JP3624166B2 - Scanner device, printer device and digital copying machine connected to network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a scanner device , a printer device, and a digital copying machine connected to a network and shared by a plurality of users.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In offices and companies, it is conventionally known to connect a printer or a copier to a plurality of personal computers or the like via a LAN (Local Area Network). When such a connection is adopted, when printing out a document or image data created by each personal computer, the data is transmitted from the personal computer to the printer or copier via the LAN, and the printer or copier that has received the data transmits the data. The received data is printed on paper and output.
[0003]
In addition, a scanner device (including a case where a digital copying machine is used as a scanner device) may be connected to the LAN. The scanner device outputs the read document data to the personal computer via the LAN.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a network scanner shared by a plurality of users on a network, while a certain user establishes a connection with a scanner using an application on a personal computer using a scanner driver (TWAIN: Technology Without Any Name) The operation panel of the scanner device displays that the TWAIN connection state is in effect. At this time, since the scanner device is occupied by the user for reading the document, other users on the network cannot connect to the scanner device. When a digital copier having a scanner function is connected to a network, if a user on the network is connected to the digital copier and uses the scanner function, the digital copier is connected to the digital copier. Cannot perform a copy operation.
[0005]
However, since only the TWAIN connection state is displayed on the operation panel of the scanner device, it is impossible for any user other than the user connected to the scanner device to know which user occupies the scanner device. . Therefore, if the connected user is holding the work without releasing the connection, not only the other user can not use the scanner device, but also prompts the currently connected user to release the connection. I can't.
[0006]
Such a drawback is particularly noticeable in a case where the scanner device is shared by many users or in an environment where the user's normal location is far from the scanner device.
There is a similar problem in a printer device shared on a network.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a scanner device that can be used efficiently.
[0007]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a printer apparatus that can be used efficiently.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying machine which can be used efficiently.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
The invention according to claim 1 is a scanner device connected to the network (20), and means (11, S2) for establishing a communication connection with the information processing devices (PC1 to PCn) connected to the network. During communication connection with a certain information processing device, means for rejecting a connection request from another information processing device to the scanner device (S8) and the information processing device with which the communication connection is established Display means for displaying identification information and identification information of another information processing apparatus that has issued a connection request for communication with the scanner apparatus during communication connection between the information processing apparatus and the scanner apparatus (15, S5) A scanner device including: In addition, the alphanumeric characters in parentheses represent corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
[0009]
According to this configuration, identification information for identifying an information processing apparatus (such as a personal computer) connected via the network is displayed on the display unit of the scanner apparatus. Therefore, when a scanner device is controlled by a certain user, other users can know which user is using the scanner device. As a result, when the work is suspended in the state of connection with the scanner device, it is possible to easily identify the connected user, and to prompt the user to release the connection.
[0010]
Furthermore , when a certain user is connected to the scanner device and another user tries to communicate with the scanner device, the identification information of the information processing device of the other user is displayed on the display means. As a result, it is possible to grasp the congestion situation regarding the use of the scanner device. Also, the order of use of the scanner devices can be adjusted appropriately.
[0011]
The invention according to claim 2 is a printer device connected to the network (20), the means (11, S2) for establishing a communication connection with the information processing device connected to the network, and certain information processing During communication connection with the apparatus, means for rejecting a connection request from another information processing apparatus to the printer apparatus (S8) , identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus with which the communication connection has been established , and Display means (15, S5) for displaying identification information of another information processing apparatus that has issued a connection request for communication with the printer apparatus during communication connection between the information processing apparatus and the printer apparatus. This is a printer device.
According to this configuration, since the identification information of the information processing apparatus in communication with the printer apparatus is displayed on the display means, it is possible to immediately know which user is using the printer apparatus. Therefore, when a certain user holds a work while being connected to the printer apparatus, another user can prompt the user to cancel the connection.
[0012]
Moreover , when a certain user occupies the printer apparatus, when another user tries to use the printer apparatus, identification information representing the information processing apparatus of the other user is displayed on the display means. As a result, it is possible to know the congestion status regarding the use of the printer device. Further, the order of use of the printer devices can be appropriately adjusted according to the degree of urgency of printing.
The digital copying machine of the present invention is used by being connected to a network (20), and has a network scanner function and a network printer function, and is used for executing the network scanner function or the network printer function. The means (11, S2) for establishing communication connection with the information processing apparatuses (PC1 to PCn) connected to the network and the digital copying machine from another information processing apparatus during communication connection with the information processing apparatus Means for rejecting the connection request to the server (S8), identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus with which the communication connection has been established, and the digital copying during the communication connection between the information processing apparatus and the digital copying machine Displays identification information (15, S5) of another information processing apparatus that has issued a connection request for communication with the machine. A digital copying machine, which comprises a display means for.
