JP2009018543A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To construct a structure which realizes functions equal to those of a hot folder and does not depend on the OS (Operating System) of a client computer as well. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network comprises: a function as a web server; an interface function capable of accessing from a client computer via a Web browser; a function of receiving image data for printing and set information data required for image formation from the Web browser; a function of receiving various control commands controlling the image forming apparatus from the Web browser; and a function of displaying the conditions of the image forming apparatus on the Web browser. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an information processing system, a control system, a recording medium, and a program, and more particularly to a print job input method in an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier connected via a network.

  Generally, a general processing procedure for giving a print instruction from a client computer to an image forming apparatus such as a printer is to supply data to be printed, which is instructed by an application, to an OS operating on the computer and supply it to a printer driver. . The printer driver converts the data (page description language) suitable for the connected printer and outputs the result.

  At this time, if the printer is connected to the network, the data is transmitted to the destination.

  However, printers have different capabilities and functions as well as the language of print data, depending on the manufacturer, model, and printing method. For example, when PostScript (registered trademark) proposed by Adobe in the United States is used as a page description language, print data suitable for a printer to be printed must be prepared.

  In addition, there are various OSs of client computers, and users have to start applications on each OS and use their own drivers. That is, it is necessary to switch the printer driver appropriately according to the environment.

  In fixed environments such as homes and offices that always use the same printer, there was no problem with the operation described above, but in recent years, with the development of wireless LAN and other network technologies, public places such as stations and libraries An environment where you can use the network even if you bring your own computer to an internet cafe is being developed. When using a printer in such an environment, if the conventional operation method is used, search for a driver according to the manufacturer and model name of the printer installed in the environment and the type of OS of the computer you are using. It was difficult to use because it had to be installed.

  In order to solve such a problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-11243 proposes to use a known technique called a hot folder.

  A hot folder is a setting that shares a folder on a server computer on the network with a client computer (Share), and when a print image file is stored in this folder from the client computer, the server computer stores the folder in this hot folder. This is a folder that constantly monitors (polls) a job (image file) in the folder and, when the job is thrown in, leads the job to printing.

By using such a hot folder, the client computer can perform printing only by setting the shared hot folder on the server and the local folder without installing a dedicated printer driver.
JP 2005-11243

  However, in the conventional method, a server is required separately from the image forming apparatus in order to realize the hot folder, and an application for realizing the hot folder on the server is also required separately. For this reason, the server-side application must be updated, for example, when a new printer is added or when a function that can be realized by expanding the existing printer firmware is expanded. Also, depending on the combination of the OS of the server computer and the OS of the client computer, folder sharing settings may not be possible, and hot folders may not be possible in the first place. Furthermore, there is a problem that a server for each manufacturer is required in an environment where printers of a plurality of manufacturers are mixed.

To achieve the above objective,
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network, the image forming apparatus has a function as a web server and can be accessed from a client computer via a web browser. A function for receiving image data for printing and setting information data necessary for image formation from the web browser, and a function for receiving various control commands for controlling the image forming apparatus from the web browser. Because it has a function to display the status of the image forming device on the Web browser, it is not necessary to install a dedicated print driver on the client computer, and it is possible to handle the image forming device as long as a general Web browser is installed. Thus, convenience for the user can be improved. Also,
According to invention of Claim 2,
As a hot folder that allows you to submit a print job by displaying a folder in the image forming apparatus on the Web browser and storing image data and setting information data from the client terminal in the folder displayed on the Web browser Thus, the user can submit a print job with a simple operation of storing print image data in a folder displayed on the Web browser, further improving convenience. Also,
According to invention of Claim 3,
Means for setting an attribute necessary for image formation for the hot folder displayed in the browser, and when print image data is stored in the folder in which the attribute is set, the attribute is set in the folder; Since a print job according to the absence of an attribute is submitted, it can be used repeatedly even when complicated settings are made for the printed matter.

  As described above, according to the present invention, by providing a hot folder function, even if the client computer does not have a dedicated printer driver, a print job is submitted if a general Web browser is installed. It becomes possible to improve convenience. In particular, since the image forming apparatus itself has a function as a Web server and provides an interface for a hot folder, a server for the hot folder is not required in the network, and convenience is further improved. In addition, the server installation space can be saved, and even when a new printer is added or firmware is upgraded, the server hot folder application need not be updated.

Example 1
An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a copying machine according to this embodiment.

