JP2007074501A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use all the functions of an image forming apparatus even when a print server is terminated by leaving all the functions of the image forming apparatus in a usable form and preparing alternatives for terminating only a print function. <P>SOLUTION: In this printing system where the print server creates print image data and transmits the print image data to the image forming apparatus, when the print server having a function for transferring a protocol sequence used by a function via the network which the image forming apparatus has to other image forming apparatus performs termination processing, restriction on various functions via the network of the image forming apparatus is avoided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a function for transferring a protocol sequence used by a function via a network of an image forming apparatus to another image forming apparatus in a printing system in which a print server creates print image data and transmits the print image data to the image forming apparatus. Is related to the print server.

  There is a printing system in which a print server generates print image data based on PDL data sent from a client PC 102 and transmits the print image data to an image forming apparatus. As a connection method of such a system, there is a method of preparing two different network environments and connecting an image forming apparatus so that a printer server takes over communication with the client PC 102 (FIG. 1).

In such a form, since the external network 107 and the internal network 106 are physically separated by the controller, data transmission via the network using the image reading device of the image forming apparatus 104 is performed. For example, a transfer function module such as the patent of Patent Document 1 is incorporated in the image forming apparatus 105 and the client PC 102 connected to the PC.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-9221

  However, in such an environment, when the power supply is terminated to terminate the printing system, not only the print function for creating print image data on the print server but also the transfer module for the image forming apparatus is terminated together. It was. For this reason, even if the user intends to end only the print function, the image forming apparatus can actually use only the local function (such as copying), and the image forming apparatus connected to the internal network can connect to the external network. In order to transmit data to the client PC and the image forming apparatus, the entire printing system has to be restarted. If the system is restarted, it takes time for the engine to start, which causes the user to take unintended time.

  In order to prevent such a problem, for example, when the user quits, the user can select the mode in which the image forming apparatus leaves the function to be used via the network and the mode for ending all of the functions, and let the user select the mode. A printing system that can prevent such problems is provided.

In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention provides:
In a printing system comprising at least one image forming apparatus and a print server for creating print image data for using the apparatus as a printer,
The first image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit and a communication unit that directly transfers the second print image data to the second image forming apparatus via a network, and the print server includes the first image forming unit. Means for creating first print image data to be printed on the apparatus; means for transmitting the first print image data to the image forming apparatus; and from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. Having means for transferring said second data to be sent;
Transfer means for transferring the second print image data communicated between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus when the printing system is terminated at the first timing. A first mode in which the means for creating the first print image data and the means for transmitting the first print image data are terminated while being activated;
Means for transferring second print image data from the image forming apparatus and selection means for selecting a second mode for ending the first print image data creation means of the print server;
A printing system comprising control means for causing the print server to execute a selected sequence.

  According to the present invention, all functions of the image forming apparatus can be used even when the print server is terminated by preparing an option for ending only the printing function while leaving all functions of the image forming apparatus in a usable form. To.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 shows an overview of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A computer (Personal Computer, hereinafter referred to as a PC) 102 and an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) (hereinafter referred to as an MFP) 104, 105 are connected to the network 101. Although not shown, many other PCs or MFPs are connected. Hereinafter, the PC is represented as 102, and the MFP is represented as 104. The printing system is physically separated into an internal network 106 and an external network 107 by a controller, and a print instruction from a PC is sent to a print server to create print image data, which is sent to the MFP 104 via the internal network 106. Sent and printed.

[PC configuration]
Next, the configuration of the PC 102 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The PC displays a CPU that processes a plurality of instructions, a control unit 202 that includes a RAM, a memory unit 203 that includes an HDD and RAM that stores various information, and a processing result via a display device such as a display. An operation unit 204 that receives an input instruction from a user, and an external interface 205 that connects to the network 101 and communicates with the MFPs 104 and 105 and other PCs.

[MFP configuration]
Next, the configuration of the MFP 104 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The MFP 104 includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of job data in its own apparatus, and a copy function that allows a printer unit to print job data output from the scanner via the memory, a computer The image forming apparatus includes a plurality of functions such as a print function that enables job data output from an external device such as the print unit to be printed via the memory.

  MFPs include full-color devices and monochrome devices. In general, except for color processing and internal data, full-color devices often include the structure of monochrome devices. A description of the monochrome device will be added as needed.

