JP3479407B2 - Copier - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, a print function
Connected via a network with at least one other device
Has been continued, a double for managing the printing of network
Regarding a copying machine . 2. Description of the Related Art In a general office environment, in order to effectively use a digital copying machine or a printer having a print function as a resource, information processing of a plurality of devices having a print function such as a workstation. Interconnected with devices, a so-called local area network
Called "LAN". ) And other network systems are being constructed. [0003] The copying machine connected to this kind of network, digital copying machine, a copying function and a facsimile function to or copied print data of a document created by a workstation or the like, print function and scanner A digital multifunction peripheral having a function is used.
When printing data or the like of an original created by a workstation or the like with this type of digital multifunction peripheral, the following procedure is performed. First, an operator operates an operation unit of a digital multifunction peripheral to set an operation mode to a print mode, and then sets various conditions. After that, an operator inputs a print request at a predetermined work station or the like and transfers data to be printed to the digital multi-function peripheral. The digital multifunction peripheral prints the transferred data. When printing of the transferred data is completed, the operator removes the printed material and then releases the operation mode of the digital multifunction peripheral from the print mode. [0008] [SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Incidentally, in such a network system, and print functions of the printer, a digital copying machine as an output means of a computer connected to a network (or digital MFP) is used However, when the copying function is used by the copying machine itself, a so-called stand-alone, that is, copying is performed using a function of the copying machine alone, and is not made to be printed by another copying machine or a printer. Was. Therefore, for example, if the printing device of the copying machine fails, printing is not performed until the printing device recovers. For example, even if the scanner (document reading function) is normal, the operation of the printing device (print function A) depended on the state. For this reason, even if another device connected to the network has a print function, it cannot execute printing and is inefficient when viewed as a network system. The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus having a plurality of printing functions.
An object of the present invention is to provide a copying machine capable of efficiently performing copying in a network system to which devices are connected. Means for Solving the Problems [0013] To achieve the above object.
For this purpose, the first means comprises a copying machine connected via a network to at least one other machine having a printing function.
In aircraft, means for determining whether the printing means of its own equipment has failed, when it is determined that the failure by means of this determination occurs, to perform reading of the document by means of reading a document (scanner) means for storing and means, the image information read, when the printing unit has recovered from late <br/> disabled, the image from said means for storing
Means for reading information and executing printing;
Recovers from a failure if the stage has passed a preset time
When the other device connected to the network is not
Sends image information and instructs the other machine that sent it to print
And means for performing the operation. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1. Network System Environment The network system according to the present embodiment basically includes a network, a personal computer (PC) / workstation (WS), an image input / output device, and a broker. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a distributed processing system according to this embodiment. In FIG. 1, a distributed processing system includes a network 101 and a personal computer (hereinafter, also referred to as a “PC”) 102-.
1, 102-2 or a workstation, and printers 103-1 and 103-2 as image input devices;
A scanner 104 and a digital MFP (MFP-Multi Function Printer) 10 corresponding to the copying machine of the present invention
5-1 and 105-2, and a broker 106. MFPs (MFP1, MFP2) 105-1, 1
05-2 is print function, a copy function, a device equipped with such integrally facsimile function and a scanner function,
The broker (service general control device) 106 is middleware that maintains and manages function information of an input / output device connected to the network 101 and performs a role of establishing a connection between a client and a server. In this embodiment, the client corresponds to the personal computer 102,
The server is an image input / output device. Broker 10
6 is a CPU 106a, a ROM 106b, a RAM 106
c, communication control unit 106d and function information database 1
06e, and is generally built on a workstation or personal computer. Note that the CPU 106a
Manages the entirety of the broker 106, the ROM 106b stores various control programs for the CPU 106a,
M106c stores data and functions as a work area for CPU 106a. The communication control unit 106d
Selects a serviceable component based on function information stored in a function information database 106e when a service request is received from each component connected to the network 101, and selects a line between the components. Is connected. 2. Hardware Configuration Among the components connected to the network 101, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 105 (hereinafter, generally denoted by reference numeral 1)
05 indicates a multifunction peripheral. ) Indicate a CPU 105a and a CPU 10a that control the entire MFP 105 as shown in FIG.
ROM 105b, RAM 105c under the control of 5a,
NVRAM 105d, operation panel 105e, scan /
A print engine 105f, a storage device 105g, a communication control unit 105h, and a modem 105i are provided. The operation panel 105e is provided via a panel control unit 105j, and the scan / print engine 105f is provided with an engine control unit 105k.
Via the disk control unit 105l
Are connected to the CPU 105 a via. The ROM 105b stores program codes, fonts, and other static information.
The RAM 105c stores data, functions as a work area for the CPU 105a, and is used as a temporary storage location. Non-volatile information is stored in the NVRAM 105d. Operation panel 105e and panel control unit 105j
Is to interface with the user,
The instruction from the user is sent to the MFP 105 (CPU 105a).
And information from the MFP 105 is displayed.
