Data transmission control apparatus, method and system for image forming apparatus

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of imaging control technology, and provides a data transmission control device, method, and system for an image forming apparatus. The data transmission control device includes: a first data transmission unit, a second data transmission unit, and a storage unit for receiving work data transmitted by the first data unit; a control unit for determining whether the second data transmission unit is normally connected to the image forming apparatus; and an alert unit connected to the control unit, which, when the second data transmission unit is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit stores work data, controls the alert unit to send an alert message; the alert message includes at least one of sound, light, and text information. Therefore, when the data transmission control device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected during work transmission, the alert unit can promptly output an alert message.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of imaging control, and in particular to a data transmission control device, method and system for an image forming apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] With the development of imaging technology, image forming apparatuses are increasingly applied in offices and daily life. Common image forming apparatuses include, but are not limited to, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, or multifunctional devices that combine one or more of printing, copying, scanning, and faxing functions.

[0003] In the prior art, image forming apparatuses are usually provided with network functions, which makes it more convenient for more users to connect to the image forming apparatuses through a network, so that more users can use the image forming apparatuses. However, in some scenarios, such as scenarios with high security requirements, image forming apparatuses are usually not allowed to have network communication functions, because hackers may obtain confidential information in the image forming apparatuses through the network, thereby threatening the security of the image forming apparatuses.

[0004] To this end, patent applications with Chinese patent application numbers CN202010948631.1, CN202010948649.1, and CN202010949622.4 disclose an image forming apparatus and an image forming system that combine a unidirectional isolation device to ensure that confidential information is not transmitted to the outside through a network, thereby improving the security and reliability of the image forming apparatus.

[0005] The inventors have found in the process of implementing the present application that the above technical solution can improve the security and reliability of image forming, but since the unidirectional isolation device itself is provided with a memory to cache the received imaging job, if the image forming apparatus connected thereto is disconnected during the job transmission process, the cached job cannot be normally transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and the user cannot be timely informed. Moreover, the cached job is saved in the unidirectional isolation device, and if this part of the cached job is read, it may still cause data leakage of the imaging job. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a data transmission control device, method and system for an image forming apparatus, which can output warning information in a timely manner through a warning unit when the data transmission control device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected during the job transmission process.

[0007] The first aspect of the present application provides a data transmission control device for an image forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:

[0008] A first data transmission unit that is communicatively connected to an external data transmission device, a second data transmission unit that is communicatively connected to a job receiving unit in an image forming apparatus, and a unidirectional transmission unit disposed between the first data transmission unit and the second data transmission unit;

[0009] A storage unit is used to receive job data transmitted by the first data unit;

[0010] The control unit is used to determine whether the second data transmission unit is properly connected to the image forming apparatus;

[0011] When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit stores job data, the warning unit connected to the control unit sends a warning message; the warning message includes at least one of sound information, light information, and text information.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first data transmission unit is a first USB port, the second data transmission unit is a second USB port, and the unidirectional transmission unit is a photoelectric signal conversion circuit; the photoelectric signal conversion circuit converts the data received by the first USB port into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal to the optical receiving module through the optical transmitting module; the optical receiving module converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, and then outputs it through the second USB port.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit is configured as a volatile memory. When the job data stored in the storage unit cannot be sent to the image forming apparatus, the job data stored in the volatile memory is cleared by powering off the storage unit.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device further includes a power switch, which controls the power supply to the control unit and the storage unit. When the power switch is turned off and restarted, the control unit controls the warning unit to return to normal status.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second data transmission unit receives status information fed back by the image forming apparatus when data transmission begins, during data transmission, and / or when data transmission is completed; if no status information is received from the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the second data transmission unit is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus, it sends an abnormality message to an external data transmission device connected to the first data transmission unit, so that the external data transmission device deletes the image processing data cached in its memory based on the received abnormality message.

[0017] A second aspect of the present invention also provides a data transmission control system for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:

[0018] Data transmission control device for image forming apparatus as provided in the first aspect, and

[0019] An image forming apparatus and a data transmitting apparatus connected to the data transmission control device.

[0020] A third aspect of the present invention also provides a data transmission control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that it comprises:

[0021] The first data transmission unit receives the image processing data sent by the external data transmission device and saves the image processing data in the storage unit;

[0022] Determine whether the second data transmission unit is properly connected to the image forming apparatus;

[0023] When the second data transmission unit is normally connected to the image forming apparatus, the image processing data received by the data transmission unit is transmitted to the second data transmission unit, which is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, through the one-way transmission unit.

