JP2010224642A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely perform intercepting while minimizing the processing load for intercepting and printing an electronic mail. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 10 includes a network communication unit 12 which receives e-mail from a mail server and communicates with the other image forming apparatus; a printer unit 13 which performs print processing of the e-mail received by the communication unit 12; a condition determination unit 14 which determines a condition of the printer section 13; an other apparatus monitoring unit 15 which monitors and determines information of the other image forming apparatus through the communication unit 12; a function control unit 16, and the like. The function control unit 16 includes functions of urging receipt of e-mail to the communication unit 12 based on the determination result of the condition determination unit 14 and the determination result of the other apparatus monitoring unit 15, and performing communication of information for urging receipt of e-mail to the other image forming apparatus through the communication unit 12 based on the determination result of the condition determination unit 14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus having a function of receiving and printing an electronic mail and an image forming system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1 below, for example, an image forming apparatus such as a printing apparatus connected to a network has a function of receiving and printing an electronic mail. In such an image forming apparatus, when an e-mail cannot be printed, it is required that another image forming apparatus connected to the network receives and prints the image.

JP-A-10-222330

  However, when an image forming apparatus such as a conventional printing apparatus is in a state where it is not possible to print an e-mail, a new e-mail for transfer is received after receiving the e-mail so that other image forming apparatuses can perform proxy printing. Although it is generated as mail and sent to the mail server for proxy printing, sending such a transfer e-mail to the mail server is a central processing unit mounted on the image forming apparatus. (Hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) and the capacity of a memory for storing e-mail data, etc., have a large processing load.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that receives and prints an e-mail, and includes a first communication unit that receives the e-mail from a mail server, and a second communication unit that communicates with another image forming apparatus. A printing unit that prints the electronic mail received by the first communication unit, a state determination unit that determines a state of the printing unit, and information on the other image forming apparatus via the second communication unit Based on the judgment result of the other device monitoring unit, the judgment result of the state judgment unit and the judgment result of the other device monitoring unit, the first communication means is urged to receive the e-mail, and the state judgment is performed. A control unit that communicates information that prompts the other image forming apparatus to receive the electronic mail via the second communication unit based on the determination result of the unit.

  The image forming system of the present invention is characterized in that the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the other image forming apparatus, and the mail server are connected by a network.

  According to the image forming apparatus and the image forming system of the present invention, even when the image forming apparatus is in a state where it is not possible to print an e-mail, it is possible to request the other image forming apparatus to receive a substitute. In this case, the image forming apparatus does not need to perform the process of receiving the e-mail and converting it into print data or re-creating and transmitting it as a transfer e-mail when requesting the proxy reception. Thus, the processing load for printing is reduced. Further, since the request is made after confirming the status of the request destination apparatus in the proxy reception request, it is possible to avoid the situation where the proxy reception apparatus is in an unprintable state and to perform the proxy reception without fail. In addition, settings for proxy reception need only be performed for the image forming apparatus, and management of settings for proxy reception is easy.

FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing each image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a proxy reception request destination table stored in the setting value storage unit in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 in FIGS. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second image forming apparatus 10-2 in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a message flow between the devices when the substitute reception printing is performed in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proxy reception request instruction. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the proxy reception result. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming system in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10A in FIG. 9 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the other device monitoring destination table stored in the setting value storage unit in FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10A in FIGS. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a message flow between the devices when the proxy reception printing is performed in FIG.

  Modes for carrying out the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in light of the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are only for explanation and do not limit the scope of the present invention.

(Configuration of Example 1)
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the image forming system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  In this image forming system, a plurality of image forming apparatuses (for example, first, second, third, and fourth image forming apparatuses) 10-1 to 10-4 and a mail server 20 are connected to a network (for example, a local area). A network, hereinafter referred to as “LAN”) 31. The LAN 31 is connected to another network (for example, the Internet) 33 via the router 32, and a client-side data processing device (for example, a client personal computer, hereinafter referred to as “client PC”) 40 is connected to the Internet 33. It is connected.

