JP4574281B2 - Image output system and error message display method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to images output system and error message display method.

  Conventionally, multifunctional multifunction printers (multifunction printers) such as printing, copying, FAX, and scanning have a raster image processor (RIP) built into the multifunction printer or an external external device. Here, the RIP is a process for generating raster data (bitmap data) based on the printer description language. The built-in case and the external case had their respective merits. The advantage of the built-in is that the overall cost is reduced and the installation space for the device is small. The merit in the case of external attachment is that the capability of RIP can be increased flexibly because the degree of freedom of hardware is increased.

  As a conventional technique when the above-described raster image processor (RIP) is built in a multifunction printer, log analysis can be performed quickly by specifying a desired event and collecting information on the specified event as a log. A technique relating to an easily manageable image processing apparatus is disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, as a conventional technique when the above-described raster image processor (RIP) is installed in an external device external to a multifunction printer, it has a predetermined data structure transferred from each host on the network to the scanner printer server device. The conversion program file for converting the print data of each host into the page description language in the scanner printer server apparatus is transferred from each host and acquired, and the acquired conversion program is executed to obtain the print data of each host for the scanner printer server apparatus. By converting to the page description language, the transfer processing load of each host during the transfer of print data from each host to the scanner printer server device is remarkably reduced, and the data processing capability of each host is prevented from being lowered and quickly Scanner program that can maintain a stable data processing environment Technology related printer server system is disclosed (e.g., see Patent Document 2.).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-136428 JP-A-8-16332

  However, there is no problem when the RIP is built in the multi-function printer, but when the RIP is installed in an external device (scanner printer server device) as described in Patent Document 2, the multi-function printer is used. The communication protocol between the device and the external device is not the same, and communication may not be possible. In particular, this situation is likely to occur when the multifunction printer and the external device are designed and manufactured by different companies. In addition, the protocol versions of both devices differ depending on the design time of each device, or protocol differences that match the various user software (utility software) surrounding these devices occur. There are cases where it will. In addition, regardless of the location of the RIP, when the host computer connects to the multifunction printer and performs communication, the communication protocol is not unique.

  For the reasons described above, in order to solve a problem caused by each device having a different protocol in communication between a plurality of devices connected to the multifunction printer in the system as shown in Patent Document 2 A system configuration having protocol conversion means between devices has been proposed. However, as the number of devices constituting the system increases, there is a problem that a display device for displaying an error is required when an error occurs in each device. In addition, since there are a plurality of display devices, there is a problem that when checking an error, it is necessary to check all the display devices.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances. When an error occurs in one of a plurality of devices (devices) connected to a network, the present invention responds to an error that has occurred in other devices. and purpose that an error message is displayed.

The present invention relates to a one or images output system including a plurality of image output devices and protocol converter on the network, the protocol conversion device, the data received by the communication using the first protocol, Protocol conversion means for converting data according to a second protocol corresponding to the image output device, and image output capable of requesting display of an error message among one or more image output devices on the network and registration means to register information about request enabled device is a device, when an error occurs in the process in the protocol conversion unit, said to the request enabled device by referring to the information registered by the previous SL registration means the first error message and said first error message corresponding to the error that occurred And transmitting means for transmitting the priority information for determining the priority, the request enabled device, the second corresponding to the first error message and error generated in the request enabled device transmitted by said transmitting means a display means to display either or both of the error message, the priority of the first error message and the respect second error message, the second error message and the transmitted priority information by the transmitting means Control means for determining which error message to display based on priority information for determining the degree, and causing the display means to display the first error message or the second error message according to the determination; It is characterized by comprising.

The present invention is an image output system including one or more image output devices on a network and a data processing device, wherein the data processing device is an error among one or more image output devices on the network. Registration means for registering information relating to requestable devices, which are image output devices that can request message display, and information registered by the registration means when an error occurs in the data processing apparatus The requestable device comprises a transmission means for transmitting to the requestable device a first error message corresponding to the error that has occurred and priority information for determining a priority of the first error message. The first error message sent by the sending means and the requestable device Display means for displaying one or both of the second error messages according to the error, priority information sent by the sending means regarding the first error message and the second error message, and the second Which error message is to be displayed is determined based on priority information for determining the priority of the error message, and the first error message or the second error message is displayed on the display unit according to the determination. and control means, characterized that you a provided.

