JP2001058448A - Information outputting device, image outputting device, image outputting system, error controlling method for image outputting device, and memory medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the usability and the handleability by designating a processing procedure from a designating means for coping with the error in the case an error of the device is generated, lighting or flashing a light-emitting means pertaining to the portion designated by the processing procedure, and generating a warning in the case a process different from the processing procedure is executed. SOLUTION: When printing data designating a printing operation with, for example, a B4 size paper from a host computer to a paper-feeding drive device 110 are received by a printer 100, in the case the paper size of a paper feeding cassette mounted on the paper feeding drive device 110 is not the designated B4 size, but for example, it is an A4 size, a message 'please replace B4 papes' is displayed on a display panel 102 via a printer control part. Next, a lamp 113 is flashed, and at the same time, a message 'please take out the cassette with the lamp flashing' is displayed. Moreover, in the case the A4 cassette 103 is not taken out, a message 'the cassette taken out is not the A4 cassette' is displayed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information output apparatus such as a printer for interpreting information created by a host computer or the like, developing the data into a printable data format and outputting the data, and an image output apparatus. The present invention relates to an image output system having the same, an error control method for the image output device, and a storage medium for executing the error control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer such as a laser beam printer as an image output device is connected to a host computer using a standard interface cable. Image information created using a user application program on the host computer is converted into PDL (page description language) that can be interpreted by the printer on the host computer.

When the converted image data is input to a printer, the printer interprets the image data and converts it into a binary signal of bitmap data for output to a printer engine. With such a configuration, a hard copy can be obtained from the printer.

On the other hand, when the paper size requested from the host computer is different from the paper size of the paper cassette mounted on the printer, or when the requested paper size is out of paper, the printer is attached to the printer. An error display, so-called operator call, is generated by the display panel or utility software on the host computer.

[0005]

However, the conventional image output apparatus has the following problems.

[0006] In recent years, printers have become multifunctional by being connected to a network or being provided with a multi-stage paper feed cassette and the like, and accordingly, the operation method when an operator call has occurred has become complicated. On the other hand, with the recent aging of society and the employment expansion of physically handicapped people, it is difficult for elderly people and physically handicapped persons to make full use of current multifunctional printers. .

In other words, in the current printer, when an operator call occurs, there is not enough means for notifying the user of a specific place to be operated by a reliable method. There is a problem that a place to be operated is not known or a lot of time is spent until it is known.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and has an information output device, an image output device, an image output system, and an image capable of simply and reliably informing an operator of a specific operation procedure when an operator call occurs. An object of the present invention is to provide an error control method for an output device and a storage medium.

[0009]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information output apparatus for interpreting information created by an information processing apparatus and outputting the interpreted information. When an error occurs, instructing means for instructing a processing procedure for coping with the error, and when instructed in the processing procedure, a control means for turning on or blinking a light emitting means associated with a location instructed in the processing procedure, And a warning unit for issuing a warning when a process different from the above-described process is performed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information output apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information output apparatus according to the first aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by a voice output unit.

According to the image output apparatus of the present invention, in the image output apparatus which interprets the image information created by the information processing apparatus, develops it into printable bitmap data and outputs it, an error occurs in the apparatus. An instructing means for instructing a processing procedure for coping with the error, a control means for turning on or blinking a light emitting means associated with a location designated in the processing procedure when instructed in the processing procedure, Warning means for giving a warning when a different process is performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus of the fourth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by a sound output unit.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output system, comprising: an information processing apparatus for generating image information; interpreting the image information generated by the information processing apparatus, and developing the image information into printable bitmap data. In an image output system including an image output device for outputting, when an error occurs in the device, the image output device includes: an instruction unit that instructs a processing procedure for coping with the error; Control means for turning on or off the light emitting means associated with the location designated in the processing procedure, and warning means for warning when a processing different from the processing procedure is performed are provided.

