JP2000094787A - Image processing apparatus, method for reproducing operation history of image processing apparatus, and storage medium storing computer-readable program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An object of the present invention is to freely verify the driving state of each device according to an operation history based on an image processing request operated by any user. SOLUTION: A control command analysis unit 106 stores an operation history operated by a panel operation unit 103 and a system timer value.
Is registered and managed in the operation history information storage unit 107 together with the history number to which is assigned, when a history reproduction request is made, a range of the registered history number is designated, and a command according to the operation item operated in the designated history number range is controlled by the control command. Analysis unit 1
06 is output to the printer control unit 108 to reproduce the drive of each device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing for analyzing image information received by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, controlling the driving of a plurality of devices, and performing predetermined image processing. The present invention relates to an apparatus and an operation history reproduction method for an image processing apparatus, and a storage medium storing a computer-readable program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, control data transmitted from an external device such as a host computer is received, the received control data is processed by a CPU (control unit), and printing is performed based on the processed control data. In an image processing apparatus that controls a printing process of a printing mechanism (engine), a printing mode is set, a printing mechanism is initialized, and a power is turned on / off by a panel operation. When this occurs, various abnormality detection processes have been executed by the control unit executing a program written in a ROM or the like.

[0003]

However, in the above-described conventional example, like a print server on a network, print requests from many users are stored, and communication with a printer is performed sequentially, and panel operations are performed by many people. When the processing is determined, the capacity of the program to be controlled becomes large and the device abnormality detection condition becomes complicated, so that it becomes difficult to present accurate device abnormality information to the user only by the program written in the ROM. .

Further, even if a device error is detected by the program written in the ROM, the operation of the panel must be reproducible in order to accurately capture the cause, but the number of operators at that time is also unspecified. Therefore, it has become difficult to accurately reproduce the panel operation, and there has been a problem that the cause of the abnormality cannot be accurately pursued.

Further, in a print system environment in which print data is transferred to a printer via a print server on a network, the printer is occupied while the print server is detecting the cause of the printer abnormality. As a result, there is a problem that a printing standby state in which many users on the network cannot perform printing, and the efficiency of the entire printing system is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to register and manage an operation history operated from a panel operation unit together with a history number to which a system timer value is assigned. When a history reproduction request is made, the range of the registered history numbers is designated, and the drive of each device is reproduced in accordance with the operation item operated in the designated history number range. Driving is reproduced in a timely manner intended by the user, and the driving state of each device can be freely verified in accordance with an operation history based on an image processing request operated by any user, and an operation history verification environment is easily prepared. Image processing apparatus, operation history reproduction method of the image processing apparatus, and a program storing a computer-readable program. It is to provide the media.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined communication medium (network, interface) is provided.
An image processing apparatus that analyzes image information received by communicating with an external device through the device, controls the driving of a plurality of devices, and performs predetermined image processing, and displays and sets a desired image processing request Panel operation means (panel operation unit 103)
And assigning a history number to operation history data including each operation item obtained by analyzing an operation code input from the display panel operation means and a timer value of a system timer obtained at the time of operating each operation item. History registering means (by the control command analyzing unit 106) for registering in the memory resource while reading out operation history data registered in the memory resource based on an input history reading request, and displaying an operation history list on the display panel operating means. Display control means (by the control command analysis unit 106) for displaying a list of operation histories displayed on the display panel operation means in a history range to be reproduced which is input by the history number from the display panel operation means. A reproduction means for reading operation history data from the memory resource based on the operation history data and reproducing drive of the device according to a panel operation. Those having a (by the control command analyzing section 106).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the reproduction of the operation history, the reproduction means includes a system timer value (managed by the system timer control unit 109) allocated to the operation history data and a current system time. The operation history is reproduced at a time interval according to a system timer value corrected by adding a difference value from the timer value of the timer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a download means (a control command analyzing unit 106 which receives operation history data from the external device and registers the operation history data in the memory resource via the bidirectional interface control unit 102). Operation history information storage unit 1 stores operation history data of another image processing apparatus.
07), upload means (the control command analysis unit 106 reads out the operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploads the operation history data to the external device via the bidirectional interface control unit 102 to the external host computer 101). The reproduction unit performs an alternate operation of each device based on operation history data of another image processing apparatus acquired from the external device by the download unit, and operates another image processing apparatus. The history can be reproduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a predetermined communication medium (network) is used to analyze image information received and communicated with an external device, control the driving of a plurality of devices, and perform a predetermined operation. An operation history reproduction method for an image processing apparatus that performs image processing, wherein each operation item obtained by analyzing an operation code input from a display panel operation unit for setting and inputting a desired image processing request, and A history registration step of registering operation history data including a timer value of a system timer acquired at the time of operation in a memory resource while sequentially assigning a history number (not shown in the figure before the step (1) in FIG. 3); A display step of reading operation history data registered in the memory resource based on an input history read request and displaying an operation history list on the display panel operation means (step of FIG. 3). (2)) reading, from the memory resource, operation history data based on a history range to be reproduced which is input by the history number from the display panel operation means on the operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means. (Steps (3) to (6) in FIG. 3) for reproducing the drive of the device according to the panel operation.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the reproduction step (steps (1) to (8) in FIG. 5), the system timer value assigned to the operation history data and the current The operation history is reproduced at a time interval according to the system timer value corrected by adding a difference value with respect to the timer value of the system timer.

