JP2006181735A - Data outputting apparatus and information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid giving a serious influence to an operation of a software, for example, of a host computer or the like, and to provide a safer and stabler system. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 204 receives access information showing an access condition from a PC 200 to data in a memory card, and switches a method for controlling an electric power source function of the printer 204 based on the access information received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data output apparatus and an information processing apparatus applied to a printing system capable of direct printing processing, for example.

  A recent printer includes a card slot for inserting a recording medium used in a digital camera or the like and an operation panel for receiving a print setting instruction from a user, and is connected to a host computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a PC). Some printers have a function of printing a digital image on a recording medium (for example, a memory card) without using a printer. Hereinafter, such print processing by a single printer may be referred to as direct printing.

  Some printers display image data recorded on a recording medium on a liquid crystal display device included in the printer, and can set and print using the operation panel while viewing the display.

  Further, when this printer and a PC are connected by a communication interface such as Universal Serial Bus (hereinafter abbreviated as USB), there is a printer memory card that can be used as a removable storage device.

  For example, when a printer and a PC are connected by USB, the PC and the printer each correspond to a communication protocol conforming to the USB Mass Storage Class specification, so that the software on the PC can transfer the data on the recording medium of the printer. It can be accessed as a removable drive file.

  In other words, when the user operates application software on the PC, the image data recorded on the memory card of the printer is directly edited, transferred to the hard disk that is a storage device of the PC, and further recorded on the hard disk of the PC. Can be transferred to the memory card of the printer.

  In general, the printer is configured to be able to execute direct printing even when the host computer and the printer are connected, as in the case of no connection. The USB Mass Storage Class is a classification of devices belonging to the removable storage device among USB devices, and is defined as an additional communication protocol of the USB Mass Storage Class specification in addition to the USB communication protocol.

  Other USB Class specifications include a Human Interface Device (HID) Class specification that classifies input devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a Printer Class specification that classifies printing devices.

  In communication between a PC and a device that conforms to the USB Mass Storage Class communication protocol, commands for reading and writing are interpreted by the PC and the device, but the data content, that is, the data structure of the file included in the data is stored in the PC. The device is characterized in that it is managed and interpreted only on the device side, and the device side does not interpret the contents of the data, and writes and reads data on a recording medium such as a memory card.

  For example, when one image file is written from an application software operating on a PC to a memory card of a printer compatible with USB Mass Storage Class, one or a plurality of the write commands are transmitted from the PC to the printer. The printer only records to the memory card according to the command, and does not interpret the number of recorded files or the contents of the files.

JP 2001-1111928 A

  However, in the conventional printer, when the recording medium file is opened from the PC application software and the printer is turned off, the access from the PC to the printer recording medium is blocked, and the PC application software operates. It could have a serious impact.

  Similarly, when direct printing is performed with a recording medium file opened from the PC application software, the image file to be printed is updated or deleted from the PC application software during the direct printing process. In some cases, there was a problem that printing could not be performed correctly.

  As described above, the printers that support USB Mass Storage Class interpret these problems, although they interpret the control commands themselves for writing data to the recording media and reading data from the recording media. And the state of the application software that is the data issuer (the state in which the application software is opening a file in the recording medium, etc.).

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to avoid a serious influence on the operation of software such as a host computer, and to provide a safer and more stable system.

  Another object of the present invention is to prevent deficiencies in data output processing.

  A first aspect of the data output device of the present invention is a data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted, the data output device A power function control means for controlling a power function of the apparatus; and an access information receiving means for receiving access information indicating an access state of the data from the external apparatus. The power function control means includes the access information in the access information. Based on this, the control method of the power supply function is switched.

  An information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to a data output apparatus capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted, and performs an access process on the data Access processing means, detection means for detecting the status of access processing by the access processing means, and access information transmission means for transmitting access information indicating a detection result by the detection means to the data output device. Features.

  A first aspect of the data output device control method of the present invention is a data output device control method that is connected to an external device via a communication network and is capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted. An access information receiving step for receiving access information indicating an access state from the external device to the data; and a control method switching step for switching a control method of a power supply function of the data output device based on the access information; It is characterized by including.

  A method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to the present invention is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to a data output apparatus capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted. An access processing step for performing access processing to the data; a detection step for detecting the status of the access processing in the access processing step; and access information transmission for transmitting access information indicating a detection result of the detection step to the data output device And a step.

