JP2004139223A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing system that can reduce the cost of replacement when using a unit requiring initial characteristic values for control, such as a photoconductor. <P>SOLUTION: Initial characteristic values of a member requiring initial characteristic values for control are acquired from a recording medium saving initial characteristic values or a maintenance server device SV. A photoconductor thus requires no means for recording initial characteristic values, so that costs of the photoconductor and a printer device body can be reduced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system including a printer device that requires an initial characteristic value and has a replaceable unit, and a data processing device connected to the printer device to perform a printing operation.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, in a laser printer device such as a monochrome laser printer device and a color laser printer device, an initial characteristic value is set on a photoconductor used as a consumable, and a recording operation is controlled using the initial characteristic value. Like that. Therefore, when the photoconductor is replaced, it is necessary to set an initial characteristic value of the photoconductor in the laser printer so that an appropriate recording operation can be performed.
[0003]
Therefore, when replacing a unit that requires an initial characteristic value for control of the photoreceptor or the like, the initial characteristic value of the photoreceptor or the like registered in a nonvolatile memory built in the photoreceptor unit, an attached bar code, or There is a printer device provided with means for forming a toner image on a photoreceptor and updating the initial characteristic value by reading the data by the printer device itself (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-9-171331
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, such a conventional apparatus has the following disadvantages.
[0006]
That is, when a unit that requires an initial characteristic value for control, such as a photoconductor, is replaced, a nonvolatile memory built in the unit is mounted, so that the cost of the unit increases, or the initial characteristic data for the unit is lost. Since reading is performed using a barcode, a barcode reading function is required in the laser printer, and as a result, there is a problem that the cost of the laser printer increases.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a printing system that can reduce the cost of replacement when a unit that requires an initial characteristic value for control such as a photoconductor is used. It is an object.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention requires an initial characteristic value, in a printing system including a printer device having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for performing a printing operation by connecting the printer device, after replacing the unit, Transferring the initial characteristic value corresponding to the unit after replacement from the data processing device to the printer device, the printer device storing the initial characteristic value received from the data processing device, and storing the stored initial characteristic value; The printing operation is performed using the value.
[0009]
Further, in a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation, after replacing the unit, the data The processing device reads the initial characteristic value from the recording medium attached to the unit, transfers the read initial characteristic value to the printer device, and the printer device receives the initial characteristic value received from the data processing device. The characteristic values are stored, and a printing operation is performed using the stored initial characteristic values.
[0010]
Further, in a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation, after replacing the unit, the data The processing device is connected to a predetermined maintenance server device via a network, acquires an initial characteristic value of the unit, transfers the acquired initial characteristic value to the printer device, and the printer device The above-described initial characteristic value received from the apparatus is stored, and a printing operation is performed using the stored initial characteristic value.
[0011]
Further, in a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation, after replacing the unit, the data The processing device reads and stores the initial characteristic values from the recording medium attached to the unit, and when the printer device performs a printing operation, the stored initial characteristic values are transferred prior to the transfer of the recording data. The printer device stores the initial characteristic values received when the execution of the printing operation is instructed from the data processing device, and performs the printing operation using the stored initial characteristic values. It is.
[0012]
Further, in a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation, after replacing the unit, the data The processing device is connected to a predetermined maintenance server device via a network, acquires and saves the initial characteristic values of the unit, and causes the printer device to perform a printing operation before transferring the recording data. The printer device stores the initial characteristic values received when the execution of the printing operation is instructed by the data processing device, and uses the stored initial characteristic values. The printing operation is performed.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015]
In the figure, a laser printer PT is connected to a personal computer PC, and its printing operation and the like are controlled by the personal computer PC. The personal computer PC has a function of connecting to the Internet INET, connecting to the maintenance server SV, and downloading initial characteristic values required for the operation of the laser printer PT.
[0016]
In addition, the maintenance server device SV includes a database storing the initial characteristic values of the photoconductors of the laser printer device PT for each photoconductor, and is connected to the Internet INET to respond to inquiries from the personal computer PC. It has a function of downloading the initial characteristic values of the photoconductor.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the personal computer device PC.
[0018]
In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1 performs processing such as operation control of the personal computer PC, and a ROM (read only memory) 2 stores an operation control program of the personal computer PC. (For example, program data at startup, boot program data or monitor program data, etc.) and the like, and a RAM (random access memory) 3 constitutes a work area of the CPU 1 and the like. The character generator 4 generates font data of graphic characters to be displayed, and the clock circuit 5 outputs current time information and the like.