[0024] When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit stores job data, the warning unit is controlled to send a warning message; the warning message includes at least one of the following: sound information, optical information, and text information.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit is configured as a volatile memory. When the job data stored in the storage unit cannot be sent to the image forming apparatus, the job data stored in the volatile memory is cleared by powering off the storage unit.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes: when the second data transmission unit is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus, feeding back abnormal information to an external data transmission device connected to the first data transmission unit, so that the external data transmission device deletes the cached image processing data in its memory based on the received abnormal information.

[0027] Therefore, through the technical solution provided by this invention, when the data transmission control device and the image forming device disconnect during operation transmission, an alarm unit can promptly output an alarm message; this makes it easy to promptly know that an anomaly has occurred in the current operation, so that the anomaly can be resolved in a timely manner. In addition, this embodiment provides an anomaly recovery method; by turning the power switch off and on again, the operation data stored in the storage unit of the data transmission control device can be promptly cleared by power failure, making data transmission more secure. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of an image forming system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 A structural block diagram of a data transmission control system is provided for an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 A structural block diagram of another data transmission control system is provided for embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a data transmission control device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a data transmission control system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 A structural block diagram of another data transmission control system is provided for embodiments of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a data transmission control method for an image forming apparatus, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0038] Example

[0039] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an image forming system provided in this embodiment. The image forming system includes:

[0040] Image forming apparatus 400 includes, but is not limited to, printers with printing function only, scanners with scanning function only, fax machines with faxing function only, multifunction printers with at least two of the functions of printing, scanning, and faxing, and other computer peripherals such as digital copiers.

[0041] The image forming apparatus 400 can be connected to a computer via the data transmission control device 300 or directly. Furthermore, it differentiates access levels based on different application scenarios. For example, in situations with high security requirements, connection to the computer is only permitted via the data transmission control device 300, and encryption or security level restrictions can be added to print jobs. Conversely, for applications with stricter security requirements, the image forming apparatus 400 can be connected directly to the computer or via the data transmission control device 300. The specific connection method can be customized according to the user's needs.

[0042] In this embodiment, one purpose of connecting the image forming apparatus 400 to the computer, or through the data transmission control device 300, is to receive print job data from the computer. This print job data is typically issued by a print driver, which can be an application installed by the user on the computer or an application included with the computer's operating system. Furthermore, given that the data transmission control device 300 provided in this embodiment is typically for scenarios with specific security requirements, a security verification application is added to facilitate mutual recognition between the image forming apparatus 400, the data transmission control device 300, and the computer. This security verification application on the computer can be integrated within the print driver or exist independently of it. These different implementation methods all fall within the protection scope of the technical solution provided in this embodiment, and no specific limitations are imposed upon them here.

[0043] One purpose of the data transmission control device 300 is to ensure that data and / or status are transmitted only in one direction, thereby improving security. Its internal structure will be discussed below. Figures 2-5 Further detailed explanation. This embodiment provides a preferred implementation where the data transmission control device 300, as described above... Figure 1 , Figure 4As shown, it can be used as a standalone device and connected to a computer or image forming apparatus 400 via a data transmission cable (e.g., a USB cable) or a wireless network; or it can be a module integrated inside a computer or image forming apparatus. These different implementations are all within the protection scope of the technical solution provided in this embodiment, and no specific limitations are imposed on them here.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the data transmission control device 300 includes a unidirectional transmission unit 330. This unidirectional transmission unit 330 controls that print job data can only be transmitted from the external data transmitting device to the image forming device 400, but does not allow print job data saved or cached by the image forming device 400 to be transmitted to the external data transmitting device. Of course, this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, in the case of faxing and scanning, the image forming device 400 can also be controlled to only transmit fax job data and scan job data to external devices, but does not allow external devices to transmit data to the image forming device. Specifically, a unidirectional transmission mode can be selectively preset according to actual needs, or a control switch can be added to adjust the data transmission direction, thereby better meeting the actual needs of users.

