JP3780196B2 - Information management apparatus, image forming apparatus, information providing method, and program for providing information - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information management apparatus and an image forming apparatus suitable for distributing and arranging WEB contents (information contents).
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the widespread use of the Internet, a form in which a printing apparatus is used in a network has become common. Usually, high-speed machines such as high-speed machines and color machines tend to have a built-in network interface, but in the case of a low-priced monochrome machine, the network interface is not included in the main unit. A form supplied separately as a network card module is common.
[0003]
In this case, the printing apparatus main body and the network card module are intelligent forms each having a CPU, and each communicates between connection interfaces to provide a desired service. Conversely, this means that the printing device main body can drive out heavy network services to the network card module, and can relatively reduce the CPU and peripheral performance of the printing device main body. This has resulted in cost savings.
[0004]
The network interface of the conventional printing apparatus has only to be able to transmit and receive print data as represented by the lpr function. However, recently, there is an increasing need for managing information related to printing apparatuses, and various means and functions are provided as network interface functions as additional technologies.
[0005]
The simplest example is a mode in which information management data (job control language = Job Language) can be transferred at a port that transmits print data. Since the job control language is used in the form of sharing the port for sending the print data, it is not necessary to increase the service port and is relatively easy to implement. However, since a port is occupied when a large amount of print data is transmitted, there is a problem that the exchange of information management data stops. In addition, in the case of a one-way connection such as the lpr protocol in a network, there is a disadvantage that information cannot be acquired in the first place.
[0006]
As a next method, there is a method using SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) / MIB (Management Information Base). In this method, a dedicated port for data transmission / reception is prepared, and the standard SNMP is used. However, this method requires a dedicated client program that receives data using SNMP and provides a UI (User Interface) that displays information about the device.
[0007]
In addition, in this method, since SNMP is a simple protocol for exchanging information, only simple databases such as numbers and character strings can be provided. As a result, information constituting the UI such as bitmap image data indicating the configuration of the device must be owned by the client program. Along with this, there is a problem that the client program must hold a lot of information and data in order to support a lot of models.
[0008]
As the latest method, the network card module provides HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) service and provides WEB contents such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) data on device information and bitmap image data, while the user In a client computer used by a computer, a general WEB browser displays the WEB content on a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and enables operation of the displayed information, so that a client program is not provided. Similar effects can be obtained.
[0009]
In the conventional method, the client program has to manage information (message character string, bitmap image data) unique to a wide variety of devices. However, in this method, each device only needs to have its own model information. Can provide products in a short period of time.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such a method, in order to further reduce the product cost and the development cost, it is necessary to further share the network module. Therefore, WEB content that depends on the model is stored in the device main body, and WEB content that does not depend on the model is stored in the network card module. It is unnecessary to have WEB content for the model. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the cost of the storage capacity of the network card module.
[0011]
However, multi-functionalization (multi-functionalization) has progressed in devices, and for example, a printer (multi-function printer) in which a plurality of control units are combined such as a printer unit, a fax unit, and a scanner unit has been developed. It became so.
[0012]
In such a printing apparatus, since a plurality of control units control each function and each control unit exists independently, information unique to the printing apparatus is managed by each control unit for each function. May have been. For this reason, in the above-described function of providing device information using HTTP, it is desirable to acquire information from a plurality of control units in order to acquire information unique to the printing apparatus.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an information management apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus that can provide more detailed data relating to the apparatus main body by acquiring data from each of a plurality of control units, An object is to provide an information providing method and program.
[0014]
The information management apparatus according to the present invention is an information management apparatus that provides data related to an apparatus main body having a plurality of control units to an external apparatus in response to a request, and includes identification information corresponding to the requested data. A determination to determine whether the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on the identification information receiving means received from the external device and the identification information received by the identification information receiving means Means, a control unit determination unit for determining which of the plurality of control units depends on the requested data based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit, and the requested data If it depends on the model of the device main body, the requested data is acquired from the control unit determined by the control unit determination means, and the requested data does not depend on the model of the device main body. , From the storage unit in the information management apparatus, characterized by having a obtaining means for obtaining the requested data. Alternatively, the information management device according to the present invention is an information management device that provides data related to a device body having a plurality of control units to an external device in response to a request, and includes identification information corresponding to the requested data. As a result of the determination based on the identification information receiving means received from the external device and the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body, If it depends on one of the control units, the requested data is obtained from the one control unit, and if the requested data does not depend on the model of the device body, it is requested. It has an acquisition means which acquires the acquired data from the storage part in the information management device.
