JP2009206739A - Communicating system and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control an amount of communication required for printing a message showing a recovering method of an error with the other apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In this communication system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as multi-function apparatuses are capable of making communications through LAN or the like. The multi-function apparatus forming this system prints a message showing a recovering method for error generated in the own apparatus on a printing sheet (S135). However, if an error such as jamming or the like is generated to disable the printing operation, the own apparatus cannot print such error message. Accordingly, when such print disabling error of this type is generated (Yes in S130), an error code is transmitted to the other corresponding type of apparatus (multi-function apparatus) (S165). On the other hand, upon reception of the error code, the multi-function apparatus reads manual data corresponding to the error code from NVRAM and processes this manual data to print the message showing the error recovering method corresponding to the error code on the printing sheet. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses are communicably connected to each other through a network, and an image forming apparatus constituting the communication system.

  Conventionally, as a communication system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a printer device and a multi-function peripheral are communicably connected, printing of a countermeasure for an error that occurs when the image forming apparatus executes a print job, There is known a system in which a forming apparatus is instructed through a network and a countermeasure is printed on another image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

As an error that occurs when a print job is executed, a paper jam (jam) is known. However, in the conventional system, when a jam occurs, a countermeasure for the jam is printed on another image forming apparatus. Thus, the jam is notified to the user, and the user can easily remove the jam.
JP 2001-265559 A

  However, in the conventional system, the image data (FAX data, etc.) necessary for printing the countermeasure for the error is transferred from the image forming apparatus from which the error has occurred, as in the case where a print instruction is issued from the personal computer to the image forming apparatus. The amount of communication necessary for causing the other image forming apparatus to print the error countermeasure because the error countermeasure print is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus and the other image forming apparatus executes the error countermeasure print. There was a problem that the network load was heavy.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and is a technique capable of suppressing the amount of communication required when another image forming apparatus executes the formation of a message representing a method for dealing with an error on a recording sheet. The purpose is to provide.

  The communication system according to claim 1, which has been made to achieve the above object, includes a plurality of image forming units including a communication unit capable of communicating with a device in a network and an image forming unit capable of forming an image on a recording sheet. The apparatuses are connected so as to communicate with each other through a network.

  In this communication system, at least one image forming apparatus among the plurality of image forming apparatuses transmits an error code corresponding to an error occurring in the own apparatus to another image in the network through communication means included in the own apparatus. The image forming apparatus is configured as a first image forming apparatus including a notification unit that transmits to the forming apparatus.

  When at least one of the plurality of image forming apparatuses that can communicate with the first image forming apparatus receives an error code from the first image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus included in the image forming apparatus includes , A control means for forming a message representing an error handling method corresponding to the received error code on the recording sheet, an error code for each type of error code transmitted from the first image forming apparatus, The second image forming apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between a message to be formed on the recording sheet in response to reception of the error code.

  Then, the control unit included in the second image forming apparatus identifies a message to be formed in the image forming unit included in the own apparatus according to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit included in the own apparatus, and causes the image forming unit to Then, a message representing an error handling method corresponding to the error code received from the first image forming apparatus is formed on the recording sheet.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present invention, when the image forming apparatus stores the correspondence relationship between the error code and the message, the message representing the error handling method is output to the other image forming apparatus. Even if job data (image data) is not transmitted to the image forming apparatus, it is sufficient to transmit an error code.

Therefore, according to this communication system, it is possible to suppress the amount of communication necessary for causing another image forming apparatus to form a message indicating a method for dealing with an error on a recording sheet.
Specifically, the first image forming apparatus may include a search unit that searches for the second image forming apparatus existing in the network. Further, the notifying unit selectively selects the second image forming apparatus discovered by the searching unit from the plurality of image forming apparatuses existing in the network based on the search result of the searching unit included in the own apparatus. An error code may be transmitted (claim 2).

  If the image forming apparatus is configured as described above, the second image forming apparatus is selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the network in which the image forming apparatuses not having the function as the second image forming apparatus are mixed. And the image forming apparatus can output the message with a small amount of communication.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize the image forming operation of the message by exchanging the error code without requiring the user to input address information of the second image forming apparatus existing in the network in advance. It is possible to provide a highly convenient communication system for the user.

  In addition, the first image forming apparatus may be provided with an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the presence / absence of a job involving an image forming operation from each of the second image forming apparatuses existing in the network through a communication unit. Good. Further, the notifying unit selectively selects an image forming apparatus that does not have a job from among the second image forming apparatuses discovered by the searching unit based on the information indicating the presence or absence of the job acquired by the acquiring unit. It may be configured to transmit an error code (claim 3).

  When an error code is transmitted to an image forming apparatus having a job and an operation of outputting a message corresponding to the error code to a recording sheet is executed, the job that the image forming apparatus has is processed. No message will be output until it is finished. In addition, if the image forming apparatus executes the output operation of the message to the recording sheet in preference to the job, the completion of the job is delayed, and the job user is inconvenienced.

  Therefore, if an error code is transmitted to a standby image forming apparatus that does not have a job as in the present invention and a message is output to the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus in the network is It can be used efficiently to tell the user how to deal with errors.

  Further, the above-described communication system may be configured to transmit an error code from the image forming apparatus that has generated the error to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, but a message image forming operation is performed in the plurality of image forming apparatuses. This may lead to wasted recording sheets.

  Therefore, when there are a plurality of second image forming apparatuses discovered by the search means, the notifying unit selects an image forming apparatus to which an error code is to be transmitted from among the plurality of second image forming apparatuses discovered. One may be selected according to a predetermined rule, and an error code may be transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus.