[0045] External data transmission device 110 and external data transmission device 120 can be a first computer 100 and a second computer 200, respectively. To facilitate understanding of this embodiment by those skilled in the art, the following example illustrates the specific implementation of this embodiment by assuming that the job data sent from the first computer 100 is encrypted (high security level) and the job data sent from the second computer 200 is unencrypted (general security level). It should be noted that... Figure 1 The computers 100 and 200 in this example are desktop computers, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, computers 100 and 200 can also be laptops, tablets, etc. Furthermore, it should be noted that the external data transmission device is not limited to a computer. For example, it can also be a server, which can send print job data to the data transmission control device 300 or receive scan or fax job data from the image forming device 400; it can also be other computer storage media, such as USB flash drives, optical discs, and other job data storage devices.

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides a data transmission control device 300, which cooperates with the external data transmission device 110 and the image forming device 400 to complete the unidirectional transmission of print job data. The data transmission control device 300 includes:

[0047] The first data transmission unit 310 is communicatively connected to an external data transmission device (e.g., the first external data transmission device 110), the second data transmission unit 320 is communicatively connected to a job receiving unit in the image forming apparatus 400, and the unidirectional transmission unit 330 is disposed between the first data transmission unit 310 and the second data transmission unit 320.

[0048] The first data transmission unit 310 and the second data transmission unit 320 can be USB-type transmission ports; however, they are not limited to USB type, for example, they can also be network transmission ports.

[0049] The authentication unit 340 receives security attribute information characterizing the image forming apparatus from the image forming apparatus 400, and determines whether the image forming apparatus meets pre-set rules based on the security attribute information. This security attribute information is a unique identifier characterizing the image forming apparatus, set according to pre-set rules. This security attribute information may be issued after certification by a designated organization; image forming apparatuses that meet the security requirements will have this security attribute information, while those that do not meet the security requirements will not. Alternatively, each image forming apparatus may store one attribute information, but if a specific field and / or the combination algorithm between fields of this attribute information meets predetermined requirements, it is considered to meet the pre-set rules; otherwise, it is not. The authentication unit 300 can be implemented by hardware circuitry or by computer software stored in a controller's memory. These different implementations all fall within the protection scope of the technical solution in this embodiment.

[0050] When the image forming apparatus does not meet the preset rules, the control unit 350 outputs abnormal status information and prohibits the data transmission control device 300 from outputting imaging operation data to the image forming apparatus 400 connected to it.

[0051] The control unit 350 can be a microcontroller, an on-chip operating system (SoC), or other forms of hardware circuitry. When an image forming apparatus is detected connected to a port, the authentication unit 340 sends a query request to the image forming apparatus. According to a pre-defined communication protocol, the image forming apparatus that meets the requirements will send its security attribute information to the data transmission control unit 300. If the authentication unit 340 does not receive the security attribute information or the received security attribute information does not meet the requirements, it determines that the image forming apparatus does not meet the pre-set rules. The control unit 350 will then output an abnormal status message and prohibit the data transmission control unit 300 from outputting imaging operation data to the image forming apparatus 400 connected to it.

[0052] For example, the control unit 350 is also used to send query information to the image forming apparatus 400 through the second data transmission unit 320 according to a predetermined communication rule (which may be a custom communication rule or a standard communication rule). The image forming apparatus 400 parses the query information and, when the query information meets the predetermined requirements after parsing, feeds back security attribute information.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment, the predetermined communication rules include: if the data transmission control device 300 is powered on, when the data transmission control device 300 is first electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 400, and / or when the data transmission control device 300 sends the image forming apparatus 400 with the data to be imaged, a query message is sent to the image forming apparatus 400 through the second data transmission unit 320.

[0054] The warning unit 360 is communicatively connected to the control unit 350. When it receives abnormal status information transmitted by the control unit 350, it sends warning information. The warning information includes at least one of the following: sound information, optical information, and text information. It should be noted that the abnormal status information transmitted by the control unit 350 may, for the warning unit 360, simply be a signal that requires an alarm to be triggered, such as a high-level signal, a low-level signal, or a switch signal, or it may be a computer instruction with a special meaning. The warning unit 360 can recognize this special meaning and thus execute the warning function. In this embodiment, the warning information includes one or more combinations of sound information, optical information, and text information.

[0055] Furthermore, the data transmission control device 300 can also perform security authentication on external data transmitting devices (e.g., computers); the specific authentication method can refer to the authentication process described above for the image forming apparatus 400. The image forming apparatus 400 can also perform security authentication on the data transmission control device 300 in a similar manner; the external data transmitting device (e.g., a computer) can also perform security authentication on the data transmission control device 300 in a similar manner. That is, either one-way authentication or two-way authentication can be used.

