JP4274495B2 - Image output apparatus and method, image processing apparatus and method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and method, an image processing apparatus and method, and a storage medium, and more particularly to an image output apparatus such as a printer connected to a host computer or the like via a predetermined communication medium such as a network and output control thereof. The present invention relates to an image output method to be performed, an image processing apparatus corresponding to the host computer, the image processing method, and a storage medium storing a program of the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an output device that prints out device information of a device mounted on the device and setting information such as a printer device on a recording sheet or the like is known.
[0003]
The device information and setting information are transmitted and output to a host computer connected via a communication medium such as a network, and displayed as a bitmap image or character information corresponding to the transmitted information on the host computer display or the like. Software is known.
[0004]
Furthermore, some of the software provide a processing system that can change the setting information of the output device based on information displayed using a graphical user interface or the like.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above technique, the information to be output to the output medium and the information to be displayed on the display of the host computer are only current information or recently acquired information. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to determine which information has been updated when the setting of the output device is changed or when the extension information is installed and the device information and setting information are updated.
[0006]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an image output apparatus that solves the above-described problems by changing an output image in accordance with a change in apparatus settings or a change in the mounting state of equipment. And a method, an image processing apparatus and method, and a storage medium storing a program of the method.
[0007]
  One aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above problem is an image output apparatus provided with an additional device mounting means, wherein the expansion based on the detection that the additional device is mounted on the additional device mounting means. Device information about the device andAboveAcquisition means for acquiring system configuration information including a value of a setting item relating to print output of the image output apparatus, comparison means for comparing the system configuration information already acquired by the acquisition means with newly acquired system configuration information, Based on a comparison result by the comparison unit, a detection unit that detects a change in the mounting state of the additional device and a change in the setting item, an image generation unit that generates image information related to the system configuration information, and the detection unit Based on the detection result and the image information generated by the image generation means, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the newly installed extension deviceRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeWhen the image including the information is printed out and the value of the setting item is changed, the image indicating the changed value is different from the image indicating the value of the other setting item.outputOutput means for controlling the output unit so as to print out in a format is provided.
[0008]
  here,The value of the setting item included in the system configuration information may include information regarding the paper discharge mode..
[0009]
  here,The control of the output unit by the output unit may be performed in response to installation of a new extension device or a change in the value of the setting item..
[0010]
  here,The system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past, and the output means controls the output unit to print out an image including a change history based on the held information. May.
[0011]
  Another aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above-described problem relates to an extension device mounted on the image output apparatus in an image processing apparatus that communicates with the image output apparatus via a predetermined communication medium. Acquiring means for acquiring system configuration information including device information and setting item values relating to print output of the image output device, comparing system configuration information already acquired by the acquiring means with newly acquired system configuration information Comparing means, detecting means for detecting a change in the mounting state of the additional device and a change in the setting item based on a comparison result by the comparing means, an image generating means for generating image information related to the system configuration information, and Based on the detection result by the detection unit and the image information generated by the image generation unit, a new expansion device is added to the expansion device mounting unit. In the case of detecting the attachment of the newly mounted additional equipmentRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeDisplay means for displaying an image including information and displaying the image indicating the changed value in a display format different from the image indicating the value of the other setting item when the value of the setting item is changed It is characterized by providing.
[0012]
  Here, the value of the setting item included in the system configuration information may include information regarding the paper discharge mode.
[0013]
  here,The system configuration information may hold a plurality of information changed in the past, and the display means may display an image including a change history based on the held information..
[0014]
  Another aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above problem is that, in an image output method of an image output apparatus provided with an additional device mounting means, the additional device is mounted on the additional device mounting means. Device information related to the additional device based on detection andAboveAn acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including a value of a setting item relating to the print output of the image output device; a comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information; Based on the comparison result in the comparison step, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the extension device and a change in the setting item, an image generation step for generating image information related to the system configuration information, and a detection step Based on the detection result and the image information generated in the image generation step, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the newly installed extension deviceRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeWhen the image including the information is printed out and the value of the setting item is changed, the image indicating the changed value is different from the image indicating the value of the other setting item.outputAn output step for controlling the output unit so as to print out in a format is provided.
[0015]
  Here, the value of the setting item included in the system configuration information may include information regarding the paper discharge mode.
[0016]
  here,The control of the output unit in the output step may be performed in response to installation of a new extension device or detection of a change in the value of the setting item..