A sixth invention according to the present invention provides a download step (step (2) in FIG. 8) in which operation history data is obtained by the external device and registered in the memory resource.
(5), (6)) and an uploading step (steps (2), (5), and (5) in FIG. 6) of reading the operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploading the data to the external device.
(6)), wherein the reproducing step includes the step of alternately driving each device based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus acquired from the external device in the download step, and the operation history of another image processing apparatus. Can be reproduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a predetermined image is analyzed by analyzing image information received and communicated with an external device via a predetermined communication medium (network) to control driving of a plurality of devices. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus for performing processing, the storage medium being obtained by analyzing an operation code input from a display panel operation means for setting and inputting a desired image processing request. A history registration step of registering operation history data including an operation item and a timer value of a system timer acquired at the time of operation of each operation item in a memory resource while sequentially assigning a history number (pre-process of step (1) in FIG. 3) (Not shown)), reads out the operation history data registered in the memory resource based on the input history read request, and reads the operation history data on the display panel operation means. A display step of displaying an operation history list (step (2) in FIG. 3), and reproduction of the operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means, which is input with the history number from the display panel operation means, is desired. A computer-readable program having a reproduction step (steps (3) to (6) in FIG. 3) for reading operation history data based on a history range from the memory resources and reproducing the drive of the device according to a panel operation is stored. It is stored on a medium.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the reproducing step (steps (1) to (8) of FIG. 5), the system timer value assigned to the operation history data and the current A computer-readable program that reproduces an operation history at a time interval according to a system timer value corrected by adding a difference value to a timer value of a system timer is stored in a storage medium.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a download step of acquiring operation history data by the external device and registering the same in the memory resource (step (2) in FIG. 8,
(5), (6)) and an uploading step (steps (2), (5), and (5) in FIG. 6) of reading the operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploading the data to the external device.
(6)), wherein the reproducing step includes the step of alternately driving each device based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus acquired from the external device in the download step, and the operation history of another image processing apparatus. Is stored in a storage medium.

[0016]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The image processing device includes a printer, a digital copying machine, a multifunction device, a scanner, etc.
In the present embodiment, a printer is taken as an example.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a host computer, which is a printer 1 via a bidirectional parallel interface.
00 and a predetermined protocol.

In the printer 100, a bi-directional interface control unit 102 controls a bi-directional parallel interface and passes control data sent from the host computer 101 to a control command analysis unit.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a panel operation unit which converts a user operation into control data and passes it to a control command analysis unit. 10
Reference numeral 4 denotes a panel display unit that notifies the user of overall information of the printer 100 based on the information of each unit of the printer 100 passed to the control command analysis unit 106.

Reference numeral 105 denotes a print data analyzing unit, which sends a print control command to a printer control unit (engine control unit) 108 based on the separated print data analyzed by the control command analysis unit 106. Reference numeral 106 denotes a control command analysis unit, which includes a bidirectional interface control unit 102 and a panel operation unit 103.
The control command passed from the control unit is analyzed and divided into a print control command and other control commands.

An operation history information storage unit 107 stores operation history information issued by the panel operation unit 103 and separated by the control command analysis unit 106 together with a system timer value.
Reference numeral 108 denotes a printer control unit, which comprehensively controls an engine control unit, which will be described later, so as to interpret print control commands and other control commands, perform arbitration and control between device control units, and perform printing on paper. I do.

Reference numeral 109 denotes a system timer control unit which controls the system timer and stores the system timer value in response to a request from the operation history storage unit 107.
Hand over to A carriage motor control unit 110 controls a carriage motor that moves the print head in the scanning direction. An LF motor control unit 111 controls an LF motor that moves a sheet in the sub-scanning direction.

