JP4895763B2 - Image input device, data transmission destination storage method, data transmission destination storage program, and storage medium therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input apparatus that transmits data to an information processing apparatus connected via a network, a data transmission destination storage method, a data transmission destination storage program, and a storage medium thereof, and the data transmission destination from the information processing apparatus The present invention relates to an image input apparatus, a data transmission destination storage method, a data transmission destination storage program, and a storage medium thereof.

There is known a network scanner in which a scanner is connected to a network such as a LAN, and a user shares and uses the scanner from each user terminal. FIG. 17 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional network scanner system. A network scanner 200, a distribution server 300, and a user terminal 400 are connected to the network. The distribution server 300 stores management data necessary for transferring image data such as an address (IP address) of a user of the user terminal 400 connected to the network in an internal memory, and provides, for example, SMB ( Server Message Block) protocol is used to distribute image data to each user terminal. The image data scanned by the network scanner 200 is transferred to the user terminal 400 designated at the time of the scanning operation based on the management data in the internal memory (so-called SCAN).
To SMB).

  Therefore, in order to share and use the network scanner 200, it is necessary to designate the user terminal 400 that transmits image data in the network scanner 200. However, since it is troublesome to designate each time the scan is performed, generally, the network scanner 200 is designated. User information is registered in advance in the memory of the network scanner 200. The distribution server 300 extracts the address of the user terminal 400 associated with the user information from the internal memory, and distributes the image data to each user terminal.

  On the other hand, due to the trouble of registering the user terminal and the problem that transmission is not possible because the registered user terminal is not powered on, the user terminal that is operating voluntarily sends it to the network scanner 200. An OS having a function of requesting registration of its own user terminal has appeared.

However, since the memory capacity in which the network scanner 200 stores user information is finite, it is difficult to register user information without limitation for all user terminals existing on the network. Therefore, an apparatus for managing the memory capacity of a memory in which user information is registered has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). Since the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 manages address book data stored in a memory, it deletes address book data with the oldest date and time using the date and time information using address book data. We are trying to make effective use of memory. This makes it possible to select an unnecessary address when deleting address book data from a partner that has been used only once but has never been used thereafter, or from address book data stored to the full memory capacity. Making it easy.
JP 2002-171333 A

  However, when the memory area management method described in Patent Document 1 is applied to the network scanner 200, several problems occur. Since devices connected to the network such as the network scanner 200 are used by a plurality of users, the memory is also commonly used by a plurality of users. Here, in order to store user information such as a destination, an area that can be stored in the memory capacity may be equally divided by the number of users and distributed to each user. However, the registration request from the user terminal can specify not only the information for specifying the user terminal itself and the folder but also for each application running on the user terminal (for example, if it is a text manuscript, use OCR software or image manuscript). It is possible to register a plurality of services as transmission destinations with a single registration request. In such a situation, the amount of services that the user wants to register in the memory area varies, so that it is insufficient for some users and too large for some users, and the memory capacity is not effectively utilized. There is a fear. Of course, even for the same user, the amount of services to be registered may differ depending on the situation.

  In addition, what application each service is associated with on the user terminal is a setting item on the user terminal, and it is difficult to input such information from the network scanner. It is difficult to input manually like a mail address. For this reason, there is a possibility that an image cannot be transmitted to a user terminal that cannot accept a registration request due to insufficient memory.

  In this regard, if the date information used as in the device described in Patent Document 1 is deleted from the oldest user information, user information that is not used tends to be deleted, and user information that is used tends to increase. Become.

  However, when multiple services are registered in response to a single registration request, not all services are used evenly, some services are used frequently, but other services are used at all. It is possible that you have not. In this case, it is preferable to perform the registration process collectively regardless of the frequency of using the service and the number of services to be registered.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image input device capable of registering information collectively in a memory area of a device connected to a network and effectively utilizing the memory region by a plurality of users, a data transmission destination storage method, An object of the present invention is to provide a data destination storage program and its storage medium.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides an image input apparatus that receives service information including application software and identification information of the information processing apparatus from an information processing apparatus connected via a network, and stores the service information. and service information storage region with limited capacity, and information receiving means for receiving a plurality of service information in a single registration request, and Rusa-bis information is already registered in the service information storage area, Sa received-bis and service information determining means for determining a service information registration target which eliminated the to duplicate comparing the information service for storing registration subject to service information determined by the service information determining means to the service information storage area Information update means, and there is no free area in the service information storage area for storing service information to be registered. In this case, the service information update means is registered by the information processing apparatus that has registered the oldest service information that has been used for the longest time since the last use, from the service information already registered in the service information storage area. The service information is deleted together with the oldest service information in preference to the service information registered by other information processing apparatuses .

According to the present invention, when the service information requested for registration has already been registered, the service information that has been registered is not registered again, so that more services can be saved without wasting the service information storage area. Allows registration of information.
According to the present invention, when there is no vacancy in the service information storage area that only holds all the requested service information, new service information can be deleted by deleting unnecessary service information to make room in the service information storage area. The service information requested for registration can be stored.
According to the present invention, the handling of service information registered at the same time as the oldest service information is deleted between the service information registered at the same time and registered between the image input device and the information processing device. The difference in service information can be eliminated.

In one form of this invention, the said service information update means does not delete the service information used within the predetermined time among the service information registered by the information processing apparatus which registered the said oldest service information. Features.
According to the present invention, when recently used service information is included in the service information registered simultaneously with the oldest service information extracted as a deletion target, the service information registered at the same time is not deleted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent recently used service information from being deleted due to the influence of service information that has been registered at the same time and not used recently, and the user can continue to use recently used service information. it can.

Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, no free space to store all the service information storage area of the registration target service information, and, if the deletion is prohibited,
The service information updating unit without deleting the service information of the service information storage region, and stores the service information only storable registered in the empty area, it is characterized.

  According to the present invention, when there is not enough space in the service information storage area to store all the service information requested for registration, the service information is stored by the amount of space, so that the service information is registered in part. Therefore, the service can be provided to the user.

Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, if the deletion of the service information registered by the information processing apparatus registers the oldest service information is prohibited, the service information updating means, all the registered service information to free space for storing it is created and from the Rusa-bis information already registered in the service information storage area, deletes the oldest service information, characterized in that.

  According to the present invention, by deleting the service information that has not been used most recently, unnecessary service information can be selected and new service information can be registered without causing a major disadvantage to the user.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, each time a service information registration extension request is received from the information processing apparatus, the service information extension means extends service information registration, and the service information extension means includes: some of the services information received together with the extension request, the case where service information is not registered in the storage area, not extend the registration for all the service information received together with the extension request, it is characterized.

