JP2001236185A - Image forming device and electronic mail server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device and an e-mail server capable of automatically updating the latest firmware and driver without giving any trouble to a user. SOLUTION: These device and server have an interface means 4 transmitting and receiving to/from one or more computers 2, a controller means 5 controlling an engine means 13 printing print data and the entire device, a 1st storing means 6 storing the firmware of the image forming device 1, an inputting means 12 by which the user inputs the operation setting of the device 1, a computer 8 offering data about the device 1, the device 1, an identifier on the network of a gateway, a 2nd storing means 7 storing data about the device 1, an e-mail transmitting and receiving means 10 performing the transmission and reception of e-mail and a controlling means 11 judging the transmission and reception of the e-mail.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an e-mail server for transmitting and receiving data from a computer via an interface means, forming an image and outputting the image to a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent image forming apparatuses, when a program (hereinafter referred to as firmware) operating in the image forming apparatus for operating the image forming apparatus becomes new, a user calls a service person to install the new firmware. It is necessary to replace the read ROM or to send the device to a maker or the like and replace it with the maker.

[0003] For this reason, the user needs to call a serviceman, and it takes time for the serviceman to come to the exchange, or time is spent for updating work such as when the device is sent to the manufacturer and the device cannot be used during that time. There was a problem that it took.

In order to solve these problems, some devices have been developed which use rewritable storage means.

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned apparatus, it is necessary for a user to obtain a program such as new firmware in advance, and then to re-install the program in the apparatus, which is troublesome for the user.

Further, a computer program (hereinafter referred to as a driver) for using the image forming apparatus is recorded and distributed on a storage medium such as a floppy disk, and the user needs to install the program on the computer.

[0007] Recently, the company that provides the equipment is Wor.
The new driver has been uploaded by ld Wide Web (hereinafter referred to as WWW), and the acquisition time of the driver has been shortened compared to before.

[0008] However, the user must confirm whether a new driver is posted by a browsing application such as a browser, and the user often needs to go to the WWW. The user has to download and install it, so there is a problem that it takes time.

[0009]

As described above, the firmware and the driver in the conventional image forming apparatus require an operation of being obtained by a user, and the user needs to contact a service company or use a browser. You need to check the data quite often.

According to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus that can be used on a network, an electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit, a control unit, and a rewritable storage unit are used to automatically communicate with a computer that provides firmware and a driver. Since the firmware and driver are acquired, it is possible to change to the latest firmware without user involvement. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can update the latest driver without being conscious of the user and that is easier and easier to use.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an interface capable of bidirectionally communicating with one or a plurality of computers; an engine for printing print data; a processing of print data; Means for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus, a first storage means for storing a part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means, an input means for allowing a user to input an operation setting of the image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus An identifier on the network of the computer providing the data on the network, an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus, an identifier on the network of the gateway in the network where the image forming apparatus is installed, and data on the image forming apparatus. Second storage means for storing, and gateway from the second storage means Reads the identifier on the network and the identifier on the network of the computer providing the data relating to the image forming apparatus, and uses the interface means to send and receive e-mail, and creates and sends e-mail. A part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means, and a control means for acquiring a program operated by a computer for using the image forming apparatus from the e-mail. As a result, since the latest firmware or driver can be obtained without user intervention, the user can obtain the latest program without searching for a program for using the latest image forming apparatus. It becomes possible.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus, comprising: a computer which provides the latest program for operating the image forming apparatus and a program for using the image forming apparatus; When an e-mail in which a version of a program for using the apparatus is described is received by the e-mail transmission / reception unit, the computer operates on a computer for using the image forming apparatus stored in the second storage unit of the image forming apparatus. At least one version of the program, the version of the program for operating the image forming apparatus, and the update date and time is read, and a determination unit is provided for determining which is newer than the information of the image forming apparatus described in the received e-mail. .

Thus, data can be acquired only when the program or data provided by the computer on the network is new, and it is possible to reduce unnecessary transmission and reception of data.

In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, in the mail transmitting / receiving means, a cycle for transmitting information of the image forming apparatus by e-mail is set in advance, or a cycle setting means capable of setting the cycle by a user is provided. Have.

As a result, the latest program can be obtained at a certain fixed cycle, frequent communication can be reduced, and the latest data can be obtained without increasing network traffic. .

