JP2006018853A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer system in which user-friendliness and working efficiency are improved. <P>SOLUTION: Digital copier systems 102 have a scanner/printer controller 107. The digital copier system 102 has a group of applications including a copy application, scanner application and printer application. The digital copyer system 102 is used for an image forming system which has a file server 104 and client machines 103 connected with the digital copyer system 102 via a network 101. The scanner/printer controller 107 executes printing job based on a substituted command after substituting a given command included in the printing job into a command defined by a print profile when the print job generated by a client machine 103 and a print profile, which is for specifying printing conditions, in the file server 104 are being joined to be sent from the file server 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in a network system for improving convenience when printing is performed using a printer device, a scanner device, a copier device, or the like via a network.

In recent years, various network systems have been used in general offices by improving computer technology and various image processing technologies, improving network environments, and developing communication technologies.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a network printing system, which is an example of a conventional network system, and a printer 1 as a printer device that outputs an image to a recording sheet.
001, a network interface controller (hereinafter referred to as NIC) 1003 for connecting the printer 1001 to the network 1002, and a NIC 1003
A print data stream input via the printer 1001 is converted into printable image data and output to the printer 1001, and a printer controller 1004 for controlling the printer 1001 and a plurality of client machines connected to the network 1002 are provided. As a server machine that provides various services by organically connecting a printer 1001 and printer controller 1004 to a plurality of WSs 1005 via a workstation (hereinafter referred to as WS) 1005, a network 1002, and a NIC 1003. Printer server 1006.

In the above configuration, the network printing system has the network 10.
The plurality of WSs 1005 arranged on the printer 02 use the printer 1001 as a common resource. In other words, it is a shared type system through a network.
For example, when printing from one of the WSs 1005, the user first designates a document, image information, and other files to be printed on the WS 1005, sets print conditions such as the number of copies, and generates a print job.

Next, when the print job is transferred to the printer server 1006 via the network 1002, the print job is queued in time series by the print queue function of the printer server 1006. Note that the printer server 1006 includes a plurality of WSs.
The print job input from 1005 is queued in the input order (in time series).

The printer server 1006 prints the print jobs queued in time series by the print queue function in a predetermined order (for example, in the order of input).
02 and the NIC 1003 are transferred to the printer controller 1004, and a message (print completion notification) indicating that printing of the transferred print job is completed is output to the corresponding WS 1005.

When a print job is input, the printer controller 1004 converts the print data stream in the input print job into printable image data and outputs it to the printer 1001, and also controls the printer 1001 to record on the recording paper. Form an image.

As described above, in the conventional network printing system, the print job output from each WS 1005 is once input to the printer server 1006 to be printed.
By managing in time series with the queue function, a plurality of WS 1005 printers 10
01 can be shared and used.

In addition, a network printing system based on the copier device is also provided in which a copier device is connected to the network instead of the printer 1001.

However, as one of the conventional network printing systems described above, a network printing system based on a copier device in which a copier device is connected to the network via a network can be considered. In the conventional network system, A function for improving the convenience of work for inputting image information from a copier device via a network has not been provided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and in a network printing / scanning system based on a copier device, generates an appropriate message based on the completion status or suspension status of a print job in a printer. , Notify the user,
Furthermore, it aims at providing the function which improves the convenience and work efficiency of the operation | work which inputs image information from a copier apparatus via a network.

To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus having an application group including a copy application, a scanner application, and a printer application, and a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the image forming apparatus via a network. In an image forming apparatus used in an image forming system including a client machine and a server machine that provides various services, a print job generated by the client machine and a printing condition possessed by the server machine When a print profile for specifying a print is sent from the server machine in a joined state, a predetermined command included in the print job is replaced with a command defined in the print profile, and the replacement is performed. And executing the print job based on the received command. That.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, the image forming apparatus having the application group including the copy application, the scanner application, and the printer application, and a plurality of the image forming apparatuses connected via the network. In an image forming apparatus used in an image forming system having a client machine and a server machine that provides various services, a print job generated by the client machine and a print condition that the server machine has are specified. If a print job is sent from the server machine in a joined state, the specified command included in the print job is replaced with the command defined in the print profile, and printing is performed based on the replaced command. Use the print profile by executing the job. It is possible to set the print condition for each user using Te, an effect that can be provided an image forming apparatus with improved convenience for the user.

Hereinafter, a method for notifying a print job execution result in a network system according to the present invention, a scan condition setting method in a network system, and a network printing / scanning system will be described based on a copier apparatus including a scanner and a printer. / Taking a scanning system as an example
[1] System configuration of this embodiment
[2] Functions of each part of the system
[3] Digital copier system software and hardware configuration
[4] Scanner / printer controller data processing flow
[5] Network operation
[6] Network printer function of this embodiment
[7] Network scanner function of this embodiment
[8] Status inquiry function of this example
[9] The printer driver, scanner driver, and utility will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[1] System configuration of this embodiment The network printing / scanning system of the present invention requires a plurality of client machines, a digital copier system, and a LAN (local area network) system to be used. It consists of a network OS.

There are various types of network OSs, such as those that require a file server machine and those that have both a server function and a client function in one client machine. Here, the network / OS is not particularly mentioned. Anyway, in this system configuration, there is a physical LAN configuration and some network OS is built in, and any client machine and digital copier system can be used as a server machine (on top of that). The overall configuration will be described on the assumption that two-way communication is possible via a server software (including operating server software).

FIG. 1 shows a schematic hardware configuration of a network printing / scanning system according to the present embodiment. Broadly speaking, a network compatible digital copier system 102 connected to a network 101 and a client connected to the network 101 are shown. A plurality of workstations (hereinafter referred to as WS) 103 which are machines and a network 1
The file server 104 is a server machine that organically connects the digital copier system and the plurality of WSs 103 via the network 01 and provides various services.

