JP2001249789A - Print control device, printing system, connection information acquisition method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] A print control that enables a user to continue using a print service without requesting repair of a printer adapter by realizing prompt recovery of user information on the printer adapter. An apparatus, a printing system, a connection information acquisition method, and a storage medium are provided. A printer adapter is an adapter I.
A ROM 2105 having an adapter information area for storing D, etc., a program area for storing software, a user information area for storing a user ID, etc., and a connection to the application server 105 when it is determined that the user information area of the ROM 2105 has been destroyed. And adapter ID
And a microcomputer 2102 for performing control to recover the user information by acquiring the user information corresponding to the user information and storing the acquired user information in the ROM 2105.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing control apparatus, a printing system, a connection information obtaining method, and a storage medium, and more particularly, to a printer adapter connected to a server via a communication line and connected to a printer. Print control device, print system including print control device, printer, server, communication terminal, etc., connection information acquisition method applied to print control device, and connection information acquisition method applied to print control device And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an e-mail service and a network print service are completely different services and have not been linked. In particular, mobile phones and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) having an e-mail function do not have a print function, and when printing an e-mail to be recorded, a PC (Personal Compu
ter), the e-mail had to be transferred to a mail address having the client as a client, and had to be printed by a printer connected to the PC. Therefore, mobile phones and PDAs
E-mail users who only have e-mail have no means to print the e-mail they receive.

[0003] Also, a file can be attached to an e-mail, but it is necessary to execute an application program on a PC to open the file.
Therefore, in the case of an e-mail user using a mobile phone or a PDA without the function of executing an application program, there is no means for referring to the received attached file.

As described above, an e-mail user who uses a mobile phone or a PDA without a printing function cannot print even if an e-mail to be recorded is received. In addition, there is a problem that an e-mail user using a mobile phone, a PDA, or the like that cannot execute the application program cannot refer to the contents and additional information of a file attached to the e-mail.

In view of the above problems, there is provided an application server that converts print data into print data, a printer adapter that receives print data from the application server via a communication network, and converts the received print data into a data format of a printer interface. The present applicant has proposed a print system including a printer for printing print data sent from a printer adapter. In this printing system, an e-mail user using a mobile phone or PDA without a printing function,
An e-mail to be recorded is transferred by specifying a printer to an application server registered in advance by a user. The application server receiving the e-mail converts the received print content into print data suitable for the designated printer. Then, the application server transmits the print data to the printer adapter of the designated printer using the communication network. The printer adapter performs protocol conversion on the transmitted print data, and the printer connected to the printer adapter performs printout.

Further, a plurality of application programs for opening an attached file are installed in the application server in advance. An e-mail user using a mobile phone or PDA that does not have the function to open an attached file instructs an e-mail attached to a file whose contents are to be attached to a pre-registered application server to print the attached file. And specify the printer and transfer. The application server receiving the e-mail starts the application program corresponding to the attached file and opens the attached file. Further, the application server converts the contents of the opened attached file into print data suitable for the designated printer. Then, the application server transfers the print data,
Sends to the printer adapter of the specified printer using the communication network. The printer adapter performs protocol conversion on the transmitted print data, and the printer connected to the printer adapter performs printout.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, the printer adapter needs to be connected to an application server via a communication network, and stores information for connection. Since this connection information includes the unique information of the user, it is stored as user information in the rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory of the printer adapter. Further, the printer adapter is often carried together with a mobile phone or a PDA, and is often exposed to a severe environment. It is not unusual that user information stored in the nonvolatile semiconductor memory of the printer adapter is destroyed. If the user information is destroyed, the printer adapter cannot connect to the application server, so the user must bring or send the printer adapter to a service center and rewrite the user information. During this time, the user cannot receive the print service.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and realizes quick recovery of user information on a printer adapter so that a user can use a print service without requesting repair of the printer adapter. It is an object of the present invention to provide a print control device, a print system, a connection information acquisition method, and a storage medium that can continue to be performed.

