JP2008074023A - Image forming apparatus and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can cope with various languages at a low cost without storing all the languages. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 20 switches the languages for use so that it acquires and uses a language file stored in the storage area 104 under the control of a controller 109 without using message data consisting of a default language stored in a message table 107, if the language file sent from an external device and consisting of an optional language is stored in the storage area 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input data, and an information processing apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus.

  In general, the image forming apparatus includes an operation panel as a user interface, a function for displaying the current state of the image forming apparatus on the operation panel, a function for changing settings in the image forming apparatus using the operation panel, In addition, it has various local printing functions for printing the setting contents in the image forming apparatus and the log data held in the image forming apparatus. Also, in the image forming apparatus, in order to cope with various destinations, messages displayed on the operation panel and messages used in the local printing function are made up of a plurality of languages such as English and Japanese. The user can select an arbitrary language through a selection means such as a menu (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a conventional image forming apparatus, a message is stored in a read-only storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) together with a program, and a rewritable nonvolatile storage device for a language file selected by the user Is stored.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-164585

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, since all language files corresponding to the destination are stored, a large amount of storage capacity is required, resulting in an increase in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image forming apparatus capable of supporting various languages at low cost without storing all language files, and the image forming An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus connected to the apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input data. A first storage unit that stores first character string data, and an external device. When it is determined that the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit that stores the transmitted second character string data and the second storage unit, the second storage unit stores the second character string data in the first storage unit And a controller that acquires and outputs the second character string data stored in the second storage unit without outputting the first character string data that has been generated. .

  In such an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, by downloading the second character string data desired by the user from the information processing apparatus, the language used in the image forming apparatus is switched, and the first storage unit stores the second character string data. The second character string data stored in the second storage unit can be obtained and output without outputting the stored first character string data. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, it is only necessary to store only the first character string data used in the initial state.

  In addition, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above-described object is an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input data. To obtain download information necessary for downloading character string data used in each image forming apparatus, and to download character string data based on the download information obtained by the acquisition unit A target image forming apparatus, a selection unit that allows a user to select target character string data to be downloaded to the image forming apparatus, and the target character string data selected via the selection unit is selected And a transmission unit that transmits to the target image forming apparatus.

  In such an information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically search for a corresponding image forming apparatus and allow a user to select a target image forming apparatus. In the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the character string data corresponding to the selected target image forming apparatus is automatically extracted, and the user selects the desired character string data. Can be downloaded automatically.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, since only the first character string data used in the initial state has to be stored, the entire storage capacity can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce work to be operated by the user and to transmit character string data not compatible with the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus. Can also be avoided.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  This embodiment is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input print data. In particular, this image forming system stores, in the image forming apparatus, messages that are displayed in the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and messages used in the local printing function, which are all languages that need to be supported. Without being able to deal with various languages.

  First, an image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system includes an information processing apparatus 10 used by a user and an image forming apparatus 20 that performs image formation. The information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20 are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network), a USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like constructed using, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).

  The information processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a personal computer, a workstation, and the like, and is positioned as a host apparatus that transmits various data including print data to the image forming apparatus 20. In particular, the information processing apparatus 10 stores a plurality of language files to which folder names and file names are assigned based on the model name, version number, and language name of the corresponding image forming apparatus in an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk (not shown). Storing. If the language of the message displayed on the display unit of the image forming apparatus 20 to be described later is different from that desired by the user, the information processing apparatus 10 executes a predetermined application program under the user's operation. The user is activated to cause the user to select a language file corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 and in a language desired by the user from the plurality of language files. Then, the information processing apparatus 10 adds a language file download command (to be described later) to the selected language file and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a receiving unit 101 that receives data transmitted from an external device, an analysis unit 102 that acquires data received by the receiving unit 101 and performs command analysis, When the received data is a language file as a result of analysis by the analysis unit 102, the storage unit 103 that stores the data in the storage region 104, the storage region 104 that is the second storage unit that stores the language file, A check unit 105 that determines whether the data stored in the storage area 104 is correct data, a reading unit 106 that reads out from the storage area 104 message data having a unique ID associated with the message, and a storage area 104 is a first storage unit for storing message data used when no language file is stored in 104. It has a message table 107, a display unit 108 for displaying a message, a control unit 109 for controlling the entire of the image forming apparatus 20, and an image formation control unit 110 for controlling the image forming process.

