JP2005064657A - Multifunction machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a multifunction machine equipped with a color scanner and a monochrome printer cannot print out scanned color data. <P>SOLUTION: An alternative color printer is registered to output print data to the alternative color printer in the case of printing the color data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-function peripheral incorporating a printer and a scanner, and more particularly to printer selection.

In a multi-function peripheral connected to a network, it is recommended that a user check print data with a client such as a personal computer and print only what is necessary for paperless. By the way, with the generalization of color images, multifunction devices equipped with a monochrome printer and a color scanner have appeared. In such a multifunction device, color data can be transferred by e-mail or the like, but cannot be output by its own printer. In this case, the scanner function and the printer function are unbalanced.
JP-A-10-145613

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to enable flexible operation relating to printing by printing data or the like that cannot be printed by the printer function of a multifunction machine with an alternative printer.
An additional problem in the invention of claim 3 is to enable selection of an appropriate printer even when a plurality of alternative printers are connected when determining which printer to print.
It is an object of the inventions of claims 4 and 5 to enable scanning color data to be printed when operating a multi-function peripheral having a color scanner but only a monochrome printer.
An additional problem of the invention of claim 6 is to prevent a problem that, when color printing cannot be performed, color printing cannot be executed even though the user selects color printing.
An additional object of the invention of claim 7 is to enable the user to execute printing even when the printer function of the multi-function peripheral cannot be used.

According to the present invention, in a multi-function machine having at least a printer function and a scanner function, registration means for registering a printer other than the printer function of the own machine as an alternative printer, printing with the printer function of the own machine or printing with an alternative printer Determining means for determining whether or not print data is output to a printer determined by the determining means.
The user or administrator may specify whether to use the printer function of the own machine or an alternative printer. Preferably, the determination means substitutes image data that cannot be printed by the printer function of the own machine. It is determined to print with a printer (claim 2).

  Preferably, means for obtaining information regarding the function of the alternative printer is provided, and the printer to be used by the determining means is determined based on the information. This information is stored in, for example, a table, but information may be collected by inquiring from the multifunction device to the printer each time.

  It is particularly preferable to determine the printer to be used by comparing the number of colors of the print data with the number of colors that can be printed by the printer function of the own apparatus and the number of colors that can be printed by the alternative printer.

  According to the present invention, in a multi-function machine having a color scanner and a black and white printer function, a means for registering a color printer as an alternative printer is provided. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the data is output and the monochrome data is instructed to be printed, the monochrome data is output to the printer function of the own apparatus.

  Preferably, when the alternative color printer is not registered, it is prohibited to select a color copy from the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral.

  Preferably, there is provided means for registering another printer to be used when the printer function of the own machine is unavailable, and when the printer function of the own machine is unavailable, the monochrome data is output to the other printer. (Claim 7).

In the present invention, an alternative printer can be used in addition to the printer function of the own machine.
・ If the printer function of your machine is a black and white printer, use a color printer as an alternative printer. ・ Use an alternative printer to process print data that does not meet the restrictions such as resolution and paper size of your printer function.
When the printer function of the own machine cannot be used due to running out of paper or the job is accumulated too much, it can be processed by an alternative printer (Claim 1).

  Further, when information regarding the function of the alternative printer is obtained and it is determined which alternative printer to use, for example, a plurality of printers on the network can be registered as alternative printers, and the optimum printer can be selected and printed. 3).

  Here, the number of colors of print data (1 and 2 for black and white, 2 or 4 for full color) and the number of colors of the printer function of the own machine and the number of colors of the alternative printer are compared. For example, even if the printer function of the own machine is monochrome, color printing can be performed with an alternative printer.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a multifunction device having a color scanner and a monochrome printer function is instructed to print the scanned color data, the alternate printer can perform color printing. You can print, and you can eliminate the imbalance between scanner capabilities and printer capabilities.

  In the invention of claim 6, when a color printer is not registered as an alternative printer, it is not displayed except those requiring a color printer such as a color copy from the menu of the multifunction device, or a display such as “color copy is not possible” is displayed. Thus, the user is prevented from selecting a color copy or the like even though color printing cannot be performed. For this reason, dissatisfaction that the instruction input by the user cannot be executed can be prevented.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the printer function of the multi-function peripheral cannot be used due to toner exhaustion or failure, it can be backed up by an alternative printer.

  In the following, an optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be shown.

  1 to 4 show a first embodiment. In these figures, reference numeral 2 denotes a multi-function machine, which is connected to a client 6 such as a personal computer via a LAN 4 and connected to color printers 8 and 9 and a black and white printer 10 which are alternative printers to supplement the black and white printer of the own machine. Has been. Reference numeral 12 denotes a LAN interface, reference numeral 13 denotes a monochrome printer in the multifunction machine 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a color scanner, and reference numeral 15 denotes a G3 facsimile, which transmits and receives G3 facsimile via a public telephone line network or the like. Reference numeral 16 denotes an Internet facsimile machine which transmits and receives Internet facsimiles in an e-mail format via a router (not shown) connected to the LAN interface 12 and the LAN 4.

