JP3327710B2 - Image processing apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same, for example, to controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image processing apparatus such as a printer connected to a host computer via an interface cable or a network receives an operation environment setting request from the host computer at any time except during execution of print processing. Can be.

[0003]

However, the above conventional example has the following problems. Even if a host computer connected to the network sets the operating environment such as a printer and starts the image data output process immediately after that, if it takes time to prepare the image data to be sent, Unable to send data. As described above, the image processing apparatus can receive the operating environment setting request from the host computer except during the execution of the printing process. Therefore, while the image data is not transmitted, the image processing apparatus receives the operating environment setting request. State. At this time, if an operating environment setting request is received from another host computer connected to the network, the request is accepted and a new operating environment is set, so that image data is sent from the previous computer. However, the print result may not be as expected.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problem, and to prevent an inadvertent change in the operating environment of an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers.

[0005]

The present invention has the following arrangement as one means for achieving the above object.

[0006] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, and input means for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer. ,
Forming means for causing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus to form an image based on the input image processing information, determining means for determining whether or not to receive the input operating environment setting information, and receiving by the determining means Setting means for setting the operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the operating environment setting information determined that the operating environment setting information has not been received by the host computer that has issued the operating environment setting information When the setting of the operating environment is completed by the setting unit, the notifying unit notifies the user of the fact that the operating environment setting information is received. And Also,
An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, an input unit for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer, and the image processing apparatus based on the input image processing information. Forming means for forming an image in an image forming unit of the forming apparatus; and input means for determining whether or not permission to change the operating environment of the image forming apparatus has been obtained from a predetermined number of host computers among the plurality of host computers. Determining means for determining whether to accept the operating environment setting information, and based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted by the determining means,
Setting means for setting an operating environment of the image forming apparatus. An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, an input unit for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer, and based on the input image processing information, Forming means for forming an image in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus; identification information setting means for setting identification information of a host computer which is a source of the operation environment setting information received immediately before; and input operation environment setting Determining means for determining whether or not to receive the input operating environment setting information according to a comparison result between the identification information of the host computer that is the information source and the set identification information; Setting means for setting the operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the operating environment setting information determined as An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, an input unit for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer, and based on the input image processing information, Forming means for forming an image in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, determining means for determining whether or not to receive the input operating environment setting information, and operating environment setting information determined by the determining means to be acceptable. Setting means for setting an operation environment of the image forming apparatus, wherein the determination means has a switch means for setting whether to prohibit or permit the reception of the operation environment setting information. I do.

[0007] A control method according to the present invention is a control method for an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, wherein image processing information and operating environment setting information are input from the host computer. Based on the input image processing information, cause the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus to form an image, determine whether or not to accept the input operating environment setting information, and based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted. Setting an operating environment of the image forming apparatus, and notifying the host computer, which is a source of the operating environment setting information, of not accepting the operating environment setting information, notifies the host computer of the fact; When it is determined that the environment setting information is to be received, the setting of the operating environment is completed, and then a notification to that effect is given. Further, a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that controls an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, wherein image processing information and operating environment setting information are input from the host computer, and based on the input image processing information, Causing an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus to form an image,
It is determined whether to accept the input operating environment setting information according to whether or not permission to change the operating environment of the image forming apparatus has been obtained from a predetermined number of host computers among the plurality of host computers. The operating environment of the image forming apparatus is set based on the operating environment setting information determined. Further, a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that controls an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, wherein image processing information and operating environment setting information are input from the host computer, and based on the input image processing information, The image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image, the identification information of the host computer that is the source of the operating environment setting information received immediately before is set in the memory, and the set identification information and the input operating environment are set. According to the comparison result with the identification information of the host computer that is the source of the setting information, determine whether to accept the input operating environment setting information, based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted, the The operation environment of the image forming apparatus is set. Further, a method of controlling an image processing apparatus that controls an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, wherein image processing information and operating environment setting information are input from the host computer, and based on the input image processing information, The image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image, determines whether or not to accept the input operating environment setting information, based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted, the operating environment of the image forming apparatus, The method includes setting each step, and the determination is based on a setting of a switch for setting whether to prohibit or permit the reception of the operation environment setting information.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention
The present invention can be applied to an image processing apparatus of an image forming apparatus such as a printer of various types including a laser beam printer and an ink jet printer.

