JP2003334999A - Recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a recorder in which the contents of a print file recorded previously on a sheet can be recorded again on a sheet readily by eliminating a labor for transmitting the print file again from an external terminal and using a print file stored in a memory. <P>SOLUTION: The recorder comprises a means 2 for connecting with the external terminal 4, a memory means 6 for storing a print file 5 received from the external terminal 4, a means 22 for managing the print file 5 stored in the memory means 6, and a means 7 for recording the contents of the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 on a sheet. When the print file 5 is received from the external terminal 4, the file management information 24 of that print file 5 is acquired and stored in the means 22 for managing the print file thus managing the print file 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a recording device such as a printer which is connected to an external terminal such as a personal computer and records the contents of a print file received from the external terminal on a sheet of paper, or a multifunction machine having a printer function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording device such as a printer connected to an external terminal such as a personal computer or a multifunction peripheral having a printer function has a memory for temporarily storing a print file received from the external terminal. There are some with. In such a recording device, the print file received from the external terminal is temporarily stored in the memory, and then the content of the print file is recorded on a sheet. Normally, the process is performed immediately after the recording process is completed. The print file is erased from memory and its contents are not stored in memory.

On the other hand, in recent years, a recording device equipped with a large-capacity memory has appeared, and particularly in a multi-function peripheral having other functions such as a facsimile function, a large-capacity memory capable of storing a plurality of print files. Many are equipped with memory. In the recording apparatus having such a large capacity memory, it is possible to store the print file in the memory even after the recording process is completed. But,
Until now, even if the print file is deleted from the memory or saved, it is not saved in a usable state, so the same content as the print file recorded earlier is saved. Even if the user wants to record the same again on paper, the previously received print file cannot be used, and the print file needs to be transmitted again from the external terminal to the recording device.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a print file transmitted from an external terminal is stored in a memory even after being recorded on a sheet,
By managing the saved print file in an available state, if you want to record the same content as the previously recorded print file on paper again, you can save the trouble of sending the print file again from the external terminal. It is a technical object to provide a recording device that can easily record using a print file stored in a memory.

[0005]

The concrete means for solving the above technical problems are as follows. That is, the recording device according to the first aspect includes a connection unit for connecting to an external terminal, a memory unit for storing a print file received from the external terminal via the connection unit,
File management means for managing the print file stored in the memory means and recording means for recording the content of the print file received from the external terminal on a sheet are provided, and when the print file is received from the external terminal, It is characterized in that the file management information including the file name and date and time information of the print file is acquired, and the file management information is stored in the file management means to manage the print file.

The recording device described in claim 2 is the same as that of claim 1.
In the configuration described in (1), a file search means for searching one print file based on the file management information stored in the file management means is provided, and when one print file is searched by this file search means, It is characterized in that the retrieved print file is read out from the memory means and the content thereof is recorded on a sheet by the recording means.

The recording apparatus described in claim 3 is the same as that of claim 1.
Alternatively, when the content of the print file is recorded by the recording means in the configuration described in 2, the date and time information included in the file management information regarding the print file is updated to the recorded date and time. is there.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the recording apparatus 1 according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function and a scanner function will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a recording device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the specific example of the recording apparatus 1 is not limited to such a multifunction machine, and may be applied to a printer, a facsimile machine having a printer function, or the like. The specific configuration of the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

The LAN interface 2 is a recording device 1
Is an interface for connecting a LAN to a LAN (Local Area Network) 3.
Thus, the recording device 1 is connected to one or more external terminals 4 via the LAN 3. In the present embodiment, this L
The AN interface 2 constitutes the connecting means in the present invention. Here, the external terminal 4 is a terminal that transmits a print file 5 including data such as characters and images to be recorded on a sheet to the recording device 1,
Specifically, a general-purpose computer terminal such as a personal computer or a workstation is applicable. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the recording apparatus 1 is provided with the LAN interface 2 as the connecting means and is connected to the external terminal 4 via the LAN 3, but this configuration is one embodiment of the connecting means, and the external terminal 4 As long as the print file can be transmitted from the recording apparatus 1 to the recording apparatus 1, the connecting means may be configured to have another configuration such as a serial interface or a parallel interface.