  The receiving unit 101 receives data transmitted from an external device such as the information processing device 10 and temporarily holds it in the reception buffer 101a. The data held in the reception buffer 101 a is read by the analysis unit 102 under the control of the control unit 109.

  Under the control of the control unit 109, the analysis unit 102 acquires data held in the reception buffer 101a and performs command analysis thereof. Here, the data is generally configured such that a command is added to the data body. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the print data includes a print command for instructing to perform printing based on a print data body described in a predetermined PDL (Page Description Language). The configuration is added. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the language file has a configuration in which a language file download command for instructing to download the language file to the image forming apparatus 20 is added to the data body of the language file. The configuration of this language file will be described later. The analysis unit 102 calls an appropriate process according to the result of command analysis. For example, if the command analysis results in a print command added to the print data, the analysis unit 102 supplies the data to the image formation control unit 110 in order to perform image formation based on the print data. If the command analysis results in a language file download command added to the language file, the analysis unit 102 supplies data to the storage unit 103 so as to store the language file in the storage area 104.

  The storage unit 103 performs processing necessary for storing the language file supplied from the analysis unit 102 in the storage area 104 under the control of the control unit 109. Specifically, the storage unit 103 removes the language file download command from the language file data supplied from the analysis unit 102 and analyzes the contents of the remaining language file. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the language file is a combination of a plurality of message data and an ID assigned to each message data, and a hash value and a corresponding image forming apparatus. Check data such as model name, version number, and language name is added. The storage unit 103 analyzes the contents of the language file having such a configuration, acquires a hash value from each message data, and determines whether the value matches the hash value of the check data. The storage unit 103 determines whether the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the model name of the check data. Further, the storage unit 103 determines whether the version number of the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the version number of the check data. Furthermore, the storage unit 103 determines whether or not the language of the language file is usable by the image forming apparatus 20 based on the language name of the check data. If the result of these determinations indicates that a language file is available, the storage unit 103 supplies the language file to the storage area 104 for storage. At this time, the storage unit 103 sets a storage data presence flag indicating that data is stored in the storage area 104.

  The storage area 104 includes a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and stores a language file supplied from the storage unit 103. Message data constituting the language file stored in the storage area 104 is read by the check unit 105 and the reading unit 106. The language file stored in the storage area 104 can be deleted. For example, in the image forming apparatus 20, when the power is turned on, the language file to which the language file download command is added is received from the information processing apparatus 10, stored in the storage area 104, and overwritten. The stored language file can be deleted. At this time, in the image forming apparatus 20, a language file in the same language as the language of default message data stored in a message table 107 to be described later is stored in the storage area 104, so that the storage area 104 is substantially saved. You can create a situation similar to deleting a stored language file. When a language file of the same language as the default message data stored in the message table 107 is stored in the storage area 104, if there is a new language file of the same version, It is desirable to store the new version language file in the storage area 104. Further, in the image forming apparatus 20, the control unit 109 and the storage unit 103 are controlled in order to cope with a situation where the language file stored in the storage area 104 cannot be started due to corruption. In addition, the language file may be deleted spontaneously.

  The check unit 105 is called by the control unit 109 when the image forming apparatus 20 is initialized when the power is turned on, and determines whether or not the language file stored in the storage area 104 is correct data. Specifically, the check unit 105 determines whether the storage data present flag in the storage area 104 is set. The check unit 105 determines whether the language file is damaged based on the hash value of each message data stored in the storage area 104 and the hash value of the check data. Furthermore, the check unit 105 determines whether the language file stored in the storage area 104 corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the model name of the check data. Furthermore, the check unit 105 determines whether the version number of the language file stored in the storage area 104 corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the check data version number. Further, the check unit 105 determines whether the language of the language file stored in the storage area 104 can be used by the image forming apparatus 20 based on the language name of the check data. Then, the check unit 105 sets a storage area available flag indicating the result of these determinations.