[0017]
  Here, the system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past, and controls the output unit to print out an image including a change history based on the held information in the output step. It may be a thing.
[0018]
  Another aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above problem is an image processing method of an image processing apparatus that communicates with an image output apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and is attached to the image output apparatus. An acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to the added expansion device and a setting item value relating to the print output of the image output device, and a system in which the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step is newly acquired A comparison step for comparing with configuration information, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the additional device and a change in the setting item based on a comparison result in the comparison step, and image generation for generating image information related to the system configuration information And the detection result in the detection step and the image generated in the image generation step Based on distribution, when detecting the mounting of a new expansion device relative to the extension device mounting means, of the newly mounted additional equipmentRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeA display step for displaying an image including information and displaying an image indicating the changed value in a display format different from an image indicating the value of another setting item when the value of the setting item is changed It is characterized by having.
[0019]
  here,The value of the setting item included in the system configuration information may include information regarding the paper discharge mode.
[0020]
  here,The system configuration information may hold a plurality of information changed in the past, and display an image including a change history based on the held information in the display step..
[0021]
  Another aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above-described problems is a storage medium in which a program is stored so as to be readable by a computer, and the program read by the computer is stored in the computer. An acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including device information related to the additional device based on detection that the additional device is mounted on the additional device mounting means included in the output device and a setting item value related to the print output of the image output device. A comparison step for comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information, a change in the mounting state of the extension device and the setting item based on the comparison result in the comparison step Detection step for detecting a change in image, and image generation for generating image information related to the system configuration information If the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, the newly installed extension EquipmentRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeWhen the image including the information is printed out and the value of the setting item is changed, the image indicating the changed value is different from the image indicating the value of the other setting item.outputAn output step for controlling the output unit to execute print output in a format is executed.
  Another aspect of the present invention devised to solve the above problem is a storage medium storing a program so as to be readable by a computer, and the program read by the computer is stored in the computer in a predetermined manner. An acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to an additional device attached to an image processing apparatus that communicates with the image output apparatus via the communication medium and a value of a setting item relating to print output of the image output apparatus; The comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information, the change in the mounting state of the additional device and the setting item based on the comparison result in the comparison step A detection step for detecting a change, and an image generation step for generating image information relating to the system configuration information. In addition, when the installation of a new extension device is detected in the extension device mounting means based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, the newly installed extension device ofRepresents typeInformation andAboveThe fact that the expansion device is newly installedExpressedThroughKnowledgeA display step for displaying an image including information and displaying an image indicating the changed value in a display format different from an image indicating the value of another setting item when the value of the setting item is changed Is executed.
[0022]
According to the present invention configured as described above, it is possible to print an output image such as a status / print according to the addition of an additional device or a setting change of the image output device, and grasps a state change related to the image output device. can do. In addition, according to another invention, it is possible to grasp the changed part of the image output device from an image processing device such as a host computer or the like separated via a communication medium without directly checking the image output device. Become.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before describing the configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of a laser beam printer having an open architecture suitable for applying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0024]
Needless to say, the printer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer, and may be a printer of another printing method.
[0025]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an example of a character pattern output apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of a laser beam printer (LBP), for example.
[0026]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1000 denotes an LBP main body, which inputs and stores print information (character code, etc.), form information, macro instructions, etc. supplied from an externally connected host computer, and in accordance with the information. Corresponding character patterns, form patterns, and the like are created, and an image is formed on recording paper or the like as a recording medium. Hereinafter, the LBP main body 1000 is referred to as a printer 1000. Reference numeral 1012 denotes an operation unit having an operation panel, which includes a plurality of switches for operation and an LED / LCD display.
[0027]
Reference numeral 1001 denotes a printer control unit which controls the entire printer 1000 and analyzes character information supplied from a host computer. The printer control unit 1001 mainly converts character information into a video signal having a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1002. The laser driver 1002 is a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 1003, and switches on / off the laser light 1004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1003 in accordance with the input video signal.
[0028]
The laser beam 1004 is polarized in the direction of the rotation plane by the rotary polygon mirror 1005 and scans and exposes the electrostatic drum 1006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1007 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet recording paper is used as the recording paper. Cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1008 mounted on the printer 1000, taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1009 and transport rollers 1010 and 1011, and supplied to an electrostatic drum 1006.
[0029]
The printer 1000 includes at least one expansion slot (not shown), and is configured so that an input / output device such as an option interface board connected to a LAN or the like can be connected in addition to a built-in interface.