A print head control unit 112 controls the print head based on the data generated by the print data analysis unit 105 to perform printing by spraying ink on paper.

In the printing system configured as described above, control data is transmitted from the host computer 101 via the bidirectional interface to the bidirectional interface control unit 1.
02. The bidirectional interface control unit 102 controls the IEEE 1284 parallel interface and the internal reception buffer to control the host computer 10.
A control command including a print command generated by one printer driver is received and stored in a reception buffer.

The control command analysis unit 106 issues a request for a control command including a print command stored in a reception buffer provided in the bidirectional interface control unit 102 to the bidirectional interface control unit 102. The other control commands are passed to the printer control unit 108.

The print data analysis unit 105 interprets the received print data, divides the data into printer control commands for paper feed, paper discharge, printing, paper feed, and the like, and image data, and transfers the data to the printer control unit 108. Here, the print data refers to PDL data expressed in a printer language (page description language) for printing such as PostScript.

The printer control unit 108 interprets the received printer control command, for example, a paper feed command, transmits an LF motor drive command to the LF motor control unit 111, feeds printing paper, and interprets the print command. A carriage motor drive command is transmitted to the carriage motor control unit 110 to move the carriage on which the print head is mounted in the main scanning direction, interpret image data, and send an ink ejection command to the print head control unit 112. Is transmitted to form an image on a sheet.

On the other hand, the panel operation unit 103 creates panel operation information such as power-on, power-off, offline and online from the switch pattern generated by the operation of the panel and the current internal state of the printer. Hand over to In response to this, the control command analyzer 106 copies the passed panel operation information,
One is passed as it is to the operation history information storage unit 107 and stored, the other is converted into a printer control command such as initialization, termination, interruption, or resumption and passed to the printer control unit 108, and the other is notified to the user. The information is passed to the panel display unit 104 as panel display information for causing the panel to be displayed. The panel display unit 104 displays an LED based on the received panel display information.
A lamp, a liquid crystal panel, and the like are controlled to notify a user of printer internal information such as a power supply state and an offline state.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of operation history information created by the operation history information storage unit 107 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 201 is a history number, 202 is operation information, and 203 is a system timer value.

For example, each time the operation history information storage unit 107 receives the operation information 202 from the control command analysis unit 106, it receives the system timer value 203 at that time from the system timer control unit 109 and sequentially assigns the history number 201 to the figure. It is stored in the data structure shown.

The storage medium may be a memory, a non-volatile memory, or a hard disk. The order of storage is arbitrary, but the same number is controlled so as not to be assigned.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to a panel operation reproducing procedure. In addition,
(1) to (6) show each step. In the present embodiment, a method of designating a history number by operating the panel operation unit 103 will be described. However, a method of designating a history number by a control command from the host computer 101 can be easily considered.

In the present embodiment, when the printer 100 is temporarily set to the off-line state by the panel operation in the panel operation unit 103 and the normal operation is stopped, it is detected whether or not the request to reproduce the panel operation is performed as an operation. Is checked (1), and when it is detected that a different request operation instruction has been given, the processing is terminated and the printer 100 resumes the normal operation.

On the other hand, if it is detected in step (1) that a request operation for reproducing the panel operation is instructed, a history list is displayed on the panel display unit 104, for example, in a table format shown in FIG. (2).

Next, it is determined whether or not the first confirmation key has been entered (3). If the first confirmation key has been entered, the number entered so far is stored as a start number (4). It is determined whether or not the next confirmation key has been entered (5). If it is determined that the next confirmation key has been entered, the number entered so far is stored as the end number, and history reproduction is executed ( 6), end the process.

It is to be noted that, in addition to the above, a method of blinking an area for selecting the displayed history list and moving and selecting the blinking area by key operation is also conceivable.

FIG. 4 shows the panel display unit 104 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an operation history list display screen displayed in the example of FIG. 6, corresponding to a case where a history number 401 and operation information 402 are displayed in a table format.

As shown in the figure, the operation history stored in the operation history information storage unit 107 is sequentially displayed on the display panel by the panel operation, so that the user can reproduce any number from the history number. The user confirms whether or not the history number is sufficient, and again instructs the history number from the panel operation unit 103.

Here, the user looks at the displayed history list and inputs the starting history number and the ending history number to be reproduced. In the present embodiment, the input of two number strings by inputting a confirmation key provided on the panel operation unit 103 is used as the history number input unit.

