JP2008035062A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for confirming the various statuses of executed processing in a device for instructing printing to a printer at a remote place by scanning an original. <P>SOLUTION: When an original is placed on a scan part 13 of a digital composite unit 1, a printing instructing part 12 transmits a status confirmation command to a digital composite unit 2. Then, when it is clarified that printing is possible, original data read by a scan part 13 are transmitted to the digital composite unit 2. This transmission data includes the confirmation request of a print status. When it is shifted to printing processing, a digital composite unit 2 notifies the digital composite unit 1 of the status. Furthermore, the composite unit 1 transmits a print result confirmation command to the composite unit 2, and obtains the status result. Also, in the case of stopping printing, a print cancellation command is transmitted to the composite unit 2. Thus, the printing processing of the received original data is stopped by the composite unit 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for causing a printing apparatus in a remote place to execute a printing process via a network.

  Data transfer methods are diversified. Conventionally, the facsimile transmission is generally a G3 facsimile that transmits compressed image data using a telephone line. However, data is transferred in various forms as the Internet spreads and various applications are developed.

  One of them is a data transfer technique called direct SMTP. For example, direct SMTP is used in a digital multi-function peripheral having a network function, a scanner function, a mail function, and the like. The user scans a document in the digital multi-function peripheral. Then, the user designates the address (IP address or URI) of the destination digital multifunction peripheral. As a result, an e-mail is transmitted using SMTP to the digital multi-function peripheral whose address is designated from the digital multi-function peripheral that has scanned the document. A scanned original is attached as an attachment to the e-mail. The digital multi-function peripheral that has received the e-mail extracts the document data of the attached file and prints it out.

  As described above, by using the direct SMTP, the user can perform the same processing as the facsimile transmission between a plurality of communication apparatuses using a network such as the Internet.

JP 2004-118701 A JP 2005-14373 A

  As described above, by using SMTP, a user can perform convenient data transfer between communication devices. Since data is transmitted and received via the Internet, there is no charge according to the data transfer time as in G3 facsimile. In addition, since the electronic mail is transmitted as an attached file, there is an advantage that the data transfer process is performed quickly.

  However, on the other hand, since SMTP is used, there is a problem that the state after transmission of attached data cannot be monitored. SMTP is a protocol for transferring electronic mail, and it is possible to confirm that the electronic mail has arrived at the other party, but it is not possible to know how the attached file has been processed thereafter. In other words, as described above, the same operation as that of facsimile transmission is performed using SMTP, but it is not possible to actually know the state such as whether or not the document has been printed by the destination communication device.

  Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 described above relates to a printing technology using IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). IPP is a protocol for causing a printing apparatus in a remote place to execute a printing process. This protocol has a function of confirming the state of a printing apparatus in a remote place and a function of confirming a printing state. These functions are functions that can be used between a printing apparatus and a client terminal such as a personal computer that executes an application. That is, in order to use these functions, the user needs to create data to be printed in the client terminal using application software or the like.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables various states of executed processes to be confirmed in an apparatus that scans a document and issues a print instruction to a remote printing apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a communication device that causes a printing apparatus connected to a network to execute a printing process, and includes a scanning unit that scans a document, and the printing apparatus. When a means for sending a status confirmation command for inquiring whether the printing process is executable and a response indicating that the printing process is possible in response to the status confirmation command, the original data input by the scanning means is received. And transmitting means for transmitting to the printing apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for causing a printing apparatus connected to a network to execute a printing process, wherein scanning means for scanning a document, and document data input by the scanning means are input to the printing apparatus. Transmission means for transmitting to the printing apparatus, and the transmission means includes a means for transmitting a print status confirmation command for confirming the print status, and the printer shifts from the printing apparatus to the print status in response to the print status confirmation command. It is characterized by receiving a status notification response as to whether or not it has been performed.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for causing a printing apparatus connected to a network to execute a printing process, wherein scanning means for scanning a document, and document data input by the scanning means are input to the printing apparatus. A transmission means for transmitting to the printing apparatus, and a means for transmitting a print result confirmation command for confirming a print result to the printing apparatus after the transmission processing by the transmission means. A status notification response indicating whether printing has been successful is received from the printing apparatus.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication device for causing a printing apparatus connected to a network to execute a printing process, wherein scanning means for scanning a document, and document data input by the scanning means are sent to the printing apparatus. Transmission means for sending to the printing apparatus, and means for sending a cancel command for stopping the print processing of the document data to the printing apparatus after the transmission processing by the transmission means.

