JP2003308197A - Network print system composed of image forming apparatus provided with back-up function for stored image data information - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network print system in which image data information is speedily and surely recovered even when the image data information is destroyed by any external or internal factor. <P>SOLUTION: In the network print system composed of an image forming apparatus provided with a function for managing the image data information double for back-up and for ordinary image formation, when image data information in a storage device used for ordinary image formation is destroyed, the image data information is recovered by speedily copying image data information from a storage device for back-up, image forming processing via a network is prohibited during recovery, and only image formation as a copier operation is implemented. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network print system having backup means for stored image data information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image information has value, and it has become important to reliably store it. Such needs are created by users, and various recording media such as a memory, a hard disk, and a magneto-optical disk have also appeared as storage means for storing image information. Also in image forming apparatuses such as copiers and printers, image forming apparatuses having a memory and a hard disk inside, storing image data in the hard disk, and developing image information on the memory to form an image have appeared. Further, such an image forming apparatus can store print image information from a terminal such as a PC, or can store document image information read by a copier document reading apparatus by utilizing the fact that image information can be stored. By doing so, an image forming apparatus and the like having a function (box print function) that saves the user the trouble of outputting the same image information many times has also appeared.

[0003]

Against this background, the image data information that is taken in by the image forming apparatus and stored and stored in the hard disk is of course valuable, and this information can be reliably provided in accordance with the needs of the user. It is becoming important to be able to save and, conversely, to be surely erasable. Further, the image data information that has been accumulated and stored may be destroyed due to the destruction of the storage device of which the cause is unknown. Also, in computer networks, how to deal with the violence of viruses has become a big problem nowadays. However, when a recording medium such as a hard disk is used, when such a virus destroys image information. The current situation is that it is not limited. An object of the present invention is to provide a network print system capable of quickly and steadily recovering image data information even when the image data information is destroyed due to some external or internal factor.

[0004]

The present invention has been made based on the above problems, and a network print system of the present invention has a network print system configuration in which a terminal and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network. ,
According to the user's request, regarding the image data information that needs to be backed up, two storage devices manage one storage device for backup, and the other storage device can be browsed by the user and can display normal images. Image data information dual management means for managing one image data information dually by managing for image formation, and for image data information which does not need to be backed up, usually only in the image forming storage device; The image data information dual management means develops an image based on the stored image data information on the page memory, and exposes, latent image, develops, transfers,
An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet by performing each process of fixing, backup data managed by the image data information double management unit, and normal image forming data that can be viewed by a user are provided. An image data information check unit that checks whether or not there is a difference in data at predetermined time intervals, and an image for normal image formation that can be viewed by the user with respect to backup image data information by the image data information check unit. When it is determined that the data information is different, the image data information restoration means for quickly copying the image data information from the backup hard disk to the normal image forming hard disk that can be viewed by the user, and the image data information. While the image data information is being recovered by the recovery means, the user end via the network And an image forming process prohibition means for prohibiting the image forming process from.

In the network print system of the present invention, the image forming processing prohibiting means displays a message on the screen of the user terminal connected to the network to the effect that image data information is not accepted from the user terminal.

In the network printing system of the present invention, even when the image data information is restored by the image forming processing prohibiting means, the page memory in the image forming apparatus for expanding the image data information is used to make the copier of the image forming apparatus alone. Operation is possible.

In the network system of the present invention,
The image forming process prohibiting means displays a message on the operation unit screen attached to the image forming apparatus to the effect that image data information is not accepted.

The image data information in the network system of the present invention includes image data information from an external facsimile.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (Example) (Outline of Configuration) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network print system in an image forming apparatus 1001 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

In this network print system, a terminal such as a personal computer and an image forming apparatus 1001 such as a digital copying machine having a file server are connected to a LAN (Local A).
It is connected via a network 1003 such as rea Network).

The terminal is composed of a keyboard, a display, a control unit, a transmission control unit and the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1001 includes an image forming unit 204.
0, a system control unit 2010, and an image reading unit 2000.

The image forming unit 2040 and the system control unit 2010 are connected by an image forming unit system interface 2034 for exchanging control data and an image forming unit image data interface 2035 for exchanging image data information. In addition, the image reading unit 2
000 and the system control unit 2010 are connected by an image reading unit system interface 2036 for exchanging control data and an image reading unit image data interface 2037 for exchanging image data information.

Next, the internal structure of the image forming unit 2040, the image reading unit 2000, and the system control unit 2010 will be outlined.

