JPH10283127A - Output device having printing function, output system, output control method and record medium recording control program for print-out control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To report a message showing a fact that another person finds out the continuous output of document printed by somebody in the abnormal state of deforming characters or the like, to a print requesting person from a printer only by pressing a prescribed button in the case of performing printing while using the printer on a network. SOLUTION: A printer 1500 connected through a bidirectional interface 21 to plural host computers 3000 is provided with a prescribed message transmission button on a control panel 1501, a CPU 12 for stopping printing corresponding to the pressing of this message transmission button, a printing person detecting means 30 for outputting the host computer, from which printing data as the object of printing stop are outputted, corresponding to the pressing of this message transmission button, and a message transmitting means 40 for transmitting a message showing no execution of normal printing to the host computer detected by this detecting means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an output device having a printing function, such as a printer, connected to a plurality of host computers via a bidirectional interface, an output system, an output control method, and a control program for print output control. The present invention relates to a recording medium in which

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a shared printer (printing apparatus) is used by a plurality of host computers (called clients) such as personal computers and workstations via a LAN (local area network) or an interface cable. That is being done.

[0003]

However, when printing is performed by using a printer on a network as described above, it is considered that a document being printed by someone continues to be improperly printed, such as garbled characters. By pressing a button provided on the printer, the person who discovered the message could not send a message indicating that printing was not normal to the print requester of the host computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform printing using a printer on a network when a document being printed by someone is not normal due to garbled characters or the like. If another person finds that the output is continued, the printer can notify a message to that effect to the print requester of the host computer by simply pressing a button. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium recording an apparatus, an output system, an output control method, and a control program for print output control.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an output apparatus having a printing function which is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network. A message transmission button for notifying an operator of the host computer instructing the printing when the message transmission button is not present, a print control unit for stopping printing in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and Detecting means for detecting the host computer which has output the print data which has been subjected to the print cancellation, storing means for storing in advance a message indicating that the printing has not been performed normally, and the host computer detecting the detecting means A message indicating that printing is not performed normally from the storage means and transmits the message. ; And a message sending unit.

Here, after the message is transmitted, the print control means waits for the next job to be printed.
If there is, printing of the next job can be executed.

[0007] Further, the host computer to which the message indicating that the printing is not normally performed is transmitted may include a display unit for displaying a message indicating that the printing is not normally performed. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in an output device having a printing function connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an operator of the host computer instructing printing when printing is not normally performed is provided. A message transmission button for notifying that the message has been transmitted, print control means for stopping printing in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and output of print data targeted for printing stop in response to pressing of the message transmission button. The apparatus includes a detecting unit for detecting the host computer, and a command transmitting unit for transmitting a command indicating that printing is not normally performed to the host computer detected by the detecting unit.

Here, the host computer, which has received the command indicating that the printing is not performed normally,
Storage means for storing in advance a message indicating that printing is not performed normally, and a display for reading and displaying a message indicating that printing is not performed normally from the recording means in response to receiving the command Means may be provided.

[0010] Further, the display means may include information (name or ID number of the print executor) which can identify the print executor, a JOB number at which the print was canceled, a print stop time, and a part of the print document image. And the like, may be displayed together with the message.

Further, the host computer comprises:
When displaying a message indicating that the printing is not normally performed by the display unit, the control unit may include a transmission control unit that stops transmission of the print data if the print data is still being transmitted.

Further, the output device may be a copying machine, a facsimile machine and a printer, or a multifunction machine having an OCR (optical character recognition) function in addition to the three functions.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in an output system for connecting a plurality of host computers connected to a network and an output device having a printing function via a printer server, the output device performs printing normally. A message transmission button for notifying the operator of the host computer instructing the printing when the printing is not performed, and
Printing control means for canceling printing in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and command transmission means for outputting a predetermined command indicating that printing is not normally performed, wherein the printer server In response to receiving the predetermined command from the apparatus, detecting means for detecting a host computer which has output print data for which printing has been canceled in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and that printing has been performed normally. Storage means for storing in advance a message indicating the absence of the message, and message transmission means for reading and transmitting a message indicating that printing is not normally performed from the storage means to the host computer detected by the detection means. Have.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the output control method of a network system in which an output device having a printing function is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an instruction is issued when printing is not performed normally. When the message transmission button for notifying the operator of the host computer is pressed,
Stopping the printing of the job currently being printed, detecting the host computer that has output the print data targeted for printing stop in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and Transmitting a message indicating that printing is not performed normally.

