JP2006095805A - Image forming apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To create data suitable for version up and capable of preventing miss at the time of forming a shipment set file without requiring to create the shipment set file by manpower by creating set data consisting of a set command based on acquired set information, and to perform appropriate setting operation based on that data. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus capable of being set by a set command from a host device comprises a section for acquiring current set information, and a section for creating set data consisting of a set command based on the set information acquired at the information acquiring section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a factory, an image forming apparatus such as a printer is shipped after customization by changing an initial value of a menu or changing an apparatus name for each user. A shipping setting file exists for customization. By transmitting the shipment setting file to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus changes the setting value according to the contents of the shipment setting file.

The shipment setting file is a list of setting change commands unique to the image forming apparatus, and is created by the file creator using an editor while viewing the specifications. Therefore, the file creator needs to have technical knowledge, and is created by a person belonging to the design department of the image forming apparatus. Confirmation of the set values after sending the shipment setting file is performed by causing the image forming apparatus to print a menu (menu set value list) and visually checking the print result. For items not included in the printed menu, actual print data is sent for each item to determine the result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-7-36987

  However, in the conventional image forming apparatus, a person who does not have technical knowledge cannot create a setting change command in the shipment setting file, and even those who have technical knowledge can The setting change command cannot be easily created. Further, if the setting value after the shipment setting file is transmitted is confirmed by looking at the printed menu, the efficiency is deteriorated.

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional image forming apparatus and system and creates setting data including setting commands based on the obtained setting information, and manually creates a shipping setting file. An image forming apparatus and system that can prevent a mistake in creating a shipping setting file, can create appropriate data corresponding to version upgrade, and can perform an appropriate setting operation based on the data. The purpose is to provide.

  Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, an image forming apparatus capable of setting device settings by a setting command from a host device, an information acquisition unit for acquiring current setting information, and the information acquisition unit And a setting data creating unit that creates setting data composed of setting commands based on the setting information acquired by the above.

  According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus and system create setting data including setting commands based on the acquired setting information. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually create a shipping setting file, it is possible to prevent mistakes when creating a shipping setting file, appropriate data corresponding to version upgrade is created, and an appropriate setting operation based on the data is performed. It can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the system according to the present embodiment includes a printer 10 as an image forming apparatus and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 11 as a host device of the printer 10. The printer 10 and the PC 11 are connected to each other by a bidirectional interface cable (hereinafter referred to as “bidirectional I / F cable”) 13 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus may be a facsimile apparatus or any apparatus as long as it prints print data received from the PC 11 via the bidirectional I / F cable 13. However, here, it is assumed that it is a printer. The printer 10 may be any type of printer such as an ink jet type, an electrophotographic type, or a thermal transfer type. The host device may be any device as long as it can create image data, setting commands, and the like and transmit them to the printer 10 via the bidirectional I / F cable 13. , It will be described as being a PC. In this embodiment, the target user setting is changed from the menu of the printer 10, and a shipment setting file is generated in the printer 10 from the changed point.

  Next, information for menu processing that the printer 10 has will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes a program ROM 20, a nonvolatile memory 30, and a memory 40 as a RAM, and stores information on an item name 21, a command name 22, and a value range 23 in the program ROM 20. The initial value 31 and the current value 32 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 30, and registration data 41 and a file generation area 42 are provided on the memory 40.

  The printer 10 also includes a reception processing unit 50 for receiving image data and setting commands transmitted from the PC 11, a command analysis processing unit 51 for analyzing received setting commands, and setting commands for the printer 10. A printer setting command processing unit 52 to be processed, a header processing unit 53 that performs header processing, a footer processing unit 54 that performs footer processing, and a menu initialization command for initializing the menu of the printer 10 A menu initialization processing unit 55 to process, a file read processing unit 56 to process a file read command for reading a file, and a setting file creation processing unit 57 as a setting data creation unit to process a file creation command to create a file , Menu of printer 10 Menu processing unit 58 for processing, and a transmission processing unit 59 that performs transmission processing on PC 11. Furthermore, an information acquisition unit is provided in the setting file creation processing unit and acquires setting information of the apparatus.

  Next, the operation of the system configured as described above will be described. First, a procedure for creating a shipping setting file, that is, a shipping setting file will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC at the time of creating the shipment setting file according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13. Then, a menu initialization command is transmitted from the PC 11 to the printer 10. The printer 10 performs reception processing and command analysis processing and executes a menu initialization command. At this time, an initial setting value (default value) is stored in the program ROM 20, and the contents of the memory 40 and the nonvolatile memory 30 are changed to default values by receiving the initialization command. Subsequently, the initial value 31 is copied to the current value 32.