The image memory 6 stores the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 via the LAN interface 2.
The image memory 6 constitutes the memory means in the present invention in the present embodiment. By storing and saving the received print file 5 in the image memory 6, when the print file 5 is received from the external terminal 4,
For the print file 5 recorded by the recording unit 7, it is possible to perform the re-recording process for recording the content again. However, here, since it is assumed that the user can set whether or not the re-recording process can be performed, if the re-recording process is disabled, the received print The file 5 is not stored in the image memory 6. In addition, here, the recording device 1
Is a multi-function peripheral, the image memory 6 stores the print file 5, a modem 8 and a network control device (N
Image data received by facsimile via CU) 9,
Image data read for copying or scanning in the document reading unit 10 described later is also stored.

The recording section 7 is a section for recording the contents of the print file 5 on a sheet, and in the present embodiment, the recording section 7 constitutes the recording means in the present invention.
Further, since the recording apparatus 1 is a multi-function device here, the recording unit 7 also records the content of image data received by facsimile, image data read for copying or scanning, etc. on a sheet. The paper used in the recording unit 7 may be different depending on the recording method of the recording unit 7, but various recording papers such as copy paper and thermal paper are used. As the recording method in the recording unit 7, various recording methods known in this field, such as an electrophotographic method, a heat-sensitive recording method, and an inkjet recording method, can be used. As the specific configuration of the recording unit 7, various known configurations for realizing each of the recording methods described above can be used.

The document reading unit 10 is a unit for scanning an image of a document and reading it as image data for copying, scanning, facsimile transmission, etc. Although not shown, it is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or the like. Optical system such as image sensor and light source, flatbed scanner (F
BS: Flat Bed Scanner) and automatic document feeder (AD)
F: Automatic Document Feeder) and the like are provided. As the configuration of the document reading section 10, various known mechanisms in the field of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner, or the like can be used.

The network control unit (NCU) 9 and the modem 8 are
The network control unit (NCU) 9 is a part for connecting the recording device 1 which is a multi-function peripheral to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 11 for facsimile transmission / reception.
The modem 8 is a device for modulating and demodulating image data transmitted and received by facsimile. Codec (CODEC:
The Coder and Decoder) 12 is a circuit for encoding and decoding image data for facsimile transmission / reception.

The operation section 13 is a section for the user to input operation instructions and settings to the recording apparatus 1, and the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6.
The start key 14 for inputting an instruction such as a start command of a process of reading out and re-recording on paper in the recording unit 7, a start command of each process such as facsimile transmission, copying, and scanning, and setting operation of the recording apparatus 1. And various operation keys such as a function key 15 for selecting operation processing and the like. The display unit 16 includes the recording device 1
Of the liquid crystal display device 17 capable of displaying arbitrary characters and figures, and the state of the recording device 1 by turning on and off. And an LED lamp 18 that operates.

The MPU (Microprocessing Unit) 19 is
It is an arithmetic processing circuit which is connected to each unit constituting the recording apparatus 1 via the bus 20 and performs an operation process of each of these units. RAM (Random Access Memory) 21 is an MP
It is a memory for storing various data, setting information, and the like acquired along with the execution of the operation processing of the recording apparatus 1 by U19. A file management table 22 is provided in the RAM 21. Further, in the RAM 21, it is possible to perform a re-recording process of reading the print file 5 recorded by the recording unit 7 once when it is received from the external terminal 4 from the image memory 6 and recording the content again. The re-recording processing setting information 23, which is information on that setting, is also stored. Then, the re-recording process setting information 23 is
If the setting allows re-recording processing, the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 is stored in the image memory 6, and the file management information 24 is stored in the file management table 22 as described later. If the re-recording process setting information 23 is a setting that does not allow the re-recording process, these processes are not performed.

Here, the file management table 22 is a table for managing the print files 5 stored in the image memory 6. In the present embodiment, the file management table 22 serves as the file management means in the present invention. I am configuring. In this file management table 22,
The file management information 24 including the file name 25 and the date / time information 26 of the print file 5 acquired when the print file 5 is received from the external terminal 4 is stored. The file management information 24 is information for managing the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6, and here, the file name 2 of the print file 5 is used.
5, date / time information 26, and file storage location 27. Here, the file name 25 is a name given to the print file 5 when it is transmitted from the external terminal 4 to the recording device 1. The date and time information 26 is information on the date and time when the content of the print file 5 was last recorded in the recording unit 7. Therefore, when the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6 is read and the content is recorded again in the recording unit 7, the date / time information 26 is updated to the last recorded date / time. The file storage location 27 is information on an address indicating the storage location of the print file 5 in the image memory 6. In the file management table 22, these pieces of information are associated and stored in a table format.

