JP2002166629A - Printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing device capable of receiving the peripheral equipment information for the post treatment inherent to another printing device, and storing the received peripheral equipment information for the post treatment of the counterpart device. SOLUTION: At the time of starting connection for communication (S301), an identifier inherent to a printing device, peripheral equipment information for the post treatment, or the like are obtained (S303). The post treatment designation for printing data and peripheral equipment information for the post treatment obtained from a client computer 1 are compared and referred to so that whether or not the designated post treatment can be realized by a transmission side printing device 100 is judged (S305-309). In the case the post treatment is realizable (S309; Y), printing data are transmitted to a receiving side printing device 101 via a communication path (S311) so that the process for transmitting the printing data are repeated (S305-311) until the printing data receipt is finished or generation of an error (S313; Y).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus capable of remotely printing print data received by another printing apparatus provided at a remote location, and performing post-processing after printing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, social networking has progressed, and two or more printing apparatuses provided at remote locations each have communication means, and print data received by one printing apparatus is transmitted to the other via communication means. 2. Description of the Related Art A technique called remote printing in which a print device transmits print data to a printing device, receives the transmitted print data, prints the print data with another printing device, and distributes a document is implemented. This remote printing technology is disclosed in
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 152514 discloses a technique of a remote print system that controls a print server and a network printer that are connected to a network and communicate with each other. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-88319 discloses a communication system for transmitting transmission data including image data through a network, in which a transmission side of the transmission data applies weak encryption to the image data. By having watermark means and strong encryption means for applying strong encryption to transmission information including a decryption key for decrypting image data to which this weak encryption has been applied, the amount of image data A communication system using an authentication method that can maintain confidentiality without requiring time for authentication processing and check processing even when information having a large data amount is transmitted is described.

[0003]

However, when performing post-processing (additional functions for printing such as sorting and stapling) in remote printing, the printing data is created by the transmitting-side printing apparatus. The post-processing designation is performed based on the post-processing peripheral device information attached to the transmission-side printing device as a printer description language). When the print data for which post-processing is specified by the transmission-side printing device is transmitted to a printing device located at a remote location by remote printing, the post-processing capabilities of the reception-side printing device and the transmission-side printing device do not match. Post-processing specification may be canceled.

Accordingly, a first object of the present invention is to provide an identifier unique to a printing apparatus and post-processing peripheral device information on a data communication protocol of the mutual printing apparatuses during a line connection handshake in remote printing. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of storing such information in both the receiving and transmitting printing apparatuses. A second object of the present invention is to provide a printing method in which a client computer connected to a transmission-side printing device can refer to post-processing peripheral device information of a reception-side printing device that has already been acquired when creating print data. It is to provide a device. A third object of the present invention is to analyze print data at a receiving-side printing device during remote printing and compare designated post-processing information with already-acquired post-processing peripheral device information of a transmitting-side printing device. If it is determined that the post-processing specified in the print data cannot be performed, the processing set in advance, such as printing without post-processing, interrupting printing, and suspending printing, is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus which can perform the printing.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided identification information unique to the apparatus and post-processing function information,
In a printing device capable of transmitting and receiving print data, device-specific identification information and post-processing function information by remote communication with another printing device having device-specific identification information and post-processing function information at a remote location, Device information obtaining means for obtaining identification information and post-processing function information unique to another printing device; and identification information and post-processing function information unique to the other printing device at the remote location obtained by the device information obtaining means. Storage means for storing, and device information transmitting means for transmitting device-specific identification information and post-processing function information to the other printing device at the remote location,
The first object is achieved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, print data, designated post-processing information, device-specific identification information, and post-processing are transmitted from one or more terminal devices connected via a network. Further comprising a receiving means for receiving a request for acquisition of function information, wherein the receiving means,
When receiving a request for acquiring device-specific identification information and post-processing function information from a terminal device connected via the network, the device information transmitting unit transmits the device stored in the storage unit to the terminal device. The second object is achieved by transmitting unique identification information and post-processing function information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the device-specific identification information and post-processing function information stored in the storage means and the receiving means are transmitted via the network. Device information judging means for comparing and judging whether the specified post-processing information received from the connected terminal device coincides, and the device information judging means is provided with device-specific identification information stored in the storage means and If it is determined that the processing function information and the specified post-processing information received by the receiving unit do not match, printing is performed without performing post-processing of the specified post-processing information received by the receiving unit, or printing is interrupted, The third object is achieved by further comprising a process selecting unit for prompting the user to select one of the processes to suspend printing.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 is a diagram showing a remote printing system according to the present embodiment. The remote printing system includes a plurality of client computers 1, 2, 3,...
00 and a printing apparatus 101 on the receiving side. In FIG. 1, client computers 1, 2, 3,... That transmit print data, a transmitting-side printing device 100, and a receiving-side printing device 101 are interconnected via a communication path. Hereinafter, the transmitting side printing apparatus 100 and the receiving side printing apparatus 101 will be described. The receiving-side printing apparatus 101 includes a communication control processor 11, a data input / output control processor 1,
2, a printer engine 13, a memory 14, a post-processing peripheral device information storage area 15, a control program 16, and a drawing / control CPU (central processing unit) 17.