[0013]
The scanner device , printer device or digital copying machine of the present invention may further include means for acquiring network setting information from the information processing device. In this case, the acquired network setting information is used as the identification information. You may display on a display means.
Further, the scanner device , printer device or digital copying machine of the present invention may further include means (S3) for obtaining an address (for example, IP address) uniquely determined on the network from the information processing device. Alternatively, the acquired address may be displayed on the display means as the identification information.
[0014]
The scanner device , printer device or digital copying machine of the present invention may further include means for acquiring login information from the information processing device to the operating system operating on the information processing device. Alternatively, the login information may be displayed on the display unit as the identification information.
Further, the scanner device , printer device or digital copying machine of the present invention corresponds to user information registration means (16) for registering user information in advance, and network setting information, address or login information acquired from the information processing device. Display control means (11) for reading user information from the user information registration means and displaying the user information on the display device may be further included.
[0015]
In this case, user information corresponding to the information processing apparatus connected to the scanner device , printer device or digital copying machine is displayed on the display means, so that the user in use can be identified more easily.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine 1 having functions as a scanner device and a printer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 1 includes a control unit 11 configured by a microcomputer or the like, and the document reading unit 12 and the image forming unit 19 are controlled by the control unit 11. Further, an image memory 13 for storing image data read by the document reading unit 12 is provided, and the image memory 13 is controlled by the control unit 11. As a result, the image data read by the document reading unit 12 is stored in the image memory 13, and the image data is supplied from the image memory 13 to the image forming unit 19. (Paper) is obtained.
[0017]
The control unit 11 is connected to the LAN 20 via the network interface 17. A plurality of personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCn (n is a natural number) are connected to the LAN 20. Thus, the digital copying machine 1 can serve as a network scanner and a network printer shared by a plurality of personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCn. That is, the digital copying machine 1 transfers the image data of the document read by the document reading unit 12 to any personal computer Pi (i = 1, 2,...) On the LAN 20 via the network interface 17. , N) (network scanner function). Further, the digital copying machine 2 receives image data from an arbitrary personal computer Pi on the LAN 20 and can form an image corresponding to the image data on a sheet by the function of the image forming unit 19 ( Network printer function).
[0018]
The copying machine 1 is further provided with an operation unit 14 for a user to perform various operations. A signal from the operation unit 14 is given to the control unit 11. In addition, a display 15 including a liquid crystal display panel or the like is provided for displaying operation data and other contents. The display 15 is controlled by the control unit 11.
A user information memory 16 is further connected to the control unit 11, and for example, user information (user name, etc.) is registered in association with each IP address of the personal computers P1 to Pn.
[0019]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the processing contents of the control unit 11 when the digital copying machine 1 operates as a network scanner or a network printer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that a connection request for using the digital copying machine 1 as a scanner device is given from one personal computer PC1 connected to the LAN 20. In this case, in the personal computer 1, a TWAIN compatible application is started up, and a TWAIN driver for using the digital copying machine 1 as a network scanner is started up by executing a predetermined operation on the application. By operating the “connect” button in the TWAIN driver using an input means such as a mouse, a connection request is given to the digital copying machine 1 via the LAN 20.
[0020]
The control unit 11 monitors the presence or absence of a connection request via the network interface 17 (step S1), and when there is a connection request (YES in step S1), establishes a connection with the personal computer PC1 that issued the connection request. For this purpose (step S2). In this embodiment, the digital copying machine 1 and the personal computers PC1 to PCn connected to the LAN 20 are connected by the TCP / IP protocol.
[0021]
During the communication procedure, the control unit 11 acquires the IP address of the personal computer PC1 (step S3), and reads user information corresponding to the IP address from the user information memory 16 (step S4). And the control part 11 displays the read user information on the display 15 (step S5). As a result, the display unit 15 displays “User is in TWAIN mode” (message indicating that the digital copying machine 1 is used as a network scanner) and character information on the connected personal computer PC1. The
[0022]
Thereafter, the control unit 11 monitors whether or not the processing as the network scanner is completed, that is, whether or not reading of the original and sending of image data corresponding to the read original to the personal computer PC1 are completed (step). S6). If it is before the end of the network scanner function, the control unit 11 further monitors the presence or absence of a connection request (step S7). If there is a connection request from another personal computer (for example, personal computer PC2) during the network scanner process (YES in step S7), the connection is rejected (step S8). That is, for example, even if a TWAIN compatible application is started on the personal computer PC2, a TWAIN driver is opened on the application, and the connection button in the driver screen is operated using a pointing device such as a mouse, the digital copying machine 1 and the personal computer PC2 are not established.
