JP2003237194A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a printer in which users other than a user requested alteration of set content can recognize alteration of set content readily while preventing occurrence of trouble in print processing. <P>SOLUTION: When alteration of an IP address is requested from a DHCP server 201a (s1), a control section 102 makes a decision whether an IP address under operation is identical to a new IP address or not (s2), stores the new IP address in a set storing section 104 if they are different (s3), generates print data representative of a message that the set content of a printer 101 is altered, and then prints print data generated by a printer engine 106 on a sheet (s4). The control section 102 waits for ending of print processing (s5) and when the print processing ends normally, rewrites the IP address in a nonvolatile memory 104b by the new IP address temporarily stored in the set storing section 104 in order to make effective the new IP address (s6). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus which is network-connected to an external terminal device and which executes a printing process based on image data transmitted from the terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A printing device connected to a network together with an external terminal device changes setting contents of various functions such as a printing function and a communication function according to a rule established in a system in which the network is constructed. You may receive This is for the purpose of improving the security of the system, etc., but if the user of any terminal device does not recognize the change of the setting content, let's perform the print processing with the conventional setting. Therefore, there is a problem that malfunction occurs.

Therefore, in the conventional printing apparatus, when a change request of the setting content for any function is made from any terminal device in the network, the new setting content related to the request is immediately changed and after the change is made. The setting contents of are displayed on the display section on the operation panel, or printed out on paper by the setting item printing function. The user of each terminal device can confirm the current setting contents of various functions in the printing device by visually recognizing the display contents on the display unit of the operation panel and the contents of the print output.

[0004]

However, in the conventional printing apparatus, the user who has requested the change of the setting content of any function recognizes the changed setting content,
You can check whether the requested settings are reflected using the operation panel or the setting item printing function, but other users in the network cannot recognize the changed settings in advance, so It is possible to easily determine whether the desired print result cannot be obtained by the print processing based on the print request of the above, and whether the trouble is caused by the change of the setting contents of any function or other causes. I can't recognize.

For this reason, it is conceivable that the printing device notifies each terminal device in the network when the setting content of any function is changed. However, when using network communication, the terminal is usually used. Since the device inquires of the printer about the setting status of the function, if the setting contents of the communication function in the printer are changed, the terminal device cannot inquire the printer. There is.

Further, the display section of the operation panel of the printing apparatus is
Since it also displays the execution status of print processing and error messages based on print requests from multiple users,
It is not possible to always display that the setting contents have been changed. Therefore, it becomes more difficult for the user involved in the print process in which the trouble has occurred to recognize that the setting content has been changed from the display content on the operation panel.

An object of the present invention is to print out that the setting contents have been changed when the setting contents for any of the functions are changed, so that users other than the user who has requested the change of the setting contents can be printed. The change of the setting content can be easily recognized, and when the setting content is requested to be changed, after the user recognizes that the setting content is changed, the setting content is changed so that the printing process can be performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing apparatus capable of preventing occurrence of trouble.

[0008]

The present invention has the following structure as means for solving the above problems.

(1) A printing device network-connected to an external terminal device, the setting control means changing the setting contents of the function based on a change request including the function information transmitted from the terminal device, and the setting control. Message generating means for generating a message to that effect when the means changes the setting contents of the function, and the message generated by the message generating means is printed out.

In this configuration, when the function setting contents are changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device, a message indicating that the function setting contents are changed is printed out. To be done. Therefore, a user other than the user of the terminal device that has transmitted the change request visually recognizes the content of the printed message and recognizes that the function setting content has been changed.

(2) A printing device network-connected to an external terminal device, the setting control means changing the setting contents of the function based on the change request including the function information transmitted from the terminal device, and the setting control. And a message generating unit that generates a message for notifying the setting contents before the unit changes the setting contents of the function, and the message generated by the message generating unit is printed out.

In this configuration, a message notifying that the setting content of the function will be changed before the setting content of the function is changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device. Printed out. Therefore, a user other than the user of the terminal device that has transmitted the change request visually recognizes the content of the printed message and recognizes that the setting content of the function is changed.

(3) An input means for accepting an input operation of the key code is provided, and the setting control means responds to the change request including the function information transmitted from the terminal device when the key code is input through the input means. The feature is that the setting content is changed based on the setting.

In this configuration, before the function setting contents are changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device, a message notifying that the function setting contents are changed will be issued. The setting contents are changed while being printed out and waiting for the key code input operation. Therefore, the user other than the user of the terminal device that has transmitted the change request surely recognizes that the setting content of the function is changed, and then the setting content of the function is changed.