The first number string is the start number, and the second number string is the end number. This may be reversed.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to a history reproduction execution processing procedure. In addition,
(1) to (8) show each step.

First, when a history reproduction execution instruction is passed from the panel operation unit 103 to the control command analysis unit 106, the control command analysis unit 106 reads panel operation information indicated by a start number from the operation history information storage unit 107 ( 1) The timer difference is calculated by taking the difference between the current system timer value and the system timer value at that time, and stored as a timer difference (2).

On the other hand, the read panel operation information is converted into a printer control command (3) and passed to the printer control unit 108 (4).

Next, it is determined whether or not the history reproduction execution has been completed (5). If YES, the process is terminated. If NO, the panel operation history indicated by the next history number is stored in the operation history information storage unit. The value is read from 107 (6), and the sum of the system timer value at that time and the timer difference calculated first is calculated to perform a timer value correction calculation (7).

When the system timer value becomes equal to the sum of the system timer value read from the operation history information storage unit 107 and the first calculated timer difference (8), the process returns to step (3). The read panel operation information is converted into a printer control command and passed to the printer control unit 108 (4). Then, in step (5), the process is repeated until the history number exceeds the end number and is determined to be ended.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to an operation history information reading processing procedure.
Note that (1) to (7) indicate each step.

First, the control command analysis unit 106 requests the control command including the print command stored in the reception buffer in the bidirectional interface control unit 102 to the bidirectional interface control unit 102 (1). It is determined whether or not operation history information request data is detected from the received control data (2). If it is determined that the data is not operation history information request data, it is determined whether the data is print data (3), and YES If so, the print data is passed to the print data analysis unit 105, the print data is analyzed and printed (7), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the command is not print data and is a control command other than the print data, the data is passed to the printer control unit 108 (4), and the printer is controlled based on the data. Control each part,
Return to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the operation history information request data has been detected, the operation history information is read from the operation history information storage unit 107 (5) and converted into operation history information response data. (6) Return to step (1).

The operation history information response data converted in step (6) is received by the host computer 101.

In step (5), the operation history information read out by the control command analysis unit 106 is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of operation history information response data created by converting the operation history information by the control command analysis unit 106 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 701 is the operation history information response identifier, 702 is the operation history information response data length, 703 is the first history number, 704 is the first operation information, 70
5 is the first system timer value. The control command analysis unit 106 keeps the operation history information shown in FIG.
And the operation history information response data length 702 to create operation history information response data.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to an operation history information transfer processing procedure. (1) to (8) indicate each step.

First, the control command analysis unit 106 requests the control command including the print command stored in the reception buffer in the bidirectional interface control unit 102 to the bidirectional interface control unit 102 (1) and receives the request. It is determined whether the data is operation history information transfer data (2). If it is determined that the data is not operation history information transfer data, it is further determined whether the data is print data (3), and the data is print data. If it is determined that this is the case, the print data is passed to the print data analysis unit 105, the print data is analyzed and printing processing is performed (7), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (3) that the data is not print data, other control commands are transferred to the printer control unit 108 (4), and the process returns to step (1).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2) that the operation history information transfer data has been detected, the operation history information transfer data is converted into operation history response data (5). Write (6) and return to step (1).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the operation history information transfer data converted by the control command analysis unit 106 shown in FIG.

In the figure, 901 is an operation history information transfer identifier, 902 is the operation history information transfer data length, 903 is the first history number, 904 is the first operation information, 90
5 is the first system timer value.

The control command analysis unit 106 deletes the operation history information response identifier 901 and the operation history information response data length 902 at the preceding stage of the data, and creates the operation history information shown in FIG.

According to the present embodiment, the operation history information of the panel operation is automatically assigned to each of the operation items, the automatically acquired system timer value, and a set thereof, and the operation history information is stored. Unit, a plurality of history numbers are designated, operation history information corresponding to the designated history number is extracted from the operation history information storage unit, and the extracted operation history information is output at a time interval indicated by a system timer value. Reproducing the panel operation by sending it to the control unit enables the panel operation to be reproduced later even when the operator who is in trouble with the equipment is unknown, so that the cause of the equipment abnormality can be accurately pursued. Will be able to

Further, by uploading to the host computer and downloading from the host computer, the operation history information is transferred to an image processing apparatus, for example, another printer which is not a printer in which the apparatus abnormality has occurred. Because it can be reproduced, there is no effect on the printer used as a print server on the network, and the cause of the device error can be pursued without affecting many users. .

Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program that can be read by a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs which can be read by a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is stored in the storage medium. An icon or the like for identification display may also be stored.

Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

The functions shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, C
DR, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, RO
M, EEPROM and the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

[0074]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the invention, an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined image processing by analyzing image information received in communication with an external device via a predetermined communication medium and controlling driving of a plurality of devices, Display panel operation means for setting and inputting a desired image processing request, operation items obtained by analyzing operation codes input from the display panel operation means, and a timer of a system timer acquired at the time of operation of each operation item History registering means for registering operation history data including a value in a memory resource while sequentially assigning history numbers to the memory resource, and reading out operation history data registered in the memory resource based on an input history reading request, and displaying the display panel operating means A display control means for displaying an operation history list on the display panel operation means; and a display control means for displaying the operation history list on the operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means. And reproduction means for reading operation history data based on a history range to be reproduced input from the memory resource and reproducing the drive of the device according to a panel operation, so that the operation history operated by an unspecified user can be registered and managed. Then, the driving of each device is read out at any time and reproduced in the desired operation history range, and the driving state of each device based on the operation history can be easily verified. It is possible to detect a drive abnormality or the like.

According to the second aspect, the reproducing means adds the difference value between the system timer value assigned to the operation history data and the current timer value at the time of reproducing the operation history, and corrects the difference. The operation history is reproduced at the time interval according to the system timer value, so even if the current system timer value and the registered system timer value are different, each operation state can be accurately performed without time lag based on the current system timer value. Can be reproduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, download means for acquiring operation history data by the external device and registering the same in the memory resource, reading operation history data registered in the memory resource, and uploading the read operation history data to the external device Uploading means, and the reproducing means alternately drives each device based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus obtained from the external device by the download means, and stores the operation history of another image processing apparatus. Since it is reproducible, it is possible to register operation history data by transferring it to the other image processing device while acquiring operation history data in one image processing device via an external device, and Even during processing, the history operation of the currently operating image processing apparatus can be freely reproduced by using another image processing apparatus.

According to the fourth and seventh aspects of the present invention, image information communicated with and received from an external device via a predetermined communication medium is analyzed to control the driving of a plurality of devices to perform predetermined image processing. Is an operation history reproduction method for an image processing apparatus that performs image processing, or analyzes image information received through communication with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, and controls driving of a plurality of devices to generate a predetermined image. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus for performing processing, the storage medium being obtained by analyzing an operation code input from a display panel operation means for setting and inputting a desired image processing request. A history registration step of sequentially registering operation history data including an operation item and a timer value of a system timer acquired at the time of operation of each operation item in a memory resource while assigning a history number; A display step of reading operation history data registered in the memory resource based on a history read request to display an operation history list on the display panel operation means; and displaying an operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means. And a reproduction step of reading operation history data based on a history range to be reproduced input with the history number from the display panel operation means from the memory resources and reproducing the drive of the device according to the panel operation.
It is possible to register and manage operation histories operated by unspecified users, read them out at any time, reproduce the drive of each device within a desired operation history range, and easily verify the drive state of each device based on the operation history. In addition, it is possible to detect a device drive abnormality or the like at the time of operation history reproduction other than during image processing.

According to the fifth and eighth aspects of the present invention, in the reproducing step, a difference value between a system timer value assigned to the operation history data and a timer value of a current system timer is added when the operation history is reproduced. Since the operation history is reproduced at the time interval according to the system timer value corrected by the system, even if the current system timer value and the system timer value registered in the history are different, each operation state is timed based on the current system timer value. It can be accurately reproduced without deviation.

According to the sixth and ninth aspects of the invention, a download step of acquiring operation history data by the external device and registering the same in the memory resource, and reading the operation history data registered in the memory resource and reading the operation history data from the external device An uploading step of uploading to an apparatus, wherein the reproducing step alternately drives each device based on operation history data of another image processing apparatus obtained from an external apparatus by the downloading step, and executes another image processing apparatus. Since the operation history can be reproduced, it is possible to register the operation history data by transferring the operation history data to the other image processing apparatus while acquiring the operation history data in one image processing apparatus via the external device. Even during image processing of the device, the history operation of the currently operating image processing device can be freely reproduced using other image processing devices. Kill.