  According to the communication system configured as described above, it is not necessary to output a message by a plurality of image forming apparatuses, and waste of the recording sheet can be prevented. As a matter of course, the network load can also be suppressed.

  In realizing such a communication system, the first image forming apparatus is accompanied by an image forming operation of the second image forming apparatus from each of the second image forming apparatuses existing in the network. It is preferable to provide acquisition means for acquiring information representing the amount of jobs through communication means.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of second image forming apparatuses discovered by the search means, the notifying unit is configured to detect the plurality of second image forming apparatuses found based on information indicating the amount of jobs acquired by the acquiring unit. The image forming apparatus having the smallest job amount may be selected as the target image forming apparatus to which the error code is transmitted.

  If the communication system is configured in this way, it is possible to realize output of a message indicating a method for dealing with an error by using an image forming apparatus that is not used so much, and the image forming apparatus in the network can be efficiently used. Utilizing this, the output of the message can be realized.

  In addition, to the extent that a message indicating how to deal with an error is formed on a recording sheet, the user who viewed the recording sheet may not be able to grasp which image forming apparatus has the error. Therefore, the communication system may be configured as follows.

  That is, the notification means may be configured to transmit the identification information of the image forming apparatus on which it is installed as the error code transmission source information to the error code transmission destination image forming apparatus together with the error code. In addition, the control unit causes the image forming unit to form, on the recording sheet, a message representing a method for dealing with the error corresponding to the received error code together with the image corresponding to the transmission source information received together with the error code. (Claim 6).

  When the communication system is configured in this way, the user can easily know the error forming source image forming apparatus as well as the error handling method just by looking at the recording sheet on which the message is formed. The error can be dealt with by moving to the location of the image forming apparatus from which the error occurred.

  Further, the second image forming apparatus is configured such that when the message indicating the error handling method is formed on the recording sheet by the control unit, the image formed by the image forming unit is maintained for a period from the point in time until the predetermined release condition is satisfied. It may be configured to include a prohibiting means for prohibiting the forming operation. After the message is formed on the recording sheet, when the image forming unit operates and another recording sheet is output, the recording sheet is discharged so that the other recording sheet overlaps the recording sheet on which the message is formed. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the user to find the recording sheet on which the message is formed. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus is configured so as to temporarily prohibit the image forming operation by the image forming unit as in the present invention, the above-mentioned problem that it is difficult to find can be avoided.

  The release condition can be determined by, for example, the elapsed time since the message representing the error handling method is formed on the recording sheet. In addition, the prohibiting unit may be configured to cancel the prohibiting operation, assuming that the canceling condition is satisfied when a canceling command is input through the user interface.

  The control unit included in the second image forming apparatus receives the error code from the first image forming apparatus. Thereafter, the control unit included in the second image forming apparatus is triggered by the input of a print command through the user interface. In addition, a message representing a method of dealing with an error corresponding to the received error code may be formed on the recording sheet.

  Even if the image forming operation is not temporarily prohibited, if the image forming apparatus is configured to output a message in response to the input of a print command from the user in this way, the recording in which the message is formed is performed. It is possible to prevent another recording sheet from overlapping the sheet, and to prevent the user from finding a recording sheet on which a message is formed.

  The first image forming apparatus is preferably provided with display means for displaying the progress of the image forming operation performed by the second image forming apparatus due to reception of the error code transmitted by the notifying means ( Claim 9). If the progress of the image forming operation performed in the second image forming apparatus is displayed in this way, the time when the message output by the second image forming apparatus is completed is notified to the user through the display of the first image forming apparatus. be able to. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  In addition, the first image forming apparatus is provided with an evaluation unit that evaluates the number of occurrences of the error for each type of error. The notification unit may be configured to transmit an error code corresponding to the error only for an error evaluated by the evaluation unit as being generated a large number of times without transmitting an error code corresponding to the error (claim 10). .

  In this way, if the communication system is configured so as not to transmit an error code of an error with a small number of occurrences, the error code is sent to the second image forming apparatus every time an error occurs in the first image forming apparatus. No need to send. Accordingly, the second image forming apparatus need not frequently execute the message image forming operation in response to the reception of the error code, and as a result, other processes executed by the second image forming apparatus are affected. Can be suppressed.

  In addition, when an error occurs in which the image forming operation cannot be performed by the image forming unit, the notifying unit sends a second image forming apparatus in the network to the error code corresponding to the error through a communication unit included in the own apparatus. 11 to a specific type of image forming apparatus expressed by 11).

  When an error such as a jam occurs, the image forming apparatus in which the error has occurred can no longer output a message indicating the error handling method to the recording sheet. Therefore, in this case, it is necessary to perform the message image forming operation in another image forming apparatus. However, if the above-described invention is applied to such a system, the other image forming apparatus can be used efficiently. , It is possible to tell the user how to deal with the error.

  Further, the first image forming apparatus is provided with a determination unit that determines whether or not the second image forming apparatus is connected in the network, and the notification unit is configured to determine whether the second image forming apparatus is in the network by the determination unit. When it is determined that the forming apparatus is not connected, instead of transmitting an error code, image data describing a message indicating a method for dealing with an error is transmitted to a pre-registered image forming apparatus. (Claim 12).

  If the first image forming apparatus is configured as described above, a message indicating a method for coping with an error is output to another image forming apparatus corresponding to a network to which the second image forming apparatus is not connected. be able to.

  Further, the invention of the communication system has been described above. However, the first and second image forming apparatuses constituting the communication system can be manufactured and sold alone (claims 11 to 11). Claim 13).

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, this invention is not limited to the Example demonstrated below, A various aspect can be taken.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 100 according to the first embodiment. A communication system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of image forming apparatuses such as a digital multifunction peripheral 1, a printer apparatus 3, and a FAX (facsimile) apparatus 5, and a well-known PC (personal computer) 7, which is a LAN (local area network). 9 are communicably connected to each other. The communication system 100 is constructed in a corporate office, for example.

