Printing system comprising a communication control apparatus

Abstract: A printing system comprising: a printing apparatus (2) connectable to a first network (1) for receiving print data therethrough; and a communication control apparatus (3) connected to the printing apparatus (2), comprising: external communication means for communicating with an external station (5) through a second network (4); and internal communication means for communicating with the printing apparatus (2); the communication control apparatus (3) further comprises control means for allowing the external communication means to communicate with the external station (5) only when the printing apparatus (2) is not functionally connected to the first network (1).

Description: The invention relates to a communication control apparatus for controlling communication between an equipment apparatus connectable to a first network and an external station through a second network. More particularly, the equipment apparatus is preferably a printing apparatus and the communication control apparatus is used together with such a printing apparatus in a printing system. In conventional copying apparatuses it has been commonly known to perform a so called remote maintenance. This implies that the service station calls up the copying apparatus via a modem installed with the copying machine and collects operation related data directly from the copying machine. Such data inlcudes eg the number of copies made since the last service, status of different parts, jam occurence, toner replenishment etc. In this way it is possible for the service station to provide accurate service in time and also to check whether any errors occur too often. A remote maintenance of this kind is eg disclosed in document EP-A-0 509 528. In this document a communication control apparatus is connected to a copier in order to control the communication with the remote host computer. The communication is controlled so that a data transfer via a modem can only take place when the copier is not copying a document in order to not disturb copying operation. When installing a modem connected to the copying machine the customer may want to ensure that only the service station has access to the copier. Two main solutions have been proposed in the prior art, ie the provision of a password as eg disclosed in document JP-A-02 237356 and the call back technique as eg disclosed in EP-A-0 513 549. However, in the case of equipment apparatuses connected to a network, eg an internal network for transmitting data, a data security problem occurs when a modem is to be installed. This is eg the case with printers, plotters or copiers with a print option which are connected to a network, such as eg an internal network over which the print data is provided. Patent application EP-A-0 598 511 describes such a configuration in which a printer is connected to a network as well as to other sources via a seperate interface. Thus, by connecting a modem to a printer which is connected to an internal network, the customer may be worried that confidential data could leak out to the public. In such a case the provision of a password is not considered enough, since it is well known that such passwords may be cracked by an unauthorised person. Thus, there is a need for a reliable data security measure in this field. It is an object of the present invention to provide a reliable data security which is easy to check for the operator. This object is solved by providing a communication control apparatus comprising internal communication means for communicating with an equipment apparatus connectable to a first network, external communication means for communicating with an external station through a second network and control means for allowing the external communication means to communicate with the external station only when the equipment apparatus is not functionally connected to the first network. Preferably, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing system comprising: a printing apparatus connectable to a first network for receiving print data therethrough; and a communication control apparatus connected to the printing apparatus, comprising: external communication means for communicating with an external station through a second network; and internal communication means for communicating with the printing apparatus; wherein the communication control apparatus further comprises control means for allowing the external communication means to communicate with the external station only when the printing apparatus is not functionally connected to the first network. In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention the communication control apparatus further comprises operator operable switch means for outputting a signal indicating whether a priority status has been switched on; and control means connected to the switch means, said control means allowing communication with the external station when the priority status has been switched on or in the case that the priority status is switched off only when the printing apparatus is not functionally connected to the first network. Preferred embodiment external communication is only allowed when the equipment apparatus is shut off. This second embodiment is preferred when an on-line diagnostic has to take place. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a printer communication control apparatus for use in a printing system. Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the infrastructure of an equipment apparatus; Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing a communication control apparatus according to the present invention; and Fig. 3 is an example of a communication control apparatus according to a preferred embodiment. Detailed description of preferred embodiments With reference to Fig. 1 a typical infrastructure will be explained. An equipment apparatus 2, eg a printer, is connected to a first network 1 such as an internal network. It should be noted that the first network is not necessarily an internal network in the sense of an in-house network, but may be any kind of network through which data is provided to the equipment apparatus. The internal network supplies the printer with printer data from eg individual work stations. This is an infrastructure which is commonly used in offices today. In order to provide an adequate service, the service station - normally an external firm - would like to be able to get status data from the printer via a second network, such as the public telephone line. This is referred to as remote maintenance. For this purpose a communication control apparatus 