  According to a first aspect of the program of the present invention, a computer executes the method for controlling the information processing apparatus.

  A second aspect of the data output device of the present invention is a data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted, the data output device Power supply function control means for controlling the power supply function of the apparatus, and determination means for determining whether or not the external device is accessing the data, wherein the power supply function control means The control method of the power supply function is switched according to the determination as to whether access is being made.

  A second aspect of the data output device of the present invention is a control method for a data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be attached, In accordance with a determination step of determining whether or not the external device is accessing the data, and a method of controlling the power supply function of the data output device according to determination of whether or not the external device is accessing the data And a control method switching step for switching.

  According to a second aspect of the program of the present invention, the computer is caused to execute the first or second aspect of the method for controlling the data output apparatus.

  The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is characterized in that the first or second aspect of the program is recorded.

  According to the present invention, for example, the control method of the power supply function of the data output device is switched based on the access information indicating the access state to the data in the recording medium from the external device such as the host computer. Even when there is an instruction to turn off the power of the data output device or when the power is automatically turned off, the power is not turned off when the external device is accessing the data. By switching to such a control method, it is possible to avoid a serious influence on the operation of the software of the external device, and to provide a safer and more stable system.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the control method of the data output process according to the operation content by the operation means is switched based on the access information, for example, there is an instruction for the data output process from the operation means. Even when the data is accessed from an external device, the control method is switched so as not to output the data, and the data is updated or deleted by access from the external device during the output process. It is possible to prevent deficiencies in data output processing.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments to which the invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  A printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printing system in which a printer and a PC each having a communication interface for transmitting and receiving information to and from each other are communicably connected. In particular, a USB interface is used as a communication interface between the PC and the printer. Prepare each.

  The printer includes a card slot for inserting a memory card, which is a recording medium used in a digital camera, and an operation panel for receiving a print setting instruction from a user. The printer alone is not connected to a PC. It has a direct printing function for printing a digital image on a memory card.

  In the printing system of this embodiment, the PC and the printer each correspond to a communication protocol conforming to the USB Mass Storage Class specification, and the data on the printer memory card is transferred from the application software on the PC as a file on the removable drive. It is configured to be accessible.

  Next, features of the USB Mass Storage Class specification and a device that supports USB Mass Storage Class (USB Mass Storage Class device) will be described.

  The USB Mass Storage Class communication protocol is defined by quoting the command set for existing storage devices. Specifically, the USB Mass Storage Class communication protocol defines the data structure of a USB wrapper and its data communication method for communicating an existing command set such as a SCSI command between a PC and a device according to the USB communication protocol. Has been.

An example of the existing command set used in the USB Mass Storage Class communication protocol is shown below.
・ Reduced Block Commands (RBC)
・ Multi-Media Command Set 2 (MMC-2)
・ SCSI Primary Commands-2 (SPC-2)

  The USB Mass Storage Class device (printer in this embodiment) interprets the data structure of the USB wrapper and the existing command set, and executes processing according to the command. Table 1 below shows an example of SCSI Primary Commands-2 (SPC-2) and Reduced Block Commands (RBC) commands and command descriptions in the existing command set.

  In the USB Mass Storage Class device, reading of data from the recording medium in the above command example is executed by, for example, a READ (6) command, and similarly writing of data to the recording medium is executed by, for example, a WRITE (6) command. .

  The contents of data read and written by the READ (6) and WRITE (6) commands are different from the specifications of the above existing command set, such as File Allocation Table (FAT) file system and Design rule for Camera File system ( Follow a format defined by a given file format such as DCF) file system.

  The USB Mass Storage Class device does not analyze the contents of the data according to the above file format specified by the READ (6) and WRITE (6) commands, and does not analyze the data from the location on the recording medium specified by the command. Read and write data to a location on the recording medium.

  As described above, the USB Mass Storage Class device is characterized in that it interprets the commands for reading and writing, but does not interpret the contents of the data, that is, the file format such as a file included in the data.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As an example, an information processing apparatus (including a PC: a display device 201, a controller 202, an input device 203) 200, a digital camera, and the like The image data of a predetermined standard stored in a memory card, which is a recording medium mounted on the memory card, is read out and printed directly, or the memory can communicate with a digital camera mounted with the memory card via a predetermined interface. An example is shown in which a USB interface 208 is connected to, for example, an inkjet printer (printer 204) having a direct printing function for reading out and directly printing image data of a predetermined standard stored in a card.

