JP4254309B2 - Print system, control method thereof, and program thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system capable of transmitting a printer usage status via a telecommunication line to a management server that manages the printer usage status, a control method thereof, and a program thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a print system, a print server that transmits a printer usage status via a network to a management server that manages the printer usage status and receives a print job from a client computer, and a print server that is connected to the print server and performs printing One having two printers to which job processing is assigned is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). This print system is installed in a plurality of photo studios, and the management server receives the use status of the printer from the print server of the print system installed in the photo studio for each photo studio. The billing amount is set according to and billed.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP2003-44255A (FIG. 2)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in such a print system, it is assumed that the print server transmits the usage status of the printer to the management server. Based on this assumption, the management server sets and charges each photo studio according to the usage status of the printer. However, the printer of the printing system may continue to operate without being transmitted from the printing system to the management server for some reason. In such a case, since the management server cannot set the charge amount for the photo studio, the management server operator suffers a great disadvantage. In some cases, the photographer (user) of the photo studio may not be aware that the printer usage status is not transmitted from the print system to the management server.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in a print system managed by a management server, even if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the printing system does not suffer a large disadvantage, It is an object to provide a control method and a program thereof. It is another object of the present invention to provide a print system, a control method thereof, and a program thereof that allow a user to easily notice that a problem has occurred in the system when the connection with the management server is interrupted.
[0006]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to achieve at least one of the above objects, the printing system, the control method thereof, and the program thereof of the present invention employ the following means.
[0007]
The printing system of the present invention is capable of transmitting the printer usage status through a telecommunication line to a management server that manages the printer usage status,
Counting means for counting the number of printing operations of the printer;
Count value determining means for determining whether or not the count value counted by the counting means has reached a predetermined value;
Printing operation limiting means for limiting the printing operation of the printer when the count value determining means determines that the count value has reached a predetermined value;
Connection determination means for determining whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
Count value setting means for setting the count value to any value before reaching the predetermined value when it is determined by the connection determination means that the connection with the management server is successful.
It is equipped with.
[0008]
In this printing system, the number of printing operations of the printer is counted, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, the printing operation of the printer is limited. However, if the connection with the management server is successful, the counting value is increased before reaching the predetermined value. Is set to either value. In other words, if connection to the management server succeeds before the count value obtained by counting the number of printing operations of the printer reaches the predetermined value, the count value is set to one of the values before reaching the predetermined value. The operation is not limited, but if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the count value reaches a predetermined value, and the printing operation of the printer is limited. In this way, if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the printer cannot perform a printing operation for a long period of time, so that the management server does not suffer a great disadvantage. In addition, since the printing operation of the printer is restricted, the user is likely to notice that some trouble has occurred in the system.
[0009]
The printing system of the present invention includes error output means for outputting a printing error when the count value determination means determines that the count value has reached a predetermined value, instead of or in addition to the printing operation restriction means. May be. In this way, a print error is output if the connection with the management server is interrupted, and it is expected that the user will connect the system to the management server. I do not suffer. In addition, when a printing error is output, the user is likely to notice that some trouble has occurred in the system. In addition to outputting a printing error, a message that prompts connection to the management server may be output.
[0010]
In the printing system of the present invention, the count value setting unit may set the count value to zero when the connection determination unit determines that the connection with the management server is successful. In this way, it is possible to cause the printer to perform a printing operation until the number of printing operations reaches a predetermined value again after a successful connection with the management server.
[0011]
The printing system of the present invention may include automatic connection trial means for trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line at the time of system startup and every predetermined time after system startup. In this case, since the connection with the management server is automatically attempted, the user does not need to perform the connection operation between the print system and the management server. In the printing system of the present invention adopting this aspect, the count value determination means determines whether the count value has reached the predetermined value set based on the upper limit number of sheets that the printer can print within the predetermined time. It may be determined. Since the upper limit number of sheets that can be printed by the printer within a predetermined time is determined empirically or by the printer's ability, the fact that the count value has reached the predetermined value set based on the upper limit number of sheets is not limited to the elapse of the predetermined time It can be regarded as not connected to the management server. Alternatively, the count value determining means may determine whether or not the count value has reached the predetermined value set based on an upper limit number of sheets that can be printed by the user within the predetermined time. Since the upper limit number of sheets that can be printed by a user within a predetermined time can be estimated from past usage records of the user, the fact that the count value has reached a predetermined value set based on the upper limit number of sheets can be determined even after a predetermined time has elapsed. It can be regarded as not connected to the management server. Alternatively, it may be provided with a predetermined time updating means for updating the predetermined time in accordance with the frequency of printing by the printer, for example, if the frequency of printing by the user is low, the predetermined time is set longer. If the frequency is high, the predetermined time may be set shorter. In this way, after the connection with the management server is interrupted, the printing operation of the printer can be restricted at an appropriate timing according to the frequency with which the user prints with the printer.
