JP2007249714A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system capable of using especially a portable storage medium such as an IC card and changing a printing condition relating to the printing system using the portable storage medium such as the IC card. <P>SOLUTION: The printing system reads print data from host equipment connected to a network, transfers them to the printer and performs print output. The plurality of printing conditions are recorded in the IC card 3 from the host equipment, the IC card 3 is brought close to the printer, the printing conditions stored in the IC card 3 are read to the printer 1, the required printing condition is selected, and thus printing processing according to the printing condition is performed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus using a portable storage medium such as an IC card.

  2. Description of the Related Art Computer networks are widely used today, and a system is constructed in which a printer device is connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network), for example, and print data is supplied from a host device and printed out.

  In such a printing system, an IC card is used in order to ensure the confidentiality of the printing result, and a printing system is employed that can perform a printing process by approaching the printer device and picking up the IC card.

Patent Document 1 uses an IC card capable of key input, analyzes code information input by key input, and exchanges limited information only when authentication of the user is obtained as a result of the analysis. An invention that can be made is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-195103

  However, in the case of the above-described conventional example, the printing conditions by the printer device cannot be changed, and the printing process is performed under certain conditions. For this reason, even when it is desired to change the printing conditions depending on the user or the use of the printing result, there is an inconvenience that cannot be changed.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a printing apparatus that uses a portable storage medium such as an IC card and can change printing conditions.

  According to the present invention, the above-described object is to store identification information input from a portable storage medium, first storage means for storing printing condition information, and print data supplied from a host device, including the identification information. Determining whether the second storage means matches the identification information stored in the first and second storage means, and when the identification information matches, reads the print data from the second storage means, This can be achieved by providing a printing apparatus having printing processing means for performing printing processing based on the printing conditions.

  With this configuration, it is possible to change the printing conditions recorded on the portable storage medium. Further, the printing conditions can be changed by the use of the printing result and the printing user, and a convenient printing apparatus can be provided.

Further, there are a plurality of printing conditions stored in the first storage means, and the print data is printed according to a printing condition selected from the plurality of printing conditions.
The printing conditions recorded on the portable storage medium are information written from the host device, for example.

  Further, the portable storage medium is provided with a switch, and the printing condition is selected by selecting the switch. With this configuration, it is possible to easily select a printing condition by operating a button provided on the portable storage medium.

  Further, the portable storage medium is provided with a switch, and a plurality of command groups are selected by selecting the switch. With this configuration, it is possible to easily select a command group when performing self-printing, printing maintenance-related information, or the like.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily change a printing condition, and it is possible to change a printing condition by a use of a printing result or a printing user, and it is possible to provide a convenient printing apparatus.
Further, it is possible to easily select a printing condition or a command group by operating a button provided on the portable storage medium.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram illustrating the first embodiment.

  In the figure, a personal computer (PC) as a host device and the printing apparatus 1 are connected by a network such as a LAN. The personal computer (PC) creates print data based on the application program and outputs it to the printing apparatus 1. An IC card reader / writer (IC card R / W) 2 is connected to the personal computer (PC). The IC card R / W 2 exchanges data with the IC card 3 when the IC card 3 is brought close to the IC card R / W 2. On the other hand, an IC card reader 4 is connected to the printer apparatus 1, and the data on the IC card 3 is read by the IC card reader 4.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the printing apparatus 1. In this example, a multifunction machine (hereinafter referred to as MFP (multifunction printer / multifunction printer) 1) is used as the printing apparatus.

  In the figure, a display operation unit (operation panel) 6 is located at the upper front of the MFP 1 and issues various setting instructions such as setting the number of prints, density setting, size setting, and the like. Further, a plurality of stages of paper feed cassettes 7 are provided in the lower front portion of the MFP 1, and the paper feed cassettes 7 can be pulled out with the corresponding handles. The MFP 1 is also provided with a paper discharge unit 8, and a sheet (recording medium) that has been fed from the paper feed cassette 7 and on which an image has been formed is output to the paper discharge unit 8.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the MFP 1 having the above-described external configuration. In FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes a scanner unit 10, an MFP control unit 11, and a printer unit 12. The scanner unit 10 includes a reading mechanism unit 10 a, which reads a document image placed on a document table by driving the reading mechanism unit 10 a and transmits document data to the MFP control unit 11.

