JP2001150763A - Printer, computer, printing system, controlling method for computer, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give an instruction for a disposition against the trouble of a printer from a computer. SOLUTION: When a paper jamming develops in a printer 10, an error screen 40 is displayed on the display of a computer 20. By depressing a paper feeding switch 42 of the error screen 40 by a user, the predetermined amount of a forced paper feeding can be realized by the printer 10. Further, when no paper jamming of the printer 10 is solved through the forced paper feeding, the user executes the ON/OFF operation of a power source necessary for manually removing the jammed paper from the printer 10 by a power source off switch 44 and a power source on switch 46 of the error screen 40.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for processing a problem occurring in a printer, and more particularly to a processing technique capable of performing processing for eliminating a problem occurring in a printer based on an instruction from a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an error such as a paper jam occurs in a conventional printer such as an ink jet printer or a laser printer, the error is cleared by an operation panel provided in the printer. For example, when a paper jam error occurs in the printer, the user presses the forced paper feed switch on the operation panel provided on the printer to forcibly feed the jammed paper by a predetermined amount to eliminate the paper jam. Was. Further, if the paper jam cannot be eliminated by the forced paper feeding, the user turns off the power of the printer, opens the printer cover, and removes the jammed paper by hand. Then, after the jammed paper is removed, the printer is turned on so that the printer can perform normal printing.

When an error occurs in the printer when there is no paper for printing, the user replenishes paper in a paper feed tray of the printer and presses a paper feed switch on an operation panel provided in the printer. Was. As a result, the printer performs a paper feeding operation and is in a state where normal printing can be performed.

[0004]

However, there is a problem that it is inconvenient for the user to operate the operation panel of the printer every time in order to solve the problem which has occurred in the printer.

For example, if a paper jam occurs in a state where the printer and the computer are installed at some distance from each other, the user has to go to the place where the printer is installed in order to press the forced paper feed switch. .

If the paper jam does not clear even after the forced paper feeding, the printer is turned off and the jammed paper is removed by hand. However, the power-off operation must be performed to the printer. I couldn't do it. Further, after the jammed paper is removed, the printer cannot be turned on without directly operating the printer.

On the other hand, after the printer runs out of paper and the user supplies paper to the paper feed tray of the printer, the only operation to start the paper feeding operation to the printer is to directly operate the operation panel of the printer. Was.

Thus, in a conventional printer,
When a problem occurs in the printer, the user has to go to the printer and perform necessary operations, and there is a problem that the usability of the user is not good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide a trouble handling technique for a printer which improves the usability of a user. In other words, it is an object of the present invention to provide a failure handling technique that enables a computer to perform necessary printer operations when a failure occurs in a printer.

[0010]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a printer according to the present invention notifies a computer of the trouble when a trouble relating to printing occurs.
After notifying the computer of the defect, the defect notifying unit, and when receiving an instruction to resolve the defect from the computer, performing a process for eliminating the defect, a resolution processing unit, Features. As a result, the user can know that a problem has occurred in the printer on the display or the like of the computer, and can instruct the printer to perform a process necessary for solving the problem from the computer. .

In this case, when the malfunction is a paper jam, the resolution processing means forcibly removes the paper jam by a predetermined amount when receiving an instruction for forcibly feeding a predetermined amount of paper from the computer. Paper may be fed. Thus, the user can instruct the printer to forcibly feed the paper from the computer.

Further, the printer further comprises a normal state notifying means for notifying the computer of returning to a normal state when the paper jam is eliminated by feeding the paper by a predetermined amount by the paper feeding means. It may be provided. As a result, the user can know that the paper jam has been eliminated by the forced paper feeding on the display of the computer or the like.

Further, when the printer receives the power-off instruction from the computer after notifying the computer of the problem, the printer includes at least a functional part necessary to receive the instruction from the computer.
Power-off means for turning off its own power; and power-on means for turning on its own power when an instruction to turn on power is received from the computer in the off-state. You may do so. Thus, if the paper jam is not resolved by the forced paper feeding, the user can perform the power on / off operation of the printer necessary for manually removing the jammed paper from the computer.