[0009]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing control apparatus which is connected to a higher-level apparatus via a communication medium and is connected to a printing apparatus. A first connection unit for receiving the print data and a second connection unit for receiving the external connection information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage unit for storing internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data; When it is determined that the stored internal connection information is destroyed, control means for controlling the second connection means to connect to the host device to obtain external connection information and recover the internal connection information. It is characterized by having.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the control means determines that the internal connection information stored in the storage means has been destroyed, the second connection means. To connect to the higher-level device, obtain external connection information corresponding to a preset print control device ID, and store the obtained external connection information in the storage unit, thereby performing control for recovering internal connection information. It is characterized by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the internal connection information includes a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control adapted to a user environment. And the external connection information is the print control device ID.
The user information is registered in the upper device in association with the user information.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public line network including a radio line network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. I do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a host device having a server function, a printing device for printing on a recording medium, and a printing device connected to the host device via a communication medium. A print control device connected to the print control device, wherein the print control device has a first connection means for receiving normal print data and a second connection means for receiving external connection information It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7, wherein the print control device stores internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data. And when the internal connection information stored in the storage unit is determined to be destroyed, the second connection unit connects to the host device to acquire external connection information and recover the internal connection information. And control means for performing the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the control means of the print control device determines that the internal connection information stored in the storage means has been destroyed. The external connection information corresponding to the preset print control device ID is obtained by connecting to the higher-level device by the second connection unit, and the obtained external connection information is stored in the storage unit to recover the internal connection information. Is performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the internal connection information includes a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, The external connection information included in the higher-level device is user information registered in the higher-level device in association with the print control device ID. .

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public network including a radio network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like, and , The printing device, the print control device,
Mobile communication terminal, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
s), and is applicable to a system having an external provider that mediates between the communication medium and the Internet.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 11 is a connection information acquisition method applied to a print control device connected to a host device via a communication medium and connected to a printing device. A first connection step of receiving normal print data and a second connection step of receiving external connection information.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage device for storing internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data; When it is determined that the stored internal connection information is destroyed, a control step of connecting to the higher-level device by the second connection step to obtain external connection information and perform control to recover the internal connection information. It is characterized by having.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the control step, when it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storing step is destroyed,
By connecting to the higher-level device in the second connection step and obtaining external connection information corresponding to a preset print control device ID, storing the obtained external connection information in the storage step, thereby obtaining internal connection information. The recovery control is performed.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the internal connection information includes a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control adapted to the environment of the user. And the external connection information is the print control device I.
D is user information registered in the upper device in association with D.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public network including a radio network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 executes a connection information acquisition method applied to a print control device connected to a host device via a communication medium and connected to a printing device. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program, wherein the connection information acquisition method controls a first connection step of controlling to receive normal print data and a control of receiving external connection information. And a second connection step.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the connection information acquisition method stores internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data. A storing step of controlling, and when it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storing step is destroyed, the external connection information is obtained by connecting to the host device by the second connection step to obtain the internal connection information. And a control step of controlling so as to recover

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 18, wherein in the control step, when it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storage step is destroyed, the second connection step To obtain the external connection information corresponding to the preset print control device ID, and store the obtained external connection information in the storing step to restore the internal connection information. It is characterized by the following.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 19 is characterized in that the internal connection information includes a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control adapted to the environment of the user. And the external connection information is the print control device I.
D is user information registered in the upper device in association with D.

[0028] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public network including a radio network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network or the like. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 21 converts print data received from a server that creates print data based on received electronic mail into a format that can be processed by a printer, and converts the converted data to a printer. A printing control device for outputting to the user information area, when the user information area is abnormal, connecting to the user information registration center, downloading the user information and, if it can be corrected, controlling the processing to proceed to normal processing. And

[0030] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 22 is characterized in that, when an information area other than the user information area is abnormal, control is performed so as to proceed to abnormal processing.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, when the user information area is abnormal, the control means connects to a user information registration center, downloads the user information, and if the user information cannot be corrected, It is characterized in that control is performed to proceed to abnormal processing.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 24 is characterized in that the information other than the user information includes a program area or a print control apparatus information area.

