JP2001268296A - Multi-functional printer of built-in computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve problems of a conventional copying machine having a copy function and facsimile functions that has required a considerable number of persons for maintenance management that is in general made by a rental company such as maintenance management of the machine itself and management of the accessories and has had to need many company employees for a receipt jobs such as calculation of the utility charge. SOLUTION: This invention provides the novel computer incorporated type multi-functional printer newly developed that can conduct a copy function, a print function and Internet communication by incorporating a computer to a conventional printer and integrating Internet communication functions. Thus, the computer can immediately compute consumed amounts of copy paper and the utility charge or the like and transmit the result to a management company via the Internet communication. The printer also has a communication function, that instructs how to repair on a Web menu on the occurrence of a fault or makes automatic contact with a maintenance manager. The utility charge can be settled over the Internet by a credit card or the like.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a control section for controlling a printer function in a device outer casing, which includes a display for operating the device and a scanner for copying a copy original sheet. An object of the present invention is to provide a new multifunction printer with a built-in computer in which an Internet communication unit for transmitting and receiving external digital data, a controller unit including a microcomputer, and a network computer connection router are built in one device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copy-only machine or a fax-only machine has been used in accordance with individual applications, but in later developments these devices share a copy function and a fax function with one device. It became possible and spread to the market.

Further, with the recent development of Internet communication, Internet-compatible copying machines have been developed as digital copying machines for copying digital data. Among them, JP-A-10-16354, "Internet compatible printer", JP-A-10-320316, "Printing system and recording medium", JP-A-11-143670, "Internet information printing system", and JP-A-11-31
No. 6,672, "Internet print system" discloses a system which can output digital data received on the Internet by a printer.

[0004] The above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-16354 discloses an Internet provider Wen contracted through a modem.
b, input means for inputting an identification code such as an IP address given in advance, a link number input means for developing a web screen, and digital data from the input address and link via a modem. Take in the storage unit,
A printer that outputs necessary data by a printing unit after that is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-320316 discloses a system that can easily provide a printed matter to another person in addition to printing on its own printer.
A system is known in which when a personal computer of another computer system is selected as a destination of print data by a printer driver of the personal computer, the print data is transmitted to the other personal computer by a print mail transmission utility or the like.

As a printer used in another system, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-214163, entitled "Network-Compatible Printing Apparatus and Printing Method", receives a desired information resource by directly accessing a network without using a host computer. Then, a printer capable of printing is disclosed. In this case, the printer includes a network connection unit for connecting to the Internet and a registration unit for registering information resources on the WWW server. It is known that an access request signal is issued to actively connect to the Internet, and the obtained information resources are downloaded and printed.

Further, there is also known a multifunction device having two or more of a copy function, a facsimile function, and a printer function in one device. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-117258, "multifunction device", It discloses that a frequently used key is distinguished by attaching a simple identification member to the key so that the function can be operated.

[0008] As described above, as a printer device, a development trend has been focused on a printer device capable of quickly printing a large amount of digital data information obtained with the development of information technology.

[0009] On the other hand, in a general office or a general home, a copying apparatus having both a copying function and a facsimile function is the mainstay, and the Internet equipment is usually provided separately from these copying apparatuses. .

[0010] In particular, a company that lends a copier for business use on a rental basis also performs maintenance of the copier and collective management of accessories, and in addition to sales of copiers, to a rental management department and a maintenance department. There was a basic problem that a dedicated employee had to be left.

[0011]

As described above, with respect to printers, in recent years, Internet-compatible printers have been developed and provided with a function capable of printing a large amount of information. However, there is a problem that a considerable number of people are required for maintenance.

Another problem is that since the copying apparatus with the fax function and the printer apparatus are installed almost separately, it is natural that the manufacturing side also has to manufacture them individually. For example, when sending information searched by an Internet terminal to another person,
There was a problem that if the other party did not join the Internet, it had to be sent by fax or mail.

In particular, in the use management of the copying apparatus, the maintenance department is informed of the payment of a fee after use, the management of accessories such as copy paper and toner, and the failure of the apparatus by using a telephone line each time. There was a fundamental problem that had to be.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention incorporates a copier and a computer in a conventional printer, and a new computer-incorporated type having a copy function, a printer function, a communication function, and an office management function in one device. A multi-function printer is provided.

