JP2007276362A - Image forming apparatus, method performed by image forming apparatus, and program executed by image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which omits operator's time and effort and which can collect apparatus information easily and quickly when the apparatus information about the image forming apparatus needs to be acquired, and to provide a method performed by the image forming apparatus and a program executed by the image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A printer analyzes indication information described in a predetermined format which is conserved in a USB memory and which was specified beforehand (S105) when it has been recognized that the USB memory is connected to a USB interface (S101: YES), and writes the apparatus information in the USB memory (S109) in response to the analyzed result when the reading indication of the apparatus information about the printer is included in the indication information (S107). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a method executed by the image forming apparatus, and a program to be executed by the image forming apparatus.

  Operation of device information such as configuration information such as option installation status, setting information such as printing conditions and system settings, usage status of consumables such as toner (ink), number of prints processed, paper size / type and remaining amount There is an image forming apparatus such as a copier that can be printed on a sheet or displayed on an operation panel unit according to an instruction from the panel unit. The device information thus obtained can be used for various purposes such as supply of consumables, replacement or repair of parts, billing processing, device management, and the like.

  Also, a method has been proposed in which a terminal device is connected to an image forming apparatus with an interface cable or the like, and the terminal device collects apparatus information from the image forming apparatus by an operation on the terminal apparatus (see Patent Document 1).

  However, in the above-described prior art, when acquiring desired apparatus information, an operator operates an operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus or a terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus to acquire apparatus information. It was necessary to give instructions.

Therefore, there is a problem that the operator is forced to perform a complicated operation for each image forming apparatus that needs to acquire apparatus information.
JP 11-298661 A

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to easily and quickly remove an operator's trouble when it is necessary to acquire apparatus information relating to an image forming apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of collecting information, a method executed by the image forming apparatus, and a program to be executed by the image forming apparatus.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) An image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium is connected to and disconnected from the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus is energized, and the recording medium is connected to the connection means. When the recognition unit recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection unit, the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the recording medium is analyzed. And a writing unit that writes the device information to the recording medium in accordance with an analysis result of the instruction information by the analysis unit when the instruction unit includes an instruction to read the device information related to the image forming apparatus. And an image forming apparatus.

  (2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes a usage status of consumables of the image forming apparatus.

  (3) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes the number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus.

  (4) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes a history of print jobs processed by the image forming apparatus.

  (5) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes configuration information regarding a configuration of the image forming apparatus.

  (6) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes setting information set for the image forming apparatus.

  (7) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information includes an operation log of a program executed by the image forming apparatus.

  (8) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information is written on the recording medium as a plurality of files divided for each type of the apparatus information.

  (9) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the apparatus information is written to the recording medium as a file in a directory that can identify the image forming apparatus.

  (10) Comparing means for comparing the password stored in the recording medium with the password stored in the image forming apparatus when the recognizing means recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connecting means. And a prohibiting unit that prohibits writing of the device information to the recording medium when the passwords do not match as a result of the comparison by the comparing unit. Image forming apparatus.

  (11) When the instruction information includes an instruction to write setting information that can be set for the image forming apparatus, the setting information is stored in the recording medium according to an analysis result of the instruction information by the analysis unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reading unit that reads from the image forming unit; and a reflecting unit that reflects the setting information read by the reading unit on the image forming apparatus.

  (12) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the recording medium is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory.

  (13) A method executed by an image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium is connected to connection means that can connect and disconnect the recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus while the image forming apparatus is energized. A recognition step for recognizing that, and when the recognition step recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection means, the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the recording medium is analyzed And an instruction to read the apparatus information on the recording medium in accordance with the analysis result of the instruction information in the analysis step when the instruction information includes an instruction to read the apparatus information related to the image forming apparatus. A method comprising the steps of:

  (14) A program for controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein the recording medium is connected to connection means that can connect and disconnect the recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus while the image forming apparatus is energized. And when the recognition procedure recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection means, the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the recording medium When the analysis procedure to be analyzed and the instruction information include an instruction to read the apparatus information related to the image forming apparatus, the apparatus information is written to the recording medium according to the analysis result of the instruction information in the analysis procedure. A program for causing the image forming apparatus to execute a writing procedure.