[0056] like Figure 4As shown, in a preferred embodiment of this example, the first data transmission unit 310 is a first USB communication unit 312, 314, the second data transmission unit 320 is a second USB communication unit, and the unidirectional transmission unit 330 is a photoelectric signal conversion circuit. The photoelectric signal conversion circuit converts the data received by the first USB communication units 312, 314 into optical signals, and transmits the optical signals to the optical receiving module through the optical transmitting module. The optical receiving module converts the optical signals into electrical signals, and then outputs them through the second USB communication unit. When the image forming apparatus 400 does not meet the preset rules, the control unit 350 prohibits the second USB communication unit from outputting imaging operations to the image forming apparatus 400 connected to it, prohibits the photoelectric signal conversion circuit from outputting electrical signals to the second USB communication unit, and / or prohibits the photoelectric signal conversion circuit from performing photoelectric signal conversion.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, this embodiment also provides an implementation where the control unit 350 includes controllers respectively disposed in each interface module: for example, a first controller in a first interface 312 communicating with the host 1, a second controller in a second interface 314 communicating with the host 2, and a third controller in a third interface communicating with the image forming apparatus. The specific form of the control unit 350 provided in this embodiment is not limited to this; for example, it can also be a separate controller or a hardware module coupled to the photoelectric conversion unit 330.

[0058] When two hosts issue jobs, the connection status of the data transmission control device 300 is as follows:

[0059] Considering the communication protocol rules of USB devices, when the data transmission control device 300 receives information from a host, its state is no longer ready (e.g., busy, a state that can be recognized by another host). The operating system of the other host will not directly send its print jobs to the data transmission control device 300. Therefore, the two host interfaces on the data transmission control device 300 are independent of each other, but simultaneously connected to the lower image forming device port, and the job data is placed in the buffer of the data transmission control device 300. In a preferred embodiment of this example, the control unit 350 is further configured to: when the first data transmission unit 310 is communicatively connected to the external data transmission device 110, virtualize the data transmission control device 300 as an image forming device, so that the external data transmission device 110 transmits the print jobs to the data transmission control device 300 according to the communication mode corresponding to the image forming device.

[0060] like Figure 4As shown, in a preferred embodiment of this example, the warning unit 360 is a light-emitting unit 360 installed on the housing of the data transmission control device. When the control unit determines that the image forming device does not meet the preset rules, it controls the light-emitting unit 360 to emit light according to a predetermined mode, for example, blue light for normal communication and red light for warning status.

[0061] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, in the data transmission control device 300 provided in this embodiment, the first data transmission unit 310 includes a first interface 312 and a second interface 314. The first external data transmission device 110 connected to the first interface 312 can be for a confidential printing operation scenario, and the second external data transmission device 210 connected to the second interface 314 is for a non-confidential printing operation scenario. Whether the first one-way control unit 332 and the second one-way control unit 334 are connected to the second data transmission unit 320 is controlled by an external mechanical switch 370. When the mechanical switch 370 is pressed to the left, the communication link between the first interface 312 and the second data transmission unit 320 is opened, and the first external data transmission device 110 can transmit printing operation data to the image forming apparatus 400. When the mechanical switch 370 is pressed to the right, the communication link between the second interface 314 and the second data transmission unit 320 is opened, and the second external data transmission device 210 can transmit printing operation data to the image forming apparatus 400.

[0062] In the process of realizing this invention, the inventors also discovered that if the data transmission speeds of the first data transmission unit 310 and the second data transmission unit 320 in the data transmission control device 300 are the same, the data transmission control device 300 can directly transmit the data from the data transmission device to the image forming apparatus 400. However, in reality, considering the differences between different image forming apparatuses and data communication processes, the data transmission speeds of the first data transmission unit 310 and the second data transmission unit 320 are not necessarily the same; therefore, a storage unit 380 needs to be provided in the data transmission control device 300, which can, as... Figure 6 As shown, the data transmitted and / or processed by the first data transmission unit 310 and the unidirectional transmission unit 330 is stored between the unidirectional transmission unit 330 and the second data transmission unit 320; and then the stored data is transmitted out according to the requirements between the second data transmission unit 320 and the image forming apparatus 400.

