Image forming system

Abstract

To smoothly restart printing after restarting an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: In a case where communication error occurs due to a failure of a communication cable or the like during transmission of image data from the DFE to the image forming apparatus and transmission of the image data is interrupted, the DFE stores print incomplete page information. After the image forming apparatus and the DFE are restarted, if the DFE stores a print incomplete page, the DFE transmits a reprint enable notification to the image forming apparatus. In response to the reprint permission notification, the image forming apparatus starts printing from the page after the interruption of printing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system that is capable of reprinting after printing is interrupted due to a communication error. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming systems equipped with a digital front end and an image forming device, a DVI (Digital Visual Interface) cable was previously used for data exchange. In case data communication was cut off due to a DVI cable failure or other reason, the image forming device detects communication errors. If a communication error occurred, the image forming device's power was turned off and the DVI cable was replaced.

[0003] Recently, communication cables such as Ethernet cables have increasingly been used instead of DVI cables. While using communication cables has the advantage of improving image data input performance and versatility, it also increases the frequency of communication errors due to noise, static electricity, etc. If a communication error occurs while sending image data from the digital front end to the image forming device, it is necessary to detect the abnormality and properly restart the image forming device.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which various versions of OS running on information processing devices that can communicate with a printer use a standard error notification function to notify the user of an appropriate error. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming device that records errors that occur before a print job is submitted to the image forming device in a job execution history.

[0005] Patent Document 3 describes a technology in which, in an image forming system equipped with an image forming device and a print control device, the previous connection status of the image forming system is stored, and when a new connection is made, the user is prompted to check the settings and take appropriate action. Patent Document 4 describes a technology for resuming the interrupted process without the user having to go through the trouble of doing so if a communication error occurs between a digital front end and an image forming device during printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-121898 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-194856 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-185121 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-130177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, while Patent Document 1 describes appropriate error notification, it does not describe reprinting after an error occurs. Patent Document 2 does not describe how to deal with errors that occur after a print job is submitted. Patent Document 3 does not describe what to do with unprocessed print jobs after a new connection is made. Patent Document 4 describes processing on the image forming device side after a communication error occurs, but does not describe processing on the digital front end side.

[0008] To smoothly resume printing after restarting an image forming device even if a communication error occurs during transmission of image data from a digital front end to the image forming device and printing is interrupted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] An image forming system according to one aspect of the present invention is an image forming system comprising a digital front end and an image forming device, in which if communication is interrupted due to a communication error while image data is being sent from the digital front end to the image forming device, the image forming device continues printing partway according to the image data that it has received, the digital front end stores page information that the image forming device was unable to print, and after the digital front end and the image forming device are restarted, the digital front end sends the page information that it was unable to print to the image forming device, and the image forming device resumes printing according to the page information that it was unable to print. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even if a communication error occurs while transmitting image data from a digital front end to an image forming device and printing is interrupted, printing can be smoothly resumed from the point where printing was interrupted after the image forming device is restarted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the image forming system. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a startup process of the image forming system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a printing process of the image forming system. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a communication error process of the image forming system. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a restart process of the image forming system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of a connection environment for an image forming system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 is made up of an image forming device 2, a digital front end (hereinafter referred to as "DFE") 3, and the like. The image forming device 2 prints an image on paper in accordance with a print job sent from the DFE 3.

[0013] The DFE2 is a device that processes data to be input to the image forming apparatus 2. The DFE2 controls the image forming apparatus 2 from the outside, and has a printer driver installed therein for controlling printing on the image forming apparatus 2. The DFE3 and the image forming apparatus 2 are communicatively connected using a first communication cable 4 and a second communication cable 5. The first communication cable 4 connects the image forming apparatus 2 and the DFE3 via Gigabit Ethernet, and is a cable that transmits image data, such as a 10 GEth cable. The second communication cable 5 connects the image forming apparatus 2 and the DFE3 via Gigabit Ethernet, and is a cable that transmits commands and control signals, such as a 1 GEth cable.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing the electrical configuration of an image forming system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming device 2 includes a main controller 21, an apparatus-side input receiving unit 22, an apparatus-side communication unit 23, a print control unit 24, an image forming unit 25, etc.