[0009]

First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 5 denotes a CPU, and a program ROM 8
The entire device is controlled via the data bus 13 and the address bus 14 in accordance with a control program stored in advance in, for example, the system. 15 is a clock generation circuit, and its clock signal 30 is
Used as CPU5 clock.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a host interface unit via a communication cable or a network cable indicated by reference numeral 2.
This is for performing communication with a host computer (not shown). That is, image processing information and the like are input from the host computer via the host interface unit 1, and various operating environments of the printer can be set from the host computer.

3 is a page memory, which is controlled by the CPU 5
Image processing information and the like input as code data via the host interface unit 1 are stored. Note that the page memory 3 has a capacity capable of storing at least one page of code data, and the host interface unit 1
The character codes, graphic formation information, control information, and the like are stored in the order in which they are sent via the. Reference numeral 4 denotes a font memory in which pattern data of the character is stored in advance corresponding to the character code.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a dot pattern memory which stores expanded dot pattern data. In addition,
The dot pattern memory 6 corresponds to the page memory 3,
At least one page of pattern data can be stored. The CPU 5 analyzes a character code of an interpreter or the like stored in a program ROM 8 or the like, and a code program of graphic formation information or control information to form a dot pattern based on the character code data stored in the page memory 3. To access font memory 4,
The corresponding pattern data is read and the pattern is developed in the dot pattern memory 6.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a working RAM, which is a work memory for temporarily reading and writing various data when the CPU 5 performs processing. Reference numeral 9 denotes a FIFO memory which outputs dot pattern data input from the dot pattern memory 6 to the image forming unit interface unit 10. The image forming unit interface unit 10 sends image data (dot pattern data) input from the FIFO 9 to an image forming unit such as a printer engine (not shown) to form an image. Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, when a request for setting the operating environment is issued from the host computer, all the connected host computers are connected to the host computer prior to performing the setting process. On the other hand, an inquiry is made as to whether the current operating environment may be changed. For example, when a change permission is obtained from a majority of the host computers, the operating environment specified by the issuer of the setting request is set.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a memory map of the working RAM 7. The response result setting area 50 individually stores responses from all connected host computers to an inquiry as to whether the current operating environment may be changed. This is the area to store. The CPU 5 sets the response result setting area 50 in each of the
If change is allowed, '1' is stored; otherwise, '0' is stored.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation environment setting process of the present embodiment. When an operation environment setting request is made from a connected host computer, the operation environment setting process is performed based on the control program stored in the program ROM 8. CP
This is what U5 does. In the following description, a host computer requesting the setting of the operating environment may be referred to as a setting request host.

First, in step S10, an inquiry is made to all the connected host computers as to whether the current operating environment may be changed, and the response results from each of the host computers are displayed in a response result setting area. Store in 50. Next, in step S11, the change permission number n and the change non-permission number m are counted based on the information stored in the response result setting area 50, and in step S12, the change permission number is counted.
It is determined whether or not n has reached a majority (n> m) .If not, the process proceeds to step 15 and notifies the setting request host that the setting of the operating environment cannot be executed. finish.

If the change permission number n has reached a majority, the operation environment instructed by the setting request host is set in step S13, and after the setting environment is notified to the setting request host in step S14, , And the process ends.

The number of permitted changes required for changing the operating environment is not limited to a majority, and the operating environment is changed when an appropriate change permitting rate considering the operating environment of the present embodiment is obtained. For example, the operating environment may not be changed unless permission is obtained from all the host computers. Further, the threshold of the change permission rate can be arbitrarily changed by a switch or software.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
When an operating environment setting request is received from a host computer connected to the network, the request is not immediately accepted and a new operating environment is set, but a change permission is obtained from, for example, a majority of the connected host computers. Since the operating environment is changed only when the image processing information is transmitted, the probability that an expected result cannot be obtained when an image is formed based on the transmitted image processing information can be reduced.

Further, the operation of the present embodiment is provided in such a manner that after receiving the last image processing information sent from the host computer, a prohibition period in which an operation environment setting request is not received from another host computer for a predetermined period is provided. If the image processing information is not sent again from the same host computer that sent the image processing information immediately before this period, the prohibition state can be canceled.
With this configuration, even if the host computer that has once set the operating environment and started outputting the image processing information takes time to output the image processing information and cannot output the image processing information continuously, Since the operating environment is not changed and the host computer does not need to request the setting of the operating environment again, the processing efficiency can be improved.