The communication control processor 11 is a dedicated ASIC (Appli) for controlling data transmission / reception to / from a communication path.
Cation Specific Integrate
dCircuit). The data input / output control processor 12 places packet data transmitted / received between the printing apparatuses 100 and 101 on a bus such as a data bus, transfers data sent via the bus to the printer engine 13, CP for drawing / control when there is output
It is a general-purpose bus controller that notifies U17.
The printer engine 13 is a mechanical drive unit such as a paper feeder, a photoconductor, and a transfer device that forms, transfers, and supplies and discharges image data stored in the memory 14 onto paper. Memory 14
Is a general-purpose RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing received image data, print data, print information, status data, and the like.

The post-processing peripheral device information storage area 15 includes an identifier unique to the remote printing device (for example, the device number of the printing device), post-processing peripheral device information (for example, with / without a stapler, and with / without a punching machine). None, the number of output trays, etc.)
M. The control program 16 is a drawing / control CPU.
RO for storing a program for driving the No. 17
M (read only memory). Drawing and control C
The PU 17 performs analysis and drawing of a drawing command of the received print data, data transfer control, and operation control processing of each processor and the printer engine.

Hereinafter, the operations of the transmitting side printing apparatus 100 and the receiving side printing apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment will be described. The transmitting-side printing apparatus 100 and the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 according to the present exemplary embodiment include identification information unique to each of the printing apparatuses 100 and 101 and a post-processing peripheral that is a post-processing function that can be executed by each of the printing apparatuses 100 and 101. It is assumed that the device information is provided. Note that, for the sake of explanation, the transmission-side printing device 100
It is assumed that the post-processing function of each of the printers 101 and 101 is different. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the transmission-side printing apparatus when print data is received. Client computers 1, 2, 3, ...
··· When print data is received from (Step 201;
Y), analyzing the transmission data, that is, the header of the print data to be transmitted to the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 (step 203) According to the header analysis result of the received data,
Transmission processing (Step 205), peripheral device information acquisition processing (Step 221), remote printing operation mode setting processing (Step 231), normal printing processing (Step 241)
Do one of: When the header analysis result of the received data is not a remote print command (Step 205; N), but is a peripheral device information acquisition command (Step 221;
Y), and proceed to peripheral device information acquisition processing. When the peripheral device information acquisition command is received (step 221; Y), the peripheral device information stored in the post-processing peripheral device information storage area 15 is acquired (step 223), and the client computer 1, 2, 3,. .. Are transmitted (step 225), and the process is terminated.

If the header analysis result of the received data is neither a remote print command nor a peripheral device information acquisition command (step 205; N, step 221; N), but is a remote print operation mode setting command (step 2)
31; Y), and proceed to remote printing operation mode setting processing.
When the remote printing operation mode setting command is received (step 231; Y), an operation mode in a case where post-processing cannot be realized by the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 is set and stored in the memory 14 (step 233), and the processing ends. I do. The remote printing operation mode may be set from the client computers 1, 2, 3,..., Or may be set by a button input from an operation unit provided on the transmission-side printing apparatus 100. It may be.