  Then, when the operator operates the operation panel or the like of the printer 10, the menu processing unit 58 changes the menu to a target user setting state. In this case, the contents of the current value 32 are changed by changing the menu. In the example shown in FIG. 1, Trays 2 and 1200 are changed.

  Next, menu printing is performed and final confirmation is performed. In this state, a setting file creation command as a setting command is transmitted from the PC 11 and waits until a file is created. The printer 10 executes a file creation command to create a file on the memory 40 as setting data including the setting command. Subsequently, the printer 10 notifies the PC 11 that a file has been created. When the file read command is transmitted from the PC 11 to the printer 10, the printer 10 executes the file read command and transmits the file on the memory 40 to the PC 11. Then, the PC 11 receives the file, saves it as a setting file, and ends the process.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S1: The PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13.
Step S2: A menu initialization command is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S3: The menu is changed from the operation unit of the printer 10.
Step S4: It is determined whether or not all the target items have been changed. If all the target items have been changed, the process proceeds to step S5. If all the target items have not been changed, the process returns to step S3.
Step S5: Menu printing is performed and final confirmation is performed.
Step S6: It is determined whether or not it is OK. If it is OK, the process proceeds to step S7, and if it is not OK, the process returns to step S3.
Step S7: A setting file creation command is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S8 Wait for preparation. If ready, the process proceeds to step S9.
Step S9: A file read command is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S10: A file from the printer 10 is received.
Step S11: Save as a setting file and end the process.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 when creating the shipment setting file will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the format of the shipping setting file in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer when creating the shipping setting file in the first embodiment of the present invention. .

  First, the printer 10 performs reception processing, and then performs command analysis processing. Then, a command branch for determining the command is performed. If the command is a setting command 62 as shown in FIG. 4, the item 63 is searched with the command name 22 and the setting value 64 is written in the corresponding registration data 41.

  Further, in the case of the Header process, all the data of the initial value 31 is copied to the registration data 41. Further, in the case of the Footer process, the registration data 41 is written in the initial value 31 and Reboot is executed. If it is a menu initialization command, the initial value 31 is copied to the current value 32. If it is a file creation command, file creation command processing is performed, and if it is a file read command, file read command processing is performed.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S21: Command analysis processing is performed.
Step S22 A command branch is performed. If it is a setting command 62, the process proceeds to step S23. If it is a header process, the process proceeds to step S24. If it is a footer process, the process proceeds to step S25. If it is a menu initialization command, the process proceeds to step S27. If it is, the process proceeds to step S28, and if it is a file read command, the process proceeds to step S29.
Step S23: The item 63 is searched with the command name 22, the set value 64 is written in the corresponding registration data 41, and the process is terminated.
Step S24: All the data of the initial value 31 is copied to the registration data 41, and the process ends.
Step S25: The registration data 41 is written in the initial value 31.
Step S26: Reboot is executed, and the process is terminated.
Step S27: The initial value 31 is copied to the current value 32, and the process is terminated.
Step S28: File creation command processing is performed.
Step S29: File read command processing is performed.

  Next, the file creation command processing subroutine in step S28 of FIG. 5 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a subroutine of file creation command processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, a file is opened on the memory 40, a header 61 as shown in FIG. 4 is written, and an initialization command is added. Subsequently, the initial value 31 and the current value 32 are compared in the order of the item name 21. If they do not match, the setting command 62, 'SP' (20H), item 63, '=' (3DH), setting value 64 , 'LF' (0AH) is written. This operation is performed for all the item names 21, and finally Footer 65 is written. Then, the file on the memory 40 is closed and the PC 11 is notified that the file has been created.
Step S28-1: The file is opened on the memory 40.
Step S28-2: The Header 61 is written.
Step S28-3 The initial value 31 and the current value 32 are compared in the order of the item name 21.
Step S28-4: It is determined whether or not the initial value 31 and the current value 32 match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S28-6, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S28-5.
Step S28-5: Write the setting command 62, the command name of the item 63 and the current data to the file according to the file format.
Step S28-6: It is determined whether or not all of the item names 21 have been completed. If all are completed, the process proceeds to step S28-7, and if all is not completed, the process returns to step S28-3.
Step S28-7 The Footer 65 is written.
Step S28-8: The file on the memory 40 is closed and the process is terminated.

  Next, the file read command processing subroutine in step S29 of FIG. 4 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a subroutine of file read command processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In this case, the file on the memory 40 is transmitted to the PC 11.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S29-1: The file on the memory 40 is transmitted to the PC 11, and the process is terminated.