  The reading unit 106 reads out message data corresponding to the ID requested by the control unit 109 from among the message data stored in the storage area 104 under the control of the control unit 109. Then, the reading unit 106 supplies the read message data to the control unit 109.

  The message table 107 includes a read-only memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores message data including one language such as English. That is, in the image forming apparatus 20, message data in one language used by default is stored in the message table 107 at the time of shipment. At this time, the message data stored in the message table 107 is preferably encrypted. The message data stored in the message table 107 is read and used by the control unit 109 when no language file is stored in the storage area 104.

  The display unit 108 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the current state of the image forming apparatus 20 and the like based on the message data stored in the message table 107 or the storage area 104 under the control of the control unit 109. Displays a message indicating the settings.

  The control unit 109 controls the entire image forming apparatus 20 by giving an instruction to each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 20 or receiving a notification from each unit. Further, the control unit 109 monitors the state of the image forming apparatus 20 and displays the contents on the display unit 108. At this time, the control unit 109 displays a message on the display unit 108 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 or the storage area 104. That is, when the storage area available flag of the check unit 105 is set, the control unit 109 supplies the ID corresponding to the message to be displayed on the display unit 108 to the reading unit 106, and the message acquired as the response A message is displayed on the display unit 108 based on the data. In addition, when the storage area availability flag of the check unit 105 is not set, the control unit 109 selects an ID corresponding to a message to be displayed on the display unit 108 from the message data stored in the message table 107. Is read out, and based on this, a message is displayed on the display unit 108.

  The image formation control unit 110 performs image formation by controlling the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 20 based on the print data supplied from the analysis unit 102. Specifically, when the image forming apparatus 20 performs electrophotographic printing processing, the image forming control unit 110 performs image formation by transferring charged toner to a recording medium. A series of mechanisms for thermally fixing the toner image formed on the recording medium is controlled. Further, in the case of performing an inkjet printing process, the image formation control unit 110 controls a series of mechanisms for performing image formation by ejecting ink droplets onto a recording medium.

  The image forming apparatus 20 configured by each unit receives the print data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 and performs image formation based on the print data. Further, when receiving a language file from the information processing apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 20 stores the language file in the storage area 104 and displays a message based on the message data constituting the language file. .

  The image forming apparatus 20 in such an image forming system stores a language file in the storage area 104 by performing a series of processes as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 20 receives the data transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 by the receiving unit 101 in step S1, and holds it in the reception buffer 101a. The data stored in the reception buffer 101a is acquired by the analysis unit 102, and the command is analyzed.

  If the result of command analysis is not a language file download command in step S3, the image forming apparatus 20 makes another command determination in step S4 under the control of the control unit 109. Call the appropriate process according to the analysis result. On the other hand, if the result of command analysis is a language file download command, the image forming apparatus 20 shifts the processing subject to the storage unit 103. In response to this, the storage unit 103 removes the language file download command from the language file data supplied from the analysis unit 102 and analyzes the contents of the remaining language file.

  Specifically, in step S5, the storage unit 103 acquires a hash value from each message data included in the language file supplied from the analysis unit 102, and whether or not the value matches the hash value of the check data. Determine. This is a process performed to check whether or not the data is damaged. If the storage unit 103 determines that the hash values do not match, the storage unit 103 discards the received data in step S10 and shifts the processing to step S11. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file could not be stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S11. To end the series of processing.

  On the other hand, if the storage unit 103 determines that the hash values match, it is determined in step S6 whether or not the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the model name of the check data. judge. This is processing that is performed in order not to store, for example, a language file composed of message data corresponding to a function that is not installed in the image forming apparatus 20 in the storage area 104. If the storage unit 103 determines that the language file does not correspond to the image forming apparatus 20, the storage unit 103 discards the received data in step S10, and shifts the processing to step S11. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file could not be stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S11. To end the series of processing.