(4) The key code is generated by the message generating means.

In this structure, the message generating means for generating a message for notifying that the setting contents of the function will be changed generates the key code used for confirming the change of the setting contents of the function. . Therefore, it is possible to confirm and determine the change of the setting content without depending on the complicated processing procedure by a plurality of means.

(5) In the message generation means, after the key code is input through the input means, the setting contents of the function are changed based on the function information transmitted from the terminal device by the setting control means. At times, it is characterized by generating a message indicating that the changed setting contents are validated.

In this configuration, when the setting contents of the announced function are changed, a message to that effect is printed out. Therefore, the user can be surely recognized that the process of changing the setting contents of the announced function has been completed.

(6) The setting control means validates the changed setting contents when a predetermined time has elapsed after the message printing process is completed.

In this configuration, when a request for changing the setting contents of the function is made, the setting contents are changed after waiting a predetermined time after the message printing process is completed.
Therefore, a time allowance is provided for the user to surely recognize the changed setting contents after the change request is made and before the function setting contents are changed.

(7) The message generating means is characterized by generating a message including information specifying a time after the predetermined time has elapsed.

In this structure, a message including the time when the function setting contents are changed is printed out. Therefore, the user can accurately recognize the time when the setting contents of the function are changed, and the user can determine whether or not the setting contents have been changed by comparing the time included in the message printed out and the current time. It

(8) The setting control means validates the changed setting contents when the message printing process is completed.

In this configuration, the setting contents of the function are changed when the printing process is completed. Therefore, the print processing is not completed due to the occurrence of a jam, etc., and the setting contents of the function are not changed in the state where the message cannot be printed out. Is recognized by the user.

[0025]

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The printing apparatus 101 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a control unit 102, an operation unit 103, a setting storage unit 104, a data communication unit 105, a printer engine 106, and a real time clock (hereinafter, RTC) 107, and the DHCP server 2.
01a and a plurality of hosts 201 (201a to 201e) as terminal devices including the remote management system 201d constitute the network 1.

The data communication unit 105 receives data from the host 201 composed of a personal computer or the like via the network and transfers it to the control unit 102.
The setting storage unit 104 includes a volatile memory 104a and a non-volatile memory 104b, and the setting content that defines the operation content of each function is stored in the non-volatile memory 104b.
The operation unit 103 includes a display 103a configured by an LCD or the like and an input member 103b such as a key switch that receives an input operation or a touch switch on the LCD, and determines the input content. The printer engine 106 is
The image forming unit prints print data on a sheet. R
The TC has the functions of a clock and a timer operating in the printing apparatus 101.

The controller 102 is, for example, a CPU composed of a one-chip microcomputer, and the message generator 10
2a, setting control unit 102b, and print job control unit 102
Including c, it controls all the units of the printing apparatus 101.
The message generation unit 102a generates print data representing a message regarding a change in the setting content of each function of the printing apparatus 101 to the user. The setting control unit 102b manages setting information about communication functions such as an IP address assigned to the printing apparatus 101 and setting information about printing functions, and determines when the host 201 makes a request to change the setting content. Also do. Print job control unit 102c
Manages the printer engine 106 comprehensively, such as supplying print data to the printer engine 106, and also determines whether or not the printing process has ended normally.

The printing apparatus 101 having the above structure is
The print data transmitted from the host 201 via the network is received by the data communication unit 105, and the received print data is printed out on paper by the printer engine 106. The printing apparatus 101 has a plurality of hosts 201.
In order to realize such a printing process in the network configured with the above, each device in the network is assigned an IP address distributed by the DHCP server 201a. The IP address is a unique value in the system in which the network is constructed, and is a unique value for each device included in the network.

The DHCP server 201a is the printer 10
The IP address may be changed in response to a request from No. 1 or an instruction from the DHCP server 201a itself. In the printing apparatus 101, when the IP address is changed by the response or the supply from the DHCP server 201a, the setting control unit 102b causes the non-volatile memory 104 of the setting storage unit 104.
The IP address stored in b is compared with the newly received IP address. If they are different, the new IP address is temporarily stored in the volatile memory 104a of the setting storage unit 104.

After that, the setting control unit 102b generates print data displaying a message indicating that the IP address is changed via the message control unit 102a. The generated print data is supplied to the printer engine 106 by the print job control unit 102c and printed on the paper. When the print job control unit 102c confirms that the print processing of the message has been completed normally, the print job control unit 102c notifies the setting control unit 102b to that effect. When the setting control unit 102b receives the notification that the message print processing is completed, the setting control unit 102b uses the IP address stored in the volatile memory 104a of the setting storage unit 104 to determine the IP address in the nonvolatile memory 104b.
Rewrite the address.

