JP2000163287A - Peripheral device, peripheral device control method, peripheral device control system, and storage medium storing peripheral device control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a multifunctional peripheral equipment which is easy to use for a user by informing an information processor that a buffer is nearly full in such a case. SOLUTION: When writing to a log is enabled (S8402), log data are written to the position that a write pointer indicates in a log file storage area on DISK (S8403) and the position that the write pointer indicates in a log data file property table is advanced by one log (S8404). When the number of logs which can be stored between the position (value) that write pointer indicates and the position (value) that a read pointer indicates is smaller than a reference value, a warning message indicating that the log buffer is nearly full is sent to a client PC and displayed on displays (S8406) respectively. The reference value is held in the multifunctional peripheral equipment and can be varied.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a network, an IE,
The present invention relates to a peripheral device such as a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a copier and the like controlled by an information processing apparatus via a connection mode such as EE 1394, a peripheral device control method, a peripheral device control system, and a storage medium storing a peripheral device control program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, fax machines, and copiers, for example, in fax log management, when a log buffer becomes full, the log in the buffer is printed and a new log is stored in the buffer. Was.

[0003]

However, the conventional facsimile does not notify the client before the log buffer becomes full, but prints on its own when the buffer becomes full and is inconvenient to use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunctional peripheral device, a peripheral device control method, a peripheral device control system, and a storage medium storing a peripheral device control program, which are easy to use for a user.

[0005]

A peripheral device according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a peripheral device connected to an information processing apparatus, wherein a buffer for storing a log of the peripheral device, and And control means for notifying the information processing apparatus when it is approaching full.

When the buffer becomes full, the control means controls the buffer based on designation information specified in advance.

A peripheral device control method according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a peripheral device control method for a peripheral device connected to an information processing apparatus, wherein a buffer for storing a log of the peripheral device is almost full. If so, it notifies the information processing apparatus to that effect.

[0008] A storage medium according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a storage medium storing a peripheral device control program executed by a peripheral device connected to an information processing apparatus,
When the buffer storing the log of the peripheral device is almost full, a peripheral device control program for notifying the information processing device of the fact is stored.

The peripheral device control program controls the buffer based on designation information specified in advance when the buffer becomes full.

A peripheral device control system according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a peripheral device control system including an information processing device and a peripheral device, wherein a buffer for storing a log of the peripheral device is almost full. In this case, the control means for notifying the information processing apparatus to that effect; the output means for outputting a log transmission request from the information processing apparatus; Transmitting means for transmitting a log to the information processing apparatus.

[0011] Further, when the buffer becomes full, the control means controls the buffer based on designated information specified in advance.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Configuration of Multifunctional Peripheral Equipment) FIG.
Is a multifunction peripheral (MFP: M) showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-function peripheral (ulti-Function Peripheral).

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a controller for controlling a multi-function peripheral device. The controller 101 has a hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3 and includes software (control program) shown in DISK 315 as a storage medium in FIG. ) Configuration. Reference numeral 102 denotes a scanner engine, which is controlled by the controller 101. Reference numerals 103 and 104 denote laser beam printer engines (LBPs) 1 and 2, which are controlled by a controller 101. The 103 laser beam printer engine 1 is connected to the finisher 106, and a plurality of recording media (for example,
Paper) can be stapled (stapled) together. The finisher 106 is also controlled by the controller 101. Reference numeral 105 denotes an inkjet print engine (IJP) which can also perform color printing, and is controlled by the controller 101. Reference numeral 107 denotes a network (Ethernet) interface, which provides the controller 101 with two-way communication through the interface. Reference numeral 108 denotes an IEEE1394 interface, which provides the controller 101 with bidirectional communication through the interface. 109 is IEEE1284
The interface provides the controller 101 with two-way communication through the interface.
Reference numeral 110 denotes a user interface, which includes an LCD display and a keyboard, displays information from the controller 101, and transmits an instruction from a user to the controller 101.

The multifunctional peripheral device having the above configuration includes three physical printers, LBP103 (with B / W and Finisher), LB
Select P104 (B / W) and IJP105 (Color) to enable print job issuance. Also, four logical printer (cluster) printers, LBP103 + LBP104, LBP104 + IJP105, LBP1
Select 03 + IJP105, LBP103 + LBP104 + IJP105 to enable print job issuance. The above seven printers, LBP103, LBP104, IJP105, LBP103 + LBP104, LBP104 +
A print job can be issued by automatically selecting from IJP105, LBP103 + IJP105, LBP103 + LBP104 + IJP105. Furthermore, a logical printer is configured to be a printer capable of printing only in black and white using IJP, and a print job can be issued.

In addition, a scan job can be issued from the outside, and a color document can be read. Also, a scanner and the above eight printers, LBP103, LBP104, IJP10
5, LBP103 + LBP104, LBP104 + IJP105, LBP103 + IJP105, LB
P103 + LBP104 + IJP105 Selects the IJP that can print only black and white (automatic selection is also possible) and enables the issuance of a copy job. Further, when the printer is only IJP, it is possible to issue a color copy job.

In addition, fonts and form overlays can be used in print jobs, uploading and downloading are possible, and resource management is possible. In addition, the color profile can be used in a print job, a scan job, and a copy job, and upload / download can be performed, and resource management can be performed. Further, a log can be automatically generated inside the device and uploaded.

Network (Ethernet, TCP / IP), IEEE1
284, All functions are available from any IEEE1394 interface. In addition, sub-addresses and physical / logical devices (printers,
Scanner, copy) and each resource are associated, and by selecting a subaddress, it becomes possible to select these physical / logical devices and each resource. A job can be issued and download / upload can be instructed to each sub-address of each of these interfaces at the same time. The correspondence between the subaddress, the physical / logical device, and each resource can be obtained by inquiring the device itself. Further, functions can be used from a user interface provided internally.

Also, by inquiring a supervisor described later from the outside through the above interface, the provided function outline (what kind of job can be issued, what kind of resource can be used, etc.), job issuing, resource download / upload, etc. The sub address to be used, and detailed information of each function (maximum number of copies, PDLs that support finisher types, number of output BINs that can be specified, etc.) can be obtained. Using the above information, the client can also automatically configure software (control program). However, the client needs to know in advance the subaddress used for this inquiry in each interface. The administrator can restrict the above various functions by the connection form and the user.

(Overall System Configuration) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes FIG.
In the multi-function peripheral (MFP) shown in Figure 1, the multi-function peripheral 201 is a network interface cable 208 (10BASE-
T), ClientPC 202, 203, 2 by IEEE1394 interface cable 206, IEEE1284 interface cable 207
04 and 205 (information processing devices).
In each Client PC as shown in FIG. 78, various software (control programs) stored in a disk 6009 described later as a storage medium shown in FIG. 77 are operating. Ethernet
Client PCs 202 and 203 connected to 208 specify the IP address and port number, connect to the multi-function peripheral 201, and output IP packet data. The Client PC 204 connected to the IEEE1394 interface 206 specifies the node ID and the LUN (logical unit number), connects to the multi-function peripheral 201, and outputs SBP-2 packet data. The Client PC 205 connected to the IEEE1284 interface 207 specifies the socket number, connects to the multi-function peripheral 201, and outputs IEEE1284.4 packet data.

(Hardware Configuration of Controller) FIG. 3
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a controller 101 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. Inside the controller 101, a CPU 301 is connected via a bus 313 to a Memory (RAM) 302, an LCD display 303 constituting a user interface (operation unit) 110, a keyboard 304, a ROM 314, and a DISK 315. Various programs and data shown in FIG. 76 are stored in a disk 315 (storage medium) such as a hard disk or a floppy disk.
M) 302 and is executed by the CPU 301. This DISK315
May be detachable from the MFP 201 or may be built in the MFP 201. Further, the program shown in FIG. 76 is downloaded from ClientPC 202, 203, 204, 205 or another MFP via the network interface cable 208 (10BASE-T), the IEEE1394 interface cable 206, the IEEE1284 interface cable 207 and stored in the DISK 315. Configuration may be used.

LCD display 303 and keyboard 304 are shown in FIG.
The CPU 301 performs display by writing data to an LCD display 303, and the CPU 301 operates the keyboard 30.
By reading data from 4, an instruction from the user is input.

A network interface connector 305, an IEEE1394 interface connector 306, and an IEEE1284 interface connector 307 are connected to the bus 313. The network interface 107, the IEEE1394 interface 108, and the IEEE12
The Ethernet (1) shown in FIG.
0BASE-T) cable 208, IEEE1394 cable 206, IEEE1284
The cable 207 is connected. The CPU 301 performs communication using each interface by reading or writing data from these interfaces.

Further, a laser beam printer is provided on the bus 313.
Engine308, Finisher309, Scanner Engine310, Laser Be
am Printer Engine 311 and Ink Jet Printer Engine 312 are connected, and these are the Laser Beam Prin
ter Engine103, Finisher106, Scanner Engine102, Lase
r Beam Printer Engine104, Ink Jet Printer Engine10
The CPU 301 reads and writes data from and to these engines, thereby performing engine operations such as print / scan and acquiring various statuses. In addition, Laser Beam Printer Engine308, Finisher
309, Scanner Engine310, Laser Beam Printer Engine31
1. The Ink Jet Printer Engine 312 may exist as a single peripheral device on the network instead of inside the MFP 201, and may be controlled by the controller 101 of the MFP 201.

(Software Configuration of Controller 101)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software (control program) configuration of the DISK 315 in the controller 101, and the software (control program) is executed by the CPU 301. In the figure, solid lines indicate data and control, and dotted lines indicate setting and capability acquisition. 401 is a user interface driver, the LCD display 303 and the keyboard 304
Control. Reference numeral 405 denotes a user interface manager (control program), which interprets input information from the user input from the UI driver 401, generates a command packet shown in FIG. The user interface manager 405 also interprets the command packet input from the interpreter 409 and displays the command packet on the LCD display 303 via the UI driver (control program) 401.

Reference numeral 402 denotes a network interface driver (control program) which controls the network interface connector 305 and performs processing of a physical layer (physical packet) of a network packet, that is, extraction of a transport packet from a physical packet, and transport packet , A physical packet is generated. 406
Denotes a TCP / IP / UDP / IP processing module that processes a transport packet output from the network interface 402, extracts a command packet, and outputs the command packet to the interpreter 409. Further, a transport packet is generated from the command packet output from the interpreter 409 and output to the network interface 402.

Reference numeral 403 denotes an IEEE1284 driver (control program) for controlling the IEEE1284 interface 307. Reference numeral 407 denotes an IEEE1284.4 processing module (control program). IEEE1284.4 is a transport layer standard primarily intended for use with the IEEE1284 interface. An IEEE1284.4 processing module (control program) 407 processes the transport packet output from the IEEE1284 driver 403, extracts a command packet, and outputs the command packet to the interpreter 409. In addition, a transport packet is generated from the command packet output from the interpreter 409, and the IEEE1284 driver
Output to 403. Reference numeral 404 denotes an IEEE1394 driver (control program) that controls the IEEE1394 interface 306.

Reference numeral 408 denotes a module (control program) for processing SBP (Serial Bus Protocol) -2 which is a transport layer in IEEE1394. The processing module 408 of the SBP-2 processes the transport packet output from the IEEE1394 driver 404, extracts a command packet, and outputs the command packet to the interpreter 409. Further, a transport packet is generated from the command packet output from the interpreter 409 and output to the IEEE1394 driver 404. 409 is a transport processing unit for 406, 407, and 408 and a user interface manager
It is a packet interpreter that interprets a command packet input from 405 and generates a command. The packet interpreter 409 also generates a command packet in response to a request from another module (control program).
The interpreter 409 is a subaddress of the supervisor (supervising manager) 410 and a service ID correspondence table (see FIG.
According to 9), only command packets input from the valid sub-address are processed, and command packets input from other sub-addresses are discarded.

Reference numeral 410 denotes FIG. 7 (attribute table), FIG. 9 (sub address: service ID correspondence table), FIG. 11 (service ID: task type correspondence table), FIG. 13 (user authentication table), FIG. ), Various data shown in FIG. 16 (event setting table) and FIG. 17 (event format table) are stored in the DISK 315, and the supervisor that supervises and controls the operation of the controller 101.
(General Manager). Supervisor 410 has various data held by itself, each manager (font manager 413, form overlay manager 414,
Log Manager 415, Color Profile Manager 41
6. Various data held by the print managers 501-509, the scan job manager 419, and the copy job manager 601-608) and various data held by the controllers (the printer controllers 510-512 and the scanner controller 420) are input. Refer to and change according to the instruction of the command.

Reference numeral 411 denotes a security gate, which superimposes a command packet interpreted by the interpreter 409 on a Supervii.
User authentication table of sor410 (control program) (Fig. 1
According to 3) and the access control table (FIG. 14), only a user who has a right to use is restricted from inputting a command so that the multifunctional peripheral device 201 can be used. 41
Reference numeral 2 denotes a dispatcher (control program), which is a control program for processing commands input from the interpreter 409, such as resource managers (font manager 413, form overlay manager 414, log manager 415, color profile manager 416) and each job manager (print manager 501-509, scan job manager 419, and copy job manager 601-608). 41
A font manager 3 manages fonts. The font manager 413 is shown in FIG. 26 (attribute table) and FIG.
ONT table) holds the data as shown in DISK315.
Fonts managed by Font Manager 413 (DISK315
Alternatively, stored in the ROM 314) is a PDL rasterizer 4
17 and 418 for use in processing print jobs.

A form overlay manager 414 manages the form overlay. The form overlay manager 414 is shown in FIG. 29 (attribute table) and FIG. 31 (FOR
Data shown in Table M) is stored in DISK315. The form overlay (stored in the disk 315 or the ROM 314) managed by the form overlay manager 414 is passed to the PDL rasterizers 417 and 418, and is used in processing a print job. A log manager 415 manages logs. The log manager 415 stores data as shown in FIG. 32 (attribute table) and FIG. 34 (LOG table)
It is held in ISK315. The log is output from each manager and is under the control of the log manager. The log file of the execution is stored in the RAM 302 or the disk 315 and updated as needed. Specifically, the log manager 415 terminates a job (print job, copy job, scan job, etc.) in the multi-function peripheral 201, generates a jam in each of the printer engines (308, 311, 312), generates an error, The number of prints, toner amount, ink amount, type of jam, location of jam, location of error, location of error, status of job (whether or not ) Is written to a log file storage area in the disk 315 (a log buffer in a ring buffer format that stores logs for each item in chronological order).

A color profile manager 416 manages color profile data for a color scanner or a color printer to perform color matching. The color profile manager 416 stores data as shown in FIG. 37 (attribute table) and FIG. 39 (color profile table) in the disk 315. The color profile managed by the color profile manager 416 is passed to each of the printer controllers (control programs) 510, 511, and 512 and the scanner controller (control program) 420, and is used for processing print jobs, copy jobs, and scan jobs. Is done. A PDL rasterizer 417 processes document data written in PS (registered trademark), which is a kind of PDL (page description language), and outputs image data. 418 is a kind of PDL (Page Description Language)
A PDL rasterizer that processes document data written in PCL (registered trademark) and outputs image data. 419
Is a scan job manager that manages scan jobs. The scan job manager 419 holds data as shown in FIG. 22 (attribute table) in the disk 315. The scan job manager 419 instructs the scanner controller 420 to execute a scan. A scanner controller 420 controls the scanner engine 310. The scanner controller 420 holds in the disk 315 data such as those shown in FIG. 44 (attribute table) indicating the function / state and performance of the scanner engine 310. The scan job manager 419 and the scanner controller 420 each have data (FIGS. 22 and 44) indicating functions and performances, but the functions indicated by these data need not necessarily be the same. The function can be limited by rewriting the data (FIG. 22) held by the scan job manager 419 through the supervisor 410.

The above-described font manager 413, form overlay manager 414, log manager 4
15, the color profile manager 416 is a resource management program, and the scan job manager 41
9. The print job managers 501 to 509 and the copy job managers 601 to 608 are logical device (scanner and printer) control programs, and the laser beam printer controllers 510 and 511, the inkjet printer controller 512 and the scanner controller 420 are physical devices (printers and printers). (Scanner) control program.

(Configuration of Print Job Manager) FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram supplementing the software (control program) configuration diagram shown in FIG. The dispatcher 412 is the same as the dispatcher 412 shown in FIG. 4, and distributes a command packet from the print job manager (control program) 501 to 509. Print job managers 501 to 509 manage print jobs. Each print job manager has data in the disk 315 as shown in FIG. 18 (attribute table). Each print job manager has a printer controller (LBP Controller 51) used to process print jobs.
0 or LBP Controller511 or Ink Jet Controller51
2 or any combination of Controllers 510, 511, 512)
The print engine connected to the printer is determined, and which printer controller (control program) is used is described in the data indicated by the attribute ID 2001 in FIG. However, only the print job manager 508 has a function of dynamically selecting a print engine to be used, and it is described in the data (attribute table) of the print job manager 508 that it has this function. I have. Each print manager represents the input print jobs and what they are running as on which printer controller,
Data such as those shown in FIG. 20 (job table) and FIG. 21 (job request table) are stored in the DISK 315. From 510 to 512,
A printer controller that controls each of the print engines 308, 311 and 312. The printer controller 510 also controls the finisher 309. Each printer controller has data in the disk 315 as shown in FIG. 40 (attribute table) indicating the function / state and performance of the corresponding printer engine. Each controller holds in the disk 315 data such as shown in FIG. 42 (job queue table) representing the state of the input print job.

