JP3920481B2 - Image input / output device and image input / output method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to an image input / output device such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a printer. More specifically, the present invention is connected via a network or the like as display information that can intuitively understand the conveyance path and the conveyance status of the paper. Image input / output device and image input / output method for transferring data to client personal computersTo the lawRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, digital copiers, facsimile printers, or one or more image forming devices (servers) that combine these functions are connected to a client PC installed at a remote service center or the like via a network. A system for monitoring the operating status of a forming apparatus is known. This system collects data such as the operating status of the image forming apparatus, and quickly performs predetermined maintenance (maintenance and replacement of supplies and equipment) based on the data. In many user systems, the image forming apparatus (server) and the client PC are connected to a network, and data from the client PC is printed by the image forming apparatus (server).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional technology as described above, in a system in which one or a plurality of image forming apparatuses (servers) and a client PC that monitors the apparatus are connected so as to be capable of bidirectional communication, a service is provided. Although it is possible to perform data such as the operating status of the image forming apparatus and the number of occurrences of jam at the center, there is a problem in that it is impossible to grasp in detail the conveyance state of the paper (documents / recording paper) inside the apparatus. It was.
[0004]
Further, when printing data output from the client PC is printed on a recording sheet by the image forming apparatus (server), the state of the sheet conveyance path and the sheet conveyance state cannot be accurately grasped on the client PC side. There has been a problem that end users cannot visually and accurately know the situation such as paper feeding, paper discharge completion, and jam occurrence.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above. On the client PC side, the state of conveyance of the sheet conveyance path of the image forming apparatus and the like are displayed, and statuses such as paper feeding, discharge completion, and occurrence of jamming are displayed. It is intended to make it possible to grasp the state of the device visually and accurately by transmitting it to the end user or service department.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, an image input / output device according to claim 1NeOn the network, clients such as computer equipmentTo and throughCredibly connected and the clientOrThe paper transport control is performed for the data requested for printing at a specified timing.OutDisplay information relating to the paper transport path is displayed on the client.Send toDoAt the time, based on an instruction from the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step.Is.
[0007]
  An image input / output according to claim 2MethodIn that,In the image input / output method, which is connected to a client such as a computer device on a network so as to be communicable, and prints data requested by the client by performing paper conveyance control at a predetermined timing, the paper conveyance path When the display information regarding is transmitted to the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step based on an instruction from the client.Is.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  The image input / output device and image input / output method of the present invention are as follows.LegalEmbodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0011]
(Hardware configuration)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a system according to an embodiment. A system configuration in which an image input / output device 120, a broker 140, and a personal computer (PC) 160 are connected to a network 150. It has become.
[0012]
The image input / output device 120 is configured as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 100 denotes a CPU that comprehensively controls the entire apparatus. The CPU 100 includes a ROM 103 that stores program codes, fonts, and other static data under the control of the CPU 102 via a bus 102, a RAM 104 that is used as a temporary storage area (working memory), a nonvolatile memory, and the like. NVRAM 105 for storing data on the nature, panel control unit 106 for executing control of the operation panel 101 (which controls the interface with the user), scanning / printing on the recording paper, An engine control unit 107 that controls the print engine 111, a storage unit for storing a large amount of image data and a database, a disk driver 108 that controls the storage device 112, and a network 150 such as an Ethernet network are connected to the outside. Communication control with other devices A control unit 109 is connected to a public line, a modem 110 that allows communication with an external device is connected.
[0013]
In addition, the broker 140 stores a communication control unit 141 that performs communication control with the network 150, a CPU 142 that controls the entire broker 140, a ROM 143 that stores a control program, and data that is being controlled. RAM 144 and a database 145 storing function information and the like. The broker 140 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, communication control unit, and function information database, and may exist on either the PC or the image input / output device.
[0014]
(Operation of image input / output device)
The ROM 103 stores program codes, fonts, and other static information. The RAM 104 is used as a temporary storage location. The NVRAM 105 stores non-volatile information.
[0015]
The operation panel 101 and the panel control unit 106 manage the user interface. Further, the scan / print engine 111 and the engine control unit 107 perform reading of a sheet document and printing on a recording sheet as an image data input / output unit.
[0016]
The storage device 112 and the disk driver 108 are large-capacity storage devices and are used when storing a large amount of image data. The communication control unit 109 enables communication with an external device via a network (LAN) 150 such as Ethernet, and the modem 110 is connected to a public line (WAN) and executes communication with the external device.
[0017]
In addition, the broker 140 maintains / manages the function information of the image input / output device 120 connected to the network 150, and the client (in this case, the PC 160) and the server (in this case, the image input / output device) Functions as middleware that undertakes the role of establishing a connection.