The digital copier system 102 includes a copier device 105 including a scanner 110a and a printer 110b, a network interface controller (hereinafter referred to as NIC) 106 for connecting the copier device 105 to the network 101, an NIC
A print data stream input via the printer 106 is converted into printable image data and output to the copier 105, and a scanner / printer controller 107 that controls the copier 105 and a FAX ( Facsimile) Modem 1
08 and an HDD (Hard Disk Device) 109 connected to the scanner / printer controller 107.

The copier device 105 is a copier device completed by itself, and includes a scanner 110a having an ARDF (automatic reversing document feeder), abundant paper handling (
A printer 110b having a paper feed tray, a double-side device, and a paper discharge device), and a scanner 110a
An IPU (image processing unit :) that performs various image processing on the video data read in step 1 or the video data input from the scanner / printer controller 107.
A copier engine unit 110 including an image processing unit) 110c, an operation panel 111 equipped with a touch panel, and a copier controller 112 that controls the copier engine unit 110 and controls input / output of the operation panel 111. Yes.

The operation panel 111 includes, for example, a 400 × 640 dot LCD display unit and a 16 × 16 area divided touch panel, and uses the functions of the display unit and the touch panel to set the copier function while interacting with the user. Function settings and scanner functions can be set. It is also possible to display status messages required by the scanner / printer function.

The control of the copier engine unit 110 by the copier controller 112 is to confirm the configuration of the copier engine unit 110 in order to determine what options are installed, , Duplex device status, paper output status, ARDF
Check the status of the printer, set the paper path for each of the above parts, and further scan the scanner 110.
a. Controls such as starting the operation of the printer 110b, checking the progress of the process, and checking the status in detail when an error occurs.

As shown in the figure, the scanner / printer controller 107 and the copier device 105 input a video interface (interface A) for inputting image data read by the scanner 110a and outputting the image data to the printer 110b, and instruct the scanner / printer operation. Are connected via a command / response interface (interface B) that communicates with the operation panel 111.

The scanner / printer controller 107 is connected to the network 101 by the NIC 106, and a printer data stream, scanner operation / edit commands, and read image data are transferred.

Further, the scanner / printer controller 107 is connected to an external telephone line by a FAX modem 108 and restores received FAX data.
The resolution is converted to a resolution of 10b, temporarily stored as print data in a page buffer memory (not shown), and then output to the copier 105. Also, in the case of FAX transmission, during transmission from the host (WS 103), the FAX transmission instruction and the destination telephone number are printed.
If it is added to the data, the FAX transmission is executed. At this time, if the receiver at the transmission destination receives the same print data (in this case, print data expressed in the printer language instead of a bit image), the FAX modem 1 is used with the data stream as it is.
Forward through 08. On the other hand, in the case of a general FAX receiver, the data is converted into a FAX transmission image, further subjected to necessary data compression, and transmitted through the FAX modem 108. In this system, the FAX function will not be mentioned any more.

Although not shown, the scanner / printer controller 107 has general parallel and serial interfaces as printer connection interfaces.
It has a SCSI-2 interface as a scanner connection interface. Therefore, it can also be used as a normal one-to-one connection printer and scanner. Here, no further mention will be made regarding the one-to-one connection interface. Hereinafter, it is assumed that all data input / output of the scanner / printer is performed via the network 101.

The scanner / printer controller 107 has a function of performing printer input / output and scanner input / output with a page buffer memory as a center. Here, an outline of input / output of the printer and an outline of local input of the scanner will be described.

In the input / output of the printer, from the WS 103 to the scanner / printer controller 107
The print data transferred to is data corresponding to the printer language supported by the scanner / printer controller 107. Examples of the printer language include Postscript and PCL. The scanner / printer controller 107 can be used in various ways, such as one that supports a single printer language and one that supports multiple printer languages. Also, which printer language to use for printing is determined in advance by WS.
103 is selected by a command, set immediately before using the copier device 105 using the operation panel 111, or automatically determined in the scanner / printer controller 107 which printer language data is used. Determined automatically.

The scanner / printer controller 107 converts the print data (print data stream) input from the WS 103 to generate image data in the page buffer memory in units of one page, and sends it to the copier engine unit 110 in units of one page. Output raster data.

The local input of the scanner is performed in the following input operation procedure (operation order).
(1) A scan profile (details will be described later) generated and registered in advance by the WS 103 is selected using the operation panel 111.
(2) The document to be read is set on the reading table of the scan 110a.
(3) Press the start key on the operation panel 111 to start document scanning.
(4) The scan data is directly compressed into image data in units of one page and stored in the page buffer memory of the scanner / printer controller 107.
(5) Subsequently, if the page buffer memory has a capacity sufficient to store data for one page of the next original, the scanning operation is continued. If the capacity of the page buffer memory is insufficient, the scan operation is waited until data is moved to the HDD 109 which is a local hard disk connected to the scanner / printer controller 107.
(6) When there are a plurality of scan pages, the page order number is automatically added to the file name and the file is created.
(7) After the compressed data is temporarily stored in the HDD 109, the compressed data is again compressed and decompressed in the page buffer memory, converted into the designated TIFF, and the external file server 10
4 is accumulated in units of one job.

The above is the image data transfer operation in the scanner operation. Naturally, the transferred image data is read onto the WS 103 by the user and used for some purpose. Write and read operations are completely separated using a file as an interface.

In the above operation, when image data is written to the HDD 109, image data compression is performed in order to improve memory efficiency and data storage speed. Also, when transferring image data from the HDD 109 to the file server 104 side, the image data may be compressed in order to reduce the amount of data. However, storage in the secondary memory and transfer to the WS 103 are possible. The image data compression method at the time does not need to be the same, and each can take an independent method. Both should use a convenient compression method. In this embodiment, the scanner / printer
Image file (image data) to be transferred from the controller 107 to the file server 104
The TIFF format will be adopted.

When the operation of reading all the originals is completed, the user removes the originals, returns to the WS 103 where he / she works, and releases the copier device 105 to other users. Therefore, unlike the conventional scanner, the scanner is not occupied until all scanning operations and operations are completed.

