JP3261233B2 - Printing apparatus and processing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network and a processing method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a network-compatible printing apparatus of this type, even when connected to a network, information on host computers existing on the network has not been managed.

In addition, status notification processing such as notifying the end of processing performed in a printing apparatus such as printing processing to a specific host computer on a network has not been executed.

[0004]

For this reason, there is provided a function of performing a specific process on data sent from a specific host computer, such as prohibiting print output from a specific host computer. There was a problem that it could not be realized.

In addition, the end of processing such as print processing performed in a printing apparatus is not transmitted to a specific host computer on a network. Therefore, there is a problem that the data source, that is, the host computer cannot determine when the processing based on the transmitted data has been completed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to determine whether a host computer that has transmitted received output data is a registered host computer. If it is determined that the host computer is registered, by executing the specified process on the received output data,
An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus and a processing method capable of performing a specific process on output data sent from a specific host computer.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, wherein the registration means registers identification information of the host computers; Specifying means for specifying a predetermined process to be performed on the received output data; and determining means for determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered by the registration means. Processing means for executing a process specified by the specification means on the received output data when the determination means determines that the identification information of the host computer that transmitted the received output data is registered; And In a second invention according to the present invention, the registration means registers the host computer according to data from the host computer.
In a third invention according to the present invention, the specification means specifies a predetermined process according to data from a host computer.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, wherein the registration means registers the identification information of the host computer, Specifying means for specifying a predetermined process to be performed on the output data; determining means for determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer which has transmitted the received output data is registered by the registration means; Processing means for executing the process specified by the specification means on the received output data when the determination means determines that the identification information of the host computer that transmitted the data is not registered. . A fifth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the registration means registers the host computer according to data from the host computer. In a sixth invention according to the present invention, the specifying means specifies a predetermined process according to data from a host computer. A seventh invention according to the present invention is a processing method in a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, comprising the steps of: registering identification information of a host computer; Specifying a predetermined process to be executed by the computer; determining whether identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered; and identifying the host computer that has transmitted the received output data. Performing a specified process on the received output data when it is determined that the information is registered. An eighth invention according to the present invention relates to a processing method in a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, comprising the steps of: registering identification information of the host computer; Specifying a predetermined process to be executed by the computer; determining whether identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered; and identifying the host computer that has transmitted the received output data. If it is determined that the information has not been registered, the processing unit performs a designated process on the received output data.

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a printing apparatus main body, which is roughly composed of a controller unit 110 and an engine unit 120. The controller unit 110 receives print data and control commands from the outside, and converts bitmap information accordingly. Then, the information is transmitted to the engine unit 120 as a video signal. The engine unit 120 receives the above-described video signal from the controller unit 110, and forms the signal on a paper surface (transfer material) as a visible image. Further, the controller unit 110 communicates with the engine unit 120, communicates the state of the engine unit 120 to the outside, performs overall control of the engine unit 120, and the like.

Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the controller unit 110 will be described in detail.

The controller unit 110 includes a host interface 111, a CPU 112, a RAM 113, a ROM 1
14, video interface 115, operation panel 11
6, a card 117, a card slot 118, a data bus 119, and the like.

The host interface 111 transmits and receives data to and from an external device (for example, a host computer or a network). The CPU 112 controls the entire apparatus, analyzes print data, creates bitmap information, and the like.

The RAM 113 is used for storing temporary information such as storing data sent from outside, storing bitmap information, storing various registration data, storing network identification information, and using it as a work area for information processing. Can be
The ROM 114 stores programs for controlling the apparatus, various printer control languages, font information, and the like.

The video interface 115 sends and receives data to and from the engine unit 120. The operation panel 116 sets / changes / displays parameters of the printing environment. Card 11
Reference numeral 7 denotes a detachable external storage device which stores various information such as character pattern data, print form data, various programs, and the like. As an actual memory device corresponding to the card 117, a ROM, a hard disk (HD), or the like is used.

The card slot 118 functions as a connection device for connecting the card 117 and transmitting and receiving information. Data exchanged inside the controller unit 110 flows through the data bus 119.

In this embodiment, the data processing operation will be described below assuming that the TCP / IP protocol is used as a network.

The information for identifying the host computer on the network is assumed to be an IP address which is an address used in the network according to the TCP / IP protocol. However, the present embodiment is applicable regardless of the type of network, communication protocol, and identification information.

Hereinafter, the host identification information registration processing operation in the printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a host identification information registration processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention. Note that (1) to (4) show each step.

First, the user operates the operation panel 116 to register the IP address of a specific host computer (1), and performs processing on data received from the registered host computer, or vice versa. The user operates the operation panel 116 to specify whether to process the data received from the host computer that has not been processed (2).

Next, the user operates the operation panel 116 to specify the contents of the specific processing to be performed on the received data (3). In this embodiment, the printing process is performed based on the data received as the content of the specific process.

Next, a table is created and stored in the RAM 113 shown in FIG. 1 with the information specified in the processing of steps (1) to (3) (4), and the processing is terminated. Note that another storage method may be used.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the user operates the operation panel 116 to specify various information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (1) to (7) show each step.

First, when data is received from a host computer via a network (1), the contents of the received data are analyzed to determine which host computer sent the data (2).