Accordingly, the drive of the device based on the operation history in the image processing apparatus is reproduced in a timely manner intended by the user, and the drive state of each device can be freely adjusted according to the operation history based on the image processing request operated by any user. Thus, it is possible to easily prepare an operation history verification environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system to which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation history information created by an operation history information storage unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation history list display screen displayed on the panel display unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation history information response data created by converting the operation history information by the control command analysis unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation history information transfer data converted by the control command analysis unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by a printing system to which the image processing apparatus according to the present invention can be applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 101 Host computer 102 Bidirectional interface control unit 103 Panel operation unit 104 Panel display unit 105 Print data analysis unit 106 Control command analysis unit 107 Operation history information storage unit 108 Printer control unit 109 System timer control unit 110 Carriage motor control unit 111 LF motor Control unit 112 Print head control unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus which analyzes image information received in communication with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, controls driving of a plurality of devices, and performs predetermined image processing. Display panel operation means for setting and inputting the image processing request of each of the above, each operation item obtained by analyzing an operation code inputted from the display panel operation means, and a timer value of a system timer obtained at the time of operation of each operation item History registering means for sequentially registering operation history data in a memory resource while assigning history numbers to the display panel, and reading operation history data registered in the memory resource based on an input history read request. Display control means for displaying an operation history list on the display panel operation means; and displaying the history from the display panel operation means on the operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means. The image processing apparatus characterized by having a reproduction means for reproducing the driving of the device according to the operation history data based on the history range to be reproduced is input by reading from the memory resource panel operation at issue. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reproducing unit adds a difference value between a system timer value assigned to the operation history data and a timer value of a current system timer when the operation history is reproduced. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation history is reproduced at intervals. 3. A download unit that acquires operation history data by the external device and registers the operation history data in the memory resource, and an upload unit that reads the operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploads the operation history data to the external device. The reproduction unit may alternately drive each device based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus obtained from the external device by the download unit to reproduce the operation history of another image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An operation history reproduction method for an image processing apparatus, which analyzes image information received by communicating with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, controls driving of a plurality of devices, and performs predetermined image processing. And an operation item obtained by analyzing an operation code input from the display panel operation means for setting and inputting a desired image processing request, and a timer value of a system timer acquired at the time of operating the operation item. A history registration step of sequentially registering the operation history data including the operation history data in the memory resource while sequentially assigning the history numbers, and reading the operation history data registered in the memory resource based on the input history read request and operating on the display panel operation means. A display step of displaying a history list, and on the operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means, the display panel operation means A reading operation history data based on a history range to be reproduced from the memory resource, and reproducing the operation of the device according to a panel operation. 5. The reproducing process according to claim 1, wherein, when the operation history is reproduced, a time according to a system timer value corrected by adding a difference value between a system timer value allocated to the operation history data and a current timer value of the system timer. 5. The operation history reproducing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the operation history is reproduced at intervals. 6. A download step of acquiring operation history data by the external device and registering the operation history data in the memory resource, and an uploading step of reading operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploading the operation history data to the external device. In the reproducing step, each device is alternately driven based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus obtained from the external apparatus in the download step, so that the operation history of another image processing apparatus can be reproduced. The method according to claim 4, wherein the operation history is reproduced. 7. A computer that controls an image processing apparatus that analyzes image information received in communication with an external device via a predetermined communication medium, controls driving of a plurality of devices, and performs predetermined image processing. A storage medium storing a readable program, wherein each operation item obtained by analyzing an operation code input from a display panel operation means for setting and inputting a desired image processing request and obtained at the time of operation of each operation item A history registration step of sequentially registering operation history data including a timer value of a system timer to a memory resource while assigning a history number to the memory resource, and storing the operation history data registered in the memory resource based on an input history read request. A display step of reading out an operation history list on the display panel operation means, and an operation history list displayed on the display panel operation means, A reproduction step of reading operation history data based on a history range to be reproduced, which is input with the history number from the display panel operation means, from the memory resource and reproducing the drive of the device according to a panel operation. A storage medium that stores a computer-readable program. 8. The reproduction process according to claim 1, wherein, when the operation history is reproduced, a time according to a system timer value corrected by adding a difference value between a system timer value assigned to the operation history data and a timer value of a current system timer. 8. The storage medium storing a computer-readable program according to claim 7, wherein the operation history is reproduced at intervals. 9. A download step of acquiring operation history data by the external device and registering the operation history data in the memory resource, and an uploading step of reading operation history data registered in the memory resource and uploading the operation history data to the external device. In the reproducing step, each device is alternately driven based on the operation history data of another image processing apparatus obtained from the external apparatus in the download step, so that the operation history of another image processing apparatus can be reproduced. A storage medium storing a computer readable program according to claim 7.