According to the present invention, when an error occurs in one of a plurality of devices (devices) connected to the network, an error message corresponding to the error that has occurred in the other devices can be displayed.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As an example of a protocol control system that controls a communication protocol of a network in the present embodiment, a protocol control system used in an image output system that provides a print service via the network will be described.
FIG. 1-1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image output system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a server, which includes a RIP (raster image processor) 2. The RIP 2 develops image data generated by application software on the server 1 into bitmap image data. Reference numeral 3 denotes an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, which is a transmission path for transferring bitmap image data generated by RIP2 having a data transfer rate of 1 Gbps to a protocol conversion box 4 described later.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a protocol conversion BOX (protocol conversion device), which converts data received from the server 1 by a protocol called protocol A into a protocol called protocol B by the protocol conversion means 5 and outputs it. Reference numeral 6 denotes an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, which has a data transfer rate of 100 M (mega) bps, and is a transmission path for transferring commands and statuses to the image output engine 8 described later by the protocol B. A high-speed video transfer means 7 is a transmission path for transferring video data for printing to an image output engine 8 which will be described later. The high-speed video transfer unit 7 is realized by a channel link, for example. An image output engine 8 is an apparatus that prints out color or monochrome images by electrophotographic technology.

  In the image output system of FIG. 1-1, the RIP 2 is stored in the server 1, but the RIP is stored in the image output engine 8 even in the protocol conversion box 4. Also good. Hereinafter, the configuration example of the image output system when the RIP is stored in the protocol conversion BOX 4 or the image output engine 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1-2 and 1-3. Will be described.

  FIG. 1-2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image output system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1-2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1-1 are given to blocks having the same function, and description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 1-2, the RIP 10 is stored in the protocol conversion BOX 4a. The server 1a does not have an RIP, and the server 1a and the protocol conversion BOX 4a are connected by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 9.

  In the present embodiment, an image generated by application software on the server 1a is output from the server 1a by a data stream such as IPDS or PDL (page description language) data such as PostScript or PCL. Since these data are not large-capacity data such as bitmap image data, a high data transfer rate between the server 1a and the protocol conversion BOX 4a is not required as compared with the configuration of FIG. 1-1. For this reason, the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 9 only needs to have a transfer rate of 100 Mbps.

  The protocol conversion means 5 expands the data stream or PDL data received from the server 1a by the protocol A to the bitmap image data by the RIP 10, converts the expanded bitmap data to the protocol B, and converts it to video data at high speed. The image is output to the image output engine 8 via the video transfer means 7.

  FIG. 1-3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image output system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in FIG. 1-3, what attached | subjected the same code | symbol as FIG. 1-1 or FIG. 1-2 is a block which has the same function, and abbreviate | omits description. As shown in FIG. 1-3, the RIP 11 is stored in the image output engine 8a. In such a case, the image generated by the application software on the server 1a is output from the server 1a by a data stream such as IPDS or PDL data such as PostScript or PCL. Further, the protocol conversion BOX 4 converts only the protocol from the protocol A to the protocol B without converting the data format of the data received by the protocol conversion means 5, and outputs it to the image output engine 8a.

  Next, a hardware configuration example of the protocol conversion BOX 4a shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the protocol conversion BOX 4a illustrated in FIG. 1-2. Note that in FIG. 2, those given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1-2 are blocks having the same function, and description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 2, 22 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which controls the movement in the protocol conversion BOX 4a, and controls the RAM 23 and HDD 24 which are data readable / writable memories. In FIG. 1-2, the server 1a and the image output engine 8 are controlled by different protocols. That is, when the server 1a or the image output engine 8 communicates with an external device, it is performed according to the protocol controlled by each. The protocol conversion means 5 is intended to enable communication between a plurality of devices controlled by such different protocols, and to absorb communication timing problems resulting from protocol differences. Note that by removing the RIP 10 in FIG. 2, a hardware configuration example of the protocol conversion BOX 4 shown in FIGS. 1-1 and 1-3 is obtained.

Next, the communication mode among the server 1a, the protocol conversion box 4 and the image output engine 8 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a communication form among the server 1a, the protocol conversion box 4 and the image output engine 8 shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the server 1a creates data to be printed by application software on a PC (personal computer) or workstation. This print data is, for example, a data stream such as IPDS, or PDL data such as PostScript or PCL. This print data is output to the protocol conversion BOX 4a by the protocol A.