[0012]
In the printing system according to the aspect of the invention, the connection determination unit may determine that the connection with the management server is successful when the use status of the printer is successfully transmitted to the management server through the telecommunication line. . In this way, after the management server receives the printer usage status and can manage the printing system, it is possible to prevent the printing operation of the printer from being restricted.
[0013]
The printing system of the present invention may include manual connection trial means for trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line in response to a command issued from a user at an arbitrary timing. In this way, the user can connect the printing system and the management server at an arbitrary timing so that the printing operation of the printer is not restricted.
[0014]
The print system of the present invention is a print system comprising a printer that prints on a print medium, and a print server that can transmit the use status of the printer to a management server that manages the use status of the printer via an electric communication line. ,
The printer is
Counting means for counting the number of printing operations for each printing operation;
Count value determining means for determining whether or not the count value counted by the counting means has reached a predetermined value;
Printing operation limiting means for limiting the printing operation of the printer when the count value determining means determines that the count value has reached a predetermined value;
With
The print server
Connection determination means for determining whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
A command for outputting a command to the printer so that the count value of the counting unit is set to any value before reaching the predetermined value when the connection determining unit determines that the connection with the management server is successful. Output means and
May be provided.
[0015]
In this printing system, if the connection with the management server succeeds before the count value obtained by counting the number of printing operations of the printer reaches the predetermined value, the count value is set to any value before reaching the predetermined value. The printing operation of the printer is not limited, but if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the count value reaches a predetermined value and the printing operation of the printer is limited. In this way, if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the printer cannot perform a printing operation for a long period of time, so that the management server does not suffer a great disadvantage. In addition, since the printing operation of the printer is restricted, the user is likely to notice that some trouble has occurred in the system.
[0016]
In this printing system, the printer includes an error output unit that outputs a printing error when the count value determination unit determines that the count value has reached a predetermined value instead of or in addition to the printing operation restriction unit. You may have. The print server may further include automatic connection trial means for trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line at the time of system startup and every predetermined time after system startup. In this case, the predetermined value may be set based on an upper limit number of sheets that can be printed by the printer within the predetermined time, or set based on an upper limit number of sheets that can be printed by the user within the predetermined time. Alternatively, the predetermined time may be updated according to the frequency with which the user prints with the printer. Further, the print server may include a manual connection trial unit that tries to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line in response to a command issued from a user at an arbitrary timing. Furthermore, the command output means provided in the print server instructs the printer so that the count value of the counting means becomes zero when the connection determination means determines that the connection with the management server is successful. The connection determination means provided in the print server succeeds in connection with the management server when the use status of the printer is successfully transmitted to the management server through the telecommunication line. You may determine that you did.
[0017]
A printing system control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling a printing system capable of transmitting a printer usage status to a management server that manages the printer usage status via an electric communication line by using one or more computers.
(A) a counting step in which the computer counts the number of printing operations of the printer;
(B) a count value determining step in which the computer determines whether or not the count value counted in the counting step has reached a predetermined value;
(C) an operation limiting step in which the computer limits the printing operation of the printer when it is determined in the count value determining step that the count value has reached a predetermined value;
(D) a connection determination step in which the computer determines whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
(E) a count value setting step in which the computer sets the count value to any value before reaching the predetermined value when it is determined in the connection determination step that the connection with the management server is successful;
Is included.
[0018]
In this control method, if the connection with the management server succeeds before the count value obtained by counting the number of printing operations of the printer reaches the predetermined value, the count value is set to any value before reaching the predetermined value. The printing operation of the printer is not limited, but if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the count value reaches a predetermined value and the printing operation of the printer is limited. In this way, if the connection with the management server is interrupted, the printer cannot perform a printing operation for a long period of time, so that the management server does not suffer a great disadvantage. In addition, since the printing operation of the printer is restricted, the user is likely to notice that some trouble has occurred in the system.