In the case where the problem is that there is no paper, the solution processing means may perform a paper feeding operation when receiving a failure recovery instruction from the computer. As a result, the user can instruct the paper feeding operation of the printer after the paper is supplied to the paper feeding tray of the printer from the computer.

Further, the printer may further include a normal state notifying means for notifying the computer that the state has returned to the normal state when the sheet is normally fed by the sheet feeding operation. This allows the user to know on the display of the computer or the like that the absence of paper has been resolved.

The computer according to the present invention comprises: a failure receiving means for receiving a notification of the failure from the printer when a failure relating to printing of the printer occurs; Display means for instructing the printer to perform a process for solving the problem, a display means, and a process for solving the problem in the printer when the problem solution switch is pressed. Tell them to do
And a cancellation processing instruction means. As described above, the present invention can be applied to a computer, and the same operation as described above can be obtained.

A printing system according to the present invention is a printing system having a computer and a printer connected to the computer for performing printing, wherein when a printing-related problem occurs in the printer, the problem is reported to the printer. When notifying the computer from the above, a failure notification means, when the notification of the failure is received,
Display means for displaying a trouble elimination switch for instructing the printer to perform the process for resolving the problem, and instructing the printer to perform the process for resolving the problem from the computer. , A cancellation processing instruction means.
As described above, the present invention can be applied to a computer, and the same operation as described above can be obtained.

Further, the present invention can be similarly realized as a control method for a printer, a computer, and a printing system.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is intended to enable a computer to give an instruction to a printer to deal with a problem related to an error such as a paper jam or paper empty. This will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system according to the present embodiment includes a printer 10 and a computer 20. The printer 10 is a printer capable of automatically feeding a plurality of cut sheets continuously and automatically feeding continuous paper in which a plurality of printing sheets are continuously connected. The printer 10 includes a laser printer, an ink jet printer, and the like.

The printer 10 is an IEEE 1284.4 printer.
Is connected to the computer 20 via a cable 30. This IEEE 1284.
4 standard, the printer 10 and the computer 20
A data channel 32 and a control channel 34 are provided as logical channels between the data channel 32 and the data channel 32.

The data channel 32 is a logical channel for transmitting and receiving print data between the printer 10 and the computer 20. For example, the printer 10 performs printing by transmitting print data using the data channel 32.

The control channel 34 is connected to the printer 1
This is a logical channel for transmitting and receiving control data between 0 and the computer 20. For example, a paper jam error status signal transmitted to the computer 20 when the printer 10 has a paper jam, and a paper out error status signal transmitted to the computer 20 when the printer 10 runs out of paper are transmitted and received.

Next, an overall processing operation when a paper jam occurs in the printing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an error screen 40 displayed on the display of the computer 20 when a paper jam has occurred in the printer 10. FIG. 3 shows that the user presses the paper feed switch 42 on the error screen 40. Printer and computer 20 when paper jam is eliminated by
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing transmission and reception of control data between the printer 10 and the computer 20 when a paper jam is cleared by the user pressing the power-off switch 44 and the power-on switch 46 on the error screen 40. FIG.

First, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a description will be given of the processing of the entire printing system in the case where a paper jam is eliminated by the printer 10 feeding a predetermined amount of paper.

As shown in FIG. 2, when a paper jam occurs in the printer 10, an error screen 40 is displayed on the display of the computer 20. In this error screen 40,
The paper feed switch 42, the power off switch 44, and the power on switch 46 are displayed together with necessary messages. The paper feed switch 42, the power supply off switch 44, and the power supply on switch 46 are deemed, for example, to be pressed by the user operating the mouse to move the pointer over these switches and clicking.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a paper jam occurs in the printer 10, the printer 10
Then, a paper jam error status signal is transmitted using the control channel 34. The computer 20 that has received the paper jam error status signal displays an error screen 40 shown in FIG. 2 on its display.

