Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing – Processing control
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-24
2001-11-13
Hjerpe, Richard (Department: 2674)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: processing
Processing control
C712S200000, C714S034000, C709S249000, C709S250000, C358S001130, C358S001150
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317823
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information processing for use in a system in which one apparatus is connected to other apparatus.
Description of the Related Art
When various processes are executed in an environment where a plurality of apparatus are available, it has hitherto been conventional that the user selects the apparatus suitable for each of various processes to be executed, and instructs the selected apparatus to execute the corresponding process.
In the case of printing information created by a computer, for example, if the computer is connected to a plurality of printers through a network or the like, the user can operate the computer to instruct or designate the printer from which data is to be output, so that the data is printed by the specified printer.
The above related art has however had a problem that if the specified apparatus cannot execute the instructed process at all, or completely, because of some failure or deficiency of any function, the process instructed cannot be achieved as intended by the user.
For solving such problem, it has been required for the user to confirm the result of the process and to instruct the same process or an additional process again to another apparatus if the original result is unsatisfactory.
Further, even when there is another apparatus which is more suitable for achieving the intended process than the apparatus instructed by the user, the process can be executed only by the apparatus instructed by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is therefore to provide an information processing system and method which can relieve the burden of operation required of the user for achieving the purpose of a process.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an information processing system and method which can relieve the burden of operation required of the user for achieving the purpose of a process, and can utilize the optimum one of available apparatus resources.
According to one aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to an information processing system made up of a plurality of apparatus, at least one of the apparatus comprising receiving means for receiving information, analyzing means for analyzing the received information, and deciding means for deciding, based on a result from the analyzing means, a process instructed by the user and an apparatus instructed to execute the process. An instructing means is for instructing another apparatus to execute the process, a recognizing means recognizes a situation, and a determining means for determines, based on the analysis result and the situation, whether the instructed process is to be executed by the instructed apparatus. An inquiring means issues an inquiry to the user when the determining means determines the instructed process is not to be executed by the instructed apparatus.
According to another aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to an information processing method in which information is received and analyzed, and based on result of the analyzing step, a process instructed by the user and an apparatus instructed to execute the process, a decision is made; and if so decided, another apparatus is instructed to execute the process. The situation is recognized, and based on the analyzed result and the situation, a determination is made as to whether the instructed process is to be executed by the instructed apparatus, and if not an inquiry is issued to the user
According to still another aspect, the present invention which achieves these objectives relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing an information processing program for controlling a computer to perform the above-mentioned steps.
Other objectives and advantages besides those discussed above will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of preferred embodiments of the invention which follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and which illustrate an example of the invention. Such example, however, is not exhaustive of the various embodiments of the invention, and therefore reference is made to the claims which follow the description for determining the scope of the invention.
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Fujii Ken-ichi
Ibaraki Shouichi
Jeyachandran Suresh
Rohra Suda Aruna
Takayama Masayuki
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Hjerpe Richard
Monestime Mackly
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