  (15) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to (14) is recorded.

  When the image forming apparatus of the present invention recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection unit, the image forming apparatus analyzes the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the recording medium, and converts the instruction information into the instruction information. If an instruction to read apparatus information related to the image forming apparatus is included, the apparatus information is written on a recording medium according to the analysis result.

  Therefore, the operator operates the operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus or the terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus such as a printer that needs to acquire the apparatus information to acquire the apparatus information. There is no need to perform a complicated operation of giving the instruction.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when it is necessary to acquire apparatus information relating to an image forming apparatus, it is possible to collect apparatus information easily and quickly without the need for an operator.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The printer 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, a non-volatile storage unit 104, an operation panel unit 105, a printing unit 106, a network interface 107, and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 108, which are buses for exchanging signals. 109 are connected to each other.

  The CPU 101 performs control of each part and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. The non-volatile storage unit 104 is a device that retains stored contents even when the printer 100 is turned off, and includes a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like. The CPU 101 reads / writes various data to / from a storage device such as the nonvolatile storage unit 104 as necessary.

  The operation panel unit 105 includes a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions.

  The printing unit 106 prints an image on a recording material such as paper using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process.

  The network interface 107 is an interface for communicating with other devices via a network, and standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI are used.

  The USB interface 108 is an interface that can connect and disconnect a device conforming to the USB standard, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory 400 (see FIG. 2), to and from the printer 100 while the printer 100 is energized. The USB memory 400 includes a nonvolatile memory and a terminal connected to the nonvolatile memory. As shown in FIG. 2, the USB interface 108 includes a USB connector 108 a into which a terminal of the USB memory 400 can be inserted.

  The printer 100 may include components other than the above-described components, or may not include some of the above-described components.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the firmware 200 installed in the printer 100 according to the present embodiment. The firmware 200 includes a USB host driver 201, a mass storage class driver 202, a file system 203, an external memory control unit 204, a device information management unit 205, and an analysis processing unit 206, and is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 104. The

  The USB host driver 201 transmits / receives data and establishes connection / disconnection with the USB memory 400. The Mass Storage Class driver 202 controls the connected USB memory as a storage device. The file system 203 performs control for reading and writing data in the USB memory 400 as a file. The external memory control unit 204 reads and analyzes data in the USB memory 400, and performs processing to write various data in the USB 400 memory as necessary. The device information management unit 205 manages various information related to the printer 100, that is, device information. The device information is set for the printer 100, the usage status of the consumables of the printer 100, the number of sheets printed by the printer 100, the history of print jobs processed by the printer 100, configuration information about the configuration of the printer 100, and the printer 100. Setting information, an error history in the printer 100, status information including a paper jam in the current printer 100, a cover open, and the like. The analysis processing unit 206 analyzes and processes the print job received via the network interface 107. The functions of the above-described units of the firmware 200 are exhibited when the CPU 101 executes the corresponding program on the RAM 103.

  Here, various setting information for the printer 100 is stored in the RAM 103 or the nonvolatile storage unit 104 via the operation panel unit 105 or the network interface 107. The usage state and device state of the consumables are managed by the device state management unit 205 and stored in the RAM 103 or the nonvolatile storage unit 104 as necessary. A print job received via the network interface 107 is analyzed by the analysis processing unit 206 and processed under printing conditions such as an appropriate paper size and color / monochrome according to the analysis result. In addition, it is determined whether or not the print output result in the printing unit 106 is normal, and information necessary as print job history information is sequentially stored in the nonvolatile storage unit 104.

  Next, a process of writing device information related to the printer 100 to the USB memory 400 will be described first, and then a process of reflecting setting information stored in the USB memory 400 to the printer 100 will be described.

