JP2007230000A - Image forming apparatus and image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of reducing the inconvenience of a single image forming apparatus provided with options and enabling processing according to various image forming requests while suppressing the burden of setting work. provide.
A CPU determines whether a paper feed / discharge tray designation is automatic selection in S1, and if it is automatic selection (“Y” in S1), a print size previously added to PDL data (this PDL) The information of the print size designated by the application that created the original data of the data is read, and based on each printer related information stored in the RAM 73, the printer 30 having the set print condition suitable for this print size is selected ( S2-S5).
[Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system.

Some image forming apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals, printers, and facsimiles can be provided with a plurality of paper feed cassettes and paper discharge trays as options. By providing options as described above, it is possible to print on various sizes of paper from a terminal device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus, and to sort and discharge printed paper (see Patent Document 1 below). ).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-343067

  By the way, when an image forming apparatus provided with options as described above is used, for example, when an error or failure occurs in a print job designated by a certain paper cassette, other paper feed is performed unless the error is eliminated. There arises a problem that print processing is not executed for a cassette-designated print job. On the other hand, in recent years when the image forming apparatus main body can be purchased at a low price, a plurality of image forming apparatuses in which various printing conditions (image forming conditions) are set are connected to the terminal device without having to provide an option. It may be configured to make a print request (image formation request) to the image forming apparatus according to the above. However, in this configuration, it is necessary to install all the printer drivers of the plurality of image forming apparatuses in the terminal device, which causes a problem that the setting work is troublesome.

  The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and its object is to reduce inconveniences in one image forming apparatus provided with options and to reduce various burdens of setting work. The present invention provides an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that enable processing according to the image forming request.

As a means for achieving the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the invention of claim 1 is an image forming apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal device and another image forming apparatus, respectively. Storage means for storing a plurality of related data including at least each set image forming condition, which is associated with each image forming apparatus, image data transmitted based on an image forming request in the terminal device, and requested image forming conditions Receiving means for receiving data, and selecting means for selecting an image forming apparatus that matches the requested image forming condition data based on the requested image forming condition data received by the receiving means and a plurality of related data stored in the storage means And an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data when the selection unit selects the self, and the selection unit When said other image formation apparatus is selected, comprises transfer means for transferring the image data to the selected said another image forming apparatus.
In the present invention, the “image forming apparatus” is not limited to a printing apparatus such as a printer (for example, a laser printer), but may be a facsimile machine or a multifunction machine having a printer function and a scanner function. Further, as long as the intermediate transfer body method is used, not only multi-color development but also single-color development may be used.
The “recording medium” is not limited to a paper recording medium such as paper, but may be a plastic recording medium such as an OHP sheet.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the requested image forming condition can be specified by the terminal device based on a set image forming condition corresponding to the other image forming apparatus. A transmission unit configured to transmit the related data of the other image forming apparatus stored in the storage unit to the terminal device;

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image forming apparatus further comprises operation means for setting related data of the other image forming apparatus, and is based on a setting operation by the operation means. The related data is stored in the storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, a request command for the related data is transmitted to the other image forming apparatus, and the other image forming apparatus transmits the command. An acquisition means for receiving related data is provided, and the related data received by the acquisition means is stored in the storage means.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the terminal device is notified of identification information of an image forming apparatus that has formed an image based on the image data. A notification means is provided.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, error information is notified to the terminal device when there is no image forming apparatus that conforms to the requested image forming condition data. Second notification means is provided.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system comprising: a terminal device; an image forming device as a parent device capable of communicating with the terminal device; and another image as a child device capable of communicating with the parent device. An image forming system comprising a forming apparatus, wherein the master unit is associated with each master unit and the slave unit, and a plurality of related data including at least each set image forming condition is stored. Receiving means for receiving image data and requested image forming condition data transmitted based on an image forming request in the terminal device; requested image forming condition data received by the receiving means; and a plurality of data stored in the storage means A selection unit that selects an image forming apparatus that conforms to the requested image forming condition data based on related data; and when the master unit is selected by the selection unit, based on the image data Comprising an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording medium, when the handset is selected by the selection means, and transfer means for transferring the image data to the slave unit, the.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the seventh aspect, the master unit includes a transmission unit that transmits related data of the slave unit stored in the storage unit to the terminal device. The apparatus includes display means and display control means for causing the display means to display a screen on which a request image forming condition that matches the set image forming conditions of the slave unit can be specified based on the related data from the master unit. .

