EP1576424B1 - Managing a control variable for a printing system by means of a database - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a control system with an operating unit (156) for an electrophotographic printing or copying system. An input and/or output of operational information for the printing or copying system is achieved by means of the operating unit. A first controller (130) and at least one second controller (140) control at least a part of the electrophotographic printing or copying system. The controllers (130, 140) are interconnected by means of a dataline, along which control data may be transmitted between the controllers (130, 140). At least a part of the transmitted control data is inputted and/or outputted by the operating unit (156), in addition to the operational information. The invention further relates to a method for the input and/or output of operational information and control data for an electrophotographic printing copying system by means of an operating unit (156), a system and a method for managing and transmission of control data for an electrophotographic printing or copying system and an electrophotographic printing or copying system with at least two printer units and method for input and/or output of operation information.

Description

The invention relates to a control system for an electrophotographic printing or copying system. The control system includes an operating unit for inputting and / or outputting operating information of the printing or copying system.

Known electrophotographic printers or copiers contain a control unit, by means of which an operator is informed by means of a graphical user interface of the processing of print jobs, the operating mode of the printer as well as parameters and setting values of the printer, wherein the operator carries out operator actions by means of inputs using the graphical user interface. In particular, the setting values relate to parameters of the printer or copier that an operator must set to perform different print jobs. These parameters are e.g. Parameters of carrier material to be printed and parameters of the toner material used to produce print images. Further, the operations to be performed by an operator relate to settings for establishing the operational readiness and setting the order, and starting print jobs to be executed by the printer or copier.

Access to internal control variables of the printer or copier is not possible with the help of the operating unit. However, for service and maintenance as well as for diagnostic functions, accessing internal control variables of the printer or copier, in particular for troubleshooting the output of incorrect operator information, is required to append the values of the internal control variables used as output values for generating the output operator information. These values of the internal control variables are also called raw data from which display data is then generated. With the help of then display data is generated. The display information is then used to output the operating information.

From the document WO 97/43720 For example, a method and system for printing documents based on JAVA commands is known. User interfaces can be used to configure the printer, and the printer can also be connected to the computer via a network, preferably via the Internet.

From the document EP 0 926 593 A2 a computer system is known in which the data exchange between a personal computer and a printer is carried out in particular by the use of elements present in the programming language JAVA.

From the document EP 0 239 845 a drive arrangement is known for controlling a plurality of printers operating in so-called tandem operation. For this purpose, a ribbon-shaped recording medium is provided by the first printer with a printed image on the front and the second printer with a printed image on the back.

From the document DE 198 36 745 A1 It is known that operating information of the printing or copying system with the aid of an operating unit and can be output and. At least two control units are connected to a data line for controlling at least part of the electrophotographic printing or copying system. With the help of the data line control data between the control units are transferable.

The object of the invention is to provide a control system with an operating unit for an electrophotographic printing or copying system, in which the access to control variables is easily possible.

The object of the invention is achieved according to a first aspect of the invention by a control system having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

A control system having the features of claim 1 ensures that at least part of the transferable control data is input and / or output in addition to the operating information. These control data are preferably used for fault diagnosis and for functional control of the printing or copying system. A separate service and maintenance computer is thus not mandatory for displaying and inputting control data. However, if a service and maintenance computer is connected to the electrophotographic printing or copying system, the service and maintenance computer can also input or output operating information of the printing or copying system in addition to the control data, preferably by also using the graphical user interface of the printing or copying system is output by means of the service and maintenance computer.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a method for inputting and / or outputting operating information and control data of an electrophotographic printing or copying system with the aid of a control unit. Operating information of the printing or copying system is input and / or output using at least one operating unit. The electrophotographic printing or copying system is controlled by a first control unit and at least one second control unit. The control data is transmitted between the control units via a data line. At least part of the transmitted control data is input to and / or output to the operating unit of the printing or copying system.

By means of this method according to the invention it is achieved that a separate service and maintenance computer is not necessarily required for maintenance and service work and for fault diagnosis. Furthermore, it is achieved by this method according to the invention that a maintenance computer connected to the printing or copying system can display both the control data and the operating information. In particular, when a service or maintenance computer is arranged in a service control center and connected to the printing or copying system via a remote data transmission connection, not only control data but also operation information can be displayed by the service and maintenance computer.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a system for managing and transmitting control data of an electrophotographic printing or copying system. Information about the control data is stored in a central database of the printing or copying system. At least a first control unit of the printing or copying system has access to the control data with the aid of this information.

This system according to the invention ensures that access to the control data is easily possible. The database at least contains information that allows access to the control data. This allows easy management of the control data and access to the control data is greatly simplified.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of transmitting control data of an electrophotographic printing or copying system. In this method, information of the control data is stored in a central database of the printing or copying system. A first control unit of the printing or copying system accesses the control data with the aid of this information.

By means of this method according to the invention, it is achieved that a very simple and clear management of the control data takes place with the aid of the database. Easy access to this control data using the information stored in the database is thus possible.

A fifth aspect of the invention relates to an electrophotographic printing or copying system having at least two printing units. The first printing unit includes a first operating unit and a first control unit. The second printing unit includes a second operating unit and a second control unit. Data can be transferred between the first control unit and the second control unit, which contain operating information and / or control data for input and / or output by the operating unit. The first control unit provides data for the first operating unit and data for the second operating unit. It is thereby achieved that, with the aid of the first operating unit, data of the second printing unit and, with the aid of the second operating unit, data of the first printing unit can be displayed. Thus, an operation of the first and the second printing unit with the aid of the first and / or second operating unit was very easy, whereby an operation of both printing units using a control unit is possible.

