JP2004139520A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform option attachment setting of a printer via a network so that a printing function other than an option device with an option error occurring can be used. <P>SOLUTION: A computer 10 for a manager transmits a command to a printer 1 through a network line 8, and a controller part 7 of the printer 1 performs authentication confirmation to determine whether the received command is transmitted from a sender who has been allowed to perform option attachment setting change. When it is determined that the command is transmitted from the sender who has been allowed to perform option attachment setting change, a rewrite instruction signal for changing option attachment setting is transmitted to a printer part 2, and the printer part 2 changes option attachment setting. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a printing system that changes the setting of an optional device arbitrarily attached to a printing device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with the spread of computers, printing apparatuses that perform print processing using print data transmitted from a terminal device or the like have been used.
[0003]
For example, in a company that uses a large number of terminal devices, a printing device is installed as a shared resource on a network to which each terminal device is connected.
[0004]
A printing device installed on a network includes a controller unit connected to a communication line and a printer unit for printing on a recording medium. In a conventional printing system, an operation result of a printing apparatus by a command sent from a terminal apparatus to a controller section via a communication line and an output result of the printing apparatus by image processing information such as gradation data of the printing apparatus transmitted from the controller section. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
The printing apparatus can be provided with an optional device such as a paper feed tray, and the mounting setting is performed by the administrator of the printing device by directly operating the printer unit to which the optional device is attached.
[0006]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a conventional printing system. An optional device 43 is attached to a printer unit 42 of a printer 41 which is a printing device installed on a network line 48 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).
[0007]
The printer unit 42 is provided with a control unit 45 for controlling the printing process, a storage unit 44 in which the attachment setting state of the optional device 43 is written, and an operation unit (not shown) for performing the operation. . Further, a controller 47 is connected to the printer 42 via an interface (I / F) 46.
[0008]
The function expansion of the printer 41 by the optional device 43 is performed by attaching the optional device 43 to the printer unit 42 and performing an input to set the respective option mounting settings written in the storage unit 44 to a usable state by the operation unit. And the optional device 43 can be used.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-274945 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when an option error occurs in the optional device mounted on the printing device, the administrator of the printing device is called to repair the optional device and eliminate the option error or to disconnect the optional device from the printing device. Therefore, the option setting must be changed to the unusable state.
[0011]
However, as described above, the setting of the option must be performed by directly operating the printer unit. There has been a problem that the printing apparatus cannot be managed, such as changing the option setting by a command.
[0012]
When an option error occurs, the printing process cannot be performed even if a failure or the like has not occurred in another optional device or the printing device itself. As described above, since a printing device is often used as a shared resource, it is often desired to use a printing device that does not require an option device in which an option error has occurred. For example, when a manager of a printing apparatus sales management company is dispatched, much time is required from the arrival of the apparatus to the completion of repair.
[0013]
In addition, the sales management company of the printing device received a notification from the customer about the occurrence of an option error, but even if there were no replacement parts and the option device could not be repaired immediately, the installation setting of the option device was used. It must be moved to the customer location to make it impossible to perform other printing processes. In such a case, if it becomes possible to repair the optional device, it is necessary to go to the customer again and perform repair work, and as a result, one option error has occurred, so that the customer and the sales management company have no I have to go back and forth again. Therefore, the cost of the movement as well as the time required for the movement cannot be neglected.
[0014]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a printing system capable of rewriting, via a communication line, the setting of an optional device in which an option error has occurred.
[0015]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a printing system including a printing apparatus having a printer unit to which an optional device can be arbitrarily attached, wherein the printing apparatus is connected via a communication line. The printing device is configured to transmit a rewrite instruction signal for changing an option mounting setting to the printer unit according to an option mounting setting instruction transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line. And a controller for confirming authentication of an option attachment setting instruction transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line.
[0016]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the option mounting setting instruction is transmitted from the terminal device to the printing apparatus via the communication line, and the printing apparatus transmits the option mounting setting instruction received by the controller unit to the option mounting setting change. Authentication is performed in order to determine whether or not the message is transmitted from a caller who has been authorized. If it is determined that the instruction is an option mounting setting instruction transmitted from a caller permitted to change the option mounting setting, a rewrite instruction signal for changing the option mounting setting is transmitted to the printer unit, and the printer unit changes the option mounting setting. change.
[0017]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the controller unit generates option error information due to an option error generated in the printing apparatus, and sends the option error information to the terminal device via the communication line. And transmitting information.
[0018]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an option error occurs in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus creates option error information by the controller. Further, the created option error information is transmitted to the terminal device connected to the communication line via the communication line. Therefore, when an option error of the printing apparatus occurs, the option error information for notifying the occurrence of the option error is directly transmitted from the printing apparatus to the terminal device connected via the communication line.
[0019]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the communication line is a communication line connected to an Internet network.
[0020]
According to the third aspect of the invention, the printing device and the terminal device can transmit and receive the option error information and the option mounting setting instruction via the Internet line.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0022]
FIG. 1 shows an example of a printing system in which a printing device and a terminal device used by an administrator of the printing device are connected by a LAN line. FIG. 2 shows a printing system in which a printing device and a terminal device used by an administrator of the printing device are connected via a LAN line and the Internet.