Next, a user's output operation work (operation procedure) in the WS 103 will be briefly described.
(1) The image file read from the file server 104 is accessed using utility software from the WS 103.
Here, it is possible to upload all the image data as an image file without converting it as it is, but at least the file server 104 can match the transfer format required by the utility software of the WS 103. is necessary. In this embodiment, since the TIFF format is used, no special conversion is required.
(2) When moving an image file on the file server 104 side to the WS 103 side, C
There are two methods, the OPY function and the MOVE function. COPY function is file server 104
The image file is transferred to the WS 103 side while leaving the original image file on the side.
The move function deletes the image file on the file server 104 side immediately after correctly transferring the image file to the WS 103 side.
(3) The image file moved to the WS 103 side is incorporated into application software that can handle commercially available images, and achieves the final purpose.

[2] Functions of each part constituting the system Next, each part constituting the system (network 101, digital copier system 1
02, WS103, file server 104) will be described.

The file server 104 (the server machine of the present invention) has the functions shown in Tables 1 and 2 below.

The NIC 106 (network interface controller of the present invention) has the functions shown in Table 3 below.

The scanner / printer controller 107 (the scanner / printer controller of the digital copier system of the present invention) has the functions shown in Tables 4 and 5 below.

  The WS 103 (client machine of the present invention) has the functions shown in Table 6 below.

[3] Software and hardware configuration of the digital copier system FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the software of the digital copier system of this embodiment, and the software called the driver that drives the hardware interface at the bottom layer There is a group (Interface Drivers). These are controlled based on an embedded real-time / multitask OS (System OS), and schedule and execute a plurality of task groups that occur irregularly without delay.

On the embedded OS, there are a manager software group for efficiently using common hardware assets such as a memory / timer, and a system utility software group that can be commonly used by each application.

The driver group, the manager group, and the utility group are provided with an interface for the actual application, and are used by an actual application (Embedded Applications) such as a printer / scanner / fax transmission / fax reception.

The NIC driver, HDD driver, FAX modem driver, and host driver exchange data between the NIC 106, HDD 109, FAX modem 108 and each application or utility, and the host driver is a parallel / serial interface for printers and scanners. The data is exchanged between the device side and the host side.

The engine driver exchanges status with the copier engine unit 110, sets paper handling, activates print / scan, communicates with the operation panel 111, and the like.

Printer driver for printer video data input / output control (DMA setting, smoothing setting, etc.) Scanner driver for scanner video data input control (DMA setting, data compression method setting, scan mode setting) Etc.).

The memory manager manages the RAM, dynamically allocates memory by providing or releasing a single physical memory according to the request of each task and application, and efficiently using limited memory. Often used.

The file manager efficiently manages the HDD 109 as a secondary memory, and is software that performs file list management, file name registration / deletion, and chain control of the list and the real storage area.

The timer can be used in common by each task, application, etc., and the right to use the timer is handed over as necessary.

The font manager provides font data required by each printer language upon request.

Data compression, image rotation, etc. are software groups that can be used in common when processing images with scanners, printers, FAX transmissions and FAX receptions, and there are various other software groups that can be used in common. Is omitted.

FIG. 3 shows the overall hardware configuration of the digital copier system of this embodiment, which is a general hardware configuration, but is a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a timer 304, and a host that is a physical interface. I / F305, NICI
/ F306, FAX modem I / F307, Engine I / F310, Operation panel I / F31
1 and the HDD I / F 312, a printer / video / DMA I / F 308, a scanner / video / DMA I / F 309, etc., which are video / input / output control portions of the printer / scanner.

Video / input / output of printer / scanner is fast, direct memory input / output by DMA, smoothing control (image quality improvement technology) at printer output, data compression at scanner input, ASIC / LSI, etc. Hardware processing (printer, video, DM
AI / F 308 and scanner / video / DMA I / F 309).

The RAM 303 has an expandable configuration and is physically one continuous memory, but is logically used for multiple purposes by the memory manager. Each application software or utility software starts the work by requesting the memory manager to acquire the memory capacity required by the software. If sufficient memory capacity cannot be obtained, the work cannot be performed, and the process waits until the memory becomes free. For example, if there is a scanner request during printer operation, both functions will operate if there is sufficient memory capacity, but if it is insufficient, the scanner function will wait until the printer function ends.

The ROM 302 stores necessary programs, but the programs may be stored in the HDD 109. In this case, only a program for loading a necessary program from the HDD 109 may be stored in the ROM 302. The loaded program is stored in the RAM 303.
Will work on.

The program provided on the ROM 302 or the HDD 109 is modularized for each application software. For example, the scanner service software (scanner application software) described above is loaded in one ROM module or in the HDD 109. If the scanner function is made independent, it is possible to make the scanner function optional and provide it only to the user who needs it, thereby avoiding the cost burden on the user who does not need the scanner function.

[4] Data Processing Flow of Scanner / Printer Controller Next, the data processing flow of the scanner / printer controller 107 will be described. In general, print data is finally printed on a recording sheet as raster data while changing its form in the controller. The data format is memory-to-me
It is changed between memories (transfer between memories), and the flow becomes as shown in FIG. In the figure, processing a to processing e show change processing performed between memory-to-memory.

Specific contents of the processes a to e are as follows.
Process a: Synchronizes data streams transferred asynchronously from the outside using an input data buffer.
Process b: The data stream is divided into job units and stored in the job data buffer. The job unit means a printer language unit (ex: PCL, 5 / PS2) and a user unit.
Process c: Each job is converted into intermediate data (display list) in units of pages. This is two-dimensional arrangement data including actual page layout information, phantom information, and paper size information.
Process d: The intermediate data is fixed in units of pages and mechanically converted into a raster image.
Process e: The frame is synchronized with the copier engine unit 110 and output as video data.

Further, reverse page control for face-up stack and interlaced page control for duplex printing are implemented by storing them in the HDD in the form of intermediate data and retrieving them in the required page order.

In general, there are the following three types of data when saving page data (intermediate data) to the HDD, but it is stored as intermediate data or raster data for reverse order page control and jump page control. To do.