3 comprising a telephone modem is connected to the printer. In this way the external service station 5 may call up the printer via the public telephone line 4 and read out the status data automatically. However, as is well known to the public not only may the service station call the printer via the telephone line but also an unauthorised person may do so. This results in the customer being anxious that an unauthorised person could get access - via the printer - to the internal network and to possible confidential data. Thus, the customer may refuse the service station to install a modem on the grounds of data security. A schematic diagram of a communication control apparatus 3 in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 2. The apparatus consists of two parts; ie the internal part 11 for communication with the printer 2 and the external part 12 for communication with the external service station. When the printer 2 is switched on the central processing unit (CPU) 13 of the internal part 11 of the communication control apparatus 3 automatically reads the required operation related data from the printer 3 at regular intervals. Such operation related data may consist of number of prints made since last service, toner replenishment, status of the printer parts, error messages, jam occurences etc., but also data for market analysis such as job structures. The data are then stored in a memory 14. The data read out are updated eg every hour to provide the service station with the latest data on request. The internal part 11 further comprises status sensing means 15 for sensing a status of the printer 2. The status sensing means 15 senses whether the printer 2 is connected to the internal network 1 or not. In a preferred embodiment the sensing means 15 senses whether the printer 2 is shut on or off. In another embodiment the control means are automaticaly activated to allow external communication when the printer is shut off. If the printer 2 is shut off then the printer 2 is of course disconnected from the internal network 1. This is easy for the operator to check, since he only has to switch the printer off in the evening and then the service station may call the communication control apparatus 3 in the night and get the data relating to the printer 2. Of course other solutions are possible, the operator may actively disconnect the printer 2 from the internal network 1 by pulling the plug or an extra switch may be provided for functionally connecting/disconnecting the internal network. The sensing means 15 would then sense whether the connection has been functionally broken or would be automatically activated when the connection has been functionally broken. The external part 12 of the communication control apparatus 3 consists mainly of a standard telephone modem 17 to manage the telephone connection and a control means 16 for deciding whether a connection is allowed or not. The control means 16 will only allow an external communication if the status sensing means 15 has sensed that the printer 2 is functionally disconnected from the internal network 1. Thus, the customer can be sure that there is no possibility of data leakage from the internal network 1 through the printer 2 and the communication control apparatus 3 to an unauthorised person. The only data that can be read out are the operation related data stored in the memory 14. Since external communication is only allowed when the printer is shut down or otherwise functionally disconnected from the internal network, there is no possibility of getting acces to the internal network via the communication control apparatus. The service station normally automatically calls the printer up every night to get the stored data. If however, a request for data from the service station has not been received within a predetermined time, the communication control apparatus will store the data relating to this predetermined time in a separate memory. A plurality of such separate memories may be provided so that eg the data for a whole week may be stored in the case that no request has been received. Figure 3 shows an example of a communication control apparatus 3 according to a preferred embodiment. The apparatus includes a standard telephone modem 21 which is utilised for the external communication. The modem 21 is controlled by a microcontroller 20 connected to the modem over a bus structure 22. The microcontroller performs the tasks of the control means 16 described above. The microcontroller 20 also controls the internal comunication with the equipment or printing apparatus via a standard communication interface means 18. Storage means 19, which may include a plurality of separate memories as described above, are provided to store the data read out from the printing apparatus and other data needed. In the case that there occurs an error on the printer and the operator calls the service station, the service station may want to get status data from the printer in real time, ie while it is printing. In such a case the communication control apparatus is equipped with an operator operable switch means, ie the button 23. When the switch or button 23 is manually pressed by the operator it is possible for the service station to get data via the telephone line even if the printer is switched on, ie is functionally connected to the internal network. The switch means preferably includes some signal means, eg a lamp 24, indicating that communication is allowed. When the telephone communication has ended the switch is preferably automatically reset in a non communicating state. Thus, the customer will not be anxious that there is a data leakage because he forgot to reset the switch. The above description is only one example of an embodiment of the invention as contained in the claims. It will be clear to the skilled person that a number of other embodiments are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, the equipment apparatus is not limited to a printer, but may also be a plotter, a copying apparatus having a printer option or any other equipment apparatus which is connected to a network. Further, it is also possible to use the communication control apparatus independently of a printer, such a communication control apparatus comprises: internal communication means for communicating with an equipment apparatus connectable to a first network; external communication means for communicating with an external station through a second network and control means for allowing the external communication means to communicate with the external station only when the equipment apparatus is not functionally connected to the first network.