[0016] In the image output system according to the present invention, in the image output system according to the present invention,
The processing procedure is instructed by language display means provided in the image output device.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image output system according to the seventh aspect,
The processing procedure is instructed by audio output means provided in the image output device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an error control method for an image output apparatus, which interprets image information created by an information processing apparatus, develops the image information into printable bitmap data, and outputs the bitmap data. An instruction processing for instructing a processing procedure for coping with the error when an error occurs in the apparatus, and a control processing for turning on or blinking a light emitting unit associated with the location specified in the processing procedure when instructed in the processing procedure And a warning process for giving a warning when a process different from the above-described process is performed.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the error control method for an image output apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by a language display means. I do.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the error control method for an image output apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by audio output processing. I do.

In the storage medium according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an image output apparatus executes an error control method of interpreting image information created by an information processing apparatus, developing the information into printable bitmap data, and outputting the data. A storage medium storing a computer-readable program, wherein the error control method includes, when an error occurs in the device, an instruction step of instructing a processing procedure for coping with the error;
A control step of turning on or off a light emitting means associated with a location specified in the processing procedure when instructed in the processing procedure, and a warning step of issuing a warning when performing processing different from the processing procedure. It is characterized by.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the thirteenth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by language display means.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the storage medium of the thirteenth aspect, the processing procedure is instructed by an audio output unit.

[0024]

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

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an image output apparatus (printer) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the host computer connected to this. Note that the printer of the present embodiment will be described using a laser beam printer as an example.

First, in FIG. 2, the host computer 300 has a mixture of figures, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets, etc.) based on a document processing program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 403. A CPU 401 for executing document processing, and each device connected to the system device 404 in the control unit 400
U401 performs overall control.

Also, a program ROM of the ROM 403
Stores a control program of the CPU 401 and the like.
The font ROM of the M403 stores font data and the like used in the above-described document processing, and the data ROM of the ROM 403 stores various data (for example, a standard pattern and a test print) used in the above-described document processing. And other forms).

Reference numeral 402 denotes a RAM, which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 401. A keyboard controller (KBC) 405 controls key input from a keyboard 409 or a pointing device (not shown). 406, a CRT controller (CRTC);
The display of the RT display (CRT) 410 is controlled.

Reference numeral 407 denotes a memory controller (MC) which is an external device such as a hard disk (HD) or a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) for storing a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, and editing files. The access to the memory 11 is controlled.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a printer controller (PRT)
C), which is connected to the printer 100 via a predetermined bidirectional interface 221 and executes communication control processing with the printer 100. Note that the CPU 401 executes, for example, a process of rasterizing the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 402,
WYSIWYG on the CRT 410 is enabled.

Further, the CPU 401 opens various registered windows based on commands specified by a mouse cursor or the like (not shown) on the CRT 410 and executes various data processing.

On the other hand, in the printer 100, the CPU 212 of the printer control unit 200 is connected to the system bus 215 based on a control program or the like stored in the program ROM of the ROM 213 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 214. And a printing unit (printer engine) connected via a printing unit interface 216.
An image signal 217 is output as output information.

The program ROM of the ROM 213 stores a control program of the CPU 212 and the like. RO
An M13 font ROM stores font data and the like used when generating the output information.
The data ROM has an external memory 2 such as a hard disk.
In the case of a printer without 14, information used on the host computer is stored.

The CPU 212 can perform communication processing with the host computer 300 via the input unit 218, and transfers information and the like in the printer 100 to the host computer 3.
00 is configured to be notified.

Reference numeral 219 denotes a RAM functioning as a main memory, a work area, or the like of the CPU 12, which is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an unillustrated expansion port. In addition, RAM
Reference numeral 219 is used for an output information expansion area, an environment data storage area, an NVRAM, and the like.

The external memory 214 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card is provided with a memory controller (M
C) Access is controlled by 220. External memory 2
14 is connected as an option, font data,
It stores an emulation program, form data, and the like.

The operation unit 102 is provided with switches for operation on an operation panel, an LED display, and the like. The above-mentioned external memory 214 is not limited to one, and is provided with at least one or more, and is configured so that a plurality of external memories storing an optional font card and a program for interpreting a printer control language of a different language system in addition to the built-in fonts can be connected. It may be. Furthermore, NV (not shown)
A RAM may be provided to store the printer mode setting information from the operation unit 102.