  34 in the protocol conversion BOX 4a is an OS (Operating System), for example, a Windows (registered trademark) OS or a Linux OS. The application software 32 and the protocol conversion means 5 in the protocol conversion BOX 4a operate on the OS 34. The application software 32 is, for example, word processor software or chart drawing software. Further, the application software 32 may be software having a function of outputting the PDL data input from the server 1a as-is as PDL data. The application software 32 may be RIP software having a function of expanding and outputting PDL data into a bitmap image. That is, it is assumed that the RIP 10 illustrated in FIG. 1-2 is included in the application software 32 illustrated in FIG. Thereby, the protocol conversion BOX 4a indicates that PDL data or RIP data is output in FIG.

  The RIP data generated by the application software 32 or the PDL data obtained by directly outputting the PDL data as it is is converted into the protocol B by the protocol conversion means 5 and output to the image output engine 8. The names of protocol A and protocol B described here are merely simple names and may be any protocol.

  The PDL data or RIP data input to the image output engine 8 is printed out by the function of the print 36 or FAX 38 or transmitted by FAX. The image output engine 8 has many functions in addition to the functions of the print 36 and the FAX 38, and is a multi-function printer having, for example, a copy 37 function and a scan 39 function.

  Communication between the server 1a and the protocol conversion BOX 4a is a network connection using the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 9, and communication between the protocol conversion BOX 4a and the image output engine 8 is performed using the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 6. Network (network) connection and high-speed video transfer means 7 are used in combination. The server 1a, the protocol conversion BOX 4a, and the image output engine 8 have different IP addresses.

  Next, a specific configuration of the above-described high-speed video transfer unit 7 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific configuration example of the high-speed video transfer means 7. In FIG. 5, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1-2 have the same functions, and a description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 5, 52 is a transmission ChannelLink device (two). A connection cable 53 connects the protocol conversion BOX 4 a and the image output engine 8 and includes a high-speed connection cable 55 and a low-speed control signal transfer line 56. Reference numeral 54 denotes reception channel link devices (two). The protocol conversion BOX 4a transmits the video data to the receiving channel link 54 via the high-speed connection cable 55 by using the high-speed transmission channel link 52 with the color signal (8 bits for each of CMYK) and its control signal. Thereby, the receiving channel link 54 receives the video data at a high speed, and the image output engine 8 performs, for example, a printing process based on the received video data.

  On the other hand, the protocol conversion BOX 4a and the image output engine 8 exchange not only high-speed signals but also low-speed control signals, and transfer is performed by the low-speed control signal transfer line 56 shown in FIG. As these signals, for example, there is a PRDY signal indicating the start of the image output engine 8, and is transmitted from the image output engine 8 to the protocol conversion BOX 4a. Conversely, there is also a signal CRDY indicating the activation of the protocol conversion BOX 4a, which is transmitted from the protocol conversion BOX 4a to the image output engine 8. The high-speed connection cable 55 and the low-speed control signal transfer line 56 are housed in one connection cable 53.

  In this embodiment, the description has been made on the premise that two ChannelLink devices having a 28-bit width are used side by side for each 8 bits of the engine CMYK. However, in order to cope with an engine (for example, CMYK 12 bits) that requires a larger bit width. For example, it is possible to increase the number of ChannelLink devices used in parallel to, for example, four. Furthermore, even higher speed engine support can be achieved by increasing the number of ChannelLink devices.

  ChannelLink is a high-speed parallel / serial conversion data transfer system. For example, when 32 bits are transferred in parallel with a 66 MHz clock, a speed of 2.2 G (giga) bps is obtained. On the other hand, there are 100 M and 1 GE Ethernet (registered trademark) as inexpensive general-purpose transfer means, but considering the execution value, 1 GE Ethernet (registered trademark) is about 500 Mbps, and Channel Link is separately provided as a high-speed I / F for high-speed engines. I have it. In addition to the color data such as CMYK, additional information such as TAG bits needs to be sent separately to the image output engine 8, and it is important that the I / F is high-speed. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, since it is premised that the RIP data is sent as RAW data, the high-speed video transfer means 7 is required. However, in the fourth embodiment described below, the image output engine 8 is compressed. By having a mechanism that can efficiently process the received data, the high-speed video transfer means 7 is unnecessary.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image output system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, those given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1-1 are blocks having the same function, and the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, 49 is a client PC. Reference numeral 48 denotes a host computer. The server 1b includes a RIP 2 and a compression unit 47 that compresses data.