[0019]
The magnetic disk device 6 stores basic software (so-called OS) executed by the personal computer device PC, program data such as various application programs, various data created by each application program, and other user data. It is something to memorize.
[0020]
The Internet interface circuit 7 is for connecting to the Internet INET, and the Internet transmission control unit 8 is connected to the maintenance server SV via the Internet INET and performs communication control processing for downloading the initial characteristic values. To do.
[0021]
The flexible magnetic disk drive 9 is a medium exchangeable recording / reproducing storage device, and uses the flexible magnetic disk 10 as its recording medium. The CD-ROM drive device 11 is a medium-exchangeable read-only storage device, and uses the CD-ROM 1210 as its recording medium.
[0022]
The CRT screen display device 13 is for displaying various information to the user on the screen, and the display control unit 14 is for controlling the display screen of the CRT screen display device 13.
[0023]
The keyboard device 15 is for inputting various character information, the screen instruction device 16 is for performing various input operations on the display screen of the CRT screen display device 13, and the input control unit 17 is , For controlling data input from the keyboard device 15 and the screen instruction device 16.
[0024]
The printer interface 18 is connected to the laser printer PT and exchanges various data (various control information, print data, etc.) with the laser printer PT.
[0025]
The CPU 1, the ROM 2, the RAM 3, the character generator 4, and the clock circuit 5 include a clock circuit 5, a magnetic disk device 6, an Internet transmission control unit 8, a flexible magnetic disk drive 9, a CD-ROM drive 11, and a display control. The unit 14, the input control unit 17, and the printer interface 18 are connected to a system bus 19, and data exchange between these components is performed via the system bus 19.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the laser printer device PT.
[0027]
In the figure, a system control unit 21 performs a control process of each unit of the laser printer device PT and a process of exchanging data with a personal computer PC. A system memory 22 includes a system control unit. The control memory 21 stores a control processing program to be executed, various data necessary for executing the processing program, and the like, and forms a work area of the system control unit 21. The PT is for storing various information unique to the PT, the character generator 24 is for generating pattern data and the like of print characters, and the clock circuit 25 is for outputting current time information. .
[0028]
The operation display section 26 is for operating the group 3 facsimile apparatus, and includes various operation keys and various display devices.
[0029]
The laser printer engine unit 27 is for performing the operation of each printing process in the laser printer device PT, fixing a print image on recording paper, and recording and outputting the same. The writing control unit 29 controls the operation of the laser printer engine unit 27 and transfers the print data to the laser printer engine unit 27.
[0030]
Further, the personal computer interface circuit 30 is connected to the personal computer PC and exchanges various data with the personal computer PC.
[0031]
With the above configuration, when the user of the personal computer PC replaces the photoconductor of the laser printer device PT, the flexible magnetic disk 10 or the CD-ROM 12 in which the initial characteristic values are stored is attached to the photoconductor after the replacement. If so, use it to read the initial characteristic values.
[0032]
If the flexible magnetic disk 10 or the CD-ROM 12 in which the initial characteristic value is stored on the photoconductor is not attached, the photoconductor is connected to the maintenance server SV and the initial characteristics of the photoconductor are transmitted from the maintenance server SV. Get the value. Also, when acquiring the initial characteristic values from the maintenance server SV, the part model number and the serial number are referred to the printed matter of the part type number and the serial number attached to the packaging member of the photoreceptor, and the part type number and the serial number are obtained. , So that an initial characteristic value corresponding to the photoconductor after replacement can be obtained.
[0033]
Then, the personal computer device PC transfers the obtained initial characteristic values to the laser printer device PT, whereby the laser printer device PT stores the initial characteristic values received from the personal computer device PC.
[0034]
Thereafter, the laser printer device PT performs a control operation of the printer engine control unit 28 using the stored initial characteristic values, and performs appropriate control using a photoconductor (not shown) set in the laser printer engine unit 27. To control the printing operation and record and output the printed matter.
[0035]
As described above, in this embodiment, the initial characteristics of the photoconductor are obtained from the flexible magnetic disk 10 or the CD-ROM 12 in which the initial characteristic values are stored, or from the maintenance server device SV. No means for recording the initial characteristic values is required, and as a result, the cost of the photoconductor can be reduced.
