JPH0756696A - Remote operation printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability without increasing a cost by designating a set mode by a set mode instructing means, inputting and displaying the set item data of a printer from an operation inputting means, and setting a set item at the setting means. CONSTITUTION:When the set mode is designated by a set mode instructing means 30 of a terminal equipment 1, and the set item data are inputted from an operation inputting means 3, the set item data are displayed on a display means 4, a set mode command and the set item data are transmitted to a printer 2 by a transmitting means 5, and the set item is set at a setting means 6 based on the set mode command and the set item data in the printer 2. Therefore, the set item of the printer 2 can be set by using the operation inputting means 3 having plural operating buttons or the like and the display means 4 having a large screen of the terminal equipment 1, and the operability can be increased more remarkably than a conventional method in which the set item of the printer 2 is set by an input from an operation panel.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer connected to a local area network (to be referred to as a LAN hereinafter), and in particular, remote control printing capable of inputting setting items to be set in the printer from a terminal device. It is about the system.

Recently, a plurality of terminal devices installed in a limited area such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), workstations (hereinafter referred to as WSs), word processors, facsimiles, telephones, and printers are interconnected. LAN is becoming widespread as a network system configured to be able to communicate with each other.

In such a LAN, a method is used in which a printer is commonly used for each terminal device, but setting items required for printing by the printer are input / displayed / set from an operation panel.

However, the current operation panel is poor in operability for the user due to restrictions on the number of operation buttons and the size of the display size, and increasing the operation buttons and the display size is a printer-specific operation. Considering the above, the cost becomes high.

Therefore, there is a demand for a method that improves operability and does not cost much.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a LAN. As shown in the figure, a plurality of terminal devices (for example, PC or WS) 1a, 1b, ...
2a is commonly used by a plurality of terminal devices 1a, 1b,-, and is used for printout. At least one user is registered in each terminal device 1a, 1b, respectively, and the user can use it by inputting a registration password.

In FIG. 6, the terminal devices 1a, 1b, -are provided with a communication section 5a, a keyboard (hereinafter referred to as KB) 3a, a data file 10, and a display (hereinafter referred to as CRT) 4a, and print requests and print data are sent. The print program to be transmitted to the printer 2a is stored in the program area a, and the management information (user name) for using one terminal device by a plurality of users is stored in the user area b of the data file 10.
Data file 10 to print data input from B3a
The print request signal is sent from the communication unit 5a to the printer 2a in response to the print request input from the KB 3a.

The printer 2a includes an operation panel 20, a communication section 21,
7 includes a server 22, a setting memory 6a, a print data processing unit 23, and a printer unit 24, and presses a setting instruction button (not shown) on the operation panel 20 prior to printing, and then the operation button 200 is used to display as shown in FIG. When you input such setting items, that is, the code unique to the terminal device that requests printing and the condition items necessary for printing (for example, paper size, single-sided / double-sided printing designation, etc.), the information is displayed on the display unit 201 composed of liquid crystal. Then, by pressing the setting instruction button again, the setting items are stored in the setting memory 6a,
The communication unit 21 receives a print request from each terminal device 1a, 1b, and the server 22 manages ordering and jobs, and the received print data is processed by the print data processing unit 23 according to the setting items of the setting memory 6a. And the printer section 24 prints it out.

The above-mentioned setting items are those other than the printing conditions transmitted together with the print data, and are the setting items for which the conditions need to be decided at the time of printing, and the operator of the terminal devices 1a, 1b ,. Use to enter.

[0010]

According to the above-mentioned conventional method, the operation panel 20 of the printer 2a has a limitation in the number of operation buttons 200 and the size of the display section 201, which is not easy for the user to operate. Therefore, a method of enlarging the operation button 200 and the display unit 201 can be considered, but considering that the operation is dedicated to the printer 2a, the cost becomes expensive and uneconomical.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a terminal device (CPU, memory, external storage device, keyboard, mouse, and display device) between the terminal devices 1a, 1b, used for LAN and the printer 2a ( For example, a method of facilitating the operation of the entire printer by interposing a general-purpose PC or WS) 1A is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-118273.

However, although this method can be expected to improve operability, it requires a PC or WS dedicated to the printer, which is also expensive. In addition, either method is L
It is necessary for the operator of the terminal device 1a, 1b, -to go to the installation location of the printer 2a, which is a long distance, and input the setting items required for printing from the terminal device 1a, 1b, -used for the AN. It is extremely inconvenient. There is a problem.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a remote control printer system capable of improving operability at low cost by inputting setting items required for printing input from a keyboard of a terminal device. There is.