  If the storage unit 103 determines that the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20, the storage unit 103 proceeds to step S <b> 7 and determines the version number of the language file based on the version number of the check data. Is determined to correspond to the image forming apparatus 20. This is a process that is performed to prevent the language file whose version number does not match from being stored in the storage area 104. If the storage unit 103 determines that the version number of the language file does not correspond to the image forming apparatus 20, the storage unit 103 proceeds to step S10, discards the received data, and proceeds to step S11. Transition. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file could not be stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S11. To end the series of processing.

  Furthermore, if the storage unit 103 determines that the version number of the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20, the storage unit 103 proceeds to step S8, and based on the language name of the check data, the language file It is determined whether or not the language is available by the image forming apparatus 20. This is a process performed to confirm whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 supports the built-in font used for display on the display unit 108, local printing, and the like. If the storage unit 103 determines that the language of the language file is not usable by the image forming apparatus 20, the process proceeds to step S10, the received data is discarded, and the process proceeds to step S11. To do. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file could not be stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S11. To end the series of processing.

  If the storage unit 103 determines that the language of the language file is usable by the image forming apparatus 20, the storage unit 103 supplies the data to the storage area 104 and stores it in step S9, and there is stored data. Set the flag. In response to this, the control unit 109 sends a message indicating that the language file can be stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data of the language file newly stored in the storage area 104 in step S11. The display is performed on the display unit 108, and the series of processing ends. In the image forming apparatus 20, in step S11, if necessary, the language file can be stored in the storage area 104 under the control of the image forming control unit 110, or the fact that it has not been possible. You may make it print the report which shows. If the image forming apparatus 20 can perform two-way communication with the information processing apparatus 10, in step S11, the fact that the language file has been stored in the storage area 104, or Message data indicating that it could not be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 10 may be displayed on the display apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 20 can store the language file transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 in the storage area 104 by performing such a series of processes.

  Further, when the language file is stored in the storage area 104 in this way, the image forming apparatus 20 stores the language file in the storage area 104 by performing a series of processes as shown in FIG. Check the language file.

  First, as shown in the figure, the control unit 109 requests the check unit 105 to confirm the contents of the storage area 104 in step S21. In response to this, the check unit 105 checks the storage data existence flag in the storage area 104 in step S22, and determines whether there is data stored in the storage area 104.

  If the check unit 105 determines that there is no data stored in the storage area 104, the check unit 105 proceeds to step S28 and clears the storage area available flag. In response to this, the control unit 109 causes the display unit 108 to display a message indicating that no language file is stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S29. Then, a series of processing is completed.

  On the other hand, when the check unit 105 determines that there is data stored in the storage area 104, in step S23, the hash value of each message data stored in the storage area 104 and the hash value of the check data are stored. It is judged whether or not. This is a process performed to check whether or not the data is damaged. If the check unit 105 determines that the hash values do not match, the check unit 105 proceeds to step S28 and clears the storage area available flag. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file stored in the storage area 104 is damaged based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S29. 108, and a series of processing is completed.

  If the check unit 105 determines that the hash values match, the language file stored in the storage area 104 corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20 based on the model name of the check data in step S24. It is determined whether it is what to do. This is because, for example, when a language file composed of message data corresponding to a function not installed in the image forming apparatus 20 is stored in the storage area 104, the language file cannot be used. If the check unit 105 determines that the language file does not correspond to the image forming apparatus 20, the check unit 105 proceeds to step S28 and clears the storage area available flag. In response to this, the control unit 109 displays a message indicating that the language file stored in the storage area 104 does not correspond based on the message data stored in the message table 107 in step S29. 108, and a series of processing is completed.

  Further, if the check unit 105 determines that the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20, the language file stored in the storage area 104 based on the version number of the check data in step S25. It is determined whether or not the plate number corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20. This is because the language file cannot be used when the version number of the language file does not match. If the check unit 105 determines that the version number of the language file does not correspond to the image forming apparatus 20, the check unit 105 proceeds to step S28 and clears the storage area availability flag. In response to this, in step S29, the control unit 109, based on the message data stored in the message table 107, indicates that the version number of the language file stored in the storage area 104 does not correspond. Is displayed on the display unit 108, and the series of processing ends.

  Furthermore, when the check unit 105 determines that the version number of the language file corresponds to the image forming apparatus 20, the check unit 105 stores the version number in the storage area 104 based on the language name of the check data in step S26. It is determined whether the language of the current language file is one that can be used by the image forming apparatus 20. This is a process performed to confirm whether or not the image forming apparatus 20 supports the built-in font used for display on the display unit 108, local printing, and the like. If the check unit 105 determines that the language of the language file is not usable by the image forming apparatus 20, the check unit 105 proceeds to step S28 and clears the storage area available flag. In response to this, in step S29, the control unit 109, based on the message data stored in the message table 107, displays a message indicating that the language of the language file stored in the storage area 104 is not compatible. The display is performed on the display unit 108, and the series of processing ends.

  If the check unit 105 determines that the language of the language file is usable by the image forming apparatus 20, the check unit 105 sets a storage area available flag in step S27. Accordingly, the control unit 109 can use the language file stored in the storage area 104 based on the message data of the language file stored in the storage area 104 in step S29. A message to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 108, and the series of processing ends. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 can use or use the language file stored in the storage area 104 under the control of the image forming control unit 110 as necessary in step S29. You may make it print the report which shows that it cannot do. In addition, in the image forming apparatus 20, when bidirectional communication with the information processing apparatus 10 is possible, the language file stored in the storage area 104 can be used in step S29. It is also possible to transmit message data indicating that it is unavailable or unavailable to the information processing apparatus 10 and display it on the display device.

  The image forming apparatus 20 can check the language file stored in the storage area 104 by performing such a series of processes at the time of initialization when the power is turned on.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 20 acquires message data by performing a series of processes as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in the figure, the control unit 109 determines whether or not the storage area available flag of the check unit 105 is set in step S31.

  If the control unit 109 determines that the storage area available flag is set, the control unit 109 supplies the ID corresponding to the message to be displayed on the display unit 108 to the reading unit 106 and stores it in step S32. Requests acquisition of message data stored in the area 104. In response to this, the reading unit 106 reads out message data corresponding to the ID requested by the control unit 109 from the message data stored in the storage area 104 and supplies the message data to the control unit 109 in step S33. Then, a series of processing is completed.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 109 determines that the storage area available flag has been cleared, the control unit 109 proceeds to step S34 to display the display unit from the message data stored in the message table 107. A message corresponding to the ID corresponding to the message to be displayed on 108 is read, and the series of processing ends.

  The image forming apparatus 20 can obtain desired message data from the storage area 104 or the message table 107 by performing such a series of processes, and can display a message on the display unit 108 based on the acquired message data. .

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention, the language file desired by the user is downloaded from the information processing apparatus 10 to the image forming apparatus 20, thereby the image forming apparatus 20. The message data stored in the storage area 104 can be acquired and output without switching the language to be used in, and without outputting the message data stored in the message table 107. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 only needs to store message data of one language used in the initial state, and the overall storage capacity can be reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 20 only downloads the corrected language file and stores it in the storage area 104 even when there is an error in translation of the message data stored in the message table 107 composed of ROM. It can be easily handled. Further, even when it is necessary to store a large amount of data such as a help message for assisting the user's operation, the image forming apparatus 20 does not enter the message table 107 having a limited storage capacity. Can be solved. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 can easily handle all languages even if the number of corresponding languages increases.

  Here, the user operates the information processing apparatus 10 to start a predetermined application program, and selects a language file corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 and having a desired language from a plurality of language files. As described above, in the image forming system, for example, when a printer driver is installed in the information processing apparatus 10, a language file in the same language as the language of the installer may be downloaded to the image forming apparatus 20.

  Next, an image forming system shown as the second embodiment will be described.