[0036]
In the personal computer PC, the flexible magnetic disk drive 9 or the CD-ROM drive 11 is a standard equipment used for distributing programs and storing user data. It is not necessary to add a special device to the device PC.
[0037]
Further, in recent years, with the spread of the use of the Internet INET, the personal computer PC has been equipped with a device element for connecting to the Internet INET as a standard, so that the personal computer PC is connected to the maintenance server SV via the Internet INET. As for the device element, no special device element needs to be added.
[0038]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a process when the personal computer PC transfers the initial characteristic values to the laser printer PT in this case.
[0039]
When the user finishes exchanging the photoconductor of the laser printer device PT, the user executes utility software (for example, an operation panel attached to driver software) for using the laser printer device PT, and stores the laser printer PT in the utility software. The user inputs that the photoconductor of the apparatus PT has been replaced.
[0040]
Accordingly, the utility software displays an initial characteristic value input guidance message that prompts the user to input an initial characteristic value using either the recording medium or the maintenance server device SV (process 101).
[0041]
When the user has selected to input using the recording medium in response to the initial characteristic value input guidance message, and the result of determination 102 is YES, the recording medium in which the initial characteristic value is stored corresponds to the corresponding recording medium. A guidance message prompting the user to set the drive device is displayed (process 103), and the process waits until the recording medium is set (NO loop of determination 104).
[0042]
When the recording medium is set in the drive device and the result of determination 104 is YES, the initial characteristic value is read from the set recording medium (processing 105), and connected to the laser printer PT (processing 106), and the initial characteristic value is set. Is output, and the initial characteristic value read out in step 105 is transferred to the laser printer PT (step 107).
[0043]
If the user selects to acquire the initial characteristic value from the maintenance server SV, and if the result of the determination 102 is NO, the part type number and the serial number of the photoconductor are input, and the maintenance server SV is sent to the maintenance server SV. After connection (process 108), a request is made to acquire an initial characteristic value with the part number and serial number of the photoconductor designated, and the initial characteristic value is acquired from the maintenance server SV (process 109).
[0044]
Then, the flow shifts to step 106, where the initial characteristic values obtained from the maintenance server SV are transferred to the laser printer PT.
[0045]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the processing of the laser printer PT when a command is input from the personal computer PC.
[0046]
When a command is input from the personal computer PC (process 201), it is checked whether the input command is a print command (decision 202).
[0047]
When the result of the determination 202 is YES, the initial characteristic value of the photoconductor stored in the parameter memory 23 is obtained and set in the printer engine control unit 28 (process 203), and the printing operation corresponding to the print command is performed. (Process 204).
[0048]
If the input command is not a print command and the result of determination 202 is NO, it is checked whether the input command is an initial characteristic value transfer command (determination 205).
[0049]
When the result of the judgment 205 is YES, the initial characteristic value is received and stored in the parameter memory 23 (process 206).
[0050]
If the result of determination 205 is NO, processing corresponding to the command received at that time is performed (processing 207).
[0051]
In the above-described embodiment, the personal computer PC transfers the initial characteristic value to the laser printer PT only once after the photoconductor replacement is completed. Each time a print command is output to the device PT, the initial characteristic value may be transferred. By doing so, the laser printer device PT does not need to store the initial characteristic values in the parameter memory 23, and can reduce the data capacity required for the parameter memory 23.
[0052]
FIG. 6 shows an example of processing when the personal computer PC outputs a command to the laser printer PT in this case.
[0053]
When the user finishes exchanging the photoconductor of the laser printer device PT, the user executes utility software (for example, an operation panel attached to driver software) for using the laser printer device PT, and stores the laser printer PT in the utility software. The user inputs that the photoconductor of the apparatus PT has been replaced.
[0054]
Thus, the utility software displays an initial characteristic value input guidance message that prompts the user to input an initial characteristic value, using either the recording medium or the maintenance server device SV (process 301).
[0055]
When the user has selected to input using the recording medium in response to the initial characteristic value input guidance message, and the result of determination 302 is YES, the recording medium in which the initial characteristic value is stored corresponds to the corresponding recording medium. A guidance message prompting the user to set the drive device is displayed (step 303), and the process waits until the recording medium is set (NO loop of determination 304).