  According to the present invention, when service information that has already been registered is not included in the registration extension request, the service information registered between the image input device and the information device can be rejected by rejecting the extension request. Differences can be eliminated.

Also, in one embodiment of the present invention, the service information extension means, when a part of the service information received from the information processing apparatus together with the extension request is not registered in the service information storage area, the service information wherein the, that only extend the registration salicylate-bis information is registered in the storage area.

  According to the present invention, when the service information already registered when the service information extension request is received is not included in the registration extension request, the registration of only the service information for which the registration extension request has been made is extended. Thus, the user can continue to use the service.

Further, in one aspect of the present invention, when a deletion request for deleting registration of service information is received from the information processing apparatus, service information deletion means for deleting the service information from the service information storage area, service information deletion means, a part of the service information received together with the deletion request, registered in the service information storage area of the case that is not registered in the service information storage area, service information received together with the deletion request to remove only have salicylate-bis information is, and wherein the.

  According to the present invention, when deleting registered service information, the service information storage area can be effectively used by deleting the service information registered in the service information storage area.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the service information deleting unit deletes the service information requested to be deleted from the service information storage area, or the service information requested to be deleted is already registered in the service information storage area. If not, it transmits a notification that removes all service information received together with the deletion request to the information processing apparatus, and notifies that.

  According to the present invention, even when there is no service information to be deleted, it is possible to avoid giving an inconvenience to the information processing apparatus by notifying the information processing apparatus that the information has been deleted normally.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the service information storage area includes service information reservation means for securing a free area within the number of service information determined for each information processing apparatus .

  According to the present invention, by providing a mechanism for reserving a service information storage area so that service information does not always fail to be registered, the service information that has already been registered in the image input device is always affected. Service information capable of registering service information can be performed.

  Image input apparatus capable of registering information collectively in a memory area of a device connected to a network and effectively using the memory area by a plurality of users, a data transmission destination storage method, a data transmission destination storage program, and a storage thereof A medium can be provided.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, registration of information in an image input device such as a network scanner will be described. FIG. 1A is a sequence diagram showing a conventional information registration procedure, and FIG. 1B is a sequence diagram showing an information registration procedure of this embodiment.

  In the image input apparatus, the read image data can be transmitted to a PC (personal computer) by an SMB (Server Message Block) protocol or the like. Using this, the user sets the PC name and the address of the shared folder as the transmission destination in advance in the image input apparatus, and sets the resolution and the like during actual reading (S1). When the original is set and the start button is pressed (S2), the image input apparatus reads the original (S3), and the read image data is automatically transmitted to the shared folder of the PC (S4).

  Here, in principle, users (including managers) register information on the PC name and shared folder in the image input device.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the user mainly registers information (hereinafter referred to as service information) related to various services provided by the PC to the image input apparatus (hereinafter referred to as information registration instruction). ) Is input (S10). This is because some services registered in the OS operating on the PC are set as defaults, and the user can arbitrarily increase or decrease. Then, the PC requests registration of information to the image input device at a predetermined timing (S20). The predetermined timing is, for example, the timing at which the PC is activated, whereby the image input apparatus recognizes that the PC to which the image data is sent is activated, and a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) for identifying the PC or service. In addition to the IP address, identification information for specifying the service can be acquired. Further, when the image input apparatus is activated, the PC may make a re-registration request by making a re-registration request to the PC connected to the network. The subsequent steps are the same as in the prior art, and when the user sets the reading method and selects the destination (PC and service) of information already registered (S30) and presses the start button (S40), the image input device Reads the original (S3), and automatically transmits the read image data to a specific application or shared folder on the PC (S4).

  Here, the information that can be registered by the PC of this embodiment is not limited to the URI and IP address, but is information related to the processing of various applications provided by the PC. Service information related to processing of a plurality of different possible applications may be registered. In addition, since the service information is information related to processing of various applications, the correspondence relationship is a setting item on the PC, and it is difficult for the user to manually input all into the image input device. That is, the information registration instruction input by the user in step S10 is limited to input of information that can be recognized by the user, for example, the name of the button displayed on the image input device, the file format to be saved, the designation of the corresponding application, The PC generates service information based on the user's information registration instruction.

As an example, the user's information registration instruction is as follows.
-Name of OCR software displayed on the image input device, file format is bitmap format, executable file position of corresponding word processing software (or selection)
-The name of the drawing software displayed on the image input device, the file format is JPEG format, and the location (or selection) of the executable file of the corresponding image software
Therefore, the PC generates service information for the image input apparatus to transmit the image data for each service, and stores the service information and application processing in the PC in association with each other. The association may directly associate the name displayed on the image input device and the execution file of the corresponding application. If the name can be appropriately changed on the image input device side, a unique identifier is added to the service information, The identifier may be associated with the application to be activated.

  As described in the above-mentioned problem, in principle, information for specifying a PC and registration / deletion request notifications including a plurality of service information are transmitted from the PC to the image input device. The apparatus registers and deletes a plurality of pieces of service information included in the registration request notification. The collective means “one transmission (regardless of whether the service information is singular or plural)”.

The memory area (hereinafter referred to as the service information storage area) of the image input device for storing service information (which strictly includes information for specifying a PC, etc., but is referred to as service information for convenience of explanation) is limited. Therefore, in an environment where a plurality of users use the image input device, a processing procedure for collectively processing a plurality of pieces of service information is required according to the usage state (empty state, service information use date / time) of the service information storage area. . For example, the following usage situation can be considered.
・ Although there is space in the service information storage area, there is not enough space to register all of the service information. ・ Some of the service information already registered on a PC is often used, while others are used. In addition, even if it is the same PC, the service registered for each user to be used may be different, or even if it is the same user on the same PC, the service to be registered may be different depending on the use situation.

  In the present embodiment, an image input device or the like having a processing procedure for registering, extending, or deleting service information transmitted in a batch according to the usage state of the service information storage area is provided.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image input system configured by the image input apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the image input apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 20 are connected via a network 14 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). In FIG. 1, a plurality of information processing apparatuses 20 are connected, but only one may be used.

The image input apparatus 1 has a so-called scanner function for optically reading a document. In this embodiment, the input image data is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20. Processing procedures such as registration of service information are performed by a copying machine, The present invention can also be suitably applied to an MFP (Multi Function Printer) having functions such as a facsimile and a printer.
[Configuration of Image Input Device 1]
The image input apparatus 1 includes a CPU 8, a communication management unit 9, a storage device 12, an image input device 11, a media mounting unit 24, a touch panel 16, and an operation screen display unit 5 that are connected to each other via a PCI bus 13 and are connected to each other. The management means 9 is connected to a network 14 via a network interface (I / F) 10.