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to the eighth aspect, the related data includes image forming availability data of the master unit and the slave unit, and the terminal device includes the image forming availability data. And a designation prohibiting unit that prohibits designation of a required image forming condition that conforms to a set image forming condition of an image forming apparatus that cannot perform image formation.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, an informing means for informing which of the master unit and the slave unit image formation has been performed.

<Inventions of Claims 1 and 7>
According to this configuration, the image forming apparatus of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “master unit”) is the master unit itself and another image forming apparatus capable of communicating with the master unit (hereinafter referred to as “slave unit”). A plurality of related data (for example, image forming conditions set in each apparatus such as the size of the stored recording medium and identification numbers of the respective apparatuses) are stored. When an image formation request is made on the terminal device side, image data and requested image formation condition data are transmitted to the parent device. Then, if the received requested image forming condition data is suitable for itself, the master unit forms an image based on the received image data. On the other hand, if the received requested image formation data is compatible with the child device (for example, if the requested image forming condition that does not match the set image formation condition of the parent device can be specified by the printer driver of the parent device), The image data is transferred to the machine, and an image forming operation is executed by the child machine.
With such a configuration, for example, even if an error occurs in either the master unit or the slave unit, it is possible to form an image on an image forming apparatus in which no error has occurred, and for example, the slave unit has failed. However, it is possible to form an image on the master unit. Also, if only the master printer driver is installed in the terminal device, the setting work can be reduced.

<Inventions of Claims 2 and 8>
According to this configuration, the related image data of another image forming apparatus is transmitted to the terminal device, whereby the required image forming conditions that are surely adapted to the other image forming apparatus can be specified by the terminal device.

<Invention of Claim 3>
According to this configuration, the related data of the slave unit can be set by a predetermined operation on the master unit.

<Invention of Claim 4>
According to this configuration, since the related data of the child device can be acquired by a request command from the parent device, it is possible to reduce the burden of setting related data by the user.

<Invention of Claim 5>
According to this configuration, it is possible to know which image forming apparatus has performed image formation on the terminal device side.

<Invention of Claim 6>
According to this configuration, it is possible to know error information that image formation is impossible on the terminal device side.

<Invention of Claim 9>
According to this configuration, the terminal device side sets the required image forming conditions that match the set image forming conditions of the image forming apparatus in which image formation is not possible (for example, an error has occurred such as the recording medium is not set). By making it impossible to specify, errors can be suppressed.

<Invention of Claim 10>
According to this configuration, the user can know which of the parent device and the child device has performed image formation.

<Embodiment 1>
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a network system 1 corresponding to the “image forming system” of the present invention. The network system 1 includes, for example, a computer 10 corresponding to the “terminal device” of the present invention (only one device is shown in the figure, but there may be a plurality of devices) and a plurality of devices (in this embodiment, for example, Four printers 30 (printers 30A to 30D) are connected via a LAN 2 (local area network) and are capable of data communication with each other. Each printer 30 has different set printing conditions (corresponding to the “set image forming conditions” of the present invention), such as storing sheets of different sizes. When the computer 10 makes a print request under such various printing conditions, usually, an individual printer driver for each printer 30 is installed in the computer 10 and a print request screen for each printer 30 is displayed. It is necessary to request printing individually.

  On the other hand, in the network system 1 of the present embodiment, as will be described later, one printer 30 of the four printers 30 is set as a “parent device”, and only this printer driver is installed in the computer 10. By making a print request to the parent device, printing can be performed under the set printing conditions corresponding to the four printers 30. Hereinafter, the printer 30 (corresponding to the “(self) image forming apparatus” of the present invention) as the master unit is referred to as “master printer 30A”, and the other three printers 30 (“other image forming apparatuses” of the present invention). "Corresponding") is referred to as "slave printers 30B-30D".