[0015]
In addition, when the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body, the data request is transmitted to the determined control unit to acquire the data.
[0016]
In addition, it is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on identification information for identifying the requested data. In particular, the identification information is a URL indicating data.
[0017]
Further, the information management apparatus holds identification information for identifying data depending on the model of the apparatus main body, and the requested data is stored in the model of the apparatus main body based on the received identification information and the held identification information. It is characterized by determining whether it is dependent or not.
[0018]
The information management apparatus holds identification information for identifying data independent of the model of the apparatus main body, and the requested data is stored in the model of the apparatus main body based on the received identification information and the held identification information. It is characterized by determining whether it is dependent or not.
[0019]
The data relating to the apparatus main body is data described in HTML or image data.
[0020]
The data relating to the apparatus main body includes data relating to a paper feeding device attached to the apparatus main body, data relating to a paper discharge device attached to the apparatus main body, data relating to an optional device attached to the apparatus main body, paper feeding of the apparatus main body. Or it is the data regarding paper discharge.
[0021]
Further, the data relating to the apparatus main body is displayed by a browser of the external apparatus.
[0022]
The apparatus main body is a printing apparatus that performs a printing process based on print data transmitted from a host computer.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The printing system according to the first embodiment includes a host computer 100, a printing apparatus 101 that includes a network card unit 110, a printing unit 120, and a facsimile unit 130, a network that connects the host computer 100 and the printing apparatus 101, and the like. And a predetermined communication medium 102.
[0025]
Further, the network card unit 110 of the printing apparatus 101 includes a network I / F unit 111, an lpd server unit 112, a WWW (World Wide Web) server unit 113, a printing device I / F unit 114, a model-independent content unit 115, a facsimile machine. An I / F unit 116 is provided.
[0026]
The printing unit 120 of the printing apparatus 101 includes a reception buffer 121, a model-dependent content unit 122, a PDL translator 123, an intermediate buffer 124, a drawing unit 125, a printer engine 126, and a network card I / F unit 127. The facsimile unit 130 includes a facsimile control unit 131, a model-dependent content unit 132, and a network card I / F unit 133.
[0027]
More specifically, in the network card unit 110 of the printing apparatus 101, the network I / F unit 111 communicates with the communication medium 102, and the data received via the communication medium 102 depends on the service. Pass to the next stage (other parts). The lpd server unit 112 receives print data transmitted from the host computer 100.
[0028]
The WWW server unit 113 transmits and receives data indicating the state of the printing apparatus 101 requested by the host computer 100 using HTTP. The printing apparatus I / F unit 114 instructs the printing unit 120 to transmit / receive print data and model-dependent content (model-dependent data). The facsimile I / F unit 116 instructs the facsimile unit 130 to transmit and receive fax data and model-dependent content (model-dependent data).
[0029]
The model-independent content unit 115 stores model-independent HTML data and bitmap image data provided by the WWW server unit 113.
[0030]
In the printing unit 120 of the printing apparatus 101, the network card I / F unit 127 communicates with the printing apparatus I / F unit 114 and passes data based on the communication to the next stage according to the service. The reception buffer 121 includes a RAM or an HDD device, receives print data, and passes it to the PDL translator 123. The model-dependent content unit 122 stores model-dependent HTML data and bitmap image data. The PDL translator 123 takes out the print data that has entered the reception buffer 121, analyzes the print data described in PDL (Page Description Language), and converts the print data into intermediate data for rendering. .
[0031]
The intermediate buffer 124 temporarily stores intermediate data converted by the PDL translator 123 and passes it to the drawing unit 125. The drawing unit 125 extracts intermediate data for drawing from the intermediate buffer 124, converts it into raster data (bitmap data), and passes it to the printer engine 126. The printer engine 126 prints on a sheet based on the raster data generated by the drawing unit 125 by a known electrophotographic technique or inkjet technique, and discharges the sheet after printing is completed. Here, the printer engine unit 126 uses a known printing technique, and for example, an electrophotographic system or an inkjet system is generally used.
[0032]
In the facsimile unit 130 of the printing apparatus 101, the network card I / F unit 133 communicates with the facsimile I / F unit 116 and passes data based on the communication to the next stage according to the service. The facsimile control unit 131 receives facsimile data and performs processing. The model-dependent content unit 132 stores HTML data and bitmap image data depending on the model.