(1) Storage as a job data file A single job is often composed of a plurality of pages. In general, the conditions specified on the previous page (for example, font specification, page format specification, etc.) are often inherited and affect the subsequent page. Therefore, the page order cannot be controlled for each job, and this method cannot be adopted.

(2) Storage as intermediate page data (display list) file Can be stored in page units, and page order control is also possible. As an advantage, the amount of data is generally small. The amount of data is independent of resolution. Also, as a disadvantage, it takes time to convert to the final raster. Downloads, fonts, etc. may be deleted during the job.

(3) Save as raster data file Page order can be controlled by page unit. As an advantage, post-processing time is not required because it has been converted to a raster. The final data form is certain. In addition, as a disadvantage, the amount of data is large. The amount of data depends on the resolution.

Whether the intermediate data or raster data is stored in the HDD must be intermediate data with a small data amount in consideration of the input / output data transfer rate to the HDD.
Input / output time to the HDD becomes a bottleneck, and print performance is greatly affected.

Assuming that 40 bytes per character are added to the standard text for performance definition (average of about 5 Kbytes / page), the intermediate data is 200 Kbytes / page. Assuming that 100 pages are prepared as a spooler for reverse page control and jump page control, a capacity of 20 Mbytes is required for the HDD. When a multi-function machine is configured with the digital copier system 102, a large amount of memory (HDD) is included. It is good to assume in advance how much HDD capacity is required. Table 7 for general applications
The assignment shown in Fig. 1 seems to be appropriate.

[5] Network operation Next, the network operation will be described.
A multi-function machine based on the digital copier system 102, in particular, a printer / scanner copier, is a shared type system product through a network. Of course, it can be used as a one-to-one printer through a general serial / parallel interface or as a one-to-one scanner through SCSI, but a driver / utility used through a network is more important.

For network support of the network printing / scanning system of this embodiment, Novell's NetWare is the first priority. The protocols used for network communication support NetWare's IPX / SPX, Unix (R) TCP / IP, and Apple's AppleTalk, but here, for simplicity, NetWare
It is limited only to the environment.

The service provided as a network solution for this system is NetWare.
MFSA. It is provided via NLM (Multi-function Service Agent) and driver / utility software on the client side that communicates therewith. The services provided are as follows.

(1) Network printing system (MFSA.NLM / Printer)
-Print completion notification message
-Print profile handling (confirmation and selection)
-Print queue handling (confirmation and selection)
(2) Network scanning system (MFSA.NLM / Scanner)
-Scan profile handling
-Scan image file handling (3) Network Curie function
-Printer status
-Scanner status

However, MFSA. NLM / Printer and MFSA. The NLM / Scanner is separable. For example, MFSA. NLM / Printer is included in the NIC option kit. NLM / Scanner can be included in the scan option kit and provided to the customer as a separate option.

Note that the Network Query function is MFSA. It operates independently of the NLM, and is performed through direct communication between the client side software, the printer, and the NIC.

[6] Network printer function of this embodiment The network printing / scanning system of this embodiment is characterized by two features: (1) print completion notification and (2) print profile definition. Provide service functions to customers.

Here, the print completion notification service function provides a print completion notification message to the client side (WS 103) when print output is actually completed after a print request is made. In addition to the completion of printing, an appropriate message service is provided not only when printing is interrupted due to a jam or out of paper.

The print profile definition service function can define a unique paper path and paper handling (for example, output bin specification, staple specification, etc.) of this system in a print job profile. If the user specifies his or her own paper path or paper handling when executing his or her own print, the print will be executed as desired without using a printer driver dedicated to this system. Can do.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a network printing operation and a job flow in the NetWare environment.

On the WS 103 side, a printer driver, a printer network utility, and a print notice software are installed.

The file server 104 includes a print queue server (same as the existing one), a print profile, a message queue, and an MFSA. NLM is installed.

The NIC 106 of the digital copier system 102 is loaded with print server software that pulls out a print job from a print queue and software that returns a print notice (result of print execution).

The scanner / printer controller 107 includes software for queuing a print job, software for executing printing, and software for generating a message for the execution result and delivering the message to the NIC 106.

Here, with reference to FIG. 5, (1) the print completion notification will be described in more detail. W
All print jobs generated by the printer driver on the S103 side are Novel1 /
It is transferred to the NetWare print queue. Multiple NetWare print queues can be assigned to one printer. At this time, at least one queue is allocated as a normal Netware print queue, and the other one queue is MFSA. Assigned as a print queue for NLM / Printer. MFS
A. When a print job is requested through the NLM, the user can receive a print completion notification message when actual printing is completed.

With reference to FIG. 6, the operation flow for print completion notification will be described. First, a print job generated by the printer driver on the WS 103 is transferred to the network (
(LAN) 101 and transferred to a print queue on the file server 104. The print queue queues print jobs transferred from a plurality of WSs 103 on the network 101 in the order of input (that is, in time series).

Next, PSERVER (print job input software) on NIC 106 is
Print jobs on the file server 104 via the network 101
The print job is pulled out from the queue and transferred to the scanner / printer controller 107.

The scanner / printer controller 107 converts the input print job into a scanner / printer.
Store in a local print queue within the printer controller 107.

Subsequently, the scanner / printer controller 107 draws out the print job from the local print queue in time series, and transfers it to the copier 105 to execute the print job.

After that, the scanner / printer controller 107 generates a corresponding message when the printout is actually completed in the copier device 105 or when the job is interrupted due to paper jam, paperout, or the like, and transfers it to the NIC 106. . NIC1
06 indicates that the input message is MFSA. Transfer to NLM.

The MFSA. The NLM stores the messages transferred from the NIC 106 in a message queue, and then extracts them in time series and delivers the messages to the print job requester (WS 103).

As described above, in this system, when the print job is completed on the copier device 105 side, the scanner / printer controller 107 generates a message according to the completion status of the print job, and sends the message via the NIC 106 and the file server 104. Applicable WS10
Since the message is delivered to 3, the appropriate message can be generated and notified to the user based on the completion state or interruption state of the print job in the copier device 105 (ie, printer).

