Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Communication
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-24
2001-12-25
Gabriel, Garcia (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Communication
C709S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333790
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing system for performing printing using a computer, such as a personal computer, a workstation, or the like.
In a conventional printing system, the information to be printed, which is composed by a computer, is printed by transmitting the information to a printer, and the printer then carries out the printing itself.
However, since a printer manufacturer cannot be aware at all times of the operating state of a printer being used by a user, there are the following problems in the usability of the printer.
(1) When a user wants to know how to cope with a problem in his or her printer or wants to know about an advanced method of using the printer, he or she typically needs to make an inquiry to the customer service center of the printer manufacturer by telephone, which requires the expenditure of time and money. There sometimes occurs a problem in that, when the user makes such a telephone call, the telephone lines of the printer manufacturer are busy or the user is unable to communicate with an appropriate person in the service center for inquiry concerning a particular problem.
(2) It is difficult for the user to understand all of the types of the various kinds of consumable articles (various kinds of paper, toner, and so on) available for use in a complex printer, such as a laser printer, and to properly place an order for and obtain the various kinds of consumable articles required by the printer. It is possible to employ a service man dedicated to the servicing of the printer in order to solve a particular difficulty, but the cost for the services of the service man is not insignificant, and accordingly, to provide such services, the user is subjected to an increase in the cost of maintenance of the printer and the printer manufacturer is subjected to an increase in personnel expenses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems discussed above and to provide a printing system having a good usability. In order to attain this object and solve the problems described above, the present invention employs the following features.
A first printing system in accordance with the present invention is characterized by a printing system which comprises a network, and a first computer, a second computer, and a printer connected to the network, wherein the first computer instructs the printer to print. The printer is composed of a printer controller and a printer engine, the printer controller having an individual printer management part for managing the printer and an individual printer information DB part; and the second computer has a total printer management service processing part for managing a plurality of printers including the printer connected to the network and a total printer management information DB part. In the operation of this system, the printer controller receives information on occurrence of trouble in the printer engine and a description of the trouble; and, based on the received information, the first computer is sent information on the occurrence of trouble in the printer engine and a description of the trouble from the printer controller. In response to the first computer inquiring as to a method of coping with the trouble indicated by the printer controller, the printer controller transmits the contents of the inquiry to the second computer. Then, the total printer management service processing part of the second computer retrieves a reply to the inquiry from the total printer management information DB part, and transmits the reply to the printer. The printer then transmits the reply to the first computer.
A second printing system in accordance with the present invention is characterized by a printing system which comprises a network, and a first computer, a second computer, and a printer connected to the network, wherein the first computer instructs the printer to print. The printer is composed of a printer controller and a printer engine, the printer controller having an individual printer management part for managing the printer and an individual printer information DB part; and the second computer has a total printer management service processing part for managing a plurality of printers including the printer connected to the network and a total printer management information DB part. In the operation of this system, the printer controller receives information concerning the status of consumable articles in the printer engine, and stores the information in the individual printer information DB part. Based on the contents of the individual printer information DB part, the first computer receives information on a shortage of consumable articles in the printer engine from the printer controller and places an order for the consumable articles to the printer controller. The printer controller transmits the contents of the order to the second computer; and the total printer management service processing part of the second computer performs processing to accept the order by making access to and writing in the total printer management information DB part. Then information on completion of the order and accompanying information is transmitted to the printer. The printer then transmits the information on completion of the order and the accompanying information to the first computer.
A third printing system in accordance with the present invention is characterized by a printing system which comprises a network, and a first computer, a second computer, and a printer connected to the network, wherein the first computer instructs the printer to print. The printer is composed of a printer controller and a printer engine, the printer controller having an individual printer management part for managing the printer and an individual printer information DB part; and the second computer has a total printer management service processing part for managing a plurality of printers including the printer connected to the network and a total printer management information DB part. In the operation of this system, the printer controller receives information concerning the operating status of the printer engine, and stores the information in the individual printer information DB part. Based on the contents of the individual printer information DB part of the printer controller, the total printer management service processing part in the second computer collects the information concerning the operating status of the printer engine; and, based on the collected information, the total printer management service processing part in the second computer proposes the replacement of a part to the printer controller. The printer controller then transmits the part replacement proposal to the first computer. Based on the transmitted part replacement proposal, the first computer issues information for ordering the replacement part to the printer controller. The printer controller transmits the received information for ordering the replacement part to the second computer. The second computer receives the information for ordering the replacement part; and the total printer management service processing part of the second computer executes processing for acceptance of the order.
The third printing system in accordance with the present invention is further characterized by the fact that the total printer management service processing part in the second computer performs acceptance processing of an order, and then transmits information on completion of acceptance of the order and accompanying information to the printer controller. The printer controller then transmits the information on completion of acceptance of the order and the accompanying information to the first computer.
A fourth printing system in accordance with the present invention is characterized by a printing system which comprises a network, and a first computer, a second computer, and a printer connected to the network, wherein the first computer instructs the printer to print. The printer is composed of a printer controller and a
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Gabriel Garcia
Hitachi Koki Co,. Ltd.
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