When the error screen 40 is displayed, first, the user presses the paper feed switch 42 on the error screen 40. When the paper feed switch 42 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a paper jam recovery command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 as shown in FIG.
The printer 10 that has received the paper jam recovery command,
Execute a predetermined amount of paper feed. The predetermined amount of paper is fed by, for example, operating an actuator such as a motor to try to forcibly feed the paper by 10 cm.
The reason why the paper feed amount is limited to the predetermined amount is that if the paper feed is continued forcibly, the degree of paper jam may be rather deteriorated. In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the paper jam has been eliminated by the predetermined amount of paper feeding. The printer 10 in which the paper jam has been cleared is sent to the computer 20 via the control channel 3.
4 to transmit a normal status signal. The computer 20 that has received the normal status signal recognizes that the paper jam in the printer 10 has been cleared, and deletes the error screen 40 on the display.

The above is a case where a paper jam is eliminated by feeding a predetermined amount of paper by the printer 10.
Based on FIGS. 2 and 4, a description will be given of processing of the entire printing system in a case where a paper jam has not been eliminated by feeding a predetermined amount of paper.

As shown in FIG. 3, when a paper jam occurs in the printer 10, the printer 10
Then, a paper jam error status signal is transmitted using the control channel 34. The computer 20 that has received the paper jam error status signal displays an error screen 40 shown in FIG. 2 on its display.

As described above, when the error screen 40 is displayed, first, the user presses the paper feed switch 42 on the error screen 40. When the paper feed switch 42 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a paper jam recovery command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 as shown in FIG. The printer 10 that has received the paper jam recovery command executes a predetermined amount of paper feed. This figure 3
In the example, it is assumed that the paper jam has not been eliminated by the first predetermined amount of paper feed. Therefore, the printer 10 transmits the paper jam error status signal to the computer 20 again using the control channel 34.

The error screen shown in FIG. 2 is still displayed on the display of the computer 20 receiving the paper jam error status signal. Therefore, the user presses the paper feed switch 42 again. When the paper feed switch 42 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a paper jam recovery command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 as shown in FIG. The printer 10 that has received the paper jam recovery command executes the second predetermined amount of paper feeding. In the example of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the paper jam has not been resolved by the second predetermined amount of paper feeding. For this reason, the printer 10 transmits a paper jam error status signal to the computer 20 using the control channel 34. The error screen shown in FIG. 2 remains on the display of the computer 20 that has received the paper jam error status signal.

If the paper jam does not clear even if the user presses the paper feed switch 42 several times, the user determines that the paper jam will not be solved by the forced paper feeding of the printer 10 and the user himself / herself. Judge that it is necessary to remove the jammed paper by hand. In this case, the user presses the power off switch 44 on the error screen 40. When the power-off switch 44 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a power-off command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 as shown in FIG.

The printer 10 that has received the power-off command turns off its own power. Here, the power off state of the printer 10 is an off state in which the power of the printer 10 can be turned on again by a power on command from the computer 10 as described later.
That is, the main power supply of the printer 10 is off, but the functional parts such as a circuit for receiving a command from the computer 20 are on. Due to this off state, the phase excitation of the motor for feeding the paper of the printer 10 is turned off, and the resistance of the motor for pushing out the paper, that is, the resistance of the roller is reduced. In this state, the user manually removes the paper jammed in the printer 10.

Next, the user operates the error screen 4 shown in FIG.
Press the 0 power-on switch 46. When the power-on switch 46 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a power-on command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34, as shown in FIG. The printer 10 that has received the power-on command turns on the power. As a result, the phase excitation of the motor is turned on, and the printer 10
Is ready for normal printing. In the present embodiment, the power-on command for turning on the power of the printer 10 is substituted by an initialization command for the printer 10. That is, the printer 10 that has received the initialization command as the power-on command performs processing necessary for starting up the printer 10, such as a necessary system check.

Next, referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the processing of the printer 10 and the computer 20 in the printing system when a paper jam has occurred will be described in detail.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the printer 10 side when a paper jam has occurred in the printer 10, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing on the computer 20 side when a paper jam has occurred on the printer 10. Programs related to these processes are stored in ROMs provided in the printer 10 and the computer 20, respectively.
(Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access memor)
y) etc., and store this program in the printer 1
0 and the CPU (Cent
ral processing unit) to read and execute.

First, the processing on the printer 10 side when a paper jam has occurred in the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, first, the printer 1
0 determines whether a paper jam error has occurred (step S10). If no paper jam error has occurred (step S10: No), the process of step S10 is repeated.