The image forming unit 2040 is the image forming unit 204.
CPU2041, this CPU20 as the control center of 0
A RAM 2043 used by 41 and a program necessary for processing for executing an image forming processing operation are stored in R
An OM 2042 and an image forming processing unit 2044 such as a load for actually executing the image forming processing are configured, and each is connected by an image forming unit system bus 2045.

The image reading unit 2000 has a CPU 2001 as a control center of the image reading unit 2000, and C
It comprises a RAM 2003 required by the PU, a ROM 2002 in which a program necessary for processing for performing an operation of reading an original image is stored, and an image scanning processing unit 2004 such as a load for actually performing the processing for reading an original image. And are connected to each other via the image reading unit system bus 2005.

The system control unit 2010 controls the devices in the system control unit 2010 via the system control unit system bus 2028.
PU 2011 and RAM used by this CPU 2011
A ROM 2013 in which a program for system control processing 2012 is stored, and a general-purpose ISA bus 202
9, an ISA bus controller (ISA B / C) 2022 that interfaces the system control unit system bus 2028 and the ISA bus 2029, a DMA controller (DMAC) 2021 that controls data transfer on the ISA bus 2029, and an ISA bus 2029.
Connected to a hard disk 2015 for electronically storing image data information normally, a backup hard disk 2016, a hard disk interface (HDD I / F) 2014, and an ISA bus 2029 connected to the image data information electronically. A backup magneto-optical disk (ODD) 2019 for saving, and its interface, the SCSI interface 20.
18, a hard protect circuit 2017/2020 for protecting access to the backup hard disk 2016 and the magneto-optical disk 2019,
A LAN 2023 for realizing a LAN function, a printer control unit 2026 for causing the image forming unit 2040 to perform image forming processing, and a system control unit print image data bus 2032 for outputting image data information to the image forming unit 2040. And the image forming unit 204
A system control unit print control data bus 2033 for outputting a control signal for controlling 0,
A reader scanner control unit 2025 for causing the image reading unit 2000 to read an original image, and a system control unit reader image data bus 203 for inputting image data information from the image reading unit 2000.
1, a system control unit reader control data bus 2030 for outputting a control signal for controlling the image reading unit 2000, image data information read by the image reading unit 2000, and compressed image data information A page memory 2027 for storing data developed by the printer control unit 2026 from a hard disk or the like in which is stored immediately before being output to the image forming unit 2040, and a G3 / G4FAX 2024 unit having a G3 / G4FAX function. Composed.

(Description of Image Formation when Used as Copier) Image formation when the image forming apparatus 1001 of FIG. 2 is used as a copier will be described.

The user sets an original on the original table of the image reading unit 2000 (not shown) of FIG. 2, sets copy conditions such as the number of copies and mode on the screen of the operation unit 2050 of FIG. 2, and a copy start key. Press. Immediately after the copy start key is pressed, the registration screen of the identification data information shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 2050.

When the user wants to store and store the original image data to be copied, in the system controller unit 2010, in order to add the identification data information to the image data on the screen of the operation unit 2050, the alphabet and A number is used to enter a name as identification data information and password information used for authentication when accessing the image data information. System control unit 2
A control signal from the reader / scanner control unit 2025 in 010 causes the image reading unit 2000 to execute a document reading processing operation.

Upon receiving the control signal from the reader / scanner control unit 2025, the image reading unit 2000 causes the image scanning processing unit 2004 to perform the original image reading operation, and the original image data information read and converted into electronic data is paged. It is transferred to the memory 2027. The data transferred to the page memory 2027 is further written and stored on the hard disk 2015 while being compressed by the reader / scanner control unit 2025. Regarding the compression method, it is premised that the image data information can be browsed later, so a generalized compression format (JPEG format, TIFF format, etc.) is adopted.

Next, a control signal for executing image formation is transmitted from the printer control unit in the system control unit 2010 to the image forming unit 2040. When the image forming unit 2040 receives the image formation execution control signal, the image forming unit 2040 executes a series of process processes necessary for image formation, and when ready, an image leading end reference signal (not shown) that serves as a reference for receiving the image data information. (ITOP) is output to the system control unit 2010. Image tip reference signal (ITOP) (not shown) output from the image forming unit 2040
The image data information expanded on the page memory 2027 is transferred to the image forming unit 2040 in synchronization with the signal. The image forming unit 204 based on the transferred image data information
An image is formed by 0 and output as a toner image on the recording paper.

(Description of Image Formation when Used as Network Printer) Image formation when the image forming apparatus 1001 of FIG. 2 is used as a network printer will be described.