Each of the print job managers 501 to 509 and the printer controllers 510 to 512 has data in the DISK 315 as shown in FIG. 18 (attribute table) and FIG. 40 (attribute table) indicating functions and performances. Generally, the print job manager has a performance equivalent to the sum of the performances of the controllers used, and has a function corresponding to a common item of the functions of the controllers. However, some of these functions can be changed by rewriting the data (FIG. 18) held by the print job manager through the supervisor 410. For example, print job manager 503 and print job manager 509
Because we are using the same printer controller 512,
Although the same performance and function can be provided, the print job manager 503 can perform color printing and the print job manager 509 can disable color printing by setting processing described later of data held by the print job manager. .

(Configuration of Copy Job Manager) FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram supplementing the software (control program) configuration diagram shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

The dispatcher 412 is the same as the dispatcher 412 shown in FIG. 4, and distributes a command packet to the copy job managers (control programs) 601 to 608. Reference numerals 601 to 608 denote copy job managers for managing copy jobs. Each copy job manager has data as shown in FIG. 24 (attribute table) in the disk 315. Each copy job manager determines a printer controller, a scanner controller, a print engine connected thereto, and a scanner engine used for processing a copy job. FIG. 24 shows which printer controller and scanner controller to use. It is described in the indicated data (attribute ID 2001). However, only the print job manager 608 has a function of dynamically selecting a print engine to be used. The fact that this function is provided is described in the data (attribute ID 2002) of the copy job manager 608. I have. As shown in FIG. 20 (job table) and FIG. 21 (job request table), each copy manager indicates the input copy jobs and which jobs are executed by which printer controller and scanner controller. DI data
It is held in SK315. Reference numerals 510 to 512 denote printer controllers for controlling each print engine.
Are the same as those shown in FIG.

(Attribute Table of Supervisor) FIG.
r (control program) 410 represents data (attribute table) held and managed in the disk 315. This table shows the multifunction peripherals 201
It shows an outline of functions, connection information, security information, and the like. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record has attribute ID 701 and type ID 702
And an attribute value 703, which represents an attribute of the supervisor. The attribute ID 701 indicates the type of information, and indicates the meaning of what the value 703 indicates. The attribute ID 701 is unique within the device, and those having the same attribute ID represent the same information type. The type ID 702 indicates what data type the value 703 has, and the value 703
This is used when interpreting. Type ID is attribute ID
And is uniquely defined inside the device. In this embodiment, both the attribute ID 701 and the type ID 702 are included in the attribute table.
The correspondence table between the ID and the type ID may be held as data different from the attribute table, and only the attribute ID and the value may be included in the attribute table. The value 703 indicates an attribute value according to the attribute ID 701.

FIG. 8 shows the attribute ID 701 and the type ID 702 of the attribute table shown in FIG.
It is a figure which shows the detail of. Among them, "List of supported security levels" of attribute ID 102 is Supervis
Contains a list of security levels that can be set for the security levels required when issuing an operation for or. The security level is described in the description of the access control table in FIG. Attribute ID10
3 "Current security level" is currently Supervisor
Represents the security level set in the. Attribute ID
401 "Current count data" represents a list of information that is counted in Supervisor,
This meaning is represented by the attribute ID 402 “count data format”. For example, the count data 45, 78, 34, and 13 indicate the number of prints of the paper size represented in the count data format. The “count data format” of the attribute ID 402 is represented as a list of attribute IDs. Since the attribute ID is uniquely defined in the device, the meaning of the count data can be specified by specifying the attribute ID. For example, attributes
The attribute value 565 of the ID 402 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A2, the attribute value 537 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A3, the attribute value 545 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A4, and the attribute value 523 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A5. The count limit data of the attribute ID 403 indicates the maximum value that the “current count data” of the attribute ID 401 can have. If even one of the values of the “current count data” exceeds this maximum value,
The CPU 301 invalidates all services (by the manager) by invalidating the valid flag in the subaddress: service ID correspondence table shown in FIG. The count unit price data of the attribute ID 404 indicates the unit price of each count of the attribute ID held in the “count data format” of the attribute ID 402 in units of currency. The current billing data of the attribute ID 405 is the “current count data” of the attribute ID 401.
And the corresponding value of the “count unit price data” of the attribute ID 404 are multiplied to obtain a total sum. Attribute ID
The charging limit data 406 indicates the maximum value that the “current charging data” of the attribute ID 405 can have.
When the “current billing data” in 405 exceeds the “billing limit data” in the attribute ID 406, the CPU 301 sets all the validity flags in the subaddress: service ID correspondence table shown in FIG. ) Disable the service. The event list supported by the attribute ID 501 represents an event that can be set to be notified to the supervisor by a list of event IDs uniquely defined for each event type. The setting of the actual event transmission is performed by setting the connection format and the destination of the event notification together with the event ID in the event setting table shown in FIG. Regarding the values in the attribute table in FIG.
The description “able Data” indicates that the value is data having a table format (52 to 104) indicated by the type ID.

(Sub Address: Service ID Correspondence Table) FIG.
Represents a subaddress: service ID correspondence table.
This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID 1001 (sub address: SID correspondence table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The subaddress: SID correspondence table indicates which service (for example, printing, font downloading, etc.) can be obtained by inputting a command packet to which subaddress. In addition, the interpreter 409 controls whether to provide a job service for each connection mode according to the validity flag and the like in this table. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record has a connection type ID 801, a sub address 802, a service ID 803,
It comprises a valid flag 804, a valid user list 805, and an invalid user list 806. The connection type ID 801 indicates an identifier indicating the connection type. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the meaning of the connection type ID, where 0 is Internal (user interface), 1 is TCP / IP (network), and 2 is IEEE1284.4
(IEEE1284) and 3 represent SBP-2 (IEEE1394).

The sub address 802 indicates a sub address for each connection mode. Although the user interface does not have a subaddress, a subaddress is assigned for convenience, and a command packet is input from the user interface together with the subaddress information.

The service ID 803 is an identifier representing a service. The service ID 803 is assigned to each manager shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 on a one-to-one basis.

The valid flag 804 indicates whether the subaddress is valid. When this value is true (YHS), the subaddress is valid, and the user can issue a command packet to the subaddress. If the value is false (NO), the subaddress is invalid, meaning that even if a command packet is issued to the subaddress, the packet is discarded. In the case of FIG. 8, when the connection form of the connection form ID2 (IEEE1284) is used, the service I is used.
Indicates that the service of D8 (Print Job Manager) cannot be provided.

The valid user list 805 indicates a list of user IDs who can receive the service when the subaddress is valid. The invalid user list 806 indicates a list of user IDs who cannot receive the service even if the subaddress is valid. List of valid users
Only one of 805 and the list of invalid users 806 can be set.

(Service ID: Task Type Correspondence Table) FIG.
Represents a service ID: task type correspondence table.
This table shows the attribute ID 1002 (SID: Tas
It is held in the DISK 315 as attribute values of the k type table).
The service ID: task type table indicates what kind of service the service ID provides. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is composed of a service ID 901 and a task type 902. The task type 902 indicates what kind of service it is. Figure 12 shows task type 902
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of the value of. 0 is the service performed by Supervisor, 1 is print, 2 is scan, 3 is copy, 101 is font, 102 is form overlay, 103 is log, 10
4 represents a color profile. The service ID has a one-to-one correspondence with the service providing manager.
For this reason, the service ID is also used to access the function table of each manager. Since the function table also has each printer controller and scanner controller,
In order to access them, a controller ID corresponding to the service ID is also assigned to the printer controller and the scanner controller, and what kind of controller ID is used is managed in a service ID: task type correspondence table. . The task type 201 represents a printer controller, and the task type 202 represents a scanner controller. The controller ID has one-to-one correspondence with each controller shown in FIGS.

The meaning of the service ID is as follows. 0: Supervisor 410 1: Print job manager 501 2: Print job manager 502 3: Print job manager 503 4: Print job manager 504 5: Print job manager 505 6: Print job manager 506 7: Print job manager 507 8: Print job manager 508 9: Print job manager 509 10: Scan job manager 419 11: Copy job manager 601 12: Copy job manager 602 13: Copy job manager 603 14: Copy job manager 604 15: Copy job manager 605 16: Copy job manager 606 17 : Copy job manager 607 18: Copy job manager 608 101: Font manager 413 102: Form overlay manager 414 103: Log manager 415 104: Color profile manager 416 21: Printer control Over La 510 22: printer controller 511 23: printer-controller 512 24: scanner controller 420

(User Authentication Table) FIG. 13 shows a user authentication table held by Supervisor, and shows authentication information of users who can use the device. This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID 1003 (user authentication table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The user authentication table indicates a set of a valid user ID and password together with information on whether the user has administrator privileges. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record),
Data is configured as a set of a plurality of records.
Each record includes a user ID 1001, a password 1002, and an administrator privilege flag 1003. The administrator privilege flag 1003 indicates whether the user has a right as an administrator.

(Access Control Table) FIG. 14 shows an access control table held by Supervisor, and shows a security level for each service. This table is used as the attribute value of the attribute ID 1004 (access control table) in the attribute table shown in FIG.
It is held in DISK315. The access control table holds a required security level for each service ID and a list of users who are permitted to provide the service. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record),
Data is configured as a set of a plurality of records.

Each record is composed of a service ID 1101, a security level 1102, and a user ID list 1103. The security level 1102 indicates authentication information required when receiving the service specified by the service ID 1101, that is, when issuing a command packet to the manager indicated by the service ID 1101. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the meaning of the security level. Security level 0 means that user authentication is not required, 1 means that only administrators are distinguished, 2 means that only authenticated users can be used, but user IDs are used for authentication and passwords are not used , 3 indicate that only an authenticated user can be used, and that a user ID and a password are used for authentication. The user ID list 1103 represents a list of user IDs permitted to use (access) when the security levels 1102 are 2 and 3.

(Event Setting Table) FIG. 16 shows an event setting table held by Supervisor. This table is
The attribute value of the attribute ID 502 (event setting table) of the attribute table indicated by 7 is held in the disk 315. The event setting table holds, for each type of event, a method and destination for transmitting an event notification when a specified event occurs in the device. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is event ID 1201, connection type 1202
And a notification destination address 1203. The destination includes a connection type and a notification destination address depending on the connection type. The event ID 1201 represents the type of the event, and is uniquely defined in the device.
For example, Event ID 200 has no paper, ID 399 has no toner, ID
432 indicates no ink, and ID234 indicates that the cover of the multifunction peripheral is open. The connection type ID 1202 indicates a connection type for transmitting an event notification, and the same value as that used in the subaddress: service ID correspondence table in FIG. 9 is used. Notification address 1203 is the connection type 1202
Represents the destination of the notification destination of the event conforming to.

(Event Format Table) FIG.
It represents the event format table held by isor and indicates the contents of the event. This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID 503 (event format table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The event format table shows each event ID uniquely defined in the device
Holds the format of additional data transmitted as an event notification. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record includes an event ID 1301 and an event format 1302. The event format 1302 is a format of additional data transmitted as an event notification, and is represented as a list of attribute IDs. The attribute ID is uniquely defined in the device,
Since the type is also uniquely determined by the attribute ID, the format of the additional data can be represented by specifying the attribute ID. For example, event format
1302 attribute ID676 is paper size, ID756 is paper type, ID666
Indicates the type of toner, ID698 indicates the type of ink, and ID600 indicates the position of the cover. As shown below,
The destination is set in the data (attribute table) held by each manager and controller, and it is possible to notify the events that have occurred in each manager and controller. The format is also held in the event format table shown in FIG. When the specified event occurs, the contents defined in the event format are
This is notified together with data determined in advance for each event ID.

(Print Job Manager Attribute Table)
Figure 18 shows each print job manager (control program)
501 to 509 represent data (attribute table) held in the DISK 315. This table shows print job performance and functions that can be handled by the print job manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The contents of each record are the same as those of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and the attribute ID 1401, type ID 1402 and value 1403
It is composed of FIG. 19 shows the attribute ID 1401 of the attribute table of FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing values of the ID and the type ID 1402. Type ID 20 of the attribute table in Fig. 19
3 (job table format), type ID 204 (job request table format), type
ID81 (forbidden attribute combination list 1 format), type ID82 (forbidden attribute combination list 2 format), type ID83 (forbidden attribute combination list 3 format), type ID84 (forbidden attribute combination list 4 format), type ID85 (forbidden attribute combination list) Other type IDs other than (5 format) are the same as those used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG.

The “supported data download method” of the attribute ID 601 indicates a method of transmitting document data to be printed to a device. In the present embodiment, 1: a method of including document data in a job; And 2: The job includes a reference pointer (URL: Unified Resource Locator) for the document data, and supports a method of reading the document data indicated by the reference pointer from the device as needed.

The attribute IDs 801, 802, 803, 804, and 805 are prohibition setting attributes indicating restrictions on attributes set in a print job input to the print job manager. These are used to represent restrictions, for example, when the number of copies exceeds 100, the finisher cannot be set. The prohibition setting attribute has five types as a method of expressing the restriction. The attribute ID 801 is
As shown by {Attribute ID1: {Attribute ID2}, a plurality of pairs of a list of one attribute ID1 and another attribute ID2 are held.
This means that if the attribute ID1 has been set, the setting of each attribute ID2 cannot be performed in the print job script.

The attribute ID 802 is: {Attribute ID 1: operator identifier:
Value: As shown by {attribute ID2}, a plurality of pairs of a list of another attribute ID2 are held for one attribute ID1, operator identifier, and value. This means that if the result of applying the operator indicated by the operator identifier to the value of the attribute ID1 is true, the setting of each attribute ID2 cannot be performed in the print job script. In the operator identifier, the integer value has one-to-one correspondence with the binary operation. For example, 0 represents “= (equal)”.

The attribute ID 803 is: {Attribute ID 1: operator identifier
1: Value 1: {attribute ID 2: operator identifier 2: value 2}, as shown in the table, for a certain attribute ID 1, operator identifier 1, and value 1,
It holds a plurality of pairs of lists of different sets of attribute ID2, operation identifier2 and value2. This means that if the result of applying the operator indicated by operator identifier 1 to attribute ID 1 to value 1 is true, the operator indicated by operator identifier 2 for each attribute ID 2 is applied to value 2. This means that the setting that makes the result of the application true is not possible in the print job script.

The attribute ID 804 is $ (attribute ID1: operator identifier)
1: Value 1): Operation identifier 3: (Attribute ID 2: Operator identifier 2: Value
2): As shown by {attribute ID3}, for one attribute ID1, operator identifier 1 and value 1, operation identifier 3 and another attribute ID2, operation identifier 2 and value 2, yet another attribute ID3 Holds multiple pairs of lists. This is the result of applying the operator indicated by operator identifier 1 to value 1 for attribute ID1 and the result of applying the operator indicated by operator identifier 2 to value 2 for attribute ID2. If the result of performing the operation indicated by the operator identifier 3 is true, it indicates that the setting for each attribute ID 3 cannot be performed in the print job script.

The attribute ID 805 is represented by $ (attribute ID1: operator identifier)
1: Value 1): Operation identifier 3: (Attribute ID 2: Operator identifier 2: Value
2): {Attribute ID 4: Operation identifier 4: Value 4}, as shown for one attribute ID 1, operator identifier 1 and value 1, operation identifier 3 and another attribute ID 2, operation identifier 2 and value 2 , And a plurality of pairs of lists of sets of another attribute ID4, operation identifier 4, and value 4 are held. This is the result of applying the operator indicated by operator identifier 1 to attribute ID 1 and applying it to value 1.
If the result of applying the operator indicated by the operator identifier 2 to the value 2 to the ID 2 and the operation indicated by the operator identifier 3 is true, the operation is performed for each attribute ID 4 This indicates that the setting that makes the result of applying the calculation indicated by to the value 4 to be new cannot be performed in the print job script.

The “controller ID list for executing (possible) Job” attribute ID 2001 is a list of controller IDs of the controllers that execute print jobs. Print job managers other than the print job manager 508 always execute jobs. A list of controllers to be executed. Since the print job manager 508 dynamically selects a controller according to the function requested by the job, this attribute indicates a range in which the controller can be selected.

The attribute ID 2002 “whether or not the controller is automatically selected” indicates whether or not the print job manager automatically selects a controller. In this embodiment, only the print job manager 508 sets this value to true. Other attribute IDs are the same as those used in the supervisor attribute table of FIG. However, the setting range and the range affected are limited to those under the control of the print job manager to which the attribute table belongs. For example, “supported operations” of the attribute value 101 is a list of operations that can be issued to this print job manager, and the attribute value 40
The “charging restriction data” of No. 6 is for restricting the charging of the print job executed by the print job manager. If you exceed your billing limit,
Only the service of this print job manager is invalidated, and the service of other managers is not affected. The attribute table of the print job manager shown in FIG. 18 is an attribute table with a service ID of 4 (print job manager 504), and corresponds to each of the service IDs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Print job manager 501, 502, 50
The attribute tables of 3, 505, 506, 507, 508, and 509 are stored in the disk 315 and are different from each other.