  The HTTP server 20 is a server serving as an interface for operating the multi-function device 2 from the client 6 via the LAN 4. The HTTP server 20 transmits an HTML screen or the like to the client 6, and the user displays the HTML screen from the browser of the client 6. By operating it, various instructions are given to the multifunction device 2. The multifunction device 2 has an operation panel 21 using a touch panel or the like on the device side. The multifunction device 2 can be operated from either the client 6 or the operation panel 21. A printer selection unit 22 determines which of the monochrome printer 13 or the alternative printers 8 to 10 is used for printing. The image data to be printed is image data scanned by the color scanner 14, image data received by a G3 facsimile, Internet facsimile, or the like, image data transmitted from the client 6, and the like. It can be scanned as both data and black and white data.

  The printer information management unit 23 stores the printer information management table 30 shown in FIG. 3 and the like, and functions (such as the availability of color printing, the number of colors that can be used, the resolution, and the paper) If there is a user's designation regarding the type, whether or not special functions such as double-sided printing, etc.) and which printer to use, the designation and the status of the printer are stored. For example, it is assumed that the monochrome printer of its own cannot perform color printing, the resolution is 800 DPI, the printable paper is limited to A4, and duplex printing is not possible. In addition, among a large number of users, the users A to E designate a monochrome printer (multi-function printer), etc., and the current state is normal and monochrome printing can be performed without any problem. The color printer 1 is capable of color printing, and the evaluation regarding the color printing is “good” (Δ for the color printer 2) because the operation cost is lower than other color printers 2 capable of color printing. The color printer 1 has a resolution of 800 DPI, can be printed on various papers from B5 to A3 and A4OHP, and can also be printed on both sides. Users F to G have specified this printer and the status is normal. Suppose that

  In this way, for the own printer and the alternative printer, the color printing availability and resolution, the types of paper that can be supported, the double-sided printing availability, the user designation, the current state, etc. are stored. Also, when printing becomes impossible due to toner exhaustion or other reasons, the status is reversed from normal to abnormal (unusable). Here, the status is two types, normal / abnormal. For example, B5 printing cannot be performed due to out of paper, but the status may be stored at a plurality of levels in any way other printing is possible. In addition to normal / abnormal, there are many unexecuted jobs, so a state such as busy may be provided. By the way, what kind of paper can be printed varies depending on the paper set in the cassette. Also, the printer status changes due to the occurrence of a failure. For this reason, the printer information management unit of the multifunction peripheral makes an inquiry about the status to the alternative printers 8 to 10 periodically at intervals of 30 seconds to 30 minutes or whenever a print instruction is received. It is preferable to update the printer information management table 30.

  The printer selection rule storage unit 24 stores a rule indicating which printer is used for printing when a print command is given. Basically, this rule is to use the printer information management unit 23 to search for a printer whose print data matches the specifications of the number of colors and resolution of the printer, the type of paper, and double-sided printing. The matching of the number of colors means that, for example, in the case of full color, printing can be performed with four or three colors, and in the case of two colors, printing can be performed with two colors. Furthermore, according to the printer selection rule, if a printer that cannot be used due to a failure or the like is excluded from the selection range and there are multiple printers that match the contents of the print data (number of colors, resolution, paper type, etc.), which printer has priority Is determined based on the designation of the printer of the user. Priority is given to printers that are preferred by users for reasons such as being close to the user's seat, less likely to cause paper jams, fast printing, relatively free space, and low operating costs. be able to.

  Another principle in the printer selection rule is that if there is no printer that matches the print data and the number of colors, resolution, etc., and there is a basic difference such as a mismatch in the number of colors, there is no printer that matches, and the paper size If there is a slight discrepancy, such as a difference, the printer having the highest degree of matching with the print data is selected. For example, when a color printer is not registered in the printer information management table 30, the user interface management unit 25 deletes a color print or color copy from a menu related to copying or printing on the operation panel 21, and passes through the multifunction device 2. If the service cannot be provided, remove it from the menu. Further, when color printing is requested from the client 6 and the color printer is not registered in the printer information management table 30, the user interface management unit 25 returns a comment such as “color printing is not possible”.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the printer selection algorithm. When an instruction for printing or copying is input in step 1, it is checked whether or not a printer is specified in the instruction (step 2), and if the printer is specified, printing corresponding to the print data is possible with the printer. Is checked (step 3). When the print data can be processed by the designated printer, the process proceeds to a connector A.