[0015] The main controller 21 is composed of a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc. The processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The main controller 21 functions as a first control unit 211 by the processor executing a control program stored in the ROM, etc. The first control unit 211 is responsible for overall operational control of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0016] The device-side input receiving unit 22 includes hard keys such as a decision key for confirming various operations and settings, a start key, and the like, and a device-side display unit 221. The device-side display unit 221 is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like, and displays an operation screen, messages, etc. The device-side display unit 221 may be configured integrally with a touch panel.

[0017] The device-side communication unit 23 includes a relay board 231 and a communication board 232. The relay board 231 controls the communication board 232. The communication board 232 transmits and receives data to and from the DFE 3 via the first communication cable 4 under the control of the relay board 231.

[0018] The print control unit 24 is composed of a processor, RAM, ROM, etc., and functions as a second control unit 241 when the processor executes a control program stored in the ROM, etc. The second control unit 241 controls the operation of the image forming unit 25. The image forming unit 25 prints an image on paper according to image data.

[0019] Next, the DFE 3 will be described. The DFE 3 is, for example, a computer. The DFE 3 includes a control unit 31, a DFE input receiving unit 32, a DFE display unit 33, a DFE storage unit 34, and a DFE communication unit 35. The control unit 31 is composed of a processor, RAM, ROM, etc., and functions as a DFE control unit 311 when the processor executes a control program stored in the ROM, etc. The DFE control unit 311 controls the overall operation of the DFE 3.

[0020] The DFE-side input receiving unit 32 is a pointing device such as a keyboard or a mouse. The DFE-side display unit 33 is, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) or the like, and is a display that displays an operation screen, etc. The DFE-side storage unit 34 is a large-capacity storage device consisting of an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc., that stores various programs, data tables, etc.

[0021] The DFE-side communication unit 35 is a communication module that exchanges data with the image forming apparatus 2. The DFE-side communication unit 35 performs data communication with the communication board 232 (apparatus-side communication unit 23) via the first communication cable 4. The DFE-side communication unit 35 also exchanges commands and control signals with the first control unit 211 via the second communication cable 5.

[0022] In a typical image forming system that does not conform to the present embodiment, a DVI cable is used for data communication between the image forming apparatus and the DFE. With a DVI cable, the frequency of communication errors caused by factors other than cable failure (for example, noise or static electricity) occurring during transmission of image data from the DFE to the image forming apparatus is extremely low. For this reason, no measures have been provided for dealing with communication errors, and when a communication error occurs, the only solution is to turn off the power to the image forming apparatus and replace the DVI cable.

[0023] However, in recent years, communication cables such as Ethernet cables with Gigabit Ethernet have been increasingly used instead of DVI cables. The use of communication cables has the advantage of improving image data input performance and versatility.

[0024] However, when using a communication cable such as an Ethernet cable, communication errors occur more frequently during image data transmission due to noise, static electricity, and other factors than with a DVI cable. When a communication error occurs, the transmission and reception of image data is interrupted. Restarting printing from the beginning each time an error occurs requires unnecessary effort and time from the user. For this reason, when using a communication cable, reprinting must be performed appropriately after restarting the image forming device. The following describes the operation of the image forming system 1 of the present invention when a communication error occurs.

[0025] First, a description will be given of the startup of the image forming system 1. FIG.

[0026] The first control unit 211 causes the device-side communication unit 23 to confirm the physical connection of the first communication cable 4 (S112). If the device-side communication unit 23 has confirmed the physical connection (S113; YES), the first control unit 211 confirms the port connection between the device-side communication unit 23 and the DFE-side communication unit 35, and causes the DFE-side communication unit 35 to request transmission of IP data (S114). In response to this request, the DFE-side communication unit 35 transmits the IP data to the device-side communication unit 23 via the first communication cable 4 (S212).