[0063] It should be noted that the storage unit 380 provided in this embodiment is not limited to... Figure 6The storage unit 380 is positioned between the unidirectional transmission unit 330 and the second data transmission unit 320. For example, it can also be positioned between the unidirectional transmission unit 330 and the first data transmission unit 310, or it can be connected to the control unit 350, allowing the control unit 350 to directly control the data from the first data transmission unit 310 to be written into the storage unit 380, or to directly control the data transmission from the storage unit 380 to the second data transmission unit 320. Alternatively, the storage unit 380 can be directly located inside the control unit 350 or the unidirectional transmission unit 330. Furthermore, when there are multiple data transmitting devices, multiple storage units 380 can be configured to correspond to the data transmitted from the respective data transmitting devices; alternatively, a single storage unit 380 can be divided into multiple different storage areas, each corresponding to the data transmitted from the respective data transmitting device. These different implementations all fall within the scope of protection of the invention.

[0064] The specific hardware form of the storage unit 380 includes, but is not limited to: USB flash drive, portable hard drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program code.

[0065] In the process of developing this invention, the inventors also discovered that if the data transmission control device 300, after completing security authentication and connection with the image forming apparatus 400, experiences a disconnection during data transmission, the data stored in the storage unit 380 cannot be transmitted to the image forming apparatus; thus, the data transmission control device 300 itself also presents a security risk. More importantly, if the data transmission control device 300 is used by different users or different image forming apparatuses after a disconnection and reconnection, the data previously stored in the storage unit 380 may have been transmitted to different users or different image forming apparatuses, resulting in data leakage within the storage unit 380. One solution might be to bind the data stored in the storage unit 380 to the image forming apparatus 400 and / or the user, so that if the usage environment does not meet the requirements, the data will not be transmitted; however, this presents another problem: if data is continuously being transmitted from the storage unit 380 and cannot be sent out, there may be no space to receive new data; therefore, it may not function properly.

[0066] like Figure 6 The data transmission control device 300 for an image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as "the device") provided in this embodiment includes:

[0067] A first data transmission unit 310 is communicatively connected to an external data transmission device 110, a second data transmission unit 320 is communicatively connected to a job receiving unit in an image forming apparatus 400, and a unidirectional transmission unit 330 is disposed between the first data transmission unit 310 and the second data transmission unit 320.

[0068] Storage unit 380 is used to receive job data transmitted by first data unit 310. As described above, according to the structural relationship of storage unit 380 in data transmission control device 300, storage unit 380 can directly or indirectly receive job data transmitted by first data unit 310. It can simply transmit the job data or further process the job data, such as encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, etc.

[0069] The control unit 350 is used to determine whether the second data transmission unit 320 is properly connected to the image forming apparatus 400;

[0070] When the second data transmission unit 320 is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus 400 and the storage unit 380 stores work data, the warning unit 360 connected to the control unit 350 controls the warning unit 370 to send a warning message; the warning message includes at least one of the following: sound information, light information, and text information.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment of this example, the storage unit 380 is configured as a volatile memory. When the job data stored in the storage unit 380 cannot be sent to the image forming apparatus, the job data stored in the volatile memory is cleared by powering off the storage unit 380. The power-off clearing method includes, but is not limited to: directly writing all the data in the volatile memory to 0 or 1 once the volatile memory loses power; or writing 0 once, then writing 1 once; or other data clearing methods. This embodiment does not impose specific limitations on its specific implementation.

[0072] In a further preferred embodiment of this invention, the device further includes a power switch, which controls the power supply to the control unit and the storage unit. When the power switch is turned off and restarted, the control unit controls the alarm unit to return to normal status.

[0073] In a preferred embodiment of this example, the second data transmission unit 320 receives status information from the image forming apparatus 400 when data transmission begins, during data transmission, and / or when data transmission is completed; if no status information is received from the image forming apparatus 400, it is determined that the second data transmission unit 320 is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus 400.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment of this example, when the second data transmission unit 320 is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus 400, it sends an error message to the external data transmission device 110 connected to the first data transmission unit 310, so that the external data transmission device 110 deletes the cached image job data in its memory based on the received error message; for example, it deletes the job data in the job pool of the computer.

[0075] Therefore, through the technical solution provided in this embodiment, when the data transmission control device and the image forming device disconnect during operation transmission, the warning unit can promptly output warning information; this makes it easy to promptly know that an anomaly has occurred in the current operation, so that the anomaly can be resolved in a timely manner. In addition, this embodiment provides an anomaly recovery method. By turning the power switch off and on again, the operation data stored in the storage unit of the data transmission control device can be promptly cleared by power failure, making data transmission more secure.