[0033]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention. The print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal (hereinafter referred to as P
DA) 101, mobile communication terminal 102, external provider 104, application server 105, mobile communication terminal 107, printer adapter 108, printer 109
Is provided. In the figure, 103 is a communication network,
106 is the Internet.

The above configuration is described in detail.
It is a portable information device that can send and receive e-mails and display its contents. The communication network 103 is a public telephone line, ISDN (Integated Service Digital Network).
twork: an integrated digital communication network) and a communication network such as a satellite communication network. In the embodiment of the present invention, a public network including a radio network is assumed. Mobile communication terminal 1
A portable communication terminal 02 has a function of connecting the communication line network 103 and the PDA 101.

The external provider 104 mediates between the Internet 106, which is a logical space, and the communication network 103. In addition, the external provider 104
Manage and manage 1 email account. In addition, the external provider 104 uses the PDA with a predetermined protocol.
101, and can transmit and receive mail data under the control of the PDA 101. The printer 109
A printing device that performs printing based on the data format converted by the printer adapter 108. Mobile communication terminal 107
Is a portable communication terminal having a function of connecting the communication line network 103 and the printer adapter 108.

The printer adapter 108 is connected to the printer 10
9, a connection printer 109 is determined, an error state of the printer 109 is recognized by an interface with the printer 109, a status such as a status of the printer 109 and a communication state are notified to the application server 105, a mobile communication terminal. 107, call to application server 105 according to user operation, incoming call from application server 105 and automatic call according to instruction, application server 105
Authentication processing, transmission processing of received print data to the printer 109 in accordance with a predetermined protocol, and the like.

The application server 105 has a function of communicating with the printer 109 using a predetermined protocol, and stores various unique information such as a mail account, a telephone number, and a type of the printer associated with each of the plurality of printers. It is managed and operated. Further, the application server 105 transmits / receives mail to / from the PDA 101 or the like via the communication network 103 or the Internet 106, determines the content of the received mail, and performs various services (printing / attaching file of mail text / file attachment) according to the determination result. Of URL and its printing / attachment URL (Uniform Resource Locato
r) acquisition and printing of the address specified in step r), conversion of the print target into information suitable for the specified printer (eg, printer 109), connection with the printer adapter 108 (internet connection, communication network depending on the state) 103, a call to the telephone 103, an incoming call from the communication network 103), authentication,
It exchanges print data, processes errors of the printer adapter 108 and the printer 109, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows a printer adapter 10 of the print service system shown in FIG. 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the electrical configuration of FIG. The printer adapter 108 of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a communication terminal interface 2101, a microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 2102, a user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as U / I) 2103, a printer interface 2104, a ROM 2105, RAM
2106, a power supply 2107, an internal bus 2108, a switch SW (1) 2112, a switch SW (2) 2110, and a switch SW (3) 2111. In the figure, 107 is a portable communication terminal, and 109 is a printer.

In detail, the printer adapter 108 in this embodiment is connected to the portable communication terminal 107 via the communication terminal interface 2101, and the communication terminal interface 2101 is connected to the internal bus 2108. The communication terminal interface 2101 absorbs a difference in electrical characteristics when connecting different communication terminals and connects to the internal bus 2108. That is, the printer adapter 108
Is for converting a protocol of a communication interface such as PHS into a protocol of the printer 109 such as a Centronics interface.

The printer 109 is connected to the internal bus 2 of the printer adapter 108 via a printer interface 2104.
Connect to 108. In this embodiment, the printer adapter 1
08 and the printer 109 are IEEE (Institute of Elect)
rical and Electronic Engineers) 1284 interface. The internal bus 2108 includes a microcomputer 2102 that controls the entire operation, a ROM 2105 that is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that stores an internal operation program and also stores setting contents such as user information, a program execution area, and temporary storage of transmission / reception data. RAM 21 to perform
06, U / I 2103 which is a user interface for performing user operations and displaying to the user is connected.

The microcomputer 2102 executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 9 based on a program of the present invention described later. The U / I 2103 includes a switch SW (1) 2112 for controlling the power supply and a switch SW (2) 21 for controlling the portable communication terminal 107 and the printer 109.
10, a switch SW (3) 2111 is additionally provided. Three-color LED (1) built in U / I2103
2114 and the LED (2) 2115 notify the user of the status of the printer adapter 108.