[0014]

FIG. 1 shows the principle of the present invention. In the figure, 3 is operation input means, 4 is display means,
1 is a terminal device having an operation input means 3 and a display means 4,
2 is a printer that is commonly used by being connected to a plurality of terminal devices 1, and 30 is a setting mode that is provided in the terminal device 1 and that sets the setting items including the paper size and printing conditions required for printing by the printer 2. The setting mode instructing means 5 for designating is provided in the terminal device 1, transmits a setting mode command to the printer 2 based on the designation by the setting mode instructing means 30, and sets the setting item data input by the operation inputting means 3. A transmitting means 6 for transmitting is provided in the printer 2 and is a setting means for setting a setting item based on the setting mode command and the setting item data received from the terminal device 1.

Therefore, the setting mode is designated by the setting mode instructing means 30, the setting item data of the printer 2 is input from the operation inputting means 3 and displayed on the display means 4, and the setting mode command and the setting item data are transmitted. 5 is configured to send to the printer 2 and set the setting items in the setting means 6.

[0016]

When the setting mode is designated by the setting mode instructing means 30 of the terminal device 1 and the setting item data is inputted from the operation inputting means 3, the setting item data is displayed on the display means 4, and the setting mode command and the setting item are set. Data is transmitted to the printer 2 by the transmission means 5, and the printer 2 sets the setting item in the setting means 6 based on the setting mode command and the setting item data.

Therefore, the operation input means 3 having a large number of operation buttons of the terminal device 1 and the display means 4 having a large screen are provided.
Can be used to set the setting items of the printer 2, and the operability can be remarkably improved as compared with the conventional method of setting the setting items by inputting from the operation panel of the printer 2.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to the LAN described in the conventional example will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the embodiment. The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The KB 3b, the CRT 4a, the communication section 5a, and the setting mode instruction button 30a shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the operation input means 3, the display means 4, the transmission means 5, and the setting mode instruction means 30 shown in FIG. The remote setting program 82 and the setting item screen file 60 shown in FIG. 2 correspond to the setting means 6 shown in FIG.

Since the terminal devices 1A, 1B, shown in FIG. 2 have the same function, the terminal device 1A will be described. The block diagram of the terminal device 1A shows only those related to the present invention, 3b is K
B and 10a are disks, and 11 is a CPU.

The CPU 11 controls each section according to the print program 100 and the setting mode program 101 of the disk 10a. In addition to the function of KB3a described in the conventional example, KB3b indicates the setting items for printing shown in FIG. 7, for example, the paper size, single-sided / double-sided printing, and the position of the stacker for discharging the printed paper. A setting mode instruction button 30a for designating a "setting mode" for setting a number or the like in the printer 2b is provided.

In addition to the print program area a for storing the print program 100 of the data file 10 described in the conventional example, the user area b, and the print data area c, the disk 10a stores setting items necessary for printing in the printer 2b. A setting program area d for storing a setting mode program 101 to be set is provided.

The setting mode program 101 is activated by pressing the setting mode designation button 30a, generates a setting mode command by inputting a password including an identification code indicating the user's security level, and adds the command to the setting mode command by the addition unit 102. Send an identification code to printer 2b
(Request a setting item screen), the printer 2b receives the setting refusal signal when it is below the judgment level as a result of security level identification, displays it on the CRT 4a, and displays the setting item screen received when the judgment level is reached on the CRT 4a. The setting item screen is displayed and the setting item (new setting or addition / deletion / revision) input from the KB 3a is displayed on the setting item screen as necessary, and the setting item screen is transmitted to the printer 2b.
Further, in response to a request for the next page of the setting item screen, the setting item screens are sequentially received and displayed, and the operation is performed. Also printer 2b
When setting items from other terminal devices in
When the setting item screen request is issued, the "standby required" signal sent from the printer 2b is displayed on the CRT 4a.

In the printer 2b of FIG. 3, 7 is a CP.
U and 8 are ROMs, and 6b is a disk. CPU7 is R
Each unit is controlled according to the setting control program and the print control program stored in the OM 8.

The ROM 8 is the server 22 described in the conventional example,
A setting item is set in the setting item screen file 60 of the disk 6b based on the print data processing unit 23, the print control program 80 including the printer control, and the setting instruction and the setting item input from the operation panel 20 described in the conventional example. In addition to the self-setting program 81, the remote setting program 82 and the determination unit 83
Is equipped with. The remote setting program 82 has the following functions and.

When the security level identification data added to the setting mode command sent from the terminal device 1A, 1B is identified and it is determined that the security level has been reached, the setting item screen file 60 of the disk 6b is displayed. Read the setting item screen stored in
(1A, 1B, ─ if there is an already set item, read the corresponding setting item screen, and if the setting item is not set, read a blank setting item screen format) Sequentially send to the corresponding terminal device and send The setting items that have been set are set in the setting item screen file 60. If it is determined that the security level is lower than the determination security level, the setting refusal signal is transmitted to the corresponding terminal device.

