JPH0948164A - Extended multi-functional system with printer as base - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of an extended multi-functional system by executing an application function by controlling other functional module via a PCI bus based on an application program in which a personal computer module is down-loaded. SOLUTION: Modules such as a scanner controller 301, a network controller 401, a facsimile controller 501, a PC system controller 601 having desired functions are connected to a PCI bus 203 with a printer 101 having the bus 203 as a base, and hence the system can be easily extended, the functions are merged to be able to multi-function the system. An application program can be down-loaded to the controller 601 by using the FDD 2104a of an MMI controller 204, and the program can be installed even without data input/output unit at the controller 601 side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an extended multifunctional system based on a printer, and more specifically,
A scanner module, a network module, a facsimile module, a personal computer module, etc. based on a printer having a printer module that controls a printer engine to realize a printer function and a PCI bus that is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module The present invention relates to an extended multi-function system for connecting a functional module of 1. to the PCI bus to perform additional expansion of a scanner function, a copy function, a network function, a facsimile function, a personal computer function and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various devices have been improved in performance, multifunction,
From the progress of miniaturization and networking (LAN construction),
Also in digital copying machines, multi-function digital copying machines equipped with a facsimile function, an offline printer function, a network function, etc. in addition to the copy function are provided.

Further, as an example of a digital copying machine, there is also provided one in which the scanner section and the printer section are housed in separate housings to improve the freedom of installation layout.

[0004]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technology, although the functions of the device have been increased, the respective functions are internally separated, so that the new functions can be combined by combining the respective functions. There was an inconvenience that it was difficult to realize. Therefore, as a solution to this problem, the applicant of the present invention has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 7-19777.
In No. 9 “Method for constructing an extended multifunctional system based on a printer”, a printer module that controls a printer engine to realize a printer function, and a PCI that is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module
Based on a printer having a bus, a scanner module, a network module, a facsimile module, a personal computer module, and other functional modules are connected to the PCI bus to provide a scanner function, a copy function,
A method has been proposed in which the system has multiple functions and the expandability of the functions is improved by additionally expanding the network function, the facsimile function, the personal computer function, and the like.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to improve the convenience of an extended multifunctional system based on a printer.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an extended multi-function system based on a printer according to claim 1 includes a printer module for controlling a printer engine to realize a printer function, PCI, which is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module
Based on a printer having a bus, functional modules such as a scanner module, a network module, a facsimile module, and a personal computer module are connected to the PCI bus to provide a scanner function, a copy function, a network function, a facsimile function, a personal computer function, etc. In an extended multifunctional system that performs additional expansion,
The PC module consisting of a PC motherboard is
Connected to the CI bus, connected to the PCI bus is a man-machine interface module having a floppy disk drive device and an operation display unit, and downloaded an application program from the man-machine interface module to the personal computer module via the PCI bus. The application function is executed by the personal computer module controlling other functional modules via the PCI bus based on the downloaded application program.

In the extended multi-function system based on the printer according to claim 2, resources such as a hard disk driver device and a memory are connected to the personal computer module or the PCI bus and shared by a plurality of functional modules. Is what you use.

An extended multi-function system based on a printer according to claim 3 is a printer module for controlling a printer engine to realize a printer function, and a PCI which is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module. Based on a printer with a bus, a scanner module, a network module,
In an extended multi-function system for connecting a functional module such as a facsimile module and a personal computer module to the PCI bus to perform additional expansion of a scanner function, a copy function, a network function, a facsimile function, a personal computer function, the printer module is The connection status and error status of other function modules are always displayed on the PC.
It monitors via the I-bus and notifies the user of executable functions based on the connection status and error status.

Further, in the extended multi-function system based on the printer according to claim 4, at least one functional module other than the printer module always has a connection status of other functional modules as well as the printer module. An error status is monitored via the PCI bus, and when an error occurs in the printer module or on behalf of the printer module, the user is notified of an executable function based on the connection status and the error status. is there.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An extended multifunctional system based on a printer of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of an extended multi-function system based on the printer of this embodiment. It shows a printer 101, which is the base of the extended multi-function system, and a scanner function and a copy function. The printer 101 and the scanner 102 are devices capable of operating independently as a printer or a scanner. Note that 103
Shows a table for mounting the printer 101 and the scanner 102.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the printer 101 which is the base of the extended multifunctional system of this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the printer engine 201 for forming an image on recording paper and the printer engine 201 are controlled. And a printer controller 202 as a printer module that realizes a printer function, a PCI bus 203 that is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer controller 202, and a PCI bus 203, and an FDD (floppy disk drive device) 204a and operation The MMI controller 204 as a man-machine interface module having a panel (operation display unit) 204b is configured.

