JP4891859B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs printing based on print information transmitted from a client device connected to a network.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are image forming apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals (MFPs) as output terminal devices for printing image data transmitted from client devices such as personal computers and workstations. A plurality of such image forming apparatuses are connected on the network, and the client device can send print information to these image forming apparatuses via the network to actually request printing.

In the automatic print control system described in Patent Document 1 below, at least one computer device and a plurality of printing devices for printing print output data from the computer device are connected to a network. When the computer device requests printing, a printing device that is in a printable state is searched from among a plurality of printing devices, and the printing device that is determined to be in a printable state by this search processing is searched. The print output data is actually transmitted. This prevents erroneous data transmission to an unprintable printing device, and sends data to a printable printing device for quick printing, resulting in an automatic print control system with less waiting time. This can be realized (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-345102 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the automatic print control system as described above, it is necessary to detect in advance a printing apparatus connected to a network in advance by a computer apparatus and register necessary information. Further, even if all the printing apparatuses are registered, it is not always possible to perform printing immediately. That is, even if each printing apparatus is registered in the computer apparatus, the corresponding printing apparatus cannot be operated unless a printer driver prepared according to the model of the printing apparatus is installed in the computer apparatus. For this reason, each time the image data is actually sent from the computer device to each printing device and printing is requested, the model of each printing device must be checked to see if it has a corresponding printer driver. This is cumbersome.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that allows a client device to easily use a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to a network.

  In order to achieve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image forming apparatus that is connected to be able to transmit and receive information to and from each other on the same network and has at least registration information on the network. The other image forming apparatus connected to the network is detected by the detecting means, and the model information regarding the model is acquired. With reference to the acquired model information, it is determined whether or not the other image forming apparatus is the same model as itself. If it is determined that it is the same model as itself, Send your registration information. On the other hand, when registration information transmitted from another image forming apparatus is received, the registration information is registered. When print information is transmitted from the client device, it is determined whether printing can actually be performed by the print execution unit. As a result, if printing is not possible, other registered images The registration information of the forming apparatus is notified to the client device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the registration unit provided in the image forming apparatus on the network, not the client device, confirms in advance that the models are the same and then registers the registration information of other image forming apparatuses in advance. Keep it. As a result, it is possible for image forming apparatuses of the same model to have mutual registration information within the network. If the printing execution unit cannot actually perform printing, the registered information (information on other image forming apparatuses of the same model) is notified to the client device. . Thus, even if not all of the image forming apparatuses connected on the network are recognized in advance by the client device, if only one of them is recognized, the user of the client device can be the same when necessary. It is possible to know registration information of other image forming apparatuses that are models. In this case, it is possible to easily print from another image forming apparatus based on the notified registration information without having to search for the image forming apparatus in the network. In this way, it is possible to perform printing more efficiently by preventing the inconvenience of being unable to print at all or waiting until printing is possible.

  In the above-described image forming apparatus, the model determination unit can perform printing using the same printer driver as the other image forming apparatus by referring to the model information acquired by the acquiring unit. It may be determined whether or not. In this case, it is possible to immediately perform printing from another image forming apparatus using the software environment of the client device as it is.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that the client device can appropriately print using the image forming apparatus connected to the network.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an example in which the printers 100, 110, and 120, which are examples of the image forming apparatuses 100, 110, and 120, can transmit and receive information about the printers 100, 110, and 120 and information such as print information. It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the network environment 200 mutually connected via the. It is assumed that the client device 10 recognizes only the printer 100, for example, of these printers 100, 110, and 120.

  The client device 10 is a terminal such as a personal computer or a workstation, and can generate print information including image data by executing a program prepared therein.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the printer 100. The printer 100 includes a control unit 101 realized by a CPU that controls the operation of each component included therein, an interface unit 102 provided at a connection portion with a network, and print execution for printing image data on a print sheet. Part 103 and the like.

  Among these, the interface unit 102 transmits and receives print information and various types of information to and from the client device 10 and the printers 110 and 120 via a network. The print execution unit 103 is realized by using, for example, an image forming unit including a photosensitive drum and a developing unit, a fixing unit including a pressure roller and a fixing roller, and a conveyance path that are configured in the printer 100. For this reason, the print execution unit 103 has a function of forming a toner image based on the image data included in the print information transmitted from the client device 10, and performing printing by transferring the toner image onto the surface of the printing paper. .

  In addition to these components, the printer 100 includes a print determination unit 104, a printer detection unit 105, a model determination unit 106, a printer registration unit 107, and a printer notification unit 108. Each of these components operates under the control of the control unit 101, and is actually realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the ROM.