The result of analyzing the header of the received data is not a remote print command, a peripheral device information acquisition command, or a remote print operation mode setting command (step 2).
05; N, step 221; N, step 231;
N), if the command is a normal print command (step 241;
Y), proceed to normal printing processing. When the normal print command is received (Step 241; Y), the transmitting side printing apparatus 100 executes the drawing process and the printing process such as transferring the image data to the printer engine at the end of the drawing command, paper supply / discharge, and transfer process (Step 243). ). When the header analysis result of the received data is a remote print command (step 20)
5; Y), the process proceeds to a transmission process of transmitting the reception data to the reception-side printing apparatus 101 (step 207).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the transmitting printing apparatus when transmitting print data.
When a remote print command is received (step 205;
Y), CPU 17 for drawing / control of transmitting side printing apparatus 100
When the communication connection with the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 is started (when handshake is established) (step 301), the printing apparatus-specific identifier and post-processing peripheral device information are acquired from the receiving-side printing apparatus 101, and are acquired later. The information is stored in the processing peripheral device storage information area 15 (step 303). Next, the print data from the client computers 1, 2, 3,... Is acquired (step 305), the post-processing specification of the acquired print data is analyzed (step 307), and the post-processing peripheral device information is obtained. By referring to the post-processing designation, it is determined whether or not the designated post-processing can be realized by the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 (step 309). At the same time, it is possible to determine whether or not the post-processing specified by the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 can be realized.

If the post-processing can be performed by the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 (step 309; Y), the print data is transmitted to the reception-side printing apparatus 101 via the communication path (step 3).
11). Until the reception of the print data is completed or until an error occurs (step 313; Y), the post-processing designation of the acquired print data is compared with the post-processing peripheral device information, and the process of transmitting the print data is repeated. (Steps 305 to 311). If the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 cannot implement the post-processing (step 309; N), the processing shifts to the following processing according to the designated mode. If the mode is for printing after canceling post-processing (step 32)
1; Y), the print data for which the post-processing designation has been canceled is transmitted to the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 via the communication path as in the normal case (step 311). If the mode is to suspend transmission (step 331; Y), the receiving-side printing apparatus 101
Print data is stored in the memory 14 of the transmission side printing apparatus 100, the memory 14 of the transmission side printing apparatus 100, or the storage apparatus (step 33)
3). If the mode is to stop transmission (step 34)
1), the print data is discarded (step 343). The above processes are repeated until print data reception is completed or an error occurs (step 313; Y).

An error occurs (step 313; Y),
In the case of an error end (step 209; see FIG. 2), an error information code, which is a code indicating an error type such as a print data error / communication line error, is registered as a log in the post-processing peripheral device information storage area 15 (step 211). ). Similarly, when post-processing cannot be realized due to an error,
Logs are registered as error information codes. If the processing of the print data is completed without any error (step 313; Y) and the remote transmission processing is completed normally (step 209; N), the normal completion code is logged in the post-processing peripheral device information storage area 15. (Step 213).

The operation of the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 has been described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the reception-side printing apparatus 101 has the client computers 1, 2, 3,.
2 and FIG. 3 may be executed in such a manner as to be connected to. In addition, the post-processing peripheral device information acquired by the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 acquired by the transmitting-side printing apparatus 100 is transmitted to the client computers 1, 2, 3,.
, So that the user can obtain information on the printing apparatus at a remote location. The determination as to whether the post-processing designation can be realized by the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 in step 309 of FIG.
Based on the post-processing peripheral device information received in step 307, the transmitting side determines whether or not post-processing is possible and can perform the post-processing specified by the receiving-side printing apparatus 101. It is also possible to determine whether the printing apparatus 100 can set the post-processing designation of the print data. In the processing procedure of FIG.
In 09, when the post-processing designation can be realized by the transmission-side printing apparatus 100, the transmission is performed to the reception-side printing apparatus 101. After printing, post-processing may be performed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the printing apparatus on the receiving side. When there is a connection start request from the transmitting side printing apparatus 100, the communication connection processing by the communication control processor 11 is started (step 401), and the drawing / control C
The PU 17 transmits the printing device unique identifier and the post-processing peripheral device information stored in the memory 14 of the receiving printing device 101 to the sending printing device 100 (step 40).
3). Then, data is obtained from the communication channel (step 4).
05), and converts the acquired data into print data (step 406). This print data is subjected to print processing by the printer engine 13 in the same manner as in normal printing (step 407), and until reception of data to be subjected to print processing from the communication path is completed or an error occurs during communication. (Step 409; Y), print processing (Step 405)
To 407) are repeated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, at the time of the line connection handshake in remote printing, the identifier unique to each printing device and the post-processing peripheral device information are described on the data communication protocol of each of the printing devices 100 and 101. On the receiving side printing apparatus 101 and the transmitting side printing apparatus 1
00 can be stored with each other. Further, since the information can be stored in each other, by referring to the information stored at the time of remote printing, an appropriate post-processing can be designated from the transmission-side printing apparatus. Also,
In the present embodiment, when the client computers 1, 2, 3,... Connected to the transmission-side printing apparatus 100 create print data, the client computers 1, 2, 3,. Since the processing peripheral device information can be referred to, the user can specify appropriate post-processing during remote printing. Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission-side printing device 10
The print data is analyzed with 0, and the post-processing specified in the print data cannot be realized by comparing the post-processing designated and the post-processing peripheral device information of the receiving-side printing apparatus 101 already acquired. In this case, the remote printing process is restricted by a preset method (for example, printing without performing post-processing, suspending printing, suspending printing, etc.), so that unnecessary printing and communication costs are reduced. Can be reduced.

