JP4564803B2 - Image forming apparatus and device information management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a device information management method.

  “BMLinkS” is a standard specification (integrated interface specification) for the search (Discovery), data format (Data Format), and control (Job / Device Control) of OA (Office Automation) devices such as printers, scanners, and fax machines on the network. And an integrated printer driver (BMLinkS driver) for using a printer (BMLinkS printer) compatible with BMLinkS from a personal computer or the like is also publicly distributed (see Non-Patent Document 1, for example).

By using this BMLinkS driver, any BMLinkS printer can be used, and there is no need to install a dedicated printer driver for each printer as in the past. This eliminates the inconvenience of being unable to print. Also, the trouble of installing the printer driver can be saved.
"What is BMLinkS?" Business Machine and Information System Industries Association (JBMIA) (Former Japan Business Machine Industry Association) http://www.jbmia.or.jp/bmlinks/intro/index.htm

  As mentioned above, BMLinkS is very useful, but the following problems have been pointed out.

  First, BMLinkS has a function to search and list desired printers based on management information such as “installation location” and capability information such as “printing speed”, “color printing possible”, and “stapling possible”. However, since there is no function for managing the state of consumables, there is a problem that the function exists but cannot be actually used. For example, when a printer capable of stapling is selected and printing is performed, stapling may not be performed because there is actually no staple staple. In addition, when a printer capable of color printing is selected and printing is performed, the color toner has run out, so printing may not be possible or monochrome printing may occur.

  Secondly, BMLinkS does not have a function for managing the operation state of the device, so that there is a problem that even if there is a device having no functional problem, it cannot be actually used. For example, the printer found by the search is selected and printing is performed, but printing may not be possible due to a paper jam or the like.

  Thirdly, there are cases where outsiders do not want to use or want to know the existence due to device management requirements, but BMLinkS has no function to restrict the provision of information. There was a problem that information was disclosed. For example, printers that you do not want outsiders to use may be discovered and used in searches, or color machines that you do not want to be known to outsiders may be discovered and used in searches. there were.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is the state of consumables without affecting the existing control mechanism based on the integrated interface specifications such as BMLinkS, An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a device information management method capable of accurately reflecting an operating state of a device and restricting the provision of information by a user.

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, as described in claim 1, based on the integrated interface specification, the search request can be used by collating with its own management information and capability information . An image forming apparatus having a function of responding only to the case, and when receiving the search request, obtains its own unique information, operation information and consumable information at that time , and manages the information reflecting those information Information and the above-mentioned capability information , especially when it is found from the above-mentioned consumable information that there is no predetermined consumable , based on the above-mentioned management information and capability information Search means for searching for the search request.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the search means can limit the search based on user registration information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the creation means can create the management information and capability information from which information subject to search restriction given to a predetermined user is removed.

  Further, as described in claim 4, the integrated interface specification may be BMLinkS.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a device description file that holds the management information can be provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a service description file that holds the capability information can be provided.

  In addition, as described in claim 7, the creation unit obtains the name, manufacturer name, address, identification number, etc. of the device from the unique information of the device, and information such as whether the device can be used from the operation information of the device Can be obtained and a device description file reflecting these can be created.

  Further, as described in claim 8, the state of the device can be described in the “modelDescription” field of the device description file.

  In addition, as described in claim 9, the creation unit acquires information on the function and performance of the device from the unique information of the device, acquires information on the consumables, and reflects the service description. You can create a file.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, a screen for switching functions can be displayed on the printer operation panel.

  In addition, as described in claim 11, it is possible to provide the screen with a field in which it is possible to set whether the user restriction is “Yes” or “No”.

  In addition, as described in claim 12, the screen can be provided with a column in which it is possible to set whether to reflect the state of the consumable item.

  In addition, as described in claim 13, the search restriction is divided into “color”, “double-sided”, “staple”, and the like, and a column in which “Yes” or “No” can be set is provided on the screen. Can do.

  Further, as described in claim 14, the creation means and the search means can be configured as a BMLinkS daemon in a network control service that provides a network service.

  In addition, as described in claim 15, a printer search processing unit that performs a search when a search request is received, and a device description file and a service description file that are in an up-to-date state prior to the search processing of the printer search processing unit. A DDF / SDF generation processing unit that generates the data reflecting the above, and a printer status management unit that manages the printer status necessary for generating the device description file and the service description file of the DDF / SDF generation processing unit Can be.