Further, when the setting mode command is transmitted from any of the other terminal devices 1A, 1B, -during the setting processing of the setting item by the preceding setting mode command, the security level higher than a predetermined level is identified. , The setting mode commands are stored in the command matrix file 62 of the disk 6b in the order of reception, a "standby" signal is sent to the corresponding terminal device, and when the setting of the setting items of the setting mode command during the setting process is completed, the command The setting mode command in the next order is read from the matrix file 62 and the setting item screen is transmitted to the corresponding terminal device.

The determination unit 83 compares the identification data of the security level added to the setting mode command sent from any of the terminal devices 1A, 1B, with the determination security level stored in the determination level file 61, It is judged whether or not the judgment level is reached. As for the security level, if anyone can set / delete / revise the setting items in the setting item screen file 60, the setting items may be changed irresponsibly, so the number of people who can set the items is limited. In order to do so, the user is stratified and given as an identification code indicating the security level included in the password.

The disk 6b includes a setting item screen file 60,
This is a memory provided with a judgment level file 61 and a command matrix file 62. The setting item screen file 60 has a screen format for a new setting in which the setting item column is blank and terminal devices 1A, 1B for which a print request is made, and the setting items input and set respectively are organized in a screen format in a list form. The plurality of setting item screens that have been selected are stored. This setting item screen is a common screen regardless of whether it is set by the self-setting program 81 or the remote setting program 82.

The judgment level file 61 stores the judgment security level for judging the level of the identification code indicating the security level. When a setting mode command is sent from another terminal device during the setting process of the setting item based on the preceding setting mode command, the command matrix file 62 queues and stores the setting mode commands in the order of arrival.

The communication unit 21a receives setting mode commands, setting item data, print data, etc. from the terminal devices 1A, 1B, a setting refusal signal when the security level identification result is less than the judgment level, and a predetermined level. The setting item screens read out from the setting item screen file 60 in the above case are sequentially transmitted.

Since it has such a structure and function, its operation will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 3 and 4. 1) Setting of setting items (FIG. 3) (1) First, for example, when the setting mode instruction button 30a of the KB 3b of the terminal device 1A is pressed prior to a print request from the terminal device 1A, the setting mode program 101 is started, Next, when the operator's password is entered, the adding unit 102 adds the identification code in the password to the setting mode command, and the communication unit 5a sends it to the printer 2b.

(2) When the printer 2b receives the setting mode command and the identification code, the determination section 83 identifies the security level indicated by the identification code, compares it with the determination data in the determination level file 61, and reaches the determination level. Is determined.

(3) As a result of the judgment, when the judgment level is not reached, the setting mode command is invalidated and a setting refusal signal is sent to the terminal device 1A. (4) The terminal device 1A which has received the setting refusal signal displays "setting refusal" on the CRT 4a.

(5) As a result of the judgment, when the judgment level is reached, the setting item screen (first page of the screen) is read from the setting item screen file 60 of the disk 6b based on the setting mode command, and the terminal device is read. Send to 1A.

(6) The terminal device 1A which has received the setting item screen displays it on the CRT 4a. (7) Since the existing setting items have been set (setting items up to the last printing) on the setting item screen, the operator can add / delete / revise the setting item on the displayed setting item screen. To do. Then, the setting items entered on the screen are displayed.

(8) When a next page request button (not shown) is pressed, a request signal is sent to the printer 2b, and the flow from (5) to is performed. (9) When the input of the setting items for the plurality of setting item screens is completed, a plurality of setting item screens in which the setting item data is input are transmitted to the printer 2b by pressing a setting button (not shown).

(10) The printer 2b stores the received setting item screen in the setting item screen file 60 (updates when there is an already set item screen). This completes the setting of setting items. 2) Treatment when there is a setting instruction from multiple terminal devices (Fig. 4) (1) During the above setting process, that is, during (1) to (10), the other terminal device 1B, -sets the setting mode instruction. When the button 30 is pressed and the operator's password is input, the identification code is added to the setting mode command and transmitted to the printer 2b as in 1) above.

(2) When the printer 2b receives the command and the identification code, the determination section 83 determines the security level of the identification code. (3) As a result of the judgment, when the judgment level is not reached, the setting mode command is invalidated and a setting refusal signal is sent to the corresponding terminal device.

(4) The terminal device 1B which receives the setting refusal signal,
Any of the ─ displays “setting rejection” on the CRT 4a. (5) As a result of the judgment in (2) above, when the judgment level is reached, the setting mode command is sent to the command matrix file 62.
Store in the order of reception and wait.