[0019]
Note that the printing system in this printing system control method may include various configurations included in the printing system already described before the description of this control method. Also, this printing system control method includes this control. Prior to describing the method, steps may be included to implement the functions of the printing system already described.
[0020]
Further, the present invention may be a program for causing one or a plurality of computers to realize each step of the above-described printing system control method. This program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (for example, hard disk, ROM, FD, CD, DVD, etc.), or from a computer via a transmission medium (communication network such as the Internet or LAN). It may be distributed to another computer, or may be exchanged in any other form. If this program is executed by one computer, or if each step is shared and executed by a plurality of computers, the same effect as the above-described printing system control method can be obtained.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a photo studio system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the photo studio system 10 of the present embodiment includes a print server 20 that can communicate with the management server 70 through the Internet 80 that is an electric communication line, and a client PC 60 that outputs a print job to the print server 20. And two printers 40 and 50 to which print job processing is assigned by the print server 20. Here, the two printers 40 and 50 are housed in the same housing as the print server 20, and the printer 40 is installed in the upper stage and the printer 50 is installed in the lower stage. For this reason, hereinafter, the upper printer 40 and the lower printer 50 may be referred to. “PC” is an abbreviation for personal computer.
[0022]
The print server 20 includes a CPU 21 that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM 22 that stores a program group for setting hardware, and a RAM 23 that temporarily records data when the CPU 21 executes various arithmetic processes. A clock generator 24 for generating an operation clock, a video board 25 having a display connector to which a display 27 is connected, a LAN board 26 to which a LAN cable 16 for constructing a LAN is connected, and various devices. An input / output controller 31 for connection / control is connected via a bus 29. The print server 20 is connected to a hard disk 28 via an input / output controller 31 and to two printers 40 and 50 via USB terminals. The print server 20 is connected to the client PC 60 and the router 14 via the LAN cable 16 connected to the LAN board 26, and is connected from the router 14 to the management server 70 through the Internet 80.
[0023]
The hard disk 28 of the print server 20 stores a job folder 28a for storing various data included in a print command from the client PC 60 as a print job, and a status history of the printers 40 and 50 and a history of the print job as a database as printer usage statuses. A printer usage database 28b for storing various programs, a program folder 28c for storing various programs, an upspooler 28d for holding, as spools, a print job that is currently being executed for the upper printer 40 and a print job that is scheduled to be printed next time; The lower printer 50 is provided with a lower spooler 28e that holds two print jobs, the print job being printed and the next print job scheduled to be printed, as spools. Among them, the job folder 28a contains various data included in the print command, that is, a job script including a printer designation and a paper type, a layout script including matters necessary for determining a print layout, and a photo frame of the layout. Inset image data, an ICC profile attached to the image data, and the like are stored as a print job. The printer usage status database 28b also includes statuses related to the upper printer 40 such as operating states such as the number of reciprocations of the inkjet head 45c, error occurrence status such as paper jams, and consumable status such as the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 45b. Usage history), similar status history regarding the lower printer 50, and print job history stored in the job folder 28a are stored in a database. Further, the program folder 28c contains a color correction table based on the printer driver for controlling the upper printer 40, the printer driver for controlling the lower printer 50, the ICC profile of the printer to be used, and the ICC profile attached to the image data. Includes a color converter that generates and corrects color of image data, a print control execution program that controls the execution of print commands, a log upload program that uploads logs to the management server 70, a web browser that browses various types of information, etc. It is.
[0024]
Each of the upper printer 40 and the lower printer 50 is an ink jet printer of the same type using pigment-based ink, and has a performance of outputting a printed matter with high image quality and extremely high light resistance. Since the upper printer 40 and the lower printer 50 have the same configuration, the configuration of the upper printer 40 will be described below, and the description of the lower printer 50 will be omitted. The upper printer 40 includes a CPU 41 that executes various arithmetic processes, a ROM 42 that stores a program group for setting hardware, and a RAM 43 that temporarily records data when the CPU 41 executes various arithmetic processes. A credit counter 44 that is set to an initial value at the time of factory shipment and is counted down by one every time a printing operation is performed, and a printer engine 45 that executes color printing are connected via a bus 46. Among these, the printer engine 45 includes an ink cartridge 45b mounted on a carriage 45a that moves in the horizontal direction, an ink jet head 45c that is provided below the ink cartridge 45b and that discharges ink onto the paper M, and rotates the paper M. A roller 45d or the like that feeds the printing position of the inkjet head 45c is provided. The ink cartridge 45b of the present embodiment is a cartridge for color printing that contains cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) pigment inks for each color. For the sake of convenience, only the credit counter 54 is shown in the block of the lower printer 50 in FIG.