[0023]
The printing system according to the present embodiment includes a printer 1 as a printing device. The printer 1 is provided with a printer unit 2 that performs predetermined recording by, for example, a laser method.
[0024]
An optional device 3 is attached to the printer unit 2. The optional device 3 includes, for example, a stapler for binding a recorded recording medium with staples, a finisher device (FNS) for performing final processing such as sorting for recording a plurality of recorded recording media for each copy, and thousands of sheets. A large-capacity paper feed tray (LCT) for accommodating a recording medium, a punch unit (PU) for punching a binding hole in a recorded recording medium, a Z-folding unit (Zfold) for folding the recorded recording medium into a Z-shape, There are various optional devices such as a cutting device (Trimmer) for trimming the edges of the recorded recording medium.
[0025]
The printer unit 2 includes a storage unit 4 that stores the setting state of the optional device 3 and an error code indicating an option in which an error has occurred, rewrites data written in the storage unit 4, and controls various printing operations of the printer unit. And a control unit 5 for controlling conveyance of the recording medium and the like.
[0026]
FIG. 3 conceptually illustrates a part of the storage area of the storage unit 4, and an option setting area for setting the option device 3 is provided at a predetermined address position. In the present embodiment, the option setting area is provided for each finisher (FNS), large-capacity sheet feeding tray (LCT), punch unit (PU), Z-folding unit (Zfold), and cutting device (Trimmer). . In the present embodiment, a value of “1” or “0” is written in each option setting area. When a value of “1” is written in each option setting area, it indicates that the corresponding optional device 3 is mounted and set to a usable state, and a value of “0” is written. Indicates that the optional device 3 is not mounted and is set to the unusable state.
[0027]
As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, the finisher (FNS) is “1”, the large capacity paper tray (LCT) is “1”, and the Z-folding unit (Zfold) is “1”. Are set in a usable state. The punch unit (PU) is “0”, the cutting device (Trimmer) is “0”, and these optional devices 3 are set in an unusable state.
[0028]
Further, a controller unit 7 is connected to the printer unit 2 via an interface (I / F) 6. When an option error occurs, the control unit 5 determines an error code corresponding to the generated option error, The data is transmitted to the controller unit 7.
[0029]
For example, a plurality of terminal computers 9 as terminal devices and an administrator computer 10 are connected to the controller unit 7 via a network line 8 which is a communication line such as a LAN. The controller unit 7 converts the print data sent from each terminal computer 9 into print data so as to conform to the print format of the printer unit 2, creates an image signal, and transmits the converted image signal to the printer unit 2. I do.
[0030]
Further, a network interface card (NIC) 11 is attached to the controller unit 7, and the network interface card 11 receives information via a printer ID, which is identification information of the printer 1 on the network line 8, and the network interface 8. A password for confirming the authentication of the command and authentication data of the administrator of the printing apparatus are recorded. When an option error occurs, the controller unit 7 generates an error message as option error information including the printer ID, An error message is transmitted to the computer 9 and the administrator computer 10, and a command as an option mounting setting instruction transmitted from the administrator computer 10 with reference to the password and authentication data of the network interface card 11. Confirmation of the authentication of the printer, generation of a rewrite instruction signal for changing the option setting written in the storage unit 4 of the printer unit 2 by the command whose authentication has been confirmed, and transmission of the rewrite instruction signal to the printer unit 2 via the interface 6 And so on.
[0031]
Note that the network line 8 is a LAN line in one company, and this LAN line may be connected to the Internet network, or may be a normal telephone line.
[0032]
The administrator computer 10 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a computer operated by an administrator of the printer 1 in the company when installed on a company LAN line. As shown in FIG. 2, when the printer 1 is installed via the Internet 12, the computer is operated by an administrator of a sales management company of the printer 1.
[0033]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
It should be noted that transmission / reception performed via the network line means transmission / reception within the network line or transmission / reception performed via the network line 8 and the Internet network 12.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the disconnection processing of the option device in which the option error has occurred, which is executed in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
[0036]
The printer 1 is used by transmitting print data from a plurality of terminal computers 9 connected via a network line 8. The print data transmitted from the terminal computer 9 is converted by the controller unit 7 provided in the printer 1 so as to conform to the print format of the printer unit 2, and the converted print data is transmitted to the printer unit 2 via the interface 6. Is sent to the control unit 5. If an optional error such as a failure has not occurred in the optional device 3 (step ST31; NO), the control unit 5 uses the converted print data to execute a print process corresponding to the print data transmitted from the terminal computer 9. Do.
[0037]
On the other hand, when an option error occurs (step ST31; YES), the control unit 5 of the printer unit 2 determines the error code of the generated option error and sends the error code to the controller unit 7. The controller unit 7 creates an error message from the error code and the printer ID which is the identification information of the printer 1 on the network line 8 recorded on the network interface card 11, and sends the error message to the administrator computer 10 via the network line 8. The error message is transmitted (step ST32). The error message is also transmitted to the terminal computer 9 via the network line 8.