  The CPU 8 controls the entire image input apparatus 1, scans of documents, communication, user operations from the operation unit, and the operation screen display means 5 controls display on the touch panel 16 and the like. The image input device 11 constitutes a so-called engine unit together with an image forming unit or the like, and scans a document line by line (main scanning direction) in the sub-scanning direction, and an element such as a CCD at a predetermined resolution (for example, 300 dpi). Are converted into analog signals from analog to a predetermined gradation (for example, 8 bits) sequentially. The image input device 11 performs image processing related to image input such as shading correction, γ correction, and density correction.

  The storage device 12 includes various storage devices such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk device, and is a memory that stores various files such as programs, data, and an OS. A limited storage area for service information and a service information storage area 12A are allocated to a part of the storage device 12.

  The network I / F 10 uses a physical layer and a data link layer and becomes a base part of a hierarchical network and enables communication with other NICs (Network Interface Cards) belonging to the same LAN. The NIC is also provided in the information processing apparatus 20. The image input device 1 and the information processing device 20 can communicate with each other by using the network I / F 10 using TCP / IP which is a higher-order protocol. The communication management means 9 is a device that controls transmission / reception of data transmitted through the network 14, and converts data into a signal suitable for a communication line and vice versa, and performs signal conversion, error control, and the like. .

The medium loading unit 24 loads various storage media, reads data and programs stored in the storage medium 25, and writes data and programs in the storage medium 25. The storage medium 25 can be a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), a CD-RW (Compact
Disc-ReWritable: rewritable CD), DVD-R (Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable: write-once DVD), DVD-RW (DVD-ReWritable: rewritable DVD), DVD + R (DVD + Recordable: write-once) DVD), DVD + RW (DVD + ReWritable), MO (Magneto-Optics) disc, blue-ray using blue laser
Disc and HD DVD (High Definition Digital Versatile Disc) rewritable and write-once discs, UDO (Ultra
Density Optical), removable semiconductor memory, portable hard disk drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, and the like.

  The area indicated as an application is a function realized by the CPU 8 executing a program. The information acquisition unit 7, the service information determination unit 4, the service information update unit 6, the service information extension unit 3, the service information deletion unit 2, and the service The information reservation means 15 is configured. The information acquisition unit 7 extracts service information from the request notification transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20. The service information determination means 4 determines service information to be registered from the service information requested for registration. The service information update unit 6 updates the service information in the service information storage area 12A. The service information extension means 3 extends registration of service information requested to be extended. The service information deleting unit 2 deletes the service information from the service information storage area 12A. The service information reservation unit 15 secures a reserved area for preferentially registering the service information designated in the service information storage area 12A.

Programs for realizing these functions are recorded and distributed in the storage medium 25, or downloaded via the network and installed in the storage device 12.
[Configuration of Information Processing Device 20]
The information processing apparatus 20 is, for example, a personal computer or a workstation. FIG. 3 shows an example of a hardware configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 20. FIG. 3 shows an example of a personal computer.

  The information processing apparatus 20 is configured to include a CPU 31, a main storage device 32, a storage device 33, a display device 34, an input device 35, a drive device 36, and a communication device 37 that are mutually connected by a bus.

  The CPU 31 provides various functions by loading a program such as an OS or an application from the storage device 33 and executing the program, and comprehensively controls processing performed by the information processing device 20. The main storage device 32 is composed of a RAM and serves as a working memory for temporarily storing the OS, programs, and data. The storage device 33 is a nonvolatile memory such as an HDD (hard disk drive) or a flash memory, and stores files such as an OS, a program, and a driver. The display device 34 draws on a display such as a liquid crystal at a predetermined resolution, number of colors, etc. based on screen information instructed by the program. For example, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen is formed, and various windows and data necessary for operation are displayed on the display.

  The input device 35 includes a keyboard and a mouse, and is used to input various operation instructions from the user. The drive device 36 is configured such that a recording medium 38 can be inserted, and reads data recorded on the recording medium 38 and sends it to the main storage device 32 or the like. It is also used when writing a program or data to the recording medium 38. The communication device 37 is an interface for connecting to a network such as the Internet or a LAN, and includes, for example, a modem, a network interface card (NIC), or the like.

When the CPU 31 executes the program, the reading condition management unit 22 and the service information management unit 23 in FIG. 2 are realized. The service information management unit 23 manages service information such as generating service information including a transmission destination of image data according to a user designation or default setting, and requesting registration / deletion / extension to the image input apparatus 1. For example, when the image input apparatus 1 performs a reading operation, the reading condition management unit 22 manages the document size, resolution, gradation, and the like which are reading conditions in association with the selected service information. That is, when predetermined service information is selected, the reading conditions are automatically set.
[Usage of Image Input Device 20]
When reading a document, the user goes to the image input device 20 and designates a destination to which image data obtained by reading the document is read from the operation screen formed by the operation screen display unit 5 on the touch panel 16 or the like. This destination is the information processing apparatus 20 of the user or the information processing apparatus 20 of another user who has been requested to read a document. Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that image data is transmitted with a specific service target as a destination by a unique identifier or the like that identifies the name of the OCR software or an application. Since the designation of the destination is set as service information, the user can designate the destination of the corresponding service simply by selecting from the operation screen on which the software name or the like is displayed.

  When reading a document, the user inputs reading conditions (document size, resolution, gradation, etc.) according to the screen displayed by the operation screen display means 5 if necessary. When the setting of the reading conditions is completed, the image input device 20 enters a scan start waiting state. When the user presses the start button, the document reading operation is started, and the read image data is sent to the destination designated on the operation screen display means 5 (application associated with the designated service of the designated information processing apparatus 20 or the like). ).

[Outline of Service Information Registration]
A processing procedure for registering service information will be described. FIG. 4 shows a sequence diagram of a procedure in which the information processing apparatus 20 transmits service information to the image input apparatus 1 and the image input apparatus 1 registers service information.

  First, the user activates the service information management means 23 and inputs or selects a desired service using image data.