The printer 101 can be used alone as an ordinary printer. For example, Figure 2
In the above, image data can be input from a host device such as a personal computer and output to recording paper by the printer engine 201.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the extended multi-function system of this embodiment, which is based on the printer 101 and additionally extends the scanner function, the copy function, the network function, the facsimile function and the personal computer function in addition to the printer function. P of the printer 101 shown in FIG.
A scanner controller 301 as a scanner module that controls the scanner 102 to realize a scanner function is connected to the CI bus 203, and then the scanner 102 is connected to the scanner controller 301.

Further, a network controller 401 as a network module for controlling the input / output of data via the network is connected to the PCI bus 203,
Facsimile controller 5 as a facsimile module that connects a network I / F 402, which is a network interface device, to the network controller 401 and controls data input / output via a telephone line.
01 is connected to the PCI bus 203, and the facsimile I / F 502 which is a facsimile transmission / reception device is connected to the facsimile controller 401.

Further, a PC system controller 601 as a PC module composed of a PC motherboard
To the PCI bus 203. Further, the PC system controller 601 can be connected to a CRT or a keyboard as indicated by 602 and an HDD (hard disk drive) as indicated by 603. In addition, HD
Instead of the D603, it can be directly connected to the PCI bus 203 like the HDD 603A.

In the above configuration, the scanner function,
The operation will be described in the order of copy function, network function, facsimile function, personal computer function, application program download for personal computer function, sharing of HDD, and monitoring of system configuration.

Scanner Function To realize the scanner function, the scanner 102
Image data read by the scanner controller 3
01, PCI bus 203, printer controller 20
It is realized by outputting to a host device such as a personal computer via 2 or directly from the scanner controller 301 to a host device such as a personal computer.

When executing the scanner function, the user operates using the MMI controller 204. Further, other functions thereafter are also operated by using the MMI controller 204. However, a dedicated operation panel for each function,
When it has an input device such as a keyboard, an input device having its own function may be used.

Copy Function The copy function is realized by combining the printer function and the scanner function. Specifically, the image data read by the scanner 102 is set to the scanner controller 30.
1, PCI bus 203, printer controller 202
Output to the printer engine 201 via the. At this time, it is assumed that the PC system controller 601 performs control for achieving matching as a copy function. Printer controller 202 and scanner controller 3
01 basically controls the unique function of the printer 101 or the scanner 102, and each controller (that is, each module) basically controls the unique function of the printer 101 or the scanner 102. We are trying to make the combination easier when expanding the functions. Further, since high-speed image data (image data) from the scanner 102 is transferred to the printer controller 202 via the PCI bus 203 which is a general-purpose high-speed bus, high-speed transfer matching the reading performance (speed) of the scanner 102 is achieved. It can be performed.

Network function Data input via the network I / F 402
Network controller 401, PCI bus 203,
By outputting to the printer engine 201 via the printer controller 202, the network function is realized. At this time, the control for achieving overall matching is P
It shall be performed by the C system controller 601. Further, each module (printer controller 202, scanner controller 301, network controller 401) controls its own function.

Facsimile Function Data from the scanner 102 is output to the facsimile I / F 502 through the scanner controller 301, the PCI bus 203, and the facsimile controller 501 to perform facsimile transmission, and the facsimile I
Data from the F / F502, the facsimile controller 501, the PCI bus 203, the printer controller 2
Facsimile reception is performed by outputting to the printer engine 201 via 02. In this way, the facsimile function is realized. At this time, it is assumed that the PC system controller 601 performs control for achieving overall matching. Each module (printer controller 202, scanner controller 301, facsimile controller 501) controls its own function.

Personal Computer Function The personal computer function can be realized by executing the application program stored in the internal memory of the PC system controller 601.

Specifically, when a document creation program is registered in the internal memory as an application program for a personal computer function, a document is created using the PC system controller 601, CRT and keyboard 602 and stored in the HDD 603. be able to.

When the application program can be realized by a combination of other functions, the PC system controller 601 executes the application program and executes other functions necessary for executing the application program via the PCI bus 203. Control. For example, when a character recognition program for performing character recognition of an image read by the scanner 102 is registered as an application program, the PC system controller 601 executes the character recognition program and scans the scanner controller 301 via the PCI bus 203. To control the scanner controller 301 and the PCI bus 2
Image data is input from the scanner 102 via 03, and character recognition processing is performed. At this time, the scanner controller 301 executes its own processing, and the PC system controller 601 controls the whole.