  In the present embodiment, the technical idea as the first and second image forming apparatuses expressed in “Claims” is applied to the multifunction device 1 among the nodes constituting the communication system 100. .

  Next, details of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 10 that performs overall control of each unit in the apparatus, a printing unit 20, a reading unit 30, a display unit 40, a sound output unit 50, an operation unit 60, a LAN communication unit 70, and a FAX. And a network printer function, a FAX function, and the like by operating these units.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 11 that executes various programs, a RAM 13 that is used as a work area when the CPU 11 executes the programs, and an NVRAM 15 that is a data rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores programs executed by the CPU 11 and various setting information ( A flash memory).

  Further, the printing unit 20 forms an image based on the designated print target data on a sheet fed from the tray in the same manner as a known laser printer in accordance with a command signal input from the control unit 10. . Specifically, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor based on the print target data, the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet. As a result, an image based on the print target data is formed on the paper. The printing unit 20 is used, for example, when realizing a network printer function or a FAX function.

  The reading unit 30 optically reads a document set on a document table in accordance with a command signal input from the control unit 10 to generate read image data representing a read result of the document, and the read image data Is a well-known scanner device that inputs to the control unit 10. The reading unit 30 is used, for example, when realizing a FAX function.

  On the other hand, the display part 40 is controlled by the control part 10, and displays various information toward a user. The display unit 40 according to the present embodiment is configured by a display that has a capability of displaying only a few tens of katakana characters. The display unit 40 is used for, for example, simple error display. It is done.

  In addition, the sound output unit 50 is configured to be able to output several types of beep sounds from a speaker, and is controlled by the control unit 10 to output a beep sound. This beep sound is used to notify the user of the occurrence of an error or the completion of processing.

The operation unit 60 is configured as a user interface including various operation keys that can be operated by the user, and inputs operation key pressing information to the control unit 10.
The LAN communication unit 70 is configured by a well-known LAN interface, and is connected to the LAN 9 so as to be communicable with a node in the LAN 9. The LAN communication unit 70 is used to communicate with the multifunction machine 1 or the PC 7 connected to the LAN 9.

In addition, the FAX communication unit 80 includes a well-known FAX modem, and is configured to be able to perform FAX communication with an external FAX apparatus 5 through a telephone line network.
Next, processing executed by the CPU 11 of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an error output control process executed by the CPU 11 when an error occurs in the own apparatus. When an error occurs in the MFP 1 of this embodiment, the CPU 11 executes the error output control process in the CPU 11, thereby generating an error or error to the user through the display unit 40 or the printing unit 20. Report how to deal with. Also, by executing this error output control process, when an error (such as a jam) that prevents the printing (image forming) operation by the printing unit 20 has occurred, an error is issued to other image forming apparatuses in the LAN 9. Request notification of how to deal with.

  When the error output control process is started, the CPU 11 first displays a message corresponding to the generated error on the display unit 40 and at the same time outputs a beep sound for generating an error to the sound output unit 50. The occurrence is notified to the user (S110).

  FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an error output database stored in the NVRAM 15 by the multifunction device 1. The error output database shown in FIG. 3A includes an error code of each error occurring in the multifunction device 1, a display message to be displayed on the display unit 40 when an error occurs, and a print unit 20 when an error occurs. Correspondence with manual data to be printed is written. Note that the manual data here is image data in which a message indicating a method of dealing with an error is written. The display message and manual data are stored in advance in the NVRAM 15 at the manufacturing stage.

  In S110, the error output database is referred to, a display message corresponding to the generated error code is read, and the read message is displayed on the display unit 40. Accordingly, the type of error that has occurred is notified to the user via the display unit 40. For example, when a jam occurs, a message such as “Yoshigatsumarishimata” is displayed on the display unit 40.

  When the processing in S110 is completed, the CPU 11 updates the error occurrence count NE for the error that has occurred this time to a value obtained by adding 1 (S120). The RAM 13 stores the error occurrence number NE for each error. Here, the error occurrence number NE for the error that has occurred this time is added to the error occurrence number NE for each error stored in the RAM 13. Update to

  When the process in S120 is completed, the process proceeds to S123, and whether or not the error occurrence number NE that has occurred this time is greater than or equal to a predetermined number based on information on the number of occurrences NE of the error that has occurred this time. Determine whether.

  If it is determined that the error occurrence number NE is less than the predetermined number (No in S123), the error output control process is terminated. If it is determined that the error occurrence number NE is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (Yes in S123), S127. Migrate to In step S127, the error occurrence count NE stored in the RAM 13 is reset to zero.

  When the process of S127 is completed, the process proceeds to S130, and the error that has occurred this time is an error in which an image forming operation (printing operation) through the printing unit 20 is impossible unless the error is resolved (hereinafter referred to as an unprintable error). It is determined whether or not.

  An example of an unprintable error is jam (paper jam). In this embodiment, an error code to be determined as an unprintable error is determined in advance. If an error corresponding to this error code occurs, it is determined in S130 that the error that has occurred this time is an unprintable error. To do.

  If it is determined that the error that has occurred this time is not an unprintable error (No in S130), the process proceeds to S135, and the manual data associated with the error code of the error that has occurred this time is transferred from the NVRAM 15 based on the error output database. The reading and printing unit 20 forms (prints) an image based on the manual data. In this way, in S135, the printing unit 20 executes a process (hereinafter, referred to as error printing) for forming a message indicating how to deal with the error that has occurred on the paper.

