware 100 in the second embodiment is an example of a first communication means according to the present invention. The data receiving unit 402 of the embedded application for download 400 is an example of a second communication means according to the present invention. A more specific description of the configuration in FIG. 9, including its illustration, will be omitted.

[0065] [Other application examples] The above-described embodiments are specific examples of the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. The present invention can also be applied to aspects other than these embodiments.

[0066] For example, in the first embodiment, when multiple new cloud services 50a that use different communication methods are supported, a built-in application 200 for sending scanned images may be provided for each cloud service 50a. Alternatively, a common built-in application 200 for sending scanned images may be provided for two or more or all of the new cloud services 50a.

[0067] Similarly, in the second embodiment, when multiple new cloud services 50a that use different communication methods are supported, a downloadable embedded application 400 may be provided for each cloud service 50a, or a downloadable embedded application 400 common to two or more or all of the new cloud services 50a may be provided.

[0068] In addition, in the first embodiment, a configuration modeled on web construction as shown in Fig. 7 is adopted, but this is not limited to this. In other words, as long as the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, any appropriate configuration may be adopted, not limited to the configuration shown in Fig. 7, and in particular not limited to a configuration modeled on web construction. This also applies to the second embodiment.

[0069] In each embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to the multifunction peripheral 10, but is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can also be applied to information processing devices other than the multifunction peripheral 10, such as dedicated scanners or dedicated printers, and more specifically, to information processing devices that have a function for communicating with external devices.

[0070] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to being provided in the form of an information processing device, but can also be provided in the form of a method for controlling communications in an information processing device, or in the form of a program for controlling communications in an information processing device.

[0071] Furthermore, the present invention can also be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium on which a communication control program for an information processing device is non-temporarily (non-transiently) recorded. Examples of the recording medium referred to here include semiconductor media such as SD memory cards and USB memory, and disc media such as CDs and DVDs. In addition to these portable storage media, device-embedded (built-in) storage media such as ROMs and hard disk drives can also be applied as the recording medium referred to here. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10…Multifunction device 12 ... Control section 12a...CPU 12b... Main memory section 16... Image reading unit 18... Automatic document feeder 26 … Auxiliary storage section 26a … Embedded applications 28 … Communications Department 50...Cloud services 50a ... New cloud services 100... Firmware 102 ... Image reading unit 104 ... Image transmission unit 108 ... Data conversion section 112 ... Data receiver 114 ... Data writing section 200 … Built-in application for sending scanned images 202 ... Image transmission unit 400 … Downloadable embedded apps 402 ... Data receiver

Claims

1. a first communication means configured by firmware and configured to communicate with a predetermined external device; a second communication means configured by application software different from the firmware, for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be handled by the first communication means; an image reading means for reading an image of a document and generating read image data corresponding to the image of the document; an image storage means for storing the read image data generated by the image reading means; and image reading means configured by the firmware for reading the scanned image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means; The information processing apparatus, wherein each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication.

2. a data conversion unit configured by the firmware and configured to convert the data format of the scanned image data into a data format corresponding to the communication format adopted by the other external device; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second communication means transmits the scanned image data converted by the data conversion means through the communication.

3. A communication control method for an information processing device, comprising: image reading means for reading an image of an original document and generating read image data corresponding to the image of the original document; and image storage means for storing the read image data generated by the image reading means, a first communication procedure for communicating with a predetermined external device by a first communication means configured by firmware; a second communication procedure for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be supported by the first communication means, by a second communication means configured by application software different from the firmware; and an image reading procedure in which the image reading means configured by the firmware reads out the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means, A communication control method, wherein each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication.

4. A communication control program for an information processing device, comprising: an image reading means for reading an image of an original document and generating read image data corresponding to the image of the original document; an image storage means for storing the read image data generated by the image reading means; an image reading means configured by firmware for reading the read image data stored in the image storage means from the image storage means; and a first communication means configured by the firmware for communicating with a predetermined external device, configuring application software different from the firmware, and causing the computer of the information processing device to function as a second communication means for communicating with another external device that employs a communication format that cannot be handled by the first communication means; a communication control program in which each of the first communication means and the second communication means transmits the read image data read from the image storage means by the image reading means via the communication;

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