  Each image forming apparatus 10 (= 10-1 to 10-4) has a function of receiving and printing an electronic mail. The mail server 20 is a server computer for delivering electronic mail, and internally, a mail transfer agent (MTA) that distributes the other party, and mail delivery that distributes the distributed mail to a user in the server or another server It can be divided into agents (MDAs). This mail server 20 appropriately receives an e-mail sent from the client PC 40 via the router 32 and the Internet 33 according to the connection from each image forming apparatus 10 and the function of delivering the e-mail addressed to each. Has a function of distributing to a destination.

  The router 32 is a communication device that interconnects different networks (for example, between the LAN 31 and the Internet 33), and has a function of routing (relay route setting) email and other communications between the LAN 31 and the Internet 33. Have. The client PC 40 is a general PC having a CPU, a memory, a communication function, etc., and an e-mail application software is operating, and has a function of transmitting / receiving e-mail to / from the mail server 20 via the Internet 33. Have.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing each image forming apparatus 10 (= 10-1 to 10-4) in FIG. 2 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a proxy reception request destination table stored in the set value storage unit in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 has an internal bus 11, and through this internal bus 11, a network communication unit 12, a printer unit 13 that is a printing unit, a state determination unit 14, an other device monitoring unit 15, a control unit The function control unit 16, the set value storage unit 17, the operation unit 18 and the like are connected to each other.

  The network communication unit 12 has a function as a first communication unit that receives an electronic mail from the mail server 20 and a second communication unit that communicates with another image forming apparatus 10. The network communication unit 12 is connected to, for example, a LAN 31 and performs network connection with other image forming apparatuses 10 and the mail server 20 via the LAN 31 to perform communication for sending and receiving print data and e-mail. Is to execute. The network communication unit 12 monitors the RAW (raw) protocol for receiving print data, the POP3 protocol for receiving e-mail (Post Office Protocol Version 3), and other device statuses in order to execute the communication. It has a function of controlling various network protocols such as an SNMP protocol (Simple Network Management Protocol).

  The RAW protocol is a communication protocol for image data (undeveloped data) that has not been completed, and can be freely adjusted and output (ie, developed) by dedicated software. The POP3 protocol is one of protocols used for electronic mail, and is a mail reception protocol used when a user takes out his / her mail from a mail server. The SNMP protocol is a protocol for exchanging information necessary for management in, for example, a TCP / IP (Transition Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) network.

  Network management using SNMP consists of a combination of four elements: SNMP manager, SNMP agent, SNMP protocol specification, and MIB (Management Information Base). The SNMP manager is software that is the center of management using SNMP. It communicates with the SNMP agent on behalf of the user, processes the collected information appropriately, passes it to the administrator, and manages the information held by the SNMP agent. It has a function to rewrite. The SNMP agent provides information to the SNMP manager, and is composed of software modules (for example, LAN devices such as routers and mail servers) incorporated in a router or the like. The SNMP protocol specification defines the procedure for exchanging information between the SNMP manager and the SNMP agent, the type of message used, the packet format, and the like. In order for the MIB manager to obtain information from the SNMP agent, in addition to the SNMP protocol specification, it is necessary to unify the structure of data and the meaning of parameters indicating the information of devices that are actually exchanged. This is a specific definition of device management information as a common format. The SNMP agent has various information included in the device as MIB data. When there is a request from the SNMP manager, the SNMP agent reads the appropriate MIB data from the database and sends it to the manager.

  The printer unit 13 has a function of printing the print data and e-mail received by the network communication unit 12 on print paper, analyzes the e-mail to print the e-mail, extracts an attached file, and prints the print data together with the text. It has the function to convert to. The state determination unit 14 has a function of monitoring the entire state of the image forming apparatus 10 including the printer unit 13, detecting a busy state and a failure occurrence state, and notifying the function control unit 16.

  The other apparatus monitoring unit 15 has a function of monitoring the state of another image forming apparatus 10 connected to the LAN 31 via the network communication unit 12. In the first exemplary embodiment, the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 monitors the state of the other image forming apparatus 10 using the SNMP protocol. In order to monitor the state of another device using the SNMP protocol, the IP address of the other device, the SNMP community name (SNMP Community Name), and an identifier for obtaining information (referred to as “MIB OID”). Is needed. The IP address and SNMP community name of the other device are stored in the set value storage unit 17. Also, the MIB OID to be used has an OID called AlertMIB in the other device monitoring unit 15 as a fixed value. An example of the IP address and SNMP community name of the other device stored in the setting value storage unit 17 is shown in FIG.