The file management information 24 stored in the file management table 22 is acquired when the recording device 1 receives the print file 5 from the external terminal 4. Specifically, it is as follows. That is, the print file 5 is transmitted from the external terminal 4 to the recording device 1 using a predetermined language such as a printer job language (PJL: Printer Job Language) or a page description language (PDL). . The data transmitted in such a predetermined language includes the relevant information such as the file name 25 of the print file 5 in addition to the content itself of the print file 5. Therefore, in the recording device 1, the file name 25 can be acquired by analyzing the data including the print file 5 transmitted from the external terminal 4 in the predetermined language. After the print file 5 is completely received, the recording unit 7 records the contents of the print file 5 on a sheet, so that the date and time information 26 is obtained from the date and time of the recording process. Further, since the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 is stored in the image memory 6, the file storage location 2 is calculated from the storage location address.
Get 7. The process of acquiring the file management information 24 in the recording device 1 is performed by a ROM (Read Only Memo).
management information acquisition program 29 stored in ry) 28
It is performed by the MPU 19 which operates in accordance with. In addition,
When the re-recording process setting information 23 in the RAM 21 is set so that the re-recording process cannot be performed, the received print file 5 is not stored in the image memory 6, and therefore the process for acquiring the file management information 24 is also performed. Absent.

The ROM 28 is a memory for storing various operation programs necessary for the operation processing of the MPU 19.
As the operation program stored in this ROM 28,
Here, a management information acquisition program 29 and a file search program 30 are included. As described above, when the management file acquisition program 29 receives the print file 5 from the external terminal 4 and the re-recording processing setting information 23 in the RAM 21 is set to enable re-recording processing, It is a program for causing the MPU 19 to execute the process of acquiring the file management information 24 regarding the received print file 5. File search program 30
Is a program for causing the MPU 19 to execute a process of searching for one print file 5 based on the file management information 24 stored in the file management table 22. In the present embodiment, this file search program 30
The MPU 19 that operates in accordance with the above constitutes the file search means in the present invention.

1 by this file search program 30
Specifically, the process of searching the print file 5 of
It is performed as follows. That is, when the function keys 15 and the like are operated in the operation unit 13 of the recording apparatus 1 and the re-recording process of the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6 is executed, all the data stored in the image memory 6 are processed. A list of print files 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16 in a selectable manner based on the file management table 22. This print file 5
The list of, for example, the file management table 22
The file names 25 and the date / time information 26 of all the print files 5 stored in the table are arranged in a table format. When the entire list of the print files 5 cannot be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16, it is preferable that the remaining portion can be displayed by scrolling or switching the display. Then, the user operates the operation unit 13
Is operated to select one print file 5 in the list of print files 5, and the print file 5 is searched.

Further, for example, it is possible to display a search input screen on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16 together with the list of the print files 5. This search input screen for the print file 5 is a search condition such as the file name 25 or the date / time information 26 of the print file 5 that the user wants to search, or the date / time which is part of the initial letter or the date / time information 26 of the file name 25. Is a screen for inputting, and when the user operates the operation unit 13 to input these search conditions, 1 or 2 corresponding to the search conditions is input.
The above print file 5 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16. Then, the user operates the operation unit 13 to select one print file 5 in the operation unit 13 to search the print file 5. When one print file 5 is searched according to the file search program 30, the MPU 19 reads the searched print file 5 from the image memory 6 and records the content on a sheet in the recording unit 7. Processing is performed. The processing in this case will be described later using a flowchart.

Next, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention
In the following, the operation process when receiving the print file 5 from the external terminal 4 and recording it on the paper will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of each unit of the recording apparatus 1 shown in this flowchart is performed according to various operation programs stored in the ROM 28.
It is performed under the control of the PU 19.