  The MFP control unit 11 includes an MFP main unit 13, a reading mechanism control unit 14, a display operation control unit 15, a FAX communication control unit 16, a LAN communication control unit 17, an IC card reader control unit 18, a storage device control unit 19, and a storage. It is composed of a device unit (HDD) 20. The reading mechanism control unit 14 performs mechanism control of the reading mechanism unit 10 a provided in the above-described scanner unit 10, and document data read by the scanner unit 10 is sent to the MFP control unit 11.

  The display operation control unit 15 outputs an operation signal based on an operation of a key or the like provided in the display operation unit 6 to the MFP main unit 11. Further, the display data output from the MFP main unit 11 is displayed on the display operation unit 6. Further, the storage device control unit 19 performs data writing to the storage device unit (HDD) 20 and control of reading data stored in the storage device unit (HDD) 20. Here, the storage unit (HDD) 20 stores, for example, a print program and an IC card reception program. Also, print control information described later is stored.

  The LAN communication control unit 17 is an interface for connecting the MFP 1 used in this example to the LAN, and the FAX communication control unit 16 transmits and receives facsimile data using a public line network.

The IC card reader controller 18 is connected to the IC card reader 4 described above, reads data stored in the IC card 3, and controls data writing to the IC card 3.
On the other hand, the printer unit 12 includes a printer control unit 22, a printing mechanism unit 23, and a paper feeding device 24, and performs a printing process based on a control process of the printer control unit 22. The printing mechanism unit 23 includes a print head and other mechanism units such as an image forming unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit.

The MFP main unit 13 controls each unit of the MFP control unit 11 by a system program, and includes a CPU and a RAM (not shown).
In the above configuration, the processing operation of this example will be described below.

  First, before creating print data by a personal computer (PC), the IC card 3 is placed on the above-described IC card reader / writer 2 to obtain a user ID. Next, the personal computer (PC) creates print data using an application program, converts the print data into an intermediate code by a printer driver, and transmits the print data to the MFP 1 with the acquired user ID attached thereto.

  The personal computer (PC) writes a plurality of printing conditions to the IC card 3 via the IC card reader / writer 2. FIG. 5 shows an example of printing conditions written on the IC card 3.

  As shown in the figure, the IC card 3 records a user ID and a plurality of printing conditions. In this example, three printing conditions 1 to 3 are recorded. The printing conditions include items such as “color / monochrome”, “resolution”, “paper feed port”, “paper size”, and “multi-page”. For example, if the item name is “color / monochrome”, a code indicating monochrome or color is recorded as specific contents. If “resolution” is set, information such as 300 dpi and 600 dpi is recorded, and if “feed port” is set, information such as first paper feed and second paper feed is recorded. For example, size information such as A3 and A4 is recorded. Further, “multi-page” is to print a plurality of pages of print data with a reduced size on one sheet of paper, and stores data of the number of pages to be reduced and printed, such as 2, 4, 8, and the like.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the processing operation on the MFP 1 side. Print data and identification information output from the above-described personal computer (PC) are input to the host receiving unit 30 under the control of the LAN communication control unit 17. The host receiving unit 30 is provided, for example, in the MFP control unit 13, and print data and identification information input to the host receiving unit 30 are stored in the storage device (HDD) 20.

  Next, when the user brings the IC card 3 close to the MFP 1 and puts it on the IC card reader 4, the identification information and the printing condition information recorded on the IC card 3 are read by the IC card reader 4. The identification information and the printing condition information are written from the IC card reader controller 18 to the storage device (HDD) 20. Further, the IC card reader control unit 18 notifies the display operation control unit 15 that the identification information and the printing condition information have been input.