The user executes an operation for printing the image data information to be printed from the user terminal shown in FIG. The window shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the screen of the terminal, the printing conditions are input, and finally the "OK" button is selected. ”
When the "OK" button is selected and the print setting window is deleted from the screen, the window for registering identification data information shown in Fig. 5 is displayed on the screen of the terminal. The user selects the image data file to be printed. If you want to save and store it on the hard disk of the system controller, add a name and image data information as identification data information by using alphabets and numbers to add the identification data information to the image data on this window setting screen. Enter the password information used for authentication when accessing.

Upon receiving the print request from the user terminal 1000, the system control unit 2010 that has received the image data information writes and stores the received image data information on the hard disk while compressing it. As for the compression method, it is premised that the image data information can be browsed later. Therefore, a generalized compression format (JPEG
Format or TIFF format).

Further, the image data information compressed and stored on the hard disk is expanded on the page memory 2027, and when the image data output from the page memory 2027 is ready to be output, the printer controller in the system controller 2010 A control signal for executing image formation is transmitted to the image forming unit 2040. When the image forming unit 2040 receives the image formation execution control signal, the image forming unit 2040 executes a series of process processes necessary for image formation, and when ready, an image leading end reference signal (not shown) that serves as a reference for receiving the image data information. (ITOP) is output to the system control unit 2010. The image data information developed on the page memory 2027 is transferred to the image forming unit 2040 in synchronization with an image front end reference signal (ITOP) signal (not shown) output from the image forming unit 2040.
An image is formed by the image forming unit 2040 based on the transferred image data information and is output as a toner image on a recording sheet.

When used as a network printer, when the image data information file to be printed is large and must be printed many times from the personal computer terminal, there is an advantage of printing with additional identification data information. . This is because by saving the image data information on the hard disk 2015 of the system control unit 2010 from the user terminal many times via the network 1003, the time can be shortened accordingly. is there.

In addition, the data once output as the data in another user terminal can carry a portable PDA (Personal).
If the data is too large to be stored in the Digital Assistant 1004 and the user wants to re-output such data, the PDA 1004 uses the system control unit 2010 by the image data information browsing means described later.
The image data information in the internal hard disk 2015 can be easily browsed, and print settings can be made on the browsing screen to re-output without transferring the image data information from the PDA 1004.

(Description of Image Formation of Image Data Information from External Facsimile) Image formation when the image forming apparatus 1001 of FIG. 2 is used as a facsimile will be described.

When used as a facsimile,
The image data information received from the external facsimile machine 1002 must be steadily printed or steadily stored as the image data information. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 100
G3 / G4 of system control unit 2010 inside 1
When the FAX unit 2024 receives the image data information from the external facsimile 1002, the image data is written and saved in the hard disk 2015 and the backup hard disk 2016 in order to steadily leave the image data.

As a matter of course, since the received image data information must be able to be viewed later, information that is facsimile data is added as identification data information, and the hard disk 2015 and the backup hard disk 2 are added.
It is double written and saved in 016. Facsimile image data information can be browsed from the operation unit screen in the same manner as the above-mentioned network printer image data information is browsed, and deletion and re-output of image data information can be similarly performed from the operation unit screen. .

(Explanation of Access to Hard Disk for Saving Image Data Information) Access control to the hard disk for saving image data information will be described below.

The hard disk 2015 of the system control unit 2010 has an area for storing image data information and a page memory 202 for storing data for image formation.
Areas are divided into work areas and the like for deployment work in 7. When the user inputs the identification data information and the password information, the system control unit 2010 stores the image data information in the area for storing the image data information in the hard disk 2015 in FIG. Write and save with password information. Further, when the user inputs the identification data information and the password information, the backup hard disk 2 is used for backup.
Also in 016, the image data information is written and saved together with the inputted identification data information and password information.

The hard disk 2 for backup
When writing and saving in 016, the purpose as a backup application must be steadily fulfilled,
It must be easily accessible from the outside and the data must not be damaged. Therefore, as a security measure, a hardware protect means, for example, a means for enabling access permission prohibition by a hard signal, can be set before the normal hard disk accessible state, and the hardware protect must be released.
By preventing normal hard disk access, viruses and the like cannot easily enter from the network 1003. Therefore, when accessing the backup hard disk 2016 and storing the image data information, the CPU of the system control unit 2010 releases the hard protection in the hard protection circuit 2017 and controls to write and save the data.