(6) Eventually, when the setting process by the preceding setting mode command is completed, the command matrix file 62
The setting mode command stored from is read out, the relevant terminal device is notified that the setting item is "operation input possible", and the flow of 1) (5) to (10) is performed. After that, the command matrix file 62 is repeated as long as there are waiting setting mode commands.

In this way, the terminal device 1 is attached to the printer 2b.
When requesting printing from each of A, 1B, ─, using the setting items necessary for printing in advance, using the KB 3b having a large number of operation buttons of the terminal devices 1A, 1B, ─ and the CRT 4a having a large screen, Can be set.

Therefore, as in the conventional method, each terminal device 1A, 1
The operator of B,-does not need to go to the place where the printer 2b is installed, and the familiar KB3a of the terminal device 1A, 1B, -with a large number of operation buttons and a large display size can be used, and the operability is significantly improved. .

In the process of setting the setting item based on the setting mode command of the preceding terminal device, when the setting mode command is sent to the printer 2b from another terminal device, exclusive control is performed in the printer 2b, and the subsequent It is possible to make the setting mode command stand by, and after the preceding setting process ends, perform the setting process from the subsequent terminal device based on the waiting setting mode command.

Further, the security level of the setting mode command sent from the terminal device 1A, 1B, is judged on the printer 2b side, and when it does not reach the predetermined level, the setting can be rejected, so that the setting item is irresponsible. It is possible to ensure the security of the setting items because the change of the setting is not performed.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, in claim 1, the setting items of the printer are set using the operation input means and the display means of the terminal device having a large number of operation buttons and a large display size. Therefore, it is possible to remarkably improve the operability as compared with the conventional method of setting the setting item by inputting from the operation panel of the printer by going to the installation place of the printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, even if a setting mode command for setting a setting item is sent from a plurality of terminal devices to the printer, exclusive control is performed in the printer.
While setting the setting item based on the preceding setting mode command, the subsequent setting mode command is made to wait, and after the setting of the item by the preceding setting mode command is completed, the setting processing is performed based on the waiting setting mode command. It can be performed.

In the third aspect, the security level added to the setting mode command sent from the terminal device is judged on the printer side, and when the predetermined level is not reached, the setting can be rejected, so that the setting item is irresponsible. It is possible to ensure the security of the setting items because the change of the setting is not performed. There is an effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the embodiment (part 1).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the embodiment (part 2).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a LAN to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a conventional LAN.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating setting items.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a different conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1a, 1b, 1A, 1B are terminal devices, 2,2
a, 2b are printers, 3 is operation input means, 3a, 3b are K
B and 4 are display means, 4a is a CRT,
5 is a transmitting means, 5a, 21 and 21a are communication sections, 6 is a setting means, 6a is a setting memory, 6b and 10a are disks, 30 is a setting mode instruction means, 30a is a setting mode instruction button, and 60 is a setting item screen file. ,
61 is the judgment level file, 62 is the command matrix file,
82 is a remote setting program, 83 is a judgment unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of terminal devices (1) having an operation input means (3) and a display means (4), and a printer (2) connected to the plurality of terminal devices (1) and commonly used. The system for inputting and setting the setting items including the paper size and printing conditions required for printing of the printer (2) from the operation input means (3) and displaying them on the display means (4). And a setting mode instructing means for designating a setting mode for setting the setting items of the printer (2) to the terminal device (1).
(30) and based on the designation by the setting mode instructing means (30), transmits a setting mode command to the printer (2),
The printer (2) is provided with a transmission means (5) for transmitting the setting items input by the operation input means (3), and the setting mode command and the setting items received from the terminal device (1). And a setting means (6) for setting the setting item based on the above. 2. When the setting mode command is transmitted to the printer (2) from the plurality of terminal devices (1) before and after, the command waiting means for temporarily holding the subsequent setting mode command, and the plurality of command waiting means. Based on the setting mode command of the terminal device (2) that previously sent the setting mode command in the terminal device (1), the setting items input by the operation input means (3) are set by the setting means (6). After setting as a setting item by means of, by setting the notifying means for canceling the waiting of the subsequent setting mode command in the waiting state and notifying the corresponding terminal device (1), the corresponding means based on the notification by the notifying means. Terminal device
2. The remote control printing system according to claim 1, wherein the setting item input by the operation input means (3) of (1) is set as a setting item by the setting means (6). 3. The printer (2) is attached to the terminal device (1).
The printer (2) is provided with additional means for adding identification data indicating a predetermined security level given to a specific person among the users, to the printer (2) to identify the predetermined security level. Is provided, and the setting mode command is validated when the predetermined security level is determined by the determination means, and the predetermined security level is not reached. 3. The remote control printing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting mode command is invalidated when the printing is performed.