  In the MFP 1 of this embodiment, the CPU 11 executes a print job management process (not shown) in parallel with the error output control process, and is registered in the print queue by this print job management process. The selected print job data is sequentially selected, a print job corresponding to the selected print job data is executed, and the printing unit 20 is caused to form an image corresponding to the print job data on a sheet.

  Accordingly, in S135, for example, the read manual data is registered in the print queue as print job data, thereby causing the printing unit 20 to form (print) an image based on the manual data.

However, if the multifunction device 1 is configured to execute error printing after waiting for another print job to be executed in this manner, notification of a method for dealing with the error tends to be delayed.
Therefore, in S135, the print job management process is temporarily stopped, the printing unit 20 is formed (printed) based on the manual data, and the print job management process is resumed after the printing of the manual data is completed. Also good. That is, the multifunction device 1 may be configured to execute error printing in preference to execution of a print job.

When the process in S135 is completed, the CPU 11 ends the error output control process.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S130 that the error that has occurred this time is an unprintable error (Yes in S130), the CPU 11 proceeds to S140 and sends a machine information acquisition command to each LAN 9 that exists in the LAN 9 via the LAN communication unit 70. The information is transmitted to the node, and machine information is acquired from each node connected to the LAN 9. Then, based on the acquired machine information, it is determined whether or not an image forming apparatus of a model registered in the compatible model list stored in the NVRAM 15 is connected to the LAN 9 (S150).

  Note that the response data for the machine information acquisition command includes, as machine information, the node address, node name, and model ID representing the model of the response data transmission source device. In addition, the corresponding model list stored in the NVRAM 15 describes each model ID of an image forming apparatus that can request an error print by an error code. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the corresponding model list.

  That is, in S140, as a response to the machine information acquisition command, it is determined whether or not the model ID indicated by each response data received by the LAN communication unit 70 is a model ID registered in the corresponding model list. Thus, for each response data, it is determined whether or not the transmission source device of the response data is an image forming device of a model registered in the corresponding model list.

  If it is determined that the image forming apparatus of the model registered in the supported model list (that is, the supported model) is connected to the LAN 9 (Yes in S150), the process proceeds to S160, and the supported model is connected to the LAN 9. If it is determined that there is not (No in S150), the process proceeds to S151.

  In step S151, the CPU 11 reads from the NVRAM 15 a FAX number set in advance as an error print request destination by the user. Note that an extension number in the office is basically set as the FAX number of the error print request destination.

  In addition, when the processing in S151 is completed, the CPU 11 reads the manual data associated with the error code of the error that has occurred this time from the NVRAM 15, and converts the read manual data into FAX data as image data for FAX transmission. (S153).

  Specifically, the read manual data is converted into TIFF format image data (hereinafter referred to as TIFF data). The manual data stored in the NVRAM 15 is assumed to be PDL data for printing.

Further, at the time of conversion from manual data to TIFF data, a process of adding the node name of the own device as identification information of the error generating device to the manual data is performed.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image printed by manual data. The manual data is configured as image data for one page or a plurality of pages, and is further provided with a column for describing identification information of the error source device (inside the dotted line in the figure).

  In S153, the node name of the multifunction device 1 is added as identification information of the error source device to the description field of the error source device identification information in the manual data, and the added manual data is converted into TIFF data. , FAX data is generated.

  Then, the FAX data generated in S153 is FAX-transmitted to the FAX number destination read in S151 through the FAX communication unit 80, so that the FAX data generated in the FAX number destination image forming apparatus (FAX apparatus 5) is converted into the generated FAX data. The based image is printed on paper (S155).

  In this manner, when an unprintable error occurs, the FAX number destination image forming apparatus is caused to execute error printing on behalf. When the process in S155 is finished, the error output control process is finished.

In addition, when the process proceeds to S160, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a plurality of compatible models are connected to the LAN 9.
That is, based on each response data received by the LAN communication unit 70 as a response to the machine information acquisition command, the node that has transmitted the response data representing the model ID that matches the model ID registered in the corresponding model list is sent to the LAN 9. It is determined whether or not there are a plurality.

  If it is determined that a plurality of compatible models are connected to the LAN 9 (Yes in S160), the process proceeds to S170. If it is determined that a plurality of compatible models are not connected (No in S160), the process proceeds to S165.

  In S165, the CPU 11 determines the error code of the error that occurred this time and the identification information of the own device (node) for the only node other than the own device connected to the LAN 9 of the model registered in the compatible model list. Error notification data describing the name) is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70. It is assumed that the node name of the multifunction device 1 is set in advance and stored in the NVRAM 15. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S180.

On the other hand, when proceeding to S170, the CPU 11 executes the selection process shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the selection process executed by the CPU 11.
When the selection process is started, the CPU 11 first transmits a status acquisition command to each corresponding model connected to the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70, and acquires status information as response data from each corresponding model ( S171).

  The response data for the status acquisition command includes, as status information of the response data transmission source device, information indicating whether the response data transmission source device is in a “printing”, “standby”, or “printing prohibited” state. It is included. Specifically, the status information “printing prohibited” indicates that the response data transmission source apparatus is in a state where execution of the printing operation by the printing unit 20 is prohibited.

  On the other hand, the status information “printing” indicates that the response data transmission source apparatus is in a state other than “printing prohibited” and has print job data in the print queue. In addition, the status information “standby” indicates that the response data transmission source device is in a state other than “printing prohibited”, has no print job data in the print queue, and has passed through the printing unit 20. This indicates that the image forming operation is not executed.

  As described above, the status information indirectly indicates the presence / absence of a job. In this embodiment, based on the presence / absence of this job, an image forming apparatus without a job is preferentially selected as an error print request destination apparatus. .