Claims: Printing system comprising: a printing apparatus (2) connectable to a first network (1) for receiving print data therethrough; and a communication control apparatus (3), according to claim 13, connected to the printing apparatus (2), comprising. Printing system comprising: a printing apparatus (2) connectable to a first network (1) for receiving printing data therethrough; and a communication control apparatus (3), according to claim 14, connected to the printing apparatus (2), comprising. System according to claim 1 or 2, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) senses whether the printing apparatus (2) is switched on or off, and wherein the control means (16, 20) allows communication with the external station (5) only when the printing apparatus (2) is switched off. System according to claim 1 or 2, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) is automatically activated to allow external communication when the printing apparatus (2) is switched off. System according to claim 1 or 2, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) senses whether the connection between the printing apparatus (2) and the first network (1) has been functionally broken, and wherein the control means (16, 20) allows communication with the external station (5) only when said connection has been functionally broken. System according to claim 1 or 2, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) is automatically activated to allow external communication when the connection between the printing apparatus (2) and the first network (1) has been functionally broken. System according to any preceding claim, wherein the internal communication means (11, 18) comprises read-out means (13, 20) for reading operational related data from the printing apparatus (2) and storage means (14, 19) for storing the operation related data. System according to claim 7 wherein the data is automatically read-out and stored at predetermined times. System according to claims 7 or 8 wherein the internal communication means (11, 18) further comprises means (13, 20) for determining whether a data request has been received from the external station (5) within a predetermined time. System according to claim 9 wherein the internal communication means (11, 18) further comprises at least one second storage means for storing the data which has not been transmitted to the external station (5) within the predetermined time. System according to claims 2 to 10 wherein the switch means (23) further comprises signal means (24) for indicating to the operator that communication is allowed. System according to any preceding claim wherein the printing apparatus (2) is a printer, a plotter or a copying machine having a printer option. Printer communication control apparatus for use with a printing apparatus, comprising: internal communication means (11, 18) for communicating with a printing apparatus (2) connectable to a first network (1); and external communication means (12, 21) for communicating with an external station (5) through a second network (4); characterised in that the communication control apparatus (3) further comprises control means (16, 20) for allowing the external communication means (12, 21) to communicate with the external station (5) only when it is determined by the control means that the printing apparatus (2) is not functionally connected to the first network (1). Printer communication control apparatus for use with a printing apparatus, comprising: internal communication means (11, 18) for communicating with a printing apparatus (2) connectable to a first network (1); and external communication means (12, 21) for communicating with an external station (5) through a second network (4); characterised in that the communication control apparatus (3) further comprises operator operable switch means (23) for outputting a signal indicating whether a priority status has been switched on; control means (16, 20) connected to the switch means (23) and receiving said signal; and said control means (16, 20) allowing communication with the external station (5) when the priority status has been switched on or in the case that the priority status is switched off only when it is determined by the control means that the printing apparatus (2) is not functionally connected to the first network (1). Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) senses whether the printing apparatus (2) is switched on or off, and wherein the control means (16, 20) allows communication with the external station (5) only when the printing apparatus (2) is switched off. Apparatus according to daim 13 or 14, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) is automatically activated to allow external communication when the printing apparatus (2) is switched off. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) senses whether the connection between the printing apparatus (2) and the first network (1) has been functionally broken, and wherein the control means (16, 20) allows communication with the external station (5) only when said connection has been functionally broken. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, further characterised in that the control means (16, 20) is automatically activated to allow external communication when the connection between the printing apparatus (2) and the first network (1) has been functionally broken. Apparatus according to any preceding daim wherein the internal communication means (11, 18) comprises read-out means (13, 20) for reading operational related data from the printing apparatus (2) and storage means (14, 19) for storing the operation related data. Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the data is automatically read-out and stored at predetermined times. Apparatus according to claim 19 or 20 further comprising means (13, 20) for determining whether a data request has been received from the external station (5) within a predetermined time. Apparatus according to claim 21 further comprising at least one second storage means for storing the data which has not been transmitted to the external station (5) within the predetermined time. Apparatus according to claims 14 to 22 wherein the switch means (23) further comprises signal means (24) for indicating to the operator that communication is allowed. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the printing apparatus (2) is a printer, a plotter or a copying machine having a printer option.

Inventors: VAN KURINGEN HENDRICUS MARIA J, VAN KURINGEN, HENDRICUS MARIA JOHANNES CORNELIS
Applicants: OCE TECH BV, OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: G06F3
IPC codes: B41J5, G06F13, B41J29, G06F3