  The function control unit 16 has a function of controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10. The state determination unit 14, the other device monitoring unit 15, and the function control unit 16 are constituted by, for example, a CPU. The setting value storage unit 17 has a function of storing various setting values for the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 and is configured by a semiconductor memory, a hard disk (HD), or the like. The setting value storage unit 17 stores an IP address of the mail server 20, account information for receiving mail (for example, a user name and password), and a substitute reception request destination list shown in FIG. The operation unit 18 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal panel and an input device such as a touch panel and a key switch, and has a function of accepting an operation by a user and displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 10.

(Operation of Example 1)
In the image forming system of FIG. 2, for example, the following processing is performed before the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 of FIG.

  From the client PC 40, an e-mail X destined for the first image forming apparatus 10-1 is transmitted to the mail server 20. The mail server 20 stores the electronic mail X in a mailbox for the first image forming apparatus 10-1.

  4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second image forming apparatus 10-2 in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message flow between the apparatuses when the substitute reception printing is performed in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proxy reception request instruction. Further, FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing examples of proxy reception results.

  Hereinafter, the operation (I) of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 and the operation (II) of the second image forming apparatus 10-2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(I) Operation of First Image Forming Apparatus 10-1 The first image forming apparatus 10-1 operates as follows according to steps S1 to S19 in FIG.

  The function control unit 16 in the first image forming apparatus 10-1 periodically performs an e-mail reception operation by controlling the network communication unit 12.

  When the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 is started, the network communication unit 12 in the first image forming apparatus 10-1 of the mail server 20 set in the set value storage unit 17 in step S 1. Based on the information of the IP address and user account information (for example, user ID (user identification code) and password), the mail server 20 is connected. Here, for example, the POP3 protocol is used for communication between the network communication unit 12 and the mail server 20. Since the POP3 protocol is a general technique, description of the details of commands executed with the mail server 20 will be omitted hereinafter.

  In step S <b> 2, the network communication unit 12 confirms whether the electronic mail X has arrived in the mailbox of the mail server 20. If the e-mail X has arrived at step S3 (there is an incoming call), the state determination unit 14 checks the state of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 at step S4, and the state determination unit 14 at step S5. To determine whether printing is possible. When the state determination unit 14 determines that the printable state is obtained in step 5, the network communication unit 12 acquires the email X from the mail server 20 and passes the received email X to the printer unit 13 in step S 6.

  In step S7, the printer unit 13 analyzes the electronic mail X and prints the text and attached file. In step S8, it is determined whether or not the printing operation in the printer unit 13 is normally completed. If the printing operation is normally completed, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S <b> 9, the network communication unit 12 requests the mail server 20 to delete the electronic mail X, whereby the electronic mail X is deleted from the mail server 20. Thereafter, in step S10, the network communication unit 12 disconnects from the mail server 20, and returns to the standby state.

  Here, in step S3, when the network communication unit 12 receives a response from the mail server 20 that there is no electronic mail X in the mailbox, the process proceeds to step S10, and the network communication unit 12 directly communicates with the mail server 20. Disconnect the connection. Thereby, the first image forming apparatus 10-1 returns to the standby state.

  In step S5, the first image forming apparatus 10-1 cannot print the e-mail X (for example, other print processing is in operation, or a failure such as a paper jam (out of paper) state has occurred. ), The state determination unit 14 determines that the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the network communication unit 12 disconnects the connection with the mail server 20, and the function control unit 16 proceeds to the proxy reception request operation in step S12.