(Job Table) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing data (job table) held by the print job manager, and shows a correspondence table between file names holding job entities managed by the print manager and job IDs. The table is RAM3 as the attribute value of the attribute ID (job table) in the attribute table shown in FIG.
02 is held. Print job manager is RA
Dynamically change the job table on M302 and DISK315 as needed
To save. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is composed of a job ID 1501 and a file name 1502 in which the actual job is held. The job ID 1501 is an identifier for a job assigned by the print job manager when the job is submitted to the print job manager. The job file name 1502 is the name of a file in which the job entity is stored. As shown in FIG. 52, the entity of the job is an attribute ID,
It is configured by having a plurality of sets of attribute value size and attribute value.

(Job Request Table) FIG. 21 is a view showing a job request table held by the print job manager, and shows the relationship between jobs managed by the print manager and jobs executed by the controller. This table is
The attribute value of the attribute ID 2004 (job request table) of the attribute table indicated by 18 is held in the disk 315. The job request table indicates which controller manages a job managed by the print job manager as which job. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is composed of a job ID 1503, a controller ID 1504, and a job ID 1505 assigned in the controller. Job ID 1503
Is an identifier for the job assigned by the print job manager when the job is input to the print job manager.
Corresponds to 01. The controller ID 1504 indicates the ID of the controller executing the job. Job ID 1505
Is the job identifier assigned by the controller that executes the job.

(Attribute Table of Scan Job Manager)
FIG. 22 shows an attribute table which is data held by the scan job manager 419. This table shows the performance and functions of the scan job that can be handled by the scan job manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and the attribute ID 1601, type ID
1602 and a value 1603. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing values of attribute ID 1601 and type ID 1602 in the attribute table of FIG. The “supported data upload method” of the attribute ID = 602 indicates a method of transmitting the scanned document data to the device. In this embodiment, the method includes: a method of including the document data in the job reply; and
2: The document data is held in the device, and a reference pointer (UR
L: Unified Resource Locator), and a method of reading document data indicated by a reference pointer from the host (Client) as necessary is supported. The “List of image formats that can be output” with the attribute ID = 1201 indicates the data format of the images that can be output, and when issuing a scan job, it is possible to specify one of these as the data format. I can do it. The job table with the attribute ID = 2003 is the same as that held by the print job manager shown in FIG.

Other attribute IDs are the same as those used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the control of the scan job manager to which the attribute table belongs. The other type IDs other than the type ID 203 (job table format) in the attribute table in FIG. 23 are the same as those used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG.

(Attribute Table of Copy Job Manager) FIG.
Reference numeral 24 denotes data (attribute table) held by each copy job manager 601 to 608. This table shows the performance and functions of the copy job that can be handled by the copy job manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and the attribute ID 1701, type ID 17
02 and the value 1703. FIG. 25 shows the values of attribute ID 1701 and type ID 1702 in the attribute table of FIG. Attribute ID1302 (color printing possible), attribute ID1303 (type of finishing supported), attribute ID1304 (settable maximum resolution), attribute ID1305 (settable minimum resolution), attribute ID2001
(Controller ID list that may execute Job), Attribute ID 2002 (Controller automatic selection or not),
The attribute ID 2003 (job table) is the same as that shown in the description of the print job manager and the scan job manager. Also, attribute ID 1302 (whether color printing is possible), attribute ID 1303 (type of finishing supported), attribute ID 1304 (highest resolution that can be set), attribute ID
1305 (minimum resolution that can be set), attribute ID 2001 (controller ID list that may execute Job), attribute ID 200
Attribute ID other than 2 (controller automatic selection), attribute ID 2003 (job table), type ID 203 (job table format) and type I
D is the same as that used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG. The attribute table of the copy job manager shown in FIG. 24 is an attribute table with a service ID of 18 (copy job manager 608), and has a service ID of 11, 12, 13, and
The attribute tables of the copy job managers 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, and 607 corresponding to 14, 15, 16, and 17, respectively, are stored in the disk 315 and are different from each other.

(Attribute Table of Font Manager) FIG. 26 shows data (attribute table) held by the font manager 413 in the disk 315. This table shows types of fonts that can be handled by the font manager, a list of fonts currently managed by the font manager, and the like. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The contents of each record are Superviso shown in Fig. 7.
Same as r, attribute ID 1801, type ID 1802 and value 1
803. FIG. 27 shows the attribute ID 1 in the attribute table of FIG. 26.
801 and the value of type ID 1802 are shown. Attribute ID 601 (supported data download method), attribute ID 602 (supported data upload method), attribute ID 1501 (list of supported font types), attribute ID 1502
The attribute IDs and type IDs other than (maximum number of fonts that can be held), attribute ID 1503 (number of currently held fonts), attribute ID 1504 (list of held fonts), and type ID 150 (font table) are the supervisors in Fig. 7. Is the same as that used in the attribute table. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the control of the font manager to which the attribute table belongs. "Supported data download method" of attribute ID 601, and attribute ID 60
The “supported data upload method” of 2 is the same as that described in the description of the print job manager and the description of the scan job manager, respectively. It shows.

(Font Table) FIG. 28 shows a font table held by the font manager. This table is
The attribute value of the type ID 1504 (font table) of the attribute table indicated by 26 is held in the disk 315. The font table shows what fonts are currently managed by the font manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record has font ID 190
1, a font type 1902, a font name 1903, and a file name 1904 including font data. Font data is stored in DISK315, and font ID 1
Reference numeral 901 denotes an identifier for the font assigned by the font manager when the font data is downloaded to the RAM 302.

(Attribute Table of Form Overlay Manager) FIG.
Indicates the data (attribute table) held in K315. This table is
This indicates a format of a form overlay that can be handled by the form overlay manager, a list of form overlays currently managed by the form overlay manager, and the like. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of Supervisor shown in FIG.
It is composed of an attribute ID 2001, a type ID 2002, and a value 2003. FIG. 30 shows the values of the attribute ID and the type ID in the attribute table of FIG. Attribute ID 601 (Supported data download method), Attribute ID 602 (Supported data upload method), Attribute ID 1601 (List of supported form overlay formats), Attribute ID 1602 (Maximum number of form overlays that can be held) ), Attribute ID 1603 (current number of form overlays), attribute ID 1604
(A list of retained form overlays), type ID
For attribute IDs and type IDs other than 160 (form table), see Fig. 7.
It is the same as that used in the Supervisor attribute table. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the control of the form overlay manager to which the attribute table belongs. "Supported data download method" of attribute ID 601 and attribute ID
602 "Supported Data Upload Methods"
Are the same as those described in the description of the print job manager and the description of the scan job manager, respectively, and indicate a supported method of downloading and uploading form overlay data.

(Form Overlay Table) FIG. 31 shows a form overlay table held by the form overlay manager 414. This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID 1604 (form overlay table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The form overlay table indicates what form overlay is currently being managed by the form overlay manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is a form overlay ID 21
01, form overlay data format 2102,
It is composed of a form overlay name 2103 and a file name 2104 including form overlay data. The form overlay data is stored in the disk 315, and the form overlay ID 2101 is an identifier for the font assigned by the form overlay manager when the form overlay data was downloaded to the RAM 302.

(Log Manager Attribute Table) FIG. 32 shows data (attribute table) held by the log manager 415 in the disk 315. This table represents a list of logs currently managed by the log manager 415 and the like. The table has each row
It represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and is composed of an attribute ID 2201, a type ID 2202, and a value 2203. FIG. 33 shows the values of the attribute ID and the type ID in the attribute table of FIG.
Attribute ID 602 (supported data upload method), attribute ID 1703 (number of retained Logs), attribute ID 170
4 (Log table), Attribute ID 1705 (Log format table), Attribute ID 1706 (List of actions that can be specified when the log buffer becomes full), Attribute ID 1707 (Log Data File attribute table), Type ID 170 (Log table) The attribute IDs and type IDs other than the type ID 171 (log format table format) and type ID 172 (Log Data File attribute table format) are the same as those used in the supervisor attribute table of FIG. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the management of the log manager to which the attribute table belongs.

(Log Table) FIG. 34 shows a log table held by the log manager 415. This table is DISK as the attribute value of the attribute ID 1704 (log table) in the attribute table shown in FIG.
315 is held. The log table indicates what logs are currently managed by the log manager.
In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is composed of a log ID 2301 and a file name 2302 including log data. The log ID 2301 is a log identifier defined in advance for the type.

(Contents of Log Data) FIG. 35 shows the contents of log data managed by DISK 315 by the log manager. Log data is configured as a set of log records. Each log record is composed of a Log Data ID 2404 (1 to the maximum M), a log format ID 2401, a recording date and time 2402, and log data 2403. The log format ID 2401 refers to the log format information recorded in the log format table shown in FIG. 36, and represents the format of the log data 2403. For example,
LogFormatID1 log data "12345, 4, 1.23," OK ""
Means that the user ID that issued the job to the print job manager with service ID 1 is 12345 and the number of output papers is 4.
And the used toner amount is 1.23 and the job end status is OK
Is shown.

(Log Format Table) FIG. 36 shows a log format table held by the log manager 415. This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID (log format table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The log format table indicates the format of a log recorded in each log data managed by the log manager 415. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is a log format ID
2501 and a log format 2502. The log format is represented as a list of service ID: attribute ID pairs. The attribute ID is uniquely defined in the device, and its type is also uniquely determined by the attribute ID. Therefore, by specifying the attribute ID, the format of the log data can be represented. Log format 25
02 service ID: attribute ID pair list and log data 2403
The list of values in the list corresponds to the order. For example, the third service I in the log format 2502 list
D: Attribute ID pair means the format of the third value of log data. For example, the format of LogFormatID1 "1: 7
“01, 1: 565, 1: 765, 1: 777” indicate the user ID of the user who issued the job to the print job manager of service ID 1, the number of output papers, the used toner amount, and the end state of the job. Also, the format of LogFormatID2 "11: 701, 11:
“565, 11: 765, 11: 777” indicate the user ID that has issued the job to the print job manager of service ID 11, the number of output sheets, the amount of toner used, and the end state of the job.

(Log Data File Attribute Table) FIG. 83 shows a Log Data File attribute table managed by DISK 315 by the log manager 415. This table has DISK3 as the attribute value of the attribute ID (Log Data File attribute table 1707) of the attribute table shown in FIG.
Held at 15. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record has Log ID 8301, Rea
d Pointer 8302, Write Pointer 8303, Write permission 83
04, consists of an action 8305 when the log buffer becomes full and the number 8306 of times when the Write Pointer exceeds the Read Pointer. When the value of the action 8305 is 1 when the log buffer becomes full, it indicates that the printer is out of the log, 2 indicates that the log writing is stopped, 3 indicates that the log writing process is continued, The case indicates the movement of the log to another area.

(Attribute Table of Color Profile Manager) FIG.
Represents the data (attribute table) held in. This table shows a format of a color profile that can be handled by the color profile manager, a list of color profiles currently managed by the color profile manager, and the like. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Figure 7 shows the contents of each record.
Is the same as that of Supervisor indicated by the attribute ID 260
1, consisting of a type ID 2602 and a value 2603. FIG. 38 shows the values of the attribute ID and the type ID in the attribute table of FIG. Attribute ID 601
(Supported data download methods), attributes
ID602 (Supported data upload method), Attribute ID1801 (List of supported color profile data formats), Attribute ID1802 (Maximum number of color profiles that can be stored), Attribute ID1803 (Current number of color profiles stored) ), Attribute ID 1804 (color profile table) and type ID 180 (color profile table format) are the same as those used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG. However, the setting range and the range affected are limited to those under the control of the color profile manager to which the attribute table belongs. The attribute ID 601 “supported data download method” and the attribute ID 602 “supported data upload method” are the same as those described in the description of the print job manager and the scan job manager, respectively. It is the same and indicates the supported font data download and upload methods.

(Color Profile Table) FIG. 39 shows a color profile held by the color profile manager. This table is DISK as the attribute value of the attribute ID 1804 (color profile table) in the attribute table shown in FIG.
315 is held. The color profile table indicates what color profile is currently managed by the color profile manager. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record is composed of a color profile ID 2701, a color profile format 2702, and a file name 2703 including color profile data. The color profile ID 2701 is an identifier for the color profile assigned by the color profile manager when the color profile data is downloaded. The color profile data is correction data for correcting data sent from the Scanner Engine 102 and data sent to the Ink Jet Printer Engine 105 to perform color matching.

(Attribute Table of Printer Controller) FIG. 40 shows data (attribute table) held by the printer controllers 510, 511, and 512 in the disk 315. This table shows the performance / function of the print engine and finisher controlled by the printer controller, and the values relating to the performance / function cannot be rewritten. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and is composed of an attribute ID 2801, a type ID 2802, and a value 2803.
FIG. 41 shows the values of the attribute ID and the type ID in the attribute table of FIG. Attribute ID
12 (controller type), attribute ID 13 (controller I
D), attribute ID 5001 (whether color printing is possible), attribute ID 5
002 (supported finishing types), attribute I
D5003 (highest configurable resolution), attribute ID5004 (lowest configurable resolution), attribute ID5005 (job queue table), type ID50
Attribute IDs and type IDs other than 0 (job queue table format) are the same as those used in the attribute table of Supervisor in FIG. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the control of the printer controller to which the attribute table belongs.

The attribute table of the printer controller shown in FIG. 40 is an attribute table with a service ID of 21 (printer controller 510). It is memorized and differs from each other.

(Job Queue Table) FIG. 42 shows a job queue table held by the printer controller.
This table is held in the disk 315 as attribute values of the attribute ID 5005 (job queue table) of the attribute table shown in FIG. The job queue table indicates the status of the job managed and executed by the printer controller. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. Each record has job ID 2901 and job status 29
02 and the name of the file that stores the actual job 2903
It is composed of The job ID 2901 is an identifier for the job assigned by the printer controller when the job is input to the printer controller. Figure 43 is a diagram
42 is a diagram illustrating 42 job status 2902 (job status). FIG. 1 indicates that the job is being completed, 2 indicates that the job is being executed by the engine, and 3 indicates that the job is waiting for execution. The job file name 2903 is the name of a file in which the job entity is stored. The actual job is as shown in Fig. 52.
It is configured by having a plurality of sets of attribute ID, attribute value size and attribute value.

(Attribute Table of Scan Controller) FIG. 44
Represents data (attribute table) held by the scanner controller 420 in the disk 315. This table indicates the scanner engine performance / function controlled by the scanner controller, and the value relating to the performance / function cannot be rewritten. In the table, each row represents one information unit (record), and data is configured as a set of a plurality of records. The content of each record is the same as that of the supervisor shown in FIG. 7, and the attribute ID 3001, type ID 3002 and value 3003
It is composed of Fig. 45 shows the attribute ID and type of the attribute table shown in Fig. 44.
Indicates the ID value. Attribute ID12 (controller type), attribute
ID13 (controller ID), attribute ID6001 (whether color scan is possible), attribute ID6002 (maximum document size), attribute
Attribute IDs other than ID6003 (highest configurable resolution) and attribute ID6004 (lowest configurable resolution)
It is the same as that used in the attribute table of sor. However, the range of setting and the range of influence are limited to those under the control of the printer controller to which the attribute table belongs.

(Structure of Command Packet) FIG. 46 shows a user interface manager 405, TCP / IP / UDP / IP
From the processing module 406, the IEEE1284.4 processing module 407 and the SBP-2 processing module 408 to the interprinter 409
Represents the structure of a command packet output to the server. This command packet is interpreted by the interpreter.
409 to User Interface Manager 405, TCP / I
It also shows the structure of a reply packet and an event packet output to the P / UDP / IP processing module 406, the IEEE1284.4 processing module 407, and the SBP-2 processing module 408. The packet includes a packet header 3101 indicating the beginning of the packet, a packet version 3102 indicating the packet structure version, a flag 3103 indicating the character of the packet, an operation code 3104 indicating what kind of operation is to be performed, and a Client (PC) returning packet. Block number 3105 used to recognize the parameter, parameter length 3106 representing the length of parameter 3110, user used for user authentication
It comprises an ID 3107, a password 3108, a status code 3109 used only for a reply packet and indicating a general state of reply, and a parameter 3110 having a format determined for each operation code 3105. The parameter 3110 includes an access target service ID, an access target attribute ID, and the like. The flag 3104 indicates whether the packet is a command packet / event packet or a reply packet 3111, and the data to be transmitted cannot be included in the parameter 3110, and subsequent data is also included in the next packet to be transmitted. Continuation flag 31 indicating that it is in
There are 12. The length of parameter 3110 is the parameter length 31
06 is limited to the number represented (64k bytes). Specifically, ClientPC202,2 connected to Ethernet208
03 is a multifunction peripheral by specifying an IP address and port number
Connect to 201 and send IP packet data to Network Interface 305
Output to (107). The client PC 204 connected to the IEEE1394 interface 206 specifies the node ID and LUN (logical unit number) and connects to the multi-function peripheral 201 to connect to the SBP.
-2 output the packet data to the IEEE1394 Interface 306 (108). C connected to IEEE1284 interface 207
lientPC205 is a multifunctional peripheral device 20 by specifying a socket number.
Connect to IEEE1284 packet data by connecting to IEEE1284 Inter
Output to face307 (109). Network Interface Driver40
2, IEEE 1284 Interface Driver403, IEEE1394 Interfa
The transport packet with the IP Header, 1284 Header, and 1394 Header added to the beginning of the command packet shown in FIG. Output to module 408. The TCP / IP / UDP / IP processing module 406, the IEEE1284.4 processing module 407, and the SBP-2 processing module 408 process each of the input transport packets, extract the command packets shown in FIG.
Output to r / Generater409.