[0030]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the output control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example.
[0031]
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer that executes document processing in which graphics, images, characters, tables (including spreadsheets), etc. are mixed based on the document processing program stored in the program ROM 332 of the ROM 3. The CPU 1 generally controls each device connected to the system bus 4.
[0032]
In addition, the program ROM 332 of the ROM 3 stores a control program of the CPU 1 such as a printer / driver that converts information output as a result of executing the document processing into data that can be analyzed by the printer / adds a printer language, and the like. The font ROM 331 of the ROM 3 stores font data used for the document processing, and the data ROM 333 of the ROM 3 stores various data used for the document processing. The RAM 2 functions as a main memory, work area, etc. for the CPU 1. A keyboard controller (KBC) 5 controls key inputs from a keyboard 9 and a pointing device (not shown).
[0033]
A CRT controller (CRTC) 6 controls display on a CRT display (CRT) 10. A disk controller (DKC) 7 is an external storage device 11 such as a hard disk (HD) or floppy disk (FD) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like. And control access.
[0034]
A network interface controller (NIC) 8 is connected to the printer 1000 via a predetermined bidirectional network interface 21 and executes communication control processing with the printer 1000. The network interface controller (NIC) 8 is also connected to a device related to a network such as a LAN and other external devices (each not shown).
[0035]
The CPU 1 executes outline font development (rasterization) processing on the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example, and WYSIWYG (wizig wig) on the CRT display 10 is obtained. That is, the final output form on the display can be confirmed each time, displayed on the display as desired, or output on the output device as displayed). Further, the CPU 1 opens various windows registered based on commands instructed by a mouse cursor (not shown) on the CRT display 10 and executes various data processing.
[0036]
In the printer 1000, reference numeral 12 denotes a printer CPU, and various devices connected to the system bus 15 based on a control program stored in the program ROM 132 of the ROM 13 or a control program stored in the external storage device 14. Are collectively controlled, and an image signal as output information is output to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via the printing unit interface 16. The program ROM 132 of the ROM 13 stores a control program for the CPU 12 as shown in a flowchart of FIG. 3 to be described later.
[0037]
The font ROM 131 of the ROM 13 stores font data used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer that does not have an external storage device 14 such as a hard disk, the data ROM 133 of the ROM 13 stores information used on the host computer.
[0038]
The input / output unit 18 includes a switch for operation, an LED display, and the like. By performing operation / input from the network interface 21 via the network board 2000, the CPU 12 can control communication processing with the host computer 3000. In this configuration, information in the printer (LBP main body) 1000 can be notified to the host computer 3000.
[0039]
The RAM 19 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is configured such that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM connected to an expansion port (not shown). The RAM 19 is used as an output information expansion area, environment data storage area, font table creation area, NVRAM, and the like. Access to the above-described external storage device 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or IC card is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20. The external storage device 14 is connected as an option, and stores font data, an emulation program, form data, and the like.
[0040]
The above-described external storage device is not limited to one, but includes at least one external storage device that stores options, fonts, cards, and programs for interpreting different printer control languages in addition to built-in fonts. You may be comprised so that it can connect. Further, an NVRAM (not shown) may be provided, and printer mode setting information from the operation unit 1012 may be stored.
[0041]
In the printer control system configured as described above, the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 8. .
[0042]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the status printing process when the device mounted at the time of power activation of the printer 1000 and the set value are changed according to the present invention.
[0043]
In the flow chart and the following flow chart, S is given to each step number. 3 is stored in a program ROM 132 of the ROM 13.
[0044]
When the printer 1000 is powered on, the device information currently installed and the setting information stored in the printer 1000 are acquired in S301, and the system configuration information output to the status print is generated. This system configuration information is retained for the past generation. That is, the device information that was previously installed and the previous setting information are retained. When the system configuration information stored in the predetermined storage area of the external storage device 14 at the time of the previous activation is read in S302, the system configuration information generated in S301 and the contents of the system configuration information acquired in S302 are compared in S303.
[0045]
In S304, it is determined whether the system configuration has been changed according to the comparison result, and the process branches according to the determination result. If the contents of the compared system configuration information have not changed, the process ends with no change. On the other hand, if the contents of the compared information have changed, it is determined that the system configuration has been changed, and the process proceeds to S305 to generate status print output data from the current system configuration information acquired in S301.