  That is, when the processing in S171 is completed, the CPU 11 indicates status information “standby” among the compatible models connected to the LAN 9, based on the status information received from each compatible model via the LAN communication unit 70. It is determined whether or not a compatible model exists (S173).

  When it is determined that there is a compatible model indicating the status information “standby” (Yes in S173), one of the compatible models indicating the status information “standby” is selected, and the selected compatible model is selected. Then, the error notification data describing the error code of the error that has occurred this time and the identification information (node name) of the device itself is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70 (S179).

  If there are a plurality of compatible models indicating status information of “standby”, only one compatible model to which error notification data is transmitted is selected in S179. Then, the corresponding model that responded most quickly to the status acquisition command is selected as the target for sending error notification data. Further, the corresponding model may be selected according to other rules.

When the process in S179 is completed, the CPU 11 ends the selection process and proceeds to S180.
In addition, if it is determined that there is no compatible model indicating the status information “standby” (No in S173), the CPU 11 proceeds to S175 and obtains the number of jobs for each compatible model connected to the LAN 9. A command is transmitted, and information on the number of waiting jobs is acquired as response data from each corresponding model (S175). Note that the response data for the job number acquisition command includes information on the number of print job data registered in the print queue as the number of waiting jobs.

  When the process in S175 is completed, the CPU 11 determines the error code of the error that occurred this time and the own device's error for the corresponding model with the smallest number of waiting jobs based on the information on the number of waiting jobs acquired from each corresponding model. Error notification data describing the identification information (node name) is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70 (S177). However, when there are a plurality of nodes corresponding to the corresponding model with the smallest number of waiting jobs, one of them is selected, and error notification data is transmitted to the selected corresponding model through the LAN communication unit 70. To do. The selection rule may be the same as the selection rule in S179 described above.

  In addition, in S177, the corresponding model with “the printing prohibition” is excluded, the corresponding model with the smallest number of waiting jobs is selected from the corresponding models with “printing”, and the error notification data is displayed on the corresponding model. May be transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70.

Thus, when the process in S177 is completed, the selection process is terminated, and the process proceeds to S180.
In step S180, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 40 to display a message to the effect that an error print request has been made to another image forming apparatus, and also displays the identification information (node name) of the error print request destination apparatus on the display unit 40. ) Is displayed.

  Thereafter, this display state is maintained until a print end notification is received from the error print request destination apparatus via the LAN communication unit 70. If it is determined that the print end notification is received (Yes in S190), the process proceeds to S195.

  In S195, the fact that the error printing is completed is displayed on the display unit 40 as the progress information of the requested error printing. Thereafter, the error output control process ends.

  Next, a description will be given of a reception response process that the CPU 11 repeatedly executes after the MFP 1 is activated. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the reception response process executed by the CPU 11. This reception response process is executed in parallel with the error output control process described above.

  When the reception response process is started, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a machine information acquisition command has been received from a node in the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70 (S210), and determines that a machine information acquisition command has been received (S210). Yes), the process proceeds to S215.

  In S215, response data describing the machine information of the own device (in other words, the node address of the own device, the node name, and the model ID representing the model) is sent to the transmission source device of the machine information acquisition command. The data is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70. Thereafter, the reception response process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that a machine information acquisition command has not been received (No in S210), it is determined whether a status acquisition command has been received from a node in the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70 (S220). Is determined (Yes in S220), the process proceeds to S225.

  In S225, the response data describing the status information of the own device is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70 to the transmission source device of the status acquisition command. For example, when the own apparatus is in a state where execution of the printing operation by the printing unit 20 is prohibited, response data describing status information “printing prohibited” is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70.

  On the other hand, when the own apparatus has the print job data in the print queue, the response data describing the status information “printing” is transmitted through the LAN communication unit 70. If the device does not have print job data in the print queue and there is no print job being executed, response data describing status information “standby” is sent to the LAN communication unit. 70 through. Thereafter, the reception response process is terminated.

  In addition, if it is determined that a status acquisition command has not been received (No in S220), the CPU 11 determines whether a job number acquisition command has been received from a node in the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70 (S230). If it is determined that the job number acquisition command has been received (Yes in S230), the process proceeds to S235.

  In S235, response data describing the number of print job data registered in the print queue of the own apparatus is transmitted to the transmission source apparatus of the job number acquisition command through the LAN communication unit 70 as the number of waiting jobs. Thereafter, the reception response process is terminated.

  In addition, if it is determined that the job number acquisition command has not been received (No in S230), it is determined whether print job data has been received from a node (such as PC 7) in the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70 (S240). If it is determined that the print job data has been received (Yes in S240), the received print job data is registered in the print queue (S245), and the reception response process is terminated.

  If it is determined that print job data has not been received (No in S240), it is determined whether FAX data has been received from an external FAX device via the FAX communication unit 80 (S250), and FAX data has been received. If it is determined (Yes in S250), it is registered in the print queue as print job data (S255). Thereafter, the reception response process is terminated.

  In addition, if it is determined that the FAX data is not received (No in S250), the error code and the identification information (node name) of the error source device are recorded from the node (supported model) in the LAN 9 through the LAN communication unit 70. It is determined whether the received error notification data has been received (S260). If it is determined that the error notification data has been received (Yes in S260), the proxy output process shown in FIG. 7 is started (S265). Thereafter, the reception response process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the error notification data has not been received (No in S260), the reception response process is terminated without executing the proxy output process.

Next, proxy output processing executed by the CPU 11 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a proxy output process executed by the CPU 11.
When the proxy output process is started, the CPU 11 reads the manual data corresponding to the error code received as the error notification data from the NVRAM 15 according to the correspondence relationship indicated by the error output database stored in the NVRAM 15 (S310).