  In the printer 204 shown in FIG. 2, reference numeral 205 denotes a card slot into which a memory card such as a compact flash (registered trademark) attached to a digital camera (not shown) is inserted. Reference numeral 206 denotes an operation panel on which various operation keys are arranged, and a print format can be set by instructing a print setting menu displayed on the liquid crystal display device 207.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a detailed configuration of the operation panel 206 of the printer 204 of FIG. In the operation panel 300 of FIG. 3 (corresponding to the operation panel 206 of FIG. 2), 301 is a liquid crystal display device (corresponding to the liquid crystal display device 207 of FIG. 2), which displays a print setting menu, image display, various warnings, error messages, and the like. indicate. In the operation panel 300, reference numeral 302 denotes a power button, which is used to switch the printer power ON / OFF.

  A reset button 303 is used for reset processing such as error cancellation and paper discharge. A print button 308 is used for a direct print start operation. Reference numeral 309 denotes a cancel button, which is used for canceling direct printing.

  A print setting button 304 is used to display a print setting menu such as a paper type and print quality on the liquid crystal display device 301. A cross key 305 and an OK button 306 are used for selecting a print menu displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301 and responding to various messages. Reference numeral 307 denotes an enlargement / reduction button, which is used for enlargement / reduction of an image when the image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301.

  The liquid crystal display device 301 and various buttons are examples of the configuration of the operation panel, and may be configured by other buttons, LEDs, and the like.

  In FIG. 2, the memory card inserted into the card slot 205 of the printer 204 is initialized with a predetermined file format such as a DCF file system by a digital camera or the like as described above, and image data is recorded as a file according to the file format. Has been.

  The printer 204 can print the image data on the memory card by performing print settings on the operation panel 206 when a memory card in which image data captured by the digital camera is recorded as a file is inserted into the card slot 205. Even without using the PC 200, the printer 204 alone can print on the paper, layout, quality, etc. in which the image data is designated.

  The system of the PC 200 and the printer 204 corresponds to the USB Mass Storage Class-Bulk Only communication protocol, which is a standard communication protocol for USB removable devices, and is recorded on the memory card of the printer 204 from the application software operating on the PC 200. Is configured to be accessible to data.

  A series of file accesses such as file access preparation processing, file access end processing, file read processing, file write processing, and the like of the file recorded on the memory card of the printer 204 from the application software of the PC 200 are detected. The PC 200 is provided with file access detection means for this purpose.

  The printer 204 changes the printer power OFF function according to the file access information detected by the file access detection means of the PC 200. When a file access from the PC 200 to the memory card of the printer 204 is being executed, if the user detects a power OFF operation by pressing the power button 302 on the operation panel 206, a warning message is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301 provided in the printer 204. Display and alert the user.

  Similarly, when a file access from the PC 200 to the memory card of the printer 204 is being executed, if a direct print operation is detected by the user pressing the print button 308 on the operation panel 206, the liquid crystal display device 301 provided in the printer 204 is detected. A warning message is displayed to alert the user.

  In FIG. 2, a printer driver is installed in the PC 200, and various data such as documents and images are converted into printer commands from an application running on the PC 200 and transmitted to the printer 204, so that printing is possible.

  As described above, in the printing system of the present embodiment, the printer 204 having a card slot and capable of direct printing is connected to the PC 200 via USB, and the file to the memory card inserted into the card slot of the printer 204 from the application software of the PC 200 If access has occurred, the printer power OFF and direct printing operations are restricted to provide a safer printing system.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of a PC 101 (corresponding to the PC 200 in FIG. 2) and a printer 111 (corresponding to the printer 204 in FIG. 2) of the printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a PC 101 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102 that calculates, determines, and controls data and instructions, and a RAM 103, ROM 104, and hard disk 105 that store an operating system (hereinafter abbreviated as OS) and other control programs. A communication interface 106 for performing data communication with a storage device such as USB, SCSI, or wireless, an input device for a keyboard 107 or a mouse 108 used as a user interface, a graphic controller, a CRT, or a liquid crystal display And a system bus 110. It is assumed that the hard disk 105 stores an OS, application software 402, and a program for causing the CPU 102 to execute the function as the file access detection unit.