If a paper jam error has occurred in step S10 (step S10: Yes), the printer 10 sends a message to the computer 20 using the control channel 34.
Transmit a paper jam error status signal (step S
11).

Next, the printer 10 is connected to the computer 20.
It is determined whether or not a paper jam return command has been received from the printer (step S12). When the paper jam recovery command is received (step S12: Yes), the printer 10 executes a predetermined amount of paper feeding (step S1).
3). Next, the printer 10 determines whether the jammed paper has been removed (step S14). If the jammed paper has not been removed (step S14: No), the above-mentioned steps S11 to S11 are repeated.

If the jammed paper has been removed in step S14 (step S14: Yes), the printer 10 uses the control channel 34 to
A normal status signal is transmitted to 0. Then, the process returns to step S10 described above.

If the printer 10 does not receive the paper jam recovery command in step S12 described above (step S12: No), the printer 10 determines whether or not it has received a power-off command (step S16). . If the power-off command has not been received (step S16: No), the process returns to step S12 described above.

If a power-off command is received in step S16 (step S16: Yes), the printer 10 turns off its power (step S16).
17). As described above, the off state is an off state in which a power-on command can be received, and the phase excitation of the motor is in an off state. In this state, the user opens a cover or the like of a necessary portion of the printer 10 and removes the jammed paper.

Next, the printer 10 is connected to the computer 20.
It is determined whether a power-on command has been received from (step S19). If the power-on command has not been received (step S19: No), this step S
Step 19 is repeated.

If a power-on command is received in step S19 (step S19: Yes), the printer 10 turns on the power (step S2).
0). As a result, the motor is phase-excited, and is ready for normal printing.

The above is the processing on the printer 10 side when a paper jam occurs. Next, the processing on the computer 20 side when a paper jam occurs will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the computer 20 normally displays a normal screen (step S).
30). In this state, the computer 20
It is determined whether a paper jam error status signal has been received from 0 (step S31). When the paper jam error status signal has not been received (step S31: N
In o), the processing from step S30 described above is repeated.

In step S31, the computer 2
If it is determined that 0 has received the paper jam error status signal (step S31: Yes), an error screen 40 is displayed on the display (step S32).

Next, the computer 20 determines whether the user has pressed the paper feed switch 42 on the error screen 40 (step S33). If the paper feed switch 42 has been pressed (step S33: Yes), the computer 20 sends a paper jam recovery command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 (step S34).
Subsequently, the computer 20 determines whether a paper jam error status signal has been received from the printer 10 (step S35). If the paper jam error status signal has been received (step S35: Yes), it means that the paper jam has not been resolved, and the process returns to step S32 described above.

If the paper jam error status signal has not been received in step S35 (step S35: No), the computer 20 determines whether a normal status signal has been received from the printer 10 (step S36). ). If the normal status signal has not been received, the processing from step S35 described above is repeated.

If a normal status signal has been received in step S36 described above (step S36: Y
es) is the case where the paper jam has been resolved, so the process returns to step S30 described above.

If it is determined in step S33 that the user has not pressed the paper feed switch 42 on the error screen 40 (step S33: No), the computer 10 presses the power off switch 44 on the error screen 40. (Step S3)
7). If the power-off switch 44 has not been pressed (step S37: No), the above-described step S3
The process from 3 is repeated.

If the power-off switch 44 has been pressed in step S37, the computer 10 sends a power-off command to the printer 1 using the control channel 34.
Send to 0. Subsequently, the computer 20 determines whether the user has pressed the power-on switch 46 on the error screen 40. If the power-on switch 46 has not been pressed (step S39: No), this step S39
Step 39 is repeated.