Here, after transmitting the message, if there is a job waiting to be printed next, the next job
B may be performed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the output control method of a network system in which an output device having a printing function is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an instruction is issued when printing is not performed normally. When the message transmission button for notifying the operator of the host computer is pressed,
Stopping the printing of the job currently being printed, detecting the host computer that has output the print data targeted for printing stop in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and Transmitting a command indicating that printing is not normally performed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a control program for performing print output control by a computer in an output device having a print function connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, In response to pressing of a message transmission button for notifying an operator of the host computer instructing the printing when the printing is not normally performed, the control program issues a command to the computer.
B printing is stopped, and the host computer that has output the print data for which printing has been canceled in response to the pressing of the message transmission button is detected, and printing is not normally performed on the detected host computer. A message indicating the fact is transmitted.

Here, the control program may cause the computer to transmit the message and, if there is a job waiting to be printed next, execute the printing of the next job.

According to the present invention, with the above configuration, when an output device having a printing function connected to a network finds that printing is not performed normally due to garbled characters or the like, the discoverer can use a predetermined message. By pressing the send button, the printing of the document is stopped, the printer (host computer) of the document is detected, and the message indicating that the printing is not normal is sent to the executor (host computer) of the printing that has detected the message. Can be sent.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Before describing the details of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer suitable for applying this embodiment.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The printer to which the present embodiment is applied is not limited to a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer, and it goes without saying that a printer of another printing method may be used. Further, the output device having a printing function to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to a printer, but includes three functions of a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, or an OC.
A multifunction device (multifunction device) having R (optical character recognition) is also included.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the structure of a first output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows the case of a laser beam printer (LBP) as an example.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1500 denotes an LBP main body, which includes print information (characters) supplied from a host computer (client) such as a personal computer or a workstation externally connected via a bidirectional interface and a network. Code, etc.), form information, macro instructions, etc. are input and stored, and corresponding character patterns, form patterns, etc. are created in accordance with the information and an image is formed on a recording medium such as recording paper. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an operation panel on which switches for operation and an LED display are arranged;
Reference numeral 0 denotes a printer control unit that controls the entire LBP body 1500 and analyzes character information and the like supplied from the host computer. This printer control unit 1000
Mainly converts character information into a video signal of a corresponding character pattern and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 1502.

The laser driver 1502 is the semiconductor laser 1
A circuit for driving the laser beam 503 switches on / off a laser beam 1504 emitted from the semiconductor laser 1503 according to an input video signal. Laser light 15
Numeral 04 is swung right and left by a rotary polygon mirror 1505 to scan and expose an electrostatic drum 1506. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 1506. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 1507 disposed around the electrostatic drum 1506,
Transferred to recording paper.

A cut sheet is used as the recording paper. The cut sheet recording paper is stored in a paper cassette 1508 mounted on the LBP 1500, and is taken into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 1509 and transport rollers 1510 and 1511. Is supplied to the electrostatic drum 1506. The LBP body 1500 is provided with at least one or more card slots (not shown) so that an optional font card and a control card (emulation card) having a different language can be connected in addition to the built-in fonts.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of a second output device to which the present invention can be applied, and shows a case of an ink jet recording apparatus (IJRA) as another example.

As shown in FIG. 2, this ink jet recording apparatus engages with a spiral groove 5004 of a lead screw 5005 which rotates via driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a driving motor 5013. The combined carriage HC has a pin (not shown) and is reciprocated in the directions of arrows a and b. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC.

Reference numeral 5002 denotes a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 5000 in the carriage moving direction. Reference numerals 5007 and 5008 denote photocouplers, which confirm the presence of a carriage lever 5006 in this area.
It functions as home position detecting means for switching the rotation direction of the motor 5013 and the like.

Reference numeral 5016 denotes a member for supporting a cap member 5022 for capping the entire surface of the recording head IJH. Reference numeral 5015 denotes suction means for sucking the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through the opening 5023 in the cap. Reference numeral 5017 denotes a cleaning blade for cleaning the recording head.
19 makes it possible to move back and forth. Reference numeral 5018 denotes a main body support plate that supports the above-mentioned 5017 and 5019. 501
Reference numeral 2 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves with the movement of the cam 5020 engaging with the carriage,
The movement of the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by known transmission means such as clutch switching.