[0033]
Here, the WEB content will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which HTML data and bitmap image data provided by the WWW server unit 113 of the printing apparatus 101 are processed by the WWW browser software of the host computer 100 and displayed on the display using the GUI. In FIG. 13, the screen configuration is divided into two frames. That is, the mode switching frame 1301 and the mode display frame 1351.
[0034]
The mode switching frame 1301 is provided with buttons for prompting transition to each mode in order to display a screen divided into modes for a WWW service having many functions. Here, there are buttons for device management 1302, job management 1303, device management 1304, and support link 1305, respectively, indicating the transition to each mode.
[0035]
A mode display frame 1351 shows a device management status frame. From the top, a device bitmap icon 1352, a device name 1353, a status display 1354, a paper feeder (manual tray, upper cassette) 1355 indicating information on the lower cassette, paper deck, envelope feeder), 1356 indicating the status of the paper discharge device (discharge tray, bin 1, bin 2, bin 3), bitmap image 1357 indicating the configuration of the device, utility Button 1358 indicating activation of the device and a button 1359 indicating activation of device control.
[0036]
The reason why the printing apparatus 101 includes the WWW server unit 113 is to enable the status monitoring, initial value setting, and print job control of the printing apparatus 101 to be viewed and operated by the WWW browser of the host computer 100. It is. Here, the WWW server unit 113 operates as a database that provides WEB contents (HTML data and bitmap image data) requested from the host computer 100.
[0037]
Thus, the user of the host computer 100 does not need to install the dedicated program for managing the printing apparatus 101 in the computer 100. Further, even if the user is not the host computer 100, the user can browse the state of the printing apparatus 101 and operate the printing apparatus 101 using an apparatus equipped with a WWW browser, for example, an information portable terminal or a notebook personal computer.
[0038]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of basic HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data. This notation is simplified for the sake of explanation, and actually more complicated documents are described.
In FIG. <! The DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-// IETF // DTD HTML2.0 // EN"> line is a document type declaration in an SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language) document and indicates that the document is described in HTML. ing.
[0039]
From <HTML> An HTML document is described in an area surrounded by </ HTML>. From <HEAD> The area surrounded by </ HEAD> indicates the header area of the HTML document. <TITLE> A character string “WEB Console Interface” surrounded by </ TITLE> represents the subject of the HTML document. From <BODY> An area surrounded by </ BODY> indicates the inside of the HTML document, and three images are captured therein.
[0040]
The first image in the HTML document is <IMG SRC = ”/ mfp / device.png”>. FIG. 3 shows an overview of this image. Since “/mfp/device.png” is not represented by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), it is understood that it is internal data of the printing apparatus 101. Furthermore, “/mfp/device.png” indicates data indicating an overview of the printing apparatus 101, and it is understood that this is “model-dependent content” depending on the model of the printing apparatus 101. “/Mfp/device.png” is different when the printing device is different from the normal printing device, that is, when the printing device is, for example, a color model or a printing device with a small number of paper cassettes. Represents an image.
[0041]
The second image is <IMC SRC = ”/ dev / paper.png”>. Similarly, since this is not a URL notation, it is understood that the data is internal data of the printing apparatus 101. Furthermore, “/dev/paper.png” indicates the remaining amount of paper set in the printing apparatus, and it is understood that this is “model-dependent content” depending on the model.
[0042]
The third image is <IMC SRC = ”/ nic / error.png”>. Similarly, since this is not a URL notation, it is understood that the data is internal data of the printing apparatus 101. Furthermore, “/nic/error.png” shows an abstract image that prompts cassette paper feeding (supplying paper to the cassette), which may be “model-independent content” that does not depend on the model. Recognize.
[0043]
As described above, the WEB content is roughly divided into a WEB content (model-dependent content) that depends on the model and a WEB content (model-independent content) that does not depend on the model. And each control unit that manages the information.
[0044]
Normally, the network card unit 110 of the printing apparatus 101 acquires the web content depending on the model from the model-dependent content unit 122 in the printing unit 120 and the model-dependent content unit 133 in the facsimile unit 130, and does not depend on the model. The WEB content is acquired from the model-independent content unit 115 in the network card unit 110. That is, the model-dependent WEB content and the model-independent WEB content are stored separately, and the WEB content stored in the model-dependent content units 122 and 133 is stored separately according to the model. For example, device.png in FIG. 3 is stored as image data indicating an overview corresponding to the model, and error.png in FIG. 4 is stored as image data indicating error information generated in the printing apparatus.