In step S39, if the power-on switch 46 is pressed (step S39: Yes), the computer 20 transmits a power-on command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 (step S39).
40). As a result, the printer 10 enters a state in which printing can be performed normally, and the process returns to step S30 described above.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the overall operation of the printing system according to the present embodiment when a paper-out occurs will be described.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an error screen 50 displayed on the display of the computer 20 when the printer 10 runs out of paper, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating transmission and reception of control data between the printer 10 and the computer 20 when canceling.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the printer 10 runs out of paper, an error screen 50 is displayed on the display of the computer 20. On this error screen 50, a paper setting completion switch 52 is displayed together with a necessary message. The paper setting completion switch 52 is also deemed, for example, to be pressed by the user operating the mouse to move the pointer over the switch and clicking.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the printer 10 detects the absence of paper, the printer 10 sends a paper-out error status signal to the computer 20 using the control channel 34. The computer 20 having received the paper-out error status signal displays an error screen 50 shown in FIG. 7 on its display.

When the error screen 50 is displayed, the user sets print paper on the paper feed tray of the printer 10 by a predetermined method. The user who has set the printing paper presses the paper setting completion switch 52 on the error screen 50. When the paper setting completion switch 52 is pressed, the computer 20 transmits a paper-out error recovery command to the printer 10 using the control channel 34 as shown in FIG. The printer 10 that has received the no-paper error recovery command executes a paper feeding operation from the paper feeding tray. The printer 10 in which the paper has been successfully fed and the absence of the paper has been eliminated transmits a normal status signal to the computer 20 using the control channel 34. The computer 20 having received the normal status signal recognizes that the printer 10 has run out of paper, and deletes the error screen 50 on the display.

Next, the processing of the printer 10 and the computer 20 when the printer 10 runs out of paper in this printing system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process on the printer 10 side when the printer 10 runs out of paper. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process on the computer 20 side when the printer 10 runs out of paper. . Programs related to these processes are also stored in ROs provided in the printer 10 and the computer 20.
M (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access memo)
ry) etc., and store this program in the printer 1
0 and the CPU (Cent
ral processing unit) to read and execute.

First, the processing on the printer 10 side when the printer 10 runs out of paper will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 9, first, the printer 1
0 determines whether or not an out-of-paper error has occurred (step S50). If no paper-out error has occurred (step S50: No), the process of step S50 is repeated.

If a paper-out error has occurred in step S50 (step S51: Yes), the printer 10 transmits a paper-out error status signal to the computer 20 using the control channel 34 (step S51). . As a result, the error screen 50 is displayed on the display of the computer 20, and the user
Set paper in the No. 0 paper feed tray. Then, the user presses the paper setting completion switch 52 on the error screen 50, and transmits a paper-out error recovery command from the computer 20 to the printer 10. Therefore, the printer 10 determines whether or not a paper-out error recovery command has been received from the computer 20 (step S52). If no paper-out error recovery command has been received (step S52: N
In step o), the process of step S52 is repeated.

On the other hand, if a paper-out error recovery command is received in step S52 (step S5).
2: Yes), the printer 10 performs a paper feeding operation (step S53). Subsequently, the printer 10 determines whether the paper has been normally fed by the paper feeding operation (step S54). If the paper has not been fed normally (step S54: No), the process from step S51 described above is repeated because the paper-out error has not been resolved.

If the paper is normally fed in step S54 (step S54: Yes), the printer 10 sends a normal status signal to the computer 20 using the control channel 34. Then, the process returns to step S50 described above.

The above is the description of the printer 1 when the paper runs out.
The processing on the 0 side will be described next with reference to FIG.
Processing on the computer 20 side when paper runs out will be described.

As shown in FIG. 10, a normal screen is normally displayed on the computer 20 (step S60). In this state, the computer 20 determines whether a paper-out error status signal has been received from the printer 10 (step S61). If no paper-out error status signal is received (step S61: N
In o), the processing from step S60 described above is repeated.

In step S61, the computer 2
If it is determined that No. 0 has received the paper-out error status signal (step S61: Yes), the error screen 50 is displayed on the display (step S62). As described above, when the error screen 50 is displayed, the user recognizes that the printer 10 has run out of paper, and sets paper on the printer 10. The user who has finished setting the paper presses the paper setting completion switch 52.

For this reason, the computer 20 determines whether or not the user has pressed the paper setting completion switch 52 on the error screen 50 (step S63). When the paper setting completion switch 52 is not pressed (step S63: N
In o), the computer 20 repeats the process of step S63.