[0025]
The client PC 60 is connected to the print server 20 and the router 14 via the LAN cable 16, and is connected to the management server 70 via the Internet 80 from the router 14. The client PC 60 can be connected to a digital still camera (DSC) 62 via a USB terminal, and a print job for printing image data photographed by the DSC 62 or image data subjected to retouch or the like is transferred to the LAN cable 16. To the print server 20. The client PC 60 has a function of logging in to the management server 70 via a web browser and providing the web browser with various information in the photo studio system 10.
[0026]
The management server 70 plays a role of centrally managing the operating state of the photo studio system 10 installed in many photo studios, and is installed in a place different from the photo studio. The management server 70 is communicably connected to the print server 20 and the client PC 60 of each photo studio system 10 via the Internet 80, and has an internal configuration such as a CPU for executing various arithmetic processes and hardware settings. It includes a ROM in which a program group is recorded, a RAM in which data is temporarily recorded when the CPU executes various arithmetic processes, a hard disk in which various databases are stored, and the like. The management server 70 has a function of collecting various information from the print server 20 of each photo studio system 10 and storing and collecting the information in a database of the management server 70. Specifically, the management server 70 calculates the consumption amount of consumables such as paper and ink in each photo studio based on various information of each photo studio, and arranges the distribution of the consumables to each photo studio. And billing functions. Further, the management server 70 has a function of providing various information of the photo studio stored in the database of the management server 70 to the web browser when logged in from the client PC 60 of each photo studio through the web browser. Yes.
[0027]
Next, an example of printing image data in the photo studio system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described. The photographer uses the DSC 62 to photograph a desired subject, and then connects the DSC 62 to the client PC 60 via USB, and moves or copies desired image data from the image recording medium built in the DSC 62 to the hard disk of the client PC 60. . As a result, various image data are stored in the hard disk of the client PC 60. The photographer turns on the print button after retouching the image data using the photo retouching software function on the client PC 60 or determining the layout of the image data on the paper using the layout editing function. Then, a print command is output from the client PC 60 to the print server 20. The print server 20 stores each data included in the print command output from the client PC 60 in the job folder 28a as a print job waiting for printing. Each print job is given a unique job ID as shown in FIG. 2, and each job ID is associated with a page number and the number of copies. For example, in FIG. 2, when the job ID is “00100”, two copies of the first page and the second page are printed, that is, a total of four sheets, and when the job ID is “00101”, the first page and the second page are printed one copy, that is, a total of two sheets. With the job ID “00102”, three copies of the first page, that is, three sheets are printed. Further, the CPU 21 of the print server 20 reads the print command output processing routine shown in FIG. 3 from the program folder 28c and executes it. When this routine is started, the CPU 21 first reads a print job waiting for printing stored in the job folder 28a in accordance with the availability of the upper spooler 28d and the lower spooler 28e, and puts it in either the upper spooler 28d or the lower spooler 28e. It is determined whether to allocate (step S100). After this assignment, the image data included in the print job is color-corrected by the color converter (step S110), and the color-corrected image data is converted into CMYK color data and halftone processing by the printer driver of the printer used this time. RAW data that can be interpreted by the printer is created (step S120), the created RAW data is stored as a spool in the spooler of the printer used this time (step S130), and the RAW data is output to the printer used this time. (Step S140), and this routine is finished. As a result, the printers 40 and 50 print predetermined image data with a predetermined layout on a predetermined sheet based on the print job. As will be described later, since the printers 40 and 50 transmit the status to the print server 20 every time the print job processing is completed (see step S250 in FIG. 4), the print server 20 responds to the reception timing of this status. The print command execution processing routine is executed.
