Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Data corruption – power interruption – or print prevention
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-03
2001-01-23
Zimmerman, Mark (Department: 2772)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Data corruption, power interruption, or print prevention
C709S219000, C709S228000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178004
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for forming images, and more particularly to an image forming method and apparatus adapted for use under environment in which the apparatus is connected to host computers via a network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, serial interfaces, parallel interfaces or the like have been incorporated, as communication means with respect to host computers, in printers according to standard specifications. Recently, with development of networks, interfaces for communicating with host computers via networks have also been incorporated in printers.
Such interfaces enable users to share a printer via a network to which the printer is connected.
Also, users can monitor the status (on-line, offline, under data processing, etc.) of a printer connected to a network from host computers, which are installed at remote locations, via the network, and manage the printer status.
However, the conventional systems for communicating a printer and host computers have had problems below.
Because of a printer being shared by a plurality of users, if one user resets the state of the printer from a remote location when the printer is printing or is about to start printing, the setting of data to be processed by the printer or the initial values of the printer may be written over.
Further, since printing parameters (selection of cassette, the number of copies, etc.) are conventionally set in various types of PDL (e.g., LIPS and PCL), the load on a printer controller is increased and the printer speed is reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the problems as stated above, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method and apparatus capable of forming images free from errors under environment in which the apparatus is connected to a plurality of host computers in common.
To achieve the above object, the method of and the apparatus for forming images according to the present invention is constituted as follows. The method of forming images comprises a first input step of receiving from a predetermined input source a change permission request command for requesting change permission of a predetermined set value of an image forming apparatus, a responding step of responding change permission data to the predetermined input source corresponding to the change permission request command received in the first input step, a second input step of receiving from the predetermined input source a change request command for requesting change of the predetermined set value of the image forming apparatus, and a changing/informing step of changing the predetermined set value in accordance with the change request command received in the second input step and informing the predetermined input source of that the predetermined set value has been changed.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for forming images comprises first input means for receiving from a predetermined input source a change permission request command for requesting change permission of a predetermined set value of an image forming apparatus, responding means for responding change permission data to the predetermined input source corresponding to the change permission request command received by the first input means, second input means for receiving from the predetermined input source a change request command for requesting change of the predetermined set value of the image forming apparatus, and changing/informing means for changing the predetermined set value in accordance with the change request command received by the second input means and informing the predetermined input source of that the predetermined set value has been changed.
According to still another aspect, the present invention provides a computer program product including a medium which has program code means readable by a computer and is usable with the computer, the computer program product comprising first program code means readable by the computer and receiving from a predetermined input source a change permission request command for requesting change permission of a predetermined set value of an image forming apparatus, second program code means readable by the computer and responding change permission data to the predetermined input source corresponding to the change permission request command received by the first program code means, third program code means readable by the computer and receiving from the predetermined input source a change request command for requesting change of the predetermined set value of the image forming apparatus, and fourth program code means readable by the computer, changing the predetermined set value in accordance with the change request command received by the third program code means, and informing the predetermined input source of that the predetermined set value has been changed.
According to still another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for forming images, comprising transfer means for transferring instruction information for an image forming apparatus and code information representing pages, and control means for controlling the image forming apparatus based on the information transferred by the transfer means, the instruction information employing SNMP and extended MIB.
According to still another aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming images, comprising a step of receiving instruction information for an image forming apparatus and code information representing pages, and a step of controlling the image forming apparatus based on the information received by the step, the instruction information employing SNMP and extended MIB.
In the above apparatus for and method of forming images, preferably, the instruction information is instruction information input from an apparatus control panel.
Specifically, according to the above apparatus for and method of forming images, Canon-MIB (Management Information Base) for setting the image forming apparatus to be on-line/off-line is employed to set the image forming apparatus to be on-line/off-line by a Set command of SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). Also, the image forming apparatus (including a network board) is set to desired one of various operating modes by preparing the Canon-MIB so as to contain MIB for designating the number of multiple copies and the operating mode (LIPS, N201, etc.)
REFERENCES:
patent: 5220674 (1993-06-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 5367635 (1994-11-01), Bauer et al.
patent: 5475801 (1995-12-01), Brindle et al.
patent: 5490252 (1996-02-01), Macera et al.
patent: 5655152 (1997-08-01), Ohnishi et al.
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Sealey Lance W.
Zimmerman Mark
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