When the remote management system 201d requests from the remote location to change the setting contents regarding the function of the printing apparatus 101, the control unit 101 performs the same processing. The remote management system 201d is a system that allows a user including a network administrator to change the setting content regarding the function of the printing apparatus from a remote location, and other users may not be aware that the setting content has been changed.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a part of the processing procedure of the control unit of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 102 of the printing apparatus 101 uses the IP address from the DHCP server 201a in the setting control unit 102b.
Recognizing that an address change request was made (s
1) It is determined whether or not the currently operating IP address and the new IP address related to the change request are the same (s
2) If they are different, store a new IP address in the volatile memory 104a of the setting storage unit 104 (s
3).

Next, the control unit 102 generates print data representing a message to the effect that the setting contents of the printing apparatus 101 are changed by the message generation unit 102a and the print engine 106 via the print job control unit 102c. Print the print data on paper (s
4). An example of print data printed here is shown in FIG.
Shown in. As shown in FIG. 5D, the changed setting contents are displayed for all setting items related to the function (here, communication function) including the changed setting contents, and this time,
Items whose setting contents are changed may be highlighted by underlining or changing the font.

After that, the control unit 101 waits for the print job control unit 102c to finish the print processing (s5),
When the printing process ends normally, the new IP address stored in the volatile memory 104a is used by the new IP address stored in the volatile memory 104a in order to validate the new IP address.
The P address is rewritten (s6).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of the processing procedure of the control unit of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 102 of the printing apparatus 101 uses the IP address from the DHCP server 201a in the setting control unit 102b.
Recognizing that an address change request was made (s
1) It is determined whether or not the currently operating IP address and the new IP address related to the change request are the same (s
2) If they are different, store a new IP address in the volatile memory 104a of the setting storage unit 104 (s
3).

Next, the control unit 102 determines whether or not confirmation is required when there is a request for changing the IP address from the DHCP server 201a according to the setting made by the user of the host 201 (s11). ). When the confirmation at the time of the change request is required, the control unit 102
Print data representing a message indicating that the setting change request is made by the message generation unit 102a is generated, and the print data is printed on the paper by the printer engine 106 via the print job control unit 102c (s12). FIG. 5B shows an example of print data printed here.
As shown in the figure, the message printed on the paper includes the new IP address and the message generation unit 1
The key code (code data) generated by 02a is included.

Thereafter, the control unit 102 waits for the print job control unit 102c to finish the printing process (s1).
3) When the printing process ends normally, a confirmation display of the content shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display 102a via the operation unit 103 (s14), and the input of the key code printed on the paper in s12 is input. It is received by the member 103b. Further, the control unit 102 determines whether or not the correct key code is input through the input member 103b in the operation unit 103 (s15), and when the correct key code is input, the confirmation by the user is completed. And judge
The above-described processing of s4 to s6 is executed (s15 → s4).

By the processes of s11 to s15, when the user tries to change the setting content regarding the function of the printing apparatus 101 without the user's intention, the user does not recognize that the setting content is changed. , It is possible to prevent the setting contents from being changed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a part of the processing procedure of the control unit of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The control unit 102 of the printing apparatus 101 uses the IP address from the DHCP server 201a in the setting control unit 102b.
Recognizing that an address change request was made (s
1) It is determined whether or not the currently operating IP address and the new IP address related to the change request are the same (s
2) If they are different, store a new IP address in the volatile memory 104a of the setting storage unit 104 (s
3).

Next, the control unit 102 determines whether or not advance notification is required when there is a request for changing the IP address from the DHCP server 201a according to the setting made by the user of the host 201. (S21). When advance notification of the change request is required, the control unit 102 generates print data representing a message indicating that the setting change request has been issued by the message generation unit 102a, and prints this print data. Printing on paper is performed by the printer engine 106 via the job control unit 102c (s
22). An example of print data printed here is shown in FIG.
It shows in (C). As shown in the figure, the message printed on the paper includes the new IP address, the current time, and a predetermined waiting time until the change.

Note that the message may include the scheduled change time obtained by adding the standby time to the current time. Further, the current time is given from the RTC 107, and the RTC 107 also measures the waiting time described later.

Thereafter, the control unit 102 waits for the print job control unit 102c to finish the printing process (s2).
3) When the printing process ends normally, it is further determined whether or not a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (s24). When the predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the control unit 101 determines that the new IP
In order to validate the address, the non-volatile memory 1 uses the new IP address stored in the volatile memory 104a.
Rewrite the IP address in 04b (s24 → s
6).