[0045]
Next, a description will be given of how the above-mentioned model-dependent WEB contents, model-independent WEB contents, and model-independent WEB contents for each controller are separated and acquired. In the first embodiment, a path structure is used to distinguish these differences. In the first embodiment, in the case of WEB content starting with / dev /, the printing unit acquires the model-dependent WEB content from the model-dependent content unit 122, and in the case of WEB content starting with / mfp /, It is acquired from the model-dependent content unit 132 as a model-dependent WEB content in the facsimile unit, and in the case of a WEB content beginning with / nic /, it is acquired from the model-independent content unit 115 as a model-independent WEB content.
[0046]
Next, a description will be given of how to obtain and acquire the above model-dependent WEB contents, model-independent WEB contents, and model-independent WEB contents for each controller (printing unit 120 or facsimile unit 130). . In the first embodiment, a path structure is used to distinguish these differences.
[0047]
In the first embodiment, in the case of WEB content identified by a URL beginning with “/ dev /”, the printing unit 120 acquires the WEB content as a model-dependent WEB content from the model-dependent content unit 122. In the case of WEB content identified by a URL beginning with “/ mfp /”, the content is acquired from the model-dependent content unit 132 as WEB content dependent on the facsimile unit. In the case of a WEB content identified by a URL beginning with “/ nic /”, it is acquired from the model-independent content unit 115 as a model-independent WEB content.
[0048]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the WWW server unit 113 of the printing apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. The WWW server unit 113 is activated when the printing apparatus 101 is activated, and continues to provide services until the power is turned off. When the service is started, in step S501, the WWW server unit 113 waits for a GET operation sent from the host computer 100. The GET operation is an operation for requesting WEB content in HTTP, and loops at the head until this GET operation comes.
[0049]
When a GET operation is received from the host computer 100, in step S502, the WWW server unit 113 checks the WEB content requested by the GET operation, and determines whether the WEB content is in URL notation. For example, if the specified WEB content name is “http: //printer.domain/dev/device.html”, “http: //” is a scheme and “printer.domain” is a domain name. Therefore, both are removed and only “/dev/device.html” is taken out.
[0050]
In step S504, the WWW server unit 113 checks whether or not the extracted WEB content name starts with “/ dev /”. As described above, a WEB content (model-dependent WEB content) name beginning with “/ dev /” is a rule acquired from the printing unit 120. Therefore, if the WEB content name starts with “/ dev /”, the WWW server unit 113 issues a request for acquiring the WEB content to the printing unit 120 in step S505. In step S506, the printer waits for a response from the printing unit 120. When a response is received from the printing unit 120, the requested web content is provided to the host computer 100 in the HTTP reply format in step S507.
[0051]
If the WWW server unit 113 determines in step S504 that the web content does not start with “/ dev /” (model-independent web content), it checks whether the web content name starts with “/ mfp /”. I do. As described above, the WEB content (model-dependent WEB content) name starting with “/ mfp /” is a rule acquired from the facsimile unit 130. Therefore, if the WEB content name starts with “/ mfp /”, the WWW server unit 113 issues a request for acquiring the WEB content to the facsimile unit 130 in step S509. In step S510, the response from the facsimile unit 130 is waited. When a response is received from the facsimile unit 130, the requested web content is provided to the host computer 100 in the HTTP reply format in step S511.
[0052]
If the WWW server unit 113 determines in step S508 that the web content does not start with “/ mfp /” (model-independent web content), the web content is the web content owned by the network card unit 110. judge. Therefore, in step S512, the WEB content is acquired from the model-independent content unit 115, and the requested WEB content is provided to the host computer 100 in the HTTP reply format.
[0053]
That is, in the first embodiment, when the WWW server unit 113 checks the URL and path of the WEB content specified by the host computer 100 using HTTP, does the specified WEB content match a specific path? It is determined whether or not the specified WEB content is model-dependent WEB content or model-independent WEB content based on the determination result.
[0054]
When the WWW server unit 113 acquires WEB content starting with “/ dev /” from the model-dependent content unit 122 in the printing unit 120, the printing apparatus I / F unit 114 and the network card I / F unit 127. A remote function call for executing the reading of the web content is performed via the. This remote function call requests file transfer from the network card unit 110 to the printing unit 120.
[0055]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a packet format of a request packet instructing reading of WEB content by a remote function call. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 801 denotes a remote procedure call ID indicating a request to read web content. Here, the numerical value is 100. Reference numeral 802 denotes a request. Here, 0 indicating a request is stored. Reference numeral 803 denotes the data size of the packet. Reference numeral 804 denotes a path of the requested WEB content. Thus, a request for WEB content is transmitted in a bucket format. When the bucket is correctly interpreted by the network card I / F unit 127 of the printing unit 120, the printing unit 120 transmits a response packet.