  Further, by adding the identification information (node name information) of the error source device received together with the error code as error notification data to the description column of the identification information of the error source device in the read manual data, the manual data The process which processes is performed (S320). In S320, the identification information (node name) of the error source device is printed on the paper in this way when printing manual data (see FIG. 4).

  When the process in S320 is completed, the process proceeds to S330, and the manual data processed in S320 is used to form (print) an image based on the manual data in the printing unit 20 in the same manner as the process in S135. ) In this manner, in S330, the error print requested from the other apparatus is executed, and the printing unit 20 is caused to form a message on the paper indicating a method for dealing with the error generated in the request source apparatus.

  When the image forming operation (printing operation) for each page based on the manual data is finished and the error printing is finished (Yes in S340), the CPU 11 proceeds to S350 and the error notification data corresponding to the finished error printing. Is sent to the error print request source apparatus that has sent the message through the LAN communication unit 70 (S350). In this way, in this embodiment, the error print progress information is transmitted to the error print request source apparatus. Thereafter, the proxy output process is terminated. The above is the content of the proxy output process.

  In addition, in the multifunction machine 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes the prohibition / cancellation process shown in FIG. 8 in parallel with the processes described above. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the prohibit / cancel process executed by the CPU 11.

  When the prohibition / cancellation process is started, the CPU 11 waits until the error print started due to the execution of S135 or S330 is completed, and when the error print is completed (Yes in S410), the printing operation by the printing unit 20 is performed. Is prohibited (S420). Specifically, the above-described print job management process is stopped.

  When this process is finished, in order to measure the elapsed time from the prohibition time, the time measurement counter provided in the control unit 10 is cleared to zero and started, and the elapsed time from the time is converted into the time measurement counter. Measurement is performed (S430).

  When this process ends, the process proceeds to S440, and it is determined whether a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed based on the value of the time measurement counter. If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (Yes in S440), the process proceeds to S460, and if it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (No in S440), whether or not a prohibition cancel command is input through the operation unit 60 is determined. Is determined (S450).

  The operation unit 60 is provided with an operation key for canceling the execution prohibition state of the printing operation. When the operation key provided in the operation unit 60 is pressed, the CPU 11 cancels the prohibition cancel command. Is input (Yes in S450).

  If it is determined that the prohibition cancel command has not been input (No in S450), the process proceeds to S440. If it is determined that the prohibition cancel command has been input (Yes in S450), the process proceeds to S460. In this way, the process waits until the prohibition cancel command is input or a predetermined time elapses, and when the prohibition cancel command is input or the predetermined time elapses, the process proceeds to S460.

  In step S460, the CPU 11 cancels the execution prohibition state of the printing operation and permits the printing operation by the printing unit 20. Specifically, the suspended print job management process is resumed. Thereafter, the prohibition / cancellation process ends.

  As described above, the communication system 100 according to the first embodiment has been described. According to the communication system 100, each multifunction device 1 stores the correspondence relationship between the error code and the manual data. The manual data corresponding to the error code can be printed at the request destination just by sending the message to the error print request destination device.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, an error print such as a jam occurs and the self apparatus cannot execute error printing, and even when requesting error printing on behalf of another image forming apparatus, an error print request is made. There is no need to send manual data from the source to the request destination, and the request destination image forming apparatus can cause the request destination image forming apparatus to print a message indicating how to deal with the error on a sheet.

  In particular, the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment stores a list of compatible models representing image forming apparatuses that can request error printing with an error code, and nodes connected to the LAN 9 based on the list of compatible models. An image forming apparatus that can request an error print by an error code can be searched.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the conventional printer 3 of a type that does not have manual data is mixed in the LAN 9, a compatible model (multifunction device 1) that can request error printing with an error code is provided. It is possible to find out and make the corresponding model execute error printing with a small amount of communication.

In other words, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to input information on a compatible model connected to the LAN 9 in advance, and the highly convenient communication system 100 can be provided.
Also, in this embodiment, when there are multiple compatible models that can be selected as error print request destinations, error printing is preferentially requested to compatible models that do not have a waiting job. . In addition, when there is no “standby” compatible model, an error print is preferentially requested to a compatible model with a small number of waiting jobs.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, error printing can be realized by efficiently using the image forming apparatus in the network.
In addition, in this embodiment, when an error print is requested from another image forming apparatus, the identification information (node name) of the error source apparatus is added to the manual data, and a message indicating a countermeasure method for the error At the same time, the identification information of the error source device is printed on paper.

  Therefore, according to the communication system 100, the user can know the error generation source together with a method for dealing with the error only by looking at the sheet printed by the error print, and the image forming apparatus of the error generation source can be easily obtained. You can move to a location and deal with errors.

  In addition, in the multi function device 1, the sheets printed by the printing unit 20 are sequentially discharged and accumulated in the discharge tray. Therefore, if the printing operation by the printing unit 20 is permitted even after error printing, the discharge is performed. There is a problem that paper printed by error printing is buried in a pile of paper accumulated in the tray, making it difficult for the user to find this.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, after the error printing is performed, the printing operation by the printing unit 20 is prohibited until a predetermined time elapses or a cancel command is input. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to appropriately tell the user how to deal with errors, and it is possible to provide a highly convenient communication system 100.

In addition, in this embodiment, the error print progress information is transmitted to the user through the error print request source display unit 40 as error print progress information.
Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is not necessary for the user to wait for the error printing to end in front of the image forming apparatus to which the error print is requested.