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention monitors the state of the image forming apparatus and, when the number of consumable parts is reduced, notifies the type of the consumable part and the degree of consumable indicating the degree of consumable part. A status monitoring unit that monitors whether a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus;

Thus, even if a consumable part occurs, the user can automatically inform the state of the consumable part without contacting the service company.

Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has, in the state monitoring means, a failure judging means for changing an e-mail transmission destination according to the degree of the failure when the image forming apparatus has a failure.

Thus, when a failure occurs, it is possible to notify a person who can deal with the degree of the failure without a user.

An electronic mail server according to the present invention comprises: a program for operating an image forming apparatus by a server for transmitting and receiving an electronic mail in a computer represented by an identifier on a network preset for the image forming apparatus; Sending e-mail requesting a computer program for using the image forming apparatus, transmitting an e-mail for transferring the program, e-mail for consumable parts reduction, and e-mail notifying that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus. And response processing means for performing response processing.

Thus, the electronic mail transmitted from the image forming apparatus can be automatically processed.

[0022]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an interface unit capable of bidirectionally communicating with one or more computers, an engine unit for printing print data, and a process of print data. Controller means for controlling the entire apparatus, first storage means for storing a part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means, and input means for allowing a user to input settings for operation of the image forming apparatus; An identifier on a network of a computer that provides data on the image forming apparatus, an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus, an identifier on a network of a gateway in a network in which the image forming apparatus is installed, an image forming apparatus Storage means for storing data relating to the second storage means, and a gateway from the second storage means. Read out the identifier on the network of the computer providing the data on the image forming apparatus and the identifier on the network, and using the interface means, send and receive e-mail, e-mail sending and receiving means, create an e-mail, The system includes a part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means from the consulted e-mail and a control means for acquiring a program operated by a computer for using the image forming apparatus. This allows the program running on the computer to automatically acquire the program stored in the second storage unit of the installed image forming apparatus, so that the user uses the latest image forming apparatus. A program for using the latest image forming apparatus can be obtained without searching for a program for the WWW or the like.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for operating an image forming apparatus from a computer providing the latest program for operating the image forming apparatus and a program for using the image forming apparatus. And a computer for using the image forming apparatus stored in the second storage unit of the image forming apparatus when an electronic mail in which a version of the program for using the image forming apparatus is described is received by the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit. Reads at least one or more pieces of information on the program that runs on the computer, the version of the program that operates the image forming apparatus, and the update date and time, and determines which is newer than the information on the image forming apparatus described in the received e-mail. Having means. With this, when the program stored in the computer that provides the data regarding the image forming apparatus by the determining unit is newer than the program in the image forming apparatus, the program is acquired from the image forming apparatus by the e-mail transmitting / receiving unit. Becomes possible.

In the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the mail transmitting / receiving means of the image forming apparatus, a cycle of transmitting information of the image forming apparatus by e-mail is set in advance, or the user can set the cycle. It has a settable period setting means. As a result, the latest program can be obtained at a certain period, frequent communication can be reduced, and data can be obtained without increasing network traffic.

The image forming apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention monitors the state of the image forming apparatus, and when the number of consumable parts decreases, indicates the type of the consumable part and the degree of consumability indicating the degree of consumable part. And a status monitoring unit that monitors whether a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus. As a result, the information of the worn parts can be automatically notified before the worn parts are worn out, so that the sales company can contact the user, thereby eliminating the need for the user to contact the sales company or the like. It becomes possible.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the state monitoring means of the image forming apparatus, when a failure occurs in the image forming apparatus, the destination of the e-mail is changed according to the degree of the failure. It has a failure judgment means to perform. This way, if something goes wrong with your users,
Since the contact address corresponding to the obstacle is notified without the user, the user does not need to contact by telephone or the like.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus operates the image forming apparatus in a server which transmits and receives e-mails in a computer represented by an identifier on the network which is set in advance in the image forming apparatus. Sending an e-mail requesting a program to be used and a computer program for using the image forming apparatus, an e-mail for transferring the program, an e-mail for reducing the number of consumable parts, and an e-mail for notifying that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus. Response processing means for judging the mail and performing response processing is provided. Thus, the electronic mail transmitted from the image forming apparatus can be automatically processed, so that it is possible to concentrate on only the notification of the failure and the notification of the consumable part.

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the first embodiment, T is used for bidirectional communication.
An example based on CP / IP will be described.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image forming apparatus that receives data and outputs an image, and 2 denotes a computer that transmits data to be printed. Reference numeral 3 denotes a driver for converting data created by the computer 2 into data for printing and transmitting the data.