Download of Application Program for Personal Computer Function Next, a method of downloading the application program will be described. It is also possible to store the application program used for the personal computer function in the internal memory of the PC system controller 601 in advance and connect the PC system controller 601 storing the necessary application program to the PCI bus 203. P to the system controller 601
After connecting to the CI bus 203, it is necessary to additionally register a new application program.

However, the PC system controller 60
1 does not have a data input / output device such as an FDD, the present invention uses the FDD2 of the MMI controller 204.
04a to MMI controller 204 to PCI
The application program is downloaded to the internal memory of the PC system controller 601 via the bus 203.

Based on the application program thus downloaded, the PC system controller 601 controls other functional modules via the PCI bus 203, so that the application function (function of the application program corresponding to the personal computer function) is obtained.
To execute.

When the extended multifunctional system based on the printer 101 has a network function, the FDD 204a of the MMI controller 204 is used.
To PCI bus 203, network controller 40
1, it is also possible to download the application program to the terminal device on the network via the network I / F 402 and the network.

In addition to the application program, it goes without saying that other data can be downloaded.

HDD Sharing Next, HDD sharing will be described. Each functional module shown in FIG. 3 (scanner controller 301, network controller 401, facsimile controller 501, PC system controller 601, MMI
The controller 204) of course has the resources (resources) necessary to execute the respective functions, but among these resources, there are common resources required by a plurality of functions. . Specifically, there are an HDD (hard disk driver device), a memory, and the like.

Duplicating these common resources in each functional module raises the cost of the entire system. Therefore, in the present invention, duplication of these common resources is avoided and one resource is shared. Share and use with multiple function modules. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the HDD 603 is installed in the PC system controller 601.
The HDD 603 is used by all functional modules via the PCI bus 203. As a result, duplication of resources can be avoided and costs can be reduced, and resources can be effectively used.

Further, as shown by the HDD 603A in FIG. 3, it may be directly connected to the PCI bus 203 and shared by all functional modules.

Monitoring of System Configuration The extended multi-function system has the advantage that the functions can be extended as needed, but on the other hand, what is the current system configuration and which function can be used? ，
Need to be monitored.

In this embodiment, the printer controller 2
02 constantly monitors the connection status and error status of other functional modules via the PCI bus 203, and based on the connection status and error status, executes the executable function by MMI.
The configuration is such that the user is notified using the operation display unit 204b of the controller 204.

Further, at least one functional module other than the printer controller 202 (in this embodiment, a PC
Similarly to the printer controller 202, the system controller 601 constantly monitors the connection status and error status of other functional modules, and the printer controller 2
When an error occurs in 02 or instead of the printer controller 202, the user is notified of the executable function based on the connection status and the error status.

As a method of monitoring the connection status of other functional modules, for example, the printer controller 202 may be activated when the printer 101 is turned on or at a predetermined timing.
However, it can be easily realized by a method of sequentially outputting a connection confirmation signal to the controller of each functional module and outputting a connection response signal when the controller of each functional module receives the connection confirmation signal.

A method of monitoring the error status can be easily realized by the controller of each function module notifying the printer controller 202 and the PC system controller 601 of the error occurrence when the error occurs. At this time, the printer controller 20
2 and the PC system controller 601 receive the notification of the error occurrence and notify the user via the MMI controller 204 that the corresponding function or the function including the combination of the corresponding functions cannot be executed.

The printer controller 202 monitors the system configuration (monitors the connection status and error status of other functional modules) by the printer 101.
This is because the printer controller 202 is always present because it is an extended multi-function system based on.
In addition to the printer controller 202, the PC system controller 601 also monitors the system in the same manner, so that even if an error occurs in the printer controller 202, the system configuration can be monitored to notify the user of the available functions. This is because

The printer controller 202 and P
When both C system controllers 601 are present in the system, the PC system controller 601 preferentially monitors the system configuration, and when an error occurs in the PC system controller 601, the printer controller 202 monitors the system configuration. May be performed.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the PCI
Based on the printer 101 having the bus 203,
By connecting a module having a desired function (scanner controller 301, network controller 401, facsimile controller 501, PC system controller 601, etc.) to the PCI bus 203, the system can be easily expanded and each function can be achieved. It is possible to make the system multi-functional by fusing the above.

Further, the FDD of the MMI controller 204
Since the application program can be downloaded to the PC system controller 601 using the 204a, the application program can be installed even if there is no data input / output device on the PC system controller 601, and convenience is improved.

