Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/ – Input/output data processing – Peripheral configuration
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-04
2001-09-04
Lee, Thomas (Department: 2182)
Electrical computers and digital data processing systems: input/
Input/output data processing
Peripheral configuration
C709S241000, C709S220000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286059
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing system having a plurality of mutually-connected devices with a display such as a computer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus and a filing device, to realize various functions.
Related Art
In conventional systems of this type, system operation is made from a predetermined device, and generally, the operation method directly controls the respective devices.
However, in the conventional system, in case many devices are incorporated into the system, an operator has to operate at the predetermined device to use utilization of the system. Further, since the operation directly controls the devices, the operator has to have intimate knowledge of the respective devices to make the best use of the system.
For example, in a case where a copying machine is connected to the system and remotely-controlled from a host computer, the operator has to go to the host computer since this operation cannot be controlled at another device. This is very inconvenient if the host computer is located far from the operator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as an object to solve the above problems. The present invention has the following construction as an embodiment to attain the above object.
That is, the embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system having a plurality of mutually-connected devices, each having a display, the devices realizing various functions, comprising function control means for controlling function of an arbitrary device of the system from the display of one of the devices, wherein the function control means displays selection state for selecting one by processing functions on the display of one of the devices regardless of the respective devices, and wherein one of the devices selected by selecting one of the processing functions performs the processing by assigning the processing to the appropriate one of the devices.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system connected to a plurality of devices, each having a display, the devices realizing various functions, comprising function control means for controlling a function of an arbitrary one of the devices constructing the system from the display of one of the devices, wherein said function control means performs mutual transmission of the content of an operation among the devices for enabling addition/deletion/correction of the content of the operation at the respective devices.
For example, a predetermined ID number is added to the content of an operation, and the content of an operation is read out from any of the devices by the ID number.
The construction of the above embodiments enables control of one of the devices constructing the system from another one of the devices. In addition, since the method for the control is selecting a processing function from the respective operation units, it is not necessary that the operator understand the functions performable by the respective devices. The operator can simply select a desired function and the system automatically assigns the processing to an appropriate device. Otherwise, the devices share the execution of processing when the processing is complicated. Thus, processing fully utilizing the system can be performed.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.
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Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Du Thuan
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lee Thomas
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