[0028]
Next, the operation of the upper printer 40 in the photo studio system 10 of the present embodiment, particularly the printing operation monitoring process and the credit reset process of the upper printer 40 will be described. Although the description of the operation of the lower printer 50 is omitted, the same operation as that of the upper printer 40 is performed.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a printing operation monitoring routine executed by the CPU 41 of the upper printer 40. This routine is stored in the ROM 42, and is read and executed repeatedly by the CPU 41 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every several milliseconds). When this printing operation monitoring routine is executed, the CPU 41 of the upper printer 40 first determines whether a printing operation flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 43 is turned on or off (step S200). The printing operation flag is a flag that is set to ON when the upper printer 40 is performing a printing operation, and is set to OFF when the upper printer 40 is not performing a printing operation. Here, the printing operation refers to an operation from the start of feeding of one sheet to the completion of discharging, and it does not matter whether printing is actually executed.
[0030]
When the printing operation flag is turned on in step S200, it is determined whether or not the printing operation being executed is completed (step S210). If the printing operation is not completed, this routine is terminated as it is. On the other hand, when the printing operation is completed in step S210, the printing operation flag is set to OFF (step S220), the value of the credit counter 44 is decremented by 1 (step S230), and the processing of the current print job is completed. (Step S240), if the current print job processing is not completed, the process proceeds to step S252 as it is, and if the current print job processing is completed, the status of the upper printer 40 is transmitted to the print server 20. (Step S250), and then the process proceeds to Step S252. In step S252, it is determined whether or not the value of the credit counter 44 has become zero. Here, the credit counter 44 is a counter that is set to an initial value at the time of factory shipment, and is decremented by 1 every time a printing operation is performed. Since the credit counter 44 is a down counter, a value obtained by subtracting the current value from the initial value corresponds to a count value of the number of printing operations, that is, an actually measured value of the number of printing operations. When the value of the credit counter 44 is not zero in step S252, the routine is terminated as it is. When the value of the credit counter 44 is zero, the credit out flag is set on (step S254), and the routine is terminated. . Here, the credit out flag is a flag that is set to ON when the value of the credit counter 44 is zero, and is set to OFF in other cases.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the printing operation flag is off at step S200, that is, when the printing operation is not in progress, it is determined whether or not it is the start time of a new printing operation (step S260). It is determined whether or not it is on (step S270). When the credit out flag is off in step S270, the value of the credit counter 44 is 1 or more, so that a new printing operation is permitted and the printing operation flag is set on (step S280). Exit. On the other hand, when the credit out flag is turned on in step S270, the value of the credit counter 44 is zero, so that a new printing operation is prohibited and a printing error is output to the print server 20 or client PC 60 (step S290). ), This routine is terminated. The print server 20 or the client PC 60 that has input the print error displays or outputs a message that prompts the user to connect the print server 20 to the management server 70 together with the print error message. In many cases, the user performs an input operation so that the print server 20 is connected to the management server 70 via the Internet 80.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a credit reset processing routine executed by the CPU 41 of the upper printer 40. This routine is stored in the ROM 42, and is read and executed repeatedly by the CPU 41 at predetermined time intervals (for example, every several milliseconds). When this credit reset processing routine is executed, the CPU 41 of the upper printer 40 first determines whether or not a credit reset command has been received from the print server 20 (step S300). This credit reset command is a command transmitted from the print server 20 when the print server 20 has successfully connected to the management server 70 (see step S430 in FIG. 6 described later). When a credit reset command is received in step S300, the value of the credit counter 44 is returned to the initial value (step S310), and the credit expired flag provided in a predetermined area of the RAM 43 is turned off (step S320). Then, when the credit reset command is not received in step S300 or after the credit out flag is turned off in step S320, this routine is ended.
[0033]
Here, the initial value of the credit counter 44 is set based on the log upload timing of the print server 20. Specifically, the time interval from when the print server 20 uploads the log information to the management server 70 until the next log information is uploaded is a predetermined interval time (12 hours in the present embodiment). The upper printer 40 calculates the maximum number of sheets that can be physically printed. For example, the time required to print standard image data in A4 size is calculated, and the maximum number of sheets is obtained by dividing a predetermined interval time by that time. Actually, in order to print to a size smaller than the A4 size or to print less image data than the standard image data, the initial value is set by adding the surplus number in consideration of these to the maximum number. Yes. Therefore, when the initial value is set in the credit counter 44 in the upper printer 40, the printing operation can be executed after that number of times.