[0027] The first control unit 211 determines the identification information of the DFE 3 from the IP data received by the device-side communication unit 23, and judges whether the DFE 3 is supported (S115). If the DFE 3 is supported (S115; YES), the first control unit 211 uses the IP address included in the IP data to establish a communication connection between the first control unit 211 and the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S116).

[0028] When the communication connection of the second communication cable 5 is established (S117; YES), the first control unit 211 notifies the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 that communication has been established (S118). Then, the first control unit 211 causes the device-side display unit 221 to display a message indicating that communication has been established with the DFE 3 (S119). In addition, the DFE-side control unit 311 causes the DFE-side display unit 33 to display a message indicating that communication has been established with the image forming device 2 (S213).

[0029] If the physical connection of the first communication cable 4 cannot be confirmed in process S113 (S113; NO), or if it is within a specified time (S120; NO), the first control unit 211 causes the device-side communication unit 23 to repeatedly check the connection at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 5 seconds) (S112). This predetermined time interval can be changed arbitrarily by the user. If the connection cannot be confirmed even after the specified time has elapsed (S120; YES), the first control unit 211 causes the device-side display unit 221 to display a communication error message (S121). Note that the first control unit 211 may also perform processing to check the physical connection of the first communication cable 4 while the device-side display unit 221 is displaying the communication error message.

[0030] If it is determined that the DFE3 is not supported (S115; NO), the first control unit 211 causes the device-side display unit 221 to display an error message (S121). Furthermore, if communication establishment between the main controller 21 and the DFE-side communication unit 35 fails (S117; NO), the first control unit 211 also causes the device-side display unit 221 to display an error message (S121).

[0031] Next, a description will be given of the printing process of the image forming system 1. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process.

[0032] When the DFE-side control unit 311 accepts the print request (S231; YES), it causes the DFE-side communication unit 35 to send print control information to the first control unit 211 of the image forming device 2 (S232), and further causes the DFE-side communication unit 35 to send image data to the first control unit 211 of the image forming device 2 (S233).

[0033] In the image forming device 2, when the apparatus-side communication unit 23 has completed receiving the image data, the first control unit 211 notifies the second control unit 241 that the image data has been received (S132; YES), and the second control unit 241 causes the image forming unit 25 to print an image based on the image data (S133). When the printing is completed, the second control unit 241 notifies the first control unit 211 that the printing is complete, and the first control unit 211 transmits a printing completion notification to the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 via the second communication cable 5 (S134).

[0034] The first control unit 211 then determines whether the printing performed in step S133 was a reprint caused by a communication error, and if it was a reprint (S135; YES), the first control unit 211 resets and clears the number of reprints, which is counted by a built-in counter, for example (S136). The number of reprints will be explained later. Thereafter, the first control unit 211 ends the processing.

[0035] If the reception of image data by the device-side communication unit 23 is not completed even after a predetermined time (for example, two minutes) has elapsed (S132; NO, S137; YES), the first control unit 211 determines that the situation is a communication error, sends a communication error notification to the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 via the second communication cable 5 (S138), and transitions to communication error processing (S139). The DFE-side control unit 311 receives the communication error notification (S234; YES), and transitions to communication error processing (S235).

[0036] In addition, when the first control unit 211 determines that a communication error has occurred in process S137, the causes of the communication error include not only a disconnection failure of the first communication cable 4, but also checksum abnormalities or data size abnormalities of the image data caused by the relay board 231, etc.

[0037] 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication error processing in the image forming system 1. The first control unit 211 of the image forming device 2 transmits a print abort request and printable page information to the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 via the second communication cable 5 (S141). The printable page information is information including page numbers that the image forming unit 25 can print using the received image data. For example, in step S233, if a communication error occurs while the DFE-side communication unit 35 is transmitting image data for 10 pages to the device-side communication unit 23, causing communication to be interrupted, and the device-side communication unit 23 has received image data for pages 1 to 5 (but has not received image data for pages 6 and beyond), the first control unit 211 includes information on pages 1 to 5, indicating the pages for which image data has been received, in the printable page information and transmits it to the DFE-side communication unit 35.

