JP4176736B2 - Status information management program, management apparatus and monitoring system for image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a status information management program, a management device, and a monitoring system for monitoring the status of an image forming apparatus represented by, for example, a printer or a composite apparatus.

  In recent years, networking of information processing facilities has progressed, and a management apparatus such as a plurality of personal computers and an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a composite apparatus having a printer function are connected via a network line such as a LAN (Local Area Network). A network system has been established. In such a network system, a user prints a document created by a management apparatus using an arbitrarily selected image forming apparatus.

  By the way, since the image forming apparatus in this network system is shared by a plurality of users, the frequency of use thereof increases, and the consumption of paper and toner as consumables increases.

  For these reasons, conventionally, when the user tries to start printing, the remaining amount of paper and remaining toner in the image forming apparatus are displayed on the display of the management apparatus without going to the image forming apparatus. A technique capable of knowing state information has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  By the way, since the network line is a full-duplex communication line, the status information of the image forming apparatus can be taken into the management apparatus even during printing by the image forming apparatus, but the connection is unstable. There is.

For this reason, in order to ensure a stable connection, some users connect the image forming apparatus to the management apparatus via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable (or parallel cable), and send / receive print information to / from the USB. Go through the cable.
JP 2000-315143 A

  However, since the USB cable and the parallel cable are half-duplex communication lines, once printing is started, status information such as the remaining amount of paper and the remaining amount of toner of the image forming apparatus is managed until printing is completed. Can not be imported. For this reason, there is a problem that the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing cannot be monitored in real time on the management apparatus.

Further, when the management apparatus monitors the state of the image forming apparatus only by connection with the USB cable, when the power of the image forming apparatus is turned off, the management apparatus side fails to connect to the image forming apparatus. A power-off is detected.
However, the connection to the image forming apparatus fails even when the USB cable is pulled out while the power source of the image forming apparatus is not cut off. For this reason, there is a problem that the management apparatus cannot distinguish between the power-off of the image forming apparatus and the disconnection of the USB cable (half-duplex communication line disconnection).

  The present invention has been made in order to eliminate such inconvenience, and the management apparatus can monitor the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing in real time, and can also supply power to the image forming apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus status information management program, a management apparatus, and a monitoring system that can distinguish between disconnection and half-duplex communication line disconnection.

  To achieve the above object, a status information management program for an image forming apparatus according to the present invention manages status information of the image forming apparatus in a management apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line. A status information management program for an image forming apparatus for executing processing, wherein a transmission request for unique information and network interface information of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the half-duplex communication line. And a connection via a network line based on the first transmission / reception process for receiving information corresponding to the transmission request and the network interface information of the image forming apparatus obtained by the first transmission / reception process. A connection process to be attempted, and when the connection by the connection process is normally performed, the image forming apparatus is connected to the image forming apparatus via the network line. A second transmission / reception process for transmitting the transmission request for the unique information of the image forming apparatus and receiving information corresponding to the transmission request; the unique information acquired by the first transmission / reception process; A transmission request for the status information of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus that matches the specific information acquired by the transmission / reception process, and information corresponding to the transmission request is received. And a monitoring process for monitoring the status of the image forming apparatus based on the status information acquired by the third transmission / reception process.

According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection process is normally performed, the status information of the image forming apparatus can be taken into the management apparatus via the network line of the full duplex communication line. Thereby, the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing can be monitored in real time on the management apparatus.
Even when the half-duplex communication line is disconnected, the status information of the image forming apparatus is continuously taken into the management apparatus via the network line. It can be distinguished from line disconnection.

Further, the status information management program of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a switching process for switching to the connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection process is not normally performed.
According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection process is not normally performed, the image forming apparatus can be controlled and monitored by the management apparatus by the connection by the half-duplex communication line.

Further, according to the state information management program of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the monitoring process is a display control for causing the display unit to display the state information when the state information is in a state of alerting a predetermined user. The configuration includes processing.
According to the above configuration, when the state information of the image forming apparatus is in the alert state, the user can easily confirm the state information by the display unit.