(Processing of Command Packet) FIG. 47 shows a processing flow of a command packet in the multi-function peripheral 201. In step 3201, each of the transport processing modules 405, 406, 407, and 408 processes data input from each of the interfaces 401, 402, 403, and 404, and extracts a command packet shown in FIG. The extracted command packet is transmitted along with the connection type information (connection type ID) and the subaddress to which the data was input, along with the TCP / IP
UDP / IP processing module 406, IEEE1284.4 processing module 4
07, input from the SBP-2 processing module 408 to the interpreter 409. In step 3202, the interpreter 40
9 is the subaddress held by Supervisor410: Service ID
By referring to the correspondence table (FIG. 9), the service ID is obtained and the data input is checked for validity by comparing the input connection format ID with the subaddress. If the result of the check indicates that the data entry is not valid, step 32
In 04, the command packet is discarded and the processing ends. If the data input is valid, the command packet is analyzed in step 3203 based on the packet structure in FIG.
As a result of the packet analysis, each item shown in FIG. 46 is output as independent and separate information. Step 32
In 05, access control table based on service ID (Fig. 14)
To obtain the security level corresponding to the service ID.

At step 3206, it is checked whether the security level acquired at step 3205 is 0 or 1. If the security level is 0 or 1, check the security level (security gate 411)
Is input to the dispatcher 412 without performing. Step 320
When security level is other than 0 or 1 in 6,
In step 3207, it is checked whether the security level is 2. If the security level is 2, it is checked in step 3209 whether the user ID included in the command packet exists in the user authentication table (FIG. 13). If the user ID is not included, it is determined that the user does not have the authority, and error reply information is generated in step 3210, a packet (error information is embedded in the status code 3109) is generated by the interprinter 409, and transmitted to the command packet transmission source. If the user ID is included, the user ID is input to the dispatcher 412. The source address is extracted from the transport packet (Header).

At step 3207, if the security level is other than 2, it is checked whether the user ID: password pair included in the command packet at step 3208 exists in the user authentication table (FIG. 13). If the user ID: password pair is not included,
At 3211, error reply information is generated as the one without the authority, and a packet is generated by the interprinter 409 and transmitted to the command packet transmission source. If the user ID is included, the user ID is input to the dispatcher 412. In step 3212, the dispatcher 412 determines the manager of the distribution destination based on the service ID, and connects to the determined manager with the connection format ID and the subaddress in which the data is input, the source address, the operation code, the block number, and the flag. Information, user ID, password, parameter length and parameters are distributed. And step
At 3213, each manager processes this information.

(Access Process of Attribute Table) FIG. 48 shows a process in the case where the Client instructs reading and writing of the attribute table of each manager and each controller held by the multi-function peripheral 201.

Reading and writing from the attribute table held by each manager and each controller are performed by transmitting an appropriate command packet to the subaddress of the supervisor. In the attribute table read command packet, access target service ID
And the access target attribute ID. Also, as a parameter in the attribute table write command packet,
The access target service ID, the access target attribute ID, and the attribute value corresponding to the attribute ID are included. The packet data sent from the client to the multi-function peripheral 201 is processed according to the flow shown in FIG. 47 and distributed to the supervisor.
In step 3301, it is checked whether the operation code 3104 is an attribute value reading code (“Get”).

If the operation code is “Get”, the entire attribute table to be accessed is acquired in step 3301 based on the service ID. If the service ID is 0, the attribute table of the Supervisor 410 shown in FIG. 7 and the service IDs are 1, 2, 3,
In the case of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, the attribute table of the print job manager as shown in FIG. 18 and the service ID of 10 and the attribute table of the scan job manager 419 as shown in FIG. In the case of 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, copy job manager attribute table and service as shown in FIG.
If the ID is 101, the attribute table of the font manager 413 as shown in FIG. 26, if the service ID is 102, the attribute table of the form overlay manager 414 as shown in FIG. 29,
When the service ID is 103, the attribute table of the log manager 415 as shown in FIG. 32, and when the service ID is 104, the attribute table of the color profile manager 416 as shown in FIG. In this case, the attribute table of the printer controller as shown in FIG. 40 is obtained, and when the service ID is 24, the attribute table of the scanner controller 420 as shown in FIG. 44 is obtained. The attribute table of the print job manager shown in FIG. 18 is an attribute table with a service ID of 4 (print job manager 504), and has service IDs 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Print job manager 501 corresponding to each of
Attribute tables 502, 503, 505, 506, 507, 508, and 509 are stored in the disk 315. Similarly, the attribute table of the copy job manager shown in FIG. 24 is an attribute table with the service ID of 18 (copy job manager 608), and the service IDs of 11, 12, 13, 14, 1
The attribute table of the copy job manager 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607 corresponding to each of 5, 16 and 17 is DIS
It is stored in K315. Similarly, the attribute table of the printer controller shown in FIG. 40 is an attribute table with the service ID of 21 (printer controller 510).
Is stored in the disk 315.

Thereafter, in step 3303, it is checked whether or not the specified attribute value can be obtained. The inspection is to obtain the value of "Attribute ID list that can be obtained only by administrator" (attribute ID = 105) of the target attribute table, and check if the attribute ID specified to be obtained is included in this Performed by If the attribute ID is included, the value cannot be acquired, so an error reply packet is created in step 3305, transmitted, and the processing is terminated. If the attribute ID is not included, the attribute ID specified in step 3304
Search the attribute table based on, and obtain the type ID and attribute value having the corresponding attribute ID. In step 3306, a reply packet is generated based on the type ID, and in step 3307, the reply packet is transmitted, and the process ends. If the operation code is not “Get” in step 3301, it is checked in step 3308 whether the operation code is an attribute value writing code (“Set”).

If the operation code is "Set", in step 3309 the entire attribute table to be accessed is acquired based on the service ID. Then step 33
At 10, it is checked whether the specified attribute value can be set. Inspection is to obtain the value of "Attribute ID list that can be set only by administrator" (attribute ID = 104) of the target attribute table, and check whether the attribute ID specified for setting is included in this Performed by If the attribute ID is included, the value cannot be obtained, so an error reply packet is created in step 3314, transmitted, and the processing is terminated. If the attribute ID is not included, the attribute table is searched based on the attribute ID specified in step 3311, and the type ID and the attribute value having the corresponding attribute ID are obtained. Step 3312
In, set the attribute value specified based on the type ID,
Generates a reply packet indicating that the setting was successful.
In step 3313, this reply packet is transmitted, and the process ends. In step 3308, the operation code is "
If it is not “Set”, another processing step 3315 described later according to the operation code is performed, and the processing ends.

(Service ID List Inquiry Processing) FIG. 49
Represents a process when the Client inquires about a list of services (list of service IDs) provided by the multi-function peripheral 201. The inquiry about the service list is performed by transmitting an appropriate command packet to the subaddress of the supervisor and reading and processing the subaddress: service ID correspondence table shown in FIG. The flow shown in FIG. 49 is equivalent to step 3315 (other Ops) of the flow shown in FIG.
eration code processing) in detail. In step 3401, it is checked whether the operation code is a service list acquisition code ("List Service"). Operation code is "List S
If it is not “ervice”, another processing step 3402 described later according to the operation code is performed, and the processing is ended.
In step 3401, the operation code is “List
In the case of "Service", in step 3403, a list is created by extracting only those corresponding to the connection type ID used for the inquiry from the subaddress: service ID correspondence table. In step 3404, the list created in step 3403 Is checked if the valid flag 804 is valid and the valid user list 805 has a value. If the user ID used for the query does not correspond to that value, the record is queried if the invalid user list 806 has a value. In the step 3405, a reply packet including the service ID list updated in the step 3404 is created, and a record in which the user ID used for the user ID corresponds to the value is deleted from the list.
The created reply packet is transmitted in step 3406.

(Sub Address Inquiry Processing) FIG.
The Client provides the sub-address information required when using the service provided by the multi-function peripheral device 201.
Represents the process when an inquiry is made by specifying an ID. As for the inquiry of the sub address, an appropriate command packet is transmitted to the sub address of the supervisor 410, and FIG.
This is performed by reading and processing the subaddress: service ID correspondence table indicated by. The subaddress inquiry command packet includes a service ID as a parameter. The flow shown in FIG. 50 is a detailed version of Step 3402 (processing of other Operation Code) in the flow shown in FIG. 49. In step 3501, it is checked whether or not the operation code is a sub-address acquisition code (“Reserve”). If the operation code is not “Reserve”, another processing step 35 described later according to the operation code is performed.
Perform 03 and finish. If the operation code is "Reserve" in step 3501, the sub-address / service ID correspondence table is scanned from the connection type ID used for the inquiry in step 3502 and the service ID specified in the parameter to search for a corresponding record. I do. Step 3504
For the record retrieved in, whether the valid flag is valid, if there is a value in the valid user list, whether the user ID used in the query is in the list, or if there is a value in the invalid user list, the list Check if there is no user ID used for the inquiry. If any of the check results are not OK, it is determined that there is no access right (use right) to the specified service, an error reply packet is created in step 3506, this packet is transmitted in step 3507, and the process is terminated. As a result of the check in step 3504, if all the checks are OK, a reply packet including a sub address is created in step 3505, and this packet is transmitted in step 3507, and the process is terminated.

(Inquiry Processing of Task Type Designated Service ID) FIG. 51 shows an optimum service for designating a service type and processing a specified type of service among services provided by the multi-function peripheral 201. This shows the processing flow when the service ID is inquired. Inquiry of the service ID specifying the type of service sends an appropriate command packet to the subaddress of Supervisor,
Subaddress shown in FIG. 9: service ID correspondence table and FIG. 11
This is performed by reading and processing the service ID: task type correspondence table indicated by. The sub-address ID inquiry command packet includes, as parameters, a task type for designating a service type and a combination (condition information) for limiting the service.
The condition information is represented as a list of pairs of an attribute ID and a value. The flow shown in FIG. 51 is a detailed version of Step 3503 (processing of other Operation Code) of the flow shown in FIG. In step 3601, the operation code is changed to the sub address acquisition code (“Get Se
rvice ”). If the operation code is not“ Get Service ”, another processing step 3603 described later according to the operation code
And exit. If the operation code is “Get Service” in step 3601, the connection format used for the inquiry is obtained from the connection format ID and subaddress: service ID correspondence table used for the inquiry in step 3602.
Create a list of service IDs with IDs. Step 3604
In, refer to the service ID: task type correspondence table,
Create a list of those having the specified task type from the above list. In step 3605, each record in the list created in step 3604 is inspected, and if the valid flag 804 is valid and the valid user list 805 has a value, the record in which the user ID used for the inquiry does not correspond to the value is invalidated. If the user list 806 has a value, the record in which the user ID used for the inquiry corresponds to the value is deleted from the list. In step 3609, the condition information included in the parameter is compared with the attribute table of each manager corresponding to the service ID in the list, and values other than the value matching the condition are deleted from the list. In step 3606, the number of records in the list changed in step 3605 is checked, and if the number of records is 0, an error reply packet is created in step 3611 assuming that the requested service does not exist, and a reply is made in step 3613. Send the packet and exit. If the number of records is not 0 in step 3606, it is checked in step 3607 whether the number of records is 1. If the number of records is 1, a reply packet including the service ID obtained in step 3612 is created, the reply packet is transmitted in step 3613, and the process ends. If the number of records is other than 1 in step 3607, in step 3608, each manager corresponding to the service ID in the list is inquired about the current load state. Each manager returns the number of jobs being processed as a load state, and selects a manager having the lowest load from among these. In step 3610, a reply packet including the service ID corresponding to the selected manager is created, and in step 3613, the reply packet is transmitted, and the process ends.

(Job Structure) FIG. 52 shows the internal structure of a file (job file) that holds the job entity managed by each manager. The file name of the job file is held as the file name 1502 in the job table (FIG. 20). The structure of this file also indicates the internal structure of the file that holds the job entity managed by each controller. This file name is stored in the job queue table (Figure
42) file name 2903. The job entity is represented by having a plurality of consecutive sets of attribute ID 3701, attribute value size 3702, and attribute value 3703. If the job contains data, the value representing the data as the attribute ID, the size of the file name as the attribute value, and the file name of the file holding the document data as the attribute value, as indicated by 3707, 3708, 3709 are doing. Some of the attributes depend on the data transmission method, the data format (such as the PDL used), the type of event and the destination for sending event notifications when the event occurs, and the type of job. Information: In the case of a print job, the information includes the number of copies, finishing processing designation, designation of a font to be used, designation of a form overlay to be used, and the like.

(Job Script Processing in Each Manager) FIGS. 53 and 54 show the processing flow of the job script in each manager. The job script is composed of a series of command packets shown in FIG. 46, and is defined as starting with an “Job Start” operation code and ending with a “Job End” operation code. Each packet constituting the job script has a sub-address: service ID shown in FIG.
Entered at the sub-address indicated by the correspondence table,
Are distributed to each manager by the command packet processing flow indicated by. The processing flow shown in FIG. 53 is a diagram that processes command packets distributed to each manager.
52 is a processing flow when creating a job file and a data file indicated by 52. The operation distributed to each manager checks in step 3801 whether the operation code is a supported operation code. The check is performed by comparing each manager with the value of the “supported operation” attribute (attribute ID 101) held in the attribute table. If the result of the check indicates that the operation is not supported, an error reply packet is created in step 3816, transmitted, and the process ends. Steps
If the operation code 3801 is supported, it is checked in step 3802 whether the job is currently being submitted. The check is performed by checking whether the job submission flag (the flag set in step 3806) is true. As a result of the check, if the job input flag is false and the job is not being input, it is checked in step 3804 whether the operation code is "Job Start". If the operation code is not "Job Start" as a result of the check, an error reply packet is created in step 3816, transmitted, and the processing ends.

If the result of the check in step 3804 is OK,
Assign a job ID, add an item to the job table (Fig. 20), and create a new job file. Then step 38
At 05, the job input flag is set to true, and the processing of the command packet ends.

If the job input flag is true in the check in step 3802, it is checked in step 3803 whether the operation code is "Send". The operation code "Send" instructs the manager that the parameters include data constituting the job. If the operation code is "Send" in step 3803, the continuation flag input together with the command is checked in step 3807. If the continuation flag is true, an area is newly added to the already existing data file Add 3809
Then, the parameters are written in the area, and the processing is terminated. If the continuation flag is false in step 3807,
At 3810, a new data file 3713 is created, and at step 3811 parameters are written to the data file. Then, in step 3812, an area is added to the job file, and in step 3813, the attribute ID representing the data
3707, the file name size 3708 and the file name 3709 of the newly created file are written in this area, and the processing ends. In step 3803, the operation code is "Sen
If it is not "d", it is checked in step 3814 whether the operation code is "Job End". If the operation code is "Job End", step 3
At 815, a job generation end process is performed, and the process ends. The job generation end processing includes processing such as closing a job file, and includes the type of manager (print job,
Scan job, copy job, font, form overlay, log, color profile).

If the operation code is not "Job End" in step 3814, it is checked in step 3817 whether the operation code is "Set Job". The operation code "Set Job" is for instructing the manager that the parameters (attribute ID and attribute value) constituting the job are included in the parameters. If the operation code of the job is "Set Job", an area is added to the job file in step 3818, and in step 3819, the attribute ID, the attribute value size, and the attribute value are written in the added area, and the process ends.

If it is determined in step 3817 that the operation code is not “Set Job”, it is checked in step 3820 whether the operation code is “Send Request”. Operation code is "Send Reques
"t" instructs the manager to transmit data, and includes a data transmission method as a parameter. If the operation code is "Send Request", a process depending on each manager is performed in step 3821. In the case of the scan job manager, the process in step 3821 instructs the scanner controller to scan a document according to the attribute values held in the job file, and transmits the obtained data by the specified method. In the case of a font manager, this includes immediately transmitting font data specified as an attribute value in the job file by the specified transmission method.
In step 3820, the operation code is "Send Re
If it is not "quest", processing of other operation codes is performed in step 3822, and the processing is terminated.