[0034]
Next, an operation of the print server 20 in the photo studio system 10 of the present embodiment, particularly an operation of uploading a log indicating the usage status of the printers 40 and 50 to the management server 70 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a log transmission processing routine executed by the CPU 21 of the print server 20. This routine is stored in the program folder 28c, read by the CPU 21 every predetermined time (for example, every several msec), and repeatedly executed. When this log transmission processing routine is executed, the CPU 21 of the print server 20 first determines whether or not the current time is the log transmission timing (step S400). Here, the log transmission timing is when the print server 20 is activated or when a predetermined interval time has elapsed after the activation. In this embodiment, as described above, the interval time is set to 12 hours.
[0035]
When the current time is the log transmission timing in step S400, connection with the management server 70 is attempted through the Internet 80 (step S410). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the connection with the management server 70 is successful (step S420). When the connection with the management server 70 is successful, a credit reset for returning the values of the credit counters 44 and 54 to the initial values is performed. The command is transmitted to the printers 40 and 50 (step S430). As a result, the printer 40 returns the value of the credit counter 44 to the initial value in step 310 of the credit reset processing routine described above. The same applies to the printer 50. Subsequently, the CPU 21 of the print server 20 transmits the status history of the printers 40 and 50 and the history of the print job stored in the printer usage database 28b as log information to the management server 70 (step S440), and the transmission ends. Later, the connection with the management server 70 is disconnected (step S450). However, in step S440, only the contents that have not been transmitted to the management server 70 are transmitted as log information. The management server 70 that has received the log information calculates the consumption amount of consumables such as paper and ink in the photo studio based on the log information, and arranges the distribution of the consumables to the photo studio, charges the fee, etc. I do. On the other hand, if the connection with the management server 70 is not successful in step S420, it is determined whether or not the connection has not been successful for a predetermined number of times (m times) (step S460). When the number of unsuccessful connections is less than m times, the process returns to step S410 again to attempt connection with the management server 70. On the other hand, when the number of unsuccessful connection times reaches m times, the LAN cable 16 Therefore, the display 27 is displayed on the display 27 indicating that it cannot be connected to the management server 70 (step S470). Then, when the current time is not the log transmission timing in step S400, after disconnecting from the management server 70 in step S450, or after being displayed on the display 27 in step S470, this routine is terminated. The print server 20 acquires a status from the printer 40 and 50 each time the printer 40, 50 finishes the print job (see step S250 in FIG. 4), and stores the status in the printer usage database 28b. Further, the user can try to connect the print server 20 to the management server 70 at an arbitrary timing.
[0036]
By executing the above three flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6, the photo studio system 10 prints image data as follows. That is, the credit counter 44 of the printer 40 is set to an initial value at the time of factory shipment. When the printer 40 executes the printing operation monitoring process routine along with the printing of the image data, the value of the credit counter 44 is decremented by 1 every time the printing operation is completed, and therefore approaches zero as the number of printed sheets increases. Go. On the other hand, the print server 20 executes a log transmission processing routine, and outputs a credit reset command to the printer 40 when the log transmission timing is reached and the connection with the management server 70 is successful. Then, the printer 40 executes a credit reset process and returns the value of the credit counter 44 to the initial value. As described above, since the value of the credit counter 44 is returned to the initial value as long as the print server 20 succeeds in connection with the management server 70 at the log transmission timing, the printer 40 can execute the printing operation monitoring routine any number of times. The value of the credit counter 44 does not become zero, and the printing operation can be continued. On the other hand, if the print server 20 fails to connect to the management server 70 at the log transmission timing, the printer 40 does not return the value of the credit counter 44 to the initial value, and therefore executes the printing operation monitoring routine. Over time, the value of the credit counter 44 becomes zero, and the credit out flag is turned on. As a result, the printer 40 does not start the printing operation when the next printing operation monitoring routine is executed. However, if the print server 20 is successfully connected to the management server 70 even after the credit out flag is turned on, a credit reset command is output to the printer 40, the value of the credit counter 44 returns to the initial value, and the credit out Since the flag is turned off, the printer 40 resumes the printing operation. The printer 50 operates in the same manner.
