Patent Application
20130003111
The present invention relates to a system and method for detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, and more particularly, a system and method for detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, which has an automatic (or auto) network diagnostic feature, which shows possible causes on a display of an image forming apparatus or multi-function peripheral (MFP).
There has been a widespread use of the printing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “image forming apparatus) of a multi-functional peripheral provided with a printer function and a scanner function. When the image forming apparatus is used for printing operations, a print job of page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) format is received from a client or client device. The client or client device is typically linked to the image forming apparatus via a network. Once the print job is received by the image forming apparatus, the print job is raterized (bit map expansion) to generate multivalued (e.g., 8 bits) image data. This multivalued image data is screened (binarized) to generate binary image data, and image adjustment processing is applied to the binary image data, which is then outputted onto a print medium and/or paper medium.
In the system connected with a plurality of image forming apparatuses via the network, if the process of generating multivalued image data from a print job (hereinafter referred to as “RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing”) or the process of screening the multivalued image data is to be performed in each image forming apparatus, each image forming apparatus is required to have the functions of performing the above-mentioned processes. This can result in a complicated structure of the image forming apparatus. Accordingly, to avoid these problems, as set forth in commonly owned, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0251726, an image forming system was designed in which a separate printer controller is provided with the above-mentioned RIP processing function and screening function is linked with the network, and the printer controller exclusively takes charge of the above-mentioned processes.
In a configuration as described above, which includes a client or client device, a separate printer controller, and an image forming apparatus, if the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus is down and/or is not working properly, it would be desirable to have a network diagnostic feature, which automatically shows the possible causes of the network failure on a display or graphical user interface (GUI) of the image forming apparatus so that the necessary repairs can be made.
In consideration of the above issues, it would be desirable to have a system and method for detecting and displaying the network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, which includes an automatic network diagnostic feature, which shows possible causes on a display of an image forming apparatus or multi-function peripheral (MFP).
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, the method comprises: connecting the printer controller with the image forming apparatus through a first line which a client sends a print job to the printer controller and a second line which transfers the image data; upon detection of a failure in network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus through the first line, transmitting messages from the printer controller to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, and transmitting messages from the image forming apparatus to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, wherein upon receipt of the messages, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus receiving the messages sends via the second line a return message to the printer controller or image forming apparatus which originated the message; detecting if the messages sent from the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are received by the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus by receiving via the first line a return message from the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus; gathering via the second line the messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are received by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the return message, and messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which do not return to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus; and detecting a cause of the failure in the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus based on the gathered messages received and not received by the image forming apparatus and the printer controller.
In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, an image forming system comprises: a printer controller which generates image data based on a print job, the printer controller having a diagnostic module; an image forming apparatus which controls the printer controller and performs a printing operation based on the image data, and wherein the printer controller is connected with the image forming apparatus through a first line which a client sends a print job to the printer controller and a second line which transfers the image data; and wherein the printer controller and the image forming apparatus perform the following steps: connecting the printer controller with the image forming apparatus through the first line which the client sends the print job to the printer controller and the second line which transfers the image data; upon detection of a failure in network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus through the first line, transmitting messages from the printer controller to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, and transmitting messages from the image forming apparatus to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, wherein upon receipt of the messages, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus receiving the messages sends via the first line a return message to the printer controller or image forming apparatus which originated the message; detecting if the messages sent from the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are received by the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus by receiving via the first line a return message from the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus; gathering via the second line the messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are received by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the return message, and messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which do not return to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus; and detecting a cause of the failure in the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus based on the gathered messages received and not received by the image forming apparatus and the printer controller.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable code embodied therein for detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, the computer readable program code configured to execute a process, which includes the steps of: connecting the printer controller with the image forming apparatus through a first line which a client sends a print job to the printer controller and a second line which transfers the image data; upon detection of a failure in network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus through the first line, transmitting messages from the printer controller to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, and transmitting messages from the image forming apparatus to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, wherein upon receipt of the messages, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus receiving the messages sends via the first line a return message to the printer controller or image forming apparatus which originated the message; detecting if the messages sent from the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are received by the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus by receiving via the first line a return message from the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus; gathering via the second line the messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are received by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the return message, and messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which do not return to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus; and detecting a cause of the failure in the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus based on the gathered messages received and not received by the image forming apparatus and the printer controller.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller is described herein. The method includes connecting the printer controller with the image forming apparatus through a first line which a client sends a print job to the printer controller and a second line which transfers the image data. Upon detection of a failure in network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus through the first line, transmitting messages from the printer controller to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line. In addition, messages are transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, wherein upon receipt of the messages, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus receiving the messages sends via the first line a return message to the printer controller or image forming apparatus which originated the message. If the messages sent from the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are received by the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus by receiving a return message from the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus, the messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are received by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the return message, and messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are not return to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are gathered via the second line. A cause of the failure in the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus is detected based on the gathered messages received and not received by the image forming apparatus and the printer controller.