A sixth aspect of the invention relates to a method for inputting and / or outputting operating information of an electrophotographic printing or copying system having at least two printing units. The first printing unit is operated by means of the first operating unit and controlled by means of a first control unit. The second printing unit is operated by means of a second operating unit and controlled by means of a second control unit. Data is transferred between the control units that contain operating information and / or control data that is input and / or output by the operating units. For the first operating unit and the second operating unit, data provided by the first control unit is provided.

By means of this method according to the invention it is achieved that operating information and / or control data of the first and the second control unit can be input and / or output in a simple manner both by the first operating unit and by the second operating unit, thereby simplifying the operation of both printing units is.

A seventh aspect of the invention relates to an electrophotographic printing or copying system having at least two printing units. This printing or copying system contains an operating unit for input and / or output of parameters of the printing or copying system. Upon input of a value of a first parameter of a first printing unit depending on the changed value of the first parameter, the value of the same parameter of the second printing unit is automatically changed. This ensures that a parameter to be changed must be entered only once to change the respective parameters of both printing units.

An eighth aspect of the invention relates to a method of controlling an electrophotographic printing or copying system having two printing units. With the aid of an operating unit, parameters of the printing or copying system are input and / or output. Upon input of a value of a first parameter of a first printing unit, the value of a same second parameter of the second printing unit is automatically changed depending on the value of the first parameter.

By means of this method according to the invention, it is achieved that the operator inputs are simplified when parameters are changed and errors are easily avoided.

Fig. 1

eine grafische Benutzeroberfläche zur Ein- und Ausgabe von Steuervariablen eines Drucksystems gemäß einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

die grafische Benutzeroberfläche nach Fig. 1, wobei eine Bedienoberfläche zur Eingabe von Druckparametern enthält;

Fig. 3

die grafische Benutzeroberfläche nach den Fig. 1 und 2 mit einer Bedienoberfläche zum Einstellen eines Versatzes der Druckbilder, wobei die Einstellungen des Versatzes eines ersten Druckers mit den Einstellungen des Versatzes eines zweiten Druckers gekoppelt sind;

Fig. 4

ein Blockschaltbild, das den Zugriff und die Authentifizierung von mit dem Drucker verbundenen Bedieneinheiten gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung zeigt;

Fig. 5

einen Ausschnitt des Blockschaltbildes nach Fig. 4, in dem das Grundprinzip eines gesicherten Zugriffs auf die im Drucker enthaltenen Daten gezeigt ist;

Fig. 6

ein Blockschaltbild mit zwei Druckern gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung, die jeweils eine Bedieneinheit enthalten, wobei beide Drucker durch eine Bedieneinheit bedienbar sind;

Fig. 7

ein Blockschaltbild mit zwei Druckern, ähnlich dem Blockschaltbild nach Fig. 6, gemäß einer alternativen Ausführungsform;

Fig. 8

ein Blockschaltbild mit Steuereinheiten von zwei gleichartigen Druckern und einem gemeinsamen Server zum Ansteuern einer gemeinsamen Bedieneinheit; und

Fig. 9

ein Blockschaltbild mit Steuereinheiten und Anzeigeeinheiten eines Drucksystems zur Kommunikation mit Bedieneinheiten.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described in terms of specific terminology. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the invention should not be so limited since such changes and other modifications to the illustrated apparatus and / or method, as well as such other applications of the invention as heretofore, will be expected to be present or future Expertise of a person skilled in the art. The figures show embodiments of the invention, namely:

Fig. 1

a graphical user interface for input and output of control variables of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2

the graphical user interface Fig. 1 wherein a user interface for inputting pressure parameters;

Fig. 3

the graphical user interface after the Fig. 1 and 2 a user interface for adjusting an offset of the print images, wherein the offset settings of a first printer are coupled to the offset settings of a second printer;

Fig. 4

a block diagram showing the access and authentication of connected to the printer operating units according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5

a section of the block diagram after Fig. 4 which shows the basic principle of secure access to the data contained in the printer;

Fig. 6

a block diagram of two printers according to a third embodiment of the invention, each containing an operating unit, both printers are operated by a control unit;

Fig. 7

a block diagram with two printers, similar to the block diagram after Fig. 6 , according to an alternative embodiment;

Fig. 8

a block diagram with control units of two similar printers and a common server for driving a common operating unit; and

Fig. 9

a block diagram with control units and display units of a printing system for communication with control units.

In Fig. 1 For example, a graphical user interface for operating an electrophotographic printing system is shown with a portion of a toolbar 12 containing graphical function keys, so-called buttons. The tool bar 12 also contains output fields, in particular for displaying the operating state of the printing system and a set user. In a second section 14, the graphical user interface 10 includes a menu. The graphical user interface 10 contains a third section 16, in which a user interface is displayed, which consists of several possible user interfaces by means of the menu items contained in the menu 14 has been selected. The in section 16 in Fig. 1 The user interface shown has been selected by selecting menu item 18 "Printer status" and contains in the column "Key" the name of variables of the printing system and in the column "Value" the current value of those arranged in the column "Key" respectively in the same line variable name. These variables of the printing system are internal control variables of the printing system from which display values are generated as operating information and output using the user interface.

Not all users are allowed access to these variables to avoid damage to the printing system due to incorrect settings and user confusion. The display of this variable is reserved for developers and service technicians only. In addition to these control variables, registers of individual control units of the printing system can also be read out with the aid of information which is stored in a database, in particular in a management information base, of the printing system. Such registers are memory areas of the control units in which, in particular, processed data are stored or buffered. The control variables and register data are also referred to below generally as control data.

Furthermore, developers and service technicians can also perform operator actions using the graphical user interface 10, for example with the aid of the graphical function keys of the tool bar 12, and call user interfaces which are also available to other operators. Thus, with the aid of the graphical user interface 10, both maintenance and service work as well as operator actions can be carried out essentially in parallel.