  In addition, the user can input desired display information so that the user can easily select service information registered by the image input apparatus 1. The display information is an identification name of service information formed on the touch panel 16 by the operation screen display screen 5. When the service is software, for example, the name of the software is displayed. This can be input or edited by the user with desired contents, and predetermined default display information may be stored in advance. Since the operation screen display screen 5 forms this display information on the touch panel 16 of the image input apparatus 1, when the user selects display information in the image input apparatus 1, the destination of the image data is selected. The service information management unit 23 stores the service information once set in the storage device 33, and generates service information based on the input or selected service and display information.

  Accordingly, the contents of the service information are “image transmission destination information (for example, URI or IP address + service target)” and “display information”. The IP address is automatically acquired if the user's information processing device 20 is selected, and is also registered in a server (not shown) if another user's information processing device 20 is selected. The IP address is automatically acquired and image destination information is generated.

  Although a plurality of information processing apparatuses 20 can be identified by URIs or IP addresses, identification information of the information processing apparatus 20 may be added to service information.

  The information processing apparatus 20 that is the transmission destination of the image data requests the image input apparatus 1 to register service information (S10). At the time of the request, the service information management unit 23 transmits the service information to the image input device 1 at once.

  The service information registration request notification is sent to all image input devices connected to the network when the information processing device 20 is activated. If the image input device 1 is activated at this time, image data can be transmitted to the information processing device 20 after the registration of the service information. On the other hand, when the image input apparatus is activated, it requests the information re-registration of all the information processing apparatuses 20 connected to the network. At this time, if the image processing apparatus 20 is activated, the registration request notification is performed again. As described above, in principle, the request for registration of the service information is performed when one of the later activations is activated, but may be repeated every predetermined time, for example.

  Since the information processing apparatus 20 provides a plurality of applications, folders, and other various services, a plurality of service information can be generated. FIG. 4 shows a state in which five pieces of service information are set and transmitted to the image input apparatus 1 at once.

  The image input apparatus 1 receives service information through the network I / F 10, the communication management means 9 demodulates the digital data and removes header information and the like, and temporarily stores the transmitted service information in the RAM of the storage device 12. (S20).

  Then, registration of service information described below (S30) is executed, and a notification of success or failure of registration (OK or NG) is notified to the information processing apparatus 20 (S40).

[Details of service information registration]
Details of service information registration will be described. FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram of processing in which each function of the image input apparatus 1 registers service information.

  As described above, the service information is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20 to the image input apparatus 1 together with the request for registration of the service information (S1).

  The communication management means 9 extracts service information from the demodulated digital data and sends it to the information acquisition means 7 (S2).

  The information acquisition means 7 takes out the service information and the processing contents of the service information and sends them to the service information determination means 4 (S3). The processing content of the service information is an instruction for processing on the transmitted service information such as registration, deletion, or extension. Here, it is assumed that the processing content is registration.

  Then, the process shifts to the process surrounded by the dotted line A in the sequence diagram of FIG. 4. The area of the dotted line A corresponds to step S30 of FIG. 3 and is a characteristic part of the registration process. To do.

  In the process of the area surrounded by the dotted line A, the service information determination unit 4 determines the service information that is actually the registration target from the transmitted service information. First, the service information determination unit 4 searches the service information storage area 12A using the service information requested for registration as a key to search for already registered service information. The service information received from 20 is compared, and service information to be newly registered is determined. The service information determined to be registered is sent to the service information update unit 6, and the service information update unit 6 updates the service information stored in the service information storage area 12A. Then, the service information determination unit 6 receives the registration result, and transmits a registration request success / failure result “OK or NG” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S4).

  Next, the process surrounded by the dotted line A will be described based on the flowcharts of FIGS.

Determination of registration target service information Determination of registration target service information is a process of eliminating registration of service information requested for registration and service information already registered in the storage device 12 and determining registration target service information. It is.

  First, in FIG. 6, the service information determination means 4 checks the registered service information (S31). FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for determining service information to be registered, and FIG. 9 shows an example of service information requested for registration and service information already registered in the service information storage area 12A.

  First, the service information determination unit 4 determines whether or not the same information processing apparatus 20 has already registered service information in the image input apparatus 1 (S301). When the service information is not yet registered from the same information processing apparatus 20 in the image input apparatus 1 (No in S301), the process in FIG. 7 ends.

  When the same information processing apparatus 20 has already registered service information in the image input apparatus 1 (Yes in S301), the service information determination unit 4 uses the same service information as the service information requested by the same information processing apparatus 20 for registration. It is determined whether or not information is registered in duplicate (S302). For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the information processing apparatus 20A has already registered the service information “a, b, c”, and the information processing apparatus 20A has transmitted a registration request for the service information “a, b, d”. In this case, since “a · b” overlaps, the determination in step S302 is Yes.

  When the same service information is registered in duplicate (Yes in S302), the service information determination unit 4 excludes the duplicated service information from registration (S303). In FIG. 9, since “a · b” overlaps, “a · b” is excluded from registration.

  Here, duplicate service information may be replaced. The replacement means deleting the duplicate service information from the service information storage area 12A and registering the service information requested for registration. The duplicate service information is the same for “a · b”, but by replacing the service information with newer service information, the service information reflecting the user's will can be obtained.

  Next, the service information determination unit 4 determines whether there is service information added to the service information requested to be registered (S304). In FIG. 9, since “a · b · d” is the requested service information for the registered service information “a · b · c”, “d” is added to the service information. The service information determination unit 4 sets the added service information “d” as a registration target (S305).

  Next, the service information determination unit 4 determines whether there is deleted service information (S306). When there is deleted service information, the service information determination unit 4 deletes the deleted service information from the service information storage area 12A (S307). In FIG. 9, the service information c is deleted service information. That is, service information that is not requested to be registered is deleted from the service information storage area 12A at the time of checking for duplication.

  In the case of FIG. 9 as an example, the service information “d” is registered as a registration target by the above-described process for checking duplicate service information. Thus, the service information storage area 12A can be effectively used by eliminating duplication.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the service information determination unit 4 determines whether or not all the service information to be registered can be registered in the service information storage area 12A (S32). As described above, since the service information storage area 12A of the storage device 12 is finite, subsequent processing differs depending on whether or not all service information can be registered. If registration of all service information is not possible, in principle, a free space is created in the service information storage area 12A and all service information to be registered is registered. When a vacancy is created, service information newly requested for registration can be stored.

  If all service information can be registered (Yes in S32), the service information update unit 6 registers all service information to be registered in the service information storage area 12A (S33). Then, the service information determination unit 4 transmits a registration success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 via the communication management unit 9 (S36).

