JP3337869B2 - Printing control device and printing pressure control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a print control device and a print control method capable of communicating with devices connected to a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are various types of network configurations such as a daisy chain connection in LocalTalk, a ring connection in TokenRing, and a bus connection in Ethernet.

Conventionally, in a printing system provided with a printing device communicably connected to a host computer via a predetermined network, the host computer transmits data from another host computer or printing device connected to the network. Usually, when looking at what device is powered on, the name of each host computer and the name of the printing device are merely listed on the screen of the host computer.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, only the information on the devices connected to the network can be known, and what is the form of the network including the operator and the printing apparatus is not known. Did not.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to transmit a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network, and to respond to the confirmation command. By receiving response information and, based on the received response information, causing the output unit to print or display network information indicating the devices connected to the network, By providing a print control apparatus and a print control method capable of collecting response information and outputting network information indicating a device connected to the network and being activated or a status of the device and allowing the user to recognize the device, is there.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a print control apparatus connected to a network, wherein the print control apparatus transmits a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network. Transmitting means, information receiving means for receiving response information to the confirmation command, and outputting network information indicating a device connected to the network to an output unit based on the response information received by the information receiving means. And output control means for causing the output to be controlled.

A second invention according to the present invention is a printing control apparatus connected to a network, wherein the transmitting means transmits a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network; Information receiving means for receiving response information to the command, and display control means for displaying network information indicating a device connected to the network based on the response information received by the information receiving means. Features.

A third invention according to the present invention has command receiving means for receiving an output command for instructing output of the network information, and the transmitting means receives the output command by the command receiving means. In this case, the confirmation command is transmitted.

A fourth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting means broadcasts the confirmation command to a network. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention,
The network information indicates a device connected to the network and running. A sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the network information indicates a connection state of a device connected to the network. A seventh invention according to the present invention is a print control method in a print control device connected to a network, comprising: a transmitting step of transmitting a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network;
An information receiving step of receiving response information to the confirmation command; and an output control step of outputting network information indicating a device connected to the network to an output unit based on the response information received in the information receiving step. And characterized in that: An eighth invention according to the present invention is a printing control method in a printing control device connected to a network, wherein the transmitting step includes transmitting a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network. An information receiving step of receiving response information to a confirmation command, and a display control step of displaying network information indicating a device connected to the network based on the response information received in the information receiving step. It is characterized by. A ninth invention according to the present invention has a command receiving step of receiving an output command instructing output of the network information, and the transmitting step includes:
When the output command is received in the command receiving step, the confirmation command is transmitted. A tenth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the transmitting step broadcasts the confirmation command to a network. An eleventh invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the network information indicates a device connected to the network and running. A twelfth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the network information indicates a connection state of a device connected to the network.

[0010]

[0011]

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

【Example】

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is configured.

As shown in FIG. 1, a printing system according to the present embodiment includes a host computer 101, a printing apparatus main body 104, a network 102, and a printing apparatus main body 10.
4 is connected to a network board 103. The host computer 101 sends print-related information such as print data and print commands to the printing apparatus main body 104.
The printing apparatus main body 104 is configured to perform a printing process.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the network board shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, a network board 103 controls a network interface unit 201 physically connected to the network 102, a control unit A 202 for controlling the inside of the network board, a bus 203 inside the network, and a network board. For temporarily storing programs and transmission / reception data for each other, and for storing in advance the format of the configuration diagram of each network, a printer interface unit 205 for exchanging data signals with the printing apparatus main body 104, a bus for the printer interface 206.

A central processing unit (CPU) is used for the control unit A202, and the control unit B202 controls the operation of the entire apparatus, such as reading / writing information from / to each component.

Next, the configuration of the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating the configuration of FIG. In the present embodiment, the printing apparatus main body 104 is configured by a microprocessor system including a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).
The functional circuit configuration is as follows.

The printing apparatus main body 104 is used for setting a network board interface section 301 for data exchange with the network board 103, a control section B302 for controlling the entire printing apparatus, and various parameters for controlling printing. An operation panel 303, a bus 304 inside the printing apparatus main body, a print data and print command analysis unit 305 from the host computer 101, a pattern development unit 306 for developing data such as characters and figures in a memory, and An output unit 307 that forms a permanent visible image on paper by a laser printer is provided in the printing apparatus main body 104.