  The image forming system shown as the second embodiment is an improvement of the image forming system shown as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the second embodiment, the same components as those in the description of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the image forming system shown as the first embodiment, the user searches for a language file corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 via the display device of the information processing apparatus 10, and the language of the language desired by the user from among them is searched. It is necessary to perform an operation of selecting a file and transmitting it to the image forming apparatus 20. Further, in this image forming system, there is a possibility that the user transmits a language file that is not compatible with the image forming apparatus 20 to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming system shown as the second embodiment can solve such a problem.

  The image forming system shown as the second embodiment is configured by connecting an information processing apparatus 10 used by a user and an image forming apparatus 20 that performs image formation as shown in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 20 is configured as shown in FIG. 2 above. When the language file is received from the information processing apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 20 stores the language file in the storage area 104, and a message constituting the language file. A message is displayed based on the data.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an input device 201 for a user to input predetermined information, a display device 202 for displaying various information, an auxiliary storage device 203 for storing various information, and A main storage device 204, an external interface 205 that communicates with an external device, and a central processing unit 206 that controls the entire information processing apparatus 10 are included.

  The input device 201 includes a predetermined input operation device as a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse. Specifically, the user, via the input device 201, activates a language file download application program (hereinafter referred to as a program) 203a to be described later, a selection operation of the image forming apparatus 20 for switching the language, and a language file to be downloaded. The selection operation is performed. Information input via the input device 201 is supplied to the central processing unit 206.

  The display device 202 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), a liquid crystal display, or the like, for example, and displays a startup screen of the program 203a under the control of the central processing unit 206.

  The auxiliary storage device 203 is composed of, for example, a hard disk and stores a program 203 a for downloading a language file to the image forming apparatus 20. The program 203a is distributed together with software such as a printer driver of the image forming apparatus 20, or is distributed via a website of the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus 20. The program 203a stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 is read out by the central processing unit 206 in response to an activation instruction by the user via the input device 201.

  The main storage device 204 is composed of, for example, a DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) memory or the like, functions as a work area when the program 203a stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 is activated, and is stored in the program 203a. Stores data such as language file sets. Information stored in the main storage device 204 is read out by the central processing unit 206 and the external interface 205.

  The external interface 205 is composed of, for example, a network card or the like, and exchanges data with an external device such as the image forming apparatus 20 under the control of the central processing unit 206. For example, the external interface 205 transmits a language file download information acquisition command to be described later to all connected image forming apparatuses, and receives download information as a response thereto. Further, the external interface 205 transmits the language file stored in the main storage device 204 to the image forming apparatus 20 and receives information indicating the result.

  The central processing unit 206 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like. The central processing unit 206 gives an instruction to each unit configuring the information processing apparatus 10 and receives a notification from each unit, thereby the information processing apparatus 10. To control the whole.

  Among these units, the external interface 205 and the central processing unit 206 download a language file used in each image forming apparatus from all connected image forming apparatuses by executing the program 203a. It functions as an acquisition unit that acquires the download information necessary to do this. In addition, the input device 201 and the display device 202 execute the program 203a, and based on the download information acquired by the acquisition unit, the target image forming device 20 that desires to download a language file, and the image forming device 20 functions as a selection unit that allows the user to select a target language file to be downloaded. Further, the external interface 205 and the central processing unit 206 transmit the target language file selected via the selection unit to the selected target image forming apparatus 20 by executing the program 203a. It also functions as a part. In addition, the central processing unit 206 includes a list creation unit that creates a list of image forming apparatuses for which download information has been acquired by the acquisition unit and displays the list on the display device 202 by executing the program 203a, and a selection unit. Corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 from a plurality of language files based on the download information of the target image forming apparatus 20 selected from the list of image forming apparatuses displayed on the display device 202 via It functions as a character string data acquisition unit that acquires a language file and displays the list on the display device 202.

  Such an information processing apparatus 10 transmits print data for image formation to the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the information processing apparatus 10 executes the program 203 a under the control of the central processing unit 206 and transmits a language file to the image forming apparatus 20.