Reference numeral 4 denotes interface means for converting print data from the computer 2 into a serial cable, a parallel cable, an IEEE 1394 cable, a SCSI cable,
Receives data using a communication protocol adapted to each communication medium through one or more communication media such as an Ethernet cable of any communication speed and a wireless communication medium such as IrDA, or transmits data relating to printing processing. The data is transmitted to the computer 2 using a communication medium and a protocol.

Reference numeral 5 denotes processing for printing the data received by the controller means, and controls the entire apparatus for printing. Reference numeral 6 denotes a first storage unit, and the image forming apparatus 1
A part or all of the program for operating the image forming apparatus and data relating to the image forming apparatus 1 are stored.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a second storage unit, which is a version, update date and time, status, an identifier of the manager of the image forming apparatus on the network regarding the image forming apparatus 1 on the network,
A computer that provides data such as name and the latest firmware and driver of the image forming apparatus 1 (this computer is referred to as a computer 8;
) On the network, i.e., IP address, mail address, URL (Uni) of all schemes.
formResourceLocator) address,
Alternatively, it is an identifier for recognizing a computer on a network, stores at least one of the identifiers, and an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus 1, that is, an IP address, a mail address, all schemes URL address or at least one of an identifier for recognizing the image forming apparatus on the network.
IP address and mail address of a gateway in the network where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed (this gateway is referred to as a gateway 9, hereinafter referred to as a gateway 9), a URL address of all schemes, or a network. At least one or more identifiers for recognizing the gateway 9 above are stored.

Reference numeral 10 denotes an electronic mail transmitting / receiving means for creating and analyzing electronic mail data, and transmitting the electronic mail via the interface means 4 to the electronic mail address stored in the second storage means. A control unit 11 controls the electronic mail unit 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes an input unit for setting an operation of the image forming apparatus 1 and inputting an identifier or the like when the image forming apparatus 1 is used in a network. The set value set by the input unit 12 is stored in the second storage unit 7.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an engine which converts data transmitted from the computer 2 into data to be printed by the controller 5, and prints based on this data.

The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

When printing data created by an application program or the like of the computer 2, the image forming apparatus 1 uses the driver 3 of the computer 2 to copy the data created by the application to the image forming apparatus 1.
To the interface means 4 via a communication medium. The image forming apparatus 1 having received the data transmitted from the computer 2 transmits the received data to the controller 5.
To convert to internal data.

The controller 5 converts the converted data into bitmap data for printing. The controller 5 transfers the converted bitmap data to the engine 13 for printing. The engine means 13 having received the data prints this data.

In the image forming apparatus 1, the user sets the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1, the identifier on the connected network, the identifier on the network of the gateway 9 in the network, the image forming apparatus Enter the identifier on the network of the administrator who manages No. 1. Alternatively, the setting is input using the driver 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 installed in the computer 2 or a setting application.

The settings set by the input means 12, the driver 3, and the management application are stored in the second storage means 7 by the controller means 5. The controller means 5 operates based on these stored settings. The identifier of the firmware or driver 3 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the identifier of the computer 8 on the network to which data relating to the image forming apparatus 1 are provided are initially stored in the second storage unit 7. The setting can be made by the input unit 12, the driver 3 of the image forming apparatus 1, or the management application.

When the identifier of the image forming apparatus 1 set on the network and the identifier of the gateway 9 set on the network are set in the second storage unit 7, the control unit 11 sets the gateway stored in the second storage unit 7. 9 and the identifier of the computer 8 on the network.

The control means 11 determines the type of the identifier of the gateway 9 on the network and the type of the identifier of the computer 8 on the network. Further, the control means 11 notifies the interface means 4 to check which protocol is currently available for the interface means 4.
The interface unit 4 that has received the notification returns the currently available protocol to the control unit 11. The control means 11 having received the type of protocol that can be used selects a protocol adapted to the identifier on the network based on the result of determining the type of identifier on the network between the computer 8 and the gateway 9. The control unit 11 that has selected the protocol communicates with the computer 8 using the interface unit 4 using the selected protocol.

Here, this communication can be performed not only when the print data from the computer 2 is received or not, but can be performed when there is no print data from the computer 2 preferentially. Is to be performed. Alternatively, even when print data is received, communication with the computer 8 can be performed in parallel with the print processing.