[0056]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a packet format of a response packet for transmitting WEB content in response to a request packet for instructing reading of WEB content by a remote function call. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 901 denotes a remote procedure call ID indicating a web content read request. Here, the numerical value is 100. Reference numeral 902 indicates a reply. Here, a number “1” indicating a response is stored. Reference numeral 903 denotes a response state indicating whether reading is successful. Here, 1 indicating that reading was successful is stored. Reference numeral 904 indicates the data size of the packet. Then, binary data of the WEB content is attached to 905 and transmitted. The WWW server unit 113 analyzes the response packet, extracts the WEB content from the response packet, and transmits it to the host computer 100 using the HTTP protocol.
[0057]
Even when the WWW server unit 113 acquires WEB content starting with “/ mfp /” from the model-dependent content unit 132 in the facsimile unit 130, the facsimile I / F unit 116 and the network card I / F unit 133 are used. A remote function call for executing reading of WEB contents is executed. This remote function call is a request for file transfer from the network card unit 110 to the facsimile unit 130.
[0058]
The operation between the modules will be described with time. 6 and 7 are transition diagrams showing how WEB content requested from the host computer 100 is acquired between the modules. The vertical axis represents time, and shows changes in requests and responses between the host computer 100 and the network card unit 110 and the printing unit 120 of the printing apparatus 101.
[0059]
FIG. 6 shows the operation when the host computer 100 requests “model-independent WEB content”. Since the WEB content exists in the network card unit 110, the WEB content is extracted from the model-independent content unit 115 without transmitting a request to the printing unit 120 and transmitted to the host computer 100.
[0060]
FIG. 7 shows the operation when the host computer 100 requests “model-dependent WEB content” owned by the printing unit. Since the WEB content exists in the printing unit 120, a request is made to the printing unit 120, the WEB content is extracted from the model-dependent content unit 122 and transmitted to the host computer 100. When the “model-dependent vegetable WEB content” owned by the facsimile unit is requested, the printing unit is replaced with the facsimile unit and the same transition is performed.
[0061]
Each time the host computer 100 acquires and analyzes the HTML data shown in FIG. 2 and requests each of the WEB contents described in the HTML data, the processing of FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 is executed. In the HTML data shown in FIG. <IMG SRC = ”/ mfp / device.png”>, <IMC SRC = ”/ dev / paper.png”>, <IMC SRC = ”/ nic / error.png”> corresponds to WEB content.
[0062]
As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, WEB content is model-dependent WEB content, model-independent WEB content, and model-dependent WEB content includes Each controller is classified into a model-dependent web content, the web content depending on the model is arranged in the printing unit 120 and the facsimile unit 130, and the web content not depending on the model is arranged in the network card unit 110. The following effects can be obtained by dispersively arranging.
[0063]
(1) For all models / models to which the network card unit 110 may be connected, the network card unit 110 does not need to have WEB content in the model-independent content unit 115, and the storage capacity of the network card unit 110 Costs can be reduced.
[0064]
(2) For the same reason as described above, the network card unit 110 can cope with the printing unit 120 and the facsimile unit 130 that will be developed in the future without replacing the ROM of the network card unit 110. It becomes possible.
[0065]
(3) From the standpoint of the printing unit 120 and the facsimile unit 130, the WWW server unit 113 that transmits / receives the status of the requested printing apparatus using HTTP, and the model-independent content unit that stores the model-independent WEB content. By expelling 115 to the network card unit 110, it is possible to prevent an extra cost increase when it is not necessary to cope with the network.
[0066]
<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the WEB content is based on whether or not the character string obtained by taking the path portion from the URL of the WEB content includes “/ dev /” or “/ mfp /”. It was determined whether the content or the WEB content independent of the model.
[0067]
However, with this method, it is possible to infer whether the WEB content is a model-dependent WEB content or a model-independent WEB content by using the GUI of the host computer 100. Since the place where the WEB content is placed is internal information, it may not be preferable to make an analogy from the URL.
[0068]
Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as a measure for preventing the WEB content from being inferred from the URL, a character string obtained by taking a path portion from the WEB content URL as in the first embodiment. Whether or not includes “/ dev /” or “/ mfp /”, a character string list that is recognized as a model-dependent WEB content is prepared in advance, and the character string list is compared with the WEB content to be compared. Compare
[0069]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. A printing system according to the second embodiment includes a host computer 1000, a printing apparatus 1001 including a network card unit 1010, a printing unit 1020, and a facsimile unit 1030, and a communication medium 1002 that connects the host computer 1000 and the printing apparatus 1001. It consists of and.