The above capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that when the carriage comes to the home position side area, desired processing can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 5005. What is necessary is just to be configured to perform the desired operation at the timing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the second output device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1700 denotes an interface for inputting a recording signal; 1701, an MPU (microprocessor unit) as a central processing unit for controlling the arithmetic operation of the entire output device; 1702, a control program executed by the MPU 1701; RO for storing information, etc.
M (read only memory). 1703 is DRAM
(Dynamic RAM) stores various data (such as the print signal and print data supplied to the print head). A gate array (GA) 1704 controls supply of output data to the print head 1708, and also controls data transfer between the interface 1700, the MPU 1701, and the DRAM 1703.

Reference numeral 1710 denotes a carrier motor for transporting the recording head 1708; 1709, a transport motor for transporting the recording paper; 1705, a head driver for driving the recording head 1708; 1706, a motor driver for driving the transport motor 1709; Is the carrier motor 17
10 is a motor driver that drives the motor 10.

In the above-described recording apparatus, when input information is input from a host computer 3000 to be described later via the bidirectional interface 1700, the input information is transmitted between the gate array 1704 and the MPU 1701 for printing. Is converted to output information. And
The motor drivers 1706 and 1707 are driven, and the recording head 1708 is driven according to the output information sent to the head driver 1705 to execute printing.

The MPU 1701 is connected to a host computer 3000 (to be described later) via an interface 1700.
The communication processing with the ROM 1702 is enabled.
A host computer 30 for storing host print information therein
00 is configured to be notified.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the laser beam printer shown in FIG. 1 will be described as an example. Note that, as long as the functions of the present invention are executed, the present invention is applicable to a single device, a system including a plurality of devices, and a system in which processing is performed via a network such as a LAN. It goes without saying that the invention can be applied.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3000 denotes a host computer such as a personal computer or a workstation, which is based on a document processing program or the like stored in a program ROM in the ROM 3 and is used to store figures, images, characters, and tables. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 that executes document processing in which document processing (including calculations and the like) are mixed. The CPU 1 controls the devices connected to the system device 4 as a whole. Reference numeral 2 denotes a RAM (random access memory), which functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 1. In the ROM 3, in addition to the program ROM, a font ROM and a data ROM are set.

5 is a keyboard controller (KBC)
Controls key input from a keyboard 9 or a pointing device (not shown) such as a mouse. 6 is CRT
A controller (CRTC) controls display on a CRT (cathode ray tube) display (CRT) 10. Reference numeral 7 denotes a disk controller (DKC), which is a hard disk (H) that stores a boot program, various applications, font data, user files, edit files, and the like.
D), an external memory 11 such as a floppy disk (FD)
And control access.

8 is a printer controller (PRTC)
Then, it is connected to the printer 1500 via a predetermined bidirectional interface cable (hereinafter, referred to as an interface) 21 to execute a communication control process with the printer 1500.

The CPU 1 executes a process of developing (rasterizing) the outline font in the display information RAM set on the RAM 2, for example.
It enables WYSIWYG, which is a display method for displaying documents and graphic characters on the screen as it is printed. Further, the CPU 1 has a CRT
Based on a command specified by a mouse cursor (not shown) or the like, various registered windows are opened to execute various data processing.

Next, the control circuit 100 of the printer 1500
0 will be explained. A printer CPU 12 controls the entire printer. The CPU 12 performs control based on a control program or the like stored in a program ROM in the ROM 13 or a control program or the like stored in the external memory 14.
It controls overall access to various devices connected to the system bus 15 and outputs image signals as output information to a printing unit (printer engine) 17 connected via a printing unit interface 16. In addition, the CPU 12 transmits a plurality of host computers 3000 through the input unit 18.
Communication processing with the host computer 3000 can be notified of various information in the printer.

The font ROM of the ROM 13 stores font data and the like used when generating the output information. In the case of a printer having no external memory 14 such as a hard disk in the data ROM of the ROM 13, a host computer is used. The information used on 3000 is stored. Reference numeral 19 denotes a RAM that functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like for the CPU 12, and is configured so that the memory capacity can be expanded by an optional RAM (not shown) connected to an additional port. Note that RAM1
9 is an output information development area, environment data storage area, NVR
Used for AM (non-volatile RAM) and the like.