In accordance with an embodiment, the printer controller 130 receives a print job of page description language format from the one or more clients 110, 112 through the first line 150, and applies RIP processing or screening processing. The binary image data and job ticket are then sent to the image forming apparatus 120 via the second line 152. In the image forming apparatus 120, image adjustment processing is applied to the binary image data, and printing is carried out.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the printer controller 130 does not include a display section or operation section. Accordingly, a display or display panel (i.e., graphical user interface or GUI) 140 associated with the image forming apparatus 120 can be used to perform the following functions within the printer controller 130, which includes setting the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the printer controller 130, registering the information of the image forming apparatus 120 or user information into the printer controller 130, controlling the print job, and updating the program of the printer controller 130.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, each of the one or more client devices 110, 112 preferably include a processor or central processing unit (CPU), one or more memories for storing software programs and data (such as files to be printed). The client devices 110, 112 also preferably include an operating system (OS), which manages the computer hardware and provides common services for efficient execution of various software programs. The processor or CPU carries out the instructions of a computer program, which operates and/or controls at least a portion of the functionality of the client devices 110, 112. Examples of client devices 110, 112 include and are not limited to personal computers, image forming apparatuses, routers, and/or personal digital assistants (PDAs).
The one or more clients 110, 112 creates a print job of PDL format using a printer driver. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the print job is sent via the first line 150 to the printer controller 130. In accordance with an embodiment, the first line 150, which connects the one or more client devices 110, 112, the image forming apparatus 120 and/or the printer controller 130 can be a wire (or cable) and/or wireless technology including but not limited to radio frequency (RF) and/or infrared (IR) transmission.
As described above, when a printer controller 130 is installed, the one or more client devices 110, 112, the image forming apparatus 120, and the printer controller 130 are connected via a first line 150 such as LAN or WAN. The image forming apparatus 120 and the printer controller 130 are also connected or linked via the second line 152, which is preferably a dedicated bus line, such as a video I/F (interface) cable. Since the printer controller 130 has no other UI (User Interface) than video display or display panel 140 of the image forming apparatus 120, a command code is transferred via the second line 152 to perform various forms of settings.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a Web server is mounted on the printer controller 130, and a Web browser is mounted on the image forming apparatus 120 so that the printer controller 130 can be controlled using the first line 150. Further, the display 140 for controlling the printer controller 130 is created by the printer controller 130 not by the image forming apparatus 120, and the aforementioned display panel 140 is displayed by the Web browser function of the image forming apparatus 120. In the above-mentioned configuration, the basic setting including the IP address required by the Web browser must be performed on the operation section of the image forming apparatus 120. When the printer controller 130 is connected, the basic setting (what is called initial setting) including the IP address is performed using the second line 152 such as a dedicated bus. In this case, the screen data for initial setting is stored in the storage section of the image forming apparatus 120.
When the print job is set on the image forming apparatus 120, information on the connection of the printer controller 130 is checked. If the initial setting is not yet completed, the setting is prompted. If initial setting has been completed, the Web browser is booted, and the Web page of the printer controller 130 is specified and notified to the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) so that the display panel is available and the connection is started. When there is access to the Web browser from the relevant image forming apparatus 120, the Web server of the printer controller 130 returns the page contents in conformity to that Web browser. For example, the command code to be sent from the image forming apparatus 120 to the printer controller 130 is designed to contain the information (e.g., tag, image format and CGI (Common Gateway Interface)) that can be displayed on the Web browser. This arrangement allows the printer controller 130 to identify the Web browser function of the image forming apparatus 120 and to send appropriate Web page as a reply.
Further, the image forming apparatus 120 can retain the basic setting information including the ID information of the printer controller 130 connected, as well as the information on the current status of connection. The command code, for example, at the time of re-installation of the printer controller 130 can be automatically sent again, and the screen set by the Web browser can be used, without explicit setting by the user.