  As described above, the data generated by the application software on the host computer 48 is transmitted to the server 1b, and the server 1b develops the data into bitmap image data. Reference numeral 46 denotes an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, which has a data transfer rate of 100 Mbps and is obtained by compressing the bitmap image data generated by RIP2 by the compression unit 47 to the protocol conversion BOX 4 using the protocol A. It is a transmission path for transferring. The protocol conversion BOX 4 converts the data received from the server 1b by the protocol A to the protocol B by the protocol conversion means 5 and outputs it to the image output engine 8b.

  Reference numeral 45 denotes an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, which has a data transfer rate of 100 Mbps and transfers commands / status / compressed images by a protocol called protocol B. An image output engine 8b is a device that outputs a color or monochrome image by electrophotographic technology, and further has a function of performing a process of decompressing the video data (bitmap image data) compressed by the compression unit 47. Have. In this configuration, the protocol conversion BOX 4 can output the compressed video data to the two image output engines 8b at the same time.

  As described above, in the server 1b of FIG. 4, the print job is developed into bitmap image data by RIP2, but the transfer I / F of the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 46 is 100M (mega) and the image transfer is performed. Insufficient speed to transfer as RAW data. Therefore, the compression unit 47 performs image compression such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) on the bitmap image data in the server 1b. Thereafter, the server 1b transfers the compressed image data to the protocol conversion BOX 4. The protocol conversion BOX 4 that has received the compressed image converts it into the protocol B required by the image output engine 8b, and transfers the converted data to the image output engine 8b via the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 45. If the image format required by the image output engine 8b is JPEG, the protocol conversion BOX 4 transfers the received image to the image output engine 8b as it is. As a result, even in a device connected with a non-high speed I / F, a system configuration that can follow the printing processing speed of the image output engine 8b to some extent is possible.

  In the present embodiment, the server 1b and the protocol conversion BOX 4 and the protocol conversion BOX 4 and the image output engine 8b are described as being connected by an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable having a communication speed of 100 Mbps. It is also possible to cope with another connection means such as 1 Gbps Ethernet (registered trademark). Further, in the system configurations shown in FIGS. 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 3, and 4, the Ethernet (registered trademark) cable includes a plurality of terminals (servers and the like) not shown. ) And a plurality of image output devices (including an image output device) are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network).

Next, processing realized by the CPU 22 of the above-described protocol conversion BOX 4 or protocol conversion BOX 4a (hereinafter simply referred to as protocol conversion BOX 4) being read and executed from the memory will be described below.
6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating processing realized by the CPU 22 of the protocol conversion BOX 4 executing a program. In particular, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an initialization operation in which the protocol conversion BOX 4 performs processing only once when the power is turned on. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing processing relating to error message display after power-on in the protocol conversion BOX 4.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the protocol conversion BOX 4 is powered on, and the protocol conversion BOX 4 starts an initialization process in step 601. Next, the protocol conversion BOX 4 initializes each variable in step 602. Next, in step 603, the protocol conversion BOX 4 searches for other devices (devices) connected to the network for devices (requestable devices) that can request display of error messages. The other devices connected to the network are, for example, devices including the image output engine 8, the image output engine 8a, and the image output engine 8b (hereinafter simply referred to as the image output engine 8) shown in the above-described embodiment. is there. Next, in step 604, the protocol conversion BOX 4 performs a process of registering all the devices that can request the display of the searched error message in the memory (RAM 23, HDD 24, etc.) as the error message display destination. Next, in step 605, the protocol conversion BOX 4 ends the initialization process and shifts to the normal operation mode shown in FIG.