Next, in the processing shown in FIG.
Is compared with the result of the data analysis in step (2) to check whether or not the host computer that sent the data is already registered (3). It is determined whether to process the data sent from the computer (4). If the data sent from the registered host computer is to be processed, step (7) is performed.
If the process is to be performed on data sent from an unregistered host computer, the process proceeds to step (6).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the data has not been registered, it is checked whether or not to process the data sent from the unregistered host computer. If the process is to be performed on data sent from a host computer, the process proceeds to step (6). If the process is to be performed on data sent from an unregistered computer, the process proceeds to step (7).

In step (6), it is determined that no processing is to be performed on the received data, so the received data is skipped and the processing ends.

In step (7), it is determined that print processing is to be performed on the received data. Therefore, print processing is performed based on the received data, and the processing is terminated.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the output information received by the host interface 111 and the RAM 11
The CPU 112 determines the host registration state of the host computer that is the source of the output information by comparing the identification information registered in Step 3 with the identification information registered in Step 3, and performs different data processing on the output information received by the CPU 112 based on the determination result. Therefore, a specific process can be performed on output information sent from a specific host computer.

By executing the above-described processing, it is possible to permit or prohibit processing on data sent from a specific host computer.

Hereinafter, when data is received from a host computer via a network, some processing (predetermined processing) is executed based on the data, and when the processing is completed, a notification of the processing completion is sent to the host computer. Will be described. [Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a data processing procedure in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, (1) to (5) indicate each step.

First, data is received from a host computer via a network (1), the content of the received data is analyzed, it is determined from which host computer the data was sent, and the identification information is stored in the RAM 113. Remember (2). In the present invention, the method for storing the identification information is not limited.

Next, predetermined processing (in this embodiment, for example, printing processing) is started based on the received data (3), and it is determined whether or not the started processing is completed (4). If not, the process is repeated. If completed, the process proceeds to step (5).

Next, based on the identification information of the host computer stored in step (2), the fact that the processing has been completed is notified to the host computer that sent the data (5),
The process ends.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the output information and the identification information (R
Stored in the AM 113) and the CPU 112 specifies a host computer as an output information source,
When the data processing unit detects the end of the predetermined data processing with respect to the received output information, the host interface 111 notifies the host computer specified by the CPU 112 of the end of the processing, so that the processing by the data sent from the host computer is performed. It is possible for the host computer to determine when has been completed.

By executing the processing described above, it is possible to confirm that various processing (including printing processing) of the printing apparatus has been completed even from a remote host computer via a network. .

In the above embodiment, the case where the printing process is performed based on the data received as the content of the processing has been described. However, the content of the received data is stored in the printing apparatus as the content of the processing as described later. The present invention can be applied to any processing related to a printing apparatus, including processing related to a printing apparatus, for example, processing related to a printing apparatus, including processing for setting the environment of a print resource.

Although the number of host computers to be registered is not particularly mentioned in the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the number of host computers to be registered is not limited to one, and a plurality of host computers may be registered. The present invention can be applied.

Further, in the description of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the case where the user operates the operation panel 116 to designate various information when designating various information has been described. By sending data and having it specified, or having that information stored in the card 117,
Processing such as sending to a printing device via the card slot 118 is also possible, and the present invention does not limit the method of specifying various information.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0045]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is an effect that a specific process can be performed on output data sent from a specific host computer. In addition, by registering the host computer, the user can customize the execution of data processing between the host computer and the printing device on the network, and can effectively use the printing device on the network and improve security.

[0046]

[0047]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a host identification information registration processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in the printing apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a data processing procedure in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 printing apparatus main body 110 controller section 111 host interface 112 CPU 113 RAM 114 ROM 115 video interface 116 operation panel 118 card slot 119 data bus 117 card 120 engine section

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, comprising: a registration unit for registering identification information of the host computer; and a predetermined process to be performed on received output data. Specifying means for specifying; identifying means for determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer which has transmitted the received output data is registered by the registration means; and identification information of the host computer which has transmitted the received output data. And a processing unit configured to execute a process specified by the specification unit on the received output data when the determination unit determines that is registered. 2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit registers the host computer according to data from the host computer. 3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies a predetermined process according to data from a host computer. 4. A printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, comprising: a registration unit for registering identification information of the host computer; and a predetermined process to be executed on received output data. Specifying means for specifying; identifying means for determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer which has transmitted the received output data is registered by the registration means; and identification information of the host computer which has transmitted the received output data. And a processing unit for executing a process specified by the specifying unit on the received output data when the determining unit determines that is not registered. 5. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the registration unit registers the host computer according to data from the host computer. 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the designation unit designates a predetermined process according to data from a host computer. 7. A processing method in a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, comprising the steps of: registering identification information of a host computer; Specifying a process; determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered; and identifying the identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data. Performing a specified process on the received output data when it is determined that the output data is present. 8. A processing method in a printing apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, the method comprising: registering identification information of a host computer; A step of designating a process; a step of determining whether or not the identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered; and a step of determining whether the identification information of the host computer that has transmitted the received output data is registered. Processing means for executing a specified process on the received output data when it is determined that there is no processing data, a processing method comprising: