JP2008234565A - Network printer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network printer system allowing a printer to obtain information stored in a server normally even when a communication error occurs in the other specific printer while suppressing the amount of communication information with a server in an external network. <P>SOLUTION: In this system enabling a plurality of printers of the same type connected with the same network and the servers having a connection network for communicating with a group of printers to recognize each other and forming two printers or more into a master printer and slave printers, the master printer can compare a version of its own firmware with a version of up data of firmware in the server, acquires the up data of firmware from the server when the version of the up data in the server is new, and updates its own firmware automatically. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network printer comprising a plurality of same-type printers connected by a local area network, a server installed in a different area from the local network, and a connection network connecting the plurality of printers and the server. It is about the system.

  In previous printing systems, firmware updates with countermeasures for troubles and addition of functions are sent to the printer by maintenance personnel specializing in printers, and update data is sent from the personal computer (PC) to the corresponding printer. Firmware was updated from the panel.

  However, in the current firmware update method, maintenance personnel bring a storage medium (CD, flash memory, etc.) and PC with update data, and go to the printer owned by the user to update the firmware. The labor costs, labor costs, and maintenance costs for users were incurred.

  Therefore, recently, a method in which a printer receives its own updater from a server is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a configuration is described in which a plurality of printers communicate with a server installed at a remote location to update firmware (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP-A-11-161451 JP 2006-48113 A

  However, in the case of the above-mentioned patent document 2, since a plurality of printers communicate with a server, communication with an external network frequently occurs and a load is applied. Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is described that the printer also acquires data of clients other than the printer. However, when the communication function of the printer becomes abnormal, other devices also obtain update information. Will not be able to.

  An object of the present invention is to obtain information stored normally in a server by another printer device even when a communication error of a specific printer occurs while suppressing the amount of communication information with the server of the external network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a network printer system.

  The present invention is a system in which a plurality of printers of the same type connected to the same network and a server having a connection network capable of communicating with the printer group recognize each other, and two or more printers become a parent printer and a child printer. Thus, the parent printer can compare its own firmware version with the firmware updater version on the server, and if the server updater version is new, the parent printer gets the firmware updater from the server and automatically Update the firmware. If the printer is a child, the child printer can compare its own firmware version with the firmware updater version of the parent printer. If the parent printer has a newer updater version, the child printer can update the firmware from the parent printer. Get updater and update your own firmware automatically. Further, when the parent printer becomes unable to communicate with the server for some reason, the update function can be acquired from the server by promoting the child printer to the parent printer.

  Since the network printer system of the present invention normally communicates with the server on behalf of only the parent printer, it is not necessary for other printers to access the server, and external access can be minimized. Even if the parent printer has a communication error, the child printer is promoted to the parent, so communication with the server is continued.

  A plurality of same-type printers connected to the same network and a server having a connection network capable of communicating with the printer group can mutually recognize each other, and the printer itself has its own firmware version and a printer on the server or another printer. Compare the firmware updater versions, and if there is a newer version of the printer firmware updater than your own firmware, you can acquire that data, and automatically update your own firmware using the acquired updater This is realized by having means for promoting the child printer to the parent printer according to the state of the parent printer.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using specific examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network to which a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a server having firmware updater, and the parent printer 2, the child printer A3, and the child printer B4 are printers equipped with the embodiment of the present invention connected to the same local network. When the user makes initial settings, a group of the parent printer 2, the child printer A3, and the child printer B4 is formed. The server 1 is assumed to be installed in an area different from the local network.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 10 denotes a printer to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 11 denotes a mutual recognition management for mutual recognition with a server and other similar printers. , 12 is a group setting unit for setting a printer as a parent printer and a priority printer as a next parent candidate, 13 is an IP address and MAC address of 11 mutual recognition management units, and 12 group setting units are required. An operation panel for setting a parent of a printer to be used and a priority printer, 14 is a printer data management unit for transmitting / receiving firmware update data, 15 is a storage device for storing 16 update data, and 17 is for servers and other printers. A time management unit for processing the time for performing communication and for the time for updating the firmware, 18 is firmware Firmware update unit that performs processing for automatically performing an update, 19 is a version management unit that manages its own printer firmware version, 20 is a firmware version in the 19 version management unit, and firmware in a server or a parent printer A comparison / determination unit that performs processing for comparing the updater versions of the computers, 21 is a communication control unit that performs communication with the server and other printers based on the time processed by the 17 time management units, and 22 is a network interface. . In addition, the network is connected to a server and other printers by 23 networks.

  3A and 3B are outlines set from the operation panel 13. FIG. 3A shows a screen for registering an IP address and a MAC address in the mutual recognition management unit 11, and FIG. 3B shows a parent printer and a parent printer communicating with the group setting unit 12. This is a screen for registering the setting of the priority printer for promotion to the parent printer when it becomes impossible.

  Here, in order to mutually recognize the server 1 and the parent printer 2, and the child printer A3 and the printer B4, the IP address and MAC address of the server 1, the parent printer 2, the child printer A3, and the printer B4 are stored in the mutual recognition management unit 11 of the printer 10. In this state, the operator operates the address from the operation panel 13 and registers it on the mutual recognition registration screen (a). Similarly, the child printers A3 and B4 can recognize the existence of each other by setting the parent printer 2 in the same manner. Further, in order to group printers, the IP address of the printer that becomes the parent printer 2 is sent to the group setting unit 12 of the printer 10 and the IP of the priority printer that is promoted to the parent printer when the parent printer can no longer communicate. In this state, the operator operates the address from the operation panel 13 and is registered in the group setting registration screen (b). Similarly, the parent printer 2 is set in the child printer A3 and the printer B4.