  Next, a shipping setting procedure using the setting file created by the above procedure will be described. First, the operation of the PC 11 at the time of shipment setting will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC at the time of shipment setting in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13. Then, the shipment setting file is transmitted from the PC 11 to the printer 10, and the printer 10 performs menu printing, and visually confirms the printed menu.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S31: The PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13.
Step S32: The shipment setting file is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S33: Menu printing is performed, and the process is terminated after confirmation by visual observation.

  Next, the operation of the printer 10 at the time of shipment setting will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the printer at the time of shipment setting according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, when the printer 10 receives the shipment setting file from the PC 11, it performs processing according to the format shown in FIG. First, the processing of the header 61 is performed, and the data of the initial value 31 is copied to the registration data 41. Subsequently, each item is sequentially executed and processed. In this case, the setting command 62 is executed, the item 63 is searched with the command name 22, and the setting value 64 is written in the corresponding registration data 41. The processing of each item is repeated until the Footer 65 is found. Finally, when the Footer 65 is found, the Footer 65 is processed. In this process, the data stored in the registration data 41 is written in the initial value 31. Then, the printer 10 is rebooted.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S41 A shipment setting file is received from the PC 11 and processed in units of lines.
Step S42: The Header 61 is processed.
Step S43 Each item is processed.
Step S44: It is determined whether the Footer 65 is found. If the Footer 65 is found, the process proceeds to Step S45. If the Footer 65 is not found, the process returns to Step S43.
Step S45: The Footer 65 is processed, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to create a shipping setting file by hand coding. That is, it is not necessary to manually create a shipping setting file while using an editor or the like. Further, since the shipment setting file is not manually created, it is possible to prevent a mistake in creating the shipment setting file. Further, since the shipment setting file is created on the printer 10 side, appropriate data corresponding to the version upgrade of the printer 10 can be created, and an appropriate setting operation based on the data can be performed.

  Since the initialization command is transmitted at the head, it is only necessary to transmit a command for changing only the setting different from the default value.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the setting information of the printer 10 is pulled up from the PC 11, placed on the memory of the PC 11, displayed on the screen as a menu item or the like from this data, and the value of the part of the menu item to be changed is displayed from the keyboard of the PC 11. It is supposed to change. When the value is changed, save it as a confirmation file. Then, a setting file is generated from the changed difference and saved.

  Further, at the time of shipment setting, after sending the setting file, the setting can be confirmed by raising the internal parameters of the printer 10 and comparing it with the confirmation file.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the PC 11 has a memory 72, a screen 72 in a display means such as a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a keyboard (K / B) 73, a first temporary file 74, a second temporary file 74, and the like. A temporary file 76, a setting confirmation file 75, a shipment setting file 77, and a comparison unit 78 as a setting data comparison unit for comparing the first temporary file 74 and the setting confirmation file 75 are provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the printer 10 in the present embodiment includes a parameter acquisition processing unit 81 that performs processing for acquiring parameters (device setting information). The menu processing unit 58 may not be provided. The configuration of other points is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the operation of the system in this embodiment will be described. First, a procedure for creating a shipment setting file will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the format of the parameter file in the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the format of the shipment setting file in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is the diagram of the present invention. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation of a PC when a shipment setting file is created in the second embodiment.

  First, the PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13. Then, a parameter acquisition command is transmitted from the PC 11 to the printer 10 and waits until a file is generated.

  Upon receiving the parameter acquisition command, the printer 10 generates a file as shown in FIG. 12 in the parameter acquisition processing unit shown in FIG. The file is data including all items, defaults, options, and names supported by the menu. In addition, printer setting items not included in the menu are included. Subsequently, the PC 11 receives the file and saves it as a first temporary file 74.

  Then, the PC 11 displays on the screen 72 using the display name 95, the option group 94, and the current value 93 as shown in FIG. The PC 11 has an application (AP) that analyzes a file and converts it into display data. Subsequently, the setting value is changed from the keyboard 73 of the PC 11 to the target user setting state. When all the changes to the target items are completed, the confirmation is selected and saved as a setting confirmation file, and the second temporary file 77 is opened.