The ROM 2105 is a read-only memory composed of a rewritable non-volatile semiconductor memory, and additional software can be changed. At this time, a new protocol can be added. An external interface unit provided in the portable communication terminal 107 controls outgoing, incoming, and disconnection of the printer adapter 108 with the communication network 103 from outside via the communication terminal interface 2101. Then, the microcomputer 210
2 controls the mobile communication terminal 107 via the communication terminal interface 2101, such as calling, receiving, and disconnecting.
In addition, the mobile communication terminal 107 has its own telephone number and incoming call information (RING information, incoming telephone number, mobile communication terminal 1).
(Status of 07) ・ Print-related data is output to the communication terminal interface 2101. Thus, the printer adapter 108 can acquire various information such as the telephone number of the mobile communication terminal 107.

The application server 105 and the portable communication terminal 107 are both connected to the communication network 103. When the mobile communication terminal 107 is a wireless communication terminal, the mobile communication terminal 107 is connected to the communication network 103 via a wireless base station. The printer adapter 108 performs a process of calling the mobile communication terminal 107 via the communication terminal interface 2101 to the telephone number of the communication control device on the application server 105 side. The mobile communication terminal 107 is a communication network 103
Attempt to connect with the above phone number. The connection establishment here follows the method of the communication network 103. The communication control device on the application server 105 side is the mobile communication terminal 107
, The connection on the communication network 103 is completed.

The ROM 2105 downloads new software via the communication terminal interface 2101 or the printer interface 2104 and rewrites an internal program. The ROM 2105 also stores telephone numbers, adapter IDs, user information, and the like necessary for connection, and can be similarly changed. The microcomputer 2102 has a performance of realizing a modem and a protocol by software. A power supply 2107 is a power supply for operating the printer adapter 108.

The ROM 2105 is a rewritable ROM such as a flash ROM, and can perform erasing and writing in blocks of a fixed size. In this embodiment, RO
M2105 independent block contains printer adapter 1
08, an adapter information area for storing an adapter ID which is a unique number of 08, a program area for storing software for controlling the printer adapter 108, and a printer adapter 1
08, a user information area for storing information of the user who uses it is allocated and used.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of division of the area of the ROM 2105 of the printer adapter 108 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an illustration of the adapter information area of the ROM 2105 of the printer adapter 108 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the user information area of the ROM 2105 of the printer adapter 108 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The ROM area shown in FIG.
01, a user information area 302, and a program area 303. 4 includes an adapter ID 401, a registration password 402, a registration center number 403, a standby timeout time 404, an update ID 405, an update password 406, and a checksum 407. 5 includes a user ID 501, a server number list entry number 502, a server number list 503, a default access point 504, and a data reception timeout time 50.
5, and a checksum 506.

In the adapter information area 301, an adapter ID which is a unique number of the printer adapter 108, a connection number of the registration center of the application server 105,
Information necessary for managing the entire printer adapter 108, such as a connection password, is written. Once written at the time of shipment of the printer adapter, it is not changed thereafter. The user information area 302 stores a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control information according to the environment of the user.

When the user information is destroyed, it becomes impossible to connect to the server correctly. In the embodiment of the present invention, the power of the printer adapter 108 is turned on, the validity of the user information area 302 is checked in the initialization processing when the operation is started, and it is determined that the user information area 302 is destroyed. Then, the application server 105 is executed in a sequence different from the normal print data transfer sequence.
And downloads the user information registered in the application server 105 to the user information area 30.
2 and returns to the normal print data transfer sequence.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which the program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to the apparatus. The program and related data of the present invention are stored in a storage medium drive insertion slot 1103 provided in the device 1102 by storing a storage medium 1101 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM.
Supplied to After that, the program and the related data of the present invention are temporarily installed on the hard disk from the storage medium 1101 and loaded into the RAM from the hard disk, or directly loaded into the RAM without being installed on the hard disk, so that the program and the related data of the present invention are stored. It is possible to execute.