In addition, as described in claim 16, based on the integrated interface specification, the apparatus in the image forming apparatus having a function of responding to a search request only when it can be used by collating with its own management information and capability information an information management method, when receiving the search request, its own unique information at that time, and acquires the operation information and supplies the information to create the management information and the capability information incorporating that information In particular, when it is found from the consumable information that there is no predetermined consumable, the creation process for deleting the corresponding function from the capability information and the search for the search request based on the management information and the capability information are performed. And a device information management method including a search process.

  In addition, as described in claim 17, the search step can restrict the search based on the user registration information.

  In addition, as described in claim 18, the creation step can create the management information and capability information from which information subject to search restriction given to a predetermined user is removed.

  Further, as described in claim 19, the integrated interface specification may be BMLinkS.

  In the image forming apparatus and device information management method of the present invention, the state of consumables, the operating state of the device, etc. are accurately reflected without affecting the existing control system based on the integrated interface specification such as BMLinkS. And the provision of information can be restricted by the user.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Here, a case where the image forming apparatus that executes the device information management method is configured as a BMLinkS printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a BMLinkS printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a BMLinkS printer 3 includes an operating system 301 having communication functions such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), UDP (User Datagram Protocol), and IP (Internet Protocol), and resource management that operates on the operating system 301. In the network control service 304, which includes a system resource manager 302, a system control service 303 and a network control service 304 that operate on the system resource manager 302 to provide various services, and a print processing unit 307 that executes printing. The BMLinkS daemon 306 is provided so as to coexist with the HTTP daemon 305 and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the BMLinkS daemon 306, a device description file 311 storing management information such as “installation location”, and a service storing capability information such as “printing speed”, “color printing possible”, and “stapling possible”. It has a description file 312 and user registration information 313 storing restriction information for each user.

  In addition, the BMLinkS daemon 306 has an activation / update notification processing unit 314 that performs activation and update notification in accordance with SSDP (Simple Service Discovery Protocol) via the SSDP client 315.

  In addition, the printer search processing unit 317 that performs a search when a search request is received from the network via the SSDP server 316, and the device description file 311 and the service description file 312 are updated prior to the search processing of the printer search processing unit 317. A DDF / SDF generation processing unit 318 that is generated as a reflection of the status of the printer, and a printer status that manages the printer status necessary for generating the device description file 311 and the service description file 312 of the DDF / SDF generation processing unit 318 And a management unit 319.

  In addition, a command analysis processing unit 321 that analyzes a print request (create_job command) received from the network via the HTTP server 320 and a command processing unit 322 that performs command processing according to the analysis result are provided.

  In addition, a print processing unit 324 that receives print data via the HTTP server 323 and performs print processing, and a job status notification processing unit 325 that performs job status notification processing via the HTTP client 326 are provided.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the printer operation panel 331 for switching functions such as user restriction, a column 332 in which user restriction can be set “ON” or “NO”, and reflection of the state of consumables. A field 333 that can be set to “Yes” or “No”, and a field 334 that can be set to “Yes” or “No” by dividing the search restriction into “Color”, “Double-sided”, “Staple”, etc. Have on.

  The operation of the above embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a response from the BMLinkS printer to the search request.

  In FIG. 4, when searching for a printer to perform printing from the personal computer 1, a multicast bid notice is sent from the BMLinkS driver 11 in the personal computer 1 to the BMLinkS printers 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> C on the network 2 as indicated by solid lines with arrows. Do. This bid notice can include search conditions such as “color printable” and “staplable”.

  The BMLinkS daemons 306A to 306C of the BMLinkS printers 3A to 3C that have received the bid notice recreated the device description files 311A to 311C and service description files 312A to 312C that are held as reflecting the device status at that time. The tender notice is evaluated with reference to these, and if the condition is met, an answer (participation notice) is returned to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 as indicated by a broken line with an arrow. The BMLinkS driver 11 in the personal computer 1 creates and displays a list of available printers based on the received participation notification, and allows the user to select a printer to be actually used.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of a response from the BMLinkS printer in response to a search request. The user A of the personal computer 1 is not registered in the BMLinkS printer 3B and the user restriction is applied, and the BMLinkS printer 3C has a stapling function. It is assumed that the staple of the stapler is in a state where it is lost.

  In this case, when a multicast bid notice is given from the BMLinkS driver 11 in the personal computer 1 to the BMLinkS printers 3A to 3C on the network 2 as indicated by the solid lines with arrows, the user A of the personal computer 1 uses the BMLinkS printer 3B. Is not registered, the search in the BMLinkS printer 3B is limited, and the BMLinkS printer 3B does not respond. If the search condition includes the condition “stapling is possible”, the BMLinkS printer 3C has a staple function, but the staples of the stapler are lost, so the “stapling possible” item in the service description file 312 is deleted. BMLinkS printer 3C does not respond because the search condition is not met. Here, only the BMLinkS printer 3A that matches the conditions returns an answer (participation notification) to the personal computer 1 via the network 2 as indicated by a broken line with an arrow.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing in more detail the processing of the BMLinkS printer at the time of search.