By entering other values in the "Value" column in section 16 of the GUI 10, the set values of the associated control variable can be changed. The control variables contained in the column "Key" relate in particular to settings for generating and arranging as well as for evaluating so-called position marks. The position markers serve primarily to correctly arrange a printed image, which is produced by a second printer on a carrier material, to a first printed image, which has already been produced on the carrier material by a first printing unit, i. to position.

In Fig. 2 is the graphical user interface 10 after Fig. 1 shown. Like elements have the same reference numerals. In menu 14, the menu entry 19 "PNV marks" has been activated, whereby in section 16 a user interface for adjusting the position of the PNV mark, which serves as a position mark, to be adjusted by an operator. The user interface contains graphic sliders 20, 22 for setting a vertical and a horizontal offset of the PNV mark, wherein the vertical offset can also be entered in the input and output field 30 and the horizontal offset in the input and output field 32.

Furthermore, the user interface includes graphic sliders 24, 26, 28 for defining the geometry of the PNV mark, wherein an upper protection range is set with the aid of the slide control 24, in which no position mark is generated. With the help of the slider 26, the width of the PNV mark to be generated is set in the length of the mark to be generated and with the aid of the slide control 28. Alternatively, a value which can be set with the aid of the slide control 24 can also be set in the input field 34, a value which can be set in the input and output field 36 with the aid of the slide control 26 and by means of the slide control 28 adjustable value can also be entered in the input and output field 38. Further, the PNV mark user interface section 16 includes a graphical representation 40 illustrating the position of the PNV mark in accordance with the settings of the sliders 20-28 on the substrate.

The length measures processed by the control units as internal control variables are given in the unit of measure Millipoint. One millipoint corresponds to 0.0547 μm or 1/72000 inch (inch). Both the position of the position mark, the dimensions of the position mark, the paper size and other length measures are stored as millipoint converted values in the printer. These values given in millipoint thus serve as control data.

Furthermore, a country code is preset in a memory area of the operating unit of the printer, the country code being encrypted, for example, as a hexadecimal value. Alternatively, the hexadecimal value of the country code is stored in a memory area of another control unit of the printer. A value 17hex stored there has the country code for Germany and at the same time the customs unit code customs. The value 18hex is assigned the country code DE and the unit of measure mm at the same time. The value 1Fhex is assigned to the country code US and to the unit of measure inch. The length values stored in Millipoint are converted to display the length dimensions for display using the graphical user interface based on the preset country code or the unit of measure associated with the country code. Thus, the length dimensions stored in Millipoint are converted to display as operator information with the preset country code and output. If a length specification, eg in inches, is output, the corresponding amount of the length dimension is converted from millipoint to inch and becomes dependent on the default language in a field after the numerical value eg DE "Zoll" and US "inch".

A variety of other operating information, which are output by means of the graphical user interface, are formed by means of links of several control variables and / or multiple control and operating states. For example, e.g. at least one control information of each control unit of the printer required to signal a readiness for printing a readiness signal, which signals the readiness of operation of the respective control unit. The signals of the control units are preferably linked to each other with an AND operation, the result of the connection being used for the ready display for the printer and being output as operating information with the aid of the graphical user interface. The individual control data are stored at a communication level, e.g. with the help of SNMP commands. The control data transmitted with the aid of the SNMP commands are preferably output with the aid of dedicated user interfaces of the operating unit of the printer or copier. Preferably, only service and maintenance technicians have access to the user interfaces, by means of which the control data can be input and output in order to avoid confusion among the usual operators and operating errors. Control data is also referred to as machine parameter.

In Fig. 3 is the graphical user interface 10 after the Fig. 1 and 2 shown. Menu item 41 "Offset" has been selected in menu 14, wherein in section 16 of graphical user interface 10 a user interface for adjusting the offset of the print images that are produced on the front side and on the back side of the carrier material is shown. The print image of page 1 (front side) is generated with the help of a first printer and the print image of page 2 (back) with a second printer. The carrier material is an endless carrier material, which, after being output from the first printer, is supplied to the second printer.

The positioning of the printed images takes place depending on the position mark generated with the aid of the first printer. With the aid of the graphic slider 22, a horizontal offset of the print image on the side 1 is determined with reference to the position mark. With the aid of the graphic slider 44, the horizontal position of the print image on page 2 is fixed with respect to the position mark. By means of the graphic slider 46, the vertical offset of the print image of page 1 and by means of the slider 48, the vertical offset of the print image of page 2 with respect to the position mark set.

Should z. B. a horizontal offset are generated, the print images of page 1 and page 2 must be moved by the adjustment controls 42 and 44 are each shifted. It is relatively complicated to move the slider 42 in the same way as the slider 44. With the aid of a graphic function key 50, the slider 42 can be coupled to the slider 44 such that upon activation of this graphic function key 50 when changing the on the slider 52 set value of the set value of the slide controller 44 is changed by the same amount. It is thereby achieved that the value of the slider controller 44 is changed depending on the value of the slider controller 42. Even if the setting value of the slider controller 44 is changed, the setting value of the slider controller 42 is automatically changed by the same amount when the graphic function key 50 is activated. When the function key 50 is deactivated, the setting values of the sliders 42 and 44 can continue to be set independently of each other.

With the help of the function key 51, the sliders 46 and 48 can be coupled in the same way as the sliders 42 and 44. The required operations by an operator to set up the two printers for preparing print jobs are thereby significantly reduced and errors are avoided.

In Fig. 4 Fig. 3 is a block diagram for accessing control unit 70, 84, 86 data from the printing system using network protocols and remote method invocation communication. In Fig. 4 only components, ie assemblies and functional units of the printer 52 are shown, which are required for the inventive driving control units 70, 84, 86 and for an external access of the operating units 70, 84, 86 to the internal data of the printer 52. The operating units 70, 84, 86 are also referred to below as control panels 70, 84, 86.