  The printer 111 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 112 that calculates, determines, and controls data and instructions, a RAM 114 that is used as a temporary storage area for various data and a print buffer, and a read-only storage for the OS and other control programs. ROM 115, which is an area, a non-volatile memory (EEPROM) 116 used as a storage area for printer engine information, a communication interface 113 for bidirectional communication with the PC 101, and a memory card controller for reading data from the memory card 117, an operation panel 119 and an operation panel controller 118 including various buttons and switches, LEDs, and a liquid crystal display device used for power-on, reset, various print settings, print start, print stop, and the like, an image processing ASIC, and the like Con A roller 120, LF motor, the carriage motor, a printer engine 121 and the system bus 122 including the print head and various sensors.

  In the printing system of this embodiment, communication between the PC 101 and the printer 111 uses USB, and the communication interface 106 of the PC 101 and the communication interface 113 of the printer 111 are used for sending and receiving USB control commands in the USB data transfer method. It corresponds to the control transfer method and the bulk transfer method suitable for large-capacity data transfer.

  Furthermore, both the PC 101 and the printer 111 are compatible with two communication protocols of USB Printer Class and USB Mass Storage Class-Bulk Only using the control transfer method and the bulk transfer method.

  4 is a block diagram showing a data processing configuration in the printing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, where 401 shows the data processing configuration in the printer 101, and 409 shows the data processing configuration in the PC 111.

  In FIG. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a data processing configuration of a control program that is stored in the hard disk 105 of the PC 101, loaded into the RAM 103 that is a temporary storage area at a predetermined stage, and executed by the CPU 102.

  4, reference numeral 409 denotes a data processing configuration of a control circuit which is stored in the ROM 115 of the printer 111 and executed by the CPU 112 at a predetermined timing and a control circuit including various controllers.

  Hereinafter, a control program operating on the PC 101 and its data processing configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, application software 402 is a general software program for displaying a list of files on a memory card inserted in the card slot (205 in FIG. 2) of the printer 111 and editing each file.

  The application software 402 accesses the data on the memory card of the printer 111 as a file. When accessing, the application software 402 first performs a file open process as a preparation process. In the file open process, path information and a file name that are virtual storage locations of a file are designated as parameters, and an application programming interface (API) provided by the OS is called.

  In the file open process, an access right at the time of file access and a file access attribute such as read-only or writable are also specified as parameters.

  After the file open process, the application software 402 designates the number of bytes from the beginning of the file, and performs a data read process and a data write process on the designated area of the file.

  When the file access ends, the application software 402 performs a file close process that is a file access end process.

  The data read process, data write process, and file close process described above are executed by calling an API provided by the OS in the same manner as the file open process.

  In FIG. 4, one application software 402 is illustrated, but the present embodiment can also be applied to a case where a plurality of different application softwares perform the same processing in parallel.

  The file system 404 divides and manages the physical data of the memory card of the printer 111 as a file which is a unit of a virtual data string, and writes data in the file unit and reads data from the application software 402 in the memory. The physical position information on the card is converted into designated data writing and data reading, and a read command and a write command are transmitted to the USB Mass Storage Class driver 405. Therefore, the file system 404 has a function of interpreting a predetermined format format of data recorded on the memory card.

  For the read command and the write command, for example, a predetermined command set such as the SCSI command set shown in Table 1 is used. Hereinafter, a command generated by the file system 404 is referred to as a SCSI command.

  The USB Mass Storage Class driver 405 converts the SCSI command generated by the file system 404 into a control command and a Command Status Wrapper (CSW) in accordance with the command block wrapper (CBW) data structure defined by the USB Mass Storage Class convention. The status command is converted into a status command according to the data structure, and the command is transmitted to and received from the printer 111 via lower drivers such as the USB hub driver 406 and the USB host controller 407.

  The USB host controller 407 and the USB hub driver 406 are control programs for controlling a USB interface for performing bidirectional communication using USB, and are generally incorporated in the OS 403.

  In FIG. 4, a file access detection unit 408 is a resident service program that monitors file access of the memory card of the printer 111 and starts when the OS 403 starts up and ends when the operating system 403 shuts down.

  The file access detection unit 408 detects whether the application software 402 is opening a file on the memory card of the printer 111 using a function provided by the file system 404.

  For example, the file system 404 provides a function of stopping the power supply to the memory card, that is, issuing a SCSI command for removing the memory card to the printer 111, and a file on the memory card is opened as a preparation function. It also provides a volume lock function to check whether or not The file access detection means 408 can detect file access using this volume lock function.