  In step S8, when the network communication unit 12 has received the email X, but the printer unit 13 has not successfully completed the printing process of the email X (for example, when a paper jam has occurred, or step In step S11, the printer 13 starts another printing process while the network communication unit 12 is receiving an e-mail after the status determination unit 14 confirms the apparatus status in S4. Proceed to In step S <b> 11, the network communication unit 12 disconnects from the mail server 20. As a result, the function control unit 16 proceeds to the operation of requesting substitution reception in step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the other device monitoring unit 15 checks the device state via the network communication unit 12 for the other devices stored in the proxy reception request destination list in the setting value storage unit 17. In the first embodiment, for example, a general SNMP protocol is used as a device management protocol on the network, and MIB information indicating a device state is acquired. As the MIB indicating the device state, what is called Alert MIB can be used. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the IP address of the second image forming apparatus 10-2 is described in the proxy reception request destination list, and the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 includes the second image forming apparatus 10-2. Get device status. The SNMP reception request destination list in FIG. 3 uses the SNMP protocol for confirmation of the device status, and therefore stores SNMP community names necessary for accessing the image forming apparatuses 10-2 to 10-4 by SNMP. Has been.

  In the case where two or more request destinations are stored in the proxy reception request destination list, the apparatus state is acquired in the same manner for all of them. In the example of FIG. 3, the third image forming apparatus 10-3 and the fourth image forming apparatus 10-4 are described in addition to the second image forming apparatus 10-2. Similarly, the apparatus state is acquired for the third image forming apparatus 10-3 and the fourth image forming apparatus 10-4.

  In step S13, the other device monitoring unit 15 determines whether there is a printable device. In the first embodiment, in response to an SNMP request message transmitted from the network communication unit 12 according to an instruction from the other device monitoring unit 15, for example, the second image forming device 10-2 and the fourth image forming device 10-4. The following operations will be described by taking as an example the case where the printable state is acquired and the state where a failure has occurred is acquired from the third image forming apparatus 10-3.

  In step S <b> 14, the function control unit 16 determines which device is requested to receive the substitute from the state of the device in the request destination list. For example, the function control unit 16 selects a device that is in a printable state and that can acquire the device state earliest as a substitute reception request destination. Here, the second image forming apparatus 10-2 and the fourth image forming apparatus 10-4 respond with a printable state, and the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 can first acquire the apparatus state of the second image forming apparatus 10-2. The function control unit 16 determines that the second image forming apparatus 10-2 is the substitute reception request destination.

  In step S15, the function control unit 16 generates a substitute reception request instruction as shown in FIG. In the example of the proxy reception request instruction in FIG. 7, “@PJL EMAILRECIVEIVECOMMAND” indicates that this instruction is a proxy reception request instruction. Subsequently, the host name or IP address of the mail server 20 and mail account information (“mailUser” and “mailPassword”) used when the first image forming apparatus 10-1 connects to the mail server 20 are added.

  In step S16, the network communication unit 12 transmits the proxy reception request instruction to the second image forming apparatus 10-2. Here, the network communication unit 12 performs network connection by the RAW protocol, and transmits the proxy reception request instruction in FIG. In the next step S <b> 17, the function control unit 16 instructs the network communication unit 12 to wait for reception of the proxy request result.

  In step S18, when the network communication unit 12 receives the proxy reception success as the proxy request result from the second image forming apparatus 10-2, in step S19, the function control unit 16 determines that the second image forming apparatus 10-2. The fact that the proxy reception has been performed is displayed on the operation unit 18. Then, the first image forming apparatus 10-1 returns to the standby state, and the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10-1 ends.

  FIG. 8 (1) shows an example of a response in the case of successful reception. In FIG. 8 (1), “@PJL MAILRECEIVERESPONSE” indicates that this message is the result of interception. Subsequently, “SUCCESS” and information indicating success are added. The message shown in FIG. 8A is also returned from the second image forming apparatus 10-2 to the first image forming apparatus 10-1 using the RAW protocol, in the same manner as the proxy reception request instruction.

  Here, when the network communication unit 12 receives a message indicating that the proxy reception has failed in step S18, the function control unit 16 instructs the other device monitoring unit 15 to confirm the other device state again, and the operation from step S12 is performed. repeat. If there is no device that can perform proxy reception in step S13, the first image forming apparatus 10-1 returns to the standby state.

  This completes the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10-1. When the first image forming apparatus 10-1 returns to the standby state, the function control unit 16 repeats starting the operation of FIG. 4 again after a certain period.

(II) Operation of Second Image Forming Apparatus 10-2 The second image forming apparatus 10-2 operates as follows according to steps S21 to S33 in FIG.