  The information processing apparatus 10 in such an image forming system downloads a language file to the image forming apparatus 20 by performing a series of processes as shown in FIG.

  First, as shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus 10, in step S41, in response to the user instructing the central processing unit 206 to start the program 203a via the input device 201 in step S41, The program 203a stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 is read by the central processing unit 206 to the main storage device 204 and activated to start processing.

  Subsequently, in step S43, the activated program 203a sends a language file to each image forming apparatus for all the image forming apparatuses connected to the external interface 205 under the control of the central processing unit 206. A language file download information acquisition command for acquiring information necessary for downloading is transmitted. Accordingly, if each image forming apparatus supports the language file download information acquisition command, the model name, the version number of the corresponding language file, and available as download information necessary for downloading A unique language name is returned to the information processing apparatus 10. In step S <b> 44, the information processing apparatus 10 receives the download information transmitted from each image forming apparatus via the external interface 205 and stores it in the main storage device 204.

  Subsequently, in step S45, the program 203a creates a list of image forming apparatuses to which download information has been returned under the control of the central processing unit 206. That is, the program 203a creates a list that associates the download information of the image forming apparatus that has returned with the information such as a unique name assigned to the image forming apparatus. When the program 203a acquires the download information from all the image forming apparatuses in this way, in step S46, the names of all the image forming apparatuses registered in the list are extracted under the control of the central processing unit 206. The list is displayed on the display device 202.

  Subsequently, in the information processing apparatus 10, in step S47, the user selects one image forming apparatus 20 whose language is to be switched from the list displayed on the display apparatus 202 via the input apparatus 201. . In response to this, the program 203a is stored in the program 203a in step S48 based on the download information of the selected target image forming apparatus 20 under the control of the central processing unit 206. A language file set corresponding to the image forming apparatus 20 is acquired from the plurality of language file sets. In step S49, the program 203a creates a list of a plurality of language files stored in the acquired language file set under the control of the central processing unit 206, and displays the list on the display device 202. That is, the program 203a creates a list of language files in a plurality of languages stored in the acquired language file set, such as French or German.

  Subsequently, in the information processing apparatus 10, in step S50, the user selects one desired language file from the list displayed on the display device 202 via the input device 201. In step S51, the selected language file is acquired by the program 203a.

  In step S52, the program 203a transmits the acquired language file to the target image forming apparatus 20 via the external interface 205 under the control of the central processing unit 206. At this time, the program 203a adds the language file download command shown in the first embodiment to the language file and transmits it. In response to this, the image forming apparatus 20 processes the received language file and returns the result to the information processing apparatus 10. In step S53, the information processing apparatus 10 receives the reception result information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20 via the external interface 205 and notifies the program 203a, and in step S54, the reception result information is received by the program 203a. Displayed on the display device 202, the series of processing ends.

  The information processing apparatus 10 can download a language file to the image forming apparatus 20 by performing such a series of processes.

  As described above, in the image forming system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention, the information processing apparatus 10 executes the program 203a to automatically search for a corresponding image forming apparatus, Thus, the user can select the target image forming apparatus 20. Further, in this image forming system, the language file corresponding to the selected image forming apparatus 20 is automatically extracted by the program 203a, and the language file is automatically selected by allowing the user to select a desired language file. Can be downloaded. Therefore, in this image forming system, in addition to the effects described in the first embodiment, work to be operated by the user can be reduced, and language files that are not compatible with the image forming apparatus 20 can be saved. A situation in which transmission to the image forming apparatus 20 can be avoided.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been mainly made on the assumption that message data having a language different from the language of the message data stored in the message table 107 in the image forming apparatus 20 is downloaded. May download a language file composed of the same language as the language of the message data stored in the message table 107. The present invention can also be applied to message data that is not related to language differences, such as error codes. That is, the present invention can be applied as long as the second character string data different from the first character string data stored in the message table is downloaded.