  Based on these, the process from acquiring firmware update data in the server 1 from the parent printer 2 in FIG. 4 to automatically updating its own firmware in FIG. 4, and the child printer A3 and the child printer B4 in FIG. A process for acquiring firmware update data in the printer 2 and automatically updating its own firmware, and a process until the child printer A3 is promoted to the parent printer in FIG. 6 will be described below.

First, in step 100 of FIG. 4 (abbreviated as S100, hereinafter, this applies), when a certain period of time comes in the time management unit 17 in the parent printer 2, the server 1 registered in the mutual recognition management unit 11 Referring to the IP address, the communication control unit 21 communicates with the server 1 via the network 23 to confirm the presence / absence of firmware updater (S101). If there is an updater, the firmware updater version information is acquired from the server 1 (S102), the firmware version information of its own is read from the version management unit 19, and the comparison determination unit 20 determines which firmware version is newer ( S103).
If the firmware version is old, a firmware update data transmission request is sent to the server 1, the update data is received by the printer data management unit 14, and the update data is stored 16 in the storage device 15 (S104). Next, when the communication control unit 21 receives no external communication or print data (S105), the time management unit 17 counts the time (S106). Is sent to the firmware update unit 18 (S107), where firmware update processing is performed (S108). After the update is completed, the version management unit 19 is updated with the latest firmware version (S109).

  Next, in S200 of FIG. 5, when a certain time comes in the time management unit 17 in the child printer A3, the communication control unit refers to the IP address of the parent printer 2 registered in the mutual recognition management unit 11. From 21 to the printer 23 via the network 23, the communication control unit 21 of the parent printer 2 is communicated to the printer data management unit 14 to confirm the presence / absence of firmware updater (S201). If there is an updater, the firmware update data version information is acquired from the version management unit 19 of the parent printer 2 (S202), and the firmware version information of the own printer A3 is read from the version management unit 19 of the child printer A3. It is determined which firmware version is newer (S203).

  If the firmware version is old, a firmware update data transmission request is sent to the parent printer 2 (S204). Upon receiving an update data transmission request from the child printer A3, the parent printer 2 transmits firmware update data stored in the storage device 15 and data from the printer data management unit 14 (S205), and the child printer A3 performs printer data management. The unit 14 receives the firmware updater and stores the updater 16 in the storage device 15 (S206).

  Next, when the communication control unit 21 of the child printer A3 receives no external communication or print data (S207), the time management unit 17 counts the time (S208). 15 is sent to the firmware update unit 18 (S209), where firmware update processing is performed (S210). After the update is completed, the latest firmware version is updated in the version management unit 19 (S211). The printer B4 performs the same operation as the printer A3.

  Next, in S300 of FIG. 6, when the time management unit 17 in the child printer A3 reaches a certain time, the communication control unit 21 refers to the IP address of the parent printer 2 registered in the mutual recognition management unit 11. To the communication control unit 21 of the parent printer 2 via the network 23. If the response from the parent printer does not return due to some trouble (S301), the time management unit 17 of the child printer A3 measures the time from the last communication until the response is returned (S302). When the time has passed, the communication control unit 21 is instructed to perform retry communication processing (S303). When an instruction for retry communication is issued from the time management unit 17, the communication control unit 21 communicates again with the communication control unit 21 of the parent printer 2 (S304). If the response from the parent printer is not returned (S305), the child printer A3 follows the order in which the group setting unit 12 registers (b) the IP address of the priority printer, and the child printer A3 becomes the parent printer. Is performed (S306). When the printer A3 becomes a parent printer and communication is interrupted, the printer B4 performs the same operation as the printer A3. Thereby, even if the parent printer cannot communicate, the firmware updater can be acquired from the server by the child printer becoming the parent printer.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network to which a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a printer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a conceptual diagram when it displays using the operation panel in the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart about the data acquisition from the server by a parent printer. It is a flowchart about data acquisition from the parent printer by the child printer. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a child printer when a parent printer has a communication error.

Explanation of symbols

  1: server, 2: parent printer to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied, 3: child printer A equivalent to the parent printer installed in the embodiment, 4: equivalent to the parent printer installed in the embodiment Child printer B, 10: printer, 11: mutual recognition management unit, 12: group setting unit, 13: operation panel, 14: printer data management unit, 15: storage device, 16: firmware update data storage, 17: time management Unit: 18: firmware update unit, 19: version management unit, 20: comparison judgment unit, 21: communication control unit, 22: network interface, 23: network.

Claims (3)

In a network printer system comprising a plurality of same-type printers connected by a local area network, a server installed in an area different from the local network, and a connection network connecting the plurality of printers and the server,
Each of the printers includes a group setting unit that stores priority order settings of the printers.
Determine the top printer as the parent printer,
The parent printer receives the update information from the server and stores the update information in its own storage device,
A printer other than the parent printer communicates with the parent printer to acquire update information.   2. The network printer system according to claim 1, wherein the update information is firmware update data of a printer.   When a printer other than the parent printer determines that data cannot be acquired from the parent printer, the proxy printer is provisionally selected by referring to the group setting unit, and it is confirmed that the communication with the proxy printer is normal. 2. The network printer system according to claim 1, wherein after that, the proxy printer is regarded as a parent printer, the update information is acquired, and the information of its group setting unit is updated.

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