In this case, when the program of the present invention is executed in the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is applied to the printer adapter 108 via an apparatus such as a computer as shown in FIG. By supplying the program and related data of the present invention or storing the program and related data of the present invention in the printer adapter 108 in advance, the program can be executed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the storage contents of the storage medium storing the program and related data of the present invention. The storage medium of the present invention is, for example, volume information 1
001, directory information 1002, program execution file 1003, program-related data file 100
4 and the like. The program of the present invention
This is program-coded based on flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 described later.

The correspondence between the components in the claims of the present invention and the components in the embodiments of the present invention is as follows. The communication medium corresponds to the communication network 103, the first connection means and the second connection means correspond to the function of the program executed by the microcomputer 2102 of the printer adapter 108, and the control means corresponds to the printer adapter 108.
The storage means corresponds to the ROM 2105 of the printer adapter 108. The print control device corresponds to the printer adapter 108, and the host device corresponds to the application server 105.

Next, the operation of the printer adapter 108 of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 and FIGS.
This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the procedure of processing related to the initialization of the printer adapter 108. When a switch SW (1) 2112, which is a power switch of the printer adapter 108, is turned on, an initialization process shown in this flowchart is started. In the initialization process, the process starts from the self-diagnosis of the printer adapter 108. In step S6001, a system check for checking ports and registers in the printer adapter 108 is performed.
In step S6002, the result of the system check is determined, and if it is determined that there is an abnormality, the process jumps to the abnormality processing in step S6004. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, the process advances to step S6003.

In step S6003, the ROM 2105
Checksum is checked. A checksum is written in the ROM 2105 in advance, and by checking the checksum, it is checked whether the ROM 2105 has been destroyed. If it is determined in step S6005 that the ROM 2105 is abnormal, a detailed ROM check is performed in step S6013. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, step S
Proceed to 6006. In step S6013, the ROM 21
05 is checked in detail. The content of the detailed check is the focus of the present invention, and will be described later in detail. Step S6
If it is determined in 014 that the ROM 2105 is not to be modified, the process jumps to the abnormality processing in step S6004. If it is determined that the ROM 2105 has been modified, the process returns to step S6006, which is the flow of the original initialization process.

In step S6006, the RAM 2106
Confirm the capacity of. Check the capacity using the printer adapter 10
The capacity is confirmed by a data write / read check on the RAM 2106 mounted on the RAM 8. The RAM 2106 mounted on the printer adapter 108 is determined at the time of design. If the capacity at the time of design differs from the capacity at the time of actually checking the capacity, the RAM 210
6 is determined to be abnormal. In step S6007,
If it is determined to be abnormal, the process jumps to step S6004 of the abnormal process. After checking the capacity, all areas are null-cleared. The capacity confirmed here is stored in the RAM 2106 and used for a buffer overflow check at the time of receiving print data. If it is determined in step S6007 that there is no abnormality, the process advances to step S6008.

In step S6008, portable communication terminal 1
07 is correctly connected and operating. If it is determined in step S6009 that the mobile communication terminal 107 is not connected, the process jumps to step S6004 of the abnormal process. If it is determined that the mobile communication terminal 107 is connected, the process advances to step S6010. Step S
At 6010, it is checked whether the printer 109 is correctly connected and operating. At this time, the printer ID is obtained from the printer 109 by negotiation of IEEE 1284 of the printer interface 2104, and the
06. If it is determined in step S6011 that the printer 109 is not connected, the process jumps to step S6004 of the abnormal process. If it is determined that the printer 109 is connected, the flow advances to step S6012 to end the initialization processing.

When an abnormality is found in the above initialization processing (steps S6002 and S600 in FIGS. 6 and 7)
5, step S6007, step S6009, step S6011, and step S6014) enter the power-off waiting mode, and set the microcomputer 2102 to the standby mode so that only the power can be turned off by the switch SW (1) 2112.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the processing in step S6013 in FIG. 6 in detail. This process is started when it is determined that the contents of the ROM 2105 of the printer adapter 108 have been destroyed. Step S7
In 001, the validity of the program area of the ROM 2105 shown in FIG. 3 is checked. In each area shown in FIG. 3, a checksum is also written when information is written in that area. In step S7001, the checksum of the program area is checked. If it is determined in step S7002 that there is an abnormality, step S70
Jump to 08. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, the process advances to step S7003.