On the other hand, in the case of a normal NetWare printing system, the user cannot receive a message when printing is actually completed. However, the conventional Net
Although the print completion notification can be received even in the case of the file, when the print job is transferred from the print queue on the file server 104 to the scanner / printer controller 107, the file server 104 outputs the print completion notification. , It is irrelevant whether or not the printing is actually completed. Therefore, even if printing was interrupted for some reason, it was not possible to receive that as a message. However,
As described above, in the system of the present embodiment, a print completion notification is generated when printing is actually completed, and an appropriate message can be received at the time of interruption.

Regarding the receipt of a message on the WS 103 side, for example, the user is MFSA. NL
Even if a print job is requested through M, there are cases where it is bothersome to receive a print completion notice (including a notice of interruption) or that the current work is not desired to be disturbed. Therefore, in this embodiment, the user (WS 103) can set whether or not to receive a print completion notification. Specifically, a selection switch for selecting necessity / unnecessity of print completion notification is provided in a print profile, which will be described later, or an item for necessity / unnecessary selection is provided in the utility for the print function. May be used as a switch.

However, the scanner / printer controller 107 can be used regardless of whether or not the user needs it.
A print completion / interruption notification message is generated and always transferred to the NIC 106. And N
The IC 106 always sends a message to the MFSA. Transfer to NLM.
Here, if MFSA. If the NLM does not receive a message (eg failure), N
The IC 106 repeats the transfer operation several times after a certain time. If a message cannot be transferred after repeating a predetermined number of times, the corresponding message is discarded.

As described above, the MFSA. NLM is a scanner / printer
Messages from the controller 107 are stored in a message queue and the corresponding print
A message is returned to the user who requested the job (WS 103). At this time, if the WS 103 does not need to receive a print completion / interruption notification message, the corresponding message is discarded.

If the user has already logged out, the MFSA. The NLM temporarily stores the corresponding message, and immediately returns the message when the same user logs on again. If the job requesting user logs off, the user
If not turned on, MFSA. The NLM automatically discards the message.

The following messages a) to d) are prepared as print completion / interruption messages.
a) Print Completion with success
b) Print Suspension with paper jam
c) Print Suspension with paper out
d) Print Suspension with some error

Next, (2) print profile definition and control procedures will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In both Windows (registered trademark) and DOS environments, users generate their own print profiles, and MFSA. You can register with NLM. The print profile controls print jobs such as paper handling and print out finishing.

First, a print job generated by a printer driver on the WS 103 is transferred to a print queue on the file server 104 via the network (LAN) 101. The print queue queues print jobs transferred from a plurality of WSs 103 on the network 101 in the order of input (that is, in time series).

On the other hand, the print profile created by the print network utility on the WS 103 is transferred to the print profile on the file server 104 via the network (LAN) 101, and the MFSA. Stored and held by the NLM.

Next, PSERVER (print job input software) on NIC 106 is
Print jobs on the file server 104 via the network 101
When pulling from the queue, MFSA. The NLM checks whether the user's print profile for the print job is registered or requested.

MFSA. The NLM combines the print job file and the print profile when the corresponding print profile exists and is requested to be used. The combined print job + print profile is transferred to the NIC 106.

The NIC 106 transfers a print job including a print profile to the scanner / printer controller 107.

The scanner / printer controller 107 converts the input print job into a scanner / printer.
Store in a local print queue within the printer controller 107.

Subsequently, the scanner / printer controller 107 draws out the print job from the local print queue in time series, and transfers it to the copier 105 to execute the print job. At this time, if the print profile is included,
Replace (overwrite) commands in the job with commands in the print profile.

After that, the scanner / printer controller 107 generates a corresponding message when the printout is actually completed in the copier device 105 or when the job is interrupted due to paper jam, paperout, or the like, and transfers it to the NIC 106. . NIC1
06 indicates that the input message is MFSA. Transfer to NLM.

The MFSA. The NLM stores the messages transferred from the NIC 106 in a message queue, and then extracts them in time series and delivers the messages to the print job requester (WS 103).

As described above, in the system of this embodiment, when a print profile is created on the WS 103 side and the use of the print profile is set, the old print profile is rewritten to a new print profile on the scanner / printer controller 107 side. When the user wants to change the print conditions, the contents of the print profile can be changed. In addition, a print profile can be set for each individual print job, which improves convenience.

In addition, the MFSA. When the use of the print profile is requested, the NLM combines the print profile with the print job data and transfers the print profile to the scanner / printer controller 107.

In the print profile, commands related to paper handling are described. When there is a request to use the print profile, the commands related to the paper handling described in the actual print data are invalidated by the scanner / printer controller 107, and the commands described in the print profile are valid. To.

On the other hand, if the use of the print profile is not required, the MFSA. NLM
Only the actual print data is transferred to the scanner / printer controller 107, and the print profile is not transferred. At this time, the print job is a normal print operation.

Note that MFSA. NLM has a default print profile, WS1
It can be copied with the printer network utility (software) on the 03 side, assigned a user name, edited, and changed / registered. It is also possible to re-edit or rename a print profile that has already been registered.

The print job data is queued in the print queue on the file server 104, and then extracted in time series and transferred to the scanner / printer controller 107. The print job is pulled from the print queue and the scanner / printer
When transferred to the controller 107, the MFSA. NLM prints the same user name
Check whether a profile exists, and if a print profile with the same user name exists and is requested for use, a new print is created after splicing the print profile to the beginning of the print job. Transfer to the scanner / printer controller 107 as a job file.

On the other hand, if the print profile does not exist or its use is prohibited, the MFSA. The NLM transfers the print profile to the scanner / printer controller 107 without joining the print job. At this time, the print
The job is treated as normal print data.