(Job Processing in Print Job Manager) FIG. 55 shows the print job manager shown in FIG.
It shows the processing flow of a job in 501 to 509. The print job manager operates a task that constantly monitors the job table. When the print job manager performs the processing flow of the job script shown in FIG. 54 and detects that a new item has been added to the job table by inputting the “Job Start” operation code, this monitoring task is executed as shown in FIG. The task having the processing flow indicated by is operated to process the input job. The PDL (Page Description La) used to represent the data (document data) in step 3901
nguage) Wait for the attribute indicating the type to be added to the job file, and use the PDL R when the PDL type is determined
asterizer (PDL Rasterizer417 or PDL Rasterizer41
Wait until 8) becomes available. PDL Ras at step 3901
When the terizer becomes available, it waits in step 3902 for an attribute indicating the data receiving method to be added to the job file. When the attribute indicating the data reception method is added to the job file, the data reception method is checked in step 3903. If the data reception method is external to the multi-function peripheral MFP 201 (for example,
nt PC, etc.)
In step 904, a task for reading the specified data is generated to access the outside. Thereafter, in step 3905, the process waits for the start of data reading. Step 39
If the data is included in the job in 03 (in the case of data reception by the “Send” operation code in FIG. 54), in step 3906 it waits for the start of data reception.

When reading or receiving of data is started in the step 3905 or 3906, the step
In 3907, start to input data to PDL Rasterizer. Thereafter, in step 3908, image data is received from the PDL Rasterizer. In step 3909, a printer controller to be used is determined. This determination is made when the print job managers 501 to 507 and 509 determine in advance the attribute ID 2001 (Controller ID list for executing a job) in the attribute table.
The printer controller required for printing is determined by reading the contents of the print job file (attribute I and attribute value of the job file shown in FIG. 52) by specifying "OK" in attribute ID 2002 (whether or not the controller can be automatically selected). May be determined dynamically. In this case, for example, if color printing is designated by the attribute ID and the attribute value in the job file, Ink Jet Controller 512 (CID23) is determined, and the attribute is determined.
LBP Co if use of Finisher is specified by ID and attribute value
Determine ntroller510 (CID21). When the printer controller is determined, in step 3910, image data is input to each printer controller and a job ID is received from the printer controller. In step 3911, the job request table (FIG. 21) includes the job ID, the printer controller ID, and the job received from the printer controller.
The ID is recorded as a separate record for each printer controller. Then the print job manager steps
At 3912, each printer controller waits for the end of the job. When the end of the job is notified from the printer controller, at step 3913, the corresponding record is deleted from the job request table. In 3914, check whether all the jobs requested to each printer controller have been completed,
If a job still remains in the printer controller, the process returns to step 3912 to wait for the end of the job in the printer controller. In step 3914, if the job in all the requested printer controllers is completed, in step 3915, the job record is deleted from the job table (FIG. 20). At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG. 61 is performed. In step 3916, the inside of the job file is inspected, and in step 3917, it is checked whether there is an attribute value instructing transmission of an event regarding the job end. If not, the process ends, but if there is, in step 3918 the attribute value is read to obtain the transmission method and transmission destination. In step 3919, an event transmission packet is created, and the event is transmitted to the specified transmission method and transmission destination. In step 3920, end processing such as deletion of the job file / data file is performed, and the job processing ends.

(Job Processing in Scan Job Manager) FIG. 56 shows a job processing flow in the scan job manager 419. The scan job manager starts processing the job after the job input is completed. For this reason, the scan job manager
FIG. 56 shows the job end processing in step 3815 in 54.
Start job processing. In step 4001, a job is input to the scanner controller 420 and a job ID is received. In step 4002, the job request table (FIG. 21)
The job ID, the scanner controller ID, and the job ID received from the scanner controller 420 are recorded. In step 4003, the process waits for the end of the job from the scanner controller 420.
When notified from 0, the scanned image data is received from the scanner controller 420, and in step 4004, the record of the job is deleted from the job table (FIG. 20). At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG. 61 is performed.
In step 4005, an attribute instructing the data transmission method is searched from the attributes in the job. Step 40
If the data transmission method is an instruction to transmit data as a script in 06, the data is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information in step 4008.
Details of the data transmission process from the device are shown in FIG. If the instruction is to transmit data as a reference in step 4006, the data is stored in the device in step 4007, and reference information for the data is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information. In step 4010, the inside of the job file is inspected, and in step 4011, it is checked whether or not there is an attribute value instructing the transmission of an event regarding the job end. If not, the process ends. If there is, the transmission method and the transmission destination are obtained by reading the attribute value in step 4012. Steps
In step 4013, an event transmission packet is created, and the event is transmitted to the specified transmission method and transmission destination.
In step 4014, end processing such as deletion of the job file / data file is performed, and the job processing ends.

(Job Processing in Copy Job Manager) FIG. 57 shows a job processing flow in the copy job managers 601 to 608. The copy job manager starts processing the job after the job input is completed. Therefore, the job manager starts the job processing in FIG. 57 as the job end processing in step 3815 in FIG. In step 4101, a job is input to the scanner controller 420 and a job ID is received.
In step 4102, the job request table (FIG. 21)
The ID, the scanner controller ID, and the job ID received from the scanner controller 420 are recorded. Step 410
In step 3, the process waits for the job completion from the scanner controller 420. When the job completion is notified from the scanner controller 420, the scanned image data is received from the scanner controller 420. In step 4104, the job data is read from the job table (FIG. 20). Delete a record. Next, in step 4105, a printer controller to be used is determined. This determination is made in advance by the attribute ID 2001 (Controller ID list for executing the job) in the attribute table of the copy job managers 601 to 607 and 609, and the attribute ID 2002 (Contr.
When the printer controller necessary for printing is dynamically determined by reading the contents of the job file (attribute I and attribute value of the job file shown in FIG. 52) by specifying "OK" in the oller whether or not automatic selection is possible. There is. In this case, for example, if color printing is designated by the attribute ID and the attribute value in the job file, the Ink Jet Controller 512 (CID
23) is determined, and if the use of Finisher is specified by the attribute ID and the attribute value, LBPController510 (CID21) is determined. When the printer controller is determined, step 4106
, The image data received from the scanner controller 420 is input to each printer controller, and a job ID is received from the printer controller. Step 4107
In the job request table (FIG. 21), the job ID, the printer controller ID, and the job ID received from the printer controller are recorded as separate records for each printer controller.

Thereafter, the print job manager waits for the job completion in each printer controller in step 4108, and when the job completion is notified from the printer controller, in step 4109, deletes the record corresponding to the completed job from the job request table. In step 4110, it is checked whether all the jobs requested to each printer controller have been completed. If any jobs remain in the printer controller, the process returns to step 4108 to wait for the job completion in the printer controller. If the jobs in all the requested printer controllers are completed in step 4110, the job record is deleted from the job table (FIG. 20) in step 4111. At this time, an event transmission process shown in FIG. 61 is performed. Steps
In step 4112, the job file is inspected, and the
In 4113, it is checked whether or not there is an attribute value instructing the event transmission regarding the job end. If not, the process ends, but if there is, in step 4114 the attribute value is read to obtain the transmission method and transmission destination. In step 4115, an event transmission packet is created, and the event is transmitted to the specified transmission method and transmission destination. In step 4116, the job file
End processing such as data file deletion is performed, and the job processing ends.

(Job Processing Download) FIG. 58 shows the font manager 413 and form overlay manager 4
14, the job flow in the log manager 415 and the color profile manager 416 relating to the data download function. The jobs for these managers are for downloading and uploading data managed by each manager. Management such as reference / deletion of data managed by each manager is performed by inputting a command packet to a subaddress managed by the supervisor 410 and accessing an attribute table of each manager as shown in FIG. Each manager starts processing of the job related to data download after the job input is completed. For this reason, each manager performs step 38 in FIG.
The job processing related to the data download of FIG. 58 is started as the end processing of the 15 jobs. In step 4201, the job file (FIG. 52) is scanned to check whether an attribute related to the data receiving method exists. If there is no attribute relating to the method of receiving the data as a result of the check, the job file is related to uploading, and it is assumed that the processing flow shown in FIG. Step 42
In the end processing in 08, the job file is deleted.
If there is an attribute related to the data receiving method in step 4201, the data receiving method is checked in step 4202. If the data reception method is included in the job (in the case of data reception by the “Send” operation code in FIG. 53), the data has already been received, and the received data is saved as a file in step 4205. If the data reception method is data outside the device, the external source designated in step 4203 is accessed, data is acquired, and the acquired data is saved as a file in step 4205. The file information saved in step 4205 is
At 06, a management table managed by each manager (a font table for the font manager 413 (FIG. 28), a form overlay table for the form overlay manager 414 (FIG. 31), a log table for the log manager 415 (FIG. 34),
In the case of the color profile manager 416, it is registered by writing a new record in the color profile table (FIG. 39). In step 4207, end processing such as deletion of the job file / data file is performed, and the job processing ends.

(Job Processing Upload) FIG. 59 shows the font manager 413 and the form overlay manager 4
14, the job flow in the log manager 415 and the color profile manager 416 relating to the data upload function. Each manager configures the job script “Send Reques
When the "t" operation code is input, the job processing related to data upload starts. For this reason, each manager starts the job processing related to data upload in FIG. 59 as processing dependent on each manager in step 3821 in FIG. In step 4301, the job file (FIG. 52) is checked for an attribute indicating a data transmission method from among the attributes.
If the data transmission method is an instruction to transmit data as a script in 4301 (NO), in step 4303, the data specified in the job is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information. Details of the data transmission process from the device are shown in FIG. Step 4301
If the instruction is to send data as a reference, the reference information for the data specified in the job is transmitted as a script together with other attribute information.

(Log Write Processing in Log Manager) FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing a log write function in the log manager 415. Log manager
Reference numeral 415 denotes an end of a job (print job, copy job, scan job, etc.) in the multi-function peripheral 201, occurrence of a jam in each of the printer engines (308, 311, 312), occurrence of an error, and instruction of forced termination of the job by the user. For each user ID, the number of prints, toner amount, ink amount, type of jam, location of jam, type of error,
The log such as the location where the error occurred and the status of the job (whether the job was completed or not) is written to a log file storage area (a log buffer of a ring buffer format that stores logs in order of time) in the disk 315.

At step 8401, the CPU 301 sets the DISK 315
The attribute is acquired from the Log Data File attribute table (FIG. 83) stored in the RAM 302, stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 302, and in Step 8402, the Log Data File ( Check whether the file indicated by log ID) is writable. If the log cannot be written (the write permission flag is NO), the process ends without writing the log. If it is determined in step 8402 that the log can be written (the write permission flag is YES), then in step 8403, a log file storage area in the disk 315 (a log buffer in a ring buffer format that stores logs for each item in chronological order). The log data is written to the position indicated by Write Pointer in step 8404, and in step 8404, the position indicated by Write Pointer 8303 in the Log Data File attribute table (FIG. 83) is changed to the next position by one log (for example, the log file of log ID1 W
Change the value of rite Pointer from 6 to 7.) Log Data Fil
If data has been written to the end (M) of e, Write
Pointer indicates the start log position. In step 8405, it is determined whether or not the buffer (memory) is approaching full. Actually, it is determined whether or not the position (value) indicated by the Write Pointer is approaching the position (value) indicated by the Read Pointer. Position (value) and R indicated by Write Pointer
The number of logs that can be stored in the position (value) indicated by ead Pointer is, for example, the position (value) indicated by Write Pointer
If it is less than or equal to the position (value) indicated by inter, "Write P
The position (value) indicated by ointer-the position (value) indicated by Read Pointer "can be calculated. If the position (value) indicated by Write Pointer is larger than the position (value) indicated by Read Pointer," Write Pointer Indicated position (value) + maximum number of logs that can be stored in log data file M-Read Point
The position (value) indicated by er ”can be calculated. Write
The number of logs that can be stored between the position (value) indicated by the Pointer and the position (value) indicated by the Read Pointer is a reference value (for example, 5)
In the following cases, in step 8406, a warning message indicating that the log buffer is approaching the full state is notified to the Client PCs (202, 203, 204, 205) and displayed on the respective Display 6003. Note that the reference value is held inside the multi-function peripheral 201, and this value can be changed.

When the user sees the warning message displayed on the Client PC (202, 203, 204, 205) and makes a log transmission request, the command packet of the log transmission request from the Client PC (202, 203, 204, 205) is made according to the flowchart of FIG. Is issued to the multi-function peripheral 201. In this case, the number N of logs requested to be transmitted (described later)
Can be specified as all or a part. When the multifunctional peripheral device 201 receives the command packet of the transmission request, the client PC (202, 203, 20) that issued the command packet is based on the number N of logs to be transmitted included in the command packet.
4, 205), all the logs in the buffer or the specified logs are transmitted. In this case, if a command packet including a print request is received instead of transmitting, all the logs in the buffer or the specified log is printed based on the number N of logs. If it is determined in step 8405 that the buffer is not approaching full, the position (value) indicated by Write Pointer and R
If the number of logs that can be stored in the position (value) indicated by eadPointer is larger than the reference value, in step 8407, Write
Check whether the value of Pointer (WP) matches the value of Read Pointer (RP) (whether or not the log buffer is full), and if they do not match, terminate the process and match. If the log buffer is full in step 8408, refer to action 8305 when the log buffer is full.
It is checked whether or not (print out of log) is specified. If it is specified, the log data is read out to the RAM 302 in step 8409, the log data is printed by the specified printer engine in step 8410, and the process is terminated. At this time, the number of log data to be read and printed may be all the log data, or the user may be required to specify a part. Action to take when the log buffer is full in step 8408: 1 (Print out log)
If is not specified, it is checked in step 8411 if 4 (move log data to another area) is specified as the action when the log buffer becomes full. In this case, another area is DISK3 inside the peripheral device 201.
The storage area may be another storage area in the storage 15 or a storage area of a designated Client PC (202 to 205) outside the multi-function peripheral 201. If it is specified to move to another area, the log data is read into the RAM 302 in step 8412, and the log data is moved or transmitted to the specified address in step 8413, and the process ends. At this time, the number of log data to be read and moved may be all of the log data or a part of the log data may be designated by the user. If 4 (move log data to another area) was not specified as the action when the log buffer becomes full in step 8411, the action when the log buffer becomes full is 3 (write Check if "continue processing" is specified, and if it is specified, in step 8415, the Log Data File attribute table (FIG. 8)
In step 3), 1 is added to the number of times 8306 in which the position pointed by the WritePointer has exceeded the position pointed out by the Read Pointer, and the process ends. Here, the fact that the position indicated by the Write Pointer exceeds the position indicated by the Read Pointer means that the log data is overwritten. If 3 (continue write processing) is not specified in the action when the log buffer becomes full in step 8414, it is determined to be 2 (stop write processing), and in step 8416 Log Data Fil
The process is terminated by setting the write permission 8304 in the e-attribute table (FIG. 83) to NO. Finally, when all processes are completed, the
The Log Data File attribute table on the RAM 302 is stored in the disk 315.
The above actions (1, 2, 3, 4) are specified by Cl
The setting is made from the user PC (202 to 205) or the operation unit (Keyboard 304) of the multi-function peripheral 201.

(Log Reading Process in Log Manager) FIG. 85 shows a process related to a log reading function in the log manager 415. Superv manages the addition, reference, deletion, and modification of data managed by Log Manager.
This is performed by inputting a command packet to the sub-address managed by the isor 410 and accessing the attribute table of each manager as shown in FIG.

At step 8501, the CPU 301 sets the DISK 31
The attribute is obtained from the Log Data File attribute table (FIG. 83) stored in 5 and stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 302, and the number N of logs to be read in step 8502 is obtained. The number of logs N is
It is included in the input command packet. Note that the number of logs N is all when 1 (printout of log) or 4 (move log data to another area) is specified in the action when the log buffer becomes full. Step 85
In 03, it is checked whether or not the number of times the position indicated by the Write Pointer has passed the position indicated by the Read Pointer is 0.
One log data is read out to the RAM 302 from the position indicated by nter. In step 8505, the position pointed to by Read Pointer 8302 is changed to the next position by one log, and in step 8506, if the write permission is NO, it is changed to YES and step 8511
Proceed to. If the number of times that the position indicated by the Write Pointer has exceeded the position indicated by the Read Pointer is not 0 in step 8503, one log data is read from the position indicated by the Write Pointer to the RAM 302 in step 8507. In step 8508, the position indicated by the Read Pointer is
In step 8509, the number of times that the position indicated by the Write Pointer has exceeded the position indicated by the Read Pointer is counted, and the client PC (from 202 to 2) is counted.
05) Send to user interface LCD Display303
Or, display it on Display6003. L in step 8510
In the og Data File attribute table (FIG. 83), the number 8306 of times the position indicated by the Write Pointer has exceeded the position indicated by the Read Pointer is reset to 0, and the flow advances to step 8511. In step 8511, 1 is subtracted from the number N of logs to be read, and in step 8512, it is checked whether N is 0. If it is 0, the process ends. If it is not 0, it is checked in step 8513 whether the value of the Write Pointer matches the value of the Read Pointer, and if not, the process returns to step 8503. If they match, the process ends. Finally, when all processing is completed, the updated RAM3
02 Store the Log Data File attribute table on DISK315. By repeating the above steps, the log read to the RAM 302 becomes the ClientP of the log transmission request according to FIG.
C (202 to 205).