  When registration of all service information is not possible (No in S32), the service information determination unit 4 determines whether or not deletion of registered service information is permitted (S38). Whether or not deletion is permitted is set by the user or the administrator of the image input apparatus 1. Since the service information is difficult to input manually as described above, it is difficult to register new service information unless deletion is permitted. Therefore, it is normally set so that deletion is permitted.

  When deletion of a part of the registered service information is permitted (Yes in S38), the service information update unit 6 creates a space in the service information storage area 12A (S34).

Creation of Empty in Service Information Storage Area 12A The process of creating an empty area in the service information storage area 12A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The service information update unit 6 deletes the service information in order to create a vacancy, and the deletion target is, for example, “the most recently used service information”. This is because it is advantageous for the user to keep the service information that has not been used and give priority to the service information that has been newly requested for registration.

  First, the service information update unit 6 refers to the use date / time information of the service information registered in the service information storage area 12A, and extracts the service information with the oldest use date / time (S341). For example, when the service information shown in FIG. 9 is registered in the service information storage area 12A, the most recently used date / time is obtained from all the registered service information regardless of the information processing apparatus 20A currently requesting registration of the service information. Extracts old service information. Even if a service that is not used is deleted, there is little disadvantage for the user. Therefore, by deleting such service information, new useful service information can be registered.

  Next, the service information update unit 6 determines whether or not other service information is registered by the information processing apparatus 20 that has registered the service information with the oldest usage date (S342). For example, when the service information h is extracted in step S341 because the use date and time of the service information h is the oldest, whether or not the information processing apparatus 20B has registered other service information (service information g and i in FIG. 9). Determine. Hereinafter, it is referred to as other service information.

  Since the other service information is registered by the same information processing apparatus 20B, there is a high possibility that the other service information is registered at the same time. Therefore, it may be desirable in terms of processing specifications on the PC side to delete the registered services in a batch.

  When other service information is not registered (No in S342), the service information update unit 6 deletes the service information with the oldest usage date (S349).

  When other service information is registered (Yes in S342), the service information update unit 6 determines whether or not to delete the other service information together with the service information having the oldest use date and time (S343). Whether or not to permit other service information together with service information having the oldest use date and time is set by the user or the administrator of the image input apparatus 1.

  When the other service information is not deleted together with the service information having the oldest usage date and time (No in S343), the service information updating unit 6 deletes only the service information having the oldest usage date and time (S348). Taking the service information storage area 12A of FIG. 9 as an example, only the service information h is deleted.

  In a state where a plurality of pieces of service information are registered in the same information processing apparatus 20, the process of deleting only a part of the service information and service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 and the image input apparatus 1 However, there is no effect on the operation of transmitting an image from the image input apparatus 1 to the information processing apparatus 20. By setting a part of the service information to remain (do not delete together (No in S343)), the service information that is least used can be deleted in order.

  When the other service information is deleted together with the service information having the oldest usage date and time (Yes in S343), the service information update unit 6 determines whether the service information that has been used recently is included in the other service information ( S344). Whether or not it has been used recently is determined based on, for example, whether it has not been used for a certain period of time or whether the service information is sorted in the order of date of use and is included in the top five. In FIG. 9, it is determined whether the service information g and i have been recently used.

  If the service information that has been used recently is not included in the other service information (No in S344), the free space creation unit 2 deletes the other service information together with the service information having the oldest use date (S345). In the service information storage area 12A of FIG. 9, the service information g and the service information i are deleted together with the service information h.

  In this case, even if service information of another PC that is newer than the service information h but older than the service information g and i exists, the service information g and i is preferentially deleted. In some cases, it is desirable to delete as much as possible in the specifications of processing on the PC side.

  In the process of step S345, it is possible to prevent a difference between the service information stored in the image input apparatus 2 and the service information recognized as registered by the information processing apparatus 20 from occurring.

  When the service information recently used is included in the other service information (Yes in S344), the service information update unit 6 includes the service information with the oldest use date and time, except for the other service information recently used. Other service information is deleted (S346). In the service information storage area 12A of FIG. 9, either the service information g or the service information i is deleted together with the service information h.

  In a state where a plurality of pieces of service information are registered in the same information processing apparatus 20, the process of deleting only a part of the service information and service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 and the image input apparatus 1 However, since there is a difference between the stored service information and the stored service information, the operation is not substantially affected in the same manner as described above. Therefore, a part of the service information remains (Yes in S344). By doing so, it is possible to delete other service information that has not been used recently, while leaving recently used service information.

  When the deletion process (S345, S346, S348, S349) is completed, the free area creation unit 2 determines whether a necessary free area has been secured in the service information storage area 12A (S347). The necessary free space has been calculated by the processing of FIG.

  When the necessary free area is not secured (No in S347), the service information update unit 6 repeats the process of FIG. 8 until the necessary free area is secured. That is, the service information update unit 6 extracts service information having the next usage date and time next to the service information h from the service information storage area 12A, and repeats the processing from step S342 onward. Therefore, an empty area for registering all the service information determined to be registered in the image input apparatus 1 is secured.

  Note that if the requested service registration cannot be performed as a result of performing the processing for securing these necessary free areas, the deletion processing is all invalidated.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the service information update unit 6 stores the service information to be registered in the free area of the service information storage area 12A (S35). Then, the service information determination unit 4 transmits a success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S36).

  The service information updating unit 6 adds the number of newly registered service information to the number of service information before registration to obtain the number of currently registered service information (S37).

  When deletion of a part of the registered service information is not permitted (No in S38), the service information update unit 6 determines whether or not to register the service information as much as possible (S39). Whether to register service information as much as possible is set by the user or the administrator of the image input apparatus 1. If it is not preferable to delete the service information based on the judgment of the image input apparatus 1, the deletion is set so that the deletion is not permitted.

  When registering service information as much as possible (Yes in S39), the service information updating unit 6 registers service information to be registered by the number of free areas (S41). The order in which the service information is registered is, for example, the order from the top data of the service information transmitted in a batch. When the service information is registered as much as possible, some service information to be registered is not registered, but the service information determination unit 4 transmits a success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S36). The user can use the registered service even if it is a part.

  When the service information is not registered as much as possible (No in S39), the service information determination unit 4 transmits a success / failure notification “NG” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S42). In this case, it is possible to eliminate the difference between the service information registered in the service information storage area 12A and the service information grasped that the image processing apparatus is registered.

  When “registration of service information that can be registered” is performed in the process of step S41, a difference occurs between the service information stored in the image input apparatus 1 and the service information recognized as registered by the information processing apparatus 20. . If this situation is not desirable, setting is made so that the determination in step S39 is No, so that the service information to be registered is not registered at all, and a success / failure notification “NG” is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20. .