[0076] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this embodiment also provides a data transmission control system for an image forming apparatus, the data transmission control system comprising:

[0077] As provided above, any of the data transmission control devices 300, and

[0078] The image forming apparatus 400 and the data transmitting apparatus (e.g., external data transmitting apparatus 110, 210) are connected to the data transmission control device 300.

[0079] like Figure 7 As shown, this embodiment also provides a data transmission control method for an image forming apparatus, the method comprising:

[0080] S110. The first data transmission unit receives the image processing data sent by the external data transmission device and saves the image processing data in the storage unit.

[0081] S120. Determine whether the second data transmission unit is properly connected to the image forming apparatus;

[0082] S130. When the second data transmission unit is normally connected to the image forming apparatus, the image processing data received by the data transmission unit is transmitted to the second data transmission unit, which is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, through the one-way transmission unit.

[0083] S140. When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit stores job data, the control warning unit sends a warning message; the warning message includes at least one of the following: sound information, optical information, and text information.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment of this example, the method further includes: when the second data transmission unit is not normally connected to the image forming apparatus, feeding back abnormal information to the external data transmission device connected to the first data transmission unit, so that the external data transmission device deletes the cached image processing data in its memory based on the received abnormal information.

[0085] For specific details regarding the data transmission control method for an image forming apparatus, please refer to the above description of the data transmission control device for an image forming apparatus. The same technical features have the same meaning as those in the above embodiments and can achieve the same technical effects, and will not be described again here.

[0086] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A data transmission control device for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, include: A first data transmission unit that is communicatively connected to an external data transmission device, a second data transmission unit that is communicatively connected to a job receiving unit in an image forming apparatus, and a unidirectional transmission unit disposed between the first data transmission unit and the second data transmission unit; A storage unit is used to receive job data transmitted by the first data transmission unit; The control unit is used to determine whether the second data transmission unit is properly connected to the image forming apparatus; When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit contains job data, the control unit controls the warning unit to send a warning message and power off and clear the job data stored in the storage unit; the warning message includes at least one of sound information, light information, and text information. When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus, it sends an error message to the external data transmission device connected to the first data transmission unit, so that the external data transmission device deletes the cached image processing data in its memory based on the received error message.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first data transmission unit is a first USB port, the second data transmission unit is a second USB port, and the unidirectional transmission unit is a photoelectric signal conversion circuit. The photoelectric signal conversion circuit converts the data received by the first USB port into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal to the optical receiving module through the optical transmitting module. The optical receiving module converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, and then outputs it through the second USB port.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The storage unit is configured as a volatile memory. When the job data stored in the storage unit cannot be sent to the image forming apparatus, the job data stored in the volatile memory is cleared by powering off the storage unit.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a power switch, which controls the power supply to the control unit and the storage unit. When the power switch is turned off and restarted, the control unit controls the warning unit to return to normal status.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second data transmission unit and the image forming apparatus receive status information fed back by the image forming apparatus when data transmission begins, during data transmission, and / or when data transmission is completed; When no status information is received from the image forming apparatus, it is determined that the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus.

6. A data transmission control system for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, include: The image forming apparatus data transmission control device as described in any one of claims 1-5, and the image forming apparatus and data transmission device connected to the data transmission control device.

7. A data transmission control method for an image forming apparatus, characterized in that, include: The first data transmission unit receives the image processing data sent by the external data transmission device and saves the image processing data in the storage unit; Determine whether the second data transmission unit is properly connected to the image forming apparatus; When the second data transmission unit is normally connected to the image forming apparatus, the image processing data received by the storage unit is transmitted to the second data transmission unit, which is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus, through the one-way transmission unit. When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus and the storage unit contains job data, the control warning unit sends a warning message to power off and clear the job data stored in the storage unit; the warning message includes at least one of the following: sound information, optical information, and text information. When the second data transmission unit is not properly connected to the image forming apparatus, it sends an error message to the external data transmission device connected to the first data transmission unit, so that the external data transmission device deletes the image processing data cached in its memory based on the received error message.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The storage unit is configured as a volatile memory. When the job data stored in the storage unit cannot be sent to the image forming apparatus, the job data stored in the volatile memory is cleared by powering off the storage unit.

Images