1. Configuration of the present embodiment (1) Computer The computer 10 includes an operation unit 11 that receives an input operation from the outside (for example, an input unit such as a keyboard and a mouse), and a display unit for displaying an additional screen, error information, and the like described later. 12 (corresponding to “display means” of the present invention), a ROM 13, a RAM 14, a CPU 15, a hard disk 16, and a network interface 17. The hard disk 16 stores application software, a printer driver, and the like for creating information to be printed. The CPU 15 reads the application software, the printer driver, and the like from the hard disk 16 based on the start command from the operation unit 11. To start.

  When a print request command is received from the operation unit 11 by a user input operation, the data to be printed created by the application software is transferred to the printer driver, where the data is converted into PDL data that can be printed ( Conversion) processing and then data transmission is performed via the network interface 17.

(2) Printer Each printer 30 controls an operation unit 70 (corresponding to an “operation unit” of the present invention) that accepts pressing of an operation button on an operation panel (not shown), and printing on a sheet as a recording medium. The printing unit 71, the ROM 72, the RAM 73, the CPU 74, and the network interface 75 (corresponding to the “reception unit” of the present invention) are provided. The CPU 74 performs printer language processing (PDL processing) on the PDL data (corresponding to image data of the present invention) received from the computer 10 via the network interface 75 and sends it to the printing unit 71. Then, the printing unit 71 (corresponding to the “image forming unit” of the present invention) executes a printing operation for printing information corresponding to the data to be printed on paper based on the sent data. The RAM 73 stores a print program for performing the printer language processing.

  Further, in the RAM 73 (corresponding to “storage means” of the present invention) of the master printer 30A, a printer selection program to be described later and each printer related information shown in FIG. 2 (corresponding to “plurality of related data” of the present invention). ) Is stored. The printer-related information includes, for example, a printer name as printer identification information, a printable paper size, an IP address, and a paper feed / discharge number for each printer 30 as set printing conditions, as shown in FIG. It is supposed to be associated with. Among these, the printer-related information regarding the slave printers 30B to 30D can be set by an input operation by the user to the operation unit 70 of the master printer 30A, for example. Further, a configuration in which printer-related information related to the slave printers 30B to 30D is set in the RAM 73 of the master printer 30A by an input operation by the user on the computer 10 may be adopted. For example, the expansion setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 12 of the computer 10 by the printer driver for the master printer 30A installed in the computer 10. In this extension setting screen, the user inputs printer-related information related to the slave printers 30B to 30D, and the input information is transferred from the computer 10 to the master printer 30A.

  Further, by a predetermined operation, the CPU 74 of the master printer 30A outputs a request command signal for printer related information on the LAN 2, and receives the printer name, paper size and IP address from each of the slave printers 30B to 30D. The information may be returned to the base printer 30 </ b> A, and the acquired information may be set in the RAM 73. With this configuration, setting work by the user can be reduced. At this time, the CPU 74 functions as “acquisition means” of the present invention.

2. Control contents by printer selection program Here, it is assumed that each printer-related information is input and set on the above-described expansion setting screen (FIG. 3) on the computer 10. In this case, on the computer 10 side, the master printer 30A is “tray 1, A4 size”, the slave printer 30B is “tray 2, A3 size”, the slave printer 30C is “tray 3, B5 size”, and the slave printer. Information in which 30D is associated with “tray 4 and B4 size” is stored in the hard disk 16. When the user makes a print request for predetermined information on the computer 10, a print request screen (corresponding to a “designable screen” of the present invention) shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 12. Here, a paper feed / discharge tray selection button (for example, a pull-down button) 20 and a paper size selection button 21 (for example, a pull-down button) are displayed. Here, by specifying the tray number or the paper size, the printer 30 corresponding to each is substantially specified.

  When the print request screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 12 based on the information related to each printer shown in FIG. 2, papers of different sizes are set for each printer 30. If one of the / paper discharge tray and paper size is specified (other than “automatic selection” is specified for paper feed / discharge tray selection), the other need not be selected. Therefore, for example, when “tray 1” is selected by the selection button 20 of the paper feed / discharge tray, the “A4” size can be automatically selected, and other paper sizes cannot be selected.