The external memory 14 such as a hard disk (HD) or an IC card mentioned in the description of the host computer
Access is controlled by a disk controller (DKC) 20. The external memory 14 is connected as an option, and includes font data, an emulation program,
Stores form data and the like. The number of external memories 14 is not limited to one, and at least one external memory is provided. In addition to built-in fonts, an optional font card and a plurality of external memories storing programs for interpreting printer control languages of different language systems can be connected. It may be. Further, the external memory 14 has an NVRAM (not shown),
The printer mode setting information from the operation panel 1501 in FIG. 1 may be stored.

The printer 1500 is an operation panel 1 shown in FIG.
The operation panel includes switches for operation, an LED display, and the like, and particularly to an operator (printer) of a host computer who instructs printing when printing is not normally performed. A predetermined message transmission button (not shown) for notifying the user is provided. When the message transmission button provided on the operation unit 1501 is pressed, the CPU 12 stops printing, detects the print executor of the print document by the printer detection unit 30, and sends the message to the ROM 13 by the message transmission unit 40. An input unit 18 and an interface 2 are provided to the host computer 3000 of the printer who has detected the prepared message by the printer detecting unit 30.
1 to be transmitted.

The printer detecting means 30 and the message transmitting means 40 may be constituted by software.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention, and each step will be described below. In the following, a description will be given of a case where the configuration of FIG. 4 is used, but the same applies to the configurations of FIGS. 2 and 3.

S1: Someone discovers that the printing result is not normal.

S2: The printer 15 is sent by the discoverer.
00, a message transmission button provided on the operation panel 1501 is pressed.

S3: The CPU 12 of the printer 1500 stops printing the document in response to the depression of the message transmission button.

S4: Next, the printer detecting section 30 changes the host computer 30 of the print executor (operator) of the document.
00 is detected.

S5: CPU 12 of printer 1500
Transmits a warning message to the host computer 3000 of the printing executor detected by the printing person detection unit 30 indicating that printing is not normally performed.

S6: CPU 12 of printer 1500
Shifts to printing of the job if there is a job (job) waiting to be printed next.

On the other hand, the CPU 1 of the host computer 3000, which has been subjected to the printing suspension, displays a message indicating that the printing is not normally performed on the CRT (monitor) 10 in response to receiving the warning message. . At this time, the operator can specify information (name of the print executor or ID number) that can identify the print executor (operator) or the JOB number at which the print was canceled, the print stop time, and a part of the print document image. It is preferable to display necessary information together on a monitor.

Further, C of the host computer 3000
In addition to this, if the print data is still being transmitted, it is preferable that the PU 1 stop the transmission. Also,
In addition to the warning display, a warning may be issued by voice or warning sound.

The warning message transmitted from printer 1500 to host computer 3000 is the entire text of the displayed message, but a predetermined command may be transmitted instead of the warning message. In the latter case, the host computer 3000 responds to the command by using the ROM 3
A predetermined warning message prepared in advance is displayed.

(Other Embodiments) A printer server connected to a network may be provided with the same user detecting means and message transmitting means as described above.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. Becomes

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If an abnormal document such as garbled characters continues to be output for some reason and the printer is not aware of it, press the predetermined message send button provided in the printer in advance to stop printing and execute printing. Can send a message to the user that the printing is not normal, so that waste of printing paper and toner can be reduced,
Further, it is possible to move to the job of the next person waiting for printing.

Further, according to the present invention, since the printer or the print server detects the destination of the message and transmits the message, the person who presses the message transmission button is conscious of whether or not someone is printing the document. Without that, a warning message can be sent to the printer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a laser beam printer as a first output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an ink jet printer as a second output device to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control circuit of the second output device illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 RAM 3 ROM 4 System bus 10 CRT display (monitor) 12 CPU 13 ROM 16 Printing unit interface 17 Printing unit 18 Input unit 19 RAM 21 Interface cable (interface) 30 Printer detection unit 40 Message transmission unit 1500 Printer 1501 Operation Panel 3000 Host computer

Claims (14)