The controller 121 typically includes a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), and a read only memory (ROM). The central processing unit is configured to execute a sequence of stored instructions (i.e., a computer program). The controller 121 also includes an operating system (OS), which acts as an intermediary between the software programs and hardware components within the image forming apparatus 120. The operating system (OS) manages the computer hardware and provides common services for efficient execution of various application software. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller 121 can provide additional assistance to the printer controller 130 by processing the data and job information received from the printer controller 130 via the client devices 110, 112 to generate a print image. The controller 121 applies processing of compression, decompression, enlargement, reduction and rotation to the image data obtained from the printer controller 130. Further, the controller 121 serves as a Web browser that obtains a Web page from the printer controller 130. The controller 121 also includes a diagnostic module, which performs the steps of detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus 120 and a printer controller 130 as described herein.
The storage section 122 preferably includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and/or other storage medium, and stores the processed image data, the setting information of the image forming apparatus 120, and user information. The screen data storage section 123 preferably includes a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) and stores the screen data to perform setting (e.g., IP address setting, and registration of the information of the image forming apparatus 120 and user information, hereinafter referred to as “initial setting”) that allows the printer controller 130 to be used via the first line 150, and the screen data obtained from the printer controller 130 using a Web browser. The display controller 124 controls the display operation section 125, and can be exemplified by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) controller. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display operation section 125 is composed of a pressure sensitive operation section (touch display panel) having transparent electrodes arranged in a grid-like configuration, wherein this pressure sensitive operation section is mounted on the LCD or organic EL (electroluminescence) display. The X-Y coordinates at the point wherein force is applied by depression with a finger or a touch pen are detected in terms of the current value, and the position signal having been detected is outputted as an operation signal into the controller 121.
The print processing section 126 transfers the image data to print medium, such as paper. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the photoreceptor drum charged by a charging device is exposed to the light corresponding to the image by the exposure apparatus so that an electrostatic latent image is formed. Then the toner charged by a development apparatus is attached thereto so as to cause development. This toner image is transferred onto the transfer belt in the primary step, and is then transferred from the transfer belt onto the paper medium in the secondary step. Further, the toner image is fixed onto a paper medium by the fixing apparatus. If required, folding, book binding and stapling operations are performed.
The first line interface section 127 is an interface of the NIC (Network Interface Card) or modem for connection with the first line 150, and communicates with the one or more clients 110, 112, the image forming apparatus 120, and the printer controller 130 in conformity to the Ethernet® standards. The second line interface section 128 constitutes an interface for connection with the second line 152, and communicates with the printer controller 130 in conformity to the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) standards and others.
The printer controller 130 includes a controller 131, a storage section 132, a first line interface section 133 and a second line interface section 134. The controller 131 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The controller 131 also includes a diagnostic module, which performs the steps as described herein for detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus 120 and a printer controller 130 as described herein. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the controller 131 applies RIP processing or screening to the print data obtained from the one or more clients 110, 112, whereby image data is generated. Further, the controller 131 serves the functions of a Web server such as an HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) server that creates screen data for controlling the printer controller 130, converts the screen data into a predetermined format (e.g., HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) format), and supplies the data to the image forming apparatus 120 in the form of a Web page.
The storage section 132 is made of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and other storage medium, and serves to store the print job obtained from the one or more clients 110, 112 and the image data sent to the image forming apparatus 120. The first line interface section 133 constitutes an interface of the NIC (Network Interface Card) or modem for connection to the first line 150, and communicates with the one or more clients 110, 112 and image forming apparatus 120 in conformity to the standards of the Ethernet®. The second line interface section 134 constitutes an interface for connection to the second line 152, and communicates with the image forming apparatus 120 in conformity to the standards such as PCI.
The first interface provides communications between the printer section and the client device 110 and receives page descriptions (or print data) from the client devices 110, 112 for processing within the image forming apparatus 120 and/or printer controller 130. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the operation of printer controller 130 commences when it receives a page description from one of the client devices 110, 112 in the form of a print job data stream. The page description may be any kind of page description languages (PDLs), such as PostScript® (PS), Printer Control Language (PCL), Portable Document Format (PDF), and/or XML Paper Specification (XPS). Examples of image forming apparatuses 120 consistent with exemplary embodiments of the invention include industrial printers, and/or multi-function printers or peripherals (MFP).
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the image forming apparatus 120 receives the printer controller 130 panel information as HTTP data via the first line 150 (i.e., via the network connection). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the display panel 140 (e.g., Liquid Crystal Display) can display the status of the printer controller 130 using the Web browser function associated with the image forming apparatus 120. However, if the first line 150 has something wrong with the connection, the display panel 140 will be unable to display the status of the printer controller 130. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a method and system, which can automatically diagnose errors in the system 100 after a failure in the network connectivity is detected.