  Next, upon receiving a notification from the IC card reader control unit 18, the display operation control unit 15 prompts the display operation unit 6 to specify printing conditions. For example, a message “Please input printing conditions by number” is displayed on the display operation unit 6. Thereafter, the MFP 1 performs processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  That is, first, the print control information 20a constructed in the storage device (HDD) 20 is cleared and initialized to “not set” (step (hereinafter, indicated by S) 1). And it waits for the number input which a user inputs by operating the display operation part 6 (S2).

  Next, when a number is input from the display operation unit 6 by a user operation, the printing condition corresponding to the corresponding number is read (S3). At this time, a plurality of printing condition information is read from the IC card 3 by the above-described processing in the storage unit (HDD) 20, and the printing condition information shown in FIG. 5 is recorded. Here, the number information is sent to the drawing unit 22b, and the designated printing condition information is written in the printing control information 20a (S4).

  For example, when the printing condition 2 is designated at this time, information of “color / monochrome”, “paper feeding port”, and “paper size” is written into the printing control information 20a via the drawing unit 20b. In the example shown in FIG. 5, “monochrome” information is written in the “color / monochrome” item of the print control information 20 a, and “second paper feed” information is written in the “paper feed slot” item. In the “paper size” item, the information “A3” is written (S5). Therefore, in this case, the state A shown in FIG. 5 is set.

  Next, it is determined whether there is an “unset” item in the print control information 20a (S6). If there is no “not set” item (S6 is N (No)), the print control command is skipped (S6). S7). If there is an item “not set” (S6 is Yes), the information obtained by analyzing the print control command is recorded in the corresponding item content of the print control information 20a (S8).

  Next, based on the information recorded in the print control information 20a by the above settings, a print process according to the print data is executed (S9). For example, in the example of the printing condition 2, A3 size paper is fed from the second paper feed port in the monochrome mode, and printing processing is performed. When the printing condition 1 is designated, the print data of two pages is reduced and printed at a resolution of 300 dpi according to the color mode, and printed out to the paper discharge port 2 (Exit 2).

  As described above, according to this example, it is possible to perform the printing process of the printing conditions recorded on the IC card 3. Therefore, for example, the same printing conditions are registered in all the IC cards 3 in the company, and monochrome printing of the printing conditions 2 is normally performed, and color printing can be performed by the printing control 1 in the case of a presentation material or a submitted document.

Also, if the multi-page of the printing conditions in the IC card 3 is composed of two pages and one sheet is set to one side / both sides, both sides can be printed on the multi-page, and the number of sheets can be reduced.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 7 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining the second embodiment.
In the figure, a personal computer (PC) as a host device and the printing apparatus 1 are connected to a network such as a LAN as described above. The personal computer (PC) creates print data based on the application program and outputs it to the printing apparatus 1. An IC card R / W2 is connected to the personal computer (PC). The IC card R / W2 exchanges data with the IC card 31 when the IC card 31 is brought close as described above. On the other hand, an IC card reader 4 is connected to the printer apparatus 1, and data on the IC card 31 is read by the IC card reader 4.

  Also in this example, the configurations of the personal computer (PC) and the MFP 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment. The configuration in which the print data created by the personal computer (PC) and the identification information of the IC card 31 are transmitted to the MFP 1 is the same as in the first embodiment.

  Buttons 32a to 32c are mounted on the IC card 31 used in this example. The stored printing conditions can be changed by pressing these buttons 32a to 32c, and the printing conditions read to the MFP 1 can also be changed. For example, when the button 32 b (2) is pressed and placed on the IC card reader 4, the IC card reader 4 reads the user ID and the printing condition 2 stored in the IC card 31. The processing operation will be described below using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, the print control information 22a constructed in the storage unit (HDD) 20 is cleared and initialized to “not set” (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). The printing conditions designated by the button operation are read (ST2). That is, in this example, a printing condition is designated by a button operation, and information on the designated printing condition is read from the IC card 31 and written in the printing control information 20a (ST3).

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining this process. For example, when the button 32a is pressed, the printing condition 1 is read (step (hereinafter referred to as STP) 1, STP2, STP3), and when the button 32b is pressed. Printing condition 2 is read (STP4), and when button 32c is pressed, printing condition 3 is read (STP5).