  In order to obtain the device information from the printer 100, as a previous step, the operator connects the USB memory 400 to a terminal device such as a PC (personal computer) (not shown) that can use the USB memory 400, and creates an instruction information file. To the USB memory 400.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file configuration of data stored in the USB memory 400, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an instruction information file (printer.inf) 310 including an instruction to read device information.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the instruction information file 310 is stored as a file in the root directory 300. In FIG. 6, a name surrounded by a solid line frame indicates a directory name, and a name surrounded by a broken line frame indicates a file name.

  The instruction information file 310 is a definition file described in a predefined format as shown in FIG. In the instruction information file 310, information such as a password 311 and a device information item 312 to be acquired is described.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure when the USB memory 400 in the printer 100 is connected. The algorithm shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 is stored as a program in the nonvolatile storage unit 104 of the printer 100 and executed by the CPU 101.

  In step S101, it is determined whether or not it is recognized that the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB interface 108 of the printer 100 (S101). Here, when the USB memory 400 is inserted into the USB connector 108 a of the USB interface 108 of the printer 100, the USB host driver 201 detects that the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB interface 108.

  When it is recognized that the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB interface 108 of the printer 100 (S101: YES), the USB memory 400 is registered as a file device (S102).

  Here, the Mass Storage Class driver 202 performs processing for operating the USB memory 400 as a USB standard Mass Storage Class via the USB host driver 201 and registers the USB memory 400 as a file device in the file system 203. . As a result, the external memory control unit 204 can read and write data in the USB memory 400 as a file.

  Subsequently, the external memory control unit 204 attempts to open the instruction information file 310 stored in the USB memory 400 (S103), and determines whether the instruction information file 310 has been successfully opened (S104). ).

  If the instruction information file 310 cannot be opened (S104: NO), data reading / writing from / to the USB memory 400 is not performed.

  If the instruction information file 310 has been successfully opened (S104: YES), the data in the instruction information file 310 is analyzed.

  First, the password 311 in the instruction information file 310 is acquired, and it is determined whether or not it matches the password stored in the printer 100 (S106). The password used here is, for example, an administrator password. If the two passwords do not match (S106: NO), the data is not read from or written to the USB memory 400. Note that the use of a password is not always necessary. The password may be encrypted.

  If it is determined that both passwords match (S106: YES), it is determined whether or not the device information item 312 instructed to read exists in the instruction information file 310 (S107).

  For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, “CONFIG = YES” specifies that the configuration and setting information of the printer 100 is acquired, “JOB_LOG = YES” specifies that a print job history is acquired, and “STATISTICS”. = YES specifies that statistical information including the usage status of consumables and the number of printed sheets is acquired, and “SYSTEM_LOG = YES” indicates that an operation log of a program executed by the printer 100 is acquired. Indicates each item to specify.

  If the device information item 312 instructed to be read does not exist in the instruction information file 310 (S107: NO), the process proceeds to step S110.

  If there is a device information item 312 that is instructed to be read in the instruction information file 310 (S107: YES), the device information management unit 205 or directly depends on the device information item 312. Necessary data is collected from the RAM 103 or the nonvolatile storage unit 104 (S108).

  Subsequently, a device information file is created using the collected data and written to the USB memory 400 (S109).

  Here, the device information is written in the USB memory 400 as a file in a directory named with a unique character string that can identify the printer 100. The device information is written in the USB memory 400 as a plurality of files divided for each type of the device information.

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, a directory (for example, “mc100_00000001”) 320 that can specify the printer 100 indicated by “device name_serial number” is first created. A configuration and setting information file 330 (config.txt), a print job history file (job_log.txt) 340, a statistical information file (statistics.txt) 350, and an operation log file (system_log.txt) 360 are stored in the directory 320. It is created as a file inside.

  8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration and setting information file 330, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the print job history file 340, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the statistical information file 350, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation log file 360. FIG.