  Further, regarding the configuration of this system, as described above, there is a single function peripheral such as a single function type image forming apparatus having a multi-function type image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions and having only a print function. : A single-function peripheral device), or a configuration having only one type of image forming apparatus. In addition, any type of image forming apparatus may be provided. In any case, any configuration capable of realizing the control of the present embodiment may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an input image processing unit that reads an image such as a paper document and processes the read image data, a FAX unit that transmits and receives an image using a telephone line typified by a facsimile, and the like, A network interface card (NIC) unit that exchanges image data and device information using a network, a dedicated interface unit that exchanges information such as image data with an external device, or a universal serial bus (USB) memory (removable media) And a USB interface (USB I / F) unit that transmits and receives image data and the like.

  The job control unit plays a role of traffic control such as temporarily storing image data or determining a route according to the use of the MFP.

  Next, the document management unit includes a memory such as a hard disk capable of storing a plurality of image data. For example, a control unit (for example, a CPU of a job control unit) included in the image forming apparatus mainly serves as a scanner. Image data from the input unit, image data of a facsimile job input via the FAX unit, image data from an external device such as a computer input via the NIC unit, a dedicated I / F unit or USB I A plurality of types of image data such as various image data input via the / F unit are controlled so that a plurality of types of image data can be stored in the hard disk, and the image data stored in the hard disk is read out appropriately, The data is transferred to the output unit, and output processing such as print processing by the printer unit is controlled to be executable. Further, in accordance with an instruction from the operator, the image data read from the hard disk is controlled so as to be transferred or distributedly transferred to at least one external device such as a computer or another image forming apparatus.

  When storing the image data in the document management unit, the image data is compressed and stored as necessary, or conversely, when the stored image data is read out, it is decompressed to the original image data. Processing such as returning is performed via a compression / decompression unit. In addition, it is generally known that compressed data such as JPEG, JBIG, and ZIP is used when the data passes through the network. After the data enters the MFP, it is decompressed (expanded) by the compression / decompression unit. The

  In addition, the resource management unit stores various parameter tables that are handled in common, such as fonts, color profiles, and gamma tables. The resource management unit can be called as needed, and can store and modify new parameter tables. And can be updated.

  Next, when PDL data is input, the job control unit performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing in the PDL unit or prints an image to be printed by the image processing unit as necessary. Image processing. Further, intermediate data or print ready data (bitmap data for printing or data obtained by compressing it) can be stored again in the document management unit as necessary.

  Then, it is sent to a printer unit that performs image formation. The sheet printed out by the printer unit is sent to the post-processing unit, where sheet sorting processing and sheet finishing processing are performed.

  Here, the job control unit plays a role of smoothly flowing a job, and path switching is performed as follows according to how the MFP is used. However, although it is generally known that image data is stored as intermediate data as needed, access other than the document management unit serving as a start point and an end point is not described here. In addition, processing such as a compression / decompression unit and post-processing unit used as necessary, or a job control unit serving as the entire core is omitted, and is described so that an approximate flow can be understood.

A) Copying function: scanner input unit → image processing unit → printer unit B) Facsimile transmission function: scanner input unit → FAX unit C) Facsimile reception function: FAX unit → image processing unit → printer unit D) Network scan: scanner input unit → NIC part E) Network printing: NIC part → PDL part → Image processing part → Printer part F) Scan to external device: Scanner input part → Dedicated I / F part G) Print from external device: Dedicated I / F part -> PDL unit-> image processing unit-> printer unit H) Scan to external memory: scanner input unit-> USB I / F unit I) Print from external memory: USB I / F unit-> PDL unit-> image processing unit-> printer unit J) Box scan function: scanner input unit → image processing unit → document management unit K) Box print function: document management unit → printer unit L Box reception function: NIC unit → PDL unit → image processing unit → document management unit M) Box sending function: document management unit → NIC unit N) Preview function: document management unit → operation unit

  In addition to the above, combinations with various functions such as an E-mail service and a Web server function are conceivable, but are omitted here.

  Box scan, box print, box reception, or box transmission is a processing function of the MFP that involves writing and reading of data using the document management unit. The memory in the document management unit is stored for each job or user. This is a function of dividing and temporarily storing data and inputting and outputting data by combining a user ID and a password.

  Furthermore, the operation unit is for selecting the above-described various flows and functions and for instructing operations. As the display device of the operation unit becomes higher in resolution, the image data in the document management unit is previewed. If it is OK after confirmation, printing can be performed.

[Configuration of operation unit]
FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the operation unit.