  First, the print determination unit 104 determines whether or not the print execution unit 103 can perform printing based on the print information transmitted from the client device 10. The print determination unit 104 grasps the operation state of the print execution unit 103, the state of occurrence of a failure, an abnormality, etc., so that the print execution unit 103 is executing printing of other print information or can perform network communication. However, it is determined whether a trouble such as an unprintable state has occurred, and it is determined whether it is in a state where printing can be performed at present.

  Next, the printer detection unit 105 detects the other printers 110 and 120 connected on the network, and acquires model information regarding the model from the detected other printers 110 and 120. In addition to these other printers, the printer detection unit 105 can perform printing based on print information, and other devices such as a multifunction peripheral device (MFP) are connected to the network. In some cases, such other devices may also be detected.

  The model determination unit 106 refers to the model information acquired by the printer detection unit 105 and determines whether the model of the printer 100 and the other detected printer are the same. The model determination unit 106 compares the model information with the model information of the printer 100 registered in the hard disk or the like in the printer 100, and determines whether the model of the printer 100 is the same as the other printer. . The model information includes, for example, symbols such as “PRTR-1234”, “MFP-9999”, and “COLR-0001” which are model names of the printer 100 and other printers, and information necessary for grasping the model. It is.

  Note that the model determination unit 106 may determine whether another printer can perform printing using a printer driver installed in the client device 10 in advance.

  The printer registration unit 107 transmits and registers registration information regarding the printer 100 to other printers detected by the printer detection unit 105, and receives and registers registration information transmitted from other printers. .

  The printer registration unit 107 operates according to the determination processing result of the model determination unit 106. When the model determination unit 106 determines that the other printer and the printer 100 are the same model, the printer registration unit 107 Then, an IP address on the network is transmitted as registration information of the printer 100.

  The printer registration unit 107 receives the IP address of another printer transmitted from another printer via the network, and registers it on the hard disk in the printer 100.

  If the print determination unit 104 determines that the print execution unit 103 cannot perform printing, the printer notification unit 108 uses the registration information (IP address) of another printer registered by the printer registration unit 107 as the client device. 10 to notify.

  Such a configuration of the printer 100 is also provided in the other printers 110 and 120 connected on the network.

  Next, the operation of each printer 100, 110, 120 of this embodiment will be described. First, when the printer 110 is newly connected to the network, an operation for registering registration information of another printer of the same model on the network will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The operation of the printer 110 is performed in the same manner in the other printers 100 and 120.

  Step S301: The printer 110 transmits a detection signal for detecting another printer by the printer detection unit 105 via the network, and receives a signal transmitted in response to the detection signal, thereby allowing other printers on the network to receive other signals. The printers 100 and 120 are detected.

  When the printer 110 detects the other printers 100 and 120 on the network by the printer detection unit 105, the printer 110 transmits a model request signal requesting model information to the detected other printers 100 and 120, for example. Accordingly, the model information transmitted from the other printers 100 and 120 is acquired.

  For example, the printer 110 transmits a detection signal on the network as indicated by a double arrow in FIG. 1, and further receives a signal transmitted in response to the detection signal. Based on the received signal, the other printers 100 and 120 connected to the network are detected. Then, the printer 110 transmits a model request signal to these other printers 100 and 120, and acquires model information transmitted from the printers 100 and 120 in response thereto.

  Step S302: The printer 110 refers to the model information acquired by the printer detection unit 105 in step S301, compares the model information with its own model information, and determines whether or not they are the same model.

  For example, the printer 110 refers to the model information acquired by the printer detection unit 105 from the other printers 100 and 120, compares this model information with its own model information, and the model name and model number of each other match. By determining whether or not the other printers 100 and 120 and the printer 110 are the same model, it is determined.

  Step S303: If the printer 110 determines that the model of the printer 110 is the same as another printer (YES in step S302), the printer 110 is registered in the hard disk for the other printer determined to be the same model. The IP address of its own printer 110 is transmitted. In other printers, when the IP address of the printer 110 is transmitted, a process of registering it in the hard disk is performed.

  For example, the printer 110 transmits the IP address of its own printer 110 registered in the hard disk to the printer 100 determined as the same model as a result of the determination by the model determination unit 106. In addition, the printer 110 may appropriately transmit a request signal for requesting registration of its own IP address to the other printer 100. When the printer 100 transmits the IP address of the printer 110 and the request signal, the printer 100 registers the IP address in the hard disk.

  Step S304: The printer 110 also receives each IP address and request signal transmitted from another printer (of the same model) via the network, and registers each IP address in the hard disk accordingly. Note that the processing in step S304 may be executed as processing (interrupt processing) when an IP address and a request signal are transmitted from another printer.

  As a result of executing the above operation on each printer 100, 120 ("Printer A", "Printer C" in FIG. 1), each printer 100, 110, 120 has another printer of the same model on the network. Registration information (IP address) is collected. If the models are different, the IP address itself is not transmitted (NO in step S302), so that information on another model is not registered by mistake.