  Originally, if any part of the success / failure notification is not registered, the success / failure notification “NG” should not be sent without performing all registration, and the success / failure notification “OK” should be sent only when all are registered. If any part is registered, a success / failure notification “OK” is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20, and if not registered at all, even if a success / failure notification “NG” is transmitted, there is no influence on the actual operation as described above.

The reason why the information processing apparatus 20 is not notified of success or failure with respect to registration of only a part of the service information to be registered is that the protocol between the image input apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 20 is restricted by this, The image input apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately register the service information transmitted in a batch and transmit the registration result to the information processing apparatus 20 even if there are some restrictions.
[Delete service information]
A procedure for deleting service information will be described. Here, there are two patterns of deletion of service information. One is a case where a service information deletion request is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20 to the image input apparatus 1. The other pattern is that a service information extension request is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20 for a certain period of time. Is the case. In any case, the image input apparatus 1 deletes the service information. In the present embodiment, these will be described separately.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a procedure for deleting service information registered in the image input apparatus 1 in response to a deletion request from the information processing apparatus 20.

  Before the information processing apparatus 20 requests deletion, the information processing apparatus 20 has already notified the image input apparatus 1 of a registration request notification from the image input apparatus 1. At this time, if the information processing apparatus 20 ends normally due to a shutdown or the like, it cannot be processed even if image data is transmitted from the image input apparatus 1 thereafter. A delete request must be sent.

  The service information management unit 23 transmits the service information and processing contents (in this case, deletion) to the image input apparatus 1 (S10). As shown in FIG. 10, there may be a plurality of pieces of service information requested to be deleted, but these are transmitted collectively.

  The image input apparatus 1 deletes the service information that matches the transmitted service information (S20), and transmits a deletion success / failure notification “OK or NG” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S30).

  By the way, as described in the registration process, when “a part of registered service information is deleted (S345, S346, S348)” or “when service information is registered as much as possible (S41)”, an image is displayed. There is a difference between the service information stored in the input device 1 and the service information recognized as registered by the information processing device 20.

  For example, when the service information h in FIG. 9 is deleted, this deletion notification is not transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20B (not transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20A), so that it is recognized that the information processing apparatus 20B has registered. There is a difference between the service information and the service information stored in the image input apparatus 1.

  However, unrecognized service information may be deleted by the deletion request. That is, all the service information registered in the image input apparatus 1 among the service information registered by the information processing apparatus 20 that requested deletion is deleted from the image input apparatus 1.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a processing procedure in which the image input apparatus 1 deletes service information.

  Based on the service information requested to be deleted and the identification information of the information processing apparatus 20, the service information deleting unit 2 determines whether or not the service information requested by the information processing apparatus 20 to be deleted is registered in the service information storage area 12A. (S21). Here, if even one piece of service information is registered, it is determined that it is registered.

  When the service information requested to be deleted is registered (Yes in S21), the service information deleting unit 2 deletes all the service information requested to be deleted from the service information storage area 12A (S22).

  Then, the service information determination unit 4 transmits a deletion success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S23). That is, if even one piece of service information requested to be deleted is registered, it is deleted and a success / failure notification “OK” is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent all of the service information requested to be deleted from being inconvenient for the information processing apparatus 20.

  When the service information requested to be deleted is not registered (No in S21), the service information determination unit 4 transmits a deletion success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S24). That is, even if it has already been deleted during the registration process, the success / failure notification is “OK”.

  In the deletion process of the present embodiment, a plurality of service information can be deleted at once and the result of the deletion process can be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20.

In addition to the shutdown, the function itself is uninstalled, or the user selects service information to be deleted from any registered service information from the service information management means 23, and a delete button or the like displayed on the information processing apparatus 20 is displayed. It may be deleted by pressing it.
[Extension of service information]
A service information extension processing procedure will be described. As described above, the service information is set to be deleted when the service information extension request is not transmitted from the information processing apparatus 20 for a certain period of time. This is because the service information registered by the information processing apparatus 20 without any notification is deleted and the service information storage area 12A is effectively used. As described above, when the information processing apparatus 20 ends normally, the information processing apparatus 20 notifies the image input apparatus 1 of a service information deletion request. At this time, the service information of the information processing apparatus 20 can also be deleted. If the information processing apparatus 20 does not end normally, the image input apparatus 1 continues to store the service information as it is, and the service information storage area 12A cannot be used effectively. Therefore, the service information registered by the information processing apparatus 20 without an extension request every certain time is deleted.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of a procedure for extending registration of service information in which an image input apparatus is registered in response to an extension request from the information processing apparatus 20.

  Before the information processing apparatus 20 makes an extension request, the information processing apparatus 20 has already notified the image input apparatus 1 of a registration request notification, and the information processing apparatus 20 is often subjected to registration processing once. . The extension request is a process that the service information management unit 23 automatically repeats at regular intervals without the user being aware of it.

  When a predetermined time has elapsed, the service information management unit 23 transmits the service information requested for registration and the processing content (in this case, extension) to the image input device 1 (S10). As shown in FIG. 12, when an extension request is made, a plurality of pieces of service information registered by the normal information device 20 are transmitted in a lump, but it is not necessary to individually request extension of service information. Instead, all the corresponding service information may be extended by simply transmitting the extension processing contents.

  The image input apparatus 1 postpones the extension of registration, that is, deletion of service information that matches the transmitted service information (S20), and transmits an extension success / failure notification “OK or NG” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S30). The postponement of deletion means, for example, resetting a timer provided for each information processing apparatus 20. When this timer reaches a certain time, the service information of the information processing apparatus 20 is deleted. When the service information is deleted after a certain period of time, a deletion notification is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20 (S40).

  By the way, as described in the registration process, when “a part of registered service information is deleted (S345, S346, S348)” or “when service information is registered as much as possible (S41)”, an image is displayed. There is a difference between the service information stored in the input device 1 and the service information recognized as registered by the information processing device 20.

  For example, when the service information h in FIG. 9 is deleted, this deletion notification is not transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20B (not transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20A), so that it is recognized that the information processing apparatus 20B has registered. There is a difference between the service information and the service information stored in the image input apparatus 1. Here, in response to an extension request for unregistered service information, the following processing is performed according to the setting of the image input apparatus 1.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for the image input apparatus 1 to extend service information.

  When the information acquisition means 7 receives an extension request from the information processing apparatus 20 (S21), the service information extension means 3 receives service information with the extension request, and the service information is stored in the service information storage area 12A. (S22).