[0038] The DFE-side control unit 311 of the DFE 3 then uses the printable page information to determine the page numbers that could not be printed, and stores incompletely printed page information including information on the page numbers that could not be printed in the DFE-side storage unit 34 (S241). As described above, for example, if the printable page information includes information on pages 1 to 5, the DFE-side control unit 311 creates incompletely printed page information that includes information on pages 6 to 10, and stores this in the DFE-side storage unit 34. The DFE-side control unit 311 then causes the DFE-side communication unit 35 to send a print cancel request and the printable page information to the first control unit 211 of the image forming device 2 via the second communication cable 5 (S242).

[0039] When the first control unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 2 receives the print abort request and the printable page information, it outputs a print abort notification and the printable page information to the second control unit 241. The second control unit 241 causes the image forming unit 25 to execute printing in accordance with the printable page information. If the printable page information includes information on pages 1 to 5, the image forming unit 25 prints pages 1 to 5 and then aborts printing (S142). Thereafter, the second control unit 241 sends a print completion notification to the first control unit 211, and the first control unit 211 sends a print completion notification to the DFE side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S143).

[0040] When the DFE-side communication unit 35 receives the print completion notification, the DFE-side control unit 311 causes the DFE-side display unit 33 to display an error message reporting that printing has been interrupted midway due to a communication error (S243). The first control unit 211 also causes the device-side display unit 221 to display the error message and a restart instruction button (S144).

[0041] When the device-side input receiving unit 22 receives a selection input of the restart instruction button (S145; YES), the first control unit 211 sends a restart notification to the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S147) and proceeds to restart processing (S147). When the DFE-side communication unit 35 receives the restart notification (S244; YES), the DFE-side control unit 311 executes restart processing (S245).

[0042] If a predetermined time (for example, one minute) has elapsed without the device-side input receiving unit 22 receiving the selection input of the restart instruction button (S145; no input, S146; YES), the first control unit 211 similarly transmits the selection input to the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S145) and proceeds to restart processing (S148). Also, if the device-side input receiving unit 22 receives a button to instruct restart cancellation instead of the restart instruction button (S145; NO), the first control unit 211 ends the processing.

[0043] Next, the restart process that is performed in response to a communication error will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0044] The first control unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 2 switches the power of the image forming apparatus 2 from off to on and executes the startup process shown in Fig. 3 (S150). The DFE-side control unit 311 of the DFE 3 similarly switches the power of the DFE 3 from off to on and executes the startup process shown in Fig. 3 (S251). Then, if the DFE-side storage unit 35 stores incompletely printed page information (S252; YES), the DFE-side control unit 311 transmits the incompletely printed page information to the first control unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 2 via the second communication cable 5 (S253).

[0045] Upon receiving the incompletely printed page information, the first control unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 2 displays a reprint instruction button on the apparatus-side display unit 221 as a reprint available screen (S151). When the apparatus-side input receiving unit 22 receives a selection input of the reprint instruction button (S152; YES), the first control unit 211 transmits a reprint execution notification to the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S154).

[0046] If a predetermined time (for example, two minutes) has passed without the device-side input receiving unit 22 receiving the selection input of the reprint instruction button (S152; no input, S153; YES), the first control unit 211 will execute reprinting, so the first control unit 211 sends a reprinting execution notification to the DFE-side communication unit 35 via the second communication cable 5 (S154). When the DFE-side communication unit 35 receives the reprinting execution notification (S254; YES), the DFE-side control unit 311 proceeds to printing processing (S255). The printing processing is the processing described using FIG. 4.

[0047] When the device-side input receiving unit 22 receives a button instructing to cancel reprinting (S152; NO), the first control unit 211 sends a notification of reprinting cancellation to the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 via the second communication cable 5 (S157). When the DFE-side communication unit 35 receives the notification of reprinting cancellation (S254; NO), the DFE-side control unit 311 erases the incompletely printed page information stored in the DFE-side storage unit 34 (S256).