  Next, an operation of notifying the registration information of another printer when the printer 100 recognized by the client device 10 cannot perform printing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  Step S401: The user operates the client device 10 to perform an operation of creating image data on an operation screen of an image creation application (for example, a document editing application), and further performs an operation of executing printing. When the client device 10 makes a print request according to a user operation, the printer 100 receives print information including image data transmitted following the print request from the client device 10 via the network by the interface unit 102.

  Step S402: The printer 100 grasps the operation state of the print execution unit 103, the state of occurrence of a failure, an abnormality, or the like by the print determination unit 104, and another user job is being executed or “network communication is possible. It is determined whether or not a trouble such as “unprintable state” has occurred, and it is determined whether or not the current printing can be executed based on the print information received in step S401.

  Step S403: As a result of the determination by the print determination unit 104, if the print execution unit 103 is not capable of performing the current printing (NO in step S402), the printer 100 causes the printer registration unit 107 to execute the hard disk in step S304 described above. The IP addresses of other printers with the same model registered in are read out.

  For example, if the print execution unit 103 cannot currently perform printing, the printer 100 reads the IP address of the printer 110 with the same model registered in the hard disk.

  Step S404: The printer 100 creates a message indicating that the print execution unit 103 is in a print-disabled state by the printer notification unit 108, and the IP address of each of the other printers read in step S403 and the created message Are transmitted to the client device 10 via the network.

  The client device 10 receives the IP address and message transmitted from the printer 100 via the network, and displays a notification window on the display screen as shown in FIG. In this notification window, in place of the content notified by the message and the printer 100, other printers of the same model and capable of printing using the same printer driver set in advance in the client device 10 Displays a selection list for selecting.

  Step S405: If the print execution unit 103 is currently capable of printing (YES in step S402), the printer 100 performs a process of printing image data included in the print information by the print execution unit 103.

  As described above, in the printer 100 that is the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, whether or not the print execution unit 103 can currently execute printing is received when the print information transmitted from the client device 10 is received. If the current printing cannot be executed, the registration information of other printers of the same model is read out and notified to the client device 10 together with the message. In response to this, the client device 10 displays a selection list for selecting another printer capable of printing using the already installed printer driver.

  As a result, even if the client device 10 does not register each printer connected to the network in advance, if the printer 100 cannot print, information on other printers can be notified to the client device 10. The user can appropriately select an image forming apparatus of the same model from the notified registration information, and perform printing efficiently using a printer driver set in advance in the client device 10 as it is. . Further, it is not necessary to set another printer driver again, and printing can be easily performed with another printer, so that the work efficiency is improved accordingly.

  Since the model information includes the model names of the printers 100, 110, and 120, the model determination unit 106 refers to the model information and determines whether the printers 100, 110, and 120 are the same model. Can be accurately determined.

  The model determination unit 106 determines whether or not the other printer is the same model as that of itself. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and even if the model is different, printing is performed using the same printer driver. It may be determined whether or not printing is possible, and if printing is possible, registration may be performed.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the printers 100, 110, and 120 are used as an example of the image forming apparatus. However, if printing is possible based on print information transmitted from the client device 10, a copier, It may be a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine having these functions.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a network environment including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure which registers the other printer connected on the network. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure for notifying information of another printer connected to the network. It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of a client apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Client apparatus 100,110,120 Printer 101 Control part 102 Interface part 103 Print execution part 104 Print determination part 105 Printer detection part 106 Model determination part 107 Printer registration part 108 Printer notification part

Claims (2)

In an image forming apparatus that is connected to be able to send and receive information to and from each other on the same network and has registration information on at least the network,
Print execution means for performing printing based on print information transmitted from a client device connected via the network;
Detecting means for detecting another image forming apparatus connected to the network;
Obtaining means for obtaining model information relating to the model from another image forming apparatus detected by the detecting means;
A model determination unit that refers to the model information acquired by the acquisition unit and determines whether the other image forming apparatus is the same model as itself,
A transmission unit that transmits registration information of itself to the other image forming apparatus when the model determining unit determines that the other image forming apparatus is the same model as the self;
Receiving means for receiving registration information transmitted from another image forming apparatus on the network;
Registration means for registering registration information of other image forming apparatuses received by the receiving means;
Print determination means for determining whether or not the print execution means can perform printing based on print information transmitted from the client device;
And a notification unit that notifies the client device of registration information of another image forming apparatus registered by the registration unit when the print determination unit determines that the print execution unit cannot perform printing. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The model determination unit refers to the model information acquired by the acquisition unit and determines whether or not the other image forming apparatus can perform printing using the same printer driver as itself. An image forming apparatus.

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