Since it is for backup, the backup hard disk 2017 or the magneto-optical disk 2019 may be used as shown in FIG. If the data is written and stored in the magneto-optical disk 2019, the backup hard disk 2016 is accessed in the same manner as described above.
It must be easily accessible from the outside and the data cannot be easily corrupted. Since the magneto-optical disk is connected by the SCSI interface 2018, the hard protect circuit 2020 provides a hard protect means similar to the case of accessing the backup hard disk 2016 before the SCSI interface 2018 becomes accessible. To provide. The magneto-optical disk 2019 connected by the SCSI interface 2018 cannot be accessed unless this hardware protection means is released.

By doing so, the network 10
03 Prevent virus etc. from entering easily. Therefore, C of the system control unit 2010
When the PU accesses the backup magneto-optical disk 2019 and stores the image data information, the PU cancels the hard protection inside the hard protection circuit 2020.
Control to write and save data.

The hard disk 2 for backup
016 and the magneto-optical disk 2019 are used when a service person or the like maintains the image forming apparatus 1001.
In order to prevent damage due to special work, make it detachable, and when a service person etc. performs maintenance,
Remove and carry out the work.

(Explanation of Checking Damage of Image Data Information Stored in Hard Disk) Image forming apparatus 100
The system control unit 2010 in 1 has a timer (not shown) in the system control unit 2010.
The image data information stored and stored in the work hard disk 2015 and the backup hard disk 2016 is checked every predetermined time.

In this check, the image data information stored in the backup hard disk 2016 and the image data information stored in the work hard disk 2015 are compared, and if the two information are different, Backup hard disk 201
The image data information stored in 6 is copied to the image data information storage area of the work hard disk 2015 to restore the image quickly. This series of operations is shown in FIG.
It is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

As described above, by providing the backup mechanism, some cause, for example, the network 100
Even if the image data information is damaged through a virus or the like via 3 or the image data information is damaged due to a hardware factor such as noise, the image data file server is highly reliable by immediately restoring the data. A network printing system having a function can be provided.

However, while the image data information is being restored from the backup hard disk 2016 to the work hard disk 2015 by the backup function as described above, the system control unit 2010
A message is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 2050 as shown in FIG. 14 to inform the user that the device cannot be used. Further, even during restoration of the image data information, the page memory 2027 is used inside the image forming apparatus, so that the image reading unit 2
000 to read the original image, the image forming unit 20
It is possible to form an image with 40. In this case, the identification data information registration window shown in FIG. 3 is not displayed on the screen of the operation unit 2050 because the hard disk that preserves the read original image data information is in use.

(Explanation of Method of Viewing Image Data Information Stored and Accumulated on Hard Disk) The user saves it on the operation unit 2050 screen provided in the image forming apparatus 1001 or on the hard disk 2015 from the user terminal 1000 such as a personal computer. You can browse the stored image data information. Hereinafter, a method of browsing the image data information stored and accumulated on the hard disk 2015 will be described.

The system controller 2 operates so that the hard disk 2015 in the system controller 2010 of the image forming apparatus 1001 operates as an image data information file server connected to the network 1003.
010 is controlling. However, the network 1003
Only the image data information to which the identification data information has been added by the user can be viewed from above, and such image data information can be viewed as a file.

Therefore, the operation of the user when browsing desired image data information from the user terminal will be described. When the hard disk 2015 inside the system control of the image forming apparatus 1001 is accessed from the user terminal, since it is basically a file server, a list of image data information (files) stored and accumulated is displayed. When the user accesses the image data file that needs to be browsed, the identification data information registration confirmation window as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed.

In the window, a "view" or "erase" button and identification data registered and set when the user prints as a network print or when the original is read by the image reading unit 2000 as a copier and printed. Information and is displayed, and it is required to enter the set password information in order to authenticate whether or not the user is permitted access. Here, when the user wants to browse the image data information, he / she selects the “Browse” button, inputs the desired password information, and finally inputs the “OK” button. Information is displayed (Fig. 12).

To delete the image data information from the user terminal 1000, select the "Delete" button,
When the desired password information is input and the “OK” button is finally input, the image data information (file) selected from the hard disks 2015 and 2016 of the system control unit 2010 is erased.

Next, the user browses / erases / deletes the image data information on the operation unit screen provided in the image forming apparatus 1001.
The operation for printing will be described. FIG. 7 is a display of the operation unit 2050 showing a normal printable state. When the "box" key in FIG. 7 is pressed, the operation unit screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed next. A list of image data information stored and accumulated on the hard disk 2015 is displayed on the window on this screen.