When the scanner / printer controller 107 detects that the print profile is joined to the print job, the scanner / printer controller 107 uses a command defined in the print profile for a command related to paper handling included in the original print job. Replace. Therefore, the user can execute printing in a form different from the setting contents set by the printer driver on the WS 103 side. This function is effective in a DOS client machine, and can be used effectively in a Windows (registered trademark) client machine. For example, it can be set permanently until the user's own output tray is changed. Once set, the output tray assigned to the user can be set without setting the output tray in the printer driver each time. Can always be printed out.

Table 8 shows the items that can be set and registered in the print profile. Items that can be replaced with commands are defined as print profile items.

[7] Network Scanner Function of the Present Embodiment FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating the network scanning operation and job flow in the NetWare environment.

The WS 103 includes a scanner driver, a scan profile handler, and a scan image file handler. The scan profile handler and the scan image file handler are collectively referred to as a scanner network utility.

The file server 104 includes a scan profile, a scan image file, and an MFSA. NLM (here, MFSA. NLM / Scann
er) software.

The NIC 106 has a scan profile and a scan image file as M.
FSA. Received from the NLM and delivered to the scanner / printer controller 107, and received a scan image file from the scanner / printer controller 107. Software delivered to NLM is installed. These are functionally the same as the network printer function.

The scanner / printer controller 107 handles scan profiles, displays software on the operation panel 111 for selection, software for executing local scanning, and scan image files (image files) through the NIC 106 with MFSA. Software delivered to NLM is installed.

The operation of the network scanner function can be divided into the following three stages. The operations of these three stages can be executed independently in time.
First stage: Scan profile handling Second stage: Local scanning Third stage: Scan image file handling

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the work content performed in each stage is demonstrated concretely.
In the first stage: scan profile handling, the following operations are performed.
1) Generation of scan profile on WS103 (scanner driver work)
2) The scan profile is transferred to the MFSA. Transfer to NLM
Registration (scanner / driver work)
3) Displaying a list of registered scan profiles (scanner network utility or OS command work)
4) MFSA. Scan profile reading confirmation from NLM (scanner network utility work)
5) Editing and changing the scanned scan profile (scanner network utility work)
6) Re-registration of the scanned scan profile (scanner network utility work)
7) MFSA. Delete an existing scan profile on the NLM (scanner network utility or OS command task)
8) MFSA. Rename existing scan profile on NLM (scanner network utility or OS command work)
9) Priority invocation of scan profile (scanner network utility work)

In this embodiment, all scan profiles are MFSA. Stored on the file server 104 by the NLM. The scanner / printer controller 107 stores a copy of all scan profiles on the scanner / printer controller 107. Thereafter, if any change is made to the scan profile, the copy on the scanner / printer controller 107 is immediately updated.

In addition, the MFSA. The NLM becomes active when the scan profile is transferred to the scanner / printer controller 107. The timing is when it is newly registered in the scan profile in the file server 104, when it is updated, and when the power is turned on. That is, the MFSA.M is used so that all the scan profiles on the scanner / printer controller 107 are always the latest. NL
M becomes active.

In addition, the MFSA. A scan profile managed by NLM has a default scan profile, which is copied by the scanner network utility on the WS103 side, renamed, edited, and re-registered. Can do.

As another example, all scan profiles are assigned to MFSA. A method of storing only on the file server 104 by NLM and not storing a copy of the scan profile on the scanner / printer controller 107 may be used. In this case,
Upon request from the scanner / printer controller 107, the file server 104
The necessary scan profile is scanned each time the scanner / printer controller 107
Forward to.

The following items are managed by the scan profile.
a) Specification of document size and direction b) Specification of document transport mode c) Specification of document reading quality d) Specification of resolution e) Specification of scan area f) Specification of brightness g) Specification of contrast h) Specification of threshold i) Image file name specification j) TIFF parameter specification

Next, the work content of the second stage: local scanning will be described with reference to FIG.
1) Invoking the network scanner function from the operation panel 111 2) Displaying a name list of scan profiles on the operation panel 111 However, at the top of the list, the latest scan profile preferentially designated by the user (WS103) side Bring your name. Also, the name of the scan profile that has been used recently is displayed preferentially at the top of the list.
3) Designation / selection of desired scan profile name As a result, a list of the contents of the scan profile is displayed.
4) Check the scan profile contents list 5) Load the document on the feeder (ARDF) 6) Start the scan as a result of pressing the scan start switch (copy start switch). In the case of multi-document scanning by ARDF, feed-in, scanning, and feed-out are automatically repeated until all documents are completed.
7) Scanned image is temporarily compressed and stored in HDD 109. 8) After all scans are completed, image data is extracted from HDD 109, compressed and decompressed, and converted to TIFF again under specified conditions. The MFSA. Transfer to NLM 10) MFSA. NLM uses the received TIFF as a file
Store in memory in server 104

In order to perform local scanning, the scan profile is stored in the copier device 10.
5 on the operation panel 111. In addition, prior to executing local scanning from the utility on the WS 103 side, a scan profile to be selected can be activated. The name of the scan profile that was recently activated or used is displayed at the top of the list.

After the local scanning is completed according to the procedure, the scanner / printer controller 107 transfers the stored image file to the MFSA. Transfer to NLM. MFSA. If the NLM is not ready to receive the image file (eg, file space shortage, file server 104 failure, etc.), the image file is stored in the scanner / printer controller 107. Thereafter, the MFSA. When the NLM becomes communicable again, the scanner / printer controller 107 immediately transfers the image file to the MFSA. Transfer to NLM. In this case, the scanner / printer controller 107 repeats the image file transfer operation several times at a specified time interval.

If there is no more space for storing image files in the scanner / printer controller 107 during the local scanning, the scanner / printer controller 107 displays a message indicating insufficient memory space on the operation panel 111.

If a document feed jam occurs in the middle of local scanning, the scanner / printer controller 107 checks the continuous document number.
The number of documents scanned so far is displayed, and the user is prompted for the document number to be followed. At this time, the scanner / printer controller 107 combines the previously stored image file with the image file input in the subsequent scan.

In order to prevent double feed of the document, the scanner / printer controller 107 displays the number of pages that have already been scanned on the operation panel 111 while the scan operation is being executed. When all the scans are completed, the total number of pages is displayed. Therefore, the user can know whether or not the double feed has resulted as a result by confirming the number of originals and the number of completed scans.