  In FIG. 6, when searching for a printer for printing from the personal computer 1, the personal computer 1 issues a bid announcement (search request) to the BMLinkS printer 3 (step S1). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of communication data of bid notification when no search condition is specified, and includes a description 401 for specifying search by SSDP and a description 402 for identifying bid notification. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of communication data of a bid notification when a search condition is specified. In addition to a description 403 specifying a search by SSDP and a description 404 identifying a bid notification, “A4 size” A description 405 indicating that it is possible is included.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the DDF / SDF generation processing unit 318 (FIG. 2) of the BMLinkS printer 3 acquires device state information from the printer state management unit 319, and stores a device description file 311 and a service description file 312 reflecting the latest state. Create and store (step S2).

  Then, the printer search processing unit 317 performs a search based on the latest device description file 311 and service description file 312 (step S3), and transmits a participation notification to the personal computer 1 if the conditions are met. (Step S4). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of communication data of a notification of participation with respect to a tender announcement, a description 406 for identifying the tender announcement (matching description 402 in FIG. 7 and description 404 in FIG. 8), and a description 407 indicating its own address. Is included.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing processing of the BMLinkS printer at the time of search when there is a user restriction.

  In FIG. 10, when searching for a printer for printing from the personal computer 1, the personal computer 1 issues a bid announcement (search request) to the BMLinkS printer 3 (step S11). FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of communication data of bid announcement including user information when no search condition is specified. In addition to description 408 specifying search by SSDP and description 409 identifying bid announcement, description indicating the user 410 is included. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of communication data of a bid notification including user information when a search condition is specified. A description 411 specifying a search by SSDP, a description 412 identifying a bid notification, and a description indicating the search condition In addition to 413, a description 414 indicating the user is included.

  Returning to FIG. 10, the DDF / SDF generation processing unit 318 (FIG. 2) of the BMLinkS printer 3 acquires device state information from the printer state management unit 319, and stores a device description file 311 and a service description file 312 reflecting the latest state. Create and store (step S12).

  Then, the printer search processing unit 317 performs a search based on the latest device description file 311, service description file 312 and user registration information 313 (step S13). (Step S14).

  Note that when the device description file 311 and the service description file 312 are created (step S12), the user registration information 313 is referred to and the device description file 311 and the service description file 312 reflecting the user restrictions are created. Good. For example, for a search from a user who is restricted from searching for color printing, the service description file 312 in which the color function is deleted can be generated. As a result, there is no hit in the subsequent search (step S13), and no response is made to the personal computer 1.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing device description file creation processing (a part of steps S2 and S12 in FIGS. 6 and 10).

  In FIG. 13, as the device description file creation process (step S21), the device name, manufacturer name, address (URL), identification number (UUID), etc. are acquired from the device specific information and used from the device operation information. Information such as possible is acquired, and a device description file 311 reflecting these is created and stored.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of data in a device description file, and includes a description 415 indicating a name, manufacturer name, address (URL), identification number (UUID), and the like.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of data in the device description file, and includes a description 416 indicating that the device is in a “paper jam” state. In this way, by describing the state of the device in the “modelDescription” field, the state of the device can be included in the display of the printer information on the personal computer side that requests printing. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of printer information that reflects the status of the device. The “status” portion following “job name” and “user name” displayed in a list is usually a simple “stopped” state. Although only display is performed, a more detailed state of the device such as “paper jam” can be displayed in this way.

  Next, FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a service description file creation process (part of steps S2 and S12 in FIGS. 6 and 10).

  In FIG. 17, as a service description file creation process (step S <b> 31), information such as device function and performance is acquired from device specific information, consumable information is acquired, and a service description file reflecting these items is reflected. 312 is created and stored. In other words, when it is determined from the information on consumables that there is no consumable, functions that cannot be used because there is no consumable are not described in the service description file 312.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of data in the service description file, and includes a description 417 indicating that staples can be used as the finishing (finishing function). FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of data in the service description file, and includes a description 418 indicating that finishing cannot be used due to the absence of the staple of the stapler.

  In this way, by reflecting the state of consumables and the operating state of the device in the device description file 311 and the service description file 312, the existing control mechanism based on the integrated interface specification such as BMLinkS is not affected. It is possible to avoid problems that exist as a function but may not be used in practice or may not be used even if there is a device that has no functional problem.