  Next, the header 61 as shown in FIG. 13 is written, the first temporary file 74 and the setting confirmation file are compared in line units, and if they do not match, the setting command 62, 'SP as shown in FIG. '(20H), item 63,' = '(3DH), set value 64, and' LF '(0AH) are written. This operation is performed for all the rows, and finally, Footer 65 as shown in FIG. 13 is written. Subsequently, the second temporary file 77 is closed and saved as a shipment setting file.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S51: The PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13.
Step S52: A parameter acquisition command is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S53 The system waits for preparation and proceeds to step S54 when preparation is completed.
Step S54: A file is received from the printer 10.
Step S55: Save as the first temporary file 74.
Step S56: Display on the screen 72 of the PC 11 using the display name 95, option group 94 and current value 93.
Step S57: The set value is changed from the keyboard 73 of the PC 11.
Step S58: It is determined whether or not all of the target items have been changed. When all the changes of the target item are completed, the process proceeds to step S59, and when all the changes of the target item are not completed, the process returns to step S57.
Step S59: Confirm is selected and saved as a setting confirmation file.
Step S60: The second temporary file 77 is opened.
Step S61 Write Header 61.
Step S62: The first temporary file 74 and the setting confirmation file are compared line by line.
Step S63: It is determined whether or not the first temporary file 74 matches the setting confirmation file. If they match, the process proceeds to step S65, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S64.
Step S64 Write the setting command, the items in the setting confirmation file and the current value to the file according to the format.
Step S65: It is determined whether all lines have been completed. If all the lines have been completed, the process proceeds to step S66. If all the lines have not been completed, the process returns to step S62.
Step S66 The Footer 65 is written.
Step S67: The second temporary file 77 is closed and saved as a shipment setting file, and the process ends.

  Next, the operation of the PC 11 at the time of shipment setting using the setting file created by the above procedure will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the PC at the time of shipment setting in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13. Then, a shipment setting file as setting data composed of setting commands is transmitted from the PC 11 to the printer 10. Subsequently, the PC 11 transmits a parameter acquisition command to the printer 10 in order to make a setting data transmission request to the printer 10 and waits until a file as setting information data is generated.

  Upon receiving the parameter acquisition command, the printer 10 generates a file as setting information data as shown in FIG. 12 by the parameter acquisition processing unit shown in FIG.

  Then, the PC 11 receives the file and saves it as a first temporary file 74. Subsequently, the PC 11 compares the first temporary file 74 with the setting confirmation file, and displays OK on the screen 72 if they match, and displays NG on the screen 72 if they do not match.

Next, a flowchart will be described.
Step S71: The PC 11 and the printer 10 are connected by the bidirectional I / F cable 13.
Step S72: The shipment setting file is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S73: A parameter acquisition command is transmitted to the printer 10.
Step S74 The system waits for preparation. If it is ready, the process proceeds to step S75.
Step S75: The file from the printer 10 is received.
Step S76: Save as the first temporary file 74.
Step S77: The first temporary file 74 is compared with the setting confirmation file.
Step S78: It is determined whether or not the first temporary file 74 matches the setting confirmation file. If they match, the process proceeds to step S79, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step S80.
Step S79 OK is displayed on the screen 72 of the PC 11, and the process is terminated.
Step S80 NG is displayed on the screen 72 of the PC 11, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to create a shipping setting file by hand coding. In addition, confirmation of shipment settings can be automated. Further, setting values other than the menu can be changed. The printer 10 side has all the information, and the PC 11 can display items based on the information from the printer 10, so that items can be added by the program update of the printer 10 without changing the information on the PC 11 side. .

  The present invention can be applied to a printing apparatus that has information such as a menu function and customizes the initial value for each user.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made based on the spirit of the present invention, and they are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the system in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC at the time of preparation of the shipment setting file in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the format of the shipment setting file in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer when creating a shipment setting file according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the file creation command process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the subroutine of the file read command process in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC at the time of the shipment setting in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer at the time of shipment setting according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of PC in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the printer in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the format of the parameter file in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the format of the shipment setting file in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC at the time of preparation of the shipment setting file in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of PC at the time of the shipment setting in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer 11 Personal Computer 50 Reception Processing Unit 57 Setting File Creation Processing Unit 78 Comparison Unit

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus capable of setting device settings by a setting command from a host device,
(A) an information acquisition unit for acquiring current setting information;
(B) An image forming apparatus comprising: a setting data creating unit that creates setting data including a setting command based on the setting information acquired by the information acquiring unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting data is setting command data for setting the same setting as a current apparatus setting. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the created setting data is transmitted to a host apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition unit and the setting data creation unit operate based on a setting data transmission request from the host device. A system having an image forming apparatus capable of setting device settings by a setting command from a host device,
The host apparatus transmits setting data including a setting command to the image forming apparatus, and then sends a setting data transmission request to the image forming apparatus, and transmits the setting data received from the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus. And a setting data comparison unit that compares the setting data with the setting data.

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