[0037]
Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The credit counters 44 and 54 of the printers 40 and 50 of the present embodiment correspond to the counting means of the present invention, and the CPU 41 of the printer 40 and the CPU (not shown) of the printer 50 are the count value determining means, the printing operation limiting means, The CPU 21 of the print server 20 corresponds to connection determination means, automatic connection execution means, and command output means. In the present embodiment, an example of the printing system control method of the present invention is also clarified by describing the operation of the photo studio system 10.
[0038]
According to the photo studio system 10 of the present embodiment described in detail above, the connection between the print server 20 and the management server 70 remains disconnected, that is, the management server 70 cannot grasp the usage status of the printers 40 and 50. Since the printers 40 and 50 cannot perform the printing operation for a long time, the operator of the management server 70 does not suffer a great disadvantage. Since an error message is output to the print server 20 or the client PC 60, it is expected that the user will connect the print server 20 and the management server 70. Will not suffer a major disadvantage. Furthermore, the printing operation of the printers 40 and 50 is restricted or an error message is output, so that the user can easily notice that some trouble has occurred in the system. Furthermore, when the print server 20 is successfully connected to the management server 70, the printers 40 and 50 return the values of the credit counters 44 and 54 to the initial values. It is possible to cause the printers 40 and 50 to perform the printing operation as many times as possible.
[0039]
Since the print server 20 automatically tries to connect to the management server 70 via the Internet 18 at a predetermined interval time after the system startup or after the system startup, the user himself / herself can connect the print server 20 and the management server 70 with each other. It is not necessary to perform the connection operation. Further, the initial values set in the credit counters 44 and 54 are values obtained by adding a margin number to the maximum number of sheets that can be printed by the printers 40 and 50 within a predetermined interval time, so that the credit counters 44 and 54 reach zero. This means that the print server 20 is not connected to the management server 70 even after a predetermined interval time has elapsed. Furthermore, since the print server 20 tries to connect to the management server 70 via the Internet 80 in response to a command issued from the user at an arbitrary timing, the print operation of the printer is not limited at an arbitrary timing. it can.
[0040]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.
[0041]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the printing operation is defined as an operation from the start of feeding a sheet of paper until the discharge is completed, regardless of whether printing is actually executed or not. However, it may be defined as an operation from when the feeding of one sheet is started until the discharge is completed, and when the printing is actually executed.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, the value of the credit counter 44 is returned to the initial value (the count value of the number of printing operations is returned to zero) in step S310 of the credit reset processing routine, but the value of the credit counter 44 is initialized. A value smaller than the initial value may be set instead of the value. In this case, if the connection between the print server 20 and the management server 70 is successful, the number of printing operations allowed within a predetermined interval time is smaller than the initial number, but the printers 40 and 50 can continue to perform the printing operation.
[0043]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the down counter is employed as the credit counters 44 and 54, but an up counter that is incremented by 1 each time the number of printing operations is counted may be employed. In this case, when the value of the up counter is set to zero in step S310 of the credit reset processing routine, and the value of the up counter reaches a predetermined value (the initial value in the above-described embodiment) in step S252 of the printing operation monitoring routine. The credit out flag may be turned on. In the down counter, the value obtained by subtracting the counter value from the initial value (predetermined value) is the count value of the number of printing operations. In the up counter, the counter value is the count value of the number of printing operations as it is.
[0044]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the initial value of the credit counters 44, 54 is a value obtained by adding a margin number to the maximum number of sheets that each printer 40, 50 can physically print within a predetermined interval time. The frequency with which the user prints with each of the printers 40 and 50 within a predetermined interval may be determined empirically, and a value corresponding to the frequency may be adopted. For example, if the printing frequency of the user corresponds to printing at 30% of the maximum capacity of each printer 40, 50, when each printer 40, 50 prints at 30% of the maximum capacity within a predetermined interval time. A value obtained by adding a surplus number to the number of printed sheets may be adopted. Or you may update the length of predetermined | prescribed interval time according to a user's printing frequency. For example, the interval time may be set longer if the frequency of printing by the user is low, and the interval time may be set shorter if the frequency is high. In this way, after the connection with the management server 70 is interrupted, the printing operation of the printers 40 and 50 can be limited at an appropriate timing according to the frequency with which the user prints with the printers 40 and 50.