  FIG. 100 shows the entire copying machine. Reference numeral 101 denotes an ADF (auto document feeder), which is an apparatus for automatically and sequentially scanning a bundle of documents. Reference numeral 102 denotes an operation panel that performs various settings and adjustments, device status confirmation, and the like. Reference numeral 103 denotes a multi-manual feed for setting paper having a special purpose. Reference numeral 104 denotes a side paper deck which can hold a large amount of paper for printing. Reference numeral 105 denotes a cassette paper deck, which can hold sheets of various sizes in stages. A finisher 106 can perform various finishing processes such as a staple process, a punch process, and a bookbinding process.

  FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the digital copying machine 100. Reference numeral 200 denotes a digital copying machine main body. Reference numeral 280 denotes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder). Reference numeral 201 denotes a platen glass as a document placement table. A scanner 202 includes a scanning mirror 204, an illumination lamp 203, and the like. The scanner is reciprocated in a predetermined direction, and the reflected light passes through the lens 207 via the scanning mirrors 204 to 206 and forms an image on the CCD sensor in the image sensor 208.

  An exposure control unit 209 includes a laser, a polygon scanner, and the like. The exposure control unit 209 converts laser light 219 that is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor unit 208 and modulated based on an image signal that has been subjected to predetermined image processing to be described later. Irradiate the photosensitive drum 211. Around the photosensitive drum 211, a primary charger 212, a developing device 213, a transfer charger 216, a pre-exposure lamp 214, and a cleaning device 215 are provided. In the image forming unit 210, the photosensitive drum 211 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure by a motor (not shown). After being charged to a desired potential by the primary charger 212, the photosensitive drum 211 is supplied from the exposure control unit 209. Irradiation with laser light 219 forms an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 211 is developed by the developing device 213 and visualized as a toner image.

  On the other hand, the recording paper fed from the right cassette deck 221, the left cassette deck 222, the upper cassette 223 or the lower cassette 224 by the pickup rollers 225, 226, 227 and 228 is fed to the main body by the feed rollers 229, 230, 231 and 232. Is transferred to the transfer belt 234 by the registration roller 233, and the visualized toner image is transferred to the recording paper by the transfer charger 216. After the transfer, the photosensitive drum 211 is cleaned of residual toner by the cleaner device 215, and the residual charge is erased by the pre-exposure lamp 214. The recording sheet after transfer is separated from the photosensitive drum 211 by the separation charger 217 and sent to the fixing device 235 by the transfer belt 234. In the fixing device 235, fixing is performed by pressure and heating, and the paper is discharged out of the main body 100 by the discharge roller 236.

  The main body 100 is equipped with a deck 250 that can store, for example, 4000 recording sheets. The lifter 251 of the deck 250 is raised according to the amount of recording paper so that the recording paper always contacts the pickup roller 252, and the recording paper is fed to the main body by the paper feed roller 253. In addition, a multi-manual feed 254 that can accommodate 100 recording sheets is provided.

  Further, in FIG. 2, reference numeral 237 denotes a paper discharge flapper, which switches the path between the conveyance path 238 side and the discharge path 243 side. A lower conveyance path 240 guides the recording sheet sent from the paper discharge roller 236 upside down through the reversing path 239 to the re-feeding path 241. The recording paper fed from the left cassette deck 222 by the paper feed roller 230 is also guided to the refeed path 241. A re-feed roller 242 re-feeds the recording paper to the image forming unit 210. A discharge roller 244 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge flapper 237 and discharges the recording paper switched to the discharge path 243 side by the discharge flapper 237 to the outside of the apparatus.

  During double-sided recording (double-sided copying), the paper discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the copied recording paper is guided to the refeeding path 241 via the transport path 238, the reverse path 239, and the lower transport path 240. At this time, all the trailing edge of the recording paper is pulled out of the conveyance path 238 by the reversing roller 245 and is drawn into the reversing path 239 to a position where the recording paper is engaged with the reversing roller 245, and is conveyed by reversing the reversing roller 245. Send to path 240. When the recording paper is reversed and discharged from the main body, the discharge flapper 237 is raised upward, and the reverse roller 245 pulls the recording paper to the reverse path 239 to the position where the rear end of the recording paper remains in the transport path 238. , The recording paper is turned over and sent to the discharge roller 244 side.