[0018]
(Software configuration)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration according to the embodiment. Here, as shown in the figure, the application layer 201, the kernel layer 202, the driver layer 203, and the hardware layer 204 are roughly divided into four layers.
[0019]
The application layer 201 is a layer for forming an application such as a copy / fax / printer, and includes blocks of an operation manager 205, a document manager 206, a service manager 207, a device manager 208, and a database manager 209, which will be described later. Consists of.
[0020]
The operation manager 205 controls the operation panel 101 attached to or connected to the apparatus, and executes various controls such as button display and notification of button operation notify / alert. The document manager 206 is a functional block that is central to an application for handling a document based on a scenario such as a copy / fax / printer.
[0021]
The service manager 207 is a functional block that is commonly required for document handling, and executes various types of management. The device manager 208 is a functional block that determines the operation of a physical device such as a scanner / plotter / image bus (scan / print engine 111, bus 102 in FIG. 1), and manages and executes various devices.
[0022]
The database manager 209 maintains and manages permanent data such as fonts, fixed forms, fax reception histories, device usage histories, and accounting data. In the present invention, display information for each software component (which realizes the display of FIGS. 3 and 4 described later) is stored and searched. The program factory 210 executes initialization for program execution based on the software assembly table, the software part, and the compatibility table.
[0023]
That is, a software component that exists statically is expanded on the RAM (instance generation in object-oriented programming), and some message is received (method call in object-oriented programming) to make it operable.
[0024]
The kernel layer 202 includes a virtual memory 211, an execution process 212, a file system 213, a socket 214, and a virtual machine 215. This kernel layer 202 is incorporated as a normal OS (operating system) kernel (kernel: the most basic part of an OS function, called a nucleus or a nucleus), abstracts various devices, and is applied to an application. The application layer 201 operates by making a system call to the kernel layer 202.
[0025]
The driver layer 203 includes a memory management driver 216, a process management driver 217, a file management driver 218, a network driver 219, an integrated copy driver 220, a blocking device driver 221, and a page device driver 222. ing. The driver layer 203 is a collection of functional blocks that execute control for driving various types of hardware (see FIG. 1 and the hardware layer). The hardware layer 204 is a set of controllable resources existing in the apparatus.
[0026]
[Display example of paper transport information]
Next, a display example using the general view of the apparatus and a display example using the internal configuration of the apparatus will be described as specific examples of the sheet conveyance path display data displayed on the client PC side such as a personal computer.
[0027]
(Display example based on the device overview)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example based on an overview of the apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a view provided to the end user. (A) is an overview of the apparatus, and a paper conveyance path (arrow), (b) shows an example of paper information. In FIG. 4B, for example, an event can be transmitted when the leading edge of the paper reaches a predetermined position on a predetermined conveyance path, or display data of the paper can be transferred.
[0028]
(Example of roller / sensor arrangement display on the device conveyance path)
Here, the details of the conveyance system of the copying machine will be described as a specific example of the sheet conveyance path display data to be displayed. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout configuration of a device used as a roller sensor arrangement display example of the device conveyance path according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a view provided to a service person of the device manufacturer. Although a copying machine is illustrated here as a matter of course, other image forming apparatuses such as a laser printer may be used. In addition, as a display example, only a figure mainly including a conveyance path (broken line part) or a form with a name / symbol added may be used as necessary. In addition to the transport path display data, paper display data and position information on the transport path can also be transferred to the client side.
[0029]
The conveyance control in this copying machine is intended for a paper feed / conveyance system and a paper ejection system consisting of an actuator such as a motor for powering a paper conveyance roller, and a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a paper in a paper feeding unit or a conveyance path. Done. Of course, an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a sorter, which are optional devices, are also displayed. Here, the arrangement of each actuator, roller, sensor, etc. in the copying machine main body is shown. In FIG. 3, the conveyance path is indicated by a broken line.
[0030]
Each functional part / unit will be described using FIG. A paper feed bank 301 includes a tandem paper feed tray 302 and a normal paper feed tray 303. A paper lift motor 304 serves as a power source for raising the paper stacked on the tandem paper feed tray 302 from below. , 305 is a paper absence detection sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper in the paper stacking unit, 306 is a rising detection sensor for detecting the paper rising position, 307 is a calling roller for feeding paper into the paper feeding climate unit, and 308 is a calling roller. A sheet feeding roller 309 feeds the sheet picked up by the sheet 307 to the next roller. The sheet feeding roller 309 comes into contact with the sheet feeding roller 308 with a predetermined pressure, and the second and subsequent sheets when a large number of sheets enter the nip portion. A reverse roller having a torque limiter mechanism for returning the paper to the tray side, 310 is a relay roller, and 311 is a paper conveyance sensor.