Here, the e-mail protocol Sim
ple Mail Transfer Protocol
l (hereinafter referred to as SMTP) and Post Office
The case where Protocol3 (hereinafter referred to as POP3) is selected will be described. SMTP and POP3 are The
Internet Engineering Task
Request by Force (hereinafter referred to as IETF)
st For Comments (hereinafter referred to as RFC)
SMTP and POP3 are RFC
821, RFC822, RFC1869, RFC187
0, RFC1939, email data format is RF
C2045, RFC2046, RFC2047, RFC
2049.

When communication by e-mail conforming to these rules is selected, the control means 11 activates the e-mail transmission / reception means 10. The activated e-mail transmission / reception unit 10 acquires information such as the version of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the second storage unit 7 from the control unit 11 and requests acquisition of firmware and a driver of the image forming apparatus 1. In the subject of the e-mail,
The information is generated in a format in accordance with the format of the e-mail, the e-mail address of the computer 8 stored in the second storage means is read, and the e-mail is transmitted to the computer 8. When receiving the e-mail sent from the image forming apparatus 1, the computer 8 first executes S
The content of the subject is determined, and the subject of the e-mail is
If ct is a data request, the latest firmware and driver version of the image forming apparatus 1 in the computer 8 are described as e-mail data, and the firmware and driver are transmitted as e-mail attached data. The e-mail address of the image forming apparatus 1 that is the transmission source is obtained from the data of the received e-mail and returned to the image forming apparatus 1.

The image forming apparatus 1 that has received the reply e-mail transfers the e-mail received via the interface unit 4 to the e-mail transmission / reception unit 10.
The e-mail transmitting / receiving means 10 to which the data has been transferred first determines the subject, and when the subject is a reply to the data request, determines the content of the e-mail data.

As a result of the determination, if the firmware and driver of the image forming apparatus 1 are attached, the attached data is converted into a data format, and then the control unit 11 is notified that the data has been acquired. .

The control means 11 notified of the acquisition of the data determines the type of the data, and in the case of the firmware, shifts the operation so as not to receive the data to be printed.

When the control means 11 detects that the operation has shifted to an operation of not receiving print data, the control means 11 executes processing from a designated storage area of the second storage means 7 in which the acquired data is stored. With this process, the firmware is updated to the new firmware. When the acquired data is the driver 3, the control unit 11 stores the data in the second storage unit 7 and broadcasts using the protocol of the interface unit 4 or uses the port of the network specified in advance to the computer 2. To the driver 3 has been downloaded.

The driver 3 of the computer 2 receiving the notification
Notifies that the data stored in the image forming apparatus 1 is downloaded. The control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 that has been notified through the interface unit 4 transfers the data to the computer 2.

Although the image forming apparatus 1 obtains data from the computer 8 by taking e-mail communication as an example, the same applies to the case where bidirectional communication other than e-mail is used. It has the function of The same applies to the following description of the embodiments.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The operation of processing print data from the computer 2 and the method of communication by the communication means are the same as those in the first embodiment, but a determination is made as to which version of the content of the received e-mail and information of the image forming apparatus 1 are newer. Is performed.

The determination means 14 first determines whether the image forming apparatus 1
The communication with the computer 8 having the data on the control unit 11 starts the control unit 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The activated control means 11 retrieves the identifier of the gateway 9 on the network and the identifier of the computer 8 on the network stored in the second storage means 7.

The control means 11 determines the type of the identifier on the network of the gateway 9 and the type of the identifier on the network of the computer 8, and checks which protocol is currently available to the interface means 4. The control means 11 having received the type of protocol that can be used selects the protocol adapted to the identifier on the network based on the result of determining the type of identifier on the network between the computer 8 and the gateway 9 and selects the protocol for the computer 8. Communication using the specified protocol.

Here, the selected protocol will be described as an e-mail protocol. When the e-mail protocol is selected, the control means 11 activates the e-mail transmission / reception means 10. Activated e-mail sending / receiving means 1
0 indicates that information such as the version of the image forming apparatus 1 stored in the second storage unit 7 is acquired from the control unit 11 and that notification of firmware or driver information of the image forming apparatus 1 is to be notified to the subject of the e-mail. The information is generated in a format in accordance with the format of the e-mail, the e-mail address of the computer 8 stored in the second storage means 7 is read, and the e-mail is transmitted to the computer 8.