  An image forming apparatus management apparatus according to the present invention is a management apparatus that is connected to an image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line and manages status information of the image forming apparatus. A first transmission / reception unit configured to transmit a transmission request for the unique information of the image forming apparatus and the network interface information via the half-duplex communication line, and to receive information corresponding to the transmission request; Based on the network interface information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the transmission / reception means, connection means for attempting connection via a network line, and when the connection by the connection means is normally performed, the image forming apparatus A second transmission / reception unit that transmits a transmission request for specific information of the image forming apparatus via the network line and receives information corresponding to the transmission request. Image forming apparatus that matches the unique information acquired by the first transmitting / receiving means and the unique information acquired by the second transmitting / receiving means via the network line. A third transmission / reception unit for transmitting a transmission request for the status information of the apparatus and receiving the information according to the transmission request; and based on the status information acquired by the third transmission / reception unit, And a monitoring means for monitoring the state.

According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection unit is normally performed, the status information of the image forming apparatus can be taken into the management apparatus via the network line of the full duplex communication line. Thereby, the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing can be monitored in real time on the management apparatus.
Even when the half-duplex communication line is disconnected, the status information of the image forming apparatus is continuously taken into the management apparatus via the network line. It can be distinguished from line disconnection.

In addition, the image forming apparatus management apparatus of the present invention includes a switching unit that switches to connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection unit is not normally performed.
According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection unit is not normally performed, the image forming apparatus can be controlled and monitored by the management apparatus by the connection by the half-duplex communication line.

In the image forming apparatus management apparatus according to the present invention, the monitoring unit may include a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the state information when the state information is in a state of alerting a predetermined user. It is as a configuration provided.
According to the above configuration, when the state information of the image forming apparatus is in the alert state, the user can easily confirm the state information by the display unit.

  An image forming apparatus monitoring system according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus monitoring system including an image forming apparatus and a management apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line. The management apparatus transmits a transmission request for specific information and network interface information of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the half-duplex communication line, and information corresponding to the transmission request. Based on the network interface information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the first transmission / reception means, the connection means for trying to connect via a network line, and the connection means by the connection means When a connection is normally made, a transmission request for specific information of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the network line. The second transmission / reception means for receiving information corresponding to the transmission request, the unique information acquired by the first transmission / reception means, and the unique information acquired by the second transmission / reception means match. A third transmission / reception means for transmitting a status information transmission request to the image forming apparatus via the network line, and receiving information corresponding to the transmission request; Monitoring means for monitoring the state of the image forming apparatus based on the state information acquired by the means.

According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection unit is normally performed, the status information of the image forming apparatus can be taken into the management apparatus via the network line of the full duplex communication line. Thereby, the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing can be monitored in real time on the management apparatus.
Even when the half-duplex communication line is disconnected, the status information of the image forming apparatus is continuously taken into the management apparatus via the network line. It can be distinguished from line disconnection.

The image forming apparatus monitoring system of the present invention includes a switching unit that switches to connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection unit is not normally performed.
According to the above configuration, when the connection by the connection unit is not normally performed, the image forming apparatus can be controlled and monitored by the management apparatus by the connection by the half-duplex communication line.

In the image forming apparatus monitoring system according to the present invention, the monitoring unit may further include a display control unit that causes the display unit to display the state information when the state information is in a state of alerting the user. It is as a configuration provided.
According to the above configuration, when the state information of the image forming apparatus is in the alert state, the user can easily confirm the state information by the display unit.

Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus monitoring system of the present invention, the half-duplex communication line is a USB cable.
According to the above configuration, even when the half-duplex communication line is a USB cable, the image forming apparatus is connected via the network line of the full-duplex communication line when the network line is normally connected by the connection process. State information can be taken into the management device. Thereby, the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing can be monitored in real time on the management apparatus.
In addition, by using a USB cable, it is possible to easily add peripheral devices and enhance expandability and versatility.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to monitor the accurate state of the image forming apparatus during printing in real time on the management apparatus, and distinguish between disconnection of the power supply of the image forming apparatus and disconnection of the half-duplex communication line. The effect that it can do is acquired.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printer monitoring system as an example of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a management apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a first transmission / reception of the management apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the management apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer monitoring system as an example of an embodiment of the present invention includes a printer (image forming apparatus) 1, a USB cable (half-duplex communication line) 2, and a printer 1. And a management device 4 connected via a LAN (network line) 3. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of image forming apparatuses including the printer 1 are connected to the LAN 3.

  As the management apparatus 4, for example, a personal computer or other user terminal is used. As shown in FIG. 2, predetermined application software 5 such as printing software or word processing software, and monitoring utility software for monitoring the status of the printer 1 are used. 6.

The monitoring utility software 6 includes first transmission / reception means 7, connection means 8, second transmission / reception means 9, third transmission / reception means 10, monitoring means 11, and switching means 12.
Each process of these means is executed by the CPU after the state information management program stored in the storage unit (ROM, hard disk, etc.) of the management device 4 is loaded into the RAM.

The first transmission / reception means 7 transmits a transmission request for specific information such as the model name and serial number of the printer 1 and network interface information such as an IP address to the printer 1 via the USB cable 2. Information corresponding to the transmission request is received.
FIG. 3 shows an example of a command format between the first transmission / reception means 3 and the printer 1. In this example, a command for acquiring network interface information is added to a known command for acquiring information on the model name and serial number of the printer 1 and information necessary for communication on the LAN 3 is included. Get the command. In FIG. 3, each piece of information is formed by a character string, but it is not necessarily a character string.

  The connection unit 8 attempts to connect to the IP address of the printer 1 acquired by the first transmission / reception unit 7 via the LAN 3.

  The second transmission / reception unit 9 transmits a transmission request for specific information such as the model name and serial number of the printer 1 to the printer 1 via the LAN 3 when the connection by the connection unit 8 is normally performed. In addition, information corresponding to the transmission request is received.

  The third transmission / reception means 10 is connected to the printer 1 in which the unique information acquired by the first transmission / reception means 7 and the unique information acquired by the second transmission / reception means 9 coincide with each other via the LAN 3. An information transmission request is transmitted, and information corresponding to the transmission request is received. The status information of the printer 1 can include, for example, remaining toner information and remaining paper information of the printer 1.

  The monitoring unit 11 is for monitoring the status of the printer 1 based on the status information acquired by the third transmission / reception unit 10. The monitoring unit 11 includes a display control unit 14 for displaying the state information on a display (display unit) 13 of the management device 4 when the state information is in a state of alerting a predetermined user. Yes. The state of alerting the user can be exemplified by a case where there is no remaining amount of toner or paper, or a small amount.

  The switching unit 12 switches to the connection to the USB cable 2 when the connection by the connection unit 8 is not normally performed.

  Next, the operation of the management apparatus 4 in which the monitoring utility software 6 is installed will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, step S1 is the first transmission / reception means 7, steps S2 and S3 are connection means 8, steps S4 and S5 are second transmission / reception means 9, and steps S6 to S8 are third transmission / reception. The means 10, step S9 and step S10 correspond to the monitoring means 11, and step S11 corresponds to the switching means 12, respectively.

  First, in step S1, a transmission request for the model name and serial number information of the printer 1 and network interface information such as an IP address is transmitted to the printer 1 via the USB cable 2, and the transmission request is responded to. Receive information. Thereby, the network interface information such as the model name and serial number of the printer 1 and the IP address is acquired via the USB.

  In step S2, it is determined whether or not the IP address is included in the network interface information of the printer 1 acquired in step S1, and if it is included, the process proceeds to step S3, and for the corresponding address, Attempt to connect via LAN3.