[0045]
In the above-described embodiment, when the print server 20 succeeds in connection with the management server 70, the credit reset command is output to the printers 40 and 50. However, the print server 20 succeeds in connection with the management server 70, and further A credit reset command may be output to the printers 40 and 50 when the printer usage status (status history and print job history) is successfully transmitted to the management server 70. In this way, the management server side suffers a large disadvantage in order to prevent the printing operation of the printer from being restricted after the management server 70 receives the printer usage status and can manage the photo studio system 10. There is no.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a configuration of a photo studio system 10;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the contents of a print job.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a print command output processing routine.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a printing operation monitoring routine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a credit reset processing routine.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a log transmission processing routine.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Photo Studio System, 14 Router, 16 LAN Cable, 18 Internet, 20 Print Server, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 Clock Generator, 25 Video Board, 26 LAN Board, 27 Display, 28 Hard Disk, 28a Job Folder, 28b Printer usage database, 29 bus, 31 input / output controller, 40 upper printer, 41 CPU, 42 ROM, 43 RAM, 44 credit counter, 45 printer engine, 46 bus, 50 lower printer, 54 credit counter, 60 client PC, 70 Management server.

Claims (9)

A printing system capable of transmitting the usage status of a printer to a management server that manages the usage status of the printer through an electric communication line,
Counting means for counting the number of printing operations of the printer;
Count value determining means for determining whether or not the count value counted by the counting means has reached a predetermined value;
A printing operation restriction means for restricting the printing operation of said printer when said count value is determined to reach the predetermined value by the count value determining means,
Automatic connection trial means for trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line at the time of system startup and every predetermined time after system startup;
Connection determination means for determining whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
Count value setting means for setting the count value to any value before reaching the predetermined value when it is determined by the connection determination means that the connection with the management server is successful ;
With
The predetermined value is a value set based on an upper limit number of sheets that the printer can print within the predetermined time.
Printing system. The printing system according to claim 1,
Wherein instead of or in addition to the printing operation limiting means, the printing system in which the count value by the count value determining means includes error output means for outputting a print error when it is determined to have reached the predetermined value. 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the count value setting unit sets the count value to zero when the connection determination unit determines that the connection with the management server is successful. The predetermined value is a value obtained by adding a margin number to the upper limit number.
The printing system according to claim 1 . It said connection determination means, according to any of the management server judges claim to have succeeded in connection with the 1-4 when succeeded in sending usage of the management the printer to the server via the telecommunication line Printing system. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
A printing system comprising manual connection trial means for trying connection with the management server through the telecommunication line in response to a command issued from a user at an arbitrary timing. A printing system comprising: a printer that prints on a print medium; and a print server that can transmit the printer usage status to a management server that manages the printer usage status through an electrical communication line.
The printer is
Counting means for counting the number of printing operations of the printer;
Count value determining means for determining whether or not the count value counted by the counting means has reached a predetermined value;
A printing operation restriction means for restricting the printing operation of said printer when said count value is determined to reach the predetermined value by the count value determining means,
With
The print server
Automatic connection trial means for trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line at the time of system startup and every predetermined time after system startup;
Connection determination means for determining whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
A command for outputting a command to the printer so that the count value of the counting unit is set to any value before reaching the predetermined value when the connection determining unit determines that the connection with the management server is successful. Output means;
Equipped with a,
The predetermined value is a value set based on an upper limit number of sheets that the printer can print within the predetermined time.
Printing system. A method for controlling a printing system capable of transmitting a printer usage status via a telecommunication line to a management server that manages the printer usage status using one or more computers.
(A) a counting step in which the computer counts the number of printing operations of the printer;
(B) a count value determining step in which the computer determines whether or not the count value counted in the counting step has reached a predetermined value;
(C) the operation limit step for the computer printing operation of the printer when the counted value in the counted value determining step is determined to have reached the predetermined value limits,
(D) an automatic connection trial step of trying to connect to the management server through the telecommunication line at the time of system startup and every predetermined time after system startup;
( E ) a connection determination step in which the computer determines whether or not the connection with the management server is successful;
( F ) including a count value setting step in which the computer sets the count value to any value before reaching the predetermined value when it is determined in the connection determination step that the connection with the management server is successful. See
The predetermined value is a value set based on an upper limit number of sheets that the printer can print within the predetermined time.
Printing system control method. A program for causing one or more computers to realize each step of the printing system control method according to claim 8 .

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