WO2008050141A1 - Appareil de marquage pour créer une alerte préconfigurée par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de télécommunication - Google Patents

Appareil de marquage pour créer une alerte préconfigurée par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de télécommunication Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008050141A1
WO2008050141A1 PCT/GB2007/004095 GB2007004095W WO2008050141A1 WO 2008050141 A1 WO2008050141 A1 WO 2008050141A1 GB 2007004095 W GB2007004095 W GB 2007004095W WO 2008050141 A1 WO2008050141 A1 WO 2008050141A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
message
alert
facility
operable
mail
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/004095
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Cameron Robert Edgar
Ryan Wilkins
Original Assignee
Domino Printing Sciences Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Domino Printing Sciences Plc filed Critical Domino Printing Sciences Plc
Publication of WO2008050141A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008050141A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/32609—Fault detection or counter-measures, e.g. original mis-positioned, shortage of paper
    • H04N1/32646—Counter-measures
    • H04N1/32651—Indicating or reporting
    • H04N1/32662—Indicating or reporting remotely, e.g. to the transmitter from the receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/06—Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
    • H04L41/0681—Configuration of triggering conditions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
    • H04L43/08—Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
    • H04L43/0805—Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters by checking availability
    • H04L43/0817—Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters by checking availability by checking functioning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/32609—Fault detection or counter-measures, e.g. original mis-positioned, shortage of paper
    • H04N1/32625—Fault detection
    • H04N1/32635—Fault detection of reproducing apparatus or receiver, e.g. out of paper
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
    • H04L51/21—Monitoring or handling of messages
    • H04L51/23—Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting

Definitions

  • This invention relates to marking and/or coding and has been developed, in particular, for application to industrial and/or commercial marking and coding equipment.
  • marking will be used to cover both marking and coding.
  • Industrial marking and coding equipment is a well-known art.
  • Articles carried on a moving line are displaced past a station at which a mark is applied thereto.
  • the mark is applied by an inkjet process of some type, or by a laser.
  • That apparatus may need to be supplied, from time to time, with consumables such as ink and make-up fluid/ and may also experience operating faults or failures. It is extremely important that, so far as is possible, consumable needs, and operating faults be anticipated and dealt with, as failure of the marking apparatus can cause a halt in production.
  • the replenishment of consumables and handling of routine machine faults is invariably the responsibility of maintenance personnel.
  • Such personnel have a variety of duties within the operating environment of the apparatus and will rarely be in the direct vicinity of the marking apparatus when a need for intervention arises. Further, in the event of failure, the source of the failure must be diagnosed before a remedy can be applied.
  • Apparatus to which the present invention may be applied is generally ⁇ stand-alone' and is not, networked to the extent of being under central control .
  • the invention provides marking and/or coding apparatus having sensing means to determine one or more operating parameters of said apparatus, said apparatus being characterized in that it includes a detection facility responsive to said sensing means and operable to generate a pre-configured alert via a telecommunications-based network.
  • said detection facility includes a self-contained information source and a processing module capable of generating and sending a pre-formatted message to a mail server using SMTP protocol.
  • said apparatus further includes a re-try facility operable to store a message generated but not sent, and to subsequently attempt to re-send said message.
  • a re-try facility operable to store a message generated but not sent, and to subsequently attempt to re-send said message.
  • said re-try facility includes a memory to store an unsent message, and a scheduler operable at predetermined time intervals to access said memory and attempt to send said unsent message.
  • said alert is user selectable and/or user configurable .
  • said communications facility is further operable to generate a telecoms text message.
  • said apparatus further includes a test facility operable to allow a test message to be sent to a designated e-mail address to verify that said detection facility is operable before an alert is generated by said sensing means.
  • said apparatus includes an operator selectable option to integrate said detection facility with different mail server platforms.
  • said different mail server platforms support Plain, login and CRAM-MD5 authentication methods.
  • Figure 1 shows an schematic outline structure for at least part of a printer e-mail content according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows information retained when an e-mail is deferred
  • Figure 3 shows an example of an error log format
  • Figure 4 shows, schematically, a process of enabling and/or disabling the e-mail facility
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic outline of the data flows between the e-mail client and a printer backend to determine the transmission of an e-mail;
  • Figure 6 shows a schematic outline of data flows between an e-mail client and an e-mail server according to the prescribed protocol representing the transfer of the e-mail content itself;
  • Figure 7 shows schematically, a process for dealing with failed e-mails.
  • Figures 8 show images of a user interface illustrating to 12 how aspects of the invention are reduced to practice .
  • This invention describes a communications facility for use in an industrial marking and coding apparatus.
  • the facility has been specifically designed for incorporation in a networked continuous inkjet (CIJ) printer but is equally applicable to other types of marking device including binary CIJ, drop-on-demand inkjet, and laser marking capable of being connected into a network.
  • CIJ networked continuous inkjet
  • ⁇ marking' and ⁇ printing' are intended to include the application of marking and coding by all known techniques as the printing function per se does not form part of the invention.
  • the invention provides a background facility which monitors various operating parameters of the marking apparatus and sends an e-mail to an SMTP server destination in the event the printer generates an alert. A message may also be sent when an alert has been cleared as some alerts are cleared automatically by the system, or by operator intervention.
  • the SMTP server may be prompted to generate a SMS text message to a designated mobile or cell phone.
  • this communications facility provides an automatic remote alert to inform maintenance personnel who may not necessarily be on site, that maintenance or remedial work on the machine is necessary.
  • FIG. 1 The basic architecture of a communications facility according to the invention is shown in Figure 1.
  • Data from various transducers in the printer are monitored and, in the event a transducer indicates a value outside given allowable values, an alert is generated.
  • Parameters monitored will typically include, but not necessarily be limited to ink and make-up fluid levels, temperatures and pressures at various points in the printer, jet modulation, power supply performance etc.
  • the message may include maintenance information from the manufacturer and/or may include a message generated by a user in a manner as will be described in greater detail below.
  • the user may specify which alerts are to be communicated or e-mailed.
  • the system first interrogates the alert to determine if it is of a type specified for an e-mail communication to be sent. If the alert is so specified then the Alert information is combined with a machine identifier before the e-mail is generated, the e-mail settings accessed, and the message sent.
  • This identifier may be a machine serial number but for maintenance personnel a more meaningful identifier such as a machine name eg Widget Line 1, may be more useful.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the information kept when an e-mail is deferred. The system needs this information in order to re-send the e-mail (if possible) .
  • the element Type is the type of alert, and ID the identification of the alert.
  • Server_IP is the IP address of the SMTP server whilst Retry means the number of attempts to re-send the e-mail.
  • Date is a string that has the format:
  • the e-mail server will require authentication.
  • the particular e-mail client described herein supports three different authentication methods: Login, Plain and CRAM-MD5, the format of each of which will be well known to one skilled in the art.
  • the user does not interact with the e-mail client directly.
  • the user can enable/disable the email client via a dialog in the user interface which, in turn, is fed through to the printer controller for actioning.
  • the printer controller controls whether the communications process runs or not.
  • the e-mail client is a sub-control system concerned with the creation and sending of e-mails.
  • the e-mail client is subordinate to the printer operating control system referred to in this context as the backend.
  • the communications process by default, is disabled though this is by no means an essential element of the invention.
  • the printer backend controller Printer Controller will broadcast that alert. Every client, including the e-mail client will receive this notification. Data flows between the e-mail client and the backend are shown, including the creation of the e-mail message to be sent. The end of the process step is a message ready for passing to the e-mail server.
  • the system described herein attempts to resend a failed email three times before aborting transmission and raising an alert.
  • Failed emails may stored in an email repository with an appropriate address, for scheduled re-transmission attempts.
  • the scheduler may, for example, run every 30 minutes and check to see if there are any emails to re-transmit. If there are it attempts to retransmit and updates the email log file accordingly.
  • ⁇ type> alert type: RAISE
  • CLEAR ⁇ id> alert ID (from alertdat.dat)
  • server ip> address of SMTP server
  • ⁇ retry> retry count
  • date> date email created
  • a user interface is included, preferably as part of the printer control panel, to enable the communications facility, described herein, to be set-up.
  • a master screen designated Email Alerts and illustrated in Figure 8, is first selected by a user. This indicates if the communications facility ( ⁇ Alerts' ) is enabled and invites a user to select Email Settings or Alerts. If no e-mail settings have been entered, or are to be changed, the Email Settings option is selected which raises the screen shown in Figure 9. This screen offers the operator the ability to enter the parameters necessary for configuring the e-mail such as :
  • the screen also indicates whether the Ethernet port is enabled or not. The operator can change the parameters, even if the Ethernet port is disabled.
  • the printer will have no values stored in these parameters; they will be empty.
  • An error window will appear on the screen if the user fails.
  • Each entry is validated to ensure it is of the correct format before the email settings are saved.
  • the "Test Email Setup” option allows the user to test their configuration by sending a test email to the SMTP server. If the message is received successfully, this is an indication that the configuration is OK.
  • the SMTP Settings dialog shown in Figure 10 contains the information about e-mail server, authentication required, authentication modes (Plain, Login, CRAM-MD5) and SMTP login details.
  • the user chooses from a picking list which contains items with information about the alert ID, a short description and the current state. By default, all alerts are capable of being "email alerts".
  • the selected alert table is held in an appropriate register for access as required.
  • e-mails may have different formats. These formats are selectable by the user.
  • the e-mail may have the following format:
  • ⁇ Network Name> is the Network Name used in the Ethernet setup screen.
  • ⁇ Alert 1D> is the number for the alert ⁇ action> is the event condition e.g. raised, cleared
  • EHT has tripped, possibly due to ink on the deflector plates.
  • An alternative format is used when the system is required to generate text messaging of alerts to mobile phones etc via SMS. This type of format minimizes the amount of space and tries to send all important information at the start. This is because an SMS message will be taken from the first part of the message, so all information has to be in the first part to cater for the limited number of SMS characters (150 per message depending on network provider) . Some (but not all) SMS Forwarding Servers will break messages up into 150 char blocks.
  • the present invention provides a system for providing remote alerts of machine printer condition to service operatives which increases the chances of action being taken before printer stoppage occurs .