  In this embodiment, the number of error occurrences is evaluated for each error type by the processing of S120, S123, and S127. If the number of error occurrences NE is large, an error corresponding to the error is evaluated. Printing is executed, but error printing is not executed when the number of occurrences NE of errors is low. That is, in this embodiment, error printing is not executed until the same error occurs a predetermined number of times, and error printing is executed when the same error occurs a predetermined number of times.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress an adverse effect on the execution of other processing (print job) in the multifunction device 1 due to an excessive increase in the number of times error printing is executed.
In addition, in this embodiment, when the corresponding model is not connected to the LAN 9, manual data is transmitted to the FAX apparatus 5 in the form of FAX communication so that the FAX apparatus 5 executes error printing. . Therefore, according to the communication system 100 of the present embodiment, even when the corresponding model is not connected to the LAN 9, it is possible to tell the user how to deal with the error.

  Subsequently, a second embodiment will be described. The communication system 100 of the second embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the communication system 100 of the first embodiment, except that the contents of the processing executed by the CPU 11 are different. Therefore, in the following, as a description of the second embodiment, a configuration different from the communication system 100 of the first embodiment will be selectively described.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the error output control process of the second embodiment which is executed by the CPU 11 when an error occurs in the own apparatus. However, in the error output control process shown in FIG. 9, the same process as that of the first embodiment is performed for the steps to which the same step numbers as those of the error output control process of the first embodiment are assigned.

  When the error output control process shown in FIG. 9 is started, the CPU 11 displays a message corresponding to the error that has occurred this time on the display unit 40 and further causes the sound output unit 50 to output a beep sound in S110. The occurrence of an error is notified to the user. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S130.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the error that has occurred this time is an unprintable error, and if it is determined that the error that has occurred this time is an unprintable error (Yes in S130), as in the first embodiment, S140 to S180 are performed. Execute the process.

  In step S180, after the display unit 40 displays a message indicating that an error print request has been made to another image forming apparatus and the identification information (node name) of the error print request destination apparatus, the display is retained. In this state, the system waits until operation information indicating that the user has confirmed through the operation unit 60. If operation information indicating that the operation has been confirmed is input (Yes in S185), the display ends and error output control is performed. The process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S130 that the generated error is not an unprintable error (No in S130), the process proceeds to S137, and the manual data associated with the error code of the error that has occurred this time is transferred based on the error output database. Read from NVRAM 15. The read manual data is stored in the error print buffer prepared in the RAM 13 as print waiting data. Thereafter, the error output control process is terminated.

That is, in the second embodiment, error printing is not executed when an error occurs, but the error printing is put on hold and the error output control process is terminated.
When the error notification data is received from the external device through the LAN communication unit 70 (Yes in S260), the CPU 11 starts the proxy output process shown in FIG. 10 in S265. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the proxy output process of the second embodiment.

  When this proxy output process is started, the CPU 11 executes the processes of S310 and S320 as in the first embodiment, and then proceeds to S335, where the processed manual data is prepared in the RAM 13 as print waiting data. Store in error print buffer. Thereafter, the proxy output process is terminated.

  In this way, in the second embodiment, when an error print request is received from another image forming apparatus, the error print is not executed immediately, but the error print is put on hold and the proxy output process is performed. finish.

  Further, the multifunction device 1 of the second embodiment does not execute the prohibition / cancellation processing executed by the multifunction device 1 of the first embodiment, but repeatedly executes the instruction output processing shown in FIG. Execute error printing at the timing according to the instructions. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an instruction output process repeatedly executed by the CPU 11 after the MFP 1 is activated.

  When the instruction output process is started, the CPU 11 stands by until an error print instruction is input from the user via the operation unit 60 (S510). When an error print instruction is input (Yes in S510), the process proceeds to S520, and error printing is executed using each manual data stored in the error print buffer. That is, for each manual data, the printing unit 20 is caused to form an image based on the manual data on a sheet. Thereafter, the instruction output process ends.

  In this way, in the second embodiment, when a print command (error print instruction) is input through the operation unit 60, the suspended error print is executed and the print unit 20 responds to the received error code. A message indicating how to deal with the error is generated on the paper.

  In the method of executing error printing immediately when an error occurs, as described above, unless the prohibit / cancel process is executed, the paper printed by error printing is in the pile of paper accumulated in the paper discharge tray. However, if the MFP 1 is configured to execute error printing in accordance with a command input through the operation unit 60, error printing can be performed in a situation where a user is present in front of the MFP 1. This can be executed, and the problem that the sheet printed by error printing is buried in the pile of sheets accumulated in the sheet discharge tray can be avoided.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a highly convenient communication system 100 can be provided to the user.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 100. FIG. It is a flowchart showing the error output control process which CPU11 performs. It is explanatory drawing (a) showing the structure of an error output database, and explanatory drawing (b) showing the structure of a corresponding | compatible model list. It is explanatory drawing showing the example of the image printed by manual data. It is a flowchart showing the selection process which CPU11 performs. It is a flowchart showing the reception response process which CPU11 performs. It is a flowchart showing the proxy output process which CPU11 performs. It is a flowchart showing the prohibition / cancellation process which CPU11 performs. It is a flowchart showing the error output control process of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart showing the proxy output process of 2nd Example. It is a flowchart showing the instruction | indication output process which CPU11 performs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 3 ... Printer apparatus, 5 ... FAX apparatus, 7 ... PC, 9 ... LAN, 10 ... Control part, 11 ... CPU, 13 ... RAM, 15 ... NVRAM, 20 ... Printing part, 30 ... Reading part, 40 ... Display unit, 50 ... Sound output unit, 60 ... Operation unit, 70 ... LAN communication unit, 80 ... FAX communication unit, 100 ... Communication system

Claims (13)