A central processing unit (CPU) is used as the control unit B302, and the control unit B302 controls the operation of the entire apparatus, such as reading / writing information from / to each component. Moreover, a such read / write free memory as a random access memory (RAM) in the pattern development unit 306. Further, although the command analysis unit 305 is expressed in hardware, in the present embodiment, the command analysis is performed by software processing of the control unit B302. Instead of software processing, a decoder (signal decoder) may be used. Further, a printer having a printer engine as described later is used for the output unit 307.

FIG. 4 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a printing process procedure according to the present embodiment, which corresponds to a process from processing of a command transmitted from the host computer 101 to completion of printing. Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, in step (1), some command is received from the host computer 101 via the network board 103, and in the following step (2), the command is analyzed by the command analysis unit 305 in the printing apparatus main body.

In step (3), as a result of analyzing the command, it is determined whether the command is a network configuration diagram print command. If the command is a network configuration diagram print command, the process proceeds to step (4).

In the step (4), it is confirmed what kind of equipment is connected and started in the same network. As a method of this confirmation, a network connection confirmation command is transmitted from the network board by broadcast, and it is possible to confirm what is connected from the returned content. In the step (5), the format of the network configuration diagram stored in the memory unit 204 in the network board is developed by the pattern developing unit 306 in the printing apparatus main body. And terminate the processing. If it is determined in step (3) that the command is not a network configuration diagram print command, for example, if a command for the printing apparatus main body is received, the process proceeds to step (7) and ends.

[0027]

[0028]

FIG. 5 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first system configuration output example output from a daisy chain connection network.

As shown in this figure, the output example of the system form is output from the printing apparatus main body 104 by a network configuration diagram print command from the host computer 101, for example.

FIG. 6 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second example of system configuration output from the system, which corresponds to a case where the network is a bus type connection.

As shown in this figure, the output example of the system form is output from the printing apparatus main body 104 by a network configuration diagram print command from the host computer 101, for example.

FIG. 7 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third system configuration output example output from a network, which corresponds to a case where the network is a ring type connection.

As shown in this figure, the output example of the system form is outputted from the printing apparatus main body 104 by a network configuration diagram print command from the host computer 101, for example.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the format of a network configuration print command sent from the host computer shown in FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
By using a command from the host computer, it is possible to clearly know the current network configuration and which devices have been started up from the diagram.

[0037]

[0038]

[0039]

[0040]

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the case where the network configuration diagram is printed by the command sent from the host computer has been described. In response to the instruction operation of the system configuration output mode, the current network configuration and which devices are activated may be output as a diagram. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 shows the printing apparatus main body 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel unit 303 provided above.

As shown in FIG.
In response to the instruction to press the key 303A, the processing shown in steps (4) to (6) shown in FIG. 4 is executed, and the system configuration state shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 is printed out.

When printing the state of the system configuration, it may be controlled so that the density is lower than the image density at the time of normal printing. In addition, instead of the above printing, control may be performed such that character information or graphics are simply displayed on the LCD display unit or output as audio information. An extended test printer mode for outputting the system configuration during execution of the normal test print mode may be provided to print the system configuration.

The configuration of the output unit 307 shown in FIG. 3 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

The output unit 307 to which the present invention is applied may be an ink jet printer, a thermal transfer printer or the like in addition to a laser printer. Further, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case of performing color printing. The printer is not limited to a binary output printer, but may be a multi-value output printer.

FIG. 10 is a first external view illustrating the engine configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and shows, for example, the case of an ink jet recording apparatus.

In the figure, a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 which rotates via driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a driving motor 5013.
The carriage HC that engages with a pin (not shown)
And is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b.

An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage moving direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which function as home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the lever 5006 of the carriage HC in this region and switching the rotation direction of the drive motor 5013. Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for indicating a cap member 5022 for capping the entire surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for suctioning the inside of the cap.

Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade which can be moved in the front-rear direction by a member 5019. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate, which includes a cleaning blade 5017 and a member 5.
019.