(Job Management by Each Manager) FIG.
Is the print job manager 5 in the multifunction peripheral 201
13 shows a processing flow performed when a Client gives an operation instruction (job deletion) for a job managed by the scan job manager 419 and the copy job managers 601 to 608. The operation on the job managed by each manager is performed by transmitting an appropriate command packet to the subaddress of the supervisor. The job management command packet includes, as parameters, a service ID for specifying the target job manager and a target job ID. The command packet sent from the Client to the multi-function peripheral 201 is
It is processed by the flow shown in FIG. 47 and distributed to the supervisor 410. The processing flow shown in FIG. 60 is 3603 (processing of other Operation Code) in the flow shown in FIG.
Steps are detailed. In step 4401, the supervisor 410 checks whether the operation code is for job deletion (“Cancel Job”). If the operation code is not “Cancel Job”, another processing step 4409 described later according to the operation code is performed, and the process ends. If the operation code is "Cancel Job" in step 4401, the parameter is sent to each manager corresponding to the service ID according to the service ID specified in the parameter in step 4402. In step 4403, each manager searches the job request table managed by each manager for the specified job ID. If the job ID specified in the job request table does not exist in step 4404, the corresponding record is deleted from the job table in step 4410, assuming that the job in the controller has already been completed. Create and send a reply packet and exit. If there is a job ID specified in the job request table in step 4404,
In 4405, the job ID of the controller corresponding to the specified job ID and the controller ID of the controller executing the job are acquired. In step 4406, the controller corresponding to the controller ID is instructed to delete the job by designating the job ID of the controller. In step 4407, the process waits for an execution result from the controller. If the execution result is unsuccessful, an error reply packet is created and transmitted in step 4408, and the process ends. If the execution result from the controller is successful in step 4407, the corresponding record is deleted from the job request table in step 4408, and
Of the job request table in step (2) to check again whether a request has been made to another controller.

(Event Transmission) FIG. 61 shows a processing flow of event transmission in each manager.
Each manager has an event setting table as shown in FIG. 16 as a value of an attribute table held by each manager. As shown in the description of FIG. 16, this table describes connection types and destinations for transmitting an event when the event occurs. When an event occurs, each manager recognizes the event ID for the event. After that, in step 4501, the event setting table is searched to see if the event ID is registered. If no event ID is registered in step 4502, the process ends.
If at least one event ID has been registered in step 4502, the connection type used to send the event and the destination to send the event to are acquired from the first record in step 4503, and an event transmission packet is created in step 4504 I do. In this packet, a parameter defined for each event ID and a parameter according to the format for each event ID registered in the event format table (FIG. 17) held by the supervisor 410 are added. In step 4505, the event transmission packet is transmitted to the transmission destination of the connection format acquired in 4503. In step 4506, it is determined whether or not steps 4503 to 4505 have been repeatedly performed for all records having the event ID.
And if all records have been processed, the processing is terminated.

(Transmission of Data Script from Multifunctional Peripheral Device) FIG. 62 shows a processing flow when data is transmitted from the multifunctional peripheral device 201 as a script which is a sequence of command packets. This processing flow is used in a transmission step 4008 of image data obtained as a result of a scan job, a transmission step 4303 of font data, and the like. In step 4601, a packet including a data attribute is generated and transmitted. Step 45 if necessary
Repeat 01 to send multiple attributes. In step 4602, data designated to be transmitted is obtained. The command packet has the structure shown in FIG. 46, and the size that can be transmitted as a parameter is limited.
Check the length of the data. As a result of the inspection, when the length of the data exceeds the length of the limit value (64 Kbytes), the data is cut at the length of the limit value in step 4606, and the obtained data is added as a parameter in step 4607. Generate and send command packets. In this command packet, “Send” is set as the operation code, and the continuation flag is set as true. Step 4608
In step 4603, the remaining disconnected data is obtained.
The data length is checked again. If the result of the check in step 4603 indicates that the data length is within the limit value of the command packet, in step 4604 a command packet to which data is added as a parameter is generated and transmitted.
In this command packet, “Send” is set as the operation code, and the continuation flag is set as false.
In step 4605, a command packet including the remaining attributes is generated and transmitted. If necessary, repeat step 4501 to send a plurality of attributes and end.

(Hardware Configuration of Client PC) FIG. 63 is a diagram showing a common hardware configuration (controller) of the Client PCs 202, 203, 204, and 205 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. Inside the controller, the CPU 6001 is connected to the Mem via the bus 6010.
ory (RAM) 6002, display 6003 such as CRT, pointing device 6004 such as keyboard and mouse, ROM6008, D
ISK6009 is connected. Various programs and data shown in FIG. 77 are stored in a DISK 6009 (storage medium) such as a hard disk or a floppy disk, and are sequentially read out to a Memory (RAM) 6002 as needed and executed by the CPU 6001. This DISK6002 can be detached from Client PC
t It may be built into the PC. Further, the program shown in FIG. 77 is executed by the network interface cable 208 (1
0BASE-T), IEEE1394 interface cable 206, IEEE
Other Client P via 1284 interface cable 207
C, a configuration that is downloaded from the MFP 201 and stored in the DISK 6009 may be used. The hardware shown in FIG. 63 constitutes a general Client PC shown in FIG. CPU6001 is display
Display is performed by writing data to
1 reads data from the pointing device 6004 to input an instruction from the user.

A network interface connector 6005, an IEEE1394 interface connector 6006, and an IEEE1284 interface connector 6007 are connected to the bus 6010. Is connected. The CPU 6001 performs communication using each interface by reading or writing data from these interfaces.

(Software Configuration of Client PC) FIG.
5 shows a part of a software (control program) block diagram. Software (control program) and data used by the Client PC are stored in DISK6009 as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 501 denotes a user interface by which each driver and utility indicated by 505 to 514 displays information of the multi-function peripheral 201 on the display 6003. Reference numeral 502 denotes a database (D) that holds information (data) of the multifunction peripheral device 201 currently in use.
When the Client connects to the multi-function peripheral 201, the device information acquisition unit 503 acquires all information possessed by the device and stores it in the database 502. 504
Is used in each attribute table held by the multi-function peripheral 201, the meaning of each attribute, the data type for each attribute ID, the format of the parameters defined for each event ID, the meaning of the task type, This is a regulation database (DISK6009) that holds regulation information such as the subaddress of the Supervisor. Each of the drivers and utilities indicated by 505 to 514 operates based on the definition database 504 and the device information database 502. Reference numeral 5050 denotes a printer driver, which generates a print job script according to an instruction from an application program operating on the Client PC. Reference numeral 506 denotes a scanner driver which generates a scan job script according to an instruction from an application program operating on the Client PC. A copy driver 507 generates a copy job script according to an instruction from an application program operating on the client PC. A font management utility 508 generates a job for downloading and uploading font data, and generates a command for managing font data. A form overlay management utility 509 generates a job for downloading and uploading form overlay data, and generates a command for managing the form overlay. A log management utility 510 generates a job for downloading and uploading log data, and generates a command for managing logs. A color profile management utility 511 generates a job for downloading and uploading color profile data, and generates a command for managing the color profile. Reference numeral 512 denotes a job management utility, which generates a command for performing management such as deletion, suspension, and execution restart of a print job, a scan job, and a copy job. A device management utility 513 generates a command for acquiring the status of the printer controller / scanner controller. Reference numeral 514 denotes an accounting management utility that generates a command for acquiring accounting data.

Reference numeral 515 denotes a generator that generates a command packet based on commands generated from the drivers and utilities indicated by 505 to 514. The generated command packet is transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 201 by using the transport processing modules 517, 519, and 521.
Send to The generator 515 interprets reply packets and event packets input from the transport processing modules 517, 519, and 521 and distributes them to an appropriate driver or utility. Reference numeral 517 denotes a processing module of SBP-2 which is a transport layer of IEEE1394.
519 is a processing module for TCP / IP and UDP / IP. Five
Reference numeral 21 denotes a processing module of IEEE1284.4 which is a transport layer of IEEE1284. Reference numeral 518 denotes an interface for processing a physical layer of IEEE1394. 520 is a network interface. Reference numeral 522 denotes an interface for processing a physical layer of IEEE1284. FIG. 64 also shows the internal configuration of the user interface manager 405 in the software (control program) block diagram (FIG. 4) of the multifunctional peripheral device 201. In the case of the user interface manager 405, the SBP
2 Processing module 517, TCP / IP and UDP / IP processing module
519, IEEE1284.4 processing module 521, network interface 518, network interface 520,
The IEEE1284 interface 522 does not exist, and the generator 515 is directly connected to the interpreter 409 in FIG. 4, thereby exchanging command packets, return packets, and event packets. This direct connection does not exist in the software (control program) configuration of the other Clients 202, 203, 204, 205.

(Packet Generation / Transmission Process) FIG. 65 shows a case where the generator 515 receives a command or a job script from each of the drivers and utilities 505 to 514 and generates a command packet shown in FIG. The processing flow transmitted to 201 is shown. Prior to this processing flow, it is assumed that an appropriate sub-address of the multifunction peripheral device to be transmitted is connected in advance. Information on which sub address to connect to is obtained by the device information obtaining flow shown in FIG. The job script is defined by a series of commands. If the processing target is a job script, steps 4701 to 4706 are repeated until all commands are processed. In the following description, issuance of a job script means that processing from step 4701 to step 4707 is performed for each command. In step 4701, the length of data to be transmitted together with the command is checked. As a result of the inspection, if the length exceeds the limit value of the parameter (64 Kbytes), the data is cut at the length of the limit value in step 4702. In step 4703, the disconnected data is
A packet including an operation code corresponding to the command is generated with the continuation flag set to true, and the packet is transmitted in step 4704. If the length of the data falls within the length of the parameter limit value in step 4701, a packet including an operation code corresponding to the command is generated in step 4705 with the continuation flag set to false, and the packet is transmitted in step 4706.

(Information Acquisition at Client and Automatic Software Configuration) FIG. 66 is a flowchart of the process performed by the device information acquisition unit 503 in FIG. The device information acquisition unit 503 performs the processing shown in FIG. 66 immediately after the Client connects to the multi-function peripheral device 201, acquires device information, and acquires the device information database 502 (DISK6009).
To hold. This processing also operates again when a configuration change event is sent from the device. In step 4801, the Client PC connects to the multi-function peripheral 201. Specifically, the Client PCs 202 and 203 connected to the Ethernet 208 specify the IP address and port number, connect to the multi-function peripheral 201, and output IP packet data. The Client PC 204 connected to the IEEE1394 interface 206 specifies the node ID and the LUN (logical unit number), connects to the multi-function peripheral 201, and outputs SBP-2 packet data. IEEE1284 interface 207
Is connected to the multi-functional peripheral device 201 by designating a socket number and outputs IEEE1284.4 packet data. The sub address of the connection destination is a supervisor specified in advance for each connection type used for connection.
Use a subaddress for This specified value is obtained from the specified information database 504 (DISK 6009). Step 4
At 802, the attribute ID 10 in the supervisor attribute table shown in FIG.
Get the value of 0 (list of attribute IDs). The acquisition of the attribute value is performed by generating an attribute value acquisition command (Get) using the service ID 0 and the attribute ID of the supervisor as parameters and inputting the command to the generator 515. The generator 515 performs the processing flow of FIG. 65, and transmits a command packet for acquiring an attribute value to the multi-function peripheral 201.
The multi-functional peripheral device 201 receives the command packet, and returns the attribute value of the specified attribute ID to the Client by performing the processing flow of FIGS. 47 and 48. The Client analyzes the reply packet by the generator and sends it to the device information acquisition unit. The attribute of the attribute ID 100 is a list of all attribute IDs in the attribute table of the supervisor. In step 4803, an attribute ID is designated to acquire an attribute value, and in step 4804, the process is repeated until all attribute values of the attribute ID are acquired, and the attribute value is stored in the device information database 50 together with the attribute ID.
Save to 2. In the above steps, the attribute table (FIG. 7) of Supervisor is all stored in the device information database 502.

In step 4805, a service ID list (SID: TASK TYPE table shown in FIG. 11) is obtained from the attribute table stored in the device information database 502 (DISK 6009). Note that the service ID can also be obtained by generating a service ID list inquiry command (LISTSERVICE) and inputting the command to the generator 515. At this time, in the multi-function peripheral 201, FIGS.
8. The processing flow shown in FIG. 49 is executed. Step 4
In steps 806 to 4811, information of each manager is obtained for each service ID obtained in step 4805. In step 4806, from the list shown in FIG.
Service ID 1 (print job manager 50) which is the first service ID among service IDs except (service ID 0)
1) to get. In step 4807, a sub address corresponding to the service ID is obtained. The acquisition of the sub address is performed by generating a command (Reserve) for acquiring the sub address using the service ID as a parameter and inputting the command to the generator 515. At this time, multifunctional peripheral devices 20
In 1, the processing flows shown in FIGS. 47, 48, 49, and 50 are executed. The acquired sub address is stored in the device information database 502. In step 4808, the value of the attribute ID 100 in the attribute table of each manager (list of attribute IDs)
To get. The acquisition of the attribute value is performed by generating a command for attribute value acquisition (Get) by designating the service ID and the attribute ID corresponding to each manager as parameters and inputting the command to the generator 515. In step 4809, an attribute ID is specified to acquire an attribute value. In step 4810, the process is repeated until all attribute values of the attribute ID are acquired, and the attribute value is stored in the device information database 502 together with the attribute ID. In step 4811, it is determined whether the service ID is the last service ID in the service ID list.
At 4812, the service ID next to the list is acquired from the list, and the processing from step 4807 is repeated. Step 4811
In the list of service IDs (print job managers 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 50
7, 508, 509, scan job manager 419, copy manager 601, 602, 603, 604605, 606, 607, 608, font manager 413, form overlay manager 4
14. The attribute values of the log manager 415, the color profile manager 416, the printer controllers 510, 511, 512, and the scanner controller 420) are stored in the device information database 502 together with the attribute ID. And step 4813
Then, based on the device information (data) stored in the device information database 502 (DISK 6009), a user interface for a manager corresponding to each of the driver utilities (control programs) 505 to 514 is automatically configured. The processing of the automatic configuration step 4813 includes updating the user interface, and changes the display of the setting screen (user interface) according to the driver / utility. For example, the user interface of the printer driver supports based on the attribute value of the attribute ID 1101 of each print job manager (501 to 509) as shown in FIGS. 81 and 82 showing the display screen displayed on the display 6003. PDL list, attribute ID1
Coloring is possible based on 102 or Finishing type supported based on attribute value of attribute ID1103, attribute ID1
Highest resolution that can be set based on 104 attribute values, attribute ID 110
Change the display of the lowest configurable resolution based on 5.

Similarly, the display of the user interface for the other drivers 506 and 507 and the utilities 508 to 514 is changed according to the attribute. Further, icons of each driver / utility (print manager, copy job manager, etc.) are displayed in an identifiable manner. Finally, in step 4814, the connection with the Supervisor 410 is terminated.
The process ends.

(Issuing a job specifying a task type)
FIG. 67 shows processing when each application / utility issues a job script specifying a task type. Issuing a job specifying a service ID is performed by using the device information database 50
2), and by sending an appropriate job script to the obtained sub-address, if only the task type is specified by the user's instruction, the service used for the multi-function peripheral 201 It is necessary to give an ID introduction request. FIG. 67 shows the processing in this case. In step 4901, an attribute value acquisition command for acquiring a service ID by designating a task type is generated, and the command is input to the generator 515. In the multifunction peripheral 201, FIGS. 47, 48, 49,
The processing flow shown in FIGS. 50 and 51 is executed. In step 4902, the device information database 502 is searched based on the service ID obtained in step 4901, and the job script is transmitted to the obtained sub-address.

(Structure of Event) FIG. 68 shows the structure of an event sent from the multi-function peripheral 201 to the Client. The event packet has the same structure as the command packet shown in FIG. 46, and the one shown in FIG. 68 is the structure of the parameter 3110 of the packet. 5001 is an event ID indicating the type of event. 5002 is parameter data defined for each event ID. The format of this data is stored in the regulation information database 504 in advance. 5003 is parameter data whose format is determined by the device for each event ID. The format of this data is held as an event format table (FIG. 17) in the device information database 502 by executing the processing flow of FIG.

(Processing of Event) FIG. 69 is a flow chart showing a process when each driver / utility receives an event from the multifunctional peripheral device 201 by the client. Each driver / utility registers in advance a desired event in the generator 515 using the event ID as a key. When an event is sent from the multi-function peripheral 201 to the client, the generator 515 distributes the event to each registered driver utility. Fig. 69
Indicates the processing after each driver / utility receives the distribution of the event. In step 5101, the specified parameter data 5002 is analyzed based on the format information obtained from the specified information database 504. In step 5102, an event format 1302 corresponding to the event ID is acquired from the event format table (FIG. 17) held in the device information database 502 using the event ID (5001) as a key. In step 5103, based on the acquired event format, the device-dependent event format (the attribute of the event format)
(ID676: paper size, ID756: paper type, ID666: toner type, ID698: ink type, ID600: cover position) are analyzed. Then, the parameters analyzed in step 5104 and the event ID (event ID 200: no paper, ID3
99: no toner, ID432: no ink, ID234: cover open of multi-function peripherals) and display according to the event (for example, display user interface such as paperless, cover open, tonerless, etc.) on the display 6003 )I do.