  In step S4, it is determined whether or not the connection in step S2 is successful. If it is determined in step S4 that the process has succeeded, the process proceeds to step S5, where a transmission request for the model name and serial number information of the printer 1 is transmitted to the printer 1 via the LAN 3, and in response to the transmission request. Receive information. As a result, the model name and serial number information of the printer 1 are acquired via the network.

In step S6, the model name and serial number information via the network acquired in step S5 are compared with the model name and serial number information via USB acquired in step S1, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether or not the model name and serial number information via the network acquired in step S5 match the model name and serial number information via USB acquired in step S1, and if they match, The process proceeds to S8.
In step S8, a request for transmitting the status information of the printer 1 is transmitted to the printer 1 matched in step S7 via the LAN 3, and information corresponding to the transmission request is received. Thereby, the toner remaining amount information and the sheet remaining amount information of the printer 1 are acquired.

  In step S9, it is determined whether or not the toner remaining amount information and sheet remaining amount information of the printer 1 acquired in step S8 is in a state of calling attention to a predetermined user. If it is determined that the toner remaining amount information and the sheet remaining amount information are in a state of alerting the user, the process proceeds to step S10, and the toner remaining amount information and the sheet remaining amount information are displayed on the display 13 of the management apparatus 4. To display.

  In step S11, if it is determined in step S2 that the IP address is not included in the network interface information, or if it is determined in step S4 that the connection has failed, in step S7, the connection is made via the network and the USB. When it is determined that the model name and the serial number information do not match, the connection to the USB cable 2 is switched.

As is apparent from the above description, in this embodiment, when the connection by the connection means 8 is performed normally, the LAN 3 of the full-duplex communication line is set without the user being aware of the network interface information. The status information of the printer 1 can be taken into the management device 4 via the network. Thereby, on the management apparatus 4, the exact state of the printer 1 during printing can be monitored in real time.
Further, even when the USB cable 2 is pulled out, the status information of the printer 1 is continuously taken into the management device 4 via the LAN 3, so that the printer 1 is disconnected from the power supply and the USB cable 2 is pulled out. can do

  Further, when the connection by the connection unit 8 is not normally performed, the connection is switched to the connection by the USB cable 2, so that the management device 4 can control and monitor the printer 1 through the USB cable 2.

  Furthermore, when the status information of the printer 1 is in the alert state, the status information is displayed on the display 13 of the management device 4, so that the user can easily view the status information of the printer 1 by looking at the display 13. Can be confirmed.

The half-duplex communication line, network line, image forming apparatus, management apparatus, first transmission / reception means, connection means, second transmission / reception means, third transmission / reception means, monitoring means, switching means, and display means of the present invention The configurations of the display control means and the like are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, a printer is used as the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a copier, a facsimile, a scanner, a composite apparatus (MFP (multifunction peripheral)), or the like can be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the state information management program is stored in the ROM or the hard disk of the management device 4 is exemplified, but instead, a computer-readable recording medium such as an external storage device and a portable device is used. It can also be stored in a recording medium or the like.

  Examples of the external storage device include a memory expansion device that incorporates a storage medium such as a CD-ROM and is externally connected to the management device 4. The portable recording medium is a recording medium that can be mounted on a recording medium driving device (drive device) and is portable, and examples thereof include a flexible disk, a memory card, and a magneto-optical disk. .

  Further, when the management device 4 loads the status information management program, the status information management program held in another management device is downloaded to the RAM or the external storage device of the management device 4 using the communication line. You can also.