First, the print file 5 is sent from the external terminal 4.
It is determined whether or not is received (S1). If the print file 5 has not been received (S1: NO),
Wait as it is. Print file 5 from external terminal 4
Is received (S1: YES), then RAM2
It is determined whether or not the re-recording process setting information 23 stored in No. 1 is a setting that enables the re-recording process (S
2). If the setting enables the re-recording process (S
2: YES), the file name 25 of the received print file 5 is acquired by analyzing the data including the print file 5 transmitted from the external terminal 4 in the predetermined language (S3). Next, as the date and time for recording the contents of the print file 5, information on the current date and time is acquired based on a timing circuit (not shown), and the date and time included in the file management information 24 for the print file. The information 26 is set (S4). Then, the content of the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 is recorded on a sheet by the recording unit 7 (S5).

Next, the received print file 5 is stored in the image memory 6 (S6). Here, since the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 is in the state of vector data such as a page description language, it is preferable that the print file 5 is rasterized and compressed in a predetermined encoding format and stored in the image memory 6. The encoding format used here is
For example, MMR, JBIG, etc. are used. Then S
It is determined whether or not the processes of 5 and S6 are completed for all pages of the received print file 5 (S7). If not completed for all pages (S7: NO), the process returns to S5, and the processes of S5 and S6 are executed for the next page. Then, when the processes of S5 and S6 are completed for all the pages of the received print file 5 (S7: YES), the storage location of the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6 in the process S6 is changed. The file storage location 27 is acquired from the address (S8). In addition, these S3, S
The processes 4 and S8 are performed according to the management information acquisition program 29 stored in the ROM 28. Then, the file name 25, date and time information 26, and file storage location 27 of the print file 5 thus obtained
The file management information 24 having the above is stored in the file management table 22 (S9). Then, the process ends.

On the other hand, when the re-recording process setting information 23 stored in the RAM 21 is a setting that does not allow re-recording process (S2: NO), the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 is stored in the image memory 6 as a print file. The file management information 24 is not stored in the file management table 22. Therefore, next, the content of the received print file 5 is recorded on the paper in the recording unit 7 (S
10). Then, it is determined whether or not the process of S10 is completed for all the pages of the received print file 5 (S11). If not completed for all pages (S11: NO), the process returns to S10,
The process of S10 is executed for the next page. And
When the process of S10 is completed for all the pages of the received print file 5 (S11: YES), the process ends.

As described above, when a large number of processes for storing the print file 5 received from the external terminal 4 in the image memory 6 are performed, the image memory 6 becomes full, so the date / time information 26 indicates the current date / time. The old print file 5 which has passed a certain period of time is automatically detected based on the file management table 22 as compared with the information of
The file management information 2 related to the print file 5 is also deleted from the file management table 22.
It is preferable to perform the process of deleting 4.

Next, the recording apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention
In FIG. 3, the print file 5 recorded once in the recording unit 7 when it is received from the external terminal 4 is read out from the image memory 6 and the rerecording process is performed to record the content again. It will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of each unit of the recording apparatus 1 shown in this flowchart is performed by the MPU 19 that operates according to various operation programs stored in the ROM 28.
Under the control of.

First, it is determined whether or not a re-recording process execution operation has been performed on the print file 5 stored in the image memory 6 (S21). As the operation of executing the re-recording process, specifically, the user operates the operation unit 1
An operation or the like for operating the function key 15 of No. 3 or the like to input an instruction to execute the re-recording process is applicable. If the re-recording process is not performed (S21: N
O), just wait. Then, when the re-recording process execution operation is performed on the print files 5 stored in the image memory 6 (S21: YES), a list of all print files 5 stored in the image memory 6 is then generated. , And a search input screen for the print file 5 are displayed on the display unit 16 (S22).

Here, it is assumed that the list of print files 5 is formed by arranging the file names 25 and date / time information 26 of all print files 5 stored in the file management table 22 in a tabular form, and the list thereof is shown. Any print file 5 in the above is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16 in a selectable state. When the entire list of print files 5 cannot be displayed on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 17, the remaining part can be displayed by scrolling or switching the display screen. Also,
The search input screen for the print file 5 includes a file name 25 or date / time information 26 of the print file 5 that the user wants to search, or an initial of the file name 25 or date / time information 26.
Is a screen for inputting conditions such as date and time, which are a part of the above, and these search conditions can be input by operating the operation unit 13. When the user inputs these search conditions, the file name 25 of one or more print files 5 corresponding to the search conditions
The date and time information 26 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 17 of the display unit 16.