In this embodiment, a case where the host computer and the printer are connected one-to-one is shown for the sake of simplicity, but a plurality of host computers and a plurality of printers are connected via a network. The same operation is performed when the operation is performed. However, in this case, it is needless to say that the user needs to designate in advance the printer for printing.

Next, the configuration of the peripheral portion of the sheet cassette constituting a part of the printing section 217 (characteristic portion of the present invention) in the printer of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the A4 cassette 103
The A3 cassette 104 and the B5 cassette 105 are mounted on a paper feed drive 110, a paper feed drive 111, and a paper feed drive 112, respectively. Printer control unit 20 for each paper feed drive 110, 111, 112
0, three cassettes 103, 1
The paper loaded on one of the sheets 04 and 105 is fed.

On the other hand, in the paper feed cassette unit 109 having no paper feed driving device, the paper feed cassettes of the B4 cassette 106, the A5 cassette 107, and the LTR cassette 108 are simply placed. Paper cannot be fed.

The lamps 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118
Are A4 cassette 103 and A3 cassette 10, respectively.
4, B5 cassette 105, B4 cassette 106, A5 cassette 107, and LTR cassette 108.

Next, a processing procedure for coping with an operator call (paper replacement request) generated when the paper size requested from the host computer 300 is different from the paper size of the paper cassette mounted on the printer 100. Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The control method can be realized by storing a program according to this flowchart in, for example, a program ROM in the control unit 200 and operating the program.

When the printer 100 receives print data from the host computer 300 instructing the paper feed drive 110 to print on B4 paper, the paper in the paper feed cassette mounted on the paper feed drive 110 is received. If the size is not the designated B4 size but, for example, an A4 size, the printer control unit 200 issues an operator call for a paper replacement request and displays "Please replace with B4 paper" on the display panel 102 ( Step S1).

Next, the lamp 113 is turned on and off, and a message "Please remove the cassette whose lamp is blinking" is displayed on the display panel 102 (step S2). If the A4 cassette 103 is not removed from the paper feed driving device 110 (step S3), the display panel 102 displays "the removed cassette is not an A4 cassette" (step S4), and returns to step S2.

As instructed, the sheet feed driving device 110
When the cassette 103 is removed, the sheet cassette unit 1
In order to instruct to remove the B4 cassette 106 from 09, the lamp 116 is turned on and off, and a message "Please take out the cassette whose lamp is blinking" is displayed on the display panel 102 (step S5). If the B4 cassette 106 is not taken out of the paper cassette unit 109, the display panel 102 indicates "the taken out cassette is B
Not 4 cassettes "(step S
7), and return to step S5.

As instructed, the sheet cassette unit 109
When the B4 cassette 106 is removed from the printer, the lamp 113 blinks, and the display panel 102 displays "Please attach the B4 cassette to the paper feed port whose lamp is blinking" (step S8). If the B4 cassette 106 is not mounted on the paper feed driving device 110, the display panel 102 displays "the mounted cassette is not a B4 cassette" (step S10), and returns to step S8.

When the B4 cassette 106 is mounted on the paper feed drive 110 as instructed, B4 paper is fed from the B4 cassette 106 mounted on the paper feed drive 110, a predetermined printing process is performed, and (Step S11).

As described above, in the present embodiment, when an operator call of the printer occurs, the display panel and the lamp are used.
Since the guidance is provided for specific places and methods to be operated, even an operator such as an elderly person, a physically handicapped person, or a beginner can easily and reliably know the operation procedure. It is possible to greatly reduce the time required for the coping operation.

Next, an outline of a printing operation of a laser beam printer suitable for applying this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the printer of the present embodiment is not limited to a laser beam printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used.

The laser beam printer 100 inputs and stores print information (character codes and the like), form information, macro commands, and the like supplied from an externally connected host computer 300, and responds according to the information. A character pattern, a form pattern, and the like are created, and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper.