In step S7003, the ROM 2
The checksum of the adapter information area 105 is confirmed.
If it is determined in step S7004 that there is an abnormality, the process jumps to step S7008. If it is determined that there is no abnormality, the process proceeds to step S7005. ROM2
105 is detected when an abnormality is detected, and is not an abnormality in the adapter information area or the program information area. Therefore, it is regarded as an abnormality in the remaining user information area, and the user information download processing is performed in step S7005. Start In step S7006, it is determined whether the download processing has been correctly completed. If it is determined that the download processing has not been completed correctly, step S7
Jump to 008. If it is determined that the download process has been completed correctly, the process advances to step S7007 to update the user information together with the corrected information in FIG.
It returns to step S6014.

In the above-described ROM detailed check processing, if an abnormality other than the user information area occurs, the download of the user information fails, and the user information area cannot be corrected, the process jumps to step S7008, and the caller is called with the information that could not be corrected. The process returns to step S6014 in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the user information download process started from step S7005 in FIG. User information is stored in the application server 105
Is prepared at the user information registration center. In this embodiment, the access number of the user information registration center is written in the adapter information area on the ROM 2105 shown in FIG. In step S8001, a call is made to the user information registration center for connection. In step S8002, it is determined whether the connection to the user information registration center has been successful. If the connection to the user information registration center has failed, the process jumps to step S8008. If the connection to the user information registration center is successful, step S800
Proceed to 3.

In step S8003, when the user is connected to the user information registration center, the user information corresponding to the adapter ID is obtained using the adapter ID stored in the adapter information area shown in FIG. In step S8004, it is determined whether the acquisition of the user information has been successful. If acquisition of user information has failed, the process jumps to step S8008. If the user information has been successfully obtained, the process advances to step S8005. In step S8005, the obtained user information is written in the user information area of the ROM 2105 shown in FIG. At this time, a checksum is calculated and written to the user information area. In step S8006,
Contents written in user information area and step S80
It is checked whether the contents acquired in step 03 match, and it is determined whether or not the writing has succeeded. If the writing has failed, the process jumps to step S8008. If the writing is successful, the process proceeds to step S8007, and returns to step S7006 in FIG.

If an abnormality is detected in the above user information download processing, the flow jumps to step S8008, and returns to step S7006 in FIG.

As described above, according to the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the printer adapter 108 includes the adapter information area for storing the adapter ID and the like, and the first connection for receiving the normal print data. If it is determined that the ROM 2105 has a program area for storing software having a second connection function for receiving function / connection information, a user information area for storing a user ID and the like, and the user information area of the ROM 2105 has been destroyed, A microcomputer 2102 that connects to the application server 105 by the second connection function, acquires user information corresponding to the adapter ID, and stores the acquired user information in the ROM 2105 to perform control to recover the user information.
Therefore, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

The print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention needs to distinguish and manage individual users.
Therefore, the application server 105 stores the unique number of the printer adapter 108 used by the user and the connection information of the user. On the other hand, the program of the printer adapter 108 can extract information of another person or destroy the application server 105 due to the destruction of user information.
A check digit is added to the user information so that the line is not connected to a third party other than the above, and the validity of the user information is confirmed. If it is determined that the user information is not correct, the connection to the application server 105 is made by a connection function programmed in advance (second connection means in the claims), and the connection unique to the user stored in the application server 105 is performed. The information is downloaded, and the user information on the ROM 2105 which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory is recovered.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention,
Even if the user information area in the printer adapter 108 is destroyed, the printer adapter 108 automatically connects to the user information registration center of the application server 105, downloads the user information and repairs the user information. The above-described user information can be quickly recovered, and the user can continue using the print service without requesting repair of the printer adapter 108.