[0022]

Second Embodiment An image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, when a request for setting the operating environment is received from the setting request host, the processing for inhibiting the change of the operating environment from the host computer is released. Until this instruction is issued, a request to set the operating environment is not accepted from another host computer, and the change of the operating environment is exclusively prohibited. Therefore, when in the exclusive state,
In this embodiment, an operation environment is set based on an instruction from a setting request host that first receives a setting request, and an operation environment is not set based on an instruction from another host computer. If the host computer is not in the exclusive state, the present embodiment accepts a request for setting an operating environment from all host computers.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a memory map of the working RAM 7. When the exclusive state setting area 51 is "1", it indicates that the setting of the operating environment is exclusively prohibited. It is in a state of receiving an environment setting request. Also,
The host identification information setting area 52 stores identification information (for example, IP address) of the host computer that has received the operating environment setting request immediately before.
Address). Therefore, even if there is an operation environment setting request or an instruction to release the exclusive state from any host computer other than the host computer set in the host identification information setting area 52, these are not accepted. When this embodiment is started by turning on the power or resetting, “0” is set in the exclusive state setting area 51 as an initial value.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation environment setting process according to the present embodiment. When an operation environment setting request is issued from a certain connected host computer or an instruction to release the exclusive state is issued. In this case, the CPU 5 executes the program based on the control program stored in the program ROM 8. In the following description, a host computer requesting the setting of the operating environment or the release of the exclusive state may be referred to as a setting request host.

First, in step S20, the exclusive state setting area 5
The setting content of 1 is determined, and when the setting content is “1” (exclusive state), the process proceeds to step S21, and when the setting content is “0” (non-exclusive state), the process jumps to step S23. If it is in the exclusive state, in step S21 the host identification information setting area 52
Read the identification information set in, compare the identification information read in step S22 and the identification information of the setting request host,
If they match, the setting is permitted and the process proceeds to step S23. If they do not match, the setting is not permitted and the process proceeds to step S27. After notifying the setting requesting host that the setting cannot be changed, the process ends.

If the setting is permitted or the state is not exclusive, it is determined in step S23 whether the operating environment is set or the exclusive state is released. The instructed operating environment is set, and if the exclusive state is released, the exclusive state is released (the exclusive state setting area 51 is set to '0') in step S25, and the setting to the setting request host is completed in step S26. After notifying that the process has been performed, the process ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
After a host computer connected to the network issues a request for setting the operating environment, the other host computer connected to the host computer stops outputting the image processing information and releases the exclusive state until the host computer releases the exclusive state. Even if there is a setting request, it is not accepted to set a new operating environment, so that it is possible to prevent a problem that an expected image forming result cannot be obtained.

[0029]

Third Embodiment An image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 20 denotes a prohibition instruction signal input unit which inputs a prohibition instruction signal 40 set by a prohibition instruction switch 21 and sends the state of the prohibition instruction signal 40 to the data bus 13 in response to an instruction from the CPU 5. Output. CPU5 is a prohibition instruction signal
If 40 is set to the high state H, no request for setting the operating environment is received from all connected host computers, and if it is set to the low state L, any connected host Accepts an operating environment setting request from a computer. The prohibition instruction switch 21 is a switch, such as a toggle switch, which, once its state is set, maintains that state until it is switched, and the prohibition instruction switch 21 sets the prohibition instruction signal 40 to the H state or the L state. Is maintained.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation environment setting process according to this embodiment. When an operation environment setting request is received from a connected host computer, the operation environment setting process is performed based on a control program stored in the program ROM 8. CP
This is what U5 does. In the following description, a host computer requesting the setting of the operating environment may be referred to as a setting request host.

First, in step S30, the state of the prohibition instruction signal 40 is determined, and if the signal is in the H state, the flow advances to step S33 to notify the setting request host that the operation environment cannot be set. , And the process ends. Also, the signal
In the case of the L state, proceed to step S31, set the operating environment instructed by the setting request host, after notifying that the setting of the operating environment has been completed to the setting request host in step S32,
The process ends.

As described above, during the period in which the setting of the operating environment from all the host computers is prohibited by the setting of the prohibition instruction switch 21, the operating environment specified and set immediately before the prohibition state is set, or the power is turned on. This embodiment operates based on the initial operating environment after (or reset).

As described above, according to this embodiment,
Even if there is a request for setting the operating environment from the host computer connected to the network, if the change of the operating environment is prohibited on the image processing device side, it will not be accepted and the new operating environment will be set. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a problem that an expected image forming result cannot be obtained.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device.