  Next, an error message display process of the protocol conversion BOX 4 in the normal operation mode will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, in step 701, the protocol conversion BOX 4 starts an error message display process. Next, in step 702, the protocol conversion BOX 4 determines whether an error has occurred in its processing. If it is determined that no error has occurred (NO in step 702), the process proceeds to step 704, and the protocol conversion BOX 4 proceeds to the process in step 702 after performing the protocol conversion process. If it is determined in step 702 that an error has occurred (YES in step 702), the process proceeds to step 703, where the protocol conversion BOX 4 has registered all the devices (devices) registered in the memory as error display destinations in the process of FIG. Then, an error message is sent together with the message priority, and the process returns to step 702.

  By the processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the protocol conversion BOX 4 of this embodiment includes a device (for example, a display device) that can request display of an error message from a device (device) connected to the network. By searching for (device) and registering it in the memory, an error message can be displayed on the registered device when an error actually occurs.

  In the above description, in step 702, the protocol conversion BOX 4 has processed an error in its own processing. However, the error is not limited to this, and even when error information in another device connected to the network is received, The error message created based on the error information (the error information may be left as it is) may be sent to all the devices (devices) registered in the memory together with the priority.

  Further, the priority (priority) of the error message is given in advance to each error message as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, for example, and the protocol conversion BOX 4 is as shown in FIGS. The table is held in memory. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a list table example of the error message of the image output engine 8 and its priority. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a list table of error messages of the protocol conversion BOX 4 and their priorities.

  Next, processing realized by the CPU of the image output engine 8 reading and executing a program from the memory will be described below. Although not shown in the drawings in the above-described embodiment, the image output engine 8 has a CPU and a memory in order to control each function of the multifunction device and perform various processes in the same manner as an ordinary multifunction device. The memory stores a program to be executed by the CPU.

  The image output engine 8 includes a display device 110, a display device 111, and an operation switch that can display an error message, as shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of an operation panel including the display device of the image output engine 8. As shown, the display device 110 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the display device 111 shown in FIG. 13 have different error message display areas. As described above, in the plurality of image output engines 8 connected to the network, even when the display areas of the display devices of the respective image output engines 8 are different, the error message display process described below allows for flexibility. Can respond. Details of FIGS. 11 to 13 will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing message display processing realized by the CPU of the image output engine 8 executing a program. First, in step 801, the image output engine 8 starts message display processing. Next, in step 802, the image output engine 8 determines whether there is a request for displaying an error message (hereinafter referred to as error message 1) from another device. If it is determined that there is no request for displaying error message 1 (in step 802), in step 803, the image output engine 8 determines whether there is an error message (hereinafter referred to as error message 2) in its own processing. Determine. If it is determined that there is no error message 2 (NO in step 803), the image output engine 8 returns to step 802.

  If it is determined in step 803 that there is an error message 2 (YES in step 803), the image output engine 8 displays the error message 2 on the display device 110 or the display device 111 in step 805. Return to step 802.

  If it is determined in step 802 that there is an error message 1 (YES in step 802), in step 804, the image output engine 8 determines whether there is an error message 2 of its own. If it is determined that there is no error message 2 (NO in step 804), in step 805, the image output engine 8 displays the error message 1 of another device on the display device 110 or the display device 111. . If it is determined in step 804 that there is an error message 2 (YES in step 804), in step 807, the image output engine 8 sends the error message 1 and error message 2 to the display device 110 or the display device 111. Whether or not can be displayed together.

  If both error message 1 and error message 2 can be displayed (YES in step 807), the image output engine 8 simultaneously displays error message 1 and error message 2 on the display device 111 in step 809. Then, the process returns to step 802. If neither error message 1 nor error message 2 can be displayed in step 807 (NO in step 807), in step 808, the image output engine 8 determines whether the priority of error message 1 and error message 2 is the same. Determine. The image output engine 8 stores, for example, the error message / priority correspondence table shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 in the memory in the same manner as the protocol conversion BOX 4, and the priority is the same by referring to this table. Judge whether there is.

  If it is determined in step 808 that the priority of error message 1 and error message 2 are the same (YES in step 808), the process proceeds to step 811, and the image output engine 8 alternates between error message 1 and error message 2. Toggle display to be displayed on the display device 110 is performed, and the process returns to step 802. If it is determined in step 808 that the priority of error message 1 and error message 2 is not the same (NO in step 808), the process proceeds to step 810, and the image output engine 8 displays an error message having a high priority. The information is displayed on the device 110, and the process returns to step 802.

  FIG. 13 shows a display example in which error message 1 and error message 2 are displayed at the same time in step 809 described above. In addition, in step 810, an example in which error message 1 or error message 2 having the higher priority is displayed is shown in FIG. 11 (example of error message 2) and FIG. 12 (example of error message 1). Further, in the step 811, the error message 1 and the error message 2 are alternately toggle-displayed. For example, the error display of FIG. 11 and the error display of FIG. .

  As described above, even if the display area of the error message is physically different in the display device of each image output engine 8, the error message corresponding to the display area can be obtained by performing the display process described above. Display is possible. Further, even if the error message display area of the image output engine 8 in one display device is dynamically changed in size, the error message corresponding to the size of the display area is obtained by the processing shown in FIG. Can be displayed.

  In the description of the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the protocol conversion BOX 4 searches for a device (device) that can request an error message display via a network (for example, a LAN). Further, the error message is also transmitted via the LAN. However, the communication is not limited to the communication via the LAN described above, and communication may be performed by wireless communication or the like. Further, the protocol conversion BOX 4 can use a known universal plug and play technique, a rendezvous technique, or the like when searching for a device that can request an error message display, and can also use the Multicast DNS technique. .

  In addition, as described in the above-described embodiment, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device that can request an error message to be displayed even when each device connected to the network does not have a display device. It is possible to configure a system that searches for a device provided and displays an error message on the searched device. Further, the protocol conversion BOX 4 has a function of searching for a device including a display device that can request display of an error message, so that even when the system configuration is changed, a device that displays an error message can be searched for in a timely manner. An error message can be displayed on the searched device. Further, since the display method of the error message can be switched according to the size of the display area for displaying the error message, it is possible to configure a system with a higher degree of freedom related to message display than before.

  Further, even in the configuration of the image output system having a plurality of image output engines (image output devices) for one RIP as in the image output system in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. It is possible to simultaneously display an error message of the protocol conversion BOX. As a result, the operator of any image output engine can immediately know the error that has occurred in the protocol conversion BOX.

  Each of the processes shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 in the above-described embodiment is realized by reading a program for realizing the function of each process from the memory and executing it by the CPU. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all or a part of the functions of each process may be realized by dedicated hardware. The above-mentioned memory is a non-volatile memory such as a magneto-optical disk device or a flash memory, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM that can only be read, a volatile memory other than a RAM, or a computer read by a combination thereof. The recording medium may be a writable recording medium.

  Further, the program for realizing each processing shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. Thus, each process may be performed. The “computer system” here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. Specifically, after a program read from a 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 program is read based on the instructions of the program. It includes the case where the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system serving as a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding a program for a certain period of time are also included.

The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

A program product such as a computer-readable recording medium in which the above program is recorded can also be applied as an embodiment of the present invention. The above program, recording medium, transmission medium, and program product are included in the scope of the present invention.
The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image output system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image output system in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image output system in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the protocol conversion BOX4a shown to FIGS. 1-2. It is a figure which shows the communication form between the server 1a shown in FIGS. 1-2, the protocol conversion BOX4, and the image output engine 8. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image output system in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration example of a high-speed video transfer unit 7. FIG. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement of the initialization which a protocol conversion BOX4 processes only once when a power supply is turned on. It is a figure which shows the process regarding the error message display after power-on in protocol conversion BOX4. It is a flowchart which shows the message display process implement | achieved when CPU of the image output engine 8 runs a program. It is a figure which shows the example list table of the error message of the image output engine 8, and its priority. It is a figure which shows the list message of the error message of protocol conversion BOX4, and its priority. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel including a display device of the image output engine 8. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel including a display device of the image output engine 8. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation panel including a display device of the image output engine 8. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1a, 1b Server 2, 10, 11 RIP
3 Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 4, 4a Protocol conversion BOX
5 Protocol conversion means 6, 9 Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7 High-speed video transfer means 8, 8a, 8b Image output engine 22 CPU
23 RAM
24 HDD
45, 46 Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 47 Compression unit 48 Host computer

Claims (8)