(Log Processing) FIG. 70 shows a flow in which the log management utility 510 acquires and processes the log held by the multi-function peripheral 201. In step 5201, log data is obtained. Acquisition of log data
This is performed by generating a log data acquisition job script and sending it to the multi-function peripheral 201. In the multifunctional peripheral device 201, the processing flows shown in FIGS. 47, 53, 59, and 85 are executed, and log data is sent to the client. For example, FIG.
LogFormatID1, 98/1/3 1:23 log data `` 1234
5, 4, 1.23, “OK” indicates that the user ID that issued the job to the print job manager of service ID 1 is 12345
Indicates that the number of output papers is 4, the used toner amount is 1.23, and the end state of the job is OK. In step 5202, a log format table (FIG.
6) to get. In step 5203, the log format ID 2401 at the beginning of each record of the log data is obtained, and the log format 2502 is obtained from this value from the log format table (FIG. 36). For example, LogFormatID1
The format "1: 701, 1: 565, 1: 765, 1: 777"
The ID of the user who issued the job to the print job manager of service ID 1, the number of output sheets, the amount of toner used, and the end state of the job are shown. The format of LogFormatID2 "11: 701, 11: 565, 11: 765, 11: 777" is
It shows the user ID that issued the job to the print job manager of service ID 11, the number of output papers, the amount of toner used, and the end state of the job. In step 5204,
The log data 2403 is analyzed in accordance with the log format 2502, and the analyzed data is processed together with the log generation time 2402 (such as sorting the logs). Then, in step 5205, it is determined whether or not the log data of each record has been analyzed. If not analyzed, the processing from step 5203 is repeatedly executed, and if all the data has been analyzed, the processing ends.

(Acquisition and Processing of Billing Information) FIG. 71 shows a flow in which the billing management utility 514 acquires and processes billing data held by the multi-function peripheral 201. The billing data is represented as count data held by each manager. The count data is an attribute table (FIGS. 7, 18, 22, 24, 26, 29, 32,
7, FIG. 40, and FIG. 44), and the value is a list of integer values. The meaning of each integer value is represented in the attribute table of each manager as the value of the attribute (attribute ID 402) in the count data format, and the value is a list of attribute IDs. The count data list and the count data format list correspond to each other in the order in the list. For example, the count data
The third value means information of the third attribute ID in the count data format. FIG. 71 illustrates a flow of acquiring and processing the count data held by each manager. In step 5301, the value of the attribute ID 401 (the value of the count data) is acquired by designating the service ID of the target manager. For example, the value of attribute ID 401 (4
5, 78, 34, and 13) indicate the number of prints of the sheet size represented by the count data format of the attribute ID 402. The value of the attribute ID 401 is obtained by generating an attribute value obtaining command using the service ID and the attribute ID as parameters, and inputting the command to the generator 515. In step 5302, the value of the attribute ID 402 (the value of the count data format) is obtained by specifying the same service ID. For example, the attribute value 565 of the attribute ID 402 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A2, the attribute value 537 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A3, the attribute value 545 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A4, and the attribute value 523 indicates the number of prints of the paper size A5. I do. This may be obtained from the device information database 502. In step 5303, the count data is analyzed using the acquired count data format.
In step 5304, using the analyzed count data, for example, the accounting data is processed and generated for each service ID, each user ID, and each department, and the process ends.

(Issue of Print Job and Data Download Job) FIG. 72 shows issuance of a print job by the printer driver 505, issuance of a font data download job script by the font management utility 508, and issuance of a form overlay data download job script by the form overlay utility 509. , A log data download job script issued by the log management utility 510 and a color profile data download job script issued by the color profile management utility 511. The processing flow by each software (control program) described above is common. The document data to be printed and the data to be downloaded of each type (font data, form data, color profile data, log data) are shown in FIG. In the description,
It is described as "data". When a job is issued, data to be printed or downloaded is specified together with a plurality of attribute values set in the job script. In step 5401, the device information database 502 is accessed to obtain device information. In step 5402, the manager refers to the attribute table of each manager to which the data is to be input (for example, a print manager that specifies printing in the case of document data to be printed), and specifies each attribute whose designated attribute value is set in the attribute table. Check if it is within a range of values. As a result of the check, if at least one is not within the range, the job issuance rejection processing such as displaying an error dialog on the user interface is performed in step 5405, and the processing ends.

As a result of the check in step 5402, if all the attributes are within the range of each attribute value in the attribute table of the manager, in step 5403 the prohibition setting attributes (attribute IDs 801 to 805) are included in the attribute table of the manager. Check if exists. If the manager attribute table has a prohibited setting attribute, check in step 5404 if the job attribute specified for each prohibited setting attribute in the manager in the attribute table is not a combination of prohibited setting values. To check. As a result of the check, if there is a combination of the setting values of the prohibited attributes, the job issuance rejection processing is performed in step 5405, and the processing is ended. Steps
If the result of the check in 5403 indicates that the manager does not have the prohibition setting attribute, and if the result of the check in step 5404 does not indicate that the job attribute is a combination of prohibited setting values, the location of the data is checked in step 5406 . The location of the data is specified by the user specifying the address or by the application generating the address. If the location of the data is inside the Client that issues the job, the attribute value 601 (supported data download method) of the attribute table of each responsible manager in the device information database 502 is checked in step 5407.

If it is determined in step 5407 that the method of including data in the job is supported,
In step 5408, a job script in which data is included in the job is generated, and transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 201 through the packet generation processing shown in FIG. If it is determined in step 5407 that the method for including data in the job is not supported, in step 5409, a reference pointer (URL: Unified R
esource Locator) is generated and transmitted in the job script. If the data exists outside the client that issues the job in the check in step 5406, the attribute value 601 (supported data download method) of the attribute table of each responsible manager in the device information data is checked in step 5410 I do. Step 54
If it is determined in the check in step 10 that the device itself reads the data by including the reference pointer in the job, a job script in which the reference pointer to the data is included in the job is generated and transmitted. Steps
In the check in 5410, if the method of including the reference pointer in the job and reading the data by the device itself is not supported, the data is temporarily read from outside the device to the inside of the device in step 5412. And step 5413
, A job script including the read data in the job is generated and transmitted. Each manager of the multi-functional peripheral device 201 that has received the job script is shown in FIGS.
4, Figure 55 (Print Job Manager) or Figure 53, Figure 5
4. The processing shown in FIG. 58 (font manager, form overlay manager, log manager, color profile manager) is performed, and the specified job is processed.

(Issuance of scan job and data upload job) FIG. 73 shows issuance of a scan job by the scanner driver 506, issuance of a font data upload job script by the font management utility 508, and issuance of a form overlay data upload job script by the form overlay utility 509. , A log data upload job script issued by the log management utility 510 and a color profile data upload job script issued by the color profile management utility 511. The processing flow of each software (control program) described above is common, and the document data obtained as a result of scanning and the above-mentioned types of upload target data (font data, form data, color profile data, logo data) are shown in FIG. In the following description, "data" is described. When a job is issued, a designator indicating data is specified together with a plurality of attribute values set in the job script. In step 5501, the device information database 502 is accessed to obtain device information. In step 5502, the attribute values of each manager whose data is to be uploaded (for example, a font manager that manages font data for font data) are referred to, and the specified attribute values are set in the attribute table. Check if it is within the range. As a result of the check, if even one is not within the range, the job issuance rejection processing such as displaying an error dialog on the user interface in step 5505 is performed, and the processing is ended. As a result of the check in step 5502, if all the attributes are within the range of each attribute value in the attribute table of the manager, in step 5503, the prohibition setting attributes (attribute IDs 801 to 805) are included in the attributes of the manager.
Check if exists. If the manager's attribute table has a prohibition setting attribute, check in step 5504 if the job attribute specified for each prohibition setting attribute in the manager's attribute table is not a combination of prohibited setting values. To check. As a result of the check,
If there is a combination of the setting values of the prohibited attributes, a job issuance rejection process is performed in step 5505, and the process ends.

If the result of the check in step 5503 indicates that the manager does not have the prohibition setting attribute, and if the result of the check in step 5504 indicates that the attribute of the job is not a combination of prohibited setting values, data transmission is performed in step 5506. Check the destination (storage location). If the data transmission destination is outside the device, in step 5507,
Check the data transmission destination again. If the data transmission destination is the client that issues the job, the attribute value 602 (supported data upload method) of the attribute table of each manager in the device information data is checked in step 5508. If the result of the check in step 5508 indicates that data transmission is supported, a job script instructing data transmission is issued in step 5509, and data reception is performed in step 5510. Steps
If the result of the check in 5508 indicates that data transmission is not supported (NO), a job script is issued in step 5511 to instruct reference transmission, which means that data is retained in the device and a reference pointer to the data is transmitted as a reply. Then, data is acquired in step 5512 using the information of the returned reference pointer. In step 5507, if the data transmission destination is other than the client that issues the job, in step 5513, the attribute value 602 (the supported data upload method) of the attribute table of each manager in the device information data is checked. . If the result of the check in step 5513 indicates that reference transmission is supported, in step 5514 a job script for instructing reference transmission with the transmission destination as a parameter is issued, and in step 5515 the multifunction peripheral is transmitted to the data transmission destination. By transmitting that data is transmitted from the device 201, a data acquisition instruction is transmitted. If the result of the check in step 5513 indicates that reference transmission is not supported, a job script instructing data transmission is issued in step 5516, the data is received in step 5517, and this data is transmitted again to the transmission destination. If the result of the check in step 5506 indicates that the transmission destination is inside the device, in step 5518, the attribute value 602 (supported data upload method) of the attribute table of each responsible manager in the device information data is checked. If the result of the check in step 5518 indicates that reference transmission is supported, in step 5519 a job script instructing reference transmission with the destination in the device as a parameter is emitted. Steps
If the result of the check in 5518 indicates that reference transmission is not supported, a job instructing data transmission is issued in step 5520, and after the client receives the data in step 5521, the data is sent back to the device again. 53, 54, 56 (scan job manager) or 53, 54, 59 (font manager, form overlay manager, log manager, color profile) Manager), and processes the designated job.

(Issuance of Copy Job) FIG. 74 shows a process of issuing a copy job. As an instruction to issue a copy job, a plurality of attribute values set in a job script are specified. In step 5601, the device information database 502 is accessed to obtain device information. Step 5
In step 602, it is determined whether the designated attribute value is within the range of each attribute value set in the attribute table by referring to the attribute table of the copy manager. As a result of the check, if even one is not within the range, the job issuance rejection processing such as displaying an error dialog on the user interface is performed in step 5605, and the processing ends.
As a result of the check in step 5602, if all the attributes are within the range of each attribute value in the attribute table of the copy manager, the prohibition setting attributes (attribute IDs 801 to 805) are included in the attribute table of the copy manager in step 5603. Check if it exists. If the copy manager's attribute table has a prohibition setting attribute, is the job attribute specified for each prohibition setting attribute held by the manager in the attribute table in step 5604 a combination of prohibited setting values? Check if it is. If there is a combination of prohibited attribute settings as a result of the check,
In step 5605, the job is rejected, and the process ends. As a result of the check in step 5603, if the manager does not have the prohibition setting attribute and if the result of the check in step 5604 does not indicate that the job attribute is a combination of prohibited setting values, a job script is generated in step 5606, Issue and end. The copy job manager of the multi-function peripheral device 201 that has received the job script performs the processes shown in FIGS. 53, 54, and 57 to manage the designated job.

(Issuance of Job Management Command) FIG. 75 shows a processing flow when the job management utility 512 issues a job management command. In step 5701, a job table (FIG. 20) held by the manager is acquired from the MFP 201 using the service ID of the target manager as a parameter. In step 5702, a job ID of a job to be managed is selected from the job list included in the acquired job table by an appropriate method. The selection means includes a method of displaying a list of jobs on the display 6003 via the user interface 501 and allowing the user to make a selection. In step 5703, a job management command having the designated job ID as a parameter is generated, issued, and terminated. The supervisor of the multi-function peripheral device 201 that has received the job management command is shown in FIGS.
9. The processing shown in FIGS. 50, 51, and 60 is performed to manage the designated job.

Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a copier, a printer, a scanner, and the like which exist alone, an apparatus including a single device (for example, a copier,
Facsimile machine, etc.). Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (FIGS. 76 and 77) storing a program code of software (control program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment to the system as shown in FIG. , The device of the system (CPU301 or CPU6001)
Is achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. As a method of supplying the program and data shown in FIG. 77 to the client PC, the program is stored in a floppy disk FD7000 as shown in FIG.
It is also common to supply them to 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, in addition to a floppy disk and a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-RO
M, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,
A ROM or the like can be used. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the 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.

FIG. 79 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of a laser beam printer (hereinafter abbreviated as LBP) applicable to the laser beam printer engines 103 and 104 shown in FIG.
The BP can input character pattern data or the like and print it on recording paper. In FIG. 79, reference numeral 8012 denotes an LBP main body, which forms an image on recording paper as a recording medium based on a supplied character pattern or the like. 8000 is an operation panel on which switches and LED indicators for operation are arranged, and 80
Reference numeral 01 denotes a printer control unit for controlling the entire LBP8012 and analyzing character pattern information and the like. The printer control unit 8001 mainly converts character pattern information into a video signal and outputs the video signal to the laser driver 8002. Laser driver 80
Reference numeral 02 denotes a circuit for driving the semiconductor laser 8003, which switches on / off a laser beam 8004 emitted from the semiconductor laser 8003 in accordance with an input video signal. Laser light
8004 is an electrostatic drum that is swung in the left and right direction by a rotating polygon mirror 8005
Scan over 8006. As a result, an electrostatic latent image of a character pattern is formed on the electrostatic drum 8006. This latent image is developed by a developing unit 8007 around the electrostatic drum 8006 and then transferred to a recording sheet. A cut sheet is used for this recording paper, and the cut sheet recording paper is stored in a plurality of paper cassettes 8008 corresponding to a plurality of types of paper attached to the LBP8012, and is fed into the apparatus by a paper feed roller 8009 and transport rollers 8010 and 8011. It is taken in and supplied to the electrostatic drum 8006.

FIG. 80 shows an ink jet recording apparatus IJRA applicable to the ink jet printer engine 105 of FIG.
FIG. In the figure, a carriage HC that engages with a spiral groove 9003 of a lead screw 9004 that rotates via driving force transmission gears 9010 and 9008 in conjunction with forward and reverse rotation of a drive motor 9011 has pins (not shown). And arrows a and b
It is reciprocated in the direction. An ink jet cartridge IJC is mounted on the carriage HC. 9001
Is a paper pressing plate, which presses the paper against the platen 9000 in the moving direction of the carriage. Photocouplers 9006 and 9007 are home position detecting means for confirming the presence of the carriage lever 9005 in this region and switching the rotation direction of the motor 9011. Reference numeral 9013 denotes a member that supports a cap member 9019 that caps the front surface of the recording head. Reference numeral 9012 denotes suction means that suctions the inside of the cap, and performs suction recovery of the recording head through an opening 9020 in the cap.
Reference numeral 9014 denotes a cleaning blade. Reference numeral 9016 denotes a member that allows the blade to move in the front-rear direction.
These are supported. It goes without saying that the blade is not limited to this form and a known cleaning blade can be applied to this example. Reference numeral 9018 denotes a lever for starting suction for suction recovery, which moves with the movement of the cam 9017 engaging with the carriage, and the driving force from the driving motor is controlled by a known transmission means such as clutch switching. Is done. These capping, cleaning, and suction recovery are configured so that desired operations can be performed at the corresponding positions by the action of the lead screw 9004 when the carriage comes to the area on the home position side. If this operation is performed, any of the present embodiments can be applied.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
A logical device control program (scan job manager 419, print job managers 501 to 50) that retains the function of the logical device to which a job is input from the information processing apparatus and manages the job input to the logical device.
9. Physical device control programs (scanner controller 420, LBP controller 510, and copy job managers 601 to 608) that hold the functions of the device engine of the peripheral device and manage jobs in the device engine.
511, Ink Jet controller 512) can be used to analyze the job.

Here, the physical device control program is:
A scanner control program (scanner controller 420) for controlling a scanner engine of a peripheral device. The physical device control program is a laser beam printer control program (LBP controllers 510 and 511) for controlling the laser beam printer engine of the peripheral device. The physical device control program is an inkjet printer control program (Ink Jet printer controller 512) for controlling an inkjet printer engine of a peripheral device. The logical device control program is a laser beam printer control program for a peripheral device, an inkjet printer control program, or a print job control program (print job managers 501 to 509) for controlling the laser beam printer control program and the inkjet printer control program. The logical device control program is a scanner job control program (scan job manager 419) for controlling a scanner control program for peripheral devices. The logical device control program includes a scanner control program for peripheral devices and a laser beam printer control program or an inkjet printer control program or a copy job control program (copy job managers 601 to 60) for controlling the laser beam printer control program and the inkjet printer control program.
8).