  Status information management program, management device, and monitoring system for image forming apparatus of the present invention include status information management program and management device for copier, facsimile, scanner, composite device (MFP (multifunction peripheral)), etc. in addition to printer It can also be suitably used for monitoring systems.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining a printer monitoring system that is an example of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of a management apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the command format between the 1st transmission / reception means of a management apparatus, and a printer. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of a management apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

1 Printer (image forming device)
2 USB cable (half-duplex communication line)
3 LAN (network line)
4 management device 7 first transmission / reception means 8 connection means 9 second transmission / reception means 10 third transmission / reception means 11 monitoring means 12 switching means 13 display (display means)
14 Display control means

Claims (7)

A status information management program for an image forming apparatus that causes a management apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line to execute processing for managing status information of the image forming apparatus,
A first request for transmitting a transmission request for unique information and network interface information of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the half-duplex communication line, and receiving information corresponding to the transmission request. Send and receive processing;
A connection process for attempting connection via a network line based on the network interface information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the first transmission / reception process;
When the connection by the connection process is normally performed, a transmission request for unique information of the image forming apparatus is transmitted to the image forming apparatus via the network line, and in response to the transmission request A second transmission / reception process for receiving information;
A state of the image forming apparatus via the network line with respect to the image forming apparatus in which the unique information acquired by the first transmission / reception process matches the unique information acquired by the second transmission / reception process. A third transmission / reception process for transmitting an information transmission request and receiving information according to the transmission request;
A monitoring process for monitoring the status of the image forming apparatus based on the status information acquired by the third transmission / reception process;
A status information management program for an image forming apparatus, which causes the management apparatus to execute a switching process for switching to a connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection process is not normally performed. . The monitoring process, when in the alert state to the user the status information is determined in advance, according to claim 1, characterized in that comprising a display control process for displaying on the display means the state information Status information management program for image forming apparatus. A management device that is connected to an image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line and manages status information of the image forming apparatus,
A first request for transmitting a transmission request for unique information and network interface information of the image forming apparatus to the image forming apparatus via the half-duplex communication line, and receiving information corresponding to the transmission request. Transmitting and receiving means;
Connection means for attempting connection via a network line based on the network interface information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the first transmission / reception means;
When the connection by the connection means is normally performed, the image forming apparatus transmits a transmission request for specific information of the image forming apparatus via the network line, and responds to the transmission request. A second transmitting / receiving means for receiving information;
A state of the image forming apparatus via the network line with respect to the image forming apparatus in which the unique information acquired by the first transmitting / receiving unit and the unique information acquired by the second transmitting / receiving unit match. A third transmission / reception means for transmitting an information transmission request and receiving information according to the transmission request;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the image forming apparatus based on the status information acquired by the third transmitting / receiving means;
An image forming apparatus management apparatus comprising: switching means for switching to connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection means is not normally performed . It said monitoring means, when in the alert state to the user the status information is determined in advance, according to claim 3, characterized in that comprising a display control means for displaying on the display means the state information Management device for image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus monitoring system comprising: an image forming apparatus; and a management apparatus connected to the image forming apparatus via a half-duplex communication line.
The management apparatus transmits a transmission request for specific information of the image forming apparatus and network interface information to the image forming apparatus via the half-duplex communication line, and transmits information corresponding to the transmission request. First transmitting / receiving means for receiving;
Connection means for attempting connection via a network line based on the network interface information of the image forming apparatus acquired by the first transmission / reception means;
When the connection by the connection means is normally performed, the image forming apparatus transmits a transmission request for specific information of the image forming apparatus via the network line, and responds to the transmission request. A second transmitting / receiving means for receiving information;
A state of the image forming apparatus via the network line with respect to the image forming apparatus in which the unique information acquired by the first transmitting / receiving unit and the unique information acquired by the second transmitting / receiving unit match. A third transmission / reception means for transmitting an information transmission request and receiving information according to the transmission request;
Monitoring means for monitoring the status of the image forming apparatus based on the status information acquired by the third transmitting / receiving means;
An image forming apparatus monitoring system comprising: switching means for switching to connection to the half-duplex communication line when the connection by the connection means is not normally performed . 6. The monitoring means according to claim 5 , further comprising display control means for displaying the state information on a display means when the state information is in a state of alerting a predetermined user. An image forming apparatus monitoring system. The half-duplex communication line, the monitoring system of the image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that it is a USB cable.

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