The printer 52 contains a so-called web server 54, which has access to a memory area 56 in which data for displaying a so-called web page are stored, this web page serving as a graphical user interface for the printer 52 and on a display unit of an operating unit 70, 84, 86 is output using a display program. The display program is processed by a data processing system of the operating unit, wherein the data for displaying the web page have been generated using a Hypertext Markup Language and / or in the Java programming language.

The printer 52 further includes a control panel server 58, by means of which a so-called RMI communication to an operating unit 70, 84, 86 takes place. The control panel server 58 has access to memory areas 60 and 62, wherein in the memory area 60 printer data and settings for generating a graphical user interface, so-called User data stored. Furthermore, data for outputting operating information and printer parameters are contained in the memory area 60, and data for authenticating the respective user and / or the operating unit are contained in the memory area 62. The panel server 58 is connected to an internal network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), which operates using a Simple Network Management Protocol. With the aid of such a Simple Network Management Protocol, it is also easily possible to access the internal printer network via an external network 64 which is connected to the printer 52. As a result, an easy access to internal modules and program modules of the printer 52 is possible, which can be reached with the help of the internal network (LAN). For controlling the accesses to the internal components of the printer 52, a so-called SNMP agent 66 is provided. The SNMP agent 66 is connected to a system parameter manager (SPM) 68 via the internal network.

The system parameter manager 68 manages all printer parameters and control variables of a printing system. If the printing system contains e.g. two printers which print on the same carrier material, a system parameter manager 68 is provided for these two printers, which manages at least the interdependent parameters of the two printers. Preferably, the system parameter manager 68 manages all parameters and set values of the two printers. Dependent adjustment values and parameters of the printing system are coupled by the system parameter manager 68 in such a way that simple operation of the printing system is possible. The system parameter manager 68 then performs an adjustment of the printer setting of the first and second printers.

If, for example, the first printer on the carrier material generates a printed image with a so-called micro-toner, which is machine-readable due to its electromagnetic properties, then the fusing temperature of the second Printer to fix the printed image to be created with the help of the second printer on the same substrate to prevent damage to the micro-toner of the first printed image. The system parameter manager 68 of the first printer then sets the values of the control variables of the second printer and transmits them to the second printer. Preferably, the first printer and the second printer contain a so-called management information base, in which all the control variables of the respective printer or the entire printing system are stored. The system parameter manager 68 of the first printer then writes the new values into this management information base of the second printer. Furthermore, the system parameter manager 68 determines settings for the first printer from operator inputs and measured values and writes these into the management information base of the first printer.

In the printer 52 after Fig. 4 the Management Information Base is included in system parameter manager 68. The SNMP agent 66 controls the accesses to the system parameter manager 68. If an unauthorized operator panel 70 is connected via the network 64 to the printer 52, the control panel 70 receives via the SNMP agent 66 only access to shared data, so-called public data , and other protected data, so-called protected data, wherein the control panel 70 can access this protected data read only and not write. On internal control variables of functional groups 72 to 80 of the printer 52 and on data stored in the memory area 82, the SNMP agent 66 does not allow the control panel 70 to read or write. The internal control variables of the function groups 72 to 80 and the data in the memory area 82 are also referred to as private data.

The data transfer between the function groups 72 to 80 and the system parameter manager 78 is based on Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) using a so-called pipe. The pipe is a connection-oriented communication channel between two processes, also called a stream. Pipes generally connect independent processes that are not directly related. In particular, the function groups 72 to 80, the SNMP agent 66 and the system parameter manager 68 are program modules that are processed by means of a data processing system of the printer 52, for example by means of a personal computer. A second panel 84 is also connected to the printer 52 via the network 64. The control panel 84 contains a data processing system which processes a display program in addition to an operating system, a so-called browser program module. With the aid of such a browser program module, it is possible in particular to generate graphical user interfaces with the help of hypertext or with the aid of program code. This hypertext is received by the control panel 84 via the network 64 from the web server 54, which transmits at least a portion of the hypertexts to the control panel 84, which are stored in the memory area 56. In particular, the graphical user interface thus generated contains input and output fields and graphical function keys whose display values or their switching states are displayed on the control panel 84 by means of data transmitted from the control panel by means of RMI communication. RMI (Remote Method Invocation) is the term for a communication technique between objects defined in the "Java" programming language, whereby a so-called remote procedure call or the so-called Common Object Request Broker Architecture is used as the transport mechanism for RMI.

Thus, the graphical user interface graphical elements are loaded by the web server 54, which are displayed using the control panel 84, with the displayed and Data entered via the graphical user interface can be transferred to and from the panel server 58 using RMI. The panel server 58 is also referred to as an RMI server. The control panel 84 is a client to both the panel server 58 and the web server 54. Access to the internal control variables by the control panel 84 is via the panel server 58. The panel server 58 is connected to the SNMP agent 66. As described above, the panel server 58 performs authentication by means of authentication data 62. After this authentication, which checks whether the control panel 84 or the panel server 58 has rights to access the internal control variables and parameters, the panel server 58 obtains unrestricted access to the system parameter manager 68 through the SNMP agent 66. Thus, the panel server has 58 Access to public data, protected data and private data.

The control panel 84 is disposed directly in the housing of the printer 52. Other similar panels can also be located remotely from the printer 52 and also for the simultaneous operation of multiple printers, similar to the printer 52 may be provided. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange another control panel, similar to the control panel 84, in a service control center of the printer manufacturer. If the network 64 is connected, for example, to a further network, in particular to the World Wide Web of the Internet, then the further control panel can also be arranged spatially very far away from the printer 52. The additional control panel only has to be connected to this World Wide Web directly or via another network. This makes it very easy to determine for service technicians error conditions and causes of errors using the available system parameters, without a service technician must be on site at the printer 52. Travel times of the service technician can be saved and downtime of the printer 52 are shortened. Furthermore, a control panel 86 is provided, which is contained in a printer application. This control panel 86, like the control panel 70, is connected to the SNMP agent 66 via the network 64, with data transfer between the print server 86 and the SNMP agent 66 using a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

By the in Fig. 4 shown arrangement of a control, ie connection, a control panel 84, it is very easy to provide a control panel 84 for a printing system using a personal computer or other data processing system, without a special configuration or installation is necessary. The personal computer only has to contain any operating system and a browser program module for displaying hypertexts, wherein the browser program module must support the so-called Java applet and thereby communication with the aid of RMI. However, these requirements are currently met by almost all available personal computers. Thus, no special software for operating the control panel using the data processing system is required, with the help of the control panel 84 is realized. All data necessary to create the graphical user interface is provided by web server 54 and panel server 58. Furthermore, the control panel 84 only has to be connected to a network 64, via which data can be transmitted to and from the web server 54 as well as to and from the control panel server 58 of the printer 52. As already mentioned, the control panel 84 can also be connected to a network other than the printer 52 if the two different networks are optionally connected to one another via a further network.

In other embodiments, the panel server 58 also contains the hypertext and other data to generate The graphical user interface on the control panel 84. A separate web server 54, as contained in the printer 52 is then not necessary in these embodiments.

In another embodiment, the management information base is included in memory 60. The management information base contains data arranged in the same structure as the control units and functional units contained in the printer 52 are organized. Thus, arrangement of the control variables and parameters is hierarchically structured as well as the control and functional units of the printer 52. In the in Fig. 4 illustrated embodiment, such control and functional units as function groups 72 to 80, system parameter manager 68, SNMP agent 66, control panel server 58 and web server 54 are shown. The memory area 82, in which paper parameters are stored, is hierarchically subordinate to the function group 72, wherein the parameters contained in the memory area 82 are subordinate to the function group 72. In the management information base in the memory area 60, the hierarchical structure and names of the variables are thus stored as plaintext designations which are stored in the memory area 82. With the aid of the clear text designations of the variables stored in the memory area 82 stored in the management information base, these can be output on the control panel 84 in a clear and understandable form for the viewer, eg for a service technician, by displaying the plain text designation and the value of the variables becomes.

The print server 86 accesses the SNMP agent 66 with the aid of a printer-specific interface, whereby the print server 86 can also access the so-called private data with the aid of an authentication. The data transfer between control panel 70 and SNMP agents 66 is done using SNMP, however, this control panel 70 does not support the printer-specific SNMP interface via the control panel server 58. Thus, the control panel 70 does not have access to the private data.

With the help of in Fig. 4 As shown, it is possible for the control panel server 58 to have access to all the functional groups 72 to 80 and memory areas 60, 62 of the printer 52 and to restrict the access rights of unauthorized control panels 70. The print server 86 is authorized and thus has access to the management information base of the printer 52, to the public data and protected data. The control panel 70 has as an unauthorized control panel only access to the management information base of the printer 52, the accesses being in general read and write accesses.

In Fig. 5 is a section of the block diagram after Fig. 4 with the control panel 84, the network 64, the panel server 58, the data memory 62, the SNMP agent 66 and the system parameter manager 68. The system parameter manager 68 checks on each read and write access of a control panel 70, 84, 86 whether the request comes from an authenticated entity, eg, from an authenticated panel 84, 86, the panel server 58, or a feature group 72. Each functional group 72 to 80, the servers 54, 58, the SNMP agent 66 and the control panels 70, 84, 86 are each assigned at least one network address, eg an IP address. With the aid of this IP address and other information, such as the so-called port of the SNMP agent, to which the read or write access is directed, the system parameter manager 68 analyzes by means of which control panel 84, 86, 70 or by what control panel server 58 the respective read - and / or write access takes place, the system parameter manager 68 depending on the default access rights of the respective Control panel 70, 84, 86 and / or the control panel server 58 limited.

In the present embodiment, the panel server 58 and the system parameter manager 68 are each implemented by a program module executing on the same data processing system including an operating system, e.g. MS Windows NT, contains. By processing on the same data processing system, encryption of the data transmitted between the operator panel server 58 and the system parameter manager 68 is not necessary. The system parameter manager 68 determines, using the IP address of the panel server 58, that the panel server 58 is connected to the system parameter manager 68 via a local (internal) network of the printer 52. Even with a processing of the program modules of the control panel server 58 and the system parameter manager 68 on the same data processing system, the control panel server 58 has a different IP address than the system parameter manager 68, the IP addresses are different in that they are arranged in the same network.

The fact that the system parameter manager 68 recognizes the affiliation of the control panel server 58 to the same network by the so-called local IP address of the control panel server 58, a further authentication of the control panel server 58 is not required and the system parameter manager 68 passes the write and / or read accesses to the respective Function group 72 to 80 continue. Furthermore, a limitation of the accesses can be made by a user setting on the control panel 70, 84, 86. This user setting allows an operator to be denied read and / or write access to a parameter or to entire user interfaces, even though the particular panel 70, 84, 86 generally has access to that parameter or panel. In the memory area 62, for example, the IP addresses of the control panels 84 and the Control panel server 58 is to receive the access to the protected data of the printer 52. The storage of these network addresses is preferably carried out with the aid of encrypted data.

In Fig. 6 FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a printing system 88 having a first printer 90 and a second printer 92. The first printer 90 includes a first operating unit 94 and a first control unit 96. The second printer 92 includes a second operating unit 98 and a second control unit 100. The first control unit 96 and the second control unit 100 are connected to each other via a data line 102, the first Control unit 96 as a master control M and the second control unit 100 as a slave control S is used. Via an internal network of the first printer 90, further control units and / or functional units 104 to 112 are connected to the control unit 96. Values of parameters and control variables of the first printer 90 are stored in the memory area of the control unit 96 and the control units or functional units 104 to 112.