That is, a first aspect of the present invention is to provide a multifunction printer in which functions such as copying and a printer are incorporated in one apparatus, and a display for operating the apparatus and a scanner for copying a copy original sheet in an outer casing of the apparatus. Computer, characterized in that it has a built-in copying unit, a control unit for controlling a printer function inside the apparatus, an Internet communication unit for transmitting and receiving external digital data, and a controller unit comprising a microcomputer. This is a multi-function printer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the display in the copying section changes a screen to detail items of each function sequentially by selecting a copy operation function, a printer operation function, and an Internet communication operation function on a touch panel screen. 2. A multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1, wherein:

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control unit for controlling the printer function includes a control unit equipped with a plurality of color management systems, and a storage unit for storing color information input from scanning. And a rotating loader for sequentially rotating the paper, and a color LBP engine interlocking a mechanism for discharging the printed paper.
2 is a multifunction printer with a built-in computer.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is that the Internet communication unit has an IEEE1284 parallel, Ethernet (registered trademark) network and a Web management utility, and transmits digital data received by Internet communication to a server of a controller unit. A multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the controller section comprises:
CPU, built-in HDD, OS, IP address, router,
5. A multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1, wherein said multifunction printer is an M / C management unit having a server for storing data therein.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-function printer in which functions such as copying and printing are incorporated in one apparatus.
A display for operating the apparatus and a scanner for copying the copy original paper are provided in the outer casing of the apparatus, a control section for controlling a printer function inside the apparatus, an Internet communication section for transmitting and receiving external digital data, and a microcomputer. A multifunction printer with a built-in computer, wherein the multifunction printer has a built-in controller unit and a router for network computer connection.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the whole of the apparatus of the present invention. The upper outer housing of the present invention is provided with a copying unit including a display including a liquid crystal type touch panel screen for operating the apparatus and a scanner for copying a copy original sheet.

The touch panel screen has a copy function,
The printer function, the Internet communication function, the office management function, the accounting management function, and the like are displayed so that they can be selected, and the computer is set so that the panel screen changes sequentially according to the detailed items of the selected function.

The copying section provided at the upper part of the apparatus is designed so that a normal copying operation can be performed. When copying one sheet at a time, the upper lid of the copying section is raised and the copying is performed on the copying surface. In order to copy face-to-face and to perform continuous copying, copying is sequentially performed using a sending device that sends sheets one by one.

A control unit for controlling the printer, an Internet communication unit for performing Internet communication, and a computer for managing various data are built in the apparatus.

The control unit for controlling the printer function recognizes the colors of the three primary colors obtained by rotating the color scanner of the copying unit three times and records the colors on the recording unit. It has the function of printing and outputting. Color LBP to perform these functions
Interacts with the engine and the printer unit consisting of multiple color management systems.

The printer unit uses a commercially available A3 color LBP (LASER BeamPrinter) engine of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. In this case, the resolution is up to 2400 × 6.
The paper size is 00 dpi, and the usable paper size is the same as that of a commercially available printer including an extra large size.

The printing speed when this printer is used is 4 sheets / min for A4 size horizontal color and 16 sheets / min for A4 size black and white, even when compared with a normal printer.
It can be printed quickly.

The color management function includes:
It can be used in accordance with commercial products such as ICC Profiles, Windows (registered trademark) ICM and Color Sync 2.0.

An internet communication unit for connecting to a WWW server or the like storing external various digital data is provided inside the apparatus, and a web terminal is built in the communication unit via an interface, and various types of servers are provided. It has a structure that can communicate with the Internet.

As an interface (I / F) for transmitting information, a bidirectional parallel (IEEE P1284) standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and an Ethernet (LAN) adapter for network compatibility are available. Registered trademark)
10/10 / BaseT / TX was used.

The Internet communication according to the present invention uses S
As a controller for OHO, PHS (Per
Sonal Handyphone System) is connected to a public line modem. On the other hand, as a controller for large enterprises, a personal computer is connected to the LAN to support LAN.

In this case, a modem is attached to the outer surface of the apparatus, and a dial-up IP (Internet Protocol) connection is made to contract with a provider to give an IP address. When necessary, Internet communication is performed to receive necessary digital data information.

A control unit comprising a microcomputer is provided as a function for storing the obtained digital data in a built-in server, printing the contents thereof, and managing the number of prints. , CPU, memory, RIP, OS, font, etc. are specified and mounted.