  In step S21, the second image forming apparatus 10-2 waits for a proxy request reception in the standby state. Of course, the second image forming apparatus 10-2 can perform a normal printing operation even when waiting for a proxy request. In step 22, when the network communication unit 12 in the second image forming apparatus 10-2 receives the proxy reception request instruction from the first image forming apparatus 10-1, in step S23, the second image forming apparatus 10-2. The internal state determination unit 14 checks the device state.

  In step S24, when the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is possible, in step S25, the function control unit 16 sends to the network communication unit 12 the mail server included in the proxy reception request instruction of FIG. 7 received in step S22. Is instructed to connect to the mail server 20 based on the IP address and user account information (for example, user ID and password). In step S26, when connected to the mail server 20, the network communication unit 12 acquires the email X from the mailbox. In step S <b> 27, the electronic mail X acquired by the network communication unit 12 is printed by the printer unit 13.

  In step S28, when the printer unit 13 normally ends the printing process, the network communication unit 12 requests the mail server 20 to delete the email X in step S29. As a result, the electronic mail X is deleted from the mail server 20. Thereafter, in step 30, the network communication unit 12 disconnects from the mail server 20. In step S32, the function control unit 16 generates a success message as shown in FIG. Thereafter, in step S33, the network communication unit 12 transmits the proxy reception result to the first image forming apparatus 10-1, and the operation of the second image forming apparatus 10-2 ends.

  Here, when the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is impossible in step 24, or when the printer unit 13 cannot complete the printing process normally in step S28, the network communication unit 12 immediately sends the mail server. 20 is disconnected. Next, in step S32, the function control unit 16 generates a failure message as the substitute reception result, and then in step S33, the network communication unit 12 sends the failure message to the first image forming apparatus 10-1. To send.

  FIG. 8 (2) shows an example of a message indicating that the proxy reception result has failed. As in FIG. 8 (1), “@PJL MAILRECEIVERESPONSE” indicates that this message is the result of interception. Subsequently, “FAILURE” and information indicating failure are added.

  When the second image forming apparatus 10-2 finishes the above operation, the second image forming apparatus 10-2 returns to the standby state and waits for a proxy reception request.

(Effect of Example 1)
According to the first embodiment, the following configuration is adopted.

  The function control unit 16 prompts the first communication means (not shown) in the network communication unit 12 to receive the e-mail X based on the determination result of the state determination unit 14 and the determination result of the other device monitoring unit 15 to determine the state determination. Based on the determination result of the unit 14, information that prompts the other image forming apparatus 10 to receive the electronic mail X is communicated via the second communication unit (not shown) in the network communication unit 12.

  Alternatively, when the state determination unit 14 determines that the state determination unit 14 is processing, the function control unit 16 communicates information prompting the other image forming apparatus 1 to receive the electronic mail X via the second communication unit, or When the function determination unit 14 determines that the printing failure has occurred, the function control unit 16 stops the reception of the electronic mail X to the first communication unit, and another image forming apparatus via the second communication unit. 10 is configured to perform communication of information for prompting reception of the electronic mail X. Therefore, there are the following effects (a) to (c).

  (A) Even if the first image forming apparatus 10-1 is in a state where it cannot print an e-mail, it can request the other apparatus to receive a substitute. In the first embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 10-1 receives the email and converts it into print data, or recreates and sends the email as a transfer email when requesting the proxy reception. Since this is not necessary, the processing load for receiving and printing on behalf of the user is reduced.

  (B) Since the request is made after confirming the status of the request destination device in the proxy reception request, it is possible to reliably perform the proxy reception while avoiding the situation where the proxy reception device is also in an unprintable state.

  (C) Setting for proxy reception may be performed only for the first image forming apparatus 10-1, and setting management for proxy reception is easy.

(Configuration of Example 2)
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to the elements in FIG. 2 illustrating the first embodiment are denoted by common reference numerals.

  In the image forming system according to the second embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 10A having a function different from that of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and the second image which is another printing apparatus having a function of receiving and printing an e-mail. The forming apparatus 10B is connected to the same network (for example, LAN) 31 as in the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the LAN 31 is connected to another network (for example, the Internet) 33 via the router 32, and the same data processing apparatus (for example, a client PC) on the client side as in the first embodiment is connected to the Internet 33. ) 40 is connected.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic functional configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10A in FIG. 9 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Elements common to the elements in FIG. Has been. Further, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of another device monitoring destination table stored in the set value storage unit in FIG.