Control units and / or functional units 114 to 122 are connected to the control unit 100 via a local network of the second printer 92. As with the first printer 90, the control units 100 and the control units 114 to 122 also include control variables and parameters of the printer stored in memory areas of the respective control units 114 to 122. The printers 90 and 92 are substantially identical. Preferably, the printer 90 is operated together with the printer 92 as a so-called twin system 88, in which a first printer 90 generates a first printed image on a carrier material, preferably an endless carrier material, and the second printer 92 generates a second printed image on the same carrier material. With such a twin system 88, the substrate is then with the help of first printer 90 printed on the front and with the help of the second printer 92 on the back. With the aid of such a twin system 88, however, a carrier material can also be printed in two colors, wherein the first printer 90 generates a print image in a first toner color and the second printer 92 generates a print image in a second toner color, wherein the second print image substantially over the first Print image is printed.

The master control unit 96 of the first printer 90 generates data for controlling the first operation unit 94 and the second operation unit 98 or for generating a graphical user interface. The control unit 96 thus transmits at least display data to the operating unit 94 and to the operating unit 98 and evaluates operating inputs of the operating unit 94 and of the operating unit 98. Preferably, the same graphical user interface is output by the operating units 94, 98. With an input by means of an operating unit 94, 98 it is then determined which printer 90, 92 relates to this operating input. The control unit 96 evaluates the operating input and transmits data to the control units 100, 104 to 112 depending on the operating input, the control unit 100 optionally transmitting the data further to the control units 114 to 122. If an operator input only affects the printer 90, the corresponding parameter or control variable in the printer 90 is changed. Data is not transmitted via the data line 102 to the control unit 100. However, if the operator input affects both printers 90, 92 or only the printer 92, data corresponding to the control unit 96 of the printer 90 is transmitted to the control unit 100 of the printer 92 via the data line 102.

With the help of in FIG. 6 shown arrangement for driving two control units 90, 98 is a simple operation of a printing system 88 with two printers 90, 92 possible. In this case, both settings for the first and / or second printer 90, 92 of each of the operating units 94 and 96 can be performed. To the control unit 96 more control units can be connected, then also both the printer 90 and the printer 92 can be very easily operated. As already described in connection with the exemplary embodiments explained above, various maintenance work and diagnostic functions can also be carried out with the aid of the operating units 94 and 98 as well as with the aid of further operating units which can be connected to the control unit 96.

In FIG. 7 FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the printer system 88 similar to the block diagram of FIG FIG. 6 shown. Unlike the block diagram after FIG. 6 Both the data between the control unit 96 and the control unit 100 and the display data are transmitted via a data line 124 between the printer 90 and the printer 92. The data line 124 is preferably a Local Area Network (LAN). The data transmitted to the control unit 100 for generating a graphical user interface for the operating unit 98 are transmitted from the control unit 100 to the operating unit 98. Data with information inputted by the operation unit 98 is transmitted from the operation unit 98 to the control unit 96 via the control unit 100. Thus, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 6 the printers 90 and 92 after FIG. 7 hardware connected only via the data line 124. In other embodiments, the control unit 98 and the control unit 100 are each connected to the data line 124.

In FIG. 8 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing controls of a two-printer printing system 126, 128. The printers 126 and 128 are constructed substantially the same. The printer 126 has a control unit 130 which is used in the printing system as a system parameter manager master (SPM master). serves. The SPM master 130 performs an adjustment of the printer settings of the printing system, ie the printer settings of the printer 126 and printer 128. The SPM master 130 contains a management information base 132 in which printer settings are stored as control and system variables as well as parameter values. The printer 128 includes a control unit 134 similar to the SPM master 130 of the printer 126. The control unit 134 also includes a management information base 136. The control unit 134 serves as a system parameter manager slave (SPM slave), the SPM master 130 based on user input via an operator panel 156 also sets values in the management information base 136 of the printer 128. The printer 126 includes other control units 138-148 connected by data lines to each other and to the SPM master 130, with communication between the SPM master 130 and the controllers 138-148 using a proxy program module 150 and a Trap handler 154 takes place. The control units 130, 138 to 148 are realized as program modules, preferably as software agents. The transmission of data, in particular of system variables between the control units 130, 142 to 148 and the management information base 132, preferably takes place with so-called get, set and trap instructions in accordance with the SNMP. Specifically, the get commands are for retrieving data from the management information base 132, the set commands for manipulating data in the management information base 132, and the trap commands for directly transmitting information through an agent 130, 138-148. The printer 126 further includes a master agent 154 which collects and stores data from the printer 126 for display on a control panel 156 of the printing system. The master agent 154 transmits this data on demand to a control panel server 158 of the printing system. The control panel server 158 is preferably designed as an RMI server. The front panel 156 is connected as a client to the front panel server 158. The master agent 154 is connected to the control unit 130 via a data interface 160.

The printer 128 has control units 162 through 172 that substantially match in function and construction with the controllers 138 through 148 of the printer 126. The communication between the SPM slave 134 and the controllers 162 through 172 also occurs via a proxy program module 174 and via a trap handler 176, as described in connection with the printer 126. The printer 128 includes a master agent 178 that communicates with is connected to the panel server 158. The master agents 154 and the master agent 178 are further connected by means of a data line, wherein a so-called trap listener 180 controls the data transfer between the master agent 154 and the master agent 178. The control unit 134 and the master agent 178 are connected to one another via a data interface 182. Furthermore, data is transferred between the data interface 160 and the data interface 182 between the printer 126 and the printer 128. The SPM controllers 130 and 134 are via a first SNMP pipe for transferring data from the SPM slave 134 to the SPM master 130 and via a second SNMP pipe for transferring data from the SPM master 130 to the SPM slave 134 connected.