A state in which the user does not recognize that the setting content is changed when the user tries to change the setting content related to the function of the printing apparatus 101 by the processing of s21 to s24. Thus, it is possible to prevent the setting contents from being changed. Moreover, by selecting an appropriate time as the predetermined waiting time, it is possible to prevent a long time from being overused without the user's confirmation.

In each of the above-described first to third embodiments, the case where the request for changing the IP address related to the communication function of the printing apparatus 101 is issued from the DHCP server 201a has been described. The same processing can be performed when the remote management system 201a makes a request, or when a change request is made to the setting contents of the setting items other than the IP address and functions other than the communication function.

[0045]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the function setting contents are changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device, a message indicating that the function setting contents are changed is printed out. As a result, a user other than the user of the terminal device that has transmitted the change request can visually recognize the contents of the printed message and recognize that the function setting contents have been changed. As a result, it becomes impossible to obtain a desired print result by the print processing based on the own print request, and the cause of the trouble can be easily recognized.

(2) Before the function setting contents are changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device, a message indicating that the function setting contents are changed is printed out. By doing so, a user other than the user of the terminal device that has transmitted the change request can visually recognize the contents of the printed message and recognize that the function setting contents are changed.

(3) A message indicating that the setting contents of the function will be changed is printed out before the setting contents of the function are changed based on the function information included in the change request transmitted from the external terminal device. In addition, by waiting for the key code input operation and changing the setting contents, the user other than the user of the terminal device that has sent the change request surely recognizes that the function setting contents are changed, and It is possible to change the setting content, and it is possible to prevent the setting content from being changed without the user recognizing that the setting content is changed.

(4) By generating a key code used for confirming the change of the setting contents of the function in the message generating means for generating a message notifying that the setting contents of the function will be changed It is possible to easily confirm and determine the change of the setting content without depending on the complicated processing procedure by a plurality of means.

(5) When the change of the setting contents of the foretold function is executed, a message to that effect is printed out to inform the user that the process of changing the setting contents of the foretold function is completed. Can be surely recognized in.

(6) When a request for changing the setting contents of a function is made, the setting contents are changed by waiting a predetermined time after the completion of the message print processing, and the function is changed after the change request is made. Until you change the settings of
It is possible to provide a time margin for the user to surely recognize the changed setting content. Further, by selecting an appropriate time as the predetermined waiting time, it is possible to prevent the user from spending a long time without confirming it.

(7) By printing out the message including the time when the setting contents of the function are changed, the user can
It is possible to accurately recognize the time when the setting content of the function is changed, and it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the setting content is already changed by comparing the time included in the message printed out and the current time.

(8) By changing the setting contents of the function while the printing process is completed, the printing process is not completed due to the occurrence of a jam or the like, and the setting contents of the function cannot be printed while the message cannot be printed out. Never changed,
The user can surely recognize the change in the setting content of the function through the message printed out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedure of a control unit of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedure of a control unit of the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing procedure of a control unit of the printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a message printed out when the function setting contents are changed in the printing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display when the function setting contents are changed in the printing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

101-Printing device 102-control unit 102a-message generation unit 102b-Setting control unit 102c-Print job control unit 103-operation unit 103a-display 103b-input member 104-setting storage unit 201 (201a to 201e) -host (terminal device)

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printing device network-connected to an external terminal device, the setting control means changing setting contents of a function based on a change request including the function information transmitted from the terminal device, and the setting control means. A message generating unit that generates a message to that effect when the setting content of the function is changed, and prints out the message generated by the message generating unit. 2. A printing device network-connected to an external terminal device, the setting control device changing setting contents of a function based on a change request including the function information transmitted from the terminal device, and the setting control device. Message generation means for generating a message to inform the setting contents before changing the setting contents of the function,
A printing apparatus, comprising: a message generated by the message generating unit; 3. An input means for accepting a key code input operation, wherein the setting control means is based on a change request including function information transmitted from a terminal device when a key code is input via the input means. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting content is changed. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the key code is generated by the message generating means. 5. The message generation means, when the setting content of the function is changed based on the function information transmitted from the terminal device by the setting control means after the key code is input through the input means. , A message is generated to the effect that the changed settings have been validated. The printing device according to claim 3. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting control unit validates the changed setting contents when a predetermined time has elapsed after the message printing process is completed. 7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the message generation unit generates a message including information specifying a time after the predetermined time has elapsed. 8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting control means validates the changed setting contents when the message printing process is completed.