  The communication apparatus according to the present invention includes scanning means, and transmits the scanned document data to a printing apparatus connected to the network for printing processing. Prior to the transmission of the document data, a status confirmation command is transmitted to confirm that the printing process is possible. It is possible to output document data from the destination printing apparatus by an operation similar to facsimile transmission. Further, since the document data is transmitted after the status is confirmed, it is possible to prevent the data from being transmitted to the printing apparatus in a state where printing is impossible.

  In addition, the communication device transmits a print status confirmation command, and receives a status notification response indicating whether or not the printer has shifted to the print status. Thereby, it is possible to grasp the print processing state while transmitting the document data by the same operation as the facsimile transmission.

  In addition, the communication device transmits a print result confirmation command, and receives a status notification response indicating whether printing has been successful from the printing device. Thereby, it is possible to grasp the print processing state while transmitting the document data by the same operation as the facsimile transmission.

  In addition, since the communication apparatus can cancel the printing process after executing the printing process, it is possible to cancel the printing of unnecessary data, which is convenient.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an overall view of a network system according to the present embodiment. In this network system, two digital multifunction peripherals 1 and 2 are connected via a network 3.

  Each of the digital multifunction peripherals 1 and 2 is a multi-function device having a printer function, a scanning function, a facsimile function, a copy function, and the like. However, only the processing units related to the processing of the present embodiment are shown in the figure.

  The network 3 is a wide area network including the Internet. Of course, the network 3 may be a small area network such as a LAN, but in this embodiment, data is transferred from the digital MFP 1 to the digital MFP 2 at a remote location via the network 2. Assumes that More specifically, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the digital multifunction peripheral 2 perform data transmission / reception using IPP (Internet Printing Protocol). From the viewpoint of the user, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the digital multifunction peripheral 2 This is a system capable of transmitting and receiving a document to and from the machine 2 as if performing a conventional facsimile transmission. That is, the user scans the document in the digital multi-function peripheral 1. Then, the digital multifunction device 2 is designated as the destination. As a result, the scanned original is printed out in the digital multi-function peripheral 2.

  As shown in the figure, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a control unit 11, a print instruction unit 12, a scan unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a display unit 16.

  The control unit 11 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like, and performs overall control of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. The print instruction unit 12 is a processing unit that executes print processing on the digital multifunction peripheral 2 connected via the network 3 using IPP. The scanning unit 13 is a processing unit that scans a transmission document, and the storage unit 14 stores scanned document data, print job data, and the like. In addition, the operation unit 15 and the display unit 16 are configured as a touch panel display 17 in the present embodiment. The user can perform various input operations using the touch panel display 17 provided on the front surface of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and can view various information using the touch panel display 17. Yes.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 2 includes a control unit 21, a print control unit 22, a storage unit 23, and a printing unit 24. The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and performs overall control of the digital multifunction peripheral 2. The print control unit 22 performs communication based on IPP with the print instruction unit 12. That is, the print control unit 22 receives print data and various commands transmitted from the print instruction unit 12. In addition, the print control unit 22 sends various information notifications to the print instruction unit 12. The storage unit 23 stores received print data and the like. The printing unit 24 is a processing unit that prints out the received print data.

  The flow of print processing in the network system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The flowcharts of FIGS. 2 to 4 are the flow of processing in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and are mainly executed by the control unit 11 and the print instruction unit 12.

  First, the flow of the printing process will be described with reference to FIGS. In order to transfer data using this network system, the user first places an original on the scanning unit 13 of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and performs an operation of scanning the original. That is, the same operation as the conventional facsimile transmission is performed.

  When the control unit 11 detects that the document is placed on the scanning table (YES in step S101), the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display a data transfer guide screen. On this guide screen, a list of URIs for designating the destination digital multifunction peripheral is displayed. In addition, a button for instructing execution of transmission is displayed (step S102).

  Here, the user performs an operation of selecting one of the registered URIs. Here, it is assumed that the user has specified the URI of the digital multi-function peripheral 2. Further, the user performs a transmission execution operation. Here, the URI is used as the information for designating the destination printing apparatus, but an IP address may be designated.

  When a transmission execution operation is performed by the user, the control unit 11 transmits a state confirmation command to the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (step S103). In this embodiment, since the print instruction unit 12 and the print control unit 22 communicate using IPP, the status check command “Get-Printer-Attributes” defined by IPP is used. An operation ID called is used.