If a network failure is detected in the data processing systems as shown in
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the diagnostic module (or diagnostic software application), which are preferably within the controllers 131, 121 of the printer controller 130 and the image forming apparatus 120, respectively, perform the following: Step 1, the printer controller 130 sends (or transmits) a message, which is preferably in the form of a ping command to printer controller 130 itself; Step 2, the printer controller 130 sends (transmits) a message (ping command) to the image forming apparatus 120 via the first line 150; Step 3, the image forming apparatus 120 sends (transmits) a message (ping command) to the printer controller 130 via the first line 150; and Step 4, the image forming apparatus 120 sends (transmits) a message (ping command) to the image forming apparatus 120 itself.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the transmitted messages (or ping commands) can be used to check any destination IP address that the printer controller 130 and/or image forming apparatus 120 wishes to reach and record the results thereof. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the transmitted message (or ping command) can display (or determine) whether the destination (i.e., image forming apparatus 120 and/or printer controller 130) responded and how long it took to receive a reply (i.e., “Success”). If there is an error in the delivery to the destination, the printer controller 130 and/or image forming apparatus 120 will receive a transmitted message (or ping command), which displays an error message (i.e., “Failure”).
A transmitted message in the form of a ping command can be used to ping the device itself, i.e., the image forming apparatus 120 or printer controller 130 (by address, not host name) to determine if TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP)) is functioning. However, sending a message (i.e., pinging) to the image forming apparatus 120 or printer controller 130 directly does not verify that the network adapter is functioning within the image forming apparatus 120 or the printer controller 130, respectively. In addition, as set forth above, a transmitted message (i.e., in the form of a ping command) via the first line 150 can be used to determine whether a hub 160 such as a switch or router is running, and/or alternatively, the image forming apparatus 120 and the printer controller 130 can transmit a message (i.e., a ping command) beyond the hub 160 via the first line 150, if needed to determine if other switches or routers are functioning.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the diagnostic results given by the diagnostic module of the image forming apparatus 120 is forwarded via the second line to the diagnostic module of the printer controller 130, or vice versa, so that a complete set of the diagnostic results is gathered and stored in the printer controller 130 or the image forming apparatus 120. Specifically as shown in Table 1, each of the transmitted messages (or ping commands) and their corresponding test results are recorded or gathered within a storage medium or device associated with the image forming apparatus 120 and/or printer controller 130. If the ping command is successful (“Success), i.e., the transmitted message (or ping command) reaches its destination, a return message (or ping command) is received by the originating device (i.e., the image forming apparatus 120 or the printer controller 130). Alternatively, if a response of “Destination net unreachable” provides that there was no route to the destination (i.e., “Failure”). In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the messages received and not received, which originated from the printer controller 130 are sent to the diagnostic module of the image forming apparatus 120 via the second line 152.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the results from the at least one message, which have been sent by the image forming apparatus 120 and the printer controller 130 are recorded (or gathered) into a table of actual results and compared with a reference Table 1 as shown above. The diagnostic module within the image forming apparatus 120 compares the actual results with the reference table to determine a probable cause of the network connectivity failure.
In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable code embodied therein for detecting and displaying network status for an image forming system having an image forming apparatus and a printer controller, the computer readable program code configured to execute a process, which includes the steps of: connecting the printer controller with the image forming apparatus through a first line which a client sends a print job to the printer controller and a second line which transfers the image data; upon detection of a failure in network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus through the first line, transmitting messages from the printer controller to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, and transmitting messages from the image forming apparatus to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the first line, wherein upon receipt of the messages, the printer controller and the image forming apparatus receiving the messages sends via the first line a return message to the printer controller or image forming apparatus which originated the message; detecting if the messages sent from the printer controller and the image forming apparatus are received by the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus by receiving via the first line a return message from the printer controller and/or the image forming apparatus; gathering via the second line the messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which are received by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus via the return message, and messages sent by the printer controller and the image forming apparatus, which do not return to the printer controller and the image forming apparatus; and detecting a cause of the failure in the network connectivity between the printer controller and the image forming apparatus based on the gathered messages received and not received by the image forming apparatus and the printer controller.
The computer usable medium, of course, may be a magnetic recording medium, a magneto-optic recording medium, or any other recording medium which will be developed in future, all of which can be considered applicable to the present invention in all the same way. Duplicates of such medium including primary and secondary duplicate products and others are considered equivalent to the above medium without doubt. Furthermore, even if an embodiment of the present invention is a combination of software and hardware, it does not deviate from the concept of the invention at all. The present invention may be implemented such that its software part has been written onto a recording medium in advance and will be read as required in operation.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.