  The volume lock function corresponds to a delayed write function that is an optimization process of the storage device IO executed by the file system 404, and is a data read SCSI command that is asynchronous with the file open / close timing of the application software 402. Even when a write SCSI command is transmitted to the printer 111, it can be determined that a file is being accessed, which is suitable for detection of file access described in the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the file access detection unit 408 is configured as a service program different from that of the file system 404 will be described. However, the same processing may be performed as part of the processing of the file system 404.

  When the file access detection unit 408 detects that the memory card file has been opened from the application software 402, the file access detection unit 408 transmits a file access start notification via the USB Mass Storage Class driver 405. When the file access of the file on the memory card is completed from 402 and the file is closed, a file access completion notification is transmitted to the printer 111 via the USB Mass Storage Class driver 405.

  Specifically, the file access start notification and the file access end notification can be implemented by transmitting the Prevent / Allow Media Removal SCSI command described in Table 1 to the printer 111.

  The Prevent / Allow Media Removal SCSI command is a command for notifying normally removal permission and removal prohibition of media of a removable device. In this embodiment, the SCSI command is used to notify the printer 111 of the start and end of file access. Is used.

  For example, the same processing can be implemented for the file access start notification and the file access end notification using a USB Vender Specific Request defined in the USBB specification.

  Next, a data processing configuration by a control program and a control circuit operating on the printer 111 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 4, a USB controller unit 410 includes a communication interface circuit and a data link layer control program corresponding to the USB specification, and an interface for controlling detection of commands included in control transfer from the PC 101 and data conversion in accordance with bulk transfer. It is.

  In FIG. 4, a USB storage controller unit 411 is a control program for processing a USB Mass Storage Class command and data. As described above, the USB Mass Storage Class command is a command according to the data structure of the Command Block Wrapper and Command Status Wrapper that wraps a predetermined command set (SCSI command) as shown in Table 1, and the USB storage controller unit 411 The CBW is converted into a SCSI command, and data read from the memory card, data write request, memory card information request, memory card power supply control request, etc. are notified to the memory card controller 412 in accordance with the SCSI command. Also, a status SCSI command is generated from the information acquired from the memory card controller unit 412, converted into Command Status Wrapper status data defined by USB Mass Storage Class, and returned to the PC 101.

  In particular, when a memory card file access start notification indicating the start and end of memory card file access and a Prevent / Allow Media Removal SCSI command, which is a memory card file access end notification, are received, the operation panel controller 413 receives the file on the memory card. Notify access start / end information.

  In FIG. 4, an operation panel controller unit 413 is a control program and control circuit for controlling the operation panel 119 including the buttons / switches, LEDs, and liquid crystal display device of FIG. 1, and corresponds to 118 of FIG.

  Further, the operation panel controller unit 413 stores the file access start / end information of the memory card notified from the USB storage controller unit 411 in a temporary storage area such as the RAM 114, and the operation panel 119 (the operation panel 206 in FIG. 2). When the power-off operation by pressing the power button 302 (FIG. 3) is detected, the file access start / end information is referred to, and if the file is being accessed, a warning message is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301 (FIG. 3). To execute the process.

  Similarly, if the operation panel controller unit 413 detects a direct print operation by pressing the print button 308 (FIG. 3) of the operation panel 119 (operation panel 206 in FIG. 2) by the user, the file access start / end information is detected. If the file is being accessed, a process for displaying a warning message on the liquid crystal display device 301 (FIG. 3) is executed.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a warning message displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301 when the power is turned off, and FIG. 8 shows an example of a warning message displayed on the liquid crystal display device 301 when the direct printing operation is performed.

  If the operation panel controller unit 413 detects that the OK button 306 on the operation panel 300 is pressed while the message in FIG. 7 is displayed, the operation panel controller unit 413 continues the power OFF process, and if the cancel button 309 is pressed, stops the power OFF process. To do.

  If the operation panel controller unit 413 detects that the OK button 306 on the operation panel 300 is pressed while the message shown in FIG. 8 is being displayed, the operation panel controller unit 413 continues the direct printing process, and if the cancel button 309 is pressed, stops the direct printing process. To do.