[0020]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device information obtaining means for obtaining identification information and post-processing function information unique to another printing apparatus at a remote location, and a remote location obtained by the device information obtaining means. Storage means for storing identification information and post-processing function information specific to another printing apparatus; and apparatus information transmitting means for transmitting identification information and post-processing function information specific to the other printing apparatus to a remote printing apparatus. Therefore, at the time of remote printing, the receiving printing device can already acquire the peripheral device information for post-processing of the sending printing device, and if you want to specify post-processing from the receiving printing device, specify the correct post-processing. Can be.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the receiving means receives a request for acquiring identification information unique to the apparatus and post-processing function information from a terminal apparatus connected via a network, the apparatus information transmitting means comprises: Since the device-specific identification information and the post-processing function information stored in the storage unit are transmitted to the terminal device, the user can specify the post-processing designation valid in the client computer connected to the transmission-side printing device during remote printing. Data can be created.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the device information determining means determines that the identification information unique to the device and the post-processing function information stored in the storage means do not match the designated post-processing information received by the receiving means. And a process selecting unit that prompts the user to select one of the following processes: printing without performing post-processing of the specified post-processing information received by the receiving unit, suspending printing, or suspending printing. , The appropriate processing can be performed depending on the validity / invalidity of post-processing, and unnecessary printing / communication processing costs due to invalid post-processing can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a remote printing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a transmission-side printing apparatus when print data is received.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a transmission-side printing apparatus when transmitting print data.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a receiving-side printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2, 3 client computer 11 communication control processor 12 data input / output control processor 13 printer engine 14 memory 15 post-processing peripheral device information storage area 16 control program 17 drawing / control CPU 100 transmitting-side printing device 101 receiving-side printing device

Claims (3)

[Claims] An apparatus having identification information and post-processing function information unique to an apparatus, and printing data and identification unique to the apparatus by remote communication with another printing apparatus having identification information and post-processing function information unique to the apparatus at a remote place. In a printing apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving information and post-processing function information, the apparatus information obtaining means for obtaining identification information and post-processing function information unique to the other printing apparatus at the remote location; Storage means for storing identification information and post-processing function information unique to the other printing apparatus at the remote location, and apparatus information for transmitting identification information and post-processing function information to the other printing apparatus at the remote location A printing apparatus comprising: a transmission unit. And a receiving unit for receiving a request for acquiring print data, designated post-processing information, device-specific identification information, and post-processing function information from one or more terminal devices connected via a network, When the receiving unit receives an acquisition request for device-specific identification information and post-processing function information from a terminal device connected via the network, the device information transmitting unit stores the request in the terminal device in the storage unit. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stored apparatus-specific identification information and post-processing function information are transmitted. 3. Whether the device-specific identification information and post-processing function information stored in the storage means match the designated post-processing information received from the terminal device connected to the receiving means via the network. A device information determining unit for comparing and determining whether the device information determining unit does not match the device-specific identification information and the post-processing function information stored in the storage unit with the designated post-processing information received by the receiving unit; If it is determined that the printing is performed without performing the post-processing of the specified post-processing information received by the receiving unit, the printing is interrupted, or the printing is suspended, the process of prompting the user to select one of the processes. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit.