JP4844401B2 - Printing system, printer, and print server reset method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system including a client, a printer, and a print server, and more particularly to a printing system that can reliably execute a print server reset process from a client and suppress loss due to reset failure.

  Usually, a printer is often used by being connected to a computer system or the like as a print request source via a network or the like. Among them, for business use, a plurality of printers are connected to a server system via a network or the like, and printing is performed according to a request from the server system. In such a case, usually, a print server that is an interface device that manages a communication interface between each printer main body and a server system that is a host device is provided in each printer or as a separate device from the printer. Communication between them.

  In such a printing system, if each device connected to the network is used as it is for a long time, there is a risk of causing a problem in an OS (operation system) provided in each device. Processing to reset and return to the initial state is performed. The reset process is executed in each device after a reset request is made to each device from the server system.

The following Patent Document 1 shows that resetting is performed in a system including a client and a plurality of terminal computers.
JP 2000-222142 A

  In the above-described printing system in which a plurality of printers are connected to the server system via the print server, as described above, when the server system issues a reset request to each device, the print server is executing a predetermined process ( For example, in the case of a printing process in a printer), the print server may fall into a malfunctioning state (so-called hang-up state). Normally, the reset request is not issued at such timing, but the current system cannot completely prevent such a phenomenon.

  When such a malfunctioning state of the print server occurs, the server system does not perform any particular processing after the reset request in the conventional reset method. There was a possibility of suffering a large loss.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is a printing system including a client, a printer, and a print server, which can reliably execute a print server reset process from the client and can suppress loss due to reset failure. , Etc. is to provide.

  To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a printing system includes a client, a printer, and a print server, and the printer communicates with the client via the print server. The first command is transmitted to the printer, and after the first command is transmitted, the second command is transmitted to the printer. The printer receives the first command and receives the first command. A reset operation is executed, and the state of the print server is determined based on the reception status of the second command.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is that, when the printer does not receive the second command, it determines that the state of the print server is in a malfunctioning state, and resets the print server again. It is characterized by performing.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the second command is transmitted from the client after the reset operation by the printer is completed, and the case where the printer does not receive the second command is After receiving, the second command is not received even if a predetermined elapsed time in which the transmitted second command can be received elapses.

  Furthermore, in the above invention, one aspect is characterized in that the reset operation of the print server is to turn off the power of the print server, and to turn on the power after the disconnection.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system including a client, a printer, and a print server, wherein the printer communicates with the client via the print server. The first command is transmitted to the printer, and after the first command is transmitted, the second command is transmitted to the printer at least once. The printer receives the first command Initiating the print server reset process, receiving the second command, and ending the print server reset process.

  Further, in the above invention, a preferable aspect is that the reset process of the print server performed by the printer receives the first command, executes the reset operation of the print server, and receives each second transmitted from the client. If the second command is not received even after the timing at which the command should be received has elapsed, the reset operation of the print server is executed each time.

  Still further, in the above invention, a preferred aspect is that the printer transmits a reply signal to the client when the second command is received, and the client receives the reply signal after transmitting the second command. If not, the second command is transmitted after a predetermined time.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to still another aspect of the present invention, a printer communicating with a client via a print server receives a first command transmitted from the client and performs a reset operation of the print server. If the second command transmitted from the client is not received after the first command is transmitted, the reset operation of the print server is performed again.

  In order to achieve the above object, another aspect of the present invention includes a client, a printer, and a print server, and the printer communicates with the client via the print server. The client receives a reset request and transmits a first command to the printer; the printer receives the first command and executes a reset operation of the print server; The client sends a second command to the printer after sending the first command, and if the printer does not receive the second command, it resets the print server again. Having a process to perform.

  Further objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, such an embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals or reference symbols.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. A printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a printing system according to this embodiment, and includes a client 3, one or more printers 1 connected thereto, and a print server 2 for each printer. When the printing system 10 performs a remote reset of each device from the client 3, the client 3 issues a reset execution command (first command) and a subsequent reset confirmation command (second command) to the printer 1. The printer 1 executes the reset operation of the print server 2 in response to the reset execution command. If the subsequent reset confirmation command is not received within a predetermined time, the printer 1 executes the reset operation of the print server 2 again. The remote reset process is surely executed.

  A printing system 10 according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a system used for printing discount coupons for products in a supermarket as an example. As described above, the client 3 has one or more printers 1 and a LAN ( Local area network) 5. In addition, a print server 2 that is an interface device that manages a communication interface between the client 3 and each printer 1 is provided for each printer 1. The printer 1 and the print server 2 are connected by, for example, the USB standard (USB connection 4 )

  The client 3 is a server system that manages the entire system by issuing a print request to each printer 1 and making a reset request for each device. For example, when issuing the discount coupon, a coupon printing instruction is issued to the printer 1 connected to the POS system (not shown) and connected via the LAN 5. The client 3 can be configured by a computer system.

  The client 3 includes an application 31, a driver 32, and a utility 33 as shown in FIG. The application 31 is a part that manages the management process of the entire system including the print request process and the reset request performed by the client 3, and also provides a user I / F for the user to operate. For example, when the user makes a request for the reset process, the application 31 operates the operation screen displayed on the display device (not shown) of the client 3.

  The driver 32 is a driver for the printer 1, and receives the print request from the application 31, generates print data to be printed, and transmits the print data to the printer 1 to be printed. The utility 33 is a part that receives requests relating to various managements of the printer 1 from the application 31 and transmits the requests to the printer 1 side. When the above-described reset request is made, a reset execution command and a reset confirmation command described later are sent Send to the printer 1 side.

  The processing of remote reset by the client 3 having such a configuration has a feature of the printing system 10, and the specific contents thereof will be described later. Note that the application 31, the driver 32, and the utility 33 can each be configured by a program that describes the contents of processing executed by them and a control device that executes processing according to the program. In addition, those programs stored in a storage medium such as a CD may be installed in the client 3, or may be prepared by downloading from a predetermined providing site via the Internet or the like. Good.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the print server 2 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, an NVRAM 23, a LAN I / F 24, a USB I / F 25, and the like, and has an interface function with the LAN 5 for the printer 1 on the USB connection 4 side. ing. For example, a print request or reset request issued from the client 3 is received from the LAN 5 via the LAN I / F 24 to the RAM 22 and transmitted from the USB I / F 25 to the printer 1 via the USB connection 4. The printing system 10 reliably performs the reset process of the print server 2.

  The processing performed by the print server 2 is mainly executed by the CPU 21 operating in accordance with programs and setting information stored in the NVRAM 23 or the like. The program and setting information stored in the NVRAM 23 can be updated by the client 3 at any time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the power of the print server 2 is provided from the printer 1 side, but it may be provided with its own power source. The print server 2 may be a separate device from the printer 1 or may be provided as a part of the printer 1.

  Next, the printer 1 is an ink jet printer as an example, and receives a print request from the client 3 and prints a coupon in a plurality of colors (for example, CMY). As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a controller 11, a printing mechanism unit 12, a USB I / F 13, a power supply device 14, and the like.

  The controller 11 is a part that controls the operation of the entire printer 1. At the time of printing, the controller 11 analyzes print data received from the client 3, generates image data to be passed to the print mechanism unit 12 based on the analysis result, and prints. The operation of the mechanism unit 12 is controlled. Also during the reset process, which is a feature of the printing system 10, processes such as executing the reset operation of the print server 2 at a predetermined timing are executed. The specific contents of the reset process will be described later. As shown in FIG. 1, the controller 11 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, and the like, and the above-described processing is mainly executed by the operation of the CPU 111 according to a program stored in the ROM 112. The RAM 113 stores image data to be printed.

  Next, the printing mechanism unit 12 is a part that executes a printing process in accordance with an instruction from the controller 11 during printing. Since the printer 1 is an ink jet printer, the printing mechanism unit 12 has a head having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. The head is mounted on a carriage and moves on a sheet of printing medium in the main scanning direction. Printing is performed by discharging ink while moving. The paper in the printer 1 is, for example, a roll paper, and the ink ejected by the head is supplied from an ink cartridge.

  Next, the USB I / F 13 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a communication interface with the print server 2, and the power supply device 14 supplies power supplied from the external power supply 6 to each unit of the printer 1 as power suitable for the printer 1. At the same time, it is also supplied to the print server 2 as described above.

  In the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment having the configuration described above, during normal printing, a print request is issued from the client 3 to the predetermined printer 1 and the print generated by the driver 32 is generated. Data is transmitted to the printer 1 via the print server 2 of the printer 1. Thereafter, in the printer 1 that has received the print data, the controller 11 performs a predetermined process on the data and transfers the data to the print mechanism unit 12, and the print mechanism unit 12 executes print processing on the print medium.

  As described above, the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment has a feature in the remote reset processing from the client 3, and the processing content will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure at the time of remote reset on the client 3 side. First, processing on the client 3 side will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the printing system 10, when the reset process is performed on all or some of the printers 1 and the print servers 2 and the target device is to be returned to the initial state, the user provides the application 31 of the client 3. To that operation screen. When the reset request is received by the application 31 (step S1), the utility 33 transmits a reset execution command (tp1) to the printer 1 that performs reset processing (step S2). The reset execution command is a command for instructing that the reset process should be executed as the name suggests. The subsequent processing will be described for one set of printer 1 and print server 2.

  In the printing system 10, when a command is transmitted from the client 3 and the printer 1 receives the command, a reply signal is returned from the printer 1 to the client 3, and when the reset execution command is transmitted. Since the reply signal should be returned from the printer 1, the client 3 checks whether or not the reply signal has been received (step S3). If the reply signal is not received after waiting for a certain short time (No in step S3), it is determined that the transmitted reset execution command has not reached the printer 1, and the process returns to step S2 to return to the client 3 Transmits a reset execution command again. If the reply signal is not received even if the transmission of the reset execution command is executed a predetermined number of times, it is determined that some trouble has occurred, error processing is executed, and the reset request is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reply signal is received (Yes in step S3), the client 3 waits for a predetermined time (for example, 36 seconds) to elapse after the reset execution command is transmitted (step 4). Then, the utility 33 transmits a reset confirmation command (tp2) to the printer 1 that has sent the reset execution command (step S5). The reset confirmation command is a command for confirming that the reset process has been executed normally.

  If this reset confirmation command is also received by the printer 1, the reply signal should be returned, so the client 3 checks whether or not to receive the reply signal (step S6). If the reply signal is not received after waiting for a certain short time (No in step S6), it is determined that the transmitted reset confirmation command has not reached the printer 1, and the process returns to step S4. After the reset confirmation command is transmitted, it waits for a predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds) to elapse, and transmits the reset confirmation command again. The transmission of the reset confirmation command is limited to a predetermined number of times (for example, twice), and if a reply signal is not received even after the number of times is executed, it is determined that some trouble has occurred. The error processing is executed and the reset request is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reply signal is received (Yes in step S3), the client 3 determines that the reset process requested for the printer 1 and the print server 2 has been normally executed, and ends the process. The receipt of the reply signal indicates that the reset confirmation command has arrived at the printer 1 and that the reply signal has been transmitted to the client 3 normally. It can be determined that the print server 2 that controls communication between the two is functioning normally. As will be described later, the reset operation is executed in the printer 1 after the reset execution command is transmitted, and the reset confirmation command is transmitted after a sufficient time for the reset operation to be completed. By doing so, it can be determined that the reset process is completed and then functioning normally.

  The same processing can be performed for the other printers 1 and print servers 2 that have transmitted the reset execution command.

  Next, processing on the printer 1 side will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reset procedure on the printer 1 side.

  First, when the reset execution command (tp1) is transmitted from the client 3, the controller 11 of the printer 1 receives the command (step S11) and transmits a reply signal corresponding to the command to the client 3 (step S12).

  Next, since the controller 11 has received the reset execution command, the controller 11 first executes a reset operation of the printer 1 itself (step S13). In the reset operation, various IF parts are initialized, mechanical parts are initialized, and the like.

  Thereafter, the controller 11 performs a reset operation on the print server 2 of the printer 1. Specifically, first, the print server 2 is turned off (step S14). That is, the power supply from the power supply device 14 is stopped. Then, the controller 11 waits for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) and waits for the power of the print server 2 to be surely cut off (step S15), and then turns on (turns on) the power of the print server 2. (Step S16). That is, the power supply from the power supply device 14 is resumed.

  Thereafter, the controller 11 checks whether or not the above-described reset confirmation command (tp2) is received before the elapsed time after receiving the reset execution command reaches a predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds). (Steps S17 and S18). When the reset confirmation command (tp2) is received (Yes in step S17), a reply signal corresponding to the command is transmitted to the client 3 (step S19), and the reset process for the printer 1 and the print server 2 is finished. To do. As described above, after the reset operation of the print server 2 is received, the reset confirmation command (tp2) is received, so that the print server 2 is not in a hang-up state (failure state) by the reset operation and is operating normally. Therefore, the reset process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the reset confirmation command (tp2) is not received within the predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds) (Yes in step S18), the process returns to step S13. That is, the reset operation of the printer 1 and the print server 2 is executed again. The predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds) is set to a time sufficient for the above-described transmission of the reset confirmation command (tp2) from the client 3 side to reach the printer 1 side. If the printer 1 does not receive the reset confirmation command (tp2) even after the predetermined time has elapsed, it is determined that the print server 2 that manages communication between the client 3 and the printer 1 is in a malfunctioning state. can do. Therefore, as described above, the reset operation is executed again. The reason why the printer 1 is reset again is that the printer 1 may not be properly initialized because the print server 2 is in a malfunction state.

  Thereafter, the controller 11 similarly receives the reset confirmation command (tp2) before the elapsed time after determining that the reset operation is performed again reaches a predetermined time (for example, 90 seconds). Is checked (steps S17 and S18). When the reset confirmation command (tp2) is received (Yes in step S17), as described above, a reply signal is transmitted (step S19), and the reset process for the printer 1 and the print server 2 is ended.

  On the other hand, when the reset confirmation command (tp2) is not received (Yes in step S18), the process returns to step S13. However, the reset operation of the printer 1 and the print server 2 is limited to a predetermined number of times. If the reset confirmation command is not received even after executing a predetermined number of reset operations, an error process is executed and the reset process is terminated. For example, when the number of times is limited to two, the reset process ends at this point.

  In this way, the reset process on the printer 1 side for the printer 1 and the print server 2 is completed. The other printers 1 that have received the reset execution command can perform the same processing.

  As described above, in the printer 1, after the reset operation of the print server 2, the reset process is terminated after confirming that the print server 2 has returned to normal by receiving the reset confirmation command (tp 2). If the reset confirmation command (tp2) that should be received is not received after the first reset operation, the reset operation is executed again.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a time chart for one embodiment of the remote reset processing in the printing system 10. In the example shown in FIG. 4, first, as described above, the client 3 that has received the reset request transmits a reset execution command (tp1) to the printer 1 (T1). Note that the number of seconds indicated by “0 s” or the like in FIG. 4 represents an elapsed time starting from transmission of the tp1 to the printer 1. The transmitted tp1 is received by the printer 1 at approximately the same time (elapsed time 0 s).

  Thereafter, the printer 1 returns a reply signal (T2) and receives tp1, so that the printer 1 is reset (T3) and the print server 2 is turned off and on (T4 and T5). ). The elapsed time at this time is, for example, “6 s”.

  The print server 2 that has received the reset operation is currently processing something, and in this example, it is assumed that the print server 2 has hung up after receiving the reset operation.

  The client 3 transmits a reset confirmation command (tp2) to the printer 1 at the time when the reset operation is sufficiently completed, that is, at the time of the elapsed time “36s” (T6). However, as described above, since the print server 2 is hung up (is in a malfunctioning state), the tp2 does not reach the printer 1.

  Therefore, the printer 1 performs the reset operation of the printer 1 and the print server 2 again after the predetermined time has elapsed without receiving tp2 (T7, T8, and T9). For example, the elapsed time at this time is “96 s”.

  In the print server 2 that has received the second reset operation, it is assumed that the initialization is normally performed and the normal operation state is restored this time.

  On the other hand, since the client 3 has not received a reply signal after the transmission of tp2 (T6), at the time when the second reset operation is sufficiently completed, that is, at the time of the elapsed time “126s”. Then, a reset confirmation command (tp2) is transmitted to the printer 1 (T10).

  This time, since the print server 2 has returned to a normal operating state, the transmitted tp2 reaches the printer 1, and the printer 1 returns a reply signal of the command to the client 3 (T11). Since the reply signal is also normal for the print server 2, the reply signal reaches the client 3, and the client 3 does not transmit a reset confirmation command (tp2) thereafter.

  In this way, in this embodiment, both the client 3 and the printer 1 confirm that the print server 2 has returned to normal after the reset operation by receiving the reset confirmation command (tp2) and its reply signal. To complete the remote reset process.

  In the above embodiment, after the first reset operation (T4 and T5) to the print server 2, when the print server 2 returns to normal, the subsequent tp2 (T6) reaches the printer 1, Since the reply signal also reaches the client 3, the processing ends at that point.