In addition, various errors and problems can occur when performing local scanning. In that case, it is necessary to display an appropriate message on the operation panel 111. In this embodiment, the following message is displayed.
a) Insufficient memory when executing image processing b) Insufficient local hard disk (HDD 109) capacity c) When processing is too complicated to continue processing d) Scan profile name is invalid e ) Insufficient storage space on file server 104

After the local scanning is completed, the scanner / printer controller 10
7 displays the name of the corresponding image file on the operation panel 111. The display of the name of the image file is necessary for the user to perform subsequent processing.

Next, the work content of the third stage: scan image file handling will be described with reference to FIG.
1) Extraction of image file on file server 104 (operation of scanner / driver)
2) Checking the list of stored image files (scanned image files) (scanner network utility or OS command work)
3) Monitor image display of image file (scanner network utility work)
4) Transfer of image file to WS103 (scanner network utility or OS command work)
5) Image file deletion (scanner network utility or OS command work)
6) Image file name change (scanner network utility or OS
Command work)

The MFSA. The NLM does not automatically transfer the image file to the WS 103 side. Information about both network scans (both scan profiles and image files) is stored and stored in the file server 104. Thereafter, the image file is transferred from the file server 104 to the WS 103 only when there is a transfer request.

Further, the scanner / printer controller 107 generates a TIFF using the designated parameters. Then, the MFS on the file server 104 through the NIC 106
A. Transfer the TIFF format image file to the NLM. TIFF parameters are specified in the scan profile.

The scan image file (image file) is named by the following two methods.

First, if a name is set in the scan profile, the scan image
The name specified in the scan profile is used as the file name. When setting the name in the scan profile, if the same scan image file name is already used, a warning is given to the WS 103 side.

Second, when no name is set in the scan profile, the name of the scan profile is used as the name of the scan image file. At this time,
The name of the scan profile is not changed, but the extension is changed. For example, XXX
XXXXXX. im0 to xxxxxxx. Nine file names up to im9 can be used. This assumes that one scan job is stored with one file name.

The scan image file name is managed in a tree structure. Therefore, a tree structure also appears on the operation panel 111 of the copier device 105.

[8] Status inquiry function of this embodiment Both the network printer function and network scanner function of this system are SNM
The status and configuration as MIB (Management Information Base) can be inquired via P (Simple Network Management Protocol). The SNMP manager, which is utility software on the WS 103 side, can extract NIC / MIB, printer / MIB (standard and custom), scanner / MIB. This inquiry function is used for the MFSA. It is executed by direct communication between the WS 103 side and the digital copier system 102 side without going through the NLM.

Referring to FIG. 9, the status query mechanism is shown. NIC106 is NIC
If there is an MIB inquiry (command), the prepared information is returned (response). Inquiries (commands) for printer / MIB or scanner / MIB
If there is a response, information on each MIB is returned using a command / response (PSI0) defined between the NIC 106 and the scanner / printer controller 107 (
Response).

Hereinafter, (1) a list of inquiry items of the printer / MIB, (2) a list of inquiry items of the scanner / MIB, and (3) a network management function necessary for the utility software on the WS 103 side will be described.

(1) Printer / MIB inquiry items a) Status of paper feed tray configuration
* Paper size and setting direction for each tray
* Presence / absence of paper for each tray b) Output tray configuration and status
* Standard 1 bin tray
* 1 Bin finisher
** Whether there is overflow
** Effectiveness of the staple function
* 3 Bin sorter
** Job assignment status
* 15 bin sorter
** Job assignment status
** Presence of remaining paper in any tray c) Printer error status
* Serviceman call error
* User recoverable error
* Paper jam
* Supply status
* Current machine status d) Printer type and name e) Configuration of paper feed / discharge device

(2) Scanner / MIB inquiry items a) Scanner error status
* Serviceman call error
* User recoverable error
* Original jam
* Current machine status b) Usable memory capacity c) Hard disk capacity that can be stored

(3) Network Management Function Necessary for Utility Software on WS 103 The utility software of WS 103 requires the following minimum network management function.
a) Check machine online / offline status b) Print queue connection status and connected printer connection status c) Change print queue settings and printer selection d) Check job waiting status in print queue e ) Changing the priority of jobs in the print queue f) Setting the status check inquiry interval (SNMP call interval)

[9] Printer drivers, scanner drivers, and utilities Drivers are required regardless of network usage and Sudant Aron (printer / scanner). It is the job of the lower-level interface on the WS 103 side whether each job is sent via a network or whether it is sent via a separate interface with the printer, scanner, and copier device. We will not mention the lower-level interface here.

The network printing / scanning system of this embodiment supports the following printer driver, scanner driver and utility.

As a printer driver / utility,
a) PCL5e / Windows 3.1 Printer Driver
b) PostScript 2 / Windows 3.1 Printer Driver
c) PostScript 2 / Macintosh Printer Driver
d) TIFF / Windows 3.1 Printer utility
Support.

As a scanner driver / utility,
a) TWAIN / Windows 3.1 Scanner Driver (for SCSI and virtual)
b) TWAIN / Macintosh Scanner Driver (for SCSI)
c) ISIS / Windows 3.1 Scanner Driver (for SCSI and virtual)
d) ISIS / Macintosh Scanner Driver (for SCSI)
Support.

Further, [Items to be supported by the printer driver] and [Items to be supported by the scanner driver] are specifically shown in this order.