[0023]
After rejecting the connection in this way, the control unit 11 acquires the IP address of the personal computer PC2 that has issued the connection request (step S9), and reads the user information corresponding to the IP address from the user information memory 16. (Step S10). Then, the read user information is given to the display 15 and displayed in addition to the connection waiting user list (step S11).
When the network scanner process ends (YES in step S6), the process returns to step S1.
[0024]
Similar processing is performed when the digital copying machine 1 operates as a network printer in response to a connection request from the personal computers PC1 to PCn. In this case, in the personal computers PC1 to PCn, application software having a printing function (for example, a word processor or spreadsheet software) is started, and a printer driver for using the digital copying machine 1 as a network printer is called from these applications. It is. A connection request is given to the digital copying machine 1 via the LAN 20 by performing a function setting operation as necessary on the screen of the printer driver. The subsequent processing, except that the image forming operation is performed based on image data transmitted from the personal computer PC1～PC n, is the same as that of the network scanner processing described above.
[0025]
If it is determined that the connection request is received at step S7 in FIG. 2, the connection from the personal computer PC1～PC n on LAN20 is denied, connection request in this case is a connection request via a TWAIN driver In some cases, it may be a connection request via a printer driver.
As described above, according to this embodiment, the user information corresponding to the personal computer PC1～PC n that communication connection with the digital copying machine 1 in order to use the network scanner function or a network printer function is established, Characters are displayed on the display 15 provided in the digital copying machine 1. Thus, another user who has seen the display 15 of the digital copying machine 1 can recognize which user is using the digital copying machine 1. Therefore, when the digital copying machine 1 is occupied for a long time in a state in which work is suspended due to the network scanner function or the network printer function, the other users can use the display 15 based on the display. A user who occupies the digital copying machine 1 can be specified, and the user can be prompted to cancel the connection. Therefore, the digital copying machine 1 can be used efficiently.
[0026]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the connection waiting user list is displayed on the display device 15, it is possible to grasp the congestion status regarding the use of the digital copying machine 1. In addition, the network scanner function or the network printer function can be preferentially used by a specific user, and the usage order of the digital copying machine 1 can be appropriately adjusted among the users.
As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention may be implemented with another form. For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit 11 acquires the IP addresses of the personal computers PC1 to PCn that issued the connection request, reads out user information corresponding to the IP address from the user information memory 16, and displays the display 15 To be displayed. However, in order to identify the personal computers PC1 to PCn placed on the LAN 20, any information that is uniquely determined in each personal computer PC1 to PCn and can be acquired via the network interface 17 is identified information. Can be used as Examples of such identification information include network setting information in the personal computers PC1 to PCn and login information to an operating system operating on the personal computers PC1 to PCn.
[0027]
In these cases, in the user information memory 16, the user information of each user may be associated with the network setting information or the login information.
Further, instead of displaying the user information on the display 15, the IP address of the personal computer that issued the connection request, the network setting information, or the login information to the operating system on the personal computer may be displayed as identification information as it is. .
[0028]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the digital copying machine is used as a network scanner or a network printer has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to a network scanner device having only a scanner function or a network printer device having only a printer function. The invention can be applied.
In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the matters described in the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining connection processing for a network scanner function or a network printer function;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an operation during execution of a network scanner function;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copier 11 Control part 12 Document reading part 13 Image memory 14 Operation part 15 Display 16 User information memory 17 Network interface 19 Image formation part 20 LAN
PC1, ..., PCn Personal computer

Claims (3)

A scanner device connected to a network,
Means for establishing a communication connection with an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
Means for rejecting a connection request from another information processing apparatus to the scanner device during communication connection with a certain information processing apparatus;
Identification information, and other information that originated the connection request for communication with the scanner device in communication connection with the information processing apparatus and the scanner device for identifying an information processing apparatus in which the communication connection is established A scanner device comprising: display means for displaying identification information of the processing device . A printer device connected to a network,
Means for establishing a communication connection with an information processing apparatus connected to the network;
Means for rejecting a connection request from another information processing apparatus to the printer device during communication connection with a certain information processing apparatus;
Identification information, and other information that originated the connection request for communication with the printer device in communication connection with the information processing apparatus and the printer apparatus for identifying an information processing apparatus in which the communication connection is established A printer device comprising: display means for displaying identification information of the processing device .   A digital copying machine that is connected to a network and has a network scanner function and a network printer function,
  Means for establishing a communication connection with an information processing apparatus connected to the network for executing the network scanner function or the network printer function;
  Means for rejecting a connection request from another information processing apparatus to the digital copying machine during communication connection with a certain information processing apparatus;
  Identification information for identifying the information processing apparatus with which the communication connection has been established, and other information that issued a connection request for communication with the digital copying machine during communication connection between the information processing apparatus and the digital copying machine And a display means for displaying identification information of the information processing apparatus.

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