  In FIG. 4, the memory card controller unit 412 performs various types of memory cards including reading of data from the memory card inserted into the card slot and writing of data to the memory card in accordance with the request from the USB storage controller unit 411 described above. A control program and a control circuit for performing control and control for performing data transfer.

  In FIG. 4, when the print start button 308 (FIG. 3) on the operation panel 300 is pressed, the direct print controller unit 414 passes through the memory card controller unit 412 in accordance with the print settings currently set on the operation panel 300. Image data is acquired from the memory card, and print data is generated.

  In FIG. 4, the printer controller unit 415 executes print processing using print data generated by the direct print controller unit 414 during direct printing, and according to the print command received by the USB controller unit 410 during printing from the PC 101. Execute print processing.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, the printer 111 includes a function for automatically shifting to the power saving mode, a control program for the function, and a power management unit as a control circuit. The power management unit includes a USB storage controller unit 411. By referring to the file access information to be notified, it is possible to invalidate the transition processing to the power saving mode during file access.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the file access detection unit 408 described with reference to FIG. Steps S401 to S406 indicate each step.

  This processing is started after the system of the PC 200 (PC 101 in FIG. 1) is activated (step S401). In step S402, connection detection of the printer 204 (printer 111 in FIG. 1) and detection of insertion of a memory card into the card slot 205 of the printer 204 are performed. When this is detected, the process proceeds to step S403.

  In step S403, a file access detection process on the memory card from the application software 402 (FIG. 4) is executed. If the file access start is detected in step S403, the process branches to step S405. If the close process is detected in step S403, the process branches to step S406.

  If it is detected in step S403 that the printer 204 is disconnected or the memory card is removed from the card slot 205 of the printer 204, the process returns to step S402.

  In step S405, a file access start notification is transmitted to the printer 204 via the file system 404 and the USB mass storage class driver 405, and the process returns to step S403.

  In step S406, a file access end notification is transmitted to the printer 204 via the file system 404 and the USB mass storage class driver 405, and the process returns to step S403.

  Although not shown, this processing ends when a resident program end request issued when the PC 200 system ends (shuts down) is detected.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the storage controller unit 411 illustrated in FIG. Steps S501 to S506 indicate each step.

  This process is started when the power of the printer 204 is turned on and the system of the printer 204 is activated (step S501).

  In step S502, a SCSI command is received from the PC 200. When a SCSI command is received, the SCSI command is analyzed in step S503. If a file access start notification is issued, the process branches to step S505. If a file access end notification is issued, the process branches to step S506. In the case of other SCSI commands, the process branches to step S504.

  In step S504, normal storage device SCSI command processing such as reading and writing of data other than the Prevent / Allow Media Removal SCSI command, which is a file access start notification and a file access end notification, is executed, and then the processing in step S502 is performed. Return.

  In step S505, upon receipt of the file access start notification, file access information indicating the start of file access is notified to the operation panel controller unit 413. In accordance with this, the operation panel controller unit 413 subsequently turns off the power when a power-off operation by pressing the power button of the user or a direct printing operation by pressing the print button is detected until the file access information indicating the end of file access is notified. A warning or direct printing warning is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 207 (the liquid crystal display device 301 in FIG. 3).

  In step S506, upon receiving the file access end notification, the operation panel controller unit 413 is notified of file access information indicating the end of file access. Accordingly, the operation panel controller unit 413 validates the power-off operation by pressing the power button of the user or the direct printing operation by pressing the print button until the file access information indicating the start of file access is notified.

  As described above, according to the printing system, file access from the host computer to the memory card mounted on the printer is detected, and the printer power-off function and direct printing function are limited according to the detected file access. By doing so, it is possible to construct a safer and more stable printing system by controlling the host computer to turn off the printer power and do not perform direct printing processing while accessing the file on the memory card of the printer.

  In other words, even when there is an instruction to turn off the printer power or when the power is automatically turned off, when the data in the memory card is being accessed from the PC, By switching from the power supply function control method to a control method that does not turn off the power, it is possible to avoid a serious impact on the operation of the PC software and provide a safer and more stable system. It becomes.

  Even when direct printing is instructed, when the PC is accessing the data in the memory card, it is switched to a control method that does not perform direct printing as usual, and during direct printing processing It is possible to prevent deficiencies in data output processing due to data update processing and erasure processing due to access from a PC.