[0048] After the first control unit 211 of the image forming apparatus 2 issues a notification to execute reprinting, the first control unit 211 increments the number of reprints (S155). The number of reprints is stored in a memory (not shown) of the main controller 21, and the number of reprints caused by communication errors is stored. If the number of reprints is less than a predetermined number (for example, 5 times) (S156; NO), the first control unit 211 proceeds to printing processing (S160).

[0049] In the printing process executed at this time, the second control unit 241 determines the page numbers to be printed based on the incomplete printing page information, and causes the image forming unit 25 to execute printing. For example, if the incomplete printing page information includes information on pages 6 to 10, the second control unit 241 causes the image forming unit 25 to print images of pages 6 to 10.

[0050] If the number of reprints is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (S156; YES), the first control unit 211 sends a fault notification of the image forming device 2 to the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 via the second communication cable 5 (S158), and causes the device-side display unit 221 to display a fault notification message (S159). Furthermore, when the DFE-side communication unit 35 of the DFE 3 receives the fault notification (S257; YES), the DFE-side control unit 311 causes the DFE-side display unit 33 to display a fault notification message (S258).

[0051] As described above, even if a communication error occurs while sending image data from DFE3 to image forming device 2 and printing is interrupted, printing can be smoothly resumed from the point where printing was interrupted after restarting image forming device 2.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 6 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and it is not intended that the present invention be limited to these configurations and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Image forming system 2. Image forming device 21 Main Controller 211 First Control Section 22 Device side input reception unit 221 Device side display section 23 Device side communication unit 231 Relay board 232 Communication Board 24 Printing control unit 241 Second Control Section 25 Image forming unit 3 DFE 31 Control Unit 311 DFE side control unit 32 DFE side force receiving part 33 DFE side display 34 DFE side memory unit 35 DFE side communication section

Claims

1. An image forming system including a digital front end and an image forming apparatus, In an image forming system, if communication is interrupted due to a communication error while image data is being sent from the digital front end to the image forming device, the image forming device continues printing partway according to the image data that has already been received, the digital front end stores page information that the image forming device was unable to print, and after the digital front end and the image forming device are restarted, the digital front end sends the page information that it was unable to print to the image forming device, and the image forming device resumes printing according to the page information that it was unable to print.

2. 2. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein if communication is interrupted due to a communication error while the image data is being sent from the digital front end to the image forming device, the image forming device accepts a selection input from the user as to whether or not to restart, and if an instruction to restart is accepted, or if no instruction is accepted after a predetermined time has elapsed, the image forming device restarts after printing partway according to the received image data, and the digital front end restarts after the image forming device stores the page information that it was unable to print.

3. 2. The image forming system of claim 1, wherein after a communication error interrupts communication while the image data is being sent from the digital front end to the image forming device and the image forming device and the digital front end restart, the image forming device accepts a selection input from the user as to whether or not to reprint, and if an instruction to reprint is accepted or if no instruction is accepted after a predetermined time has elapsed, the digital front end sends the page information that could not be printed to the image forming device, and the image forming device resumes printing in accordance with the page information that could not be printed.

4. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein, after a communication error interrupts communication while transmitting the image data from the digital front end to the image forming device and the image forming device and the digital front end restart, the image forming device accepts a selection input from a user as to whether or not to reprint, and if a reprint instruction input is accepted or if no instruction is accepted after a predetermined time has elapsed, the image forming device increments the number of reprints stored therein by one, and if the number of reprints is equal to or greater than the predetermined number, the image forming device executes a process to notify the user of an apparatus abnormality, and if the number of reprints is less than the predetermined number, the digital front end transmits information about the page that could not be printed to the image forming device, and the image forming device resumes the printing in accordance with the information about the page that could not be printed, and after the printing is completed, resets the number of reprints to zero and stores it.

5. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the digital front end is connected to the image forming apparatus via a gigabit Ethernet.

Images