  The image forming apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment is different in configuration and function from the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. That is, the image forming apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment includes an internal bus 11 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the network communication unit 12, the printer unit 13, and the state similar to those of the first embodiment are connected via the internal bus 11. The determination unit 14, the other device monitoring unit 15, the function control unit 16, the operation unit 18, and the like, and a set value storage unit 17A different from the first embodiment are connected to each other.

  Of the network communication unit 12, the printer unit 13, the state determination unit 14, the other device monitoring unit 15, the function control unit 16, and the operation unit 18 that are the same as those in the first embodiment, the network communication unit 12 is the first communication unit. And a function as a second communication means, and connects to the second image forming apparatus 10B, which is another printing apparatus, and the mail server 20 via the LAN 31, and transmits and receives print data and e-mail. Communication is performed.

  The other apparatus monitoring unit 15 has a function of monitoring the state of the second image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B connected to the LAN 31 via the network communication unit 12. In the second embodiment, the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 monitors the state of the second image forming apparatus 10B using the SNMP protocol. In order to monitor the state of another device using the SNMP protocol, an IP address of the other device, an SNMP community name (SNMP Community Name), and an identifier (MIB OID) for acquiring information are required. . The IP address and SNMP community name of the other device are stored in the set value storage unit 17A. Also, the MIB OID to be used has an OID called AlertMIB in the other device monitoring unit 15 as a fixed value. An example of the other device monitoring destination table stored in the set value storage unit 17A is shown in FIG. The function control unit 16 has a function of controlling the entire image forming apparatus 10A including the set value storage unit 17A different from the first embodiment.

  The set value storage unit 17A has a function of storing various set values for operating the image forming apparatus 10A. The setting value storage unit 17A stores the IP address of the mail server 20 for the image forming apparatus 10A itself to receive an e-mail, and account information (for example, a user name and password) for receiving the e-mail. 11, for monitoring other devices as shown in FIG. 11, the IP address of the monitoring target device, the SNMP community name, and the IP address of the mail server 20 for receiving e-mail on behalf of the monitoring target device, mail reception A list of account information (for example, user name and password) is also stored.

  In the second embodiment, since the other apparatus that is monitored by the first image forming apparatus 10A is one of the second image forming apparatuses 10B, only one set of setting values is stored in the other apparatus monitoring destination table of FIG. However, when two or more other devices are to be monitored, two or more sets of setting values are stored in the other device monitoring destination table of FIG.

(Operation of Example 2)
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10A in FIGS. 9 and 10, and FIG. It is.

  In the image forming system shown in FIG. 9, for example, the following processing is performed before the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10A shown in FIG.

  From the client PC 40, an email Y destined for the second image forming apparatus 10B is transmitted to the mail server 20. The mail server 20 stores the electronic mail Y in the mailbox for the second image forming apparatus 10B.

  In the standby state, the first image forming apparatus 10A periodically performs a proxy reception operation according to steps S41 to S52 in FIG.

  Of course, the first image forming apparatus 10A can perform operations other than the proxy reception operation such as normal network printing in the standby state.

  When the operation of the first image forming apparatus 10A is started, in step S41, the function control unit 16 in the first image forming apparatus 10A determines the apparatus state of the first image forming apparatus 10A with respect to the state determination unit 14. Encourage you to. In step S42, the state determination unit 14 determines the state of the first image forming apparatus 10A including the printer unit 13, and determines whether printing is possible. If the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is impossible, the first image forming apparatus 10A returns to the standby state and waits until the next proxy reception operation is started. In step S42, when the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is possible, the function control unit 16 prompts the other device monitoring unit 15 to confirm the state of the other device.