  Further, in the present embodiment and the above-described example, the example in which the reset operation of the printer 1 and the print server 2 is limited to two times is shown, but the limit number may be another number.

  As described above, in the printing system 10 according to the present embodiment, when the printer 3 and the print server 2 are reset from the client 3, the reset execution command is transmitted from the client 3 to the printer 1, and according to the command. When the reset operation of the print server 2 by the printer 1 is executed and a reset confirmation command is transmitted from the client 3 when the reset operation is completed, and the command is delivered to the printer 1, the printer 1 ends the reset process. If not received, the reset operation of the print server 2 is executed again. Therefore, even if the print server 2 falls into a malfunctioning state with a single reset operation, it is detected and the reset operation is executed again, so the reset process of the print server 2 is more reliably executed than before. Can be made. In other words, the normal state of the print server 2 after the reset operation can be more reliably maintained. Thereby, it is possible to suppress loss due to the print server 2 remaining in a malfunction state due to the reset operation.

  Further, the printer 1 repeatedly executes the reset operation of the print server 2 until a predetermined limit number of times until receiving the reset confirmation command, and ends the reset process after receiving the reset confirmation command. The effects as described above can be obtained.

  Further, the printer 1 returns a reply signal to the client 3 in response to the reset confirmation command, and the client 3 repeats the reset confirmation command at the timing when each reset operation by the printer 1 is completed until the reply signal is received. By transmitting this, the processing of the printer 1 can be realized.

  The protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but covers the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1 is a configuration diagram according to an embodiment of a printing system to which the present invention is applied. It is the flowchart which showed the procedure at the time of the reset in the client 3 side. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure at the time of resetting on the printer 1 side. It is the figure which showed the time chart about one Example of a remote reset process.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Print server, 3 Client, 4 USB connection, 5 LAN, 6 External power supply, 10 Printing system, 11 Controller, 12 Printing mechanism part, 13 USB I / F, 14 Power supply device, 21 CPU, 22 RAM, 23 NVRAM 24 LAN I / F, 25 USB I / F, 31 Application, 32 Driver, 33 Utility, 111 CPU, 112 ROM, 113 RAM

Claims (9)

A printing system comprising a client, a printer, and a print server, wherein the printer communicates with the client via the print server,
The client receives a reset request, transmits a first command to the printer, and after transmitting the first command, transmits a second command to the printer,
The printing system, wherein the printer receives the first command, executes a reset operation of the print server, and determines a state of the print server based on a reception status of the second command. In claim 1,
If the printer does not receive the second command, the printer determines that the state of the print server is a malfunctioning state, and executes the reset operation of the print server again. In claim 2,
The second command is transmitted from the client after the reset operation by the printer is completed,
The case where the printer does not receive the second command means that the second command is not received even if a predetermined elapsed time after which the transmitted second command can be received after the first command is received. A printing system characterized by being a case. In any one of Claim 1 thru | or 3,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the reset operation of the print server is to turn off the print server and turn on the power after the disconnection. A printing system comprising a client, a printer, and a print server, wherein the printer communicates with the client via the print server,
The client receives a reset request, transmits a first command to the printer, and transmits the second command to the printer at least once after transmitting the first command,
The printing system, wherein the printer receives the first command and starts reset processing of the print server, and receives the second command and ends reset processing of the print server. In claim 5,
The print server reset process performed by the printer executes the reset operation of the print server by receiving the first command, and the timing at which each second command transmitted from the client should be received has elapsed. When not receiving the second command, the printing system is to execute a reset operation of the print server each time. In claim 5 or claim 6,
When the printer receives the second command, it sends a reply signal to the client,
If the client does not receive the reply signal after transmitting the second command, the client transmits the second command after a predetermined time. A printer that communicates with a client via a print server,
Receiving a first command sent from the client and executing a reset operation of the print server;
If the second command transmitted from the client is not received after the transmission of the first command, the printer is reset again. A printing server comprising a client, a printer, and a print server, wherein the printer communicates with the client via the print server.
The client receiving a reset request and transmitting a first command to the printer;
The printer receiving the first command and executing a reset operation of the print server;
The client sending a second command to the printer after sending the first command;
When the printer does not receive the second command, the method further includes a step of executing a reset operation of the print server again.

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