  If they match (Yes in S22), the service information determination unit 4 postpones the deletion of the service information requested to be extended (S26). The service information determination unit 4 transmits an extension success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S27).

  If the service information of the extension request does not match the service information stored in the service information storage area 12A (No in S22), the service information extension means 3 is present in the extension request but is stored in the service information storage area 12A. It is determined whether or not service information that is not present is regarded as an error (S23). Whether or not to consider an error is set by the user or the administrator of the image input apparatus 1.

  When it is regarded as an error (Yes in S 23), the service information determination unit 4 transmits an extension success / failure notification “NG” to the information processing apparatus 20. In this case, deletion of all service information stored in the image input apparatus 1 is not postponed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the service information registered in the service information storage area 12A from being different from the service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 (if it is not extended, the service information is deleted after a certain time).

  When it is not regarded as an error (No in S23), the service information extension unit 3 postpones deletion of only the service information stored in the service information storage area 12A among the service information requested to be extended (S25). Therefore, when there is a difference between the service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 and the service information stored in the image input apparatus 1, the deletion of the service information that has not been deleted is postponed. In the first place, the deleted service cannot be extended, but by not considering this as an error, registration of service information to be used can be extended. Since the service information determination unit 4 transmits an extension success / failure notification “OK” to the information processing apparatus 20 (S27), the service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 and the image input apparatus 1 store the service information. Even if a difference occurs between the service information and the service information, the operation is not substantially affected as described above.

  Note that service information that is not included in the service information requested to be extended may be stored in the image input apparatus 1, but this service information is not recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 or is extended. Since the service information is not requested, it is deleted after a certain time.

In the extension process of the present embodiment, a plurality of service information can be extended at once, and the result of the extension process can be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20.
[Reservation of service information]
The reservation of the service information storage area 12A will be described. As described in the registration process, when registration of service information is requested, if there is not enough space in the service information storage area 12A, a process for deleting the registered service information is requested. If the service information storage area 12A is reserved so that other service information is not registered for high service information, the process of deleting can be avoided. Therefore, service information can always be registered for a reserved service.

  When the registration of the service information is reserved, the reserved areas are secured by the number of service information reserved in the service information storage area 12A. Since no other service information can be registered in the reserved area, the reserved service information can always be registered.

  FIG. 14A shows a sequence diagram of the service information reservation process. The information processing apparatus 20 registers service information by the registration process described above (S10). When the service information is registered, the operation screen display means 5 can display a service name or the like on the touch panel 16, so that the service information registration area can be reserved by directly operating the image input apparatus 1.

  Therefore, when the user performs a predetermined reservation operation on the image input device 1 (S20), the image input device 1 performs a process of reserving the service information storage area 12A (S30).

  FIG. 14B shows an example of the service information storage area 12A. In order to make a reservation possible, for example, a flag is provided in the service information storage area 12A, and the appropriateness of the reservation is managed according to the state of the flag. If the flag is on (1), it indicates a reserved state, and if the flag is off (0), it indicates a non-reserved state.

  In order to prevent the entire service information storage area 12A from being reserved, the number of service information that can be reserved may be determined for each information processing apparatus 20 or for the entire image input apparatus 1.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart of processing in which the image input apparatus 1 reserves registration of service information in the service information storage area 12A.

  From the service name displayed on the touch panel 16 of the image input apparatus 1, the user selects a reserved service (S21), and presses a “reservation key”, for example (S22).

  When the reservation key is pressed, the service information reservation unit 15 determines whether the selected service is in a reservation state (S33). The service information reservation unit 15 refers to the flag in the service information storage area 12A and determines whether or not the service information is in a reservation state.

  In the reservation state (Yes in S33), the service information reservation unit 15 turns off the flag of the selected service information (S34). Then, the current number of reservations is reduced by 1 (S35).

  If it is not in the reservation state (No in S33), the service information reservation unit 15 determines whether or not the current reservation number is smaller than the maximum reservable number (S36).

  When the number of reservations is not smaller than the maximum number of reservations possible (No in S36), the service information reservation unit 15 requests the operation screen display unit 5 to display “error” (S39).

  When the number of reservations is smaller than the maximum reservable number (Yes in S36), the service information reservation unit 15 turns on the flag of the selected service information (S37). Then, the current number of reservations is increased by 1 (S38).

  That is, each time the “reservation key” is pressed, the service information reservation unit 15 manages the reservation of service information by switching between the reservation state and the non-reservation state.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of reservation of the service information storage area 12A. The service information storage area 12A of the image input apparatus 1 is divided into a storage destination for a non-reserved service and a storage destination for a reservation service. In FIG. 16, the storage destination of the non-reserved service is shown in different colors for the registered area (horizontal stripes) of the service information and the unregistered area. In the reservation service storage destination, the shaded area is an area reserved by the service information a, b of the information processing apparatus 20A.

  In the state of FIG. 16, when there is a registration request for service information a, b, c from the information processing apparatus 20A, the service information storage area 12A includes an area reserved by the service information a, b of the information processing apparatus 20A. Therefore, the service information update means 6 preferentially registers the service information a and b there.

  Next, when there is a registration request for service information g and h from the information processing apparatus 20B, there is no space in the storage destination of the non-reserved service, and there is no reserved area of the information processing apparatus 20 in the storage destination of the reservation service. The service information update unit 6 creates a space from the storage destination of the non-reserved service. In this case, whether or not to delete the service information c registered together with the reserved service information a and b becomes a problem, but whether or not to delete can be set by the image input apparatus 1.

  For example, when the service information c can be deleted, the service information can be registered from more information processing apparatuses 20. When the service information c cannot be deleted, it is possible to maintain a state in which the service information c registered together with the reserved service information a and b is stored as a set.

  As described above, according to the image input device 1 of the present embodiment, even if the protocol between the information processing device 20 and the image input device 1 is restricted, the registration of a plurality of service information is performed in a batch, The registration result can be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 20. Depending on the setting of the user, the difference between the service information registered in the service information storage area 12A and the service information recognized by the information processing apparatus 20 is prevented, or even if a difference occurs, the registration is given priority. The system can be made flexible.