The scan / print engine 105f and the engine control unit 105k execute reading of a paper document and printing on paper as an input / output unit of image data. The storage device 105g and the disk control device 105l are large-capacity storage devices used when storing a large amount of image data. The communication control unit 105h is connected to a network (LAN) 101 such as an Ethernet to enable communication with an external device, and the modem 105i is connected to a public line (WAN) to enable communication with the external device. 3. FIG. 3 shows a software configuration of the OA device 111 represented by the multifunction peripheral. The various drivers 112 provide an interface for controlling the hardware 113. The real-time OS 114 regards the interface as a task unit, implements scheduling and exclusive control of the tasks, and executes a system call or an application API (hereinafter, referred to as an application API). , "A
PI ". ), And various managers use this API to enable users (synonym for client)
An interface with the H.110 is realized. The various manager groups include a database manager 115, a service manager 116, a job manager 117, a device manager 118, and an operation manager 1.
19 Among them, the database manager 115
Is a process for managing, accessing, and storing the resource 115a of the OA device 111. Here, as shown in the figure, the resources 115a include fonts, external characters, forms, read images, FAX reception data, usage history data, billing data, and the like. The service manager 116 is a process for managing, executing, notifying completion, and monitoring status of various services. The various services referred to here include a printer service 116a, a scan service 116b,
The fax service 116c and the AI service 116d. The job manager 117 is a process for executing status management and completion notification as one unit when one job specified by a user is executed by a plurality of services and devices. The device manager 118 is a process for performing management, access, status monitoring, attribute management, and the like for using various physical devices. The various physical devices are a printing device 118a, a scanning device 118b, and a paper feeding device 118c. And the media device 118d. The operation manager 119 includes an OA
This is a process having the operation panel information 119a of the device 111 and interactively communicating the display contents and operation contents of the operation panel 105e to the user side. This allows the user to perform information acquisition, execution instructions, status acquisition, and completion notification acquisition for the various managers 115 to 119. 4. FIG. 4 is a front view of the multifunction peripheral 105. This MFP 105
Is a printing apparatus (plotter) corresponding to the printing means of the present invention.
118a, a scanning device (scanner) 118b corresponding to a unit for reading a document of the present invention , a paper feeding device (paper feeder, paper sorter) 118c, and a FAX modem 1
05i (FIG. 2) and the external storage device 1
05g, a memory (RA
M105c, NVRAM 105d), physical resources such as fonts, and an operation panel 105e for a user interface. In FIG. 4,
Reference numeral 118c-1 denotes a paper feed tray, 118c-2 denotes a document feeder, and 118c-3 denotes a discharge bin. In this embodiment, a plurality of (multiple) output bins 118c-3 are provided, and a display unit and a lock mechanism for each output bin are provided. 5. Operation 5.1 When a Copy Operation is Performed in Parallel with Another Device Having a Copy Function In a multifunction device of a network system configured as described above, a user attempts to make a copy with the multifunction device (MFP2) 105-2. At this time, if only a part of the copy is to be made, the MFP (MFP2) 105-2 may make a copy as it is, but when a large number of copies are provided, a print function is provided.
It may be more efficient to execute printing in parallel using one or more other devices . Therefore, the input of the number of copies is made by the multifunction device (M
FP2) The CPU 105a of the MFP (MFP2) 105-2 when the operation is performed from the operation panel 105e of the MFP 105-2.
Determines whether it is more efficient to use the print function of the other device in accordance with the number of copies, and if it is more efficient, selects the most efficient printing method and executes printing . At the time of this selection, the MFP (MFP2) 105-2 is a device having another print function in advance, such as the printers 103-1 and 103-2 and the MFP (MFP1) 105-1. By issuing a processing capability acquisition request to these devices, the processing capability of each device, that is, the printable size (A5, B5, A4, B4, A
3 etc.), resolution (400 dpi, 600 dpi, 80
0 dpi) and the number of processed sheets per unit time (30
ppm, 50 ppm, etc.) and scan them into a device with a print function that can be used at present, taking these into account.