A communication system in which a plurality of image forming apparatuses including communication means capable of communicating with devices in a network and image forming means capable of forming an image on a recording sheet are connected to be able to communicate with each other through the network,
Among the plurality of image forming apparatuses, at least one image forming apparatus is:
Configured as a first image forming apparatus provided with a notification means for transmitting an error code corresponding to an error occurring in the own apparatus to another image forming apparatus in the network through the communication means provided in the own apparatus;
Of the plurality of image forming apparatuses, at least one image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the first image forming apparatus is:
Control means that, upon receiving the error code from the first image forming apparatus, causes the image forming means included in the apparatus to form a message on the recording sheet indicating a method for dealing with the error corresponding to the received error code. When,
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between an error code and a message to be formed on a recording sheet in response to reception of the error code for each type of error code transmitted from the first image forming apparatus; ,
Configured as a second image forming apparatus comprising:
The control unit included in the second image forming apparatus specifies a message to be formed in the image forming unit included in the apparatus according to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit included in the apparatus, and the image forming unit In addition, the communication system is configured to form a message on the recording sheet that represents a method for dealing with an error corresponding to the error code received from the first image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus includes:
Search means for searching for the second image forming apparatus existing in the network,
The notifying unit is configured to detect the second image forming apparatus discovered by the searching unit among the plurality of image forming apparatuses existing in the network based on a search result of the searching unit included in the own apparatus. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the error code is transmitted. The first image forming apparatus includes:
An acquisition unit configured to acquire, through the communication unit, information indicating the presence or absence of a job accompanied by an image forming operation from each of the second image forming apparatuses existing in the network;
The notifying unit is configured to detect an image forming apparatus that does not have the job among the second image forming apparatuses discovered by the searching unit based on information indicating the presence / absence of the job acquired by the acquiring unit. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the error code is transmitted. The notification means, when there are a plurality of the second image forming apparatuses discovered by the search means, an image to which the error code is transmitted from among the plurality of the second image forming apparatuses discovered. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein one of the forming apparatuses is selected according to a predetermined rule, and the error code is transmitted to the selected image forming apparatus. The first image forming apparatus includes:
Obtaining means for obtaining, through the communication means, information representing the amount of a job accompanied by an image forming operation of the second image forming apparatus from each of the second image forming apparatuses existing in the network;
In the case where there are a plurality of the second image forming apparatuses discovered by the search means, the notifying means, based on the information indicating the amount of the job acquired by the acquisition means, The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus having the smallest job amount is selected as an image forming apparatus to which the error code is transmitted from among the image forming apparatuses. . The notification means is configured to transmit the identification information of the image forming apparatus on which the notification unit is mounted as the error code transmission source information to the error code transmission destination image forming apparatus together with the error code.
The control means, in the image forming means provided in the apparatus, a message representing a method for dealing with an error corresponding to the received error code, together with the image corresponding to the transmission source information received together with the error code, The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the communication system is configured to be formed on a recording sheet. The second image forming apparatus includes:
Prohibition of prohibiting the image forming operation by the image forming unit from the time point until a predetermined release condition is satisfied when a message representing the error handling method is formed on the recording sheet by the control unit. The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: means.   When the control unit receives an error code from the first image forming apparatus, the control unit receives a print command input through a user interface provided in the own apparatus and triggers the image forming unit included in the own apparatus. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a message representing a method of handling an error corresponding to the received error code is formed on a recording sheet. The first image forming apparatus includes:
The display unit for displaying a progress status of an image forming operation performed in the second image forming apparatus due to reception of the error code transmitted by the notifying unit. The communication system according to any one of 8. The first image forming apparatus includes:
For each type of error, there is an evaluation means for evaluating the number of occurrences of the error,
The notification means does not send an error code corresponding to the error for an error evaluated by the evaluation means as being low in number of occurrences, but only for errors evaluated by the evaluation means as having a high number of occurrences. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an error code corresponding to the error is transmitted. A communication means capable of communicating with a device in the network;
Image forming means capable of forming an image on a recording sheet;
When receiving an error code from an external image forming apparatus through the communication means, the control means for causing the image forming means to form a message on the recording sheet indicating a method for dealing with the error corresponding to the received error code;
Storage means for storing a correspondence between an error code and a message to be formed on a recording sheet in response to reception of the error code for each type of error code transmitted from the external image forming apparatus;
With
The control unit specifies a message to be formed by the image forming unit according to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, and copes with an error corresponding to the error code received through the communication unit. An image forming apparatus connected to a network connected to a specific type of image forming apparatus configured to form a message on a recording sheet,
A communication means capable of communicating with a device in the network;
Image forming means capable of forming an image on a recording sheet;
When an error that prevents the image forming operation by the image forming unit included in the apparatus occurs, an error code corresponding to the error is transmitted to the specific type of image forming apparatus in the network through the communication unit included in the apparatus. A notification means to send;
An image forming apparatus comprising: Determining means for determining whether or not the specific type of image forming apparatus is connected in the network;
The notifying unit represents a method for dealing with the error instead of transmitting the error code when the determining unit determines that the specific type of image forming apparatus is not connected to the network. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image data describing the message is transmitted to an image forming apparatus registered in advance. A communication means capable of communicating with a device in the network;
Image forming means capable of forming an image on a recording sheet;
When receiving an error code from an external image forming apparatus through the communication means, the control means for causing the image forming means to form a message on the recording sheet indicating a method for dealing with the error corresponding to the received error code;
Storage means for storing a correspondence between an error code and a message to be formed on a recording sheet in response to reception of the error code for each type of error code transmitted from the external image forming apparatus;
With
The control unit specifies a message to be formed by the image forming unit according to the correspondence relationship stored in the storage unit, and copes with an error corresponding to the error code received through the communication unit. An image forming apparatus configured to form the message representing a method on a recording sheet.