In FIG. 4, the printer control unit 20
0 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 502. The laser driver 502 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 503, and switches on / off a laser beam 504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 503 according to an input video signal.

The laser beam 504 is oscillated in the left-right direction by the rotary polygon mirror 505 to scan and expose the electrostatic drum 506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 507 provided around the electrostatic drum 506, and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used for the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper feed cassette 508, taken in the apparatus by a paper feed roller 509 and transport rollers 510 and 511, and supplied to an electrostatic drum 506. In FIG. 4,
For simplicity, the sheet cassette is shown in one stage, but it is assumed that the sheet cassette is actually constituted by a multistage sheet cassette as shown in FIG.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a main part of an image output apparatus (printer) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. And description thereof is omitted.

In the present embodiment, a speaker 600 is provided in place of the display panel 120 in the configuration of the first embodiment in order to give an instruction of an operation procedure by voice. A plurality of messages stored in advance in a non-volatile memory (not shown) provided in the printer are selected in accordance with a predetermined processing procedure, and guided by the speaker 600.

In this configuration, a processing procedure for coping with an operator call (paper request) generated when there is no paper of the paper size requested from the host computer 300 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. .

When the printer 100 receives print data from the host computer 300 instructing the paper feed drive 110 to print on A4 paper, the A4 cassette attached to the paper feed drive 110 runs out of paper. If this is the case, the printer control unit 200 issues an operator call for a paper request and informs the speaker 600 that "A4 paper is not available" (step S21).

Next, the lamp 113 is turned on and off, and the speaker 6 is turned on.
At 00, the user is informed that "Please remove the cassette whose lamp is blinking" (step S22). If the A4 cassette 103 is not taken out of the paper feed driving device 110 (step S23), the speaker 600 informs the user that "the taken out cassette is not an A4 cassette" (step S24), and returns to step S22.

As instructed, the paper feed driving device 110
When the cassette 103 is removed, the user mounts A4 paper on the removed A4 cassette 103 (step S25). At this time, the lamp 113 flashes as it is, and subsequently, the speaker 600 informs the user that "Please mount the A4 cassette in the paper feed port where the lamp is flashing" (step S26). If a cassette other than the A4 cassette 103 is mounted on the paper feed driving device 110,
The speaker 120 informs the user that the mounted cassette is not an A4 cassette (step S28), and returns to step S26.

After the A4 paper is loaded in the A4 cassette 103 (step S25), the paper feed drive 11
When the A4 cassette 103 is attached to the A4 cassette 1,
03 checks whether the paper is out of paper (step S29),
If the paper is not out of paper, A4 paper is fed from the A4 cassette 103 mounted on the paper feed driving device 110, a predetermined printing process is performed, and the paper is discharged to the paper output tray 101 (step S).
30). If the paper is out, the process returns to step S21.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an operator call of the printer occurs, a voice guide or a lamp
Since the guidance is provided for specific places and methods to be operated, even an operator such as an elderly person, a physically handicapped person, or a beginner can easily and reliably know the operation procedure. It is possible to greatly reduce the time required for the coping operation.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, there are the following modifications.

(1) In the first and second embodiments, 3
Although the description has been made on the configuration in which three paper feed drives and three paper feed cassettes are mounted on the paper feed cassette unit, the present invention is not limited to this, and four or more paper feed drive devices and paper feed cassettes are mounted respectively. The present invention can also be applied to a printer having the configuration described above.

(2) In the first embodiment, a warning message when an erroneous operation is performed is displayed on the display panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only the warning message is guided by voice. It is also possible to Further, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a warning message is displayed on both a panel and voice guidance.

(3) In the first and second embodiments, the sheet exchange request and the sheet request have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The operation procedure can be guided by a display panel or a voice guide.

(4) In the first and second embodiments, the detaching operation of the sheet feeding driving device and the sheet feeding cassette has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is possible to apply.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including a single device.
A storage medium storing program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and a ROM can be used. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the operations are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the next program code. Needless to say, the extended function may be performed by a CPU or the like provided in an expansion board or an expansion unit to perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing may realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. No.