On the other hand, if the paper setting completion switch 63 has been pressed in step S63 (step S6).
3: Yes), the computer 20 sends the control channel 3
4 to send a paperless error return command to the printer 10
(Step S64). Subsequently, the computer 20 determines whether or not an out-of-paper error status signal has been received from the printer 10 (step S65). If the paper-out error status signal has been received (step S65: Yes), it means that the paper-out error has not been resolved, and the process returns to step S62 described above.

If it is determined in step S65 that the no-paper error status signal has not been received (step S65: No), the computer 20 determines whether a normal status signal has been received from the printer 10 (step S66). ). If the normal status signal has not been received, the processing from step S65 described above is repeated.

If a normal status signal has been received in step S66 described above (step S66: Ye
Since s) is the case where the absence of paper has been resolved, the process returns to the above-described step S60.

As described above, according to the printing system according to the present embodiment, even if a problem such as a paper jam error or a paper out error occurs in the
From the error screens 40 and 50 displayed on the display No. 0, it is possible to instruct processing on the printer 10 side necessary for error cancellation.

That is, when a paper jam error has occurred, the computer 20 sends a paper jam recovery command for instructing the printer 10 to feed a predetermined amount of paper,
Since a power-on command / power-off command for turning on / off the power supply 0 can be transmitted, the user can switch the paper feed switch 42 and the power-off switch 44 on the error screen 40.
By simply operating the power-on switch 46 and the power-on switch 46, it is possible to perform an operation on the printer 10 necessary for error cancellation. When a paper-out error occurs, the user simply presses the paper setting completion switch 52 on the error screen 50 after setting paper in the paper feed tray of the printer 10.
It is possible to perform an operation on the printer 10 necessary for error cancellation. For this reason, the user does not need to operate the operation panel of the printer 10 in order to clear the error, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

Further, by doing so, the user can instruct the printer 10 to perform a process necessary for clearing the error of the printer 10 without providing an operation panel on the printer 10. The operation panel can be omitted.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example, the present invention can be applied to a fatal error which is a relatively fatal error among the defects generated by the printer 10.

For each process described in the above embodiment, a program for executing each of the processes is stored in a floppy disk, CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Rea
d Only Memory), a ROM, a memory card, and the like, and can be distributed in the form of a recording medium. In this case, the above-described embodiment can be realized by causing the printer 10 or the computer 20 to read and execute the recording medium on which the program is recorded.

The printer 10 and the computer 20
May have other programs, such as an operating system or another application program. In this case, by utilizing another program provided in the printer 10 or the computer 20, a command for calling a program for realizing the same processing as that of the present embodiment from among the programs provided in the printer 10 or the computer 20 on the recording medium May be recorded.

Further, such a program can be distributed not as a recording medium but as a carrier through a network. The program transmitted on the network in the form of a carrier wave is taken into the printer 10 or the computer 20, and the above-described embodiment can be realized by executing the program.

Further, when a program is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted as a carrier over a network, the program may be encrypted or compressed.
In this case, the printer 10 or the computer 20 which has read the program from the recording medium or the carrier wave needs to execute the program after decrypting or expanding the program.

[0083]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a printing problem occurs, the problem is notified to the computer, and the computer can issue an instruction to resolve the problem.
The convenience of the user of the printer can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen displayed on a display of a computer when a paper jam occurs in a printer.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating transmission and reception of control data between a printer and a computer when a paper jam is resolved by a user pressing a paper feed switch on an error screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating transmission and reception of control data between a printer and a computer when a paper jam is resolved by a user pressing a power-off switch and a power-on switch on an error screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a CPU of the printer when a paper jam occurs in the printer.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a CPU of a computer when a paper jam occurs in a printer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen displayed on a display of a computer when the printer runs out of print paper.