Next, it is judged whether or not the print file 5 of 1 is selected (S23). The selection of the one print file 5 is performed by the user operating the operation unit 13, by selecting the one print file 5 in the list of the print files 5, or by setting the search condition on the search input screen. By inputting, the display unit 16
This is performed by selecting one print file 5 from among one or more print files 5 corresponding to the search condition displayed in. Here, when the print file 5 of 1 is not selected (S23: NO), the process returns to S22. When one print file 5 is selected (S23: YES), the selected print file 5 is searched from the image memory 6 based on the file management table 22 (S24). Specifically, the file storage location 27 of the selected print file 5 is searched and read from the file management table 22. Note that the processing from S22 to S24 is performed by the ROM
28 according to the file search program 30.

Next, it is determined whether or not a start command for recording the selected print file 5 on paper is input (S25). This recording process start command is input by the user operating the start key 14 of the operation unit 13. If the recording process start command has not been input (S25: NO), the process returns to S22. On the other hand, if a recording process start command is input (S2
5: YES), as the date and time when the content of the selected print file 5 is recorded, the current date and time information is acquired based on a timing circuit (not shown), and the file management information related to the print file is acquired based on the information. The date / time information 26 included in 24 is updated (S26). Then, the selected print file 5 is read from the image memory 6 and the content is recorded on the paper in the recording unit 7 (S2).
7). Print file 5 from image memory 6 at this time
Is read out based on the file storage location 27 of the print file 5 searched in step S24. After that, it is determined whether or not the recording process of all the pages of the selected print file 5 is completed (S2).
8). If the recording process for all pages has not been completed (S28: NO), the process returns to S27 to continue recording the next page. Then, when the recording process of all the pages of the selected print file 5 is completed (S28: YES), the process ends.

[0031]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention.
According to the recording device of the present invention, the connection means for connecting to the external terminal, the memory means for storing the print file received from the external terminal via the connection means, and the print file stored in the memory means A file management unit for managing the print file and a recording unit for recording the content of the print file received from the external terminal on a sheet are included, and include the file name and date and time information of the print file when the print file is received from the external terminal. By acquiring the file management information and storing the file management information in the file management means to manage the print file, the print file transmitted from the external terminal can be saved in the memory and used even after being recorded on paper. It is possible to manage in a stable state. Therefore, if you want to reprint the same content as the previously recorded print file on paper, you can save the trouble of sending the print file again from the external terminal and easily record using the print file saved in the memory. be able to.

According to the recording apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, it is provided with a file search means for searching one print file based on the file management information stored in the file management means. When one print file is retrieved by the file retrieval means, the retrieved print file is read out from the memory means, and the content is recorded on the paper by the recording means, so that the user re-records it. Try to do 1
It is possible to easily search for and record the print file of a large number of print files stored in the image memory.

According to the recording apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above effects, when the content of the print file is recorded by the recording means, the date and time included in the file management information about the print file. By updating the information to the recorded date and time, the user tries to perform the re-recording process based on the previously recorded date and time 1
It becomes possible to search for the print file of [1].

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation process when a print file is received from an external terminal and recorded on a sheet in the recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which performs a re-recording process of reading a print file, which has been recorded by a recording unit once when it is received from an external terminal, from an image memory and recording the content again. It is a flow chart which shows operation processing at the time of performing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 recording device 2 LAN interface 4 External terminal 5 print files 6 image memory 7 Recording section 13 Operation part 16 Display 19 MPU 21 RAM 22 File management table 23 Re-recording processing setting information 24 File management information 25 file name 26 Date and time information 27 File storage location 28 ROM 29 Management information acquisition program 30 file search program

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. Connection means for connecting to an external terminal,
Memory means for storing a print file received from an external terminal through the connecting means, file management means for managing the print file stored in the memory means, and a paper for storing the content of the print file received from the external terminal. Recording means for recording to the external terminal, when receiving the print file from the external terminal, acquires file management information including the file name and date and time information of the print file, and stores the file management information in the file management means. A recording device that manages a print file. 2. A file search means for searching one print file based on the file management information stored in the file management means is provided, and when one print file is searched by this file search means, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retrieved print file is read from the memory means, and the content is recorded on a sheet by the recording means. 3. When the content of a print file is recorded by the recording means, the date and time information included in the file management information regarding the print file is updated to the date and time of recording. The recording device described.