[0046]
Next, in S306, the output format of the corresponding part of the status / print output data generated in S305 is changed for the value of the item confirmed to be changed among the contents compared in S303. In step S307, the initial setting value of the current discharge direction is read out and acquired from the setting information acquired in step S301.
[0047]
When the initial setting value of the paper discharge direction is read, in S308, it is determined whether the longitudinal feeding is performed based on this setting value, and the process branches according to the determination result. If it is determined that the paper discharge direction is set to vertical feed, the process advances to step S309 to set the paper discharge direction at the time of status print output to horizontal feed. In step S311, the print unit performs status printing. Processed and printed out on a recording medium.
[0048]
On the other hand, if it is determined in S308 that the horizontal feed is set, the status print paper discharge direction is set to the vertical feed in S310, and the process proceeds to the output process in S311. When the status print output process in S311 is performed, the process proceeds to S312 to store the current system configuration information in a predetermined storage area of the external storage device 14, and the process ends.
[0049]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing processing according to the present invention when the host computer 3000 displays information related to the printer 1000 when the device mounted on the printer 1000 and the setting value are changed.
[0050]
The program including the control procedure of the flow chart is stored in the external storage device 11, and is expanded and processed in the RAM 2 via the DKC 7 when the program is executed.
[0051]
When the program is executed on the host computer 3000, first, in S401, an acquisition request command for the current system configuration information is transmitted to the printer 1000 which is an output device.
[0052]
When system configuration information is requested, a response to this is determined in S402, and the process branches according to the response status. If it is determined that there is a response from the printer 1000 within a predetermined time, the process proceeds to S403, and system configuration information is received from the request destination printer (printer 1000). In subsequent S404, the system configuration information stored in the predetermined storage area of the external storage device 11 when the previous program is started is read, and the system configuration information received in S403 in S405 is compared with the contents of the system configuration information acquired in S404. . In S406, it is determined whether the system configuration has been changed according to the comparison result, and the process branches according to the determination result.
[0053]
If the contents of the system configuration information compared in S406 have changed, it is determined that the system configuration has been changed, and the process proceeds to S407, where the updated item values of the system configuration information received and acquired in S403 are different from other item values. The format change process is performed so as to be displayed on the CRT display 10. Further, in S408, the format change processing of the bitmap diagram related to the display on the output device (host computer 3000) of the updated item is performed as in S407, and the device display window (not shown) of the CRT display 10 is performed in S409. ), The current system configuration information received in this process is stored in a predetermined system configuration information storage area of the external storage device 11 in S410, and the process ends.
[0054]
If there is no response within the predetermined time in S402, the process proceeds to S412 and an error is notified and the process is terminated. If the system configuration has not been changed in S404, the process proceeds to S411, and the image and information related to the system configuration information are displayed on the device display window (not shown) without performing the change processing in S407 and S408, and then the processing ends. To do.
[0055]
(Other embodiments)
FIG. 5 shows an output example of the status print that has been printed according to the first embodiment. The output image in the figure is output from the output device (printer 1000) according to the present invention to the output medium, and the device information and settings are displayed. Information is shown.
[0056]
For example, when it is detected in S301 that a 2000-sheet paper cassette is newly installed, a bitmap image icon as indicated by 511, for example, which can identify that this cassette is newly installed is printed out. To do. This icon 511 includes information “2000”, information “Tsukaika”, and a graphic of the paper cassette shown in the figure.
[0057]
Further, when a change in the value of the setting item is detected, for example, when the initial setting value of the paper discharge mode is changed, a font different from other item values as indicated by 512 (in this example, Mincho) The changed part is explicitly displayed by performing the emphasis output process using the emphasis character of the Gothic type). The items indicated by 513 and 514 can also be subjected to emphasis output processing.
[0058]
In the first embodiment, the system configuration information has been retained for the past generation. However, the system configuration information is also retained for the past multiple generations, and is printed by adding the change history to the status print output. You may make it do. Furthermore, it is possible to grasp device information in more detail by storing whether the change in the system configuration information is a remote operation from the host computer 3000 or a control from the operation unit 1012 of the printer 1000. It is.
[0059]
Further, a process for storing the system configuration information in the second embodiment in the external storage device 11 will be described in detail with reference to the memory map diagram of the storage medium for storing the system configuration information in FIG. In this case, as indicated by 601 in FIG. 6, the predetermined system configuration information storage area of the external storage device 11 of the host computer 3000 contains system configuration information for each output device as indicated by 602 in FIG. Stored.