By the in FIG. 8 As shown and structured by control units of a first printer 126 and a second printer 128, it is easily possible to operate these two printers 126, 128 via a common control panel server 158. A common graphical user interface for operating the printer 126 and the printer 128 can thereby be easily provided. Also, the control panel server 158 further panels can be connected. The SPM controllers 130 and 134 each serve as the central interface of the respective printer 126, 128 for the system variables and system parameters, respectively subordinate control units 138 to 148 and 162 to 172. The exchange of control variables between the SPM master 130 subordinate controls 138 to 148 is essentially carried out only with the involvement of the SPM master 130. Likewise, a transfer of control variables between the control units 162 to 172 at the printer 128 using the SPM slave 124 as the communication node.

Direct accesses of master agents 154 and 178 to controllers 138 to 148 and 162 to 172, respectively, are not possible to achieve coupling of at least a portion of the set values of printer 126 and printer 128 via SPM master 130. This coupling allows a very simple and efficient operation of the entire printing system, i. the printer 126 and 128, take place.

The setting values which relate to the parameters of the substrate to be printed are the same for at least one print job for both printers 126, 128. These settings no longer have to be separately changed for each printer 126, 128 by such coupling if parameters for another substrate are used. Rather, only one user interface for both printers 126, 128 is output on the control panel for setting the parameters of the carrier material, wherein the entered setting values are then used for the printer 126 and the printer 128. For other setting values, such as the fixing temperature, dependent parameters or influencing parameters are then changed at the printer 128 according to the settings of the printer 126 according to a default setting. For example, if the fixing temperature is increased at the printer 126, the print image to be generated by the printer 128 is reduced. Due to the higher fixing temperature, a larger shrinkage of the carrier material takes place during fixing in the printer 126, as a result of which the print image generated by the printer 126 together with shrinks the carrier material. The print image subsequently produced by the printer 128 must then be reduced by the amount of shrinkage of the carrier material, so that the print images of the printer 128 and the printer 126 are congruent to one another, ie register-accurate.

The controllers 144 and 168 are also referred to as user interface controllers. With the aid of the control units 144, 168, an adjustment of printer-specific settings of the local printer 126, 128 is performed. The controllers 142 and 166 are also referred to as common data controllers. The controllers 142, 166 perform an adjustment of non-printer specific settings of the respective printer 126, 128, such as adjusting the paper width in the controllers 138, 140, 162, 164, respectively. The control units 140, 164 are designed as device controls and the control units 138, 162 as controllers of the respective printer 126, 128.

In FIG. 9 a block diagram is shown in which the communication using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) at a printer controller 208 for driving control panels 200, 202, 204 is shown. Panels 200, 202, 204 are connected to the printer controller 208 via an external local area network (LAN) 206. The panels 202 and 204 communicate with a panel server 210 and a setup server 212 using RMI communication based on the SNMP. The panel server 210 has a memory area 214 for storing panel data, and the setup server has a memory area 216 for storing setup data. The control panel 200 is connected to an SNMP master agent 218 via the external LAN 206. Through this SNMP master agent 218, the control panel 200 has access to an SNMP service program 220. With the aid of the SNMP service program 220, data may be received from the control panel 210, the setup server 212, and the control panel data storage area 214 the control panel 200 to the control panel 210, the setup server 212 and the storage area 214. Further, the control panel 200 is via the external LAN 206 and via the master agent 218 with a post-processing subagent 222, a diagnostic sub-agent 224, a stream sub-agent 226, a controller subagent used to communicate with a host computer, a thread sub-agent 230, a printer management information base subagent 232, an error table 134, a paper control Common Data Control subagent 236, and a Printer control sub-agent 238 connected.

The access via the SNMP master agent 218 to the SNMP service program 220 and the access to the subagents 224, 226, 228, 230, 236, 238 takes place only after authentication of the control panel 200, 202, 204 and / or over The control panel of the user logged on with these subagents or programs associated authentication procedures 240 to 252. More of the printer controller 208 subordinate control units of the printer are connected via a so-called HSCX-BUS 254 to the printer controller 208. One of these control units is in FIG. 9 provided with the reference numeral 256. The control unit 256 has a firmware 258, a memory area 260, and other sub-modules, one of which is labeled 262.

The data transmitted by means of the HSCX-BUS system 254 is converted by means of a converter 264 into an SNMP compliant data format. Data transferred from the printer controller 208 to the controller 256 is converted from the SNMP format to the HSCX format. An element 266 disposed between the converter 264 and the printer control subagent 238 serves to manage the data of the printer controller, in particular the data that is transmitted to the slave controllers 256 and the data transferred from subordinate controllers 256 to printer controller 208.

The diagnostic subagent 224 is also associated with a data manager 268 which manages the data supplied to a diagnostic process 270 and the data transmitted from the diagnostic process 270 to the diagnostic subagent after diagnosis. Associated with the stream agent agent 226 is a data manager 272 that manages data that is transferred from and to a streaming process 274. The controller subagent 228 is connected to a data manager 276 which transfers data to a so-called claim converter 278 and further to a raster processor 280 which prepares data for a preset printer mode. The conditioned data is then transmitted from the raster processor 280 to the converter 264 and so forth via the HSCX BUS system 254 to the controller 256. With these data transferred to the controller 256, the printing process for generating print images on a substrate is then controlled. In particular, the controller subagent 228 processes the print data stream containing print data for producing print images.