  In the above-described embodiment, as an aspect for connecting the information processing apparatus 10 and the image forming apparatus 20, a LAN or USB constructed using Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like has been described. For example, it can be applied to an arbitrary communication system such as so-called Centronics, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394, RS232C, or the like.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 10 has been described as comprising a personal computer, a workstation, or the like. However, the present invention downloads, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a language file. Therefore, the present invention can be applied even to a dedicated terminal device for the purpose.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus that performs image formation based on the input print data has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to any device that performs image formation. For example, the present invention is suitable for application to a facsimile machine, a copying machine, or a multifunction machine having these functions in combination.

  Thus, it goes without saying that the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus in an image forming system shown as a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic explaining the structure of print data. It is the schematic explaining the structure of a language file. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processes when a language file is stored in a storage area in the image forming apparatus in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing when checking a language file stored in a storage area in the image forming apparatus in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a series of processing when message data is acquired by the image forming apparatus in the image forming system shown as the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram explaining the structure of the information processing apparatus in the image forming system shown as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes when a language file is downloaded from an information processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus in the image forming system shown as the second embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 20 Image forming apparatus 101 Reception part 101a Reception buffer 102 Analysis part 103 Storage part 104 Storage area 105 Check part 106 Reading part 107 Message table 108 Display part 109 Control part 110 Image formation control part 201 Input device 202 Display apparatus 203 Auxiliary storage device 203a Language file download application program 204 Main storage device 205 External interface 206 Central processing unit

Claims (11)

In an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input data,
A first storage unit for storing first character string data;
A second storage unit for storing second character string data transmitted from the external device;
When it is determined that the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit, the second character string data stored in the first storage unit is not output, and the second character string data is output. An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that acquires and outputs the second character string data stored in the storage unit. An analysis unit that acquires data transmitted from the external device and analyzes the command;
A storage unit for storing the second character string data in the second storage unit when the command analysis by the analysis unit indicates a command to download the second character string data; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The storage unit analyzes the content of the second character string data to determine whether or not the second character string data is damaged. If the second character string data is damaged, the second character string data is determined. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit when the data is discarded while the data is not damaged. The storage unit analyzes the content of the second character string data to determine whether or not the second character string data corresponds to the image forming apparatus. 4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the second character string data is discarded while the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit when corresponding to the second character string data. Forming equipment. The storage unit analyzes the content of the second character string data to determine whether or not the version number of the second character string data corresponds to the image forming apparatus. In this case, the second character string data is discarded, and if it corresponds, the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit. The image forming apparatus described. The storage unit analyzes the contents of the second character string data to determine whether or not the language of the second character string data is usable by the image forming apparatus. If not, the second character string data is discarded, and if it is usable, the second character string data is stored in the second storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. A check unit for determining whether or not the second character string data stored in the second storage unit is correct data when the image forming apparatus is initialized;
The control unit does not use the second character string data when the second character string data stored in the second storage unit is not correct as a result of the determination by the check unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a language used in the image forming apparatus is switched so that the first character string data stored in the first storage unit is used. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the first character string data and the second character string data is a language file having a predetermined language. In an information processing apparatus connected to an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on input data,
An acquisition unit that acquires download information necessary for downloading character string data used in each image forming apparatus from all of the connected image forming apparatuses;
Based on the download information acquired by the acquisition unit, a selection unit that allows a user to select a target image forming apparatus that desires to download character string data, and a target character string data to be downloaded to the image forming apparatus;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit configured to transmit the target character string data selected via the selection unit to the selected target image forming apparatus. A list creation unit that creates a list of image forming apparatuses from which the download information has been acquired by the acquisition unit and displays the list on a predetermined display device;
Based on the download information of the target image forming apparatus selected from the list of image forming apparatuses displayed on the display device via the selection unit, the image is selected from a plurality of character string data. A character string data acquisition unit for acquiring character string data corresponding to the forming device and displaying the list on the display device;
The transmission unit transmits the target character string data selected from the list of character string data displayed on the display device via the selection unit to the selected target image forming apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits the information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the character string data is a language file composed of a predetermined language.