  Next, it is determined whether there is an “unset” item in the print control information 20a (ST4). If there is no “not set” item (ST4 is No), the print control command is skipped (ST5). If there is an “unset” item (ST4 is Yes), the information obtained by analyzing the print control command is recorded in the corresponding item content of the print control information 20a (ST6).

  Next, based on the information recorded in the print control information 20a with the above settings, a print process based on the print data is executed (ST7). For example, in the example of the printing condition 2, A3 size paper is fed from the second paper feed port in the monochrome mode, and printing processing is performed. When the printing condition 1 is designated, the print data of two pages is reduced and printed at a resolution of 300 dpi according to the color mode, and printed out to the paper discharge port 2 (Exit 2).

As described above, according to this example, the printing conditions can be selected by operating the buttons provided on the IC card 31, and the MFP 1 can be realized with a simple configuration.
In the above description, the method for selecting the printing conditions is a button. However, an IC card capable of fingerprint authentication may be used to select the printing conditions.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram for explaining the third embodiment.
This embodiment is also the same as the above-described two embodiments, and the personal computer (PC) as the host device and the printing apparatus 1 are connected to a network such as a LAN as described above. The personal computer (PC) creates print data based on the application program and outputs it to the printing apparatus 1. Further, an IC card R / W 2 is connected to the personal computer (PC), and an IC card reader 4 is connected to the printer apparatus 1.

  In addition, buttons 33a to 33c are mounted on the IC card 33 used in this example. A command group can be selected by pressing these buttons 33a to 33c.

  Also in this example, the configurations of the personal computer (PC) and MFP 1 are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. The configuration in which the print data created by the personal computer (PC) and the identification information of the IC card 33 are transmitted to the MFP 1 is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the processing of this example. For example, when the button 33a is pressed, the command group 1 is read (steps (hereinafter referred to as W) 1, W2, W3), and the button 33b is pressed. The command group 2 is read (W4), and when the button 33c is pressed, the command group 3 is read (W5).

  Then, as described above, it is determined whether there is an “unset” item in the print control information 20a, the corresponding process is performed, and the print process is performed according to the selected command group. For example, when command group 1 is selected, status sheet printing processing is performed. When the command group 2 is selected, the self-printing process is performed. When the command group 3 is selected, the maintenance-related information printing process is performed.

  With this configuration, for example, when the service person manipulates the button while holding down the IC card 33, status sheet printing, self-printing, printing of maintenance-related information, etc. can be easily performed. Various command groups can be printed without learning the detailed operation of the unit 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining processing operations on the MFP side. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a printing apparatus. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of an MFP. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the printing conditions written in the IC card. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing operations of the MFP. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the printing system of Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the second embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining button operation. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the printing system of Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus 2 ... IC card reader / writer 3 ... IC card 4 ... IC card reader 7 ... Paper feed cassette 8 ... Paper discharge part 10 ... Scanner part 11 ..MFP control unit 12 ... printer unit 13 ... MFP main unit 14 ... reading mechanism control unit 15 ... display operation control unit 16 ... FAX communication control unit 17 ... LAN communication control unit 18 ... IC card reader controller 19 ... storage device controller 20 ... storage device (HDD)
22 ... Printer control unit 23 ... Printing mechanism unit 24 ... Paper feeding device 31, 33 ... IC cards 32a-32c, 33a-33c,...

Claims (5)

First storage means for storing identification information input from a portable storage medium and information on printing conditions;
Second storage means for storing print data including the identification information and supplied from a host device;
A determination is made as to whether the identification information stored in the first and second storage means matches, and when the identification information matches, the print data is read from the second storage means, and print processing is performed based on the printing conditions. Print processing means for performing
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein there are a plurality of printing conditions stored in the first storage unit, and the print data is printed according to a printing condition selected from the plurality of printing conditions. .   The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition recorded in the portable storage medium is information written from the host device.   4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is provided with a switch, and the printing condition is selected by selecting the switch. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the portable storage medium is provided with a switch, and a plurality of command groups are selected by selecting the switch.