When the computer 8 receives the e-mail sent from the image forming apparatus 1, the computer 8 first issues a subject.
If the subject of the e-mail is a notification of information, the latest firmware and driver version of the image forming apparatus 1 in the computer 8 are described as data of the e-mail and described in the image forming apparatus. Reply to 1.

The image forming apparatus 1 which has received the reply e-mail transfers the e-mail received via the interface means 4 to the e-mail transmission / reception means 10.
The e-mail transmitting / receiving means 10 to which the data has been transferred first determines the subject, and if the subject is a reply to the information notification, analyzes the contents of the e-mail data. The data is analyzed and the version data in the contents of the mail is transmitted to the judgment means 14.

The judging means 14 having received the data compares the current firmware and driver version of the image forming apparatus 1 with the latest firmware and driver version sent by e-mail. As a result of the comparison, if the versions sent by e-mail are the same, the control unit 11 is notified that no processing is performed. If the version described in the sent e-mail is newer, the control unit 11 is notified to send a data request e-mail.

The control means 11 having received the notification notifies the electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 10 to transmit an electronic mail for requesting data. The e-mail transmission / reception unit 10 that has received the notification transmits the e-mail to the computer 8 by writing the data request in the Subject. The computer 8 that has received the e-mail indicating the data request returns the latest firmware and driver to the image forming apparatus 1 as attached data of the e-mail, as in the first embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 1 that has received the reply e-mail performs the same processing as the processing described in the first embodiment.

Embodiment 3 Hereinafter, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The operation of processing the print data from the computer 2 and the method of communication by the communication means are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, but the e-mail transmission / reception means 10 can set the e-mail transmission cycle. Cycle setting means 15 is provided.

The cycle setting means 15 has a predetermined time cycle set in advance, or the user can input the setting of the time cycle using the input means 12. The input setting value is stored in the second storage unit 7 via the input unit 12.

The cycle setting means 15 reads the cycle set value stored in the second storage means 7, sets the set cycle, performs counting using a timer, and when the set value is reached, the cycle setting means 15 The setting unit 15 notifies the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 10. The e-mail transmitting / receiving means 10 receiving the notification responds to the cycle setting means 15. The cycle setting means 15 receiving the response resets the count value,
Further, the cycle setting value stored in the second storage means 7 is set and counted. Then, the e-mail transmission / reception unit 10 that has received the notification of the set value notifies the control unit 11 that the time for transmitting the e-mail has come.

The control means 11 having received the notification acquires the information of the image forming apparatus 1 in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and stores the electronic mail using the electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 10 in the second storage means 7. The destination of the computer 8 stored in the computer 8 is read and transmitted to the computer 8.

Embodiment 4 Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The operation of processing print data from the computer 2 and the acquisition of data by the data acquisition unit are the same as in the first to third embodiments, but have a state monitoring unit 16 that monitors the state of the image forming apparatus 1. .

The state monitoring means 16 obtains data obtained from a sensor attached to the image forming apparatus 1 to determine the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 and how much consumable parts have been consumed. It also monitors whether a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus. The state monitoring unit 16 that has acquired the data of the consumable part analyzes the content of the data, and when it determines that the consumable part is in a state where it can no longer be used, notifies the control unit 11.

The control means 11 having received the notification obtains from the state monitoring means 16 data indicating which consumable part has been consumed. The acquired control means 11 notifies the e-mail transmission / reception means 10 to notify the consumable parts.

The e-mail transmitting / receiving means 1 receiving this notification
6 reads the identifier on the network of the computer 8 stored in the second storage means by describing that the parts are consumed in the subject of the e-mail, and in particular, reads the e-mail address in the third embodiment. Send an email in the same way as.

(Embodiment 5) Hereinafter, Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The operation of processing the print data from the computer 2 and the method of communication by the communication means are the same as those in the first to fourth embodiments. However, when the state monitoring means 16 fails in the image forming apparatus 1, And a failure determining means 17 for determining the degree of the failure.

The state monitoring means 16 obtains data obtained from a sensor attached to the image forming apparatus 1 to determine the operating state of the image forming apparatus 1 and how much consumable parts have been consumed, as in the fourth embodiment. are doing. If a failure occurs while the status monitoring unit 16 is monitoring the status of the image forming apparatus 1, the status monitoring unit 16 notifies the failure determination unit 17 of data indicating that a failure has occurred.