With such a configuration, the logical device control program can hold a relationship with at least one device engine used by the logical device for executing a job. Further, it is possible to determine a device engine to be actually used for job execution based on the job input to the logical device. Further, the function held by the logical device control program can be changed. A job input to a logical device can be managed in association with a job managed by a physical device that actually executes the job. Also, there are a plurality of logical device control programs,
The optimum logical device control program can be selected by comparing the load states of a plurality of logical device control programs. In addition, it has a plurality of logical device control programs and a supervising program (Supervisor 410) that supervises the plurality of logical device control programs, and the supervising program has a sub-address used when submitting a job to each of the logical device control programs. The type of connection interface can be stored in association with each logical device control program. The supervising program holds a list of information indicating whether the sub-address is valid or invalid, and when a job is input to an invalid sub-address, the job can be discarded.
Further, the supervising program holds a list of available user authentication information, and can notify an error of the job when the user information included in the input job is not included in the list of authentication information. Further, the supervising program can hold a list of security levels indicating the types of available user authentication determination processing. Further, the logical device control program can hold a list of connection interfaces and transmission destination addresses for transmitting event data to the information processing apparatus when an event occurs during analysis of a job. Further, when an event occurs during analysis of a job by the logical device control program, event data can be transmitted with reference to a list of connection interfaces and transmission destination addresses for transmission to the information processing apparatus.

According to the present embodiment, as described above, according to the function (attribute value) acquired from the peripheral device,
A user interface of a control program for controlling peripheral devices can be automatically configured (step 4813). In addition, the display of the user interface for the peripheral device (FIGS. 81 and 82) can be controlled according to the acquired function. Further, information (attribute value) on a setting range of the function of the peripheral device can be acquired. Also,
Information on the setting range is expressed by a combination of attributes (attribute IDs 801 to 805) for which job setting is prohibited. Further, information (attribute value) related to the function options of the peripheral device can be obtained. An attribute list (attribute table) indicating the function of the peripheral device is acquired from the peripheral device, and an attribute value can be acquired by specifying an attribute ID of the attribute list. Further, an attribute list (attribute table) indicating the functions of the physical device control program, the logical device control program, the resource control program of the peripheral device, and the general control program that supervises them can be obtained from the peripheral device. The physical device control program is a scanner control program for controlling a scanner engine of a peripheral device. The physical device control program is a laser beam printer control program for controlling a laser beam printer engine of a peripheral device.

The physical device control program is an inkjet printer control program for controlling an inkjet printer engine of a peripheral device. The logical device control program is a laser beam printer control program or an inkjet printer control program of a peripheral device, or a print job control program for controlling the laser beam printer control program and the inkjet printer control program. The logical device control program is a scanner job control program for controlling a peripheral device scanner control program. The logical device control program is a peripheral device scanner control program and a laser beam printer control program or an inkjet printer control program or a copy job control program for controlling the laser beam printer control program and the inkjet printer control program. The resource control program is a font control program for managing fonts of peripheral devices. The resource control program is a form overlay control program for managing the form overlay of the peripheral device. The resource control program is a log control program for managing logs of peripheral devices. The resource control program is a color profile control program for managing the color profiles of peripheral devices.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether a job script can be issued to the peripheral device based on the function obtained from the peripheral device (MFP 201) (steps 5402 to 5404, step 5502). To 5504 and steps 5602 to 5604), the job issuing process can be controlled according to the result of the determination.

Here, a physical device control program, a logical device control program, a resource control program (a font manager 413, a form overlay manager 414, a log manager 415, and a color profile manager 416) for peripheral devices and a supervising program for supervising them are respectively provided. Is acquired from the peripheral device. A combination of attributes for which job setting is prohibited (attribute IDs 801 to ID8)
05) is obtained. Further, a download job or a print job is issued to the peripheral device. Further, an upload job or a scan job is issued to the peripheral device. Further, the job issuing method is selected according to the attribute (attribute ID 601) indicating the support of the acquired function download method and the location of the data to be issued. Further, the job issuing method is selected according to the attribute (attribute ID 602) indicating the support of the acquired upload method of the function and the storage position of the job issuing target data. The job issuance target data is print document data. The data to be issued is scan document data. The job issuance target data is font data. The data for which the job is issued is form overlay data.

The job issuance target data is color profile data. The job issuance target data is log data. The job issuance target data is font data. Further, event format data corresponding to the event received from the peripheral device is obtained, and the received event is analyzed based on the event format data. Also, log data of a peripheral device and log format data of the log data are obtained, and the log data is analyzed based on the log format data. Further, the charging data (count data) of the peripheral device and the format data of the charging data are obtained, and the charging data is analyzed based on the charging format data.

[0145]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the buffer storing the log of the peripheral device is almost full, it is possible to notify the information processing apparatus in advance of the fact.

Further, when the buffer becomes full, the buffer can be controlled based on the designated information specified in advance.

When the buffer becomes full, a log stored in the buffer can be printed by a peripheral device based on the designated information, and a new log can be stored in the buffer.

When the buffer becomes full, the log stored in the buffer can be moved to another storage area based on the designated information, and a new log can be stored in the buffer.

When the buffer becomes full, the log stored in the buffer can be transmitted to the information processing device based on the designated information, and a new log can be stored in the buffer.

When the buffer becomes full, a new log can be overwritten on the full buffer based on the designated information.

When the buffer becomes full, the writing of a new log to the buffer can be stopped based on the specified information.

The designation information can be set by the operation unit of the peripheral device or the information processing device.

When a new log is overwritten on the buffer, the number of times that the write pointer indicating the position at which the log is written to the buffer exceeds the read pointer indicating the position at which the log is read from the buffer is counted. It can be transmitted to the device and displayed on the display.

Further, it is possible to read the specified number of logs based on the specification information for specifying the number of logs to be read from the buffer, or to read all the logs stored in the buffer.

The specification information for specifying the number of logs to be read from the buffer can be input from the information processing device.

As described above, the present invention can provide a multifunctional peripheral device which has never been used before.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a multifunctional peripheral device (M) showing one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of FP).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration of a controller of the MFP illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a Supervisor 410 illustrated in FIG. 4;

8 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a subaddress: service ID correspondence table.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of a connection type ID in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a subaddress: task type correspondence table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of a task type ID in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a user authentication table.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an access control table.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing security levels.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an event setting table.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an event format table.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a print manager.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a job table.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a job request table.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a scan job manager.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a copy job manager.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a font manager.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a font table.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an attribute table of a form overlay manager.

30 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table illustrated in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a form overlay table.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing an attribute table of a log manager.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing a log table.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the contents of log data.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a log format table.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of a color profile manager.

38 is a diagram illustrating the meaning of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table illustrated in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a color profile table.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of the printer controller.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the meanings of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table shown in FIG. 40.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a job queue table.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing the status of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating an attribute table of the scanner controller.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating the meanings of an attribute ID and a type ID in the attribute table illustrated in FIG. 44.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the structure of a command packet.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing processing of a command packet.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing access processing of an attribute table.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart of a service ID list inquiry process.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart of a sub address inquiry process.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart of a service ID inquiry process specifying a task type;

FIG. 52 is a diagram showing the structure of a job.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of job script processing in each manager.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of job script processing in each manager.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart of job processing in the print job manager.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of job processing in the scan job manager.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of job processing in the copy job manager.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of job processing (downloading) in a font manager, a form overlay manager, a log manager, and a color profile manager.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart of job processing (upload) in the font manager, form overlay manager, log manager, and color profile manager.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart of job management in each manager.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart of event transmission.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of data (script) transmission from a device.

FIG. 63 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a Client PC.

FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating a software (control program) configuration of the Client PC.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart of a packet generation / transmission process.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart of information acquisition and automatic configuration of software (control program) on the Client side.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart of issuing a job specifying a task type.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing a structure of an event.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart of event transmission.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart of a log process.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart of charging information acquisition / processing.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart of job issuance (print job, data download).

FIG. 73 is a flowchart of job issuance (scan job, data upload).

FIG. 74 is a flowchart of issuing a copy job.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart of issuing a job management command.

FIG. 76 is a memory map of a DISK 315 of the MFP.

FIG. 77 is a memory map of DISK6009 of the Client PC.

FIG. 78 is a diagram showing a configuration of a Client PC.

FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating an LBP applicable to a laser beam printer engine of an MFP.

FIG. 80 is a diagram illustrating an IJRA applicable to the inkjet printer engine of the MFP.

FIG. 81 is a diagram showing a sample display screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 82 is a diagram illustrating a sample display screen displayed on the display.

FIG. 83 is a view showing a LOG DATA FILE attribute table;

FIG. 84 is a flowchart of a log writing process in the log manager.

FIG. 85 is a flowchart of a log reading process in the log manager.

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takuyuki Matsuo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yasuhiko Sasaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Mamoru Nagata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Inoue 3-30-2 Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tomoko Takagi 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term within Canon Inc. (reference) 5B014 GD14 5B042 GA36 GC08 KK11 LA19 MA09 MA17 MC40

Claims (52)

[Claims] 1. A peripheral device connected to an information processing device, a buffer for storing a log of the peripheral device, and a control for notifying the information processing device when the buffer is almost full. And peripheral means. 2. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit controls the buffer based on designated information specified in advance. 3. The control means, when the buffer becomes full, causes the peripheral device to print a log stored in the buffer based on the designation information and stores a new log in the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral device is operated. 4. The control means, when the buffer becomes full, moves a log stored in the buffer to another storage area based on the designation information and stores a new log in the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral device is operated. 5. The control means, when the buffer becomes full, transmits a log stored in the buffer to the information processing apparatus based on the designation information, and stores a new log in the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral device is operated. 6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit overwrites the full buffer with a new log based on the designation information. Peripheral equipment. 7. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit stops writing a new log to the buffer based on the designation information. . 8. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the designation information is set by an operation unit of the peripheral device or the information processing device. 9. The peripheral device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer is configured in a ring buffer format, a log is written at a position indicated by a write pointer, and a log is read from a position indicated by a read pointer. . 10. The control unit determines that the buffer is full when a write pointer indicating a position to write a log to the buffer matches a read pointer indicating a position to read a log from the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2. 11. The control unit, when overwriting a new log in the buffer, determines the number of times that a write pointer indicating a position to write a log to the buffer exceeds a read pointer indicating a position to read a log from the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the peripheral device counts the number, transmits the number to the information processing device, and displays the number on a display. 12. The control unit reads out a specified number of logs based on specification information that specifies the number of logs to be read from the buffer, or reads out all logs stored in the buffer. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein: 13. The peripheral device according to claim 12, wherein the designation information for designating the number of logs to be read from the buffer is input from the information processing device. 14. A peripheral device control method for a peripheral device connected to an information processing device, wherein when a buffer storing a log of the peripheral device is almost full, the information processing device is notified of the fact. A peripheral device control method, characterized in that: 15. When the buffer becomes full,
The peripheral device control method according to claim 14, wherein the buffer is controlled based on designation information designated in advance. 16. When the buffer becomes full, a log stored in the buffer is printed by the peripheral device based on the designation information, and a new log is stored in the buffer. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15. 17. When the buffer becomes full, a log stored in the buffer is moved to another storage area based on the designation information, and a new log is stored in the buffer. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein 18. When the buffer becomes full, a log stored in the buffer is transmitted to the information processing device based on the designation information, and a new log is stored in the buffer. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein 19. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein when the buffer becomes full, a new log is overwritten on the full buffer based on the designation information. 20. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein when the buffer becomes full, writing of a new log to the buffer is stopped based on the designation information. 21. The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein the designation information is set by an operation unit of the peripheral device or the information processing device. 22. The peripheral device according to claim 14, wherein the buffer is configured in a ring buffer format, a log is written at a position indicated by a write pointer, and a log is read from a position indicated by a read pointer. Control method. 23. The buffer is determined to be full when a write pointer indicating a position where a log is written to the buffer and a read pointer indicating a position where a log is read from the buffer match.
2. A peripheral device control method according to claim 1. 24. When overwriting a new log in the buffer, counting the number of times that a write pointer indicating a position to write a log to the buffer exceeds a read pointer indicating a position to read a log from the buffer; The peripheral device control method according to claim 15, wherein the information processing device is transmitted to the information processing device and displayed on a display. 25. A method according to claim 25, wherein a specified number of logs is read out based on specification information for specifying the number of logs to be read out from said buffer, or all logs stored in said buffer are read out. Item 16. A peripheral device control method according to item 15. 26. The peripheral device control method according to claim 25, wherein designation information for designating the number of logs to be read from the buffer is input from the information processing device. 27. A storage medium storing a peripheral device control program to be executed by a peripheral device connected to an information processing apparatus, wherein a buffer for storing a log of the peripheral device is nearing full. A storage medium for storing a peripheral device control program for notifying an information processing apparatus of the fact. 28. The storage medium according to claim 27, wherein the peripheral device control program controls the buffer based on designation information specified in advance when the buffer becomes full. 29. When the buffer becomes full, the peripheral device control program causes the peripheral device to print a log stored in the buffer based on the designation information, and stores a new log in the buffer. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the storage medium is stored. 30. The peripheral device control program, when the buffer becomes full, moves a log stored in the buffer to another storage area based on the designation information and stores a new log in the buffer. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the storage medium is stored. 31. The peripheral device control program, when the buffer becomes full, transmits a log stored in the buffer to the information processing apparatus based on the designation information, and stores a new log in the buffer. 29. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the storage medium is stored. 32. The peripheral device control program according to claim 28, wherein when the buffer becomes full, a new log is overwritten on the full buffer based on the designation information. The storage medium according to the above. 33. The peripheral device control program according to claim 28, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the peripheral device control program stops writing a new log to the buffer based on the designation information. Storage medium. 34. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the designation information is set by an operation unit of the peripheral device or the information processing device. 35. The storage medium according to claim 27, wherein the buffer is configured in a ring buffer format, a log is written at a position indicated by a write pointer, and the log is read from a position indicated by a read pointer. . 36. The peripheral device control program determines that the buffer is full when a write pointer indicating a position to write a log to the buffer matches a read pointer indicating a position to read a log from the buffer. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein: 37. When the peripheral device control program overwrites a new log in the buffer, a write pointer indicating a position to write a log to the buffer exceeds a read pointer indicating a position to read a log from the buffer. The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein the number of times is counted, and the number is transmitted to the information processing apparatus and displayed on a display. 38. The peripheral device control program reads a specified number of logs based on specification information specifying the number of logs to be read from the buffer, or
The storage medium according to claim 28, wherein all logs stored in the buffer are read. 39. The storage medium according to claim 38, wherein specification information for specifying the number of logs to be read from said buffer is input from said information processing device. 40. A peripheral device control system including an information processing device and a peripheral device, wherein when a buffer storing a log of the peripheral device is almost full, the information processing device is notified of the fact. Control means; output means for outputting a log transmission request from the information processing apparatus; and transmission means for transmitting a log stored in the buffer to the information processing apparatus when the log transmission request is input. A peripheral device control system, characterized in that: 41. The peripheral device control system according to claim 40, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit controls the buffer based on designation information specified in advance. 42. When the buffer becomes full, the control unit causes the peripheral device to print a log stored in the buffer based on the designation information, and stores a new log in the buffer. 42. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41, wherein: 43. When the buffer becomes full, the control means moves a log stored in the buffer to another storage area based on the designation information and stores a new log in the buffer. 42. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41, wherein: 44. The control means, when the buffer becomes full, transmits a log stored in the buffer to the information processing device based on the designation information, and stores a new log in the buffer. 42. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41, wherein: 45. The method according to claim 41, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit overwrites the full buffer with a new log based on the designation information. Peripheral device control system. 46. The peripheral device according to claim 41, wherein when the buffer becomes full, the control unit stops writing a new log to the buffer based on the designation information. Control system. 47. The peripheral device control system according to claim 48, wherein the designation information is set by an operation unit of the peripheral device or the information processing device. 48. The peripheral device according to claim 40, wherein the buffer is configured in a ring buffer format, a log is written at a position indicated by a write pointer, and a log is read from a position indicated by a read pointer. Control system. 49. The control unit determines that the buffer is full when a write pointer indicating a position where a log is written to the buffer and a read pointer indicating a position where a log is read from the buffer match. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41. 50. When overwriting a new log in the buffer, the control means determines the number of times that the write pointer indicating the position where the log is written to the buffer exceeds the read pointer indicating the position where the log is read from the buffer. 42. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41, wherein the peripheral device control system counts the number, transmits the number to the information processing apparatus, and displays the number on a display. 51. The control unit reads out a specified number of logs based on specification information that specifies the number of logs to be read from the buffer, or reads out all logs stored in the buffer. The peripheral device control system according to claim 41, wherein: 52. The peripheral device control system according to claim 51, wherein designation information for designating the number of logs to be read from said buffer is input from said information processing device.