  In step S43, the other device monitoring unit 15 confirms the device state via the network communication unit 12 with respect to the other devices in the other device monitoring destination table of FIG. 11 stored in the setting value storage unit 17A. . In the second embodiment, for example, a general SNMP protocol is used as a device management protocol on the network, and MIB information indicating a device state is acquired. As the MIB indicating the device state, what is called Alert MIB can be used. Since the IP address of the second image forming apparatus 10B is described in the other apparatus monitoring destination table in FIG. 11, for example, the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 acquires the apparatus state of the second image forming apparatus 10B. Here, since the SNMP protocol is used for confirming the apparatus state, the SNMP community name necessary for accessing the second image forming apparatus 10A by SNMP is also stored in the other apparatus monitoring destination table of FIG. ing.

  In step S44, the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 analyzes the acquired state of the other apparatus and determines whether or not the apparatus is in a printable state. If no response is obtained from the apparatus, it is determined that the apparatus is in an unprintable state. When it is determined that the apparatus is in an unprintable state, the function control unit 16 substitutes an e-mail addressed to the second image forming apparatus 10B in place of the second image forming apparatus 10B according to the following steps S45 to S52. Start receiving operation.

  In step S45, the network communication unit 12 reads the mail server address, the mail account, and the mail password of the second image forming apparatus 10B to be subjected to the substitution reception from the other apparatus monitoring destination table of FIG. 11 in the setting value storage unit 17A. To get. In step S46, the network communication unit 12 starts connection with the mail server 20 using the acquired information such as the mail server address.

  In step S47, the network communication unit 12 receives an e-mail addressed to the second image forming apparatus 10B from the mail server 20. Here, since the electronic mail Y is stored in the mailbox for the second image forming apparatus 10 </ b> B, the network communication unit 12 receives the electronic mail Y from the mail server 20. In step S48, the printer unit 13 analyzes the received electronic mail Y and performs a printing process. In step S49, when the printer unit 13 ends the printing process normally, in step S50, the network communication unit 12 requests the mail server 20 to delete the email Y. As a result, the electronic mail Y is deleted from the mail server 20.

  Thereafter, in step S51, the network communication unit 12 disconnects from the mail server 20. If the printer unit 13 has not successfully finished printing in step S49, the network communication unit 12 disconnects the connection without making a request to delete the email Y from the mail server 20 in step S51. To do. Here, the case where the printer unit 13 has not finished printing normally means, for example, when a paper jam has occurred, or after the state determination unit 14 confirms the device state in step 42, the network communication unit 12 is electronic. A case may be considered where the printer unit 13 has started another printing process while receiving mail. When the network communication unit 12 disconnects from the mail server 20, the first image forming apparatus 10A returns to the standby state, and performs the operation of the second embodiment again after a predetermined time.

  On the other hand, when the other device monitoring unit 15 determines in step S44 that the other device is in a printable state, in step S52, the other device monitoring unit 15 checks the other device monitoring destination table in FIG. Check whether the monitoring target device is stored. If an unconfirmed other device is stored in the other device monitoring destination table, the process returns to step S43 again to determine the state of the device. When the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 finishes determining the status of all other apparatuses stored in the other apparatus monitoring destination table, the first image forming apparatus 10A ends the operation of the second embodiment and waits. Return to state.

(Effect of Example 2)
According to the second embodiment, the configuration is as follows.

  When the status determination unit 14 determines that printing is possible, the function control unit 16 prompts the first communication means (not shown) in the network communication unit 12 to receive the email Y based on the determination result of the other device monitoring unit 15. .

  When the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 determines that the other image forming apparatus 10B is processing, the function control unit 16 waits until the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is possible, and then the function control unit 16 Encourage receipt of email Y.

  When the other device monitoring unit 15 determines that the other image forming apparatus 10B is experiencing a printing failure, the function control unit 16 waits until the state determining unit 14 determines that printing is possible, and then the first communication unit. Prompts the user to receive e-mail Y.

  Alternatively, the function control unit 16 determines that the first communication unit determines that the state determination unit 14 determines that printing is possible and the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 determines that the other image forming apparatus 10B is not operating. The reception of the email Y is prompted.

  Further, the other apparatus monitoring unit 15 prompts the first communication means to inquire the mail server 20 about the presence or absence of the electronic mail Y, and determines the operation of the other image forming apparatus 10B based on the inquiry result. I have to. Therefore, there are the following effects.