The failure determining means 17 having received the notification determines the degree of the failure. As a criterion for judging a failure, a level that can be dealt with by the user using the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a paper jam or no paper is contained, and a failure at an administrator level managing the image forming apparatus 1, for example, In addition, the failure is judged to be at least at the level of the serviceman call requiring repair by the sales company, that is, at least these three levels.

When the failure determining unit 17 determines that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus 1, the failure determining unit 17 obtains, from the second storage unit 7, a destination to which a notification of the occurrence of the failure is transmitted by electronic mail. After acquiring the destination, the failure determination unit 17 notifies the control unit 11 to transmit the occurrence of the failure.

When the control means 11 having received the notification determines that a failure has occurred, the second storage means 7 determines from the input device 12 the setting of which level the failure has been set in advance by the user. To get from. The control unit 11 compares the acquired data with the data from the failure determination unit 17, and when the failure data from the failure determination unit 17 is set to be notified, the notification from the failure determination unit 17 Acquire the data of the destination received at the same time,
E-mail transmission / reception means 1 for the degree of failure and destination data
0 and notify to send an e-mail.

The outgoing electronic mail transmitting / receiving means 10 which has been notified
Transmits an e-mail to the destination in the same manner as in the first to fourth embodiments.

Embodiment 6 Hereinafter, Embodiment 6 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The operation of the above configuration will be described below. The operation of processing the print data from the computer 2 and the method of communication by the communication means are the same as those in the first to fifth embodiments, but the computer 8 receives the e-mail from the image forming apparatus 1 and It has a response processing means 18 for making a judgment according to the contents and performing processing.

When receiving the notification sent from the image forming apparatus 1, the response processing unit 18 determines the type of the notification and responds according to the type of the notification. Here, a case where the notification from the image forming apparatus 1 is a notification by e-mail will be described.

When an e-mail is received from the image forming apparatus 1, the response processing means 18
Analyze bject. When the Subject is a data notification, the firmware and driver versions of the currently placed image forming apparatus 1 are acquired from the computer 8 on which the response processing unit 18 is operating, and the versions are described in an e-mail. The e-mail is sent to the image forming apparatus 1, which is the reply destination of the e-mail. When the subject is a data request, the computer 8 sends the data of the firmware and the driver attached to the electronic mail to the image forming apparatus 1 to which the electronic mail is sent.

When the Subject is a notification of a consumable part or a notification of a failure, the response processing means 18 performs processing for transferring the received e-mail to the e-mail address of the set serviceman.

[0084]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the interface means capable of bidirectional communication with one or more computers, the engine means for printing print data, the processing of print data and Controller means for controlling the entire apparatus; first storage means for storing a part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means; input means for allowing a user to input operation settings of the image forming apparatus; An identifier on a network of a computer that provides data on the image forming apparatus, an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus, an identifier on a network of a gateway in a network in which the image forming apparatus is installed, and an image forming apparatus A second storage unit for storing data; and a gateway from the second storage unit. Read out the identifier on the network of the computer providing the data on the image forming apparatus and the identifier on the network, and using the interface means, send and receive e-mail, e-mail sending and receiving means, create an e-mail, The system includes a part or all of a program for operating the controller means and the engine means from the consulted e-mail and a control means for acquiring a program operated by a computer for using the image forming apparatus. As a result, since the latest firmware or driver can be obtained without user intervention, the user can obtain the latest program without searching for a program for using the latest image forming apparatus. Since it becomes possible, there is an effect that the work of the user can be reduced.

Further, in the image forming apparatus, a computer that provides the latest program for operating the image forming apparatus and a program for using the image forming apparatus uses the program for operating the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus. Receiving an e-mail in which a version of a program for use is described by an e-mail transmission / reception unit, a program operating on a computer for using the image forming apparatus stored in a second storage unit of the image forming apparatus, and an image. At least one or more pieces of information on the version and update date and time of the program for operating the forming apparatus are read out, and a determination unit is provided for determining which is newer than the information on the image forming apparatus described in the received e-mail. As a result, data can be acquired only when the program or data provided by the computer on the network is new, it is possible to reduce unnecessary transmission and reception of data, and further to eliminate user's work. .

Further, in the mail transmitting / receiving means of the image forming apparatus, a cycle for transmitting information of the image forming apparatus by e-mail is set in advance, or the user has a cycle setting means capable of setting the cycle. As a result, the number of times of automatic communication can be reduced, and there is an effect that traffic on the installed network can be reduced.