[Claims] In an output device having a printing function connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, if printing is not performed normally, the output is notified to an operator of the host computer that instructed the printing. A message transmission button, print control means for canceling printing in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and detecting a host computer which has output print data targeted for printing cancellation in response to pressing of the message transmission button. Detecting means; storing means for storing in advance a message indicating that printing is not performed normally; and storing the message indicating that printing is not performed normally for the host computer detected by the detecting means. Output means for reading and transmitting from the means. . 2. The print control unit according to claim 1, wherein, after the message is transmitted, if there is a job waiting to be printed next, the next print job is executed. Output device as described. 3. The host computer, to which the message indicating that printing is not performed normally is transmitted, includes a display unit that displays a message indicating that printing is not performed normally. The output device according to claim 1. 4. An output device having a printing function connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, for notifying an operator of the host computer instructing the printing when the printing is not normally performed. A message transmission button, print control means for canceling printing in response to pressing of the message transmission button, and detecting a host computer which has output print data targeted for printing cancellation in response to pressing of the message transmission button. An output apparatus comprising: a detection unit; and a command transmission unit that transmits a command indicating that printing is not normally performed to the host computer detected by the detection unit. 5. A host computer to which a command indicating that printing is not normally performed is transmitted, a storage means for storing in advance a message indicating that printing is not normally performed, and reception of the command. 5. The output device according to claim 4, further comprising a display unit that reads and displays a message indicating that the printing is not normally performed from the recording unit in response to the message. 6. The display means includes information capable of specifying a print executor (name or ID number of the print executor), a JOB number for which printing was stopped, a print stop time,
The output device according to claim 3, wherein predetermined information required by a print executor, such as a part of a print document image, is displayed together with the message. 7. When the host computer displays a message indicating that the printing is not normally performed by the display unit, the host computer stops transmitting the print data if the print data is still being transmitted. The output device according to claim 5, further comprising a transmission control unit that performs transmission control. 8. The output device has three functions of a copying machine, a facsimile machine and a printer, or has an
The output device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the output device is a multifunction device having a CR (optical character recognition) function. 9. An output system in which a plurality of host computers connected to a network and an output device having a printing function are connected via a printer server, wherein the output device performs printing when printing is not performed normally. A message transmission button for notifying the operator of the host computer that has instructed the printing, a print control unit for canceling the printing in response to the pressing of the message transmission button, and a predetermined signal indicating that the printing is not normally performed. Command transmitting means for outputting a command of the print command, wherein the printer server receives the predetermined command from the output device, and presses the message transmission button to stop printing. Detecting means for detecting the host computer which has output the data; and a message indicating that printing is not normally performed. Storage means for storing a message in advance, and message transmission means for reading and transmitting from the storage means a message indicating that printing is not normally performed to the host computer detected by the detection means. Characteristic output system. 10. In an output control method of a network system in which an output device having a printing function is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an operator of a host computer instructing printing when printing is not performed normally. Canceling the printing of the job currently being printed in response to pressing of a message transmission button for notifying the user; and printing data for which printing is stopped in response to pressing of the message transmission button. An output control method, comprising: detecting a host computer that has output the command; and transmitting a message indicating that printing is not normally performed to the detected host computer. 11. The output control according to claim 10, further comprising the step of, if there is a job waiting to be printed next after transmitting the message, executing the printing of the next job. Method. 12. In an output control method for a network system in which an output device having a printing function is connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, an operator of a host computer instructing printing when printing is not performed normally. Canceling the printing of the job currently being printed in response to pressing of a message transmission button for notifying the user; and printing data for which printing is stopped in response to pressing of the message transmission button. An output control method comprising: detecting a host computer that has output the command; and transmitting a command indicating that printing is not normally performed to the detected host computer. 13. A recording medium recording a control program for performing print output control by a computer in an output device having a print function connected to a plurality of host computers via a network, wherein the control program is stored in a computer. When the message transmission button for notifying the operator of the host computer instructing the printing when the printing is not normally performed is pressed, the printing of the job currently being printed is stopped, In response to the pressing of the message transmission button, the host computer that has output the print data for which printing has been canceled is detected, and a message indicating that printing is not normally performed is transmitted to the detected host computer. Recording a control program for print output control characterized by the fact that: Recording medium. 14. The control program according to claim 13, wherein the control program causes the computer to transmit the message and, if there is a job waiting to be printed next, execute the printing of the next job. A recording medium recording the control program for print output control described in 1.