[0070]
Further, the network card unit 1010 of the printing apparatus 1001 includes a network I / F unit 1011, an lpd server unit 1012, a WWW server unit 1013, a printing device I / F unit 1014, a facsimile I / F unit 1016, and a model-independent content unit 1015. , A printing unit 1020 of the printing apparatus 1001 includes a reception buffer 1021, a model-dependent content unit 1022, a PDL translator 1023, an intermediate buffer 1024, a drawing unit 1025, a printer engine 1026, and a network card I / F unit 1027. The facsimile unit 1030 includes a facsimile control unit 1031, a model-dependent content unit 1032, and a network card I / F unit 1033.
[0071]
FIG. 10 is a partial modification of FIG. FIG. 10 is obtained by adding a dependency list 1017 to the network card unit of the printing apparatus in the configuration of FIG. 1, and the rest is the same, and the description of the same part is omitted.
[0072]
The dependency list 1017 provided in the network card unit 1010 of the printing apparatus 1001 is a database having a list of character strings. For example, if the dependency list 1017 has a list of character strings as shown in FIG. 11, if the WEB content name is the same as one of these character strings, the printing unit 1020 or the facsimile unit 1030 is notified. When the WEB content is requested and the WEB content name is other than that, the network card unit 1010 provides it.
[0073]
Whether the printing unit 1020 or the facsimile unit 1030 is to be requested is determined by the printing unit 1020 when the head of the list is “/ dev /” as shown in FIG. Inquiry, in the case of “/ mfp /”, the facsimile unit 1030 is inquired. In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, there is a method of making a determination by shifting the hierarchy to express “/ dev /” and “/ mfp /” in order to make an inquiry.
[0074]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the WWW server unit 1013 of the printing apparatus 1001 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is different from FIG. 5 of the first embodiment in the comparison condition in step S1204. In step S1204, it is checked whether or not the specified path is included in the dependency list 1017.
[0075]
Accordingly, it is possible to set the WEB content as a model-dependent WEB content or a model-independent WEB content regardless of the URL or the path. In other words, when changing the URL of the WEB content, it is only necessary to change the dependency list. Note that steps S1201 to S1203 and steps S1205 to S1213 in FIG. 12 are the same as steps S501 to S503 and steps S504 to S512 in FIG.
[0076]
As described above, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a character string list recognized as a model-dependent WEB content is prepared, and the character string list is compared with the WEB content name to be compared. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether the content is a model-dependent WEB content or a model-independent WEB content regardless of the URL or the path.
[0077]
Further, it is possible to set whether a certain WEB content is to be a model-dependent WEB content or a model-independent WEB content simply by changing the character string list.
[0078]
In the second embodiment, the network card unit 1010 of the printing apparatus 1001 has the dependency list 1017. However, instead of the network card unit 1010 of the printing apparatus 1001 having a dependency list that is a character string list of content names of WEB content recognized as model-dependent WEB content, the WEB content recognized as model-independent WEB content is included. A non-dependent list that is a character string list of content names may be provided. In this case, only the Yes / No in the comparison condition of step S1204 in FIG. 12 is switched, and the processes other than the step S1204 are the same, and the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.
[0079]
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer applicable to the printing apparatus 101. This laser beam printer can input character pattern data or the like and print it on recording paper. Reference numeral 8012 denotes a laser beam printer main body, which forms an image on recording paper as a recording medium based on a supplied character pattern and the like. Reference numeral 8000 denotes an operation panel on which an operation switch and an LED display are arranged, and reference numeral 8001 denotes a printer control unit for controlling the entire laser beam printer 8012 and analyzing character pattern information. The printer control unit 8001 mainly converts character pattern information into a video signal and outputs it to the laser driver 8002. A laser driver 8002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 8003, and switches on / off a laser beam 8004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 8003 in accordance with an input video signal.
[0080]
A laser beam 8004 is swung in the left-right direction by a rotary polygon mirror 8005 to scan on the electrostatic drum 8006. Thereby, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 8006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 8007 around the electrostatic drum 8006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used as the recording sheet, and the cut sheet recording sheet is stored in a plurality of sheet cassettes 8008 corresponding to a plurality of types of sheets mounted on the laser beam printer 8012, and is fed by a sheet feeding roller 8009 and conveying rollers 8010 and 8011. It is taken into the apparatus and supplied to the electrostatic drum 8006.