The function of each part will be described below.
The PU (Central Processing Unit) plays a central role in processing in a computer system. In the present invention, a 350 MHz (trade name: AMD K6-2) CP manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
U is used.

The memory as a device for storing data includes digital data obtained through Internet communication using a standard 256 MB (maximum 512 MB) memory, management data for copy operation, and communication for communication with a maintenance service. This is a capacity capable of storing data and the like and storing communication history.

RIP (Raster Image Processor) is Po
A hardware part that converts a command of stScript into a raster image is referred to. In the present invention, a product name Adobe PostS developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. of the United States is used.
crpt3 (Version 3011.103) was used. other than this,
Canon LIPS (LBP Image P
rocessing System) or PCL6.

As an OS (Operation System) which is a program for performing the computer system management of the present invention, embedded Windows NT (Windows New Technology) which is the highest OS of Microsoft Corporation in the United States was used. It is characterized by non-preemptive multitasking, multithreading, multiuser security, a high-performance file system, and the adoption of Unicode.

The fonts that are installed as standard on the computer used in the present invention are Japanese PostScript fonts (Morisawa CID2 typeface) co-developed by Japanese typesetting machine maker Morisawa, and European fonts are called PS3 standard 136 typefaces. .

Further, the controller unit optionally expresses HP-GL / 2 / RTL, DXF (Drawing Interchange Format) which is a data format capable of expressing three-dimensional data developed by Autodesk in the United States, and two-dimensional data. Raster image filters (TIF
F, SunRaster, XWD, GIF, SGI, JPEG, BMP, etc.), custom filters, UNIX (registered trademark) utility, etc. can be used.

A network according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises:
A plurality of terminals are connected to the multi-function printer of the present invention by connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network) via a router. Digital data information obtained by each terminal is stored in a server.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to examples.

[0042]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multifunctional printer 1 of the present invention. A display 2 having a touch panel screen for operating the apparatus and a copy original sheet are provided on an upper housing of the present invention. A copying section including a scanner 4 for copying is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display 2 composed of the touch panel screen has a copy function, a printer function, an Internet communication function, an office management function,
The computer is set so that the accounting management function or the like can be selected and the panel screen is sequentially changed according to the detailed items of the selected function.

The scanner 4 provided at the upper part of the apparatus is designed so that a normal copying operation can be performed. When copying one sheet at a time, the upper lid 3 of the copying section is raised and the copy is performed on the copy surface. For continuous copying, the copying is performed sequentially using a sending device that sends sheets one by one.

As shown in FIG. 3, a control section 5 for controlling the printer, an Internet communication section 6 for communicating with an external server, and a micro-computer for managing the obtained data and the like are provided inside the apparatus. The control unit 7 includes a computer.

The control unit 5 for controlling the printer function
Are four primary colors (C, M, Y, K) or three primary colors (Re) obtained by rotating the color scanner of the copying section three times.
(d, Green, Black) are recognized and recorded in the color recording unit 8, and then the designated paper is printed and output via the loader 9 of the printer unit. Multiple color management systems are used to perform these functions.

In the printer section, a commercially available color LBP (LASER Beam Printer) compatible with A3 Novi of Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
Although the engine is used, the resolution in this case is up to 2
The paper size is 400 × 600 dpi, and usable paper sizes are the same as those of a commercially available printer, including an extra large size.

The printing speed when this printer is used is 4 sheets / min for A4 size horizontal color and 16 sheets / min for A4 size black and white, even when compared with a normal printer.
It can be printed quickly.

Color management systems (ICC Profile, Windows ICM, ColorSync) include commercially available products such as ICC Profiles and Windows ICM.
It can be used in accordance with M or Color Sync 2.0.

The Internet communication unit 6, which can transmit and receive to and from an external WWW server, has an I
An EEE1284 parallel, WEB management utility is provided, and a mechanism for directly working with digital data on the apparatus of the present invention is provided.

As communication equipment, a simple PHS terminal, a PHS for WEB connection, or an intelligent PHS adapter incorporating a personal computer function is used. Address, map display, instruction to serviceman, details of failure, interactive remote diagnosis, adjustment, toner remaining amount grasp, meter charge billing, grasp,
It is softwareized to enable Internet FAX.