  Even when the second image forming apparatus 10B cannot make a proxy reception request due to power-off or the like, the first image forming apparatus 10A can spontaneously start the proxy reception. In addition, when the second image forming apparatus 10B returns to the normal state, the proxy reception by the first image forming apparatus 10A is stopped intentionally.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and various usage forms and modifications are possible. For example, the following forms (a) to (d) are used as the usage form and the modified examples.

  (A) In the first exemplary embodiment, the proxy reception request is directly transmitted from the first image forming apparatus 10-1 to the second image forming apparatus 10-2 by the RAW protocol. However, the proxy reception request is attached to the e-mail. However, the same effect can be obtained also in the form of sending to the second image forming apparatus 10-2 via the mail server 20.

  (B) In the first embodiment, the operation of selecting the device that was able to acquire the printable state earliest was described in the determination of the proxy reception request destination. However, a priority is added to the proxy reception request destination list in FIG. It is also possible to configure so that the substitute reception request destination is determined based on the priority. Further, it is possible to add the geographical information of each device to the proxy reception request destination list in FIG. 3 and select the device with the shortest distance.

  (C) In the first and second embodiments, the other device monitoring unit 15 is described as using the SNMP protocol. However, for example, the device status can be checked from the built-in Web page of the image forming device using the HTTP protocol (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol). The same effect can be obtained even in the acquired form. Further, the other device monitoring unit 15 confirms the arrival of the e-mail to the mail server 20, and determines whether or not the other device is in the state based on whether or not the e-mail has been deleted from the mailbox after a predetermined time has elapsed. Even if it comprises, the same effect can be acquired.

  (D) In the first and second embodiments, the image forming apparatuses 10 and 10A are described as having a printing function. However, the present invention is not limited to a facsimile machine (FAX) or a multifunction machine having a scanner unit. Even if it exists, it is applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10A Image forming apparatus 12 Network communication part 13 Printer part 14 Status judgment part 15 Other apparatus monitoring part 16 Function control part 17, 17A Setting value memory | storage part 20 Mail server 31 LAN
33 Internet 40 Client PC

Claims (10)

First communication means for receiving an email from a mail server;
A second communication means for communicating with another image forming apparatus;
A printing unit for printing the electronic mail received by the first communication means;
A state determination unit for determining a state of the printing unit;
An other apparatus monitoring unit that monitors and determines information of the other image forming apparatus via the second communication unit;
Based on the determination result of the state determination unit and the determination result of the other device monitoring unit, the first communication unit is urged to receive the e-mail, and based on the determination result of the state determination unit, the second communication unit A controller that communicates information that prompts the other image forming apparatus to receive the electronic mail via
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The control unit communicates information prompting the other image forming apparatus to receive the electronic mail via the second communication unit when the state determination unit determines that the processing is being performed. Item 2. The image forming apparatus according to Item 1.   When the state determination unit determines that a printing failure has occurred, the control unit stops receiving the e-mail from the first communication unit, and sends it to the other image forming apparatus via the second communication unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information for prompting reception of the electronic mail is communicated to the image forming apparatus.   The control unit urges the first communication unit to receive the e-mail based on a determination result of the other device monitoring unit when the state determination unit determines that printing is possible. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   When the other apparatus monitoring unit determines that the other image forming apparatus is processing, the control unit waits until the state determination unit determines that printing is possible, and then performs the above-described first communication unit with respect to the first communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus prompts reception of an e-mail.   The control unit waits until the status determination unit determines that printing is possible when the other apparatus monitoring unit determines that the other image forming apparatus is in a printing failure state, and then waits for the first communication unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further prompting reception of the electronic mail.   When the state determination unit determines that printing is possible and the other device monitoring unit determines that the other image forming apparatus is not operating, the control unit determines the first communication unit to The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which prompts reception of an e-mail.   The other apparatus monitoring unit prompts the first communication unit to inquire of the mail server about the presence or absence of the electronic mail, and determines the operation of the other image forming apparatus based on the inquiry result. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   9. An image forming system, wherein the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, the other image forming apparatus, and the mail server are connected by a network. The network is connected to another network via a router,
The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein a client-side computer having a function of transmitting / receiving the electronic mail to / from the mail server is connected to the other network.

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