The user selects the identification data information of the required image data information, selects one of "view" / "delete" / "print", and presses the "OK" key. When the user selects the desired key and presses the "OK" key, FIG. 9 for confirming the password authentication is displayed. After inputting the desired password information and pressing the last "OK" key, if "Browse" is selected, a preview image is displayed on the operation unit screen, and if "Delete" is selected, The desired image data information is deleted, and if "print" is selected, the desired image data information is printed.

The password information input from the user terminal 1000 or the screen of the operation unit 2050 is stored in the image forming apparatus 1.
The system control unit 2010 in 001 determines whether or not the input password information matches the already registered password information regarding the image data information corresponding to the selected identification data information. Perform the check. Therefore, if they do not match, a message "Password information does not match" is displayed on the operation unit 2050 screen as shown in FIG. 10 and on the user terminal screen as shown in FIG. If they match, according to the information of either “view” or “delete”, if “view”, the hard disk 2015
Access and display the relevant image data information above,
In case of "erase", hard disks 2015 and 2016
The corresponding image data information above is accessed and the image data information is erased.

[0049]

According to the present invention, by using the hard disk in the image forming apparatus 1001, the image data information can be stored and stored as a file server, and the user can easily browse the stored and stored image data information, and the network 1003 can be used. Even if a virus invades the terminal from the terminal and the image data information is damaged, or if the image data information is damaged due to some hardware factor, the backup hard disk 2016 or magneto-optical disk 2019 immediately Image data information can be restored.

By prohibiting the image forming process from the user terminal via the network during the recovery, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect on the hard disk 2015 during the recovery of the image data information. Further, by enabling the copier operation even during restoration, it is possible to reduce the downtime of the image forming apparatus by half. Therefore, the hard disk 20 inside the image forming apparatus 1001.
As an image data information file server using 15
It is possible to provide the user with a network print system that can be used with peace of mind.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a network print system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an internal structure of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <identification data information registration> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen display <print setting display> of the user terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen display <identification data information registration> of the user terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing screen display <identification data information registration confirmation> of the user terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <printable state display> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <identification data information display list> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <identification data information registration confirmation> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <identification data information registration confirmation error display> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a screen display <identification data information registration confirmation error display> of the user terminal of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation unit screen display <desired image data information browsing display> of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of image data information damage check.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a screen display <non-printable display> of the user terminal of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1000 user terminals 1001 image forming apparatus 1002 External facsimile 1003 network 1004 PDA 2000 Image reading unit 2010 system control section 2040 Image forming unit

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HQ17                       HV32 HV46                 2C187 AC06 AD03 AD04 AE06 AE07                       BF50 DD02 FA01 FA07 HA03                       HA14 HA17 HA18 HA33                 5B021 AA05 BB01 BB04 CC05 EE04                       NN16                 5C062 AA06 AA14 AA35 AB38 AB42                       AC36 AC41 AC58 BA04

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a network print system in which a terminal and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network, image data information that needs to be backed up is stored in one storage device in two storage devices according to a user's request. The storage device is managed for backup, and the other storage device is viewable by the user and managed for normal image formation, so that one image data information is doubly managed and backup is not required. Regarding the image data information, the image data information dual management means that normally manages only in the image forming storage device, and the image based on the stored image data information is stored in the page memory by the image data information dual management means. An image is formed on the recording paper by developing, exposing, latent image, developing, transferring, and fixing process. Image data for checking whether there is a difference between the data for backup managed by the image data information dual management unit and the data for normal image formation that can be browsed by the user every predetermined time If it is found by the information check means and the image data information check means that the image data information for backup is different from the image data information for normal image formation that can be viewed by the user, a quick backup is performed. Image data information recovery means for copying image data information from a hard disk for use in a normal image forming hard disk to which a user can browse, and a user via a network while the image data information is being recovered by the image data information recovery means. It has an image forming process prohibiting means for prohibiting the image forming process from the terminal. Network printing system, characterized in that. 2. The network according to claim 1, wherein the image forming processing prohibiting means displays a message on the screen of the user terminal connected to the network, the message notifying that the image data information is not accepted from the user terminal. Printing system. 3. The copier operation of the image forming apparatus alone can be performed by using the page memory inside the image forming apparatus which expands the image data information even when the image forming processing prohibiting means restores the image data information. The network printing system according to claim 1, wherein 4. The network print system according to claim 1, wherein the image data information includes image data information from an external facsimile.