The control unit 7 which plays a central role in the device of the present invention
In the United States, there is a 35
It has a 0MHz CPU, built-in HDD (3.2GB standard), and Ethernet network, and plays a central role in this device.

Each operation of the present invention was performed as follows.
First, as the copy function, copying is performed using the copy unit provided at the upper part of the outer case of this device. In this case, the number of copy papers used, copy paper used as accessories, and consumption parts such as toner are used. The number of each sheet is counted and managed by the computer, and is discriminated according to the number of sheets used and the fee for use, and is transmitted to the computer of the sales company or the rental company every time it is used by Internet communication.

In this case, as a memory as a device for storing data, a standard 256 MB (maximum 512 MB) memory installed in the control unit 7 is used.
It is responsible for storing copy operation management data, data for communication with the maintenance service, digital data obtained through Internet communication, and the like, and storing communication history.

Digital data information obtained by performing Internet communication is temporarily stored in a server built in the control unit of the apparatus of the present invention via the communication / input / output device interface of the Internet communication unit 6, but is desired to be printed. In this case, a copy unit of Fuji Xerox's A3 color LBP (LASER Beam
With the function of the (Printer) engine, it is possible to print, in color or monochrome, those of the same size as commercially available printers, including oversized ones.

In the maintenance management for this print, the number of copies and the number of copies for each use, including copy paper and toner, which are accessories, are also determined by the CPU of the control unit. The data is counted and managed by the computer, and is transmitted to the computer of the sales company or the rental company every time it is used by the Internet, while being distinguished by the number of sheets used and the fee.

In this apparatus, RIP (Raster Image Processes)
product name A developed by Adobe Systems, Inc.
dobe PostScript3 (Version 3011.103)
Used, but LIPS manufactured by Canon with equivalent capabilities
(LBP Image Processing System) or PCL6.

The computer system management of the apparatus of the present invention uses an embedded window NT (Windows New Technology), which is the highest OS of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, as an OS (Operation System) as a program, and an interface for transmitting information. (I / F) is a bidirectional parallel (IEE) standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
E P1284) and Ethernet 10 / 100BaseT / T which is a LAN adapter for network compatibility
X was used.

By adopting the bidirectional parallel as the interface (I / F), the two-way communication function becomes possible and the Internet facsimile service can be performed, so that the obtained color information can be transmitted from the user or the remote print function can be used. Now you can do it.

As for the color management function,
Although a commercially available ICC profile is used, it can also be used in accordance with Windows ICM and Color Sync 2.0.

Further, the controller section 7 has an optional HP-GL / 2 / RTL, DXF (Drawing Interchange Format), which is a data format capable of expressing three-dimensional data developed by Autodesk, USA, and expresses two-dimensional data. Raster image filters (T
IFF, SunRaster, XWD, GIF, SGI, JPEG, BMP, etc.), custom filters, UNIX utilities, etc. can be used.

The Internet communication according to the present invention uses R
s232cPORt communication function, communication Protco
Simple PHS (Personal Handyphone S)
ystem) using a public line modem.

In this case, as the software processing, the address, the map display, the instruction to the service 10,000, the grasp of the contents of the failure, and the like are communicated to the server via the Internet using the public line directly without passing through the Web. It is possible to deal with it.

[0064]

Embodiment 2 A multifunction printer according to another embodiment of the present invention is further connected to a device shown in Embodiment 1 through a LAN (Local Area Network) via a router to connect a plurality of terminals to the apparatus of the present invention. A multifunction printer is connected.

As a result, digital data obtained by Internet communication from one terminal and stored in the server can be pulled out on the screen by another terminal, and the content can be confirmed to be used as a pudding.

The copy function and the printer function are the same as those in the first embodiment. The maintenance management and the accounting management are also performed by the computer of the control unit. Was able to receive the request.

The Internet communication is performed by providing an E-mail address in the Internet communication unit.
B enables bidirectional communication, but in order to perform such communication, the external controller with built-in RIP
A public line modem incorporating a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) for EB connection is used.

In this case, as software processing, in addition to an address, a map display, an instruction to the service 10,000, grasping of the contents of the failure, etc., interactive remote diagnosis, adjustment, toner remaining grasp, meter charging, etc. Management of billing, grasping, etc. became possible.

Further, by connecting to an NTT service, an Internet FAX function is added to enable remote printing. This makes it possible to support color fax and CALS.