  In this way, the device information written in the USB memory 400 can be viewed and edited by application software such as a text editor by connecting the USB memory 400 to a terminal device such as a PC that can use the USB memory 400.

  Next, a procedure when the external memory control unit 204 reads setting information from the USB memory 400 and changes setting values for the printer 100 will be described with reference to steps S110 to S114 of FIG.

  In order to write the setting information to the printer 100, as a previous step, the operator connects the USB memory 400 to a terminal device such as a PC (not shown) that can use the USB memory 400, and settings that can be set for the printer 100. An instruction information file 310 a (see FIG. 12) including an information writing instruction is created and stored in the USB memory 400. Further, the operator edits the configuration described in a predefined format as shown in FIG. 8 and the setting value in the setting information file 330 as necessary using a terminal device such as a PC, and saves it in the USB memory 400. To do.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an instruction information file (printer.inf) 310a including a setting information write instruction. In the instruction information file 310a, information such as a password 311 and a setting information item 312a to be written is described.

  In step S110, it is determined whether or not the setting information item 312a instructed to be written exists in the instruction information file 310a (S110).

  For example, in the example shown in FIG. 12, “CONFIG = YES-w” indicates an item for designating that setting information is written in the printer 100.

  When there is no device information item 312a instructed to be written in the instruction information file 310a (S110: NO), the setting information is not read from the USB memory 400.

  If the device information item 312a that is instructed to be written exists in the instruction information file 310a (S110: YES), a file that includes setting information stored in the USB memory 400, that is, the configuration and setting information file 330 ( 8 is attempted (S111), and it is determined whether the configuration and setting information file 330 has been successfully opened (S112).

  If the configuration and setting information file 330 cannot be opened (S112: NO), the setting information is not read from the USB memory 400.

  When the configuration and setting information file 330 has been successfully opened (S112: YES), the configuration and setting information file 330 is read and the data in the configuration and setting information file 330 is analyzed (S113).

  Subsequently, the read configuration and the setting information included in the setting information file 330 are reflected on the printer 100 (S114). In other words, the external memory control unit 204 is a device information management unit (205) only for items that can be changed or set as setting information for the printer 100 based on the result of analyzing the information described in the configuration and setting information file 330. Or directly stored in the RAM 103 or the nonvolatile storage unit 104.

  As described above, when the printer 100 according to the present embodiment recognizes that the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB interface 108, the printer 100 analyzes the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the USB memory 400. If the instruction information includes an instruction to read the apparatus information related to the printer 100, the apparatus information is written in the USB memory 400 according to the analysis result.

  Therefore, the operator operates the operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus or the terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus such as a printer that needs to acquire the apparatus information to acquire the apparatus information. There is no need to perform a complicated operation of giving the instruction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when it is necessary to acquire apparatus information related to an image forming apparatus, it is possible to collect apparatus information easily and quickly without the need for an operator.

  In addition, when the printer 100 according to the present embodiment recognizes that the USB memory 400 is connected to the USB interface 108, the printer 100 analyzes the instruction information described in a predetermined format stored in the USB memory 400. If the instruction information includes an instruction to write setting information that can be set for the printer 100, the setting information is read from the USB memory 400 according to the analysis result, and the read setting information is This is reflected in the printer 100.

  Therefore, the operator operates the operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus or the terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus for each image forming apparatus such as a printer that needs the setting information to reflect the setting information. There is no need to perform a complicated operation of giving the instruction.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the setting information needs to be reflected on the image forming apparatus, the setting information can be reflected on the image forming apparatus easily and quickly without the operator's trouble.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the USB memory is described as an example of the recording medium, but the present invention is not limited to this. The recording medium means a portable recording medium, and typically includes a USB flash memory, a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, an SD card memory, and the like. In addition, the recording medium may be a portable terminal device such as a portable information terminal or a mobile phone, in which the recording medium can be incorporated or mounted.