Reference numeral 5012 denotes a lever for starting suction for recovery of suction. The lever 5012 moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaged with the carriage HC, and the driving force from the drive motor 5013 is moved by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Controlled. The capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005 when the carriage HC comes to the home position side area, but at a known timing. What is necessary is just to be comprised so that a desired operation | movement may be performed.

FIG. 11 is a second external view illustrating the engine configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. For example, in the case of a laser beam printer, registration of a character pattern or a fixed format ( (Form data) can be registered.

In the figure, reference numeral 1500 denotes a laser beam printer (LBP) main body (hereinafter simply referred to as main body);
Character information (character code), form information, macro instructions, and the like supplied from an external device such as the host computer 101 shown in FIG. Create character patterns and form patterns,
An image is formed on a recording sheet as a storage medium.

Reference numeral 1512 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display for displaying the status of the printer are provided. Reference numeral 1000 denotes a printer control for controlling the entire LBP 1500 and analyzing character information supplied from the host computer. Unit. The print control unit 1000 mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502. The laser driver 1502 is a semiconductor laser 150
3 for turning on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from a semiconductor laser 1503 in accordance with an input video signal.

As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 around the electrostatic drum 1506 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cassette sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet is accommodated in a sheet cassette 1508 mounted on the main body 1500, taken in the apparatus by a feed roller 1509 and a transport roller 1511, and supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. In addition, 1
Reference numeral 505 denotes a polygon mirror.

It is needless to say that 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.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, response information from devices connected to a network is collected, and devices connected to the network and activated or statuses of the devices are collected. Can be output to make the user aware.

[0058]

[0059]

[0060]

[0061]

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of a network board illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus main body illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a print processing procedure performed by the printing apparatus main body 1 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first example of the output from the printing apparatus main body shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of a system form output.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the output from the printing apparatus main body illustrated in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the example of a system form output.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third output from the printing apparatus main body shown in FIG. 1;
It is a figure which shows the example of a system form output.

8 is a diagram showing an example of a format of a network configuration print command sent from the host computer shown in FIG. 1;

9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel unit 303 provided on the printing apparatus main body 104 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a first external view illustrating an engine configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 11 is a second external view illustrating an engine configuration of a printing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Host computer 102 Network 103 Printer main body 201 Network interface unit 202 Control unit 204 Memory unit 205 Printer interface unit

Claims (12)

(57) [Claims] 1. A printing control apparatus connected to a network, wherein the transmitting means transmits a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network, and the information receives response information to the confirmation command. A receiving unit, based on the response information received by the information receiving unit, an output control unit configured to output network information indicating a device connected to the network to an output unit;
A print control device comprising: 2. Print control connected to a network
An apparatus, for confirming the devices connected to the network
Transmitting means for transmitting a confirmation command, and receiving information for receiving response information to the confirmation command
Means , based on the response information received by the information receiving means.
To indicate devices connected to the network.
Display control means for displaying network information.
A print control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 3. A command receiving means for receiving an output command instructing output of the network information, wherein the transmitting means transmits the confirmation command when the output command is received by the command receiving means. 3. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein 4. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit broadcasts the confirmation command to a network. 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network information indicates a device connected to the network and activated. 6. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network information indicates a connection state of a device connected to the network. 7. A print control method in a print control device connected to a network, wherein the transmission step includes transmitting a confirmation command for confirming a device connected to the network, and response information to the confirmation command. And an output control step of outputting, to an output unit, network information indicating a device connected to the network based on the response information received in the information receiving step. Characteristic print control method. 8. Print control connected to a network
A print control method in an apparatus, for confirming a device connected to the network.
Transmitting a confirmation command, and receiving information for receiving response information to the confirmation command
And the response information received in the information receiving step.
Devices connected to the network based on the
A display control step for displaying network information;
A print control method comprising: 9. A command receiving step of receiving an output command instructing output of the network information, wherein the transmitting step transmits the confirmation command when the output command is received by the command receiving step. 9. The print control method according to claim 7, wherein 10. The print control method according to claim 7 , wherein the transmitting step broadcasts the confirmation command to a network. 11. The print control method according to claim 7 , wherein the network information indicates a device connected to the network and running. 12. The print control method according to claim 7 , wherein the network information indicates a connection state of a device connected to the network.