  If no printer is designated or if the designated printer cannot process the print data, a printer that meets the print conditions is searched using the printer information management table 30 (step 4). Here, the print conditions include the number of colors and resolution required for printing, the size and type of paper, special specifications such as double-sided printing, and user designation for the printer. If there is a printer that meets the printing conditions (step 5), the process proceeds to a connector A. If there is no compatible printer and there is no basic difference such as a difference in the number of colors, the printer with the highest matching degree is selected (step 6), and the process proceeds to connector A. If there is only a printer with a different number of colors (non-conformity), the procedure is terminated from the connector B, and the fact that printing is not possible and the reason are displayed on the operation heat and the client screen.

  The printer used in step 7 is displayed on the operation panel. When the MFP is operated from the client via the LAN, a notification regarding the printer to be used is transmitted to the client. In particular, if a printer that does not completely match the printing conditions is selected in step 6, a notice that the printing conditions do not match is notified. For example, when printing with a resolution of 2000 DPI is requested, when a 1200 DPI printer is used, a display or notification such as “printing is possible when the resolution is reduced to 1200 DPI” is performed. If it is considered that the user has approved the display or notification, for example, if there is no input such as cancellation within a predetermined time, it is assumed that the printer has been approved in step 8, and print data is output to the selected printer. (Step 9). In this case, it is preferable that a display such as “printing is in progress” or “printing is completed” is output to the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral or a client who has requested printing together with the printer number, the location, and the like. If the user does not accept the selection of the printer in step 8, the process returns from the connector C to step 1 and waits for the user to input a new instruction regarding printing.

  In this way, the scanned color data can be output from the alternative printer by the multi-function machine including the color scanner and the monochrome printer. Also, when high-definition printing is required, printing can be performed using an alternative printer. Furthermore, when a printer convenient for the user can be automatically selected and color printing cannot be performed, the user can be prevented from inputting unexecutable processing except for color printing and color copying from a menu such as an operation panel. If your monochrome printer is out of order, you can back up with an alternative printer.

  5 and 6 show modifications relating to printer selection. FIG. 5 shows an example in which a print instruction is received from a client personal computer (step 11), and it is checked whether another printer (alternative printer) is specified in the print instruction (step 12). If specified, print data is output to the specified alternative printer (step 13). If there is no printer designation and output is possible with the printer of the own device (step 14), the output is made to the printer of the own device (step 15). This is the case, for example, when there is no printer designation and the print data is monochrome. If output cannot be performed by the printer of its own, an alternative printer that meets the printing conditions is selected and output to the alternative printer (step 16).

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which a copy instruction is received from the operation panel of the multifunction machine (step 21). If color copying is requested (step 22), only a black and white printer is embedded in the multifunction peripheral, so output to an alternative color printer (step 23). (Step 24). Although not shown in FIG. 6, even when the printer of the own machine fails in monochrome printing, it is output to an alternative printer such as a color printer.

Block diagram showing the usage environment of the MFP of the embodiment The block diagram which shows the constitution according to function of the compound machine of execution example The figure which shows the printer information table in an Example Flowchart showing a printer selection algorithm in the embodiment Flowchart showing a printer selection algorithm in the modified example Flowchart showing a printer selection algorithm in another modification

Explanation of symbols

2 MFP 4 LAN
6 Client 8, 9 Color printer 10 Monochrome printer 12 LAN interface 13 Monochrome printer 14 Color scanner 15 G3 facsimile 16 Internet facsimile 20 HTTP server 21 Operation panel 22 Printer selection unit 23 Printer information management unit 24 Printer selection rule storage unit 25 User interface management Part 30 Printer Information Management Table

Claims (7)

In a multi-function machine equipped with at least a printer function and a scanner function,
A registration unit for registering a printer other than the printer function of the own device as an alternative printer and a determination unit for determining whether to print with the printer function of the own device or the alternative printer are provided. A multifunction device that outputs print data to a printer. 2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that image data that cannot be printed by the printer function of the own device is to be printed by an alternative printer. 3. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for obtaining information relating to the function of the alternative printer is provided, and a printer to be used by the determining means is determined based on the information. 4. The printer to be used is determined by comparing the number of colors of print data with the number of colors that can be printed by the printer function of the own device and the number of colors that can be printed by an alternative printer. Multifunction machine. In a multifunction machine equipped with a color scanner and a monochrome printer function,
A means for registering a color printer as an alternative printer is provided.
When instructed to print color data, the color data is output to the alternative printer,
A multifunction device, wherein when the monochrome data is instructed to be printed, the monochrome data is output to the printer function of the device itself. 6. The multifunction device according to claim 5, wherein when the alternative color printer is not registered, selection of a color copy from an operation panel of the multifunction device is prohibited. Provide a means for registering other printers to be used when the printer function of the machine is not available.
7. The multi-function apparatus according to claim 5, wherein monochrome data is output to the other printer when the printer function of the self-machine is not usable.

Images