  The connection means that can connect and disconnect the recording medium typically includes an interface corresponding to each of the recording media, and the connection means includes terminals, and the recording medium is electrically connected to the terminals. And can be physically releasably connected. Further, the connection means may include an interface in a form that can be disconnected through communication instead of physical removal, such as an infrared interface.

  In the above embodiment, a printer is employed as the image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention may be applied to other apparatuses such as a copying machine and an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral).

  The means and method for performing various processes in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the apparatus as a function of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer as an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that USB memory is connected to a printer. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of firmware installed in a printer. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a USB memory is connected in a printer. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when a USB memory in the printer is connected, continued from FIG. 4. An example of the file structure of the data preserve | saved in USB memory is shown. An example of an instruction information file including an instruction to read device information is shown. An example of a structure and a setting information file is shown. An example of a print job history file is shown. An example of a statistical information file is shown. An example of an operation log file is shown. An example of an instruction information file including an instruction to write setting information is shown.

Explanation of symbols

100 printer (image forming apparatus),
101 CPU,
102 ROM,
103 RAM,
104 nonvolatile storage unit,
105 Operation panel section,
106 printing section,
107 network interface,
108 USB interface (connection means)
109 bus,
200 firmware,
204 External memory control unit,
310 instruction information file (instruction information),
311 password,
312 Device information item,
320 Directory that can identify the printer,
330 Configuration and setting information file (device information),
340 Print job history file (device information),
350 statistical information file (device information),
360 Operation log file (device information),
400 USB memory (recording medium).

Claims (15)

An image forming apparatus,
Connection means capable of connecting and disconnecting a recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus in a state where the image forming apparatus is energized;
Recognition means for recognizing that a recording medium is connected to the connection means;
Analysis means for analyzing instruction information described in a pre-defined format stored in the recording medium when the recognition means recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection means;
A writing unit that writes the device information to the recording medium in accordance with an analysis result of the instruction information by the analysis unit when the instruction information includes an instruction to read the device information related to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes a usage status of consumables of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes a number of sheets printed by the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes a history of a print job processed by the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes configuration information regarding a configuration of the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes setting information set for the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information includes an operation log of a program executed by the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the device information is written on the recording medium as a plurality of files divided for each type of the device information.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus information is written on the recording medium as a file in a directory that can identify the image forming apparatus. A comparison unit that compares the password stored in the recording medium with the password stored in the image forming apparatus when the recognition unit recognizes that the recording medium is connected to the connection unit;
As a result of comparison by the comparison means, if both passwords do not match, prohibition means for prohibiting writing of the device information to the recording medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: When the instruction information includes an instruction to write setting information that can be set for the image forming apparatus, the setting information is read from the recording medium according to the analysis result of the instruction information by the analysis unit. Means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising reflecting means for reflecting the setting information read by the reading means to the image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. A method executed in an image forming apparatus,
A recognition step for recognizing that the recording medium is connected to connection means that can connect and disconnect the recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus while the image forming apparatus is energized;
An analysis step of analyzing instruction information described in a predefined format stored in the recording medium when it is recognized that the recording medium is connected to the connection means in the recognition step;
A writing step of writing the device information to the recording medium according to an analysis result of the instruction information in the analysis step when the instruction information includes an instruction to read the device information related to the image forming apparatus;
A method characterized by comprising: A program for controlling an image forming apparatus,
A recognition procedure for recognizing that a recording medium is connected to a connection means capable of connecting and disconnecting the recording medium to and from the image forming apparatus while the image forming apparatus is energized;
When it is recognized that the recording medium is connected to the connection means in the recognition procedure, an analysis procedure for analyzing the instruction information described in a predefined format stored in the recording medium;
When the instruction information includes an instruction to read apparatus information related to the image forming apparatus, a writing procedure for writing the apparatus information to the recording medium according to an analysis result of the instruction information in the analysis procedure;
For causing the image forming apparatus to execute.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the program of Claim 14.

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