  Upon receiving the status confirmation command, the digital multi-function peripheral 2 acquires status information in the device and returns a response indicating whether printing processing is currently possible to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. For example, response data indicating that printing is possible is returned. Alternatively, response data indicating information such as out of toner, out of paper, and occurrence of a failure is returned.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 waits until response data for the status confirmation command is received (step S104). When the response data is received, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 determines whether or not a printer abnormality has occurred in the digital multi-function peripheral 2 (step S105). Here, since the operation ID “Get-Printer-Attributes” is used, the “printer-state” or “printer-state-reason” field included in the response data is referred to. If there is a description relating to printer abnormality in those fields, abnormality information is displayed on the display unit 16 (step S106), and the process ends. For example, a message such as “The printer is out of toner” is displayed on the touch panel display 17.

  If no printer abnormality has occurred in the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (NO in step S105), the document placed on the scanning table is read by the scanning unit 13. The read document data is encoded by the control unit 11 and stored in the storage unit 14 (step S107). The process is repeated until reading of all the originals is completed (steps S107 to S108).

  When all the originals have been read and stored, it is next determined whether or not the original data is to be transferred as a TIFF file (step S109). When transferring as a TIFF file, the original data is converted into a TIFF file. (Step S110) When not transferring as a TIFF file, the document data is converted into a PDF file (Step S111). Whether the data is transferred as a TIFF file or a PDF file may be set by the user. Further, it may be converted into a format other than the TIFF or PDF file and transferred.

  When the data conversion is completed, the converted TIFF file or PDF file is transmitted to the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (step S112). Here, since the transfer is performed using IPP, the file is transferred using an operation ID called “Print-Job”. Here, the operation ID “Print-Job” is a print instruction command with an option for receiving response data for a print request. That is, it is a print command that can receive response data indicating whether or not the printer has shifted to a print state after sending the print data.

  Upon receiving the TIFF file or PDF file together with the operation ID “Print-Job”, the digital multi-function peripheral 2 stores the received data in the storage unit 23. Then, the print control unit 22 starts a print job for outputting the document data stored in the storage unit 23 from the printing unit 24.

  When the control of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 shifts to the printing process, the print control unit 22 transmits response data indicating the shift to the print state to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. That is, response data indicating that the print job is started is returned. Specifically, it responds by including information indicating that it has shifted to the print state in the field “Job State”.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is in a response data reception standby state (step S113). When response data is received, it is determined whether the digital multi-function peripheral 2 is in a print state (step S114). If the print state has not been changed (NO in step S114), abnormality information is displayed (step S115), and the process is terminated.

  If it is determined that the print state has been entered (YES in step S114), the print instruction unit 12 then transmits a print result confirmation command to the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (step S201 in FIG. 3). Here, since communication is performed using IPP, an operation ID called “Get-Job-Attributes Request” defined in IPP is used as a print result confirmation command. The print instruction unit 12 transmits the print result confirmation command when the set time has elapsed after transmitting the print data in step S112.

  Upon receiving the print result confirmation command, the digital multifunction peripheral 2 confirms the current print processing status and returns the status as response data. That is, information indicating whether the print job is being processed or whether the print job has been completed is returned as response data. Here, the completion of the processing of the print job indicates that the processing in the print control unit 22 is completed and the processing is shifted to the processing in the printing unit 24.

  The print instruction unit 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is in a response data reception standby state (step S202). When the response data is received, the current print processing status of the digital multi-function peripheral 2 is determined. If it is determined that the current print job is being processed (Job Process state) (YES in step S203), the process returns to step S201, and a print result confirmation command is transmitted to the digital multifunction device 2 again.

  On the other hand, if the print job is not currently being processed (NO in step S203), it is determined whether the print job has been processed (Job Complete state). Abnormal information is displayed (step S205), and the process is terminated. When it is determined that the print job processing is complete (YES in step S204), the process ends normally.

  Next, the cancellation process will be described. In step S112, the print instruction unit 12 registers the print job in the storage unit 14 after transmitting the print data. In this print job, a job ID and a destination device URI are registered.

  The control unit 11 has a function of displaying a list of print jobs registered in the storage unit 14. The user can operate the operation unit 15 to display a print job list and browse jobs that have been printed. Further, the user can operate the operation unit 15 to specify a specific print job from the displayed list and issue a print cancel instruction.

  When a user selects a print job destined for the digital multifunction peripheral 2 and issues a print cancel instruction for the job, the print instruction unit 12 transmits a print cancel command to the digital multifunction peripheral 2 (step S301). Here, the “Cancel-Job” operation ID defined in IPP is used.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 2 receives the print cancel command, the digital multi-function peripheral 2 stops the print processing according to the command. When the printing process is canceled, the information is returned as response data.