It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure of registration of the information to an image input device. It is a block diagram of the image input system which an image input device and information processing apparatus comprise. It is an example of the hardware block diagram of information processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a procedure in which the information processing apparatus transmits service information to the image input apparatus and the image input apparatus registers the service information. It is a sequence diagram of a process in which each function of the image input apparatus registers service information. It is a flowchart figure which shows the procedure of a registration process. It is a flowchart figure which shows the process sequence which determines the service information of registration object. It is a flowchart figure of the process sequence which creates vacancy in a service information storage area. An example of service information requested to be registered and service information already registered in the service information storage area is shown. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a procedure in which an image input device deletes service information registered in a service information storage area in response to a deletion request for an information processing device. It is a flowchart figure of the process sequence which an image input device deletes service information. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a procedure for extending registration of service information in which an image input device is registered in response to an extension request from an information processing device. It is a flowchart figure of the process sequence which an image input device extends service information. It is a sequence diagram of the reservation process of service information. It is a flowchart figure of the process which an image input device reserves registration of service information in a service information storage area. It is a figure which shows an example of the reservation of a service information storage area. It is a block diagram of the conventional network scanner system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image input device 2 Service information deletion means 3 Service information extension means 4 Service information determination means 5 Operation screen display means 6 Service information update means 7 Information acquisition means 8 CPU
9 Communication management means 10 Network I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image input device 12 Storage device 12A Service information storage area 13 PCI bus 14 Network 15 Service information reservation means 16 Touch panel 20 Information processing apparatus 22 Reading condition management means 23 Service information management means

Claims (16)

An image input device for receiving service information including application software and identification information of the information processing device from an information processing device connected via a network,
Service information storage area with limited capacity for storing service information;
Information receiving means for receiving a plurality of service information in a single registration request;
And the service information storage area already salicylate-bis information is registered, the service information determining means for determining the received service information of the registration target that eliminates duplicates by comparing the service information,
Anda service information updating means for storing service information of the registered Target determined in the service information storage area by the service information determining means,
If there is no free area for storing the service information to be registered in the service information storage area, the service information update means is the most recently used service information already registered in the service information storage area since it was last used. Service information registered by the information processing apparatus that has registered the oldest service information that has passed for a long time has priority over service information registered by other information processing apparatuses, and is deleted together with the oldest service information.
An image input apparatus characterized by that. The service information update means includes
Of the service information registered by the information processing apparatus that registered the oldest service information, do not delete the service information used within a predetermined time,
The image input apparatus according to claim 1. Free space to store all of the registered service information without the said service information storage area, and, if the deletion is prohibited,
The service information updating means stores without service information only registered that can be stored in the free space by deleting the service information of the service information storage area,
The image input apparatus according to claim 1. When deletion of service information registered by the information processing apparatus that registered the oldest service information is prohibited,
The service information update means includes
Until free space to store all of the registered service information is created, from the Rusa-bis information in the service information storage area it has already been registered, deletes the oldest service information,
The image input device according to claim 1 , wherein the image input device is an image input device. Service information extension means for extending the registration of the service information every time a request for extension of registration of the service information is received from the information processing apparatus ,
The service information extension unit, a part of the service information received together with the extension request, the case where service information is not registered in the storage area, not extend the registration of all of the received service information along with the extension request,
The image input apparatus according to claim 1. The service information extension unit, a part of the service information received from the information processing apparatus together with the extension request, if not registered in the service information storage area, Rusa-bis been registered in the service information storage area Extend registration for information only,
6. The image input device according to claim 5, wherein Service information deletion means for deleting the service information from the service information storage area when receiving a deletion request for deleting the registration of service information from the information processing apparatus ,
The service information deletion means, a part of the service information received together with the deletion request, if it is not registered in the service information storage area, to the service information storage area in the service information received together with the deletion request to remove only the Lusa-bis information has been registered,
The image input apparatus according to claim 1. When the service information deletion unit deletes the service information requested to be deleted from the service information storage area, or when the service information requested to be deleted is not already registered in the service information storage area,
The notification of the delete all service information received together with the deletion request is transmitted to the information processing apparatus,
The image input device according to claim 7, which notifies the fact. Service information reservation means for securing a free area within the number of service information determined for each information processing device in the service information storage area,
The image input apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A data destination storage method by an image input device that receives service information including application software and identification information of the information processing device from an information processing device connected via a network,
An information receiving step for receiving a plurality of service information in one registration request;
Service to determine the salicylate-bis information already registered in the service information storage region to the capacity for storing service information of limited, the received service information and the service information of the registration target that eliminates to duplicate compared An information determination step;
Anda service information updating step for storing the service information determination registered for service information determined in step to the service information storage area,
In the service information update step,
If the service information storage area does not have a free area for storing the service information to be registered, the oldest service that has already been registered in the service information storage area and has the longest time since it was last used. Service information registered by the information processing apparatus that registered the service information is prioritized over services registered by other information processing apparatuses and deleted together with the oldest service information.
A destination storing method for data. When deletion of service information registered by the information processing apparatus that has registered the oldest service information is prohibited, in the service information update step,
Until free space to store all of the registered service information is created, from the Rusa-bis information in the service information storage area it has already been registered, deletes the oldest service information,
11. The data transmission destination storage method according to claim 10, wherein: A service information extension step of extending the registration of the service information every time a request for extension of registration of the service information is received from the information processing apparatus ;
In the service information extension step, a part of the service information received together with the extension request, the case where service information is not registered in the storage area, not extend the registration of all of the received service information along with the extension request,
11. The data transmission destination storage method according to claim 10, wherein: If the deletion request for deleting the registration of the service information received from the information processing apparatus includes a service information deletion step of deleting the service information from the service information storage area,
In the service information deletion step, some of the service information received together with the deletion request, if it is not registered in the service information storage area, to the service information storage area in the service information received together with the deletion request to remove only the Lusa-bis information has been registered,
11. The data transmission destination storage method according to claim 10, wherein: 11. The data transmission destination storage method according to claim 10 , further comprising a service information reservation step of securing a free area in the service information storage area within the number of service information determined for each information processing apparatus. . From an information processing apparatus connected via a network to a computer of an image input apparatus that receives service information including application software and identification information of the information processing apparatus ,
An information receiving step for receiving a plurality of service information in one registration request;
Determining in the service information storage area with limited capacity to store service information, and already Rusa-bis information has been registered, the received service information and the service information of the registration target that eliminates to duplicate compared Determining service information to be performed;
And service information updating step for storing the service information determination registered for service information determined in step to the service information storage area, to the execution,
In the service information update step,
If the service information storage area does not have a free area for storing the service information to be registered, the oldest service that has already been registered in the service information storage area and has the longest time since it was last used. A program for executing a process of deleting service information registered by an information processing apparatus that has registered service information in preference to a service registered by another information processing apparatus together with the oldest service information . Computer-readable storage medium storing a program as claimed in 15.

Images