Although in the drawings and in the foregoing description, preferred embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive of the invention. It should be understood that only the preferred embodiments are shown and described and all changes and modifications that are presently and in the future within the scope of the invention should be protected.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

Graphical user interface

12

toolbar

14

menu

16

Section for viewing panels

18, 19, 41

menu item

20 to 28

graphic slider

30 to 38

Input and output field

40

Cut with graphic representation

41

menu item

42 to 48

graphic slider

50, 51

graphic function key

52

printer

54

Web Server

58

panel server

56, 60, 62

storage areas

72 to 80

function groups

66

SNMP Agent

68

System Parameter Manager

70, 84, 86

Control panel

88

printing system

90, 92

printer

94, 98

operating unit

96, 100, 104 to 122

control units

102

data line

124

Network Connection

126, 128

printer

130, 134, 138-148, 162-172

control units

132, 136

Management Information Base

150, 174

Proxy program module

152, 176

Trap handler

180

Trap Listener

160, 182

Data Interface

154, 178

Master Agent

156, 200, 202,

Control panel

204, 210 158

panel server

206

network

208

printer control

210

Control panel

212

Setup Server

214, 216

storage areas

218

SNMP Master Agent

220

SNMP service program

222

Post-subagent

224

Diagnosis subagent

226

Stream subagent

228

Controller subagent

230

Scheduler subagent

232

Printer Management Information Base subagent

234

error table

236

Common Data Control / Paper Subagent

238

Printer Control subagent

240 to 252

authentication modules

254

HSCX bus

256

Subordinate control

258

firmware

260

Storage

262

submodule

264

data converter

266

Printer Control Data Manager

268

Diagnostic Data Manager

270

diagnostic process

272

Stream Data Manager

274

Stream process

276

CE Data Manager

278

data converter

280

raster process

Claims (21)

1. A control system with operating unit for a printing or copying system,
   with at least one operating unit (156) for the input and/or output of operating information of the printing or copying system,
   with a first control unit (130) and at least one second control unit (140), wherein the control units (130, 140) control at least one part of the printing or copying system,
   with a data line via which the control units (130, 140) are connected with one another and via which control data can be transferred between the control units (130, 140) with the aid of a data transfer protocol,
   wherein the first control unit (130) provides a server (158) which the operating unit (156) accesses as a client,
   and wherein at least one part of the transferable control data can be input and/or output by the operating unit (156) in addition to the operating information.
2. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transfer protocol is a Simple Network Management Protocol.
3. The control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the access to the operating information and/or the control data occurs with the aid of a distributed object model in which the objects are contained in units (156, 130, 140) of the printing or copying system.
4. The control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the operating unit (156) accesses at least one object of at least one control unit (130), wherein the object contains data with operating information and/or control data.
5. The control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating information and/or the control data are processed with the aid of data, data structures, data files and/or events that are object-related.
6. The control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating unit (156) has at least one object for the input and/or output of operating information and control data, wherein the data transfer between operating unit (156) and at least one control unit (130) occurs with the help of the objects.
7. The control system according to claim 6, characterized in that the data transfer between objects defined in the programming language Java occurs with the aid of a standardized model for abstract description of distributed objects.
8. The control system according to claim 7, characterized in that the standardized model for abstract description of distributed objects occurs according to a Common Object Request Broker Architecture, and the access to the control data and operating information occurs with the aid of a Remote Method Invocation communication.
9. The control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control data contain control variables, wherein at least the values of these control variables can be input and/or output with the aid of the operating unit (156).
10. The control system according to claim 9, characterized in that the control data are administered with the aid of a management information base (132).
11. The control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating information comprises input and/or output values for configuration and execution of print jobs, in particular for adjustment of parameters of the carrier material to be printed and for adjustment of the desired print quality, as well as for control of the operating states and for display of error states.
12. The control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control data concern internal control variables, in particular measurement values, counter states and/or values contained in registers of the control unit (130, 140).
13. The control system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input and/or output of the operating information and/or the control data occurs with the aid of a graphical user interface of the operating unit (156).
14. The control system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that
    in a central database (132) of the printing or copying system, information of control data are stored, wherein the information comprises at least the hierarchical organization of the existing structure of control units and function units,
    and in that the control unit (130) or the further control units (158, 196) or the operating unit (156) of the printing or copying system has access to the control data with the aid of this information.
15. The control system according to claim 14, characterized in that the value of a variable stored in a storage region can be output together with a clear text designation stored in the database.
16. The system according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that at least one part of the control data is stored in a second control unit (140) of the printing or copying system.
17. The system according to claim 16, characterized in that the first control unit (130, 158, 156) reads out at least one part of the control data from the second control unit (140) and/or transfers this to the second control unit (140).
18. The system according to one of the claims 15 to 19, characterized in that a distributed object model using a network protocol is provided for the transfer of the control data and information between the control units (130, 140, 156, 158) and/or the database (132).
19. The system according to claim 18, characterized in that the transfer occurs with the aid of a Remote Method Invocation communication using a Simple Network Management Protocol, wherein the database contains a management information base.
20. A method for the input and/or output of operating information and control data of a printing or copying system with the aid of an operating unit,
    in which operating information of the printing or copying system is input and/or output with the aid of at least one operating unit (156),
    the printing or copying system is controlled via a first control unit (130) and at least one second control unit (140),
    control data are transferred between the control units (130, 140) via a data line with the aid of a data transfer protocol,
    a server (156) which the operating unit (156) accesses as a client is provided by the first control unit (130),
    and in which at least one part of the transferred control data is input and/or output with the aid of the operating unit (156) of the printing or copying system.
21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that
    information of control data is stored in a central database (132) of the printing or copying system, wherein the information comprises at least the hierarchical organization of the existing structure of control units and function units,
    and in which the first control unit (130) or the operating unit (156) or a further control unit (158) of the printing or copying system has access to the control data with the aid of this information.

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