It is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Inadvertent changes in the operating environment of the image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers can be prevented. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent a problem that an operation environment of the image forming apparatus is changed and an expected image forming result cannot be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a memory map example of a working RAM shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation environment setting process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of a memory map of a working RAM according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation environment setting process according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation environment setting process according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Host interface 3 Page memory 4 Font memory 5 CPU 6 Dot pattern memory 7 Working RAM 9 FIFO memory 10 Image forming interface

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/12

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: input means for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer; Forming means for forming an image in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, a determining means for determining whether or not to receive the input operating environment setting information, and an operating environment setting determined to be received by the determining means. Setting means for setting the operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the information; and, if it is determined that the operating environment setting information is not received by the host computer which is a source of the operating environment setting information, the fact is determined. When it is determined that the operating environment setting information is accepted, after the setting of the operating environment by the setting unit is completed, The image processing apparatus characterized by comprising a notification means for notifying the fact. 2. An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: input means for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer; Forming means for forming an image in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, based on whether or not permission to change the operating environment of the image forming apparatus has been obtained from a predetermined number of host computers among the plurality of host computers Determining means for determining whether to receive the input operating environment setting information, and setting means for setting an operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the operating environment setting information determined to be received by the determining means. An image processing apparatus comprising: 3. An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: input means for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer; Forming means for forming an image in the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, and identification information setting means for setting identification information of a host computer which is a source of the operating environment setting information received immediately before; Determining means for determining whether or not to accept the input operating environment setting information, according to a comparison result between the identification information and the identification information of the host computer that is the source of the input operating environment setting information; Setting means for setting the operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted by the determining means. The image processing apparatus according to claim. 4. An exclusive state in which setting of the operating environment by a host computer other than the host computer corresponding to the set identification information is prohibited. The identification information of the host computer that is the transmission source is compared with the set identification information to determine whether or not to accept the input operating environment setting information. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined that the input operation environment setting information is received without performing the operation. 5. The exclusive state is released when an instruction to release the exclusive state is input from a host computer corresponding to the set identification information. Image processing device. 6. An image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: input means for inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from the host computer; Forming means for forming an image in an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus, a determining means for determining whether or not to receive the input operating environment setting information, and an operating environment setting determined to be received by the determining means. Setting means for setting an operation environment of the image forming apparatus based on the information, wherein the determination means has a switch means for setting whether to prohibit or permit the reception of the operation environment setting information. An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a printer, and the image forming unit is a printer engine. 8. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from a host computer; Based on the, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image, determines whether to accept the input operating environment setting information, based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted, the image forming apparatus Set the operating environment, to the host computer that is the source of the operating environment setting information, if it is determined that the operating environment setting information is not accepted, notify that fact, and accept the operating environment setting information If it is determined, after the setting of the operating environment is completed, a notification to that effect is given. 9. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from a host computer; Based on the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus to form an image, depending on whether the operating environment change permission of the image forming apparatus is obtained from a predetermined number of host computers of the plurality of host computers, A control method comprising: determining whether or not to receive input operating environment setting information; and setting an operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the operating environment setting information determined to be received. 10. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from a host computer; Based on the above, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image, the identification information of the host computer that is the source of the operation environment setting information received immediately before is set in the memory, and the set identification information is input. In accordance with the comparison result with the identification information of the host computer that is the source of the operating environment setting information, it is determined whether or not the input operating environment setting information is to be received. And setting an operating environment of the image forming apparatus based on the control information. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination is made in a case where the setting of the operating environment by the host computer other than the host computer corresponding to the identification information set in the memory is in an exclusive state, and the input operating environment setting information is set. The identification information of the host computer that is the source of the, and determine whether to accept the input operating environment setting information by comparing the set identification information, if not in the exclusive state, the And determining that the input operation environment setting information is received without performing the comparison.
The control method described in 10. 12. The exclusive state is released when an instruction to release the exclusive state is input from a host computer corresponding to the identification information set in the memory. Control method. 13. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus for controlling an image forming apparatus connected to a plurality of host computers, comprising: inputting image processing information and operating environment setting information from a host computer; Based on the, the image forming unit of the image forming apparatus forms an image, determines whether to accept the input operating environment setting information, based on the operating environment setting information determined to be accepted, the image forming apparatus A control method comprising the steps of setting an operation environment, wherein the determination is based on a setting of a switch for setting whether to prohibit or permit the reception of the operation environment setting information. 14. The image forming apparatus is a printer,
14. The control method according to claim 8, wherein the image forming unit is a printer engine.