[Items to be supported by the printer driver]
1) Selection of paper size 2) Selection of paper feed tray
a) Automatic selection
b) Physical tray designation
* Large capacity paper feed tray (LCIT)
* First paper tray
* Manual feed tray
* Second paper feed tray
* Third paper tray
* Fourth paper feed tray 3) Specifying the print direction
a) Portrait
b) Landscape

4) Specify the output tray
a) Standard 1-bin output tray
b) 1 bin finisher (optional)
c) 3-bin sorter (optional)
* Upper tray
* Middle tray
* Lower tray
d) 15 bin finisher (optional)
* Top tray (No. 1)
* Intermediate tray (No.2-No.15)
* Interrupt tray

5) Setting the number of copies
a) Standard 1-bin output tray
* Up to 250 stacks
b) 1 bin finisher (optional)
* Up to 1500 stacks
c) 3-bin sorter (optional)
* Upper tray; stack up to 500 sheets
* Middle tray: Up to 250 stacks
* Lower tray; stack up to 250 sheets
d) 15 bin finisher (optional)
* Upper tray: Up to 150 stacks
* Intermediate tray: Up to 50 stacks
* Interrupt tray; stack up to 100

6) Sorting settings
a) Standard 1-bin output tray
* Insertion of separation sheet; On / Off
b) 1 bin finisher (optional)
* Offset stack; On / Off
c) 3-bin sorter (optional)
* Upper tray; Offset stack; On / Off
* Middle lower tray; Insert separation sheet; On / Off
d) 15 bin finisher (optional)
* Multi-stage tray; Insert separation sheet; On / Off
* Interrupt tray; Insert separation sheet; On / Off

7) Specifying staples
a) Staple function; On / Off
b) Staple position
* Stop at the top right
* Stops at the center of the left end
* Stops at the top center

8) Selection of image quality adjustment
a) Smoothing; On / Off
9) Resolution selection
a) Standard image (300 dpi)
b) Detailed image (400 dpi)
c) Fine image (600 dpi)
10) Specifying both sides / one side
a) Single-sided printing
b) Double-sided printing
* Long end binding
* Short end binding

The TIFF print utility software combines the TIFF and print conditions to generate a print job. The print conditions are described using JPL by utility software. This specifies paper handling.
However, items for specifying the print direction and specifying the resolution are excluded from the above print conditions.

The TIFF print utility software must combine the TIFF data and the print condition file before transferring the print data to the printer. It is desirable to provide a socket to optionally add filter software that converts TIFF 8-bit gray scale data to 1-bit halftone data. The reason is that the printer of the copier device 105 may not be able to print 8-bit gray scale data.

[Items to be supported by the scanner / driver]
1) Setting the document size and method
a) Paper size and short edge conveyance
b) Paper size and long edge conveyance 2) Specification of document conveyance mode
a) Book type scan
b) Single sided scanning
* Normal page scan (upward installation)
* Reverse page scan (downward installation)
c) Multi-sided scanning on both sides
* Normal page scan (upward installation)
* Reverse page scan (downward installation)

3) Specifying the scanned image data format
a) Character / line drawing mode (1-bit monochrome)
b) Halftone mode (1 bit halftone)
* Photo mode (Dither processing)
* Fine photo mode (Dither processing (for fine))
* Text / photo mixed mode (error diffusion processing)
c) Gray scale mode (8-bit gray scale)
4) Specifying the resolution
a) X-direction resolution (25 to 1600 dpi)
b) Y-direction resolution (25 to 1600 dpi)
c) XY direction resolution (25 to 1600 dpi)
5) Specifying the reading area
a) X direction offset
b) Y direction offset
c) Length in X direction
d) Y-direction length

6) Specifying the image quality mode
a) Normal image
b) Smooth image
c) Clear image
d) Linear image 7) Brightness setting
a) Light / dark 7 level 8) Contrast setting
a) Strength 7 level 9) Threshold setting
a) Black and white 7 levels 10) Image reversal designation
a) Inversion presence / absence; On / Off

All one-to-one scanner operations through SCSI are executed by the scanner driver on the WS 103 side. The processing flow is as follows.

1) Document pull-in from ARDF (only when ARDF is installed)
a) Automatic drawing of a single document
b) Automatic pull-in of multiple documents 2) Setting scan conditions 3) Receiving scan data
a) Pre-scan data
b) Main scan data 4) Document discharge from ARDF (only when ARDF is installed)
a) Automatic discharge of a single document
b) Automatic discharge of multiple documents

The reason why both the normal page order mode and the reverse page order mode are necessary in the network scanner function will be described. The digital copier system 102 of this embodiment is based on the copier device 105. When the copier device 105 is used as a base, the original to be read is set upward in the ARDF, and scanning is started from the last page of the original. This method can transport the document most efficiently, and the speed of repeated scanning is fast. However, there is a problem that pages are reversed in order after scanning.

Therefore, to correct this, in the case of reverse page order, a scan image file (scan image file) is temporarily generated for each page,
This is because after completing all scans, the pages are merged as a single file with the page order reversed.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a printing system using a printer device, a scanner device, a copier device, or the like via a network.

1 is a schematic hardware configuration diagram of a network printing / scanning system according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole software structure of the digital copier system of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the hardware of the digital copier system of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data processing flow of the scanner / printer controller of a present Example. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a network printing operation and a job flow in a NetWare environment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation flow of a print completion notification. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for illustrating a network scanning operation and a job flow in a NetWare environment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation flow of a network scanner function. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mechanism of the status query of a present Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the network printing system which is an example of the conventional network system.

Explanation of symbols

101 Network 102 Copier System 103 Workstation (WS)
104 File server 105 Copier device 106 Network interface controller (NIC)
107 Scanner / Printer Controller 108 FAX (Facsimile) Modem 109 HDD (Hard Disk Device)
110 Copier Engine 110a Scanner (Scanner Device)
110b Printer (printer device)
110c IPU (Image Processing Unit: Image Processing Unit)
111 Operation panel 112 Copier controller

Claims (1)

An image forming apparatus having an application group including a copy application, a scanner application, and a printer application;
In an image forming apparatus used in an image forming system comprising a plurality of client machines connected to the image forming apparatus via a network and a server machine providing various services,
When the print job generated on the client machine and the print profile for specifying the print condition of the server machine are transmitted from the server machine in a joined state, the print job is included in the print job. An image forming apparatus, wherein a predetermined command included is replaced with a command defined in the print profile, and the print job is executed based on the replaced command.

Images