  The operation unit includes a touch panel LCD 301 capable of displaying and instructing the state of the MFP, and hard keys such as a numeric keypad and a power button.

  On the LCD, a UI (user interface) corresponding to each function realized by the MFP is displayed, and the screen is changed according to an input from a touch panel or an input from a hard key. The operation unit is composed of a plurality of screens, and an operation interface is prepared for each operation of the MFP (copy, fax, box insertion, remote scanner, etc.), and the user can select each of them. It is also possible to grasp the job processing status of the MFP and the hardware status of the MFP (door open, no paper, etc.) (system status / cancel button).

  The hard key includes a contrast volume for changing the contrast of the LCD (Contrast), a counter button for displaying a counter screen (Counter Check), a power button for turning the power OFF / ON, and a power save button for turning off only the power of the LCD (Power Saving) ), A reset button for canceling the operation, a guide button (Guide) for displaying a guide for the operator, a user mode button (Additional Function) for switching the screen to the user mode, a numeric keypad for inputting a number, and starting copying and scanning It consists of an execution button. Information input from the hard key is constantly updated by exchanging with the job control unit or the like, and the screen transition is performed using the result.

[Print from print server]
Next, the configuration of the print controller 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The print controller 103 is connected to a CPU 502 that processes a plurality of instructions (print function, transfer function), a control unit 502 including a RAM, a memory unit 503 including an HDD or RAM that stores various information, and a network 101. An external interface 505 for performing communication with other PCs, and an operation unit 504 for displaying processing results to a user through a display device such as a display and receiving input instructions from the user. Depending on the configuration, the operation unit 504 may be displayed on the operation unit of the MFP 104 via the internal network 106.

[Processing flow of the present embodiment Print system end display]
6, 7, 8, and 9 show end display methods on the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 6 shows a UI screen of the image forming apparatus when the power is turned on. The print system is terminated in the print tab displayed at the position alongside the copy, transmission / fax, box, and remote scanner in the tab at the top of the screen (FIG. 7). When the print button on the print tab is pressed, communication is performed via the print controller 103 internal network 106, and the setting items of the print controller 103 are displayed on the UI of the MFP 104 (FIG. 8). When the print server end 802 is selected from the setting items, the selected content is notified to the control unit 502 via the external interface 505 and the operation unit 504 of the print server.

  The control unit 502 of the print server confirms the settings of the print server and selects whether to terminate all the print servers or leave functions of various functions (transmission / fax, remote scanner, etc.) via the MFP network. The operation unit is instructed to display the mode. The operation unit 504 displays on the UI 301 of the MFP 104 via the network (FIG. 9).

  When the user selects the print server exit button 902 while leaving the iR function, the print server control unit 502 leaves the transfer module and uses only the print function so that the network function of the MFP 104 can be used. Exit.

  When the user selects the print server end button 903, the print server control unit 502 does not need to consider communication with the external network 107, and thus both the print function and the transfer module are ended (FIGS. 10 and 11). ).

System diagram of this embodiment PC block diagram MFP block diagram Schematic diagram of the operation unit Block diagram of print server The figure which shows UI screen (1) of the image forming apparatus at the time of power activation The figure which shows UI screen (2) of the image forming apparatus at the time of power activation Figure showing the print function setting screen The figure which shows the end selection screen of the print server Flow chart of this embodiment Conceptual diagram of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

101 network 102 PC
103 Controller 104, 105 MFP
106 Internal network 107 External network 202 Control unit 203 Memory unit 204 Operation unit 205 External interface

Claims (2)

In a printing system comprising at least one image forming apparatus and a print server for creating print image data for using the apparatus as a printer,
The first image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit and a communication unit that directly transfers the second print image data to the second image forming apparatus via a network, and the print server includes the first image forming unit. Means for creating first print image data to be printed on the apparatus; means for transmitting the first print image data to the image forming apparatus; and from the first image forming apparatus to the second image forming apparatus. Having means for transferring said second data to be sent;
Transfer means for transferring the second print image data communicated between the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus when the printing system is terminated at the first timing. A first mode in which the means for creating the first print image data and the means for transmitting the first print image data are terminated while being activated;
Means for transferring second print image data from the image forming apparatus and selection means for selecting a second mode for ending the first print image data creation means of the print server;
A printing system comprising control means for causing the print server to execute a selected sequence. The printing system according to claim 1.
The printing system, wherein the control unit includes a display unit for displaying the first and second modes via a network on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, and a selection unit for the two modes.