[0070]

As described above in detail, according to the first to fifteenth aspects of the present invention, the location and method of the coping operation to be performed when an operator call occurs are guided. Even an operator such as an elderly person, a physically handicapped person, or a beginner can easily and reliably know the operation procedure, and can significantly reduce the time required for coping operation when an operator call occurs.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image output apparatus (printer) according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the printer shown in FIG. 1 and a host computer connected to the printer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a structural sectional view of a laser beam printer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image output device (printer) according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 printer 102 operation unit 103 A4 cassette 104 A3 cassette 105 B5 cassette 106 B4 cassette 107 A5 cassette 108 LTR cassette 109 paper cassette unit 110, 111, 112 paper feed drive unit 113-118 lamp 200 printer control unit 212 CPU 213 ROM 214 External memory 2 15 System bus 216 Printing section interface 217 Printing section (printer engine) 220 Memory controller (MC) 221 interface 300 Host computer 400 Control section 401 CPU 402 RAM 403 ROM 404 System device 405 Keyboard controller (KBC) 406 CRT controller (CRTC) ) 407 Memory controller (MC) 408 Printer control La (PRTC) 410 CRT

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AQ06 CQ28 CQ31 CQ32 CQ42 HV11 HV12 HV13 HV33 HV34 HV51 5B021 AA01 NN16 PP04 QQ07 5C062 AA05 AB08 AB20 AB22 AB24 AB43 AC05 AC69 AC70 AE15 AF15

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. An information output apparatus for interpreting and outputting information created by an information processing apparatus, comprising: an instruction unit that, when an error occurs in the apparatus, instructs a processing procedure for coping with the error; When instructed, a control means for turning on or off a light emitting means associated with a location instructed in the processing procedure, and a warning means for warning when a processing different from the processing procedure is performed are provided. Information output device. 2. The information output device according to claim 1, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit. 3. The information output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a voice output unit. 4. An image output apparatus that interprets image information created by an information processing apparatus, develops the information into printable bitmap data, and outputs the result. When an error occurs in the apparatus, a processing procedure for dealing with the error Instruction means for instructing the processing procedure, control means for turning on or blinking a light emitting means associated with the location designated in the processing procedure when instructed in the processing procedure, and issuing a warning when a processing different from the processing procedure is performed An image output device comprising: a warning unit. 5. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit. 6. The image output apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a sound output unit. 7. An image output apparatus comprising: an information processing apparatus that creates image information; and an image output apparatus that interprets the image information created by the information processing apparatus, develops the image information into printable bitmap data, and outputs the bitmap data. In the system, the image output device includes: an instruction unit that, when an error occurs in the device, instructs a processing procedure for coping with the error; and when instructed in the processing procedure, emits light associated with a location instructed in the processing procedure. An image output system comprising: a control unit for turning on or blinking a unit; and a warning unit for issuing a warning when a process different from the processing procedure is performed. 8. The image output system according to claim 7, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit provided in the image output device. 9. The image output system according to claim 7, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by an audio output unit provided in the image output device. 10. An image output apparatus which interprets image information created by an information processing apparatus, develops the image information into printable bitmap data, and outputs the image data when an error occurs in the apparatus. An instruction process for instructing a procedure, a control process for turning on or blinking a light emitting unit associated with a location instructed in the process procedure when instructed in the process procedure, and a warning when performing a process different from the process procedure. And performing a warning process to be performed. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by a language display unit. 12. The error control method for an image output device according to claim 10, wherein the processing procedure is instructed by an audio output process. 13. A computer-readable program for executing an error control method of an image output device that interprets image information created by an information processing device, develops the image information into printable bitmap data, and outputs the bitmap data. A storage medium, wherein, when an error occurs in the apparatus, an instruction step of instructing a processing procedure for coping with the error; and, when instructed in the processing procedure, at a location designated by the processing procedure. A storage medium, comprising: a control step of turning on or blinking an associated light emitting unit; and a warning step of issuing a warning when a process different from the above processing procedure is performed. 14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said processing procedure is instructed by language display means. 15. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein said processing procedure is instructed by an audio output unit.