Abstract

L'invention décrit une installation de détection et d'alerte pour un équipement de marquage et de codage autonome. L'invention permet à des messages prédéterminés d'être envoyés par courrier électronique à un opérateur d'usine lorsqu'une intervention de l'opérateur est nécessaire. L'installation peut également envoyer des messages de télécommunication.
PCT/GB2007/004095 2006-10-27 2007-10-26 Appareil de marquage pour créer une alerte préconfigurée par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de télécommunication WO2008050141A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0621376.3 2006-10-27
GBGB0621376.3A GB0621376D0 (en) 2006-10-27 2006-10-27 Improvements in or relating to marking and/or coding

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008050141A1 true WO2008050141A1 (fr) 2008-05-02

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/004095 WO2008050141A1 (fr) 2006-10-27 2007-10-26 Appareil de marquage pour créer une alerte préconfigurée par l'intermédiaire d'un réseau de télécommunication

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB0621376D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2008050141A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9770906B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2017-09-26 Videojet Technologies Inc. Ink buildup sensor arrangement
US9975326B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-05-22 Videojet Technologies Inc. Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode
US10071559B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-09-11 Videojet Technologies Inc. Self-sealing filter module for inkjet printing
US10543706B2 (en) 2013-08-09 2020-01-28 MeccoPartners, LLC EIP protocol converter system for laser for dot peen marking systems

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6622266B1 (en) * 2000-06-09 2003-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Method for specifying printer alert processing
US20040246517A1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2004-12-09 Parry Travis J. Methods and systems for providing email addresses to a printing device
EP1542397A1 (fr) * 2001-08-13 2005-06-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil avec de gestion des erreurs par courrier électronique de notification
US20050265319A1 (en) * 2004-05-29 2005-12-01 Clegg Paul J Method and apparatus for destination domain-based bounce profiles
EP1705872A1 (fr) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-27 Bitfone Corporation Dispositif client mobile et système supportant la gestion à distance de dispositif

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6622266B1 (en) * 2000-06-09 2003-09-16 International Business Machines Corporation Method for specifying printer alert processing
EP1542397A1 (fr) * 2001-08-13 2005-06-15 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Appareil avec de gestion des erreurs par courrier électronique de notification
US20040246517A1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2004-12-09 Parry Travis J. Methods and systems for providing email addresses to a printing device
US20050265319A1 (en) * 2004-05-29 2005-12-01 Clegg Paul J Method and apparatus for destination domain-based bounce profiles
EP1705872A1 (fr) * 2005-03-21 2006-09-27 Bitfone Corporation Dispositif client mobile et système supportant la gestion à distance de dispositif

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10543706B2 (en) 2013-08-09 2020-01-28 MeccoPartners, LLC EIP protocol converter system for laser for dot peen marking systems
US9770906B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2017-09-26 Videojet Technologies Inc. Ink buildup sensor arrangement
US9975326B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-05-22 Videojet Technologies Inc. Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode
US10071559B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2018-09-11 Videojet Technologies Inc. Self-sealing filter module for inkjet printing
US10414155B2 (en) 2014-06-05 2019-09-17 Videojet Technologies Inc. Continuous ink jet print head with zero adjustment embedded charging electrode

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
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