[0031]
Reference numeral 312 denotes a double-sided tray having a mechanism for reversing and re-feeding a sheet copied on one side, 313 a conveying roller (1), 314 a conveying roller (2), and 315 a reversing roller for reversing the sheet. , 316 are outlet sensors for detecting the paper at the reverse outlet portion, 317 is a reverse branching solenoid, 318 is a reverse intermediate sensor, and 319 is a double-sided intermediate sensor.
[0032]
Reference numeral 320 denotes a manual paper feed unit for feeding paper that is not stacked in the paper feed bank 310, for example, non-standard size paper, label paper, OHP sheets, etc. one by one, 321 is a manual paper feed roller, 322 Is a manual paper-free sensor that detects a paper set to be manually fed, and 323 is a paper that enters and stops the nip portion to temporarily correct the skew, and corrects the paper at a timing that matches the image formed on the photosensitive drum. A registration roller 324 is provided immediately before the registration roller 323 and is a registration sensor that detects the leading edge of the paper.
[0033]
325 is a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, 326 is an optical unit that irradiates the photosensitive drum 325 with light corresponding to the image, and 327 is an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 325. A developing device that visualizes with toner, 328 has a transfer mechanism that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 325 to the paper by the transfer roller 329, 330 has a fixing roller 331, a pressure roller 332, etc. A fixing device that performs processing, 333 is a paper discharge fixing sensor provided at the outlet of the fixing device 330, 334 is a paper discharge sensor, 335 is a paper discharge roller, 336 is a discharge branch solenoid, and 337 is a face-up solenoid.
[0034]
Reference numeral 340 denotes an automatic document feeder that stacks a plurality of documents and sequentially conveys and collects them on a contact glass (not shown) of the optical unit 326, and 350 is a sorter that stacks and sorts the copied sheets.
[0035]
The copying machine selects one of the trays in the paper supply bank 301 and feeds paper from the corresponding tray. At that time, each roller or the like is moved, and a conveyance / image forming process / fixing process is performed while confirming a sheet passing timing by a sensor. Finally, the sheet is discharged to a predetermined bin of the sorter 305. If the path between the sensors does not pass through a predetermined passage time (sequence setting time) during the paper transport, it is determined that a paper jam has occurred in the middle of the transport path.
[0036]
In this way, by displaying the transport path and paper transport status visually on the device layout as transport path information, the service person can intuitively grasp the status of the device via a personal computer. Subsequent treatment can be performed smoothly and accurately.
[0037]
(Client server construction)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the client / server according to the embodiment of the present invention, and particularly shows a specific example of the system described in FIG. Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the display data of the conveyance path, the display data of the paper, and the position data on the conveyance path are transferred from the image input / output device 120 as the server to the personal computer 160 as the client. . Then, as a response to the input of the print job, an event that the leading edge of the paper has reached a position on the transport path is transferred from the server (image input / output device 120) to the client (personal computer 160), and the result is shown in FIG. Such a client / server system is constructed.
[0038]
That is, when a print job is input from the client (personal computer 160), the server (image input / output device 120) side executes a printing operation, and the client (personal computer 160) side graphically indicates the paper conveyance status of the client (personal computer). 160) can be displayed on the display.
[0039]
〔data structure〕
(Conveying path display data)
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display data structure of the conveyance path according to the embodiment of the present invention. The representation of display data is composed of display data entities such as raster data and a header portion 600. The header portion 600 is an ID for identifying a specific server in an environment where a plurality of servers are connected in a network distributed environment or the like, and a server identifier 601 that is uniquely managed by a distributed middleware or the like and a subsequent data size (Number of subsequent bytes, actual display data).
[0040]
(Paper display data)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display data structure of the sheet according to the embodiment of the present invention. The sheet includes an identifier of the position on the conveyance path (position ID 701), two-dimensional coordinates relative to the display data of the conveyance path, and actual display data. The position ID 701 is an identifier of a position on the conveyance path. When an event that the leading edge of the sheet has passed through the position is transferred from the server, it indicates which sheet actual data should be displayed according to the identifier. Is to identify. An X coordinate 702 and a Y coordinate 703 are relative dot positions with the origin at the upper left coordinate of the actual display data of the transport path. In addition, a system capable of recognizing the position of the sheet on the conveyance path is constructed by displaying the sheet actual display data 704 in a superimposed manner on the actual display data of the conveyance path. The position ID 701 has the X coordinate 702, the Y coordinate 703, and the actual display data 704 of the sheet as described above, and is repeated by the number of position IDs (a, b,...).
[0041]
(Position data on the transport path)
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the position data structure on the transport path according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an identifier of the position on the transport path. Since it is necessary on the server 120 side to maintain the association with the actual conveyance path 800, the position ID 801 associates the distance 802a from the start point of the conveyance path, the sensor arrangement, the next position 803b, and the like.