  In addition, by restricting the provision of information by the user, it is possible to appropriately cope with cases where it is not desired for outsiders to use the device due to management requirements of the device or the presence of the device is not desired to be known.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

It is a block diagram of the BMLinkS printer concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of BMLinkS daemon. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a printer operation panel for switching functions such as user restriction. It is a figure which shows the example of the response from the BMLinkS printer with respect to a search request. It is a figure which shows the other example of the response from the BMLinkS printer with respect to a search request. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of the BMLinkS printer at the time of a search. It is a figure which shows the communication data example of the bid notification when not specifying search conditions. It is a figure which shows the communication data example of a bid notification when the search conditions are designated. It is a figure which shows the communication data example of the notification of participation with respect to a bid notification. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of BMLinkS printer at the time of a search when there exists a user restriction | limiting. It is a figure which shows the communication data example of the bid notification which contains user information when not specifying search conditions. It is a figure which shows the communication data example of a bid notification including user information when a search condition is specified. It is a figure which shows the preparation process of a device description file. It is a figure which shows the example of data of a device description file. It is a figure which shows the other data example of a device description file. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of printer information reflecting the state of a device. It is a figure which shows the creation process of a service description file. It is a figure which shows the example of data of a service description file. It is a figure which shows the other example of data of a service description file.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 11 BMLinkS driver 2 Network 3, 3A-3C BMLinkS printer 301 Operating system 302 System resource manager 303 System control service 304 Network control service 305 HTTP daemon 306, 306A-306C BMLinkS daemon 307 Print processing unit 311, 311A-311C device Description file 312, 312A to 312C Service description file 313 User registration information 314 Startup / update notification processing unit 315 SSDP client 316 SSDP server 317 Printer search processing unit 318 DDF / SDF generation processing unit 319 Printer status management unit 320 HTTP server 321 Command analysis Processing unit 322 Command processing unit 323 HTTP server Bas 324 print processing unit 325 job status notification processing unit 326 HTTP client

Claims (19)

Based on the integrated interface specification, an image forming apparatus having a function of responding to a search request only when it can be used by checking its own management information and capability information,
When receiving the search request, its own unique information at that time, and acquires the operation information and supplies the information to create the management information and the capability information incorporating that information, especially certain consumables If it is found from the consumables information that there is no, the creation means for deleting the corresponding function of the capability information ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: search means for searching for the search request based on the management information and capability information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search unit limits search based on user registration information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit creates the management information and capability information from which information that is subject to search restriction given to a predetermined user is removed.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the integrated interface specification is BMLinkS.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a device description file that holds the management information.   6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a service description file that holds the capability information.   The above creation means obtains the device name, manufacturer name, address, identification number, etc. from the device specific information, and obtains information such as availability from the device operation information, and the device description file reflecting these The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the state of the device is described in a “modelDescription” field of the device description file.   2. The creation unit obtains information on the function and performance of the device from the unique information of the device, obtains information on the consumables, and creates a service description file reflecting these information. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a screen for switching functions is displayed on a printer operation panel.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the screen includes a field in which user restriction can be set to “Yes” or “No”.   12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the screen includes a field in which it is possible to set whether to reflect the state of the consumables.   13. The field according to claim 10, further comprising a field in which the search restriction is divided into “color”, “double-sided”, “staple”, etc., and can be set to “Yes” or “No”. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creation unit and the search unit are configured as a BMLinkS daemon in a network control service that provides a network service. A printer search processing unit for performing a search when a search request is received;
A DDF / SDF generation processing unit that generates a device description file and a service description file reflecting the latest state prior to the search processing of the printer search processing unit;
15. A printer state management unit for managing a printer state necessary for generating a device description file and a service description file of the DDF / SDF generation processing unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1. A device information management method in an image forming apparatus having a function of responding to a search request only when it can be used by collating with its own management information and capability information based on an integrated interface specification,
When receiving the search request, its own unique information at that time, and acquires the operation information and supplies the information to create the management information and the capability information incorporating that information, especially certain consumables If it is found from the consumables information that there is not, a creation step of deleting the corresponding function from the capability information ,
A device information management method comprising: a search step for performing a search for the search request based on the management information and capability information.   The apparatus information management method according to claim 16, wherein the search step performs a search restriction based on user registration information.   17. The device information management method according to claim 16, wherein the creation step creates the management information and capability information from which information to be subject to search restriction given to a predetermined user is removed.   The device information management method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the integrated interface specification is BMLinkS.

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