[0081]
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the ink jet recording apparatus IJRA. In the figure, the carriage HC engaged with the spiral groove 9003 of the lead screw 9004 that rotates via the driving force transmission gears 9010 and 9008 in conjunction with the forward and reverse rotation of the drive motor 9011 has 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.
[0082]
Reference numeral 9001 denotes a paper pressing plate that presses the paper against the platen 9000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Reference numerals 9006 and 9007 denote home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 9005 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 9011. Reference numeral 9013 denotes a member that supports a cap member 9019 that caps the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 9012 denotes suction means that sucks the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through an opening 9020 in the cap.
[0083]
9014 is a cleaning blade, and 9016 is a member that enables the blade to move in the front-rear direction, and these are supported by a main body support plate 9015. Needless to say, the blade is not in this form, and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 9018 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery. The lever 9018 moves with the movement of the cam 9017 engaged with the carriage, and the driving force from the drive motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done.
[0084]
These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired processing can be performed at their corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 9004 when the carriage comes to the home position side region. Any of these can be applied to this example as long as the above operation is performed.
[0085]
The present invention is not limited to the apparatus of the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or an apparatus constituted by one device.
[0086]
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a program code supply method. A storage medium 10003 storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiment is supplied to a system or apparatus 10001, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program codes stored in the storage medium Needless to say, it will be completed by doing.
[0087]
Specifically, the program code based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 12 is stored in the ROM or RAM of the network card unit 110, and the CPU of the network card unit performs control according to these program codes, so that A control method can be realized.
[0088]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code or the program code itself constitutes the present invention.
[0089]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD- RAM and DVD-ROM can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code performs the actual processing. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the processing is also included.
[0090]
Furthermore, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted in the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is expanded based on the instruction of the next program code. It goes without saying that the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by performing some or all of the actual processing by the CPU or the like provided on the expansion board or the expansion unit.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the data to be provided to the external device is the data depending on the model of the apparatus main body, the data independent of the model of the apparatus main body, and the data dependent on the model for each control unit. The data depending on the model is arranged in each control unit, and the data not depending on the model is arranged in the communication control unit in the information management apparatus or the image forming apparatus, so that the data can be distributed appropriately. .
[0092]
For all models / models of the device main body to which the information management device or the communication control unit may be connected, the information management device or the communication control unit does not need to have data depending on the model, and the information management device Alternatively, the storage capacity cost of the communication control unit can be reduced.
[0093]
In addition, the information management device or the communication control unit can be changed to a model that does not replace the storage unit of the information management device or the communication control unit with respect to a control unit that will be developed in the future, for example, a printer controller or a facsimile controller. It becomes possible to deal with data that depends on the data.
[0094]
Also, from the standpoint of the control unit, by expelling the means for providing the requested data to the external device to the information management device or the communication control unit, if it is not necessary to cope with the network in the first place, the extra cost is increased. Can be prevented.
[0095]
In addition, by providing a list indicating whether the data is model-dependent or model-independent data, the data is independent of the model and data regardless of the URL or path. It is possible to set to various data. Therefore, when changing the URL of data, it is only necessary to change the list.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of basic HTML data.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an overview of an image.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an image indicating error information generated in the printing apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the WWW server unit 113 of the printing apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the host computer 100 requests “model-independent WEB content”;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation when the host computer 100 requests “model-dependent WEB content” owned by a printing unit.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a packet format of a request packet instructing reading of WEB content.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a packet format of a response packet for transmitting WEB content.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printing system according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a dependency list.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the WWW server unit 1013 of the printing apparatus 1001 according to the second embodiment.