It is one or images output system including a plurality of image output devices and protocol converter on the network,
The protocol converter is
Protocol conversion means for converting data received by communication using the first protocol into data corresponding to the second protocol corresponding to the image output device;
And registration means to register information about one or request enabled device as an image output device capable of requesting the display of the error message of the plurality of image output devices on the network,
If an error occurs in the process in the protocol conversion unit, before Symbol first error message and said first corresponding error to the generation to the request enabled device by referring to the information registered by the registration means Transmission means for transmitting priority information for determining the priority of the error message , and
The requestable device is:
A display means to display either or both of the second error message corresponding to the first error message and error generated in the request enabled device transmitted by the transmission means,
Which of the first error message and the second error message is displayed based on the priority information transmitted by the transmission means and the priority information for determining the priority of the second error message. Control means for determining whether to display the first error message or the second error message on the display means according to the determination;
Image output system characterized by comprising a. Before SL control means, display method for displaying on said display means in order of priority among a plurality of error messages, display method for displaying on said display means by switching a plurality of error messages in sequence, a plurality of error messages The image output system according to claim 1, wherein any one of the display methods arranged in parallel and displayed on the display unit can be selected . Before SL protocol converter is characterized by further comprising search means for searching for image output devices capable of requesting the display of the error message from the one or more image output devices on the network The image output system according to claim 1 or 2 . Before SL searching section, an image output system according to claim 3, wherein the image output device capable of requesting the display of the error message, to explore an image output device comprising a display device. When the control means can display the first error message and the second error gain message on the display means simultaneously, the display means simultaneously displays the first error message and the second error gain message. If the display means cannot display the first error message and the second error message at the same time, the priority information transmitted by the transmission means and the second error message Based on the priority information for determining the priority, when the priority is different, the display unit is controlled to display an error message having a high priority. When the priority is the same, the error message is displayed on the display unit. The image output system according to claim 1, wherein the image output system is controlled to be switched and displayed at regular intervals. An error message display method in an image output system including one or more image output devices on a network and a protocol converter,
  A protocol conversion step in which the protocol conversion device converts data received by communication using the first protocol into data according to a second protocol corresponding to the image output device;
  A registration step in which the protocol conversion apparatus registers information about a requestable device that is an image output device capable of requesting display of an error message among one or a plurality of image output devices on the network;
  When an error occurs in the processing in the protocol conversion step, the protocol conversion apparatus refers to the information registered in the registration step, and sends a first error message corresponding to the generated error to the requestable device. And sending priority information for determining priority of the first error message;
  The requestable device relates to the first error message transmitted in the transmission step and the second error message corresponding to the error that occurred in the requestable device, and the priority information transmitted in the transmission step and the first error message And determining which error message to display based on the priority information that defines the priority of the error message of the second error message, and sending the first error message or the second error message to the requestable device according to the determination. Control steps to be displayed on the display means;
  An error message display method characterized by comprising: An image output system including one or more image output devices and a data processing device on a network,
The data processing device includes:
Registration means for registering information on requestable devices that are image output devices capable of requesting display of an error message among one or a plurality of image output devices on the network;
When an error occurs in the data processing device, the first error message and the first error message corresponding to the generated error are sent to the requestable device by referring to the information registered by the registration unit. Transmission means for transmitting priority information for determining priority;
Comprising
The requestable device is:
Display means for displaying either or both of the first error message sent by the sending means and the second error message corresponding to the error that occurred in the requestable device;
Which of the first error message and the second error message is displayed based on the priority information transmitted by the transmission means and the priority information for determining the priority of the second error message. Control means for determining whether to display the first error message or the second error message on the display means according to the determination;
An image output system comprising: An error message display method in an image output system including one or a plurality of image output devices and a data processing apparatus on a network,
  A registration step in which the data processing apparatus registers information about a requestable device that is an image output device capable of requesting display of an error message among one or a plurality of image output devices on the network;
  When an error occurs in the data processing device, the data processing device refers to the information registered in the registration step, and sends a request to the requestable device with a first error message according to the error A transmission step of transmitting priority information for determining a priority of the first error message;
  The requestable device relates to the first error message transmitted in the transmission step and the second error message corresponding to the error that occurred in the requestable device, and the priority information transmitted in the transmission step and the first error message And determining which error message to display based on the priority information that defines the priority of the error message of the second error message, and sending the first error message or the second error message to the requestable device according to the determination. Control steps to be displayed on the display means;
  An error message display method characterized by comprising:

Images