[0060]
When the printer 1000 and the host computer 3000 are connected via a network, there may be a plurality of output devices (printer devices) capable of performing equivalent processing other than the printer 1000 on the network. In this case, as indicated by 601 in FIG. 6, a predetermined system configuration information storage area 603 of the external storage device 11 of the host computer 3000 is stored for each output device.
[0061]
Further, for example, a MAC (Medium Access Control) address is stored in the MAC address information storage area 602 corresponding to the system configuration information storage area 603 as an identifier for identifying the storage destination of the system configuration information of each output device. . With this MAC address, the device can be uniquely identified.
[0062]
Both windows shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are examples of display results of system configuration information related to the printer 1000 displayed on the CRT display 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0063]
For example, when a 2000 sheet cassette (paper deck) is newly installed, a bitmap image as indicated by 701 in the bitmap diagram of FIG. 7 showing the output device information is displayed in the window. , Visually expressing changes. The bitmap image 701 includes a copy machine graphic shown in the figure, which is highlighted by changing the shade of the changed portion, and information “addition”.
[0064]
In FIG. 7, the paper feed unit information is displayed on the added paper deck with a font type display 702 different from those of other paper feed units. Further, in FIG. 7, detailed information 703 regarding the changed part may be displayed.
[0065]
FIG. 8 is an example of a display result when a more detailed display is made with respect to the system configuration information, and is a bit map showing the setting information.
[0066]
As indicated by reference numeral 801 in FIG. 8, the changed item is displayed using a highlighted character such as a Gothic font that is different from the other items.
[0067]
In the above-described embodiment, the processing procedure for detecting a change in the system configuration information of the printer 1000 when the printer 1000 is powered on or when the control program on the host computer 3000 is activated is described. Alternatively, it is detected that the setting has been changed from the operation unit 1012 of the printer 1000, and a status print is printed out based on the detection result, or displayed on the CRT display 10 of the host computer 3000. Also good.
[0068]
As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in response to the addition of an additional device or the setting change of the output device, the device information newly installed in the output device or the output device setting value by printing the status print It is possible to visually indicate whether or not there is a change, and it is possible to easily grasp the state change of the output device. In addition, by displaying the change contents of the system configuration information of the output device on the host computer, the change location can be grasped centrally without the need to directly check the change of the output device or multiple output devices in the remote place. It is possible to improve the efficiency of device management.
[0069]
It is to be noted that the object of the present invention described above is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus (or CPU, MPU, etc.) Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0070]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0071]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code to a computer or the like, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM Etc. can be used.
[0072]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on an instruction of the program code. Needless to say, a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0073]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0074]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the image output device and method, the image processing device and method, and the status / print output control system using the storage medium according to the present invention, the device information newly installed in the image output device and the output setting value It is possible to notify the user by visually indicating whether or not there has been a change, and by displaying the change contents of the system configuration information of the image output device on an image processing device such as a host computer, The change of the image output device or the plurality of image output devices in the network can be grasped centrally through the communication medium, and it is possible to further improve the efficiency of device management on the network. is there.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system in each embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an output image of a status print showing device information and setting information output from an image output apparatus (printer) according to the present invention to an output medium.