[0056]
When the recording medium is set in the drive device and the result of determination 404 is YES, the initial characteristic value is read from the set recording medium (process 305), and the read initial characteristic value is stored (process 306).
[0057]
When the user selects to acquire the initial characteristic value from the maintenance server SV, and when the result of the determination 302 is NO, the part type number and the serial number of the photoconductor are input and the maintenance server SV is input to the maintenance server SV. After connection (process 307), a request for obtaining an initial characteristic value is made in a state where the part number and the serial number of the photoconductor are specified, and an initial characteristic value is obtained from the maintenance server SV (process 308). The characteristic values are stored (process 309).
[0058]
Then, the process waits until there is a print request from one of the application programs (NO loop of decision 310). If a print request is issued from any of the application programs, and if the result of the determination 310 is YES, a connection is made to the laser printer PT to issue a print command (process 311), and the stored initial characteristic value is saved. It is read out and transferred to the laser printer PT (process 312).
[0059]
Next, a predetermined printing operation is performed (process 313).
[0060]
FIG. 7 shows an example of processing of the laser printer PT when a command is input from the personal computer PC.
[0061]
When a command is input from the personal computer PC (process 401), it is checked whether the input command is a print command (decision 402).
[0062]
When the result of the determination 402 is YES, the initial characteristic value is received from the personal computer PC and set in the printer engine control unit 28 (process 403), and a printing operation corresponding to the print command is performed (process 404).
[0063]
If the input command is not a print command and the result of determination 402 is NO, processing corresponding to the command received at that time is performed (processing 207).
[0064]
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the photoreceptor is exemplified as the member requiring the initial characteristic value for control. However, the present invention is similarly applied to the replacement of the member requiring the initial characteristic value for control. And can be applied.
[0065]
Further, the present invention can be applied to both monochrome laser printers and color laser printers. When the present invention is applied to a color laser printer, the present invention can be applied to an initial characteristic value used for preventing color misregistration.
[0066]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the initial characteristic values of the members requiring the initial characteristic values for control are obtained from the recording medium in which the initial characteristic values are stored or from the maintenance server device SV. This eliminates the need for a means for recording the initial characteristic value on the photoconductor, and as a result, the effect of reducing the cost of the photoconductor and the printer main body can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a personal computer device PC.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a laser printer device PT.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when the personal computer PC transfers an initial characteristic value to the laser printer PT.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the laser printer PT when a command is input from the personal computer PC.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the personal computer PC outputs a command to the laser printer PT.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of processing of the laser printer PT when a command is input from the personal computer PC.
[Explanation of symbols]
PT Laser printer PC Personal computer SV Maintenance server

Claims (5)

In a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation,
After replacing the unit, transfer the initial characteristic values corresponding to the replaced unit from the data processing device to the printer device,
A printing system, wherein the printer device stores the initial characteristic value received from the data processing device, and performs a printing operation using the stored initial characteristic value. In a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation,
After replacing the unit, the data processing device reads the initial characteristic value from the recording medium attached to the unit, and transfers the read initial characteristic value to the printer device.
A printing system, wherein the printer device stores the initial characteristic value received from the data processing device, and performs a printing operation using the stored initial characteristic value. In a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation,
After replacing the unit, the data processing device connects to a predetermined maintenance server device via a network, acquires an initial characteristic value of the unit, and transfers the acquired initial characteristic value to the printer device. ,
A printing system, wherein the printer device stores the initial characteristic value received from the data processing device, and performs a printing operation using the stored initial characteristic value. In a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation,
After replacing the unit, the data processing device reads and stores the initial characteristic value from the recording medium attached to the unit, and when the printer device performs a printing operation, the printer device performs a printing operation. Prior to transferring the saved initial characteristic values,
A printing system, wherein the printer device stores the initial characteristic values received when the execution of a printing operation is instructed from the data processing device, and performs a printing operation using the stored initial characteristic values. . In a printing system including a printer device having an initial characteristic value and having a replaceable unit and a data processing device for connecting the printer device and performing a printing operation,
After replacing the unit, the data processing device connects to a predetermined maintenance server device via a network, acquires and saves the initial characteristic values of the unit, and causes the printer device to perform a printing operation. Before the transfer of the recording data, the stored initial characteristic values are transferred,
A printing system, wherein the printer device stores the initial characteristic values received when the execution of a printing operation is instructed from the data processing device, and performs a printing operation using the stored initial characteristic values. .

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