The image information read by the device 118b is transmitted. The device that has received the image information, for example, the printer 103-1
The received image information is stored in the AM, and sequentially read out and printed in accordance with the designated number of copies. As a result, printing is performed in parallel by the two devices. Of course, depending on the number of copies, another device, for example, the MFP (MFP1) 105
-1 also sends the image information and the number of copies to print
Printing can also be performed. At this time, since the user does not know which device has requested printing, the multifunction device (M
FP-2) The device output on the display unit of the operation panel 105e of the 105-2 is displayed, and after the copy is completed, the user can go to get the copy without hesitation. In this case, the multifunction peripheral (MFP2) 10
Although control is performed such that a predetermined operation is performed by directly communicating with another device from 5-2, the same control can be performed via the broker 106. Thus, through the broker 106, a control program for each device is stored in the broker 106, and each device only needs to have a communication function with the broker 106, so that a configuration excellent in expandability is obtained. . Further, priorities may be assigned to the devices to be subjected to parallel printing in advance, and when performing parallel printing, it is possible to access according to the priorities and select a usable device. [0034] 5.2 When an attempt is made to copy the multi-function peripheral 105-2 by the own apparatus printing apparatus 118a may fail 5.2.1 other equipment, liked <br/> catcher emission device 118b is Works normally, but the printing device 118
a has failed, there is a case that can not be performed copy. In such a case, conventionally, it is often the case that the display indicates that copying is not possible from the beginning, or that the copy key is displayed in red to indicate that copying is not possible. However, In such devices, since scanning device 118b functions properly, the reading of the document scanning device of MFPs 105-2
The printing can also be performed by another device on the basis of 118b . [0035] In such a case, CPU 105a inquires whether normal to the engine control unit 105k abnormal reads a normal document if normal, but to print based on the read image information, if abnormal, the print function
Printer 103-1 having, MFP (1) 105-
1. The printer 103-2 is inquired directly about whether or not the printer 103-2 can print, via each device or via the broker 106. If there is a printable device, the image information of the read document is transmitted to the device, and the operation panel 105
Output the number of copies input from e. At that time, 5.1
As described above, the most efficient method can be selected and output. [0036] 5.2.2 section printed before 5.2.1 by the own apparatus, if the print function fails, reading of the original is performed by its own scanning device 118b, temporarily stored in a memory When the printable device is determined, the read image information is transferred to the device that requests printing, and printing is performed, but all devices having other printing functions are in use. And printing cannot be requested. So, in such a case,
After the original is read, the read image information is stored in its own memory, and the printing is automatically performed when the printing device 118a of the own device recovers from the failure. In this case, it is not always possible to obtain a copy immediately after reading the original, but the system can copy it in the shortest time.
It is possible to obtain a thing. [0037] Here, although described as a case in use the other machine are all the to execute printing on other devices, double
Since it is necessary to go to another place to get a picture , unless it is especially urgent, from the beginning, it is set to wait for the recovery of the printing device 118a of its own machine and print it irrespective of the state of the other machine. You can also. 5.2.3 When Failure Does Not Recover Note that, in section 5.2.2, printing is performed after recovery from the failure of the printer itself, but the printer is set in advance. If the failure does not recover after a lapse of time, it is impossible to know when printing is performed. Therefore, in such a case, a waiting time is set in advance, and if the printing apparatus 118a does not recover even after the set time elapses, the other apparatus is accessed to select the usable other apparatus. Then, the image information is transferred to the other device and printed. With this configuration, a copy can be obtained efficiently with a reduced waiting time. The waiting time and the state of the other machine are monitored, and when the use of the print function of the other machine is completed, the read image information is transferred to the other machine to execute printing. You can also. These instructions are performed by selecting the mode that is displayed on the operation panel. 5.2.4 Reading During Warm-Up If the printing device 118a of the own device cannot be used, the printing device
In addition to the failure of the device 118a , there is a waiting time when the device starts up. That is, after the main switch is turned on at the start of use, it generally takes three to five minutes until the printing device 118a becomes usable. This is the time until the fixing device to hold the stable state to an increase in fixing temperature, reading function, i.e., scanning device 118
The b and the memory do not require such a waiting time. Therefore, after launching the MFP 105-2 to turn on the main switch, to read the document when scanning device 118b becomes available, the image information read are kept on the memory of its own . Then, the own printing device 11
8a is made available for printing and copy
Get things . In the case of a further urgency, it is also possible to transfer the read image information to another device or to execute printing at the time when the document is read. In any case, these functions are selected and executed according to a user's input from the operation panel 105e or according to a user's instruction. As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained. That is, according to the copying machine of the first aspect of the present invention , the means for judging whether or not the printing means of the own machine is faulty, and the fault is judged by the means for judging. when it is determined to be occurring, and means for storing and means for executing reading of the document by means of reading a document, the read image information <br/>, when the printing unit has recovered from the failure
Means for reading the image information from the storing means and executing the printing, so that after the original is read, the printing means recovers from the failure even if the operator is not waiting at the copying machine side. Sometimes printing is performed automatically, and the operator (user) is not wasted time. Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the printing means does not times <br/> recovery from the failure even after the lapse of time set in advance, image to the connected other equipment to the network
Transmit information, since the transmitted Bei means for instructing printing to the other machine Eteiru, the If after nitrous et beforehand set time does not recover from the failure also be obtained reliably copies it can. [0049]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a connection diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a software configuration of a personal computer and a multifunction peripheral in FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the multifunction peripheral. [Description of Reference Numerals] 101 Network 102 Personal Computer (PC) 103 Printer 104 Scanner 105 MFP (MFP) 105a CPU 106 Broker

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] At least one having a printing function
Means for judging whether or not the printing means of its own machine is faulty in a copying machine connected to another machine via a network
It is determined that a failure has occurred by this determination means.
The original is read by the
And a means for storing read image information, and storing the information when the printing means recovers from a failure.
Means for reading the image information from the means and executing printing
Step, and the printing means is inactive even after a preset time elapses.
Before connecting to a network when the system does not recover from a failure
The image information is transmitted to the other device and transmitted to the other device.
Means for instructing printing.
Copy machine .