FIG. 6 is a memory map diagram of a storage medium for storing system configuration information of an image output apparatus in the output control system according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a bit map showing image output apparatus device information displayed on an image processing apparatus (host computer) according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a bit map showing setting information of an image output device displayed on an image processing device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,12 CPU
2,19 RAM
3,13 ROM
4,15 system bus
11, 14 External storage device
16 Printing section interface
17 Printing department
131,331 Font ROM
132,332 Program ROM
133,333 Data ROM
511 icon
512-514, 702, 801 Emphasized characters
1000 Printer (LBP main unit)
1012 Operation unit
2000 Network board
3000 host computer

Claims (16)

In an image output device equipped with an additional device mounting means,
Acquiring means for acquiring system configuration information including the value of the setting item for the print output of the additional the additional equipment related to the device information based on the detection of the additional equipment is attached to the device mounting means and the image output apparatus,
Comparison means for comparing the system configuration information already acquired by the acquisition means with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on a comparison result by the comparison unit, a detection unit that detects a change in the mounting state of the additional device and a change in the setting item,
Image generating means for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result by the detection unit and the image information generated by the image generation unit, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting unit, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented an image print output including the newly mounted expresses that the notification information, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, an image indicating the changed value An image output apparatus comprising: an output unit that controls an output unit so as to print and output in an output format different from an image indicating values of other setting items. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value of the setting item included in the system configuration information includes information regarding a paper discharge mode . The control of the output unit by the output means, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that takes place in response to the change in the value of attachment or the setting items of the new expansion device is detected Image output device. The system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past,
And the output means, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that you control the output unit so as to print out the image, including the change history based on the retained information image output device. In an image processing apparatus that communicates with an image output apparatus via a predetermined communication medium,
Acquisition means for acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to an additional device attached to the image output device and a value of a setting item relating to print output of the image output device;
Comparison means for comparing the system configuration information already acquired by the acquisition means with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on a comparison result by the comparison unit, a detection unit that detects a change in the mounting state of the additional device and a change in the setting item,
Image generating means for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result by the detection unit and the image information generated by the image generation unit, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting unit, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented by displaying an image including a notification information representing the fact that the newly mounted, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, other images showing the changed value An image processing apparatus comprising: display means for displaying in a display format different from an image indicating the value of the setting item. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the value of the setting item included in the system configuration information includes information regarding a paper discharge mode. The system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past,
  The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays an image including a change history based on the held information. In the image output method of the image output apparatus provided with the additional device mounting means,
Acquiring system configuration information including the value of the setting item for the print output of the additional the additional equipment related to the device information based on the detection of the additional equipment is attached to the device mounting means and the image output apparatus,
A comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on the comparison result in the comparison step, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the extension device and a change in the setting item,
An image generating step for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented an image print output including the newly mounted expresses that the notification information, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, an image indicating the changed value An image output method comprising: an output step of controlling an output unit so as to print and output in an output format different from an image showing values of other setting items. The value of the setting items included in the system configuration information, the image output method according to claim 8, characterized in including Mukoto information about discharge mode. 10. The control according to claim 8, wherein the control of the output unit in the output step is performed in response to installation of a new extension device or detection of a change in the value of the setting item. 11. Image output method. The system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past,
  11. The output unit according to claim 8, wherein, in the output step, the output unit is controlled to print out an image including a change history based on the held information. Image output method. In an image processing method of an image processing apparatus that communicates with an image output apparatus via a predetermined communication medium,
An acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to an additional device attached to the image output device and a value of a setting item relating to print output of the image output device;
A comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on the comparison result in the comparison step, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the extension device and a change in the setting item,
An image generating step for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented by displaying an image including a notification information representing the fact that the newly mounted, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, other images showing the changed value An image processing method comprising: a display step of displaying in a display format different from an image indicating the value of the setting item. The image processing method according to claim 12 , wherein the value of the setting item included in the system configuration information includes information regarding a paper discharge mode . The system configuration information holds a plurality of information changed in the past,
  14. The image processing method according to claim 12, wherein an image including a change history based on the held information is displayed in the display step. A storage medium in which a program is stored so as to be readable by a computer, and the program read by the computer is stored in the computer,
Acquisition of acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to the extension device based on detection that the extension device has been installed in the extension device mounting means included in the image output device, and setting item values relating to print output of the image output device Step,
A comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on the comparison result in the comparison step, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the extension device and a change in the setting item,
An image generating step for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented an image print output including the newly mounted expresses that the notification information, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, an image indicating the changed value A storage medium that executes an output step of controlling an output unit so as to print and output in an output format different from an image showing values of other setting items. A storage medium in which a program is stored so as to be readable by a computer, and the program read by the computer is stored in the computer,
An acquisition step of acquiring system configuration information including device information relating to an extension device attached to an image processing apparatus that communicates with an image output apparatus via a predetermined communication medium, and setting item values relating to print output of the image output apparatus. ,
A comparison step of comparing the system configuration information already acquired in the acquisition step with the newly acquired system configuration information;
Based on the comparison result in the comparison step, a detection step for detecting a change in the mounting state of the extension device and a change in the setting item,
An image generating step for generating image information relating to the system configuration information, and
Based on the detection result in the detection step and the image information generated in the image generation step, when the installation of a new extension device is detected with respect to the extension device mounting means, the type of the newly installed extension device is selected. information and the additional equipment represented by displaying an image including a notification information representing the fact that the newly mounted, and, if there is a change in the value of the setting item, other images showing the changed value A storage medium that executes a display step of displaying in a display format different from an image indicating the value of the setting item.

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