[Other Embodiments] (1) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the print service system shown in FIG. 2 has been described as an example. It is not limited to the configuration, and the number of portable communication terminals, PDAs, printers, printer adapters, and the like can be set to a desired number.

(2) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the contents of the adapter information area and the user information area in the ROM of the printer adapter are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents of FIGS. 4 and 5, and may add other information to the contents of FIGS. It is also possible to replace the part with other information.

(3) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the printing method of the printer constituting the print service system is not particularly mentioned. However, the present invention is not limited to the electrophotographic method, the ink jet method, and the thermal transfer method. method,
The present invention can be applied to printers of various printing systems such as a thermal system, an electrostatic system, and a discharge breakdown system.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, 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, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk,
A CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, or 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 and the like running on the computer are actually executed based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

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, It goes without saying that the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0077]

As described above, according to the print control apparatus of the first to fifth aspects, when it is determined that the internal connection information (user information) stored in the storage means has been destroyed, In order to perform control to connect to a higher-level device by the second connection means to obtain external connection information (user information) and recover internal connection information (user information), that is, the user information area in the print control device is destroyed. Even in this case, the print control device automatically connects to a higher-level device (for example, a user information registration center of an application server), downloads the user information, and restores the user information, so that the user information on the print control device can be quickly recovered. Can be realized, and the user can continue using the print service without requesting repair of the print control device.

According to the printing system of the sixth to tenth aspects, the printing system is composed of a host device, a printing device, a printing control device, and the like. This makes it possible to realize a quick recovery, so that the user can continue using the print service without requesting repair of the print control device.

According to the connection information acquiring method of the present invention, the connection information acquiring method is executed by the print control device, so that the user information on the print control device can be quickly recovered in the same manner as described above. Can be realized, and the user can continue using the print service without requesting repair of the print control device.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, the connection information acquisition method is read from the storage medium and executed by the print control device, so that the user information on the print control device can be read in the same manner as described above. This makes it possible to realize a quick recovery, so that the user can continue using the print service without requesting repair of the print control device.

Further, according to the print control apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to realize the quick recovery of the user information on the print control apparatus as described above.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an electrical configuration of a printer adapter of a print service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a print service system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example on a ROM of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of contents of an adapter information area in a ROM of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a content of a user information area in a ROM of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an initialization processing portion of a program of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an initialization processing portion of a program of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed ROM check process called from the initialization process of the program of the printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a user information download process called from a ROM detail check process of a program of a printer adapter of the print service system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of storage contents of a storage medium storing a program and related data of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which a program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to an apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 PDA 102, 107 Mobile communication terminal 103 Communication network 104 External provider 105 Application server 106 Internet 108 Printer adapter 109 Printer 2101 Mobile communication terminal interface 2102 Microcomputer 2104 Printer interface 2105 ROM

Claims (24)