  In the above embodiment, the method for detecting access to a file is based on access information from a PC. However, the controller itself in the printer as an image output device is not based on information from the PC. However, the access status to the file may be monitored. In this case, control is performed so that the power is not turned off in response to detection that the controller has access to the file. Also, when the PC is accessing the file, control is performed so that the power is not turned off.

  Also, even if the power button provided on the printer is operated to instruct to turn off the power, if the file is being accessed, the power is not turned off and the access state has been completed. Depending on the case, the power may be controlled to be turned off.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code itself and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (basic system or operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function is determined based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a PC and a printer of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a detailed configuration of an operation panel of the printer of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a data processing configuration in the printing system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a file access detection means. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a storage controller part. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning message displayed on a liquid crystal display device at the time of power-off operation. It is a figure which shows an example of the warning message displayed on a liquid crystal display device at the time of direct printing operation.

Explanation of symbols

101, 200 Host computer (PC)
111, 204 Printer 402 Application software 403 Operating system 404 File system 405 USB Mass Storage Class driver 406 USB hub driver 407 USB host controller 408 File access detection means 410 USB controller unit 411 USB storage controller unit 412 Memory card controller unit 413 Operation panel controller 414 Direct print controller 415 Printer controller

Claims (22)

A data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a mounted recording medium,
Power supply function control means for controlling the power supply function of the data output device;
Access information receiving means for receiving access information indicating an access state of the data from the external device;
The data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power function control means switches a control method of the power function based on the access information.   The data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power function control means switches a control method related to a function of turning off the power of the data output apparatus based on the access information.   2. The data output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power function control unit controls the power of the data output apparatus not to be turned off according to the access information. An operation means for performing an operation related to the data output process;
Output processing control means for controlling output processing of the data according to the operation content by the operation means,
4. The data output device according to claim 1, wherein the output processing control unit switches a control method of the data output processing based on the access information. 5.   The output processing control unit controls the data output processing not to be performed even when the operation unit instructs the data output processing according to the access information. Item 5. The data output device according to Item 4.   The said power supply function control means controls so that the power supply function of the said data output device may not be transferred to a power saving mode according to the said access information. Data output device.   7. The data output device according to claim 1, wherein the access information is information indicating start or end of access to the data from the external device. An information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to a data output apparatus capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted,
Access processing means for performing access processing on the data;
Detecting means for detecting the status of access processing by the access processing means;
An information processing apparatus comprising: access information transmission means for transmitting access information indicating a detection result by the detection means to the data output apparatus.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the access information is information indicating a detection result of start or end of an access process for the data. A method for controlling a data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted,
An access information receiving step for receiving access information indicating an access state of the data from the external device;
A control method switching step of switching a control method of a power supply function of the data output device based on the access information. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to a data output apparatus capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted,
An access processing step for performing access processing on the data;
A detection step of detecting a state of the access processing in the access processing step;
A control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising: an access information transmission step for transmitting access information indicating a detection result of the detection step to the data output apparatus.   The program for making a computer perform the control method of the information processing apparatus of Claim 11. A data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a mounted recording medium,
Power supply function control means for controlling the power supply function of the data output device;
Determining means for determining whether or not the external device is accessing the data;
The data output device according to claim 1, wherein the power supply function control means switches a control method of the power supply function in accordance with determination of whether or not the external device is accessing the data.   14. The data output device according to claim 13, wherein the power function control means controls the power supply not to be turned off when the external device is accessing the data.   The data output device according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the power function control means controls to turn off the power in response to completion of access to the data by the external device. A power button,
The power function control means performs control so that the power is not turned off when the external device is accessing the data even when a power-off operation is performed on the power button. The data output device according to claim 13. A method for controlling a data output device connected to an external device via a communication network and capable of outputting data recorded on a recording medium to be mounted,
A determining step of determining whether or not the external device is accessing the data;
A control method for a data output device, comprising: a control method switching step for switching a control method of a power supply function of the data output device according to determination as to whether or not the external device is accessing the data.   18. The method of controlling a data output device according to claim 17, wherein the control method switching step controls the power supply not to be turned off when the external device is accessing the data.   The data output device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the control method switching step performs control so that the power is turned off in response to completion of access to the data by the external device. Control method.   The control method switching step performs control so that the power is not turned off when the external device is accessing the data even when the power button is turned off. The control method of the data output device according to claim 17.   A program for causing a computer to execute the data output device control method according to any one of claims 10, 17, 18, and 20.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 21 is recorded.

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