FIG. 8 shows the printer 10 and the computer 20 when a user supplies paper to the printer 10 to eliminate the error.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing transmission and reception of control data during the transmission.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the CPU of the printer when the printer runs out of print paper.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process executed by the CPU of the computer when the printer runs out of print paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Printer 20 Computer 30 Cable 32 Data Channel 34 Control Channel 40 Error Screen 42 Paper Feed Switch 44 Power Off Switch 46 Power On Switch 50 Error Screen 52 Paper Setting Complete Switch

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A failure notifying means for notifying a computer of the failure when a failure relating to printing has occurred, and receiving an instruction for eliminating the failure from the computer after notifying the computer of the failure. And a solution processing means for performing a process for solving the problem. 2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein said malfunction notifying means notifies said computer of a paper jam when said printing paper is jammed.
The printer according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the canceling processing means for forcibly feeding the paper sheet of the paper jam by a predetermined amount when receiving an instruction to forcibly feed the paper sheet by a predetermined amount from the computer. The printer according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A normal state notifying means for notifying the computer of a return to a normal state when a paper jam is eliminated by performing an operation for feeding a predetermined amount of paper by the paper feeding means. The printer according to claim 3, further comprising: 5. When the power-off instruction is received from the computer after notifying the computer of the malfunction, at least the functional part necessary for receiving the instruction from the computer is removed, and the power supply of the computer itself is removed. A power-off means for turning off the power supply; and a power-on means for turning on its own power when receiving a power-on instruction from the computer in the off-state. Claims 2 to 4
The printer according to any of the above. 6. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the failure notifying unit notifies the computer that there is no paper when the paper for printing runs out. 7. The printer according to claim 6, wherein said resolution processing means performs an operation for feeding paper when receiving an instruction for restoration from the computer. 8. A normal state notifying means for notifying the computer that the paper has returned to a normal state when the paper is normally fed by performing an operation for feeding the paper. The printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: 9. A trouble receiving means for receiving a notice of the trouble from the printer when a trouble relating to printing of the printer occurs, and for solving the trouble when receiving the notice of the trouble. Display means for displaying a trouble solving switch for instructing the printer to perform the processing, and when the user presses the trouble solving switch, the printer performs processing for solving the trouble. A computer comprising: 10. A printing system comprising a computer and a printer connected to the computer for performing printing, wherein when a printing problem occurs in the printer, the printer notifies the computer of the problem. A failure notifying unit, when the computer receives the notification of the failure, displaying a failure elimination switch for instructing the printer to perform processing for eliminating the failure, a display unit, A printing system, comprising: a canceling process instructing unit that instructs the printer to perform a process for solving the problem when the user presses the problem solving switch. 11. A trouble receiving step for receiving a notice of the trouble from the printer when a trouble relating to printing of the printer occurs, and for resolving the trouble when receiving the notice of the trouble. A first display step of displaying a trouble clearing switch for instructing the printer to perform a process; and when the user presses the trouble clearing switch, the printer performs a process for clearing the trouble. A method for controlling a computer, comprising: a step of instructing to perform the operation. 12. The computer control method according to claim 11, wherein in the failure notifying step, a notification that the printing paper is jammed is received from the printer. 13. The canceling process instructing step instructs the printer to forcibly feed a predetermined amount of paper.
13. The computer control method according to claim 12, wherein: 14. A normal state receiving step for receiving, from the printer, a return to a normal state when a paper jam is eliminated by feeding a predetermined amount of paper by the paper feeding means. The method for controlling a computer according to claim 13, wherein: 15. A manual switch for instructing the printer to perform necessary processing for removing jammed paper by the user as necessary.
A display step; and when the user presses the user switch, a manual processing instruction step for instructing the printer to perform processing necessary for removing the jammed paper by the user himself. The computer control method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein: 16. In the second display step, a power-off switch and a power-on switch are displayed. In the manual processing instruction step, when the user presses the power-off switch, the power of the printer is turned off. 16. The computer control method according to claim 15, wherein the instruction is given, and when the user presses the power-on switch, the power-on instruction is given to the printer. 17. A recording medium on which a program for controlling a printer connected to a computer is recorded, wherein when a problem related to printing of the printer occurs,
A failure receiving step of receiving the notification of the failure from the printer; and, when receiving the notification of the failure, a failure elimination switch for instructing the printer to perform processing for eliminating the failure. Executing a first display step of displaying, and instructing the printer to perform a process for solving the malfunction when the user presses the malfunction solving switch, the solving process instructing step to the computer. A recording medium on which a program for causing a program to be executed is recorded.