Further, since the apparatus of the present invention is provided with an identification device such as a credit card or a prepaid card, a request for a monthly usage fee or a repair fee is transmitted when transmitted via the Internet communication. When I paid with my own credit card, the receipt was sent separately and was output and saved.

[0071]

From the viewpoint of the rental company, the effect of the present invention can be greatly reduced in the number of service personnel, which was always required in the past, and the inventory per real time sales of consumables can be aggregated online. It was possible to proceed with optimization, and we were able to respond quickly to customers.

Since this tabulation can be performed for each region, business type, customer, and the like, there is an advantage that service sales can be tabulated in real time.

Also, the inspectors required to manage the usage fee, the accounting staff who manages and informs the usage fee, etc., can automatically perform the management by Internet communication and make digital card payments. This has the effect of significantly reducing the number of employees.

Further, since the failure diagnosis of the device itself can be automatically performed, the communication can be instantaneously notified to the jurisdiction center by the communication mechanism, so that the maintenance person who has received the notification automatically moves within the service area. In addition to being able to respond to customers, it also has the effect of making device adjustments on the Web screen.

On the other hand, from the user's point of view, a printer and a copier which are conventionally compatible with the Internet are different from each other.
Since the functions are integrated into one unit, the information obtained on the Internet can be printed not only by one's own printer but also transmitted to another person's personal computer via the Internet, eliminating the need for a normal fax function. .

From the manufacturer's point of view, a printer and a copier that had been manufactured separately in the past can be shared by a single device, so that they have an advantage over other companies in marketability. In addition, it has the advantage that it can be applied to information technology related to newly using a computer.

In particular, it is possible to carry out an ISP business such as a provider business and a financial accounting service and a pay site information service using the Web by using the Internet communication incorporated in the multifunctional printer manufactured by the company.

As the above-mentioned communication function, since the two-way communication function is incorporated, an Internet facsimile service can also be performed, so that the obtained color information can be transmitted from the user or remote printing can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the entire apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing function selection of a touch panel scene of the apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Printer main body 2 Display (liquid crystal) 3 Upper cover 4 Scanner 5 Control unit 6 Internet communication unit 7 Control Unit 8: Color storage unit 9: Loader 10: Discharge tray 11: Printing paper transporter 12: Paper tray 13: Internet 14: Server

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B021 AA01 AA19 AA30 BB01 BB02 PP04 5B089 GA13 JA35 JB14 KA01 KA05 KA15 KB12 LB12 5C062 AA05 AA13 AA29 AA35 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AC02 AC04 AC05 AC38 AC40 AE15A35A DA02 EA05 EA14 EB05 FA05 FA23 FB34

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A multi-function printer in which functions such as copying and printing are incorporated in a single device, a copying unit comprising a display for operating the device and a scanner for copying copy original paper in an outer casing of the device. A multifunction printer with a built-in computer, comprising a control unit for controlling a printer function inside the apparatus, an Internet communication unit for transmitting and receiving external digital data, and a controller unit including a microcomputer. 2. The display in the copying section is characterized in that the screen sequentially changes to detailed items of each function by selecting a copy operation function, a printer operation function, and an Internet communication operation function on a touch panel screen. The multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1. 3. A control unit for controlling the printer function includes a control unit equipped with a plurality of color management systems, a storage unit for storing color information input from scanning, and sequentially rotating paper. 3. The multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1, further comprising: a rotating loader for rotating the printer; and a color LBP engine that interlocks with a mechanism for discharging printed paper. 4. The Internet communication unit according to claim 1, wherein:
4. The multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1, further comprising a management utility for 284 parallel, Ethernet network, and WEB, and transmitting digital data received by Internet communication to a server of a controller unit. 5. The controller section includes a CPU, a built-in HD,
5. The multifunction printer with a built-in computer according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction printer is an M / C management unit including a D, an OS, an IP address, a router, and a server for storing data. 6. A multi-function printer in which functions such as copying and a printer are incorporated in one apparatus, a display for operating the apparatus and a scanner for copying a copy original sheet are provided in an outer casing of the apparatus. Is a computer built-in type multi-function device having a built-in control unit for controlling a printer function, an Internet communication unit for transmitting and receiving external digital data, a controller unit comprising a microcomputer, and a router for connecting a network computer. Function printer.