  When the OK button 22 on the print request screen is pressed, the requested print condition data (corresponding to “request image formation condition data” of the present invention) designated on the print request screen is transmitted to the master printer 30A together with the PDL data. The When the master printer 30 </ b> A receives these data, the CPU 74 executes the processing shown in FIG. 5 based on the printer selection program stored in the RAM 73. Specifically, the CPU 74 determines whether or not the paper feed / discharge tray designation is automatically selected in S1, and if it is automatic selection (“Y” in S1), the print size previously added to the PDL data (this The information of the print size designated by the application that created the original data of the PDL data is read, and based on each printer related information stored in the RAM 73, the printer 30 having the set print condition suitable for this print size is selected. (S2-S5). At this time, the CPU 74 functions as a “selection unit” of the present invention.

  If it matches the master printer 30A (“Y” in S2), the received PDL data is transferred to the printing unit 71 to execute the printing process (S6). If it matches one of the slave printers 30B to 30D (“Y” in S3, “Y” in S4 or “Y” in S5), the PDL data is transferred to the appropriate slave printers 30B to 30D (S7). To S9). Then, printing processing is executed by the slave printers 30B to 30D to which the PDL data is transferred. Then, the CPU 74 notifies the identification information of the printer 30 on which the printing process has been executed to the computer 10 (S10), and based on this information, for example, “printed by the printer 30B” or the like is displayed on the display unit 12 of the computer 10. A message is displayed. At this time, the CPU 74 functions as the “transfer means, first notification means” of the present invention.

  On the other hand, if there is no compatible printer 30 (“N” in all steps S2 to S5), the CPU 74 notifies the error information to the computer 10 in S11, and displays the computer 10 based on this information. For example, a message such as “could not be printed” is displayed in the section 12. At this time, the CPU 74 functions as “second notification means” of the present invention. Therefore, the user who uses the computer 10 can know on the display unit 12 which printer 30 has performed printing or has not been able to print. When transferring the PDL data to the slave printers 30B to 30D, the CPU 74 also transmits a request command for confirming the completion of printing, and receives the reply result (whether it has been printed normally). A configuration may be adopted in which the computer 10 is notified of identification information or error information of the printer 30 that has undergone the printing process.

  On the other hand, when the paper feed / discharge tray designation is a specific tray designation (“N” in S1), the CPU 74 selects the printer 30 corresponding to the designated tray (S12 to S14). If it is the master printer 30A (“Y” in S12), the master printer 30A executes print processing (S6). If any of the slave printers 30B to 30D (“Y” in S13, “Y” in S14 or “N” in S14), the PDL data is transferred to the corresponding slave printers 30B to 30D (S7 to S7). S9) The printing process is executed in the slave printers 30B to 30D to which the PDL data has been transferred.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printer driver of the master printer 30A is installed in the computer 10, and print processing corresponding to the set printing conditions of the plurality of printers 30 is performed by a print request to the master printer 30A. be able to. For example, even if any of the slave printers 30B to 30D is out of order or has a printing error, it is possible to perform printing under the set printing conditions corresponding to the other printers 30.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described with reference to the above description and drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
(1) In the above embodiment, each printer related information set or acquired by the master printer 30A is transmitted to the computer 10 side, and only the printing conditions corresponding to the transmitted each printer related information are displayed on the print request screen. It is good also as a structure which can be designated by. At this time, the CPU 74 functions as the “transmission means” of the present invention. For example, in the printer driver of the master printer 30A, when various request printing conditions can be specified on the print request screen as an initial setting regardless of the setting printing conditions of the master printer 30A, the CPU 15 By receiving each printer related information and displaying a print request screen on which only the printing conditions corresponding to the printer 30 can be specified, printing errors can be suppressed in advance. For example, when the slave printer 30B is not connected to the LAN 2, as shown in FIG. 6, a print request that can specify only the set print conditions (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the master printer 30A and the slave printers 30C and 30D. Display the screen.