[Claims] 1. A print control device connected to a host device via a communication medium and connected to a printing device, wherein the first control means receives normal print data, and receives external connection information. A printing control device comprising: a second connection unit. 2. A storage means for storing internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data, and when the internal connection information stored in the storage means is destroyed. 2. The print control according to claim 1, further comprising control means for performing control to connect to the higher-level device by the second connection means to acquire external connection information and recover internal connection information when the judgment is made. apparatus. 3. When the control unit determines that the internal connection information stored in the storage unit is destroyed, the control unit connects to the higher-level device by the second connection unit and performs a preset print. 3. The print control apparatus according to claim 2, wherein control is performed to acquire external connection information corresponding to the control apparatus ID and store the acquired external connection information in the storage unit to recover the internal connection information. 4. The internal connection information is information including a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control information according to the environment of the user. 4. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the print control device ID is user information registered in the higher-level device in association with the print control device ID. 5. The print control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public network including a wireless network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. 6. A printing system comprising a host device having a server function, a printing device for printing on a recording medium, and a print control device connected to the host device via a communication medium and connected to the printing device. A printing system, wherein the print control device includes a first connection unit that receives normal print data and a second connection unit that receives external connection information. 7. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein said print control device stores internal connection information for connecting to said higher-level device when receiving normal print data, and said internal connection information stored in said storage device. Control means for connecting to the higher-level device by the second connection means to obtain external connection information and to recover internal connection information when it is determined that the internal connection information has been destroyed. Item 7. The printing system according to Item 6. 8. When the control unit of the print control apparatus determines that the internal connection information stored in the storage unit has been destroyed, the control unit connects to the host device by the second connection unit. Print control device I set in advance
8. The printing system according to claim 7, wherein external connection information corresponding to D is acquired, and control is performed to restore the internal connection information by storing the acquired external connection information in the storage unit. 9. The internal connection information included in the print control apparatus is information including a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control information adapted to the environment of the user. The external connection information of the host device is the print control device ID.
9. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the user information is registered in the higher-level device in association with the user information. 10. The communication medium is a communication medium such as a public line network including a wireless line network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, etc., and the host device, the printing device, the print control device, and a mobile communication terminal. , PDA (Personal Digital Assis)
7. The printing system according to claim 6, wherein the printing system is applicable to a system including a portable information device such as a mobile phone and an external provider that mediates between the communication medium and the Internet. 11. A connection information acquisition method applied to a print control device connected to a higher-level device via a communication medium and connected to a printing device, wherein the first connection process receives normal print data. And a second connection step of receiving external connection information. 12. A storage step in which internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data is stored, and the internal connection information stored in the storage step is destroyed. 12. The connection information according to claim 11, further comprising a control step of performing a control to connect to the higher-level device by the second connection step to obtain external connection information and recover the internal connection information when the determination is made. Acquisition method. 13. In the control step, when it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storage step has been destroyed, the internal connection information is connected to the higher-level device in the second connection step and a predetermined print setting is performed. 13. The connection information acquisition method according to claim 12, wherein the external connection information corresponding to the control device ID is acquired, and the acquired external connection information is stored in the storage step to perform control for restoring the internal connection information. . 14. The internal connection information is information including a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control information according to the environment of the user. 14. The connection information acquisition method according to claim 11, wherein the connection information is user information registered in the higher-level device in association with the print control device ID. 15. The connection information acquisition method according to claim 11, wherein the communication medium is a communication medium such as a public line network including a wireless line network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. 16. A storage medium that is connected to a higher-level apparatus via a communication medium and is readable by a computer that stores a program for executing a connection information acquisition method applied to a print control apparatus connected to a printing apparatus. The connection information acquisition method includes a first connection step of controlling to receive normal print data and a second connection step of controlling to receive external connection information. Storage medium. 17. The method according to claim 17, wherein the connection information acquisition method includes a step of controlling to store internal connection information for connecting to the higher-level device when receiving normal print data;
If it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storing step is destroyed, control is performed so as to connect to the higher-level device to obtain external connection information and recover the internal connection information in the second connection step. 17. The storage medium according to claim 16, comprising: 18. In the controlling step, when it is determined that the internal connection information stored in the storing step has been destroyed, a connection is made to the higher-level device in the second connecting step, and a predetermined printing is performed. Control device ID
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising acquiring external connection information corresponding to the internal connection information, and storing the acquired external connection information in the storing step to recover the internal connection information.
7. The storage medium according to 7. 19. The internal connection information is information including a user ID for identifying a user, a number of a nearest access point used by the user, and access control information according to the environment of the user. 19. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the storage medium is user information registered in the higher-level device in association with the print control device ID. 20. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein said communication medium is a communication medium such as a public network including a radio network, an integrated digital communication network, a satellite communication network, or the like. 21. A print control device that converts print data received from a server that creates print data based on a received electronic mail into a format that can be processed by a printer, and outputs the converted data to a printer. A print control device that has control means for connecting to a user information registration center when an error occurs, downloading user information, and, if it can be corrected, controlling to proceed to normal processing. 22. The print control apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the control unit controls to proceed to abnormal processing when an information area other than the user information area is abnormal. 23. The control means controls connection to a user information registration center in a case where the user information area is abnormal, download of the user information and, if the user information area cannot be corrected, proceed to an abnormal process. The print control device according to claim 21. 24. The print control apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the information other than the user information includes a program area or a print control apparatus information area.