Further, the state of the image forming apparatus is monitored, and when the number of consumable parts is reduced, the type of the consumable part and the degree of wear indicating how much the consumable part has been consumed are notified. It has a state monitoring means for monitoring whether the operation has been performed. Thus, even if a consumable part is generated, the user can automatically notify the state of the consumable part without contacting the service company, so that the user's work can be reduced.

Further, in the status monitoring means of the image forming apparatus, there is provided a failure judging means for changing the transmission destination of the e-mail in accordance with the degree of the failure when the failure occurs in the image forming apparatus. As a result, when a failure occurs, it is possible to notify the person who can deal with the degree of the failure without the user, and further, it is possible to notify the user of the state of the failure, so that the user can contact the sales company or obtain the failure. This has the effect of eliminating the task of recording the state.

Further, a program for operating the image forming apparatus and a computer for using the image forming apparatus are provided to a server for transmitting and receiving an electronic mail in a computer represented by an identifier on the network which is set in advance in the image forming apparatus. Response processing means for determining an e-mail for requesting a program, transmitting an e-mail for transferring the program, e-mail for reducing consumable parts, and e-mail notifying that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus, and performing a response process. Having. As a result, the electronic mail transmitted from the image forming apparatus can be automatically processed, and there is an effect that it is possible to concentrate on dealing with consumables and failure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Computer 3 Driver 4 Interface means 5 Controller means 6 First storage means 7 Second storage means 8 Computer 9 Gateway 10 E-mail transmission / reception means 11 Control means 12 Input means 13 Engine means 14 Judgment means 15 Period setting means 16 Status monitoring means 17 Failure determination means 18 Response processing means

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HH01 HH13 HJ08 HK04 HK19 HN05 HN15 HQ03 HV02 HV13 HV14 HV19 HV26 HV32 HV35 5B021 AA01 BB00 EE01 NN00 5B089 GA11 JA31 JA32 JB07 KA59 KB04 KB11 LA

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. Interface means capable of bidirectional communication with one or more computers, engine means for printing print data, controller means for processing print data and controlling the entire apparatus, controller means and engine means Storage means for storing a part or all of a program for operating the image forming apparatus, input means for inputting setting of operation of the image forming apparatus by a user, and an identifier on a network of a computer which provides data relating to the image forming apparatus. A second storage unit for storing an identifier on the network assigned to the image forming apparatus, an identifier on a network of a gateway in the network in which the image forming apparatus is installed, and data relating to the image forming apparatus; Gateway network identifiers and image forming devices E-mail sending and receiving means for reading and sending an e-mail using an interface means, reading out an identifier on a network of a computer providing the data, creating e-mail, and controlling means and engine from the received e-mail. An image forming apparatus comprising: a part or all of a program for operating means, and control means for acquiring a program operated by a computer for using the image forming apparatus. 2. A program for operating the image forming apparatus from a computer which provides the latest program for operating the image forming apparatus and a program for using the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus. When an e-mail in which a version of a program for using the forming apparatus is described is received by the e-mail transmitting / receiving unit, the e-mail transmitting / receiving unit uses the image forming apparatus stored in the second storage unit of the image forming apparatus. A program that operates on a computer, and a version of a program that operates the image forming apparatus, and at least one or more pieces of information on an update date and time. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit for determining Image forming apparatus. 3. A mail transmitting / receiving means of the image forming apparatus, wherein a cycle of transmitting information of the image forming apparatus by e-mail is set in advance, or a cycle setting means capable of setting a cycle by a user is provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. A state of the image forming apparatus is monitored, and when the number of consumable parts is reduced, a type of the consumable part and a degree of consumption indicating how much the consumable part is consumed are notified. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a state monitoring unit that monitors whether or not the image has occurred. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said status monitoring means of said image forming apparatus further comprises a failure determining means for changing an e-mail transmission destination according to the degree of the failure when a failure occurs in said image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. A program for operating the image forming apparatus and a server for transmitting and receiving an e-mail in a computer represented by an identifier on a network preset in the image forming apparatus, and using the image forming apparatus. A computer program for requesting an e-mail requesting the transfer of the program, an e-mail for consumable parts reduction, an e-mail notifying that a failure has occurred in the image forming apparatus, and a response process. An e-mail server, comprising: a response processing unit that performs a response processing.