13 is a diagram showing an example in which HTML data and bitmap image data are processed and displayed by WWW browser software of the host computer 100. FIG.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the laser beam printer.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for supplying a program code.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 Host computer
101 Printing device
102 Communication medium
110 Network card section
120 Printing section
130 Facsimile Department
111 Network I / F section
112 lpd server part
113 WWW (World Wide Web) server section
114 Printing device I / F section
115 Model-independent content section
116 Facsimile I / F part
121 Receive buffer
122 Model-dependent content section
123 PDL translator
124 Intermediate buffer
125 drawing part
126 Printer engine
127 Network card I / F part
131 Facsimile controller
132 Model-dependent content section
133 Network card I / F part

Claims (15)

An information management device that provides data related to a device body having a plurality of control units to an external device upon request,
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information corresponding to the requested data from the external device;
Determination means for determining whether the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
A control unit determining unit that determines which of the plurality of control units depends on the requested data based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit;
When the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body, the requested data is obtained from the control unit determined by the control unit determination unit, and when the requested data does not depend on the model of the apparatus main body, An information management apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire requested data from a storage unit in the information management apparatus.   The acquisition unit, when the requested data depends on a model of the apparatus main body, transmits a data request to the control unit determined by the control unit determination unit, and acquires the data. Item 14. The information management device according to Item 1.   3. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the requested data depends on a model of the apparatus main body based on identification information for identifying the requested data. The information management device described.   The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification information is a URL indicating data. Holding means for holding identification information for identifying data depending on the model of the apparatus body;
The determination means determines whether the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving means and the identification information held by the holding means. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus is an information management apparatus. Holding means for holding identification information for identifying data independent of the model of the apparatus body;
The determination means determines whether the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving means and the identification information held by the holding means. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus is an information management apparatus. Providing means for providing data relating to the apparatus main body using HTTP;
7. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data indicating the information related to the apparatus main body is data described in HTML or image data.   The data related to the apparatus main body includes data relating to a paper feeding device mounted on the apparatus main body, data relating to a paper discharge device mounted on the main body of the apparatus, data relating to an optional device mounted on the main body of the apparatus, paper feeding or discharging of the apparatus main body. 8. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus is data related to paper.   9. The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein data relating to the apparatus main body is displayed by a browser of the external apparatus.   The information management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus is a network board connectable to a printing apparatus. An image forming apparatus having a plurality of control units and a communication control unit for controlling communication between networks,
Providing means for providing data relating to the image forming apparatus to an external apparatus upon request;
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information corresponding to the requested data from the external device;
Determination means for determining whether the requested data is dependent on at least one model of the plurality of control units based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving means;
A control unit determining unit that determines which of the plurality of control units depends on the requested data based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving unit;
When the requested data depends on at least one model of the plurality of control units, the requested data is acquired from the storage unit in the control unit determined by the control unit determination unit, and the requested data is An image forming apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit configured to acquire requested data from a storage unit in the communication control unit when not depending on a model of a plurality of control units. An information providing method for providing information on a device main body having a plurality of control units,
An identification information receiving step for receiving, from the external device, identification information corresponding to data relating to the device body requested from the external device;
A determination step of determining whether the requested data is dependent on the model of the apparatus main body based on the identification information received in the identification information receiving step;
A control unit determination step for determining which of the plurality of control units depends on the requested data based on the identification information received in the identification information reception step;
When the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body, the requested data is acquired from the storage unit in the control unit determined in the control unit determination step, and the requested data does not depend on the model of the apparatus main body. The acquisition step of acquiring the requested data from the storage unit in the communication control unit connected to the apparatus body;
A providing step of providing the external device with the data obtained in the obtaining step. A program for providing data relating to a device body having a plurality of control units,
An identification information receiving step for receiving, from the external device, identification information corresponding to data relating to the device body requested from the external device;
A determination step of determining whether the requested data is dependent on the apparatus main body based on the identification information received in the identification information receiving step;
A control unit determination step for determining which of the plurality of control units depends on the requested data based on the identification information received in the identification information reception step;
If the requested data depends on the device body, the requested data is obtained from the storage unit in the control unit determined by the control unit determination step, and if the requested data does not depend on the device body, the information An acquisition step of acquiring requested data from a storage unit in the management device;
A program causing a computer to execute a providing step of providing data acquired in the acquiring step to the external device. An information management device that provides data related to a device body having a plurality of control units to an external device upon request,
Identification information receiving means for receiving identification information corresponding to the requested data from the external device;
As a result of the determination based on the identification information received by the identification information receiving means, the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body and depends on one control unit among the plurality of control units. If the requested data is obtained from the one control unit, and if the requested data does not depend on the model of the apparatus main body, the requested data is obtained from the storage unit in the information management device. An information management apparatus comprising an acquisition means for acquiring. An information providing method for providing information on a device main body having a plurality of control units,
An identification information receiving step for receiving, from the external device, identification information corresponding to data relating to the device body requested from the external device;
As a result of the determination based on the identification information received in the identification information receiving step, the requested data depends on the model of the apparatus main body and depends on one control unit among the plurality of control units. If the requested data is obtained from the storage unit in the one control unit, and if the requested data does not depend on the model of the device body, the requested data is stored in the information management device. An acquisition step of acquiring from the storage unit;
A providing step of providing the external device with the data obtained in the obtaining step.

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