  (2) In addition, the master printer 30A requests the slave printers 30B to 30D for information indicating whether printing is possible at any time, and sends this reply information to the computer 10, so that the required printing conditions corresponding to the printer 30 that cannot be printed. May not be specified in the required printing conditions. At this time, the CPU 15 functions as the “prohibiting means” of the present invention.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the computer 10 is notified of the identification number of the printer 30 on which the printing process has been performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the user can determine which printer 30 has performed the printing process. For example, a configuration in which a display unit provided in the printer 30 that has performed the printing process is turned on or a buzzer is sounded may be used.

  (4) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that each printer 30 has the same data format as the image data received as a print processing target. However, if the printer 30 has a different data format, for example, It is desirable that the printer 30A converts the data into a data format suitable for each of the slave printers 30B to 30D and transfers it. .

  (5) In the above embodiment, the slave printers 30B to 30D are connected to the master printer 30A via a network. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the slave printer 30A is connected to the master printer 30A. The printers 30B to 30D may be configured to be locally connected (serial or parallel).

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing the contents of printer-related information Schematic diagram showing the expansion setting screen Schematic diagram showing the print request screen Flowchart showing control contents of printer selection program in base unit Schematic diagram showing a print request screen in another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

1. Network system (image forming system)
10: Computer (terminal device)
12 ... Display section (display means)
15 ... CPU (display control means,
30A ... Master printer ((self) image forming apparatus)
30B to 30D ... Slave printer (other image forming apparatus)
70 ... operation part (operation means)
71: Printing section (image forming means)
73 ... RAM (storage means)
74 ... CPU (acquiring means, selecting means, transferring means, first notifying means, second notifying means)
75 ... Network interface (reception means)

Claims (10)

An image forming apparatus capable of communicating with each of a terminal device and another image forming apparatus,
Storage means for storing a plurality of related data including at least each set image forming condition, which are associated with each other and the other image forming apparatuses;
Receiving means for receiving image data and requested image formation condition data transmitted based on an image formation request in the terminal device;
Selection means for selecting an image forming apparatus conforming to the requested image forming condition data based on the requested image forming condition data received by the receiving means and a plurality of related data stored in the storage means;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data when the selection unit selects the self;
An image forming apparatus comprising: transfer means for transferring the image data to the selected other image forming apparatus when the selecting means selects the other image forming apparatus. In order for the terminal device to be able to specify the requested image forming condition based on the set image forming condition corresponding to the other image forming apparatus, related data of the other image forming apparatus stored in the storage means is stored in the terminal. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit to the apparatus. An operation unit for setting related data of the other image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related data is stored in the storage unit based on a setting operation by the operation unit. An acquisition means for transmitting a request command for the related data to the other image forming apparatus and receiving the related data from the other image forming apparatus;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the related data received by the acquisition unit is stored in the storage unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first notification unit configured to notify the terminal device of identification information of an image forming apparatus that has performed image formation based on the image data. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second notification unit configured to notify error information to the terminal device when there is no image forming apparatus that matches the requested image forming condition data. An image forming system comprising a terminal device, an image forming apparatus as a parent device capable of communicating with the terminal device, and another image forming device as a child device capable of communicating with the parent device,
The master unit is
Storage means for storing a plurality of related data associated with each parent device and each child device and including at least each set image forming condition;
Receiving means for receiving image data and requested image formation condition data transmitted based on an image formation request in the terminal device;
Selection means for selecting an image forming apparatus conforming to the requested image forming condition data based on the requested image forming condition data received by the receiving means and a plurality of related data stored in the storage means;
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on the image data when the master unit is selected by the selection unit;
A transfer unit configured to transfer the image data to the slave unit when the slave unit is selected by the selection unit; The master unit includes a transmission unit that transmits related data of the slave unit stored in the storage unit to the terminal device,
The terminal device includes display means,
The image according to claim 7, further comprising: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a screen capable of designating a request image forming condition that matches a set image forming condition of the slave unit based on the related data from the master unit. Forming system. The related data includes image forming availability data of the parent device and the child device,
9. The image according to claim 8, wherein the terminal device includes a designation prohibiting unit that prohibits designation of a required image forming condition that conforms to a set image forming condition of an image forming apparatus that cannot perform image formation based on the image formation propriety data. Forming system. The image forming system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a notification unit that notifies which of the parent device and the child device image formation has been executed.

Images