  The print instruction unit 12 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is in a standby state for receiving response data after transmitting the print cancel command (step S302). When the response data is received, it is determined whether or not the printing process is in a canceled state (Job Cancel state) (step S303), and when the cancel state is notified, the display unit 16 has stopped the printing process. Is displayed (step S304). On the other hand, if the cancel state is not notified, that is, if the printing process has already been performed, the process is terminated as it is. Even after the print job completion notification is received in step S204, the print process can be stopped if the print unit 24 is executing the print process.

  As described above, the digital multi-functional peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment prints original data from a remote printing machine by causing the scanner unit to read the original and performing an operation of designating the address of the destination printing device. Can be output. That is, it can be used in the same way as a conventional factory system. While enabling such a method of use, it is possible to confirm the state of the printing machine that is the destination before transmission, or to confirm the state of the printing process after executing the printing process. Alternatively, even after the printing process is executed, the printing process can be canceled.

  In other words, as with conventional facsimile transmissions, information on the printing press that is the output destination is acquired and the status can be checked while allowing the original data to be transmitted by a simple operation of reading the original and specifying the destination. It is possible to work while.

  For example, even in the case of data transfer using e-mail by direct SMTP, an operation of reading a manuscript with a scanner unit and specifying a destination is possible. However, after sending an e-mail, the operation of the device as the destination Could not be confirmed. That is, it has not been possible to confirm whether or not the manuscript data attached to the e-mail has been printed. Also, the printing process could not be stopped. On the other hand, the present invention can proceed with the operation without confirming the state in both directions as described above, so that it is possible to confirm the print state and cancel the print processing. Good sex.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is the transmission side and the digital multifunction peripheral 2 is the reception side has been described as an example. However, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is configured to have a reception function provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 2 shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and the digital multi-function peripheral 2 is provided with a transmission function provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 shown in FIG. For example, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the digital multi-function peripheral 2 can each function as a transmission side and also function as a reception side.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the digital multifunction peripheral 1 and the digital multifunction peripheral 2 use IPP has been described as an example. According to this, the operation ID “Get-Printer-Attributes” as the status confirmation command and the operation ID “Get-Job-Attributes Request” as the print result confirmation command have been described as examples. However, the protocol between the digital multifunction device 1 and the digital multifunction device 2 is not limited to IPP. Other protocols or unique protocols may be used.

  As described in the above embodiment, the print instruction unit 12 stores information such as the job ID and the device URI of the print destination in the storage unit 14 as a print job. The control unit 11 can cause the display unit 16 to display a list of print jobs stored in the storage unit 14. The print job information can be held and displayed as history information even after the print processing is completed. As a result, the user can view the print history information like a transmission history of facsimile transmission. In addition, since the digital multi-function peripheral 1 has a WEB server function, the history information can be browsed from the client terminal. Also, a history information printing function may be provided.

1 is an overall view of a network system according to an embodiment. It is a flowchart of a printing process. It is a flowchart of a printing process. 10 is a flowchart of print cancel processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Digital multifunction device 3 Network 12 Print instruction | indication part 13 Scan part 21 Print control part 24 Printing part

Claims (4)

A communication device that causes a printing device connected to a network to execute a printing process,
Scanning means for scanning an original;
Means for transmitting to the printing apparatus a status confirmation command for inquiring whether printing processing can be executed;
A transmission unit that transmits document data input by the scanning unit to the printing apparatus when a response indicating that printing processing is possible is received in response to the status confirmation command;
A communication apparatus comprising: A communication device that causes a printing device connected to a network to execute a printing process,
Scanning means for scanning an original;
Transmitting means for transmitting document data input by the scanning means to the printing apparatus;
With
The transmission means includes
Means for sending a print status confirmation command to confirm the print status;
Including
In response to the print status confirmation command, the communication device receives a status notification response indicating whether or not the printer has shifted to a print status. A communication device that causes a printing device connected to a network to execute a printing process,
Scanning means for scanning an original;
Transmitting means for transmitting document data input by the scanning means to the printing apparatus;
Means for transmitting a print result confirmation command for confirming a print result to the printing apparatus after the transmission processing by the transmission means;
With
In response to the print result confirmation command, the communication apparatus receives a status notification response as to whether printing has succeeded from the printing apparatus. A communication device that causes a printing device connected to a network to execute a printing process,
Scanning means for scanning an original;
Transmitting means for transmitting document data input by the scanning means to the printing apparatus;
Means for transmitting a cancel command for stopping the print processing of the document data to the printing apparatus after the transmission processing by the transmission means;
A communication apparatus comprising:

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