  Reference numeral 290 denotes a paper discharge processing device that aligns and closes the recording sheets discharged from the main body 200, and stacks the recording sheets discharged one by one on the processing tray 294 to align them. When the discharge of part of the image formation is completed, the recording paper bundle is stapled and discharged to the discharge tray 292 or 293 as a bundle. The sheet discharge tray 293 is controlled to move up and down by a motor (not shown), moves to the position of the processing tray 294 before the start of the image forming operation, and then the height of the sheet surface is increased as the discharged recording sheets are stacked. Moves to the position of the processing tray 294. Further, a tray lower limit sensor (not shown) for detecting the lower limit of the discharge tray 293 is provided so as to detect when about 2000 recording sheets are stacked on the discharge tray 293. Reference numeral 291 denotes a paper tray on which separator sheets to be inserted between the discharged recording sheets are stacked. Reference numeral 295 denotes a Z-folding machine that Z-folds the discharged recording sheets. Reference numeral 296 denotes a bookbinding machine that performs bookbinding by collectively folding a part of the ejected recording paper and performing stapling, and the bound paper bundle is ejected to an ejection tray 297.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the network system in the present embodiment.

  A system 100 in FIG. 1 is an example of a network system in an office or the like, and a PC 110 and an image forming apparatus 109 are connected on the same network. In this embodiment, it is a wired network, but it may be wireless.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a simple flow when a client computer submits a print job using the hot folder function provided from the image forming apparatus. Detailed flows of the client computer and the image forming apparatus are separately shown in FIGS. 401 is a connection request from the client computer to the image forming apparatus. The connection request is made using a normal Web browser and the communication protocol is Http, so it does not depend on the OS installed on the client computer or the form of the physical network. Reference numeral 402 denotes the movement of the image forming apparatus that has received the connection request. The image forming apparatus functions as a Web server and can accept access from a client computer. In addition, a function that enables bidirectional communication between servers / clients, such as servlets and CGIs, is included, so that various control requests from clients, which will be described later, can be accepted. In 402, since it is a hot folder display request, the image forming apparatus searches for a folder for external disclosure, and creates screen information (HTML format) based on the search result. In 403, the screen information created in 402 is transmitted to the client computer. A hot folder configuration screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the screen of the Web browser of the client computer that has received the screen information. In 404, the user operates the hot folder configuration screen displayed in 403 to store the print image in a specific folder. For storing, 505 described later is used. In 405, the image data stored in 404 is actually transmitted to the image forming apparatus. The image formats that can be transmitted at this time are, for example, JPG, GIF, TIFF, PDF, PS, etc., and do not depend on a specific OS. In 406, the image data received in 405 is received and actually input as a print job. In 407, the input print job is executed to complete the printing since the user.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a hot folder screen displayed on the Web browser of the client computer. A web browser 500 is used for normal web browsing, and does not have to be specially prepared for a hot folder. Reference numeral 501 is a visualization of a folder existing in the image forming apparatus. By clicking with a mouse or the like, a file list existing in the folder can be displayed in 502. Reference numeral 503 denotes a button for changing the attribute set in the folder, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 504 denotes a button for transmitting a command for creating a new folder to the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 505 denotes a button for transmitting a command for deleting an existing folder to the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 506 denotes a button for transmitting an image file to a specific folder, and an image file existing in the client computer can be stored in the folder. The stored file is printed by the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 507 denotes a button for sending a command for deleting a file stored in the folder to the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 508 denotes a button for checking the print attributes set in the folder, and a print attribute check dialog (not shown) can be started to check the current setting contents. If it is desired to change the attribute, 503 is used. Reference numeral 509 denotes a button for sending a command for reprinting an image file existing in the folder to the image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 510 denotes an address bar, which makes it possible to access the hot folder by inputting the URL of the image forming apparatus.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow when a print job is input from a client computer through a hot folder. In 601, the image forming apparatus is accessed using a Web browser. In order to access, the URL of the image forming apparatus is entered in the address field 510. Reference numeral 602 denotes a state waiting for a response from the image forming apparatus. When there is a response, the hot folder configuration screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the Web browser. In 603, an arbitrary folder is selected. In order to select, the folder displayed in 501 may be clicked with a mouse or the like. If it is desired to confirm the attribute set in the selected folder, 508 is used. In 604, an image to be printed is stored in a folder. 506 is used for storing. When the user presses 506, a file selection screen (not shown) for storing opens and a file can be selected. Input of the print job is completed by storing the file.