[0038]
The administrator of the printer 1 receives the error message transmitted from the printer 1 by the administrator computer 10 connected via the network line 8 and generates an error message in the printer 1 based on an error code or the like included in the error message. Recognize the option error. Then, the administrator selects a command for disconnecting the option device 3 in which the option error has occurred, specifies the printer 1 in which the option error has occurred by the printer ID included in the error message, and transmits the selected command. (Step ST33). Further, an authentication ID, a password, and the like are added to the transmitted command in order to prove that the command is transmitted by the administrator of the printer 1.
[0039]
The command transmitted from the administrator computer 10 via the network line 8 is received by the controller unit 7, and the authentication of the command is performed. The controller unit 7 checks the authentication of the received command by comparing the authentication ID and password added to the command with the authentication data and password recorded on the network interface card 11 (step ST34).
[0040]
When the authentication of the command is confirmed (step ST34; YES), the controller unit 7 creates a rewrite instruction signal for changing the option attachment setting from the command, and transmits it to the control unit 5 of the printer unit 2. If the authentication of the received command is not confirmed (step ST34; NO), a rewrite instruction signal by the command is not created and becomes invalid.
[0041]
The command transmitted from the administrator computer 10 instructs to disconnect the option device 3 in which the option error has occurred. Therefore, when the control unit 5 of the printer unit 2 receives the rewrite instruction signal from the controller unit 7 via the interface 6, the control unit 5 specifies the address of the option setting area of the storage unit 4 by the rewrite instruction signal, and sets the value to “1”. Is changed to "0" to change the option setting (step ST35).
[0042]
By rewriting the value of the option setting area of the option device 3 in which the option error has occurred to “0” and setting the option device in an unusable state, the printer 1 does not have the option device 3 in which the option error has occurred. Is determined, and printing using another function can be performed in a state where no option error has occurred.
[0043]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, when an optional error occurs in the printing system, the controller unit 7 creates an error message and transmits the error message to the administrator computer 10, and the administrator of the printer 1 A command is transmitted from the computer 10 to the printer 1, and if the authentication of the command is confirmed by the controller unit 7, a rewrite instruction signal for option attachment setting is created and sent to the control unit 5 of the printer unit 2. By rewriting the value of the option setting area of the storage unit 4 by the control unit 5 of the printer unit 2 in accordance with the rewrite instruction signal, the option device 3 in which the option error has occurred is disconnected, and printing using other functions of the printer 1 can be performed. It becomes possible.
[0044]
The occurrence of the option error may be communicated to the administrator of the printer 1 by means such as a telephone call by the user of the printer 1 that has found the occurrence of the option error. In this case, the controller unit 7 does not have to create optional error information from the error code transmitted by the printer unit 2 and transmit it as an error message to the administrator computer 10 via the network line 8.
[0045]
In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus is the printer 1, but the present invention can be applied to a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or an integrated machine having these functions.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the printing system according to the first aspect of the present invention, the option setting of the printing device is set by the option setting transmitted from the terminal device connected to the printing device via the communication line via the communication line. Since the change is made according to the instruction, the service person or the like can change the setting of the option without going to the place of the printing apparatus. In addition, since the authentication of the option setting instruction transmitted via the communication line is confirmed by the controller unit, it is possible to prevent the setting change of an incorrect option.
[0047]
Further, in the printing system according to the second aspect of the present invention, when an option error occurs in the printing apparatus, option error information for specifying the option error generated by the controller is created, and the created option error information is transmitted to the communication line. Is transmitted from the printing apparatus to the terminal device used by the manager of the printing apparatus via the printer, the manager of the printing apparatus can accurately grasp the optional apparatus in which the option error has occurred.
[0048]
Further, in the printing system according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the printing device and the terminal device are connected to the Internet network, transmission and reception using the Internet network are possible, and the printing system and the terminal device are directly connected to a common LAN or the like. It is possible to transmit an optional device installation setting instruction to a printing device even from a terminal device that does not have the terminal device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention, and is a block diagram of a printing system in which a printing device and a terminal device used by an administrator of the printing device are connected via a LAN line.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a printing system according to the present invention, and is a block diagram of a printing system in which a printing device and a terminal device used by an administrator of the printing device are connected via a LAN line and the Internet network. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a setting area of an optional device in a storage unit of a printer unit used in the printing system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of disconnecting an optional device in which an error has occurred, which is performed in an embodiment of the printing system according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional printing system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 2 Printer part 3 Optional device 4 Storage part 5 Control part 7 Controller part 8 Network line 9 Terminal computer 10 Administrator computer 11 Network interface card

Claims (3)

In a printing system having a printing device having a printer unit to which an optional device can be arbitrarily attached,
The printing device is connected to a terminal device via a communication line,
The printing device, by an option attachment setting instruction transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line, transmission of a rewrite instruction signal to change the option attachment setting to the printer unit,
A printing system, comprising: a controller unit for confirming authentication of an option attachment setting instruction transmitted from the terminal device via the communication line. The controller unit includes:
Creation of option error information due to an option error occurring in the printing device,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the option error information is transmitted to the terminal device via the communication line. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the communication line is a communication line connected to an Internet network.

Images