[0042]
(Position arrival event data)
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the position arrival event data structure according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is data transferred from the server 120 to the client 160 when the leading edge of the paper reaches a predetermined position on the conveyance path. The position ID 901 is used to specify the position where the leading edge of the sheet has passed a certain sensor position. The sheet ID is an ID arbitrarily added by the server 120, and is an identifier for identifying each sheet when a plurality of sheets in the apparatus are present. That is, a sheet is identified by ID = 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3, 1...
[0043]
〔algorithm〕
The interaction between the client 160 and the server 120 is advanced by (1) data registration, (2) paper conveyance monitoring, and (3) position step setting. Each interaction is described below.
[0044]
(1) Data registration
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data registration between the client 160 and the server 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The transfer path display data and the sheet display data are transferred from the server 120 to the client 160 at any time of initialization, session establishment, or job submission. In this case, it is assumed that the position data on the conveyance path is set when the server 120 is initialized.
[0045]
As shown in FIG. 10, it is confirmed whether the driver of the client 160 supports the graphical display function according to the present invention, and if it is supported, the conveyance path and paper data (data defined by the data structure) are transferred. To do. That is, the client 160 driver establishes a session with the server 120. Then, on the server 120 side, it is confirmed whether the conveyance path is graphically displayed, and if it is displayed, the conveyance path data and paper data defined in the data structure are sent to the client 160.
[0046]
(2) Paper conveyance monitoring
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of paper conveyance monitoring between the client 160 and the server 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. After the job input from the client 160, the server 120 starts executing the requested job, and issues a position arrival event when the leading edge of the sheet passes a predetermined position on the conveyance path. The client 160 displays the transport path data on the screen, and when the position arrival data is received, displays the paper data superimposed on the transport path data. Also, if a jam (paper jam) occurs in the transport path, the position arrival event is not transferred, so the paper is still displayed at the position where the jam has occurred, and a jam occurs on the client 160 side. The position can be specified.
[0047]
(3) Position step setting
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of setting the position increment step between the client 160 and the server 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Here, as the step of the conveyance path, for example, in the case of 20 divisions, 20 is given as an argument to the server 120.
[0048]
(Effect of embodiment)
Therefore, as described above, the operation status centering on the transport system (including part of the image forming system) of the image input / output device (server) 120 is changed to the remote client 160 connected to the network (Ethernet) 150 or the like. Therefore, the device can be monitored on the client 160 side.
[0049]
In addition, the user interface can intuitively understand a control target (in this example, a sheet conveyed by the image input / output device (server) 120). In the printing world, WYSIWYG (What You See What You Get; print what you see as it is), that is, the idea that you can see the output image as it is on the screen is important. The present invention is similar to this idea, and realizes the idea that “the object to be controlled can be seen as it is”. At this time, it is not necessary to install the client PC driver software for each model of the image input / output device (server) 120. In addition, by interacting the screen display data with the paper position information and the event corresponding to the paper position, the driver software for each specific model becomes unnecessary.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
  As described above, according to the image input / output device (claim 1) of the present invention,Based on instructions from the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step, so it is possible to build software that adjusts the step of the paper position information. In particular, animation is displayed on the client side by finely setting the step. It becomes possible.
[0051]
  According to the image input / output method (claim 2) according to the present invention,Based on instructions from the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step, so it is possible to build software that adjusts the step of the paper position information. In particular, animation is displayed on the client side by finely setting the step. It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a software configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a layout configuration of an apparatus used as a roller sensor arrangement display example of an apparatus conveyance path according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example based on an overview of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a client server according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a display data structure example of a conveyance path according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display data structure example of a sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a position data structure on the conveyance path according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a position arrival event data structure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data registration between the client and the server according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of paper conveyance monitoring between the client and the server according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of setting a position increment step between a client and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 CPU
101 Operation panel
120 Image input / output device (server)
160 Personal computer (client)
150 network (Ethernet)
201 Application layer
209 Database Manager
600 Header part
601 Server identifier
701,901 Location ID
800 transport path
902 Paper ID

Claims (2)

An image input / output device that is communicably connected to a client such as a computer device on a network, and that outputs data requested for printing by the client by controlling paper conveyance at a predetermined timing.
An image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the display information relating to the paper conveyance path is transmitted to the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step based on an instruction from the client. In an image input / output method that is communicably connected to a client such as a computer device on a network, and that prints data requested by the client by performing paper conveyance control at a predetermined timing.
An image input / output method, wherein when the display information relating to the paper conveyance path is transmitted to the client, the conveyance path is set to a predetermined step based on an instruction from the client.

Images