  FIG. 7 is a flow when the image forming apparatus receives a hot folder display request. Reference numeral 701 denotes a state in which the image forming apparatus is waiting for a connection request from a client computer. If there is a connection request from the client computer, the process proceeds to 702. In 702, information on the folder structure inside the image forming apparatus is collected. In 703, a hot folder configuration screen (HTML format) is created based on the information collected in 702. In 704, the screen information created in 703 is transmitted as a response to the connection request.

  FIG. 8 is a flow when an image is transmitted from the client computer. When a file transmission (store) command is received from the client in 801, actual image data is received in 802 and stored in the corresponding folder. In step 803, the image is input as a print job. In 804, the print request from the client is completed by executing the job input in 803.

  FIG. 9 is a flow when changing the printing attributes set in the folder. When the user presses 508, 901 is issued. At this time, the corresponding folder is passed as an argument. In step 902, the image forming apparatus that has received 901 acquires the setting attribute of the corresponding folder. The setting attribute is stored in a text file format in each folder. In 903, the information acquired in 902 is transmitted to the client computer. The setting information is displayed on the Web browser of the client computer that acquired the information. Reference numeral 904 denotes an operation when the user changes the setting attribute. In order to change the setting attribute, when 503 is pressed, an attribute setting dialog (not shown) is launched and various attributes can be set. In 905, the attribute set in 904 is transmitted to the image forming apparatus. At this time, the corresponding folder is passed as an argument. In 906, the information received in 905 is overwritten on the setting file stored in the corresponding folder. In 907, the result is transmitted to the client computer.

  FIG. 10 is an example when various control commands are executed. 1001 is an example when the user presses 504 to transmit a folder creation command. When the user presses 504, a folder name input dialog (not shown) is launched and the user inputs a folder name. The input folder name is passed to the image forming apparatus as an argument 1001. Upon receiving 1001, the image forming apparatus creates a new folder in 1002, and creates screen information to which the new folder has been added. Then, the information is transmitted at 1003. Reference numeral 1004 is an example when the user presses 509 to transmit a reprint command. When the reprint button is pressed, the folder name selected in 501 and the file name selected in 502 are passed as arguments. Upon receiving 1004, the image forming apparatus searches for the corresponding file. The found image is submitted as a print job. Reference numeral 1006 denotes an example of a folder deletion command when the user presses 507. When the user presses 507, the folder name selected in 501 is passed as an argument. Upon receiving 1006, the image forming apparatus deletes the corresponding folder and creates screen information from which the folder has been deleted. Then, the information is transmitted at 1007. If an image file or folder is included in the folder to be deleted, the deletion of the folder fails.

An example of a copier configuration. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a digital copying machine as an example of an image forming apparatus. An example of a system configuration. Sequence between client computer and hot folder. An example of a hot folder configuration screen. Flow when a client computer submits a job from a hot folder. A flow when the image forming apparatus receives a hot folder display request. Flow when an image is sent from a client computer. Flow when changing printing attributes set in a folder. Examples of executing various control commands.

Explanation of symbols

100 digital copier
101 ADF (Auto Document Feeder)
102 Control panel
103 Multi-bypass
104 Side paper deck
105 cassette paper deck
106 Finisher
201 Document table
202 scanner
203 Original illumination lamp
221 Right cassette deck
222 Left cassette deck
223 Upper cassette
224 Lower cassette
225, 226, 227, 228, 252 Pickup roller
229, 230, 231, 232, 253 Feed roller
236, 244 Output roller
238 Transport path
250 decks
251 Lifter
254 Multi Manual Feed
280 paper tray

Claims (3)

  In an image forming apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving data via a network, the image forming apparatus has a function as a web server, and has an interface function that can be accessed from a client computer via a web browser. And a function of receiving setting information data necessary for image formation from the web browser, a function of receiving various control commands for controlling the image forming apparatus from the web browser, and indicating the status of the image forming apparatus to the web An image forming apparatus having a function of displaying on a browser.   As a hot folder that allows you to submit a print job by displaying a folder in the image forming apparatus on the Web browser and storing image data and setting information data from the client terminal in the folder displayed on the Web browser The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has the following functions.   Means for setting an attribute necessary for image formation for the hot folder displayed in the browser, and when print image data is stored in the folder in which the attribute is set, the attribute is set in the folder; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a print job according to the content of the attribute is input.

Images