Further, since one resource is shared and utilized by a plurality of functional modules while avoiding duplication of common resources such as HDD and memory, cost reduction and effective resource utilization can be achieved.

Further, since the printer controller 202 monitors the system and always informs the user of the functions that can be used, the user can know the functions that can be used without being aware of the system configuration. Is improved.

In addition to the printer controller 202, the PC system controller 601 also monitors the system in the same manner, so that the printer controller 202
If an error occurs in the PC system controller or an error occurs in the PC system controller 601, the normal controller monitors the system configuration and notifies the user of usable functions, which improves convenience.

[0046]

As described above, the extended multifunctional system based on the printer of the present invention (Claim 1)
Is a PC module consisting of a PC motherboard.
It is connected to the CI bus, the man-machine interface module having the floppy disk drive and the operation display is connected to the PCI bus, and the application program is downloaded from the man-machine interface module to the personal computer module via the PCI bus. The application function is executed by controlling other function modules via the PCI bus based on the downloaded application program. Therefore, even if there is no data input / output device on the personal computer module side, the application program must be installed. And the convenience is improved.

In the extended multifunctional system based on the printer of the present invention (claim 2), resources such as a hard disk driver device and a memory are connected to a personal computer module or a PCI bus and shared by a plurality of functional modules. Since a common resource such as an HDD or a memory is avoided and one resource is shared and used by a plurality of functional modules, it is possible to reduce the cost and effectively use the resource.

In the extended multifunctional system based on the printer of the present invention (claim 3), the printer module constantly monitors the connection status and error status of other function modules via the PCI bus and connects them. Since the executable function is notified to the user based on the status and error status, the user can know the available function without being aware of the system configuration, which improves convenience.

In the extended multifunctional system based on the printer of the present invention (claim 4), at least one functional module other than the printer module is always connected to other functional modules in the same manner as the printer module. And to monitor the error status via the PCI bus and notify the user of the executable function based on the connection status and the error status when the printer module has an error or on behalf of the printer module. Even if an error occurs in another function module, the normal function module monitors the system configuration and notifies the user of the available functions, so the user can use the available functions without being aware of the system configuration. You can know it, and the convenience is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an extended multi-function system based on the printer of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a printer that is a base of the extended multi-function system of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an extended multi-function system of the present embodiment in which a scanner function, a copy function, a network function, a facsimile function, and a personal computer function are additionally expanded in addition to a printer function based on a printer. .

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 Printer 102 Scanner 201 Printer Engine 202 Printer Controller 203 PCI Bus 204 MMI Controller 204a FDD 301 Scanner Controller 401 Network Controller 501 Facsimile Controller 601 PC System Controller 603, 603A HDD

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G06F 11/30 H04N 1/00 107Z 13/00 354 B41J 29/00 B H04N 1/00 107 G06F 9 / 06 420J

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A scanner module, a network module, and a facsimile based on a printer having a printer module that controls a printer engine to realize a printer function and a PCI bus that is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module. Modules, personal computer modules, and other functional modules are connected to the PCI bus to provide a scanner function, a copy function,
A PC in an extended multi-function system that adds and expands network functions, facsimile functions, personal computer functions, etc.
The personal computer module consisting of a motherboard is the PCI
Connected to the bus, a man-machine interface module having a floppy disk drive device and an operation display unit is connected to the PCI bus, and an application program is downloaded from the man-machine interface module to the personal computer module via the PCI bus; PC based on the downloaded application program by the PC module
An extended multi-function system based on a printer characterized by executing application functions by controlling other function modules via the I bus. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein resources such as a hard disk driver device and a memory are connected to the personal computer module or the PCI bus and shared by a plurality of functional modules for use. Expandable multi-function system. 3. A scanner module, a network module, and a facsimile based on a printer having a printer module that controls a printer engine to realize a printer function and a PCI bus that is a general-purpose high-speed bus connected to the printer module. Modules, personal computer modules, and other functional modules are connected to the PCI bus to provide a scanner function, a copy function,
In an extended multi-function system that performs additional expansion of network function, facsimile function, personal computer function, etc., the printer module constantly monitors the connection status and error status of other function modules via the PCI bus and An extended multi-function system based on a printer characterized by notifying the user of executable functions based on error conditions. 4. At least one functional module other than the printer module constantly monitors the connection status and error status of the other functional modules via the PCI bus, as in the printer module, and the printer module receives an error. 4. The extended multi-function system based on the printer according to claim 3, wherein the executable function is notified to the user based on the connection status and the error status in the case of occurrence of the error or in place of the printer module. .